Long time, no write....

It has been waaaayyyy to long since the last time that I've posted. Sometimes life gets a little hectic. The last time I posted we hadn't even moved into the house yet - and now we've almost been in the house a year!!! I've started my second year of teaching, Brad has stated a new job, and Chocolate still has the run of the house. This past year has flown by. It been a year of ups and downs, but Brad and I couldn't be happier. We have a house, we both have jobs, and we have each other - what more could we ask for?!?!

And so it begins...

It has been a hectic last few weeks. Between school, the house, and Grammie being in the hospital I think my head was spinning. Grammie is doing fine now - thank you God. School is amazing! I love every minute of it and I know this is exactly what God made me for. The house - we move in Sept. 18th - is going good. We have some more meetings and things to deal with, but for the most its just packing now.

We've only been in the apartment a little over a year and I can't believe all the "stuff" we have! Our downstairs is all packed up, except for most of the kitchen and the TV. But upstairs feels like a never ending story. We'll get one box filled and then find a bunch more junk - and I'm even clearing things out. I would be pack and moved today if I could, but alas I must wait 2-3 weeks be for that begins. I'm hoping to put pictures up of our new house soon! Be watching!

My first week as a 1st grade teacher

My first week as a 1st grade teacher has been incredible! I have loved almost every minute of it - the only part I don't like is grade level meetings. My kids are so well behaved and are so sweet. I want to take them all home with me! (Brad won't let me though) I had one little boy tell me twice this week that he loved me - the first time it brought tears to my eyes. This is what I was meant to do! I love going to work every day and I love teaching them.

Last year I would come home in tears because of stress and frustrations, but now I come home in tears of laughter and happiness. Brad is very excited about this year as well - he's praying that I'm not as stressed out, he didn't care much for all the tears last year. But lucky for him he'll be working a ton of hours this fall due to cut backs at work just in time for the busy season. But all in all god is good - he still has a job that pays :)

We are going to look at another house tonight! We're sooooo excited about this one. If my grandparents and aunt like it then we're making an offer tonight. God has blessed us beyond belief!

This entire week God has been pressing on my heart. Over the last year we've had some stress - from either work, houses, or family- but he has continued to bless us. Although Brad and I don't make much money, we are paying for my masters with out loans. Yes we might eat more meals at Grammie and Grampies, but that's what family is for. God has a time and place for everything. I might of had to wait a year for this position, but now I have my dream job with coworkers that I love. We might of had to wait for 2 months on a short sale house to find this new house. So many times I forget to step back and trust that God is in control. I might need to start writing on my arm Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

School starts tomorrow!

Well school starts tomorrow and I'm super excited, but I'm also super nervous! I don't know why, but I am. I know once tomorrow gets started I'll be fine, but right now I'm too nervous to think straight. I already told Brad he's going to need to knock me out so I can sleep tonight. My room is set and ready to go. I have lesson plans and copies made. I have nothing to be nervous about, but I am.

Anyways, Brad has been working a lot which is good, but I haven't seen him a lot lately. Hopefully after the start of the year things will get better.

I'll let you know how everything goes tomorrow. :)

Some pictures from our trip home to WI

Here are some pictures from Brad's mom's garden...

Mom and I at the George Strait concert. It poured on us, but we still had a blast!

We gave Choco's a bath while we were in Monroe. She didn't like it much!

We stopped at the New Glarus Brewery. It was great time.

Brad and I at our one year anniversary dinner.

Recharge for the start of school

Well the start of school is less than a month away. Summer has flown by and I really can't believe it. I'm so excited to teaching in 1st grade, but I'm also very overwhelmed - I have so many things going through my head. Brad's been working hard all summer and still finds time to golf, although he never seems to have time to take me :)

The past few days I've been taking it easy - not getting up until 10 and catching up on some reading. Now I haven't been a complete bum. I cleaned the apartment and chased a lizard out of our apartment. Yes a lizard! And the whole time I was on the phone with Brad (who was crying he was laughing so hard). It was an experience I will not forget and hope to never repeat.

Brad and I have officially been married for over a year. This past year has flown by! And honestly, if the first year is the hardest year, then we're in great shape. I love him more today than I did when we first started dating, I look forward to coming home from work to him every day, and love the time that we get to spend together. God has truly blessed us and our lives down here in GA.

We're hoping to hear soon about the house...I'm getting nervous and frustrated, but Brad is cool as a cucumber. I guess someone has to be! Our realtor said we might hear something on Friday, but that came and went with our any word. Maybe this week, maybe not. God has a plan.

I'm a 1st grade teacher!

Well its official - I'm a first grade teacher at Haw Creek Elementary! I got the word on Sunday night and couldn't stop shaking! It was an answered prayer and a major stress reliever. I'll be working with some fabulous teachers and I can't wait to get started. My classroom already has a bunch of junk in it. I got to start moving in on Monday and by Tuesday my desk was basically ready to go - Brad of course made fun of me for that!

All I can say is that God is good! We've been praying for that a position would come open for about 4 months now. And the saying is true that good things happen to those that wait. It was very difficult for me to not to worry, but I knew that God would take care of us it would just be in HIS timing.

Now we await to see if we got the house...we should find out in 7 to 10 days. And so we wait again :) But at least this time we can handle it!

Brad, Chocolate, and I head back home to WI for 2 weeks and we couldn't be more excited. The drive will be long, but its been way to long since we've seen Brad's family. Plus we'll be celebrating our 1st anniversary back home! Man does time fly when you're having fun!