Long time, no post....

As you can see I haven't posted in quite some time. I'm hoping the pictures above will explain my absence! Over the past few months, I have been completing the final classes and components of my graduate program. What a hectic few months that was! I would have never made it without the love and support of my cohort buddies, especially Jessica and Hannah. I love those girls to pieces and am proud of what we accomplished together! They were my rock and so much fun to work with. Graduation was December 12, and my did it feel good! :) I officially have a masters degree in Elementary Education. Though this was a major milestone in my life, it is only a stepping stone. I plan to return to school in the fall to continue my education at Lincoln Memorial University. There, I will be pursuing an ED.S. degree in educational administration and supervision. Though I am not sure what my career path will hold, I do know that I want to get all my educational goals accomplished while I am still young and do not have children. There are many other things that have happened over the past few months...please read on! :)

Halloween Fun

For Halloween, we decided to host a little pumpkin carving party. As you can see, we had a great time. Nikol and Fallon made a ghost/goblin and Jamie and I created a wiener dog one. The pictures of ours isn't too great because it got dark before we got finished, but it really did turn out super cute. We roasted the seeds and invited our neighbors, Floyd and Maureen, over to enjoy them. They had never tried roasted pumpkin seeds! I think they enjoyed them as much as we did! :)

NCCAT...and Boards

Because I'm semi-crazy...I decided to sign up for National Boards. For my non-education buddies, National Boards is a certification process teachers can go through to receive a special designation. In NC, this designation means a 12 percent raise! But, the process itself helps you become a more effective practitioner, regardless of whether or not your achieve the certification. The process can take up to three years to complete. It costs $2500 to apply, which the state of NC has always covered for its teachers (a benefit few states have)! However, because of budget issues, NC declared this would be the last year they would do that, so I took the plunge!

The certification process requires the completion of a portfolio with an on-demand assessment as well. The portfolio is due March 31st! I'll probably test in May or June. It is a very involved and difficult process, so I would appreciate and cherish your prayers as I work on the endeavor.

I was blessed to have the privilege to attend a Boards seminar at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching. This was such a blessing! Not only did I make some incredible friends who were and continue to be an amazing support group, I was able to work on my boards as well. This seminar helped me understand the requirements, develop a timeline, and begin the process. I'm attaching a picture of my NCCAT group...as you can see, we needed a little comic relief so we went to dinner dressed like that one night. It was incredibly fun and I will cherish always the memories and friendships from NCCAT!

Granny's 82nd!!!

Today, we celebrated my granny's 82nd birthday. We were talking earlier that she doesn't seem a day older than she did when I was a kid. She is in great health and is still very active and we are very thankful that she is living such a happy, healthy life. We all took her to Herb's for dinner, complete with flowers, cake, and presents. Jamie and I got her a book about Ted Kennedy because she has always adored him. We also got her a pink Snuggie to enjoy this winter! It was great fun! The pictures show the Beaver clan along with Daddy's sister, Shirley, her husband Steve, their son Justin and his wife, Brandy...and their soon to be baby! :)

Braves Baseball!

Last weekend, I went with a few friends to the Braves game in Atlanta. Despite the 100% chance of heavy rain, we trekked there with our raincoats, ponchos, umbrellas...the works. :) It was a great night of food, fun, and friends! It did rain, but lucky for us, we are on the field level, but the upper deck actually covered us, so we were completely dry. It was the breast cancer awareness game too, so it was a great way to support all the amazing women who have and are fighting this terrible disease. And by the way, the Braves won, making our night even sweeter! Please enojoy the pictures of my dear friends, but try to ignore our "rain hair." :)

A Special Gift

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you...

~Desmond Tutu

A few days after I found out I was being transferred to Marble, I received a very special gift from my precious Aunt Louise. You see, when we were in Kentucky together a few weeks ago, I introduced her to Crocs. When we were at the mall buying her some, I tried on the Croc heels, which I seen before, but didn't think they could be very comfortable. Boy was I wrong, they were totally comfortable, but the only ones they had in my size were hot pink. Not that I minded hot pink, but they really weren't practical for my wardrobe. I decided not to get them and maybe look for a black pair sometime later. Well, the night before the first day of school, my mom gave me a basket from my Aunt Louise (who was back in Mexico). It was filled with chocolate, bubble bath, and some black Croc heels. I immediately started to cry because my Aunt Louise knew that shoes, chocolate, and bubble bath were not going to fix everything, but she knew that knowing she understands my heart was exactly what I needed. That gift epitomizes what my Aunt Louise has been to me all my life- a beacon of strength, compassion, understanding, and love. I am truly blessed.

New Beginnings

I'm sure most of you that actually read this know this already, but just in case....A week before school started this year, I learned I was being transferred to Marble Elementary School. I must say that it was very unexpected. I hated so badly to leave the amazing team I was part of at Murphy and staff and students I was crazy about. But, at the same time, I realize that God has a plan for me there. If there is one thing I have learned over the past few years is that God has and always will take care of me. There is a lot about life that I don't understand, but I do know that He is always looking out for me and knows what is best for me. Of course, change is always hard and this one has been especially hard. But, God has put some wonderful people in my life at Marble and they have truly welcomed me with open arms. I'm attaching some photos of my new classroom. Now that there are some polka-dots on the walls, it's starting to feel more like home. :)

Scooter Turns One

Scooter's First Birthday

Scooter as a baby



September 22, 2009...Scooter turned one!!

We purchased Scooter last Christmas as a gift to ourselves you could say....Because Jamie and I have such hectic schedules, we hated that Bella was home alone so much. We thought she needed a companion...that's where Scooter came in. Scooter, like Bella, is a mini dachshund. He is bigger than Bella by about 5 pounds and they couldn't be more opposite. Bella is a live wire...she never slows down and is very independent. Scooter, on the other hand, is quite laid back and can't get enough love and affection. Despite their differences, they are a perfect pair and bring so much laughter and love to the Godfrey household!

Food, Family, Friends, and Fun

Labor Day Weekend was a blast. It was filled with gatherings with family and friends. Sunday night was an evening at my parents house. Ray and Holly came with their sweet baby, Brayden and the Cambranis family came. We had such a good time visiting with each other and playing with Bray. Monday's gathering was at Andrew and Diana's, complete with swimming, good food, football, a campfire, and smores! A great night.....I thought I'd share some pictures from these get-togethers....especially Sunday's because Braydon is just so stinkin cute! Enjoy!

FLOCKED

So, early on Saturday morning, I got up and let the dogs out. Immediately, they went nut-so. I went outside to find a yard full of pink flamingos. Turns out, they were courtesy of our dear friend Savannah Clayton. :) For those of you who may not know, there are two teams from our church going to Kenya soon. As a fundraising project, people can make a donation and send the flamingos to your house. In turn, you make a donation and send them to someone else. We are still deciding where these lovely pink birds will go next, but have enjoyed the color they add to our yard. Thanks Savannah! :)

Bald River Falls

Life has been a little hectic lately. School started this week and my graduate classes started back as well. Plus, Jamie is taking classes and I am still working at the Sweet Tooth. So, our time together is limited. We decided to just get away today and enjoy being together. After church, we took a trip to the Bald River Falls. So beautiful! I hope you will enjoy the pictures.

While we were there, we talked with a man from Ohio who loved the area so much this was his second trip to our area in the last two months. He asked us if we knew where Unaka was...he had ridden down the gravel road into Unaka. Turns out he had met Ernest Jones while he was there. Ernest had welcomed him into his home and he knew about Chester as well. Small world :).

Family Times!

This weekend Jamie and I spent time with our families. Christina was finally able to come home for a visit, as she has taken a job in DC and we don't get to see her as much as we used to. My brother had been working in Cincinnati last week, and had gone down to Louisville, KY to see my Aunt Linda and Uncle Steve for the weekend. So, my mom, dad, and my Aunt Louise drove up to Kentucky for some family time there. Jamie stayed here so he could spend time with his sister and take care of our babies. :) We both hated we didn't to everyone, but we couldn't be in two places at once. Either way, we were thankful for family time together! Unfortunately, since I took the camera with me, there are only pictures from the Kentucky trip. Hope you enjoy!

Even though it was a short trip, it was a fun one!! There are always lots of adventures (and laughs) when the Beavers get together with the Mudds! :) And this time, we were lucky enough to have my Aunt Louise, who is home from Mexico, join us. After we arrived on Friday, we enjoyed dinner at Outback, and then went out for some shopping. It doesn't take me long to find a mall. :) After a great night's rest, we had a delicious breakfast compliments of my Aunt Louise who makes the most spectacular homemade biscuits ever! YUMMY! Aunt Linda made us some sausage and bacon too! Next was day 2 of shopping. Linda took us to this great store called Deals, which is apparently owned and operated by the same company as Dollar Tree and it was very much like a Dollar Tree except items went up to five dollars. And, man did I rack up on some deals! After a few more stops, we decided to go to Cold Stone Creamery, my favorite!!!! I had my usual-sweet cream and strawberries and enjoyed every bite. Once we got back home, the ladies started in on dinner. We had taken lots of fresh veggies out from the garden to Linda's to share so we decided to just fix those along with some fried chicken. I love cooking with my mom and her sisters....I always learn so much. They are all terrific cooks. And the conversation....delightful! Following dinner, we took time to look through old family photos. I love hearing stories about my family I have never heard before.....I'm glad I'm at an age where I can appreciate them. Sunday morning was my morning to make breakfast, which couldn't compare to Louise's breakfast, but I gave it my best shot with homemade cinnamon rolls. Then, we did some last minute shopping (which included helping my Aunt Louise buy her first pair of Crocs) then had dinner at Five Guys! What an experience that was....a very good burger too! Matt and Steve did a good job choosing! Then it was time to head home. It was a short trip, but one that was filled with lots of family memories, laughs, shopping, and good food. What more could a girl want?