Back to School

Today was my first day back at work. The kids come on Thursday.

I am so excited to meet my new snit snorts. 

But I'm even more excited about seeing my old ones, my big bad first graders. 

I hope this year's students are even half as lovable as last year's. 

But I hope they're a WHOLE LOT better behaved. 

I've made some New (School) Year's Resolutions

1. spend more time teaching math

2. raise my voice less

3. reward more and punish less

4. do a better job at showing God to my colleagues

5. have assigned seats

Any other advice is SO welcome. 

Empty Nest

Ben has been doing his "rural rotation" in a small town near Henryetta, thus we've moved back in with my parents. The last two weeks have been so great. There's been lots of swimming, and shopping, and Big Brother watching. Sadly, I go back to the real world this week, and I'm leaving Ben to fend for himself with the Jenson clan for two more weeks.

We moved Grant to college on Wednesday. I think Grant's giddiness and excitment might have actually cancelled out my parents' and my despair. He's just so big. When did he get to be so big?

In the midst of my mom's sobbing, she assured me that "I cried for you too, hunny." But I know that this one has to be harder. I'm just glad that Ben and I were there for my parents. We let my dad pay for our meals, and we let my mom do our laundry - just so they'd still feel needed and parental. Wasn't that so nice of us?

I love you, Granty. I'm proud of you.