First Day of School

School started today for Colby and Morgan, and Mommy, too! My Colby walked in as a 3rd grader, my Morgan as a 1st grader, and Mommy teaching 3rd grade! It is a new year for all of us, as I have never taught 3rd grade. I have K, 1, and 2 all under my belt, but 3rd is definitely a new one for me! My nerves have been somewhat shot during this process of preparing for teaching this summer as the "dreaded" FCAT is taken this year. For those of you out of state, FCAT is our state's "big dog" test to decide whether the students are learning and the teachers are teaching. Needless to say, in 3rd, the pressure is ON!! I consider it an honor to be asked to teach 3rd, as the test scores in my class will reflect upon the whole school, but I also consider it a nightmare... a nightmare I intend on making a sweet dream through prayer and hard work. Can you tell I recently finished the Battlefield of the Mind Bible Study on positive thinking by Joyce Meyers? HAHAHA!! The flowers in the picture below were so thoughtfully given to me first thing in the morning by Colby's former 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Armitage. She wrote me the sweetest card in which she not only expressed how very much she wished me good wishes for the school year, but also encouragement through this journey with Big Roy, as we affectionately call him. Just reading the card put me at a relaxed state, and I praised God for the unforeseen encouragement around every corner.



Tomorrow is another big day for the Raley family. Roy will be having yet another surgery to have a stint placed in his liver. This will hopefully relieve some of the toxin build-up in his body, and also relieve some of the painful swelling in Big Roy's legs. Jack is taking the day off of work to be with Shi during the surgery. I will update with the outcome tomorrow after I return home from school.

I wanted to also thank many of you for the requests of Roy and Shi's address so that you may send them a card. I am absolutely overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness! Thank you so very, very much! Here is their address:

Roy and Sheila Raley
35936 Tanglewood Drive
Eustis, Florida 32736

Again, much love to you all, and I will hopefully update tomorrow afternoon!