Late June Update

Since I wrote last, I've began summer, watched sweet students graduate, celebrated two little nephews' birthdays, been to the beach, said goodbye to my RCHS classroom, moved all my teaching stuff into my new classroom, driven here and there and here, finalized summer plans, baked 2 two-tiered cakes and my first officially purchased cake, and welcomed the newest member of our family! WHEW.  Let's break it down...

1. RCHS Class of 2015 Graduates - This was an especially bittersweet graduation because I knew it would be my last one as a faculty member of RCHS.  It was also special because this group holds a large chunk of my heart.  Every class is special to me for one reason or another, but there were several kids in this class that wrangled my heart in and never let go.  It was a beautiful, albeit HOT, day.  The kids were great and it was a wonderful celebration of all their accomplishments and hard work.  I pray that they always show God's love and He goes with them in all of their many different directions.

2. BIRTHDAY FUN! - June is starting to become the BIRTHDAY MONTH!  Two of my cousins, two of my nephews, and we just added another new date to celebrate with Saylir being born!

On the 20th, we partied and had a great time celebrating Thad turning TWO!  His birthday was actually the 21st, but we got to partay a day early.  Megan did a fantastic job with getting everything together.  Thad had a jungle themed party and it was super cute!  He ran around, splashed in the pool, opened tons of gifts, and enjoyed the sunshine!

This past weekend, I was able to help celebrate one of my other "nephews", Wyatt.  His first birthday was a huge success!  He is precious.  My favorite part was his "smash cake".  Because of some digestive issues, Matt and Kelly decided to make a non-dairy whip cream substitute.  He loved it!  It's been so much fun to see him grow and learn over the past year!

3. CAKES - I was honored to make both Thad and Wyatt's birthday cakes for their parties this year.  I took a Wilton class back in February and liked it so much, I decided to take another one in May.  It's been a lot of fun!  I enjoy being creative and looking for new ideas.  I will say that it's a hard thing to do with being a perfectionist!  I think both cakes turned out cute!

In addition to those cakes, one of my former students contacted me about making a cake for her daughter's birthday.  So I've had my first official paid cake!!  I hope that sweet Ky likes it next weekend!

4. Moving Classes - During the last week of school, in the midst of testing and wrapping up usual school stuff, I packed up almost all of my classroom.  One never realizes how much stuff...and by stuff, I mean crap...that they accumulate over the span of seven years.  I threw away two HUGE bags of trash and still had a full truck and car load.

It was, again, bittersweet.  Sifting through papers, projects, lessons, notes, and pictures from the past seven years.  It reinforced how wonderful the first part of my career has been.  I've enjoyed Rockingham so much and adore all the people who have blessed and enriched my life.

Walking into my new room was exciting!  However, there are so many things to do to get ready for this upcoming school year.  I pray for calm nerves as I begin this new journey!

5. Family Beach Trip (#1) - The Barrier's and the Outer Banks go together like sea and sand.  We've been going there since I was 2.  Which...is a long time.  My aunt and uncle rented a house a couple weeks ago and were kind enough to ask if I would like to come stay!  I was thrilled.  I hadn't been to Cape Hatteras in several years.  It hasn't changed.  Beautiful.  Quiet.  Peaceful.  The house was perfect and right on the beach.  No shark attacks...but we were on high alert!!

6. Saylir Raine Roland - Our family has been blessed again!  My sweet cousin, Katy, had her third daughter yesterday (6/27/15).  Saylir is beautiful!  I haven't gotten to meet her yet, but from her pictures, she is an absolute doll baby!  I'm so thankful for a safe delivery and for Saylir to grow up in such a wonderful home!  I haven't met Saylir yet, so I don't have pics to share, but I will have and post some soon :)

Anticipating a very busy July.  Trips to Alabama, back to the Outer Banks, Georgia, DC, Philly, and NY!  Not to mention, packing up my current residence and moving to Winston!!  It's going to be a busy, but fun summer.

Goodbye, Rockingham

As I peeked into the room, I was overwhelmed with the possibilities that were awaiting me.  I was giddy at the thought of all the cute bulletin boards, desk arrangements, projects, students, discussions, and learning that would be taking place in room 104.

I was a fresh teacher.  A little green behind the ear as they say.  I had just been hired for my very first teaching job and I was nervous, excited, and thrilled all rolled into one.

Seven years later...I can't believe I'm closing the door on that same classroom.

To begin this story, we need to go back to January.  Sitting in a booth with my mentor, former teacher, and dear friend, Mrs. McKinney, she looked at me just like she did seven years earlier and said, "You're stuck...you need to move."  She encouraged me to at least TRY to send out a resume.  So, speed up to.....

A couple weeks ago, I got a text from one of my best friends telling me that there might be a position opened in her county at her school.  I have been hemming and hawing over what to do as far as moving for awhile now.  I had all but decided just to stay where I'm comfortable and slyly ignore Mrs. McKinney's advice, but something told me to at least send a resume.

I made sure all my resume and cover letter ducks were in a row, and I emailed the principal.  I truly left it up to God.  I told myself that if it was in His plan for me to move, then He would open that door.  A couple weeks later, the door swung open.

I received a call from that school's principal asking if I could come in for an interview the following day.  That was a Tuesday.  On Wednesday, I nervously drove to Winston-Salem and tried desperately to coax myself into believing I could do this...that it was the right thing...that I wasn't going to throw up in my car...the usual.  The interview went well and at the end of it, the principal said he wanted to hire me.   I think my jaw hit the floor.

I walked into Em's room and was introduced as the newest member of the English department at Mt. Tabor High School!  She bounced up and down and yelled and whooped and was overall pretty ecstatic!  I was able to walk around and see what will be my new classroom.  It was surreal!

The next day, I was officially offered and subsequently accepted the job.  I was excited, terrified, freaked out, and about a million different emotions!  I went into school and began the extremely difficult process of telling my administrators, co-workers, and students.  Whew...that was hard.

I'm still in shock.  On Monday, I began taking down my room.  The room that has been my second home for the past seven years.  I feel like I'm peeling away memories every time I take down a poster, picture, project, note, or post-it.  It's really been the first time it's sunk in and became real.  It's hard to imagine myself not at Rockingham.  This was, and will always be, my first job.  My first taste of the "real world".  I have so many colleagues and students who have changed my life.

I keep on stopping and looking around my room as I pack up.  Every picture I take down, I smile.  Every post it I take down, I laugh.  Every part of this room means something to me.  I remember where I stood the very first day I taught here.  I remember where I was when I met my first student teacher.  I remember so many students' faces filling up these desks.  Their bright personalities filling up the space.  Their lives filling up my heart.

The people here make Rockingham.  I remember someone telling me, "It's like a family."  They were right.  It is.  In the past week, since people people have found out I'm moving, I've had so many people come up to me with kind words and sincere wishes for the best as I move on.  It's a hard move.  It's one I've prayed about for a long time.  A lot of that is because of this family at RCHS.

It is with an anxious, but excited heart that I leave these doors, however, I'm excited for this new journey and pray God continues to be with me as I go into this new adventure!