Rainy Day

It's really rainy outside today...a very dreary day! On top of that, I'm feeling under the weather with a lovely head cold. I just love head colds...kidding. I feel pretty rotten and really just want to curl up in my warm bed and sleep for a long time! That sounds so nice right about now. Hopefully, this cold will start getting better soon; it really is no fun.

January is such a long month. Teachers have to go for about 6 weeks between paychecks for December and January due to the holiday break. We get paid on Friday, and I am more than ready! The cash flow is pretty low at the moment, but I was prepared for it, so it hasn't been all that bad really. I am ready for winter break in a couple of weeks. For whatever reason, I could really use a couple of days off. As of right now, I am planning to just be home. Though traveling is fun, staying home and relaxing sounds pretty nice as well. Besides, Ingrid is due to have Ethan during winter break, and I certainly am not going to miss that! I have been in the mood for a trip lately, but I think that I will wait and take that on spring break, because I will have more time anyway. I'm not sure where I want to go yet, but I have a few ideas.

I bought myself a new laptop, and I am loving it so far. It is a Dell, and it is really sharp! I was in desperate need of a new computer, so it was a long time coming, and I am excited. I also got a new cell phone through my cousin, Shawn, who is an AT&T consultant. He really helped me out, and I love my new Matrix phone. It was so much easier to go through him rather than dealing with the people at the stores. I just went to his house on a Sunday evening, picked out the phone that I liked, and he took care of the rest. It was really cool. He also hooked Brenton and Christa up with their new phones after they were married.

We have parent conferences next Thursday night until 7 PM. That is always the longest day ever, and I am usually exhausted when I get home. I do enjoy catching up with my students' parents and sharing with them about their child's progress. There is always an excitement to see how the kids are coming along...and they really are! I am really pleased with how my students are doing right now. Writing and Math are going REALLY well, and I am excited about that. After last year, I did a lot of self-reflection and saw some areas that I could improve my teaching in Math, and I have put those changes in place this year, and Math really couldn't be going any better for my kids right now. I am excited about that!

Half Way to Summer...

WOW! Half way done with my second year of teaching! That's completely amazing to me!! It seems just yesterday that I was a ball of nerves for my very first day teaching. I remember it so well. I couldn't hardly drive to school that morning, because I was so incredibly nervous. I remember getting some good advice for those first few days..."Even if you don't know what you're doing, just make it look like you do.". I really did live by those words there at the very beginning! Now, it's a different story. I am completely comfortable with my kiddos, and things run pretty smoothly for us each day.

I really do enjoy my job so much. These kids are some of the funniest people that I know. They can turn a bad day into a good one just by the funny things that they say. It's so cool even just in the middle of the year to see how far they have come since I've had them. The end result really does make it all worth it; it's so fulfilling to be a part of their learning and progression as little beings.

Trent is starting to sit up now. We have to be ready to catch him if he falls over, but he's just about got it. He's teething again now too, so he has been a bit more fussy. What a joy he is to our family! This little boy is a blessing from heaven, and I don't think any of us cease to give thanks to the Lord for blessing our lives with his precious life. I know that I am thankful that through difficult circumstances, God knows just how to handle them in the most perfect way. Brenton and I have surely taken on the big brother and big sister roles; Dad is amazing with him, and Mom always knows what to do to make him as happy as possible. Brenton and Daddy constantly fight over which team he will like: Georgia or Alabama? Of course, my vote is UGA all the way! Brenton got him a little Bama football for Christmas, and Daddy got him some Georgia gear too. Hopefully, he will turn in to a little Bulldog as he grows up!

I'm looking forward to the birth of my best friend, Ingrid's little bundle of joy, Ethan. He is due in just about 5 weeks, and he's sure to be a beautiful little boy! Ingrid has done a great job on his nursery; it is just adorable! I can't wait to be in the hospital waiting room and the excitement of his arrival. "Aunt Brooke" can't wait to hold little Ethan!!! Love you, Ingrid...and tell Ethan to hurry up, we are ready to meet him! :)

I have pictures from Christmas that I need to load on my computer that I will post soon! :)

-Brooke

New Year's

I've never been one to make New Year's resolutions, but I do have personal life goals that are on-going. I think it's important to have goals and a clear vision as to what direction you want your life to go. Below are just a few things that I'd love to accomplish in my life...

1. Travel across Europe
2. Learn Spanish
3. Adopt a child from a foreign country
4. Be a special education teacher
5. Be on a game show (The Price is Right or Deal or No Deal preferably)
6. Live in a loft
7. Work in interior design as a side job
8. Learn more about photography
9. Be a great cook
10. Be a great wife and mother

Just a few things that I have dreams of doing...

Happy New Year!