Well it has been awhile since either of us has posted on here and there is a reason, well actually many. This year I decided to make the switch in grade levels. I had taught 3rd grade for 8 years, wow that is a long time, and was looking for a change. I was excited to find out the end of the year last year that I had the opportunity to move down to 2nd grade. This thing that brought me the most joy in this move is the fact that I no longer had to teach our state test, the TAKS test. After dealing with that test for 8 years I was ready for a break. Well, as we all know with change comes work. I knew it would be a challenge at the beginning of the year as I got the hang of something totally new but I had no idea how much of a change 1 grade level truly is. I can say as we 'round the corner on the end of the second six weeks I am finally falling into a routine at work. Things are settling down and everyone is happy at the end of the day, that is a plus.
I am continuing my work on my masters and feel like I have TERRIBLE senioritis. I can see the end, so close yet so far away. I have about 6 weeks of my current class and then I will have three classes to finish. I am planning on carrying a slightly heavier load in the spring so that I can finish in June. I will have two classes for the spring and then take a month long mini class in June. I can't wait and I will not be sad when I am not a student anymore. I am not really sure how some people go to school their whole life. It has been crazy with both of us working and in school but I sure am glad we are doing it at the same time.
Jon's job is going well. Since he was hired...a year ago, hard to believe...two of his good friends were hired there as well. The guys have been having a good time carpooling and just being guys, I never know how many mouths I am going to feed on any given night. ;)
Jon has taken on a large load this 8 weeks for school in an attempt to finish up by the end of May. He is taking 3 classes instead of his normal 2 so he spends many hours listening to lectures and working on assignments. We keep telling ourselves we are so close and to just push on through. He will have a big project that kind of wraps up his MBA that he will work on in the spring along with two classes. After that, he will be finished. We look forward to the day that maybe we can become addicted to some TV show.
One last thing: The month of October we were blessed with the opportunity to open our home to a lady who is the daughter of some of Jon's parent's friend. She is a missionary in Mali and is on her home stay. She was taking a class at the community college near us and would stay with us during the week. It was a month that went by fast with everyone's busy schedule but a great experience all around. As we all sat at dinner it was so interesting to hear what life was like over there and how God was working. This is our first week without her but luckily we had trick or treaters to keep us busy tonight. ;)
Until next time...
Courtney
