Shout Outs!

First... to my sweet Maggie Moo who turned 2 last week! {June 5} She's such a smart, friendly, loyal dog, and she continues to bring Patrick and me so much joy! She's our little "dogbaby," and we love her to pieces.


Secondly, to my sister best friend and her terrific husband of 3 years today. They are a wonderful, loving, happy, funny, well-balanced couple, and parents to my precious niece-y to boot. Happy Anniversary, Lindsay and Daniel!

First... to my sweet Maggie Moo who turned 2 last week! {June 5} She's such a smart, friendly, loyal dog, and she continues to bring Patrick and me so much joy! She's our little "dogbaby," and we love her to pieces.


Secondly, to my sister best friend and her terrific husband of 3 years today. They are a wonderful, loving, happy, funny, well-balanced couple, and parents to my precious niece-y to boot. Happy Anniversary, Lindsay and Daniel!

24 weeks

Well, our vacation for the summer, a la our "babymoon," has drawn to a close, but we had a wonderful time! We were sad to leave our home away from home but also excited to be "home" again and get ready for "Little Miss Priss" to come into our lives.

Patrick and I are extremely compatible travel companions. We like to do the beach the same way, and our trip was a much-needed getaway and bonding experience. We ate at our favorite restaurants, cooked in a good bit, listened to good music, went on walks on the beach, read read read, shopped, even saw a movie, and laughed and laughed. We talked about important things and silly things and dreamy things. Of course, we reminisced about our wedding on the sand, and we drove to Seaside to visit our honeymoon cottage, as usual.

Well, our vacation for the summer, a la our "babymoon," has drawn to a close, but we had a wonderful time! We were sad to leave our home away from home but also excited to be "home" again and get ready for "Little Miss Priss" to come into our lives.

Patrick and I are extremely compatible travel companions. We like to do the beach the same way, and our trip was a much-needed getaway and bonding experience. We ate at our favorite restaurants, cooked in a good bit, listened to good music, went on walks on the beach, read read read, shopped, even saw a movie, and laughed and laughed. We talked about important things and silly things and dreamy things. Of course, we reminisced about our wedding on the sand, and we drove to Seaside to visit our honeymoon cottage, as usual.

Beach Reads

As our vacation comes to a close, so do my days of lazily reading on the beach. In essence, this vacation also serves as our "babymoon," and I know I will not come to the beach as footloose and fancy free in the future. That said, I decided to soak in all the "good reads" that I could. In addition to catching up on my Real Simples, Dominos, and Baby magazines, I read these 3 great books!
*
Someday is the newest in a Christian fiction series that I began reading years ago. It is centered around a family--the Baxters--and is set mostly in Bloomington, Indiana. While I have tired of the series a bit {this is the 13th book in the series.}, I have not tired of the family. In fact, I feel like the Baxters are my friends, my neighbors, even sometimes my confidantes. While the lines can sometimes be cheesy, these books have real life, real issues that Christians face daily and can identify with, and they are anchored in faith and scripture. Some of the verses that Kingsbury focuses on have become my go-to verses during times when I am praying scripture. This particular book continues the storyline of the previous ones and focuses on issues that threaten Godly marriage. It seriously made me thankful for and want to pray for protection in my own marriage. If you are interested in the series, you should start at the beginning with Redemption. The first 5 she wrote collaboratively with Gary Smalley, and in my opinion, they are the most well-written, have the most depth, and set the tone.

*On my last trip to the beach for New Year's, I read Hosseini's first novel, The Kite Runner. It immediately made it to my top 25 list. I loved the social awareness that it surfaced. I loved the character development, the intensely complicated relationships, and the idea that redemption can even be found through future generations. I loved his first one so much that I incorporated it in my 10th grade Honors World Literature class during our study of Social Injustice. The students who chose to read that book also fell in love with it. I have been saving his second, A Thousand Splendid Suns, for this trip because I wanted to be able to give it my undivided attention. This book also focused on characters and their relationships, but this time the relationships were between women. It took place beginning in the '70's when the Communists were in control of Afghanistan and moved through the rule of the Taliban, the Americans' role and non-role in all of it, and their ultimate journey to redemption as well. What made this book even more interesting to me was that I watched the movie, Charlie Wilson's War, simultaneously. The movie depicts the Americans' covert war that helped Afghanistan defeat the communists. If you are interested in and an advocate for human rights and social justice, or even if you just are interested in broadening your world view, I would definitely recommend both of these books!
*

Jodi Picoult, author of many books including 19 Minutes {which I wrote about at the end of last summer} and My Sister's Keeper, is a master at telling psychologically complex, morally gray, and poignant stories. At the beginning of each of her books, you can think that you feel black and white certain about an issue, and by the end of it, through looking at that same issue through each of her character's perspectives, you can justify and view that issue through a totally different light. In this particular novel, she addresses the issues of rape, protecting your family, discovering self, and reinventing of identities. One of her main character's is a prominent scholar of Dante's The Divine Comedy which tells of a pilgrimage through the 9 levels of Hell. Her husband is a comic book artist who is writing a new comic that deals with a father's search to rescue his family, traipsing through the levels of Hell--hence the title, 10th circle. This book deals with the overarching question, "Should the punishment fit the crime?" Is every action due an appropriate reaction or consequence? Are there exceptions, ways to justify acting outside this sphere? How does it all make sense? It was a page-turner and thought-provoker!

Next on my list are The Last Lecture, Water for Elephants, and The Shack.

As our vacation comes to a close, so do my days of lazily reading on the beach. In essence, this vacation also serves as our "babymoon," and I know I will not come to the beach as footloose and fancy free in the future. That said, I decided to soak in all the "good reads" that I could. In addition to catching up on my Real Simples, Dominos, and Baby magazines, I read these 3 great books!
*
Someday is the newest in a Christian fiction series that I began reading years ago. It is centered around a family--the Baxters--and is set mostly in Bloomington, Indiana. While I have tired of the series a bit {this is the 13th book in the series.}, I have not tired of the family. In fact, I feel like the Baxters are my friends, my neighbors, even sometimes my confidantes. While the lines can sometimes be cheesy, these books have real life, real issues that Christians face daily and can identify with, and they are anchored in faith and scripture. Some of the verses that Kingsbury focuses on have become my go-to verses during times when I am praying scripture. This particular book continues the storyline of the previous ones and focuses on issues that threaten Godly marriage. It seriously made me thankful for and want to pray for protection in my own marriage. If you are interested in the series, you should start at the beginning with Redemption. The first 5 she wrote collaboratively with Gary Smalley, and in my opinion, they are the most well-written, have the most depth, and set the tone.

*On my last trip to the beach for New Year's, I read Hosseini's first novel, The Kite Runner. It immediately made it to my top 25 list. I loved the social awareness that it surfaced. I loved the character development, the intensely complicated relationships, and the idea that redemption can even be found through future generations. I loved his first one so much that I incorporated it in my 10th grade Honors World Literature class during our study of Social Injustice. The students who chose to read that book also fell in love with it. I have been saving his second, A Thousand Splendid Suns, for this trip because I wanted to be able to give it my undivided attention. This book also focused on characters and their relationships, but this time the relationships were between women. It took place beginning in the '70's when the Communists were in control of Afghanistan and moved through the rule of the Taliban, the Americans' role and non-role in all of it, and their ultimate journey to redemption as well. What made this book even more interesting to me was that I watched the movie, Charlie Wilson's War, simultaneously. The movie depicts the Americans' covert war that helped Afghanistan defeat the communists. If you are interested in and an advocate for human rights and social justice, or even if you just are interested in broadening your world view, I would definitely recommend both of these books!
*

Jodi Picoult, author of many books including 19 Minutes {which I wrote about at the end of last summer} and My Sister's Keeper, is a master at telling psychologically complex, morally gray, and poignant stories. At the beginning of each of her books, you can think that you feel black and white certain about an issue, and by the end of it, through looking at that same issue through each of her character's perspectives, you can justify and view that issue through a totally different light. In this particular novel, she addresses the issues of rape, protecting your family, discovering self, and reinventing of identities. One of her main character's is a prominent scholar of Dante's The Divine Comedy which tells of a pilgrimage through the 9 levels of Hell. Her husband is a comic book artist who is writing a new comic that deals with a father's search to rescue his family, traipsing through the levels of Hell--hence the title, 10th circle. This book deals with the overarching question, "Should the punishment fit the crime?" Is every action due an appropriate reaction or consequence? Are there exceptions, ways to justify acting outside this sphere? How does it all make sense? It was a page-turner and thought-provoker!

Next on my list are The Last Lecture, Water for Elephants, and The Shack.

Dirty Old Men...

REALLY DO EXIST. You know, phrases like this one and "baby's daddy" and other coinages that seem almost funny in their obscure absurdity really baffle me when I witness them full throttle. There have been 2 dirty old men in particular that have been patrolling the beaches and pools of Maravilla this week, and I have been covertly watching and eavesdropping on them.

Our first encounter was at the pool one afternoon. We were enjoying rinsing off our beach gunk in cool chlorine late on Wednesday when we saw these interesting characters. At first they seemed innocent--even grandfatherly--but that soon changed. First, they took off their V-neck undershirts, began scratching their hairy beer bellies, and slipped, or rather plopped, into the water. Then they began commenting through grunts and snickers about each woman at the pool. They didn't discriminate their comments based on race or size, but they were definitely breast men.

What pushed me over the edge was when they moved their comments toward the teenage girls who were flirting with boys their own age and having chicken fights in the pool. The rounder of the two men kept trying to get his buddy's attention, "You've got to watch the girl in the polka dot bathing suit. Every time she jumps up in the water, her boob almost comes out under her bathing suit. Wait... Wait... Look... There she goes. Did you see that?" They sat there gawking at this adolescent, and Patrick and I could hardly keep from gagging. Needless to say, when we left, Patrick brought my towel over to the edge of the pool so the Dirty Harrys couldn't see me in my baby bump glory. He was trying to protect my modesty--how sweet.

On the way home, we vented about their nastiness. I asked Patrick if he thought he'd turn into a DOM one day. He said you don't just TURN into one--it's a reflection of someone you've been becoming your whole life. {don't think he really appreciated my question. :)} He then ranted about how we will need to raise Addy and encourage her to be modest. I just started grinning, picturing all the conversations that will take place in the future...

Anyway, since then, we've seen them at the beach and the pool--poking each other when a well-endowed woman walks by or a group stops to pose for a photo. It's sick. But I keep watching them watching the others--what does that say about me??? Well, I'm taking our camera tomorrow to try to snap a shot of these men. Patrick says he'll help me find the perfect moment.

REALLY DO EXIST. You know, phrases like this one and "baby's daddy" and other coinages that seem almost funny in their obscure absurdity really baffle me when I witness them full throttle. There have been 2 dirty old men in particular that have been patrolling the beaches and pools of Maravilla this week, and I have been covertly watching and eavesdropping on them.

Our first encounter was at the pool one afternoon. We were enjoying rinsing off our beach gunk in cool chlorine late on Wednesday when we saw these interesting characters. At first they seemed innocent--even grandfatherly--but that soon changed. First, they took off their V-neck undershirts, began scratching their hairy beer bellies, and slipped, or rather plopped, into the water. Then they began commenting through grunts and snickers about each woman at the pool. They didn't discriminate their comments based on race or size, but they were definitely breast men.

What pushed me over the edge was when they moved their comments toward the teenage girls who were flirting with boys their own age and having chicken fights in the pool. The rounder of the two men kept trying to get his buddy's attention, "You've got to watch the girl in the polka dot bathing suit. Every time she jumps up in the water, her boob almost comes out under her bathing suit. Wait... Wait... Look... There she goes. Did you see that?" They sat there gawking at this adolescent, and Patrick and I could hardly keep from gagging. Needless to say, when we left, Patrick brought my towel over to the edge of the pool so the Dirty Harrys couldn't see me in my baby bump glory. He was trying to protect my modesty--how sweet.

On the way home, we vented about their nastiness. I asked Patrick if he thought he'd turn into a DOM one day. He said you don't just TURN into one--it's a reflection of someone you've been becoming your whole life. {don't think he really appreciated my question. :)} He then ranted about how we will need to raise Addy and encourage her to be modest. I just started grinning, picturing all the conversations that will take place in the future...

Anyway, since then, we've seen them at the beach and the pool--poking each other when a well-endowed woman walks by or a group stops to pose for a photo. It's sick. But I keep watching them watching the others--what does that say about me??? Well, I'm taking our camera tomorrow to try to snap a shot of these men. Patrick says he'll help me find the perfect moment.

Beach Savers

Well, since it is summertime, and I can be outside or at the pool, I am temporarily leaving my Dove Energy Glow behind...
*
Patrick and I are enjoying Castaway Cottage this week for our vacation, and I am developing a summertime beach-giene. Here are some products that are making my vacation low-maintenance and laid-back {some of which I found on my own, others that I have taken from magazines}.
*


This hair product has been my saving grace. Many of you know that I have humidity-challenged hair, and my typical once-a-week wash-and-straighten routine will NOT work. After days with ocean waves and chlorinated pools, I am managing to pull off a relatively frizz-free curly 'do with the aid of this $3.99 product!










*
I am loving this softoil in the evenings. It moisturizes, enhances your tan, and gives your legs a shiny--even sexy, if you will--glow without the sliminess and baby smelling-ness of typical baby oil.













*
This hand cream by philosophy was worn by Lindsay's labor and delivery nurse, and Mom, Linds, and I all have used it since then. It has a calming smell, and it makes your hands feel so soft!










*
I haven't actually used this one yet, but I plan on purchasing it ASAP. I put SPF30 all over my face, wear a visor and sunglasses, and I want to try a new bronzer to give my face a sun-kissed look too!










*
We've had him loaded on our ipods forever, but just this week we have deemed him as one of our favorites and definitely our go-to choice for this vacation. I'll credit our newfound interest in him to Katie Highfield Lassiter and her wedding. She walked down the aisle to one of his beautiful tunes, "I Have and Always Will."






*Last but not least is this product given to me by my dear friend Kelley. The Arbonne Ginger Citrus body butter has been hydrating my skin and making me smell so good!

Well, since it is summertime, and I can be outside or at the pool, I am temporarily leaving my Dove Energy Glow behind...
*
Patrick and I are enjoying Castaway Cottage this week for our vacation, and I am developing a summertime beach-giene. Here are some products that are making my vacation low-maintenance and laid-back {some of which I found on my own, others that I have taken from magazines}.
*


This hair product has been my saving grace. Many of you know that I have humidity-challenged hair, and my typical once-a-week wash-and-straighten routine will NOT work. After days with ocean waves and chlorinated pools, I am managing to pull off a relatively frizz-free curly 'do with the aid of this $3.99 product!










*
I am loving this softoil in the evenings. It moisturizes, enhances your tan, and gives your legs a shiny--even sexy, if you will--glow without the sliminess and baby smelling-ness of typical baby oil.













*
This hand cream by philosophy was worn by Lindsay's labor and delivery nurse, and Mom, Linds, and I all have used it since then. It has a calming smell, and it makes your hands feel so soft!










*
I haven't actually used this one yet, but I plan on purchasing it ASAP. I put SPF30 all over my face, wear a visor and sunglasses, and I want to try a new bronzer to give my face a sun-kissed look too!










*
We've had him loaded on our ipods forever, but just this week we have deemed him as one of our favorites and definitely our go-to choice for this vacation. I'll credit our newfound interest in him to Katie Highfield Lassiter and her wedding. She walked down the aisle to one of his beautiful tunes, "I Have and Always Will."






*Last but not least is this product given to me by my dear friend Kelley. The Arbonne Ginger Citrus body butter has been hydrating my skin and making me smell so good!

Super T goes BIG!!!

I love outdoor weddings and have poured over all of Jenna Bush's wedding pictures that have been circulating the Web. This is a personal favorite of mine...














I love her dress, hair, and beautiful sunset! What I love the most, though, is who was playing at her reception:










Super T has made it BIG! I can think of Auburn days, Chi O functions, Fiji and Sigma Chi band parties, and nights at the Supper Club that were centered around this charismatic band! They were always the best, and now they are even performing the First Daughter's Wedding Reception. A friend of some extended family has booked them for her upcoming wedding, and now they are worried that this new heightened fame may take him somewhere else!

I love outdoor weddings and have poured over all of Jenna Bush's wedding pictures that have been circulating the Web. This is a personal favorite of mine...














I love her dress, hair, and beautiful sunset! What I love the most, though, is who was playing at her reception:










Super T has made it BIG! I can think of Auburn days, Chi O functions, Fiji and Sigma Chi band parties, and nights at the Supper Club that were centered around this charismatic band! They were always the best, and now they are even performing the First Daughter's Wedding Reception. A friend of some extended family has booked them for her upcoming wedding, and now they are worried that this new heightened fame may take him somewhere else!

Going Green

One of my summer goals, but the question remains, "How does one actually, practically, economically do this? Seriously.

Conscious decisions we are trying to make to help the environment in our own small ways:
*recycling cans and paper
*taking our own grocery bags to the store for small trips
*using safe cleaning products
*driving my fuel efficient Honda Civ forever...

What is the next step?

One of my summer goals, but the question remains, "How does one actually, practically, economically do this? Seriously.

Conscious decisions we are trying to make to help the environment in our own small ways:
*recycling cans and paper
*taking our own grocery bags to the store for small trips
*using safe cleaning products
*driving my fuel efficient Honda Civ forever...

What is the next step?

Food Ideas??? Help!

My sis-in-law had a baby last week, and we're going down to visit this weekend. I'd like to bring her family a meal, and I'm coming up short on ideas. What meals do you like to take to new moms? If you are a mom, what have been some of your favorites?

Any ideas are welcome--I'm wide open to suggestions!!!

My sis-in-law had a baby last week, and we're going down to visit this weekend. I'd like to bring her family a meal, and I'm coming up short on ideas. What meals do you like to take to new moms? If you are a mom, what have been some of your favorites?

Any ideas are welcome--I'm wide open to suggestions!!!

We are so excited to announce...

We had our ultrasound on Friday and found out that we are having a girl! We are thrilled and cannot wait to be parents to a precious daughter! Ashley made me this awesome image with our news and her name, and I couldn't just post it here to disappear as more blogs emerge... so it's also on the sidebar for keeps. :)

*

As for her name, Patrick and I love talking about names. We even talked and made lists of potential choices on our honeymoon of all things... We are both rather opiniated {surprise! :)} and Addison is the one that we both actually individually picked out. Camille was my middle name and is a family name on my mom's side. So, we've pretty much had this name picked out forever. However, most of my close friends know that I have commitment and procrastination issues... It's like once I say it, it is real--and that scares me because I want to be so SURE and I want it to be right and perfect... I HATE second-guessing myself, and I have totally been second-guessing myself on this one even though it's the only name I've found that I absolutely LOVE and think "fits" her. Patrick is totally sure, and I think Lindsay will be devestated if we change it--she's already attached. Savannah and Addison--cousins and best friends.

*

We'll call her "Addy," and her initials will share my favorite Basketball conference! :) {I could not find any names that I like that went with the SEC and my Auburn heritage, so I had to be excited about the ACC and my Duke and UNC basketball!} So, it's a done deal... at least for now. :)

*

I'll post one of my ultrasound pictures soon!

We had our ultrasound on Friday and found out that we are having a girl! We are thrilled and cannot wait to be parents to a precious daughter! Ashley made me this awesome image with our news and her name, and I couldn't just post it here to disappear as more blogs emerge... so it's also on the sidebar for keeps. :)

*

As for her name, Patrick and I love talking about names. We even talked and made lists of potential choices on our honeymoon of all things... We are both rather opiniated {surprise! :)} and Addison is the one that we both actually individually picked out. Camille was my middle name and is a family name on my mom's side. So, we've pretty much had this name picked out forever. However, most of my close friends know that I have commitment and procrastination issues... It's like once I say it, it is real--and that scares me because I want to be so SURE and I want it to be right and perfect... I HATE second-guessing myself, and I have totally been second-guessing myself on this one even though it's the only name I've found that I absolutely LOVE and think "fits" her. Patrick is totally sure, and I think Lindsay will be devestated if we change it--she's already attached. Savannah and Addison--cousins and best friends.

*

We'll call her "Addy," and her initials will share my favorite Basketball conference! :) {I could not find any names that I like that went with the SEC and my Auburn heritage, so I had to be excited about the ACC and my Duke and UNC basketball!} So, it's a done deal... at least for now. :)

*

I'll post one of my ultrasound pictures soon!

Random Fill-in-the-blanks

I was tagged by Jessa to do this so here goes...

* Maybe I should... not worry about things I can't control.
* I love the smell of... clean sheets, freshly cut grass, grilling, the ocean.
* People would say that I... act just like my mom and love "shock value."
* I don’t understand why... there is so much hate and discrimination in the world.
* When I wake up in the morning... I push snooze as many times as possible.
* I lost my will power to.. quit eating pizza. It's just too good.
* Life is wonderful with... the one you love and the confidence of eternal life!
* My past made me... happy and nostalgic. It shaped me into who I am.
* I get annoyed when...my students ask the same question over and over.
* Parties are not... as much fun as they were when I was younger.
* Dogs are... faithful companions and loyal friends. They are family members.
* Cats… make me sneeze!
* Tomorrow I am going to… try to teach my students to be humanitarians and to love all people. Live with hope for the next day...
* I have a low tolerance for...people that do not RSVP and have no Southern Manners. (Amen, Jessa!)
* I'm totally terrified of... unrealized potential, not doing what I was meant to do.
* I wonder why I thought my life would be... predictable.
* Never in my life...have I felt so much responsibility!!
* High school was something that...I am thankful for and glad I got through mostly unscathed.
* When I'm nervous... I pace, use the restroom a BUNCH, and my stomach turns into knots.
* Take my advice... Make the most of each moment with ones that you love.
* Making my bed is… something I should try to do more often...
* I'm almost always... cleaning up some mess I've made.
* I'm addicted to… American Idol and Friday Night Lights.
* I want someone… to be inspired.

I tag Kelley, Ashley, Tiffany, Haley , and anyone else who thinks this is fun!

I was tagged by Jessa to do this so here goes...

* Maybe I should... not worry about things I can't control.
* I love the smell of... clean sheets, freshly cut grass, grilling, the ocean.
* People would say that I... act just like my mom and love "shock value."
* I don’t understand why... there is so much hate and discrimination in the world.
* When I wake up in the morning... I push snooze as many times as possible.
* I lost my will power to.. quit eating pizza. It's just too good.
* Life is wonderful with... the one you love and the confidence of eternal life!
* My past made me... happy and nostalgic. It shaped me into who I am.
* I get annoyed when...my students ask the same question over and over.
* Parties are not... as much fun as they were when I was younger.
* Dogs are... faithful companions and loyal friends. They are family members.
* Cats… make me sneeze!
* Tomorrow I am going to… try to teach my students to be humanitarians and to love all people. Live with hope for the next day...
* I have a low tolerance for...people that do not RSVP and have no Southern Manners. (Amen, Jessa!)
* I'm totally terrified of... unrealized potential, not doing what I was meant to do.
* I wonder why I thought my life would be... predictable.
* Never in my life...have I felt so much responsibility!!
* High school was something that...I am thankful for and glad I got through mostly unscathed.
* When I'm nervous... I pace, use the restroom a BUNCH, and my stomach turns into knots.
* Take my advice... Make the most of each moment with ones that you love.
* Making my bed is… something I should try to do more often...
* I'm almost always... cleaning up some mess I've made.
* I'm addicted to… American Idol and Friday Night Lights.
* I want someone… to be inspired.

I tag Kelley, Ashley, Tiffany, Haley , and anyone else who thinks this is fun!

Hodgepodge of Current Thoughts

1. Last night's DEVESTATION. I could not believe it when Michael Johns was in the bottom 3, and I was certain that it was NOT him who would make his premature departure last night! I cried. Really. What was America thinking??? I think this season has been extra entertaining to watch because of the influx of talent, but I think the guys are far superior this year. I seriously, perhaps unreasonably, thought it would come down to at least 3 of the 4 remaining guys--Michael Johns definitely being one of them. I do really like Brooke and Carly, but can Kristy Lee please go home already??? All I know to say is that I hope and believe that Michael will make it bigtime!!!

2. Friday Night Lights will live on!!! This show is a new favorite of mine and Patrick's. We went on our typical DVD rampage and watched the first 2 seasons in 2 weeks. I love so many of the characters and feel connected to them, but I think my favorite is Tammy, Coach's wife. {Patick might kill me for putting this out there, but he has a bit of a man-crush on Riggins. } After OD-ing on the episodes and characters, we were shocked to learn that FNL might be a permanent fatality from the writer's strike. The latest updates say that it will return due to a deal made with NBC and DirectTV. Thank goodness! {Side Note: If you don't watch this show, you are missing out. We can't believe we missed out for 2 years!}




3. Shakespeare Quips. I love teaching Shakespeare to high school students. They almost always think they are going to hate it and end up loving it. In our current study of Julius Caesar, we have experienced sword fights, supernatural crazy events, and have had some mishaps (as usual) with the language. One word that Shakespeare uses that really excites my students is "ho." Usually he uses this word to get someone's attention, say "stop," "wait," "there," even "hey." Well, one of my kids in my standard classes who was reading the part of a plebeian, got to his line that read, "Peace, ho," meaning "Quiet there," and he got really excited and emphatically read, "PEACE HOE!!!" Everyone busted out laughing, and even I had a hard time recovering. I won't be able to hear that line as it was intended ever again...



4. Pregnancy update. I am currently 16 weeks, 2 days. I have my next appointment on Monday and have been feeling pretty good since entering the 2nd trimester. One thing that I had not expected about this experience was the overwhelming vulnerability that I would feel. Until we got to hear the heartbeat, I was consumed with worry for my baby. It's amazing how fast you can go from being in shock and disbelief... to feeling this indescribable connection and responsibility for the life you are carrying. I sure didn't anticipate it. Even though we have made it past that mark, and I have more energy, more of an appetite, and am more "myself," I am still recognizing areas where Satan is trying to steal some of my joy in this amazing journey. My spiritual focus right now is trying to intentionally realize who God is in all of this, and who I am in it as well--so that I can just let go of all the things I cannot control--and so that He may be glorified through this wonderful blessing of an experience.

1. Last night's DEVESTATION. I could not believe it when Michael Johns was in the bottom 3, and I was certain that it was NOT him who would make his premature departure last night! I cried. Really. What was America thinking??? I think this season has been extra entertaining to watch because of the influx of talent, but I think the guys are far superior this year. I seriously, perhaps unreasonably, thought it would come down to at least 3 of the 4 remaining guys--Michael Johns definitely being one of them. I do really like Brooke and Carly, but can Kristy Lee please go home already??? All I know to say is that I hope and believe that Michael will make it bigtime!!!

2. Friday Night Lights will live on!!! This show is a new favorite of mine and Patrick's. We went on our typical DVD rampage and watched the first 2 seasons in 2 weeks. I love so many of the characters and feel connected to them, but I think my favorite is Tammy, Coach's wife. {Patick might kill me for putting this out there, but he has a bit of a man-crush on Riggins. } After OD-ing on the episodes and characters, we were shocked to learn that FNL might be a permanent fatality from the writer's strike. The latest updates say that it will return due to a deal made with NBC and DirectTV. Thank goodness! {Side Note: If you don't watch this show, you are missing out. We can't believe we missed out for 2 years!}




3. Shakespeare Quips. I love teaching Shakespeare to high school students. They almost always think they are going to hate it and end up loving it. In our current study of Julius Caesar, we have experienced sword fights, supernatural crazy events, and have had some mishaps (as usual) with the language. One word that Shakespeare uses that really excites my students is "ho." Usually he uses this word to get someone's attention, say "stop," "wait," "there," even "hey." Well, one of my kids in my standard classes who was reading the part of a plebeian, got to his line that read, "Peace, ho," meaning "Quiet there," and he got really excited and emphatically read, "PEACE HOE!!!" Everyone busted out laughing, and even I had a hard time recovering. I won't be able to hear that line as it was intended ever again...



4. Pregnancy update. I am currently 16 weeks, 2 days. I have my next appointment on Monday and have been feeling pretty good since entering the 2nd trimester. One thing that I had not expected about this experience was the overwhelming vulnerability that I would feel. Until we got to hear the heartbeat, I was consumed with worry for my baby. It's amazing how fast you can go from being in shock and disbelief... to feeling this indescribable connection and responsibility for the life you are carrying. I sure didn't anticipate it. Even though we have made it past that mark, and I have more energy, more of an appetite, and am more "myself," I am still recognizing areas where Satan is trying to steal some of my joy in this amazing journey. My spiritual focus right now is trying to intentionally realize who God is in all of this, and who I am in it as well--so that I can just let go of all the things I cannot control--and so that He may be glorified through this wonderful blessing of an experience.

Methods of Organization

So, what kind of planner do you use--if you even use one? Are you the techno-savy Blackberry user... the creative calendar/portfolio stuffer... or the organized list maker? What types of things do you put in your planner? Does it go with you all the time or have a designated place--your desk, kitchen counter, car, etc? I'm really curious to hear any thoughts out there because...



I LOVE planners. This year I haven't found a personal planner that I've been thrilled about, and as a result, I have failed to record many of the happenings of 2008 thus far--truly sad for me. I think I've had a difficult time settling into one this year because I require a lot in my ideal organizer--a composite of a monthly glance, weekly glance, place to make grocery lists, book and movie lists, and a place to stuff favorite cards, quotes, lists, pictures. While I think Blackberries are cool and anticipate making the switch at some point, I still function best by hand-writing my things down. I love color-coding things with fun pens, and I remember things better if I have physically written them somewhere.



For school, my lesson planner calendar is this:



I like it because I can plan both of my preps out on the same weekly glance. There are inspiring teacher-y quotes. Jim Burke loves English teachers. There is a place to write out personal goals, professional goals, a "word for the week," and tips for teachers and teaching. There is also a monthly calendar and a place to write reflections about what has gone on that month--always a good place for venting.



In this lesson planner, I stuff copies of funny student responses, notes from faculty meetings, rubrics for current essays or projects, encouraging words from teacher friends and students, and extra-good writing that I get from students. It is a true culmination of my day's work. If you are interested in this organizer or any of Jim Burke's products you can order them here.



For personal use, random lists, quotes, funny things I see, responses to sermons, books, or conversations, I usually use my moleskine:



I prefer the ruled version so that I can write neatly, but several of my artistic friends enjoy the unruled version for sketches and such. I like the moleskine because it fits easily into whatever purse or bag I happen to be carrying.



My friend Britani inspired me this weekend with her cool planner, and it is worth looking into. In fact, you can buy one of your own here.



I like it because it is leather like a journal, has my monthly and weekly requirements, and actually has pages earmarked for book lists and movies lists, and all the other things aforementioned. Here are some pictures:












I think I might order one now! Happy Planning!

So, what kind of planner do you use--if you even use one? Are you the techno-savy Blackberry user... the creative calendar/portfolio stuffer... or the organized list maker? What types of things do you put in your planner? Does it go with you all the time or have a designated place--your desk, kitchen counter, car, etc? I'm really curious to hear any thoughts out there because...



I LOVE planners. This year I haven't found a personal planner that I've been thrilled about, and as a result, I have failed to record many of the happenings of 2008 thus far--truly sad for me. I think I've had a difficult time settling into one this year because I require a lot in my ideal organizer--a composite of a monthly glance, weekly glance, place to make grocery lists, book and movie lists, and a place to stuff favorite cards, quotes, lists, pictures. While I think Blackberries are cool and anticipate making the switch at some point, I still function best by hand-writing my things down. I love color-coding things with fun pens, and I remember things better if I have physically written them somewhere.



For school, my lesson planner calendar is this:



I like it because I can plan both of my preps out on the same weekly glance. There are inspiring teacher-y quotes. Jim Burke loves English teachers. There is a place to write out personal goals, professional goals, a "word for the week," and tips for teachers and teaching. There is also a monthly calendar and a place to write reflections about what has gone on that month--always a good place for venting.



In this lesson planner, I stuff copies of funny student responses, notes from faculty meetings, rubrics for current essays or projects, encouraging words from teacher friends and students, and extra-good writing that I get from students. It is a true culmination of my day's work. If you are interested in this organizer or any of Jim Burke's products you can order them here.



For personal use, random lists, quotes, funny things I see, responses to sermons, books, or conversations, I usually use my moleskine:



I prefer the ruled version so that I can write neatly, but several of my artistic friends enjoy the unruled version for sketches and such. I like the moleskine because it fits easily into whatever purse or bag I happen to be carrying.



My friend Britani inspired me this weekend with her cool planner, and it is worth looking into. In fact, you can buy one of your own here.



I like it because it is leather like a journal, has my monthly and weekly requirements, and actually has pages earmarked for book lists and movies lists, and all the other things aforementioned. Here are some pictures:












I think I might order one now! Happy Planning!

New Finds

I'm so pale. I mean washed-out-whale pale. There was no Spring Break beach trip for me; there's no tanning bed days ahead for me this season; I haven't even seen the sun in a week since it has been monsooning in Tennessee. I'm desperate, so I went to my new favorite neighborhood SuperTarget.

First, I did some research. We all know those self-tanning lotions that smell putridly of... tanning lotion. Most of us have turned yellow at some point in our attempts at achieving a nice color. I've fried myself in the tanning bed, and I've even done the whole body spray thing. I think I've finally found the answer: Dove Energy Glow. It smells great, goes on smooth, and builds a natural result after daily application.

Before I made my purchase, I *googled* consumer reviews on several of these products. {My favorite section of Real Simple magazine is where they compare similar products for value, style, and approval, so I decided to do this same experiment.} Dove was rated extremely high.

I'm so excited about my new find. Anybody else found a product out there worth sharing?

I'm so pale. I mean washed-out-whale pale. There was no Spring Break beach trip for me; there's no tanning bed days ahead for me this season; I haven't even seen the sun in a week since it has been monsooning in Tennessee. I'm desperate, so I went to my new favorite neighborhood SuperTarget.

First, I did some research. We all know those self-tanning lotions that smell putridly of... tanning lotion. Most of us have turned yellow at some point in our attempts at achieving a nice color. I've fried myself in the tanning bed, and I've even done the whole body spray thing. I think I've finally found the answer: Dove Energy Glow. It smells great, goes on smooth, and builds a natural result after daily application.

Before I made my purchase, I *googled* consumer reviews on several of these products. {My favorite section of Real Simple magazine is where they compare similar products for value, style, and approval, so I decided to do this same experiment.} Dove was rated extremely high.

I'm so excited about my new find. Anybody else found a product out there worth sharing?

Maternity Swimwear

I'm really curious to hear thoughts about this topic. I *googled* "maternity swimwear" and found many helpful sites as well as many interesting conversations. One of the boldest, and funniest--in my opinion, was the topic of "baring your growing" belly. It seems that pregnancy bikinis are quite the popular trend these days, but imagining myself in one of those get-ups made me feel gross--and sorry for anyone else who had to look at me.



I'm going to need a materninty swimsuit. Patrick and I are going to Destin the first week of June, and I plan on spending the rest of my summer floating and immersing my pregnant self in the neighborhood pool.



Here are a couple of things I've found.












I'm wondering about the skirt--if it is necessary. I'm thinking I'll probably want as much skin covered as possible--especially for walking on the beach--but do you think it is a must have? Any suggestions/ideas are welcomed!

I'm really curious to hear thoughts about this topic. I *googled* "maternity swimwear" and found many helpful sites as well as many interesting conversations. One of the boldest, and funniest--in my opinion, was the topic of "baring your growing" belly. It seems that pregnancy bikinis are quite the popular trend these days, but imagining myself in one of those get-ups made me feel gross--and sorry for anyone else who had to look at me.



I'm going to need a materninty swimsuit. Patrick and I are going to Destin the first week of June, and I plan on spending the rest of my summer floating and immersing my pregnant self in the neighborhood pool.



Here are a couple of things I've found.












I'm wondering about the skirt--if it is necessary. I'm thinking I'll probably want as much skin covered as possible--especially for walking on the beach--but do you think it is a must have? Any suggestions/ideas are welcomed!

So I've been MIA a little bit...

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!

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!

Problems

So, I wanted to change the look of my blog. I had just updated my daily reads with all of my new blogger friends, and when I changed the template, BAM, it reverted back to my links of over a year ago--some of which no longer exist. So I made my blog private while I tried to figure it all out, and still no luck. Any help you have to offer would be greatly appreciated by me!

So, I wanted to change the look of my blog. I had just updated my daily reads with all of my new blogger friends, and when I changed the template, BAM, it reverted back to my links of over a year ago--some of which no longer exist. So I made my blog private while I tried to figure it all out, and still no luck. Any help you have to offer would be greatly appreciated by me!

Blue Light Special

On a cool fall night, sitting outside listening to the crackling sparks of the fire, waiting for the perfect moment when the soft center of the marshmallow oozes out of the crusted, partially burnt shell to form the ideal s'more, laughing with old-turned-new friends and enjoying a comfortable comraderie, we all thought the evening couldn't get any better... when, suddenly, "splash!" All of us quickly turned and peered through the back property tree line, branches now bare with the fall leaves having abandoned them, their once protective shield now gone. Patrick looked at me with utter disgust paired with disbelief, his low, guttural words muttering, "They got a hot tub."

This pivotal moment in our "neighbors'" (We won't fully acknowledge them as our neighbors because, actually, they live in a different subdivision.) lives has made an overwhelming impact on ours as well. Now, as we gaze out of our back window while sipping our morning coffee and reading the daily paper, it is not uncommon to see two bodies wrapped together in an oversized Dale Earnhardt Junior towel, still dripping from their morning sauna. I come home from work to find my once luminous kitchen and living room now darkened with all of my shades completely lowered--a result of Patrick coming home for lunch and "not being able to take it anymore." Patrick and I will be cooking dinner, engaging in pleasant conversation, when I notice that he is looking past me, shocked by the latest public display of affection (i.e. wild make out sessions) on the back porch.

Our dismay with our surrounding patrons began several weeks after we moved in to what we thought to be "suburban bliss." We thought our biggest obstacles would be the "yard snob" whose perfectly manicured yards and upturned noses at our few weeds would shame us with chagrin, the stereotypical Williamson County moms who hogged the pool with their loud children, surgically enhanced figures, and "desperate housewife-isms," the hoity-toity BMW/Benz drivers who thought the neighborhood streets were theirs alone--we were fully prepared and excited about leaving the "thug life" that our neighborhood in Alabama was quickly becoming to assuage these safer, lesser obstacles.

It all started with a hamburger bun. We take Maggie out the back to do her doggie business. One day she wanted to explore further and further in the backyard, when I noticed an odd shape. I thought to myself, "I've never seen such a big mushroom! Gross!" Only, it wasn't a mushroom, but a hamburger bun. Patrick and I discussed it that evening--how would a hamburger bun wind up in our backyard? For the next week, on several different occasions, we found additional buns--the conundrum continuing to baffle us. A couple of nights later, Patrick ran to the bedroom whispering, "He's grilling! Let's see what he does with those buns." I quietly complied (unusual for me), and sure enough, moments after our spying session began, we witnessed him toss a bun into our yard. We shouted, "What is he doing? Why would he do that?"

During the summer we grill out and eat outside often, so, determined that our passive-aggressive neighbors would not deter our pleasure, we began to eat out there even more often. After our initial fiery anger subsided, we decided the best tactic would be to "kill them with kindness." We started attempting small talk while doing yard work, grilling, and taking Maggie out. The hamburger buns quit appearing in our yard. We though to ourselves, "Well done!"

Then, they got a hot tub.

Now, it's blue Christmas lights. All over. Beaming into our kitchen. Our blinds perpetually closed.

On a cool fall night, sitting outside listening to the crackling sparks of the fire, waiting for the perfect moment when the soft center of the marshmallow oozes out of the crusted, partially burnt shell to form the ideal s'more, laughing with old-turned-new friends and enjoying a comfortable comraderie, we all thought the evening couldn't get any better... when, suddenly, "splash!" All of us quickly turned and peered through the back property tree line, branches now bare with the fall leaves having abandoned them, their once protective shield now gone. Patrick looked at me with utter disgust paired with disbelief, his low, guttural words muttering, "They got a hot tub."

This pivotal moment in our "neighbors'" (We won't fully acknowledge them as our neighbors because, actually, they live in a different subdivision.) lives has made an overwhelming impact on ours as well. Now, as we gaze out of our back window while sipping our morning coffee and reading the daily paper, it is not uncommon to see two bodies wrapped together in an oversized Dale Earnhardt Junior towel, still dripping from their morning sauna. I come home from work to find my once luminous kitchen and living room now darkened with all of my shades completely lowered--a result of Patrick coming home for lunch and "not being able to take it anymore." Patrick and I will be cooking dinner, engaging in pleasant conversation, when I notice that he is looking past me, shocked by the latest public display of affection (i.e. wild make out sessions) on the back porch.

Our dismay with our surrounding patrons began several weeks after we moved in to what we thought to be "suburban bliss." We thought our biggest obstacles would be the "yard snob" whose perfectly manicured yards and upturned noses at our few weeds would shame us with chagrin, the stereotypical Williamson County moms who hogged the pool with their loud children, surgically enhanced figures, and "desperate housewife-isms," the hoity-toity BMW/Benz drivers who thought the neighborhood streets were theirs alone--we were fully prepared and excited about leaving the "thug life" that our neighborhood in Alabama was quickly becoming to assuage these safer, lesser obstacles.

It all started with a hamburger bun. We take Maggie out the back to do her doggie business. One day she wanted to explore further and further in the backyard, when I noticed an odd shape. I thought to myself, "I've never seen such a big mushroom! Gross!" Only, it wasn't a mushroom, but a hamburger bun. Patrick and I discussed it that evening--how would a hamburger bun wind up in our backyard? For the next week, on several different occasions, we found additional buns--the conundrum continuing to baffle us. A couple of nights later, Patrick ran to the bedroom whispering, "He's grilling! Let's see what he does with those buns." I quietly complied (unusual for me), and sure enough, moments after our spying session began, we witnessed him toss a bun into our yard. We shouted, "What is he doing? Why would he do that?"

During the summer we grill out and eat outside often, so, determined that our passive-aggressive neighbors would not deter our pleasure, we began to eat out there even more often. After our initial fiery anger subsided, we decided the best tactic would be to "kill them with kindness." We started attempting small talk while doing yard work, grilling, and taking Maggie out. The hamburger buns quit appearing in our yard. We though to ourselves, "Well done!"

Then, they got a hot tub.

Now, it's blue Christmas lights. All over. Beaming into our kitchen. Our blinds perpetually closed.

State Bound

The Independence High School Eagles have made it to the state championship in class 5-A football. Tomorrow they travel to MTSU to face reigning champs, Smyrna. One of my favorite students is pictured above, #7, Alex Heckman. A sophomore, he began the season as 3rd-string quarterback, and he has emerged as a team leader and major factor in IHS's success. My favorite thing about Alex is his humilty. In every interview he has been level-headed, realistic, and unassuming. He gives all the credit to the seniors and his teammates, and he is having the time of his life. Alex is also a 4.0 student and one of my best writers in my Honors English class, a bright spot in my day for sure. I love stories like this one, and you can read more in this article. Root for the Indy Eagles tomorrow! And I'll also be cheering for my alma mater in the 3-A championship. Go Mustangs!

The Independence High School Eagles have made it to the state championship in class 5-A football. Tomorrow they travel to MTSU to face reigning champs, Smyrna. One of my favorite students is pictured above, #7, Alex Heckman. A sophomore, he began the season as 3rd-string quarterback, and he has emerged as a team leader and major factor in IHS's success. My favorite thing about Alex is his humilty. In every interview he has been level-headed, realistic, and unassuming. He gives all the credit to the seniors and his teammates, and he is having the time of his life. Alex is also a 4.0 student and one of my best writers in my Honors English class, a bright spot in my day for sure. I love stories like this one, and you can read more in this article. Root for the Indy Eagles tomorrow! And I'll also be cheering for my alma mater in the 3-A championship. Go Mustangs!

In need of inspiration...

I just ordered these books off Amazon. I'm desperate for some inspiration.

After school today I went to have an adult conversation with my old/new friend Micah. Our reconnection has been a saving grace and a challenge to tap into some of my presently ignored passions. She recently participated in a symposium at Belmont where she was able to share some of her fiction. She met several interested parties with connections to the publishing world. It has been a rare, inspiring experience for her as well as me as we are reminded that there are infinite possibilities out there.

Public education is somewhat different than I expected. While my former environment left me with no delusions of grandeur, I had higher expectations of this acclaimed (perhaps self-proclaimed) district. I imagined my experiences in the "ghetto" as being the exception to the rule. I am finding that perhaps *it* is the rule. What I imagined to be the profession that would breathe life through me is, at times, sucking the life out of me.

Is this sort of teaching my calling? While I truly desire to inspire lifelong learning and connect that knowledge with my passion for human beings, instead, I am constantly correcting behavior and either dealing with students who have no passion, no desire, no interest... or those who want to incite and antagonize, while therefore sabotaging my lessons. So many of these American teenagers display ego-centric, entitled attitudes, and many educators further encourage those attitudes by coddling them through their academia. How can we truly be preparing them for the "real world" without also teaching responsibility and accountability? Even more troubling is the question of what the "real world" will look like when they enter it.

All is not at a loss; there are redeeming moments. There are students who I feel such a connection with, I know they are part of my purpose. I know that they function as my "meaning." Are they enough to keep my inspiration alive? They have to be for now.

I just ordered these books off Amazon. I'm desperate for some inspiration.

After school today I went to have an adult conversation with my old/new friend Micah. Our reconnection has been a saving grace and a challenge to tap into some of my presently ignored passions. She recently participated in a symposium at Belmont where she was able to share some of her fiction. She met several interested parties with connections to the publishing world. It has been a rare, inspiring experience for her as well as me as we are reminded that there are infinite possibilities out there.

Public education is somewhat different than I expected. While my former environment left me with no delusions of grandeur, I had higher expectations of this acclaimed (perhaps self-proclaimed) district. I imagined my experiences in the "ghetto" as being the exception to the rule. I am finding that perhaps *it* is the rule. What I imagined to be the profession that would breathe life through me is, at times, sucking the life out of me.

Is this sort of teaching my calling? While I truly desire to inspire lifelong learning and connect that knowledge with my passion for human beings, instead, I am constantly correcting behavior and either dealing with students who have no passion, no desire, no interest... or those who want to incite and antagonize, while therefore sabotaging my lessons. So many of these American teenagers display ego-centric, entitled attitudes, and many educators further encourage those attitudes by coddling them through their academia. How can we truly be preparing them for the "real world" without also teaching responsibility and accountability? Even more troubling is the question of what the "real world" will look like when they enter it.

All is not at a loss; there are redeeming moments. There are students who I feel such a connection with, I know they are part of my purpose. I know that they function as my "meaning." Are they enough to keep my inspiration alive? They have to be for now.

Savannah Michelle Meek

Savannah Michelle was born Thursday, November 8, to proud parents, Lindsay and Daniel. She came into this world at 5:04 p.m. weighing 7 pounds and 8.5 ounces. She is 18.5 inches long. She is absolutely precious and has captured the hearts of all of her family. The Meeks went home Sunday and are recovering well. I am such a proud aunt and am in love with my new little best friend!!!

Savannah Michelle was born Thursday, November 8, to proud parents, Lindsay and Daniel. She came into this world at 5:04 p.m. weighing 7 pounds and 8.5 ounces. She is 18.5 inches long. She is absolutely precious and has captured the hearts of all of her family. The Meeks went home Sunday and are recovering well. I am such a proud aunt and am in love with my new little best friend!!!

Unexplainable Sadness...

"God is on our side; He will see us through." These sweet, poignant words came from Katelyn's mouth moments after she learned of the tragic loss of her mother in a house fire early Thursday morning. Such faithful words by a young Christian, wise and mature beyond her years.

Jordan and Katelyn Creel are two of the teens from the Landmark Youth Group who we love and miss the most. They were a huge part of Patrick's life during his years as youth minister there, and he feels like they are his younger brother and sister. We traveled to Montgomery this weekend to spend time with them and mourn their sad loss.

Please pray for this sweet family and read this touching article about Jordan.

"God is on our side; He will see us through." These sweet, poignant words came from Katelyn's mouth moments after she learned of the tragic loss of her mother in a house fire early Thursday morning. Such faithful words by a young Christian, wise and mature beyond her years.

Jordan and Katelyn Creel are two of the teens from the Landmark Youth Group who we love and miss the most. They were a huge part of Patrick's life during his years as youth minister there, and he feels like they are his younger brother and sister. We traveled to Montgomery this weekend to spend time with them and mourn their sad loss.

Please pray for this sweet family and read this touching article about Jordan.

About Time

So... I'm not much of a blogger anymore, and I'm sure that even my few faithful readers have given up on me at this point, but I thought it was time for an update.

I have completed the first quarter of my teaching this year, and am celebrating Fall Break in full force. I have desperately needed a break to get rejuvenated and have some fun! Patrick and I are also anticipating our 2nd wedding anniversary this Sunday. We just got back from Washington D.C. as our celebration last night and had a wonderful time. We both visited the city as young teenagers, but it opened our realm of experience to view the nation's capital through adult eyes. We enjoyed all the monuments and museums, and my favorite events included the Holocaust Museum (especially since I taught Night this quarter), Georgetown, and the National Cathedral. Thanks to April S. and Kris G.C. for the wonderfully fabulous recommendation for D.C. Coast, a restaurant that Patrick and I easily dubbed the best dining experience of our marriage thus far.

Our other highlights of the fall include preparing for Lindsay and Daniel's Savannah Michelle, the Parade of Homes, working on our home (entries and pictures to come--hopefully), and celebrating Lori and Clay's upcoming wedding!

So... I'm not much of a blogger anymore, and I'm sure that even my few faithful readers have given up on me at this point, but I thought it was time for an update.

I have completed the first quarter of my teaching this year, and am celebrating Fall Break in full force. I have desperately needed a break to get rejuvenated and have some fun! Patrick and I are also anticipating our 2nd wedding anniversary this Sunday. We just got back from Washington D.C. as our celebration last night and had a wonderful time. We both visited the city as young teenagers, but it opened our realm of experience to view the nation's capital through adult eyes. We enjoyed all the monuments and museums, and my favorite events included the Holocaust Museum (especially since I taught Night this quarter), Georgetown, and the National Cathedral. Thanks to April S. and Kris G.C. for the wonderfully fabulous recommendation for D.C. Coast, a restaurant that Patrick and I easily dubbed the best dining experience of our marriage thus far.

Our other highlights of the fall include preparing for Lindsay and Daniel's Savannah Michelle, the Parade of Homes, working on our home (entries and pictures to come--hopefully), and celebrating Lori and Clay's upcoming wedding!

It ain't over 'til it's over...

BUT tomorrow it is...

Today is my official last day of summer. Sadly, I will spend the day cleaning and preparing for tomorrow. I need to finish Night and The Kite Runner and research some teaching ideas. I also am looking for some world lit short stories for the beginning of the semester...

How I'd like to be spending my day... with a manicure/pedicure, shopping excursion with no budget but within reason, lunch with a friend at a chic locale, and a moonlight swim...

Oh well--there's always next summer!

BUT tomorrow it is...

Today is my official last day of summer. Sadly, I will spend the day cleaning and preparing for tomorrow. I need to finish Night and The Kite Runner and research some teaching ideas. I also am looking for some world lit short stories for the beginning of the semester...

How I'd like to be spending my day... with a manicure/pedicure, shopping excursion with no budget but within reason, lunch with a friend at a chic locale, and a moonlight swim...

Oh well--there's always next summer!

Saw this... and went WHOA!

I checked Facebook a couple of minutes ago, and a former student of mine had this picture of a classmate as her profile picture. Her caption read, "Oh my gosh! What was she thinking?!? Free ________!"

So... I played this little game that my friend Jen and I sometimes play called, "Guess which student is in jail NOW?" It's pathetically sad that there is some such game, but it's our reality. I always find AT LEAST one student or former student...

I am SHOCKED about this one though.

I checked Facebook a couple of minutes ago, and a former student of mine had this picture of a classmate as her profile picture. Her caption read, "Oh my gosh! What was she thinking?!? Free ________!"

So... I played this little game that my friend Jen and I sometimes play called, "Guess which student is in jail NOW?" It's pathetically sad that there is some such game, but it's our reality. I always find AT LEAST one student or former student...

I am SHOCKED about this one though.

Full circle

Last night was the soiree to celebrate being high school grads for 10 years. It was a blast, and I think I was able to achieve my personal goal of speaking to everyone in my class--minus a couple that I unfortunately just never made it around to. I love my old friends--and their husbands/wives, and it is always fun to get together with them, but we jokingly said that we have reunions a few times a year.

It was especially fun to reconnect with people that I hadn't seen in forever and find out how life has been treating them. Most everyone looked the same or better than they did 10 years ago--and isn't that a good thing!?!

But you know what I laughingly thought about and shared with a friend who was not there since she's living in a different country...? As much fun as I had...and as glad as I am that I went, it was basically the same crap on a different day. I would elaborate, but the mantra really suffices. Profound, I know...

Last night was the soiree to celebrate being high school grads for 10 years. It was a blast, and I think I was able to achieve my personal goal of speaking to everyone in my class--minus a couple that I unfortunately just never made it around to. I love my old friends--and their husbands/wives, and it is always fun to get together with them, but we jokingly said that we have reunions a few times a year.

It was especially fun to reconnect with people that I hadn't seen in forever and find out how life has been treating them. Most everyone looked the same or better than they did 10 years ago--and isn't that a good thing!?!

But you know what I laughingly thought about and shared with a friend who was not there since she's living in a different country...? As much fun as I had...and as glad as I am that I went, it was basically the same crap on a different day. I would elaborate, but the mantra really suffices. Profound, I know...

Dressy Casual

These were the words used to describe appropriate attire for my reunion tomorrow night. Isn't that some sort of oxymoron? The venue is a nice Golf club. The time is 6:30. The agenda is dinner, DJ, reminiscing... What would you wear? What does "dressy casual" mean in term of your wardrobe? Do you go classic or trendy? How do you achieve the effortless grace that one would hope to emanate for such an occasion? HA! Seriously, this has slipped up on me. When you really don't care and time has run out, how do you pull off an acceptable look? What would/did you wear?

These were the words used to describe appropriate attire for my reunion tomorrow night. Isn't that some sort of oxymoron? The venue is a nice Golf club. The time is 6:30. The agenda is dinner, DJ, reminiscing... What would you wear? What does "dressy casual" mean in term of your wardrobe? Do you go classic or trendy? How do you achieve the effortless grace that one would hope to emanate for such an occasion? HA! Seriously, this has slipped up on me. When you really don't care and time has run out, how do you pull off an acceptable look? What would/did you wear?

Grammar Nazism

I can always tell that school is about to start when I subconsciously slip back into Grammar Nazi mode...

Current Frustrations:

1. colons after verbs
2. definately

What things irk you to the point of nervous tics?

*Disclaimer: Being said Grammar Nazi doesn't exclude me from mistakes of my own that when caught cause the doubly intense tic.*

I can always tell that school is about to start when I subconsciously slip back into Grammar Nazi mode...

Current Frustrations:

1. colons after verbs
2. definately

What things irk you to the point of nervous tics?

*Disclaimer: Being said Grammar Nazi doesn't exclude me from mistakes of my own that when caught cause the doubly intense tic.*

Lackluster of a Losing Lohan

She's already done it again! Seriously, Lindsay!

Don't you just wish she was still as cute, sweet, and wholesome as she was here:

Oh, for the love of those Parent Trap days???

This is just another incident that reaffirms the moral filth of young Hollywood. It makes me so sad to see what these young girls are doing to themselves. It also makes me sad that our young teens are trying to look, dress, and party like these girls.

Friday night, while I was at my Harry Potter Release Party (te-he), I was perusing the shelves of Young Adult literature at Borders. During the past couple of years, I have learned how invaluable it is to know about and read what other teens are reading--to incorporate it in my classes, help a kid find a love for reading, and satisfy my curiosity about what's out there. I investigated the Gossip Girl series and skimmed/speed read through the first book. Ashamedly, I was hooked. The writing is enticing, suspenseful, and just awful--enough so to keep you turning page after page. I don't think I'm old-fogey enough or quite far-removed enough to think that high school is actually like that, but, man! These kids were border-line alcoholics, drug users, and very sexually active. While I enjoyed satisfying my curiosity and have looser opinions on censoring, I would NOT want a teenage daughter of mine to be influenced by this type of literature...

Teens today are growing up in a much different world than we were not so many years ago!

I'm afraid that one of these Hollywood "It" girls is going to bite the dust sooner or later! (who are you betting on? J/K) Seriously, though, isn't that sad to think about? Do you think it will take something like that to make *us* wake up? Do you worry about raising teenagers in our world today?

She's already done it again! Seriously, Lindsay!

Don't you just wish she was still as cute, sweet, and wholesome as she was here:

Oh, for the love of those Parent Trap days???

This is just another incident that reaffirms the moral filth of young Hollywood. It makes me so sad to see what these young girls are doing to themselves. It also makes me sad that our young teens are trying to look, dress, and party like these girls.

Friday night, while I was at my Harry Potter Release Party (te-he), I was perusing the shelves of Young Adult literature at Borders. During the past couple of years, I have learned how invaluable it is to know about and read what other teens are reading--to incorporate it in my classes, help a kid find a love for reading, and satisfy my curiosity about what's out there. I investigated the Gossip Girl series and skimmed/speed read through the first book. Ashamedly, I was hooked. The writing is enticing, suspenseful, and just awful--enough so to keep you turning page after page. I don't think I'm old-fogey enough or quite far-removed enough to think that high school is actually like that, but, man! These kids were border-line alcoholics, drug users, and very sexually active. While I enjoyed satisfying my curiosity and have looser opinions on censoring, I would NOT want a teenage daughter of mine to be influenced by this type of literature...

Teens today are growing up in a much different world than we were not so many years ago!

I'm afraid that one of these Hollywood "It" girls is going to bite the dust sooner or later! (who are you betting on? J/K) Seriously, though, isn't that sad to think about? Do you think it will take something like that to make *us* wake up? Do you worry about raising teenagers in our world today?

Church hunting

For the first time in either of our lives, Patrick and I are searching for a new church home. We grew up going to church with our parents, followed by attending church in our respective college towns, and then spent a combined 7 years in church employment. Now we have moved to a new/old town, and we must choose a place of community worship.

We thought this would be a fun, engaging, investigative process. While some of these elements have existed, it has proved a more daunting quest than we had anticipated. It's hard.

One reason it is hard is because we are programmed through our years in ministry to look for and notice certain things. Because we have sometimes known too much about the behind the scenes stuff, we are analyzing and questioning motives, agendas, and wondering about each church's "end game." We're not removed enough to really buy into much. In moments where we catch ourselves doing these things, we are embarrassed at how cynical we must have become, and we wonder if we need some more time to de-funk.

Another reason it is hard is because if we were to write down a list of what we were looking for in a church, it would include all of the things that we LOVED about our former church(es) and be the complete antithesis of the things that we LOATHED about these same churches. Are we ridiculous to believe that some such church exists? Ummm, yeah!

We are trying to readjust and relearn how God has gifted us and think through how we might use those gifts in a new place. Would we help with the youth ministry, inner city ministry, college ministry, Hispanic ministry, all of the above? In the churches that we are considering, are there such ministries in place, or would we have the passion, resolve, healing, and strength to begin one of these groups?

We are sorely missing our Lifegroup--which we essentially considered our "church." While special, new, fresh relationships are certainly exciting to think about, we know that we will not (nor do we desire to) replicate those special relationships formed from our "house church" in Montgomery.

So, our status at this point: We have visited 6 different churches. 6 Sundays=6 churches... It is really hard to wake up every Sunday morning and go to a different place. Yesterday we took an indigestion-induced break and just sort of regrouped. We have decided to pick one and visit it for about a month--try a Sunday school class, visit a small group, investigate ministries, talk with elders, still fly under the radar a bit, and then see if it is a good fit for us...

We are thankful for this time period because we know that God has strengthened our individual and combined relationships with him, and it has also reminded us and reignited in us a desire to be a part of a community of believers. We'll see where the journey takes us.

For the first time in either of our lives, Patrick and I are searching for a new church home. We grew up going to church with our parents, followed by attending church in our respective college towns, and then spent a combined 7 years in church employment. Now we have moved to a new/old town, and we must choose a place of community worship.

We thought this would be a fun, engaging, investigative process. While some of these elements have existed, it has proved a more daunting quest than we had anticipated. It's hard.

One reason it is hard is because we are programmed through our years in ministry to look for and notice certain things. Because we have sometimes known too much about the behind the scenes stuff, we are analyzing and questioning motives, agendas, and wondering about each church's "end game." We're not removed enough to really buy into much. In moments where we catch ourselves doing these things, we are embarrassed at how cynical we must have become, and we wonder if we need some more time to de-funk.

Another reason it is hard is because if we were to write down a list of what we were looking for in a church, it would include all of the things that we LOVED about our former church(es) and be the complete antithesis of the things that we LOATHED about these same churches. Are we ridiculous to believe that some such church exists? Ummm, yeah!

We are trying to readjust and relearn how God has gifted us and think through how we might use those gifts in a new place. Would we help with the youth ministry, inner city ministry, college ministry, Hispanic ministry, all of the above? In the churches that we are considering, are there such ministries in place, or would we have the passion, resolve, healing, and strength to begin one of these groups?

We are sorely missing our Lifegroup--which we essentially considered our "church." While special, new, fresh relationships are certainly exciting to think about, we know that we will not (nor do we desire to) replicate those special relationships formed from our "house church" in Montgomery.

So, our status at this point: We have visited 6 different churches. 6 Sundays=6 churches... It is really hard to wake up every Sunday morning and go to a different place. Yesterday we took an indigestion-induced break and just sort of regrouped. We have decided to pick one and visit it for about a month--try a Sunday school class, visit a small group, investigate ministries, talk with elders, still fly under the radar a bit, and then see if it is a good fit for us...

We are thankful for this time period because we know that God has strengthened our individual and combined relationships with him, and it has also reminded us and reignited in us a desire to be a part of a community of believers. We'll see where the journey takes us.

Unfortunate Truths

Don't you just hate it when...

1.

2. "crisis dust" seems to be sprinkled around friends and family from every angle and you can't understand the logic, reason, or pattern...

3. you waste time without realizing it, and you have the harsh realization that you can't get that time back...

4.

5. you hear bad news about marriages...

6. you can be dressed cute and feel "put together" and then be around someone who in their precious petiteness, or intellectual vocabulary, or calm confidence can make you feel gawky and awkward...

7. everything in your life is going great, but you can't shake small inklings of discontent...

I must be getting a case of the "Back-to-school-Blues..." I can't believe it is so soon! This week in my "Believing God" Bible study, I learned about how powerful God made our tongues--words, how he intended for us to use that power and those words to glorify him and encourage others. I also studied how, on the flip side, words spoken to us by others have a serious impact on our self-views, worth, esteem. Ultimately, the study encouraged us to find healing from words, past hurts, etc.

This week's words came at the perfect time for me, and today I want to be intentional about using words of encouragement and affirmation to those I love as well as find what God's word says about our worth and his amazing love for us.

Don't you just hate it when...

1.

2. "crisis dust" seems to be sprinkled around friends and family from every angle and you can't understand the logic, reason, or pattern...

3. you waste time without realizing it, and you have the harsh realization that you can't get that time back...

4.

5. you hear bad news about marriages...

6. you can be dressed cute and feel "put together" and then be around someone who in their precious petiteness, or intellectual vocabulary, or calm confidence can make you feel gawky and awkward...

7. everything in your life is going great, but you can't shake small inklings of discontent...

I must be getting a case of the "Back-to-school-Blues..." I can't believe it is so soon! This week in my "Believing God" Bible study, I learned about how powerful God made our tongues--words, how he intended for us to use that power and those words to glorify him and encourage others. I also studied how, on the flip side, words spoken to us by others have a serious impact on our self-views, worth, esteem. Ultimately, the study encouraged us to find healing from words, past hurts, etc.

This week's words came at the perfect time for me, and today I want to be intentional about using words of encouragement and affirmation to those I love as well as find what God's word says about our worth and his amazing love for us.

The week I've been waiting for all summer...

Is finally here!!!

I can't believe that it is the end of an era... I saw The Order of the Phoenix last week (my favorite of the 6 in print), and it just set the stage and intensified my anticipation. I am dressing as Hermione Granger on Friday night and heading for the Borders Bookstore Potter party. There will be festivities all night, and at midnight they will present us with our 40% off pre-ordered copy. I plan to come home and read ALL night long. And all day the next... and the next... I've cleared my schedule, and this, to me, is what summer is all about--and this summer, it presents itself as an exceptionally HIGH highlight among the otherwise monotonous packing and unpacking of boxes... :)

Anyway, I have such mixed emotions. On the one hand, I am ready for all of my questions to be answered: Is Snape bad? Is Dumbledore really dead? Will Harry die? What about all the prophecies...? On the other, at the end of the book, it will be OVER. I don't know if I am quite ready for this. But, hopefully by Sunday (at the latest! :)) I will have my answers and some closure.

This pleasure read, followed by my class reunion the next Saturday, serve as my finale for Summer. Then, I am forcing myself to get back into school mode. I recently found out that this year I'll be teaching 10th grade honors and general classes. It will comprise of world literature, composition, and speech. It will be quite a change from my 11th and 12th American and British lit classes, but it is a welcome change as I will also get to teach some of these modern world lit pieces: The Kite Runner and Night. Although both have been on my list, I've yet to read either. So, I'll be busy!

Is finally here!!!

I can't believe that it is the end of an era... I saw The Order of the Phoenix last week (my favorite of the 6 in print), and it just set the stage and intensified my anticipation. I am dressing as Hermione Granger on Friday night and heading for the Borders Bookstore Potter party. There will be festivities all night, and at midnight they will present us with our 40% off pre-ordered copy. I plan to come home and read ALL night long. And all day the next... and the next... I've cleared my schedule, and this, to me, is what summer is all about--and this summer, it presents itself as an exceptionally HIGH highlight among the otherwise monotonous packing and unpacking of boxes... :)

Anyway, I have such mixed emotions. On the one hand, I am ready for all of my questions to be answered: Is Snape bad? Is Dumbledore really dead? Will Harry die? What about all the prophecies...? On the other, at the end of the book, it will be OVER. I don't know if I am quite ready for this. But, hopefully by Sunday (at the latest! :)) I will have my answers and some closure.

This pleasure read, followed by my class reunion the next Saturday, serve as my finale for Summer. Then, I am forcing myself to get back into school mode. I recently found out that this year I'll be teaching 10th grade honors and general classes. It will comprise of world literature, composition, and speech. It will be quite a change from my 11th and 12th American and British lit classes, but it is a welcome change as I will also get to teach some of these modern world lit pieces: The Kite Runner and Night. Although both have been on my list, I've yet to read either. So, I'll be busy!

19 minutes

I stayed up late last night to finish this one. I think it is my favorite of the summer so far.

This is one of those books that makes you want to change the way you live. In the midst of a tragic, violent act, each reader makes various judgments about the players involved--while at the same time being unable to truly place blame on any one individual.

Each character was sympathetic and it was easy to identify with some aspect of most of them. As a school teacher, it made me want to be intentional about showing compassion to those students who are on the outskirts, who are mistreated and do not fit in. It made me angry. It reinforced how every situation or incident can play an integral part in the psyche of any person.

I stayed up late last night to finish this one. I think it is my favorite of the summer so far.

This is one of those books that makes you want to change the way you live. In the midst of a tragic, violent act, each reader makes various judgments about the players involved--while at the same time being unable to truly place blame on any one individual.

Each character was sympathetic and it was easy to identify with some aspect of most of them. As a school teacher, it made me want to be intentional about showing compassion to those students who are on the outskirts, who are mistreated and do not fit in. It made me angry. It reinforced how every situation or incident can play an integral part in the psyche of any person.

Living out of boxes...

This is us. We are living out of boxes.

But life is good!

In one short month we have completely transplanted our life and are beginning a new life. When I look back on the details of the way everything has played out, I know that God both initiated and organized every step. I love that He cares about the details of our lives...

There is so much left to do, but I am thankful to have the month of July to get settled.

It's so nice to see family on such a regular, casual basis. What wonderful opportunities that I hadn't realized I'd been missing.

My goal is to be completely settled by the 11th because I have a meeting at school on the 12th, and I want to focus on getting my classroom ready at that point. I continue to be very impressed with this school system, and I can't wait to begin this leg of my career.

And we continue to get settled one box at a time...

This is us. We are living out of boxes.

But life is good!

In one short month we have completely transplanted our life and are beginning a new life. When I look back on the details of the way everything has played out, I know that God both initiated and organized every step. I love that He cares about the details of our lives...

There is so much left to do, but I am thankful to have the month of July to get settled.

It's so nice to see family on such a regular, casual basis. What wonderful opportunities that I hadn't realized I'd been missing.

My goal is to be completely settled by the 11th because I have a meeting at school on the 12th, and I want to focus on getting my classroom ready at that point. I continue to be very impressed with this school system, and I can't wait to begin this leg of my career.

And we continue to get settled one box at a time...