Wednesday, October 03, 2012

Busy, busy, busy

I know that not many read this blog anymore, but occasionally I still like to post about life and how things are going!!

I have been going about 150 mph since school started in September, and I haven't even landed a full-time teaching position yet.  I started the year with a long-term, 5-week sub position at one of the high schools.  Sadly, I finish this job on Friday and I will dearly miss all the kids and my para-staff.  I have been in a high needs special education classroom where I have kids that are in wheelchairs, some are autistic and some are very highly functioning, and all are super fantastic. I've been in this classroom before so it was easy to come in and start the year with them.  Besides, I have some super awesome women who work in this class and they make all the difference in the world...way to go Kathy, Jacki, Jenny, Laura, and Marcelina!!!

I am starting a 3.5 month long-term position in a week teaching 6th grade LA and Social Studies, which is my endorsement area so I am looking forward to teaching a subject that I am really qualified to teach!  It is going to be a bit of a shift from high school special needs to sixth graders. 

I am still praying and holding firm to the calling God gave me to be a full-time teacher.  Sometimes I still get discouraged that I started my fourth year of teaching this fall without landing a full-time position.  However, God has been so faithful to provide for my every need...these long-term positions are surely a testament to His faithfulness.  And I am blessed to know that I have made an impact on the lives of hundreds of students over the last three years.  I still believe that He has the perfect position for me and that my prayers for a full-time job will be answered.

There are moments though that at age 38 (which just happened a few weeks ago) I don't feel adequate or worthy of God's blessing.  I'm sure that there are people of every age that feel this way; however, God doesn't want you to EVER feel as if you don't deserve all the blessing He can pour out over you.  I see God's blessing in so many aspects of my life and I feel overwhelmed that He has chosen ME!!!  He provided a job this summer that paid bills until I got paid for teaching this fall (in fact, I have been able to keep this job throughout the school year by working on Saturdays and I think I'll be able to work during Christmas break!!  The extra money is actually paying for me to go on vacation during Spring Break!), He provided me with long-term positions from the very first day of school this year.  He has provided me with an awesome church family and He has blessed me with a house.

Due to a change in housing situation I have searching for a place to rent come Novemberish, and all the places I have been looking at are running pretty high and then you have to add in utilities and such.  So I decided to take a leap of faith and see if I would qualify to buy a home.  I meet with my friend who is a real estate agent and then meet with a mortgage broker just about three weeks ago to discuss my options.  I was nervous and fearful about the situation...I honestly thought he would just laugh once he looked at my financial situation.  BUT NO!!!  He determined that I would qualify for a home loan.  Flash forward to this last weekend and we went and looked at four houses...I feel in LOVE with the second one I saw.  Bids were due by Monday night and by Tuesday I was told "Congratulations, Your bid was accepted"!  I signed initial paperwork today and sent them overnight to start the ball rolling!

I AM BUYING A HOUSE!!

How crazy is that?  I honestly didn't think it would go this fast but I prayed going in, "Lord, they will be done.  If you want me to purchase a home open the door (and windows) of opportunity!"  And by golly He has...in a BIG way!  It hasn't sunk in yet and I am still feeling as if I just stepped over the thresh hold of adulthood.  What is it about buying a home that makes a person feel as if they are finally a true member of the adulthood club.  So weird....I know!  I know it isn't an easy road as a homeowner.  I know that it will have its ups and downs and I am more financially responsible then ever before...I know that I will need to find some roommates for the first few years....I know that there will days I will cry and days that I will over analyze ever step I've taken and wonder if I made the right decision.  But I will NEVER question whether I am worthy enough or adequate enough to receive this special BLESSING, because I know that God loves me, watches out for me and loves to pour out blessings on His children.  I stand here with open arms simply saying, "Thank You Abba Father!"

Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Las Vegas

 The first weekend of June I got to go to Las Vegas with my Mom, 80 year-old Grandma, Aunt and Uncle.  Mom and Grandma were just passing through on their way to visit my sisters in Idaho Falls and meet up with my Aunt and Uncle for the weekend.  I decided to tag along for the ride!
Mom!
 The ceiling down on Fremont Street!  What an amazing experience!
 Me, Grandma Pat, Mom, Aunt Helen and Uncle Dave!
 Grandma Pat had a few dollars to spend and did well for awhile, but in the end lost it all (psstt...me too!)
 My dream in Vegas is to see Elvis!  However, the only Elvis' I saw were these three Mexican Elvis impersonators...who I think might have been tipping the bottle back a bit if you know what I mean!
 When in Vegas you see the most random things...this guy was hanging out at Caesar's Palace in his bathrobe!  I sure hope he had skivvies on under there! 
 At the Bellagio...Going on a hot air balloon ride is on my bucket list!
 Lunch at the Paris Casino!
Mom and Auntie Helen!

Fun times were had and you know what they say..."What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas!"

Friday, June 08, 2012

New Babies

My family has been growing by leaps and bounds over the last few months...in other words, my sisters have been busy!!  
This beautiful lady is Angelina Rose born on May 14th, born to my baby sister Camille and her husband Joe.  She joins big sisters Dajia and Elliana!  I've been told that she is going to be called Annie!
Isn't she precious? 

This handsome little man is Jonathan Arthur and he was born on March 19 to my other sister Shannon and her husband Ernie.  He has four big sisters and three big brothers...I'm sure he'll be well cared for!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

My Favorite Song Right Now





What an amazing voice!  She deserved all the Grammies she won tonight!

Friday, February 10, 2012

Anti-Valentine?

Possibly...just possibly I am anti-Valentine's Day!  

Really, is there any good thing about Valentine's Day if you are single?

Just sayin'!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Rooftops

Here I am before you
Falling in love and seeking your truth
Knowing that your perfect grace
Has brought me to this place
Because of you I freely live
My life to you, oh God, I give

So I stand before You God
I lift my voice because you set me free

So I shout out your name from the rooftops I proclaim
That I am Yours, I am yours

All the good You've done for me
I lift up my hand up hand for all to see
You're the only one
Who brings me to my knees
To share this love across the earth
The beauty of Your Holy Word

So I kneel before You God
I lift my hands because you set me free

So I shout out your name from the rooftops I proclaim
That I am Yours, I am Yours

All that I am I place into Your loving hands
And I am Yours, I am Yours

Here I am, I stand with arms wide open
To the one, the Son, the everlasting God



Throw in the Towel...

Do you ever wish you could throw the towel in on this thing called life?  Just buck it all and join the circus; run away to a deserted island; or simply hide out in a strange city where no one knows you?

A bit drastic I know...but sometimes, like now, I just want to run away!

I'm tired of hearing, "No thank you!  You need more experience for this job."

I'm tired of seeing more bills than income.

I'm tired of being single and childless.

I'm tired of snow causing me to have no work.

I'm tired of dreams seeming to not come true.

I'm tired of life sometimes.

I'm the Queen of "It's ok..life goes on!"  And I know it does.

So what do I do? 

"Stick out my chin and grin and say, 'Tomorrow, tomorrow...the sun'll come out tomorrow!'"

No, even though I love that philosophy, I put out my hands and ask for the Lord to come and fill me, guide me and direct me.  I pray for a different door or window to be opened.  I pray for understanding, mercy and grace.  I pray that I have a better attitude.

I praise the Lord for good and bad times and I ask to be taught a lesson in the midst of everything I go through. I give Him all the glory!  I know that He is doing a good work in me!  I know that He NEVER leaves me nor forsakes me and when I am hurting the most He is carrying me in His arms!