The Last Couple of Weeks

As usual, everything happens at once. Two weeks ago marked the start of my new job, so Michael had a sweet babysitter for a few days while I attended a New Hire Orientation, a New Faculty Orientation, a Faculty Retreat, and a College meeting. JD had a few days of working with his boss. Of course, over that week, Michael came down with a fever that the doctor treated with antibiotics, anticipating an ear infection. Well, it wasn't an ear infection; it was hand, foot, and mouth disease. So after a few days of 102.5 fever and a sore throat, his feet and hands broke out in hives, some of which turned into blisters. That kept him from attending his first few days of school and gave us a couple of sleepless nights.

 By Friday, Michael was much better, but JD came down with the fever, and it didn't abate for 36 hours. It was even more miserable for the house than when Michael was sick. Saturday, Michael and I had to get out of the house, so we went to my parents' house and spent the day with them. JD wasn't fully recovered until Wednesday, although he only had to miss one day of work.

Meanwhile, Michael began attending the Rome Montessori school on Monday, which he loved for all of one day. When he realized that he had to go back every day, he started crying every morning, which still has not stopped. I love that school though and think it will do wonders for him as soon as he gets used to it. My classes started Monday as well, and although it's taking a bit of time to get used to the small school culture, I already feel very at home. The students are so kind and respectful, and they are very supportive of each other. It's kind of amazing. The campus atmosphere is very positive as people genuinely care about each other.

It was a long week with a lot of new schedules as well as illness in the house, but it was still a good week. Friday evening we attended a school picnic at Michael's school. We got to visit with friends this weekend and to start a new small group out of Watermarke Church. We visited my family and spent some time splashing down in the river. The weather was beautiful, and we're ready to start a new week with, hopefully, better health and a more cheerful attitude from Michael in the mornings.

A New Start

Yay, I got a job!! This week heralds another brand new start for our family as I begin a job as professor at Shorter University, and Michael begins attending a Montessori school full time. Here we go again! So, while in Destin, I got a call from Shorter requesting an on-campus interview for the next day. I hopped on a plane and returned for the interview, leaving Michael in Destin with the family. Later the next day, I had a job! That marks yet another miracle in God's great plan for our lives this summer as everything, and I mean everything, has come together so perfectly for our move back to Georgia, our careers, and our family. Thank you, God, for these blessings!

 

Of course, as soon as I take JD and my parents to the campus, they insist on taking pictures. So, I played the part of the new college freshman and posed. Shorter is a small, Christian college of 1200 students. I am already so impressed with the faculty and administration; it is a perfect fit.

JD also broke down and bought a used four-wheeler. Now, we really fit in the neighborhood.

Destin 2013

It was a bit of a crazy vacation this year, but it was still beautiful and fun. JD had to remain in Atlanta for work, but Michael and I headed down to Destin with the whole Pond family for the week--at least, until I got a call for a job interview...

I flew back home early, leaving Michael with his extended family in Florida. I so missed all the fun at the beach, but it was for a good reason.