25 week update

It's been a few weeks since I updated....as usual.  For those of you that don't do Facebook, and only get updates from the blog, this will be informative for you:)

Tomorrow I will be 25 weeks, and I am still continuing to feel great.  Jeff and I found out a few weeks ago that we are having a girl.  She has been extremely active the past few weeks.  We can even see her move, and I have definitely been feeling her strong kicks.

We have completed our registries at Target and Babies R Us.  It seems surreal that in just a little over 3 months, we will have a new person living with us.  We are extremely excited!

For those of you curious about names....we are not sharing.  I can say this much, that I am partial to unique names that tend to be "gender neutral".  It is also difficult for us since we both work with kids on a daily basis.

Teaching is continuing to go well, and it is nice to be teaching the same grade for a second year in a row.  I know I have said this before, but I am really blessed to be working with the people that I am.

On to other news....my family is continuing to do great.  It is hard to believe they have been out of Peoria for almost a year now.  My dad's church recently moved in to their new building, and everyone seems to be adjusting well to the growth of the church. 

Trent will be leaving for Ramstein, Germany sometime in the early spring.  He will be spending anywhere from 2-3 years there serving in the Air Force.  He is really happy, and I am glad to see that he has found a career path that he really enjoys!  He competed in the Tough Mudder competition a few weeks ago and was nice enough to share pictures with me...so here is one to put a smile on your face. 

Stay tuned for more updates!

Special Delivery Expected on February 8, 2013!

I finished my last blog with this:

 "When you know all of the answers, there is no faith involved".  I have always been a very organized person and like to keep my schedule straight...but this statement was an awesome reminder that I can't know everything, and need to continue to let God guide my life.  We will see what this next year brings...stay tuned!!

That was on June 3rd….a lot has changed since then, and I have been waiting until today to update you.

On June 4th…the very next day, Jeff and I found out that I was pregnant and due on February 8th, 2013.  I think God was waiting for me to verbally admit what I typed at the end of my last blog entry.  We were shocked at first, but now that we have had a few weeks to process everything, we are extremely excited for this next phase of our lives.  I am a little over 12 weeks along, and so far I have felt great, just a little tired at times.

With a baby on the way, a few other things have changed.  In my last entry I told you about the National Board Certification process that I was going to be pursuing this next school year.  I was also enrolled in a graduate class through ISU.  I dropped the ISU class soon after finding out that I was pregnant, and was still holding on to going through the National Board process.  As I have spent more time thinking about everything, it just doesn’t seem possible for me to complete a full portfolio from August-March, when I am due in February.  I attended an informational meeting a couple weeks ago to make sure I had a full understanding of what was going to be required of me throughout the whole process.  At this time, Jeff and I feel that I need to make sure I’m taking care of myself and developing baby inside of me.  I also want to make sure that the 3^rd graders that I have entering my classroom in just a couple weeks are going to learn what they need from me without any added stress.  It was hard for me to accept backing out of this process at first, because I am a strong believer in staying committed.  I am at peace with my decision now!!

We know that there are more exciting adventures to come, and we wait in anticipation.  Please keep the 3 of us in your prayers.

Still Alive:)

So I started blogging about a year ago now, and I have done a terrible job recently with keeping you all updated.  School finished up almost 2 weeks ago, and so far this past year in 3rd grade at South was my most enjoyable year of teaching!! I am really enjoying summer so far, and  I have spent a lot of time sitting out at our pool.  I realized that it has been a while since I have actually not worked during the summer...so this is the first time ever that I am enjoying a "teacher's" summer!!

My brother left a couple weeks ago for his Air Force basic training in San Antonio, Texas.  It still seems surreal that he has committed for the next 4 years, but I know this will be a great experience for him.  So much has changed within our family in the past few years that I don't even know how to react anymore.  I wouldn't change a thing, because I have never seen my family happier! It has been hard, don't get me wrong, but God has made us so much stronger through it all!

Jeff just spent the weekend with his parents at a campground in Wisconsin.  He enjoyed fishing with his dad and spending time in the great outdoors.

There's not much new going on with us.  I am going to be attending the National Education Association's Representative Assembly in Washington DC at the end of June, and then Jeff and I will join my parents and Lydia in driving to San Antonio in mid-July to see Trent graduate from basic.

I was recently accepted to become a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT).  You can click HERE to figure out what that is all about:)  I am excited to pursue this professional development, but I also know that it will be a lot of work!!  I am also going to be taking a graduate class through Illinois State University that will help with the whole process.  I'm hoping to keep this blog updated more, so you have some clue of how the process is going.

These past few days I was in Ft. Wayne visiting my family.  I spent the first day trying to tear up my dad's landscaping that has been taken over by vines.  I cleared a few parts and the next day dad dominated some more.  I was able to go to my cousin's graduation party and spend time with family that I hadn't seen for a while.  I was also able to go to Pine Hills Church on Saturday night.  I love the new ministry that my parents are a part of.  This weekend's message was about giving thanks and being thankful for the people and circumstances in our lives.  One thing that really stood out to me was this, "When you know all of the answers, there is no faith involved".  I have always been a very organized person and like to keep my schedule straight...but this statement was an awesome reminder that I can't know everything, and need to continue to let God guide my life.  We will see what this next year brings...stay tuned!!

Updates

Happy New Year....even though we are just a little over 2 weeks into 2012:)  2011 was an adventurous year with its ups and downs.

2012 is off to a great start, I spent the first few days of the year with my family in Indiana.  They are doing well, and it is great to see them getting situated in their new home.  A statement that was made at church this weekend is that life only moves forward, but makes the most sense looking back.  I am thankful that God has led my parents and Lydia to Indiana, and I pray that they are continued to be surrounded by great friends and family.

Jeff is spending his free time playing tennis, he competed in a tournament this weekend.  He is excited to be back on the courts.  He is keeping busy at the Children's Home too.  We are both thankful that this winter has been keeping a low profile.

I am doing well and continuing to enjoy my 3rd graders.  I was informed last week that they think I am a secret agent....ok:)  I truly feel blessed with my placement of teaching this year.  I work with some pretty awesome people, and my kids put a smile on my face every day.  I am also enjoying my down time in the evenings.

Jeff and I share a huge passion for missions and international ministry.  I posted on facebook a little while ago about a magazine that I am in love with, Reject Apathy.  It opens your eyes to issues being faced all over the world.  It was also through this magazine that I was introduced to another organization called Light Gives Heat (LGH).  LGH is based out of Colorado, whose mission is to empower "Africans through the encouragement of economic sustainability and creative endeavors. Motivating people in the west to be the change they want to see in the world."  I have set up a page through their website where you can support their ministry by purchasing the items that the African women are making.  Click here for the link to my site.  My goal is to provide a year of education to the children of Uganda.  You can help through purchasing jewelry, bags, shirts, or pictures from the site.  Each item selected will show you what you are providing to the African people.  This is a great way to make a difference in the lives of others.

We are excited to see what the rest of this year has in store.  Hopefully I will find the time to keep you updated on our lives.