"You are still only subbing?"

Well, the school year is almost done, and we are still in the same spot when it comes to teaching jobs for the future. With school district's budgets being stretched there has been a freeze put on the overall hiring process. Jason is doing a lot better at being open minded about our situation...it is hard still waiting. I know that God has great things planned for us, but it sure is hard waiting to see what those things are.

Lately I've been asked this question over and over, "You are still only subbing?" Let me be honest here for a second...there are two words in that short question that have me wondering. First off, 'still.' It is diffidently not our first choice to be substitute teaching. But, it is a job where we get to use the degrees that we went to four plus years of school for. It is one of the least appreciated and challenging jobs I have ever done. You can't be nice it seems or the students walk all over you. So, no we are not 'still' subbing, we are subbing.

Secondly, comes the word 'only.' Again this goes back to the idea that we are choosing to sub rather than have our own classroom (completely untrue). Jason actually had someone ask him if he was taking it "easy," and "just subbing." The reality is, that even though the 'experts' promise more jobs, with each job we apply anywhere from 100-400 other people also applying. In fact this year it has been rumored that many principals won't even get a choice in who they hire; districts will simply move teachers around instead of hiring new. Also, we are not 'only' subbing. We each have had multiple weeks where we work over 50 or 60 hours...I try not to think about the amount of work we are working versus the monetary gain we are able to make.

I am so thankful for my strong, level headed husband, that does not let life's curve-balls strike him down. When I am feeling discouraged he is right there to point me back to the Word, and the promises that Christ made to me, that ALL things will work together for good. I realize that I need to stop waiting for the good and notice the good all around me.

Just a few of the things I am thankful for:

P90X

Well, I don't know if many of you have heard of P90X, but it is a at home workout program that promises to get you into shape in 90 days. Jason and I just completed our first week of working out on it last night....and I LOVE it! Each workout is about an hour long, and when you get done you are tired, pumped and sweaty! That's how I know it is working. Each morning after working out a new muscle is sore, but again that lets me know that I am working hard. I can already tell a physical difference just after the first six days. It's fun too because Jason and I get to do it together. There was one time last week where we were both laughing so hard during the workout because we knew we looked ridiculous trying. I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else. :) I will keep you posted with our updates as we continue on in our second week of P90X.

Other than that we have been keeping ourselves VERY busy subbing...almost too busy working if you ask me. Jason was a P.E. teacher for three weeks while the teacher was out with his new baby. Jason loved it, and I know it was hard for him to go back to teaching in the classroom. My dad was very helpful when it came to giving Jason advice about teaching P.E....he's been doing it for 30 years so we figured he had some good ideas :) I on the other hand, have been doing the majority of my subbing at Wright Elementary, the same school my dad teaches at. Last week I had 60 hours of work in total between my subbing and Sbuxing...same thing this week. When is summer?

Fetching Cat?

We are very proud of the talents of our children...

There you have it...a pretty amazing kitty. :)

Enjoying the Last of Winter

Well, first off it is important to say that Jason and I decided not to go to Indonesia to teach. There were a lot of reasons...some being that for going somewhere for two years, we didn't feel excited about the idea. We also prayed a lot about it for the two weeks leading up to our decision. Once we let them know it felt so good, and we knew that we had made the right decision.
We had a great Valentine's Day, and I got to celebrate my birthday for a few days in a row. Jason got me some beautiful roses (shown above :) We went to Sunriver with my family over Valentine's Day. I am 23 now...time sure goes by fast... ;)

Besides that, we have both been subbing a lot all throughout Salem and Jefferson. We are both done with our 3-week (each) student teaching, so we are very close to getting our elementary endorsements. That should help us in the job market this upcoming year since we will both be able to apply for all elementary jobs plus Jason in history (middle and high), and language arts (middle and high) for me. I know we both don't want to have to go through another year where we are both working two jobs each and never having time to do anything but work. This week I am pushing 60 hours between my two jobs. Don't get me wrong, we are VERY thankful for the jobs that we have, but to focus on one job, and be teaching, which is what we both want to be doing, would be ideal.Last weekend I got to go on the annual woman's retreat with Salem Heights Church. It was AWESOME!! I needed the break, and got to spend so much "girl" time with the other young ladies at church. It was so much fun to go shopping, go out to eat and stay up late talking. I am so excited about the friendships that were begun, and the ones that grew a ton over that weekend! I have been praying for more girlfriends, and what's crazy is that talking last weekend we were all praying the same thing! Jason and I have been hanging out with so many young married couples, and it is awesome. We are all at around the same place in life, so we share funny stories and are hopefully creating lasting friendships :)
I will leave you with a funny quote from one of my kindergarten boys:

"I put some smelly stuff on today. I wanted to be handsome."

Winter

Well, it is about time that I post again...
First off Jason and I have a HUGE decision coming up soon with what we are going to be doing for the next couple years...Last Thursday we were offered two teaching job in Indonesia at the school Sekolah Pelita Harapan (http://www.sph.edu/). We have some time to think about what our final decision will be...but it does feel good to be wanted. :)Jason was offered a 7th and 8th grade humanities (History and English) position, and I was offered a 9th and 10th grade language arts position. We would be teaching at the school that is approximately 30 miles from Jakarta, Indonesia. It is a world-class Christian education facility, that offers education to Indonesian and expatriate children. The upper levels are taught using the I.B. curriculum. The term that we would be teaching there, would be for two years...which is where our thinking is getting stopped. It would be a wonderful experience, both personally and professionally. We have been praying and talking a lot about what we will end up doing, and we will keep everyone updated on what we finally decide.

Other than making that decision, Jason and I have been staying busy. We are both back in school so we can get our elementary teaching endorsements. We completed two graduate classes online in three weeks, and have one more class we are taking out at Corban. I am just finishing up my student teaching out at Faye Wright this week, and then Jason will start out there for the following 3-weeks starting next Monday. It has been a lot of fun getting to be there to see my dad everyday...but I remember why I don't like student teaching...lots of learning, but you are doing all the work for free...hopefully it will end up paying off in the end though. :)

We are also in a young marrieds small group through church. It has been so much fun getting to know so many other young married couples, and getting together with them outside of our group time. This Thursday we are going bowling with the group, so that should be really fun!

Well, that's all for now...please be praying for us as we make our decisions coming up here in the next couple of weeks. I know that God will take care of us no matter what, but I know we are anxious to start planning the next stage in our lives...whatever that may be :)

Merry Christmas

I know the title says "Merry Christmas," but I haven't written since before Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving once again this year. We were able to split our time between both of our families, and had very full bellies by the end of the day! We have so much to be thankful for: marriage, family, our four jobs (two each), our home, our freedom and our Savior. We may not have a lot, but what we do have, I know we would never want to trade in for anything.

We went to the Singing Christmas Tree this year with my family, Grandma Betty, Grandma's friends and Kinsey's roommate Cara. It was different than years past which was nice since we go every year. That is one tradition that I don't ever want to give up...it's a great way to transition into the Christmas holiday!

Black Friday I got to sleep in a little bit since I didn't have to be at Starbucks until 8:00am. I was surprised how much fun the day was, and although we were busy the whole eight hours I worked that day, it went smoothly. The customers were awesome, and so patient and kind while we rushed around making their drinks. Since that day my store has been busy no matter what day it is. It's fun that's for sure, but by the end of the shift I am just exhausted.

Speaking of working...Jason and I have been keeping busy with subbing and our other part-time jobs. This week and last week we each worked everyday, so last Thursday and this Friday we took the days off to spend some much needed time together. This week alone with my two jobs, I will have worked over 60 hours...so looking forward to the day when we each have ONE job each, and get to slow down somewhat.

Jason and I are enjoying every moment of this Christmas! We both love this time of the year, with all the traditions and fun memories that we get to make. This is the first Christmas we have with Calli and Hobbes, and so far they are "loving" the Christmas tree. :) We went out early in the morning last Saturday to select the perfect tree. When we first brought it home they were afraid of it, then it was a holder for new "toys" for them...which were our ornaments. Needless to say it took a couple of days for them to get used to the new decoration in our home. We are awaiting the snow that the weather stations are saying should hit sometime in the next 4-5 hours...I LOVE snow, so that would be very exciting. It has been so cold here...mornings of 11 degrees...we have been bundling up a lot around our house. :) Keep enjoying the season, and remember the true meaning:

It's not the gifts, it's not the time spent with friends and family...those are wonderful, but the true meaning is Christ's birth...He is the reason for the season.

Future Plans...and Present Life

I can't believe how busy this year is, and how fast it is going by! It's hard to imagine, although I am excited about the fact, that Christmas is just next month. I love this time of the year, and have officially started listening to Christmas music...which those that know me, know that starting this "late" is saying a lot :)

Jason and I are both subbing in the Salem-Keizer School District and the surrounding smaller districts. We have been getting requested at the same schools over and over, which is nice because we are getting to know the students. Jason has been fortunate enough to get a long term sub position at Hammond Elementary, where he is teaching 4th grade. Speaking of elementary school...this coming spring semester, I am going to begin taking classes to get my elementary endorsement. I never thought I would be teaching elementary, but since I have gotten to sub a lot at that level, I have grown to love it! I need to take three classes at the graduate level, write a work sample, and do a student teaching. I applied, and now am just waiting on the financial aide. Applying...that is something that both Jason and I are both getting pretty good at. We recently sent off our applications to the school in Indonesia, Sekolan Pelita Harapan (http://www.sph.edu/). Right now we are just waiting to hear back from the school to see if they have placements for both of us. The school is currently contacting the people on our reference lists we supplied them. Right now is hard though, since we are in a limbo of not knowing. We can't plan for the future, but at the same time it's hard to stop your brain from going to what might happen. We are praying a lot about what to do, and where we should go, but at this point we are both feeling good about the option of Indonesia. At the same time we are open to the possibility that there may not be a position for us...only time will tell, but we will keep you updated. :) The school that is located right outside of Jakarta is shown above. There is also a brand new school that is in Jakarta that will be opening up this coming school year that we could also be placed at.Even with our busy schedules, we have been working hard at making time for each other. Last Friday we had a whole "date day," where we woke up, after sleeping in :), got coffee and headed up to Portland for the day. We got to go to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner off a gift card my parents gave us, then we headed to the Blazer game. They won, and it was an exciting game! We were one row from the TOP of the whole stadium, but even sitting up that high we had an awesome time, I don't think there are any really bad seats. It was a great day!Our little kittens are awesome as well! They seem to get more and more sweet if that is even possible. When I am with them it is hard to believe that I was ever scared of cats. They have diffidently become part of the Bernard family. Oh, by the way Calli (shown below) loves water...