Reflections on 2010

Going full throttle until the last day of school and then immediately entering into break was a rough transition for me. I experienced what I like to call a "whip-lash" effect. All of a sudden, I didn't know what to do with myself and I became hyper aware of everything around me. Hence, my post title of "Reflections on 2010." As I look back on this year it has been full of extreme highs and lows. For example, some of the highs were getting married and getting my first job. Some of the lows were looking for a job, starting my job (haha...oh, the irony), and making friends. Unfortunately, between the lows and highs I have experienced a lot of anxiety and the Lord has challenged me to clench on tightly to Him.

I was having a rough day this past week. So what did I do? I called my sister, of course! She is always great for advice/peace of mind/laughter. She ended up reading a chapter out of Shauna Niequist's book, "Bittersweet" out loud to me on the phone for about 10 minutes. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and decided I would buy one of her books for some good reading material before Matt and I left for Buffalo. The next day, I was getting my hair done and noticed that my hair dresser had a little quote on her mirror that read something like...

"Life is both bitter and sweet. When life is bitter, thank God and grow.

When life is sweet, thank God and celebrate."

I asked my hairdresser if that quote was from Shauna Niequist's book, and it was!

I love when God speaks to me in obvious ways. It was not an answer to my worries or anxieties but it was all I needed to keep me going and know that God was listening. Cool, huh? I picked up another one of Niequist's book, "Cold Tangerines," and read it in a few days. I was hooked. Here is a part that I especially liked....

"Everything is interim. Everything is a path or preparation for the next thing, and we never know what the next thing is....I want to arrive. I want to get wherever I'm going and stay there. That's why I was such a ferocious planner of my life. But I'm learning to just keep moving, keep walking, keep taking teeny tiny steps. And it's in those teeny tiny steps and moments that I become, actually, who I am. We won't arrive. But we can become. And that's the most hopeful thing I can think of. "

So, here I come 2011, with no plans. Ready to give up my planner and see the beauty in the interim of my life. I am scared, but really, what do I have to lose?

December

This month has been quite busy and tiring! I am officially on Christmas Break, and could not be more happy. The last day of school before break might have been the most stressful day of teaching of my career so far. Now I can recover for the next two weeks...which is a reminder of why I love my job. Speaking of work, Matt and I went to my first work, Christmas party. Can you say "awkward"? Considering the fact that I really do get along well with my co-workers, it was quite surprising how awkward the party still was! I think what made the event so awkward for me was that you are supposed to be relaxed and socialize while remaining professional...since socializing in big groups does not come naturally to me in the first place (which I am desperately trying to work on), you can imagine how difficult this situation was for me. Anyhow, after talking to my sister, apparently this is quite normal...phew!!

In other news, the other weekend our friends Brendan and Ellen were in town (who recently moved to Iowa) and we celebrated our friend, Strider's birthday. It was really fun reuniting with our friends. I forgot how good it feels to laugh with good friends! Still praying for some more that live close by :) Here is a re-cap from the night:

an intense game of celebrity...we really enjoyed impersonating Kim Kardashian

Brendan & Ellen

the gang

This is from our school field trip to "Feed My Starving Children". We packaged food for starving kids around the world. Like my hair net?

like father like son....Matt's Dad was in town the other weekend. We enjoyed our Sunday drinking Starbucks, eating Christmas cookies, watching football, and surfing the web (as you can see in the picture haha)

Thanksgiving

We enjoyed Thanksgiving with my family :) Christmas will be with Matt's family. Splitting up the holidays between our families is a first for us. Luckily, with my teaching job, I have a long break and will have some time to visit my family after Christmas!

Thanks Mom for a great meal! mmmm...mooching off the rentals never gets old!

(for us, at least;)

The host and hostess

Cutie. (above and below)

Natalie showing off her nails below.

It was also my 23rd b-day on Thanksgiving. My mom made an awesome cake. Turning 23 is pretty uneventful. Yet another year of feeling way older than I actually am. I guess it's a good thing? I am looking forward to not being the youngest someday. I wonder if that is possible. Hmmm...lots to ponder in my 24th year! :)

It's the most wonderful time of the year....

This weekend, Matt took me on an early birthday date! We went to the aquarium and out to dinner.   It was a great day.

The fish do not look nearly as big as they did in real life.

Scary snake.

We also had some friends over for dinner. Always fun!

No, they did not call each other before to plan their outfits. hah!

I have no shame in putting up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. We couldn't help ourselves. We decorated our 3 ft. tree with Matt's childhood ornaments. :) Thanks, Grandma Harker!

Matt trying to make our tree look "alive." And, Beacon trying to attack the tree.

We decided it would be in our best interest to put the Christmas tree up high where Beacon could not destroy it. Sorry, bud.

Bath Time for Beacon!

Beacon has been quite the trouble maker these days. As he is getting older, he is getting more curious. His latest shenanigan is going in the fireplace. So, we gave Beacon a bath because he was filthy. However, it ended up being more like a day at the salon. It was quite the process as you can see... Before shot below.

Relaxing during his blow dry.

Final Product!

Morning Glory

Since tomorrow is Veteran's Day, my friend and I jumped at the opportunity to do something fun tonight. We saw the movie, "Morning Glory," with Rachel McAdams. It was pretty cute. The love story could have had more to it. I enjoyed the night out and actually going to the movie theater, but I have to say that this movie could pass as a rental. If you are looking for a good movie that is theater quality, I would highly recommend "Conviction." It had me thinking and emotionally drained for 2 days!

Weekend in Mad Town

This weekend, Matt and I spent some time in Madison and visited my friend, Jess. We enjoyed eating out at some great restaurants. I experienced the best fish tacos ever! We also did some shopping, as you can see in the picture. Natalie & Stratton, we have your Christmas gifts!!!














Thanks for entertaining us, Jess! Its always fun visiting you in Mad Town!

Small Group

Matt and I have been attending a bible church for almost a year now (since we were married). I hesitantly joined a small group, but am SO glad that I did. My sister gave me a little bit of a push to go for it, and I am glad that I listened. We are doing a Beth Moore study right now. It is hard to keep up because it is pretty intense, but I always get something out of it. Here are some things that stood out to me this week:

-Galations 6:9-10 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

This was a good reminder for me to trust the Lord during this first year of teaching. He sees the stress and challenges, and He will carry me through them to reap the harvest at the proper time.

Weekend!

Today was a LONG day. We went on a field trip this morning at school to see a play, then we came back to school for the afternoon, then I had to get in "mean teacher" mode to monitor the 3 rascals in In-School-Suspension, and then I had lots of grading/lesson planning to catch up on after school. Looking forward to the weekend! I'll keep you posted on my exciting plans!

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog! It took me forever to get this set up, so I will post something soon! Stay tuned :)