A New Year. A New Me.

1/1/11 begins a new journey for our family. I am officially done with school, or nearly anyways, and will embark on the daunting task of finding a teaching job. The process of getting my certification transferred to Texas alone, is going to stressful. The competition for teaching positions is brutal. My only solace is that I have impressive recommendations, and a dual certification, which includes special education. Hopefully, I will have steady sub work while I search. If I don't find a permanent position this spring, I'll be working at Sylvan Learning Center, or something of the like, over the summer. I may be doing that regardless. We were lucky Jeff found a job when he did, but it'd be nice if it had benefits, and perhaps paid a bit more. There are definitely more expenses than there is income at this current moment. So, this year will hopefully be a year of great gains. I will be graduating and becoming a certified teacher. Jeff will be finishing, or nearing the end of his schooling, as well. London will be finishing his last year at the Freshman center, and moving on to the ENORMOUS high school. I feel like it's all held together with a string right now, but there's no looking back.

At the same time, this year will be a year of great losses. Weight loss that is. I stalled out this fall on weight loss, while Jeff moved full steam ahead. I actually gained 8 pounds and am quite perturbed. Today is day one of getting back on track with www.myfitnesspal.com and counting every calorie that goes into my mouth. It becomes very frustrating, having to log every single thing you eat. However, I have learned, that if I do not, I will indeed eat too much. It becomes all to easy to say "Just one more" or "I'll be good tomorrow". I guess I just love food too much. It's the Italian in me... or maybe the Polish! Either way, This girl loves to eat! Jeffery on the other hand, is doing wonderfully. He's hit the 75 pound mark and looks fantastic! We both have quite the journey ahead of us, but I know we will be successful! My new goal is to lose 45 pounds by June 1st and Jeff's is 40 pounds. My 120 pound final goal weight has been pushed back, but, I know I can do it by the end of the year! It will help that we are getting an elliptical machine, for free, from some friends of ours!!! I am so grateful to them for their generosity! We just have to get it moved from their house to ours! I will be on that thing daily, burning off the fat!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve/Day! Hoping for a spectacular 2011 for all!

Less than four weeks to go...

I've got less than 4 weeks until I'm done student teaching and graduated. I have a TON of homework to do and it's stressful. I have to put together a Teacher Work Sample (TWS), which is a 2-4 week unit with a pre-, post-, and formative assessment plan, aligned with state standards, lesson goals, and lesson objectives. Plus, I still have all my regular duties at the school and other homework assignments to finish. It's scary, because I've only got 4 weeks left, so I've only got one shot to get this TWS right. Two days in and I'm already having to change around lesson plans. Pray we get everything done before Christmas break so I can get my post-assessment in!!!

On a positive note, I'm pretty sure I'll get most of my work done by Christmas break, and then I get 2 weeks off!!! There once was a time when I thought this day would never come, now my student teaching is flying by and it's almost over. I'm looking forward to having more time with my family and friends. I can't wait until I have time to read a book for pleasure. I'm excited about investing more time into my Mary Kay business. And maybe, I'll finally be able to relax.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Welcome to the family Lily

We have a new addition to the Campbell family. Lily is another Springer mix and just as adorable as our Laddie. Lily is trying hard to make friends with her new brother, but, Laddie is still wondering when our house-guest is going to be leaving! I think he'll come around. What's not to love. She's adorable!

Today kicked my butt

The host teacher was out because of jury duty and I had a sub in the room. So, I was in charge of the class really- she's there to make sure I don't, you know, injure a child or something. The kids weren't horrible, but the talking out and talking over me was ridiculous! We only got half of Language Arts done. They bombed the Social Studies assignments. Which may be a testanment to my teaching of the lessons rather than the students abilities. We had a crazy schedule because of an assembly. And to top it off I sent a student home on the bus without a note from the parent. Luckily, that really was what he was supposed to do today. I was left feeling completely defeated. I feel better after talking to my host teacher on the phone today. Can I have a do-over?

State Fair fun

We had a good time at the State Fair and went to the Science Museum while we were there as well! Definitely not worth the money you spend. The food I tried was disappointing, though Jeff and London enjoyed theirs. I spun the wheel in the lotto tent and got to go in the money chamber. It was fake money. They give you lotto tickets. I didn't win anything. My favorite part was the Science Museum. I love doing stuff like that and we got free admission since we were at the fair. We rode only one ride since there were like 5 bucks a pop per ride per person! Loved it though and we're making plans for Holiday in the Park now. Stuff like amusement parks is stuff that Jeff and I have avoided and missed out on because of our weight. You don't realize how much you stop living until you start being able to live again. I've avoided amusement parks, water parks, sports, swimming, dancing, you name it. I loved swimming and laying out this summer at the in-laws pool. Next summer, I'll be laying out wherever, whenever. It's liberating. My summer I should be at my "I'm happy now" weight. It's surreal sometimes to realize. My next winter I will be 120. I say will be. I don't say should be. I don't say might be. I don't say want to be. I will be. It's a decision to live a certain way; to be the person I want to be. It's not a matter of trying. It's not a matter of whether or not I can get there. I can get there. It's a matter of will I or won't I. And I will.

Adventures in weight loss!