What a great surprise!

I came home to find this waiting for me today. My card was in an envelop that said "Mrs. C", and a hand written message inside for me. 

London's cool hair cut....

Before he made us cut it all off again..... 

Gainfully employed and completely exhausted.

For those who don't know, two weeks ago I was hired as a Special Education Math Teacher at a Middle School! I'm teaching students on a cognitive level of 3rd grade and below. It's been a challenging week since school started, and I'm working about 12 hour days. It's hard work, because it's three grade levels and multiple skill levels in each class! I'm learning a lot and I'm loving every exhaustive, stressful moment of it! Today the curriculum specialists from district came and met with me. It was a great ego boost and relieved a lot of the stress. They complimented my knowledge and performance, and said that I was going to be a great asset for the school! 

Summer 2011 Austin mini-vacation.

Austin Java for Breakfast 

Hanging out with the family at Austin Java

London playing games as usual 

Stephanie and Pat, chillin' at Doc's Motorworks on S. Congress St. 

with some margaritas while we wait for the boys to get the car in the 100+ degree weather

Driving by the State Capitol Building 

Corner of 6th St and Congress Ave. 

London somewhere on 6th St. in Austin, TX

Jeff and Josh being brothers

Wow, how time flies....

Right on time- one month later! Had a great weekend in Austin last weekend. We didn't take many pictures, but I will post the ones we did. I've been very lazy lately. It's been so hot. Mostly I've just been sending out resumes daily. I've had several interviews, but no job offers. I have an interview for a Third Grade Teacher on Monday. Say some prayers for me. Jeff is also up for store manager at another Godiva location. So, say some prayers for that as well. I can't believe summer is almost over. I'm going to make the most of the next several weeks.

Month one of summer coming to a close....

This is supposed to be Soup du Jour not Soup du Mois!!!! Well, I update when I'm procrastinating it seems. I have been off since noon, and accomplished absolutely nothing. I'm working part-time at Huntington Learning Center now, tutoring. It's not much money, but it's something for the resume. Since noon, I've watched a movie, caught up on my websites and forums, priced hotels for Austin, and not much else. I need to work on my portfolio, and I needed to go to Staples to have another copy of my portfolio printed out, but neither has been completed. 

I need to get my portfolio ready, and resumes printed, because I have a job interview on Thursday with Plano ISD for a High School Resource Teacher. It is my 3rd interview so far. I interviewed at a middle school in Plano and an elementary school in Richardson, both also for Special Education positions. I'm also taking my Pedagogy and Professional Development (PPR) exam on Friday. I was supposed to take it last week, but, it was rescheduled due to a power outage! This test is so that I can get a standard Texas teaching license. Right now, I have a Texas One Year certificate, because my school was out of state. My standard certificates are in Utah. 

I've started a new project in the yard. I'm digging up all the rocks around the pond. I'm tired of weeds growing through them! I'll be putting down weed killer and a new root barrier and then replacing the rocks. In addition, the large pond is leaking AGAIN, and we'll have to get the landlord to fix this, after he fixes the gate AGAIN. I'm pretty sure there is just one giant ant pile under the pond, and the dirt is so soft now that the stones are shifting.

I'm back to counting calories and I've lost 6 pounds in 2 weeks. Thank god, because I got off track and got back up there. Then, I saw the picture I posted, and an even worse one, which put the fire back in me. I cannot ever look like that again! I don't even recognize myself in those pictures. Jeff is still doing well also. 

We're going to Austin in July. It's Stephanie's (and Jamie's) birthday and Josh is throwing a birthday party. We're contemplating floating the river while we are down that way, but no plans are definite. I'd like to loose 10 more pounds before we go down there... especially since the diet will be off while on vaca! 

I'm going to get off of here and try and force myself to do some work. I think I'll go work in the yard for a bit, and then get my portfolio in order and write a letter of intent. Tomorrow I only work 2 hours!!! Then its out to Carrollton to pick up my MK order and visit Jeff at Stonebriar.... and I just had a thought to call a friend to see about a lunch! All in all, this has been a great summer. Lots of time off and I've tried to let myself enjoy it, and for the most part, be productive. However, I have not accomplished anything on my summer goal list. Hopefully July will be the month for me! 

The beginning of our weight loss journey....

When I compare this picture to our most recent one (profile pic), I'm in awe of how different we both look now. NEVER AGAIN!!!!!