We Wish You a Merry Christmas (6 days late) and a Happy New Year!

We had an amazing Christmas celebrating with both sides of the family.  It is so great to live near family!  We are wrapping up 2013 playing Just Dance and spending some quality time just the two of us (yeah...we're lame!). I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a great 2014!

Building a House

Building a house is stressful. How is the stress? Isn't it stressful?

I heard all three of these as we told people we were building. I didn't get it. How could it be stressful? We went with a big name builder. We got to pick what we want. We didn't have to do the work. This would be easy. Or so I thought!

Fast forward to now. I am officially stressed! After March 31st we have no place to live if our house isn't done or we aren't able to close. Our bricks were back ordered for weeks. We have them now and they JUST went on the house. More than half the month, there haven't been any workers in our house. And now it's crunch time. Will they finish in time for the VA appraisal? Will the VA appraiser come at the beginning or end of the 2 week time frame (hoping for the end)? Will everything else work out?

I'm trying to trust and have faith that God has a plan and He will take care of us. Worst case scenario, we move into storage for a week or two and stay with family.

On a more positive note, here's what's going on with the house now.
1. Brick is on!
2. Cabinets are in.
3. Countertops are scheduled to be delivered tomorrow.
4. Tiling is scheduled to start Wednesday!

I know it will all be worth it in the end to have a house just how we want it. And I'm glad that's the case, because I'm never moving again!

Meet James

I am linking up with Kelly over at Kelly's Korner today for Singles Day. When I first saw that Kelly did a Singles Day, I passed on it because I just knew my brother would kill me. But after it passed, I wished that I had. When I saw she was doing it again, I HAD to do it. I called him and told him about and he was unsure. So, I told him about her successes and sent him the link. And he agreed!

All that to introduce to you, my brother, James.

James is 26 years old and was born and raised a Texas boy, but now lives and works in Washington, D.C. as a budget analyst. He is a compassionate, caring, humorous, God loving man.  He is laid back and likes to have fun. He likes to joke around and make people laugh, but can be serious if he needs to be. He enjoys playing softball and kickball in his free time.

James is the kind of guy that will do anything for those who are in his life. He is the kind of person that you can always count on and will always keep their word. He is a family guy and values his family. He is not just a brother to me, but also a true friend. He is great with kids. He was even asked by friends to be the godfather to their children. 

James (in the red jacket and shorts) with his best friend, friend's wife, and our Mom and Dad

James and I at a wedding

Enjoying the outdoors

Discouraged

Having taught in 3 different cities, I have had my share of interviews. I actually enjoy interviewing as I am very passionate about teaching and love to talk about it. Most schools asks the same types of questions and I've learned that I can tell a lot about a school from their questions.

One particular question stands out the most to me and it's one I'll never forget. It was was a week into the school year, they were desperate for another kinder teacher and I seriously wanted a teaching position. He asked, "do you get discouraged when you have to take a child to the office?" My response, "Yes." And we moved on. When I got ready to leave, he told me I shouldn't be discouraged by taking a child to the office. I smiled and nodded and I was very thankful when that principal called to say that they had gone another direction.

And that brings me to today. I am discouraged. I feel that it is my job to help each child be successful. I feel that if I have to write an office referral, I have done something wrong, too. Maybe I didn't try hard enough to find something to help that child. Maybe I didn't always show that child the love he/she needs from me. Maybe I am being t hard on them. Maybe I need to be even more patient. Maybe I can do more. I feel as if I have let the child down and the parent down. I feel as if I am the failure.

Maybe I will have a better grip on this when I am a parent and my kids are in school. What are your thoughts on kids going to the office?

House Update

As I mentioned in my last post, construction has begun on our new house. They poured the foundation December 7th. Since then, they have framed, covered the cram with boards, covered the roof and installed the windows! It is going really quick!