New job = sleepy blog

So when I posted last, I had full intention of kicking into high-gear with my blog once again come August. Well, God has surprises planned for us and the current one is a new job.  Actually, it's a dream job --- geometry and algebra I. I have spent the past month going 90 mph with graduate work and moving into a classroom. It's completely exciting to have the exact job you've always wanted. I loved my job before, but this is from the dream category folks.

With lessons to plan and very soon, students to grade, I think I need to be realistic and just admit that blogging is not going to fit in for awhile. Hopefully, you won't completely delete me from your link list, but don't be surprised if posting becomes a quarterly event. I love expounding upon my nothings in this tiny bit of digital journal space, but I'm entering a season of time management and hard work. I need to simplify wherever necessary.

I guess my blog is hibernating. I promise, I'll come back...

I know I said "spring," well...

Yes, I'm alive. Student teaching and nine credits later, I'm still here. I made it. What an intense season of life that was. Teachers are not joking when they reference their licensing efforts with a grunt. It's hard! As usual, my plans to enjoy a summer off from graduate work before I push for the big finish have changed. Bottom line: I would rather focus on my graduate courses during the summer months when my teaching responsibilities are lighter and life is bit more flexible. Thus, last night I went to my first summer session course. This summer I will take 3 courses. Go me! For the next five weeks I am in class from 4:15-8:15 M-T-W-TH.  Not ideal, but very productive.

I thought I would be posting with visions of this in mind:

And now, I will have to reset my blogging pause-button once again. Come mid-July, the notion of free-time, social outtings, and summer will take a central role in my day again. For now - pause.

I'll be seeing you in all the most familiar places....

Well, in this season of life, I have discovered that blogging is no longer a release or form of sharing; it is now a to-do in my day.  Realizing that I feel the need to blog because I feel guilty signals a change in habit.  I am officially taking a blog hiatus through May of 2011. This holiday season should be a time of rest, reflection and relationship -- not posts.  Next up is my spring semester of graduate school, including student teaching -- not an ideal time for posting either.
I promise to return with more Henson antics and stories once I have maneuvered through the spring season. Many pictures will be posted, and I will be ready to post once again. I love this blog, and I love you for reading it. See you in the late spring...in all the most familiar places.

Merry Christmas!

Finished (and in denial).

Yesterday morning I completed the last of my graduate work for the fall semester.  With no finals (thank you Lord), I merely have three more classes to attend at which point I will turn in a paper or project.  It was incredibly anti-climatic to finish the last paper yesterday. As my title denotes, I feel as if I am in denial --- there must be something I still need to do?  Three graduate classes while working conditions you to always have something to work on or do. Nope. nothing else.

Truthfully, the next five weeks will be a break, but also a mere shift from graduate work to PRAXIS II prep. I need to learn some calculus by January 15th!

Faster & faster..

Sorry for the lag in my blogging. 90 miles per hour would be a nice slow pace compared to what we've been doing these past few weeks. I'll be back soon, I promise!

In the meantime a few summarized highlights:

* Chris continues to study hard for his CPA exam before work each morning! First test date is next Sunday!

*Went and saw Life As We Know It --- loved the flick!

*Took my first Praxis II exam; crazy! One more in January!

*Approved for student teaching woo hoo!

*Grad classes are busy, but almost over. Two more of each class!

*Birthday yesterday was wonderful! Way to go 2-7!

*Christmas cards ordered: check!

*If I don't have your address; I need it.

*Christmas tunes have been playing now for two weeks. Amazing.

*I have killed 2 iPods playing the Christmas tunes... Not amazing.

Thank you Kraft Singles

Thank you Kraft Singles. Chris and I took our family photo this past weekend with the kids (dogs). It was nothing short of an experience. Hilarious does not begin to describe Hannah facing backwards, Tex running off or Jack sitting on his sister! In the end, with a camera remote and a brilliant husband, we got a great picture of all 6 of us. The secret: With all of us in position, Chris tossed Kraft cheese singles at the camera tripod and the dogs stared right at the camera.! Brilliant!

So, when you get our Christmas card this year, know that it was all due to the Kraft Singles.

T-minus 4 days until it begins...

November 1st is the day! The day that Christmas music begins its long run of musical bliss in my home! If I had it my way, I would play it year-round. You can't feel sad or stressed when the twinkles and melodies of Christmas music are playing.

For those of you who share my passion for the tunes of the season, you'll be thrilled to hear what I asked my husband to get me for my birthday (Nov 14). He is creating a Christmas nano iPod for me. Yes, hundreds of my favorites to play on shuffle! Yay!  Certainly a simple gift considering that we have the nano and Chris is a music master, but it's priceless to this girl. Once the iPod is complete, he is going to set up a cable to our surround sound system so I can play it throughout the house.  Does it get any better than this? I dare say not!

Merry Christmas everyone! It's October 28th and I am thinking about Jesus' birthday! How wonderful!