Weather & Homesickness

Well, the weather has officially canceled a whole week of school for me, and many other districts around here! I have truly enjoyed every day I have had off, and it has allowed me time to prepare for our cruise, which we leave for tomorrow...YAAY! That said, I was a little sad that I did not get to see my kids this week before break. I miss those little monsters and wanted to give them their gifts and wish them a happy and safe Christmas break. I guess mother nature had other plans though, so we will have to have a post Christmas break celebration.
In the meantime, I am going to enjoy every second of my cruise and time with family. On that note, I wish that my family was able to come too...nothing against Tyler's family-I love you guys dearly!! But, yesterday I was feeling very sad that I will not get to see my family this Christmas. It is hard living so far away from my family and friends in AZ, and every once in a while, I am filled with a longing to see them that is so strong it almost feels suffocating. But then I talk with my grandparents, and it makes me feel better...it is amazing the comfort that a phone conversation can give. And I am holding out hope that I will see them during spring break! So to all of my family and friends in AZ, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and I love you lots and I will see you soon!

SNOW

Yesterday we got our first snow storm of the winter! It was GLORIOUS and we had so much fun playing in it. And, I today was my first snow day as a teacher, where school was canceled because of the amount of snow. I absolutely love living here and I love the snow-it is so much fun! Here are some pics below.

Ugly Sweaters

Ugly Sweaters are so freakin' hilarious!! We went to Value Village and picked up 6 of their best ugly sweaters, and I almost died laughing. Then we took pics with some of our friends and that was even funnier. Don't be surprised if you get one of these precious gems in the mail as a Christmas card!!!

The news

No, not the Good News, just the news that Tyler did not get the job. So, we are moving onto something else. What? you ask, well we don't really know, but we continuing to pray for God's guidance, and we know that He will lead us in the right direction.

And can I just say, THANK GOODNESS IT IS FRIDAY!?!?! I was so exhausted at work today and I am just so glad it is Friday and I can sleep in tomorrow. And I am going to the Scholastic Warehouse sale tomorrow with Sally and Alyse, and I am really excited about that. I know, I'm a nerd.

Anyways, thank you all for your continued prayers! We know that God is working in this and will take care of us! And we are thankful to have such great family and friends!

Today

Tyler has his interview today and he thought he did okay, but feels unsure about it all. They said they would let him know by Tuesday of next week, so please continue to pray. I can't think of a better Christmas present than for Tyler to get a job. I will let you know as soon as we do.

On another note, tonight was my school's craft night and my craft was beaded candy canes. Even though it was over a 12 hour day for me, it was a lot of fun and there were tons of kids and their families that I was able to meet. And tomorrow is Friday, which is always a plus, but especially so tomorrow, because then that means only two more weeks of school until Christmas break and we are sailing the seas!! A hoy mate!

Interview

Hi all,

Sorry for the late update...Tyler has an interview tomorrow morning, so please keep him in your prayers! We know that God is in control and that He has a plan, so we just want His will to be fulfilled, but obviously it would be nice if this was it =)

Thanks!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was so wonderful yesterday! I LOVE being able to spend time with family and friends and remembering all that I have to be thankful for, which is a lot! God has blessed our lives with good health, wonderful friends and family, a home to live in, and food on the table. I am truly thankful this holiday!! And, now we are entering my most favorite holiday season, which means lots of Christmas movies, egg-nog or hot chocolate, more time with friends and family, cookie making, and hopefully snow =)

To all our friends and family-we love you dearly and are so thankful for you!!

one more

Tyler had a phone interview today with the company that Robert works for, and he was asked to come in for a face to face interview. They are calling him on Friday to schedule this, so I will let you know. Please keep praying =)

Scootering

I taught my kids a new word (one that I made up) today...scootering-short for riding a scooter. Of course, my students called me out on the fact that scootering is not a real word immediately, whatever! I think it should be a legitimate word.

Uh Oh

I got a speeding ticket this morning! AAAHHHH! I can not believe it...I think the cops radar was broken! That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Bulletin Boards

I made my first bulletin boards in my hallway at school today and let me tell you, it took a LONG time!! But, I think the final product was worth it-pics will come soon! Anyways, bulletin boards may not seem like a big deal to some of you, but for those of us who are not all artsy craftsy, it is hard work, and something I have been putting off my whole teaching career-the whole 1 1/2 months of it. It is the little things in life that make me happy =)

Hard Times

So I guess it is time for another update, although this was not something I was looking forward to sharing. It seems to me that there are a lot of people in our lives that are going through hard times, whether it be financially, physically, or emotionally, and Tyler and I are not immune. Tyler was laid off last week from his job. This was a major bummer, mainly because the company he worked for has been like a 2nd family in many ways and we are sad to no longer be apart of that. That said, we also know that God has a plan for our lives and that He is in control. We feel that God has been preparing our hearts for this and Tyler has been feeling like maybe his time at BC was coming to an end for a while now, so being laid off was only confirmation of that. We have full trust in God and know that He is going to provide for us, and that Tyler will be moving on to something even better than his old job. Tyler left BC on good terms and we will still keep in touch with many of the people he worked with, so that is good. So, now we are just waiting to see what adventure God has in store for us next.
Now, I don't really think there is ever a good time to be laid off, but if there was, now would be that time for us. I have a job now, which is always a plus. Also, I have been reading this book called Calm My Anxious Heart, by Linda Dillow, and this book has truly changed my life. It has truly helped me to not worry and helped me remember how good our God is, how He is the one in control, how He never does anything to harm us, and knowing all of those things, it is silly to worry. Don't get me wrong, I have always "known" those things logically, but never really allowed them to sink into my heart until now. God has been working in my heart and bringing me to a place where I am completely reliant on Him, which is why now is a good time for this to be happening to us. In the past, this sort of news could have possibly sent me over the edge into crazy land. I am normally the one how is super anxious and worried about everything, and right now, I just have a lot of peace and comfort from the Lord. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND reading Calm My Anxious Heart to EVERYONE!! I know it says it is a woman's guide to contentment, but honestly, I think everyone could benefit from reading it. It is kind of like counseling-I think everyone should go through counseling, even if you have lived a happy life. I just think it is beneficial for everyone, like this book =)
So, there you have it, that's the latest with us. We would obviously appreciate any prayer about this, specifically just that the Lord would really guide Tyler as he is searching for a job, and that he would find a job sooner, rather than later. I hope everyone is doing well. I will keep you updated on any job happenings, and any other things that are going on with us.

Pumpkin Patch & Fall

I went to my first pumpkin patch ever on Saturday, and had so much fun! We went with some of our good friends and picked out pumpkins, held baby chicks, saw the cutest puppies ever, pet some goats, saw some baby pigs eating (scary!), and took some funny pics! The only incident was when one of the goats jumped on Tyler and got poo on his pants-you can see the pic below =) Who knew that goats were so cute and soft?!? Anyway, it was a great Saturday and I am so excited to carve my pumpkin now!!

Tyler is officially home for good now -Thank Goodness! I was really starting to miss him. And teaching is going well, so there is no complaining from me.

Plus, I LOVE the weather right now! It is so beautiful here, with the leaves changing color and the crisp fall air! I LOVE IT! Hope everyone is doing well!

Teaching

So, I have officially just finished my third week of teaching...WOW! I am completely exhausted, but I am also content. I love my little kiddos and the staff that I work with are pretty awesome! I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel of feeling super overwhelmed. Although, I have realized that this year is going to be an emotional roller coaster, I am happy to be doing what I went to school for and I know that all the hard work is worth it!

Tyler just got home last night from hunting and I am SOOOOO HAPPY! It is hard being away from him with little contact. And even though he is leaving me again for a work trip, at least I will be able to talk to him!! Unfortunately, he didn't get anything hunting, he still had fun camping and sleeping in 19 degree weather....okay, maybe that last part wasn't so much fun, but everything else was. And now he can't wait to go Elk hunting. Now, we are going to enjoy a night in tonight, watching a movie, which is the most perfect thing I can think of right now =)

Hopefully my next post won't be so far away from now. Hope everyone is doing well!

How quickly things change...

Get ready for a long read....

On Thursday, September 18 I had an interview for a 2nd grade teaching position in Salem. I went to the interview, didn't think it went that well, and prepared to continue my substituting as planned. God had other plans though, as Friday I received a phone call from the Salem school district offering me the job!!! I said yes, of course, and then proceeded to freak out, as I still am. I am a 2nd grade teacher!!

This is how amazing God is! I went to coffee with two of my closest friends here in OR and while at that coffee date, I shared my anxiety over not having gotten a job and about subbing and just being in a general state of discontent (plus the hive situation had not gotten any better). One of my friends began sharing about a book that she had read over the summer in her Bible study called Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow. My jaw dropped because shortly after Tyler and I moved here, I had seen that book and wanted to buy it-just the title itself is something I have prayed many a time being the worry wart that I am-but I did not buy it because I didn't want to spend the money and figured I would get it another time. Since then, I have looked for this book many times at various book stores and have not found it. SO, my friend told me how it had changed her life and she happened to have the book in her car for me to borrow! So, that night, I went home and read the first chapter and wrote down the Bible verses it said to memorize, and I really, truly did feel instantly calmer. It basically talked about how God is the blessed and almighty controller and he gives us things in His timing and He always does what is best for us! Just knowing that allowed me to let go a little bit because I know He would never do anything to harm me, but only what is good for me. Granted I already knew this, somehow putting Bible verses with it, and trying to memorize those verses, really made a change in my heart and mind.

Then I went to my interview, didn't think it went well, and truly felt at peace about the whole thing, knowing that God has my best interest at heart and that He is in control, so no matter what happens, I will be okay! AMAZING feeling! Then, I got the job! All of this just reassured me, once again, that God knows what He is doing, and that He does have a plan for us. I think sometimes our hearts just have to be in the right place before He can share all He has for us!

Hive update...they finally seem to be receding!! I had a lot this last week, what with it being my first week of teaching and all, but I called me doctor, yet again, and was put on yet another medicine (although they did take one away this time, so I am still ONLY on 6 meds right now-Ha) and the hives seem to be going away. I am not sure if it is the medicine, or if they are just ready to do a mysterious vanishing act in the same way they mysteriously appeared. We shall see...

Ty Ty's Birthday

Yesterday was Tyler's 27th birthday. I have mixed feelings about him turning 27. 27 just sounds so much more adultlike than 26, for some reason. It is just strange because I don't feel like we are that old, like we are really adults. Weird, I know, but that is just how I feel. Anyways, we went out to dinner with the fam last night to a restaurant in Lake O called Zeppo, and it was yummmmyy! Tonight we are going out with our friends to dinner and then a movie, and probably some drinks at some point in the evening. I LOVE birthdays...good eating and drinking =)

The joy of hives

So, I have been getting hives for over a month now, caused by anxiety I am sure. I have only had hives one other time in my life, and they were caused by anxiety. And since I have been anxious about not getting a teaching job this year and wondering how we will pay the bills, I can see why they decided to reappear. They like to come in the evenings and mornings and they are EXTREMELY ANNOYING! There is nothing quite like waking up in the middle of the night itching like crazy and looking in the mirror to see that your body appears to have contracted leprosy! I went to the doctor today and she gave me two different prescriptions to take along with Zyrtec and Benadryl. I feel a little bit like a druggie, but if it gets rid of my hives, I will take whatever I need to. Hopefully, this little hive saga will end as suddenly as it began. Prayers are welcome, thanks =)

The time has come

Well, the time has come for me to start a blog for Tyler and I. Not that there is a whole lot to update on, but I figure everyone else seems to have one, especially in our family, so I thought I'd join the club. So, here it is =) I will try to keep this as up to date as possible and I will post some pics at some point. Love you all!