Tonka Aviation

Grandpa, this is for you. Ray has figured out that it is fun to make his Tonka plane travel throughout the apartment. He also like to sit in his plush little chair.

So far I really like living in Fort Worth. I have enjoyed getting acclimated to my school district, and I can't wait to get started and meet the kids. Owen Ray is getting to know the other Lil Elks on Tuesdays and Thursdays and he gets to stay with his daddy on Monday, Friday, and half the day Wednesday. I wish there was a way that we didn't have to have him in any daycare like before, but I'm glad that he is so close by me throughout the school day. I'm looking forward to having my parents come with us to church again tomorrow. :) They leave on Wednesday to head back to California, so I'm excited that we'll see them a few more times before they leave.

Eyeglasses

Since flying in to California on July 4th, I feel like I have spent the majority of each day filling out paperwork and delivering or mailing said paperwork. Most of this is related to job stuff, so it is a blessing in that it directly flows from the fact that God has provided me with gainful employment, but it is also a bit trying.
Today I went to Lenscrafters to get my eyes checked out. It has been difficult for my eyes to focus while I'm reading, and I do quite a bit of reading as an English teacher. The woman who helped me was so kind. She made sure that I walked out of the door spending as little as possible. When I received my total bill at checkout with eye exam, lenses, and frames, it turned out that I owed zero dollars. I was an extremely happy lady. The Lenscrafter employee who helped me was a believer who was not shy about her faith at all. She's going through an extremely tough time right now with five children and a husband recently laid off from his job of fifteen years. Because of this, when I said that I was on a tight budget, she responded with enthusiasm and went out of her way to save me every penny possible. She was just as excited as I was when the ending result was that my insurance would cover everything.

Big News

Yaawwwnnn... I am a little on the drowsy side after getting out of the pool. Owen Ray was rocking out in his little baby float. It was adorable to watch him kick his legs as hard as he could to try to propel himself forward. There was a brief moment in the pool when I turned to Owen Ray and wistfully told him that I wished his daddy was here to play with us. However, Trey had sent me a message just the night before rejoicing at all that God was doing at the camp he is pastoring at this summer, so I knew that in my heart of hearts I was glad that he was right where God wanted him to be.
I wanted to take a minute to document all the new things that are occurring lately. It's a pretty exciting time. After four different interviews, God has chosen the perfect job for me, and I am so thrilled that I will be teaching in Burleson next year. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief when I heard the news about this job because I had the most positive feeling when I walked onto the campus for my interview. As I drove through the little community (little in comparison to Fort Worth, that is) it felt so welcoming and warm and that feeling continued onto the school grounds. The actual position is going to team me up with another young teacher, and we will get to do some pretty exciting things as we seek to get an ESL program underway on a campus that hasn't really had one before. This was the last piece we were waiting to fall into place as Trey and I transition to our new life in Texas.
In between interviews, I had some time to kill, and I used it to visit Garrett Manor Apartments, the housing assignment we received from Southwestern. It appears to be rockin a 70s exterior design, but there was a little playground in the center of the apartment complex that stole my heart. We had a chance to visit all the housing options at Southwestern before applying, and this was our first choice.
We have had a chance to visit the church that we will be attending several times, as well. I just can't believe that we are right around the corner from this huge life change.
I am definitely excited about how well things appear to be working out.
We will be moving into our apartment on August 3rd, and I will report to Burleson ISD on August 17th. Trey starts full time school on August 21st.
As far as Owen Ray's exciting news, he is a walking talking man! He is having so much fun taking a handful of steps at a time and trying out new sounds and words. We are blessed beyond blessed.

School's Out for the Summer

... and I can't wrap my mind around it. In fact, I never realize that things are happening until they have already happened. It's really not a good way to go through life at all. I was shocked when I was expected to drive myself places alone after getting my license. What were these people thinking, after all? Despite studying for the written portion and enduring the behind-the-wheel prerequisite sessions, I was shocked that I had my driver's license. My wedding was the same. I had bought the dress, picked out the colors, and chosen my bridesmaids, yet I was shocked that I actually got married. In fact, even as I was putting on my veil and heading into the church, I didn't actually expect to be married. Fast forward to this Friday, and I can tell you that I did not expect for my students to walk out of the door and not see them again on Monday. It was disorienting when it did hit me. I'm worried that I will do the same thing with our move to Texas. It will not hit me until we are in the car driving away that we are actually moving away from my family. I wish I knew how to change this, but I don't even understand how it works. :(
On a brighter note, I got to talk to Trey today, and he sounds like he is doing much better. Poor guy. At least he got to wear a cool eye patch and talk like a pirate.

Missing Trey

I officially miss my husband. He has been gone 11 days, so I feel I have every right. Tonight was Katie's graduation (yay KT), and as a faculty member I had the privilege of donning a black gown and hat and marching in, as well. This meant that I had to leave Ray at home with a babysitter. I was husbandless and babyless, and I kinda like those two guys so it wasn't my definition of the perfect evening. However, it was really neat to see Katie lead the pledge of allegiance and transferring of the tassel for her class. Back to the opening; I miss Trey. Driving home tonight at 10:00 PM, I pressed the CD function instead of the radio and it was Hal Ketchem. I want to see my sweet, handsome husband. I want to cross state lines late and night and sing Small Town Saturday Night at the top of our lungs. I want to laugh as hard as he makes me laugh, and I want to smile as big as he makes me smile. I miss his gorgeous smile and mesmerizing eyes (well... I guess it's only eye right now... funny story). But very soon I will get to see him, so it's not so very bad after all.

Standing Up

Ray is standing up! He loves to let go of things and try out his own balance, and it is so exciting.
My dad's car was likely totaled today. The amazing thing was that he wasn't in the car. Thankfully, the four kids who were in the vehicle all appeared to be fine.
I'm so glad the school year is almost over, and I am so pleased with my students progress in our last unit.
I've been able to talk with Trey on the phone more recently. It's so nice to hear his voice and listen to his thoughts. I love it! I miss him, but I am so very excited for what he is doing right now.

Hi Dada

I am trying to be diligent to record Ray as often as I can so that Trey gets to see him in action and doesn't feel like he's missing anything. Yesterday, Owen Ray was very obliging for the camera. He knew that it was an important moment, so he turned on the charm for Daddy and said "hi dada." I'm pretty sure that my son is a Narnian prince. I'm reading about them, and I think I'm fairly convinced. I've been trying to explain to my parents that he fits the bill of a sort of child king. I know this sounds ridiculous, but this kid is just amazing. That... or I'm getting way to involved in the the Vogage of the Dawn Treader.