Saturday, December 31, 2011
Till We Meet Again
So sad to hear about Mary's passing today. Just thought I would repost these pictures of some good times we had together.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Another one of those hope things
So while I was home for Christmas I happened to be talking to my cousin Angie about the apparently crumbling school systems in the area and the latest scandal taking over the Valparaiso school system. Angie and I chatting about schools and teaching gave me a thought the next day.
Why don't I just check the department of Education website and see what jobs are currently out there. SO I click through the website and all the sudden I see an opening for a high school social studies teacher at Hebron high school. A small school, in a small town about 30 mins from my parents house. WOW.
It starts in a couple weeks. It would be perfect. It would make immigration wonderfully fast.
So I will be sending in all of my stuff for that today. It makes me wish and hope that the position hasn't already been filled. After all it has been posted for a couple of weeks. So here goes nothing. It gets my hopes up and all I can think about is that this is all in God's hands. I just hope that this is what God has planned for me.
We shall see. Prayers appreciated.
Why don't I just check the department of Education website and see what jobs are currently out there. SO I click through the website and all the sudden I see an opening for a high school social studies teacher at Hebron high school. A small school, in a small town about 30 mins from my parents house. WOW.
It starts in a couple weeks. It would be perfect. It would make immigration wonderfully fast.
So I will be sending in all of my stuff for that today. It makes me wish and hope that the position hasn't already been filled. After all it has been posted for a couple of weeks. So here goes nothing. It gets my hopes up and all I can think about is that this is all in God's hands. I just hope that this is what God has planned for me.
We shall see. Prayers appreciated.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
The things that matter
The way I feel right now makes me put that last post into a bit of perspective. I've just been crying in my husbands arms for the past couple of minutes.
My usual Sunday call home was a bit depressing as Ann informed me that Mary Bobis is in hospice and not expected to make it into the new year.
I don't know what else to say. It is hard to say goodbye.
My usual Sunday call home was a bit depressing as Ann informed me that Mary Bobis is in hospice and not expected to make it into the new year.
I don't know what else to say. It is hard to say goodbye.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Dear Canada
(FYI I need to vent for a moment)
Dear Canada,
Thank you for being a life ruiner. You are now responsible for the worst haircut I have had in my life. (Well maybe not the worst...look at idy pictures from 2003) But this is pretty bad. I went to get my haircut and asked that she make my bangs a little thicker and shorter. So she did so to my specifications, but I still wanted them shorter. Then lo and behold what does she do but cut me regular bangs! So the wonderful side bangs that I loved were gone to be replaced by regular bangs that look hideous! Just in time for Mark's work christmas party tonight. I AM SOOO IRRITATED! I don't know what I'm gonna do with them. UGH!
-Dear heart always instilled in me when I was young not to "cry your eyes out" over a bad haircut...So I'm not. But I am soo not happy.
I blame these horrible bangs on the fact that I live in Canada and haven't been able to go to my trusty hair stylist in Valpo who I loved. I know it is irrational to think this wouldn't happen if I didn't live in Canada...but honestly it is my first thought whenever anything goes wrong.
I HATE CANADA!
the end.
Dear Canada,
Thank you for being a life ruiner. You are now responsible for the worst haircut I have had in my life. (Well maybe not the worst...look at idy pictures from 2003) But this is pretty bad. I went to get my haircut and asked that she make my bangs a little thicker and shorter. So she did so to my specifications, but I still wanted them shorter. Then lo and behold what does she do but cut me regular bangs! So the wonderful side bangs that I loved were gone to be replaced by regular bangs that look hideous! Just in time for Mark's work christmas party tonight. I AM SOOO IRRITATED! I don't know what I'm gonna do with them. UGH!
-Dear heart always instilled in me when I was young not to "cry your eyes out" over a bad haircut...So I'm not. But I am soo not happy.
I blame these horrible bangs on the fact that I live in Canada and haven't been able to go to my trusty hair stylist in Valpo who I loved. I know it is irrational to think this wouldn't happen if I didn't live in Canada...but honestly it is my first thought whenever anything goes wrong.
I HATE CANADA!
the end.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Age
I don't know about you, but I have been feeling old lately. Here are a couple of stories for your enjoyment...
Within the past year I have found not one, but several gray hairs on my head. Is this really happening?????? Gray hair?? On my head?????? REALLY??? Already? I haven't even hit 30 yet. Shouldn't I have like another 10 years at least? When I was in Indiana over the summer, I had told Sarah that I had found a couple gray hairs on my head. She snorted and said, "That's nothing, I have tons now." I looked closer at her hair and couldn't believe my eyes. It was literally like my sister got old right in that moment before my eyes. I could not believe the amount of gray hairs that she had on her head. Now in reality, it really wasn't that many, but it was enough for me to think, "Wow". The gray hair syndrome is enough to make me think how fast time is flying. -Then I realize that I just said "boy time sure is flying by fast" and that makes me feel old too. It's a double edged sword. (Watch me laugh at the ridiculousness that is this post in 20 years when I only have gray hair).
I don't know if all of you are aware of one of my more embarrassing facts of life. I know that Sophie is well aware of this as she has seen me "take care of it". But I won't lie, I have facial hair. Yes it is sad to say I have an excessive amount of chin hair. It was brought to my attention when I was in college and in the car with Ann and my mom. They noticed that I had a lot of chin hair. While blond, they told me I needed to "take care of it". They were both laughing about it. Ann commented that she only got hair like that on her chin when she was pregnant and her hormones were crazy. Mom said she only got hair like that cuz her hormones were crazy from menopause. Thanks guys. Good to know you can laugh at me and make me feel old all at once. So ever since then, I have taken care of the old chin hairs. Oh you know I used the standard Nair face cream for awhile but have recently switched to wax strips which I find work better. (LOL). But whenever I am taking care of the chin problem, it makes me feel old. Have you ever not seen an old lady that had crazy long chin hairs?? No? Next time you see a really old lady, pay special attention to her facial hair, and you will think of me.
I however do know how old I am. I am 26 years old, soon to be 27. My husband on the other hand, has no idea how old he is.
Last week when we were driving to Indiana we were having what I like to call "future talk". You know those conversations where you talk about your future plans and what not. This particular night in the car we were talking about our future kids. Picking names for those future kids, what kind of parents we will be, ect. Finally Mark said, "Yeah I think if we had a kid by the time I was 30 that would be good." (If I had water in my mouth it would have been spewed all over the car). I looked at him laughing and said, "You know that's next year right?" He replied "Wait how old am I?" "You're going to be 29 in 4 weeks so yeah next year you will be 30." "Oh well 31 then." It made me laugh.
All of the baby talk makes me feel old too. There have been (I feel) sooo many people popping out the kids this year that it makes me feel old. Between my 2 sisters, my cousin, several people at meeting and several other acquaintances, it seems like baby fever is everywhere. Are we really at that age where we are ready to have kids? (Hi Kres :-) It seems so, and that also makes me feel old. The fact that my 22 year old sister in law is probably gonna be pregnant before too long makes me feel old. Well, if I were to be honest with myself that doesn't make me feel old...that makes me feel jealous. Because the truth is if we had a house I would want to have a kid right now. But I am aware enough to know that it isn't our time just yet, and we have a lot of things to get organized first.
But for real...just thinking about all of that stuff (gray hair, mortgages, babies) it makes me feel old. Am I the only one who feels old like this?
So to conclude...you all know that I am a low maintenance babe. So I really need those gray hairs to stay away for a long while cuz you know I'm never gonna have the patience for coloring my hair. Aw well, the age will come and I shall try to embrace whatever comes with it.
Within the past year I have found not one, but several gray hairs on my head. Is this really happening?????? Gray hair?? On my head?????? REALLY??? Already? I haven't even hit 30 yet. Shouldn't I have like another 10 years at least? When I was in Indiana over the summer, I had told Sarah that I had found a couple gray hairs on my head. She snorted and said, "That's nothing, I have tons now." I looked closer at her hair and couldn't believe my eyes. It was literally like my sister got old right in that moment before my eyes. I could not believe the amount of gray hairs that she had on her head. Now in reality, it really wasn't that many, but it was enough for me to think, "Wow". The gray hair syndrome is enough to make me think how fast time is flying. -Then I realize that I just said "boy time sure is flying by fast" and that makes me feel old too. It's a double edged sword. (Watch me laugh at the ridiculousness that is this post in 20 years when I only have gray hair).
I don't know if all of you are aware of one of my more embarrassing facts of life. I know that Sophie is well aware of this as she has seen me "take care of it". But I won't lie, I have facial hair. Yes it is sad to say I have an excessive amount of chin hair. It was brought to my attention when I was in college and in the car with Ann and my mom. They noticed that I had a lot of chin hair. While blond, they told me I needed to "take care of it". They were both laughing about it. Ann commented that she only got hair like that on her chin when she was pregnant and her hormones were crazy. Mom said she only got hair like that cuz her hormones were crazy from menopause. Thanks guys. Good to know you can laugh at me and make me feel old all at once. So ever since then, I have taken care of the old chin hairs. Oh you know I used the standard Nair face cream for awhile but have recently switched to wax strips which I find work better. (LOL). But whenever I am taking care of the chin problem, it makes me feel old. Have you ever not seen an old lady that had crazy long chin hairs?? No? Next time you see a really old lady, pay special attention to her facial hair, and you will think of me.
I however do know how old I am. I am 26 years old, soon to be 27. My husband on the other hand, has no idea how old he is.
Last week when we were driving to Indiana we were having what I like to call "future talk". You know those conversations where you talk about your future plans and what not. This particular night in the car we were talking about our future kids. Picking names for those future kids, what kind of parents we will be, ect. Finally Mark said, "Yeah I think if we had a kid by the time I was 30 that would be good." (If I had water in my mouth it would have been spewed all over the car). I looked at him laughing and said, "You know that's next year right?" He replied "Wait how old am I?" "You're going to be 29 in 4 weeks so yeah next year you will be 30." "Oh well 31 then." It made me laugh.
All of the baby talk makes me feel old too. There have been (I feel) sooo many people popping out the kids this year that it makes me feel old. Between my 2 sisters, my cousin, several people at meeting and several other acquaintances, it seems like baby fever is everywhere. Are we really at that age where we are ready to have kids? (Hi Kres :-) It seems so, and that also makes me feel old. The fact that my 22 year old sister in law is probably gonna be pregnant before too long makes me feel old. Well, if I were to be honest with myself that doesn't make me feel old...that makes me feel jealous. Because the truth is if we had a house I would want to have a kid right now. But I am aware enough to know that it isn't our time just yet, and we have a lot of things to get organized first.
But for real...just thinking about all of that stuff (gray hair, mortgages, babies) it makes me feel old. Am I the only one who feels old like this?
So to conclude...you all know that I am a low maintenance babe. So I really need those gray hairs to stay away for a long while cuz you know I'm never gonna have the patience for coloring my hair. Aw well, the age will come and I shall try to embrace whatever comes with it.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
9 Hours
Mark and I spent Thanksgiving in Indiana. So on Sunday we were driving back home. We weren't the only ones either, the highways were packed, we hit a couple traffic jams....Not to mention the almost 2 hour wait at the border.
I don't know if you've ever taken a road trip with your spouse, but I do know that if you have been stuck in a car for 9 hours with your spouse it is likely that all of your issues will come to the surface. At least that was the way it was for us. Now I'm not saying that we have any major problems, but sometimes when you let some of the little things slide they add up. So that was what happened when we got in the car. We realized that we had gotten into a rut and our day to day routine wasn't helping. So the car ride that forced the conversation inspired change. We both made the effort to change a couple little things and it has made all the difference.
People say that marriage is hard for a reason...because it is. But it is also sooo rewarding, especially when you work out your problems.
It is good to change things up.
I don't know if you've ever taken a road trip with your spouse, but I do know that if you have been stuck in a car for 9 hours with your spouse it is likely that all of your issues will come to the surface. At least that was the way it was for us. Now I'm not saying that we have any major problems, but sometimes when you let some of the little things slide they add up. So that was what happened when we got in the car. We realized that we had gotten into a rut and our day to day routine wasn't helping. So the car ride that forced the conversation inspired change. We both made the effort to change a couple little things and it has made all the difference.
People say that marriage is hard for a reason...because it is. But it is also sooo rewarding, especially when you work out your problems.
It is good to change things up.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Immigration
I think this post needs to start with a moment almost 2 years ago now. Many of you will remember my surprise visit to California in January 2010. This was 6 months before our wedding when Mark and I were still figuring out where we were going to live. I was at Sophie's house watching a movie with her when Mark called me. In short, it was a conversation that decided we were going to live in Canada. I remember hanging up the phone, looking at Sophie and bursting into tears.
Ever since then I have been agonizing over my living in Canada. Wondering if I would be stuck living here for the rest of my life. There have been so many times where I have thought that this move to Canada would be the end of my teaching career. For me, the fact that we were starting our life in Canada meant that we would never be able to move back. Mark on the other hand is my eternal optimist. He promised me not long after we got engaged that he would get me back to the live in the US eventually. So time went on and we finally came up with a plan.
I am amazed and so grateful at how quickly this plan seems to be coming together in front of us. We thought Mark's brothers wouldn't be ready for Mark to start work till the end of Spring. Now they might want him to start working with them in January. We thought the immigration would take us a year or 6 months at the best.
After a month of waiting, Mark's paperwork has been approved!! Now the visa center has to approve it and set up an interview with us and so on. The visa center should contact us within 30 days to let us know. I mean that is amazing! I have no idea how long we will have to wait for the interview and everything, but it is definitely looking promising. For the first time in a long time I feel like things are finally aligning. This path is finally open to us, and I can't wait to see what comes from it.
Back to the US for a great job for Mark. Hopefully a teaching job for me. To finally feel settled. Moving to the US means we can finally get on with our lives and get ahead. Work, for both of us. A house. Kids. That is the direction, and I am so looking forward to it. I have prayed for this move for so long. Through all of my doubts, I am so thankful that those prayers are being answered. So what have I learned??
I have learned about patience. I have learned about my own faith.
Ever since then I have been agonizing over my living in Canada. Wondering if I would be stuck living here for the rest of my life. There have been so many times where I have thought that this move to Canada would be the end of my teaching career. For me, the fact that we were starting our life in Canada meant that we would never be able to move back. Mark on the other hand is my eternal optimist. He promised me not long after we got engaged that he would get me back to the live in the US eventually. So time went on and we finally came up with a plan.
I am amazed and so grateful at how quickly this plan seems to be coming together in front of us. We thought Mark's brothers wouldn't be ready for Mark to start work till the end of Spring. Now they might want him to start working with them in January. We thought the immigration would take us a year or 6 months at the best.
After a month of waiting, Mark's paperwork has been approved!! Now the visa center has to approve it and set up an interview with us and so on. The visa center should contact us within 30 days to let us know. I mean that is amazing! I have no idea how long we will have to wait for the interview and everything, but it is definitely looking promising. For the first time in a long time I feel like things are finally aligning. This path is finally open to us, and I can't wait to see what comes from it.
Back to the US for a great job for Mark. Hopefully a teaching job for me. To finally feel settled. Moving to the US means we can finally get on with our lives and get ahead. Work, for both of us. A house. Kids. That is the direction, and I am so looking forward to it. I have prayed for this move for so long. Through all of my doubts, I am so thankful that those prayers are being answered. So what have I learned??
I have learned about patience. I have learned about my own faith.
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