STRESS!!

Okay, things this week have been stressful to say the least. School has been rougher than I thought it would be. In my defense, I have the largest number of students in this class that they have had in 12 years. In addition, I have the largest and most aggressive second grader the district has EVER seen. Today, he threw a chair in my class that left a divot in the wall. Needless to say, I am working through the paperwork nightmare to get him the services he really needs, but that is never a quick process as many of you know. In the meantime, I am doing my best in the class of 10 with the help of my 3 assistants. It has been stressful to say the least.
The last few days, I have come home and tried to relax while Bean is up. Stretching while we are on the floor, walking with her, doing whatever I can think of to help me relax. It hasn't been helping too much.
Last night, I talked to Stacie, my oldest sister. We haven't talked in several weeks. Anyways, she was telling me stories about my neice Bridgette who runs cross country and is training for a half marathon. It really made me nostalgic for the days when I was running and training for the next race. I started thinking, if only.... And then I realized I could do something! I could run a little bit. It would definately help me sleep and help with my stress level. Not to mention help with my health and show Bean a positive role model.
So, tonight, after she went to sleep, I changed and headed outside with the baby monitor. I couldn't go far because the monitor isn't THAT good, but I could run laps around the "poop loop" in front of our house. So, I did.
I didn't try and go too far or too long. Just a few laps to see how I felt and I felt GREAT! I stretched when I was finished and then jumped in the shower. It's amazing isn't it. How such a small change can really help with a person's outlook and demeanor.
Okay, so I am going to try and continue. I have a few ideas how this will work and it may be a one day at a time thing most days. But, at least it is something.
As for Jenna, she went to yet another Amish wedding today. She was in a great mood when I picked her up, although she was exhausted as usual. We left the sitter and headed to the Preschool where I used to work to check out the Open House. It was nice to see everyone, including some former students. And it was wonderful to see how much the new teacher has done that is different. She is very creative, I can tell. Jenna loved crawling around outside and in the tent they have set up in the classroom. She just went in and out of the tent about 30 times. Not sure what the fascination was, but she seemed to enjoy herself. She also met a little boy about 2 months older than her. It was cute because his mom kept saying "baby" to him and pointing to Jenna. And he is only 2 months older than her, pretty much a baby himself :-)
Anyways, Jenna fell asleep on the way home around 6 PM, but I woke her up when we got here to take her bath and play at home for a bit. Can't have her going to sleep too early, or she will be up too early. When it was time, she laid down and fell fast asleep. She is just growing so fast!
Okay, now off to prep for tomorrow. Lunches to make and laundry to get started.
Hope you all have a great night.