This Christmas

Only 6 days left and I am done with my last semester of classes. I. am. so. ready. This semester has been crazy, and I am so looking forward to going home and spending my last Christmas as a single person with my family. Ever since we moved to our new house about 7 years ago and started going to Illinois for Christmas, my family hasn't really been into the whole Christmas decorating and tradition stuff because we're always traveling. This year, I have determined to bring back the excitement, joy, and family bonding that comes with Christmas. My family is waiting until I am done with RA stuff next Saturday to go to the Christmas tree farm and cut down the tree. This Christmas means a lot to me because it may be the last one I celebrate with my family for a while.

I want to bake cookies and cook homemade food.
I want to hang stockings and Christmas lights.
I want to blast Christmas music through the house while we decorate the tree.
I want to watch Christmas movies while bundled up close on the couch.
Most of all, I want this Christmas to be important to my little sisters. In some way, I feel like they've missed out on all of this stuff.

I want us to be a family... without having to worry about soldiers we don't know coming over. That's been the biggest interruption of our family time. My dad has a tendancy to put his job over our family time when it comes to the holidays. I want this to be just as important to them as it is to me. I want it to be special.

We'll see how things really turn out.. I suppose I shouldn't have any expectations.

I am just so ready for this semester to be over!

Thankfulness

I know it's a little late for a post about Thanksgiving, but I was without a computer while in Oklahoma. I decided not to take any homework with me at all and really take a break from school. Let me tell you, it was a wonderful decision. I truly loved the time I spent in Oklahoma with Teaven's family.

I have so much to be thankful for this holiday season, and the more I think about, the more I realize I shouldn't take just one day to continue being thankful. It's so easy to focus on the negative things, which we all know I'm excellent at.

So, here's just a small number of things I am thankful for:

1. Teaven- He's truly been the best friend I have been longing for since middle school. This boy can drive me bonkers, but I love him so much. He challenges me in a way no one can. God knew what he was doing when he brought us together so many years ago. I can't wait to start my life with him.

2. Family- This year I have realized more than ever how much my family has affected the way I view life, and honestly, I have been quite frustrated with them at times. But no matter how screwed up we all are, I love them and thank God for placing me with the family I have. I'm also thankful for Teaven's family, which I already view as my family as well. They have accepted me with open arms and loved me so deeply. I've heard so many stories about horrible in-laws, and I'm so thankful mine are great!

3. Friends- Where would I be in life without them? I'm thankful for my friends who have moved on to bigger and better things and still take the time to care about me. I love getting together with them and it seeming like we'd only been separated for a day. I'm happy they'll be the ones standing with me on my wedding day. I'm thankful for RAs. It's been a dramatic semester, and some of these girls have been the encouragement I need to push forward. I love their hearts. School friends... the girls who encourage me to do my work and complain with me about it. We can talk about anything. My classes would be so boring without them. I love friends. They laugh with me.

4. My job- I love my job... and I get so sad to think of the possibility that I may have to leave it next semester. I so enjoy the experience of working with each of the students. I love them even in their craziness.

5. School- I have learned so much during my time at UMHB...I'm sure that will be a completely new post towards graduation. lol. Even though I'm ready to move on, I wouldn't trade these four years for anything. I am thankful that God has provided me the opportunity to receive an education.

6. Be Transformed-This Bible study has been difficult at times, but I have learned so much about myself and God. I'm still learning everyday and will continue to learn. Thank you, Jesus.

Okay, that's all my thankfulness for now. I could go on and on. Tomorrow is a day filled with homework, and I'm working on being thankful for that. haha.

One of my residents told me that I should make a blog about all of my wedding plans. hah.. For now, I'll just tell you that they are coming wonderfully. We bought our rings at a great price thanks to Black Friday. We're about to book the caterer. It's funny how all of this is becoming a reality. I feel like it's just been a dream in my mind for the past year, but now I can see it, feel it, and it's getting closer and closer. That's another thing I'm thankful for.

Anyways, this has been a really long post, and if I continue, I could go on so much longer. Goodnight.

Almost There

This weekend, I found out where I am student teaching. I'll be in a middle school in Temple for the whole semester! I've started to get a little nervous and very excited. I know I will learn so much from the experience. I'm still praying I will be able to keep my job with the after-school program, but it's all up in the air at this point. I'm so ready for this semester to be over. It's so close I can taste it, but there is still so much to do.

I'm starting to enjoy the cold weather, which is really strange for me. I look forward to drinking hot coffee in coffee shops and making homemade hot cocoa. I love snuggling up under my covers and feeling the warmth they bring. The only negative part about the cold is my lack of clothing suited for this weather. I only own about 5 long-sleeve shits and one scarf. But, alas, I am enjoying it.

I'm looking forward to getting this week over with because then I will be one step closer to Thanksgiving break, and eventually, Christmas break. Praise, Jesus, for breaks.

Countdowns:

-9 days til Thanksgiving break
-24 days until my last final
-174 days until graduation
-216 days til the wedding! (almost out of the 200s!)

Halloween!

I definitely should be writing lesson plans right now, but I'll get to that in a minute.

I had a wonderful weekend. Teaven and I had our version of a "date" since we are saving money now. I brought McDonalds to his room, and we watched Back to the Future Parts 1 and 2. We watched part 3 today after church. It was my first time ever seeing them, and I liked them more than I thought I would.

Saturday was Daddy/Daughter Day. I enjoyed spending time with my dad. We had a really good turnout. Afterwards, I went to Teaven's parents house and helped the kids get dressed for the Halloween Carnival. I got to dress up too. I'm 20 years old, and this was my first time ever dressing up. Yes, ever. It was a lot of fun.

Alice in Wonderland, Queen of Hearts (though most thought I was Snow White), and the Mad Hatter

Mad Hatter, Alice, and Hannah Montana

This week is once again going to be busy, but each passing day brings me a little closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.





Lots of wedding planning has been going on around these parts. Teaven and I are about to decide on a caterer, Brooke, Robyn, and I are going dress shopping on Saturday, and Dana and I are getting ideas for decorations in a couple of weeks. I'm so excited for this day to come. :)





On to the countdowns:


- 38 days til my last final


- 188 days til graduation


- 230 days til my wedding!

Passion

I love my job. Have I stated that fact lately? I love being around the students and interacting with them. Yes, it has been very challenging. Some days I spend most of my time disciplining students and breaking up fights, but it has been such a great learning experience.

I've realized something about myself while working there and being in my last semester of classes. I'm really not that passionate about English. Sure, I love it, but I would much rather spend my time just interacting with the students, loving on them, and helping them learn and grow into better people. I don't know where this passion will lead me in the future, but I'm so thankful that Jesus knows.

For the first time EVER, I have looked into going to grad school someday. I have absolutely no idea what I would go for, but the fact that I'm actually considering it is strange to me. I don't like school. lol.

Life is challenging but amazing. I'm happy that Thanksgiving is almost in my reach.

Sweet memories

I've been meaning to update for a while now, but I just haven't had the time to get around to it.

God has been teaching me so much lately. When I have more time, I'll write all about it. It all relates back to the insecurity issues as well as learning more about the Holy Spirit (thanks, Be Transformed!). Praise Jesus that his faithfulness and love are never ceasing, and he's always there to pick me up when I've fallen.

Thursday was Teaven and my engagiversary! I can't believe that it's already been a year since he proposed. That is such a sweet memory for me, and I can't wait to marry that boy. We're at less than 8 months now! Can you believe it? We're starting to really get into more planning, and I love how involved he is. Most guys hate everything that has to do with wedding planning, but Teaven wants to be involved and help me out as much as he can. He brought me flowers Thursday night while I sat on duty. This engagement has been so great. As much as I want it to go by quickly, I wouldn't trade this time for anything.

If we ever find the time in our schedules, Robyn, Brooke and I will be shopping for bridesmaids dresses next month. I'm so excited about it because I'll be able to spend time with two very dear friends.

Continuing the countdowns:

- 30 days til Thanksgiving break
- 45 days til my last final
- 195 days til graduation
- 237 days til my wedding!!

Back to life

I realized that I haven't updated you all about my job. I love it! I love being around kids, helping them with their homework, listening to their crazy stories, playing hang man with spelling words. It's such a good feeling to know that I love my job. I have been reassured that this is the path God is leading me down, and I no longer need to doubt God's plans for my life. It's such a good feeling to want to go to work. Now, there are some days where I would rather be doing something else, but for now, my job is like my escape from the day. For 3 hours, I don't have to focus on anything other than my job.

I went to New Mexico this weekend and had such a fun time! I love being able to take a mini vacation with all of my friends. It was nice to hang out with them since I don't get to see them very often anymore. The balloons were amazing! There were so many different shapes.

Now, once again it's back to life, back to reality.

-57 days until my last final
-207 days til graduation
-249 days til my wedding!

Everything is getting so close!