Missing Work...

So, I miss being a real teacher. I know, I know, Stef. I am still a real teacher, but I sure don't feel like one. Nothing to plan or teach or read or grade. It is killing me! How do people do this? I have to bring things to do because I am SO bored while I wander around the room and stare at kids hoping they are actually doing work. I refuse to fight the cellphone and iPod fight. I won't ride them for not working if they are not being a problem. I can't! I have zero authority and no respect. I am there to prod them into doing something while their teacher is gone and to maintain order. That's it. I am a babysitter, and it is already old! This is going to be a long year!

Powderhorn

We spent Labor Day weekend with the family at Powderhorn as usual! We had a really great time--as usual! Here are some snapshots of the weekend fun!

This is most of the group enjoying lunch at Dos Hombres before we headed up the mountain to the condo on Saturday this year. We usually head up Friday, but Saturday seemed easier this time around.

This is just one the view pictures I took as Dad drove Nick, Stef, and me up Land's End Road to the top of the Grand Mesa. He told Nick he had an adventure to take him on, and this was it. Nick loved it!

This is a picture of some of the group as we watched the sunset from on top of the Grand Mesa on Sunday night. Nick turned around too soon! I love to see everyone enjoying the beauty that is God's great Earth!

Nick took this one of the two of us while we were all out on the desert on Monday. We go shooting every year! We missed it last year because I had to get Nick to the airport, but we had a lot of fun shooting with everyone this year.

New for the School Year

So, the school year in Colorado has started and now the school year in Texas has started. I have started nothing. Essentially this means that I am officially not working this school year.

Okay, okay...I am will be subbing in the district in which we live. For some reason, that isn't real work to me. It is getting paid $80/day to babysit. Not my idea of a real job or even real work. I know! All districts need good subs. Teachers love good subs. I can probably work almost everyday. However, even working everyday as a sub, I bring home less than $15,000 for the year. It almost doesn't feel worth it. Any money is welcome, but when you are used to earning your own money...this is just insane!

I keep thinking that there is something--something important--I am supposed to learn from this. Maybe it is how to be dependant without feeling it. Maybe it is to learn how to communicate with Nick even better than we already do. I just don't know. I want to be working. I want to feel like we are going to make it financially...and I am terrified that we won't. I guess that is a pretty common fear these days, huh? Not exactly a comforting thought.

I am grateful that Nick has a good job. We are continually blessed as he continues to do well with his work. Perhaps I need to learn to be thankful for the things I do have. I'll work on it.

Elway!

As much as I love John Elway, this is not a tribute to him. Actually, Nick and I added a new addition to our family this week in the form of a puppy. His name is Elway. He is a coffe and tan colored lab/collie mix who is a fierce bundle of energy! He is our fearless little boy who loves the water and jumping frantically all over his sister, Joey.

Here he is cuddling with our Broncos blanket. Totally appropriate!

Here and Happy

So, obviously it has been a long while since I have posted anything, but we are in our house, happy, and getting settled! I have been playing house and hanging out a lot. I found the library and church, so those are my big social outings. I need to go pick up our pool key from the HOA office, and then I will be there working on my tan as often as possible. :) This should actually be often.

I will have to post some good pictures soon. After we get the office set up and I feel the house is under control I will post some pictures from our life here. It is a good life! I love being married. I love being with Nick every day...it is rough being here sometimes, but worth every sacrifice and every lonely moment. He lights up my world when he walks in the door.

Overwhelmed

I cannot pretend that I am not drowning in all the things I need to get done here in the next few weeks! I have so much to do, and I am at the point where I just don't know where to start or which end is up! Not to mention that I am trying to see everyone in the next few weeks, and there are lots of people to see!

So, I have a to do list that is HUGE! Here it is, just in case you think I am exaggerating!

1. Grade Research Papers
2. Huck Finn Essays
3. Romeo and Juliet Work
4. Pack Kitchen
5. Clean Living Room
6. Laundry
7. Pack Bathroom
8. Pack dresser
9. Clean out/pack storage under stairs
10. Clean out/pack storage unit on patio
11. Call about marriage license
12. Pick up copies of marriage license
13. Send off paper work
14. Change sheets
15. I think you get the idea! I can't even begin to think about everything else!
16. Oh! Call the moving company with new address
17. See, I told you this was bad! I am adding to the list in my head even as I type.
18. Find a JOB! (Freaking out about it a little!)

And now I need a nap!

We did it!!

So, we did it. We got married on Friday in a simple ceremony at the courthouse, and it was just fantastic. We spent a busy weekend with family and friends. It was great, and yet there is a part of me that is very ready for us to just be together at home with nothing to do but spend time making dinner and hanging out together. The next time Nick is here, we will be running back and forth between Denver and Montrose going to graduations and then packing up and moving out! Literally! Okay, really, I should be packed by then, so we will pack up the last minute stuff, my dog, and probably the TV and start our journey to Texas.

We talked a little about taking a trip to the coast somewhere and spending a long weekend together. This will be our mini-honeymoon. Then I will really start to plan for our wedding ceremony for next May. It will be wonderful! I am excited about it. It will be great to spend this year playing newlyweds! Yeah!!