I'm living my dream.

So here I am, sitting in my classroom... I should be using this time where Clint is in class to get a TON of stuff done...

instead I'm sitting here almost in tears.

today was hard. I'll be honest, first grade is a lot harder than 2nd was for me. I have kids who don't even know all their ABC's. That's hard.

That's not why I'm sitting here practically crying.

I am so grateful that I'm sitting right here. Right here as in: my extremely messy classroom where the books aren't put away because my first graders read them today. As in the room where every desk is skeewompus because first graders get so excited about learning that they literally inch their desks closer and closer to the front of the room where the teacher is....
or maybe they're just a little squirmy.... we'll go with excited about learning.

I'm so glad I found a job this year.
I'm so glad my little 6 yr olds give me a hug or a high five every day when they leave.
I am so excited that one of my little boys learned 2 more letters than he knew on Friday when I tested him.
I love the perfectly innocent way they look at the world.
I teach children who, in some cases, live with parents who are... less than ideal.
I get to be one of their role models. OR maybe they are mine.
I get to make sure they say please and thank you, take turns and say nice words.
I get to read them stories of things they have never dreamt of, but they do all the time now.
I am blessed to teach children how to read. That makes a huge difference in life.

I don't know how I got here. I mean, I am aware that I spent 4 years in college and did a pretty strenuous internship last year...

I made it here, to first grade.

and I'm living my dream.
<3