Today is a two cups of coffee kind of day...

which is fine with me!!

This past week was our week of inservice for school. It was a BEAST! We had meetings every morning, planning scattered throughout the week, schedules changing, student numbers fluxuating (PS- pray for 5th Grade... they are averaging about 30 kids per classroom...), and a lot of just plain working. It will pay off as the year goes on, though. We knocked a lot of stuff out this week, so we will have less meetings throughout the year. On top of that, I (who am known for going to bed at 9pm every night when school is in session) actually went out an hung out with people after work this week! Tuesday, I went to BJs with Amanda and Ashlee. Wednesday, I randomly decided to drive to my new apartment at 5:30 just to see how long it would take me to get home in peak traffic (20 minutes, thank you very much!) and ended up going to a movie with Jim and Patricia, Thursday was meet the teacher night... I actually went to bed at 8:30, and Friday I worked at school until 7pm, then went to dinner and hung out with Jen Cook and Co. until midnight. Keep in mind that my average bedtime (minus Thursday) was midnight to 1am... and I got up at 5:30-6am every morning. Yesterday, I had planned to grab some things for school and work up there for about 2 hours then go home and run some errands. My body said: NO! I got up at 9... read a book in bed for an hour, laid on the couch and watched a movie with Ash, ate lunch, took some advil for my headache, then took a 3 hour nap. I was USELESS. But that's okay... I had a fun week. Fun friends and fun work peeps! So this morning is a 2 cups of coffee kind of day. Because I have church, then all the errands from yesterday to run.

I have to say, I absolutely love the people I work with. No joke. They are amazing. There are a lot of changes this year, not all of them are my favorite, but God definately uses changes that aren't my favorite for things that are His.

One thing that is not so fun... my Yoda is gone. She probably hates that I call her that, but she is basically that. Jennifer Putman saved my life two years ago and I can't thank her enough for that. I can honestly say that in my first year of teaching, I don't remember anything before Thanksgiving break except three days: The first day of school, the day I cried uncontrollably in our grade level meeting, and the day Jennifer came into my room with her crate of stuff and plans to scrape me off the ground and turn me into a teacher. If she hadn't come to the rescue I would have probably quit or been fired. I learned quickly what exactly I needed to do and I talked to Jennifer daily with questions and updates on how my kids were doing. God really blessed me with her and I am so sad she is at another district this year. It's a great move for her, but I want to be selfish and keep her at Brown. She did say I could call her if I needed anything... and, well... I probably will. :)

I am excited about Lisa taking her place as our Instructional Specialist, though. Lisa is great! I didn't really know her well until last year and she is just a fabulous person and a great friend. She did a lot of great stuff with our 4th grade team and we are going to miss her this year. But she won't be far away!!

I am just, plain excited about the school year. I am still super nervous about the first day of school tomorrow, but that is normal. I have my first day dress all ready to go!!

I am also anxiously awaiting the arrival of my niece, Macy! I cannot wait until she gets here!!! She should be arriving Tuesday or Wednesday (of course, the first week of school) and I told Erin that she needs to wait until the afternoon so I can for sure be there! I have a feeling that Macy will have her own plans, though. My arms are just itching to hold her!!!

I just praise God for my life. It is far from perfect, but I can see the blessings he has graciously given me. I don't deserve any of it.

I have to say, I was in traffic on my way home Tuesday and I got to thinking about all the wonderful things God has done in my life and I had the urge to jump out of my car and dance right there on the shoulder of 183... I didn't do it... but it made me smile. I might have danced in my car, though.

"You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O Lord, what great works you do!" Psalm 92:4-5

"Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins, and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things." Psalm 103: 1-5