Spring. Sweet, wonderful, awesome, Spring.

So it's been quite awhile since my last post but there has been A LOT going on! First of all, my parent's house almost burned down. Their furnace exploded last week which is why I haven't been updating this. There was black soot EVERY WHERE and it took us days to get the walls scrubbed down, toys/books cleaned off, and everything dusted. Talk about craziness! We lost our house in 1994 when I was only 5 years old so it was scary to think it could happen again.

 I finally got to go and see my husband in Georgia for his Family Day! The car ride was hilarious and I really enjoyed spending the time with my in-laws. They were reflecting on how much Shane has changed and how they are so proud of the man he has become! It was so nice to hear such wonderful things about my husband! Then we got to our hotel room and relaxed for a bit and the next morning we got to FINALLY see Shane! I was so excited I couldn't even eat breakfast. We got to Fort Benning and were directed to a classroom where we had to sit and wait and additional half hour because they wanted to make sure all the families were able to get to the right location. AWFUL! I just wanted to see him finally! Then we were "briefed" on what to expect from our soldiers, the changes they have made, and the rules/conditions they are held to when they leave base. Finally, we were led outside to watch the ceremony of the SITs (Soldiers in Training) finally becoming SOLDIERS. I was looking all over trying to find my husband in his platoon but could not find him any where! Then they were dismissed and everyone scattered to get their bags and I was even more confused. I started walking towards the one door and all of a sudden a man comes out smiles at me and motions to me follow him and get out of the building. Then he ran away. I had no clue but I figured it was either Shane or one of his friends helping me out. I went around the corner and that man who motioned me to follow him was actually Shane! He changed so much I didn't even recognize him!! I immediately ran to him and he squeezed me so tight I was sure he broke a rib. But, it felt so good at the same time. We found his parents and they got to give him a hug and then he said "We have to leave right now. I want to get the heck out of here before one of the drill sergeants changes their mind!" and we booked it to the car.

Our first picture together as soon we got in the car : ). I missed him sooo much, you couldn't separate us! 

After we got out of the training area, we met some of Shane's platoon at the "PX" and they got to dig into the cookies I had made for all of them at Shane's request. I made over 150 cookies for them and their expressions when they finally got one was hilarious. You would've thought they were the best cookies ever created blessed by the Gods. They moaning and groaning over them and eating them 2 and 3 at a time! Here was a picture I took in the middle of the process of baking those delicious cookies. 

Finally after we left the base we went back to the hotel, got changed, and went out so Shane could have some real food. I felt like that's all we did was eat, talk, cuddle, and sleep. I never ate so much food in my life! But Shane really wanted to get in as much "good food" as possible before he had to go back to the cafeteria food he got on base. He gained 3 pounds that weekend, lol! We visited the Infantry Museum that is near the base and it was such a cool exhibit the way they had it all set up. I could've spent days there just working on one section at a time to taking it all in. We also got to go to an air show which was AWESOME! Leaning about all the different air crafts and their roles in our history was very interesting. It was also extremely nice to finally be out of the snow and coldness of PA and enjoying the 70 degree weather and sunshine of Georgia!

And all too quickly, it came to an end. And we had to take him back to the base and say our good-byes. It was easier this time knowing I'll be going back down in a month to pick him back up but I still was sad to let him go. I am so proud of him and love him so darn much!

So, the next morning we got up at 3 AM left Georgia and made it back to PA by 6 PM. I unpacked the car with my in-laws, packed my car back up, and headed back to PA. I got home at  9 PM and had to get stuff ready for work the next day because they bumped up the schedule and I was going to start teaching the next day! This wasn't suppose to happen for another week! I didn't go to bed until 11 o'clock and of course I was too excited to sleep! Fortunately, I did get some sleep and I had a great first day. Poor kids had a new teacher, new classroom, and had to start the PSSAs with me. They did AWESOME every day on the PSSAs so I rewarded them with a pizza party and a movie on Friday. They loved it. There was a bit of testing at first from the kids, trying to see what they could get away with it but it wasn't too bad. Now they know my expectations, my consequences, and my rewards. They would much rather get a reward from Miss Rachael then end up with a consequence, so they aim to please. : )

I finished my first Master's Level Course and I got a 100% in it! How awesome is that?! I was so nervous about it and concerned I wouldn't be able to hand doing a Masters program and I aced it! Exciting stuff folks! 

Lastly, my nieces and nephew got the school pictures done. They are stinken adorable! 

And of course, the grand finale, my best friend and niece, Kaylee Fay. 

Yes, she is sleeping. This beautiful, precious, little stinker, fell asleep in the most uncomfortable position possible. This picture made me laugh so hard I cried when I saw it for the first time. 

That was my life in a nutshell the past week and a half! Talk about a whirl wind! Next month will be even better, Shane comes home, it's my birthday, and I'm getting a teacup pig! How exciting is that?! 

They are the MOST adorable little things ever and I must have one! Haha, just kidding. My mother in law showed me these on our way down to Georgia and I fell in love. We almost picked one up on our way home because a lady down there was selling them! I felt like it would've been an awful car ride home though so I nixed that idea. I contacted a lady here in PA and she is going to be having a litter here at the end of March so I reserved one! I requested a female one and she will be perfect and I shall call her Ethel. Yay! 

Hope everyone had as exciting a week as I did! 

Good things are happening!

So, after hitting a rough patch this year, I can honestly say things are beginning to look up! I am so grateful I didn't lose faith and lose my sense of direction!

After quitting my job and taking a job that was a "step down", I was a little disappointed in myself. I was so conflicted! Yes, I wanted this experience of working with autistic kids before I committed myself to being their teacher. On the other hand, I didn't go to college to be a PCA. I didn't pay thousands of dollars to do a job that DOESN'T require a college degree... However, I stuck it out. I was grateful for this opportunity to work with these students and see if I was appropriate for a job such as this. It paid off. I LOVE working with these kids! I'm praised constantly that I am so good with my student. I was informed today that a new classroom is opening and guess who will be the teacher for that classroom? This girl! Everything happens for a reason and although I waivered here and there, I stuck it out, and everything is turning out better than I could have ever planned. 

                                               

I LOVE my new job and I truly enjoy my coworkers. I have never worked in an environment where I wanted to actually see my coworkers OUTSIDE of work! Now, I find myself making plans with all of them to get together whether it just relaxing, going for a drink, working on a project, or assisting them in something work-related. It's such a relief to work in an environment that I feel comfortable in! I had an issue with a coworker one day this week and unfortunately she left that day before it was resolved. Our director had spoke with both of us to ensure everything was OK but we didn't personally talk things through. The next morning, I approached her and explained that it's a new day so it's a new start. I'm not one to hold grudges over little things and I've moved on from yesterday, I hope she can as well. She seemed hesitant at first but then she jumped on board and we worked really well together today! I hope this sort of catches on because I feel like sometimes a lot of stupid little things go unresolved until they build up and people can't stand one another. I'm NOT an advocate for that. I like to approach things head on in a polite way and resolve it as quickly as possible so we can truly focus on the task at hand, the students.

I'm doing awesome in my master's course. When I first decided to take this leap, I was a little concerned about it. I wasn't sure if I would be able to keep up with the work and if I did keep up with it, would I perform well? Well folks, I don't mean to brag but, I'm doing pretty stinken' awesome. I've gotten 100's in literally everything! Soooo exciting! Furthermore, I LIKE what I am learning and I am able to practice the things I'm learning on a daily basis which makes it even more exciting for me. The only assignment I'm waiting for a grade on is my final reflection glog which you can view at this link:

http://rachaellynne.edu.glogster.com/rachael-davis-final-reflection-glog

It's suppose to be a summary of what I've learned in my Read 717 class. This does not come CLOSE to showing all of the things I learned in this class but it does touch on a lot of the topics and skills we were expected to learn.

Lastly, I get to start my trip to see my husband in just 5 days. 5 days!!! I'm so excited! I get all worked up thinking about it and then I want to start packing all my things up that second so I know for sure I am ready to go and there won't be any delays! Look at that handsome man!

March, my dear friend, how I've missed you...

March?  This year is flying by so fast! I haven't been on to update this in like a week, but better late than never, right? 

Anyways, back to sounding super old and whining that the year is going by way too fast. I'm not complaining given the winter we are experiencing, I can NOT wait for Spring and Summer! Also... March means I get to go to Georgia to visit my hubby! I'm so excited and anxious about this in so many different ways! Obviously, I am excited to actually be able to physically touch and hug my husband let alone have a real conversation that is more than the 10 minute phone call I get once every two months. Further more, I can kiss his handsome face!! Ahhh!! It's so exciting! But I still have to figure out what the heck I am going to wear! (Those darn life choices, they are always so difficult). But I get to hear all of his stories he wants to share because, as I said before, Shane is the talker, and boy does he like to talk. I'm going to have three solid days of just listening when I see him but, I am A-OK with that. And I get to bake some cookies to take down to him which I know he is SUPER excited for. In person. Real life. True story. Eeek! : )

However, I am anxious about the 15 hour car ride to Georgia to see my soldier... with the in-laws. Sounds like the beginning of a comedy or a horror story, doesn't it? Don't get me wrong, I love my in-laws but I don't like to spend 15 hours straight with anyone, let alone while being confined in a car. I was reassured though that my Mother In Law has bought games for us to play on the way down... Yay! Not. I plan on drinking a bottle of NyQuil and sleeping the entire 15 hours. (Just kidding). I am excited because it will be "bonding time" with them and ever since I've been with Shane I have had a terrific relationship with them. Buuuuut, (there's always a but in there some where) I truly HATE being in the car. It's boring, my legs get sore (Restless Leg Syndrome), I get irritable, and well, it's boring. And what the heck are we going to talk about for 15 hours? The weather? Any suggestions, please comment below *be nice*. 

But, regardless and I am grateful. I am grateful they are willing to take the time out of their busy lives to go down with me so I didn't have to travel alone. I am grateful they are willing to come down and celebrate their son's success with us. I am grateful they are so loving and caring they didn't hesitate or anything when I asked they come along with me. I am grateful they are so supportive of Shane's choices in his life and of his new career. I am grateful they love us unconditionally!

So, now that we have cleared that out of the way, let me give you the update on the whole positivity in the work place situation. Boy, have I been STRU-GGA-LIN! (Extremely exaggerated "Struggling"). It's hard to stay positive when so many people are negative about their current work situations. Some of it is justified, some of it is just personality clashes, and some of it is just the history of the work place. However, being new to the place, I try to keep an open mind. I listen to every one's opinions/concerns and I do share my own occasionally but I really do try to limit my criticism and just identify things to praise in one another. I am trying to get everyone to see things work better when you work together and when you TRY to see the good in your coworkers and other people. Today (Monday), was a hard day for me. I was exhausted, I didn't want to get out of bed, I got to work and it seemed like one thing after the other was going wrong and I was just NOT in the mood. So today, I sucked. I was a Negative Nancy and I felt awful about it the whole way home. I had a little conversation in my head that I am setting myself up for failure, no one can always be positive, it's ridiculous to just talk about unicorns and rainbows out there when there are things that truly need to be discussed. But, then, a little voice spoke back to me telling me to focus on things that are true, right, and loving. I didn't know the verse at the time but when I got home and used the internet (I'll admit, I googled it) I found this verse:  Philippians 4:8 as a guide: “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” And that's when I said, "You're right. I'm sorry. I'll try again tomorrow!" As I mentioned in another post, I am making imperfect progress. Today, I screwed up. I was negative, I didn't uplift any one's spirits, and I didn't change the atmosphere when I had the opportunity to. Tomorrow is another day though and I am going to rock it. 

My first step? Coffee Cake. Cinnamon Coffee Cake. Cinnamon Butterscotch Coffee Cake. That's right. I don't care who you are, coffee cake makes everything better. Everyone will gather round to enjoy it, they'll be grateful someone brought them in breakfast, and they'll start off the day knowing I made this as a way to show my appreciation of my coworkers! Plus, it's damn delicious if I do say so myself. 

Second step? BE POSITIVE. I am going to be that overly happy excited person who is always high- fiving and shouting "YOU THE MAN!". Not really, I say things like "Wow, that was really impressive. You're an amazing teacher. We could never do this with out you. You contribute so much here, I truly appreciate you! All you can do is laugh!" 

Third step?Pray. Pray that I have the strength to do that all day long no matter what and that I reach someone and truly make them feel appreciated. I want my "positivity" to spread through out the work place. I want it to become natural for us, as a team, to praise each other when we see it, rather than constantly criticize and bicker about one another. 

Wish me luck this week!

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This is a picture of the delicious Cinnamon Coffee Cake.. you can stop drooling now. 

Leave a comment below and I'll give you the recipe! : )