Learning Patience...

Thanks to everyone who said a prayer for me on Tuesday! It feels like a lifetime ago since then. When you want time to hurry up, that's when it seems to go the slowest. I feel like the interview went really well. The principal told me on more than one occasion that she had received many emails from teacher candidates wanting a job...she deleted most of them...but for some reason kept mine!! Thank you, Lord!

My friend, Pepper, had her interview this morning and called me right after. She said that as of yesterday another teacher resigned, so two positions needed to be filled. My prayer this whole week was that more than one job would open up, and that prayer was answered!

The principal said she was putting her recommendations in to Central Office today, and the administrators downtown would be the one to call us if we got hired. All day I was so nervous waiting for the phone to ring. I couldn't sit still. I called my parents to meet for lunch. I browsed Barnes and Noble. I just had to keep myself occupied so I wouldn't go nuts. But neither Pepper nor I heard anything today, and Central Office is closed tomorrow...so it looks like we will wait til Monday. (By the way...if Pepper gets her doctorate...she will be Dr. Pepper!!)

I feel like this opportunity has come at the perfect time. If you know LISD, you know that it has been REALLY tough to get a job for the up-coming year. There have been MANY changes throughout the district, and I had resigned myself to subbing for a year while I finished school. Then, BOOM!, I get a call and here I am...THIS close to having my own classroom! It is a miracle...an answer to prayer! And in the meantime, I was able to focus on and finish summer school, enjoy the first half of summer, the Fourth, and our anniversary.

Waiting is soo hard! But I don't have a choice. I will try to relax a little. Stressing won't help the situation. It's all in God's hands! I have a deep sense (Holy Spirit) that it is already taken care of. I am definitely learning patience and building character!

Camping Trip to Interview...Relaxation to Stress

It's amazing how quickly I can go from summer-lovin', book-readin', sleepin'-in mode to "oh my gosh...I have so much to do...and not much time to do it in" mode.

It all started with a text. I woke up this morning to a text I received from a girl I know at Tech. We have gone through the Post-Bac program together...we went through student teaching together...and now we are going through the hiring process together. This morning she texted me to say she had an interview this Thursday at one of the elementary schools in town. I was happy for her, but felt a little deflated too. As much as I try not to stress about finding a job, it is something that is constantly on my mind. I NEED one, people!

Well, my phone is usually on silent mode, so I decided I would just check my voicemail to see if I got a call from the principal at the same school. Lo and behold I did!! And I interview tomorrow at 8a.m. for a 5th grade position. I am trying to focus, stay calm, and keep my head on straight. I am so excited yet trying not to be so excited. All I know is that God has provided, in perfect timing, everything I have needed during this whole process.

I spent the day shopping for an appropriate summer interview outfit, making a portfolio to help me stand out from among the rest, and reading up on my interview questions/answers. I feel the butterflies in my stomach, and I am trying to keep them under wraps.

Please say a prayer for me!!!

A Night Under the Stars...

One of our favorite things to do is sit outside on a clear, summer night...visit with friends...and look up at the stars. I love that Taylor can already spot the Big Dipper. I only learned how a couple of years ago...and everytime I see it, I am reminded of how small I am in the grand scheme of things. It's humbling.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,

and the son of man that you care for him?

Psalm 8:3-4

This past weekend we camped at Roaring Springs with some friends, and the star-gazing was extra-amazing. Take away the city lights, traffic noises...add a campfire, sounds of nature, good food and drink...and it makes for a beautiful scene.

Life is Good...

This week:

We celebrated our 10th anniversary!

Spent time with my brother and his girlfriend.

Started to re-read the Harry Potter series.

Played at the park with my kids.

Drove around the loop, listening to some of my favorite tunes, just to clear my mind!

AND...

Big Brother Started!!

I LOVE SUMMER!!!

The Cape...

Every little boy needs to feel like a super-hero!





My friend, Elizabeth, makes these cute capes. Connor has been looking forward to getting his all week. Now he doesn't have to resort to using the girls' aprons anymore. I guess he knows his super-power limitations, though, because as I was swinging him today he told me he didn't think he could fly! The song, The Cape by Eric Bibb is fitting for my little super-hero.

Spread your arms...and hold your breath...and always trust your cape.

A Boy Will Always Need His Diddy...

Today would have been Diddy's 75th birthday. Diddy is Chad's mom's dad. He was a great man of God...was passionate about Israel and the Jewish people....and loved his family more than anything. We miss him everyday.

Chad thought Diddy hung the moon. They shared a special bond...especially when it came to cheating at Monopoly! They were always on the same team, and you could always count on them to find a way to steal from the bank. They loved to trash talk. And one time on the golf course, I don't know how it happened, but Chad ran him over with a golf cart. They always had a good time together...and a story to tell afterwards!

Diddy was absolutely head-over-heels about his great-granddaughters. He didn't live to see his great-grandsons, but it would have thrilled him to pieces to have two little guys to wrestle around with.

Taylor was not even 4 when he passed, but she was oh so tenderhearted and aware of what was going on. I remember driving in the car after the funeral, and she told me she wanted to spend the night with Nana so she wouldn't have to sleep alone. It broke my heart.

There is a great big void without Diddy...but he is home now.

Thank you, Diddy, for leaving a legace of love. We love you!

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.
Proverbs 17:6

Flooded on the Fourth...

So I am camera-less and it is wearing me out. The camera in my phone just isn't cutting it. But even so I had to get a few pictures of our rainy Fourth of July celebration in Spur, TX. We spent the day there with our friend, Stacy, and her family. It was a great, relaxing time. Unfortunately, the big fireworks show had to be cancelled due to the rain. And can I say that driving home in the dark and pouring rain was crazy scary. I was literally depending on the white lines on the road to guide me...and at times it was even tough to see those. I was prayin' to Jesus the whole way home!! Thankfully we made it safe and sound.

Firecracker #1


Firecracker #2


Firecracker #3


Tweedledee and Tweedledum






Poor Connor was traumatized. He hates loud noises so you can imagine how thrilled he was when the black cats started going off. He wanted in the truck...windows rolled up...and music blasting to drown out the sound.


Daddy's boy!