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Time to catch up and thoughts on Fireproofing...
Ah, it's good to be back. I never realized how much I missed this place. It's warm, it's comfortable. Like a nice big bowl of Chicken Noodle Soup...or Chicken Corn Chowder which I like better. Lots of things have happened since I last stopped by. First, I was let go from my comfy job which allowed me lots of time to visit you. I went back to teaching, which has been wonderful, but in the meantime I was without income for almost three months until school started. This had it's ups and downs. The only down I can say is the obvious part about being strapped for cash, making us eliminate everything but the bare necessities...even a lot of that we had to receive a bit of assistance on. Besides that, however, I got to end a wonderful summer with my girls, who are growing fast. Kaleigh, who had up until that point had assumed that grandma must have given birth to her, discovered who her mother truly was. She still loves her ma-mah, but she doesn't cry anymore when ma-mah has to leave.
Thankfully, from just about day one of school I have been kept busy substituting. After only two weeks into the school year I was offered a position filing in for an empty para position in a special needs room (alternate education) that they hadn't found the right candidate for yet. What started out as a week stint has turned into four wonderful months...and I think they have stopped trying to fill it for this year. There is a chemistry in the room between the three of us, the true teacher, the second para, and myself. The children have come from running the room with us being able to accomplish nothing, to an actual learning environment. Sure, there are some that still are, well, strong willed let's say and try to still control things...they usually don't get too far. The key is that they know that they are loved and that they are safe with us. It's a beautiful thing.
And, recently, dh has decided to put down his knives and hang up his aprons for good. It was a decision that didn't come without mixed emotions, but after 5 years and still only making a little more than minimum wage, it was a decision that was for the best. In a little over one week, he will have his last day cooking. He is starting a bookkeeping class, and has already received interest from several top companies. He even has a job interview today with a strong financial institution...one I haven't heard in the news recently as needing a bail-out (although I realize that some are done completely under the table with no stink from the media.) In about two or three months (crossing fingers and saying lots of prayers) he's turning his less than 20,000 income and almost doubling it. Maybe for once I can come on here and not bemoan our financial situation!
Even for me, returning to teach seems to have increased my income, although I don't have near the deductions coming out of my checks either. Substitutes aren't offered health insurance. However, I love my situtation so much that I've decided to go ahead and complete my master's degree at UNO in Special Education. That starts this summer, although I fear I won't have the registration fee in on time to officially begin in the program by summer, I will still be able to take two of the classes I need as a non-degree seeker for my certification renewal this August, then officially start the program this fall.
Reading back on my previous posts brought back lots of memories for me. My oldest has now turned another year older...still into time as ever. She now takes dance lessons. My two year old is now three, and she is into Tai Kwon Do with a passion. My youngest doesn't turn two for another month. She is still a cuddle bug. We are celebrating all "four" (Emma not included since her birthday isn't until late summer) of our birthdays this next month by taking a mini-vacation together.
I took a look at some of the things on my 101 things wish list...and I'm proud to say I have accomplished a few things. DH and I took the little ones hiking, not too far away but that's fine. They loved it, although exhausted towards the end. I've taken them ice skating now, but not roller skating though. I've been to a Joyce Meyer conference and I am working through Battlefield of the Mind. Still working on that budget but it seems like I can write one up at the end of the month for the next month, and then it's set aside like a forgotten old shoe. I've been to Chicago, although only for the day and not with my family. We are no closer to buying a house then we were before, so everything in regards to that may not get done before October of 2010. First we need to get debt free, now that hopefully can be realized sooner than later based on DH's career move as long as we don't increase our cost of living by a lot.
There is so much I want to cover. In my next post I want to talk about this strengths class we are taking with church. That is fascinating. However, I want to journal about Fireproofing before I run out of time! (I'm writing this quick prior to leaving for work...)
Fireproof (for those of you who may have been in a cave) was the unexpected blockbuster movie of last year. It is also the basis of the book "The Love Dare". A challenge, so to speak, to all married couples. Based on the idea that as a firefighter that you never leave your partner behind, why is it that it's okay to do so in our marriages today? I've decided to take up the challenge of "Fireproofing my marriage" as a personal challenge, and yesterday was day one of forty lifechanging days. As I quote from the book,
DAY ONE: Love is Patient. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret.
I hadn't seen him since early morning when he left for work. However, it was getting quite late as I sat and waited for him to show himself. I had been done with work and as I sit here now and write this I have no idea how long I sat there waiting for him but I knew it was approaching 45 minutes. Maybe longer. Nothing. I grew antsy, I was hungry and I wanted to go home. I NEED my own car, I seethed.
I remembered what the book had said. Demonstrate patience. That's easy for the book to say. It hasn't had to sit here and wait for him more times than I can remember, and then get yelled at if I wasn't here right when he arrives! I decided to call him on the cell to find out how much longer, and resolved to hold my tongue from angry words.
Turns out that after responding to a position at one of the local banks they emailed him back telling him he sounds like a terrific candidate and that they wanted him to come in to fill out an application and have an interview. The hiring personel was busy when he arrived so he hadn't had his interview yet, but of course my heart softened quickly. This time he had good reason to be late. Very, very good reason. He promised me he was almost there, and sure enough, within minutes he pulled up.
If I had jumped to conclusions, which I have been guilty of in the past, I might have been the cause of a good day gone bad. Patience did persevere. There were still more oportunities to speak negative last night but I still held my tongue and chose words carefully.
Day two challenge: In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness. I will have about eight hours to think of something.
groggyThankfully, from just about day one of school I have been kept busy substituting. After only two weeks into the school year I was offered a position filing in for an empty para position in a special needs room (alternate education) that they hadn't found the right candidate for yet. What started out as a week stint has turned into four wonderful months...and I think they have stopped trying to fill it for this year. There is a chemistry in the room between the three of us, the true teacher, the second para, and myself. The children have come from running the room with us being able to accomplish nothing, to an actual learning environment. Sure, there are some that still are, well, strong willed let's say and try to still control things...they usually don't get too far. The key is that they know that they are loved and that they are safe with us. It's a beautiful thing.
And, recently, dh has decided to put down his knives and hang up his aprons for good. It was a decision that didn't come without mixed emotions, but after 5 years and still only making a little more than minimum wage, it was a decision that was for the best. In a little over one week, he will have his last day cooking. He is starting a bookkeeping class, and has already received interest from several top companies. He even has a job interview today with a strong financial institution...one I haven't heard in the news recently as needing a bail-out (although I realize that some are done completely under the table with no stink from the media.) In about two or three months (crossing fingers and saying lots of prayers) he's turning his less than 20,000 income and almost doubling it. Maybe for once I can come on here and not bemoan our financial situation!
Even for me, returning to teach seems to have increased my income, although I don't have near the deductions coming out of my checks either. Substitutes aren't offered health insurance. However, I love my situtation so much that I've decided to go ahead and complete my master's degree at UNO in Special Education. That starts this summer, although I fear I won't have the registration fee in on time to officially begin in the program by summer, I will still be able to take two of the classes I need as a non-degree seeker for my certification renewal this August, then officially start the program this fall.
Reading back on my previous posts brought back lots of memories for me. My oldest has now turned another year older...still into time as ever. She now takes dance lessons. My two year old is now three, and she is into Tai Kwon Do with a passion. My youngest doesn't turn two for another month. She is still a cuddle bug. We are celebrating all "four" (Emma not included since her birthday isn't until late summer) of our birthdays this next month by taking a mini-vacation together.
I took a look at some of the things on my 101 things wish list...and I'm proud to say I have accomplished a few things. DH and I took the little ones hiking, not too far away but that's fine. They loved it, although exhausted towards the end. I've taken them ice skating now, but not roller skating though. I've been to a Joyce Meyer conference and I am working through Battlefield of the Mind. Still working on that budget but it seems like I can write one up at the end of the month for the next month, and then it's set aside like a forgotten old shoe. I've been to Chicago, although only for the day and not with my family. We are no closer to buying a house then we were before, so everything in regards to that may not get done before October of 2010. First we need to get debt free, now that hopefully can be realized sooner than later based on DH's career move as long as we don't increase our cost of living by a lot.
There is so much I want to cover. In my next post I want to talk about this strengths class we are taking with church. That is fascinating. However, I want to journal about Fireproofing before I run out of time! (I'm writing this quick prior to leaving for work...)
Fireproof (for those of you who may have been in a cave) was the unexpected blockbuster movie of last year. It is also the basis of the book "The Love Dare". A challenge, so to speak, to all married couples. Based on the idea that as a firefighter that you never leave your partner behind, why is it that it's okay to do so in our marriages today? I've decided to take up the challenge of "Fireproofing my marriage" as a personal challenge, and yesterday was day one of forty lifechanging days. As I quote from the book,
Receive this as a warning. This forty day journey cannot be taken lightly.
It is a challenging and often difficult process, but an incredibly fulfilling one. To take this dare requires a resolute mind and a steadfast determination.
It is not meant to be sampled or briefly tested, and those who quite early will forfeit the greatest benefits. If you will commit to a day at a time for forty days, the results could change your life and your marriage.
Consider it a dare, from others who have done it before you.
It is a challenging and often difficult process, but an incredibly fulfilling one. To take this dare requires a resolute mind and a steadfast determination.
It is not meant to be sampled or briefly tested, and those who quite early will forfeit the greatest benefits. If you will commit to a day at a time for forty days, the results could change your life and your marriage.
Consider it a dare, from others who have done it before you.
DAY ONE: Love is Patient. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret.
I hadn't seen him since early morning when he left for work. However, it was getting quite late as I sat and waited for him to show himself. I had been done with work and as I sit here now and write this I have no idea how long I sat there waiting for him but I knew it was approaching 45 minutes. Maybe longer. Nothing. I grew antsy, I was hungry and I wanted to go home. I NEED my own car, I seethed.
I remembered what the book had said. Demonstrate patience. That's easy for the book to say. It hasn't had to sit here and wait for him more times than I can remember, and then get yelled at if I wasn't here right when he arrives! I decided to call him on the cell to find out how much longer, and resolved to hold my tongue from angry words.
Turns out that after responding to a position at one of the local banks they emailed him back telling him he sounds like a terrific candidate and that they wanted him to come in to fill out an application and have an interview. The hiring personel was busy when he arrived so he hadn't had his interview yet, but of course my heart softened quickly. This time he had good reason to be late. Very, very good reason. He promised me he was almost there, and sure enough, within minutes he pulled up.
If I had jumped to conclusions, which I have been guilty of in the past, I might have been the cause of a good day gone bad. Patience did persevere. There were still more oportunities to speak negative last night but I still held my tongue and chose words carefully.
Day two challenge: In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness. I will have about eight hours to think of something.
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