1 Down, 35 More to Go!

One week of school is complete. There are 35 left.

I think this will be a good year. I can definitely see some challenges on the horizon, but all in all, it's good. I can see myself already being a better teacher. It's amazing what experience can bring. I'm glad to be in the same place, same teaching position as last year. It's nice to not be new.

Little Girl has now started Kindergarten. She's having a rough time of it. It's hard to get used to being "on" all day, and having that day start an hour and a half earlier than before. She's already showing improvement.

Big Girl is also having some difficulties, but hers are different. She wanted to be in the after-school care group with her sister, even though she is now classified differently, being in 2nd grade. They have a younger group (K & 1st), middle group (2nd & 3rd), and an older group (4th & 5th). Big Girl stayed with Little Girl the first week, and then today there were some problems when it was suggested that she go in with her own age group. I think it's worked out now, and she'll be fine. It's just getting adjusted. We didn't talk about her expectations, and we probably should have. If her expectations are set correctly from the start, there are far fewer problems of this nature.

I love both of my girls so much, and it's hard on me when they're having difficulties, especially when it makes me feel like my job is making their problems harder for them. I must trust God to know what's best for them and me, and He has directed my career path, and whatever bumps we all experience will work out for the good of us all. If I were a SAHM again, yes, I'd be there to pick them up from school, but I may not be the mom they need in other ways. Or maybe God has me in the mission field of public school for the souls of others at the expense of some bumpy days in my babies' lives for His ultimate glory.

The very anti-God teacher that I'm working with has chose to teach the men's choir "Fairest Lord Jesus." It makes my heart smile. Lord, I pray that the words of truth in that song will penetrate some very hard hearts.

School Starts Again

Today was my first day back at work after the summer vacation.

This summer we did so many things with the girls that were their first time... dance class, going to the movies, floating the river, going to the water-park, and finally going to the BEACH. The last of those we did last week.

Big Girl did so great. I was afraid she would be afraid of the waves and playing in water that she couldn't see the bottom (we went to Galveston, which is not the nicest beach by a long shot!). None of that bothered her, and she had a great time!

Little Girl also had a good time, but you might not have known it to see her there. She did an awful lot of fussing for someone having a good time. That's just her way, or rather, how she acts when she's not in control. She is only 5 years old, after all, and she's got a long way to go in the maturity department. Her passion will eventually have a clear channel where her personality will be one of her greatest assets. For now, it gets in her way, and I can completely relate.

Anyway, today was the start of school for teachers in our district. I have mixed emotions about going back. I'm sad that the summer is over. More specifically, I'm sad that I'm going to have to be accountable for how I spend my time, and that it will not be my own. It's my selfishness groaning a bit. On the other hand, I love my job, and I'm excited to get another shot at doing it. I'll be in the same position as last year, with two schools, the biggest and smallest middle school choir programs in the district.

Just this past weekend I got to enjoy doing something for the second time, and NOT BEING NEW ANYMORE!!! It's hard to be new. The only thing good about being new is that as the new person, there's an excuse for making mistakes. "I didn't know, sorry. I'm new." In every other way, experience is definitely preferred. So here's to putting a year of middle school choir experience to good use!!

I know with the start of the school year I won't be blogging nearly so much, so I apologize in advance for not checking in.

Big Girl is starting 2nd grade, and Little Girl is starting Kindergarten in a week from tomorrow. I know both of their teachers, and I'm very pleased with their placements in those two classes. My girls will both be blessed to have excellent teachers this year. I'm taking it as an indicator of a good year to come.

I know there's more I could blog about right now, stuff God is doing in me, stuff that might edify those who read, but I just can't bring myself to spend my time tonight on the computer.

The song in my head right now is "Oh Dear, What Can the Matter Be?" which is one of the songs my associate and I have chosen for one of the choirs at the big choir school to sing on the Fall concert. I'm a sucker for 6/8 time signature. Always have been...