courtney rebecca

I am so thankful for the opportunity to reapply for my job (+ half time at Red Rocks). I went up to Red Rocks Elementary today to talk to the librarian from this year and just get a feel for the school. Uhm, wow. First of all, their school has windows. So that's something we don't have at Green Gables. But the librarian there was so sweet and really seemed to be making an effort to leave her library in a good place for whoever is there next year. Hopefully me! I'm also thankful that many of my wonderful coworkers have been willing to write recommendation letters for me with very little notice. They have been so positive, and I'm so glad that we have a good relationship. I'm going to miss just being at Green Gables. I love my teachers. I'm also thankful that today is Thursday, which makes tomorrow Friday. I need another weekend! I am wiped out!

Today I am thankful for my librarian friends. We're all in a tough place right now with the budget cuts, but I have two really good librarian friends who are so wonderful. We're all supporting each other through this hard time, and we all want good things for each other! Today, my friend N's job, which we thought she was for sure going to lose, was posted for all applicants. That means that she can apply for it! And certainly her principal will have her back, because she's done a great job this year. I'm so thrilled for her opportunity, and I'm hopeful I'll be in the same situation soon. Our other friend L hasn't been so lucky... she's been pushed out of her job and she has to go teach in the classroom for three years before they'll let her back in the library. A tad ridiculous, as she's done such a good job this year. But whatever... Today I met up with N & L for happy hour at Baker St. Pub. It's so awesome how different we all are, ...

Today I am thankful for amazing sweet parents, who sent me a DIY Easter basket. ;) Thank you mom & dad! I totally cried when I opened it. It was a nice pick-me-up today. And mom, I loved the Book Fair stuff. Mine starts next week! I'm also thankful for an encouraging email from our district library coordinator. All the librarians in our district are getting shuffled around (or laid off) and it's a stressful time for everyone. I found out that the librarian at RR got a full time position, but I still didn't know what that means for me. I emailed our library coordinator, with a couple of questions about timing and the likelihood of me having employment next year as a librarian. This is what she wrote: " Now that Cami has accepted the position at Peiffer, I think you have a great shot at the GG/RR pairing or a number of other jobs. ... Stay hopeful~ I believe in you! " There was other stuff in between, but you get the point. My hope is hanging in there! Not...

I've been a bit MIA lately. I even missed my last scripture memory verse. ;( I'm just going to say I'll continue with my last one, John 14:1. I've definitely still been dwelling on it! I have a pretty good reason to be troubled, but I'm not letting it happen. I'm just in a waiting process right now... waiting to find out if the librarian we've been matched up with is going to take another job. Waiting to find out if she's going to take the split. Waiting to hear from other jobs that I've applied for just in case. Waiting to hear if I'm going to get hired for a summer job. Waiting for July so that my parents will come visit me! Waiting for who-knows-when for my sister to come visit. Waiting for next year so Jason can graduate and work full time again. But it's all wonderful. God's timing is perfect, and for once in my life, I am content to wait. Yes, a lot of my life is up in the air. But I have faith that it will be fine. We love our life...

Today I'm thankful for our new church home here. We spent the weekend on a retreat with the youth group, and it was so much fun. It was so nice to get to know the kids. It was also AMAZING to get out of town and just refocus. What a wonderful escape from the usual every day busy-ness. I'm thankful for our new church family here more and more as we get to know them. It's so nice to feel at home!

Today I'm thankful for a wonderful job that I love getting to do. Working with kids is so much fun, and I love all the amazing teachers that I get to work with as well! My job can be super stressful, but overall I'm still floored just about every day that this is my job and I really get to do this. I get to teach technology to kids in Kindergarten through Sixth grade, and help teachers use technology to make their instruction even better. Budgets are getting cut in education a lot right now, so I don't know how long I'll get to keep this job, but somehow that makes me love it even more. I cherish every day I get to work with these kids. Amazing.

Today I am thankful for a husband who cooks! I love to bake, but cooking is not my thing. However, tonight I made Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Shepherd's Pie for dinner. Okay, it definitely took me longer than 30 minutes to make it, but overall it was really easy! And it turned out delicious. I changed a couple of things in the recipe , as listed below! Ingredients * 2 pounds potatoes, such as russet, peeled and cubed (used 1 lb mini gold yukon potatoes) * 2 tablespoons sour cream or softened cream cheese (used 1 tablespoon unsalted butter) * 1 large egg yolk * 1/2 cup cream, for a lighter version substitute vegetable or chicken broth (used skim milk) * Salt and freshly ground black pepper * 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan * 1 3/4 pounds ground beef or ground lamb (used 1 lb extra lean ground beef) * 1 carrot, peeled and chopped * 1 onion, chopped (used 2 tablespoons dried minced onion) * 2 tablespoons butter * 2 tablespoons al...

I am so very excited that Thanksgiving is coming up soon. Three and a half weeks until we're flying to Houston to spend the holiday with J's family! Oh man, I need the break from work so bad, and it's been over a year since we've been to his parents' house. Today I am thankful for wonderful in-laws that are flying us down for the holiday. I am so blessed to have such lovely in-laws that I love and love me too!