Winds of Change

I know that I promised to post about Daily 5 centers this week, but it might take another day or two to get around to it.  I've spent the last two days at a "new" teacher orientation in my new district, and I have to attend a super long grade level meeting today.  I still have a massive To-Do list that I want to accomplish before my kiddos walk into my classroom next Wednesday, but I will try to post something tomorrow at the earliest.  I plan on spending the rest of the day (post-meeting) putting the final touches on my classroom, and finishing my letter to students.

As if changing schools wasn't enough, my husband and I found our forever home, so we're going through the home-buying process right now.  We're really excited, but it's definitely been a HUGE time zapper over the past few weeks.   I'm sure that I'll be saying the same thing when we close at the end of September.  :)   I will be continuing the Daily 5 series of posts soon! 

As stressed as I am, I realize that I am really blessed.  All of my stress is normal and healthy, and I realize how lucky I am to have the opportunity to own a wonderful home and have a job I love.  I know that my "problems" are so trivial and minute in the scheme of things, so I want to take a minute to tell you a story about my husband's cousin Allison.  She is a 32 year old nurse who is married to a school teacher.  They have two one-year-old twins and a four year old at home, which I am sure is about 12 kinds of crazy.  This summer, Allison was diagnosed with Cancer.  She is undergoing chemotherapy right now, and has already had surgeries to remove damaged organs/tissues in her abdomen.  Unfortunately, the Cancer has spread to her brain, her lungs, and her lymph nodes.  They are still doing tests to see if it is anywhere else.  She is such a strong, optimistic person, and I am so inspired by her.  I personally believe that prayer is so powerful, and it's sometimes underestimated.  If you feel so inclined, please add Allison and her family to your prayer lists.  Thank you so much.  :)