New Friends and New "Teaching" Job

This weekend we went to a barbeque at one of the guys' houses from the station.  I was a little nervous about meeting new people, but it was a lot of fun.  I got to meet 3 of the guy's wives (and their babies too) and it's definitely nice to be making some new friends.  It's tough moving to a place where you know no one, and don't have a job right away to be busy with.  I've spent a lot of days home alone with just the dog.  I'm so grateful we have him or it would be so much worse!  So hopefully over the next 2-3 years I will develop some close friends here.  I definitely have a good feeling about this now that I've actually met some people.

The whole job situation will be changing tomorrow too!  I was told last week that the family I would be working with didn't want to start until after school gets out.  Here, that day is June 9.  So I wasn't expecting the phone call I got today.  My senior therapist called to let me know I've been put on a case with a little boy, and I need to be there tomorrow morning at 8am.  She apologized for it being such short notice, but I told her my schedule is free so it wasn't a big deal.  Now I'm super nervous though.  I've never done this kind of work.  

Yeah I've been in early childhood education for 2 years, but this is different.  I don't know what to expect with the little boy I'll be working with. 

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are just that...a spectrum of symptoms and behaviors as well as at times other diagnoses.  But he's just a kid whose parents want him to succeed.  As do I.  I love teaching and seeing how children pick up on the lessons and apply them.  No matter the subject.  

So really, I've done this before.  I've been a teacher for years if you look at it like that.  Sunday school.  VBS.  Softball.  Kindergarten (I was a mentor/tutor for a year with a kindergarten girl).  Youth group.  Basketball (Super Streaks).  Devotions.  Small group.  Toddlers.  Track (leading by example, and encouraging my younger teammates).  And most recently Preschool.  Looking at the things/activities I've been involved in since high school, a lot of it has to do with teaching.  So I can do this, I'm excited to teach this little boy, and I'm even more excited to see how he learns (because I know the "what" can take a long time to see in ASD kids) so I'll be able to help him the best I can.

Now I've got myself psyched up for my new job tomorrow.  The one who loves psychology and knows the power of the mind often has to remind herself of the positives.  Oh well, as long as I do what I say in my head.  Plus it's only 3.25 hours.  I can handle that.  It's a time to get to know him and his family, as well as my senior therapist and the one other therapist who will be there as well.  This is a good thing, a new "teaching" job is all it is.

I also must remember that God will not give me anything more than I can handle.  He is clearly at work in this whole move and job situation and I need to continue to trust in him.  He's given me the abilities already to work with children, the passion to see them succeed, and the patience to deal with whatever situation comes my way.  God is good all the time!

An Eye-Opener

I'm ashamed to admit this, but I've lost all desire to work-out.  I have no idea what happened, but ever since I graduated from college and was forced to do any kind of athletic activity on my own, I chose to do pretty much nothing.  Yeah, I occasionally worked out with Steve; we ran and roller-bladed, even signed up at AnyTime Fitness.  I walked with my neighbor/friend too until she moved away, and did the occasional Pilates tape.  But that's pretty much it.  Nothing consistent.  And for one who's been involved in sports since she can remember, it makes me sad.  Really, honest-to-goodness want to break down in tears because I cannot for the life of me motivate myself to get to the gym.  Or to put in the tape, or for heaven's sake hook Sherman's leash up and go for a walk.  (Though I have gone on several walks with him and Steve the past few weeks, one of which was fairly strenuous because of the terrain).

The only thing I can think of that has me in this rut is: I'VE ACTUALLY LOST WEIGHT (though the stress of 2 months away from one's husband is not an ideal way to lose weight AT ALL!)?!  How in the world is that even possible.  Unless I have inherited an absurdly high metabolism much like my uncle's who is 6'3" and probably doesn't even come close to my 5'7" husband's weight.  Which is the conclusion I've made.  I think I was also so exhausted from dealing with 10-20 energetic kids for 8 hours a day that working out seemed like a chore and not something I enjoyed like I used to. 

BUT I don't want to rely solely on metabolism to maintain my weight.  I want to be active.  Some day I want to have a baby (not anytime soon though!) and I need to be more active than I am at the moment. 

Now that we've moved and are all settled in I want to start running, working out, biking, hiking, swimming, etc.  I've been keeping track of the food I've been eating the past 2 days on AnyTime health.  And it hasn't been pretty.  Mainly because I haven't been doing any kind of exercise/activity (besides household chores).  I've had my eyes opened majorly, and it's time for a change.

I fully believe that I need to keep my body healthy, not just for my own sake, but for the sake of future children as well as my husband and even friends.  I want to be a good example.  Not a bad one, but one that honors the Lord as well.  Maybe the verse from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 is a bit out of context in this particular instance (I am fully aware it is referring to sexual immorality), but my body is a temple.  "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body" I want to honor the Lord by keeping it healthy and fit. 

The Proverbs 31 woman has also been on my mind.  I read it a few weeks ago, I don't even remember where, but the qualities of the "wife of noble character" have been going over and over in my head.  The Message version is an especially challenging version to read.  I don't normally like The Message over the NIV or ESV.  In this case though, I've found myself challenged to become like her mostly because the words are more to present day than any other version.  I can relate, and I know what I need to change to be more like that woman.  

So for the next week or so, I want to study this.  Proverbs 31:10-31.  (After all, this is a blog about our walk by faith right?)  I hope to break it down, meditate, listen for the Lord, and then get some goals on paper.  Both long and short-term.  Goals for our marriage, our family, physical fitness, finances, career/education etc.  The Lord has provided an eye-opener...I think it's due time for a change.

"Sherman Tank"

I love our dog.  I resigned myself to not ever having one when Steve and I were engaged because he's allergic to pet dander.  So when this little guy showed up I had to try very hard not to fall in love with him.

 

Because look at that face!  He's adorable!  Obviously I gave in...because we do in fact have a dog now.  But it's not all because of me...

snuggles with daddy

That man is more in love with that dog than I've ever seen any man become attached to an animal before.

And really who wouldn't fall in love with a face like this?

on Me-maw & Papa's couch

sleeping on mom

And he is such a good dog.  We don't know exactly what kind he is, but he definitely has Jack Russel/Parson Russel and probably some Rat terrier in him.  Fortunately for us, he loves to sleep and snuggle and isn't super hyper like most Jacks.  (Though I also believe spending some time with his me-maw and papa led to his sleeping habits because my mom worked early morning hours at a bakery, and slept during the day and the dogs slept with her.)

sleeping at Me-maw & Papa's

in his bed while I got ready for work

sleeping in Steve's guitar case while we played guitar

So how did we acquire such a dog as this? Neighbors of ours found the dog wandering some back country road and brought him home with them.  We told them we'd watch him for the night because they already had a dog and didn't know how she'd react to a new friend.  After calling to local shelters and asking around if anyone had lost a pet, we decided we were going to keep the little guy because my wonderful husband just couldn't bear to part with him.  I was definitely ok with that!

We ended up moving shortly after getting him, and moved into an apartment complex that didn't allow pets.  So he spent some time with Steve's sister and then went to live with my parents.  After about a year there he moved back with us when we moved out of our old apartment.  Now he's at our new home in Wisconsin and he's adjusted so well!

waiting to for Mom to throw his bone

waking up from a nap in the sun

"What? It's more comfy than the floor!"

I didn't think about the stress of moving on an animal before we left, but I'm so glad it wasn't too horrible for him.  Though I thought we were going to have a howling problem on our hands because he would do so when we left him alone in the hotel before we got our apartment, and then when we moved in did so when he was left inside while I took out the trash/boxes/checked mail etc for the first few days.  But he's been fine being locked in his bed when we run errands now.

He loves to play...his favorite is his Frisbee.

playin' Frisbee in MI

And there's a nice dog park here that we've visited a few times so he can play Frisbee and run to his heart's content.

at the dog park

He loves going for walks.  And since we live in a brand new complex, with only recently planted grass seed, he gets to go on short walks just to go potty.  Though, now whenever we head towards the door he thinks he gets to go too because he's just associated the two things together. Mom + Door = Outside which also equals super excited Sherman Tank.

His name is unique yes, but so is he.  With his half floppy ear, crazy fuzzy tail, looks and glares that really make you wonder what he's thinking, and all around crazy, fun, loving personality his name fits him well.  It comes from WWII history, which Steve enjoys immensely.  The British tanks were called M4 Sherman, and I just thought it'd be funny to name a little dog after a tank.  Plus the only other name on our list was Mercutio from Romeo and Juliet, which I wasn't a huge fan of.  And we also weren't going to name him after a German tank (Panzer).

So yes, we love our little dog (even though I was completely opposed to ever having a little dog).  I wouldn't trade him for any other.  He is snugly, loves to play and keeps me company on the nights Steve works at the station.  He will be Steve's fishing buddy once again, and hopefully for a long time to come he will guard our home with his "fierce" growls and barks, but proceed to lick our guests to death.  He won't eat us out of house and home, but will nuzzle his way onto our laps when we're trying to write blog posts or upload pictures or fold the laundry.  He is our baby for now, spoiled of course, and hopefully will be a wonderful family pet in the future when our own kids come along.

One of Those Days

Ever have a day where your best laid plans don't seem to occur like you planned?  Or even occur at all for that matter?

Today was one of those days.  It started out just fine.  Got up, helped Steve get around his things for staying at the station, had breakfast, took the dog out, did my devotions.  A normal morning.  I even buzzed Steve's hair quick.  Productive I'd say.  

Then, I went to turn on the computer.  I had in mind to look up and print out some coupons for my grocery list for the week.  I wanted to compare ads for the various stores around here so I could get the best deals for the things on my list.  So I opened up our "spare" laptop, turned it on and an error message came up.  It wouldn't start.  I hit one of the keys for more info, and it said "hard-disk not found."

My thought process went from complete shock and wonder at how in the world this could have happened to a computer just sitting on the end table all night...to a flashback of the previous night's incident...and I knew in an instant how it happened.  See, as I was going to put the laptop on said table, the power cord got stuck in the couch.  Somehow the momentum from me standing up and the cord being stuck caused the computer to slide from my hands down towards the floor.  I tried to catch it, and proceeded to have it sort of land in my hands again before completely hitting the carpeted floor.  It only really fell from about a foot above the ground, and therefore I thought nothing of the ordeal.

Until this morning, when the computer wouldn't turn on and the message informed me there was no hard drive available to read.  BUMMER!  So my whole plan didn't happen today.  I tried to complete the task on my laptop, but forgot it doesn't have the capacity to install Adobe Reader, therefore I can't read PDF's.  Which is the method our grocery store uses to display it's weekly ad online.  Bummer again!  Plus, my whole meal plan for the rest of the month was on disabled computer (yes, I'm crazy organized with that for some reason), and I hadn't saved it to a USB drive yet. Grrr...I was a little frustrated with the whole thing.

But then, I realized that there wasn't a ton of stuff on the broken laptop that wasn't on one of our other computers or external hard drive because we had really just started using it in the last 2 weeks.  Plus Steve thinks maybe the hard drive just got jarred loose a bit, and may not be completely nonfunctional because it passed all the diagnostic tests that Dell had set up to run for cases like that.  Also, right when Steve left for bootcamp, we ordered a new hard drive for my new "used" laptop which cost about 40 bucks.  So even if the hard drive is damaged, hopefully we can find another cheap one to install.

The day did get better because this afternoon I was visited by the "welcome committee chairperson."  (I don't really know her title, just her name which is Arlene.)  She called me yesterday to set up a time to bring the welcome package over and go through it with me.  I figured it would be a couple coupons for some of the businesses in town, but probably not any that we'd use.  

WAS I EVER WRONG!  This package was loaded with $5-20 off meals, tickets, products, etc from about 10-15 restaurants/events/stores.  A free consult/exam with a chiropractor, $1 dental exam/xray, free oil change, free pizza,  2-month free subscription to the newspaper, free membership to our library "Friends" club which basically informs one of the activities at the library and gives priority to members at the annual book sale, and even a free pre-planning meeting with the local funeral home.  We got pens, a coffee mug, toothbrush, pill box, magnets and restaurant menus without having to go anywhere.  

I like this city even more now!  And Arlene offered advice on some of her favorite restaurants, shops and other businesses in town.  Which was all very helpful for me!  She even mentioned some other things to do besides fish and hunt (which were the recommendations from the guys at the station ha ha!)

So it's been one of those days where my plans totally got thrown out the window.  But, plans are meant to change...if I've learned anything in the past 2.5 years of marriage, it's that.  And the fact that I don't have to be frustrated about plans not working, because if I just go with the flow, in the end it will all be fine.  And today showed that fact to be true once again.

Now That's Odd

Hmmm.  I'm very confused.  I wrote a post Wednesday night about my big day that was yesterday, and it's gone.  Vanished.  Into the cyberworld of lost posts...  I published it even, and it's no longer there.  Honestly, I guess it's better that way because I was down.  I was a little bit scared about the adventure that was yesterday.  But now I can write from a different perspective.  A more positive one if you will.  

I was very nervous about my interview and training, but I had no reason to be.  (I think there were a bunch of underlying factors that caused this anxiety such as leaving the dog alone for 4-5 hours, driving somewhere I'd never been, and Steve's 48 hour shift at the station.)  Anyways, looking back I DEFINITELY had no reason to be worried or nervous.  

1. The office was really easy to get to

2. The staff was super friendly

3. The interview was informal, I was there mostly to fill out paperwork before the training

4. The training itself was only a little over 2 hours (I was told originally it'd be 3)

5. I'm excited about what I will get to do in this new job

6. I got to go to Hobby Lobby for scrapbooking supplies (since training got done early, I was able to go and not worry about leaving the dog any longer than necessary)

7. Sherman was fine when I got home

So I am now officially employed at Applied Behavior Analysts as a line therapist.  I just have to wait on a call from a senior therapist so I can start working with a child.  I'm excited, and a bit nervous.  I was talking to my mom about how this job is something I could see myself doing in the future, and progressing to a senior therapist maybe.  While I loved my previous job, I knew going in I wasn't going to be there forever.

This new job is more a career kind of job.  A more professional type of job, (not that my other job wasn't professional, it was, but I felt more like a babysitter than a teacher most days and that's not exactly why I got  a college degree) one where I can use my psychology degree and even advance in schooling.  I still don't know what I want to get my master's in.  I'll probably know more after a few months on the job whether special education and/or early childhood special education is the route I'll go or if I'll focus more on the counseling/clinical/therapy side of developmental disorders. 

Who knows, but this is what God has in store for me right now. And all I can say is "Praise God for this opportunity!"  I haven't had much experience with Autism spectrum disorders, but I clearly recall a time at camp a few summers ago when I had a few kids throughout the summer with some level of the disorder.  I thought, God, what are you trying to teach me?  What are you trying to show me?  At the time, I was thinking of my own future children, that maybe I'd have one with autism (don't ask me why, no idea!).  I also recall how a lot of my classmates in a psych class that next fall were doing their practicums with kids who had autism.  So it definitely was all around me.  

Now here I am 4 years later, and I will be getting a lot of experience.  Maybe the Lord was teaching me something else that year, or maybe I still will have a child with autism.  There are many things I don't know about this life, but I do know that He is bringing things together in my life that I never would have thought of.  He is in complete control, and for that I am so very grateful to be able to call him Abba, Father.  I am so thankful Jesus died on the cross so that I could live despite my sins.  Now I just need to lay my life down to show others Christ.  To love others, especially these precious children who I will meet in the next few weeks.

I don't think it's odd at all now that my post disappeared, or that autism surrounded me in 2007.  Call me crazy, but the Lord works in mysterious ways.  He always wants things to work for the best...and they certainly have!

Creative Mind At Work?

I always seem to get these ideas for projects, crafts, recipes, etc. that always seem to come right before I fall asleep.  I never write them down, and therefore they get forgotten in dreamland.  Well, today I am putting an idea to work.

The other night I was looking at furniture online from IKEA, and I was thinking how great it would be to have some stools for the island in our kitchen.  Just 2 was all I wanted, but I didn't want to spend a lot of money, and nothing at IKEA really shouted out "I'm perfect, buy me!" (Shocker, yes, I know).  So I went to bed pondering how I could get stools for my island for cheap.

It came to me then...

We have 2 directors chairs that we used in our other apartment at our high kitchen counter.  They aren't the prettiest things, and I doubt we'll be able to use them here anywhere because we don't have a high counter.  These chairs have backs and arm rests that won't fit under our new island. So I thought "Why don't I just take the backs and arm rests off?  Maybe they'll fit that way?"

So I tested it today.  And VOILA!  They fit without the backs/arm rests.  So I went and got the drill and proceed to unscrew the hinges.  Only to find some mildew and gross-ness on the wood.  I'll take care of that later, but for now I'm pretty excited to see an idea of mine forming into a plan.  

The next steps will be to scrub the wood frames to get rid of all the black, and search for some fabric that will match our kitchen decor.  Cause bright blue ain't gonna work.  And I also plan to paint the wood after it's all de-mildewed.  Something to match the fabric I'm sure...

I'm excited to finally be able to do projects because I have the tools to do so...I now have a sewing machine and iron, a drill (technically it's Steve's but we share), and a nice big patio and/or garage for spray painting.  Creative mind is at work here...

*****

And while we're on the topic of creativeness and projects here's a list of other things I'd like to get done this summer:

1. sand and paint lighthouse

2. re-plant our flower pots for patio

3. finish wedding/honeymoon scrapbook

4. start Steve's Coast Guard scrapbook

5. start vacation scrapbook

6. sew some throw pillows

7. sew curtains for bedrooms

And just for your information...I so wrote this while outside on my patio, basking in the warm...clouds.  While it's not bright and sunny, it's still relatively warm.  So I thought I'd better take advantage of the opportunity to be outside, cause it's looking like it's going to storm again.  (Though I hope it does so before I go to sleep, last night's storm was ridiculous!  Thunder shook our whole house and the lightening was so bright!)

Have a great and blessed Tuesday!

Time for Some Pictures

Here are pictures of our new apartment.  And lots of our little dog.  Cause he's too cute not to photograph.

I don't have the before pictures on this computer, but really does one need before pictures?  It was just empty rooms anyway...I like final pictures better.  I'll post some more "final" pics once we get our new bed, that include both bedrooms, bathroom and decor on the living room walls.  Happy Saturday (and only one more night alone then Steven is back for 3 in a row! This schedule is going to have to take some getting used to...)

Starting to Feel Like Home...

Our boxes are all unpacked.  There's a stack of them in the dining area to be broken down and taken to the recycling bin.  Our kitchen cupboards are organized, there's food in the fridge (but it still looks empty), there are things in the pantry, our clothes are somewhat organized in the massive closet we now have.  The bathroom is pretty set, and I've already done a few loads of laundry.  The tv and dvd player are set up and I'm loving our new couch from Steve's step-brother.  The dining room table now has it's legs on, and we were able to eat dinner at the table last night!  Only a little organizing is left to do (i.e. scrapbook things and taking un-needed items out to the garage).  Yes, our nice new apartment is finally starting to feel a little bit more like home. 

Steve says the guys at the station are all really cool, and his XO stresses the importance of family.  That's why I liked the idea of the Coast Guard better than any other branch, not that the others don't take care of each other like family (I'm sure they do), it's more of a priority for those in the Coast Guard.  But it's a smaller branch so they have more time to devote to manners pertaining to family.  I'm nervous and excited for all that the near and distant future holds.  

It's such a strange feeling though, living in a brand new state.  A smaller town than we've lived in the past 2 years, but bigger than when we lived at camp, and bigger than my hometown.  We have several larger stores like Walmart, Walgreens and Target, and a very large grocery store.  There's a huge Y that Steve gets a free membership too, and hopefully I can get a discounted one.  But there's also an AnyTime Fitness that we're already members of.  There's your typical fast food restaurants, and some nicer restaurants downtown.  There's an ice cream and candy shop too that I might have to frequent (though it's kind of expensive...).  We've seen several coffee shops, one of which is right down the road from our apartments.  There's also a small shop that sells all kinds of outdoorsy things, and I want to check it out for some Keens for Steve and I before summer hits.

I can't really describe how I feel about this place.  I don't want to say I don't like, but I don't know that I'm extremely crazy about it either.  The only thing I know is that God has us here for a reason.  Maybe I have mixed feelings because it's still new, and I don't really know anyone yet.  Maybe it's because I'm not working yet.  Maybe it's because it's May and still only 50 degrees...yeah, that's probably the biggest one (that and officially being on our own away from family and close friends).  But these things shall pass, before I know it Sturgeon Bay will be home like any other place I've lived, and our parents and friends will have visited and the weather will be warmer and I will be working (probably more than I planned originally).  For now, I will continue to seek the Lord, to see him in the beauty of the Bay, the provision in our housing, and the marriage that Steve and I are building.