We're hunting crocs..

So today I gave into yet another trend in footwear and bought a pair of Crocs. (I have included a picture of my new purchase for those of you who may have no clue what I am talking about.) I know what you are thinking.."They are ugly!" "They look like gardening shoes". But you can't dis on them until you put them on and then you'll never want to take them off. They are extremely comfortable and weigh only ounces. I could name a bunch of reasons for you but www.crocs.com does a better job.

After the seriously long debate on whether to get them, the even harder debate was what color to get them, I mean there are like 20 colors. After 3 hours of shopping, Cheri finally helped me to decide on Carolina blue, based on my wardrobe and my favorite fall activity (cheering on the Heels in Kenan Stadium.) So there it is I have now fallen to another trend from Rainbows to Sperrys and now Crocs.

FYI, I have raised all of support money for my S. Africa trip! I am now fully funded and immunizated. I'm ready...bring it on!

Another one bites the dust...

Again another one of our couple friends announces they are pregnant. We are way excited for Matt and Cheri and look forward to seeing baby Windley! I believe there's something in the water here and those of us who aren't are far and few between now. With everyone getting pregnant, people are like when is your turn. FYI to all those who want to know, we are not planning on having one until Jeremy graduates which is a year and half. Ultimately, it's not up to us but we are not planning on have one until then.

Also fun news, we are way excited about the Hurricanes' Stanley cup victory! Congrats Canes!

The Brevity of Life

This past weekend I have been thinking a lot about the brevity of life. First on Friday night, Jeremy and I watched the The End of the Spear. It is a movie about the Saint family whose goal in life was to bring the Word of God to the Waodani tribe in the Amazon. This family knew how fierce and violent these people were yet they never gave up their fight. In the movie, Nick Saint, a pilot, and his 4 friends (Jim Elliot to just name one) traveled into their village so they could meet the people and form a relationship with them. In the end, the end up getting killed because of a miscommunication in language and a lying man. Nick was a young guy and he had 2 young kids when he died. He died doing the Lord's work but still his life was cut short.

Then all weekend I was reading a book called P.S. I love you by Ceceila Ahern. In the book, Holly's husband Gerry dies at the age 30 of a brain tumor. The whole book is Holly's struggle to go on with her life. She is stuck with his memory and their dreams that will never come true. Gerry knowing that he was going to die writes her list of 10 things she is to do. She gets an envelope each month containing a task that he wrote her. As I was reading this book, I couldn't help but think of Jeremy and I and our future. So many times we think we have all the time in the world and we'll live to an old age together. Too often we get stuck in our day to day activities and take each other for granted. We don't live like tomorrow could be our last day. We have these dreams of a family and a future but we are in no way guaranteed these things. Many times as I was reading I was brought to tears thinking about what if this were me. (Great book, you really should read it!)

I think these two mediums have really helped me to reexamine where I am right now and what my priorities are. Remember to never take your time on Earth here for granted. Live each day like it is your last. On that note, make sure also that we spread the Gospel like people do not have another day. I know I don't live that way so I'm challenging myself...what about yoU?

The Baptists and the Rain

It's been a crazy week so far... Monday started the beginning of the end of my days at Millbrook. I packed up my life as a teacher thus far and moved it over to my new school in Wake Forest. The staff was very warm, inviting, and helpful at my arrival which made a good first impression. I unpacked the car into my new room and the size of it scares me a little so I'm going to have to be creative with my decorating.

Tuesday I arrived at school to find that I had quickly been kicked out of my space. My replacement dove right in after my leaving, pushing the rest of my stuff out in the hall and then started rearranging the room. It was hard at first because it is not my space anymore and its like life went on without even a blink. I know my replacement is just anxious to get started as I know I would but it's like I couldn't even get out all the way before she took my spot. My team has been very supportive of my move and were very generous to give me a gift certificate to the teacher store to help restock my new classroom. In my hurry to get to my lunch date, I ran out without really saying goodbye to anyone outside of my collegues in any of the other grades. Whoops!

I ran to my lunch date with Kat which was a great time and I enjoyed catching up with her. I then flew to Greensboro to try and make it to SEBTS presentation at the Southern Baptist Convention. I made it with 30 mins. to spare only to release I no money to pay for my parking pass and I wasn't dressed appropriately. I drove around G-boro and finally resorted to changing clothes in a dark corner of a parking deck (yeah, great idea I know!). I made it just as Jeremy went on stage and spent the rest of the evening with him.

Today I swore I need Noah's ark to make it around. Lovely TS Alberto made its presence known in NC and we were drenched. I was soaked on more than one occassion trying to walk through a parking lot. Our neighborhood has a river following through it (literally the creek has turned into a river and some cars are underwater.) Poor Crabtree mall is flooded as well. :( The one fun thing of the day is that I got to hear Condolezza Rice speak at the convention. She spoke a very optimistic speech that led to over 5 standing ovations.

Hurricanes are scheduled to play in 2 hours. (GO CANES!) Hopefully they'll take home the Cup tonight! Question for you: What do fans do when the Canes win? Tarheels know to go to Franklin St. but what do we do when the Canes win?

Stick a fork in me..

because I'm done! (ok that was cheesy but I had to do it!) I think this school year has been one of the hardest of my life but now it's over and I'm extremely thankful that I get several weeks off. Tomorrow I'll pack up the last of my classroom and load it up in my dad's truck and take it over to my new school. It's so bittersweet but I'm excited for the change.

Today I once again changed roles in the children's department at church. This is the 3rd position I've had in the last year. I've moved from the 2 year old teacher to the third grade and now to the babies. I love the babies and I think it is only increasing the baby itch that has started inside of me. Jeremy still says it's not the right time and I know deep down he's right but still I have the desire.

Also today I went to Ro Rap to help my grandmother celebrate her 72nd birthday. As always, the whole extended family was there and the talk turned to religion. Being the only Baptist in the group, I am constantly patronized and questioned for my beliefs. I hate being but on the spot and I always seem to stumble over my words and look like a dork. I'm going to take it as a challenge this summer to really study up on my doctrines.

Another exciting tidbit of info...I've raised $1700 of my $2200 for my S. Africa trip so far! The Lord has really blessed me and I can see His hand at work. I'm so excited about this trip!!!!

FYI, its thunderstorming really bad outside and I really hate thunderstorms. I think living in NC my whole life in hurricane country has made me scared of natural disasters. I know I'm a big baby but I've seen the repercutions (sp?) of storms from hurricanes to tornandos that I'm fearfully. Now that you know a little inside tibit of me I'm going to sign off. Until next time...

Mixed emotions

With 2 days left with the kiddos, I have mixed emotions. I am so ready for the year to be over with and to have a break, but once it's over it's done. I'm done with this group of kids, all the paperwork, and most of all Millbrook. As hard as these past 2 years have been, there were many wonderful things that have happened. I have developed amazing friendships with my collegues who have supported and encouraged me through the first 2 years of my career. They have listened to me cried and offered assistance in any way they could. I feel like Millbrook really gave me a supportive atmosphere as a professional to grow and learn. I'm in such a rush to get the year over with that I have forgotten what I will be leaving behind. This in mind, maybe I'll take more time to cherish the time I have left.


P.S. I've add a link to my pictures from my trip to Nashville below to the Music City, USA post. Enjoy!