It’s been a minute since I’ve posted to this blog, but I am still alive and kicking. I’ve missed this community of readers and appreciate how you’ve reached out through Twitter, Facebook, etc. So for anyone I’m not yet connected with on other social media, I’ll give a brief recap of my last 12 months.

Just over a year ago, my family made a crazy last-minute decision to start moving down to Texas, in stages. Almost all of our extended family lives in Texas and the kids were missing out on a chance to see their grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, etc. And while we initially enjoyed raising our Littles in the tiny Nebraskan town where some of them were even born (at home), as they entered the pre-teen and teenage years of childhood, our lack of opportunities were painfully apparent. Don’t get me wrong, we had absolutely amazing colleagues at the college where we taught, loving neighbors who became like family to us, and the scenery was utterly breathtaking. Nevertheless, we couldn’t help notice important things that were unavailable. Therefore, we took a leap of faith which ultimately meant splitting our family between two states for two years. That’s right. We currently have a home in Nebraska and a home in Texas. We have a vehicle registered in Nebraska and another registered in Texas. We even have our five kids covered on medical insurance in both states. Our insurance agent had to finish getting his licensing in Texas just to be able to cover both properties. Heehee! My husband had a sabbatical throughout the spring, so we’ve had him down here from December through July. But he had to head back up over the last weekend to start a new semester (until he can fly back down for another weekend in September, then mid-term break in October, then Thanksgiving week, and then three weeks at Christmas… you get the picture).

I’m now teaching 2nd grade ELA at a Title-1 elementary school just outside of the Fort Worth area and I will be starting my second year here, next week. Last year I had no idea what I was doing. Even though I spent most weekday evenings (until after dark) and just about every single weekend working in my classroom, I struggled to get all the things done. For a long time, there wasn’t a single day that I did not sob in my classroom after school because it felt impossible. Teaching barely resembled anything like my classroom experiences from over 15 years ago. Not only have all the acronyms changed, but the reading/phonics pendulum has swung again, and there’s a mountain of paperwork to do (whether it’s online or on real paper). Then there’s paperwork to explain the paperwork you just submitted. 😂 Additionally, the testing requirements have really taken me by surprise — three times a year. The whole first year experience just blew my mind!

But alas, here we are. And I still love little learners. And so this new school year is going to be AMAZING. I just know it. Now that I better understand what’s about to happen, I even made an Amazon Wishlist if anyone would like to contribute and bless my little community of learners. Thank you, in advance, if you’re able to help!

If this is your first visit to my blog, welcome! Today is Monday, and I’m participatng in a weekly #IMWAYR meme. Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give Kathryn’s (at Book Date) “It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?” meme a kidlit focus, reviewing books in children’s literature (picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, or anything in the world of kidlit). If you enjoy this type of reading, join us every Monday to share what you’ve been reading.

As school is starting next week, I’m sharing the books in my header image that I will use in my classroom in the first couple weeks of school. Some I’ve loved for a while, but a few are new to me this year. Have you enjoyed any of these? If so, I’d love to hear which are your favorites or how you’ve used them. Feel free to share any other favorite “first day/week of school” books you enjoy reading at the start of the year!

What are YOU reading?