Educators, do you need a pep talk?

Living the Simple Life

On this monumental first Saturday after school started, I thought I would take a moment to document some of my thoughts thus far. I know it's been awhile, and unfortunately I have no pictures to add due to my lack of motivation to download them off my camera, so this will have to suffice!

Wow - what a week! Last weekend seemed so relaxing - we celebrated Luke's 3rd Birthday out at Uncle Brad's, I enjoyed being able to finally sing with the praise team again, Sunday evening was spent listening to a choir concert and an ice cream social, and now I sit here, completely exhausted! The week flew by! The first day of school came with much excitement and a very early morning. I was joyful in seeing old students, but a bit hesitant as I started adding up how many kids I was actually going to have this year! The week went on, finally starting our CSCOPE lessons on Wednesday, and we've quickly begun our routines for the year. My last count was roughly 133 students, divided between seven periods, and no, I still don't know all their names! As I said earlier, thankfully I have some of my old students! The days seemed to pass by slowly, but realizing that we had to plan an entire new unit for next week and make all the copies by Monday really hit me Friday during conference time! Getting used to the new routines and new curriculum has been quite an adjustment, and will be a "constant" this year I'm sure. There is something to be said for teaching the same thing as the previous year, but overall, I feel blessed. I am loving my new school and faculty, and the many new faces I see on a daily basis. This is going to be a great year - I'm just still adjusting - especially after trying to grade papers this weekend! To think I thought it was bad grading 60 different papers last year!

The week is now over - we all survived! My lesson plans are done, the papers copied, and I'm a bit more organized than before. Friday evening I could have gone to bed at 5pm I was so tired, but I had made a previous commitment - the Beth Moore Simulcast at church. I wasn't thrilled about going - I really wanted to call and make an excuse for not making it, but I knew I told the women's ministry committee I'm a part of that I would be there to help, and so I went. As I drove up to the church I spent a few minutes in prayer - Lord, I'm exhausted - the last thing I want to do is sit on a pew and try to listen to the high pitched and fast paced voice of Beth Moore! LOL! Well, I am now eating my words - I was truly blessed last night and this morning. No, I wasn't too thrilled about having to wake up early this morning either, but I rose this morning, with a hope to learn more, to seek more, to see how God was going to work in my life through this experience. If you were a part of the experience this weekend, I would love to hear your thoughts, but I have come away with a new passion for living Psalm 37:4.

7 Facts that Beth pointed out regarding this verse:
1.Nothing dictates our lives like our desires.
2.Beneath the desires of our hearts is the heart of our desires.
3.Delighting in God adapts our desires into inevitabilities.
4.Nothing external can steal our right to delight.
5.To make room for delight, we've got to commit.
6.Nothing is passive about patiently waiting or desire to turn into delight.
7.Till faith becomes sight, trust God and do good.

I was struck by the thought that every single desire we have includes something that we lack. I had never really thought of that before. I've come away with some words to meditate upon, things to research more, and a willingness to trust God and do good, and he will give me the desires of my heart. The following youtube clip is a song we sung during worship time - just thought I would share it with you.



So the title of my blog comes from a book a friend recently gave me for my birthday. It's actually called "Living the Simple Life!" Do you think she's trying to tell me something? It seems as though everyone realized how stressful last year was for me, but how "involved" and "committed" I had made myself to various other things. I began reading it, laughing at some of what is written, but realizing that I do need to let some things go! Don't worry, I've prayed alot, and although God has brought some new things into my life, I am learning to balance all that is presented before me, saying no to things I truly don't feel called to do, but also staying involved in some of the passions I have in my heart. Whew! What a way to start the year!

I hope to keep you updated on the adventures that this coming year will once again hold - new job, new school, new degree, and a new decade in my life. Keep reading to find out where this nomad will go next!

Take care and God bless.

Leah's Wedding Weekend and Life Updates

As stated in my last post, Leah's wedding weekend was so much fun. I found a few pictures to post, still working on downloading all that I have. These I mainly stole from new facebook friends. :)

The night before the wedding, the bridesmaids threw Leah a lingerie shower - these are all the attendants! Now I know you are probably interested in all that she got, but I will refrain from posting the "laundry line" of gifts. A Little Russia Reunion - As I've said many times previous, God truly blessed my two years in Moscow. Leah, on the left, was my roommate my first year, and Ang became a dear friend through my entire stay. I kept in touch with the girls, but it had been a number of years since we had actually all been in the same place at the same time. Weddings are always great excuses for reunions! Thank you Leah for getting married! Now we just have to meet again in January for Ang's wedding!

Many of you have heard about the clover colored green dress, and well, unfortunately I don't have a picture of the entire dress just yet - just this candid one taken before the wedding. I thought the wedding party looked fantastic! Each of us had a different dress on, which made us all unique! This is Shawnda and BJ - two amazing girls I met that weekend! Actually though, I had met Shawnda on a weekend I went to visit Leah in Tulsa a few years back, BUT, that weekend I really had the opportunity to get to know her - we're alot alike and had a ton of fun!

Leah and I before the wedding with a little black and white action. Leah looked stunning! I'm so thankful I was able to take part in her big day! I love you Leah Gail!

So now it's back to reality for me. Leah's wedding was a great end to an amazing summer, but as this first week back to school has ended, I am still exhausted. (And to think the kids haven't even come yet!) I've spent the week in meeting after meeting, my classroom is all put together, but my drawers and cabinets are a wreck! I guess the fact that you can't see the mess makes it better, although if you know me well enough, you know it's driving me crazy. Due to that though, I'm heading back up to school this afternoon - Yippee! It's either do it today and take a nap tomorrow, or stress today, go to school tomorrow. The first choice definitely sounds better.

I am excited about my new school and new job - I had just forgotten how much time and energy it takes to start at a new school AND teach a new subject. Time management is going to be key for me! I've come home exhausted each night, but also know that this too shall pass - I just have to get through next week and all will be well - I'm hoping! I've been designated as the ESL Social Studies teacher for 6th grade, and I'm excited about putting some of my graduate classes to work! I went to an all day workshop yesterday which ended up being a review of my Language Acquisition class from this summer, so I actually felt on top of things - at least as far as teaching ESL students!

God is so good - his timing is perfect, and I am ready to get this school year started! We're celebrating Luke's 3rd birthday today, so I better get ready for the big event, but I hope this finds you all enjoying your day, praising God for the rain we got last night, and celebrating the end of summer!

The Last Days of Summer

What a whirlwind the past few days have been. This past Wednesday I flew out on yet another adventure, this time to Oklahoma! I know, probably not the destination you might be thinking, but my dear friend Leah asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding and this was the big weekend! I met my boyfriend for a few days prior to the event, to spend some much needed time together before the chaos began, and spent the past two days going from one wedding event to the next! What a blessing though. I knew no one other than Leah's family, and had met one of the other bridesmaids about four years ago, but I have to say, after spending so much time together, I have gained numerous new friends and had the time of my life! (Although I am now quite exhausted!) As I left last night, I took a moment to look back and remember how Leah and I met - she was my roommate my first year in Moscow, and how amazing it is to see her so happy, to be with someone who loves her dearly, and to know that I meant enough to her that she wanted me to play this role on her special day. I am so happy for Leah and Tyler, so I have to say, congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Anderson! In addition to spending time with Leah, I had the pleasure of seeing Angela, another Moscow friend! I had written a previous post with her exciting engagement news, and finally had the opportunity to meet her man, the other Naumann in her life! God has truly blessed me beyond belief with the friendships of these girls, and I am so thankful I was able to take part in such a wonderful celebration.

I got home about an hour ago, and I only have a few hours left of summer. Although my summer has been incredible, I am ready to begin this next school year, and to actually get in a routine for a change. It's been an exhausting past few days, and I know it won't get any easier with the school days starting! This is why we get paid the big bucks though, right?!

With that said though, I must get back to laundry and cleaning, but once again, I thought I would share this next post with you - something my friend Lizabeth posted last August, and something that I read to remind myself on those days where I feel like my life is in a rut, that I do have amazing friends - I am truly blessed.

Have a wonderful Sunday evening!

Happy Birthday(???)

Adalyne,
I love you because...
-You're our glue. You're the one that has kept us all together since college. I know that it's annoying sometimes, but it's comforting to know that someone is keeping tabs. You have a gift for it.
-You're your family's glue. Don't think that no one notices the effort you've put into your family in the last 10 years. It shows maturity beyond your years.
-You like to sing in the morning. Hard to believe, but there was a time that I didn't appreciate this. (That time mainly occurred when you would sing on our way to class at 8 o'clock in the morning when we had been stupid enough to stay up until 3 o'clock doing nothing. Good times.) Now, though, I realize that we needed someone to remind us that we should be grateful for each new day.
-You're brave. You've gone with the flow since college. You've lived in foreign countries and lived back in your hometown. You've walked through the doors that were opened to you and didn't fret when you weren't exactly sure what was on the other side.
-You're a world traveler. You've lived in Russia and Italy. You've studied in Spain and Greece. You've climbed Mt. Sinai, for goodness' sake. I want to have your passport when I grow up.
-You made me a world traveler. You were the first person to convince me to go overseas. You were the first person to have to endure me on an overseas flight. You were my roommate when our shower curtain mysteriously disappeared on our second day in Athens, and it never came back. (While that may not seem like a big moment, it was the first of many mysterious experiences in foreign countries, so I'll always treasure our water-covered bathroom in the Divani Palace Hotel). I caught the travel bug on that trip. Thank you!!!
-You're the reason that we'll remember these last 10 years of our lives. You take pictures of everything. You save every invitation, candy wrapper, receipt, postcard... I could go on. You know that it's important to treasure the large and small moments in life, and I am constantly running across pictures that you took on a day when I need it, and they make me smile.
-You love kids. You knew you were supposed to be a teacher long before I did. I love to hear you talk about your kids and see the way that you love and appreciate them. It is definitely your calling.
-You're a great hostess. The first big memory I have of our freshman year in college is our "Titanic and S'mores" Party in your and Erin's room. That was just the first of many parties, beach trips, and road trips that you have hosted. You haven't just captured the memories, you've made the memories.
-You're just a good friend. You love us. You take care of us. You reprimand us (when we desperately need it). You continue to call us even when we don't ever pick up the phone.
For all of these reasons and many more, I love you, Addie!!! Happy Birthday!!!

Summer Fun with Nieces and Nephews

Let me be upfront first, I was not present at any of the following events! Ron and I were not invited to the weekend Grandparent getaway due to our lack of children, but we can both still enjoy the pictures and the laughs as we hear the stories of their weekend together in Dallas. Last weekend Nana and PapaBear gathered the three grandkids together to attempt to take a Christmas Card Photo, and I think they came away with great pictures and good memories.

This first picture was taken at a pizza place, where the guy was teaching the three of the cousins how he does it! Taylor is 7, Carson and Matthew are both 3. They also took a trip to the bowling alley. I've never been invited to the bowling alley with Nana and PapaBear - I'm feeling a bit left out!

And this last photo is of the card Matthew sent me for my birthay, or rather sent it via my sister-in-law's blog! I can't believe I'm 30, but it has been a great year thus far! I'm looking forward to seeing what Year 30 Day 7 has instore! :)

It's time to get those weekly chores done - back to reality for the most part, but I leave again tomorrow! I hope your summer is ending well, and it's much cooler where you are! :) Happy End of Summer!

Such a busy time in life!

I had such good intentions of getting pictures posted while still in Switzerland, but it seems that the end of classes, family flying in and continuing to be in tourist mode and trying to see all that I could, did not allow for time to post, so for that I apologize! I do hope to get more pictures up soon, but I'm flying out for a wedding on Wednesday, and with school starting back next Monday, I'm doubting I'll have any time so this must do for now!

My time in Switzerland was wonderful. It was a true blessing, and I found myself tearing up as I left my close friends there. It's been amazing to see how close you can get to friends you only see for such a short amount of time, but I have made many lifetime friends, and I miss them dearly. Living in a foreign country together truly helps your form a bond faster than most, which I know some of you understand. I stand in awe looking back at how God truly blessed my experiences in Swtizerland, throughout the past year (although I know I was stressed), and last summer while in Madrid.

KK and Mom flew in that last Wednesday of my classes, were there for graduation, and we set off that next Saturday on a European Adventure. We spent two days in Boveno, Italy on Lake Maggiore, a day in France, and a few more days touring around Switzerland, which I have become quite partial to! We finally made it to Texas, just in time for me to be engulfed in the heat and humidity - which I'm still trying to adjust to.

Before I forget though, here are two pictures from graduation.
These are my closest girlfriends there - Kirsty, Carolyn (who I met first at the airport in Geneva and just started the program this summer), and Hanaa. They are the girls that made me laugh and cry and who made me do things I never would have before! Thank you girls - I miss you! So I've only been back in Texas for just over a week, and what a whirlwind. I had planned my annual birthday beach bash for quite sometime, but didn't really understand just how "busy" things could get and how bad jet lag would hit me! The day after I arrived back in Texas, I had a friend fly in, and wow - I can't tell you what a blessing that was! I can give you details about that later, but after he left, I immediately came back from the airport and met Erin and Greyson, who were waiting for me! The beach bash soon began, with friends coming in from all over, me finally getting to see Jordan after 6+ weeks, and repacking for a week down at the beach house.

To sum up this past week, I have to say that I have to use that word I so often use - I am "blessed." There isn't any other word that can describe how I feel about it. Being surrounded by friends and family, having them with me to celebrate my graduation and 30th Birthday - to be able to lounge by the pool, or inside watching a movie, eating way too much, but knowing that I have the people that love me the most there with me. Every night brought new friends down to the beach, friends from Russia, friends from college, cousins, aunts, friends from growing up in Bay City - and what is so wonderful, is that they all have become friends themselves! Someone was asking me how everyone knew each other, and I had to laugh because the only way they do know each other is through me and my crazy life experiences. They all seem to get along and laugh together, and it was wonderful to know that when jet lag hit, I could go to bed knowing that everyone was getting along! I think many of them even exchanged facebook names! LOL - you just have to love Facebook!

The annual beach trip to celebrate has been quite a tradition, that I hope to continue for many years to come. I know many of you reading this were not able to come, but hopefully you will have another chance. Marriages and Children do change things, but know that the beach house is always open for you and your families. I am truly blessed, and although my life seems to be changing with each new day, God has shown me over and over again, that I am right where he needs me to be - that I am surrounding myself with friends that love me and support me - and the start to 30 couldn't get any better!

Have a blessed week, enjoy the rest of summer, however long you have, and I will try my best to keep you updated with my life adventures! It's definitely going to be an interesting year!

All my love,

Addie