It's been a while. When I realized that the last time I wrote there was snow on the ground, compared to the 100+ degree weather we are seeing now, I knew that I had some catching up to do. Justin and I have been staying very busy and have plenty of updates to give. Let's start with a little review of the last few months and then I'll fill you in on our plans for the very near future...
In March:
We got to celebrate the marriage of our friends, Brandon and Savannah. It was a beautiful day and we were so happy to be there as they took the leap into married life!
I took COMPS, the first of two major exams an SLP must pass in order to become certified. If I had a picture of this, it would be of me in front of a huge pile of books and binders with a coffee in one hand and a highlighter in the other, with Justin patiently supporting and encouraging me from across the table.
Our sweet nieces, Kinley and Ansley, turned 2 years old. Happy birthday to their daddy, whose birthday is today!
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| Kinley |
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| Ansley |
Justin and I decided we needed a little getaway and headed to a B&B in Granbury.
In April:
My sister, Jamie, and her husband, Geoff, came to visit. We took them to the Dallas Arboretum (where we take all of our guests - and where we will almost certainly take you if you stop by!) and really enjoyed spending time with them.
Justin had a birthday! We celebrated over several days. :)
Among other things, we had friends over to make personal pan pizzas...
Went to a Rangers game...
And went iceskating, where we learned that Justin is a natural. I am not.
I think that I enjoyed Justin's birthday week as much (if not more) than he did! We did several fun things and got to spend time with good friends. I am very thankful for my husband and will gladly take an excuse to celebrate him. :)
April also marked the beginning of Justin's racing season, so he has been enjoying riding and racing whenever he gets a chance.
We also got to spend some more fun time with the girls. They are getting so big!
Kellie came to visit from Baltimore, which was really fun! I wish that I had gotten to spend more time with her, but I was so thankful for the visit. I miss my friend!
Justin's parent's came to visit as well, and it was good to see them. We went to the arboretum, played games, watched Justin's younger brother run at a track meet for ACU, and had a good time catching up. I somehow don't have a single picture of this visit! We're hoping to get up to Michigan to visit them sometime this summer, so I'll have to make up for it then. :)
In April I also took Praxis, the second big test we have to pass to get licensed. Let's just say that it was a crazy month.
In May:
I GRADUATED!!!
I am so happy to be done and so thankful to everyone who helped me get here.
It was also fun to spend time everyone who came into town for it.
Justin has done about 117,234 races in the last week. He is very talented and fun to watch!
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| Justin is the one in third, right in the middle of the picture. |
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| He's easy to find in this one! |
We have been enjoying the warm weather and had a cookout with friends last weekend. Unfortunately, this is the only picture I have because this was after I lost my camera charger... which will explain the lack of any other pictures for a while. :(
And now for our future plans!
Some of you know that Justin and I have been debating long and hard about our next step - where to live, where to work, whether to stay in Dallas, whether to move to Colorado (or a slew of other places), etc. We have never intended to stay in Dallas after I graduated. This was always a stepping stone, a place that was necessary in order for me to go to the school I wanted, but a temporary home because, let's face it - we just don't like Dallas all that much.
But as circumstances would have it, this is where we will be for at least the next year. Many, many factors played into this decision, but ultimately, Justin and I have done a lot of praying, a lot of thinking, a lot of talking, and then a lot more praying, and this is where the doors are opening up. And you know the great thing about this decision? We've realized that we are excited about it!
We found a great little townhouse that is just down the street from where we live now, and we began moving in this weekend. Geoff and Jamie were wonderful and came up to help us pack, move, shop for furniture and appliances, and tie up some loose ends. We don't officially move in until later this week, but let me tell you - I am pretty excited about living there. It's in a great location, has a little yard, a great floor plan, and we can't wait to start having visitors, so please come! We are so thankful for the apartment we have now and for the wonderful first home that it has been for us, and we are excited to see the ways that our new home will be used.
Justin's contract with DISD was renewed so he will be teaching there again next year. He finished up his first year teaching on Friday and is now on summer break! It was so neat watching Justin learn and grow this first year. He is so passionate, so fun, and so caring that he makes an excellent teacher. He is at a very difficult school that can be incredibly frustrating, but he has a gift for those situations. I am so proud of him and so thankful for the ways that God is using him in the lives of his students. Justin plans to work at the bike shop again during the summer, so you know he's excited about that. :)
I came to the very difficult decision to look for a new job after I graduated and have stayed busy sending out resumes and interviewing. I love my current job and am so thankful to work there, but I felt that it was time for me to move on to something new, particularly something with a schedule that was a little more like my husband's. With that as my goal, I have been looking at jobs in school districts and accepted one last Friday. More on that as it becomes finalized, but know that I am very excited about it!
All in all, Justin and I are very excited about whatever is next. I will try to give you an update before there is snow on the ground again. :)
