I'm a loser!

Wow...so I guess I'm the loser friend that is the last to write about their life. Although, I think Molar sucked out by only writing, "I'll write when something exciting happens in my life." What an easy way out! So I'm very sorry that it has taken me this long to update you all on my life. I have been a tad bit busy lately and I think you'll see why.

So this past year has been like usual. I have now finished up my fourth year as the head varsity volleyball coach and head JV soccer coach at Greene. This is also my fourth year as a teaching assistant for high school special ed. This is Joe's third year at Johnson City as the business teacher and we both love education. We are very satisfied working in the school system and love the perks that go along with teaching. He coaches soccer and lacrosse and so we often never see each other on some nights. This is also our 5th year as the youth leaders at our church. After our youth pastor died three years ago we were put in charge and at times have felt stressed by the lack of parental support and at other times have felt extremely blessed to see transformations in many of the teens lives. This Spring Joe will be finishing up his Masters and this fall I will begin my Masters in Education to become a certified teacher and get paid a heck of a lot more for doing the same thing. Why oh why did I ever get a degree in Psychology...what a waste of time and my parent's money :)! Anyway... I will be in school for a full year and a summer and then student teaching. Then I will look for a permanent teaching job in the area. I'm very excited to start this fall...I kinda miss learning...weird right?

Joe and I have also been given a great opportunity. My Aunt and Uncle are missionaries in the Dominican Republic and we have arranged a missions trip to the Dominican Republic this summer with our church teens. There are 8 teens going and 4 adults including Joe and myself. We are looking forward to this great opportunity but could use prayer in the preparation of fundraisers, preparing material for the work projects, the dramas, the VBS we will be running, the airline tickets and passports etc... We have a lot to do before we leave in July and I am getting excited and stressed. We each need to raise a little over $1,000 dollars and right now it seems like a million dollars but I know the Lord will provide. I think I have all of your addresses so I can send you a letter with a prayer card enclosed but just in case if you want a letter leave your address on here for me.

Our dog Chloe has just turned 2 in human years. She is so beautiful and stupid. She does the craziest things and makes us laugh. Here's a picture of the sweet little girl.

My sister Nikki is still dating her boyfriend Josh. They are not engaged and I have no idea when they will be engaged...a little annoying and frustrating for her but she is trying to trust the Lord's timing.

One other great opportunity Joe and I have this summer is we are training to run do a triathlon. My brother-in-law in Maine has invited us up to Maine this summer to participate in a triathlon that he did last summer. It includes swimming, biking and running. Joe and I been training since the fall and lately Joe's knees have been hurting him so he has definitely fallen behind me :) But I'm so excited to challenge myself and train for this summer and see how I can do.

The only other thing you can be praying for is Joe's dad. He has lost one of his kidney's and is waiting on a kidney transplant from his Aunt. There are many complications and for now he has lost a lot of his strength and has started to go blind from other complications. Joe's grandma had been living with his parents and they recently had to put her in a nursing home because with Joe's dad very sick she couldn't take care of both people and work a full-time job. So be praying for Joe's family and God's healing touch.

Other than that...we live a normal life and feel extremely blessed with all God has given us. We have talked about starting a family but we would like to wait a few more years and enjoy our married life. We would like a few more vacations before having to share our time with a newborn:) I think I have spewed everything possible about my life in Binghamton. I do really want to get together with everyone. I finish volleyball in a few weeks so after February I am free game to drive anywhere. I haven't seen anyone lately and we have several houses to visit so tell me where and when and I'll be there! I love you all and miss you so much but love keeping in touch even if it is just through blog venting!