hello! {and some thoughts}

Hello Friends!

Tomorrow is the day I have been waiting for...well, since I was in elementary school.  That's a long time to wait ;) 

Tomorrow is my first official day at my new school.  My brain is literally about to explode from all the orientations I've had to attend this week, but I know with time everything will become routine again and breathing will become a little easier.   As I've been meeting all of my new colleagues I am missing my dear friends that I taught with for so many years very much...going into the trenches everyday together makes your friendships incredibly strong.  

It's funny...I lived in Denver for almost seven years and within a month of not being there I hardly remember what it was like.  Our horrible upstairs neighbors who I'm pretty sure housed elephants for the circus are just a speck of the past.  The hours spent in the car during rush hour, the rough and tough neighborhood I drove to everyday to do my job, the insecurities I felt living in a big city...POOF! They're gone.  Just like that. 

I always knew I wasn't myself there.  I hardly left my apartment when I was home and when I did it was because I had probably spent an hour mentally preparing myself...even if it was to just go for a walk with Everdeen or run to Target.   I know that may sound so incredibly ridiculous to most, but that's just me.  Taking eons to adjust to something, especially to something that I really don't want to adjust to.   

But I'm home now. I don't think I've ever gone on so many walks with my little girl.  We walk and walk and walk as we explore the neighborhoods and prairie around us.   We draw pictures with chalk on the sidewalk, talk to the neighbors walking their dogs (the dachshunds Sam and Sally are our new favorite friends), and go for wagon rides.   This is how it's supposed to be.  This is what we've been waiting for. 

At night, I rock Everdeen by the window as I read from Little House on the Prairie.  I watch as the pink and purple sky fades and the sun sets over the foothills.  It's breathtaking.  Sometimes we hear the whistle of the train  as it passes through town...it's one of my favorite sounds and reminds me of when I was a little girl hearing that same whistle off in the distance as I drifted off to sleep. 

*  *  *

On Monday, I went to one of the local high schools for new teacher orientation.  As I walked through the parking lot to get to the front entrance I began to hear cheering and clapping...it got louder as I got closer and I could make out some of the cheers, "Welcome to PSD!" "We're so glad you're here!"  My feet suddenly hit a long red carpet that was lined by all the principals and important district personnel.  They were smiling and waving and although I was probably as red in the face as the carpet I couldn't help but laugh and smile back.   This is my new school home and these people will become my new school family.

I have never felt so lucky.

I know that these next few months are going to challenge me as I learn a new school, new students, and their families.  But I'm ready for the challenge.  I feel comforted in knowing that I get to bring myself with me to my new school.  I can bring with me the past six years...the ups and downs.  Everything that has formed me into the teacher I am today is still with me.   

I can't wait to share more about our new home and our new jobs and how we all of a sudden have a little walker amongst us.  But for now, I just needed to say hello and catch my breath before I dive into a new school year!