The Next Chapter

Things have changed since my last post. I am officially a graduate of Armstrong Atlantic State University. Saturday, December 10, 2011 was a fabulous day. I had many of my family and friends there to support me as I graduated.

After graduation, Christmas was the focus at our home. This Christmas was very exciting to our family because Lexie and Trey are getting old enough to understand the concept of "presents." Lexie was particularly interested in Christmas this year. She loved all of the gift opening. She was even generous enough to open presents that didn't belong to her.

Another wonderful change happened this past week, I was hired as a teacher with the Long County Board of Education. I am teaching at Smiley Elementary in Ludowici. I have to testify that this is an answered prayer. God is so faithful! I have prayed, asking God to allow me to work in this school system. I have felt that this was God's calling for me for a while now, and of course he proved himself faithful once again.

Giving thanks for a dream come true!!!

Well the time has arrived...I graduate from Armstrong next Saturday. I cannot describe how excited I am. I knew when I began college in Jan. 2008 that the time would pass quickly. I didn't realize how quickly it would pass though. I have to thank a few people who have made this possible for me....

First and foremost, I give the Lord all of the glory because without him, I would have never had the ability or the means to make this happen.

To my husband, wow...where would I be without you?? You have stuck with me for the last 26 years, and I will forever be thankful. Your commitment to my dream will never be forgotten. Thank you for working so hard to meet our financial obligations while I was attending school. I love you more than words could ever describe.

To my three children; LJ, Joseph, and Jennifer...you are the reason that I wanted to always be a better person. Thank you for making my life absolutely complete. All three of you have been my reason for existence. I love you all so very much. Being a mom is by far my greatest accomplishment...I may not have been perfect, but my love for you is perfect.

Lexie and Trey, your MiMi thanks both of you for all of the smiles you have put in my heart and on my face in the last couple of years. May my endeavors always encourage you both to do your very best in life. I love you two little people more than I ever thought possible to love someone!!

Michele, you are not only my sister, but you are truly the closest friend I have. You are there for me in many ways, and I will always be grateful. Thank you so much for letting me borrow your car so much in the last few months. I love you very much!!

Mom, I would not be the person I am today without you. I am glad that you are here to watch me walk across that stage next Saturday. I love you!!

Daddy, before you passed away, you were so happy that I was going to college. Thank you for helping me study via yahoo messenger. I will never forget emailing you my study guides, and then you typing out the questions via messenger to help me study. Oh how I wish you were going to be there Saturday. I know you will be watching from Heaven. I love you!!

Ginger Surrency and David Edwards, thank you both for giving me the opportunity to do my student teaching at a wonderful school, and in an amazing classroom. I will eternally be thankful for the experience.

To everyone that has offered encouragement to me in the last few years, THANK YOU!!

It wasn't the easiest thing in the world to leave a full-time job and go to school full-time. I am so thankful for this chapter in my life because I have proven to myself that when I set my mind to something I can do it. I am looking forward to what God is going to allow me to do now. I am excited about the future and thankful for the past. It has brought me to this point in my life...and I am BLESSED!!

Student Teaching

I am officially in my fourth week of student teaching. I am absolutely having the best time of my life. Some people may think of teaching as a job, but to me it is a calling. God put this desire to teach deep down in my soul a long time ago. I am so thankful and blessed that my calling is becoming a reality. Children need to see that teachers truly do want them to succeed and excel academically.
I am blessed to be working at Smiley Elementary school in Ludowici. My teaching mentor, Ginger Surrency, is the absolute best!! I am learning so much while working with her.
Graduation is in December, and while I am excited about graduating and moving on in my life, I am going to miss working with our precious third graders and the amazing people at Smiley. God has given me some wonderful new friends during this experience. I am excited to see what the upcoming weeks hold for me.
Basically, I am loving my life in education. I am so thankful to be able to fulfill my calling!!

Summer 2011

I have enjoyed my summer this year, but now I am ready to get busy. I begin student teaching in just a few short weeks. I am excited. Graduation is right around the corner. It is hard to believe that I will graduate from college in just a few months with my teaching degree. Then the real work begins, finding a job!! I hope and PRAY that God opens the door for me to find a job quickly. Teaching is my lifelong dream and in just a few months I will have the paper that will allow me to fulfill my dream. I cannot begin to describe how thrilled I am.

We have a busy fall ahead in our family too. Lexie will be two in October and Trey will be one. They are growing up so fast. Each day is something new with both of them. They have blessed my life in ways that no one else ever could have. I look forward to any time that I can spend with them.

Joe and Jenn are married now. I am so happy that he married his soul mate. They are in the process of buying a home....I am so proud of him! Of course, we would love for them to have us another grandbaby but that will come in time. They want to wait, so we have to wait...haha!!

March 2011

I can’t believe how fast time has passed. I have not taken the time to update my blog. Since it has been almost a year since I have posted anything on here, I guess I will bring everyone up to speed about what has been going on in my life. As most of you know, Trey was born in September. He is the sweetest little boy….he is so much like his Uncle Joe was when he was a baby. He is always happy and ready to light up the world with his precious smile.
Lexie is growing up so fast. She is quickly approaching her “terrific twos”…..her parents are going to have a ball! We took her to the zoo yesterday in Jacksonville and she had so much fun. She is turning into a papa’s girl….all weekend long she wanted her papa. Of course, James loves that. She made sure her Mimi was close by also though….I do believe my favorite sound in the world is hearing her say “Mimi.”
James and I just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary last week. I am so blessed to get to live life with my absolute best friend in the world. He is so good to me…yea I am spoiled rotten, I know that. I am honestly thankful that God put us together, even when we weren’t searching for his will! We have raised our family, and now we get to enjoy our grandkids together!
Church is amazing….God sent us a new pastor back in September. He is definitely the man that God would have at our church. He is working so hard to renovate our sanctuary so that it will be ready for the next level God is taking us to. His entire family is an asset to our church!!
I am counting down the days of school. I have two months left of classes, and then I begin student teaching in the fall. I am excited about graduating and becoming a teacher. It is my lifelong dream, and my calling in God. I know that God is going to us me in the lives of my future students!
Joe is getting married in two months from today. I am very thankful that he and Jenn got back together. They remind me so much of me and James when we were young……I just know they are a match made in heaven….God’s hand is in the marriage! Jenn is going to be blessed with having Joe for a husband. I am not just saying that because he is my son. I say that because he is so much like his daddy; therefore, Jenn will always be loved and taken care of! Joe is blessed also because Jenn is a precious young lady and has a heart of gold. I am excited to be gaining another daughter, another blessing from God.

Mother's Day, Lj's Birthday, and The Onion Festival

The past weekend was busy, yet exciting. Alexis attended her first parade. She loved the clowns more than anything. I am glad that I was with her when she saw her first parade. All of her firsts are such a joy to be a part of. After the parade, Michele and I took her kids to the festival. It is always nice to see people you haven't seen in a while.

After the festival, we all went to LJ's for his birthday celebration. It is hard to imagine that my baby is 24 years old. It seems like only yesterday that he was born. Time is going by so fast. I am so proud of him. He is a good daddy to Alexis and soon he will have a little man of his own.

Mother's Day was amazing. We all went to church together Sunday morning (except for Jen) and then we all went to grandmas for lunch. The memories we made will last us a lifetime. I am thankful for everyday that I get to spend with my children and grandchildren. God has blessed me in so many ways. I try to remember to be thankful for what God has given me and what he has done for me.

As thing are winding down......

The semester at AASU is slowly coming to an end, which I am thrilled. Today was a much anticipated day for me because I was to find out if I passed the GACE test for educators.....well I passed. I honestly didn't feel assured that I passed so today was a shock for me. I am so thankful to God for giving me the knowledge and ability to do well on the test. I am reminded daily of his faithfulness. I do give Jesus Christ all the glory for helping to get past this hurdle. His faithfulness is ever present.