In 2009....
- I began subbing for Tulsa Public and found out that subs do not have easy jobs.
- Jake transferred to Wal-Mart in Tulsa.
- We helped Sierra and Jerad move and paint their new home.
- I got a long term sub position at Addams Elementary School. I was covering for Susan Henderson while she was on maternity. It was a fifth grade class. I taught reading and social studies. Man, that was a learning experience! The biggest thing I learned was that it is important to balance the "I'm a person you can trust and talk to" teacher side with the "I am an adult and you will respect me" teacher side.
- We joined First Baptist Church Tulsa and began to enjoy ourselves in our lifegroup.
- I went with FBC to San Antonio on a spring break trip chaperoning 5th, 6th and 7th graders.
- Jake spent a lot of time looking for, applying and interviewing at various jobs in Tulsa. None of which gave him a job.
- My 8 weeks at Addams was up and I left to regular subbing.
- Two weeks after leaving, I got a call back from Addams. The other 5th grade teacher had to leave and the principal asked if I could cover his class for the rest of the year.
- We began to think about taking advantage of the first time home buyers tax credit of $8000.
- Jake broke his foot while bowling. Only my husband! This put him out of work for 6 weeks.
- My principal offered me a prek position at Addams for the 2009-2010 school year! My first teaching job!
- I began making friends with my new colleagues.
- I watched my fifth graders graduate elementary school and see how nervous they were about middle school.
- I worked at FBC Day Camp. I was a counselor for the kindergarten class.
- We toured a model home in Sand Springs, OK and feel in love with the idea.
- We went down to Dallas, TX to see my cousin graduate from High School. It was fun to catch up with family and just have time away.
- After a few weeks of talking and prayer, we decided to build a home in Sand Springs.
- I went to Literacy First Phase 1 training and Great Expectations Methodology classes.
- We watched our foundation being poured and the frame go up!
- Jake finally got released to go back to work.
- I spent way to much money on my classroom and began to make it my own.
- Jake continued to look for jobs outside of Wal-Mart.
- I survived my first day of school and from that I knew I would be ok.
- I began to become very good friends with my colleagues, began the residency process and how learned just how hard teaching can be.
- I started studying the book of John at Bible Studies Foundations.
- I realized I love my students and my job.
- We continued to watch our house go up. We made choices on colors, carpets, layout, stained concrete, door style, fireplace location, lights, appliance, cabinets and many others!
- For the first time, we didn't have to live paycheck to paycheck and had good health insurance.
- I realized how necessary school breaks are for both teachers and students.
- I learned that schools have politics. A lot of politics. Luckily, I had good friends to help me learn how to avoid as much of this as possible and how to play the game.
- We went to Tahlequah for Homecoming and enjoyed visiting Bob and Deb, Mike and Danielle, other friends and our old church!
- We closed on our home, moved in and unpacked all in one weekend.
- We went to Broken Bow, OK to visit my Granny and family for Thanksgiving.
- Jake got a different position at Wal-Mart that he enjoys much more.
- We decorated our home and celebrated our second Christmas.
And through the whole year...
- We saw God working in our lives and our families and friends.
- We continued to grow in our relationship with each other. We realized marriage was something you always had to work on and communicate about.
- We had some fights and we learned and grew from them!
- I missed some old friends, gained some more and grew in my relationship with others.
For 2010...
- We will see what happens...
- My one main resolution is to get healthy! I am calorie counting, eating healthier and trying to be more active. Hopefully, I will stay motivated and continue to work toward this.
I hope your 2010 is all that you hope for!
