Happenings/Frustrations

There’s a lot going on around our house these days! We are continuing to unpack and organize our new home. I’ve been at it for a week and half. How long does it usually take a person to unpack? I think I’m doing pretty good, but I want to be done with it.

In addition to unpacking, Bryan and I are both hitting the job search hard. I lack one piece of paperwork until I can substitute teach in Graham’s school. Hopefully, I will be able to finish that up today. Bryan has two meetings this week with people to either find out about a job or to interview for one. The biggest news is that Bryan is seriously considering becoming an actuary! We are both excited about this possibility. (If you don’t know what an actuary is don’t worry. I didn’t either at first!) It’s the first time he’s seen potential in a career (excluding ministry) that he wouldn’t have to go back to school first. It does require taking a series of high level math tests to enter the career. The first test he is considering taking is in May. Please continue to keep us in your prayers concerning this decision. He will still need to find employment until he can be hired in this field.

The process of finding employment has been a challenging one for me. It’s hard for me to distinguish what is real or imagined. For example, I feel like people are initially very suspicious of me when I start talking to them about a teaching job. It makes me very nervous. I am used to feeling comfortable around people who know me very well. I think I’ve meet more “strangers” these past 2 weeks than I have in years. Many people are talking about the economy and how bad it is and how it’s so hard to find a job….blah, blah, blah. I actually stopped someone at church on Sunday from going on about it because I’m tired of listening to that outlook. God is in control of my life NOT the economy! Bryan has compared the advice giving that we’ve been getting (for months!) to a funeral service. People are saying the best thing they know, but it’s still not very comforting. It is actually discouraging. Can you see how this has been a stretching experience for me? Daily I am reminding myself that God is in control. I am accepted, loved and known by Him. Ultimately and momentarily that’s all that matters.

First Days of School

Isaac and Graham both had fantastic first (and second) days!  They came home full of stories and comments about the kids, teachers and school in general.  It’s an understatement to say that this is a BIG change for them!  Thankfully, they seem to be off to a good start.  I talked extensively with the associate principal at G’s school and I think that he will be in a special reading club.  I am excited about this opportunity for him.  Please continue to pray for him as he learns to read well.  Isaac made a few friends that share a common interest in Pokemon.  I believe that has been his highlight so far.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn that he will also take French twice a week!  I wonder if all the French lessons he had in Togo will give him an advantage.  I’m interested to find out.  I am working on finishing up my paperwork in order to get on the sub list at Graham’s school.  I have only one item left…a doctor’s note saying that I don’t have any diseases that kids could catch.  America!  Well, I’m off to finished unpacking and spend time with Owen.

Moving Day

Bryan finally arrived in Franklin yesterday afternoon. Boy was I glad to see him! I’ve been struggling on my own with the boys “in transition” for most of the week. He graciously took over most of the parenting duties for the rest of the day. (Thanks honey!) We also had a lot of folks from Brentwood Hills and Otter Creek come out to help us unload the truck. Thanks everyone!

We love our new townhouse! The floors downstairs are hardwood. The kitchen is much bigger. (I know I mentioned that before, but it’s so great that I needed to repeat that fact.) The place is just nicer and cleaner than the Dallas pad. Yeah! We are definitely counting our blessings. We had planned to stay the night last night, but the heat was not working. So, we stayed another night with our friends, the Cliffords. Hopefully, the energy company can solve the issue today and we can sleep there tonight!

I had plans to enroll the boys in school on Friday, but it was cancelled due to “extreme temperatures”. I guess they don’t want children to turn into ice cubes. Today, is MLK holiday and Tuesday is a staff development day. At this point it looks like Wednesday will be the first day of school. I’ll give you all an update when it happens.

Yesterday, we visited a local congregation with our friends. Isaac reported that 5 boys in his class had iTouch devices. Wow! He said they were also playing games on them during Bible class. I think this is just a glimpse of what lies ahead for our boys in terms of dealing with “stuff”.

Continue to keep us in your prayers. Much love, T

Update

Since I’m leaving tomorrow and I won’t have Internet access for awhile, I thought I’d go ahead and give an update to my blogging friends.

We found a townhouse to rent for the next 6 months! (I am excited about doubling my kitchen space.) The boys will be attending great schools. I am both eager and nervous for them to enter public school. They feel pretty much the same way. There’s not much news on the job front. We have a few leads to follow up on in the coming weeks. I really want to write and share with you about how God has lead us to this point, but I’m not going to for two main reasons. 1. I don’t have the time right now! 2. I need to get some clarity of my own before I can write it down. There will be a time though when I share in more detail what’s been going on in my heart and mind. For now, suffice it to say that God has been humbling me and loving me in amazing ways.

Please continue to pray for our transition.

Full on Five

Owen turned 5 today! In the midst of this crazy week of packing, we celebrated his special day with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese’s. He’s been dreaming of this day for several months. I think it was all that he had hoped for.  He especially enjoyed the “gold medal” that he received for being the birthday boy. Here are some pics from the bash.

Chuck and Owen

Time for cake!!!

Dad, Owen & Mom...our five year old!

Owen and Stone

Graham and Stone

 

Sanderson and Ries Families

The Move

It’s official, our family is moving to Nashville next week!  We are moving out there on faith (no jobs, yet!)  I have been working my tail off to gather all of my teaching information.  I have already applied to 3 school districts.  We found a townhouse today online and a friend went by and checked it out in person.  It seems like a great (temporary) fit in a good school district.  Bryan, the boys and I are working overtime to make connections and get our bags packed for Tennessee!  Please keep us in your prayers as we make this next step in our transition.

Inspiration

This year I’ve found inspiration to be a better version of myself in my children.  During the long hours together on our two week break I’ve noticed some unique qualities each of my boys possess that I’d like to cultivate in my life too.  I’ve always believed that God placed each of them in my life to teach me valuable lessons – especially about love – loving myself, others and Him more.  I’ve been made aware many times of my weaknesses through my inability to parent them perfectly as they deserve as children of God.  

But, this is a little bit different…it’s not about the challenges they present that have caused me to grow.  It’s the positive qualities they seemingly effortlessly possess as people made in God’s image.  Here are my character goals for 2009, inspired by Isaac, Graham and Owen.

• Self-Control: We stopped at Chili’s last night on our way home from Tennessee.  We had a coupon for a free Chocolate Molten Cake.  This dessert was incredible: warm chocolate cake topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate shell sauce. My oldest, Isaac very calmly said that he didn’t want any because he was full.  Full?  I haven’t let that little word stop me from enjoying a few bites of cake in a very long time!  Isaac is also into fitness in general, he loves to run and reads nutrition labels for fun. It’s my goal that I can be more purposeful in what I choose to do with/to my body.
• Acceptance : My middle child, Graham, loves everyone.  He has an uncanny ability to make friends with young and old alike.  I desire to be more open to new relationships like him.  An example?  During our visit at my sister’s Graham spent long stretches of time building Thomas train tracks for his 2 year old cousin.  
• Joie de Vivre: The youngest of the bunch, Owen has boundless energy and love of life.  (Of course, he still has major mood swings, but that’s for another post!)  He wants to be where the excitement is happening.  On our trip he practiced a baseball pop-up slide on a slick floor until he had perfected it.  Never mind the leg bruises that went along with it. I want to be more like him and take risks this year and enjoy doing it!!

It’s my prayer that you don’t have to look far to find qualities that you want to emulate in your life.  You might find it in the most unlikely places!!!

Christmas Pictures

 

Owen in his armor of God

 

Andrew received lots of trains!

Kate loves stuffed animals.

 

The boys received bird webkinz in their stockings. They thought up this pose themselves. I got a good laugh out it!

 

Bryan in his new Bears hoodie.

 

Isaac with his "big gift" a bionicle lego set.

 

Graham and his new Hawkeyes shirt, by the way they won today!