Getting ready for school

I have been frantically getting my classroom ready for school to begin. I decided on Monday to go ahead and paint the room while I didn't have anything on the walls. So yesterday, my mom, Tim, and I painted. Two walls are royal blue and the other 2 are lime green. I now just have to buy the stuff to put on my walls and get a little more organized. I am still so nervous about what to do on the first day, and well, all the days after that. There are 9 sixth grade teachers and I feel like they pretty much know what the other teachers are covering in each subject, I just hope that I am somewhere close to what they are doing. I will take pictures tonight and put them on here. I am really proud of how it has turned out. Until next time...

Now what?

Well, we made it back home safe and sound. It really is good to be back home and we can't wait to sleep in our own bed tonight. I have been spending hours unpacking, getting the animals situated again and trying to get things back to normal (if there is such a thing). We had such a great time. I know there are a lot of people who don't care much for big family vacations but I absolutely love them. There were 10 of us, my mom and dad, my brother and his family and my family. We are so very blessed to have a close family that all get along. I already can't wait to go again next year.

Now begins the preparation for school. I am going to sign my contract on Monday at 9:30 then I will be going to the school to see my classroom. My mind is going crazy trying to figure out what to do next. There are so many things that need to be done but so many more things that I don't even know that need to be done. I guess this is all part of 1st year teacher jitters. I know there are a thousand questions that I want to ask, if only I knew what questions those were. Then a few minutes ago I realized that I haven't purchased the kids' school supplies yet and I haven't planned Carter's birthday party that is in less than 2 weeks. I can't decide if I should panic yet. I am really going to try and get a lot of these things done tomorrow (Sun) because I know I will be in total teacher mode after Monday.

Thanks so much to all of you who have prayed for me and listened to me whine about finding a job. I have learned so much about patience through this process and I have been given another wonderful example to share with others of how God always provides and how He is on His timetable not mine.

Vacation Pics...

Really big waves. Red flags where up on Tuesday.

Can you say..."sun grins"!

The girls have a new talent...

I GOT A JOB!!!!!!!

So my goal was to have a job before I went on vacation, but I never thought I would get a job while I was on vacation. The principal called me yesterday (Mon.) morning wanting to do a phone interview. I called her back in the afternoon and she said that she would check my references and call me back. As soon as I got up this morning (Tues.) she called and offered me the position. I am now a 6th grade teacher at Greenbrier Middle School, teaching math, reading, and language arts. I am so relieved to have a job and have spent most of the day thanking God for taking care of me as He always does and also asking for forgiveness for ever doubting Him.
Well, we are headed back to the beach!!

1st day of vacation...

Well, we made it safe and sound. It was a long day of driving and the kids were pretty rowdy most of the trip. We were pretty much exhausted so we went to the grocery, got some pizza, ate ice cream and went to bed. After a much needed good night of sleep we all got up around 10am. Did I mention there are 10 of us. My mom and dad, brother and his family, and our family. We all get along great so we are having a great time. We spent the day at the pool and then on to the beach, no one is too fried yet so I guess we will be back at it again tomorrow.

Getting ready for vacation!

It is such a shame that getting ready for vacation is such hard work. I have been preparing in the back of my mind all week. Strategically using the milk so it will work out just right so that I won't have to buy any but that we won't waste any either, trying figure out which clothes to wear so that I don't have to do so much laundry the day before we leave. Anyway, I guess in a weird way it sort of makes the few days before leaving a little more exciting. I did finally find someone to keep our dog. A lady that works at the police department with Tim is going to keep her. That is such a load off. As much as I hate to admit it, I really am going to miss the dog.
I still don't have a job. My goal was to have a job before vacation but it looks like God has a different plan for me and I have to accept that. There have been many doors that have been shut, but I know that others are opening. I am still working on being patient.
I will try to post while we are in FL with pics if I can.
BEACH OR BUST!!!

What is happening to our marriages?

What is happening to our marriages? In the past three days I have found out of two couples we know that are divorcing. Both of these couples are people that we thought had the perfect marriage and the perfect family. These just go to show that we have no idea what is happening behind closed doors. I am the first to admit that I do not have the perfect marriage but I know now more than ever that I cannot let my guard down. I cannot let Satan enter my marriage. We are all human and we all make mistakes. But I think we have to also walk in one another's shoes (our spouses, that is). I know that I am guilty of going along in this life in my own world, tending to the kids, looking for work, house stuff and everything else that occupies my time, thinking about myself and what all I am dealing with. I find myself sometimes ignoring my husband and what he needs from me, which mostly, is my time. I forget how important it is sometimes to show my husband how much I appreciate him and how important he is to not only me but our family. I also have to remember that he is human and whatever needs he is not getting from me he could very well get them somewhere else, even if this means just an ear to listen. I have had a wake-up call over the last few days that I have to continue to work on my marriage and not get too comfortable in the everyday stuff, but really and truly be the wife that God intended me to be. Tim and I are going to attend the "Festival of Marriage" in October that Lifeway sponsors. I am excited but at the same time nervous that I will find out that I am not giving everything I have to our marriage. I am excited that we will be given tools to continue to grow with each other in the years to come. I would like to challenge anyone reading this to stop and think about your marriage. Is there anything more that you can do to show your spouse that they are appreciated and let them know that your marriage is a priority. Until next time...

Doggy sitter...

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with boarding a dog. We are going on vacation in a couple of weeks and I am not sure what to do with our dog Miley. My mother-in-law said that she would keep her but I know that she is not crazy about the idea. She has a 14 year old cat who also will not be crazy about the idea. I have heard of people boarding dogs but I am not sure exactly what they do. I have this terrible picture in my head of her sitting in a cage all day and night for a week and I could not handle that. Please let me know if any of you have any thoughts or suggestions. Thanks!!