Frenzy

Hello everyone,

I may not be able to blog any more this week. Between the PLACE on Saturday and all the "stuff" I am cramming in my brain to start school, I am frazzled. I am just plain tired, but it is the tired you get from doing something you love. I am honored to have this job, but I have to get through this crazy, crazy, (Did I mention crazy?) time. Please keep me in your prayers, especially on Saturday as I take my test.

TTFN,
Shari

I GOT THE JOB!!!!

I got a call this morning from my new boss and Principal. I got the job. I start to work as a real teacher (not a sub.), on Monday. I can't believe it. I am scared, excited and happy all at the same time. There is sooo much to do between now and then, but at least I know that all my work is towards a real job on Monday.

Thanks so very much for all of your prayers and support. I am truly blessed.

I keep thinking of the scripture that talks about God wanting to prosper us and make us successful. It was hard to realize that last June, when I didn't get the nursing job. It's easy to see now. He knows and I know that I am a teacher. That is my gift and what I do well. Now, he has given me the chance to prove it.

Checking back in.

I have not blogged in a while. I just haven't had the time. Life has taken a big turn during the last couple of weeks.

I went for the para position interview and they offerred me the teaching position. I will also be starting a beginning string program for kids at the school. This is all wonderful, but I am having to jump through a lot of hoops to get all the paperwork straight. I am having to study for an exam that teachers usually take their Junior or Senior year of college. I have had three weeks to prepare. I will have read five books and taken dozens of practice tests. If I don't pass the PLACE exam, then I can't keep the job. Can you say "STESSED OUT!!!"? I also have to take a two year class. The class will be every other Saturday for two years. Summer's off except for two weeks straight. When I finish, I will be a real deal teacher with an emphasis in Special Education. My specialty will be Autism. I am starting a new program at the school, specifically designed for Autistic children. That is, if the district ever calls me to tell me that the paperwork has gone through and that I am free to come and sign a contract. I am to start school next Tuesday. Every minute, when I am not studying, I am waiting for the phone to ring.

I wanted to update everyone on the goings on and why I have not been blogging. I am really stressed and really busy running our household and studying. Throw my violin students in there and I am just about crazy right now.

Oh yeah, in about a week and a half, Tom and Laura have a birthday. Dillon BBQ contest is August 8 and my big exam is August 2. Crazy times, but it's all good.

Please understand if I haven't been blogging as much. Life is a bit stressful right now.

All my birds back in the nest.

We picked Laura up from camp, yesterday. She had a wonderful time. I would like to share with you the words from the camp nurse, as I remember them. "Laura was wonderful. We know that she was who needed to be in her cabin. God put her there. She led devotionals and helped to solve a problem we had with one of the campers in her group. She is a special girl and you have a lot to be proud of". Tom and I both had tears in our eyes as she spoke. Laura is special. We are so very proud of her. Satan was trying his best to get her to go home last Sunday, but God prevailed and we are so very glad that she went to camp this year.

After picking Laura up at camp, we came home and took a two hour nap. We were absolutely exhausted. After resting, we got up and went to the RV lot. We really want a pop up for next year. We found a used one that is just what we want, but we need to do some bill catch up first. It is something to dream about.

I wanted to mention what Becca and I did last Wednesday. I use this blog as a journal, so I don't want to forget the fun we had. Becca is a HUGE American Girl Doll fan. Her best friend and she, dressed up like their dolls and the three of us (five, including the dolls) went to see the Kit Kitredge movie. It was pretty good and the girls were adorable. They took their dolls and came home dreaming about things they saw in the movie that they could make for them. We stuffed ourselves with popcorn and had a blast. Good times with the girls.

On July 4, the Clyatts, David and Val, and the Harnlys all came to celebrate with us. We had a great time. We just grilled burgers and brats and they were yummy. After stuffing ourselves, we put the chimanea in the driveway and we roasted marshmallows and had S'mores. We sat our chairs in the driveway and watched two sets of fireworks. One at the Academy and one at the housing development behind us. It was such a restful and peaceful evening. We went to bed around midnight, so we were very tired when we got up to get Laura on Saturday morning.

Also on the fourth, Tom went down to visit his Dad. He was so glad that he went. The assisted living home was having a big Fourth of July celebration. Tom and Dad celebrated and had a cook out for lunch. Dad was sitting in a chair and Tom told him to stay there. Tom would go and get him a plate of food. The line was long, so it took Tom a while to get back. Dad forgot that Tom was there because it took him awhile. When Tom got back, after standing in line, forever, Dad already had food. Dad had coaxed the staff into getting him food because he forgot that Tom was there. AAUUGGGHHH!!!!

Good news in my family. Ashley, my neice and namesake, is getting married in the Spring. Here is a big shout out to her and Randy. I wish them all the best and I hope that the family can bond together and celebrate this happy occasion.

Bad news in Tom's family. PLEASE continue your prayers for Tom's brother. It looks like he does have cancer after all. He is to have a PET scan this week to see if it has spread to his lymph nodes. Tom will have an endoscopy on Friday, just because he needs to have this done yearly. He has Barrett's Esophagus and we want to make sure he is alright. Skip's diagnosis has scared us so please pray for us and especially Tom, on Friday.

I have rambled on and on. I realized that I had not blogged in almost a week. I hope all of you are having a great holiday weekend.

Catch up.

Here's the latest in the Russell world. Friday, both girls had a birthday party/ sleep over. Tom and I took the time to go on a date and discuss the pros and cons of the new job offer. We had a lovely talk and it reminded me of how important it is to stay in touch with your spouse. He is my other half in this world and I felt so much better after bouncing things off of him. We came up with more pros than cons concerning the new job.

Saturday, the girls came home and we got garage cleaning and Laura packing done. Later in the evening, we went to see the new movie "Walle". It was pretty good as kid movies go. Jen, I bet the boys would love it. When we were standing in line to get in to see the movie, we happened to get in line behind a family from church. I started talking to the mom and she told me she worked for a local middle school. When I asked her what she did, she told me she was a para from special needs kids. She was so insightful and really encouraged me to take the position as they are hard to come by. She gave me a few questions to ask the principal when I speak with her today. Divine intervention, I don't know, but I know I felt a lot more confident about the position after speaking with her.

Sunday, we took Laura to camp. On the way, we went by the elementary school where I may be teaching. It was actually closer than we thought, but not a whole bunch. It will still take me a half an hour to get there. We had a problem when we dropped Laura off at camp. She started crying and didn't want us to leave. It was like she was in kindergarten all over again. No matter how much Tom and I each talked to her, she didn't want to stay. We payed $350.00 for her to attend this camp, so it would hurt if she didn't go. We talked with her counselor and another staff person that she knew from last year. She agreed to stay for three or four hours. We left and went to dinner. Don't go to the Hungry Bear restaurant in Woodland Park. It is aweful. We now know why the bear is hungry. Ha Ha. We walked around Wal Mart and then went back to Laura's camp. When we got back, she was just fine and agreed to stay the night with the understanding that someone would call us in the a.m. if she needed to come home. We never got a call, yesterday, so we are assuming that all is well. Please say a little prayer for our Laura.

Yesterday, all day, Becca and I went to Elitch Gardens with Carol and Andre. We had a blast, but we are so tired today. We laughed and played all day. Becca and Andre rode the Thunderbolt six times. Andre rode the Rainbow three times. We had a great day, but we didn't get home until 11:00. I needed a day to forget about the world of jobs and responsibilities and just have fun.

Today, back to work. I have already given two lessons and I have a couple more. I have to go to the grocery and get some housework done. I am also to talk with my potential new Principal. Thanks for all of your prayers concerning my decision. It has not been easy. I think I am going to take the position, depending on my conversation today. Tom and I both agreed that we think God is leading me to do this. I just want him to firmly close the door, if this is not meant for me.

I hope all of you have a great day. TTFN.