Monday, July 29, 2013

And So it Begins...

Well, it's happened.






I have been accepted into the graduate program for school counseling. I am terrified. I have been talking about doing this for a couple of months now, but somehow I never thought it would really happen. I am actually starting college again.































This is a picture of me and the hubs on the day I graduated with my Bachelor's back in the '09. We weren't even engaged yet! I originally intended to start grad school right away, but life gets in the way and a few regrets later and now here I am--finally. Everyone told me when I started college, that there would be plenty of jobs for teachers when I got out. Sadly, the recession happened and a number of people who lost their jobs decided to go into teaching. It's been a madhouse trying to get a teaching job--something I still haven't succeeded in. I've worked in schools ever since I graduated, but no teaching jobs ever came out of it. I'm hoping that my Master's will not only give me an edge, but also finally put me in the career I belong in.

I am praying that I can remember my old study habits and not completely screw this up. I have No Idea what grad school will be like--my advisor actually made the program out to be fairly simple. I'm not sure if that should comfort me or terrify me. Knowing who I am, I will worry the devil out of it and then it will all turn out fine. If all goes well, I'll be wearing new robes and I'll get a fancy stole to boot!


Thursday, July 25, 2013

She's Gone Country

I don't know what is happening to me. I'm getting this itch--and no, I'm not coming down with something. Unless you consider Going Country a sickness. The longer we live in Tennessee, the more I listen to country music and now--deep breath--I'm dying to buy some cowboy boots.

I know. I never thought I would be that girl. I'm from Texas for goodness sake and I never wanted anything to with country anything my entire existence there. But now, there's just something tugging at me to embrace something new. Something down-home, country-fried, and dirty. I even told the hubs he could get a truck if he wanted to. A Truck for Heaven's sake! I hate trucks!

I don't know about this country thing--maybe I just like the honesty in the lyrics and a good glass of sweet iced tea. It's not pretentious; it knows just who it is, why it wants to get dirty, and what it means to be free.

And the shoes are to die for.


Sunday, July 21, 2013

Hiking at Chickasaw State Park






I know the hubs and I complain a lot about living in the middle of nowhere, but when we go places like Chickasaw I am reminded that this place isn't so bad after all. Despite being far away from all of the people and places that we love, we are together and we have all of God's beauty to keep us company. Oh, and a little rock and roll there at the end. :)












Thursday, July 18, 2013

Thrill for Thursday!

I have to say that this post isn't very meaningful/fulfilling/inspiring but you know what it is? THRILLING! Check out my newest obsession(and by obsessed, I mean I just found it on Pinterest and pinned it Immediately):







































That's right. It's an Orca Sleeping Bag. And you know you want one. Nothing says 'I'm thrilled' like a mouth full of teeth and a Free Willy grin! Enjoy.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Playing Hookie!!!!



























Do you ever have those days when you just need to leave work and do something fun? Well, today was one of those days for us. We agreed to leave work at 12 and head out to see Monsters University--you see, the hubs and I still haven't quite grown up yet so we still see lots of kids films. The only bad part? We were the only people in the theatre without children--except for the teenage boys that wouldn't sit next to each other--now that was entertaining.

You just can't beat a good Disney/Pixar team up and we loved it! Did any of you realize that its CHEAPER to get the big giant combo than to get two small drinks and a small popcorn? Like three dollars cheaper. Bleh. We were supposed to be 'good' and do the smalls but my cheapskate heart gave in and we got the big stuff. My stomach is now thanking me for that terrible decision.

After the movies we headed to good ole Wal-mart to get some supplies for a Care Package for the counselors back at camp. We acquired the following:

Frisbees
Glow bracelets
Cards
Farkle
Water guns
Herbal tea
Homemade cookies
Colored pens
Flarp(aka The Original Fart "Machine")
Tattoos

Hopefully they like it and it will give them a little pick-me-up for the last three weeks. We remember how tiring it can be when the campers get older--they don't give you the same loving push that the young ones do. Counselors are the best and this particular set is really amazing.

We love movies, we love cookies, and we love Camp Wamava. Tomorrow is Wednesday--let's make it great!

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Surprise Date!




Joshua's many methods for gaining the elusive 'hole in one.'

Creepiest 'barn' potential ghost hangout ever.
My gorgeous man!
Proof--Hole In One! (on hole 17)
Gallows?
Tallying the scores...a narrow victory for the wifester!

After the post-depression camp set in, Joshua wanted to give me something to look forward to so he planned a 'surprise' date. He picked three restaurants and three activities and had me pick numbers so that he would know where we were going and I wouldn't. We had an amazing dinner at Coyote Blues where I had vegetarian enchiladas in the yummiest cream sauce; hubs had some tacos.


Next up was mini golf! I'm telling you, this was the saddest mini golf ever seen. All 18 holes were basically laid out on the same flat land--you could see all of it from the first hole! We still had a great time though dancing through every hole(hence my golf handle) and let me tell you, one of those holes took me 30 tries to get it in...thankfully, I have a husband that thinks 30 is really 10.


Last, but not least, Despicable Me 2. Let me tell you, we LOVED it! I'm pretty sure we laughed more than the first Despicable Me and the ending had me wishing I could clap for joy(which I didn't because no one wants to be that girl.


So blessed to have a man in my life that knows when I need to be cheered up and takes the time to plan a fun date I'll love. We love finding new date ideas so if anybody out there reads this and has some suggestions, leave a comment below!


























Thursday, July 11, 2013

When I Grow Up...


This is my favorite place to be. Camp Wamava. Josh and I used to be counselors there when we were in college. I originally went because, back in the day, Josh and I were just friends and I really wanted to spend more time with him and well, what better place than camp? *Yes, I was dreaming about all those camp movies where people fall in love.*

Anyhow, I went and completely fell in love. Not just with Joshua, but with camp. The kids, the woods, the smells! I always thought I would grow up to be a teacher just like my mom and that's what I got my degree in. But honestly, I don't think I love teaching. The students are the best--I really love them, but teaching doesn't really tickle my fancy. Student teaching was the worst semester of my life. The only way I got through was thinking about going to camp when it was over.

If I could be a camp counselor for the rest of my life, I would be in Heaven. Unfortunately, most camps don't want old ladies living in the cabins...We are lucky enough that Wamava takes Bible Class and Kitchen volunteers of all ages so we can keep going back. 

I say all of this to say, that I don't think I should be a classroom teacher. I heard an education professor once say, "If you don't love, you need to get out right now and change your major." I wish I had listened and gone with my gut feeling to get up right then and walk out the door. But here I am, several years later and I'm thinking about going back to school. The career personality quiz I took told me that I am a Helper: I like to make people feel comfortable and feel good about themselves. People open up to me. So I've come to the conclusion that Yes, I want to work with kids. No, I don't want to be a teacher. And so folks, I'm applying to Grad School. 

To be a Counselor. :)