Looking forward

There are so many things I am looking forward to in the relatively near future-

1. Jordan's birthday party on Saturday. I can't believe he is 3 already... sheesh!
2. Going to the lake this weekend. It will be really nice to get away.
3. Lunch with some friends from high school, one I haven't seen in 2 years, one I haven't seen in 3.5 years.
4. Getting skinny. I have never really been overweight, and I've never been really in shape, but I want to get in really good shape for this summer's trip to Lake Powell. I have been running and going to Zumba, and I'm trying to make do something at least 4 days a week. It really is difficult with a life that you have to work around.
5. Getting to see my students on Monday. I have been at a workshop for the past three days and I thought I would really enjoy the break, but I really did miss the little toots. They always make my days so interesting and I feel like I am making a difference for them, but when I don't get to see them it makes me sad. Thankfully I will get to see them on Monday, even if we don't have class.
6. Getting a new computer! My computer is about to completely crash on me, it is just a matter of time. I either need a new one or to get mine completely cleaned up and repaired so that it runs more smoothly. It take it about 15 minutes just to start up. Yeah, that is ridiculous, I know. I have to think about starting my computer up 15 minutes before I actually need to use it. This is not an easy task, but I guess I am making due as it is.

And things I'm looking forward to in the slightly-further-away future-
1. Getting some grass in our backyard. I know it seems like a really little thing, but at this point it is a huge deal for us and the next thing we are going to spend money on for our house. I think Abby is looking forward to that, too.
2. Putting a new roof on our house. We have shingles now that fly off in the wind, and we are going to get a metal roof this summer. I'm ready for that to happen so we can start saving money for some other thing.
3. Going to Lake Powell for a week on a houseboat with our family. No explaination needed.
4. Starting a family. I'm not entirely sure when this is going to happen, but I have high hopes that is isn't too far away. I'll keep you posted on that when more decisions are made.
5. Getting a permanent (long term) job. I just found out this week that I don't have a job next year, at this point. I'm not worrying about it, but I just wish God would let me in on His plan so I could start making a plan around His plan. I know that isn't how it works, but I can dream, right?
6. Getting a new car. This is not going to happen until I am pregnant, whenever that happens to be, because the truck we have now will not fit an infant's carseat. I know, that is a really weird reason to need a new car, especially when you already own a truck, but that is just how it is. The back seat isn't big enough, and that is all there is to it. I don't want to get rid of my truck because I still love it, but if I can get a 4Runner or something (very similar to my Tacoma, which is probably why I want one) then it won't be a huge deal.
7. Really settling into our lives here. We still don't have friends here. Well, I have some friends at school, ladies that I work with, but we have only hung out once in the 2.5 months I have worked there. Jason has some friends from high school that live here that we hang out with some times. We just don't have any couple friends. My very bestest friend still lives in Lubbock, and I miss her tremendously. I think she and her husband should just move here once he is done with school, but she doesn't seem to think that is the best idea. Oh well, I will keep trying ;-)

So, apparently I have been thinking about the future a lot recently. It is hard to not try to plan out every single thing in my life, but I am trying to follow what God wants for us as I am planning. It is just my personality that I want to know what is coming before it gets here. Unfortunately, as anyone over the age of 5 knows, that is just life. However, listening and talking to God is really helping smooth things over in my mind. I am not stressing like I normally would. I have several positive influences around me that give me good, sound, spiritual advice and I'm so thankful God has put these people in my life so they can help me stay focused on Him.

Ok, enough for now. I'll let you know as I am able to cross things off the list!

so much change

Yeah, this is going to be a long one. I have had so much stuff happen in the last couple of weeks and I have not been very good about keeping this updated. Last week was state testing, and that is all we did. My students did great and it was really nice getting to work with students that I work with daily. It was also awesome seeing how hard they were trying and that they got the answers right that they did. I'm glad it is over though, but now I have to give more tests next week and I am really not looking forward to it. I have a training that I am going to for the next couple of days. It is really boring, honestly, and I am not enjoying it at all. But, supposedly it will make me more marketable in the future, so I am doing it.

Another interesting that I am doing is homebound teaching. There is a young student who is not able to attend school for medical reasons and I am working with him a couple of hours a week. Today was so enjoyable, it was so much fun. Is it possible to get paid to play with kids? I'm pretty sure I have the best job in the world. I'm so glad God placed teaching on my heart because I know He made me to do this.

Speaking of which, I found out today that I don't have a job next year at the school I am at right now. I knew it was a possibility, so it wasn't all that shocking, but now I don't have to worry. Our principal mentioned that there have to be 3-4 cuts at our school, and since I am short-term, I am the first to go. People keep telling me about how much can change over the summer, and I am trying to keep that in mind. Like I said, I am not terribly worried because I know God has a plan for all this. I just have to keep my ears and my heart open to what He tells me. I would appreciate all the prayers you could manage. Thank you in advance!

On a happier (maybe) note, my nephew turned 3 years old yesterday!! I simply can't believe that he is already three. He is amazing, smart, funny, and adorable, and I love every moment I get to spend with him. We are going to his birthday party on Saturday with a bunch of family so that is going to be fun. We got him an adorable present that I hope he loves.

My brothers are doing well. I take David to school in the mornings. He is taking a special ed biology class and a regular ed photography class at the high school right next to my school. He really enjoys going to school, mostly because it gives him a break from my parents and his brother I think. He likes it, though, and that is what matters. He has also started seeing a psychologist. It is too soon to tell if it is doing any good, but hopefully it is making a difference for him and will help him sort through some things. Nothing much is new with Sam, other than he has been diagnosed as mentally retarded. This shocked me because he is so socially capable. My mom said, "yeah, but you have never been in the same school room as him." Which is a completely true statement. I'm still not sure it is an accurate diagnosis, but I guess it makes sense to my mom. Anyway, he isn't going to school in the mornings yet, just twice a week in the afternoons. I guess that is the update for the boys!

Ok, enough for one post. Take care and God bless!

ZUMBA!!!

Yes, that's right, I am now part of the Zumba nation. I took my first class today from some Zumba guru from Las Cruces. It was outside, there were about 50 people there, and it lasted for an hour and a half, or slightly more. It was so fun! A lot of the moves are Latin dance movies, for those of you who are unaware. Many of them are a little risque, but you get an amazing workout. I have been home for an hour and a half and I am already starting to feel sore. I want to start going to other classes throughout the week, although I am not entirely sure when I will have time, or energy, to go. Luckily, it doesn't feel like working out, really. And, I heard a rumor, that if you do every move with high intensity, you can burn 800 calories in an hour. Average is about 500 calories per hour. Not bad if you ask me!

Jason, his dad, his friend, and another guy all went fishing up near Jason's parents' cabin today. Jason's mom went, too, but I don't think she is going to be doing any fishing. I think there is still a bunch of snow up there, so I'm glad I didn't go. I'd rather hang out here, where it is 80 degrees, and dance the day away :-)

Not sure if we are going to church tonight or not, but I need to go get ready just in case we are. Hopefully I can find some time this weekend to start working on a quilt for some friends of mine who hired me in December... They told me not to rush, so I'm not, lol. I need to get working on it or they are going to think it is never gonna get done. I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! God bless.

short one

I know it has been a while since my last update, but really not much has happened in the last week. We filed our taxes, went fishing, and hung out with family for Easter. Taxes are nothing special (until we get our refund). Fishing was a bust, although it was a beautiful day and spending it on the boat at the lake was fantastic. And Easter was lovely, but it is always lovely.

I have started to watch my niece and nephew in the afternoon so my sister can start working out (so she will quit smoking, hopefully) although I have not been very consistent. It is hard to make any kind of daily commitment like that when one is working. Speaking of working out, I have not really stayed with it as much as I should. I have decided to make sure I don't eat any more than 1500 calories per day, and I did it today without any problem, so I think I may need to cut it down a smidgeon more. We will see how it goes with me keeping my food journal though. Tedious, I will admit, but hopefully effective.

Tomorrow I get to see my aunt! Woohoo! I haven't seen her in a few months and she has not seen our house yet, so it will be fun.

Testing starts on Thursday at work, nothing exciting other than I don't have to worry about planning any lessons for the next two weeks, which will be nice. Unfortunately I heard today that I probably will not have a job next year, at least not in this position. That is super stressful, as we can not really afford for me not to work next year. But, that is not in my hands and I have to keep reminding myself that I can't control it and God has everything under control. Pray for my peace of mind, though, if you would.

I think that is about it. Like I said, not much new in my life. I hope this week continues to be uneventful!