• waking up from a good night's sleep, anxious nerves surpassed by confidence and excitement (grateful for two years of experience, and a relaxing weekend before go time!)
• diving back into the swing of things, smooth transition
• 19 new smiling faces
• "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" by Carol McCloud, ending our first day with all students "in the bucket"
• indoor recess coverage
• checking in on a select few rookies, happy to hear positive reports
• 7-8 year old giggles during story time
• "2nd grade is the best grade!" - student comments after just one day, I hope I can keep them coming!
• home cooked meal with family, complete with a glass of wine to celebrate a successful first day
• my husband getting out of class early, sharing with one another about our new beginnings

• catching up, clean house before life gets busy again!
• a wedding favor, happy to use my creativity to make their big day memorable
• a cool drizzle while running home
• new artwork on the walls
• gaining confidence in the kitchen - was a regular Betty Crocker today!

recipe #1: create your own pasta salad

recipe #2: mom's banana bread

my new dinner recipe of the week:
rotini w/ cranberries, arugula, & almonds

• back in church after missing several weeks, seeing new and familiar faces
• breaking of bread, remembering His sacrifice
• gathering with families from church for a meal and lots of laughter
• a silly machine
• caramel and chocolate syrup drizzle on a freshly baked cake
• coming up with motions for a fun song that I plan to teach my class (and maybe my whole school?!), practicing for an audience of one
• setting a cut-off time, spending quality time with my husband before the day is done

• relocating lesson plans
• one last lazy, hazy day on the beach at Green Pond
• quality time with two upstanding women
• first time at Qdoba
• my husband's contagious joy
• Labor Day sales
• searching for the perfect fit
• enjoying our new purchase!

• a mentor I can call with any little question
• back-to-school shopping with mom
• 40% off sales
• discovering a new store, falling in love with everything inside
• spotting "serve yourself" TCBY at the same time, treating ourselves to an afternoon snack
• a birthday celebration for my not-so-little brother
• far too big a candle on his piece of cake
• the words & laughs that come out when playing catch-phrase
• a disc in the mailbox
• introducing my husband to my new favorite show

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2011

• egg & cheese on a bagel
• a long walk in the sunshine with one of my best
• diving in for a dip to cool down
• coming home to a rearrangement of furniture, making room for an upcoming purchase
• dreaming of new ways to decorate
• pizza & conversation with the in-laws
• a movie with good perspective

• good news upon walking in to work today - an extra long weekend!
• feeling over prepared for a new school year, did not know that was possible
• hearing about my husband's day
• a surprise at the cash register
• new shoes
• girl talk
• an inspirational blog, today's reminder that God does not ask me to be perfect, just to praise
• "this is me," being who I'm meant to be

• faculty gathering in one place, the blending of voices in harmony as we worship our God together
• stories of encouragement from parents and students, a reminder of why all the work is absolutely worth it
• sharing a dream, gaining affirmation and support
• a sweet boy's smile
• missing keys: providing an opportunity to walk and talk with a friend
• an extra day of summer!
• grateful for continued electricity and a now-dry basement, prayers for those in much worse conditions
• Shaun Groves singing "All is Grace"