This school year felt like 467 years. And the last 2 weeks took up at least 400 of um. But I am proud to say that I made it through teaching a year of severe and profound children. I started with 4 kids, 1 withdrew in March, so I ended the year with 3. The parents of 2 of the 3 I ended with told/wrote letters to the principal telling them that I was the best teacher their kids had had in their 5/6 years in our district. I worked my ass off--at least on most days. I loved these kids. I wiped noses (thank God I convinced other people to wipe asses!), was used daily as a papertowel, sang all kinds of ridiculous songs, endured hours upon hours of Sponge Bob and Kipper the fucked up british dog, and did my very best to do what was best for my kids. I have to say, that it wasn't as bad as I felt like it was going to be when I first found out I was doing it. But it was hard. I got my ass kicked, learned that I can indeed run, and left school many times in tears.

But I also learned a lot about God and his amazing plan for each and every one of us. I learned what pure joy looks like in the faces of these kids. I also learned how to remain patient when I really want to scream. I've learned to see strengths and run with them--hopefully fast enough to hurdle the weaknesses. I will never forget how hard I laughed with these kids or how my heart broke when they would cry. I think I started the year loving them for what they were not; but I ended it loving them for what they are.

But I've also learned that I don't want to be in a severe and profound classroom. SO, I have now, after much deliberation and a few different job possibilities, accepted the job as the 3rd grade inclusion/resource teacher. My dear friend, Waller, who was the 3rd grade resource teacher has decided to move to 3rd grade general ed., so I'm taking her place. She will have the inclusion kids and I'll be in her room a lot and also have a pull out group. But not until a very long, peaceful summer--with the exception of 9 hours of summer school--but after the year I've had--that's nuthin'!

I am also planning to reacquainted with all of the people that I didn't really talk to over the last 9 months! I can't wait to have the energy to have a social life again!

Wednesday (day after tomorrow--wowzers!) Vic and I are going to New Orleans for Miss Whitney White's wedding. Hopefully I'll be over the sinus yuck I'm snorting with right now. We are driving and staying until Monday. I'm pretty excited about it. Tamalca gets there Thursday, Dad & Sheri get there Friday. School starts for me on the 5th. Gettin' hitched on the 8th. Then sometime I'm going to Midland, Denver, North Carolina, and Albuquerque. Good times.

Happy Memorial Day!

This week is "Teacher Appreciation Week" at school-sponsored by PTA. They sent home a nice little letter letting the parents know what they would be doing for us each day...breakfast one morning, lunch 2 days, sweet treats, etc. The letter also included daily suggestions for what parents should send. They included things like a Thank You note, a flower (picked, drawn, whatever), etc. All week I've gotten the sweetest things...cupcakes, a grow your own flower pot, a cute dry-erase board shaped like a flower, lots of nice notes, etc.

Today said "Your teacher's favorite drink." I got On the Border Frozen Margarita Mix. Because my parents KNOW. Ha!

Heather created her and big Willie-style a weddin' website. Here's the link: http://carrascoandmatthews.weddings.com

I had a job interview today. I am not sure how it went. I wasn't in there long and she didn't ask me very many questions...but then she told a principal friend of mine that I had "all the right answers and was just as sweet as I could be." SO I don't know, but keep prayin' that I get it because the more I find out about next year on my current campus...the less I wanta be there!

I don't think I've mentioned this yet, but Jennifer Chappell is prego for the second time and just found out she is having faternal twins! I'm really excited. Some of you know the history of she and I not talking for so many years, and how we were "reunited" at my mom's funeral...anyway, I'm so happy to have her back in my life. I was so sad when we stopped talking...but I had obviously moved on...but now that she's back, I remember why I was so sad to loose her--she is just awesome. SO, she was due Nov 16th, but now it will be earlier because full term is only 36 weeks for twins. Fun stuff!