hot and sticky summer

We have officially relocated. We are now Michiganders. It is so nice to be back home after years away. We certainly lived in a beautiful place, but this is home. And now begins the work of transitioning our lives. There are many logistics to changing states, esp. when you own and operate vehicles. It is exhausting to try to get our ducks in a row, and it is exhausting to not know what awaits me, professionally, in the next month or so. I continue to pray for a miracle teaching position. But I recognize the high likelihood of having to sub full-time (or at least nearly full-time). Subbing is horrible. You have no authority and no relationship with the students and students seemed to be hardwired to take advantage of subs. But before I stress about something in the future, I will just continue to hold out hope that more secure employment is out there. I love History, I love making difficult information accessible to students, and I just love working with young people. I had so much fun teaching at Hillel Academy in Pgh; and I do believe that my own classroom awaits me someday.

Stephen is preparing for law school and I am so excited for him. I am nervous about feeling like I'm going to be a single parent w/ the amount that he will have to study. But, hey, I did it this last year when he worked weekends and evenings and I know I can do it again. I will just miss him and I'll be wishing I could just sit w/ him and talk through the day. I married my best friend and I just like to talk to him! I know that he will enjoy stretching his mind in new ways as well. My dad was working, going to night school and raising two very small kids around this age. He is very empathetic to what Stephen's personal demands will be in the coming years.

We are new to a city that we both grew up in (Steve) and near (Me) and we are optimistic.



Before orientation, buying a car, and other craziness ensues...we are running away to Holland to meet up with friends from college. It will be fun to meet their new little one and catch up.

Be back in a few days...!

Freebies

Ah I love the end of the year as a public school employee! Free food galore! And maybe it's a sign of the times, but I really lucked out in that the school cook out included veggie burgers! So my head is now buzzing from my burger, chips, snickers and soda all provided by the school. Too much sugar! But it was nice to have to put my own lunch in back in the fridge--saves me some work tomorrow morning. The administration, it seems, is constantly trying to keep the teachers happy with free food: bagels and cream cheese after PSSA testing, cookies and punch on the occasional Friday, cookouts scattered throughout the year. I'm sure what would REALLY be appreciated would be a few more bucks in those paychecks for the shenanigans the teachers have to put up with in the classroom. Speaking of which, this morning I had to take a detour to get into my classroom b/c the senior boys had blockaded the hallway as their "prank." Not a very creative prank if you ask me, but hey that's better than pulling the fire alarm.

In other news, I will happily post some new pics of the family once I upload them onto the computer. She was playing in the laundry basket last night and it was truly a Kodak moment: will post. We should've had the video camera with us on Monday as she met a baby at our friend's barbecue who is very close in age. They were squealing and laughing at each other and squeezing one another's hands. Everyone in the room was laughing to the point of tears. I wonder if twins enjoy each other that much as babies?

I cannot believe it: only 4 more days w/ the students!