Ha ha ha, since I have received requests (some subtle and some less than) I will let you guys in on the dirt.

But first thing, first: Work.

Ya, I kind of work with a bunch of babies right now. Just a bunch of adults acting younger than the students they teach because the school district has said we have to teach something new. Who would of thought that change could have such a dramatic effect?

Lets just say I'm sick of the whining and will be eternally greatful for weekends and hopefully the day that my colleagues get over their angst and just do their dang jobs.

But I love my  kids.

I have a handful that have struck my heart already. I co-teach a block with one of the special ed teachers and so we have a high concentration of kiddos with reading issues and learning disabilities. I was really worried about having behavior issues but that class is by far the best behaved and a great blessing to me. Every time I think my fellow teachers will drive me out, those dang kids suck me right back in. Dispite all the drama I do love my job.

And then of course, there is the wedding planning.

Now I don't really know what much else to say (or what I have already said, for that matter.)

... when my phone rings. This is weird, because it just doesn't do that all that often. I didn't know the 303 number but answered anyways which is something I also don't do often. But the man asked for me, told me he was the new principal at Golden High School and then offered me the current science teacher position.

I accepted. And report on August 17th.

Then end.

(Yaaayyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woo hoooooooo!!!!!!!! Praise God!!!!!!!)

So, Im waiting to hear about this teaching job but in the mean time I was supposed to go back to Old Navy to make some money to survive the summer.

Ya, that didn't happen. Lets just say my boss was a complete witch and so I quit my first job, ever. And then cried because she made me feel bad. Stupid.

But then I walked over to Maurices because the store is wonderful and makes me feel better every time. And I filled out a job application. And got hired as an associate. For more money then I was making at yucky Old Shnavy. Yay!

That was three weeks ago and I LOVE the new job. I work with all these precious ladies who all love the Lord and are the nicest people you will ever probably meet. Its pretty great.

But then two days ago I got promoted. Thats right. Three weeks and I was offered full time and a $3/hour raise.

God is seriously so good.

So I get paid to look cute and help other people look cute. And then if I get the Golden job, I will have a stellar teacher wardrobe. And if I don't get the Golden job, I have a full time postion to help me make ends meet. And to pay for a wedding.

Life is so good!

My lovely ladies, I must start out by saying I miss you all terribly. I have gotten into quite the anti-social rut lately but I could use some good girl time. But alas, every time I read Em's blog or look at a new photo shoot of Maren's I just miss you all more and more.

But yes, I suppose I can update you all about my life a little. I finished up school last week which was pretty great. High school students get really nice on the last couple days of school and I just felt super blessed as I packed up my desk and said good-byes. I just kept saying I would be back because I am hoping against all hope that I can work there again next August.

I found out on the last day of school that the old AP who was in DC got the vacant principal job. Which is the first step of many. I know the guy I filled in for who took the AP's job is applying for the now vacant assistant principal job but so are about a million other people in the Denver-Metro area. If he gets it (and I will know around the beginning of July) then I can apply for the now vacant science teacher position with another million or so people in the Denver-Metro area. I know that I will at least get an interview since I was there this past semester and really I can't ask for anything more than that. So I am looking at a final yes or no come the beginning of August and then reporting to school on the 17th if I get the job. So much for summer planning. But you know what, I am not going to complain. I want this teacher job SOOOOO bad. But God knows best so we will see.

In the mean time, I am ditching Old Navy for the upscale fashions of Maurice's. I just found out yesterday that I got the part-time retail job and a pay increase. So suck it, Old Navy. I'm going in today or tomorrow to let them know. I couldn't be more happy to have a new job. The newness (not to mention the great discount at my favorite place to shop) is enough to get me through this summer and now I have a backup if teaching at Golden doesn't work out. Retail is not how I want to spend the rest of my life but its a paycheck and I do have a wedding to pay for.

Speaking of, you girls want some wedding details? So so far we have a few things figured out. Our ceremony (which will hopefully be at a small amphitheater in a park in Loveland) is going to be a mix of casual and formal. We are walking in and out to contemporary acoustic music as apposed to wedding marches or anything involving a string quartet. We want a relaxed, comfortable feel to the ceremony. My bridesmaids are most likely going to be in little black dresses and then have red shoes and I'm think something red like a ribbon or flower in their hair. The groomsmen are in black suits and pants, black shirts, and red vest and tie. Lets not really get into the fact that it will be the  middle of June and the men will probably be sweating through all this black but whatev. The bouquets are going to incorporate more yellows and oranges along with more red to complete our wedding colors. Fire colors... its going to be hot. But we will be surrounded by water at this ampitheater so it will kinda be cool.

The reception will be at that ballroom in Loveland. Eric's family has offered to take care of food so we are gong to have Italian food, either homemade or catered (still deciding). And of course cake. And of course of course some fermented drinks. After all the usual wedding stuff like the first dance and cake cutting, that place is going to turn into one heck of a party. Seriously ladies, bring your dancing shoes (or just go barefoot with me) because Eric and I really want to celebrate with the people we love until they kick us out at 12. We are hoping to book this DJ that works through the reception hall. We heard a little something from him when we went in to sign the contract when another event was going on. The bass was rattling my heart and he was mixing some sweet tunes. If we book him its going to feel like a club. My grandma may not be so excited but I figured come 10pm its going to be mostly a young crowd anyways so we will make sure that dance floor gets some use.

I'm pretty excited about it all. I have tons more to plan and figure out like really cheap center pieces and DIY invitations but I think its going to be fun. Shopping for my dress is coming  up here probably in August or so and I am totally pumped about that.

But ya, that's been my life. I am also playing slow pitch softball two nights a week on two different co-ed teams and that's been fun. I also start coaching a 13-15 year old girls softball team this week with my future sister-in-law. I'm pretty excited. Things are about to get crazy busy so I guess I better hold on tight.

Love and miss you all and I hope you are all doing fabulously!!

Ya, I know. You might have assumed that, with my apparent lack of blogging time, that I might have met my demise but nay, I have not. Oh gosh, I just typed "nay." It must be the last couple weeks of May.

That rhymed.

But yes, as I am sure you can tell, I may be slowly losing my mind. School is crazy and dramatic. The students all think that sunny weather and the sleeping in that is on the horizon means they don't have to try, or study, or show effort of any kind. So obnoxious. I mean, we were never that bad, right Mar? (Shh Emilia, don't mention the Fazoli runs or about 90% of AP physics. Or economics. Or senior year at all, really.) I maintain that I was a stellar student from day one until I donned the cap and gown.

Ok, I'm a liar. Whatever.

But my students aren't even the most dramatic. You get a bunch of educators in one staff meeting and its like a bunch of time bombs. All it takes are a couple words like "budget cuts" or "new state standards" or "3% decrease in pay" and I swear that WWIII might just erupt in the library. Its even more obnoxious then the students' apathy. Luckily, I do seem to be surviving thanks to the armor of naivete I seem to be wearing. I don't care about the 3% decrease in pay because a teaching contract would bring in more money then I have ever received, even with a 3% decrease. And budget cuts? Please. Bring it on. And new state standards? Well they don't scare me. It all comes with a job and I just really want a job.

Speaking of jobs, I don't have one after June 1st. Scary. I have a few applications out but no one is hiring. Thompson school district just fired all first and second year teachers in the entire district at the secondary level. I don't exactly think they are going to be hiring any new inexperienced teachers anytime soon. The other districts in the area are all in the same boat. As for my current position, there is so much turmoil at the administrative level that its going to take months to straiten out that ball of yarn. If it does work out like most people want it to, I may have a possible job there in August. Basically, the principal is retiring and as everyone rolls around down in the main office, the science teacher position may open up. Its still a long shot for me to step back into that job when there are so many people out looking for jobs right now but you never know.

I don't really have a plan right now. But I am confident that it will all work out. Its just a bit of a waiting game right now as school districts get their acts together. I think positions will open up in July. So maybe I will catch a bit of a break. Who knows. God is good and it will all be fine.

But on to better news: Mark your calendars, ladies. June 16th, 2012 I am shedding the last name and adding Clark. Buy something hot to wear and bring the heels and drink of choice (in a classy flask, of course) because we are going to CELEBRATE! Eric and I have a reception site in Loveland called the Garden Room. It is in a warehouse turned ballroom and its way nice. We will most likely have the ceremony outside, maybe at the Foote Lagoon in Loveland but we can't book that place until December. Regardless, we are making some progress on the wedding planning. Its tons of fun. Eric, who at first gave me the typical "its your big day so just tell me what to wear and when to be there", has quickly forgotten that approach and voiced more opinions. Which I think is awesome. We are brewing up some fun ideas so it should be a good time.

Outside of that, things are typical. School takes up a lot of time but I really love those winy, apathetic and sometime pathetic high school kiddos. I'm super blessed to have the job, to be planning my wedding to my soul mate, and to have a God as great as I do.

Life is good so I can't complain.

Love you, Ladies! Take care!

So I'm engaged.

ENGAGED!

Ahh! It didn't seem real for days. Then it did for like an hour. And now it feels like old news. Funny how that works. But for my girls I will relive the excitement and give you the scoop.

So Friday (one week ago) was Eric's and mine one year anniversary. We decided to make gifts instead of buying them so I decided to make him a scavenger hunt with pictures that were clues as to where he could find the next letter and clues. There were 7 stops each with a letter about something special. Uh ya, you can say it, I'm one good girlfriend. (Fiancee now but I wasn't then... yet...) But I basically commandeered the night. So Eric waited until Saturday. We both had some work to do but then he invited me over for a walk. We went to North Lake Park in Loveland and eventually ended up in a grassy clearing. I had been giving him crap because he was texting and looking around the whole time but eventually he put the phone away. It went into his pocket one last time and he step up in front of me. He got quiet for a second and just looked at me and then said "This was a decoy."

And my response: "What?" with a very confused look on my face.

Before I could figure out anything else, he simply said that he loves more than anything and wants to spin the rest of his life with me and then I noticed he was on his knee. My hands went strait to the sides of my head as I realized what was happening. He asked me to marry him and I then clasped them beneath my chin and answered "Yes."

He put the most perfect ring on my finger and then stood up and kissed me. I was startled by screaming coming from the bushes near by and our best friends (who are engaged, wedding in Jan) came whooping and hollering over to us wielding a camera with a very large zoom lens. The whole thing is documented in pictures. So awesome.

So that is it really. We headed back home and then made some important phone calls to family. We ended up calling my Dad that night and telling him about it. That was interesting because I have never heard my dad be so quiet. I didn't know how to take it but I think he was just in shock. Its hard when your little girl tells you she is getting married and its even harder when she is the first of your children to go through that. He did give Eric his blessing, though, and that meant more to us than anything.

So ya, there ya go. We are thinking June 2012, mid month. Maybe the 23rd but I will let you know when we get the date. That's really all we know right now. Its a long time until then so I am in no rush.

And of course, I will keep you all in the loop about it all.

So ya, there it is. :) Couldn't be happier.

I will add pics of the whole thing and the ring here soon.

Love and miss you all!!

Well, its Spring Break. And I must say, I have never needed a break more in my entire life.

Don't get me wrong. I am still enjoying my job more than any working woman should. The kids have discovered that I am a total pushover (surprise, surprise!) which has made things a little tough but in a way things are more fun. My colleagues are still just as wonderful. I can't express my thankfulness for their help, support, and wisdom. It really has been an incredibly wonderful experience.

But nonetheless, praise God for Spring Break.

And to kick off the week, I got called for Jury Duty. I was supposed to report for duty this morning but I called and they didn't pull my number. I would have raged liked I have never raged before if that was how I had to spend my spring break. I dodged a bullet there.

Ironically, most of my spring break will be spent at Old Navy. I need to work a shift so that I can keep the job as a back up for the summer but when I said I have open availability, the new Boss Lady took that as "Oh, the overworked new teacher doesn't need a spring break at all. I will give her 30+ hours and no days off. Perfect." Oh yes, I had a chat with her yesterday. And yes, I will still be working 30 hours this week. (pushover, remember?) Yay for spring break. I mean, seriously. I have students who are enjoying the 24 hour ice cream machine on their Caribbean cruise right now. And another student who is slowly baking to death pool side in Vegas. And another who I am sure is scuba diving his little heart out in the British Virgin Islands. And I am folding clothes and fighting customers who just can't see to squeeze their hips into the single digit size and have decided the best route is to take it out on me. Greeeaaat.

Wow, that came out a bit bitter.

So let me end it with this. Despite the downsides, I am so excited to spend the week hanging out with my incredible boyfriend. We are gong to opening weekend for the rockies on Sunday, and we have mentioned a picnic and a trip up to Estes maybe. I know I don't talk about him so much on here but I hope all you important ladies know that I have never been happier or felt more blessed. It has been really cool because Eric and I have been going to church together. That seems to open up so many doors for great God-centered conversations and it has been really cool to learn alongside each other. So cool. I am very blessed.

So, yeah. There is some light in this dark tunnel that is my Spring Break Ruined by Old Navy. Ha ha. It will all be just fine. More money in my pocket has never been a bad thing.

Ya, its a good thing. Right. :)

I haven't posted in a long time, mostly because I knew I would see all the people that read this blog at the recent wedding shenanigans. (And oh how lovely it was to spend time with you ladies!!) But since I like to sometimes flatter myself and allow my mind to wander to the near future where my blog is increasingly witty and popular and enjoyed by millions, I will write to my admiring readers who wait so impatiently, in such anguish, for my next blog.

Ya, I'm kidding.

But for reals. I just thought I would include some things I am learning while molding the minds of the future:

1. CSAPs suck. For sure. But its kind of nice when you can split up the test proctoring so you can get a little extra grading and planning done. I didn't take any grading home these last two weeks. Awesome!

2. Students are awful during CSAP time. So while it is nice to have some extra planning time, it is SOOO wonderful to be done with it so the kids can stop using it as an excuse to be lazy and obnoxious.

3. Pay days have never felt so sweet. :) Enough said.

4. I have found the cure to Facebook addiction: get a life. (If you are still addicted to facebook, please don't take that personal. But someday, maybe you too can break the addiction. Baby steps, my friend. Baby steps.)

5. Speaking of facebook, apparently when you teach high schoolers and are the cool, new, young, hip teacher (their words, not mine...) that also means you are the hot new thing to friend on facebook. Sorry kiddos. Not going to happen.

6. High schoolers are babies with adult problems. It's heart breaking and so sad sometimes but it makes me all the more determined to be there for these kids and make sure my classroom is a safe place for them.

7. Nothing says "Bad Day" like a broken copier, broken scantron machine, and laptop on the fritz. Technology is great when it works and a curse when it doesn't.

I guess that's all. I mean, I obviously have about a zillion more things I could write but the wit is running low. So I guess that brings me to the last one: being a teacher is TIRING! Wonderful, but tiring.

Ha ha, love you guys! Thanks for reading!!

I know teaching isn't all about teaching. Its way more about learning. But sometimes the lesson hurts a little.

So, let me put this simply. I had my key during passing period before 4th and when I went to clear out of the classroom after 5th my heart plummeted as I couldn't find my key. This key not only gets me into the classrooms I teach in but every door in the science wing including the storerooms where the chemicals are kept. Now I didn't panic because I assumed I left it in the staff bathroom and so I preceded to do a little detective work. After checking with teachers and even giving it three days to surface, my key was still no where to be found. My optimism was officially dead and so I went to tell my principal of my irresponsibility. I walked away from that conversation with tears in my eyes and that same shame that you get when you realize you disappointed Daddy. It was awful. After a few tears I pulled myself together and taught some kids about air pressure.

After school on Thursday I was in the Science office and a key appeared before my face. And not just any key, but MY KEY! The head science teacher was given the key by the principal who got it from an English teacher. The relief was so overwhelming it hurt a little. Hurt so good.

So as it turns out, some girl found the key in her back pack, gave it to her English teacher and told the teacher she had no idea what they were or how they got there. Sounds like some sneaky little freshman likes to play games. Monday morning's to-do-list includes further investigation. I will report back to you when I know more.

So the good feeling of having my key back kept me in high spirits. My fellow teachers were also feeling good enough to make a two foot long replica of my key out of cardboard, affix it to a lanyard, and stick it on my desk. In marker it says "If found, please return to Larissa Harder." And lets just say I have heard every play on words that include keys or unlocking doors. Its a good think I like the people I work with or else I would retaliate.

Ya, Miss H learned a thing or two about a thing or two this week. Let me list them for you:
     1. Don't trust high schoolers. They are sneaky.
     2. Don't disappoint your principal. It may mean your job. Or running mascara.
     3. Science teachers in general have good senses of humor. And they are obnoxious.
     4. Despite the drama, I still really love my job and high schoolers in general.

There ya go. Life in TeacherLand is anything but boring. And I sure am learning a lot!

Ya, so apparently Ms Harder is just too much for most kids to either remember or handle. I mean, I know what an extra syllable does to kids these days. But to tell you the truth, I think Miss H is kinda cute.

And besides, I freaking love teaching high school. I mean, the kids are ornerier and unfortunately their parents have also learned to work the system a little more but on a day to day basis, I think its great.

My freshman are really fun and for the most part, they know their stuff. My sophmores are great too. While a majority of them act like 7 year olds, they bring a little spice to my life.  My colleagues are wonderful and have been huge helps to me. They all seem so willing to walk along side me a help me out when I need it.

And then to top it all off, my first full week at school gets cut short by a snow day. Frigid temperatures never felt so good.

I love my job! :)

So, I was supposed to start teaching earth science at the high school next Monday. Turns out the assistant principal who was leaving for Iraq wasn't leaving at all for a while and they were still sorting out a lot of things. He found out this week he is now leaving on a different assignment. He leaves this weekend which means I start tomorrow.

Yup, that's right. Tomorrow.

Oh. My. Word.

So, pray for me. Because I have no idea whats going on. All I know is I am showing up at 6:30 tomorrow and shadowing for the day. On Thursday, the class is mine.

Im not scared. Or really all that nervous. I am excited but worried about finances. I was supposed to work at Old Navy tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday but I had to get those shifts covered. That pay check was supposed to pay my bills in Feburary while I have a lag time with pay checks. The way it works out, I teach all through Feburary but I don't get paid until the last working day of the month. So I have to figure out where gas and bill money comes from for the month. Its going to be crazy tight and stressful but I am REALLY looking forward to that first paycheck that will be worth more then I lived off of for two or three monthes here lately. I know God will provide and He will make a way. I just hope I can continue to trust and find that path.

So ya, my alarm will be going off at 4:30 in the morning and while it wont be music to my ears exactly, it will be the sound of a new beginning.

So ya, pray for me. :)

Ya, not really in the wings... it just felt right to say that. :)

But the point is, I am waiting. I will start that subbing job here on the 31st of January and until then I find myself often slipping into a daydream of sorts where I am stressed to the max and yelling at hormonal, sassy, difficult high schoolers. I usually snap back to reality, shudder a little, and move on. But I really am a little nervous for what this semester has in store for me. I feel like I am about to be taken through the ringer.

And you know what? While that frightens the pants right off me, it also makes me excited. I don't know what God is doing with me right now. To be honest, we are in this little land of limbo and I'm not sure what to do with it. But because of certain situations, and to be totally honest, financial stressors, I can't stray too far from the Lord. I can't. I am just too dependent on Him. And I am just overcome with thankfulness just about daily for His provision and love and most of all mercy. Even in these rough patches in my faith, when I have very little reason to burry my head in the shoulder of the Lord, I still feel Him walking beside me, guiding me, providing for me, loving me more than anything imaginable. What a crazy, crazy God.

And so while I sit in this waiting room, waiting for everything to hit the fan, I can't help but stand firm in the fact that no matter what comes my way, God is with me. He is my strength, my rock, my light. I praise Him for his provisions and guidance.

And so with that said, I say, "Bring it on, high schoolers. Bring. It. On!"

Yup, thats right. You are now looking at (or rather the blog of) the newest high school science teacher.

Yup, its official, I sweet talked my way into my first big girl job and I feel great.

Now its time to shop for big girl teacher clothes. Yay!

So its official, I am no longer a student teacher.

Today was my last day at school with the kids and it was bitter-sweet as I am sure you expected. I spent the week out on field trips with a group of kids where we went to each of the six elementary schools that feed into the middle school to get students pumped about science and going to our middle school instead of the other one in town. Basically, I sat back and watched as kids did several different science experiments that they found or came up with and had been practicing all semester. The kids did awesome and it was fun to see them interact with the fifth and sixth graders that we hung out with. I wont mention the desk we burned a whole in, the rooms we filled with smoke and the smell of fried pickles, or the tables we stained with iodine. Ya, some interesting stories there but I will say this, I did everything in my power to prevent the previously listed damages and will simply say, "Ya, that's science for ya..."

It was a great week to be in the school a bit but not really in the classroom. I think it helped the kids transition out and back to their normal teacher. But today I was back with them. We spent each period listening to a few students present on their science experiments that they designed as part of a big at-home project and then we stuffed our faces with cake, cookies, dounts, pop, and other less-than-healthy items that they students bought and made for me. Its not like I really need a good reason to indulge but I will admit, all I wanted for dinner tonight was a salad. With as little calories, sugar, and fat as absolutely possible. I think I hit my sugar quota for the decade. It was AWESOME.

The food was great but getting to say goodbye and spend on last day with my students was good. I received a couple of cards and even a couple gifts and the students were very sweet today. I felt very appreciated and while that isn't why I am doing what I am doing, it sure feels good to have students react that way. I told my teacher about the cards and she told me to make sure I put them in my "Happy Box." She showed me her box, which is pink with little white polka dots, that has all the letters she has received from students, staff members, and parents that are encouraging that sit in the box and wait for the enevitable day when the walls come crashing down and she needs a reminder as to why she chose this rediculous profession in the first place. Don't worry. I have already begun forming ideas for my own "Happy Box." I have a feeling I will need those reminders too.

As for the future, it sounds like I will again be blessed with much more than I deserve. I haven't heard anything officially but my supervisor told me a little bird told her that the people at the high school that I interviewed with were very impressed with me. It sounds like things are moving in the right direction for me to take the science position over there in Feburary just as long as all the financial issues get ironed out and such. I will be sure to let you all know if I hear of anything final but in the mean time, its back to folding shirts at Old Navy. I wish I could say I was excited but I will settle for the fact that I am looking forward to having a paycheck again with so much enthusiasm it may kill me and I am incredibly thankful to have a job to go back to there. My bosses have been incredible to me so while going back is a little tough, I am very appreciative to even have a job.

So ya, its hard to put into words what it feels like to be ending such a monumental chapter in my life. Maybe it hasn't quite sunk in yet but I don't feel any different. Perhaps in a few days when  I am not waking up when it feels (and looks) like the middle to the night to shower and commute to school I will finally start to feel like I accomplished something great, like surviving... and making it look good. Until then, I am just winding down from the student induced sugar rush from today.

So if you havent yet, go grab a healthy salad and a slice of something sweet. Oh come on, think of it as a little celebration with me! I will keep ya posted on things so stay tuned.

Take care!

So, now that Thanksgiving is over (well, sorta over... the leftovers are haunting me...) it's now time for the marvelous Christmas season. I love Christmas time: the lights, the snow, the family traditions. So great.

Christmas has always had a little bit of a downside, though, because the cold weather is just such the prime time for cuddling and I always felt that, while I always had so much love around me, I felt like I was missing something. And this Christmas season, I have someone to spend it with and I couldn't be more excited to experience it with someone. And not just someone, but the Love of My Life.

I spent Thanksgiving with Eric's family this past Thursday because my family dinners aren't the same when my brothers are on opposite ends of the country. It was fun to spend time with his family and I felt like I was one of them. Its like I snuggle right in to my little niche in his family and it makes me feel so... good. I even made pie... delicious pie and I think that helped seal the deal. :)

And then this evening I talked holiday traditions with Eric's mom Peggy and it just made me so excited for all this month has to offer. My expectations are high but in a good way. I am eager and loving every minute of it.

But before I can get to the good stuff, I have to survive two more weeks of school. It seems so crazy to be so far in but I think the rest might kill me. Ok, no, its not nearly that bad. It will definitely be bitter-sweet to be done because I will miss my kids and teacher a whole lot but I think I will just have to visit if I can.

I know this post seems a little pointless but whatev. Get over it. :)

Ya, that's all.

I know its cliche because everyone is always soooo thankful on Thanksgiving but I have begun to realize how incredible life is. I have so much to be thankful for and I am complaining about how tough and how annoying certain things are way to much lately. So here is my little "Thankfulness Rant."

First and foremost, I have learned in the past couple of monthes that I have the coolest family. Living at home again may not be ideal but it is so nice to see my mom and talk with her. My little sister and I get to hang out too and being in her life right now as she navigates high school is pretty dang cool. I haven't gotten to see my dad or my family in Idaho and I miss them and my brothers like crazy but I am still so thankful for such a supportive and incredible family.

I am thankful for love... for being accepted and wanted and for the most incredible 7 and a half months of my life. Eric makes me so happy and I my life has just so much more joy in it. And I am certain this is just the beginning of it all; I can't wait for everything that the future holds for the two of us.

And then there is my teaching stuff. I am so thankful for the most incredible placement in my student teaching and I have been so blessed by all the staff that I work with. And I am so thankful for the opportunity to apply for a job in the spring. I know that there are pros and cons to getting the job and I am so thankful for the peace that comes with knowing that no matter what happens, I will be just fine. God has provided this semester and I know He will continue to provide.

Gosh, I just have so much to be thankful for and not just today when it surrounds me but everyday. I am so blessed and I just can't forget that.

I hope today you bask in your cliche thankfullness... and that you are just as thankful tomorrow.

And the day after that...

And the day after that...

And the day after that...

Well hello there.

So, an update: I went in for that interview last Monday and it went fabulously. I was honest, and open, and myself. I was able to share my learnings from student teaching and share my passion and strengths. I was also able to ask some questions about the school and the staff as well as the position itself.

The interview started at three and I didn't leave until almost 5. It was long but time went so fast. I walked out out of the interview feeling very satisfied as to how it all went and I was invited back to observe and hang out with the science department for the day.

There are at least two other candidates that are under consideration and I don't have any experience in a High School classroom so the odds of me getting this postition are slim but it was great practice to go through the interview and then get to spend time up at the high school observing. It has been encouraging and exciting so we will see what happens.

Tomorrow I am heading to the high school to spend the day observing different teachers. It should be a great opportunity check out the vibe at a high school and pick up on some tricks that these teachers use in their classroom.

Again, I will let you know how that goes.

Pray pray pray.

Thanks thanks thanks. :)

So I have spent the last 10 days teaching my main unit for the semester. I have been spewing the law of conservation of mass upon my kids and they were tested on Friday to see how much of that information they retained. I'll let you know how well that does.

But essentially, I have spent a great deal of my free time planning, writing up lesson plans, grading, or thinking about what's next. Its been a little rough to say the least.

And now, the real work starts. I have to have my Action Research Project and my STEL (proof that I know how to teach) done here in two weeks and counting. I have so much stuff to do.

So if you think about it, pray for me. I have to survive this to be a teacher. I need all the help I can get.

And also, I have a meeting with a principal for a potential job in January. I need to pick out an outfit that says I am mature but hip and I am in control but willing to learn. And then there is the interview itself. I'll update you later about how it goes.

Fingers crossed!

Halloween makes me want to have kids.

Being a teacher makes me want to sterilize myself.

Conundrum.

Ya, that's all.

Could it be? Is it really possible? I just may be a real teacher someday... and sooner than I ever thought.

I found out this week that through a meeting with the high school in the articulation area that my name has been thrown into the hat for a long term sub position for the biology teacher at a high school in the area. Ya, that's right.

It sounds like the position is a full semester position for a teacher who teaches mostly biology and one section of marine biology. That's a little different then my 8th grade physical science and will be a pretty big adjustment from middle school to high school but an interesting possibility nonetheless.

Now nothing is for certain in any way and there are other candidates for the job but some of my cooperating teachers were approached by the science chair-person at the school who said I had caught her eye.

This just fell into my lap and that's crazy exciting. Not only is it a potential opportunity for job experience... but its a paycheck!!! :)

Just a crazy thought that God could have such a wonderful plan that doesn't require me to wait it out and hope the job market gets better. He certainly is soooo good to me.

But again, nothing is for certain. Whether or not I take the job, it will be a great experience for me to go through the process for applying for the position.

If you think about, send up a prayer for me. My prayer is that this would all be according to His will. I don't want the position if I am not a good fit so I just pray for wisdom for me as I go through the process and discernment for those who are doing the hiring for the position; I don't want the job unless I am qualified and the best fit for it.

And in the meanwhile, I just pray I can grow where I am planted and impact my students the best I can.

Thanks for reading, friends!!