I can't believe it.

So...you'll never believe where I just came from. The OTHER school. Yes, it's true. I went there. But, I didn't stay long enough for the blue and orange to get on me. :) Today is Grace's 22nd birthday. Kate, Jessica, and I made the 3 hour drive last night to eat dinner with Grace and her Auburn friends. The car ride was very entertaining. All 3 of us were sleepy and goofy. When we arrived at the German restaurant, we enjoyed a good laugh while we waited an hour for our food! The best part of the night was to come. We went to Grace's amazing castle house for the dessert portion of the night. There, we made caramel apples, ate dirt, and joined with more of Grace's Auburn friends to celebrate a wonderful person's birth. :) Jessica and I were the first to go to bed last night. I awoke this morning to the faces of 3 of my best friends. Grace fixed muffins for us before we left to come back to Tuscaloosa. Don't worry---before we left we gave Grace, her parents, Neal, and her friends a big ROLL TIDE!

The rest of my week has been great as well. It was an uneventful week. I am finally getting over the crud I had last week. And I got paid! :) Nothing beats pay day. Wednesday night dinner was fantastic. We enjoyed big, juicy hamburgers and caramel apples. How could I forget to mention that a very big event happened last weekend!! Cassie's engaged!!! :) I couldn't be happier for her...
I have officially declared fall as my favorite season. It doesn't get much better than Alabama football, beautiful leaves, cooler weather, and pumpkins.
Before I close this blog, I want to thank everyone for their support as I have been surviving through my first months as a grown up! :)

been WAY too long...

Sorry I haven't been updating my blog... it's hard to update when I am so busy :) No complaints though. Most days, I absolutely love my job and couldn't imagine anywhere else. I thank God that He sent me to Erwin. That's on most days--on the days where I get cussed out, hit, or disrespected, I do not love my job. I'll give you a quick recap.
Last week, I was trying to read with one of my boys when he attempted to slap me. Now, let me say that he has behavior problems and wasn't on any of his medicine. BUT--he still knows its wrong to slap someone. So, I had to write him up and sent him to the vice principal. He was suspended and a meeting with his mom was set up. She just didn't understand why we had to suspend him. What a world we live in.
Today I was helping a group of students with a test. Michael Jordan was in the group and he was playing with some money. I asked him 2 times to put it up, and he wouldn't, so I took it from him. Of course I was going to give it back to him, but he proceeded to stand up and YELL "mother****er" in front of all the other students!! I was so mad at him, but I had to act cool. I removed him from the situation where I could calm him down and talk to him. He is so impulsive.
Today, we had many visitors at the E. One of these visitors included the superintedent of Jefferson County Schools. The special ed people were there and came to watch me teach for about 5 minutes. I felt like I was back in school being observed. I think the lesson went well, and I was happy when they left. I wasn't fired today, so I must have done okay.
I have learned that these kids need so much, but will take so much more. I have learned to guard my heart, but give them everything I have. It's a tough world at the E, but I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. :)

Oh Goodness...

Sometimes I wonder what in the world I get myself into. First of all, as you know, I love school spirit. I love the sense of belonging kids (big kids, too :)) feel when they are active. So, I volunteered to be a Beta Club sponsor!! There are 3 other ladies who are sponsors as well. We had a meeting on Wednesday afternoon. Usually I leave school by 2:50, but not on Wednesday. When I finally pulled out of the parking lot, it was 4:30!! In the meeting, I learned a lot about Beta club...and what I would be doing. Next Saturday morning, the Beta Club will be volunteering at the Susan G. Komen walk. The week of homecoming at Erwin High School, we will be participating in different events each day. For instance, Monday is camo day (in honor of our principal who hunts), Tuesday is Tacky day, Wednesday is 80's day, Thursday is Twin Day, and Friday is spirit day! Friday after school, we are hosting a tailgating party in the grassy area at our school. After the tailgate, we will be attending the Erwin High School football game!! I am so excited... :) On Halloween, which is also Grace's birthday, I will be walking in the Magic City Classic Parade. In case you don't know, this parade is before the Alabama State and Alabama A&M game...it would be like a parade for the Alabama/Auburn game. Beta Club is going to have me busy!!
Obviously I am excited about this! And I had a great week. Tuesday night Cassie and I met for dinner and discussed our students. Man, I can't believe we are real teachers. Wednesday night, after the meeting, I went to the boys' house for homemade pizza. That may have been my favorite meal yet! Thursday I bought my first big-girl purchase. A new camera!!!! I am going to try it out later this afternoon. Friday at school was uneventful, but I got a lot of work done. I am in the process of writing my first IEP. It's not as hard as I thought it would be, but I could Dr. Rock's advice. Friday night I went to Fultondale to eat with Cassie and her friends from Tuscaloosa. It's great hanging out with great girls. I haven't laughed that much in a long time. Thanks for letting me be a part of your friend time!!! When I got back to my apartment, I had a surprise waiting for...GRACE! She spent the night with me because right now she is taking the GRE. Later we are getting lunch and she is heading to Guntersville.
What a great week it has been... :)