11 days

until nothingness.

until the void of mold and dust, of hormones and tiffs.

of homework and BTSA

of early morning high blood pressure

of reaction vs. ignorance.

Until no more red pen, until no more raised hand.

before rest, 

before blue skies and no time constraints.

before art projects and the classics,

toning and tanning.

Before less commuting, less confusion, less conflict.

and i'll be an unemployed, unencumbered second year teacher.

11 days until the summer.  well deserved after an incredibly difficult first year.

Teacher Appreciation

Note from a student. Meant a lot. Call me sappy.

Wuz up Mrs. Ryan! How have yuw been?! Well guess why im writing this letter to yuw?! Its because its; Teahcer's Appreciation Week! Oh-Em-Gee! hAhA! Well i remember when i first met yuw. :) . Yuw were really kool nd' down to earth chikka! That's what i like about yuw. My other teachers are not; Homie Gee! I like yuw. :). Yuw get what im coming from nd' yur like best friend to meeh. Im thankful that i met a woman like yuw nd' all I got 2 say is that yuw rock!! hAhA (not even)...jk mrs. Ryan. :). Yuw remind meeg of the teacher of the Freedom Writer's Movie. Man; I wish I could be the Awesomest Teacher like yuw someday! Well I gotz to go now. Nd don't forget bout meeh Mrs. Ryan. I would come nd' visit yuw once in a while. :). LOVE YUW! :)

Spring Break

On spring break this week!  Its been fab so far...shopping, tennis, running, family, pizza, wine.  Lovely!  Check out Jillian's new poetry/free verse site, its attached to our profile: secondaryedthoughts.blogspot.com.  Its...um...interesting to say the least.  :)  A few pics as of late:

Eric and Jillian...throwing dead flowers off the balcony...hey!  Its mulch!

Tony watching over the dinner, just making sure no one gets to it...;)  Fun dinner party!

Tony being lazy...he ALWAYS wins the remote war!

Wahoo!  Added photos finally!  :)  Aren't you proud of us!?

LOVE!

Quick Update

Whew!  Time flies when you're busy!  A couple of updates:

1) Still no job for next year yet, definitely trying my hardest to impress!

2) Moved into a new place in PB...LOVE it!  Pictures to follow...

3) Love going to the beach...except when its windy...

4) Jamie visited!  It was amazing, and I'm so glad to have gotten the time with a fantastic friend.  Can't wait to have her in town again...and it looks like it will be quite frequently...:D

5) Finances were just tightened by several circumstances...but that tax refund is coming!

6) Tony and Emmy are ninja kitties...its official.  Tony likes to look through the peep hole in the front door, i'm going to have to tape that one soon...

7) Joined twitter!  (jilliwhit)

8) Teaching informational text (blech) in class now...suggestions to make it rip roaringly entertaining?  (I do get to show "the village" in class on thursday and friday though...should be good times...)

9) I'm blonde again.  Go figure.

10) We eat bean burritos, spinach and rice, or steamed veggies and popcorn for dinner, as of late.  Yummy and Easy!

We love to have friends over, so let us know if you're free some night.  We'll bust out "Things" (a la apples to apples) and make some killer food....you know you're tempted!

love to all, let us know you're reading! (maybe it will encourage me to post more...)

Where do I start?

It has been so long since I last wrote, apologies. I am sincerely sorry to have left any of you hanging, though I doubt too many people actually follow this blog. :) Since our last post, we've been all over...New Mexico, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, etc. We've spent our first Christmas together as newlyweds, we've bought our first car together, we've joined a couple's group at the church, we've made new friends, and we've dealt with tough news. All the while, our hearts were together in agreement: despite the trials and despite the pain, our marriage is making it. Its strong, its not a "honeymoon" phase- we disagree too much to still be there (I think that phase ended about a day into the honeymoon...). Instead, its become a real marriage, one that is never perfect, never fully flawed. Its fueled with persistence, love, and hard work. Its the backbone of all decisions; whether its what we're having for dinner or where we are going to move, or whether I should stay as a teacher. I am so blessed to have reached this point of cognition where I realized that Levi really isn't going anywhere, I am just as hard to handle when married to, and where I really am not perfect...(darn it, I thought I had that one nailed down already!)

This perspective has gotten us through a LOT of hard times recently...hence our prayer list:

1) Pray for Granny Q who is needing additional medical assistance to
recover from a recent blow to her health.
2) Pray for Jillian...struggling with "staying engaged" with school since I
found out my school had to post my job as a vacancy for next year (I'll have to
reapply for my job). And they tell me this after they encouraged
me to begin to co-lead a committee on discipline on campus.
3) Levi's job is difficult in the sense that he's discouraged by trials at
work.
4) Finances: We're fine, but saving up for a house in the near future
is difficult when dealing with a potential one-income household this
summer.
5) Know of any great jobs Jillian could have over the summer?
:)

Please pray, but be encouraged that our marriage is something that has grown and developed as of late. We argue, we agree, but we always love eachother. And when we get out of a nasty argument, and when the smoke all clears, we'll always come back with the appreciation for what the other has to offer.

It isn't always perfect, but its never fully flawed.

This Season and its Struggles

It seems apt that I should post, for several reasons. First, it has been over a month since our last update. Second, this season seems to be trying us more than any other season. In the past, we've had to deal with other trials, but this year seems to be more difficult than usual. Between all the changes that Levi and I have both made and undergone, and external circumstances out of our control, it appears that God is fervently telling us, demanding us even, to lean to Him for support, for love and for guidance. We have been feeling distant lately, considering our new circumstances and the seach for a church home fell to the wayside while we balanced our new life with our old lives. We have finally settled on a church, and how ironic is it that we've been going through Mark, where the message God puts forth is for us as His followers to follow! The pastor talks about a need, a requirement to "wake up" from our lives that we've been living, and let God lead our actions and our decisions. We have to learn to trust Him, instead of trusting ourselves to change our circumstances. I hope this small insight has an impact on your own walk with Him.

This season, we have had to deal with a car wreck, and hence a new car purchase on our monthly payments, debt from the move, and new jobs that put some intense stress on us at times. Levi seems better equipped for his job, but as for myself, teaching has turned into a career that I am no longer sure of. In speaking with many different teachers, it seems that this year is supposed to be the hardest, and I am supposed to be feeling like I want to quit. Apparently that's normal, and the detail that supports the recorded statistic that 50% of teachers who enter the profession leave within three years. Dealing with the stress everyday takes its toll on my mind and my physical wellness. Getting sick doesn't help, and 8th grade is a very difficult grade to teach. The kids are testing me every day, and at this point, I am trying to have the mindset that I can't let a few 13 year olds ruin my day, or force me into changing my career. Its been known that I am using teaching as a stepping stone into a career of politics and administration and policy, but these next few years will be very challenging. I ask for your prayers.

If you have any suggestions for cars for us, let us know! We are finding that shopping for cars is more difficult than we thought it would be. Its also more expensive.

Prayers in general are very much appreciated, we are dealing with some travel plans, and navigating the airline industry can be a doozy. We'll be flying out soon, and catching lots of different planes, staying in a million different hotels, and seeing (meeting for me) a lot of family back east. Pray for safety, health and no stress! I am really nervous about how cold it will be, I'm not the type to enjoy freezing cold weather for very long. I bought my thermals, and boots, and am now on the hunt for scarves, gloves, and anything else that could possibly keep me warm over there!

Much love to all, keep on praying. We'll be in touch.

Levi and Jillian

cabrio tod: wednesday november 12

without detail, i wanted to update those who read the blog that I have in an accident on Wednesday, and while i was checked out and given a partially clean bill of health (aside from bruises, aches, pains and anxiety) my car was not as fortunate. In its sacrifice to save me from the same fate, it was totaled and assessed at $300. This is a really difficult end to my first car that i was able to purchase with my parents, and a huge blow to our capability to produce a down payment on a new vehicle.but we are trusting that God will provide for our replacement. Prayers are appreciated as we continue to adjust to life here in SD, test drive an expensive new purchase, and healing for my body.

on other terms, school has gotten very interesting, and while the students are difficult (considering the multitude), the staff and job are still absolutely amazing, and i still wake up wanting to teach at Standley. amazing.

levi is happy. and stressed. but mostly happy. and soooo supportive of me and my process following the accident. love him. perhaps someday he'll post too.

prayers to all.
and love.