Living in the Moment

As I am coming to the realization that I will not be able to go to most events and fun times here with family and friends, I am trying to focus on soaking it all in by living in the moment and not thinking, "I sure will miss doing this".  I am not really a "living in the moment" girl but always wished I was.  So I am trying to enjoy things and not think about what I won't be able to do or be a part of.  It all hit me during Tanya's wedding this past weekend as I was watching my family dance, chat, and laugh that I won't be able to attend all family events.  Which is hard for me because my family means the world to me.  But instead of sitting there sulking, I decided that I would enjoy being at that family event and not think about the others.  And I had a great time!  I spent a lot of the night hold my cousin as he slept... finally ;) and I loved every bit of it!

Instead of being sad (just don't mention my babysitting families and don't even think about saying how they are old and don't really need me anymore... that isn't helpful or encouraging), I am enjoying all the small moments I have with those I love!

*Night Bowling with my Greensboro friends (who knew blind people were such good bowlers)


*Holding and rocking Josh at the wedding and reception
 

 *Sharing a brownie sundae with my favorite red-headed cousin


*Turning around as driving away when I drop Ainsley off on her playdate to see her waving goodbye to me

*Finding out that school was dismissing in 30 minutes, and we had to feed our students before then (while it was stressful, I had a blast)

*Catching snowflakes in our mouths with my students while waiting for their bus

*Enjoying the snow/ice at my home with my sweet puppy dog

Telling people... or not

I cannot truly explain it or even understand it for that matter but I did not tell people right away or even want others to tell people.  I did call Brooke (my best friend) the night I got the job but after that I told very few people.  Then my goal became to tell one person a day and easing myself into it helped.  But once I told my principal, I had a weird feeling that the cat was out of the bag so I told others quite quickly after that.  The reactions were different... they were ones of sadness, worrying for safety, pure excitement, encouragement, and well, just shock.  But they all made me feel loved and encouraged. 

I am one who wants to hear big news of people (pregnancy, moving, etc) from the source and not from others (mom, dad, brother, cousin, friend) who know the source.  I am actually quite adament about that!  So I wanted to treat others with the same respect!  Which is why when I started telling people, I had to do it quickly so others would know from me.

Now that the cat is out of the bag, I am relieved that is done but now I am more anxious than ever!  While moving is still over 7 months away, it feels more real... and scary! 

Dream Job

Today was a world-wind day!  It started by waking up at 4:30am for an interview at 5:30am!  Let me back up some.  On Sunday morning, I got an email from a school in Tunis, Tunisia that wanted to interview me on Skype!  I was floored, shocked, excited, and super nervous all at once!  This was also a school I was unsure of because of safety but I took a leap of faith and applied.  But something in their website made me feel like they would take care of their new teachers.  So here I was getting ready to interview for the first time and I was oh so very nervous!  But as Aunt Beth put it "If it's God's plan, you already have the job" .  During the interview, I felt very welcomed and comforted by the three people who interviewed me. I hung up thinking I could not have asked for better people to interview me for my first time.  But I also felt I did not sell myself well at all and as I put it... I tanked!  But I packed up and headed to school to see my sweeties!

While my kids were at lunch, I checked my email on my phone and saw an email from the school's director at 10:10am.  My first thought was... Whelp, it didn't take him long to know I wasn't the one for the job.  But it was actually an email congratulating me for earning top choice and he offered me the job as a 2nd grade teacher!  I was floored and shaking!  I called mom but she didn't pick up.  So I ran next door to the one and only teacher I told at school and showed her the email.  We hugged and then I went back to my classroom and called Dad.  Then I was able to get a hold of Mom and Aunt Beth then later that day I was able to tell Paul!  I was on Cloud 9 that day and over the moon that my dream was finally coming true!  But I had this weird feeling that I didn't want others to know just yet.