Y’all are some good prayers…{UPDATED}

Seriously. Because guess what? I have an initial interview at a local private school. Oh yes ma’am! I’m pretty dang excited considering this is the very first nibble I have had for a classroom teaching job since we moved here. Thanks for all your encouraging words and your prayers thus far. They have been definitely been felt and I am so grateful for y’all!

If you’re the praying kind, tomorrow is chock full of things that you could be praying over:

• Sweet baby Stellan is having heart surgery tomorrow. They have tried a multitude of things to break his heart out of beating too fast but to no avail. Stellan was recently airlifted from the hospital in his home state of Minnesota to one in Boston in anticipation of this surgery. It’s way more complicated than I can explain but please go here to know how you can be praying specifically.  {UPDATE: Stellan came through the SIX HOUR surgery really well and is recovering. Go here and here to read more. Their journey certainly isn’t over yet…}

• My sister, Allie, has a pretty big math exam tomorrow. It’s one of those lovely general placement tests (or in her case, is it a place out test?) that they give you just before you graduate that determines whether or not you will actually get to graduate after all. So, prayers for her to miraculously remember college level algebra around noon (eastern time) would be greatly appreciated. {UPDATE: Allie actually discovered this morning that she is a math credit short of graduating which turns out to be a bigger problem than just taking the place out test. She’ll be taking an exam on Thursday that might take care of the credit so keep praying…}

• My interview is tomorrow at 1 p.m. This is just an initial interview and as I understand it there are four other candidates that will have this opportunity as well. Not at the same time, though. That would just be awkward. And would kind of feel like I’m on some sort of teaching reality competition show a la Real World/Road Rules: THE GAUNTLET. If you could pray that I answer wisely but honestly and have a discerning eye as to the overall feel of the school, that would be great. {UPDATE: My interview went well although it was very much a beginning step- an opportunity to meet the headmaster, hear about the school’s history and tour their facilities. There are several other very qualified candidates so at this point I’ll wait to see if I am called back for a second interview. Thanks again for ALL your positive thoughts, supportive words and prayers…}

Thanks, friends! Coming tomorrow: My Fabulous Budget-Friendly Bathroom Redo… {UPDATE: Here’s a sneak peek, all will be revealed tomorrow. Um, that sounded more dramatic than it probably deserves…}

I Don't Think You Want The Recipes Right Now

Well, color me encouraged, y'all had some great things to say about my last post. It's comforting to know I'm not the first to venture into this situation. Thanks for your advice and even the suggestion of a specific church to visit. I am learning to be patient and extend grace to myself and those around me. Stay tuned...

Today I made the first rounds to collect substitute teacher applications from several private Christian schools in the area. My favorite part? I liked every single school I walked into. I mean, as far as first impressions go, these schools had it down. Kids were cheerful and polite; teachers appeared to be content and actually happy to be there; hallways and classrooms were bright and colorful; office staff and administrators were beyond helpful and encouraging. Sure, it's just a first impression but trust me, I have seen some awful schools since I left Trinity. Bitterly resentful teachers; rude and insolent students; dreary surroundings and just chaos in general. Ick.

I returned home to find Jason worse off than when I left him. You know how back in college, at the end of the semester, when you finally slowed down you'd get really sick? That's what he has. His work ethic is unreal and this week is the first time he's slowed down after a whirlwind month of wrapping things up at the old house and prepping this house as we moved in. So I have him settled on the couch with tissues, cough drops and the latest episode of "The Big Bang Theory".

{Pause to investigate noises from the kitchen...}

Ok, blog readers. Here's real life for you. I heard running water in the kitchen which meant Jason was cleaning up dinner which is clearly my job since he's sick. So I left my computer to go help him/scold him. Five minutes later we have a MAJOR leak under the sink requiring a full force clean out.

Then Jason starts puking.

Awesome.

So while I had planned to write a heartwarming post about cozying up on the couch on a cold, rainy night and the perfect meal to go with it, that will just have to wait.

You know what I've been telling myself for the last fifteen minutes? It could be worse. I could have a baby that needed looking after in the midst of all this. I mean, honestly y'all, it's all I can do at this point to keep up with the hubs and a certain freckle-faced dog.

Sigh.

Anti-Anticipation

It's Sunday night. A large number of parents and children that I know are gearing up for tomorrow- The First Day of School. We spent the weekend in Lubbock and I listened as Scout and her best friend Reese earnestly discussed First Day of School outfits and their mothers pondered where to buy the perfect shoes to match. I listened as Will eagerly told us of getting the teacher he had hoped for. I listened as mothers discussed the pros and cons of certain kids being in their own child's class this year. I watched as Will and Scout opened their First Day of School treats that I had brought for them. I have listened and read as my friends that are teaching have bemoaned in-service or have explored new curriculum to teach.

But do you know what I haven't done? I haven't created name tags for desks, wondering what funny little people will fill them. I haven't posted class rules on a classroom wall, hoping to lead with gentle and loving authority. I haven't stood at a "Meet the Teacher" night, talking with parents as they clue me in to the quirks and joys of their child. I haven't covered bulletin boards, anticipating what student crafted work will soon cover them. I haven't picked out a First Day of School outfit of my own, something that says "I'm in charge and, yet, totally cool."

I have listened. I have watched. I have read. I have been a bystander.

I miss teaching somethin' awful. I miss having a group of my own to love, to pray for, to teach, to learn along with them, to watch as they grow in knowledge and in character. So I won't go to sleep in anticipation of tomorrow's First Day of School. But I will anticipate next fall, when I might have a classroom of my own again. When I might be in a school that is almost as wonderful as this one. When I will once again have the opportunity to exercise the gifts God has given me and to pour out the tremendous love He has planted in my heart.

The Best Laid Plans

I had all these wonderful plans for today. I knew I wasn't going to be working for Mrs. Whirly, so I planned to use today as a school day. I was going to start and complete my next course for iTeachTexas. I was going to clean the bathrooms, dust and vacuum.

That was before I woke up this morning with a shooting pain in my left temple, quickly followed by nausea. Nothing like a screaming migraine to start your day, huh?

Being the Google Queen that I am, I set to work trying to find any option for calming the raging monster inside my head. My search, combined with Laura's helpful text messages, informed me that sleep, ice and caffeine were three of the best cures.

Question: doesn't it seem counter intuitive to consume large amounts of caffeine and then try to sleep? Yeah, that's what I thought.

So I've had one large travel mug of coffee, a can of Mountain Dew (tons of caffeine there, tons) two Aleve and several episodes of "Lost" and "Grey's Anatomy." This has manged to dull the pain, but only if I sit very still. And you know what's weird? Even after all that caffeine, I could still go for a nap. I guess those doctor folk know what they're talking about after all. Shucks and daggum.

P.S. Thanks for all your sweet comments about my hair! And even more thanks for sharing your haircoloring horror stories. There's healing in the sharing, folks.

The Next Step

As of last Thursday, I was officially accepted into the iTeachTexas online certification program. Finally! Not having my Texas certification (or any certification at all, for that matter) has been the bane of my existence, the thorn in my side, my bitter cup to drink...you get the picture.

The great thing about this program is that a school district can hire me and I can actually teach while I earn my certification. Which means that if I am lucky, if the Lord shines his countenance upon me and I get all my applications in, I could actually be teaching come August 25th! I'm going to apply to several different districts near and around me. This includes one that would be a two hour round trip. However, I was so impressed with the school, teachers, kids, and principal when I was doing the health education thing for Hendrick that it would be worth it.

So, it's off to create resumes and cover letters and write various essays on my views of education and its purposes.

Good summer fun, right?