Our Little Blessing

On June 29th, 2010, our lives changed in the most amazing way.  We found out that we were going to be parents, and we were very excited.  Even though we knew there was a new life growing inside of me, it became very real when we were able to hear the heartbeat a few weeks later on August 10th.  It was so exciting to hear the baby's heartbeat, and we were excited to record the sound and share it with our family and friends.  If that wasn't amazing enough, this week, on August 24th, we were able to finally see our baby.  We were already amazed at how much we loved our baby but after seeing it move around, we became completely overwhelmed with joy.  As I watched the baby move around and cover its eyes, play peak-a-boo, and kick its little legs,  I could not hold back the tears.  Even though I can't feel the baby moving yet, it was so incredible to hear the heartbeat, and see the baby moving inside of me.  The first three months have went by quickly, and I hope the next six also go quickly, because we are so anxious to meet our little blessing in March.

Psalm 139:13-17
 ¹³ For you created my inmost being;
       you knit me together in my mother's womb.
 ¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
       your works are wonderful,
       I know that full well.
 ¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
       when I was made in the secret place.
       When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
 ¹⁶ your eyes saw my unformed body.
       All the days ordained for me
       were written in your book
       before one of them came to be.
 ¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
       How vast is the sum of them!

Life in North Carolina

It's been a while since I had a chance to blog, but we have been so busy. We love living in North Carolina. We've been here a little over a month now, and are really enjoying getting to know the area and people in our church. We are blessed to be a part of a great church family here in Gastonia. 

Last month we were able to go to Indiana and direct a senior high camp for Yellow Creek Lake Ministries.  It was an amazing week and God really moved in the lives of the students and staff there.  Last year Darren and I attended YCL Camp and really enjoyed it, and we were so fortunate to be a part of YCL camp again this year.

My parents and sister were here for a few days last weekend.  My mom, Kailyn and I had a fun time shopping.  My family was able to go with us to church on Sunday morning, and meet some of the people from our congregation.  We had a great cookout after church for everyone, and there were games, balloon animals, and face painting. It was a lot of fun.

Next week we're taking some of our students to youth camp, and we're really looking forward to it.  It'll be a great week of getting to know one another better, and learning more about God.  Pray that we will have a good time of fellowship and growth while we are there.

That's about all for now. Have a blessed day!

Love,
Courtney

Time to Relax

I am finally finished with my undergraduate degree!!!! I finished Student Teaching and my online portfolio. My oral defense of my portfolio received an Outstanding Rating, and I was very glad that I finished the semester on a good note.

Graduation weekend went by so quickly. We were so glad that both of our families were here to celebrate with us. Friday was the Education Commissioning service, along with Baccalaureate. Saturday morning was graduation followed by a wonderful lunch with our family. On Sunday our church did a special presentation for the graduates including entertaining pictures from our childhood. Of course our parents willingly gave up embarrassing pictures of us without our knowledge. The weekend was very eventful and enjoyable, however, it was nice to catch a breather after it was over.

We had two wonderful days with NOTHING to do before May Term started, and it was amazing. Darren and I got to hang out with friends and experience a few peaceful days before classes started. After a hectic semester with student teaching and Darren's class and work schedule, it was nice for us to be able to relax.

Darren started his May Term class today which will finish up on the 25th of this month. Then we'll leave that night to make our trip to Gastonia. We are so excited to start this new journey together. Darren and I will be working with youth and young adults at our new church, and we are anxious to get started. We're also excited about moving into our new place in North Carolina. We started packing up things in boxes today, and I will be glad when we are finished packing and then unpacking once we arrive. I made a countdown for us to count down the days until we move. Only 19 more days until we move, and in 20 days we'll be at our new home in Gastonia.

I took a break from packing earlier to make triple chocolate fudge brownies, and they are delicious! I think it's time for bed, after I finish my midnight snack.

* Courtney

Graduation

Graduation is only two weeks away! Enough said.

Busy, Busy, As Can Be

     I am required to have a blog for Student Teaching that I have to post on daily.  I have been enjoying my blog so far, so I thought it would be fun to set up a blog for Darren and I.  I probably won't write on it much during this semester since I am so busy, but I hope I will have time after graduation to blog more.


     We are 83 days away from graduation.  Hopefully it will go by quickly.  This semester I am doing Student Teaching in Elwood, Indiana in a 3rd grade classroom.  It's a lot of hard work, but I am really enjoying it so far.  I have great students, and a wonderful teacher.  I'm learning a lot, and I'm excited to see how the rest of the semester will go with my students.  I will be teaching all day everyday until mid-April.  Darren has been really busy with school and work this semester.


     We've been married for 6 months on the 8th, and couldn't be happier.  We are really anxious to see where God will take us after graduation.  We know that as long as we continue to seek God for wisdom, he will continue to bless us in the years to come.


     There is a ridiculous amount of snow outside, and I am hoping for warmer weather soon.  Darren loves the snow, but I only like it if I can stay inside, drink hot chocolate and look outside at the pretty snow.  I am not a fan of it if I have to go outside in this mess.  It makes it especially hard to get my cart on wheels full of books back and forth to school everyday.  I should probably get back to my lesson plans now.  Try to stay warm!