Gotta Pray

I'm daily amazed at our son. We are striving to set a solid, Godly example for him, and it must be working. Tonight as I was putting Hayden to bed, I was in a hurry since our back-to-school morning routine starts bright and early. We had read our Bible story, were in the process of changing the diaper, and on our way to grabbing a book (he reads on his own before he sleeps). I told him, "C'mon, baby. Let's go. Get in bed so Mommy can cover you up." So he climbed on the bed but refused to lie down. He firmly, but sweetly, reminded me, "Gotta pray, Momma. Gotta pray." I honestly had completely forgotten we needed to say our prayers in my haste to get him to sleep. I love that he already WANTS to talk to Jesus!

New Year, New Room

Hey, all...here are a few shots from my new room. The colors are much better in person and Hayden spent the morning "helping."

Hmmm...

I didn't know what else to title this post. And I'm not honestly sure what the topic is! Makes for a wonderful blog to read, right?

David arrived home yesterday from Vancouver. Even though I didn't go with him (this time), I feel like I was there from what he shared. I am so excited about what God showed him this past week. I know he is having "withdrawals," if you will. Ever just felt burnt out where you are? That's where we both are; I don't want to go too much more in depth than that. Honestly, it's almost to difficult to explain and very dear friends read my blog, so I'm not sure how to say what I'm thinking. But I think we've both realized just how much God is calling us to more. And if you're family reading this, please don't read more into those lines than what's stated. I repeat, all I'm saying is that we're called to more, whatever He designates that more for us as. Got it?

Now, I'm just over a week from a new school year. I'm excited and anxious. Being a "new kid on the block" once again is difficult because I have to give up planning time to attend new teacher meetings and learn new school policies. At least my classroom is able to be used; that always makes me feel better. I hope to post pictures of it later this week.

We're taking family pictures tonight; here's hoping for good ones (and ones that make me look skinny!) :)

Happy Monday!

PT

So I've come to a conclusion: my son will go pee pee in the potty for just about anyone but me! He's gone 3 times--twice for my niece and once for a worker at church. I mean, seriously?! But I'm quite thankful that he's just going. He's not consistent yet, but that'll come. I've had to start acting like I don't care if he ever learns to go potty (reverse psychology works amazingly on Hayden!). About the time I started that (I wasn't overly pushy to begin with, but this has helped), he began telling other people that he wanted to go potty. He's just over 2; I have to remember that he's fine. I'm very thankful that his teacher at school will help encourage him, but she won't push. Going back to school will probably help immensely as well, especially since his best bud there is potty-trained. Do you know how hard it is not to compare your child?!

I'm trying to enjoy my last few days of freedom before school kicks into high gear. Can't wait to put up pictures of my room! Once David gets back from Vancouver with my camera I'll get some pictures going. Here's to just two more nights of single mommyhood! I'm so ready to see my man!

So Close Yet So Far

I typed that title with an original subject for this post in mind; then I realized to just how many situations in our lives right now this applies.

For example:
-My classroom: I started on it today. Thanks to my niece keeping Hayden, I was able to get quite a bit accomplished. I would LOVE to knock it out tomorrow.

-New job: School begins in 2 weeks. 2 weeks from tomorrow. Yikes! Brand new environment, all new people, new classroom, new pacing guide...you get the idea.

-Future: God is showing David and me so much right now. Which brings me to the original topic for this post.

David is in Vancouver (as if I haven't talked about that enough?!); I got the greatest email from him this morning (none of which I'm sharing yet; sorry!). I am continuously amazed at the man he is. David desires nothing more than to fulfill God's purpose in his and our life/lives. God has been showing me just how powerful and provisional He is through the Bible study I'm doing with some ladies on Thursday nights. It's called "Walking By Faith," and over the past month we've had to do quite a bit of walking by faith! I know there was a reason David is leading this trip and I'm here with Hayden. God is using these days to reveal more and more of His will for our marriage and life to David; in small ways here and there God is affirming these plans before David even tells me what God has been speaking to him. I love my God-fearing husband!

Classroom

Every year I am super anxious to get my classroom set up. I like to have everything I need to set it up from the moment I set foot in the door. This is just not possible, however, because I always forget something or discover I need something else! Thankfully, Wal-Mart is thisclose this year to my new school. I already have a small list of stuff I need to get there, as well as Big Lots. Not much, just odds and ends. And until I see my room tomorrow, I'm not sure about a few things I'll need. I'm sure you guys really don't care to read all that; it's just my thoughts going haywire!

I love my classroom--it's bright and cheery and I've really been able to get lots of good stuff for it over the past 3 years. I have these cool lanterns and lights and flashy colors. Some of them are starting to show their wear and tear, but with just the right placement, no one ever knows!

I may be asking for trouble, but I'm taking Hayden with me tomorrow. I have someone to keep him Wed. and Thurs., but with him having to go back to daycare so soon, I'm unwilling to give up every afternoon with him. Oh, and give me some feedback---I've been looking at daycares in Ocean Springs; there are 2 I think are the best in the city, but I've been drawn back to where Hayden was last year. PROS? It's cheaper, he loves it, his friends are there, he knows the routine, we all know his teacher, and I get 2 weeks to keep him home without paying whenever I so choose. CONS? It's a little out of the way now for me and I'll definitely have to make sure not to run too late leaving my school. However, I have nearly double the planning period, so surely I shouldn't need to stay too late each day, right? Especially not if all the English teachers are planning together, right? I don't know; I just can't see uprooting him more than I already have; he thrived at this daycare. He learned like crazy and was happy. That counts for something, I'm sure!

Anyway, the beginning of school is just around the corner. And I want new school clothes! :)

Answered Prayer

I GOT THE JOB!!!

And I didn't have to wait until Friday to find out. I got called about an hour ago. What a relief! God does provide. I'm joining a GREAT team at Ocean Springs Middle School and feel like I'm going to have an awesome year ahead. I have to get my butt in gear and finish cleaning my house and get a classroom set up and ready to roll!

Interview

My interview with another local middle school was this morning. Overall I feel it went very well. I answered the questions honestly, and even those that would technically be considered "negative" responses, I was able to spin positively. Hey, gotta make myself look good!

I think one of my greatest "selling" points may have been my writing test scores. I don't know how much sense this will make to most of you, but I had a 2.4 out of 4. That's 60%. I wasn't exactly thrilled with that when I was told the other morning, but I figured, "Hey, it was just my first year with this test, so I can definitely beat that next year." During my interview, I was asked about my scores. When I gave my individual score of 2.4, a sort of gasp filled the room. I was, like, "Great. Fantastic. I'm done for. I must really suck." But no! Apparently, the district score (where I interviewed, that is) on the test was a 2.5. Now they did raise their score by .3 points in one year, which is AWESOME! So to be a 2.4 when their entire district was a 2.5 and have them tell me I had apparently done a great job, especially my first year, made me feel amazing!

I won't know anything until Friday, so I'm waiting very anxiously. I don't know the next step if this isn't the place for me. Guess we'll have to wait and see!

A Weekend Away

Hayden and I got to Destin last minute after all! David called Thursday night and said, "Get your butt over here!" His boss Scott decided to get us a room and we even stayed through this morning. I still played single mom the majority of the weekend, but at least we had much more to do. It also meant I didn't get as many pictures but it's fine.

Hayden loved the pool but he was everywhere! The beach was not a success; it was also 11 AM after an hour in the pool and Hayden was tired and ready for lunch. After 2 wipeouts by the waves (and we were sitting near the shoreline), we boarded the tram and headed back to the hotel. Hayden acted like he owned the hotel by this morning. He knew his way around and even which buttons to push on the elevator. We stayed at the Grand Sandestin so we were just a stone's throw from Baytowne Village.

On our way over Friday, I received a phone call from a local principal. I have an interview tomorrow morning at another middle school. We'll see how it goes. I'll keep you posted! Gotta finish gathering all of the paperwork today and figure out what to wear!

Single Mom

David left this morning for 4 days of work in....wait for it...Destin. Tough trip, right? Granted he's not getting to enjoy the sights like we do when we go on vacation, but still, really awful place to have to go for work! :) Us on our last trip to Destin, March 2011.

David will be back Sunday night, and then he'll leave Friday evening for Vancouver, where he's heading up a mission trip. We've known about this trip for months; Destin got dropped on him, but oh well. It's not forever. And Hayden's really a good kiddo, although we're having some issues listening this morning! But he did bring me Elf to watch--one of my all-time favorites to watch, especially in this blistering south MS summer!

It didn't work out for Hayden and I to meet David in Destin, which is a bummer. And all 3 of us are not going to Vancouver because there would be a few days I would have eto keep Hayden at the church where we sleep because the day's activities are not conducive to a 2 YO! Maybe next time.

*On another note: I'm back in the hunt for a job. I don't want to go into details or say anything I'll regret or that will come back to bite me in the butt. Just know that my services are not needed with the preschool and I just found out recently. Great I resigned back in May, huh?! But I'm doing lots of praying, and as my mom said, "Maybe this was the tool to get you out of your comfort zone." Many of you know last year was difficult, and I'm looking at a few different options right now--ones that are probably a trillion times better than I would have ever considered or dreamed. God sure knows what's going to happen, even if I don't!

Messed Over

I just got way messed over. I can't give details right now, but I'm very, very upset. Maybe things will work out in the end and obviously God has a plan, but I have no idea what it is. I am so beyond terrified at the moment.