Okay, Updating...

for Snuffy! hehehe

I got the position at my school, and started on Monday, August 22nd. The kids started there that same day. I got a call a few days before we headed back to WC from a friend offering to let us stay with her family until we could find a place to live.

We've been here a week and a half. Everything is pretty much falling into place for us. I got my old position back (basically), and will be getting a raise to boot. Jerry's got his old position back, with a raise, and they have asked him to work overtime for awhile. So job-wise things are going great. We're still looking for a home though, but I'm sure that will come shortly too. We just don't want to get stuck in a lease with rent higher than we can really afford, so we're looking for the "right" place.

The kids are doing really well. Elisabeth has been placed in a K/1 class (high Kindergarten/lower 1st grade), and is doing fine there. Nick is back in his regular Gifted class, with his old buddies, and placed into the 6th grade math class (he's in 5th grade). They both are liking school (especially Nick being "back home"), and even Elisabeth is transitioning pretty well too.

So, we are at peace with this decision. Things were so stressful for so long (all summer basically) that it's nice to have the less stress for a change.

Just keep praying we find a place to live soon, so we can be back to "normal" (whatever THAT means)!!!

"SIGH".....feeling of peace!!!

I drove to WC yesterday and interviewed with the team of teachers, two of them have been previous co-workers---one on a team last year, and the other at the Christian school where I taught for 2 years (she was also Nick's 1st grade teacher, and is a close friend). I just got the call this afternoon from the principal that I'm in!!! I told her I can start on Monday....so now what?!? (We have no home lined up yet!!! OY VEY!) I was so excited to get that news though! Now I have to drive back over there tomorrow to get my fingerprints renewed for the school board...I'll be picking up registration packets for the kids to enroll also. I'm so excited!!!

Then, I get a call from my friend (the one who was Nick's teacher), and she offered to let us stay with her until we get settled and find a place!!! How awesome! I'm pretty sure that we'll take them up on the offer (or we'll be staying in a suite at a hotel), but not sure yet. I'm just stoked that they offered.

Things are going to be good...no matter what happens, our family is going to be at peace, and it's a long time coming, let me tell ya!

Hope is not lost...

I'm actually amazed at myself for not giving up on everything I know. The past year-and-a-half has been one stress after another. Then, when we think we're doing what God wants, prayerfully making a HUGE decision...it doesn't work out. Cest la vie---that's fine, it's just that I don't get "why" our family had to deal with this last one. Why did the door open, but not be the right one? I had strong ties to WC, and was hesitant in my willingness to leave....maybe that was it? Maybe God needed me to be willing to leave in order to allow me to stay? Who knows. Anyway, we're looking to move back there, and though the next 6 weeks might be stressful (due to income lapses, but hey!), I'm sure it will all be good. I am just hoping for a little time of peace (even a year would be nice) after all of the turmoil our family has endured in the recent past. The first steps have been taken to head back in that direction...Jerry's probably got a job in another week or so, I have an interview at my old school tomorrow afternoon, etc. We drove over there on Sunday, and though the kids weren't thrilled with the prospects of a re-relocation at first, after seeing the "old stomping grounds" I think they're up for the challenges the next few weeks may present. It was really cool when Elisabeth saw the Tastee Freeze and wanted to move back so she could get ice cream there! hehe Nick, I think, will be fine once he's back in school with his buddies, especially since soccer season will be starting in a few weeks too.

Well, if you're reading this, please keep us in your prayers, we truly covet all that we can get on our behalf! Hopefully I will have some great things to report in the next few weeks.

Ch-ch-ch-changes....

And it's a good thing I'm used to them, isn't it?!? "sigh" hehe

Well, things have not been wonderful most of the summer, so it's not a great surprise...but we'll be moving back over to the Tampa area really soon. Things just weren't meshing for us and our new church, and before the probationary period was over, the decision was made to not continue as we've been. It was a stressful decision because we moved the whole family over and uprooted the kids, but now that it's done I really have peace with it. The kids will go to the same school as before, and I likely will get a job there too. Jerry can get re-employed at his old job too. Basically it's just a matter of finding a place to live and figuring out how to make the transition as smooth as possible. Good thing our stuff is in storage, I didn't have to repack everything this time! That's a huge relief.

I've been a little bitter the past couple of weeks, but now that everything is definite, I'm really at peace with the decision. I almost had a nervous breakdown a couple of nights ago, just because of the stress and wanted to give up on God and the church. Now I'm fine with both, and am excited to see where we'll end up---as volunteer youth workers, so much less stress believe me!!!

At first I was mad because of the relationships we've made and all, but a great friend of mine told me that we did do good while we've been here, and broke through some barriers that might not have been done by someone else. Two students feel called into the ministry, and that was revealed to them over this summer, so maybe we did do some good here. Maybe there will be some positive things for them to take out of knowing us. I just pray that they will continue to grow and know God, and realize that it's not "who" their leader is that's important, but who they are following no matter who is leading the youth group.

In the meantime, the kids started school on Monday, and Elisabeth's really liking Kindergarten. I think they'll both be fine with a transition too though. Check out the picture I took of them on their first day, aren't they cute?!?



Oh yeah, here's a picture of us in July at St. Augustine, FL. If you've never been there, it's definitely a neat town to check out!!!