The faces I grew to love this year...

School is officially over and I still am unsure of how I feel. I am relieved that this year is over because it was a challenging one. This was a tough class and yet I grew so attached to them. On the last day of school, I told myself I would not cry but I did, BIG TIME! When I saw a few of my other students crying that was too much for me! That showed me the impact I had on these kids though and humbled me to say the least.

Today we said goodbye to all the staff that is leaving. Our 2 hour brunch turned into four hours of tears and laughter. It was wonderful. Once it was over, I was so overwhelmed by gratitude for this school and for God allowing me to be at such a healthy and rich place. I truly am going to miss my family that I have become a part of this year. I am going to miss the daily connections I have with all of the staff. It is only 2 months!

Don't get me wrong...I am VERY excited for the summer and some much needed relaxation. I am going to miss my friends though but know we will hang out.

I sat down and talked with Todd for a few hours yesteday and today and it was such a great time of reflection. It was great to see how much God has taught me this year and how much I have grown as a teacher. It is incredible to be under such great leadership and feel so supported. Todd and Ron gave me the confidence I needed to grow as a teacher and become who I am today. I am very thankful for that. I will definitely miss Ron next year, he has been the best boss to work for!

Todd and I ended our chats in a time of prayer and that was so moving. We prayed for our summers, for what God had in store and gave thanks for the great things that took place this year in us and in this school.

I could not be any happier in my job than I am now and that makes me so extremely grateful! I hope to stay at this school for many more years to come!

Here are some pictures of the precious faces that I am going to miss (but gladly am passing onto 3rd grade :)

How can you not love these sweet faces?
A couple of my girls dressing up like Pioneers
The whole gang, cuter than ever!
My sweet girls
The infamous Mclain, the one that makes me laugh every day by his comments and the one that told me on the last day of school that he had a crush on me.