Hi to all! I apologize for not writing on here lately. It seems as not too much is going on, so I felt it hard to update. I am on spring break right now and it has been wonderful. It's starting to go quicker now as I think about how break started a week ago today. Oh well, I will return on Monday refreshed and ready to face the last 33 days of school. Work is going okay. It has been a bit of a challenging year. I feel that I can't pinpoint exactly what has frustrated me this year, but as I hold the paper in my hand asking if I want to return next year, something inside of me is hesitant. Most of the kids are wonderful, but there are some where I just have no patience left with them. They feel they don't need to listen/not respectful. However, as a whole the group is solid academic wise..there are just 3 or 4 of them that are a little behind. So, I am trying to decide what to do for next year. As my mom tells me just because you sign saying you'll come back, doesn't mean you can call later and say you have accepted a better job. Also, MSD of Wabash is doing reconfiguration for next year. That means that the school I am at right now is going to be only 5-6th grade next year. The other elementary school in our district will be the K-4th grade building. This year my thoughts on being a teacher have gone back and forth. There are times where I want to be a teacher and other times I think no way. With what education is right now, my confidence level is not as high as I want it to be and I feel like it would be hard to control a big group of students (that seems to be the normal size of a classroom now with more teachers being cut). There were times throughout this year where I was the teacher in our room and I did not always have full control of the students' behavior and I didn't like that. I think some felt that they didn't need to show me the same respect as they do their teacher. I played cool with them one time in saying "I don't think you I told you this, but did you know I am a teacher, too? Isn't it neat that you have two teachers in your room?" I definitely still want to teach at a catholic school. I have no idea what openings there will be this summer. I may try to do some subbing in the catholic schools that way I can get my name out there. I feel I would fit in better in that setting. I just need a teacher to leave or retire and then God to lead me in that direction. I have done a lot of praying in this area and I am hoping good things will come about. Jordan continues to do well being on first shift. Nights are much more enjoyable and sleep is wonderful with him being at home. He stays busy 98% of the time. His big plan is to work on applying for entry into Manchester's pharmaceutical program this fall. In fall 2012, the facility will open up in Fort Wayne and classes will begin. Oringinally they were going to be doing construction over by Parkview Hospital on Randalia but recently I think they received more money from Lily and are now looking at building over by Parkview North on Dupont, that way there is access to more hospitals. I am not positive with this. They just reported this update in the paper last week. We are hoping that he will be able to get in. He really wants to. I am working on making my second 1/4 sheet cake. It is for our art teacher at school who is having her baby girl in May. We are having a shower for her. This should be interesting as I have one night to decorate "a baby qulit design'"- my theme for the cake. It looks great on paper with markers! I am putting a couple of roses on it, so I may make more in case disaster occurs. I will make sure to put some pictures online. It's fun decorating a cake, but it always makes me feel better when I have time to decorate and not feel rushed. I am hoping for the best as I think the design will look fantastic! I am planning on printing out all my cake pictures and putting them into an album. Plus, on the same day as her shower, we have activity day at our school. I have a group of 5 first graders and 1 K student. I am doing cookie decorating with them, using different cake tips (curvy line, ziz zag, stars, a round trip to write your initial or make a simple design). They will design 2 cookies. Each tip will be in a different color of frosting. Depending on our time, I may read some cookie books to them (any suggestions?) and they may also decorate a small box to put their cookies in to eat later. I thought about taking a picture of them with their cookies, in case they end up eating them. So I have to get all this ready on top of having a cake done for the next day. It will be a fun time, though! I hope this day fines you doing well. I am looking forward to the 70 temps coming this weekend! I am really wanting to invite you to a cookout/hangout this summer at my house. I was thinking it might be smart to do it during the week of alicia's wedding or afterwards. I love you all and pray for each of you everyday. God's blessings to you all Elyssa