Monday will be my first day of school. My room is ready, my lesson plans are typed and ready to go, and I've met my sweet little students. I'm ready!!! We had Back to School Night last week and it was fun meeting my future students. Many were shocked at their new bald teacher and a handful didn't seem to notice. I always have fun meeting my new students and this year was no exception. They are adorable and they make me want to go back to work! I think it'll be a good year. I was talking to a parent and I said that we would "MAKE it a good year" and that's how I've decided to view this year. It may be hard for me sometimes, but I think if I try really hard that I can make it good despite my personal difficulties.

The parents were VERY nice at Back to School night too. No one made a dash to the office to transfer their child to a new class so that's a good sign. Many have offered to help out this year and I'm extremely grateful. I'm excited to get to know them. They look like very good people.

I had the day off on Thursday. I spent the day with my sister Dianna, my niece Taylor, and my mom. We visited my Aunt Bonnie and my cousins Donna and Carolyn. It was nice to visit with them and hear their stories. Some of the stories were sad, but I LOVED the funny ones. My Aunt Bonnie made us laugh so hard that we cried. My cousin Donna recently had surgery for her cancer and my Aunt Bonnie is recovering from her battle with cancer. Being with them made me want to be positive and happy. They still smile despite everything. I want to be like that too. It's odd how our common struggle has created a bond between us.

So many good things have happened lately. People have been SO kind. On Friday morning I woke up to a cute gift bucket outside my door, filled with sweet bread and other cute things. The best thing was a recordable storybook. I've heard of these cool gadgets before, but this was my first time seeing one in person. Imagine my surprise and delight when I opened the book and my former student's voice began reading the book to me! So cool! I'm going to treasure this book forever. Thanks Ethan and Hayley! You rock!

Just before my last chemo treatment, a former student named Spencer came by my house to deliver a potted plant. The plant is very cool because it doesn't have any flowers. Instead it has school supplies sprouting from the pot. It's so cute and very charming! He also brought me cookies the other day. He smiles real big and tells me that he's going to visit me all the time. It makes me feel good to have such good friends. I just love him and his family. Thank you!

I've also had many other visitors. People from church have visited and the sisters made a bright and cheery quilt for me. I put it on my bed because the colors are so cheerful. I can't believe everyone is so nice.

Another student brought me a beautiful basket of peaches and chocolate chip cookies. Peaches are my favorite fruit so it was EXTRA awesome. Thank you Kirsten!!! She also writes to me and I love that.

To top everything off, a sweet woman in Bountiful heard of my battle with cancer and she lovingly crocheted a beautiful afghan for me. She doesn't even know me and yet she cares about me and wanted me to feel of her love and concern for me. It touches my heart to think of this sweet old lady doing this for me. Makes you want to cry huh?

I'm sure that I am forgetting someone sweet. So many people have remembered me and I'm very thankful for everything they've done. Thank you!!! Thank you very much! It helps to know that there are such kind people in the world.

My family has been sweet too. I've had visits this weekend from two of my sisters and also from my one and only big brother and their families. We visited most of the time and I felt an overwhelming sense of love. It makes me feel good to know they love me. It's easier to do this when they are cheering me on. I can't express adequately how dear they are to me. I love them so much!!! Thank you family! I love you.

Well, school starts tomorrow. I will MAKE it a good day! Wish me luck. I hope you have a good day too.