Well, my blog hasn't changed since the middle of December, so I'll start by updating on the blue lights... They are GONE! Hallelujah! In fact, we've seen very little of those "neighbors." We do have new spy targets though, and I'll update on that in the near future!
2008 has come in and kind of blown me away. I've had so many things to blog about, but neither the time or creative energy to do so. We ended our old year and began our new year with a Dean/Meek/Crawford beach trip. It was so nice and relaxing and good to be together. And Savannah got plenty of attention with 6 people who are in love with her. She is now 3 months old, smiles all the time, has found her feet, and gets cuter every day. She's pretty much awesome!
When we got back home, we were faced with a shocking truth. We had known that the homebuilding industry had been struggling across the country, but we didn't realize how hard it was hitting Patrick's company. On January 2nd, he found out that he would only have a job for 3 more weeks. Of course that sent us into a tailspin--1, because he truly, for the first time in a long time, LOVED his job; and 2, because he was doing really well and getting really good feedback. The company let all of their employees go. Almost immediately we began hearing of other larger companies who had let go hundreds of employess. Patrick impressed me so much with his aggressive discipline in pursuing every lead possible--knowing that there was competition around every corner. The Lord really brought us closer during this time as well. We had lots of important discussions about life, us, jobs, the Lord, our purposes, goals, and dreams. We really learned even more about each other and connected in some cool ways. By the end of the 3 weeks, Patrick found a great job with lots of promise and opportunity, and we cannot thank God enough for his faithfulness, perfect timing, and provisions.
We are becoming more involved in our church, and we are taking the "starting point" class which will be the last step before placing membership which we plan to do in March. God has continued to provide refreshment and healing through this time.
We have redone our recroom with furniture, pictures, electronics, and accessories, and it has become our favorite place to vegg out. I should post pictures, but I'd actually have to take pictures to do that. So, I'll just hope that some of you will come visit me soon and see for yourselves. :)
Kelly Gill McCasland is finally back from Japan! Woo Hoo! She and her husband pulled off an amazing Christmas surprise story, and you can read about it on her blog--listed in my links! She came over for lunch one day, and then a bunch of our closest high school girlfriends got together for a day in downtown Franklin. I love my friends, and it is so good to have her back in not only the same continent and country, but the same region--yet another reason why I love being back in middle Tennessee.
We spent a great MLK weekend with our close, dear friends-who-are-family, Kevin and Britani. Maggie Moo enjoyed the weekend too with their chihuahuas, Fifi and Hector--they are the BEST of friends.
I have really gotten more into my job and am developing fun relationships with both my students and co-workers. I don't know if my expectations have lowered or if I have just allowed myself to "buy into" it more, but I am much more fulfilled in my job.
And lastly, I have a new literary obsession!!! My female students have all been reading this YA series by Stephenie Meyer. It's called the Twilight series, and it is about teenagers, relationships...and vampires and wherewolves. It is not at all cheesy though, and it is really well-written. I FLEW through them. Patrick was so ready for me to be done because there was no clean laundry, no food in the house, and no conversation. :) Go to her website to check them out--it is soooo worth it!
