Happy 29th birthday to me! Happy 29th birthday to me! Happy 29th birthday dear Amanda! Happy birthday to me!

I think I like 29 better than 28. 28 was boring. 29 is a little more exciting...because the next one is like the official birthday to be a fo' real grown up. I don't think I will mind being 30.

Anyway, today was great--uneventful--but great. Thanks for all the wishes to those who wished me...and to those who didn't...remember, last day of spring, day AFTER Juneteenth, June 20th. Next year, it will be important for you to welcome me to the 30's. Ha.

Happy Birthday dear Mesteee! It's the LAST one in the 20's--hope it's fabulous! I love you!

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!

Only 20 school days left. A mere 4 Mondays. I am SO done with this year. It has been emotionally and physically draining. This year has flashed before my eyes because I've been too exhausted to do anything other than work and get ready for the next time I have to work. I can look at it and see how much I've learned and I am happy that I did it--I think I'm a better person for it...not to mention that I've fallen in love with a couple of kids. But enough is enough. I've been applying for other jobs in other districts (I'm also DONE with most of the people I work with). I have an interview next week at a brand new school in Denton. Say some prayers, please.

This summer I am taking 9 of the last 15 hours I have for my M.Ed. They all should be interesting. An inclusion class, mild to moderate disabilities, and a research class. The research is the only one I'm thinking will be hard because it will be time consuming.

Other than that, we are going to my friend Whitney White's wedding (mattandwhitney.com) the weekend of June 2nd in New Orleans and maybe North Carolina with Vic's family in mid July to stay in their beach house. I'm also for sure going to Castle Pines, CO to stay with William, Albuquerque to see Vic's family, and to Midland to see my Misti.

Have I mentioned that we are getting married (again)? Probably the end of May/early June. Whenever the mood strikes, I suppose. Remember how I said that I'd never marry the same man twice? Well. I'm not hungry, but I'll eat those words...and wash them down with some cake and champagne.

Of course, I have to make it through the next 20 days to get to do all this...pray about that too.

Happy Birthday Jamey K.!

I can't believe it's our last year in the 20's--I hope it's the best one yet!

I love you!

Willam is officially engaged to Heather!

That is why he came to town, to buy her a ring. He flew home this morning because he had asked her parents to come in town so he "could talk to them." He asked them for her hand in marriage this afternoon, before Heather got home from the play she is currently working on--they were excited and said yes. Tonight she went into another room and when she came out he said "You didn't even ask me if I brought you a surprise from Dallas..." she said "Did you bring me candy?" (she loves Candyhaven in Denton) he said "Yes, look in the closet." When said walked back out, he was down on one knee. SO EXCITING!

I am so happy for both of them. It seems like he loved her from day 1 about 2 years ago--he has always been so happy with her. She has been with him through a really rough year and never blinked an eye. I welcome her into our family--I'm excited to have a new "sister."

My mom would be thrilled--she loved Heather and would be so proud of them both.

Remember back when 4-20 meant something fun? That's so funny to me that I actually used to put a significance on it. Not that I ever actually celebrated it, but I did think of it as a holiday of sorts. Dork.

Actually though, it is a holiday, of sorts...just not the same sorts. Today is Ms. Nancy "Leanna" Stockdale's 34th birthday. I love Leanna. She's a peach. I don't remember first meeting her exactly, but I know it was at "Big Jen and Little Jen's house" in Lewisville back many (7 or 8 or so) years ago. All I really knew about her before meeting her was that everyone loved her. I found out why very quickly--she has this big amazing personality and a heart to match--she's so laid back and just takes everything in stride. Vic and I were talking about her a few days ago and how she is just always there--she's everybody's rock--and she's a funny rock, too. She came to my house several times when Vic and I were having really hard times, she was at my house almost before I was the day Mom died, she even came over and hung out w/ me while our dearest Rue was...um...temporarily restrained. Did I mention that she also helped keep Pud, Slap, Mandy, and Tamalca under control (well, as much as possible...) in Vegas at my wedding?! Wow. Anyway, I just wanted to wish her a very very Happy Day.

OH! She also hates the name Nancy, but it's one of my favorite names so she can't get too mad at me for using it.

In other news, William flew in last night. Stay tuned for some exciting news about him! He's getting so old! Makes me wanta sing "Mommy, WOW, he's a big boy NOW!"

I updated my links on the side. I took off all the people that don't really post anymore. I added "Sassy Sarah." This is my dear friend Sarah Pfalzer (Schmitt since 2001--seems like yesterday--that was a fun weddin'!) from Cali, and she's fabulous. She and I met at Santa Catalina when we were mere pups. She, husband John, and daughter Avery live in TN. She posts lots of good pictures!