Well Hello, only 6 months later...

It is crazy to think that just over six months ago, I was still planning my wedding. I had just gotten a job...at a bank. I was going through crazy changes and little did I know, there were still more to come. As we approach 2o11, it is fun for me to look at the things that I have accomplished in 2010 and look toward my goals and ambitions for the next year of my life.

In the past year, I have...

Rang in 2010 with an amazing Alternative Breaks group in Indy, working with the East 10th Children and Youth Center and focused on Urban Poverty


Started student teaching, thus falling in love with a group of Saginaw 4th graders


Finished student teaching

Graduated!!! Summa cum Laude. Certified teacher. 4 years and 150 credits later.


Married my best friend and love of my life...(and finally got to do what married people do...shhhh...)



Honeymooned in Mexico...such fun!




Started my bank job then quit my bank job 2 months later to start a long-term sub job which I quit to start my first real teaching job at the beginning of November.

And we moved to a new place somewhere in between all those job changes...just for kicks! Haha. But really, we are saving some money by moving here. Unfortunately, my new job is a bit of a drive. We'll see what happens closer to our lease being up and go from there.

So there you have it...my life in a nutshell. A crazy year full of beautiful changes. Being married is my current favorite thing ever! Richard has been the most supportive, loving, and wonderful husband a woman could ask for, especially in the midst of all these changes. He makes me laugh. ALL THE TIME! He's hilarious. And living with him is wonderful. We are now 6 months into our marriage with a lifetime of learning to go. We have settled in and are becoming adjusted to our new roles as husband and wife.

And now, I am working hard at becoming adjusted to my new role as third grade teacher. I have quite the crew in my room (28 little lovelies!) and it was not the most ideal situation to come into as a brand new teacher. The thing is, though, when all is said and done and the bell rings at 2:46 each day, I know that I am growing on them. I know some of them have fallen in love with me as much as I have fallen in love with each and every one of them. We learn together, we struggle to find our sense of community together, and sometimes, on those very best days, we have fun together. Like at our Christmas party, when sweet sweet LQ.S. told me "This is the best holiday party EVER!", I feel fulfilled. I know that I am creating memories for these kids, some of whom need them more than I can imagine. And because of that, I smile and I cry and I laugh and I pray.

Can't wait to give Richard the best Christmas of his life and to see what the New Year brings for us as a couple and as individuals.

Merry Christmas to you all!