Happy Father's Day!!

Happy Father's Day to my Daddy!

I love you!

Friday's Fun

I am excited for all of the fun that is going to be happening tomorrow! In the morning I am going to get up do a few productive type things then head towards Cherokee to see some of my family that is camping there. I am looking forward to a day where I can hang out with family I don't see often and relax. Maybe I'll even take a dip in the pool.
In the afternoon I will head back to Waynesville to pick up my keys (I left them in my aunt's car earlier today--oops), take a quick shower (maybe), and then meet my mom and some other dear friends for an evening of girlie fun. I'm not sure what we are doing when we get together but our final destination will be Chonda Pierce. Fun, Christian, giggly and girlie.
Hopefully I will have pictures to post soon. I am tired of blogging and not being able to add updated photos!

Also to come--Birthday shout outs to some of my favorite people!!

updates and a few thoughts and goals...

I met my goal on Friday for being out of my classroom and turning in my key. The whole day Friday was so surreal. I packed my last load in my car and fought back the tears as I closed that chapter on my life. I dont know if God is closing the chapter on teaching for me for a season or for good. I am doing my best to place my trust in Him who loves me and has a plan for me.

This weekend didnt really feel any different from any other except for it was the first one in nearly a month when we were not moving stuff from one location to another. It was so nice to relax and enjoy life at a much slower pace. Aaron and I managed to get several things done so the weekend was not a total loss.

Today I have kicked back and relaxed much of the day. While I have the time to simply sit and do nothing I am feeling the urge to try and get a few things knocked off of the to do list. Maybe I can get a few things done.

A few summer goals (I am hoping by posting them that I will be more accountable to them):
*get back in shape
*finalize wedding plans
*find work for the fall (hopefully kiddos to watch)
*clean and organize this house

broken

Tonight while I should be working on a number of things (nevermind it is after 12 already and I have to "teach" school tomorrow, possibly without an assistant, I feel the need to post.
For days now I have looked at my blog and felt like I should update so that people can read and discover that I have accomplished many things off of the ol to do list found in the last post. But I never could seem to find the energy. This past month (well year to be more precise) has been simply exhausting. Never in my rather young life have I felt so drained day after day. While I could go on and on tonight I simply come to you broken.
I am broken over what has happened in my life this year. As I started to pack up my professional life yesterday, I opened the first cabinet and sat staring. Then I began to cry. I was so frustrated and overwhelmed with all that I had to do and the little amount of time in which to do it. I was also frustrated with the ending or perhaps delaying of a dream I have carried in my heart for nearly my entire life. Even as I sit here typing all of this out the tears roll down my face. I am broken friends. I do not know where God is driving this crazy train I am on and sometimes I even wonder if I want to continue the ride.
This week is turning out to be so much harder than I ever imagined it to be--and it's only Monday.
Please pray for me over the coming weeks and months. I am trusting that the Lord will show me His will and point me in the direction I am to go. I am also trusting that He will restore peace and joy in my life.

Movin on up...

Well, I'm not moving up per say, just to the other side of the lake. This weekend I will be moving as much stuff as possible into the house that Aaron and I will be renting for the next year. NO, we will not be living together....at least not until September. The plan is for me to move in now, get settled, have a place to move my school stuff as well as wedding gifts, and then Aaron will move in in September.

Life has and will continue to be super busy crazy for the next couple of weeks. For the record here is a quick recap of what is going to take place over the next couple of weeks:
*Finish up teaching: complete with assessments and c. folders and kiddos
*Move my house this weekend
*Go to Charlotte to order wedding bands and visit IKEA
*Organize my classroom into things I might use while out of the classroom, grade specific stuff, etc
*Bridal shower at school
*Revisit the guest list for the wedding and order invitations
*Move out of my classroom
*Organize and learn how to live in a new place

After June 12th (the last day of school) things should start to calm down a bit. At least thats what I'm hoping for. I'm hoping for a few days of rest before I have to kick my behind into full blown wedding mode. If anyone wants to come and help with any of the above items or wedding stuff please let me know!

While I have spent some time reading blogs lately I have neglected to update my own. Life at work continues to have its ups and downs. I took several days off last week to stay with my friend's girls while they were in the hospital having their fourth child.

Here is a picture of the newest addition.

I went back to work on Friday but was not very productive as I had hoped to be. It was nice to get caught up with everyone though. I also enjoyed the fact that it was an early dismissal.

Then Saturday came and I was hit with the worst sickness I have had in years. I woke up that morning with aches and pains all over. Not long after the fever came. Things only got worse as I proceeded to get sick from having too much mucus in my stomach. For the past two days I have done nothing but sleep and move from the bed to the couch. I had to take today off since I was running a fever and couldnt be around my kids. Not to mention my throat still hurt and I couldnt talk much at all. As of right now I have had very little fever and am feelin pretty decent. Things must have been pretty bad because even the cat stayed away from me until today. While I am looking forward to getting back to work so I can finish my assessments I am not looking forward to having to work a full day on my weakened system. That and I havent done a lick of planning since I have felt like poop.

Greater Things have yet to come...

Tonight I sit at my computer blown away by how blessed I am. A few days ago I stood in my kitchen opening my Easter basket and I pulled out a slip of paper saying that I had tickets to go see Natalie Grant on Tuesday night. My first reaction was how cool, quickly followed by "now that complicates my plans for the week". Little did I know how much I would need this evening of worship and personal affirmation.

It seemed like tonight's entire message (from all 4 singers) was meant for me. It was by no accident that I was attending that particular concert. Nearly everything that was said/sung spoke directly to my circumstances. I was blown away by the number of times I found myself being spoken to by God; reminders of His promises, both old and new. It was wonderful to be reminded yet once again that God is not finished with me yet. I am so thankful that He holds my future and not myself. Most of what I heard tonight was not new, but it is different when you hear it from the one who loves you and created you.

I cannot even begin to tell you how tangibly I feel the peace, joy and hope of Christ at this moment. Since Thursday when I received my answer as to my job status for next year, I quickly felt the peace that passes all understanding come over me. I do not know where I am going from here or what the future holds. I do know who holds my future and that He has greater things in store for me. Praise God!

Lots of fun with friends and cows!

Natalie Grant!