This is crazy that I feel like updating my Xanga when it has been over a year since I have written anything, but I do.  Teaching second grade is pretty good, much better than I expected actually.  I thought I would be crying a lot, but I haven't.  Mostly I am just tired all the time, which I am hoping will wear off eventually.  I guess I am a little discouraged (maybe concerned is a better word) that I am already in a rut of doing what is easy and traditional instead of truly being an intentional and effective teacher.  I have a set curriculum which I follow for every subject area, and I pretty much just format my class after my mentor teacher's class. 

But the thing is that I am exerting 95% of my brain power just trying to remember to send home the fundraiser packets, and to check the students' reading logs, and to make all the copies that I need that day, and to collect math homework, and to make sure that I am prepared to teach a lesson when I stand up in front of the class, and to start labeling file folders so I can organize the stack of papers on my desk, and to spray the pillows with lice control spray, and to remind so and so to tilt her book because the optomotrist suggested it, and to pay attention to so and so if he is scratching his eye because he may need to go to the nurse, and to fill out the reading sufficiency plans, and blah blah blah...

I am also trying to figure out a way to include all of the stuff I am supposed to include in my day, plus add a time for reading aloud to the students, fun hands-on activities, and getting to know each student individually.  And the sad thing is, I only have fourteen students.  It seems like it shouldn't be this hard with only fourteen students.

I know I like teaching, and I still start each day excited to go to work, but I hope that I can somehow get more organized about things and familiar with things so I can start making meaningful activities instead of, "Well, Mrs. Cragar does it in her class, so I guess I should do it in mine." 

But I think the most important thing is that I am trying, and I start each week with a goal of something that I am going to do right this week that I did not do right last week.  And so eventually, I think I will probably start improving. 

I've got to go now.  We're taking the Waverunner to the lake to ride it in the first time in two years!  Woo woo!

Well, I know I haven't updated since January, and probably most people have stopped reading this, but as I am not quite ready to give up on Xanga yet, I will update on my life.

Wedding plans mixed with school mixed with getting our house ready is really stressing me out.  I have never used a planner because I have always been pretty good about keeping what I need to get done straight in my mind, but this semester has just about pushed me to buying one.  People ask me a lot about where I am in the whole process, so I'll tell you:

1.  I have three or four more major projects to finish before the end of the semester.

2.  I have found someone to do my hair and make-up for the wedding and had a trial run.

3.  I have had four showers and have two more to go.  (No "You're going to be very clean!" jokes, please.)

4.  I am waiting for all the response cards to come in so I can talk with Merritt's Bakery and the caterer.

5.  I am waiting for the bridesmaids dresses to come in on Friday to see if they fit.

6.  J.R. and I need to go pick out carpet for our new house.

7.  We also need to buy him a wedding ring.

8.  I am getting fitted for my wedding dress Wednesday-again.  (Apparently my weight fluctuates.)

9.  I need to arrange our pictures to go in the slide show.

10.  I need to talk with the florists and confirm our order.

Okay, I'm going to stop here.  But hopefully that gives you an idea, if you were interested.  Adios amigos.

Okay, there has been a bit of a misunderstanding.  I apologize for yelling at everyone in my last post.  Apparently, you all thought you were telling the truth. 

I went to the dentist yesterday to make sure everything was healing properly, and when he walked in before I even said anything he said, "Well, I bet you have been in a lot of pain!"  I said that yes, as a matter of fact I have, and he said that he had received a letter from my oral surgeon saying that my teeth were extremely hard to remove and I would be experiencing a LOT of pain because of the trauma. 

So ha!  I wasn't being a big wimp!  And you all weren't lying!  And to all you people who haven't had your wisdom teeth removed, it probably won't be so bad for you!  So now I feel a lot better.  And the pain has gotten a lot better.  I am no longer in danger of becoming an Advil addict. 

I want my wisdom teeth back. 

This is terrible.  I can't chew.  I am in constant pain.  My gums are swollen and I have a lisp. 

To all you people who said, "Oh, it's not so bad!"  Yes, it is too.  And you know it.

You thought that by lying to me, I wouldn't dread it as much.  Well, you succeeded.

I didn't dread not being able to eat solid food for a full week.  I didn't dread the headaches and searing pain that comes from bleeding stitches.  And I didn't dread spending ten minutes trying to eat a chicken nugget with my front teeth.  In fact, I never saw it coming.

And I find it strange that last week, I would say to people, "I'm having my wisdom teeth taken out."  And they would say, "Oh, I've had that done.  Don't worry, it's not so bad."  And this week, I tell people, "I had my wisdom teeth taken out Friday."  And they say, "Oh, I've had that done.  It's terrible, isn't it?" 

I haven't been a very likeable person lately.  I have complained a lot.  I have whined a lot.  I have balled my fists and shouted, "I am sick of this!"  But guess what.  I think it is coming to a close.

I was able to close my teeth today.  Victory!  Victory in Jesus!

Tomorrow I am going to attempt chewing.  Also tomorrow, I am allowed to drink from a straw and drink carbonated beverages.  And two weeks from tomorrow I will eat popcorn and chips.  No more eating chicken noodle soup while my family enjoys fajitas for dinner and popcorn and Pepsi for a late-night snack. 

Soon this will all be over.  And someday, when someone tells me they are scheduled to have their wisdom teeth removed, I will tell them honestly that it was the most miserable week of my life.  And then, they will expect it to be bad, and it might surprise them by not being so bad.  That is what friends are for.