New Year

So, I know I haven't been the best blogger lately, but I just haven't felt like I had anything of value to contribute to the blog-o-sphere.

However, with a new school year, comes new promise and possibility; which leaves me full of hope and excitement about the things to come.

Two days into 2010 I feel completely thrilled with the way my classes are going and the students that fate has dropped into my lap. Last year was so crazy, chaotic for me because of the move to Kingwood and the new school. This year, however, I am at ease and could not imagine being in a more wonderful place. We love the house, we love the town, we love our schools. It's just a spectacular time in our lives. I'm so blessed! I guess I'm especially relieved because I was offered a different job at a different school and had to think really hard about whether or not it was a good fit for me. It would have taken me out of the classroom and put me in more of a leadership role (a promotion) and would also have given me a slight increase in salary. BUT, I would have had to leave KMS and the wonderful people I work with. In the end, I decided that I just wasn't ready to leave and that I really have it made right where I'm at. I feel so glad to still be there and couldn't imagine having to start over... again.

The kiddos are doing great. Caleb started 5th grade at Hidden Hollow and Hannah is in her last year of day-care. Rodney can't wait to be done paying for her school! I'm a little more hesitant, as I know that when our baby starts kindergarten I will probably go into a near meltdown mode. Caleb is playing in the Kingwood Football League (Go Bears~!) and Hannah will be starting dance class in a few weeks.

In other news, the Balch children have now, officially, all fled the nest. Hunter starts school at UNT this week. Taylor is at TCU and Zach graduated from UNT and will begin graduate studies. I actually am going back to school too, sort of. I enrolled in a graduate program through UTA and will be pursuing a M.Ed in Science Curriculum and Instruction. I am trying to beat Zach!

My dear, sweet Rodney is working is butt off at two different jobs. His normal flying job and then he has also started doing a side job for insurance companies. He has to drive all over Houston and take pictures of houses on his days off. I tell him all the time how I appreciate his hard work but I don't think he really knows how grateful I am that he works so hard to give the kids and I the best life he can.

I got a new car!!! I traded in my Santa Fe for a Highlander. It's great! I went to pick up my plates today and saw my old car sitting in the used car lot. It was a little sad, but I am just so thrilled to have something a little bigger with more room for the kids to spread out.

I will try to do a better job updating my blog. I don't know if anybody but my dad reads it (hi Dad!), but it's fun anyway. Love to all!