Why I HATE the last day of school

I HATE the last day of school

They have gone, school has ended

The echoes of their laughter haves ceased to reverberate

I have given my last hug and waved my last wavy and sent them off to adventures unknown

The memories mingle with the dust particles that dance through my classroom

Oh how I HATE the last day of school

Together we have grown and lived the daring adventures of math and science, language arts and social studies

I expected much and they challenged me to be a better teacher and rise above

This room that is  now blanketed with silence, was once filled and over flowing with their laughter and kindness

I watched over them, pushed them, challenged them, and would not rest until they had grown

And now they have and I am glad

But

Oh how I hate the last day of school

For it means that the laughter and funny smiles, the favorite books and stories have ended

I will no longer be the one to watch their eyes light up when they discover they can write a whole sentence with no help

 I will no longer be the one to see them ask for forgiveness and see a friendship restored

 I will no longer be the one to bandage scrapes and put on magic lotion that can make the world a nice place again

My job is finished and it is with such mixed feelings I watch them skip out the gate

We have triumphed and finished a whole year together – oh the joy and relief

But then comes the grief for what once was will never be again

So I will send them on to the next teacher who will teach them well and challenge them to be excellent

And I will remember . . .

Remember the laughter and tears and quietly place all this in a corner of my heart

I will also remember that after the summer, laughter will visit me again in the form a new class with new faces to love

As I lock the door, I will remember that it has been an incredible year and the pain of the last day was worth it all

But I still will always hate the last day of school

getting ready to pack

what a mess!  Will it all fit?

beautiful roses

Pizza HUT!  It came to MY city!  

Oh My sooooo good!

one last look before I lock the door for the last time

Sweet senior girls

Last day of school!

Sweet girls

Look at those sweet smiles!

Finger-nail fun!

I made this for Sarah!

Hanging out with Elliott - one of my favorite things to do!

30 days left

30 days left

I remember when we first arrived Central Asia, Sally Katherine and I started the countdown. We would say things like “we are 1/16th of the way through.” Three years ago the count down was something to keep me sane but today marks the 30 day count down until I leave and my heart is not looking forward to this count down as much as I thought I would when I started this journey 3 years ago. Instead of the traditional count down here is a list of 30 things I am going to miss about Central Asia (in no particular order)
30 – hanging out with Brain, Gail Ethan, and Elliott
29- having a Russian lesson on the way to school (I still can not say “normal” with the correct inflection!)
28- eating plov
27- my kids at school 
26- being called “Aunt Blythe”
25- standing by the side of the road and putting my hand out to catch a taxi and the face the most taxies are random cars that stop to see of you are going their way!
24- Laughing because the kindergartens think it is really windy when the leaves barely start to move! 
23- watching the snow fall straight down (because there is no wind!)
22- hanging out with the Gilberts!!!
21- pizza nights with the Owens
20- going to house ch and knowing that the people there know my heart
19- riding in the front seat when Lisa drives
18- the senior girls (all 8 of them)
17- the vegetable man who now hands me a bag and lets me pick out my own fruits and veggies
16- laughing because I shop at a store called Gross
15- celebrating sunny days with the kindergarteners
14- smiling when I realize that I remembered the word I wanted to say in Russian when I needed to say it!
13- My team – they are an incredible group of people who really are family to each other
12- sitting in the kitchen, cooking, and talking with Gail
11- being able to pr*ay with my students
10- going to school in the morning and greeting kids in every grade from K-12th
9- eating Laguman, making a mess and not caring!
8- celebrating the joy of American food!
7- laughing and crying with my “family” here
6- taking great joy in watching American Idol because it is a show in ENGLISH
5- knowing that what I do is making a difference in the kingdom
4- laughing at language mistakes and stories
3- seeing that mountains every morning while waiting for the driver to pick me up for school
2- having a driver pick me up for school!
1- My mountains – there is nothing quite so spectacular as seeing the mountains covered with snow and a brilliant bleu sky- making it all seem like a painting rather than real life.
There are many other things that I will miss but it is getting late and I am sooo tired so I think this will do!

Spring has come!!!

The amazing spring tulips here! I think Spring is my favorite season in this place!!!!

This is one of my favorite pictures!

My Mountains!!!!

I live in the foot hills of a pretty amazing place! Every time I see them, I am reminded of the majesty of the One we serve!

I sweet little old man was selling blue-bonnets and daffodils. I just could not resist and so I bought the two bunches of bluebonnets that he had. As I payed he smiled and handed me the daffodils and said that I reminded him of his daughter!

Oh NO a BEAR!!!!

A trip up the mountains with great friends! Thanks Brian and Gail for taking us!!!!

Just enjoying creation and fresh air!

More view of the mountains from the city.

We have truly amazing tulips here!

Bluebonnets in Central Asia? It made this Texas girl smile!

Open tulips in the spring sun

I got to attend the High School Spring Banquet (like their prom). It was fun to hang out with the kids, to dance, and to dress up!

Even with heels on I am just barely reaching his shoulder because he is slouching!

Lori is my Coke Light buddy! They did not have Coke Light but I had some in the car so we went out and got it!!

The senior girls that Liz and I do a study with

Aren't they so beautiful (inside and out!)

Beautiful girls (I help do hair for the ones in the white, pink, and red dresses!)

Easter sunrise (well it was too cloudy for the sun to come out but I did make the effort!)

Because it was raining we hid the eggs inside the house!

The amazing easter cake that Gail made. It was almost too beautiful to eat!

This picture is for Grandma! She sent the shirt and while I am not sure it is my favorite, my friends over here love it and really like it when I wear it (it is a little bit too busy for me!)!

This is my sweet friend Sarah on her 18th birthday!

I took my class outside to dye Easter eggs. It was a most interesting experiment, but it was fun and I thankful we were outside!!

Look what I did!

Do you like my design?

I think I should add more colors!

Who's idea was this? Are we having fun yet?

I really love these painted camels!

A masked class!

A lovely night at the ballet was a wonderful time to hang out with friends and to dress up a bit!