Something Positive about my Job

I feel like I've been really negative about my job lately. It's not that I hate it, I really don't. I just hate that it tears me away from Brenna. I know millions of women do it, but I just hate missing time with her. However, I do love my job. I love my students (a lot this year, not always the case...), I love the girls I work with (seriously, who gets lucky enough to work with their best friends?), I have a good, supportive boss who understands how hard teaching 3rd grade is, and I have the most helpful assistants on earth (seriously, people, I sometimes pump 3 times a day - that's a lot of other people teaching my class while I'm busy - so awesome!) Here is a list (you're welcome, Erin) of things I'm totally excited about - which is a great feeling at the most stressful time of the year...
*100% of my online SS test kids passed their SOL. That's 11 out of 11. Three took paper/pencil version - so I'll get those scores back this summer. And 2 of them passed it last year when they were in my class. 91% of them (10 of the 11) got pass advanced. 54% of them (6 out of 11) got a perfect score!!! I'm so proud. Granted, this is the easiest of the 4 tests. They have their hardest one next (reading) and then math and science, too. But, what a good way to start out the testing season!
*I turned in my VGLA yesterday - yay! I won't have the score back for awhile, but I'm just glad it's done! If you don't know about a VGLA - here's a brief summary. It's done in lieu of an SOL test for special ed. students. It's a portfolio of work to prove they've mastered all SOLs. Not bad, unless you teach 3rd grade. We have to provide evidence of all 3rd grade SOLs, but also for 2nd, 1st, and Kindergarten SOLs. And math is the worst, which is what I have done the past 2 years. There are 90 SOLs and most have bullets under them. It's a beast - seriously. However, it saves them rom taking the SOL and gives them a chance for success. I love that. It's totally worth it to me.
*One of my kids brought me the most gorgeous HUGE bouquet of pink flowers yesterday. In a milk gallon jug. Priceless. The sad part of the story? I forgot to bring them home.
*I've received several emails from parents telling me they are glad I'm back from maternity leave. What? Parents that like me? Novel idea.
*I got another email last night from a parent thanking me for everything I did to prepare them for the SOL. It's so nice to be appreciated.
*Everyone at school that I shared my scores with were genuinely as excited as I was. It's so nice to be around people who care as much as I do.
*It's 13.5 days until summer. Yep, I love my job. But I love time with Brenna more. Thank you, Lord, for giving me a job that gives me summers and breaks with her. It's the next best thing to being at home with her all the time.