November 2, 2012 ( okay so it's really Nov. 3)

Day 2:
I am doing this a day late because yesterday was rough until last night when we spent the evening with our amazing friends! This leads me to what I was (am) thankful for yesterday.

I am thankful for the best friends Dudley and I have here at home: the Wiese's! They are the type of friends that no matter what we are doing together it is always a great time! We know they are there for us through thick or thin and vice versa we are there for them! We are blessed to have them in our lives!!

Thanksgiving Year 'Round

I am taking the challeng to see if I can write or take a picture of 365 things I am thankful for.

November 1, 2012

Today I am thankful for this wonderful man:

This isn't the greatest picture but I just love that smile and the laugh that goes with it!! He is not only my hubby but also my best friend! He knows how to make me roll with laughter or be there for me to lean on. He knows when I need his help and when to give me space. He is such a Godly man and I know that one day he is going to be an amazing daddy! He shows me his love in 100s of ways! I can't wait to grow old with him!!!!

Hmmm....

I have been wondering how to update my blog because there is been a lot on my mind, and yet I keep telling myself, "No, there are bigger things going on in this world. Your problems aren't that big. Get over what you are feeling and move on."

So, here I sit. Still struggling on what to write.  Not knowing what to do in any situation....

Whoops...

So its been a while since my last update...whoops! Let's just say that things have been a LITTLE crazy since my last post....

• 6/26: We signed the papers for our first home!
• 6/27: We moved into our new home. 
• 7/3-8: We traveled to Illinois, and then on to Minnesota for a family reunion that only happens every three years. 
• 7/11-14: I went to a family camp in Ohio with my mom and dad
• 7/21-28: My sister and her boys got to come visit us! It was wonderful!
• 7/21: Dad was ordained as an elder at our church. I couldn't be any prouder of my Dad. He is an amazing example in so many ways!
• 7/30-8/3: My fellow kindergarten teachers and I held a camp from 9-11 for a few of our kids. 
• 8/3: First official work day for school
• 8/6: Teacher Orientation and Work Day
• 8/7: First day of school - I have 29 students this year all to myself. We are filled to the max when it comes to space. I have to have 5-6 students at each table which makes it difficult when it comes to some projects. I do not have enough coat hooks for my students, so I am anxious to see what it will be like it gets cold out and kids start bringing coats. Also, I do not have enough cubbies. I have had to resort to using little bins for 5 of my kiddos. It is a lot of kids, and it is taking a HUGE toll on me, but I know I will make it through!
• 8/9: I find out I have to participate in a new thing called The New Teacher Academy that our school corporation is putting together. It isn't going to be difficult and I am sure it will be helpful. However, to find out that I have to go once a month at 4'o clock and sit through a book discussion and lecture after being around 29 kids all day, not to mention the stress of being a second year teacher, lets just say I may or may not have had a meltdown. 
• Today: We are preparing for a new testing format. We have only been trained a few hours in a few days. We found out today that we have to administer said test THIS Friday! Now, this isn't just any test. I have to get a sub for my class because I have to be the one to test all 29 students on their lettering naming, beginning sounds, and reading comprehension. Whew! 

So, do you agree that things have been a LITTLE crazy?!? I am hoping things start to slow down soon, but with the way things have been going I am not so sure that is going to happen. Every time I feel like I am getting ahead, I end of finding something else out that puts me three steps behind. I am not one that usually gets so stressed out about things....but I am not sure how I am going to make it through all this :-/ 

Man oh man...

We have some exciting news here in the Dudley house. We are going to be.......

HOMEOWNERS!!!! 


We close on our new home on Tuesday, which just happens to be our 2 year anniversary! What better gift could a girl ask for than a new home! We are really excited about this next step in our journey together. Yes, it was a very nerve wrecking experience, but God was right there through every step just as He always promises to be!

I will post pictures once we get the keys! Stay tuned for more to come :)

Whew....

Okay, since it has been a month since my last post,  I guess I should update because there is kind of a lot going on.

Since my last post.....

- I have finished my first year of teaching. It was definitely a learning experience full of ups and downs. At the beginning of the year I remember being nervous of how the year would turn out. I was not only nervous on how I would do as a first year teacher, but how I would help the students I had to succeed and be ready for 1st grade. I learned things not to do, but I also learned that I think I am cut out for this job. With that being said, I now am in limbo as to whether or not I have a job next year. I do know that if I get my job back I will be on temporary contract again. That means I will have the job for the year, but it is uncertain about the following year. People may think I am crazy, but I am not really freaking out about whether or not I have a job. I have this peace about it all that I don't really know how to explain. Things will work out the way God has them planned so why should I stress out, right?


- Dudley and I are trying to close on a house. Remember how I have that peace about not having a job? Well, I need to keep reminding myself about that when it comes to us getting this house. The house we are wanting to buy is a perfect starter home for Dudley and I. There are limited things that need to be fixed besides painting. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths. The problem with this house is that we were to close on  June 15th. That may have happened, but Dudley and I are applying for a specific loan and they are behind in their work. Now, sometimes this wouldn't be a problem, but when you live in an apartment where your lease was up in May, and you are now paying month-to-month, you begin to freak out a little bit .We now have to be out of the apartment by June 30, so things are going to be cut close. My mom and dad have said that if we need to we can stay at their house, but then we would have to figure out what to do with all of our stuff. So, needless to say we are in a time crunch. We are praying for the best!

Well, I should probably get back to getting this house ready to move, wherever that may be :)

Frustration...

Here we are a month later and I am not very happy with myself or the lack of progress I have made. It seems like I just can't figure this weight loss thing out. We have switched our diet considerably but seems like my results are going nowhere! I make a small loss, only to put it back on the next day. I can't seem to get that jump start on losing weight.

Yes, I know that you usually plateau when you lose weight, but doesn't that come after you have had a significant loss?? Things are really getting frustrating and I think mentally I am worse off than when I started this whole process.