New Year

Well... the year is coming to an end. I cannot help but think about this past year and all that has happened.  Thursday it will be a year since Casey and I got engaged.  Time sure flew...the wedding is now seven months away and things are slowly falling into place.  I was offered a teaching position at the school I have been working at for the past year which is such a blessing.  I have not even graduated college yet and I already have a job that I have always wanted.

For the new year I feel things will get even better!  In August I get to marry the man of my dreams, in May I will graduate...God willing from college and hopefully again next year I will be offered the same teaching position.  Everything is coming together nicely.  Not to say any of this will be easy.  I am a teacher now so this calls for a lot of planning.  Making lesson plans and working on IEP's(Individualized Education Plans) which I have to have for each of my students.  Thankfully I am co-teaching with another girl which means we can split everything in half.  That is if each of us does our parts...for anyone who has ever done a group project you know that is not always the case.  But on top of all of that I have school work as well.  Four classes for my Spring semester but one of my Winter mesters goes through February so for a while I will have five classes on my plate.  One of which is part of the masters program so I am sure it will be somewhat harder than my other classes.  Then on top of that I am planning a wedding.  Thankfully I still have plenty of time to plan so that is not as pressing as the other things.  Even though this next year is going to be seriously crazy and overwhelming I believe it will all be totally worth it.  After May is over things will calm down a bit..other than the wedding planning and a huge weight will have been lifted from my chest.

I hope everyone else had a great year and I hope the best for everyone this coming year.  I will be spending time with friends and family to finish off this year and I hope everyone else does as well.  May everyone remember what is important this coming year and not let life get you down.  Happy New Year! Have fun tonight and be safe.   

The end is near!

I just registered for my last semester of college!! Woohoo!  I cannot wait for what is in store for this upcoming year.  I am sure at times it will be so stressful that I will want to curl up in a ball and hide somewhere but I know in the end it will all be worth it.  I will have a college degree, already be employed, and be married to my best friend!  The wedding is slowly coming together.  I bought my dress a few weeks ago and it is gorgeous!  I decided on the bridesmaids dresses, booked a DJ, looked at photographers, finished a rough draft of the invite list and so on.

Work has been all kinds of crazy.  I am finally getting used to my new classroom of kids but it looks like there are some more changes coming my way.  I am just not sure what the changes will be or even when they will happen.  The past two weeks I have been stressed beyond belief.  Knowing that change is coming and being stuck in the middle of it all wares me out.  I just want the changes to happen and be done with it.  I love my job though...no matter how bad the day is or how aggravated I get at the end of the day I really love my kids.  They are such a blessing to me.  People say you have to have patience to work with children with special needs but sometimes I feel like I am learning to have it more and more as I go.  I learn better ways to handle things and better ways to relate to my kids.  Honestly, I probably learn something new everyday.  I won't lie...at night I have to pray for God to give me more patience, sometimes it feels like there never is enough... but the days I remember to ask God for help are my best days.  Without Him I would not be able to do what I do.  He has truly blessed me.  By giving me a job doing what I love before I have even graduated college, letting me work somewhere that I absolutely love and employees that are so supportive and caring, for giving me so many chances to learn new skills like tube feeding, behavior modification strategies, IEP's and so much more!  Things that I would not have been close to doing if He hadn't led me to where I am.  I really have to give Him full credit. 

 School will most likely be crazy this upcoming semester.  I have to take two winter classes and four classes during the semester.  The winter classes are really what I am worried about.  But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel so I know I can do it!  I decided not to walk for graduation.  That just really isn't my thing and no part of it excited me.  I just want to get my diploma and be done with it!  

Casey was out of a job for a while but he recently found a part time job and that was an answer to our prayers.  Hopefully in the near future he will find a long term one.  He is looking into a job at the zoo which is super cool!  I think it would be something he could really enjoy. I have been thinking lately about the apartment we have been looking at.  I cannot wait for us to get our own place.  It will be nice to have somewhere to ourselves that we can make our own.  It is even more fun to think about now because it is in our reach!  Just a few more months!  I also won't mind not having to drive an hour and fifteen minutes to work everyday.  By the end of the week my legs ache because of driving so much...in fact they are aching right now :( I don't know if I have said this before but I am blessed to be marrying such a caring man.  He practically takes care of me already.  Always checking on me and making sure I don't need anything.  He is just awesome!

So I guess I should say something about this recent election thingy...lol  I am a strong believer in voting.  I feel like it is not only our right as Americans to vote but an obligation as citizens.  Some people may disagree with the statement of obligation because we are not required by law but it is something that we should do.  I think that people also have a right to choose their own candidate.  They can choose to stand for things that I don't agree with...that is their right.  As a Christian there are some things morally that I cannot stand for like abortion and gay marriage.  I would NEVER condemn someone for doing those things.  As I have said before we are all sinners I am just as sinful as someone involved in a gay relationship.  I vote against gay marriage because the Bible says that it is wrong.  I also vote against abortion because the Bible says "thou shalt not kill".  The people who take part in those things can deal with themselves and God just as I will do for my sins but I would not willingly support those things because I know they are wrong.  If that makes any sense.  The person I voted for obviously did not get elected but that does not mean that I would bash the other.  I don't agree with everything that he stands for but God tells us to respect our leadership.  Even if they are not Christians and do not believe the same things that we do.  So in saying that I will pray for President Obama that the Lord will guide him during his time in office.  I hope that others will do the same because our country really needs it.

Well, that is all for now.  I will keep you updated in the weeks to come.  

Changes...

I have never really been a fan of change.  In fact at all costs I tend to avoid it.  At work just as I was getting comfortable I was moved to a different classroom.  This classroom is very different from the class I was in at first but very similar to the one I was in last year.  I was moved to the early elementary class...this class definitely has its challenges.  From poop issues to hitting/pulling hair issues and so on.  But I do like a challenge so it has been okay.  I am getting familiar with the routine of things so in a few weeks I will be nice and settled in.  We only have four students which may sound like nothing...but believe me IT IS.  It is nice though because we get a lot of one on one time with the kids which they really need and it allows us to learn things that we may not in a classroom with more students.  Each of them is unique and add something to the classroom as well.  It should be a fun rest of the year.    

Thankfully my school work has been fairly easy so far this semester.  I haven't had too much homework and that makes a big difference.  So far I have been able to stay on track and not get behind.  But I have been so tired it is hard for me to not just get home from work and go to sleep.

I have started a Bible study with the woman at my Church.  This first week we read the book of Hosea.  I have read the great book based on Hosea called "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers which I am considering rereading.  I have never actually read the book in the Bible though.  It was very hard to read.  It really shows God's hate and disgust towards sin and then the contrast of his great love and compassion for His people and in that love forgiving them for the terrible things they had done.  It really helped me put things in a different perspective seeing my sin through God's eyes instead of through my own which honestly does not view my sin as harshly as God does. It also talks about how our sin can blind us and keep us from really growing in Christ and "seeing" Him.  It was definitely an eye opener for me and really forced me to see my sins for what they really are.

My puppy is doing great!  She is getting so big.  When we first got her she was malnourished but now she looks super healthy.  She is learning a lot and finally comfortable with her kennel.  Poor thing for about the first month would whine and whine when I would put her in there.  OH and I don't know if I ever mentioned this but she had a biting problem.  If she was a small puppy it wouldn't have been such and issue but she is a forty pound puppy...  Thankfully she has gotten better.  It has not totally subsided but she does not do it nearly as much. 

This week was my fiance's 21st Birthday! It is so exciting...he is all grown up. :) We celebrated with a dinner and will be going out again this weekend.  I love birthdays...they are my favorite! 

Well that is all for now...have a great weekend! I know I will.

And the school year begins...

It has been a while since my last post.  I have been going non stop! I finally got my car situation figured out.  I am now an owner of a brand new Honda Accord....I love it! If I didn't explain it before... I bought  a used car a few months ago and was having all kinds of problems with it.  We found out that it was burning the oil...so we took it back and they gave me a great deal on a brand new car so I bought one!  My (big) puppy is doing great! Slowly getting house trained and as healthy as can be!  This weekend I have to take the poor thing to get more shots...that should be fun (not). 

I passed my College Algebra course that I took this summer...which was a complete miracle.  Both of my schools have started back up again...my work school and school school. Work is going great!  I am in a new classroom this year which is different but I love it!  My kids are so fun.  The lead teacher I am working with is great.  This is her first year at my school so she is learning but she is picking up things really well!  I have to say how entertaining it can be working at a school for children with special needs...I love that they do not care what anyone thinks about them...they are just...themselves.  It is great!  College started at the same time as work...this is my first semester to take all online classes.  So far I am enjoying it.  It is great to have teachers go strait to the point...not having to go to class until eleven o clock is pretty great too! 

Wedding issues...I have lots of them.  We had some problems with the DJ we really wanted.  Thankfully, Casey and I were eventually able to come to a conclusion that we both felt okay about.  I just want it to be time already!  I am about ready to go wedding dress shopping again...I want to find a dress that I love and that is affordable...unlike the 1600 dollar one I found when I went to visit my sister.  David's Bridal really has great prices for the dresses they have.  I will be trying there next!  As for everything else...I don't really care about so much but I would like to get almost everything in order before my mom goes to Mexico...did I say that before?

 Yes, my Mom is moving to Mexico...but it is for a great cause.  They really do have a need for Christian missionaries over there...when we first found out that she was leaving we pretty much flipped...but after going to Mexico and really seeing the need it made a huge impact on me and I couldn't be more proud of her.  Keep the people in Mexico in your prayers... along with the missionaries who are giving up their lives to help these people. 

My friend Matt left recently to go back to his base...he is in the army and will be leaving soon to go overseas.  I can't imagine leaving everyone I love to put myself in a very dangerous situation.  I really appreciate the men and woman who are strong enough to make that decision and just wanted to say thank you to all of them. 

Well...that is all I have for tonight.  Sweet dreams!

So much to do...and 4 days to do it

Well as you saw in my last post I got a new puppy...you also may know that I am taking an online summer math course...if you EVER think that sounds like a good idea...think again.  All of my work is due this weekend...it is now Wednesday and  I have about two weeks of work that still needs to be finished.  I have to go in to work tomorrow and Friday and I also have a birthday party to go to on Saturday.  Hopefully I will get my butt in gear and finish in time...well I know I will finish... I just don't know what that grade will look like.  I have gotten so far behind because things just keep coming up...like netflix and dogs and everything else...my poor new puppy got super sick two days after we got her and I didn't know if she was going to make it.  But she did and is back to her old self keeping me up all night with her whining and barking.  I would be doing homework right now if it weren't for this terrible headache that set in about an hour ago. 

So, I have a new TV show that I like a lot and I am a little ashamed...it is the vampire diaries.  Oh my goodness... it is awesome! It has the love story along with action and gore.  The story line is pretty good in my opinion with plenty of twists to keep you on your toes.  I love, love, love it!

Any who...my headache is getting worse I am going to watch some more vampire diaries...I mean rest my eyes.

Happy Anniversary!

Well, Wednesday was Casey and I's anniversary.  It did not really go as planned but it was a great day! We went and got a massage at Massage Envy which was very nice and relaxing!  If you have never been they have very reasonable prices and do a very good job! You can find them just about anywhere.  After that we decided to go look around at the Rockwall Animal Adoption Clinic.  We had been wanting a puppy for a while but did not expect to find one that day.  We went in and told them we were looking for a small dog that didn't shed.  They walked us through and the only "small" dog they had was a chihuahua ( I am not a fan of chihuahua's...usually they are mean and if you are not careful they get insanely fat.)  Next to the chihuahua though was this really cute puppy...well I say she is a puppy but she is three and a half months old and is about 30 pounds.  She has these adorable radar ears that stand straight up! They told us she was part shepherd part heeler but she looks nothing like any of the pictures I could find.  I was a little concerned because her feet were HUGE so I asked them how big she would get...they told me maybe 40 pounds...ya right!  Well, Casey's dad Googled Great Dane/Shepherd and she looks very similar...so here in a few months we may have one HUGE dog.  Another thing I was worried about was that she would not get along with our other dogs.  At the adoption center she was in a cage by herself. I was worried they may have done that because she did not get along well with others. But she is doing great! She is such a sweet puppy.  All she wants to do is play....Georgia doesn't quite know what to think yet and Balto is willing to play with her but she is a little scared of him. We named her Annabelle (Annie) for short.  She is obeying very well so far...we will see how that goes.  Well as I said we had not planned on buying a dog that day but we both fell in love with her.  We had made plans to go to the movies and out for a nice dinner but those plans had to be put on hold.  It was a fun night with Casey learning about Annie and spending time together with our new sweet pet! :) By the way...it was exactly one year from Wednesday that I get to marry him!  We will be getting married on our 5th anniversary! Crazy huh?! It does not feel that long at all.  But I cannot wait...honestly if I did not have to worry about pleasing everyone with a wedding I would just go marry him tomorrow!  Don't get me wrong a wedding will be fabulous, I just don't want to have to wait another minute...but I guess he is worth it!

See what I mean about those ears!? So stinkin cute!

Yesterday I took my first test in my College Algebra course...it did not go so well.  There were questions I did not expect because they were not on the review.  It was also timed...I don't do that well.  If I am going to pass a test I need to be able to relax and take my time...especially with math.  But hopefully the next one will not turn out so bad!

I got my first payroll check today.  Talk about exciting!  It feels so good to be on salary pay even if it is not a TON of money.  I am so ready to go back to work!

Okay, about this whole Chickfila mess...I strongly believe in the right to free speech, but this goes both ways...for supporters of people who choose to be gay and for those who support marriage as being between a man and a woman.  I think both sides are being very judgmental and may not be handling things in the right way.  Is it okay to eat at Chickfila to show your support for someone's beliefs who is associated with Chickfila?  Of course it is, especially when they are being completely torn apart because of their own beliefs.  We should stand up for what the Bible says is right.  This does not mean we have to be hateful.  But we have as much of a right as do those supporters of gay marriage to say what they want and do what they want...there is no need for us to judge them... but there is also no need to conform to there beliefs in order to not offend them...I think this is a very sticky subject and it is hard to know how to deal with it, but what I do know is that we should do all things in love and understanding...we are all sinners.

 Romans 12:1-3
1:  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual worship.  2:  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  3:  For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 

Sad day...

Well our sweet Sunday died this afternoon...they went in for another surgery and she didn't make it through.  Almost 12 great years with her.  It is amazing how close we get to our animals.  They are there for you when you need to cuddle and they always listen.  Dog's are definitely man's best friend.  We buried her on our hill by the lake...that was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  I am thankful that she did not suffer long...maybe this way was better than her going through a long drawn out death?  I am glad my mom was here...if she had left for Mexico already I don't know what I would have done.  I know it would have been hard for her too.  We got Sunday after our dog Heidi died.  My mom was definitely the closest to Sunday.  She worked from home and was with her all day long.  Poor Georgia, our other dog, doesn't know what to do with herself.  She roams through the house almost like she is looking for Sunday.  Thankfully Georgia is a very high spirited dog so I think she will pull through just fine. Below is a picture of Sunday laying with Georgia...Sunday is the one looking at the camera.  Cute little thing!

Well off of that sad note...I can see the end to my College Algebra class! Thank goodness.  I am so ready for this summer to be over... I don't think I have ever said that before.  I am ready for my senior year of college and I am ready to go back to work! I miss my kids so much! 

Now for some shut eye...it has been a long day.

Sunday

Sundays...I love Sundays.  My honey is off work and we get to go to Church and spend time with family.  Church was very...interesting today.  It always is when almost everyone is out of town but Mark preached today.  Mark is one of the most amazing men I have ever known.  Taking a close second to my Papa.  His main point today was that we need to wait for the Lord...and not just wait for him like we "wait" for the next school year to start or for the weekend to be over so we can go back to work but to really anticipate Him coming back.  This one is a hard one for me...it is hard for me to admit but a lot of times I really dread Him coming back before I get to do what "I want" to do.  Things like get married and have kids.  This is so incredibly selfish of me ...to say that I find being married and having kids as more important then spending the rest of my life with my Lord and Savior.  I can't give up those wants despite the fact that He laid down His life for me...I am not saying any of this to say that God doesn't want me to marry or have kids but it becomes wrong went I put those wants before Him.  Maybe I am the only one who struggles with this feeling...but I bet I am not.  Needless to say this sermon hit me pretty hard today so I thought I would share.  Maybe in sharing this you will learn from it too.  Isaiah 40:27-31 is the reference he used if you would like to see it for yourself.

On another note my grandparents took my brother, fiance and I out to eat for lunch...have I mentioned that I have the greatest grandparents in the world?  They are truly amazing.  They have offered to help pay for parts of the wedding and are always there for me no matter what.  I love them to death! I think we become more aware of how lucky we are as we get older.  You realize how much people really do for you.  I am so thankful the Lord blessed me with my grandparents.

My dog Sunday is doing okay.  She is still at the vet but is healing well.

Now time to spend some mommy daughter time watching a scary movie!  I love my mom...she is the greatest.

First Blog Ever

Okay...this is my first blog...ever.  Actually this is my second one now because I just deleted the "first" one on accident...welcome to my life.  I was worried about starting a blog because I did not really know the "right way" to do a blog but from what I have read there really is no "right way".  To me that is very encouraging!  The reason I decided to start a blog was because I think I have a very interesting life and I thought maybe other people would think so too.

I work at a school for children and adults with special needs and if you have ever known anyone with special needs you know how amazing they are.  They have to work twice as hard as any of us and they are some of the strongest people I know.  They never cease to amaze me!  On top of my students being the most inspirational people I have ever known they are also very entertaining.  There is definitely never a dull moment.

I am also engaged! My picture is of that very moment.  One of the best moments of my life.  So as of right now I am also a wedding planner.  I have always been that person who said that I wouldn't let planning a wedding stress me out...well it is already stressing me out and it is a year away!  Even the fun part (trying on dresses) stressed me out.  But the stress always comes down to money.  I worry way too much about money.  I just have to keep telling myself that everything will fall into place and I still have a year for it to do so.  I just need to RELAX! I will let you know how that goes...

This past summer has been a crazy one.  I feel like I have barely been able to breathe.  I took a Geology class online which was crazy!  I think I passed with a B though!  I am also taking a college algebra class online which started about three weeks ago and I am super behind.  Hopefully I will be able to catch up! But I will let you know how that goes as well.  On top of school this summer there have been many crazy things I have had to deal with but this past week was terrible.  One of my dogs Sunday got into the trash and ate a... well let's call it a "feminine product"...if you catch my drift.  She threw up one on Wednesday and was throwing up that whole day.  The next day she acted perfectly fine.  Ate everything okay and was able to use the bathroom or as the vet's say "defecate"  but I don't like that word one bit.  Then Friday she refused to eat and was unable to use the bathroom(that is actually kind of funny because dogs don't use the bathroom...not mine anyway).  Any who I freaked out because she started walking funny and was very lethargic.  So I took her to a 24 hour emergency clinic.  Talk about SUPER expensive compared to our small town vet.  Anyway...they took radiograms (I think that is what they called them) but they said that a lot of times those "feminine products" don't show up because of the material they are made of.  So poor Sunday had to stay overnight so that they could keep fluids in her.  I was a mess...the last time I took an animal to the pet hospital I had to put him down because it was going to be way too expensive (the "he" I am referring to was Casey and I's hedgehog Zac, may he RIP).  I even cried when I had to sign those terrible papers saying that I gave them permission to kill my poor little guy.  But any who back to last night I cried all night and poor Casey tried so hard to cheer me up.  Thankfully everything went okay with Sunday so I went and picked her up this morning.  She was a little more energetic than she had been the day before.  When I took her to our small town vet he said that he felt strongly in having her go through an exploratory surgery.  I nearly had a heart attack because the night before my mom had told me if we had to do surgery we would most likely have to put her down because we just couldn't afford it.  But thankfully our small town vet charges A LOT less then the emergency hospital was going to.  So poor little Sunday went through surgery this afternoon and woke up a few hours ago.  They said everything went fine...they found TWO "feminine products" in her little tummy (Sunday is a toy schnauzer...7 pounds).  They are going to watch her all weekend to make sure no infection sets in.  I will let you know how that goes too.