Thursday, August 27, 2009

God continue's to Bless!

These are only a few pictures of my classroom. I will post others later. These really do not do my room justice but I wanted to include pictures with this post...so this is what you get! A view of my classroom
Outside my classroom. Those are frogs on lily pads with my kids names on them.

My Circle Time Area!
It has been a busy week my first week at work (school). A lot of meetings! Open house was great yesterday! I can't wait to start teaching my kids.
Today God opened another door for me at school. The lady that had been leading the music programs had surgery and therefore cannot teach this year. I was told that I will be taking her position as well as teaching my class. So, I will be directing music for the preschoolers as well. As overwhelming as that may be...I know God has equipped me to follow through with His plan! He will give me all the tools I need to lead his precious children in music this year! Praise the Lord, because I know I am so unworthy of this job. I also know I cannot complete it in my own strength. I'm so glad I have Him to call on for strength. What would I do without Him? I love Him so much!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Happy Birthday Olivia!

Today is Olivia Grace 9th Birthday!

Paul and I tried for 3 1/2 years to conceive a baby. I went to numerous fertility specialist's and cried many tears thinking I would never succeed in becoming pregnant. Then on December 18, 1999 I became pregnant. It was way to early for a pregnancy test to confirm it, but I knew within my heart God had blessed us with a baby. I loved being pregnant with her. I treated myself to gravy and biscuit very morning at Hardees. Then off to work I would go to the Oncology Clinic. I was a doctor assistant and loved it. Olivia was born August 15, 2000 and I became a very fulfilled stay at home mom.

Olivia, I fell inlove with you the moment I laid eyes on you and held you in my arms. Today, you are growing into a wonderful, sweet, and caring young lady. I have seen God work in your life the last year delivering you from many fears. I see you reading your bible at night before bedtime. We are so glad God gave you to us. You are our miracle! We love you so much!

I will post more pictures later today of the birthday party. We are taking her to Abuelo's for dinner tonight. She got her ears pierced as one of her birthday presents from us and $50 cash to spend. We are having another "Birthday Luau" celebration with her friends on Aug. 29th.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

New Job Teaching!

I changed my blog design because all three of The Patrick Girls are going to school. I'm teaching and attending school and the girls are in 2nd and 3rd grade. It's going to be a Fantastic year! Olivia on her first day of 3rd grade!
Ally on her first day of 2nd grade!
I have been so busy with our new schedule I haven't found any time to write a post. The girls got off to a great start at school this past week. Ally is in 2nd grade and Olivia 3rd grade. They love their teachers. I do too! I have also started teaching Pre K at "My Friends and Me" preschool. I have my own classroom and get to decorate it the way I want! Yippy! Usually in preschool's you are directed in your room to do what the director wants...well, I have been blessed to be able to come in this preschool and plan, give ideas to other teachers, and decorate my room. The director and I are talking about incorporating a music program...which I will direct. I have taught preschool/elementary choir for more than 5 years. My class name is "the Friendly Frogs" I came up with a bulletin board idea that says "Look who's hopping into preschool!" I have a blue background for water, then put my kids names on frogs and posted them to the lily pads on the board. I put a sign above my door that says "Welcome to My Pad!" I love teaching...I love coming up with new ideas and brainstorming! On top of teaching I will be going to school to get my CDA to complete my child development certification.
Here's the story of God giving me this job:
One Saturday morning Paul was in the kitchen cooking crepes. He is a wonderful cook. That's a God thing too, but I'll save that story for another day. I was sitting at the kitchen table looking for a rat cage for the girls pet rats cinnamon and caramel. Wait...that didn't sound right. I wasn't looking for a rat cage for the girls! Let me make that clear before DHS shows up on my door step. Their rats are currently in a small aquarium and need more room. I was looking at the newpaper on the laptop. I clicked on classified and saw a job listing for a lead 3 yr old teacher. Let me make this clear...I am content being a home mom, so I wasn't looking for work but God burdened me as I read the ad. I left the table, went to my room and prayed about that job. I continued to feel God moving me toward it. So, I told God I would go Monday and apply for it. I did. There were so many others there as well applying for the position. I gave it to God, because like I said, I am happy at home caring for my family. I was in a win/win situation. I went for my interview on a Thursday morning. As I walked through the front doors, I noticed the board room with women around it meeting. I knew they were interviewing another girl for the position. That's when the fear set in. I had butterflies and almost walked right back out the door. But it was then and there God whispered to me..."Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you." I have expereienced God's peace on many occasions. I knew that now I would have those butterflies but when I stepped the first foot in that room to be interviewed He would give me His Ultimate Peace! I stayed and waited for my turn and once the door opened for me to be interviewed His peace fell from heaven and saturated the room. I felt at home with all of these ladies. I was still not confident that I had the job. They had interviewed others previously that week. The board executive said during my interview "we only hire teachers with degrees" I replied...I don't have a degree, I have been taking classes as I could afford it..but I have a ways to go to get my certification." I was thinking maybe this job isn't meant to be. They told me as the interviewd had ended that they would call me later the next week with a decision. Two hours after my interview they called me giving me the job AND offering to send me through school for my last two years for FREE! Now, That is a GOD THING! As I sit here and type this I have goose bumps over me because God is SO FAITHFUL! I have been praying for years to be able to go to school and become a teacher. This has been my dream since I was 5 years old. This is not a normal everyday thing that happens. This is a miracle. I can't stop telling God how GOOD He is! He is So Good! All the time!

So as I end this post I will try to write as often as I can. Just know I love you all.