Grad School

I am sorry that I seemed to pick up there for a while and have now let you down. I can't believe half of October is already gone! Where is time going? In the time I have not posted, I have been working on the house, school, and my graduate school application. Today, actually just a mere fifteen minutes ago I submitted my application to Virginia Tech's Graduate School! I feel confident and proud of myself. This has been quite the process and I'm glad that this load is now off my shoulders. Please say a prayer if it's God's will that I be accepted. I received a confirmation email (already) that my application has been received and that I should hear something in roughly two weeks. Now starts the waiting and anxiety, but I know everything's in God's hands. In the  meantime I'm off to working on the house. Again, I promise to start posting some before/after pics in the next few days! Have a blessed weekend!

Happy Holidays?!

Yesterday was October 1st and stores are already out with their Christmas decorations. I would like to say that I haven't caved and listened to any Christmas music, or looked at some of our Christmas decorations, movies. etc. but the truth is, I have listened to Christmas music and I've even had an urge to watch a Christmas movie, too. In the process of moving, packing, and unpacking, we've sorted through some of our Christmas decorations and immediately all the nostalgia of Christmas memories the holidays bring hit me.

Now, with that being said, I am still digging and very much in love with Fall! I have waited 9 long months for it to begin! Perhaps I am bit biased, after all, it is my favorite season: the one I was born in, the season Adam and I began dating and married, too. It captivates me with its luscious golds, burgundies, browns, burnt oranges, and deep reds; the aroma of pot roasts, pumpkin and apple pies, and cinnamon scented candles grab me senseless. I'm like a cat around catnip! Okay, bad metaphor, but you get the idea. Having just bought our house and living here only 2+ weeks I am still in Fall mode for decorating, and I will keep those decorations up until Black Friday--a day reserved, not for shopping, but for decorating for Christmas, and trust me those decorations will last at least a month to a month and a half. So for now, step aside Christmas, it's Fall's time to shine!

For the love of...

Fall! Oh how delicious that word tastes in my mouth! I absolutely love fall, it is by far my most favorite season. [I may be slightly biased since my anniversary and birthday are in November.] Everything about fall screams out at me. I perhaps have a slight affinity with it. ;-)

If you haven't noticed, I haven't updated the blog in quite some time, but with Fall finally here, I felt a change would be good! So as the saying goes, out with the old, in with the new! I took down the 'ol spring/summer look and added a pie, an owl, some leaves, lots of plums and browns and voila, the blog had a makeover! I apologize for not posting pictures on the house, we were out of town last weekend and haven't had any time to really work on anything. The good news is that we've finally narrowed down a color for a our bedroom, so we hope to get to work on that this weekend! Anywho, I hope you're having a marvelous Tuesday! 

It's Official, We're Homeowners!

Last night, we had the hardest time falling to sleep. Adam and I were like little kids waiting for Christmas morning to arrive! We could hardly contain ourselves, in fact both of our nerves were practically shot this morning! And it took all I had to actually get up and go to work. My administration cleared it for me to come in late to school, provided that I had coverage if I didn't get back in time for my first class to start. I chose to come in so it wouldn't feel like I hadn't achieved anything during my planning and would have to stay late this evening, too.

So around 8:45am, I left the high school and drove to meet the hubbs, where we proceeded to go to the lawyer's office. There, approximately 50-70 pieces of paper and the jist of what they contained were handed for us to sign and sign away we did! 45-50 minutes later the sellers handed us our keys! So it's official, we're homeowners, and praise God from whom all blessings flow!

We're Finally Closing on Our 1st House!

Tomorrow is it! After patiently waiting  for three weeks, we finally get to close on our house! This is very exciting for us because it'll be our first house! After accepting the job at BHS, we started considering our options as to whether or not we should continue to rent or actually buy a house. After praying about it, and crunching some numbers, we figured that we had paid nearly $16,000 in rent over the past two years. The amount we were paying in rent per month was cheap in comparison to the cost of buying a house out on the eastern side of the state. Now that we've moved, the cost of living in this area is much much cheaper, so we knew that we could buy a house and pay monthly cheaper than what we were paying in rent. It was just a better and smarter decision.

So, needless to say, we are beyond thrilled that the Lord has opened the doors for this to happen! We never thought this day would come and it is still somewhat surreal that it actually is. We prayed that if it's God's will for us to live there, to be an example of His light, and to grow in the community where we'll be living, then we'd love to be there! It's by no means our "dream" home or where we'd even like to live for the next 10+ years, but it's an amazing "starter" home, it's actually more than what we'd hope for! I can't wait to upload pictures and let you all get a glimpse into our little world!

Remembering 9/11

Has ten years really gone by this fast? Where did the time go? I remember 9/11 as if it were yesterday. I'd like to remember that day by telling you what I went through. First off, I was 14 years old, a freshman, just starting a new adventure by starting high school. It was that Tuesday that I remember having an unannounced fire drill in my first block class, Ms. Stone's Geometry class, and then shortly thereafter being dismissed to my second block class, World History I with Mrs. Holland.

Mrs. Holland always greeted us at the door, that was nothing new. However, on this day, her eyes were filled with tears which brimmed over onto her cheek and as I went to ask if she was alright, I couldn't help but be distracted by the shrieking voices that poured out from the TV in our room. I took my seat and sat stunned at what I saw: a skyscraper on fire where a huge blacked hole was nearer the top of the building.

That was the day I learned what the World Trade Centers were.

And so I sat, and like others in my class, very much in awe of what was happening. Almost immediately came in other reports that a plane crashed into the Pentagon, a mere 287 miles away, and then another plane crashed in Shanksville, PA. I believe the thought that came into many other people's minds were, "What in the world is going on?!?!?" I dared not think we were under attack. Surely a country that is prominent in world affairs, and there to give aide as it could, was not under attack?!

The rest of my day continued with the swapping classes at the sound of the bell and watching the news during every possible second. Marching band practice was canceled after school; Mr. Harris told us to go home and be with our families, that's what really mattered. I went home that evening still in shock; and then the rush of emotions I felt, but did not exhibit, finally came out. At home, surrounded by family, I wept. I sobbed and sobbed for the people who's lives were now changed; those children who wouldn't have parents to come home to and vice versa, those who lost brothers, sisters, friends, husbands, wives, and mine.

 9/11 marks a day in which my innocence was stolen. I no longer took life for granted and thought solely of myself, but of others. I wanted to give blood and help out, but all I could do was pray, and pray a lot. In fact, it was that November I gave my life to God, and I know 9/11 was a big factor in changing how I was self-centered and turned into someone who wanted to give and help others.

So as today marks the tenth anniversary, I am proud to say that I am an American. I am proud that the forces of Islamic terrorists did not overcome us, but brought us together. Let the colors of our flag run true, as they continue to symbolize unity, equality, and freedom. Let us never forget, but always remember. And let us continue to honor those who selflessly gave their lives to save another, those who were caught up their usual day to day business who were killed, and those whose suffering continues with the loss of a loved one.

In all of this, God is still good, God still reigns, He is still supreme, and it's in Him we still trust. Remember 9/11.

I'm Back and with Good News!

I'm so sorry I haven't posted in nearly two months! You have every right to be upset with me, however I bring good news! I am absolutely head-over-heels in love with my new school, ahem, my alma mater! I LOVE teaching there! That's not to say that I haven't had any hiccups along the way, but I am thrilled beyond all measure at how things are going! BHS is such a breath of fresh air, I no longer dread going to work like I did at that "other school" (which shall remain nameless)! The camaraderie among the teachers is amazing and I love my department! And throughout this whole process, Adam has remained relentless is staying by my side, supporting, loving, and helping me along the way! (Let's be honest, half of everything that's been graded so far wouldn't have made it if it weren't for him)! I am blessed beyond words to have him!

Aannnndd, Adam and I have some wonderful news....(no not that kind).....we bought our first house! We are beyond thrilled with it! It's 2100 sq. ft for under $90,000! What a steal! We're waiting for the loan to get out of underwriting so we can hurry up and "close" on it. Our hope is to be in it withing a *week* if all goes accordingly! I promise to have pictures and will post all our renovation DIY shenanigans! In the meantime may all thanks and praise go to the One who makes all things possible!