Paper Chain

383 days ago my children and I cut out 386 strips of paper and created a super-duper long paper chain. The links alternated between black and white and every 50th link was yellow so I could keep track of where I was in my countdown to graduation. We draped it around the house like garland (which my husband just LOVED by the way - yes I'm being totally sarcastic) and it wrapped from my dining room, all the way around my living room, down and back up the hallway and to the edge of the kitchen (I'll try to find the pictures to post). Trust me, when you are looking at that long of a paper chain, it makes you think you may never graduate! But my kids and I took one off every day and now here I am with three links left: one white, one black, and a final yellow one with the words "Graduation Day!" written on it. It's become a regular topic of conversation in the family now. "How many days do you have left?" or "How long is the chain?" are questions I have answered with excitement every day for the last year and some odd days.

Now with all the excitement about moving to Mississippi and getting a job, I feel like I've forgotten that the day I've been waiting for for NINE YEARS is finally here! So I think, unless somebody calls me, I'm putting away all of the crazy house hunting and planning and such until after Saturday. I've worked so hard and I want to relish this next few days before the next exciting chapter begins. YAY! THREE MORE DAYS 'TIL GRADUATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Control freak

As some may know, I get a bit hasty at times when it comes to getting things done. I try to make things fall into place immediately, making plans before I even get an idea out of my head. I'm definitely a whole picture person. So, not knowing where I'm going to live, what my paychecks are going to look like, where my hubby's going to find a job, where my kids are going to go school, when they will start school, their school supply list, how much utilities are going to cost, how we're going to get furniture, etc., etc., etc. is driving me bonkers. Like I said, I know God will take care of us, but I really wish He would let me in on the plans. I know He's in the driver seat, but sometimes I'm not even sure I'm in the same car! And for a backseat driver, that makes it really hard to control things. Maybe in God's image of this analogy He has me strapped to the top with all the luggage so He doesn't have to listen to me telling Him where to go. Hmmm...

Phone interview

So yesterday I had my first phone interview. Talk about nerve-wracking! I knew there were 4 people listening to me on the conference call, but only one was talking. I felt like a babbling idiot since I couldn't see anybody's faces. But wouldn't you just figure that an hour later, the principal of a school in my hubby's home town in Mississippi calls me up to offer me a third grade teaching position. Oh, and I'm taking it because it's a job and it might be the only one I can find.

So now... I'm drastically overwhelmed! I haven't even graduated yet! Okay, so technically I'm finished with everything. Student teaching ended last week and I didn't have to worry about finals (Praise the Lord!), but graduation is Saturday (and grad party). Oh, and might I add that school in said district starts August 1st. The Lord has taken care of us thus far, and I know he will continue, but the poor fella has his hands full with this one. I'm sure He already has this to-do list, but here is my rendition.

1. Find a place to live in a good school district at a school where I am not teaching (whole different soapbox - ask me later).
2. Find Sean a job.
3. Make money appear out of thin air.
4. Get the kids enrolled in a school.
5. Get school supplies.
6. Get school clothes for myself and the kids.
7. Get a classroom ready (and be willing to stick with whatever I choose to do).
8. Attend teacher meetings.
9. Get furniture.
10. Move.
11. Get my MS teaching license (oh, after I get my OH teaching license...)

Okay Lord, there's my rendition. I'm sure there is more. I know you're sitting up there laughing at my panicky state because you've already got all of this figured out, so I'm handing it over. You're the God of miracles... and I think I'm in need of one.

Love,

Tam