#summerloving

There are just over two weeks until teachers return to CCA, which means my Summer is almost over! I can hardly believe it! Adam encouraged me to take the Summer completely off (i.e. not to take a part time job), so here's what I've been up to...

• Boston Outings: One day we rented bikes to ride along the Charles river. Another day we rented bikes again and rode to the Arnold Arboretum and Forest Hills cemetery. Then last week we visited the Museum of Fine Arts (free on Wednesdays after 4 p.m. -> score!).

• Trips: We met our Gosnell family in IN/IL to see extended family over 4th of July weekend. I also traveled to TN to help throw one of my best friend's bridal shower. I'm thankful to have been able to see both families this Summer and I'm already looking forward to seeing everyone again at Christmas! (Also, I'll be back to TN in September for the WEDDING!)

• Crafting (all for school, haha): I recovered several canisters for storage, made a poster for birthdays, and I'm working on a door decoration. I'll probably take pictures of everything once I get my classroom set up!

• Running: Kayla asked me to start running "with" her, so we're doing the same program from afar :) It's the "Get Running" app (literally the only app I've ever paid for) which follows the Couch to 5K program. I've completed the first four weeks and week 5 begins today.

• School-related: During June, I attended a week-long math conference. And one week in July, I taught part of a Summer class for a few of our incoming 9th graders. I've also planned the first couple of days of school, updated most of my 10-month plans, and created my syllabi. I've also worked on some changes to my lesson plan template,  HW policy, and grading.

• Reading: I haven't done as much reading as I probably should have. I finished "The Picture of Dorian Gray," by Oscar Wilde today and I'm hoping to finish "Adopted for Life," by Russell Moore before school starts.

Overall, it's been a great Summer! When all my activities are listed like this it makes me feel like I've accomplished something :)

Currently

LISTENING ... Adam is doing the dishes. Both Adam and I have always had a dishwasher, so this part of seminary life has been quite an adjustment! It wasn't too bad during the Summer when we first moved here, but this semester particularly has been really busy for both of us, so washing dishes feels like one more thing on the to-do list that we never seem to have time for.

LOVING ... The fact that Spring break is only two weeks away.

THINKING ... About living so far away from family. We knew we would make sacrifices for Adam to attend seminary here, but it's still tough sometimes.

WANTING ... More time and more money. Maybe that sounds selfish, but it's true.

NEEDING ... (Is it cheating to repeat "more time and more money"?) I probably need to be working... Lesson plans are calling my name and I'm trying my best to ignore them.

PRAYING ... For my friend, Mandi; their baby is due a week from tomorrow!

Currently

--Listening ... I found some old WOW CDs in my husband's collection, so they're in my car right now. I'm enjoying some old favorites and learning a few new songs as well!

--Loving ... Lazy Saturdays! I made breakfast this morning, did some laundry, calender-ed (yes, it's a verb now), and we've laid around. ALL day!!

--Thinking ... About our move to Gordon-Conwell. We're excited, but I can't believe it's less than two months away. It seems like so much time and yet not enough.

--Wanting ... Birthday presents 0:) I can't help it!

--Needing ... Well... I need to be grading and writing lesson plans, but I'm not. Other than that, I don't need a thing in the world! God is providing for our every need - as well as plenty that we don't need.

--Advice ... I don't have much advice to offer others, but I could use a bit of advice on surviving these last few weeks of school. My kids are going crazy and I fear that I'm right behind them!

Currently...

LISTENING ... During my commute to work, I listen to KLove. My family listened to KLove when I was younger, but to be honest, we grew tired of it and we felt like the music repeated too often. Well, now I'm 22 and the music still repeats too often. :) But I can't bring myself to turn the channel. Because (when I allow it) the music/conversation on KLove focuses my heart and my mind in a positive direction before I walk in the door or face my first student. Hard to beat that!
EATING ... I'm obsessed with the Blue Bell Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream that Adam bought me when I was sick! If we keep ice cream in our freezer, it's usually the chreap stuff, but not this time. Not for the sick kid 0:) I'm also eating oatmeal a lot. I've never liked oatmeal before, but apparently my taste buds have changed!
DRINKING ... Lots and lots of water. I try to drink a lot of water at school because it is so easy to lose my voice when I'm talking or yel-- **cough** raising my voice during 85% of my work day. Of course, I have to be careful because a teacher can't exactly get to the little ladies' room at the drop of a hat... sigh.
WEARING ... Work clothes... Like a big kid. It's weird. And I've realized that I own a lot of black... and gray. Too much black and gray! So next time I go shopping, I'm thinking colors!!
FEELING ... Stuffy :) I'm still getting over this sinus infection (or whatever it is) that has made itself a home in my sinus cavities. Whoever you are, you are NOT welcome! I'm also feeling sarcastic. I'm not necessarily in a sarcastic mood, but I'm beginning to realize how sarcastic I can be with my students. I'm trying to find a balance.
WEATHER(-ING?) ... It's cold outside! And we're supposed to get lots of rain this weekend.
WANTING ... Warmer work clothes and someone to write my lesson plans this weekend :)
NEEDING ... Very little. God has blessed us abundantly. I have a to-do list that I "need" to work on; does that count?
THINKING ... I'm thinking through my Unglued moments... I just started Lysa Terkeurst's study, "Unglued." I've learned a lot about myself already. Change is hard. It's rarely something we jump into head first without any reservation or hesitation... But I'm trying. I believe God is chiseling me into a person more like His Son. And as Lysa would say, I'm making "imperfect progress" every day.
ENJOYING ... This stage in life. Someone quote me to myself every day, okay? Haha. I find myself often thinking about what comes next or "Why in the world am I here?"/"Where am I supposed to be headed?" There are always things to miss from the past or things to look forward to in the future, but when all is said and done, I do love this stage. I love coming home to my husband and having "couch time" every afternoon. I love feeling fresh and passionate about my career (most days ;)). I love having alone time. I love the freedom that Adam and I have right now. So, yes, currently I am enjoying this stage in life.

***This journaling idea was a Pinterest-find :) http://pinterest.com/pin/25895766576993097/

True Confessions: TV

I was a TV-hater. I'll admit it. I was for a long time. It drives me crazy to yell over the TV to get someone's attention or to call only to find out they're engrossed in the latest episode of whatever. Anyways, my point is that I've changed my tune...



I began watching Army Wives last semester. My sister and her best friend had watched a few episodes a couple of years ago and for whatever reason, I decided to try it out. After episode 1, I was hooked. Now... it's not what you think. I can go for weeks at a time without watching an episode, but I'm on my third episode for today 0:) AND even worse, I cry like a baby every time someone deploys on the show or something terrible happens. I can't help it!

So now you know. I'm a little obsessed with Army Wives.

This Week...

1) Arkadelphia called a snow day!!! On Monday, I ran some errands, had lunch with great friends, attended a worship service on campus, and generally enjoyed my surprise day off!
2) I officially applied to two public school districts. (As you know from "Discontinued Dreams," this is a huge step for me. I have a peace about this decision and I'm trusting God's faithfulness that He will direct my path.)
3) I had my first taste of Professional Development... I'm not sure why hearing about the Reading and Writing standards of Common Core for 3 hours is beneficial to a math teacher. I'm all about collaboration and helping each other, but it was a little over the top for me. Let me know if you know what I'm missing!
4) We ordered the Bridesmaids' dresses!
5) I saw a rainbow. They're so beautiful and such an amazing reminder that God keeps His promises.

How was your week? What does next week hold?