now...

...is the time.

i know, i know...you are SHOCKED to see an actual post on this highly stagant blog. i understand your initial confusion, but bear with me...the wrinkles will shake out over time.

to put it plainly (and mildly) last year was one of the most stressful of my young life...as far as teaching goes. it is a long story that really doesn't need retelling. the end of the story is really the most important part because it turned into a new beginning. basically, this may, i "resigned" from my teaching position at decatur high school. i am still not thrilled about this turn of events and i miss my colleagues ("family") and students ("babies") more than i can explain. however, as i am an eternal optimist...i know that things will work out...eventually. that is not to say that this has been an easy process for me...far from it...fortunately, i am blessed with a wonderful & supportive family, fantastic friends, and HOPE.

blake and i are still ridiculously happy...we laugh all the time (even when we're "fighting"). i can't imagine going through last year without him. thankfully, i don't have to. he is still teaching 7th grade civics and coaching soccer at the high school.

jasper is growing and maturing right before our eyes. she is a beautifuly, loving, and hilarious puppy...she is also very much a part of our family. our little girl.

i am currently working as a receptionist at a law office in downtown huntsville. the people in the building are very nice and welcoming. i answer the phones, take care of the mail, help with filing, and shred old documents. basically, i am a "jane of all trades". {i also find time to write letters, read books, color pictures, and play on the internet...but only after my work is done.} my job is the opposite of last year. i have NO stress. i show up at work, stay all day, and go home. i don't have any carry over, i don't have any homework, i don't have any drama, and i don't have any nasty parents. other than the fact that i sincerely miss teaching...i am content. we are calling this year my "sabbatical". hopefully, i will find a new school to call "home" starting next fall. until then...this is where you can find me. with make-up on!!!

the rest of our lives is pretty much normal...except for the fact that i don't get home until 5:30ish. we have our shows to watch. we play games. we play with jasper. i cook supper & blake does dishes. we have our little homeowner chores. we get to spend time with mom & daddy. we get to hang out with the olsens & babysit rebecca on occasion. and of course, we have decatur high school football on friday nights. would NOT miss it! it was hard enough not going back to school...there was no way i wasn't going to support my babies & see my friends. i am grateful to know that i am missed & still thought of.

anyway...i am hoping to be able to get in a good routine for posting more regularly. i want to keep up with our day-to-day. pictures will come as soon as i get my long awaited new computer (i will still be waiting for a while) since our computer at home refuses to cooperate. :)

i hope you all have a lovely day & i hope you haven't given up on us forever. check us out...there will be exciting news to come. at the very least funny stories.

love, me (plus blake & jasper)