First Day of School

Just a few pictures of Jackson and me before my first day of school. I am going to take pictures with him every year, and I am sure before I know it will be his first day of school too.

Today was a great day! I had four no shows so I only had 19 students today. That is a great number, I am crossing my fingers it stays that way. I have some of the tiniest students, they probably think I am the Green Giant:) I have a feeling this is going to be a special group of students.

And. . . I came home to a clean house!

We're Laughing Now

I have two stories to share that are funnier now then when they happened.

The night before my graduation in Beaumont we drove there to spend the night. I booked two rooms at the La Quinta Inn for us. There were two different hotels to choose from, one was 50 dollars a night the other was 100 dollars. So of course I booked the cheaper one. We pulled up to the hotel and checked in. It didn't look bad, just a plain hotel. Brian opened the door to our room and we found beer cans and bottles all over the floor, beds not made, just a complete mess. Needless to say we did not stay there. I guess this was the bad part of Beaumont because we went back two exits and found a bunch of really nice hotels. We ended up staying at super nice hotel and I wish we would have gotten there earlier to enjoy it:)

My parents left last Sunday evening. After we said our goodbye we came in and got ready for bed. Monday morning Brian got up and got ready for work. He was goingto take Jackson to the babysitters and he couldn't find his keys. He looked and looked and remembered he had them in my parents car. Too bad they were long gone by then. (We only have one set of keys for his car.) I called my dad and sure enough Brian's keys were in the seat pocket in my parent's Expedition. My parents stopped in the next town to find a post office and overnight the keys to us. Brian had to take off Tuesday morning and wait for his keys to arrive because if we weren't here the keys would go to the post office. They arrived right on time. Thanks mom and dad!


Since both stories include my parents, I will share some more pictures from their time visiting with us.

Hanging out

Garrison LOVES Brian!

Garrison swam everyday and almost all day

Each night when he got out of the pool he asked for "popcorn, movie"

Mom looking tired because dad got them all up at 6 so they would be ready by 8:)

Long

There is no other word to describe the week Brian and I had. I had meetings all week for school, in which I had to present information to other teachers on two of the days (always a bit nerveracking). I was at school later than normal helping the new teacher I am mentoring get her room ready and making sure others on my team felt ready. Brian worked past 8 o'clock two nights. So needless to say we did not see much of each other and the house work got neglected. I caught up on the laundry this morning and cleaned the downstairs, upstairs will have to wait till tomorrow. This last week of preparing at school was a bit harder having a baby. It was different when I went back after maternity leave because everything was already in order. The beginning of the school year is always a bit crazy and hetic. And somehow I am not stressed, maybe a little exhausted, but not stressed.

Jackson was exhausted too!

God sustained me each day and gave me all the strength I needed to get through. Each morning while working out I foused on praying for strength, my new students, and the new school year. I got to meet my students yesterday and they are soooo Cute! One thing already got broke. Parents seem to let their students run wild. I can't wait to teach some routines and procedures:)

I am off for some fun with Brian and Jackson and then out to dinner, courtesy of my first grade team. Have I mentioned I work with some awesome individuals?!

Graduation Day

I did it!

After 18 months of A LOT of work, I finished my Masters Degree. I remember worrying about the GRE and if I would be able to pass it:) I am so glad I decided to get my Masters. At times I wasn't sure why I had signed up and would have been doing other things then writing papers and taking exams. But, it was a great program! I learned so much and have already put so much of it into practice. Brian, thanks for all your support and helping out with Jackson so I could do my homework. Sharon, thanks for proofreading my portfolio. I think I am done with school for a while, but you never know:) I decided to go to Lamar University and participate in the ceremony. My parents happened to be here on vacation so they got to go with me. It was really nice to have them all there. I am not sure they were too excited to sit through the 3 hour ceremony. Jackson was well behaved the whole time and cheered really loud for his mommy:) We came back to Houston and went out to dinner to celebrate. It was a great day!

Before the ceremony outside our hotel (that story is for another post)

Garrison and me after the ceremony

My family

With dad, mom, Garrison, Katelyn

That is Jackson's proud face:)

A Major Mishap

Nothing a dip in the pool can't fix:)

Working Hard OR Hardly Working

I have spent the last two days setting up my classroom and I am done (besides a few little things I will work on here and there). Jackson came up with me today to school and got lots of love from my team. He is going to be a great student. Look how he was paying attention to what I was saying:)

Brian came to help me and when I walked out of the room this is what I came back to. So much for help! Just kidding:) He was a huge help! He put together easels and chairs for me, carried in bookshelves, rearranged furniture, and then moved it again because it was blocking a fire exit! Thanks for all your help Brian, you're the BEST!

As much as I hate to leave Jackson, I am super excited for school to start and my room looks Awesome (if I do say so myself)!

Jackson and Garrison

Jackson thinks Garrison is hilarious!
He laughs and laughs at his faces.
Although sometimes Jackson cries at the voices he makes!

Garrison is so sweet to Jackson.
He likes to rub his head, give him kisses, and lay on his bed.
Although sometimes he steps on his head.