Testing 1-2-3

I love reading my friends' blogs online...especially when I don't get to see them often.  I've been considering blogging for a while, but I never was sure what I would write about.  Today, I decided to give it a try.  So I started this blog as a way to keep in touch with my family and friends across the country and around the world.  I intend for it to be personal in nature in a public sort of way.  It will be a journal in a way...a place for me to share my thoughts and experiences as I live my way through this journey we call life. 

Almost a year ago, I moved back to my hometown area for the first time since I was a sophomore in college in 1998.  Last year at around this time, fear, anxiety, and the unknown shadowed my days as I took this giant step into my new life.  The move took a lot of prayers and strength I didn't even knew I possessed, but I'm glad to say I made it though.  Life upgraded!

Now, I am happy to report that I have learned a tremendous lesson about faith and trust.  Thanks to God and my family, I have reinvented myself and experience joy and success on a daily basis.  The dogs and cats and I are very comfortable and happy in our new home!  They love having a big fenced in yard to play in.  I have also discovered that I love substitute teaching and the freedom it allows me.  Being able to teach in the elementary schools and middle schools has been great...and I am learning so much about kids and teaching!  Plus, I have time to enjoy my family and crafting and reading lots of great books.  With this abnormally warm weather, I am itching to get started on my yearly gardening rituals.

Most recently, I started work as a middle school track coach...if you would even call it work...it's so much fun!  There are about 80 seventh and eighth graders joining me outside each afternoon for our daily workouts (six days a week).  I've been blessed to be able to teach young people how to do the hurdles...something so many of them have been eager to learn.  More than 25 girls and 15 boys have allowed me to teach them one of the things I loved to do so much when I was their age.  AND, the weather has been incredible...warm and dry...even a few days in the low 80's (which is rare in March)!  We've only had two rainy practices so far, and they were warm days...the kind when its fun to play outside in the rain.  I have been blessed with lots of fresh air and sunshine this Spring...and already have tan lines!  Our first meet is coming up this week, so I will have to make some unpleasant cuts from such a large group of prospective hurdlers...but I will be fair and do my best based on what they have showed me so far.  I look forward to seeing what a handful of these girls and two boys are capable of on Thursday!