Week 1

I survived the first week of school and even though it was exhausting it was a great week back.  I'm ready for "real" school to start though.  Our first week of school is really like a camp.  We call it "Gimme 5" and the entire week is spent on team building and working on procedures.  90% of our kiddos are classified as economically disadvantaged and they have more gaps and things to deal with out side of school so the Gimme 5 week is a time for teachers to build those trusting relationships that will make the year go better.

Highlights of the week:
-7th grade won the spirit stick at the pep rally!!  It was one of the best pep rallies this school has had in a long time
-I love the two math teachers on my team.  We are going to work really well together.
-My students call me Mrs. Awesome or Mrs. Awesome Peck.  They didn't change up my name tag and last week when Matthew went to help me move some furniture around he changed it to Mrs. Awesome.  The other day, I was in my neighbors classroom and a special ed student came by looking for me and he was convinced my real name was Mrs. Awesome.  That made my day.
-I love having only 4 classes, granted, they are 75 minutes long but I'll take it.
-I already love having only one lesson to plan.  I don't have 3-6 different lesson plans to turn in each week.
-My duty is after school in the middle of the parking lot where parents wait to pick up their kids.  Its a dangerous job but it usually doesn't last more than 10 minutes.  I am looking forward to the day when I don't have to stand in the parking lot in 105 degree weather.
-I looked forward to going to work every single day this past week.  I hope that pattern continues!

This past week I struggled with making time to workout but I think this week will be better.  Last week my excuses for not running were i was absolutely exhausted and it is hot as hades outside.  This week my only excuse will be is its hot as hades.

A Must Read!!

If you don't have the book A Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall, Denver Moore, and Lynn Vincent, then you need to go by it ASAP!  It is an incredible true story about pride, fear, prejudices, the rich, poor, homeless, stereotypes, listening to God, obeying Him, and loving the "unloveables".  It made me laugh, cry, hurt, reflect, miss Mission Waco, and it made me want to get back into spending time with  the needy.  That's all I'm going to say about it.  Happy reading!

New

A lot of "new" has been happening lately...

-A new reason why I don't want to shop at Wal-Mart.  This was taken at the Wal-Mart in Addison.  Should I call a manager or something?

Joey has a new toy!  I know Halloween is still a long ways away but this little spider was on sale.  Joey is already in love with him.

On Friday, Matthew and I decided we would like to be the new regular customers at Paciugo Gelato.  We go there about once a month but I won't complain if we go there every week!  The one by our place is owned by the nicest Italian couple.  The just moved to the states at the beginning of the summer.  When the store isn't busy they'll walk around and get to know the customers that are there.  They are sooo nice!

On Thursday I went to RunOn    to get fitted for some new shoes.  Texas is having the tax free sales this weekend so they held my new shoes and socks for me until Saturday.  They were giving away free mimosas that morning too.  :)  I tried out the shoes today and I LOVE them!!  They aren't the prettiest shoes but they are a lot more comfortable than the other shoes I was wearing.

After I picked up my new shoes, Matthew went with me to do some final touches on my new classroom.

I start the new running club on Tuesday.  They post-poned it a week hoping the temperature would get below 100 but I don't think that's going to happen.

I am kind of teaching a new prep.  This is the first time ever that I will only be teaching one grade.  Yay 7th graders!! (really, 7th graders are usually my least favorite but I still like them).

Tomorrow starts a new school year and I am soooo excited!!

Lastly: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creationg.  The old has passed away; behold the new has come."  2 Corinthians 5:17

The Power of the Cross

We sang this song in church on Sunday and I can't get it out of my head but I'm perfectly okay with that.

  

RunOn 101

Earlier in the week I went to  RunOn to learn more about their running classes.  The woman I talked to was soooo nice and encouraging.  She's only been running for about 3 years and she started with the RunOn 101 class.  On the first night they have you run a mile and they place you in groups based on how long it takes you to complete a mile.  She was the last one to finish the mile and now she runs half marathons and is training for her first marathon.  And she has heart problems and a few other health problems.  She ensured me that everyone is encouraging and that no matter how slow you are, you are never left in the dirt all alone.  She did a good job at convincing me to join so I took a form home and talked to Matthew about it.  He told me to go for it.
Since I have heart problems, major asthma problems, passing out problems, and awful allergy problems, I had to get a written letter from my doctor for permission to join the class.  My asthma doctor is the coolest doctor in the world and really encouraged me to do the class (he did lecture me on paying special attention to pollution levels and not going outside when I really shouldn't be outside) and wants me to send him pictures on my race days.  Since I get to see this doctor every 3 months and his nurses every week, I know them pretty well.  They were all encouraging.  Hopefully they'll join with me.
I am super excited!!  We were supposed to start next Tuesday but since it's still a million degrees outside they postponed it until the next week.  Hopefully Dallas can at least be 99 instead of 109 outside.

Melon Dash

This morning I woke up bright and early to participate in the Melon Dash!  It was a much better experience than the St. Paddy's run.  I don't know how many people were there this morning but it was definitely fewer than the 7,000+ at the St. Paddy's run.  It was in downtown McKinney-through the square and around the neighborhood which was absolutely beautiful!  I love those old victorian style houses.  It was really hot outside but not as hot as I was expecting.  There was a nice breeze and since it was around an old neighborhood there were tons of big trees that provided some much needed shade.
I didn't do so well on this run.  I knew I wouldn't.  I knew the heat would slow me down and I have definitely been slacking in the running area.  I've only run once since the beginning of August.  I'm doing a great job at using this out of control heat wave as an excuse when I shouldn't because I actually enjoy being outside at 5:30 in the morning, even during the summer.  I do better at following a schedule when I'm busy.  I'm sure I'll be running more often and on a regular basis once school starts up again.
I love being at the races.  The people there are so stinkin' nice and encouraging!  Its amazing to me how so many people stay at the finish line to cheer everyone on.
I really want to be a "runner."  I was doing a good job with the running until I had my surgery back in May.  It took me a full 2 months to recover from the surgery.  I could barely walk the dog around the block for the first 6 weeks.  Once I was able to work out I was discouraged about not being able to do as I could before the surgery.    I love running, especially outside.  It does wonders for my attitude and self esteem--not to mention all of the health benefits.  Not a single person in my family is a runner.  No one (this includes parents, brothers, brothers ex wives, aunts, uncles and all 3 of my cousins and their families).  My dad and I are the only ones who work out on a regular basis.  I'm okay with changing up the family tree.  
I'm seriously considering joining a RunOn running class.  I know it would help me out a lot and I could meet some running buddies who live near me but I don't want to spend the money.  I'll go visit RunOn and see if they can talk me into it  :)

Shark Week!

Do you know how I know that shark week is this week (not counting the commercials)?  Matthew has been kicking like crazy in his sleep because he keeps on dreaming that baby sharks are nibbling at his toes.  Silliness.