Each December, I sit down to ponder what bits of news to share with friends and family in our annual Christmas card. A year is a lot to summarize, but I think I've addressed the big things.
Dear Friends and Family,
Merry Christmas! We hope this letter finds you enjoying the peace of sitting in front of your fireplace, the love of friends and family, and the joy of knowing that there is a God that loves us more than anything in the world.
This has been a year of change for both of us. In April, we learned that Chris was being sent to pastor a small church in Rectortown, Virginia, which is about two hours north of Richmond. Though we were excited about this new opportunity and adventure, we certainly were going to miss Richmond.
We really felt like God was calling us to this area for several reasons. I was offered a job at a nearby elementary school teaching third grade. Perfect, I thought, that’s what I had been teaching for the past four years. Secondly, my master’s program, which had been cancelled in Richmond, was going to be offered nearby starting in the fall. Finally, the congregation of Rectortown United Methodist Church welcomed us so warmly; we felt loved as soon as we moved in.
There have been some bumps along the way as we try to adjust to this new pace and lifestyle. As with any major life change, there are always some growing pains. What would the year have been without these opportunities to grow and stretch in new ways??
We hope that you, too, have had some adventures this past year, as well as a chance to reflect and grow. May God bless you and your family during 2007.
12.17.2006
11.19.2006
Sucked In
I've started to watch the highly acclaimed hit TV show Grey's Anatomy this fall, and I absolutely love it. I don't know what exactly it is that has sucked me in each Thursday night, but it's got me good.
Maybe it's because the characters are so endearing...they're people I'd like to know in real life. Maybe I'm yearning for new friendships and this is the closest I've gotten since moving to the tiny little town of Marshall, Virginia. Maybe it provides me with a sneak preview of a life I'll never have (and not necessarily ever want). It could be my way of unwinding each Thursday night as my work week nears the end. Maybe it's just a well written drama. And finally, maybe it's because there are millions of other Americans watching it, and I don't want to be one of the few that isn't (though normally I don't fall for that).
Give it a try if you haven't already. After you've stuffed your belly with turkey and stuffing and all the football games are over, why not tune in to see what all the buzz is about.
11.02.2006
Sobbing Elmo
Chris and I were very excited to welcome trick-or-treaters to our house this year. In every other neighborhood we've lived (okay, only two places), there were no children whatsoever. I guess I can speak for myself when I say that I was just tickled to have a stash of candy to hand out to darling disguised little ones.
The night was going great. Lots of smiles and "trick or treats" greeted us as we handed out Reese's Cups and M&M's. However, our stash began to run low. Not wanting to run out of sweets, I asked Chris to run to the store to replenish our supply...it was only 7:30 and there had to be dozens of little ones still roaming the streets, right? "No problem," he said as he grabbed his keys.
It happened--we ran out. At a not very convenient time. You see, a bunch of kids arrived at the door at the same time. I gave out all I had, and was so embarrassed not to have enough for all of them. I tried my best to explain the situation to a darling little two-year old Elmo. As soon as his bottom lip began to quiver, I knew that it was over. The tears started rolling. Our first real Halloween distribution had turned sour. I should have run to the kitchen to get him an apple at least, or even a granola bar, but I wasn't thinking. I awkwardly waved good-bye and shut the front door. He didn't leave. I think he even peeked in through the glass door to double-check that I wasn't holding out on him. I couldn't bear to look back.
Minutes after they finally left, Chris arrived home with more bags of candy. I felt like running after my little buddy and giving him an entire bag of Kit-Kats. Surely he'd forgive me! Well, as I'm sure you might have guessed, the night was quiet after that. I mean silent--no one else came to our door.
So long until next year... (when I am sure our pantry will be overflowing with candy in preparation for a visit from my three-year old fuzzy friend.)
The night was going great. Lots of smiles and "trick or treats" greeted us as we handed out Reese's Cups and M&M's. However, our stash began to run low. Not wanting to run out of sweets, I asked Chris to run to the store to replenish our supply...it was only 7:30 and there had to be dozens of little ones still roaming the streets, right? "No problem," he said as he grabbed his keys.
It happened--we ran out. At a not very convenient time. You see, a bunch of kids arrived at the door at the same time. I gave out all I had, and was so embarrassed not to have enough for all of them. I tried my best to explain the situation to a darling little two-year old Elmo. As soon as his bottom lip began to quiver, I knew that it was over. The tears started rolling. Our first real Halloween distribution had turned sour. I should have run to the kitchen to get him an apple at least, or even a granola bar, but I wasn't thinking. I awkwardly waved good-bye and shut the front door. He didn't leave. I think he even peeked in through the glass door to double-check that I wasn't holding out on him. I couldn't bear to look back.
Minutes after they finally left, Chris arrived home with more bags of candy. I felt like running after my little buddy and giving him an entire bag of Kit-Kats. Surely he'd forgive me! Well, as I'm sure you might have guessed, the night was quiet after that. I mean silent--no one else came to our door.
So long until next year... (when I am sure our pantry will be overflowing with candy in preparation for a visit from my three-year old fuzzy friend.)
10.27.2006
A Tornado Destroyed Our Bedroom
I was so totally and utterly exhausted. I would've thought that after eight weeks of being back in the classroom and into the rhythm of school, I would have adjusted to the full-body drain. I guess it hadn't, because the other night at 9:30pm my body and mind were done for the day. Chris wasn't home, so I just decided to hoof it upstairs with the dog and call it a night. It seemed like a perfect plan--in bed before 10:00, what could be better!?
I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and got my pajamas on (one of my favorite parts of the day). I even was so considerate to leave the bathroom door propped open just a bit and the light on, so it wouldn't be completely dark when Chris arrived home. I fell into bed. Ahhh...
Not two minutes later, my furry little friend decided to nose her way into our closet to take "inventory" of our laundry baskets. Fantastic. I was too tired to deal with it, though. Let her have her fun, even if we have a few sock casualties as a result. However, the next item on her agenda was to check out the bathroom to see what goodies she could find. (Keep in mind, I was such a thoughtful wife to leave the LIGHTS on in there.) Great. Nothing that a pillow over the head couldn't fix.
I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and got my pajamas on (one of my favorite parts of the day). I even was so considerate to leave the bathroom door propped open just a bit and the light on, so it wouldn't be completely dark when Chris arrived home. I fell into bed. Ahhh...
Not two minutes later, my furry little friend decided to nose her way into our closet to take "inventory" of our laundry baskets. Fantastic. I was too tired to deal with it, though. Let her have her fun, even if we have a few sock casualties as a result. However, the next item on her agenda was to check out the bathroom to see what goodies she could find. (Keep in mind, I was such a thoughtful wife to leave the LIGHTS on in there.) Great. Nothing that a pillow over the head couldn't fix.
Well, apparently when Chris arrived home, Maddie had created a trail of socks around the room and was clenching one in her teeth as he opened the door. Don't even try, Chris. Just come to bed.
Oh, our little tornado.
Oh, our little tornado. 10.20.2006
The Next Step
One day, not too many years ago, I prided myself on being one of the last of my friends and family to own a cell phone (okay, maybe not my parents). Isn't it so NICE to be unreachable at times during the day?! What could be so important that couldn't wait until after I came home from work for the day? It's not like we have kids of our own to be worried about yet. Well, one day I caved. Now my little flip phone has become a convenient and practical little addition to my purse.
Join me now as I take one step further. This is a bit outside of my comfort zone, as I don't typically volunteer the thoughts I have and writing I do. As a teacher, though, I try to encourage my own kids to talk about their writing and share it with others. So, here goes!
Join me now as I take one step further. This is a bit outside of my comfort zone, as I don't typically volunteer the thoughts I have and writing I do. As a teacher, though, I try to encourage my own kids to talk about their writing and share it with others. So, here goes!
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