Resignation

This is the hardest letter I've ever had to write - but, I still had to be (silly) me...  

Dear xxxxxx,

The purpose of this letter is to announce my resignation from San Angelo ISD.

This was not an easy decision to make, on my part. The past 12 years have been very rewarding. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the many students and staff of San Angelo during my time with SAISD.  I have received wonderful support, appropriate praise and criticism, ample guidance and endless understanding from the wonderful principals I’ve worked under (most recently, Mrs. xxxxxx).

I have accepted a position as a Campus Curriculum Facilitator, at John B. Hood Junior High, with Ector County ISD in Odessa, Texas.  My husband accepted a job transfer last December and has been working in Odessa since then.  This opportunity will give me the chance to grow professionally and our family will be together again. 

As a San Angelo native, I look forward to returning to San Angelo, should the opportunity present itself.  I will always bleed orange & blue (and green & white). 

*Names changed to xxxxxx to protect people who didn't give permission to be on my blog...hahaha!

The view from here

I love my vibram five fingers...

Happy face

This is my "oh-my-goodness! I've-been-officially-offered-a-job!" face.
Hubby has been working his dream job since December first. He's a pediatric endocrinology (think growth hormones and diabetes) nurse, for one of the top pediatric endocrinologists in the world...in Odessa.
I went on an interview in January, for a curriculum specialist at an elementary school in Midland. Then, the state budget crisis happened and teachers everywhere feared for their jobs. Getting a teaching job, a *NEW* teaching job, seemed impossible after that.
So, I conceded to be content only seeing hubby on the weekends for another school year. (insert sad face here)
School ended and that was that. Then, out of the blue, Ector County (Odessa) called for an interview. So, two weeks ago, I did my second interview (in twelve years). An hour after the interview, the assistant superintendent of curriculum called to let me know she had submitted my name as a recommendation for hire. Um. Wow.
I've been waiting since then for the official call from human resources. Today, I got the call. I'll be the Campus Curriculum Facilitator for Hood Junior High!
Tomorrow, my dad and my Caleb spill travel with me to Odessa. I'll do my drug test and the criminal background check. By Monday I should be cleared and will sign officially with ECISD. That's a good thing because I'm going to a training next week for three days with ECISD. Now, I should be eligible for the stipend. Yippee!
There is more to do than days left...but here's the basic breakdown:
This week: drug test in Odessa, get ready and host garage sale.
Next week: three day workshop, pack rest of our house (we are renting it out), kids last week at daycare.
First week of July: kids and I play all week and pack for vacation.
9th thru the 19th: vacation in Ohio, visiting hubby's mommy.
July 20th: pack moving truck and move to our apartment in Odessa.
July 21st: I start work!
So... Let's do this!

More official, just now

Well, after that extremely vague post last night, here's one a little less vague...


I actually got the official call today!!!  Just now, at 4:00pm!

For what?!

Well, that's another story that will take more time than I have right this second... I need to go pick up my boys from daycare. Oh, and turn in our notice there.  :*(

Big changes ARE happening - and that mean a big post... later.

So, maybe not much less vague.  Eh...

Nothing official but...

There *is* a big change coming for the Foster household...
I've been secretive for over six months because things have been...transitional, at best.
Things are great, and we've lifted it all up to God's infinite wisdom. I've been humbled to remember all things happen in His perfect timing. It's His plan...not mine. We've been reminded over and over of this simple truth.
While nothing is official as of this second, and I'm still not willing to share until it is, please know that I'm ready... I've accepted this new chapter in all of the scary, unknown, exciting,wonderfulness of it all.

All packed #1

Well...Saturday the hubby and I put all of my classroom stuff (that I couldn't part with) onto a trailer and into the bed of our Ridgeline. The we carefully and methodically packed it all into our (newly acquired) storage room. Next up on the packing agenda? Organizing stuff from our house. Making the garage sale, give away, toss, and keep piles of ten years of accumulated stuff. ... I'm hoping to get the majority of this accomplished this week. It *should* be doable... I'll let you know.

Owen, Owen, Owen!!!

 That little 2-year-old boy was hanging out in the back of the pickup in December...

WOW! He has changed so much...

 This stinker was playing in the gym stands while his bubba was in gymnastics in March.

 In April, we went to a country wedding ... here he is - hamming it up!

 My, oh my... does he give some crazy looks.

 Then, he stuns you with a cheesy grin like that!

 Or, turns around and gives typical two-year-old attitude... ha!

 He LOOOVES to eat - especially this candied apple.

 He could spend all day outside - except for those darn mosquitoes and this crazy heat in West Texas!

 But, now, he's three!

Already THIS big!

I am loving the challenge that this bright little man has brought to our world.

I look forward to seeing what type of trouble we can get into (together...hehehe!).

Kindergarten graduate

Yep. Caleb is a kindergarten graduate.  He loved his teacher, Mrs. Markell.  She was simply wonderful!

  He is reading like a fanatic and loving math and drawing. We've been to the (new) public library (checked out 18 books, AND read them...thank you very much) & yesterday we went to the West Branch Library (& checked out a more reasonable six books).

 He draws on anything he can get his hands on & has discovered the fine art of taping his masterpieces to doors and doorways. He loves scooting on his awesome three-wheeled scooter,

 swimming, computer time, and playing with his bubba and/or his daddy.

  He makes me so proud. I'm super blessed to watch him grow.

State of affairs

This is what my classroom looks like as of today... All boxed up and (finally) ready to go (to storage for now). There are twelve years of teacher swag, decorations, nick nacks, supplies, and books in this mess. I took eight hours to go through, toss, sort, organize, box and label it. But, now it's ready.

Ready for what?! ...

Is she still around?!

Yes, yes I am still around.

We have been crazy busy around here, but, as you can see, I am trying to get back into the swing of blogging. I miss the therapy of it all. Face book has been where I've been posting...but, I'm going to make a real effort to blog here, again.

Until the next (sooner than later) post.

Adieu.