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!

2012 In Review

I have done a terrible job at blogging this year, but it has been a year full of change. I want to take some time to recap the year because I enjoy looking back at things.

January-Gran was told her cancer had spread to her liver. She went home to be with our Lord on January 22nd.

April-Celebrated my 28th birthday. This was a hard birthday as I really missed my Gran.

May-threw my first baby shower for my good friend, Priscilla. I think we did a great job! I Interviewed for a 1st grade position with a district I really wanted to be a part of. Told those that I worked with that I probably would not be returning. That was hard.

June-Was officially offered and accepted the first grade position. Began packing up our apartment. Was on call for the birth of baby Owen. I was all ready to put on my big girl panties and support a good friend since her husband was away. My services were not needed.

July-Had my 4th sinus surgery. Helped one of my best friends welcome her husband home from overseas.

August-Loaded up our things and moved home. We had to say goodbye to some very good friends. I started my new job and loved it! We signed a contract on a house. It will be finished in March 2013!

September-Anthony moved home with me. We moved into our rental house. Anthony started his new job.

October-Helped throw a wedding shower for my cousin. October 6th was Anthony's last official day in the Air Force.

November-Celebrated Thanksgiving with Anthony's family. Went to my cousin's wedding in Arkansas.

December-the foundation was poured on our house and the building began. We had a white Christmas.

Newtown, CT

My heat aches for those in Newtown, Connecticut.  I ache for the parents, the students, the teachers and staff, and the community.  I cannot imagine what they are going through.

This hits very close too home for me, as it does most teachers.  Not only do I teach in an elementary school, I teach first grade. Those babies that were taken were first graders. I think of my students and the love for them. I just can't imagine being in that situation.  I can't imagine being in the shoes of Vicki Soto, the first grade teacher who died trying to protect her class.

As I got ready for school this morning, I prayed for those in Newtown.  I also prayed for all teachers returning to work today to students with new questions and fears. I prayed for strength, wisdom, and safety. Walking into the school was hard. As teachers, we hugged each other and discussed our feelings. And then those sweet babies came down the hall. I put on a brave face.  I hugged each of them tightly and told them how happy I was to see them. And the day went on. A grandmother came to eat lunch with her grandson. She is a retired teacher. She wanted to make sure and tell me she was thinking about me and that she knew it was hard. A few students asked questions, but I was very thankful that students felt that they were safe at school.

To those in Newtown, CT. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God wrap His arm around the community, the parents, students, and teachers.

Crazy

Life has been CRAZY!!!!

I moved back home the middle of August and started work right away.  I was lucky enough that I got to stay with family and didn't have to worry about that.  Anthony stayed for the rest of the month until his terminal leave started.  He joined me on the 30th.

School has been great, but just really busy.  It seems like I can never really get ahead.   I love the school I am at.  Everyone there is really nice.  It is very different in that parents are very involved. Mi get an email from a parent at least once a day.  It is really nice to just send an email instead of playing phone tag.

Once Anthony moved, it was time for us to find a place to live until our house is built.  We really didn't want to go back into an apartment with the 2 dogs.  At the same time though, we didnt want a whole house.  We looked around and didn't find anything.  Finally, we found a place online and went to check it out and it met our needs...More than one bedroom, a garage and a yard.  We filled out all the paperwork and moved our stuff in on the 15th.  Unfortunately, I completely skipped over turning on water, so we were not able to stay until the 17th.  We are all moved in and settled now.  We love the location.  There is so much nearby!

Anthony started his new job Monday.  It's lots of hours and very different than the life of a military firefighter, but I think he's going to like it.

Next weekend one of my best friends is coming to the area and I'm so excited to get to see her.  The weekend after that, I'm helping to host a wedding shower for my cousin.  After that, maybe I can rest a bit!

New Journey

This week, we have officially began a new journey in our life.  Saturday, we moved all of our stuff back home.  Monday, Anthony accepted a new job.  Wednesday, I signed a contract on our future house, and today, I officially started my new job.  Wow!  Just typing all of that overwhelms me!

Moving was exhausting.  I had been packing our things gradually over the summer (a perk of being a teacher).  So, that part of the move was pretty easy. And moving all of our stuff out was easy for me since 6 or 7 guys from the fire station came to help.  Unloading the 26 foot uhaul and getting everything to fit into the storage room...not so easy.  I was so thankful that one of my friends that I've known since I was three, and her husband, came to help.  We will never move ourselves again, even if we get paid to as we've learned there's a reason movers get paid so much!

Sunday, we drove around looking for houses for many hours. We didn't find anything we hadn't seen online and were about ready to give up when we found a new housing development in the area we wanted to be in.  We loved the features they offered and went in to talk to them.  We found a floor plan we loved and started pricing things and this house just felt like the right thing.  So, it looks like we will be homeowners in about 6 months!!!

Today was my first day.  It was what they call new teacher orientation.  It's always so intimidating going into a room with 200 people and not knowing anyone!  But, I met some new people and am reall excited about the year.  I've worked in my room a few days now and it's starting to come together. I can't wait until it is finished!

It may sound crazy, but as hectic as my life has been, I'm ready for school to start. I need that routine and normalcy again!