Today was an amazing day!!!

I absolutely love being a teacher. I absolutely love being an aunt. Today, these two things I love crossed paths!! I did something this week that I have always wanted to do. On Tuesday and today I was able to volunteer in my nephews'classes. Trevor is in 3rd grade and Brayden is in Kindergarten in Liberty. I emailed both teachers and told them my story and reported for duty when school began on Tuesday morning. It was very interesting being in the volunteer side of school. Teachers and secretaries looked at me differently but the kids seemed to "know" who I was. ;)

The first part of the day I was in Brayden's kindergarten. His teacher sent me to the workroom to glue a project...I was a little disappointed because I wanted to be in the classroom but I worked hard and did my best in the project. I need to add that both of the boys have 1st year teachers this year. When I got back to the room I saw Brayden in action! I can't believe he is growing so fast and has already learned so much. I teared up numerous times that morning and finally left the room. I wasn't sure if it was the school atmosphere again, seeing the kids in this new way, or a combination of both. Either way, I was a mess! On our way to lunch Brayden held my hand and we swung our arms then he'd sneak in a little hug...tears again. I didn't know who was more proud of who at that moment!

Later I went to 3rd grade where the "big kids" are. Trevor amazed me at the questions he answered and the confidence he had with his peers. His friends announced To me over and over that he is the funniest and nicest kid in the class! Tears...

I left on Tuesday feeling a new set of emotions. Today I was much stronger! In kindergarten I helped in the room and even read a story and did a mini lesson. I was beyond happy!! Brayden was once again excited to have a visitor. It was great to see him work with his friends and be a polite little student! In 3rd grade I saw Trevor give a speech to try out for Student Council. He was so sincere and had great ideas! I was so impressed with him! It was so great to see him this way.

Today I was so proud to be an aunt who knows that they have great teachers, they are learning so much, and they are going to be so ok!!! :) I took the boys home from school as I floated
on cloud nine. I can't explain the pride I felt today and I am so glad I had this opportunity
to volunteer and see them in my favorite setting at school. I am still beaming with pride! :)

Thank you, move to Australia...

Quotes to Live By

In the nonstop organizing, cleaning out, and packing up process I have enjoyed finding random things that I apparently forgot I owned!  When I was going through my boxes of college items, I found a lot of great things to take me down memory lane but then I found one box that contained something I completely forgot about.  I had a giant stack of quotes written on scrap paper, printed off of the computer, torn out of magazines and newspapers, and saved in various other ways.  I started collecting and saving these quotes my freshman year.  Too bad that was the only year I did!  I came across several quotes that probably didn't mean as much to me then as they do at this very moment in my life. 

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; But often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us."  -Helen Keller

I think I cried for about ten minutes when I read this.  I realized that although I am excited about our adventure I have still been very focused on all of the things behind that closed door.  There are several things on this list.  Leaving my teaching job has been the most difficult transition so far.  I think a lot of people think I am crazy for volunteering at school but it's the closure I have needed.  I have loved every second of it and I'm so thankful that my staff, students, and families have continued to let me!  I feel very fortunate to have had this time to do this.  I am sure I will be closely staring at that door again once we haved moved away from all our family and friends.  I know that it will take time and I don't feel wrong for feeling sad about these "closing doors."  I do promise to take this opportunity with open arms though and I am looking forward to our experience! 

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover." - Mark Twain

This quote was another eye opener except this time it made me smile thinking we were given this chance to explore and we are taking it.  I can't tell you how many people have told us that they "wish they would've _______."  I don't think we'll be disappointed with this choice in the next twenty years! 

"To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funnybone." - Reba McEntire

I thought this was one Luke and I will both need to remember whether it is about marriage, work, or just every day life!  :)

And finally- "Friendship isn't a big thing- it's a million little things." - Author Unknown

We feel very lucky to have the friends and family that we do.  We appreciate all of the "million little things" you've all done for us along the way and the support you have given us in this process has been amazing. 

20 Days and Counting???

I'm not sure if that's exactly where I am yet. I honestly can't believe we are scheduled to leave so soon. I decided to start this blog now before we go. This is a. because I'm procrastinating doing all the other things that need to be done or b. because I'm procrastinating doing all the other things that need to be done!

We are waiting for our Visa process to finalize before we can make our flight arrangements. Once we do that the "realness" will hit us pretty quickly! If our house could sell before we go, we would both feel a lot less stressed. If you know anyone, please send them our way!

Until then I am spending each day with friends, family, and volunteering at school. The storage in our basement is slowly disappearing into our parents' storage! We are so thankful that they are so graciously letting us use both houses to keep our things. After all we sold at the garage sale, I am surprised we still have so much! We have decided to downsize as much as we can with what we are taking with us. I already have some of my favorite pictures ready to go! :)

I am really looking forward to doing this blog. I hope you will follow us in our adventure and keep us up to date with your lives, too!