All things new.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

This has been my mantra this summer. It has taken me a while to figure out exactly how I wanted to create this post. It still isn't in its entirety by any means-- but I figure it's a start. 

My study partner was vigilant and stuck by my side ALL summer.

Jeremiah 29:11 has been my foundation of all things new this summer. I had the privilege of being a part of a Master Reading Teacher program this summer. My school district offered 10 teachers to go through this and paying their tuition of $1000. This is something I had always thought about doing-- since the overwhelming cost of my first college experience will plague me until I retire... I knew a master's degree wouldn't be something feasible in my future. I replied the moment I saw the email about it, and was put "on the list." Then I had to go to a meeting, fill out an extensive application with LOTS of essays, get 3 letters of recommendation, and take a pre-test. My pre-test wasn't the best, but I made it in! I have spent this summer learning so much about myself as a student (and I am not a good one when I have to be a mommy too... :( ), and I have learned a lot about how to help other teachers and students. It has definitely been the hardest and most rewarding thing I have done for myself in a long time.

Ice cream breaks were essential for Jax/Mommy time in the evenings.

I could blame not having the "home support" I envisioned in my head for the study time I didn't do, or the overwhelming amount of dishes, laundry or clutter that piled up because I simply did not have time to attack it myself. Over all, it was a big adjustment for everyone around here-- and I think we came out ok in the end... although I still am swimming in mess from my toes to my eyeballs and may NEVER get caught up! I think the one that had it the hardest this summer though, is Jax. He has had be from day one for every second he is at home, and this summer... I simply just couldn't drop everything and play. I quickly learned how enchanting a highlighter and a tack of index cards would be for him and together we would do "our homework". I know how to teach writing really, really, really well. I learned this summer though, that I can not write technically well--- at. all. 

I did it! A 4!

Everything I do is narrative or fictional in nature. This was something that I fought tooth and nail, and had to throw out everything in my head and adapt to something new and weird and totally uncomfortable... formula writing! It paid off in the end-- I finally snagged a 4! It's the highest you can get on your TeXMat (Texas assessment of master teachers something or other... I hate test acronyms...). I have to take it at the end of September... I just hope I can replicate the magic. 

Reading is good for the soul. 

This year I will be treading into a new territory. I am going to be starting a new job as the Literacy coach on my campus. Today I will be going to my first "big girl" meeting at our central office with my new principal. I am a little nervous! I just have to remember that there is a plan... and a plan that is greater in me which is in place. I know I will be successful in what I do, because it is all I know how to do. I even get a swanky new office! That is the weirdest part for me... having an office. No more classroom... no more kids desks... no crayons, smelly boys, gum on the floor, paper wads to police... it will be different. In both a refreshing and bittersweet way. I am excited to get to make an impact on my campus as a whole and my prayer is that I get to touch the lives of students and the teachers in a big big way. 

So here I am, Lord! Use me this year to make great changes and to make great things happen. I am ready. I just need to get out my game face... er, I mean make up. 

I guess it'll be swanky once they move the carts... right?

A swanky wreath for a swanky office!

What a day...

First it was a fight with a bottle of orange death...

Ok.... so the first sip wasn't bad... Like a real sweet orange Hawaiian Punch... but have I told you how much I HATE Hawaiian Punch? Even when it's mixed with Everclear and fruit cocktail and served in a trashcan. That's what I tried to envision while gulping this down... half way through, I felt like Adam on Man VS. Food.... The drink was winning. My throat burned and I already felt like I was "jacked up on Mountain Dew!"... ugh. The last sip went down with a fight... "Momma! I don't want to drink it!!!!!" I successfully consumed it in the allotted time, met my friend the infamous "pot head looking phlebotomist" who sucked out 4 tubes of blood and kindly let me know "this is the last time we'll probably have to see each other if all goes well!" Who is he kidding?.... I am sure there is a dark secret that lurks in the files... they want to stick me every time I go! I did the ritual "collection of the party cup" in the bano and met up with Kelsey, the sweetest nurse ever, who checked my weight (only have gained 14 pounds in the last 28 1/2 weeks! WHOO!) and led me to a room where I saw this...

The syringe looked like something straight up off of a sci-fi flick where they do bad alien experiments.... then she told me to drop my pants and she was gonna stick my right butt cheek!!!! KELSEY! WHY!? I thought we were friends!!!! No one ever told me it was going to be a booty shot. BOOTY! IN. THE. BOOTY. Ok, here's the deal. I am afraid of needles... No, I am not kidding. SCARED. TO. DEATH. Especially when it's a booty shot. That is never good. Booty shots are for the real bad ones that are thick and meant for cattle. Yup.... it hurt. Good thing she took my blood pressure BEFORE I found out it was a booty shot. Last time I got one I was 19 and had an infected spider bite. It was one of those nasty antibiotic glue thick ones... I told the nurse I was going to kick her... I screamed... I bucked... They had another nurse come in to hold me down. Yup..... This time I acted more grown up about it, but I would be lying if I said I didn't scream OW! She said she was sorry....

yeah right. I didn't even get a sticker!

Did I mention the muse has come back to visit? Or maybe I just have rediscovered my l.o.v.e. for writing again. Whatever it is... I hope she doesn't peace out on vacay. Maybe I owe it to the Soup Lady... She always has such wonderful stories... 

Oh. I went shopping... yeah, retail therapy always makes shots better.