I began the year teaching in a 4th grade class and although it seemed to be the most terrifying thing to teach hormonal almost middle school age children about science, I learned so much from them, and hopefully they learned a little from me as well. Our class was always having fun while learning and while that is wonderful, it is not ideal in a school with open classrooms, therefore we were always being told we were too loud. Ehh, my kids were learning, who cares.
My beautiful best friend got married and allowed my the privilege of being a part of her special day, first wedding I was in as a bridesmaid, and lets just say I hope to be as pleasant of a bride as she was. This same best friend brought her first child into the world a month early and I was blessed enough to be able to go and see them and spend some good quality time with Taylor, Charlie, and of course Ben. God really does put people in your life when you least expect it sometimes. Taylor and I met as Yoke leaders at Halls Middle School and both of us still keep in touch and both will be a part of each others weddings.
My boyfriend at the time, now fiancé, graduated from LMU, which was very exciting for him but also nerve wracking because he would be attending grad school in Alabama, which seems forever and a day away, and who was I supposed to eat with and hang out with at school next year? Most of my friends were commuters..
My mom also got married this summer which meant one dreaded thing...moving. While I still haven't moved all of my things out of our old house (my sister's current house) I have enjoyed all the space I have now. No more sharing bathrooms or any of that stuff I was used to.
One of the hardest things I faced this year was moving Clint to Alabama. It's still terrible the fact that he is almost six hours away, but he is always encouraging me, and I am always planning the next time I am able to go see him. I will say long distance is never fun, it is never impossible, and it is always worth it when God's hand is in the midst of it and you know soon he will be your husband... and by soon I mean 500 and some odd days, but hey who's counting?
Going back to school, meant new roommates, new housing situations, and all that fun stuff that comes along with college. I was actually assigned the exact same apartment that Clint lived in his senior year, even the same bedroom... weird?? Nah. I was excited because then I knew who had lived there before me. Not to mention I was paired with the coolest roommate on the planet, Jenna. I would have never thought we would have come so close considering I was rarely there due to my teaching and class schedule, but we did and Jenna was constantly reminding me things would be okay, I would make it through school, May 3 isn't as far away as it seems, and of course, breathe. She wasn't scared to be with me when I had shingles, and didn't get mad when I was up in the middle of the night dealing with Res. Life situations. She was PERFECT for me.
I was also assigned new classrooms to teach in. Kindergarten and fifth grade, and I know that sounds like a big jump for someone who will be certified to teach K-6, and it is but I am so glad LMU gives us two placements and allows us to experience a lower elementary grade, and an upper elementary grade. I can't wait to see my students this semester and spend more time teaching them and also learning from them.
Our living situation came to an end at the end of the semester when I moved home for student teaching, but no worries I still have to travel to campus for classes and of course I'll be seeing her then, and for our wonderful roomie dates, which often consist of wedding planning, she is that wonderful.
2013 was filled with blessings and I'm sure 2014 will be even better. Ready to see what is in store ahead. Happy super late New Year to you all, and I hope you are all able to see the blessings in your life.
