THANK YOU to everyone for all the encouraging words! You brightened my days considerably, and I send a big virtual hug to everyone! You are indeed a blessing from the Lord!

I am now officially over my pout - ha! School starts Monday, and Friday our lead teacher threw a brown bag lunch, where the kids came, ate lunch with us, and we got to know them a little better. We have kids who have a wide range of challenges. Some are autistic, some self-destructive, one kid is bipolar, others have problems I haven't been briefed on yet. The parents were required to drop them off; no adults but the teachers there. And the kids were a little nervous. Hey, the teachers were a little nervous!

But then we got into this discussion on Sonic the Hedgehog, which turned into one on Guitar Hero, which became a conversation on music in general. And by the time we got into a one-upmanship contest on who knew the pet with the weirdest name, we were all sitting around laughing and talking and having a grand time, and I was on my way to falling in love with each and every kid. They are so sweet! It's a little different interacting with them -- I have to get used to talking with kids who will look in every direction but at my face, that sort of thing -- but I'm figuring they have to get used to my quirks, too! I am praising the Lord for giving me two boys, so I was able to hold my own in the conversation about computer games. Who knew all those boring dinner table conversations would pay off?

On other fronts, my three are ready for the first day, albeit nervous. They know they will do well and enjoy school, but the first day is always a bit nerve-wracking for all three of them. Evie has made plans to meet her gang outside of the school the first day. They are going to join hands and march in together - ha! They've also scoped out where to gather for lunch. She's going to do fine.

Jesse's school had their 'back to school' night Thursday night, where they find out who their teacher is. Jesse is overjoyed to discover that His Best Friend In All The World is in his classroom. His teacher (who had Will for fourth grade also, and who is excellent) looked at Jesse and Trip dancing around the room with glee while whooping at the top of their lungs, and said thoughtfully, "Hmmm, better not sit those two together!" Ha!

Will also has scoped out the table where he and his best friend Michael and a couple of other buddies are meeting for lunch, so he figures even if he doesn't have any friends in his classes, he'll be OK. He gets his schedule today.

David is looking forward to Monday and finally having some peace and quiet around the house to get some work done. Of course, Sunday Andy (our nephew, who lives with us while attending UT) arrives, so he won't be quite alone! But, as he puts it, at least Andy is tall enough he can put his own snacks in the microwave! (Will and Jesse can't reach our microwave yet.)

Good luck to all the students out in pleo-land! Hope you have a GREAT first day!

Very, very busy. Didn't get any of the positions I wanted; ended up with one of those 'in a different room with different kids' jobs that I really didn't want. So, I'm busy making lemonade out of it all. It'll give me a chance to see a lot of different teaching styles, meet a lot of kids, and learn a lot. And, I AM getting paid; that's always nice. Haven't gotten Will's schedule yet, but I've got my fingers crossed we'll have the same lunch period. Not that he'll want to eat lunch with me - ha! - but it would be nice to have the option!

I got thrown a curve ball; I have to be at work by 7:30. Before it had been 7:50, so we had planned on me dropping Jesse off at school and then taking Will in with me. Now we've got to figure out how to get Jesse to school, as if I drop him off he will be there too soon, and his school really does not want kids there too soon. (Can't blame them!) That 20 minutes makes a big difference traffic-wise and everything. Arrgh. Well, we'll figure something out.

School starts Monday!

Still don't know which of six possible positions I'll fill, and might not know until Thursday. Anyone who's ever been a teacher will relate to this:-- the entire faculty is undergoing district-mandated training in integrating character values into the curriculum and defining various mission statements and high-sounding but obvious goals for the year. (Example: Install in students a sense of achievement.) Biggest waste of time you can imagine, but everyone must attend, sign in, work in these discussion groups, etc. Looks like it won't be until Thursday that the T.A.'s can actually meet and discuss which kids we are helping and what jobs are up for grabs. I just keep chanting my mantra: They are paying me for this. They are paying me for this. Plus, free breakfast from the PTA today (fruit and pastries; I ate the fruit) and free lunch tomorrow (taco bar).

I'm a little nervous. I know every teacher and staff person in the school and probably half of the kids, so I'm being a little silly. But I'll feel much better once I know what my job duties are and can start some of my infamous Lists Of Things To Do. Love checking off those boxes!

On a funny note, Freshman Orientation for Anderson High was Friday, and Evie phoned to ask if she could join a group at Subway. Since she phoned me right at the end of orientation, I was in the high school parking lot at the time. Gotta LOVE that timing! So, I offered to haul kids to Subway, and another mom hauled a crowd, too.

As I walked into Subway, the entire place exploded with kids hollering, "MRS. LADYMAN!!!" and this mob of kids surged towards me. Apparently quite a few incoming freshman decided to go to Subway, and they recognized me from working at Murchison. The other mom was making 'rock god' comments about me as I bumped fists with the kids and caught up with them - ha! Great fun.

Evie rolled her eyes and pretended she didn't know me. She's SO ready to be in a different school than me - ha! Will, on the other hand, is VERY happy. Oh, the difference between eleven years old and fourteen years old. (Um, she did 'discover' me when she needed to bum some money off me.)

Monday was David's birthday. The kids left him a note saying, "Dearest Father, you have always told us we had to work for anything we wanted. Now, you have to work for your presents. Here's your first clue." Yes, the kids put together a present hunt for David. He had to figure out clues, run around the house and outside, and in general sweat for his presents. Since the cluemakers were a bit young, some of the clues tended to be somewhat obscure, but David prevailed and got all of his presents -- and had a good time.

Wednesday was our 31st anniversary! Wahoo! Not sure what I did to be blessed with the most wonderful husband in the world, but blessed I am. I never stop thanking the Lord.

Wednesday was also the day some of the sweetest women in the world took me out to Starbucks for an early birthday celebration. It was so much fun I'm thinking of having another birthday next month......

Tomorrow is my birthday. The kids are whispering and sneaking around. Should be fun!