Lots to be Thankful For!

Well, it's September now and I'm three weeks into my new title of "working mom". Many of you know that I really wrestled with the decision to go back to teaching full-time. The day before returning to work and my first day back were very hard. Many tears...on the border of hysteria. It seemed like my life was ending, thinking about leaving her everyday.  But God is good and he has held our hands through this transition.

I am amazed to report that we have not only survived the transition, but are all doing wonderfully and are feeling God's blessings, big time. Here are just a few things we are praising God for:

-Wes' new job adventure. He is just days away from starting his new job with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis!

-My attitude about my job. Wow, my whole mindset of going back to work brightened up as soon as my students walked in my classroom. I had forgotten that God has allowed me to have 400 other 'kids'! They are hilarious, beautiful, creative, and loving little people. My life would be a lot less interesting without them, that's for sure! In the weeks I've been back, my love for teaching has been renewed. It's in my bones, I'm a 4th generation teacher....I just have to do this! To view my students' artwork online, visit our website : Artsonia.com. I've just started posting things...much more to come.)

-The time we have together as a family is extremely precious! We really appreciate very moment, even more so now that we've in the working groove.

-Discovering Natalie's vibrant personality! She is so smilely these days, it's sooo fun! She is quite the social butterfly, an extrovert for sure!

-Owning a car with air conditioning!

-The fall season is here, our favorite time of year!

One HUGE praise is Natalie's childcare situation....we really feel like we've hit the jackpot! Ariana, her babysitter, is truly amazing. She's brought Natalie to school to have lunch with me, sent us picture messages on our phones, and emails during the day. Natalie is very well loved and cared for while we're working....knowing that makes this all possible. Natalie is quite popular with Ariana's kids and for that matter, the entire childhood population of Fortville. When Ariana's kids get dropped off by the bus in the afternoon, there's known to be students shouting "Baby Natalie" out the windows! ha ha  She's already a legend!

Here are a few pictures to share of the last month or so...

Megan and I chaperoning Natalie and Andrew's third date!

Natalie lookin' serious at Luke and Hilary's beautiful outdoor wedding.

Wishing Daddy luck at his disc golf tournament!

Natalie's practicing her grip so she can beat her daddy in disc golf someday!

Some very special friends that I met this summer! Heather and baby Wesley, and Kim and baby Andrew.