The Ending is Just the Beginning

     I remember when I first started my program. I was eager to get done. The mornings of driving 40 minutes to campus to get to my 8am lectures got old really fast. I was a non-traditional student. I was married, I had children, and I lived off campus. I knew it would be a challenge, but I wasn't aware how big of a challenge I was up against. I worked hard, sacrificed family time, and juggled being a student, teacher, mom, and wife. 

     On May 13, around 10:45 am, I stared out into the crowd of graduates waiting for their moment. The moment that would kick start their prosperous future.  I couldn't believe that I was sitting behind the Dean of the School of Education. I was a recipient of the Senior Leadership Award. It was as if I was having an out of body experience. I felt accomplished and proud to be there, but it was surreal. I walked across the stage two times that afternoon. Once to receive my award and the other, to receive my degree. Well, the leather pouch that represented my degree. I looked out to my husband and children, mom, brother, and sister. I simply smiled. I was smiling because I had finally gotten to where I wanted to be. I smiled because it was at that very moment that I knew all my hard work paid off. I smiled because I won against all odds. I smiled because it was the end. 

     I celebrated that day going out to lunch and opening my grad gifts. May 13 was a very special day. Not only had I graduated, I had saw my Mom and brother for the first time in almost six years. And I hadn't seen my sister longer than that. I soon realized what I thought was the end, was just the beginning. I only have two months until I report for my first day as a 6th-grade teacher! I have made a Teachers Pay Teachers account (YAY!) and sold my first product. I created a Twitter account and an Instagram account. Don't be confused, I have social media accounts! LOL. I made teacher accounts. My 6th-grade students wanted to follow me and I refused to give them my personal accounts. So, I made business accounts. I opened and played with my Silhouette. O....M....G....I don't know how I lived without one. I have so many things to make for my classroom and my home. During the next few months, I have to prepare myself to move from Kansas to Texas. There is so much to look forward too. 2017 has definitely been good to me. And, it's just the beginning.