I need your prayers!

I have some good news, bad news, and okay news...

I'll start with the good news...I had my summative conference with my principal today (discuss how the year went, improvements, etc), and it went fantastically. My principal (Mark) only had great things to say about me as a teacher. He had to evaluate/rate me in several areas, and I received mostly "distinguished" which is the highest possible rating. He said that I am an amazing teacher. That was nice to hear.

The bad news...my position is being cut for next year (at this time). They are short two incoming first graders; registered is 68, and they need 70 to have the fourth section of first grade (I'm the fourth section). I'm automatically cut due to the fact that I have the least amount of seniority. He said this has happened for the last 4 years, but the fourth section is always re-added. The problem is...it may not be re-added until August. Last year it was re-added in August, which is when I got the job-the week before teachers started back.

He said that he has actually begged, pleaded, and reasoned with the person in the district who makes the decisions-requesting the section be added now rather than later so he can keep me, but that's not how it works. It wouldn't be added back until they are 100% sure. Chances are it will be, but I can't wait and hope. What if it isn't?

So, now I will tune up my resume, cover letter, and wait for next year's jobs to start being posted later this month. His advice for me was to start applying right away. He'd like to keep me, but he doesn't want me to risk not having a job if I wait for the section to be re-added and then it isn't. I agree.

I'm pretty bummed about this. I'm in a school that I really like, my colleagues are great, my principal is the best I could ask for, and I really enjoy first grade. There really isn't anything negative about my position.

The okay news is this...Mark (principal) assured me that I WILL have a job next year. It may not be at my current school, but I will have a job. Whew...considering we have our closing for our new townhome next week, and I'm getting a new car this week. Not a good time to hear my job has been cut. The principals will be getting together within a couple weeks (before the initial jobs are posted) and discuss teachers who've been cut and are non-tenured but who they'd like to have in the school district. I guess that's me. So, I feel secure in the fact that I will have a job. My hard work this year has to pay off! Besides the fact that my class is awesome and doing so well!

The thought of applying, having out resumes, and interviewing turns my stomach upside down.

Like I said, I need your prayers. Please pray I at least have something, and that I don't have to wait out the entire summer to find something. If you want to get more specific, pray that two children move into the school boundaries and come to my school for first grade which would increase the numbers and add back the fourth section. Please pray they move in soon! I'd love to stay at my school. I feel like I've paid my dues. I've worked with the crappiest, worst teacher, I've long term subbed in less than desirable conditions, and I've subbed (which is not fun).

I'll keep you posted.

Amazing portrait!

I belong to a mommy message board. There's a group of us from around the United States who post questions, comments, and chat with each other. I've been a part of this group since around the time William was born.

One of the moms is an art teacher and has amazing talent when it comes to drawing portraits of people. She recently drew a picture of William, and it is truly amazing! I e-mailed a picture of him, she drew it, and I should be receiving it in the mail within a few days.

Here is her website in case you are interested in checking out her work or having her draw a portrait for you. She is very reasonably price too.
http://www.rubysketch.org/

William modeling his new outfit!

I was excited to find a children's clothing store called Janie and Jack while we were in Florida. I had heard of it before, but we don't have one in Minnesota. It's quite pricey but I managed to find an adorable outfit for William on the sale rack. When I came home, I checked their website and found that one just opened here at the Mall of America! Yah! I'm so excited and can't wait to go there. I will need to take someone with me to drag me out of there. I was seriously drooling over their adorable clothes. I will definitely buy William's special occasion outfits at Janie and Jack.

Here he is modeling his Janie and Jack whale outfit. I LOVE the pants! I think he liked the pants too, because he kept looking at them and pointing to the whales. His snazzy white shoes are from Nana and Grumps in England. The perfect pair of shoes for the outfit!

Excuse his shiny face! He has had a cold and really bad runny nose for over a week, so his skin is dry from constantly wiping his nose. I had just loaded him up with Aquaphor!








I love this picture of us.

Our New Home!

Today my mom and I went to our townhome (see pictures below). It's almost done! The carpet is in, wood work is done, cabinets and all appliances are in, and it's painted. The painter was doing touch up to the paint today-which really needed it. Those construction workers aren't too careful when they are working in new homes. It's so nice, and I am so excited to move in! We close on April 11th, so we'll start moving that day! Today my mom and I went couch shopping. I bought a couch, chair, ottoman, and two end tables. They are really nice!

Olly is in Denver right now training for his new job. He has been gone since Sunday (the day after we came back from Florida). He will be home on Wednesday, so he'll have been gone for 10 days. I can tell that William misses him. This morning we talked on the phone, and I put Olly on speaker. As soon as William heard his voice, he leaned over and kissed the phone. I'm sure he's wondering where he is. This morning I brought him into bed with me, and he was obviously looking around for Olly. I'm know that Olly misses him just as much and probably more!

Below are some pictures of our townhome.

Part of the front


Looking at the living room from the dining room.


Kitchen


Kitchen


Loft-this is what you walk into when you first go upstairs. It's quite big and could easily be a family room/playroom.


Master bathroom-includes a stand up shower, toilet (obviously!), and 2 sinks. I'm excited about the two sinks, because we can each have one! The other neat thing is that the countertop is higher than an average bathroom sink wich I love.


Sitting room in the master bedroom. It's quite roomy-big enough to be another bedroom.


Master bedroom-the door to the left is the walk-in closet, and the door to the right is the bathroom.


Front

William's One Year Pictures!

I forgot to post William's one year professional pictures! These were taken at the beginning of February a few weeks before his birthday. He was such a little ham! Our photographer does such a wonderful job, and she really captures William's personlity.

More Pictures from Florida...

Here are a few more pictures from our trip to Florida. I miss the warm sun! I miss wearing sandals! I miss tank tops! Hopefully it will warm up here soon!

Back from Florida!

We just spent a lovely week in the beautiful and warm Florida sunshine! We stayed near Clearwater (it's on the Gulf of Mexico near Tampa). The weather was gorgeous! It had me wondering WHY we live in Minnesota?!?! I love Minnesota, but I could do with winter being much shorter (or not at all!). There's nothing like the warm sun on the beach when you've been in snow for several months!

William had a nice time. He is such a little trooper. He is quite the little traveler and goes with the flow. He got a bad cold while we were down there (towards the end of our week), but other than that he did really well. He wasn't so sure about the sand at first, but he learned to enjoy it. He loved swimming in the resort's pool. He also loved being outside with shorts, t-shirt, and bare feet!

William and Grandpa-his favorite person
William and Uncle Kevin
Enjoying the sand
The two studs! Olly and Kevin
William and me on the beach

William's First Birthday!

William's birthday plate-we made it!
The three of us
William with his smash cake.
William with his cousins: Isabella, Maya, Thomas
William and his cousin, Sophia.
The birthday boy!
The birthday boy again!

I haven't updated the blog for awhile! Life is always so busy! William had fun at his first birthday. He wasn't too fond of the cake. He doesn't like getting his hands dirty, so he didn't like the cake on his hands. He enjoyed playing with the kids. He was really good!

More good news...we're moving! We've signed a purchase agreement on a brand new townhome-still being built! Our closing date is April 11th! We can't wait! It's really nice and perfect for our family. It's in a great location, and it has plenty of room for us. I'll post pictures soon!