It's good to get back to what I love...

It's also weird to be unemployed and not working toward a goal (i.e. graduation). In the 4+ years I was in college, I had forgotten what I used to do in my free time, since my free time disappeared little by little. I am slowly remembering. I have begun gardening a bit, clearing the yards of weeds, and also coming in contact with poison plants (ivy, oak, sumac - who knows?!) more often than I would like. I have had poison something 3 times since May, requiring prednisone treatment twice. I have read several books, and I completed one fairly complicated cross stitch pattern. Not to mention the time I have gotten to spend with my children!

As much as I have enjoyed all of these things, I am ready for a new goal. I am waiting to hear from an interview I had last week, either for a 3rd grade or 5th grade teaching position. Outside of those possibilities, I'm not sure what other options I have, and I fear it may come to taking a job outside of teaching in order to pay the bills. I hope it doesn't come to that. Statistically, it's less likely I'll go back to teaching if that happens, so I'm hesitant to let my mind go there at this point. I am praying for the 5th grade position, but now I am mostly practicing patience!

Here are some of the lovely things growing in my yard, and my little garden spot where I am attempting to grow green beans and tomatoes (my first time with veggies).

Summertime!

To sum up the last little bit:

I graduated, Jason and I celebrated 13 years of marriage with a weekend trip to Asheville, Julian finished 5th grade, Kathryn finished 2nd grade, Jason turned 35 (!), and I have been job hunting.

Now, we're all caught up!

I'm having some trouble getting pictures from my camera to my laptop, so I hope you'll forgive the age of some of these pictures. I've had them and thought about sharing them, but just couldn't get them to work. Sorry. Hope you enjoy

My favorite graduation picture so far: me between 2 bellies! (or maybe one belly and one arm)



Worn out after a weekend at my sister's house



Being silly with my camera...



Happy 35th birthday, Jason!



Our daily summer entertainment



Worn out after a weekend at my sister's




First day of summer vacation



Easter egg hunt at Grandma Knight's house



The graduate??



Safety first, on our way to ride bikes



Our pool. Such as is it.