Fifth Grade REACH Play

This was Dayna's final year in REACH (a pull-out class for high ability learners.) She really loves drama, and had the perfect role of the fairy godmother. Video included for those who want to watch!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Fifth Grade Track and Field

It was a brutally windy day, so Annie and I didn't last long. Dayna worked hard to learn the hurdles, and run cross country - although the wind made that extremely difficult. I'm proud of her for sticking it out when 2/3 of her classmates didn't even try.

2016 Dance Recital

This little bit of spunk was all about her dance recital this year.

 Cutest beluga whale I've ever seen!

Look Who's Eleven!

It was a big birthday for this beautiful girl.

 With new electronics

 Sister hugs

A new bike

and a plane ticket back from Papa and Nana's house this summer. (She gets to spend two extra weeks.)

Not sure when this baby of mine grew up, but she's growing up nicely!

 

Goodbye Ten

It's been fun!

Birthday Bash

Eleven is pending. In just a few hours. This is hard to believe. Dayna is also getting ready to say goodbye to her best friend since first grade. So today, we partied. Bowling. Arcade. Indoor adventure maze. Pizza Ranch. Lots of giggles and memories to be made.

Guess who hit the Price is Right jackpot! 500 tickets - they just kept coming!

Strawberry Sparkle Cake with a makeshift candle

Face Time with Papa and Nana as she gets her big gift! (Hint - it flies)

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

I like to look back on Facebook and see memories from the past. Lately, I've had some pretty hard memories come back. Like the time I lost my teaching job - but wait - I didn't. Rather, I was given the "choice" between working full-time or not at all. I remember lamenting the fact that my daughter would start school, and I wouldn't have the chance to volunteer in her class, or really get to know her teachers and classmates.

Or the memories that are too hard to elaborate - like this simple post.

I stumbled upon the picture again this week as I was completing my BSF lesson on the New Earth.

The night I stumbled on this again, I was brought to tears. I am even again writing this now. You see - the incredibly hard lesson allowed me to leave. Allowed me to discover an alternate path on my teaching career. One that has brought so much fulfillment. The day I stumbled on this picture again happened to be the same day I subbed in my daughter's class. I've had four incredible years working in her school. Sometimes as a volunteer, but more often as a paid substitute. I've been able to develop friendships with her teachers and invest in her classmates.

And the things I left behind - a little bit of fondness and a little bit of pain. I still have some healing to do. But I am finding myself in a place that is far, far better than anything I left behind.