It is just the start of a long process

We met with the lawyer yesterday, and well let just say this process has just started and seems to be one that will go on forever.  It makes me so angry that I am having to deal with all of this mess. It just adds to the stress which I already have and is very much un-needed.  In the mean time it is a growing joke between Chad and I of where we will be living and what job I will have.  As we all know education is in trouble financially which is really scary.  Chad jokes that I will be working at Walmart.  In the meantime we continue to enjoy the beautiful view of Smith Lake and the laughter that living in the country brings. 

The Unknown

I do not like not knowing what is in store for me in the next couple of months.  Chad and I have no clue where we will be much less where or what we will live in.  I hate not knowing if I will have a job or if I do have a job where it will be.  Chad and I are having to be very open minded.  We find ourselves tossing back and forth between we can do this we can keep commuting to there is no way we can continue to drive 2 hours each a day.  It all lies on where I will have a job or if I will have a job which is so scary.  At the end of the day we have to continue to remind ourselves that it is all God's plan and we have to just trust in the Lord.  We pray each day that I will have a job and I pray that I will be able to continue to working with the students I love to work with most and that is those who are on the Autism Spectrum. 

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

When I was in college I could not wait to get out and start living life as an adult but now I would do anything to get to go back to having no responsibility.  Being an adult really stinks sometimes.  This week Chad and I were hit with some really bad news about his truck.  We have to pay nearly 2,000 dollars to fix things that have to be fixed because it is a safety issue.  On top of that this is the first month I had to start paying my loan for graduate school and now because of the situation I am in with graduate school we have to pay lawyer fees.  So we got hit by a bus this week! We are so thankful that we are living in the lake house and do not have a mortgage payment on top of all of those expenses. 

Chad and I have definitely come to the conclusion we are not built for country living.  Do you know how many bugs there are in the country?  They are everywhere and somehow find there way in the house.  Chad killed over 20 flies in one day.  When I drive home it is like I am in a scary movie because it is pitch black and no one is around.  Not to mention there is nothing around and we have no friends or neighbors.  Chad and I said last night that God was really teaching us a lesson of how to live simply because we have nothing at the lake and can not just run out and get stuff.  It is the little things I took for granite being able to do- the lake house does not have an ice maker so I am making ice using ice treys.  This gets so old and really irritates me early in the morning. It would make it worth it if we had a sunny weekend to enjoy the beauty of the lake, but that has not happened yet.  We will definitely be looking for a house close to civilization.

It Is Official I Now Reside In Cullman

That is right... Chad and I have officially moved.  As of last night at 10:00 we were officially residents of Cullman.  Although I am happy to now be living with Chad during the week, I am going to miss the conveniences of 280 living and I can sure tell you that Chad and I do not fit in with the neighbors.  On the bright side, it is so beautiful to wake up to Smith Lake.  It brings a since of peace over you.  I am looking forward to the days being longer and being able to come home and sit out on the pier, wakeboard, play with the dogs and just enjoy the lake. 

Today I am writing you from Skiers Marine North... Chad has left me in charge to hold down the fort.  This is a very scary thing.  Thank goodness the only person that has come by thus far has been a very scary truck driver delivering a boat.  I say he is very scary because he snuck in the back door and scared the daylights out of me.  I was not expecting someone to enter from the back.  So today I am working on a Saturday and fulfilling my good boat wife duties.  I love it here in Athens.. the farm land is beautiful and I almost feel like I am on vacation seeing the TN river. 

Last week I had a birthday party for one of my students.  I asked him what kind of cake he wanted me to make him and he said "no need no need.  You go to walmart and it is the one with the sprinkles."  I laughed and said "what kind?"  he said "white cake and white icing."  So I got him just what he ordered.  Wed. afternoon we put on birthday hats, sang happy birthday, and eat walmart cake.  It was grand and his face was priceless.  He said "Mrs. Tyler this is the best birthday ever!"  It is little things like this that make me love my job.

13.1 with Team413

On Feb.13 I ran my second 1/2 marathon in the Mercedes 1/2. I ran for team 4:13.. I ran wearing a shirt stating "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Phillipians 4:13. Although it was just a shirt the verse really spoke to me around mike 10 when my feet hurt so that they were numb and it was tough to just keep running. The verse helped me preserver and push though. Not only did it help me, but I had other runners thanking me for wearing such an inspiring shirt. Other inspiration came from the constant pictures of special needs babies hanging from Bell Center shirts worn by those running on the Bell Center Team. These pictures reminded us all that we were not just there to run for ourselves or set a record, we were there to raise money for a wonderful organization that reaches those with special needs and there families. It is now the night after the race and I can feel the pain. I feel like an old woman and my knee hurts more than it ever has. Although there is pain, I am ready for another. Running is addicting. The since of accomplishment and freedom it gives you is unlike anything else. Whether running or not, I Truely believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

"I have tooth fairy money!"

Kids say the funniest things that make me smile and lift my spirits. Today at lunch one of my students said "Mrs.Tyler do you have any cresent chips (pringles- my student calls them cresent chips because apparently they look like the cresent moon)?" I said "No, I do not have any today." My student said "well it looks like you need to go to the store." My response "I do not have any money." Students response "I know, I have some tooth fairy money!" I love my job and all the funny things kids say.

Oh What A Day!

I am officially worn slap out.  One of my student's behavior was off the chain today.  Just so happens I also got observed for my semester evaluation... oh well welcome to Autism... everything unexpected.  During my evaluation my student asked for a drink so I let him go to the classroom water fountain and get some water.  When I told him water was all finished and it was time to read again he kindly spit a mouth full of water all over the wall and floor.  Wonderful!  So I said "clean up." What I forgot was he loves to clean up water more than anything in this world.  So at the end of it all he was ultimately reinforced.. I lost that battle.  My day got even better when I got bit.  I did not give him a reaction though like he wanted so he proceeded to start spitting on me.  I guess he thought I needed a second bath.  At the end of the day you just got to look back, laugh, and pray that tomorrow is a better day.  While I was having this kind of day my wonderful husband was sleeping in, taking naps, and eating ice cream for lunch... it must be nice working for yourself and having Mondays off.  I love the eventfulness of my job and no matter how hard it is some days, I would not trade it for the world.