Early Spring!

God can give us an early spring any year! I'm loving this!! One morning maybe about a week ago, I was up at 6ish and went straight to the office to do some schoolwork (sometimes I can work best in the early morning), and the beautiful Virginia countryside that appears outside our office window was covered with this gorgeous morning fog. I couldn't resist getting my camera.

Then, since our cherry trees in the back yard were in full bloom, I sneaked out there in my bathrobe to snap a few shots.

 *ah* So beautiful!

Thank you, Lord, for an early spring! And for morning fog and the Virginia countryside and cherry blossoms!

I've got five weeks left of school, and I am so ready for it to be over. I'm exhausted. And I'm wondering how I will make it through my first year of teaching...

Next week I am joining Jeff on a business trip to Mystic, Connecticut, all week long. Yay! He has to be there for an entire week, and since he was in California recently, and since I'd love to get away, I suggested that I go along with him this time! :) So we're driving up on Sunday and stopping by his parents' house in NJ on the way (it happens to be their anniversary - #62), and then coming back on the following Saturday. Just in time for Easter. And since I do nearly all of my schoolwork online, I'll be busy with that while Jeff's at work. There will be some downtime for me, though, and I plan to spend that at the pool and maybe even the spa. :) Ahhhh.

a little change

Just wanted to let you all know that I've decided to not make my blog private anymore... Too many of you were experiencing trouble signing in, and I figured since I don't have any children, it's no big deal. Besides, the blog isn't visible from search engines and isn't listed on Blogger.com, so basically people will have to have the exact address in order to see the blog.
This also allows you to add my blog to your Google Reader list, if you are so inclined. :)

I'm super super super busy these days! Having a blast with school BUT at the same time feeling a little overwhelmed. Things will get easier here shortly. I'm more than halfway through and I'm really looking forward to the summer when I won't have all these papers to write!!! Of course, then I'll be looking for a job and preparing for my first year of real teaching. YIKES!! :) :)

Lots of love from my busy corner of the world!
Sylvie

Happy Army Day!!

Let's all MARCH FOURTH into spring!!!

:)

I love baby Gray

Mary & Gray came to visit me yesterday :) I started taking pictures of Gray and he put on his "smile" face and just sat there and posed for me for photo after photo... Apparently he's used to it! Seriously, he knows exactly what to do when someone takes a picture of him! It's soooooo cute.

School Daze

So here it is, folks: my view for the next few months. :)

I close the door in the office and study, study, study, write, write, write. I am really enjoying school! It's more challenging than I thought it would be, and I'm learning more than I thought I would learn, and all of that is super exciting. After reading in one textbook about the author's opinion of what makes a natural teacher (and how everyone else can become more like them), I think I've figured out that I am a natural teacher already ~ and it makes me so excited to learn as much as I can this semester and then begin my new career!!

Most of my schoolwork is done online. Basically, I'm writing three papers a week - one for each of three classes at the moment - and to prepare for each paper I've got lots of reading and pondering and working through ideas to do. Then after we write our papers we are to post them online where all the other students (and teachers, obviously) can access them... and then we write substantial peer responses for three other students' papers for each assignment -- equaling nine peer responses each week! It is mentally exhausting, but I'm getting into the swing of things, and my confidence is building. I can't imagine how others get through this who have full-time jobs and/or kids. It's almost a full-time job for me.

And how's my back? Much, much better!! I can move almost completely normally now. I can even put on my own socks and shoes! Although, two months later, I'm still not pain-free. I had x-rays done which indicated that I have a degenerative disc. Hmph. The orthopedist said it's not bad enough to get surgery, but she says I will never be completely without pain in my lower spine. Well, we'll see about that. I plan to fight that diagnosis with exercise (directed by my physical therapist) and supplements. And prayer, of course. :)

Life Isn't a Checklist

Kallie and Leah left us last week. :( They went to live with friends in Pennsylvania, and Leah is going to take her prereqs this coming semester to prepare for nursing school. I am SUPER proud of her and the way she is taking such bold and smart steps for a better future for her and Kallie. She has a difficult road ahead of her, but she's boldly jumping into it knowing it will be tough. I'm so proud of her.

However... :( I badly miss my little Kallie girl. I watched her every time Leah worked and so I kinda really bonded with her in the four months they were here. She's my little pumpkin pie ~ a beautiful, happy baby girl who melted my heart every time I saw her sweet face. I got to watch her grow and change and develop up-close-and-personal, which is something I've never really experienced before. It was so fun! I miss Leah too, of course. She also was a source of joy for me ~ upbeat all the time, helpful, respectful, just a wonderful house guest. Leah and Kallie are two happy peas in a pod and I miss them!

Now with them gone, it makes me halfway wonder if I do want a child after all. But then I think - oh gosh, I hardly had the energy to keep up with Kallie part-time. How, at my age and with Jeff being his age, would I handle a child full-time? I'm not sure I'm up to it. But then I think - but wouldn't I be missing out on something if I don't have kids? Wouldn't I miss knowing what it's like to be a mommy, having that special bond with my own child?

But Mom had some good advice for me the other day: life isn't a checklist; instead, it's about living the unique life God gives to each of us. That thought is encouraging to me. God knows and has a plan. I shouldn't look to a checklist of the typical things a woman experiences in life and compare my life experiences to that. I should just be who I am, take what God gives, and be content with that - because He really does know what is best for me.

And besides, I'm truly looking forward to teaching middle schoolers... moving to a new home in Ashburn (hopefully this year?)... traveling during the summers with Jeff... having extra income to bless others who might be in need... all if the Lord wills it, of course. And if I never have kids, it will be okay. :)

Christmas Day