The Parentials

Growing up VBS was always a BIG deal and I am glad to see it still is. When I was little my best friends were my church girl friends and during VBS and revival week, we would always end up taking turns at spending the night at each others houses. 

My parents are both very involved in church, and have been for as long as I can remember. They love working with children, because (quite frankly) they are just big kids too!

They're the coolest parents a gal could ask for!

(video was sent via iphone and isn't the best quality)

Here's a video that was sent to me about two weeks ago from Chris and mine home church in GA. My sweet daddy is the one that comes running in, and my mama is the one who's trumpet doesn't work. I guess now all my work and seminary friends can see where I get it from:)

*Updated Note: you may not be able to view the video if you are checking the blog on your phone

3 Years Going On Forever

This past week Chris and I have been relaxing in the sun in Panama City Beach with the Carder Clan. It was really nice getting to swim in the ocean (the water was absolutely beautiful) and get our tans on.

(this picture looks like Chris is going bald, but nope that's just his goofy hairline and the way the light is hitting it)

Wednesday was our 3 year anniversary.  Everyone couldn't believe that it had already been 3 years, and many needed reminding that we've been in NOLA for 2 years. It is crazy how time flies. 

To me it seems like we got married yesterday, but like we've been in New Orleans FOREVER.

So with our 3 years of marital bliss and living all by ourselves several states away from any family, we have learned a few things about how to deal with each other:

1. communicating and listening: We're all each other has got here. Sure we have friends, but ultimately it comes to down to him and me. Communication always is important, but sometimes listening can be even more important. 

Here's a true example: 

Chris says, "Megan, I'm gonna take out the trash." 

And I heard "Megan, you look like trash."

yeah.. we both laughed at that one, and it really happened right before we were going to go out on a date!

2. managing money: CAUSE IT DOESN'T GROW ON TREES!!! It is very important to make sure you have a budget and both agree to stick to it. Chris and I have been very blessed along the way to have never had to have any serious financial crisis, but we have been close! Lots of marriages get divorces over money woes, and having a simple budget to go by helps solve a whole load of potential problems. 

3. helping each other out: Every week we try to do something nice for each other.  Simple things like doing the laundry, washing the dishes, or vacuuming the rug can be really nice to help each other out. Since we don't have a dishwasher, I tame the kitchen sink. Chris will usually help wash some dishes so I don't have to that night. On the other hand, Chris usually mans the laundry and I will help him fold the clothes. Little things to help make each others work load a little bit easier can really be a nice gesture.

Here's to many more years of being married to my "preacher man!"

I wouldn't trade him for anything!

1st Day of Summer

So today I embarked on a great adventure! TODAY was my first real day of summer! No students, no conferences, no work, just sweet relaxation.

Last Thursday I said adieu to my sweet fourth graders. It was the students' last day of school and I was more than ready to bid them farewell for the summer. That Thursday morning we had an award cermony and then all but four of my kiddoes checked out to begin their summers early. I only cried a little while I said goodby to my student that I awarded with "Most Improved Student of the Year." I don't mean it lightly when I say that I worked my bumm off for this child. In her reading test scores she grew from a very low approaching basic to a high mastery score. Her hard work paid off, and when she gave me a big hug with eyes watering telling me that she wished I was her teacher in 5th grade, I couldn't help but get weepy.

Then Friday was our teacher records day. I had to pack up some things from my classroom so the janitors could come in over the summer and scrub down the walls and wax the floor.

By the way, I haven't shared with my blog readers, but even though I had to go through the ringer with all the job stuff for next year, things went full circle, and next year I will be staying in 4th grade! I am estatic! It's funny how God always works things out!

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday I have been at a teaching conference all day for 4th and 5th grade teachers. I'm not gonna lie, IT WAS SUCH A BUMMER, to have to go to a conference right at the start of summer and knowing that everyone else was already sleeping in and forgeting about school work. It was tough staying focused, but now that it is over I am glad that it was at the start of summer instead of cutting in at the end. 

So what did I do for my first day of summer?

Well, I slept in until a whopping 8:00, filled a trash bag with old clothes from Chris and I to be donated to the Seminary Swap Shop, did some laundry, washed a few dishes, watched some boring morning news shows, and went to the campus pool for a couple of hours.

Overall a start to a pretty root tootin' break!