Starting all over again

I cant believe it is that time AGAIN....cheerleading tryouts!! Starting tomorrow a bunch of nervous 7th and 8th graders will gather together in the gym and I will talk to them about the importance of clinic, the expectations if you make cheerleading, and then send them along their way to prepare for cheerleading tryouts. I started thinking about this week about 3 months ago! Forms have been checked, physicals have been turned in, teacher recommendations have been averaged.....its time! I know it sound so cheesy but it truly is such a blessing to be a part of this age of girls! They are funny, a little bit of odd and a lot a bit of sweet! I wouldnt trade it for the world. Here is to lack of sleep, anxiety, and hopefully some very happy girls at the end of the week!! These girls are in my prayers over the next 4 days.....as is my sanity!!

Its official

It's official....I am changing jobs next year! I am going to be teaching 3 year olds in a preschool from 8-12 everyday and then of course, still coaching cheerleading! Todd and I have prayed and thought about it for a long time and the Lord drew both of us to Cornerstone Methodist (right next door to our house!) So, I applied and the sweet director offered me the job! I told my principal and colleagues this week and can now say that I am so excited about the change! God is going to do wonderful things in our family through this transition...and hopefully teach me to be a better steward of money!

On another note, Todd and I got to spend a wonderful weekend in Birmingham this past weekend, thank you to the AHS showchoir who paid for our hotel, and got to see some of my favorite people! Friday night we got to eat dinner with one of my favorite people who I will consider a best friend for life, Julie Johnston! Then, Saturday we spent the entire day with my parents and ate a WONDERFUL dinner at Todd's favorite, Michaels Steakhouse!

What a week! God is good!

I am back!!!

So, I realized that I am not an eventful person and that I would make a very bad "reality TV" star. But, after 3 people in 1 week asked why I had quit my blog.....I decided to start back! I love reading other friends blogs and seeing pictures but don't find that I am that entertaining. The world has changed a lot since August. I am halfway through the school year with my 27 crazy, sweet kids! Todd has officially been Auburn High Schools's principal for over half a year...and survived.

I have also gotten through my first year of coaching JV cheerleaders, and honestly, loved every second of it! Those girls were my heart over the past year. I loved spending the afternoons with them and God has truly shown me that is where my ministry and heart is right now! So.....the cheerleading continues!

Also, a lot of my friends are learning to be new mommies and some are getting ready to become mommies! I am so excited for them and cannot wait to meet some of my closest friends new additions!

The world continues to change, we get busier by the day, but are so thankful for our families and our close friends! God has blessed us tremendously and for that we are thankful!

School is back in session.....already????

Wow! I cannot believe I have already been in school for 3 weeks. What a bless God has given me in my class this year! I have such sweet kids and I am so thankful for years where God gives me exactly what I need...and want! Twenty five 10 year olds is a lot most days but they are sweet and polite (most of the time) and enjoy being together so hopefully this year will be the best one yet! I dont think that any year it gets any easier to start the school year. I felt just as nervous the first day of school this as I did my very first year but my kids always seem to make me laugh and ease all the anxiety!

Surprisingly, in 3 weeks of school, I have already missed one entire week. Bronchitis has hit and when the doctor told me to "rest for awhile", I guess he really meant it. Because, when I did not rest, it no longer became a suggestion but a requirement. With tons of steroids, antibiotics, inhalers, and a breathing machine, it seems to be getting a little better!

Cheerleading is also in full swing. My girls are so sweet but definitely getting ready for their first football game tomorrow. They seem to love being together and really work hard at practice so I could not be more thankful for sweet 9th grade girls that I get to spend every afternoon with. This has been the perfect group of girls to have as my first cheerleading squad! Pictures to come after the first game!

Thank the Lord for Friends

Todd and I are so blessed to have such wonderful friends! We both have Godly wonderful friends of all ages that hold us accountable, share their lives with us, and let us share ours as well. Todd and I have realized that if you have Godly people in your life that you can call a friend, you have more than most people in their life. So, if we are lucky enough to call you our friends, we thank you! We have come to realize friends are few and far between so from church friends, work friends, neighbors, and family, we are thankful for you! You are a blessing!

One Year Later....

Todd and I just celebrated our ONE YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY! Wow, it doesn't seem like a year ago we were getting married. This year has flown by. I am absolutely so thankful for the amazing husband, best friend, partner, and leader that God has given me. He makes me laugh, and I think I make him laugh, even though I don't think I mean to!

For our anniversary, Todd gave me a beautiful necklace and suprised me and took me to Atlanta for the weekend! We went and saw Phantom of the Opera at the Fox and then ate at the most delicious restaurant ever, Maggiannos! It was such a fun way to celebrate our first year of marriage.

We talked the entire weekend about our wedding and reception and how much fun we had last year with all of our wonderful friends and family. If you were in Memphis a year ago to help us celebrate, THANK YOU! We love you and treasure your friendship. Thank you Todd for a wonderful year of marriage. Many many more to come.....

The Adventures of Summer....

Summer is officially here! I am thankful to have a break from school, just as I am sure my students areready to have a break from me. My class, in its entirety, was actually really funny this year. Those kids made me laugh more than any other class so far. They also made me question myself the most...which in the end, taught me a ton!

One week into summer and I have...cleaned out all the closets, organized all the bathrooms, cleaned all the patio furniture, cleaned the house at least 4 times, read two books,shopped ENTIRELY too much, seen two movies, helped 4 very large men put a fence in our back yard, pulled all the weeds in the flower beds, and cooked a few "edible" meals (which is a miracle)! Needless to say; I dont like being bored. I have also resigned myself to getting up at 6:30 every morning and running...it has been somewhat successful and has made me feel more successful during the day. Todd also bought me new tennis shoes today, so I am hoping that will be even more incentive to get my rear end out of bed and go run in the morning!

Oil?? Well, Todd and I are supposed to go on a week long cruise next week with about 8 other couples. We are supposed to be leaving out of Mobile and going to Cozumel. Todd believes that Mobile Bay may be closed down, therefore, not allowing us to go on cruise!! I will be utterly devestated if that happens....but no worries; I have already been looking up East Coast beaches to visit in lieu of this event. My bet is on Hilton Head!

I am addicted to reading other people's blogs and saw on one of my friend's, Julie's, blog about her Thankful Thursdays. It made me really think about things I am thankful for. So, here they are:
1. My wonderful supportive husband. He lets me be crazy when I need to be, sad when I feel like it, and myself all the time!
2. Family and Friends - where would you really be in life without them?
3. an AMAZING Sunday School class. Todd and I have truly enjoyed getting to know the Godly couples in that class. They have become good freinds of ours.
4. SUMMER TIME! I love when seasons change. But, my favorite part of summer is sitting in the back yard with Todd and our dog, Cooper, and drinking a glass of wine while Todd grills dinner. It is a little piece of paradise without going anywhere.
5. Having time to read, clean, and do anything I really like!

Happy Saturday!