God is great and life is good!

So, we made it through our first dual-family Christmas! It was crazy, hectic, busy, exhausting, and every other synonym -- but I wouldn't have changed one minute of it! I loved being able to share my favorite time of the year with Zach. I loved that he was able to be with all of my family and that I was able to show him off!! I also really enjoyed being included in his family's events. I also still love being introduced as "fiance" =) It was a somewhat mind-boggling moment when his sister reminded us that by next Christmas, we would be married. I am so excited and in such awe at the amazing things that are happening in my life right now.

This time off from school has been so refreshing. I am glad to have another whole week before I need to return to work. I am still hoping that this time off will rejuvenate my soul and my spirit so that I can come back to work with the same sense of purpose that I began this school year with. I am also hoping that with the help of my TFA boss, I will be able to change some of my mentalities so that I can take value in "small wins" and appreciate the small changes that I am making, instead of purely focusing on the overwhelming mountain that I am attempting to climb in such a short period of time.

Speaking of climbing a huge mountain -- I have taken on another personal mountain to climb. On March 21, 2010 I will attempt my first half marathon. Today is my first official day of training. Yesterday, Coach Olsen took me to the track for a time trial. He needed to see where I was starting in order to create a personal training plan for me. For my future reference -- I completed a mile in 9:36. I am hoping that by the time I complete my half marathon, I will be able to laugh at that time -- because yesterday I was somewhat embarrassed at the shape I am in. Well, you have to start somewhere! And I guess the worse you are, the better you can get, right?! I am excited about this new challenge.. and I DO mean CHALLENGE. I'll keep you posted!!

A whirlwind...

These past six weeks have been a complete whirlwind, which is why it has been so long since my last update! My apologies!!

The biggest news since my last update?? I got engaged, of course! I could not be happier, and was beyond surprised when it happened.

In the last few weeks, we have also attended my sister Kristi's debutante ball (always an interesting experience), attended Zach's company Christmas party, shopped for a new ring, hosted our first potluck dinner, I completed my first semester as a high school teacher (BIG accomplishment -- I can barely believe I made it), and now we have begun making wedding plans.

The plans are limited so far. I have come home to Birmingham and Mom, Kristi and I spent yesterday exploring two reception sites, as well as making a trip to our first bridal salon! I couldn't believe I was actually trying on wedding dresses. The both of them teared up when they put a veil on my head. I was mostly just in shock still. There were a few dresses there I really loved, but I wanted to give myself plenty of time to look and think about. This is, of course, the time in my life I have been dreaming about for years, so I see no reason to rush it!!

Zach is on his way to Birmingham this morning. This will be our first time ever trying to split up Christmas (and other holidays). It will be interesting trying to see everyone and be everywhere that we are supposed to be, but I hope family will be understanding. I am just loving every minute of our life right now. It is so exciting that to think in just barely any time I will be his wife.

This is all I have for now - I probably could have written more but I am out of blogging-shape! I vow to update more often though!!

I'm thankful for...

In all the difficulties, I have been reminded by multiple people to think of the things I am thankful for and things that are good in my life.

My list for today:

1. My amazing family.
2. I have someone who loves me and care for me and supports me even when I am cranky and crazy (a fairly regular occurence these days!)
3.I have a job.
4. I have a new car (that heats up in the winter and starts when I want it to!)
5. Christmas music that raises my spirit during my planning time.
6. I have amazing friends between my Auburn girls and my TFA ladies who keep me sane, with notes of encouragement, dinner between classes, and reminders that I am here for a reason, even if I don't know it yet.
7. The book "Come Thirsty" by Max Lucado. It has given me a lot of things to think about and remind myself of.
8. We are taking another trip to the cabin this weekend.
9. I am only 19 days away from my Thanksgiving break, something I will be VERY thankful for!
10. It's almost time to put up my first Christmas tree in my first grown-up apartment -- such a special time!!

Oops!!

The blog accidentally deleted part of my post...

On the way home from NC, we stopped by one of the greatest attractions in world history.. GOATS ON THE ROOF! This is the funniest little place -- they have things like boiled peanuts and homemade ice creams and jams, and just like the name ... they have goats on their roof! There are little feed stations where you can buy goat food to feed them. Mostly you feed them by putting the feed in these little buckets and sending it up to the roof, but luckily for us we found a few goats on the ground level. They ate out of our hands!!!! It was the funniest thing.. Please excuse the ridiculous laughing that you hear on the video -- he was tickling me and I couldn't stop laughing.

The past few weeks...

So it has been a while since I updated the blog, but lots of things have been going on!

First, we got a Wii!!! I am so excited!

((So, Zach didn't know that I was filming him while he was playing. But it was just so cute, I had to add it. This is him doing the boxing workout that I made -- that he didn't believe was as difficult as I said it was. The next day, he was complaining about how much his forearms hurt... HA! I wish I knew how to turn it the right way..))

Last weekend, we ventured to Auburn for the Kentucky game. Even though we lost, and it was FREEZING cold, I had such a good time seeing my sister, my extended family, and the rest of the Auburn family! Here are a few pictures from the weekend...

This weekend, was one word: AMAZING. Thanks to God (and to the Olsens!) for an amazing weekend at the Olsen's cabin in North Carolina. It was the most beautiful and restful weekend I have had in I-don't-know how long. We went up on Friday night and it was gross and rainy and there was fog everywhere. However, Satuday and Sunday made up for it. The weather was GORGEOUS and I loved it. Some of the pictures from the weekend:This is the cute Sweet Shop that we visited in-town at Highlands on Saturday:

MMMMMMmmmmm it was SO DELICIOUS!!! Candied apple covered in caramel and drizzled in chocolate -- a little slice of heaven!!

Also, here are some pictures of all of the amazing scenery we saw. I'm telling you, this place restores my soul. Not only was it great to turn off the phone and the computer for a weekend, not thinking about work or classes or anything. But to also be in such a gorgeous place -- God was speaking to me all weekend..

Like I said, it was gorgeous. As cheesy as it sounds, I saw God in so many places. I don't know about Zach, but I needed this so much. We both spent time reading, enjoying each other and being peaceful. I am so thankful for the time that I had at this cabin. I wish I knew how to repay his parents for the gift that they gave me and us. I hope I will be able to carry that peace with me throughout this week at school.

What a weekend!

This weekend has been so much fun! I had a super rough week, so I think Zach really wanted to make it a fun one. (I also thinks he may be trying to make up for the fact that he is going to Chicago for most of this week and I will be all alone!!)

Friday night we decided to try out Martinis and IMAX at the Fernbank Museum with Lauren and Elliott. It was a cool little thing. Although we didn't go see the IMAX (sad day for me), there was a band and I had a good time. It was nice to try something different instead of the same usual places that we go out.

Saturday we watched football for most of the afternoon (such a sad loss) and then we went to the Cumming FAIR! We met Jenn and Ryan and I had so much fun. I think we were a little too excited and we did a few rides too quickly. Both Zach and I started to feel a little queezy.. So then of course we had to play a few games and win a few prizes, and I absolutely had to eat a funnel cake. ( I always want one when we go to see the Braves, but theres only one funnel cake vendor and Zach usually doesn't want to go find him. ) I really had so so so much fun. After that, we went to Taco Mac to watch the LSU/UF game. All in all, it was a really nice weekend.

I plan on spending today catching up with laundry and cleaning, running some errands, and working on all the homework that is due this week at GSU. It's fall break for our students, so Monday and Tuesday I will be in "professional development." I am thankful for the small break, even if I really wish that we got the time off too!

Last but not least, here are the pictures of my beautiful new car, Winston!! =) Yes, I know the name is a little silly, but I had to follow the trend after having a car named Lola. I am really enjoying this car -- so thankful to have a job and the ability to do the things that we are able to do.

"Will you braid my hair for food stamps?"

Quote of the day. From one of the crazy gen.ed. students in one of my inclusion classes. I did well just to keep a straight face =)


Things are incredibly stressful and overwhelming right now. I am now supposed to be teaching 9th grade math, 9th grade english, 10th grade math, and 10th grade english. To say I am overwhelmed or stressed is an extreme understatement. I am hoping to meet with my principal/PEC program assistant within the next week to tell them my concerns. I can't keep going like this right now. Its not what TFA wants me to be doing, its not really what my principal wants me to be doing, and its not what I want to be doing either. Things have got to change. But I'm going to make it happen.

I have also decided that I am going to post more about my real life instead of just teaching. Because often, teaching is stressful or frustrating and I am not being as positive as I am in real life. I found out today (really about five minutes ago) that I have been accepted as a member of the Corps Member Development Committee. Its a Sponsor-A-Teacher program where corporations that donate to TFA are matched up with a specific teacher so that they can put a face to where their money is going. I'm excited because it will get me more involved in TFA and may increase my opportunities post-TFA. I'll let you know more information as I learn more, but it sounds promising.

Zach and I are often exhausted, but we are really enjoying living in the same city again. Atlanta has so many things for us to do. This weekend we are hoping to go to the Atlanta food festival (Taste of Atlanta) and possibly the fair too! After watching the Arkansas game, obviously!

Graduate school is going. I don't really feel like I learn very much in my classes, but they are still fairly difficult, mostly because of the amount of work that is expected in my three classes. I am definitely glad that I will have a Master's, but sometimes I really wish that I had the extra time to do work for school, to be after school for tutoring, etc. Although its a nice time to be able to update my blog (shhh!!! )

I love my new car, I promise I will post pictures as soon as I take them. Probably this weekend. I also bought a Wii on Ebay this week, so I am eagerly anticipating its arrival! I loved working out with Mom's Wii Active, so I am hoping that it will encourage me to work out more. Unfortunately, because I am so tired and worn out by the time I get home from school or school and class, its difficult for me to be motivated to work out. However, I think I am going to decide on a half-marathon to sign up for, pay the money, etc. to also help motivate me. I know that running or working out can actually really make me feel better, I just have to make myself get there.

In case you're wondering, its 79 days until Christmas. So 48 days until Thanksgiving. But honestly, who is counting?!