A Fresh Start

I can't believe it's been 3 months since I posted my last blog! So many things have happened since my last post...the only way for me to really say all of those things is to make a list!!! :)

June:
1) Wrapped up the school year. I'm actually going to miss all of my students. You know, I think sometimes teachers bond more with students who they have a lot of problems with...
2) My friend from college, Brandi came to Dallas to visit me!!!
3) Left Dallas and flew to Amsterdam alone! My first time going alone internationally! It really wasn't a big deal...I think I could do it again no problem.
4) Landed with Wade in Nairobi, Kenya. It was so great being back there!
5) Watched a lot of ER episodes with Wade's mom and sister. It reminded me of how much I used to love that show!

July:
1) Spent time being the only girl with the Kreamer guys. It wasn't too bad...they let me pick a chick flick one night...and I chose P.S. I Love You! It doesn't get much girlier than that one! :)
2) Watch season 3 of King of Queens...best show ever!
3) Took Brenda, Belis, and Mitchiel to church and lunch one Sunday. They were hilarious!
4) Went to Turtle Bay in Malindi, Kenya and saw the Indian Ocean, coral reef, wild and out of control eels, got henna, got a little bit of a tan, had the best beach experience in my life. It was truly amazing and beautiful. I want to go back as soon as possible! :)
5) Flew back to Dallas, feeling very sad to leave Kenya and Wade.

Now, some big things that are coming up!!!
1) Start off the school year the right way...
2) My cousin Rebecca's wedding in College Station!
3) Moving Kelly to the apartment next door to her current apartment...haha :)
4) My ex-roomie Brooke's wedding!!! So excited about that!
5) Wade coming to Texas! Yay!!!

A Thought to Share

Once I heard Matt Chandler preach a sermon and he mentioned these verses from a book in the Bible that is often forgotten. Ever since I have heard these verses, I have come to love them and I think about them a lot. Lately these verses have been on my mind, so I thought I would share them:

"Though the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The soverign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights."
~Habakkuk 3:17-19

Even though we may having nothing, and even though everything around us may seem hopeless...we still have the Lord and he is what makes us live and breathe and move. We still have hope because we have Him. He is to be praised whether we have all we would ever want and need, or whether we have nothing- which can be so hard to remember, especially in our times of need and in our times of self pity... but He is all we really need, and we should praise Him for who he is...the verse proclaims Him- God my Savior. Savor that thought. It's beautiful.

FYI- Hillsong has a really great song that goes with this whole theme. It's called Desert Song, check it out! It's awesome. :)

Eyes on the prize

For spring break I went to Pennsylvania with Wade for a few days and then we drove down to North Carolina for his uncle's wedding. We went through Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina! Now that's a road trip!! It was a lot of fun! The wedding was outdoors and beautiful (but also a little cold!). That's a picture of us at the wedding. Cute... :)

Things at work have been really crazy lately! I've just been swamped with getting ready for the Math TAKS! On top of that I am trying to do extra things to earn points for a grant we may receive next year. So I've had lots of paperwork and never have any time during the day to get some things done! But I'm just keeping my eyes on the prize- extra money next year! I know it will all slow down soon...after Math TAKS. I told my students that if they all pass I will wear a chicken suit for a day! They are really working hard because they want to see me in that suit! haha

I can now run 2 and 1/4 miles!!! YAY!!! But- my 5K I was training for is on a weekend I will be out of town. So I need to find a new 5K. If you know about one- send the info my way and I'll run it with you!!! :)

I love lists!

1. TAKS Reading test is over! I feel so relieved. But I also know I'll feel even better when the results are in!
2. Time to prepare for TAKS Math test...
3. God is truly using a few students to train me in having patience and compassion. I don't know how great of a learner I am though!
4. 10 days until I fly out to Pennsylvania for a few days and then take a road trip to North Carolina with Wade to go to his uncle's wedding. :)
5. I can run 1.5 miles without stopping. Who cares how long it takes me (15 minutes to be exact) because I am just happy to be able ti run 1.5!!! Only 1.7 more to go to be ready for the 5K in April!
6. I'm so happy the sun is out now when I'm getting ready for work. It makes me wake up and not dread going to work!
7. Dentist appointment coming up Monday morning- and I really hope I have no cavaties!!! Yikes!
8. I went to Old Navy this weekend for the back to basics sale and got some really great deals! But my credit card is a little bruised! haha But not too bad. Promise.
9. I'm crazy mad at the bachelor. You see, this is the first season that I've actually watched. All I can say is: what a jerk, those things he said are things men who cheat on their wives and leave their families say, and I don't ever want to watch that show again. I'm sticking to SURVIVOR!
10. I have nothing to say for #10, I just wanted to get to an even number! haha

a little of this, a little of that

I am terrible at shooting on the Safari game at Dave and Busters. I am good at shooting hoops in the basketball game. My beautiful flowers are still sitting on my kitchen table, and I want them to stay fresh and healthy forever!

Favorites

Inspired by my sister Kelly, I decided to show my favorite pictures (at least my favorites out of the ones I was able to save from my old laptop...). So enjoy!

7. The Nile River from the plane.

6. A side street in the middle of Rome.

5. Ft. Morgan in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

4. Sisters at Christmas. :)

3. Lazy cat.

2. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with a rainbow in Arlington, Virginia.

1. Hands down #1. A beautiful sunset in Kenya while I was on safari.

My friend Ashley in Hawaii tagged me for this, so here goes!! ;)

1. Go to the 4th album in the place you store your pictures on your computer
2. Select the 4th picture in that album (no exceptions)
3. Post it in this post with an explanation and link it back to your tagger
4. Tag 4 people to do the same thing

Explanation: This picture was taken on my first trip to Annapolis to visit Wade. We're sitting in the visitor's center at the Naval Academy (where he goes to school). I guess there's not much to explain about the picture, so I'll just brag on Wade instead...he works so hard! It is so crazy all of the things he has to do at the Academy. They keep him busy all the time. I am very proud of him because he works so hard, does a great job, and keeps a good attitude about it! *And the best news is- there's a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel!!!*

I tag-
Kelly, Amy King, Lacy, Wade (it's about time for you to update) :)