Last Day of School & Our House

Well, I made it through the last day of school. It really wasn't too bad. We stayed busy and I just tried not to think about how much I'll miss my kids. They're growing up. It's crazy to think that in 9 years they'll be  graduating high school. I can't wait to see them then - then they'll really be all grown up.  I look forward to seeing them in the surprise moments next year - in walmart, maybe at the pool - those moments I will enjoy. And I will be back. Since Mr. Hall will be there, I will make it a point to come see these kids. Brandon's aunt (who is a teacher) was telling me that I'll never forget my first group of kids. I know that is true. They taught me so much and I will never forget any of them.
Really - I was doing great on the tears until my principal announced at our luncheon that I wouldn't be there next year and then I kinda had a goodbye moment with Sue. We didn't get to say everything because we were both about to cry but I just have to give a huge shout out to my mentor - Sue Walker. I really will miss spending my year with her. She went way above and beyond what she was asked to do as a mentor and I couldn't have imagined a better co-teacher. She helped me plan and prepare and we just shared our lives - from her selling her house and moving to us starting our new house and me getting a job. I know we will keep in touch and I am so glad that she'll get to stay at Blowing Rock next year. Thank you so much for loving me and taking care of me. I feel totally blessed for getting to share my first year with you. I'll be headed to BR for the last time Tuesday and then I'll be taking my first load to my new school.  I really am getting excited. My head's in it. I'm pinteresting 2nd grade stuff and looking forward to creating the perfect learning environment for my kids! I can't wait!

On to news about our house. It is really starting to GO UP!! I'm so excited. The block is now done and we cleaned out the back storage room (pictured below) so that we can pour the concrete in there soon. It still feels surreal. I don't know if it will be real to me until we're moving in. But it's still fun! We keep going to Lowes and just looking around and dreaming. I'm ready to start spending money!! (and saving money - I'm all about Craig's list and yard sales!) I've been picking out paint colors and making a list of all my summer DIY projects I'm going to do. It's going to be awesome. Here are a few pictures of the progress! Now that the block is done - dad says it's going to move fast. Walls are going to be going up VERY SOON :)

Day 1 of the Block: Tuesday, May 22 (Our Anniversary)

Day 2 of the Block: Wednesday, May 23

Day 4 of the Block: Friday, May 25 ALL DONE!

view from my parent's driveway - this will be looking at the front of the house - 2 garage doors on the left and our entry door on the right 

 this is storage space under the back half of the garage - it is now completely cleaned out and leveled which was a LOT of work my mom, dad, Brandon and I did on Friday night :)

and... this is a picture of basically what it will look like when it's done :)