Summer: Week 1

School ended May 31st, and summer break began June 1st. The school year flew by ridiculously fast. And I didn't slow down either.....

 I applied to work at Camp Collins for the month of June. Luckily I was hired. It is a program that is offered for students in Kindergarten all the way up to 6th grade. Each grade has a lead teacher that travels with them to all activities, and the activities have lead teachers as well. This year, 3rd and 4th grade are grouped together, and 5th and 6th grade are grouped together. K, 1st, and 2nd are all separated with their own group. The activities we have going this year are Art/Music, Outdoor Classroom, P.E., Reading/Technology, and STEM (Science).

We have a great group of workers. This is my first year, but I must say, our teamwork is outstanding! Everyone helps everyone, and everyone knows exactly what to do. I'm lead teacher for 2nd grade. I have 21 students on my roster, but of course not all of them have came all at once. They are the best group of kids! The theme for camp is "Survivor." We each have a tribe name and color. My tribe is "Raziya" which means "compassionate." Our tribe color is orange.

Monday was day one, and we painted "war" paint on our faces in out tribe colors. The kids also toured the outdoor classroom, had reader's theater, and learned how to filter dirty water using paper towels, cups, and coffee filters.

On Tuesday, the kids had a guest speaker to teach them how to make a compost. They also did leaf art, learned how to use the Apple computers and Ipods, and had a water balloon activity.

On Wednesday, they painted stones and made tribal art, made the cutest safari hats out of newspaper, had a Limbo competition, took pictures with Ipods in a photo booth with cute props, and had a guest speaker from Sci-Quest. In Sci-Quest, the kids learned about physical and chemical changes, and did 3 different experiments.

On Thursday, K through 2nd grade were scheduled to travel to the local splash pad. We had to cancel our plans due to storms. Instead, we set up some fun rotations. We played Just Dance on the Wii, made posters with our names and tribe name, and finally played with Ipads.

On Friday, we took a field trip to Cathedral Caverns. The kids toured the cave, and did some gem mining. The kids loved it!

After camp everyday, I worked at Big C. I absolutely love being back at the store. I have so much fun with all of them. Its like I never left, even though I've been gone for over a year. Tomorrow starts week number 2!! It's already going by really fast!

Funday Monday

I love doing crafts. I've always enjoyed working puzzles and coloring in books. I started scrapbooking in my early teens, and was hooked. I recently picked up painting.... Still a work in progress. I'd love to learn to sew as well as quilting.
Pinterest has tons and tons of inspiration for crafts and craft rooms. I want to own a craft room someday soon. So, I simply searched "craft rooms" on pinterest.....

Update: Meeting Mrs. Paschal

It's been almost a year since I've added something to my story. What can I say, I became a little busy. The last time I wrote, I ended my temporary teaching job, and was concentrating on wedding details.

Here we go.....

The day before the wedding, we were planning to decorate and go through the wedding very quickly. It was around lunch time when I arrived to our new home to finish some decorating and fixing. Right about the time I got there, Jeffery had stepped in a hole and hurt his knee. I didn't think it was a big deal, but it was. So much a big deal that he was on crutches. He refused to postpone the wedding, and made it fine on crutches. Decorating went great, and we were ready for the big day.

Wedding day started at 8 am with hair for my mom and I. We then headed to the church to get ready and take pictures. We started pictures around 12 I believe, and started with "first glance". Once we finished, we waited. The wedding was perfect for me, and went exactly the way I hoped it would.

We went to Gatlinburg for our honeymoon, but was limited on our plans due to his crutches. He was a good trooper though, as we walked the outlet mall! Overall, we had a good time. We had to be back Monday afternoon for a doctor's appointment for his knee.

When we got to his appointment, they took an xray. He also had an MRI done and he had a slight tear of his meniscus, and it was also flipped. A couple weeks later, he had surgery. Our first big hurdle happened after a couple weeks of marriage! He did good, and is doing fine now.

I started working as the After School Coordinator for the city in November. I do that and sub in the city. I stay very busy and really enjoy the job. I have to monitor 3 elementary schools. I'm hoping this helps me get a permanent teaching position soon!

There's what's going on up to today. Hopefully I'll do better about updating from here on out.

Job Hunt

Since my teaching position was only temporary, I received the dreaded pink slip. Boo. To top that off, the system I was in made a cut in the school I was at. The position I had was taken out, leaving 3 fourth grade units. Double Boo. I thought, "Yeah, the position is temporary, but they'll probably put me back in there." That might would have happened if they didn't have to cut that position due to enrollment.

So that puts me back on the hunt with a ton of other men and women looking for a teaching position in the small, congested area where no one wants to retire and take a break. I've been far and wide leaving my resume and putting in applications. They all tell me the same thing...... "We don't have any openings."

But I don't get TOO discouraged. I know that I will be taken care of somehow. I will be provided for. I will end up somewhere. My job may not be in a school, but at least it will be an income. I'm hoping to sub, but at the beginning of the year that is hard to do.

I recently bought a book, "Ever After: Life Lessons Learned in My Castle of Chaos" that I read a review about on a blog. The book is really good, and it discusses the "fairy tale" of marriage. As I was reading this morning, the author was discussing saying "no" to jobs in order to keep your plate a little empty for most important things like God, your husband, and your family. In this chapter, she quoted Psalm 37:7 which really hit me as far as this whole job hunt business.

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him" is the beginning of that verse that really shouts out to me. I am by far not patient at all, but God makes me practice this trait over and over. I somehow have been doing much better this time than past times. I have been stressing about a teaching job, but it really hasn't bothered me too much. I've did my part....I've left resumes, put in applications, and talked to Principals and other people. Now, the only thing I can do is wait and see what happens.

Last year, It was well into August before I was called to work the after school program at the school I ended up teaching at. I had to be patient then. I feel like that is going to be the same story this year. I'm going to have to be as patient as possible, stress as less as I can, and let God do the work.

What I'm Loving

The Afters Pandora Radio Station.

All You magazine! There are so many great craft ideas, recipes, and cleaning tips! Not to mention it is loaded with coupons!!

The awesome pins I have found  on pinterest!!

I'm so excited about finishing this project I found!

This blog post that I also found! So awesome!

Such a sweet pose :)

Very True!!

Absolutely loving this man!!

Remodeling Work

Since Jeffery and I started planning our wedding, we also were deciding where we were going to live. We decided to remodel his grandparents house, and make our start there for a couple of years. We thought that would be easier than trying to start off building, or looking for a house to buy. If we remodeled, then we could get on our feet really good, then in a couple years look into building or buying. 

We have been working on the house slowly due to our crazy schedules. We are finally seeing the light at the end of this tunnel. We are almost finished! We got our furniture a couple of weeks ago. We ordered our stove, and his family is getting us a dishwasher as a gift. The house already had a fridge, washer, and a dryer. We painted the ceilings and rooms, put down new flooring in a few rooms, and now we are about to get down to the cleaning. Deep cleaning. We have 39 days left to get finished, and I'm glad we are going to be done with it the parts that really matter. The house has 2 bedrooms and a guest bathroom that we haven't touched, but we don't need those rooms anyway. This is what we are doing...

Our living room is grey and yellow. The couches are grey, and the curtains and a few pillows will be a lemon yellow that I picked out at Hobby Lobby. The walls are also a grey, but not the exact grey I wanted, so I will be repainting the walls in there sometime.....probably as a day job after we are settled. The dining room is open with the living room, so the dining room seat cushions are going to be the same yellow as the curtains. 

The kitchen is one of my favorite rooms. I love to cook, and plan to spend a lot of time in there. We painted the walls a dark red, and we have new laminate flooring in there. Jeffery's dad and twin has been nice enough to put our laminate flooring down! We are going to do something with the cabinets, and possibly the counter tops....still deciding on that one! Our large appliances are white, and we are going to have a little bit of black in there as well. I'm in the process of looking for black curtains in there. 

The laundry room is rather large compared to the room we have here at my home-home. I love how big it is! There are cabinets in there and a large shelf. We painted the walls a very beautiful minty-green color, and the cabinets are a very bright white. It's a very happy color! 

The bedroom is very spacious as well. We painted the walls a beige-brown color, and we have a cherry colored laminate flooring. We have white molding around the floor, which really pops out! I love how it looks. Our furniture in there is an espresso brown. The decor and curtains are going to be a shade of blue. 

The bathroom is just an ordinary bathroom. We painted the walls a very bright white. Our flooring is the peel and stick that we put down. It is a grey rock looking type flooring. Our decor is going to be white, black, and grey. 

I can't wait to get the cleaning finished so we can start getting the decorations in. Mom is buying my cookware set, and I can't wait to start using it. We still have one more shower/party to attend, and then we will start deciding what we need. Shopping will be the most fun!

Weekend Recap

We had a very busy weekend with my family. Saturday, we all got together for a little engagement party for my man and I. We had a wonderful time with family and good food. We received great gifts for a start of our new life together. I was so thankful I was able to see my family. My wonderful grandma fixed the food for the party, and I had cupcakes made for one of the many desserts.

On Sunday, my wonderful grandma had her 70th birthday! We ordered her a cake that had strawberry filling with cream cheese icing....It was amazing!! We also had some pizza to go along with the cake. She is the best grandma anyone could ask for. She has always been there for me and my brothers, as well as my cousins. She would keep us when we were little while our parents went to work. We had so many great times at her house. We definitely made some awesome memories.

With her grand kids 

With her two great-grand kids

I was so happy that everyone finally got to be together for her birthday. We all have so much going on, and live in different places that it is hard for all the family to get together. We had a wonderful time!!

The End

Thursday was the last day of school for students, and Friday was my last day. It has been a very emotional, rough few days....

I received my pink slip on Wednesday. I knew that I was going to get one when I accepted the job, but it still hurt. Knowing that I was going to have to start the whole applications process again, and also practicing my patience again was disappointing. Thursday was Awards Day, and 4th grade Promotion Day. This day is when all the kids, K-4 are recognized for certain achievements, and 4th grade gets their certificate of promotion to the 5th grade. Our school is a K-4 school, and the 4th grade goes to a different school for 5-6 grades. It acts as a graduation ceremony for the 4th graders. The promotion went great, and the students were very excited about the awards they had received for their hard work.

I only had 6 students stay with me that Thursday. The rest couldn't wait to get out of there and start their summer vacation! I was sad of course. These kids were my first class, and I had grown to love them very quickly. Remember, I only had this job for 5 months! The ones that stayed helped me get my room emptied into the hallway for cleaning and waxing.

Friday was our last work day. We had a meeting first thing, where I got emotional once again. One other teacher who was also pink slipped made a speech about us, and I couldn't hold it together. Afterwards, I went to my room to get all my belongings. I fixed my resume, and am in the process of getting it checked to start applying for jobs again. I am most definitely going to miss the people at the school I worked at. They were so wonderful and helpful to me. They made me feel like I had been there for years, and treated me like family.

I probably wouldn't be so sad and worried about a job if things would look positive. They aren't. I found out Thursday that our school is 1 of the 2 that were picked to lose a unit. That unit is the position that I was in. As of right now, they have decided to to keep my position in 4th grade. That will bring the current 4 units down to 3. They have a plan of how it is going to work. If they were keeping that position, I would feel much better about my future. I believe from what everyone, including the principal, has said to me that I would be strongly recommended for the position again. There is only 1 position available at that school, and it is 1st grade. There are 6 of us that worked at that school wanting that position. Like the principal said, it's going to be a hard decision. 6 teachers wanting 1 position.

I am praying that students move into the area over the summer and they have to bring that 4th grade position back. If they do, I feel like I have a very good chance at getting it. I'm praying that they change their minds about cutting the position. Maybe they will really analyze what they decided, and decide it will be better to have 4 teachers. If not, I know something will come to me. I just have to be patient, which is not my strong point!

End of the Year

In teacher world, the "end of the year" is May. In the real world, it's December of course. December is the halfway mark in teacher world.

It's been well over a month since I last blogged. So much has happened since then, I don't even know if I can remember it all. I can't believe that my time in the classroom is already over. It went by super fast, and I am going to miss every one of my "kids". They are off to intermediate school, and they are really excited about that.

We have 4 days left of school and those days are full of activities. We have awards day, auction day, a visit to the intermediate school, and going for a day of fun to the splash pad. We completed field day, and my class came in third place in two events. I was so proud of them for showing such great sportsmanship, and trying their hardest during competitions.

I haven't heard anything about next year, but hopefully I will soon. I'm hoping I can stay there and teach 4th grade for a full year instead of half the year. If not, I will be applying at different schools and hope I get a teaching job somewhere.

The wedding details are coming together. We have engagement pictures done, and I have my dress ordered. We are spending most of our time working on our house. Remodeling is a pain, but in the end it will be worth it. I feel like we are on the right path on starting out our lives together. I'm not wanting a huge, expensive wedding, and our house isn't expensive either. After we are settled and on our feet really good, we will start discussing building a house. I like that we are starting out small and inexpensive.

I'm really excited about marrying him and starting a new life with him. 70 days until "I do"!!

Spring Break

It is already halfway over. This was the first official spring break I've had since high school! Since I started college, during my spring break, I worked as many hours as I could. Making up for the hours I had been losing during school days. Well, this year, I was able to be off from school and work! I have really enjoyed not having a worry in the world or a thing to do. I've been reading, planning, and pinteresting myself crazy. I must say, I've enjoyed it.

Monday, mom and I talked all day and wrote notes and planned different things. We went to my grandma's house to visit, then I went to see my man that evening.

Tuesday, I had a dentist appointment. Then, spent the rest of the day at home.

Today, I've been even more lazy!! I'm not going anywhere, and I've been reading. I started Nicholas Sparks' Safe Haven. I can't put it down! It's soo good and I'm only on chapter 7. My friend has already finished it, and she loved it.

Tomorrow, I have a doctor's appointment, then mom and I are shopping all day. Afterwards, I'm spending the evening with my man.

I can't believe how fast this week is going, but what else should I expect? It is spring break after all :)

Bentley having a ball on his 4-wheeler!!

Maddox giving a little grin :)

My love :)

Going To The Chapel....

Jeffery and I have been together for a short time. Almost 9 months to be exact. But it feels like 9 years. Well, maybe not THAT long, but way longer than 9 months. We have spent hours and hours talking about the most random things. We've gotten to know each other quickly, and still learning about each other.

I know what he likes to do. How he acts when he's nervous. His thoughts by his tone of voice when he talks.  His little quirks that I may think are absolutely ridiculous.... like how sensitive he is about bug splatter..Yes, bug splatter. His germ issue, lol. The quirks and weird things about him I laugh at because it makes him, him. I've never met someone like him. I've never felt so important to someone. It's like I'm the only person in the world.

Sunday we went out on the river in his bass boat. He was fishing, and I was relaxing. We were having a great day. Later that afternoon, he pulls out some flowers from his rod cabinet. He knows I'm not a fan of flowers, so this was the first time he's ever gotten them. I was surprised, questioning why he bought them. While I was admiring the flowers, he proceeds to get down on his knee. When I look at him, he is getting a little box out also. He asked, I said yes. I was totally surprised. I had no idea he was going to propose that day. Yes, he asked if I seen us together for the rest of our lives, and we looked at rings a while back. But I never knew when or if he was going to ask. He told me he wanted it to be a surprise. Well, it was.

Now we are in the process of planning our wedding. The day we start our new life. My mom is right by my side and I know she will be the whole time. It is sad to think about leaving, but at the same time, I'm excited to be starting a new journey with someone whom I love so much. I know that I will still see my family often, and talk to my mom everyday. It is just something to think about going on your own with someone else.

We are excited, and I personally couldn't be happier!!

Reading

Reading is a large part of subjects at school. In early childhood grades, teachers use 90 minutes of the day focusing on reading. Seems like the farther up you go, the more it starts slowing down. In my classroom, we read a lot beacause that's the subject I teach two times a day. I always allow my students reading time. After lunch, we come back in the room and I read to them. I pick big chapter books that I think they will be interested in. Here is what we have read so far:


Iron Thunder- it's based during the civil war. My kids were disappointed when we were finished with it!

Tuck Everlasting- I personally loved it. My girls liked it, and we had enough copies for them to follow along as I read.

Pictures of Hollis Woods- We are currently reading this. I'm having to really teach this book. It goes back and forth from flashbacks to what's currently happening.

I want to start Out of the Dust after that because we are starting to learn about the great depression. Then, I'd like to start Inside Out and Back Again.

I love to read, and this is not only teaching my kids, but also building my library!

The Month of February

I am over halfway down with month number 2 of my first teaching job, and I must say it has been a whirlwind!! I continue to learn so much, and forget things as well.  I know I'll eventually get there, and everything will come together. We have had an eventful month, and it's not over yet!!

We do a small celebration of Mardi Gras at my school. The 4th graders make or buy really cool masks, and K-3rd grade line the halls for the 4th grade Mardi Gras parade. The students give out beads, coins, moon pies, and small candy to all the kids and teachers. I've heard of this parade, but this was my first time participating. I must say, it was FUN!!!! My kids did wonderful on their masks. Some were bought and some were made.

Then, two days later, we celebrated Valentine's Day. The kids brought bags or boxes to put their valentine's in. Some brought candy to share also. We had a small Valentine's Day snack, cupcakes and juice, while we watched Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown. We had a pretty fun day :)

Next week, we will be taking a field trip to a local symphony that the 4th grade classes take every year. I went last year because I was interning in 4th grade at the time they went. I really enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to going again this year.

We are doing a study at school with a well known book that is being read by many teachers and parents. It's called Leader In Me. I have really enjoyed reading the stories from schools who have been practicing the leadership program with their students. The book is also mentioning the 7 habits of highly effective people. Today, our principal gathered our top dog 4th graders to discuss the 7 habits and explained how they work like a growing tree. The first three habits starting with yourself, at the roots and trunk of the tree. The next three habits begin with others, or the middle of the tree and its branches. Then the last habit looks back at yourself, and sharpening yourself which is the very top of the tree. I really like this approach, especially being in the classroom and seeing what character education will do with the students. I hope throughout the years the students will become highly effective :)
 

3-Day Weekend

I sure am enjoying this 3-day weekend! Usually, when I was at Big C, if we did have a holiday I still only got a 2-day weekend. I'd always work Saturday. It's been an eventful weekend, and the end of last week was pretty cool too.

Thursday, we had snow. Nothing huge, not like the towns south of us got. My aunt and uncle live in Clay, and they got 3 inches. We had a dusting. But, since the forecasters didn't know exactly what was going to happen, we left school at 10 am. I went straight home because I live on a mountain, and was afraid the road would get icy before I got home. Friday morning, we were delayed 2 hours.

This week will also be a short week for 4th grade at my school. Today being a holiday, then several of the students are going on an overnight field trip Thursday! They are so excited about it, and won't be coming to school Friday.

I'm working on introducing nonfiction expository writing for the kids. I'm excited about that, and I hope they enjoy it. We will be picking topics, doing research, and writing. I'm also excited about starting a book, Tuck Everlasting, with them! Right now we are reading Iron Thunder, a book based on the Civil War battle between the Monitor and the Merrimac.

I can't express how BLESSED and HAPPY I am feeling. My job has put me over the moon. I've always wanted to teach, and I'm so excited about getting the opportunity to teach for the remainder of the school year. PRAYING that I am rehired for the same position in the fall. That would be amazing. I'm in a wonderful school, with wonderful coworkers, in a wonderful school system.

I have a very encouraging and supportive family whom is just as happy for me. I couldn't ask for more. And my loving man in my life who I'm just head over heels in love with! Yes, God has put me in a wonderful blessed place in life right now and knows exactly what I need!

Board Approved

I'm so very excited to start off the new year. It has been nothing but blessings and bliss the past 13 days. I have so much to be thankful for. I'm so happy about the things that are happening right now.

I was board approved on the 10th to teach 4th grade Language Arts and Alabama History. I've been super busy with teaching, getting to know my children, and overall settling in to my dream. It hasn't really set in with me yet. To say, "I teach 4th grade" comes easy. But to actually know that I truly am a teacher, it's still taking a while to sank in.

I have two classes that I teach language arts to. A total of 47 kids, but not all at once. I teach Alabama history to my 22 children. My kids are wonderful, and they seem to be transitioning to me very well. We've had 1 full week together. It's been great!! I hope to document all that's happening in my classroom and anything that happens with my kids. I'm absolutely loving everything that is happening in life.

New Beginnings

Here we are starting a new year once again. 2012 came and went so quick. So many great things happened in 2012.....

I started my final semester of college.

Bentley Kyle West was born..... my cousin's first child, and Grandma's first great grand baby.

I finished Internship at a great school.

Danielle Rae West was born.... my uncle's second girl, and my Grandma's last grand baby. 

I graduated college with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.

Met an amazing man whom I still call my love. 

Was hired at the school I interned at working the after school program while continuing to work at the pharmacy. 

I turned 24 years old.

My cousin and his wife announced they were expecting their first child.....my Grandma's second great grand baby. 

My baby brother turned 11.

My little brother turned 22. 

I interviewed for my very first teaching job.

I was recommended out of the 5 that interviewed for that teaching job. 

Had some wonderful nights with good friends. 

Had a great Christmas with my amazing family.

Yes, 2012 treated me well. One of the best years I've had. The end of 2012 was very exciting, and is leading to bigger and better things in 2013. I can't believe it is already a new year. I'm so very blessed and thankful for all that is happening in my life. 

I want to record more in depth about the teaching job in my list. I was recommended by the principal of the school I interned at to finish out the rest of the 2012-13 school year teaching 4th grade Language Arts and Alabama History. I am SO VERY excited about this, and couldn't ask for a better school to work for. Although, it has not been board approved yet. I am "subbing" in this position until the board meets and approves me.....we hope. Everyone at the school is very confident, and believes this position will most definitely be mine. Today was my very first teacher work day, as well as my first faculty meeting. 

Tomorrow, I welcome in a room full of 4th graders who are more than likely not as excited about going back to school as I am. I'm not nervous or scared, just anxious and very excited. I have a feeling this position is going to lead me in the direction I have patiently been waiting to go. 

 

The Day After

I love Christmas time. Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday, but I love the reason we celebrate Christmas. This Christmas was extra special. I can't put my finger on exactly why, but I'm not gonna question it.


My family always gets together Christmas morning for a delicious breakfast at my Grandma's house. Then, my mom cooks a wonderful Christmas dinner. I always eat way too much, but it's worth it! This year, I started my Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve with my love's family. We went to his sister's house where we participated in Nerf gun fights with his nephews. Guns and bullets provided by me, which they opened as soon as we walked in the door. Later we ate good food and I watched my love and his twin play Madden 13 on the PS3. When I got home, I loved seeing my mom so giddy about wrapping presents. I haven't seen her that excited in a while. She was ready for us to open presents the next morning. She was so happy, which made me happy. I believe she had the best Christmas she's had in a while. She talked about how much fun she had shopping for everybody, and that made me so happy. She blessed us with so many gifts. Her and my dad work so hard to give my brothers and I things we need and want. They don't do near enough for themselves. I can't wait for the day that I can repay them, and I feel like that day is getting closer!


After we open presents at our house, we get ready to go next door to my Grandma's. My cousin came this year from Tenneessee, and I loved seeing them. We ate, and talked for hours. I loved seeing everyone, and watching the babies crawl around looking at everything going on. They are starting to get into the curious stage. When everyone left, I cleaned our gift mess and mom started on our Christmas dinner. This year my love came and ate with us. He and Chad played Xbox until time to eat. Then, he watched us play Disney Headbands. I bought that game for him, and as much as we've watched Disney movies, that game is pretty tough. We still had fun.


I really need to do a picture dump. Hopefully I'll have time for that soon. So much has happened that I want to record, but it needs a whole new post in itself. I'll record what gifts I was blessed with and thankful for.

mom and dad:

Nook HD
houndstooth case for nook
B&N membership card
Walmart giftcard
Bear Bryant hat earrings
Teacher artwork
How Children Succeed book
What Teachers Make book
Shirt
Winter rain coat
Candy

Travis:
B&N card

Chad:
Boys Like Girls new CD
Glee Christmas album

My love:
Houndstooth Bobs
Houndstooth scarf
Alabama tumbler cup
Alabama fuzzy socks
Key necklace
Houndstooth wallet
Candy

So many wonderful gifts from the most amazing people!!

Debate

A lot of things have been on my mind lately. 

Trying to keep everything straight in this boggled brain of mine is a challenge in itself. 

I put too much on myself, and worry about things that shouldn't even be worried about.

I didn't get a teaching job. 

I know, I'm not the only one....quit complaining....right?

Anyway, I have always liked the idea of education.

I love being in school....weird....I know.

I want to further my education.

Without my master's, but without a new bachelor's.

Hmm.....

So here is my debate.....

Do I want to go back to school to further my bachelor's degree?

If yes, when?

What will I work on?

I love Reading and English. 

I'd love to take all the Reading and English classes I could possible take.

But when?

Do I REALLY want to go back?

It's stressful, but I love learning.

Hopefully my decision will make itself. 

Or something will just flop right in front of me, and I'll know right then what to do. 

 

Finally November

This year has went by so very fast. It's finally my favorite month of the year. 

My second favorite is May.

I love the spring and fall seasons for so many reasons. 

It's hard to believe that it's already November. So much has happened.

I have so much to be thankful for.......

My wonderful family. They have been there for me through everything in my life. I have also put them through so much. They continue to stand beside me. I will never be able to repay them, or show them how much I appreciate their love and support. I love them so very much!

The roof over my head, the food that is provided for me, and the vehicle I have to get me where I need to go. My parents have done everything they can to keep my brothers and I taken care of. 

The jobs that I have. I've never worked three jobs before, and I never thought I'd be able to even juggle that much. My Big C crew has been so very good to me over the past two years by working with my during college, and continuing to allow me to take off every afternoon so I can be at school. I'm so very thankful that they allow me to be a substitute any day that I'm asked to. They are very good to me. I love my after school job, the kids that we have, and my co-workers. I couldn't ask for better! I'm also very thankful for the teachers that call me to come in their classroom for the day and teach their students. 

My friends that I've made the past year. I have met some great people. My co-workers are great friends. The people that I met at Athens are wonderful friends. The man in my life who I have fallen for is a great friend to me. 

So many things, yet the words "thank you" don't speak loud enough. I love everything that is happening in my life. I am extremely blessed. 

 

No Words

When you really think about it, it's weird how the blog world works. You browse blogs of people that you don't know. Read a couple of there posts, do a quick critique of their lives, and decide if you want to keep reading, or skip to the next one. When we start a following list, you read about these lives on a daily basis. You start to feel like you know this person, when in reality you haven't even met.

I am heartbroken for a blogger that I read regularly. It gave me chills to read this post about this little family from Arkansas. I can't imagine what Julee is feeling right now, but I can tell by reading blogs that everyone in the blog world is praying for her and her family.