"Time heals all things."
We have all heard the saying. I am sure that at some point in time, I have said this to someone that was hurting. Tonight, I stopped and asked myself if this statement is really true. I have to be honest and say NO. After a pretty rough week, I finally realized my problem. I am in my annual depression. My father died around this time 18 years ago. Seriously, 18 years has passed and I find myself sobbing as if I were 7 again. Does it ever get easier? I have come along way since that time but healing is a process. It is not instant and I am not sure that the process is ever complete. I have a wonderful Dad, who has been there for everything along the way and I am grateful for all that he has done and continues to do. I just can't help but to feel an empty spot in my heart this time of year. I count heavily on God's grace to pull me through!
I miss you and love you, dad!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Student Teaching
This last week has been exhausting, yet so very rewarding...exciting and scary...rich with information and confusing. The funny thing about it...I LOVED EVERY MINUTE!!!
I began my student teaching experience this week. I am in 4th grade Communication Arts. At first, I was not sure if it would be a good fit for me since I have never been a huge reader and really didn't enjoy writing either. Much to my surprise, it is a PERFECT fit! I have always felt that God called me to teach and this week, those thoughts were confirmed. This is where God wants me and the peace and drive that comes with that is unbelievable.
I came home every night, mentally and physically exhausted but I longed for the next day! I miss the additional time at home with my girls but they love being watched by their MiMa (Nick's mom). Ally asks, everyday, "Mommy, what did you do today at your student teaching?" I LOVE our conversations about the day! My husband and I have more to talk about than just his work and the girls, which is a little refreshing!
I had such an amazing week and even though I know there will be bad days, I know that God has called me to do this job and he will be there every step of the way!
I began my student teaching experience this week. I am in 4th grade Communication Arts. At first, I was not sure if it would be a good fit for me since I have never been a huge reader and really didn't enjoy writing either. Much to my surprise, it is a PERFECT fit! I have always felt that God called me to teach and this week, those thoughts were confirmed. This is where God wants me and the peace and drive that comes with that is unbelievable.
I came home every night, mentally and physically exhausted but I longed for the next day! I miss the additional time at home with my girls but they love being watched by their MiMa (Nick's mom). Ally asks, everyday, "Mommy, what did you do today at your student teaching?" I LOVE our conversations about the day! My husband and I have more to talk about than just his work and the girls, which is a little refreshing!
I had such an amazing week and even though I know there will be bad days, I know that God has called me to do this job and he will be there every step of the way!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Anticipation
Do you remember that feeling that you used to get when school was about to start? For some it was a dreaded event, but for others, the days before were filled with excited anticipation.
I have both of these feelings right now! I am about to start student teaching and while I am very excited and filled with great anticipation of the changes that are coming, I can't help the bittersweet thoughts that are filling my mind.
I have not had to actually work (minus some subbing days last fall) since October, 2006! I might have forgotten what it feels like to wake up at 5:30am and actually have to get ready for the day. I enjoy working around the house or on homework and getting to stay in my PJs! I have been away from Mya once for an 8 hour time period and now I will have to do it on a daily basis. I like talking to Ally throughout the day to learn more about her and her beautiful personality. I like to talk to my husband when he calls randomly. I like the flexibility of doing things at my own pace.
On the other hand, I will enjoy more adult conversations that will occur with co-workers. I will enjoy getting to know my new students and watching them learn things that I am teaching! I will love the excitement that my daughters will show when I come home from work! I will enjoy getting to share the highlights of my day with my husband.
I am definitely filled with anticipation!
I have both of these feelings right now! I am about to start student teaching and while I am very excited and filled with great anticipation of the changes that are coming, I can't help the bittersweet thoughts that are filling my mind.
I have not had to actually work (minus some subbing days last fall) since October, 2006! I might have forgotten what it feels like to wake up at 5:30am and actually have to get ready for the day. I enjoy working around the house or on homework and getting to stay in my PJs! I have been away from Mya once for an 8 hour time period and now I will have to do it on a daily basis. I like talking to Ally throughout the day to learn more about her and her beautiful personality. I like to talk to my husband when he calls randomly. I like the flexibility of doing things at my own pace.
On the other hand, I will enjoy more adult conversations that will occur with co-workers. I will enjoy getting to know my new students and watching them learn things that I am teaching! I will love the excitement that my daughters will show when I come home from work! I will enjoy getting to share the highlights of my day with my husband.
I am definitely filled with anticipation!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Lost in the Chaos
I have neglected my blog for the last month or so. I have found myself lost in the chaos. The chaos that is the holiday season. I love this time of year for many reasons but I welcome the new year with open arms and sleepy eyes! Although I am sure that I could have found some time to write, I filled it with many miscellaneous tasks; baking cookies, shopping, wrapping presents, visiting with friends and family, wrestling two sleepy little girls and the list can go on and on! This new year is going to bring on new changes but I hope to keep up with my blog more frequently, even among the chaos!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Time to Reflect
With Thanksgiving and Nick and I's 4 year anniversary right around the corner, I have been looking back at all of the blessings that have occurred in our lives over the past 4 years.
Nov '04 - Nov '05 Year 1- During our first year of marriage we were blessed with our oldest daughter, Ally on April 20, 2005! What a blessing she was that day and every day since then! Then in May, Nick accepted a new job that was willing to work around his school schedule! Towards the end of the first year, we welcomed our nephew, Ganon to our family!
Nov '05 - Nov '06 Year 2- Year two began with the welcoming of yet another niece, Haylee! This year was also Ally's first Christmas! I was just looking at older videos and came across this awesome memory. She was sitting up but not yet crawling! January marked the beginning of our Small Group-Bible Study. What a wonderful group of people that we have gotten to know! We started out as friends and now feel more like family! April and May of 2006 were very busy months for us! We closed on our new house on April 10th and immediately started the renovation project! We celebrated Ally's 1st birthday and a few days later, we moved into our new house! In May, Nick graduated from college and to celebrate, he and I took our first over night trip away from Ally and went to the Lake of the Ozarks! We then took our first family trip to Gatlinburg, TN in September. October brought one of the greatest blessings of all...I was able to quit my job and become a stay at home mommy!
Nov ' 06 - Nov '07 Year 3- Our third year together began with our first Christmas in our new house! I began taking classes in January 2007 to finish up my degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. We were able to celebrate two very special birthdays this year, my Grandma Moreland and Nick's Grandma Vitale both celebrated their 80th birthdays! There is so much to be thankful for in just these 4 years that I am looking at...I can only imagine the blessings God has given these ladies over the past 8 decades! November 2007, we welcomed our FOURTH niece, Natalee and learned just 3 days later that we would be expecting Baby #2 in July '08!
Nov '07 - Nov '08 Year 4- This past year has flown by so fast and has been full of God's grace and love! Our youngest daughter, Mya was born on July 8, 2008! Ally is so proud of her sister and we are so proud of both of them! Ally started preschool and dance class in September 2008! Just a few more blinks and she will be off to kindergarten!
I haven't even scratched the surface of all of the highlights and I could go on and on...maybe one day I'll write a book! :o) These past four years have been filled with love, smiles, tears of joy and of sorrow but most importantly they have been full of God's love and grace! Sure there have been rainy days but if you keep your head down, you'll miss the rainbow!
Nov '04 - Nov '05 Year 1- During our first year of marriage we were blessed with our oldest daughter, Ally on April 20, 2005! What a blessing she was that day and every day since then! Then in May, Nick accepted a new job that was willing to work around his school schedule! Towards the end of the first year, we welcomed our nephew, Ganon to our family!
Nov '05 - Nov '06 Year 2- Year two began with the welcoming of yet another niece, Haylee! This year was also Ally's first Christmas! I was just looking at older videos and came across this awesome memory. She was sitting up but not yet crawling! January marked the beginning of our Small Group-Bible Study. What a wonderful group of people that we have gotten to know! We started out as friends and now feel more like family! April and May of 2006 were very busy months for us! We closed on our new house on April 10th and immediately started the renovation project! We celebrated Ally's 1st birthday and a few days later, we moved into our new house! In May, Nick graduated from college and to celebrate, he and I took our first over night trip away from Ally and went to the Lake of the Ozarks! We then took our first family trip to Gatlinburg, TN in September. October brought one of the greatest blessings of all...I was able to quit my job and become a stay at home mommy!
Nov ' 06 - Nov '07 Year 3- Our third year together began with our first Christmas in our new house! I began taking classes in January 2007 to finish up my degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. We were able to celebrate two very special birthdays this year, my Grandma Moreland and Nick's Grandma Vitale both celebrated their 80th birthdays! There is so much to be thankful for in just these 4 years that I am looking at...I can only imagine the blessings God has given these ladies over the past 8 decades! November 2007, we welcomed our FOURTH niece, Natalee and learned just 3 days later that we would be expecting Baby #2 in July '08!
Nov '07 - Nov '08 Year 4- This past year has flown by so fast and has been full of God's grace and love! Our youngest daughter, Mya was born on July 8, 2008! Ally is so proud of her sister and we are so proud of both of them! Ally started preschool and dance class in September 2008! Just a few more blinks and she will be off to kindergarten!
I haven't even scratched the surface of all of the highlights and I could go on and on...maybe one day I'll write a book! :o) These past four years have been filled with love, smiles, tears of joy and of sorrow but most importantly they have been full of God's love and grace! Sure there have been rainy days but if you keep your head down, you'll miss the rainbow!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Almost There!
Mya has been working so hard on learning to roll over. She is almost there! This morning she got 95% of her body over but just could not seem to get that arm out of the way. She gets so mad and has started a HORRIBLE scream when she is mad! It is not a cry, it is a SCREAM! I often wonder if the neighbors can hear her and wonder what in the world is going on over here!
As I watched Mya try to roll over this morning, it made me realize how fast she is growing up. We go in this afternoon for her 4 month check-up and shots and it does not even seem possible. I do look forward to watching her grow but it is definitely a bittersweet feeling at times!
As I watched Mya try to roll over this morning, it made me realize how fast she is growing up. We go in this afternoon for her 4 month check-up and shots and it does not even seem possible. I do look forward to watching her grow but it is definitely a bittersweet feeling at times!
Monday, November 10, 2008
A Newfound Love...
COOKING!!! Well, I have always loved to cook but I have recently realized that I love to make new recipes. My motto: "You never know unless you try and if it is a flop...thank God for takeout!"
I am not sure how it is at your house, but we get into cooking ruts. I end up cooking the same or similar meals every week. BORING!!! We recently bought a quarter of a cow from a local herdsman and so now I have to learn how to cook a few pieces of meat that I have not had much experience. I am also on the hunt for different recipes to use with hamburger. I am definitely up for the challenge!
I have two recipes that I am going to try this week! The first one will be done this evening and it is a Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy. I remember my mom making something similar when I was growing up, so I am looking forward to this dish! My two prior experiences with gravy making were not the greatest, so I am hoping that the old saying, "Third time's a charm" is true! The second dish is a three day event and will be done on Tuesday evening, Beef Brisket. I am actually enjoying the smell of it right now, as it bakes for 8 hours on day 2! Taco soup is on the menu for Wednesday and while it is not a new recipe, it is a definite favorite!
It is fun and exciting to try new things, even if it is just following a recipe!
What are your favorite recipes?
I am not sure how it is at your house, but we get into cooking ruts. I end up cooking the same or similar meals every week. BORING!!! We recently bought a quarter of a cow from a local herdsman and so now I have to learn how to cook a few pieces of meat that I have not had much experience. I am also on the hunt for different recipes to use with hamburger. I am definitely up for the challenge!
I have two recipes that I am going to try this week! The first one will be done this evening and it is a Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy. I remember my mom making something similar when I was growing up, so I am looking forward to this dish! My two prior experiences with gravy making were not the greatest, so I am hoping that the old saying, "Third time's a charm" is true! The second dish is a three day event and will be done on Tuesday evening, Beef Brisket. I am actually enjoying the smell of it right now, as it bakes for 8 hours on day 2! Taco soup is on the menu for Wednesday and while it is not a new recipe, it is a definite favorite!
It is fun and exciting to try new things, even if it is just following a recipe!
What are your favorite recipes?
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