Work Overload

          Toby and I have been so busy lately, it's been difficult to find time for us that doesn't involve talk of work or school.  I'm spending my Sunday catching up on some assignments that are due next week.  I would love to be relaxing and reading a book that I picked out instead of one assigned to me.  Toby is off at work, poor guy, so it's just me and Scout hanging out.  I'm glad I've got him to keep me company!
          I did take some time off yesterday.  A friend and I went to a horse pull.  One of my students (whose mother I work with) has grown up around horse pulls.  Her family hosts one every year.  It was a neat experience.  I always love seeing students out of school, too.

          One thing I love about my Master's program is that it's more independent work and less on campus time.  This means, though, that I have to stay disciplined and focused on assignments.  There's a big 20-page paper due at the end of October, so I am very temped to not do anything until the middle of October.  I know how mad I would be at myself if that's what happens.  I made an outline today to help give me some direction.  I find the rest of my sources next week and begin the paper.  Hopefully I'll be done before the due date.  The paper is not officially due until March, but there will be lots of revisions to do in between now and then.  
          I have another class that I was looking forward to.  It's all about teachers becoming leaders in their schools.  It's not nearly as exciting or informative as I had hoped.  There's a lot of extra work to pile on top of the research class's work.
          Work is going well, but it's busy, too.  We changed our whole structure to the RTI model which has added a whole new ball to juggle in the air.  I'm hoping we'll see results in the kids' work, but in the mean time, it's a lot of planning and extra work.  The main thing, though, is that the kids are doing well.  They make everything worth it.  I can't say enough how much I LOVE having my kids from last year.  They are such a wonderful group of kids and remind me why I got into teaching in the first place.  They are the most important part.  It takes so much time for planning, grading, modifying, meeting, etc., but in the end, it's all about the kids, and I just love working with them!
          Poor Toby is just as busy as I am, if not more.  He's working and interning and going to classes, too.  Thankfully he is able to deal with his stress in healthy ways.  When we do have time we get to spend together, we have a great time.  We try to not talk about work or school, and just focus on being together.  All of this work now is temporary.  Once it's done, we can move onto a new chapter in our lives where we have more time to spend together and Master's Degrees!  We can't wait for the day.
          Scout continues to be wonderful and bring joy and excitement to us every day.  He's a smart dog and super playful.  Right now he's passed out because he spent all morning chewing on his new bone.  He peed on my parents' carpet (twice!) last week, but has never peed inside anywhere else.  He is still a big snuggle bear and a love bug.  He loves going to day care and seems to be a very happy dog.
          It's been nice reflecting on where I am right now, but now I need to get back to work.  I have to do work for work, then back to work for grad school.  Again, this is temporary.  I should also appreciate where we are right now, because I'm sure future posts will be of me complaining of being even more busy than I am right now!
         Graduation is in:  229 days!!!