Busy Friday

Hello, Hunting Widows!!  Sorry I'm behind with the blog... I've been enjoying my first few days/ weeks SCHOOL FREE!!! To add to my craziness though, I did except a job teaching summer school June 3- 28.  Here's to not regretting that decision.  A month ago, we had our screen porch updated (I wouldn't say remodeled).  New screens, new painted floors and no more Ron Burgundy hot tub.  Slowly moving furniture back in... it took me a lot of sweat to complete.... It feels like 100 degrees already :( 

Yes, I did take down the Christmas light thingy and wreath,.. just 6 months post Christmas. 

The rug is from our living room.... and the dogs have made their mark.. so it has found a new home outside. 

The fan is about to go. 

Don't worry... my next project is painting the exterior doors.  

And last is a sweet picture, I quickly took while typing this post, of  Molly.... she now runs away every time we go outside.... Any one know the cost, pros/cons of an electric fence? 

Life is so short... do what makes you happy

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid James 14:27

This is my last week at Westover.  Seven years ago I was interviewing and signing my contract in the same office I turned in my resignation.... almost to the day.  How does it feel?? Weird.. but more then weird... I am filled with such PEACE!.  I've only had one job since graduating college... and it has included a gradebook, classroom rules and a lot of diet coke!  This decision wasn't easy...a lot of prayer and a lot of tears went into my decision..  God has been good... more then good... he has been faithful to my prayers... he has brought me through so much these last few months and I can't wait to see what else he has in store!

Paschal has been amazing (which sounds like something Michelle Duggar would say about JimBob... but I mean it with real sincerity) .... more supportive then I imagined... or he just gave up fighting me on the decision!  I want to be my best... for Paschal, for our baby, for my puppies (don't laugh... its a real want in my life!.. ask Molly when she was taken on a walk??)... and I can't do that when I'm stressed, exhausted and overwhelmed.  Name a teacher you know who doesn't feel stressed, exhausted and overwhelmed... its impossible... and think of adding a baby to that!  Several people have made comments to the extent of "I was able to work, have 3 kids and my husband was deployed for most of their childhood" "You didn't think through this decision... are you going to quit when any little change in your life happens",... I could go on and on.  All I can say is that EVERYONE is different.  And I'm not a type A person.... I"m a type FUN... but also the kind who can easily over pack her life and make it un-fun.  God's plan for everyone's life is different... and maybe his plan for me is to teach piano and be a mother..  God wants me to be at my best self... he wants that for everyone.

Piano... Starting June 3rd... I'm offering piano lessons to students age 5 and up! Teaching piano is something I've ALWAYS wanted to do.  Thanking my mother for all those years of lessons... is something I do almost every day... I honestly can't thank her enough! Spread the word, friends... I can teach all levels, all ages! Summer lessons start the first week of June and run through the last week of July.  Tentative summer recital is July 27... I'm so excited!!

Being happy, in all aspects of my life, is something I've been waiting on for a long time... bring on the piano students and the babies!!

P.S... still waiting to hear back from agencies / birth moms... the waiting game is so hard... but I have to remind myself that it takes 9 months from start to finish (maybe 10?? I've heard people say that)... and we've only been adoption approved (home study and paper work complete) since March 6th... that makes 2 months 9 days... 5 months since we started everything...

      Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:78

House Hunting ~ North Atlanta

Before we move on to a great old house.... here's an update on Baby P! We actually don't have anything major going on.  We send off our stuff to Colorado and Utah this week, so things should speed up (according to our consultant)... which is very exciting :)  We got an email about another baby late last night  (Due August 1st) and are contemplating sending in a packet today...this situation is for a baby boy, which made Paschal very very committed/excited... Oh, I pray this baby loves the outdoors... because Paschal really believes he's getting a buddy... 

Spring Break... have you been productive? I haven't... and I'm justifying it by saying I needed a break from teenagers.  Also, if you hear of anything, job wise, LET ME KNOW!  Teaching school has its perks and at times I love it... but I want to be able to give baby P my whole, non-stressed, non-exhausted, happy self.... and trying to teach the most boring subject to teenagers all day is not working!

Now on to a great abode.... Druid Hills, $1.8 Million, 6 bed/5 bath, built in 1924

I love this kitchen... it has so much potential.... think... paint the brick floors a light grey... it could be amazing!

I kind of like this green tile, wall paper and floors...very kitchy (how does one spell that?)

The house still has steam heaters and one of the heat sources is oil (I've never heard of that before??). The full listing is here. 6 bedrooms... with great potential :)

~Betsy 

Five!

Five years ago today, Paschal and I tied the knot.  Its hard to wrap my head around how five years came and went so fast.... I'll be 29 in May... which sounds crazy, because I still see myself as 25.  To be honest... these last five years have had a lot of ups and downs.... we've been through a few emotional roller coasters, but I know these next five years are going to be our best yet.  Paschal and I have come so far. He can now do his own laundry... mind blowing isn't it?  Do you ever think about where the next five will take you?? Five years ago I didn't have a dishwasher... and now I have one with a fake stainless steal front.... Its only up from here people!

I love this picture from our rehearsal dinner.... I'm wearing my Mom's wedding dress.  

Doesn't Paschal look so sweet.... we were so young.... Glad to know that God's plan was bigger then our own and that we fought to hold on, because life is about to get really good for us...  

~Betsy 

House Hunting ~ Rosemary Beach, FL

Do you know how many trees that would have to die and how many children I would have to put up with to get to this level of living??? I think it would be impossible... but, if it ever becomes possible (a girl can dream, right?)... I want to live like this

This can't be real... 

You can see the whole listing here... and to top it off... its not even on the beach.

~Betsy

House Hunting ~ Lake Blackshear

Paschal's not a big "lake" person... unlike me who grew up with Lake Lanier in her back yard.  He would rather have the beach.... but this little cottage is too cute... perfect size and layout for a lake house....   

$289,000 / 2,108 square feet

~Betsy