April has been jam packed with all the things, but in the middle of it all, I have still had my treatments and appointments and such. My latest chemo just happened to fall on the Friday that Kevin was in Idaho picking up Lily from college. Because he was going to be gone, I asked my dear friend, Lisa, to be my chemo buddy. She is amazing, and I am so grateful for her friendship and support. And we seriously had the best time talking. I really have the best friends ever.

Speaking of friends, earlier that day, we had a special “STAAR Pep Rally” to pump up the kids for the STAAR test. They started doing it last year, and although us teachers would rather have the celebration once it is over, instead of taking our classroom time, we still had fun. We were supposed to do a lip-sync battle, and since we were so busy, along with my after school doctor’s appointments, my team and I got up there and did a lip-sync to RESPECT without ever practicing. It was a blast anyway, and the kids only cared that they had never heard of the cong 😂. They suggested that we pick something that was “trending a little more,” which was awesome.

The 5th and 3rd grade teachers, as well as administration did songs as well, and they were great, and even had matching costumes.

The kids thought it was super fun, and really loved the Reagan High School cheerleaders and drumline that performed. They also really loved that I won the “keep the balloon in the air” game. (So much better than the painful tug-of-war. And I think they learned their lesson last year not to do a piñata, since I destroyed it with my first swing last year, and no other teachers got to go 😂.)

Another thing that had to happen, but that I really didn’t have time for, was covering up all of my bulletin boards. This year, instead of wasting tons of paper, I bought super cheap king sized sheets to cover things. And then, the best part, was that I had Derek come over to help me hang them up, because not only was it NOT a one person job, but he super tall, and so could reach everything better. (I don’t call him “Tall Boy” for nothing 😉.)

On Friday, before I left for chemo, I had hung up special decor in my room to be tents for our “Camp STAAR” review day. Sadly, everything had fallen down, even the giant poster Laura made for the hall. Thank goodness I had thought to have Derek come early with me, just in case, and Tall Boy came to the rescue yet again. (And this time, since I was super sick from chemo, it was even more important, since I was too weak and unstable to rehang them, even if I had wanted to.)

The kids LOVED the decor, and they were so excited about it all.

I put them in partnerships, and then they spent the morning moving around the room doing stations to review to the Language Arts test the next day. Not only did we have the “tents” hanging from the ceiling, but I brought some sleeping bags and a camping lantern to add to the fun.

We have also had a TON of birthdays in the past little bit. Good times!

On both Monday and Tuesday, I felt absolutely horrible. Sick, no energy, and just ready to drop. Unfortunately, I really had to be at school, but luckily we are now allowed to sit sometimes during testing, as long as we can monitor the test still. But even with extra sitting, I was so done for, I couldn’t move for over an hour once I got home.

Arthur was also feeling bad, and had actually come home from school early. And when he got home, he slept and slept. He didn’t have a fever, but was dizzy and felt ill. Luckily he was better the next morning.

One very fun thing that happened this week was that Kevin started a book club. It was awesome. By the time the meeting was in full swing, I think there were 20 guys there. I kept texting my book club to share about it, especially since most of their husbands were there. It was seriously fantastic.

And as for Derek, he had Zone Conference this week, which he loves! Last month he missed it because we were in Florida for Spring Break. He truly loves being a missionary.

And last, but not least, the weather has been so wonderful. And when I had energy, I would spend it outside checking on my flowers and garden. Sometimes I would sit somewhere and not be able to, or not want to, move. Kevin was fixing his golf net and pruning trees, and so I just sat on the cement slab, leaning against the shed and reading my book. Eventually Derek came outside, and he helped me stand up and go inside – ha ha! But it was so nice, and the honeysuckle smelled divine, so it wasn’t too bad, other than how uncomfortable it was.