Thanks for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was so much fun this year.  I know that we always have had lots to be thankful for, but this year I was feeling extra thankful.  Here are some of the things:

First SNOW of the season!

• Family and Friends
• Contentment
• Teaching jobs (both temporary and subbing)
• Jason's acceptance into PSU's special education program

This last year has been one where we learned a lot and grew as a couple.  Although nothing is ever for sure, and jobs as we have realized are fleeting, I am so thankful for the family and friends that God knew we would need to help get us though.

Christmas is here :)

We got to spend  thanksgiving with both our families again this year, but it didn't feel as stressful as in years past.  We spent the early afternoon with my mom's side at my aunt and uncle's house.  It was so good to catch up and spend time with a group of people that make me laugh so much.  Kinsey and her roommate (Maddie) came down as well...always love the times I get to spend with Kinz :)

Sister shot: Aunt Pat, Aunt Susie, Mom and Aunt Pat

Roomies: Kinsey and Maddie

Me and my Dad

 Then we went to Jason's side of the family Christmas at his parent's house.  Thankfully this year we didn't have to eat to meals...we have done that the last two years....I think my stomach thanked me at the end of the day :)  We played games and relaxed as the turkey took effect.

Sisters

Nial and Kinsey

We got to go to the Singing Christmas Tree up in Portland again this year. :) Even though it is almost the same each year, I still love it, and it seems to help the Christmas season start off right.  Then we went to the Spaghetti Factory (yum!).  It was a much needed and amazing break.

As of right now I have three more weeks of work at Claggett.  The principal told me over conferences that she doesn't expect the past teacher to come back...I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but it has been amazing to have my own group of students and get to watch them learn and grow.  We will see what happens, but for now I am thankful for what I have.

Spending some time with the person I am so thankful for.

Catch a ride on the Christmas Train!

The Girls

Jason found out right after Thanksgiving that he was officially accepted at Portland State for the special education program.  He will start this coming January, and be completed the following March as far as we understand.  He will be taking classes once a week either in Portland or online up until the summer.  When summer comes he will once again be a full-time student...not sure he is super excited about that :)  He is excited to start the program and feel like he is heading somewhere...although it is a path we did not foresee, I know he is going to do amazing.

Happy Thanksgiving...now let's celebrate CHRISTMAS!!! :)

New JOB!!!

I have a new job!  I was officially hired last week, and today was my third day of teaching at Claggett Creek Middle School in Keizer.  I am so thankful for this opportunity, and although the last week has been crazy busy, and everyday comes with new challenges, I am so thankful.  I am hired at this point up to winter break, with the possibility that the job could be extended to the end of the school year.  Only time will tell, but for right now, I am a TEACHER :).

Here is a picture of the school...if you look to the third story on the top far right side, that is my classroom. :)  I have been working during my prep and before and after-school getting the classroom to feel like my own.  The teacher that was in there left a little over a month ago, so the room was in chaos to say the least.  I was told to box up and remove anything that I wanted, and to think of the room as my own...so I have been, which I love :)  I redid the bulletin boards today (I put some pictures of my classroom below), and plan on organizing some more.  The learning curve has been pretty steep...conferences are in less than two weeks, so I have been attempting to get some grades for the students...it's a lot of work, but it is so comforting to know that I will be there tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after...

Board all about me :)

Room 300

Jason is also getting started on his new journey...this Wednesday he has his interview at Portland State University for the Special Education program.  If he gets in, he will start classes in January, and will complete the program the following summer.  It is a program designed for teachers that are working already to add the endorsement.  When he is done with the program he will only need a few more credit hours to complete his master's.

So excited to get out on the ice!

Serious.

Jason and I have also been busy helping out with the middle school youth group at our church this year.  We are working with students that go to Judson and Walker.  I am diffidently getting my fill of middle school :)  We call the small groups D-Teams ) devotional teams. My D-Team got to go to the pumpkin patch together.  They crack me up, and have such amazing hearts that desire to please and serve.  We also went "Broom-Balling" with the mid-high up in Portland on the ice!  That was a lot of fun...I was shocked that I didn't fall the whole time :)

Not serious.

Judson/Walker D-Team

Cuddle time :)

Needless to say, we are so thankful for where we are, and are looking forward to what is going to come in the future. :)