Frustrated?

So, I've arrived...in my "new," *forever (although I resist saying that - I have no plans to move & would be happy staying where I'm at for good, or a good-while!).*

I moved into my parents' house to finish out my current teaching contract (March - May 2015) - left my district in CO after 10 years (May 2015).

Packed up & moved out...

It was A LOT of work - thank goodness for fathers, brothers, & friends like family - who got it all loaded & ready for us.

My mom & I made the trek to AZ Memorial Day weekend & I've really settled in, despite 3 weeks passing.  Basically, my stuff is between Flagstaff & Phoenix, I share a bedroom with my niece, & I'm really okay with that, my frustration is...

I've been searching for a needle in a box-stack.  I mean I have to go through a garage, in summer, looking for my shot record.  You may think *duh - why isn't that in your "important papers" box?*  I know, YOU'RE RIGHT!  Okay - I should have put in in that box when I stumbled upon it (with my high school diploma) as I was packing.  However, I haven't pulled that thing out in 8 or 9 yrs. & I had no reason to...I'm vaccinated, all shots up-to-date, & no reason to prove it.  Well, until our recent trend - the stupid anti-vacc movement!

Here's my rant...when did it become okay to "have the right" to make others unhealthy?  When did vaccinations become EVIL?  Why is it that I have to prove that I am vaccinated (which I have no problem with, I AM & PROUD of it!), while I have to educate & expose myself to students who are 'exempt?'

I am now on the hunt for that shot record...hoping I can find it after a 2 or 3 box search.  *Prayers that this doesn't become a beast, but we all know that it might!*  All else fails, new shots...but I'm hoping that's not necessary,

Moving on OUT!

So my house sold...in 6 hr. basically!

Answered prayer, yes.

LOTS to do, definitely!

 So here I am turning in my keys...so sad.

And here's my temporary home...back with Mom & Dad.

Then this happened:

Blessed...sums up my feelings right now - I'm truly BLESSED!

Prayers Requested...

So I was a busy girl today...

1. 7:45am interview - Skype failed us, so did it over the phone
2. 8:30am HR meeting - paperwork signed
3. 9:00am appointment - key/lockbox for my house sale
4. 11:30 back to work - lunch with teammates
5. 12:00 video/filming set-up
6. 1:00pm recess - HALLELUJAH!
7. 3:30pm dismissal
8. 4:00 - home early (MIRACLE)
9. 4:01 - 4 messages for house showings (literally, lockbox was put on at 11:00am-ish)
10. 5:30 - dinner with my parents
11. 6:00pm - text from teammate about para support for our classrooms (25+ in each of our 5 rooms)
12. 6:35 - Snow delay for Th. announced (10 day forecast, high for these 10 days = 37 degrees)
13. 8:00pm - at home, to stay!

Pretty much 1 & 5 were the only "for sure" things on my To Do list this morning...glad I'm not in control.  I was actually pretty excited for all the luck that was shown me today - really, I don't believe in luck.

You may/may not know that I am making plans to move from CO to AZ.  Family is a huge deal to me & right now my sister is in need of support.  On 11/7 my nephew was born, with a known heart condition, & Trisomy 21 - Down Syndrome.  He is facing heart surgery in a few weeks, just received a feeding tube, & will soon be getting all sorts of therapies for his T21 diagnosis.

In short, I feel God is leading me to be more involved in my sister's new journey.  I am excited to help, learn, & just love on my niece & nephews.  I realized last summer that I needed to start "getting my ducks in a row" to make the leap from CO to AZ.  

I have been getting things together & recently have felt such peace about where God is leading me on this new journey.  That being said, I have some tough decisions to make about work - interviews, applications, etc.  I want to be where God wants me & He is directing the path - making it clear that AZ is where I'm supposed to be.  I would appreciate prayers about the job situation, knowing *with certainty* what positions are to be declined & which 1 is to be accepted - I want to be where He wants me to be.

Thanks,

How I Spent My Holiday...

A few photos to share about all the fun I had from 12/19 - 1/4:

Happy Birthday, Mom - a fun night at Mary Poppins!

Enjoying Annie with 2 cuties (the old one, BTW).

 Two sleepers - tired on Christmas Eve!

Christmas cuddles with my cutie nephew Lucas!

Some Christmas crafts that we completed.

Lil' Miss Addi, diva posing, in her clothes from Uncle Chuck.

A New Year's photo with this handsome cutie, Lucas!

Kissy, kissy faces - ready for 2015!

A night of selfies...

A birthday surprise

Blessings...too many to count!  I love being apart of a big family - one that loves, argues, forgives, & is involved in the happenings of each other's lives!  Thank you for your love & support,

I'm On My Way!

So yesterday I became 1 step closer on my journey to AZ...

So now I have a 1 year teaching license for 1-8 & just passed my Early Childhood Exam, so in the spring I can apply for Kinder positions.

Now it's time to sell my townhouse...

I feel like God is blessing this decision around every obstacle...He is making it clear that family is where I need to be - right now that is supporting my sister in AZ!

Thanks friends on FB who said a little prayer for me @ 10:30 yesterday....I had test anxiety like FOR REALS!  It took me until 4:30pm to unwind & I finished my test at 11:45am!  I don't know why I was so stressed, but I'm glad I got it over with before Turkey Day 2014.

3 more sleeps until I can snuggle with these CUTIES:

Happy Thanksgiving,

Heard of It?

Ever heard of Donors Choose?

I have a few colleagues & "teacher friends" who have written grants using this wonderful organization.

It took me a bit of time to get up the nerve, I mean I'm not really good about asking for money or begging friends/parents to purchase supplies for my room.  But, I saw how effective some grants were & the teachers were so excited to get their boxes of new items - putting those new tools to use immediately.

I was jealous!  For real.

So, I thought long & hard about what I wanted that was reasonable.  A game or activity that I could get a lot of use out of - I perused "the teacher haven" Lakeshore.  Seriously - this store is teacher-crack!  No JOKE - they have everything, pretty much in a box.  Pre-made, already laminated, & kid-proof.  I can't leave Lakeshore without spending $100 - CAN'T.  IMPOSSIBLE.

Found a game & alphabet tubs that I think should be apart of EVERY Kindergarten classroom & set about writing my grant.  I was checking that thing daily over Fall Break, hoping for something.  Nothing.

Until tonight.  It wasn't 1/2 or anything, but you know what...I'm excited for ANY amount!  Really, teachers spend so much money & in years past I wouldn't have hesitated to spend $300 on a few tubs & games.

Of course these things will be put to good use & I encourage you to check out various projects on the site.  Maybe mine isn't for you & that's okay.  Consider a donation to someone's classroom.  Heck, if you can't give money - give your time!

Our district just failed to pass a Bond.  So, despite your political feelings about education, budgets, taxes, expenditures, boards of education, transparency, administration, etc. - my school, the largest elementary in the district, has to deal with overcrowding {SIGNIFICANT OVERCROWDING} & teachers need help.  Teaching 24+ Kinders in a room with 1 adult is asking a lot - testing 9 Kinders 1-on-1 every 12 days is asking a lot, completing 24+ assessments 1-on-1 for letter id., letter sounds, rhyming, blending, segmenting...yeah, it's A LOT!

So, if you can't give a $ donation - which I understand, consider donating an hour or 2 once a month.  Teachers always need help copying & working with small groups of children.  I COVET these helpers.

What a great way to stay connected with your child & donate - whatever you can.  Trust me, every little bit helps & is appreciated,

P.S. My project is here.

11/7 - Happy Birthday Lucas!

So Lucas arrived!  I was so excited to be "birthday buddies" with my newest nephew...alas, it didn't happen.

Lucas Clemente Espinoza arrived at 12:23pm on 11/7 weighing 6 lbs. 8 oz., 19 3/4 in. long - he is a blessing & I can't wait to hold him.

Yay for healthy babies,