Today was the BIG DAY!

We closed on our house today! It went smoothly and everything was in order. It was actually quite anti-climatic...

I worked today from 8-noon. I took the afternoon off to run errands, go to the bank, and make sure everything was ready. My realtor and I had our final walk-through, and everything was great! The supervisor for the building company showed me different things-outlets, how to turn the water off, the electrical box, all that fun stuff...actually I really had to concentrate! I was more interested in the light fixtures, carpet, paint, appliances...

After that we headed down to the office in Maple Grove for the closing. I don't know what I was expecting, but we signed a ton of papers while the "closing man" explained everything. At the end he handed me the keys and said, "congratulations". I was waiting to hear a drum roll or a band play or something, but it was just me thanking him with a big (dorky) grin on my face. We immediately drove a trailer load of stuff over there with my mom and Steve. Olly and Steve unloaded while my mom, William, and I hung out. We did some unpacking, but William was pretty tired. We went back home, put him to sleep, and then went back to the house (Olly and I). We unpacked and unpacked. It was so fun! I put up my beautiful shower curtain (that I haven't seen in 2 years and have never used), got the towels out (what a pain to have to wash everything!), and started rinsing and putting away the dishes. I decided that organizing a kitchen might not be too fun, so I've left that job for my mom-something she wants to do. If you know my mom, you know that she will do a great job.

It is so exciting to have a nice and new place. It's so bright and warm. We met a neighbor. She also closed today and was moving in. I think she was pretty drunk, because she was slurring her words and not making a whole lot of sense. She had some friends with her, and I think rather than moving in, they were partying. I guess moving to a new place calls for celebration! I think we'll celebrate AFTER the boxes are unpacked and things are put away.

Whew! I'm so glad everything went as planned. I will post pictures as soon as it looks more organized!

Our House is Done!

I don't have any pictures to post, because we didn't have the camera with, but our townhome is complete! It looks so nice inside! I love the colors they chose (we didn't get to pick the colors). I love the wall color (it's not white!), the carpet, the woodwork and cabinets, flooring, and the light fixtures are perfect. If we had been able to choose, we probably would've picked what they picked.

Everything is so clean and new! In the pictures from a previous post it was pretty messy, but now it's clean and sparkling!

I am so excited to decorate William's room. I bought him a bookshelf which matches his dresser. My mom bought his dresser as a gift before he was born. We bought an unfinished dresser at a wood furniture store and picked the finish for it. I ordered a bookshelf in the same wood, and it will match the dresser. I splurged and order a kid's table and chairs. It will be in a darker wood and most likely be in the loft (which may be like a play room).

We also bought living room furniture-a couch, chair, ottoman, and two end tables. I swore that my old couches were NOT going into the new townhome, so the new furniture is being delivered the day after we close!

Here are some pictures of the couch and chair...



I'm not crazy about the pillows on the couch and will probably buy other ones. We bought the furniture at Ashley Furniture. I highly recommend Ashley, because the service and prices were great!

Some Pictures of William...

Here are some pictures of William hanging out with my mom when she babysat him yesterday. He loves his red car. We gave that to him for his birthday. He loves to sit in it and be pushed around. I can't wait for summer walks in the morning pushing him around in his little car!

He Finally Did It!

Yesterday (April 3, 2008) William finally started taking steps by himself! I think we can say he has started walking! He is so proud of himself-especially when we make a huge fuss. He beams from ear to ear, squeals, and flaps his arms around. He's taking about 5-6 steps before he nose dives into the floor. I think he just decided that he can do it! Although crawling is still the most effective way of getting from point A to point B.

Here is a picture...

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.