Wow! I can't believe it's been a year since I posted on here! Time has flown by!
I'm going to try and start blogging more often (yes, I know I say this often!), but since I am supposed to blog every day (or at least try to) for my student teaching this semester, I'm going to try and blog on here as well, just maybe not every day!
Hope my "followers" are well - I'm a lousy blogger most of the time, but never too busy for friends!
God is good -- life is good -- things are changing...change isn't bad..it's just change :)
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Monday, August 10, 2009
Where did the Summer Go?
Where did the summer go? I certainly don't feel like I've even had a summer! I feel like I've just stayed on the go, haven't slowed down, and I haven't accomplished crap. Yeah that pretty much covers it...
As far as updates go...
School -- I'm still in summer school until the end of August. I also have until the end of August to finish up work on my two incomplete classes and my one summer class..I'm coming along, just slowly...Hopefully my grades pop back up to honors range and all will be well with that. I'm also going to TRY and student teach this Spring. Meaning I'd have to go to summer school to finish some theory classes, but I would graduate in the summer and have my full teaching certificate for the 2010-2011 school year.
Job -- yeah, I still don't have one. period. I'm not happy, I'm rather miffed about it all. Oh well, not much I can do, except what I've been doing - putting in resume after resume and hoping someone will call. I'm willing to take crap employment until I find something else, but I can't seem to do that either. argh......
House situation -- well this has improved somewhat...My mom kicked my cousin and his pot addiction out of the house for good. This has been a tremendous improvement overall in the household. There are fewer arguments (as in I think we've had 1 in the past 3 weeks). Things are actually getting done around the house, and the stress level has greatly decreased. All of this is good news. On the flip side, however, we're still looking for a place of our own. It's kinda old living with your mother/mother in law. We have very little privacy, constant interuptions (when I'm occupied with school work and other activities ;) ), and constant questions about where we're going and what we're doing...It gets old. Hopefully we'll be able to do something this fall, before the housing rebate goes bye bye..
Nathan's job -- not so hot. He got let go from LexMark b/c they chose not to renew his contract that was up July 6. In the mean time, he's gone back to Pizza Hut, until he can find an IT/Computer job. It's not awesome, but I'm grateful for it, nonetheless.
We did manage to make it to Kings Island this summer (week ago Wednesday) and had a blast! Took the munchkin and my cousin's child (never again on him) and had fun. My cousin's son was a total brat all day long. He wouldn't stop asking the same questions over and over and over again. Nathan kept asking for duct tape! haha! Munchkin was going nuts, but she managed.
No news on the baby front. No baby on the way, but no time really to try for baby either. Reality is that we aren't stable enough (read: no place of our own, me not working) to really have a baby right now anyway. God is totally in control, and I know that. It's just REALLY hard to accept when all our church friends are having kids, cousins have kids, etc and we're not. We keep getting asked, and I keep coming up with creative answers, but to be honest, it's getting really really old. For the moment, I have the munchkin (who, thankfully, is a great! distraction!), although she keeps wanting to know when we're going to have one! But I can usually distract her attention to something else, so that's a blessing. I'm looking forward to losing some weight, and getting back in to see my IF specialist -- I'm ready to get this show on the road :)
Camp was AWESOME! I can't put into words how awesome it was, but it was a great week. So much came out of camp, and while we didn't have any to make decisions (they had all made decisions prior to camp), it was great for our kids, and even more so, great for Nathan and I. I'm so blessed to have gone, and I totally stand by my opinions from the spring - I gave it to God, and God gave it back to me. He was waiting for me to hand over my desire to go, and I became obedient - upon doing so, he rewarded my obedience with what I desired. All was good :) A great time was had by all, and I'm so thankful :)
Yep yep, so I guess that's really all...I have another post to make, but will probably save it for tomorrow, as I do need to work on my homework just a bit. I need to get everything done so that all I have left is my thesis for next week. That's my goal - I'm already partially there - I just have my chapter summaries and 2 papers to write (although my papers can be the same 1 paper, since it's going to two different teachers). Then all I have left is my final exam for my one class and my thesis. Yep that's my goal -- by Sunday to have everything but my final exam and my thesis done, so that next week I can work my behind off on my thesis. Good goal to have...now I just need to achieve it :)
I'll be back tomorrow or Wednesday with a post about some of the blogger drama...If you've come to my blog from , I'll have my take on it soon enough...This is simply an update post for my friends and followers, since I've been out of the blog loop for about 6 weeks!
No prayer requests at the moment, unless you count the job situation. I'm also going to blog about something I've been led to do, but it's still a couple of years off :), but that's for another day and another post :)
Blessings :)
~Melissa :)
As far as updates go...
School -- I'm still in summer school until the end of August. I also have until the end of August to finish up work on my two incomplete classes and my one summer class..I'm coming along, just slowly...Hopefully my grades pop back up to honors range and all will be well with that. I'm also going to TRY and student teach this Spring. Meaning I'd have to go to summer school to finish some theory classes, but I would graduate in the summer and have my full teaching certificate for the 2010-2011 school year.
Job -- yeah, I still don't have one. period. I'm not happy, I'm rather miffed about it all. Oh well, not much I can do, except what I've been doing - putting in resume after resume and hoping someone will call. I'm willing to take crap employment until I find something else, but I can't seem to do that either. argh......
House situation -- well this has improved somewhat...My mom kicked my cousin and his pot addiction out of the house for good. This has been a tremendous improvement overall in the household. There are fewer arguments (as in I think we've had 1 in the past 3 weeks). Things are actually getting done around the house, and the stress level has greatly decreased. All of this is good news. On the flip side, however, we're still looking for a place of our own. It's kinda old living with your mother/mother in law. We have very little privacy, constant interuptions (when I'm occupied with school work and other activities ;) ), and constant questions about where we're going and what we're doing...It gets old. Hopefully we'll be able to do something this fall, before the housing rebate goes bye bye..
Nathan's job -- not so hot. He got let go from LexMark b/c they chose not to renew his contract that was up July 6. In the mean time, he's gone back to Pizza Hut, until he can find an IT/Computer job. It's not awesome, but I'm grateful for it, nonetheless.
We did manage to make it to Kings Island this summer (week ago Wednesday) and had a blast! Took the munchkin and my cousin's child (never again on him) and had fun. My cousin's son was a total brat all day long. He wouldn't stop asking the same questions over and over and over again. Nathan kept asking for duct tape! haha! Munchkin was going nuts, but she managed.
No news on the baby front. No baby on the way, but no time really to try for baby either. Reality is that we aren't stable enough (read: no place of our own, me not working) to really have a baby right now anyway. God is totally in control, and I know that. It's just REALLY hard to accept when all our church friends are having kids, cousins have kids, etc and we're not. We keep getting asked, and I keep coming up with creative answers, but to be honest, it's getting really really old. For the moment, I have the munchkin (who, thankfully, is a great! distraction!), although she keeps wanting to know when we're going to have one! But I can usually distract her attention to something else, so that's a blessing. I'm looking forward to losing some weight, and getting back in to see my IF specialist -- I'm ready to get this show on the road :)
Camp was AWESOME! I can't put into words how awesome it was, but it was a great week. So much came out of camp, and while we didn't have any to make decisions (they had all made decisions prior to camp), it was great for our kids, and even more so, great for Nathan and I. I'm so blessed to have gone, and I totally stand by my opinions from the spring - I gave it to God, and God gave it back to me. He was waiting for me to hand over my desire to go, and I became obedient - upon doing so, he rewarded my obedience with what I desired. All was good :) A great time was had by all, and I'm so thankful :)
Yep yep, so I guess that's really all...I have another post to make, but will probably save it for tomorrow, as I do need to work on my homework just a bit. I need to get everything done so that all I have left is my thesis for next week. That's my goal - I'm already partially there - I just have my chapter summaries and 2 papers to write (although my papers can be the same 1 paper, since it's going to two different teachers). Then all I have left is my final exam for my one class and my thesis. Yep that's my goal -- by Sunday to have everything but my final exam and my thesis done, so that next week I can work my behind off on my thesis. Good goal to have...now I just need to achieve it :)
I'll be back tomorrow or Wednesday with a post about some of the blogger drama...If you've come to my blog from , I'll have my take on it soon enough...This is simply an update post for my friends and followers, since I've been out of the blog loop for about 6 weeks!
No prayer requests at the moment, unless you count the job situation. I'm also going to blog about something I've been led to do, but it's still a couple of years off :), but that's for another day and another post :)
Blessings :)
~Melissa :)
I promise....
To get this blog updated sometime today! I know this is short and sweet, but I'm going to get a REAL post up soon, with lots of stuff!
later
~melissa~
later
~melissa~
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
What to do...
Well, we're somewhat at a crossroads, and then again, somewhat not....
I think I mentioned previously that we found a house that we're interested in. I'm a bit concerned that it's not really big enough for us, square footage wise (we've got lots of "stuff", including furniture, electronics, etc) to be there more than a year or so. If we were to purchase, we'd have to stay there 3 years in order to not have to pay back the tax rebate for the $8k. I'm not sure that we'll be able to stay that long, in terms of space. Specially if a baby comes along, we're totally out of room.
Also the other issue with this particular house is that the guy wants waaaayyyyyy more than it's worth...as in, he's asking $142k, and it's probably only worth between $70k and $90k. So we'd have to do lots of fast talking to talk him down, if we could. There's work to be done on the house, some that would have to be completed before we could move in, it's in need of a GOOD cleaning, etc. So the value is definately an issue.
We've also found a house that we'd love to rent, and then possibly buy, however, it's going to snag in the fact that they want a credit check, and we won't pass it. We both have issues with our credit -- we're both willing to admit such. However, it's hard to get ahead when no one is willing to give you a chance, although I totally understand where they're coming from as well (they want to know that the rent will be paid, etc).
So we're kinda stuck. Not sure how we want to handle this, not sure what to do. I had hoped that we'd find a place before our (Nathan's) nephew got here for the summer, as he's a great kid and he loves to go to church with us, as well as the pool, and other fun stuff. I figure since I haven't found a job yet, I could entertain him -- however, not so easy to do here at my mom's. Plus I figured I could entertain him and munchkin at the same time, which would be nice, as they'd have a playmate and could enjoy themselves.
None of these things are life-threatening or even life changing really. They're all superficial in many ways, and I need to remember that. However, I also know that we need space to be on our own, and we need to figure out what we're going to do.
I'm kinda out of sorts at the moment, not sure where I want to go and what I want to do...any suggestions? feel free to comment me and let me know...
Job stuff -- Still haven't found anything. Have lots of applications out and hearing good things, but no solid leads. Waiting to hear from the school I REALLY REALLY want to teach at, and I'm hearing there might be another opening there as well, so it keeps sounding good. Pray for me -- that I can keep a sane and open mind, and that I remember that it's going to be God's will that is done -- NOT mine!
Prayer Requests -- Ms. B, Mr. D, and Little April Rose -- keep them in your prayers. B is still carrying April, after all this time, and she's still thriving (a MIRACLE)! B and D have lots of decisons to consider over the next few days, so please keep them in your prayers.
We've got VBS this next week, so I'm excited. I'm going to start decorating my room and getting my stuff together, so please pray that I don't lose my mind!
Nathan is going with his brother next weekend to pick up the nephew I referenced earlier. Sadly (or not) I will not be going with them, as it's a "brother weekend". So I'm stuck at home, hopefully packing or something :) Pray for their safety and my sanity while they're gone.
I think that's all I can really think of at the moment, but I'm sure if I think of something, I'll get back to ya! :)
I think I mentioned previously that we found a house that we're interested in. I'm a bit concerned that it's not really big enough for us, square footage wise (we've got lots of "stuff", including furniture, electronics, etc) to be there more than a year or so. If we were to purchase, we'd have to stay there 3 years in order to not have to pay back the tax rebate for the $8k. I'm not sure that we'll be able to stay that long, in terms of space. Specially if a baby comes along, we're totally out of room.
Also the other issue with this particular house is that the guy wants waaaayyyyyy more than it's worth...as in, he's asking $142k, and it's probably only worth between $70k and $90k. So we'd have to do lots of fast talking to talk him down, if we could. There's work to be done on the house, some that would have to be completed before we could move in, it's in need of a GOOD cleaning, etc. So the value is definately an issue.
We've also found a house that we'd love to rent, and then possibly buy, however, it's going to snag in the fact that they want a credit check, and we won't pass it. We both have issues with our credit -- we're both willing to admit such. However, it's hard to get ahead when no one is willing to give you a chance, although I totally understand where they're coming from as well (they want to know that the rent will be paid, etc).
So we're kinda stuck. Not sure how we want to handle this, not sure what to do. I had hoped that we'd find a place before our (Nathan's) nephew got here for the summer, as he's a great kid and he loves to go to church with us, as well as the pool, and other fun stuff. I figure since I haven't found a job yet, I could entertain him -- however, not so easy to do here at my mom's. Plus I figured I could entertain him and munchkin at the same time, which would be nice, as they'd have a playmate and could enjoy themselves.
None of these things are life-threatening or even life changing really. They're all superficial in many ways, and I need to remember that. However, I also know that we need space to be on our own, and we need to figure out what we're going to do.
I'm kinda out of sorts at the moment, not sure where I want to go and what I want to do...any suggestions? feel free to comment me and let me know...
Job stuff -- Still haven't found anything. Have lots of applications out and hearing good things, but no solid leads. Waiting to hear from the school I REALLY REALLY want to teach at, and I'm hearing there might be another opening there as well, so it keeps sounding good. Pray for me -- that I can keep a sane and open mind, and that I remember that it's going to be God's will that is done -- NOT mine!
Prayer Requests -- Ms. B, Mr. D, and Little April Rose -- keep them in your prayers. B is still carrying April, after all this time, and she's still thriving (a MIRACLE)! B and D have lots of decisons to consider over the next few days, so please keep them in your prayers.
We've got VBS this next week, so I'm excited. I'm going to start decorating my room and getting my stuff together, so please pray that I don't lose my mind!
Nathan is going with his brother next weekend to pick up the nephew I referenced earlier. Sadly (or not) I will not be going with them, as it's a "brother weekend". So I'm stuck at home, hopefully packing or something :) Pray for their safety and my sanity while they're gone.
I think that's all I can really think of at the moment, but I'm sure if I think of something, I'll get back to ya! :)
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Living Arrangements, etc...
Well, we've found a house that we're interested in buying. This is good news! However, we've still got hurdles to clear before we can actually get it. We don't really have the money for a downpayment at the moment (and the owner is wanting 10k as the downpayment). However, we are eligigble for the tax rebate credit of 8k, which can be filed as soon as we take possession of the house. So from here, I'm really not sure what we want to do. We like the house (although the house next door is bigger and under renovations, we want to check on it as well), but I'm worried about the size of it. I honestly think it's too small in terms of what we need/want in the long run, but it's a house, and we could move as soon as July by the looks of things.
Please pray for wisdom for us at the moment -- we REALLY need it :)
~Melissa~
Please pray for wisdom for us at the moment -- we REALLY need it :)
~Melissa~
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Prayers
Ok, so I'm on a roll -- 3 blogs in 3 days! woo hoo!!! I wish I could say that this post was good news or whatever...but it's not...
I know there aren't that many of you that read my blog, but I'm begging for prayers...BEGGING!
Situation in the short form --
My mom is allowing her nephew (my cousin) to take part in illegal substances in her house. She has no regard that it could get ALL of us in trouble (me, Nathan, her, my cousin). She's like "I'm not there, so I don't care". This is so upsetting to me -- that we are all in danger of getting into trouble. I'm actually scared at the moment, b/c when she was told about it, she asked him about it, he said he wasn't doing anything wrong, and that we must have moved things to find it...huh?? it was over on the couch in the living room (where he's currently sleeping) and Nathan saw it when he went to turn the TV off that my cousin had left on.
We're not sure what to do from here -- we don't currently have the money to move out. We were shooting for a July move, b/c I've got residual money coming from my school loans for summer school, but I don't get it till then. So we were shooting for that, even though we were going to save the money for the future. Alas, I think it's more important that we get out. We have nowhere to turn -- nowhere to go. We're looking at a house on Friday (already had that scheduled) and we were going to ask him to wait till July so we could move. We need to move NOW, not in July. I have no idea where to turn for money so that we can. My dad is decently well off, but he has made it clear that he is not going to give us the other $2500 from our wedding (he allotted us 8k for the wedding, gave us $6500 for the wedding and our old house, so there is still $2500 left) until we are ready to BUY a house. We don't want to BUY anything b/c we don't know about job situations at the current moment. Nathan has several applications in NKY that he's waiting to hear about, and I'm still putting teaching apps in everywhere that I know of that needs teachers.
Does anyone know of anywhere that can help a couple get out of a bad situation? We moved in here to help my mom out and to save some money. We've done the first part, but not the second. But we need out for our own safety and sanity. I'm not sure how much we need -- I won't know that till Friday it seems (if this house goes through), or the weekend if we have to keep looking. The pastor that we need to talk to at church is out of the country till next week on mission, so we can't get in touch with him to ask for help (because I'm sure that they would help us if possible), and so many places are strapped right now, and I understand that. But I don't want to end up with a criminal record and lose my teaching career and Nathan's IT career b/c my cousin is screwing up his life. I want to make something of our lives.....
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!
I know there aren't that many of you that read my blog, but I'm begging for prayers...BEGGING!
Situation in the short form --
My mom is allowing her nephew (my cousin) to take part in illegal substances in her house. She has no regard that it could get ALL of us in trouble (me, Nathan, her, my cousin). She's like "I'm not there, so I don't care". This is so upsetting to me -- that we are all in danger of getting into trouble. I'm actually scared at the moment, b/c when she was told about it, she asked him about it, he said he wasn't doing anything wrong, and that we must have moved things to find it...huh?? it was over on the couch in the living room (where he's currently sleeping) and Nathan saw it when he went to turn the TV off that my cousin had left on.
We're not sure what to do from here -- we don't currently have the money to move out. We were shooting for a July move, b/c I've got residual money coming from my school loans for summer school, but I don't get it till then. So we were shooting for that, even though we were going to save the money for the future. Alas, I think it's more important that we get out. We have nowhere to turn -- nowhere to go. We're looking at a house on Friday (already had that scheduled) and we were going to ask him to wait till July so we could move. We need to move NOW, not in July. I have no idea where to turn for money so that we can. My dad is decently well off, but he has made it clear that he is not going to give us the other $2500 from our wedding (he allotted us 8k for the wedding, gave us $6500 for the wedding and our old house, so there is still $2500 left) until we are ready to BUY a house. We don't want to BUY anything b/c we don't know about job situations at the current moment. Nathan has several applications in NKY that he's waiting to hear about, and I'm still putting teaching apps in everywhere that I know of that needs teachers.
Does anyone know of anywhere that can help a couple get out of a bad situation? We moved in here to help my mom out and to save some money. We've done the first part, but not the second. But we need out for our own safety and sanity. I'm not sure how much we need -- I won't know that till Friday it seems (if this house goes through), or the weekend if we have to keep looking. The pastor that we need to talk to at church is out of the country till next week on mission, so we can't get in touch with him to ask for help (because I'm sure that they would help us if possible), and so many places are strapped right now, and I understand that. But I don't want to end up with a criminal record and lose my teaching career and Nathan's IT career b/c my cousin is screwing up his life. I want to make something of our lives.....
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
A Little Good News
I wish it was good news on the job front or baby front, but alas, it's good news, and I'm grateful for it.
I get to go to camp! :) Let me explain --
PMBC takes the children to CentriKids Camp each summer. Every other year it's held close to us (within an hour or so) and then alternating years it's held out of state (the one we attend anyway). This year is an out-of-state year, and I was looking forward to attending. I was informed in Jan. that too many moms had signed up to go with their children, so I wasn't going to be able to be a chaperone. However, Nathan was still going to get to go, because he was one of 2 male leaders. I was saddened, and even to some extent told Nathan that I didn't want him to go without me. He agreed to that, then I felt convicted due to the sermon series going on at the time (http://www.portermemorial.net/Sermons2009.htm Jan 18 and Feb 5). Dr. Henard was talking about the importance of a Godly marriage and how wives should be. I realize that 1 Peter 3 is a can of worms, but it wasn't about taking what Dr. Henard was saying literally. He spoke about how, as wives, if we're going to ask God to make our husband the spriritual leader in the home, we must let God do His work and get out of the way! We ask God to work, but then we want to do the work for Him. I took this sermon to heart. I spoke to several other Godly women about their opinions on the subject of camp (me staying, nathan going, both of us staying home, both of us going, etc) and the consensus was that I needed to let God be God and step back. I needed to say - "God, if you want me to go to camp, you will provide that way. In the mean time, I should not deprive Nathan of the opportunity to go and to grow with the kids (and for himself) just because I'm being selfish". I gave this over to God -- it's been hard, there's no question -- and I've had to continually tell God that I am ok with whatever occurs in terms of camp -- either going or not going. His will is going to be done, not mine, and I accept that. Today I got a phone call (one I was NOT expecting) that one of the female leaders had dropped out, and that I was the replacement, provided I still wanted to and am able to go! I nearly jumped out of my seat (which was hard, considering I was in the car!). I started crying in the car -- thanking God because he provided me the opportunity to go to camp with my kids from church (including the munchkin!) and Nathan.
At the same time, I know that it's going to create somewhat of a hardship on us -- depending on what's going on, but I know that God would not have placed this opportunity in front of me if He did not feel that there would be a way that I can go (in terms of life in general).
I start summer school that week (July 6-10), but I'm hoping for a laptop to be able to take with me (my dad has an extra, and I'm going to try and get it from him, since he said I could have it anyway).
All in all, I'm excited! I know God is working (this is just what I can "see") and I know He will continue to work in ways seen and unseen.
Just glad for some good news! :)
~Melissa~
I get to go to camp! :) Let me explain --
PMBC takes the children to CentriKids Camp each summer. Every other year it's held close to us (within an hour or so) and then alternating years it's held out of state (the one we attend anyway). This year is an out-of-state year, and I was looking forward to attending. I was informed in Jan. that too many moms had signed up to go with their children, so I wasn't going to be able to be a chaperone. However, Nathan was still going to get to go, because he was one of 2 male leaders. I was saddened, and even to some extent told Nathan that I didn't want him to go without me. He agreed to that, then I felt convicted due to the sermon series going on at the time (http://www.portermemorial.net/Sermons2009.htm Jan 18 and Feb 5). Dr. Henard was talking about the importance of a Godly marriage and how wives should be. I realize that 1 Peter 3 is a can of worms, but it wasn't about taking what Dr. Henard was saying literally. He spoke about how, as wives, if we're going to ask God to make our husband the spriritual leader in the home, we must let God do His work and get out of the way! We ask God to work, but then we want to do the work for Him. I took this sermon to heart. I spoke to several other Godly women about their opinions on the subject of camp (me staying, nathan going, both of us staying home, both of us going, etc) and the consensus was that I needed to let God be God and step back. I needed to say - "God, if you want me to go to camp, you will provide that way. In the mean time, I should not deprive Nathan of the opportunity to go and to grow with the kids (and for himself) just because I'm being selfish". I gave this over to God -- it's been hard, there's no question -- and I've had to continually tell God that I am ok with whatever occurs in terms of camp -- either going or not going. His will is going to be done, not mine, and I accept that. Today I got a phone call (one I was NOT expecting) that one of the female leaders had dropped out, and that I was the replacement, provided I still wanted to and am able to go! I nearly jumped out of my seat (which was hard, considering I was in the car!). I started crying in the car -- thanking God because he provided me the opportunity to go to camp with my kids from church (including the munchkin!) and Nathan.
At the same time, I know that it's going to create somewhat of a hardship on us -- depending on what's going on, but I know that God would not have placed this opportunity in front of me if He did not feel that there would be a way that I can go (in terms of life in general).
I start summer school that week (July 6-10), but I'm hoping for a laptop to be able to take with me (my dad has an extra, and I'm going to try and get it from him, since he said I could have it anyway).
All in all, I'm excited! I know God is working (this is just what I can "see") and I know He will continue to work in ways seen and unseen.
Just glad for some good news! :)
~Melissa~
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