Thoughts...

This week has been extra stressful it seems. Just when I think I have a handle on things, a wrench gets thrown into the spokes. I don't know why but it seems as though when I expect things to happen, they don't. When I don't expect them to happen, they do. I can't even find a word to describe that feeling. Weird.

I spent many hours calling Grayson's doctors to let them know of the latest development in his medical history. I wanted them to know and also I wanted assurance that the medicines he is on right now would still be alright for him to take. Considering the fact that medicine for his migraines is also predominantly a blood pressure medicine and one of the medicines for his asthma can cause the heart to speed up, I just wanted to check. Both the allergist and the neurologist called back with assurance that he could keep taking his meds as prescribed, but both want to be informed of the findings from the cardiologist. I had to call the pediatrician to get the the referral to go to the pediatric cardiologist, which was fine...I had to call the cardiologist to schedule the appointment first so they could fill out the referral. The cardiologist wanted a copy of the findings from the genetics doctor, so I had to call them too. All of this done before 9 AM on Wednesday morning. Talk about being busy! Plus the stress of having to do this on my breaks from teaching.

My new job is going really well. I am really enjoying having the flexibility to come up with activitities to extend learning from the classroom, all the while making it fun. I really am liking the fact that the students are happy to see me when I come in the room. It makes me smile. The fourth graders are cute and adorable. The fifth graders are the same as I remember them to be from years before. They are interesting and never boring to teach. They are just reaching that age of being torn between wanting to please their teachers/parents and wanting to please their friends. Some of them do it well, while others fail miserably at balancing the two. I have adopted a few of my students, meaning I take an active interest in their personal triumphs and tribulations. I hope I can make a difference to them in some small way. I am truly enjoying the teachers I work with on a daily basis. I am getting to know teachers I never got to know before, especially the fourth grade teachers because I have never worked on that grade level prior to this year. I feel as though I am making positive contributions to my fellow teachers and to the students I teach.

My best friend moved out of town this past summer. I have really missed talking to her in the afternoons like I used to do. Her time schedule is so different from mine that I can't call her on my way home from work anymore to vent or get advice. It has been a difficult adjustment for me. We talk, but not as often as we used to. We will always be really close because we are the type of friends that no matter how much time goes by, we are as close as if we talked yesterday. She is in town this weekend and I get to see her. Hooray! I haven't looked forward to anything as much as I have looked forward to seeing her tonight.

I found out recently that my cousin Aisha is getting married! She got engaged last week. I am so happy for her. She is one of the most wonderful people I know and she deserves happiness. Since Nathan was born, she and I have become close. I have cherished every moment that we have spent together, even the time on the train with the crazy guy! She feels more like my sister than my cousin and I love her very much. I never had brothers and sisters growing up, but my cousins on my dad's side were always a part of my life. I have another cousin Nicole on my mom's side that I am close to as well. We have always lived far apart, but we are close in age and have so many things in common. I am very lucky to have family like that! I have always felt that family is among the most important things in life.