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Change is hard...

This last month has been more difficult than any of us ever imagine. Tears have been shed by everyone of us. I've worried more about my children than I ever have, (and I'm not really much of a worrier!) Reality can be so much more challenging than what we imagine things to turn out like. Maybe I did realize in my heart it would be a rough adjustment, but I was optimistic as always. But change really is hard to accept.

This year's back to school has...well sucked. I'm not going to sugar coat it. The only Boyen in the bunch that's adjusted well to the new school year has been Savannah, which is not really surprising. She's always been the easy going one of my bunch. Now, she's has had to learn how to manage her job at Bahama Buck's, with her school schedule and homework, but so far so good. She cried over her first 75 in her AP English class, but laughed at her 60 in AP Physics. I think she finally realized that these are college courses and she's going to have to accept the occasional bad grade. Of course, at progress report time she has all A's.

Bailey, Jonas and Lorelei, all had a harder time adjusting. Lorelei cried for the first 3 days, desperate for friends. The second week she was overwhelmed by the amount of work, but by last week, she'd worked out all the kinks and is doing great! She also has straight A's right now. Jonas is having philosophical difficulty this year. He's realized that he's continuing to learn and do much of the same things from year to year, and he's over it. In fact, he's been begging me to home school him for more of a challenge, and the ability to direct his own learning. I'm thinking seriously about doing this. But what's a public school teacher to do?!?! Talk about a philosophical dilemma! 
And Bailey...well, as to be expected, he's homesick. Being six hours away has certainly helped him to appreciate family! He's doing his best to join clubs and activities, but hasn't found a great, dependable group of friends quite yet. He's got a few people he knows, but I think he's searching for that group of besties, we all know can develop in college. All of these difficulties have really weighed on my mommy heart.

As for me, the school year is off to a decent start. My team is amazing, my classroom looks just how I imagined and my new classes are also "adjusting". I just haven't quite figured out that balance of work and home. (Notice it's been nearly a month since my last post!) Things are beginning to settle into a routine for me, too.

My photo roll is practically empty for September!! That's always a good reflection of how things are going for us. But I searched back and found a few moments worthy of sharing.

My wonderful team, minus our great collaborative teacher Kris Hennon and my student teacher, Ms. Torres.



We squeezed in getting Savannah's driver's license, right before school started.



The last Friday before school started, we got a summer treat from our hard working girl!



One of my favorite corners of my classroom.


Everyone's first days of school...

First day of 6th and 7th.


First day of 11th.


First day of Chemistry lab!



It feels refreshing to have finally had a chance to reflect on this past month. We are ready to face the Fall season and looking forward to cooler weather, football and family time.

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