 |
| Christmas Eve service |
The rest of the family is fast asleep. Our living room is warm & festive, which makes it the perfect place to reflect upon this past year. Many events are already recorded in previous 2012 blog posts (see blog archive to the right), with the exception of happenings this past fall.
I'd describe this past year as a NEW & WELCOME season.
After last year's string of random health issues, I'm happy to report that we rarely visited the doctor's office in 2012. Thankful!
The boys are growing like crazy; I can't keep them in pants/shirts that FIT to save my life. Just when I clean out their closets/dresser & update their clothes, I discover they're nearly in Capri pants & their shirt sleeves stop about an inch above their wrists. The pants that do fit quickly acquire holes in the knees. However, that's fashionable, right?! So, I try not to sweat it. ;)
 |
| He's nine! In place of cake, he asked for pumpkin pie. Thanks, Grandma Eck! |
 |
| Happy Halloween! |
 |
| Not too big for new, Christmas jammies |
Our new church plant launched, the first weekend in September! While we miss seeing our River friends on a regular basis, we've come to feel at home at West Ridge. Both churches have grown & have proven to really fit the needs of many searching for a church home and an authentic relationship with Jesus. It's been an exciting and blessed adventure!
 |
| First Sunday at West Ridge |
After nine years of staying at home, I decided to occasionally return to the elementary school classroom...as a substitute. It may sound funny, but I think I've found my "sweet spot" with subbing. It works great with my kids' schedule; it's flexible. I get to teach & encourage kids, which I do love...without the extras of lesson planning, tons of grading, staff meetings, paperwork, etc. See? Sweet spot. :)
I didn't exactly ease back into to teaching with a few sub jobs here & there. About five minutes after returning home from the once-a-year, district sub meeting, I received an offer for a long-term sub position. It was for a third grade class; their teacher was expected to go on maternity leave in mid September.
I asked for a couple of days to think about it & to talk about with Chad. In the end, he & I decided that it would be a great opportunity. So, if I seemed MIA for eight weeks this fall, this is why. I apologize.
I was excited, scared, nervous...you name it. The teacher & I planned to meet ahead of me taking over full-time. However, she experienced some false labor & boom...I was teaching. It was a Monday & I only had her lesson plans & pages of notes I tried to madly scribble in a spiral notebook the previous evening...all info. she had given me, from a hospital bed at the birth care center.
That first day was tough. I wanted to cry over my lunch break, but there honestly wasn't time. Thankfully, it ended up not quite being baby time. The teacher & I had all the time in the world to get acquainted & cover classroom stuff in greater depth, because her little guy ultimately arrived a couple of days past his due date.
Mid-September, it was go time! After a week of teaching under my belt, I started to settle into a routine. Those eight weeks weren't always easy (ask my friends & husband who witnessed a few tears) & some days I wondered what I had gotten myself into. However, God just kept reminding me that I was there to love & encourage the students. I was also there to love & serve the staff. I learned a lot about the newer technology & the updated curriculum. The staff members welcomed me, & they were always ready to help.
All in all, it was an experience I wouldn't trade. If I hadn't ever tried it, I wouldn't have discovered how much I really like subbing. Working once or twice a week, after those eight weeks, has been perfect. Part-time is more my speed, at this time.
 |
| What I really wore to work, for Fall Party day. |
 |
| My view for eight weeks |
Chad still has a job with Cessna. That hasn't changed. What changes is his role. Every so often, he's asked to step up & oversee a different group/line, etc. What I can say about Chad, after being married to him for thirteen years, is that I've seen him develop great leadership skills. While he doesn't exactly embrace change with a huge bear hug, he has learned to handle change well & learn through it. He's gained a humble confidence, and he continues to work with integrity.
Chad & I really can't complain, as we feel blessed to keep sharing our lives together with our two boys. Jesus is real in our lives. We aren't perfect & life is hard. It's easy to grow weary. However, He is our hope...and that is exactly what we want to share with others.
"A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!" -lyrics from O Holy Night.
What a relief. What a promise. Sweet Family & Friends, THAT is the Christmas. We pray you find peace, hope & joy, in your own hearts, because of His great love for you...whether it's a happy season or a season of struggle. Blessings in 2013!
Oh, and GO CATS!
Hubler Family Day at BSFS: My grandma's 1st college football game :)
 |
| Love our Wildcats! Hoping for a Fiesta Bowl win! Please excuse my silvery gray, "I'm gonna make a great grandma, someday" hair. Color was restored, shortly after that day. :) |
Love,
The Eck family
1 comment:
Love your e-card! I see us moving this direction soon! (If I can figure out how to restore all of our pictures!)
Merry Christmas!
Post a Comment