Dang You Texas government!

Last Thursday started out as a great day. I went to TLA in Austin the day before. Got to meet some great authors and speak to awesome people. The morning was fabulous. And then right at the end of the day the words, "I need to visit with Shannon" came out of my principal's mouth. I knew then that I was losing her as my assistant. What I didn't know was that she totally lost her job after being at my school for 9 years. She has been with me for 7. I cried and cried and cried after my initial shock wore off. She not only is my library assistant, she steps up when we can't find a sub (she's taking classes to be a teacher), she laminates, does the morning live announcements, helps fill in for ISS, attendance and sometimes the front office, troubleshoots technology and other stuff, not to mention all of the library stuff. There will be an opening in attendance but she was told that because she doesn't speak Spanish, she wouldn't be hired...REALLY? REALLY? REALLY? I just don't get it. The counselors who deal extensively with parents don't speak a lick of Spanish and they get by...front office, tex-mex...REALLY???? I don't understand why. Hard worker, multitasker, familiar with the job, sounds like a candidate to me...I just feel so helpless and angry and sad and scared. I am losing one of my closest friends and there is nothing I can do to help. I don't really know who I am upset with...I think the bottom line is that the Texas government has really failed Texas and Texas education. We are losing some of the best. It's so scary to be in education. Heck, it could be me next year. I don't know. All I know is that I'm really sad. I know that when a door is "closed', God opens a window. I truly believe that but I wish I knew how to give comfort and reassurance to someone who had a crappy hand dealt to her. I am still praying for a miracle!










Speaking of miracles, my miracle, Miss Gracie and I went to the coast last weekend. We enjoyed getting away even though the coastline was covered in seaweed and was cold. But, my child LOVED the water and didn't want to leave on Sunday. My poor niece was sick the whole time.









I can't believe we are at the end of April. In a couple of weeks we will be having Grace's cath procedure and get the total lowdown and what's going to happen surgery-wise. I am preparing myself mentally, or at least trying to because I have a feeling it's going to be a crazy summer. We will be going on our Make a Wish trip in June and we can't wait. So, good stuff before the yucky.