Long Overdue Update!

Well, lets see what has been going on in the family. I still do not have a full time teaching job, but I am substituting and that does keep me busy! I have taken my ESL certification test and passed! I'm currently studying for EC-6th Generalist exam. This will open up grades K-6 and hopefully open up more jobs! Unfortunatly my job search has had to be put on hold for now. I started having issues with my knee again in January. I finally got into JPS's orthopedic clinic in June. The doctors say my implant is coming loose and that there could be infection in my knee. Which really sucks, because if I have an infection, it then becomes 2 surgeries instead of 1! The 1st surgery all hardware is removed and a block is put in place of my knee and I will be on IV antibiotics for 6-8wks and then if there is no infection then I get the implant! Also, JPS has a waiting list of 6-8 months! When I spoke to the nurse a few weeks ago she said I had been put on a shorter list due to the possibility of infection.. But I haven't heard a word! So,I sit and wait. Oh yeah, did I mention the pain this knee is causing me? OUCH!!! So, until I get the surgery I am unable to work.
Whitney has decided she wants to be a teacher too! She is currently attending ECAP alternative certification. She has a teaching job in Bowie, TX. She will be teaching Physics! I'm soo happy for her, although sadly this means she will have to move to Bowie! She found a cute 2-1 house in Saint Jo, which is about 20 mins from Bowie. She is so excited! I'm not sure I'm going to like this empty nest thingy...
Laura is getting ready for her wedding in Sept! We have everything done and paid for except the food, Dan's tux and my dress! Not bad! Of course our living room looks like wedding central! lol! Branden and his family are doing good! Braden is still a cutie pie and all boy! He is so smart and talks all the time. I can't believe he will be 3 in Nov.! I love it when he says "Grammy"! Danny is still driving over the road. His partner is going to retire this year and he is hoping to get a new route, like maybe Dallas to Florida! I just may have to go with him on that run!!! Sadly on July 2nd, we lost our precious black lab, Isabella. She was 10yrs old. She developed a tumor in her stomach and was unable to eat. We kept her alive by hand feeding her baby food. Unfortunatly her body just couldn't hang on and she passed away peacefully with Whitney and I beside her. :( So we only have Landry left and he is a handfull. I think we will get another dog, just not sure when. Later!

Graduation, Christmas, and Birthdays!

Whitney graduated on Dec.17, 2010 from Texas Woman's University! It was awesome to watch her walk across that stage. I tried to video it but my phone had other ideas. My mom and dad were able to be there as well as Danny's dad, Pops, and Laura. I did really well and didn't cry too much! Afterwards, we all went to Rudy's and had lunch. That night we had a small party to celebrate Whitney's achievment! The next day her and her best friend, Neena, got on a plane headed to Florida! They had a blast! It's hard to believe that we both achieved our goal of a college degree! Now, as Whitney put it, it's time to find a job! I still do not have a full time job. I am still subbing. Subbing keeps me busy thats for sure! I have decided not to take my Generalist test. I feel like it would be throwing money away. I have tried to understand the math and the science but it might as well be in German! So, I think I am going to take my ESL test and stick with the 7th/8th grades. Job fairs will be starting in March so hopefully I can find a full time job! Although, I have enjoyed being able to work when I want to and still spend time with Pops! But, I REALLY need the health insurance. Ok, time for another catch up post!

Senior Breakfast

Today my mom and I had the pleasure of accompanying Whitney to senior breakfast at TWU. It was a lot of fun. They had good food and entertaining speakers. The seniors even received gifts! UTA gave me a diploma and student loan debt! I did finally get to meet Whitney's best friend, Neena's parents. It's hard to believe but this time next week Whitney will be a college grad. We are sooooooooo proud of her! Those who know her, know she has been through so much to get where she is and finally make it through college. We will be getting ready for the big day and party this week! We both have been subbing quite a bit but that's a good thing. I have found three schools I really like and I'm hoping that if I keep subbing at these three schools it will lead to a permanent full time position. I'm almost done Christmas shopping Yay! I only have gift cards to get and a few little things then I'm stopping! Really tried hard not to go overboard with toys for our g-baby since he had his 2nd birthday last month. Otherwise, same ole same ole! Later!

Update!

Guess it is time I update this blog. Sorry it has been awhile, life has gotten in the way a few times. I still do not have a permanent teaching job, but I am subbing for AISD and finally for Mansfield ISD. AISD keeps me busy. In fact, I'm subbing tomorrow and Friday! Gotta make some Christmas money and wedding money! Let's see what has been going on : 1. Whitney will graduate Dec. 17th! We are sooo proud of her! She has truly earned her degree with all the crap she has had to go through to get to where she is now. She also had her 1st hospitalization for the winter a few weeks ago. She was in the hospital for about 4 days this time and had to have O2 the whole time. She also had to deal with the steroids making her sugar be high. Thankfully, she is better!
2. Laura is engaged! Laura and Josh have set the date for Sept. 25, 2011. Josh is a good guy and we are excited to have him be an "official" member of the family although he has been a part of the family for the last 3 yrs!
3. Our grandson, Braden, turned 2 on Nov 4th! Can't believe he is getting so big. I will have to post pics later due to my computer is broken and hopefully will be fixed soon! Whitney and I took him an Elmo( he loves Elmo) balloon and a cupcake. He really enjoyed his balloons and I hope he enjoyed his cupcake! His party was this past Saturday. It was a "cowboy" themed party. It was so cute and Sharla put a lot of work into it and it was awesome. They did a hay ride, a pinata and a cute horseshoe cake!
4. We lost our health insurance last month and we are currently waiting for our appt to get back on JPS. We just could not afford the insurance and it wasn't really an insurance it was more like an indemnity plan. It only paid for 6 dr visits a year. Well, I alone have to go more than that! So, I have my medication for 3 months so hopefully that will be plenty of time to get on JPS again.
Despite everything, I am still so grateful for the things we do have. We have a roof over our heads, food to eat, a car that runs, and Danny still has his job! Life is good!

Every Thing Happens for a Reason!

I'm not sure what to title this blog. I really just wanted to write my thoughts and feelings and I am not sure how to sum everything up in 2 words. I have been fretting over not having a job, and yes I have attended a few pity parties. But, I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. Of course sometimes it takes reflecting on something before the reason appears and sometimes the reason never appears. While reflecting on the past I realize now why I had my accident. One reason I discovered was that Heavenly Father knew I couldn't handle losing my grandmother/or attending her funeral so I guess he needed to distract me. This also allowed me to be home and able to home school Whitney when her allergies/asthma was so bad she could not attend school. Also during this time I had lots of free time to read, think,ponder, and yes, pray. It was during this time that I finally realized what I needed to do with my life and this was to go back to school and get my degree in order to teach. Now, back to the present....I feel I have done everything I could to find a job. We needed this job not only for the income but, also for the health insurance. Right now we have health insurance with Dan's company but yesterday the company presented a new insurance plan. This one is worse than what we have now. It will cost $700 a month and it will only pay for 6 visits a year! So, if you know me, you know I have to see a doctor way more that 6x's a year! So, we are looking into getting back on JPS Connection but, we may make more money and not qualify..Dan is looking for another job but we all know how hard that is going to be! I spoke to a JPS screener yesterday and was told they are still working on applications from August! They have been bombarded with applications due to people losing their jobs..So, you know what this means? It means that if you get in, it will take forever to see a doctor and the urgent care clinics and ER will be packed worse that what it already is..This is not good! Sorry, I sidetracked. Our nephew (Dan's sister's oldest who is 14yrs old) was just diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. They put his port in yesterday and also took bone marrow samples to see it the cancer had spread. Hopefully, today they will find out the stage and the treatment plan. As a mother, I can not fathom how she must be feeling. Thankfully they have us (family), friends, and a good church home that will help with whatever is needed. In case you didn't know, Dan's father lives with them and their 4 kiddos. She called me last night and wanted to tell me what she had been thinking and feeling. What she said touched my heart and made me so thankful I do not have a job. She said that she felt that I haven't gotten a job yet because Heavenly Father knew that someone needed to be around to help with Pops( Dans' dad). Someone to take him to appts or just get him out of the house. Now, if you know me...you will know that I love this little man so much! He has been a father to me since I never had one. He and my step father are the two wonderful men that God has put into my life. Pops and I have so much fun when we go out to eat. In fact, he tells everyone he has a 40ish girlfriend! lol!! I'm so grateful that I can be of some help to them during what is going to be a difficult road they will have to travel. I pray that our nephew will be healed and be able to continue his journey through this life. If you feel inclined to say a prayer, it would be greatly appreciated..

Kinda Bummed

Well, today the new school year began. Teachers and students are getting to know each other, students are learning rules and expectations, and meeting other students who will become their best friend. I really believed with all my heart that I would be doing that at this time. I am at a loss as to why I do not have a job. I have applied with 15, yes 15! districts and nothing, not one word!! I'm trying so hard to keep the faith but I have to admit, I'm bummed .....sad...upset...?????? I've applied to substitute with Arlington and Mansfield ISD's but I just can't seem to muster up the enthusiasm to sub. I just know how students behave with a sub and I don't want to have to deal with that, but it looks like I have no choice....I go Friday for Mansfield orientation but can't get into Arlington till Sept. 29th... I feel so let down. I mean, I feel I have done my part( going to school, passing classes, student teaching, graduation) and yet here I am without a job. Should I just get a job and give up on my dream of teaching? I can't seem to do that. I still feel in my heart this is what Heavenly Father wants be to do, I just do not understand how I am to do this without a job/or a class of my own... Ok enough of this pity party! I will do what I have to do to teach, whether it is in my own classroom or through substituting and will see where it leads me!

No Job Yet!

Yes, it's true! I still do not have a job! I have applied with 7 districts and have had one interview. This is sooo frustrating! Only a handful out of my graduating class have jobs. Seems like the districts just are not hiring. Looks like I'm going to have to sub when school starts. Now, don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with subbing or being a substitute teacher. It's just not my favorite thing to do. Guess I'm going to have to bite the bullet and attempt the Generalist test. What's another $120.00 dollars. If and that is a big IF, I can pass it, then that will open up more jobs in the elementary. The problem is, we all know math and science are not my easiest subjects. If fact, math and I run opposite directions when we happen to meet! I just do not know what to do.... I'm trying to have patience but that is not so easy when you have worked so hard to achieve a dream and then when you get there things just stop....If you read this blog, please say a prayer for me that I get a job...I greatly appreciate your help!

Hugs!