With a Bang

This year began with a bang....and I have had moments when I was sure a do-over was not an unreasonable request! Let me sum up our January:

We began the month with Steve sick. He came down with strep throat and bronchitis, after a few trips to the doctor, lots of medications, and two weeks later, he was back to himself (reasonably anyway). Then my turn came. I got a sinus infection that I just could not beat and once that moved into my chest, I knew a doctor's visit was in my future too. I ended up with a sinus infection and bronchitis, lots of meds, and two weeks down with a few setbacks here and there. So I was nursing a sick husband, trying to balance school work and then I got sick; threw that balance right out of whack!

I ended up withdrawing from a class (something I have never done before) so I could get the other two up to speed. This has been a tough term, and I am not sure why. (Might be my really demanding math methods instructor!) My work load has been almost more than I could bear....and in crunch time now. Next quarter, I am only taking one class: middle school math methods, which should be so easy next to this quarter. (two more to go after that)

February is here....the groundhog was right, we definitely have more winter-snow to be exact. We haven't seen snow here in quite some time, and the last time we had snow coverage was back in 2001. It was such an amazing thing to wake up to this blanket of white. It is just beautiful, but cold....and we don't do cold down here! I am reaching to find winter clothes I can wear out and not be freezing! It would be even more perfect if....Caitlyn wasn't in the hospital. She has been sick all week, and yesterday we were really worried about her. We had had trouble getting any fluid down here all week, and yesterday nothing. She wanted to sleep all day, but coughed and coughed and coughed. She ended up being admitted last night for pneumonia. She is one unhappy camper. She has an oxygen line taped to her face and an IV in her arm. Miserable doesn't even begin to describe how she looks and apparently feels. Sadly....her first snow and she can't even get out in it.

Steve was concerned about our house. We aren't built for this weather, and snow is heavy. So far so good, but it is still snowing. We of course took lots of pictures which we will share shortly.

A few positive notes....our den floor is in. We had hoped to be done with the den but sickness and weather holding is us up. We are in the process of putting up wainscoting (sp?) which is requiring us to stain, measure, and install. That was a last minute decision, but it is a den, and I wanted to protect the walls, and NOT be painting all the time. I am pretty pleased with the color and texture of the room. The walls are an off yellow with a little bit of texture. The floor is our original living room floor, dark 6 inch. wood look vinyl planks. They are in on an angle (gluing those down was quite an adventure-that was the stickiest adhesive we have worked with). Would be nice if we could finish up in there this week, but snow makes it a little rough to stain and polyurethane!

Another positive....I have an interview for a teaching position. My advisor had just asked me if I was going to go student teaching or intern. I told her I had no idea. I had such mixed emotions about trying to work and finish school. The MAT is tough, and although lots of people do that, I am sure they are not rebuilding a house too! My friend, Ellen, at Sylvan mentioned it to me, and it sounded like a position that might really be a good one for me. I thought, well, I need to at least call and see what happens, so I did. I sent my application package in Wed. and got a call yesterday about interviewing for it. I was very excited. It is a little bit of a commute, and I am sure if I get the position, I will have some stressful moments (being as I am finishing up a year in someone else's shoes), but know my heart is ready to step out. I have been reading the GLE's and thinking about ways to accomplish this (through God's grace and in His provision) in a way that maximizes my time with these students' and encourages their success.

Steve and I so want to be where God wants us to be, doing what He wants. My prayer has been just that, so if this is the right place, He will let me know. Steve has been teasing me though, said when I go back to work, he is going to quit! :) (right). He wouldn't know what to do with himself!

Well...that is the update....and I have to get going.