A Year of Blessings

I must admit my previous blog endeavors have been quite a fail. I mean I did have a good run back my sophomore year along with when I was blogging for a grade. Anyway this year I have decided to use my blog in a little bit of a different way. I haven't really been one in the past to take a lot of pictures or journal to be able to look back on the memories I have made. I found myself at the beginning of the year complaining about where I'm at in my life. No I am not engaged, I didn't have a job, and I am still living with my parents. After a few changes in perspective and getting a job as a teacher's aide, I have had quite the change of perspective. While things may not be perfect I really have so much to be thankful for. This year I have decided that I am going to take more pictures and be intentional about thanking and reflecting on all the blessings that God has put in my life. So here goes nothing.

January

So far 2014 has been nothing but good to me. I started off the year by heading to Central Michigan to go skiing. We don't go skiing very often, but I love every time I get a chance to hit the slopes. Its quite a rush going down the hill. My mom and I even managed to go down the Black Diamond a few times. We stayed in an awesome little cabin. Thanks for the good times Caberfae!

The day after I got back from skiing I headed with my grandparents to Georgia. What an adventure that was. We left in a blizzard and saw at least 200 cars, trucks, and semis in the ditch along the way in Illinois. Luckily we made it to ATL safe and sound. Gary and Judith had super on the table for us and were such awesome hosts. Judith even had breakfast and a goodie bag waiting for me when I left. I loved the short amount of time I got to spend with them. The next morning I headed to Florida to spend a week with Kristen. Gary treated me to Starbucks on the way to the airport at 5:30. I also made it through the airport along. Solo flying isn't that bad when you have a whole row to yourself. There was only 24 people on my flight. Win! I am so glad it worked out for me to go with my grandparents and fly to Florida. Kristen and I had the best time hanging out at the pool, beach and apartment. It was seriously so great. Our friendship has not changed one bit throughout the years and I appreciate this girl so much. We have such great talks and share so many great memories together. Lately we have also had pretty parallel lives. We both just graduated, work at Kohl's, and now both got jobs within the same week. After spending every minute together for an entire week we have also confirmed that we in fact can live together. haha. I don't think we had any doubts before. All in all it was such a great little getaway in the warmth.

Now onto the job. I was planning on substituting this semester while I look for a full time job for the fall. The thursday that I got back from Florida I went to the office and got everything set to go. That night I received a call from Kristen's dad asking me if I wanted a job. My answer being YES of course! The next day I had an interview at 9am for a paraprofessional job. Kristen's dad had told me that the director would be making the decision that day. I was quite nervous heading to the interview. I had nothing to fear for as the director is awesome! She did a more casual interview style and offered me the job at the end of our interview. She said she was really impressed with me compared to the other candidates! This was awesome news and encouraging for the following interviews I may have. Anyway in a whirlwind of a weekend, I began my job on Tuesday. I work in a Special Education room with three boys. They are all so fun and unique! I ride the bus with one student and enjoy his love for life and others. During the day I work with another student on his IEP goals along with going with him to his general education class. I am really liking it so far after day two. I love getting to use my special education knowledge and to be able to put this awesome opportunity on my resume. It still seems unreal that I have a job I didn't even apply for. God has already been sooooo good to me! Here's to more great blessings to come :)