Blessed

“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.” Ecclesiastes 11:5

It's been awhile, I know. We have been BUSY. I know I always say this, but we are ALWAYS busy. Since the last time I posted we have had some major life accomplishments worth celebrating!!! On March 21st, Santiago became a United States citizen!!!! What an amazing gift from God. I got teary eyed during the ceremony. Just looking back, just thinking of all Santi and I have been through together. Thinking of how long he has waited for this moment. Thinking of the weight that has been lifted off his shoulders. Thinking if how proud he is to have reached this point and have this opportunity. While he is now a U.S. citizen, he will always been an Ecuadorian first. I know his pride for Ecuador will never fade, but I also know he is just as proud to be an American. God is good!
So that leaves us with working on his parents immigration status. Practically as soon as we got home from  the ceremony, we got rolling on all the paperwork for his parents. We are really looking forward to being able to lift this weight off their shoulders as well. They have been waiting over 13 years. It's been a long time coming. I will keep everyone posted on their status as well. It will be yet another moment to celebrate.
At the end of March God brought us to another milestone, and Santi completed his bachelor's degree! He has worked so hard and I know it has not been an easy road for him. We are so grateful he had this opportunity, and not only that but it was completely paid for. I know he is so relieved to be finished, and I know he feels truly accomplished. He is actually thinking about pursuing a Master's degree already! I am so proud of my husband. I have the best husband in the world, and God truly blessed me when He sent Santi my way.

Now that he is finally finished with his degree, the job search begins. It is a little scary and overwhelming to be looking for a new job in this economy, especially because he needs to find one that matches or exceeds his current salary, which isn't too shabby. What he really needs is regular hours (weekends off so I am not stuck home alone every weekend), and a job that fulfills him. I know his current job is stressful, and it's not where he wants to be. We could really use your prayers that God sends the right job his way at the right time. I just have to remember that God's timing is impeccable.

Along with all of these blessings, we have also had some personal struggles this month. And while I know things aren't always going to be easy, and life is full of ups and downs, I find comfort in knowing that God is in charge. My strength is in Him and Him alone. He gives and takes away. In the end, we are truly BLESSED.

Is it fall break yet?

I know, I know, I have only been in school for less than 3 weeks. It feels like 6 months already! WOW is kindergarten exhausting! Not to mention ELD kindergarten. I have spent the last few weeks in the midst of back to school madness. Meetings, parent night, and this week curriculum night. It seems like no matter how early I get to bed I am still just as tired the next day. Tomorrow the kiddos don't have school because it is a teacher in-service day...but I get to sit in meetings all day. I think I would rather be with the kids:) I feel like I just can't get caught up with all of the paperwork and things that must be accomplished to get the school year rolling. Basically every week I get maybe 20 minutes of prep time (total) during school. The rest comes before or after school, which means I am there before 7 usually and stay until after 4:30....add in Phoenix traffic and it makes for a LONG day. If you work in a school fortunate enough to have teacher's aids...be thankful!!!! So...kindergarten ELD...honestly I love it. The first 2 weeks we really just focused on rules and procedures...but this week they are really catching on. There is still the language barrier but they are learning new words in English every day and we PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. They are really good kids. I am concerned with some of them academically and developmentally, not so much with English language development ironically. Most of them did not attend preschool and a lot of them came in very behind developmentally. Of course I also have a few who are ahead of the game and I am scared of holding them back. 5 year olds are great...every day is fun and interesting. I had one kid today burst into tears because his tooth came out and he was in shock...he had no idea they were supposed to come out. It's funny....none of them really knew that except those who had already lost teeth. I also was reading a story today that mentioned "freckles", and a kid who had lots of them. Well...because they are learning English I make them repeat new words constantly. So....when I asked them to try to say the word "freckles"....it came out sounding like something completely different (think bad word)! Ha ha ha. You just don't realize all of the little things you have to work on them with that you wouldn't work on in regular kindergarten. For example simple things like asking to go to the bathroom....they don't know how to say it in English. Everything must be taught to them new. Ahhh...it's going to be an interesting year. On top of being swamped at work.....I am starting grad school Sept. 1st and planning a trip home for Amanda's wedding the 11th. I must be crazy. I just hope I can keep all these balls in the air. I really worry sometimes that I am taking on too much. Well...instead of rambling I should be working on the application to renew my Arizona teacher's license...by the way, can you believe they make you pay $120 for that?! Ridiculous.