9.22.08

I am at a loss for words. Mara Adams passed away this morning. I am not quite sure how I made it through the day at school, but I did. Mara was in class on Friday. Weak, but alert and gave us her half grin we can thrive on for days. Today was a somber day around school and I am sure there will be a roller coaster of emotions running through everyone as the days pass. I can't begin to think about removing her belongings from my classroom, but know the day will come. On her table today was a self portrait she had been working on for Open House. I couldn't move it. Mara and her family has touched so many lives. I am deeply saddened by the news and hope to find some strength in knowing she fought for as long as she could and as hard as anyone could possibly imagine.

9.21.08

On Tuesday night, four teachers ventured to Seattle to see Phantom of the Opera. Maggie and I recieved tickets from the Adam's family. Of course this meant we had to wear our Mara shirts and take photos! See below. (Maggie is on the left, she teaches K at our school and that's me on the right.)

Mara is constantly on our minds and in our thoughts. She is making it to class almost daily, but only for about an hour. She tires quickly, but I am thrilled each time she is able to be part of class. For updates check out her website: http://www.maraadams.com/. I adore my job and Mara has taught our class about compassion, perserverance, love, hope, being grateful for the little things in life, acceptance, etc...the list goes on and on. Thank you, Mara, for teaching us.

9.15.08 Life is Busy

Since school has started, I have found myself wanting more down time. Go figure! Quite the opposite has occured. Mornings are now filled with list making while driving to work,(Usually I can't remember my list by the time I get to school.), getting children settled in the classroom even if they have forgotten their lunch and refuse to eat school lunch, finding my planbook open with no plan and listening to 25 stories about what happened the night before....Still, I wouldn't change a thing!

In other news....Richard and I traveled to South Dakota this past weekend for my brother's wedding. It was a great event with great memories. (I am exhausted from the trip and excited that bedtime has arrived!) Aric and Janean looked fabulous and the ceremony went smoothly. We danced the night away at the reception and they opened gifts on Sunday. It was a BUSY weekend with barely enough time to catch our breath! I went back to school this morning feeling both energized (wanting to see my class) and exhausted (from the travel and a cold). Life is busy, but good.

9.3.08 First Day of School

Oh...my...goodness! I am one tuckered out teacher!

Today was the first day of school. I am teaching a split class; 14 second graders and 11 first graders. As usual, the school was bustling way too early! Families were in the door well before opening which makes it difficult for teachers (like me) who get new students enrolled minutes before school starts! Thankfully, I have a student teacher and she was able to prep the materials for us. I know, I know, I don't think I am old enough to have a student teacher, but I am! Anyway, today I had second graders all day and met for an hour with first grade parents. Rather hectic. My second graders were giddy with excitement ALL day long. They could not wipe the smiles off their faces. Adorable, really! My first graders came in and unpacked their supplies and if I would have let them, they would have stayed. Tonight I am exhausted and even after a long day, realize once again that I LOVE my job. It was great to be back in the "game" again!

A few of my favorite moments of the day were:

• Toothy grins as kids settle in their desk



• The joy of opening new boxes of crayons and kids coloring so carefully so they don't break



• Mara Adams feeling well enough today to find her first grade desk (http://www.maraadams.com/)



• Students from last year crashing into me with giant, everlasting hugs...ahhhh



• Max coming to visit, "just to see how my class is this year" (he is now in third grade)



• Coming home to a quiet house