School's Out for the Summer...Almost!

Hey, Kids,
My life was threatened if I didn't update our blog, so here goes:

Friday, May 23rd, was my last day with students at PCHS. Super excited about that, and go figure, so were all the students. I "graduated" my first seniors. It was weird but really cool at the same time. I got to wear my school colors on a hood with my gown for the first time. Luckily, no mortar boards were required of us.


I have post-planning (really, really don't want to go) on Tuesday and Wednesday. I will be performing for Peach County Idol for some moolah. It's my last hurrah at the high school. On Wednesday at 3pm, I will be done with Peach County High School FOREVER!! This past year has been the roughest I've ever experienced and 99% of that was because of my job. Now that I'm almost done, I wake up every morning excited to see what's next. It's pretty awesome, because I haven't felt this way in 9 months.

However, through all the crap that I've endured this year, I continue to learn one lesson over and over: This too shall pass. I looked it up on Biblegateway.com and it is actually not in the Bible. It is simply a Hebrew saying. Click HERE for the Jewish folktale. Also, I'm not the only one struggling at any one time, nor is my situation as dire as I think it is. God has been good by bringing us through this first year.

Now--CELEBRATION! I tell Brian almost every day that he is worth me taking the job at Peach County, and, that despite my job, we have had a great first year together. That's right, we will celebrate our 1 year anniversary on June 2nd. We're going to Florida on Friday, May 29th to live it up on the beach. I can't wait to get some sun and surf...and eventually knock myself in the head with my boogie board. Yes, I do it everytime I go to the beach. I always manage to suck down a little ocean water.

Speaking of the ocean, my mom and dad let me watch Jaws at an early age, and the next time, we visited my cousins in Florida, I wouldn't go into the water. Hmmmm...wonder why? Thankfully, I'm over it.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! I GOT INTO GRAD SCHOOL!

You should know the jist of this post by the title. I got an email from Dr. Simons saying that I got into Mercer University to pursue a Master's of Music in Choral Conducting:

"When we receive the letters [recommendation letters], your file will be completed, and I can send an official letter. In the mean time, I will tell you that you are going to be officially accepted into the program. We are also going to offer an assistantship to you. We do not know the duties as yet.
Please get those letters in so we can make this official. Good job. "


HAHA! So excited that I have a place in the universe next year. So I will be working part-time somewhere this summer and then working my tail off the next two years. Thanks for everyone's encouragement and prayers.

Love,
J

Oh, and I will be traveling to Texas this week to see a friend that has returned from the Peace Corps. Kinda last minute, but I think I'll have fun celebrating with her and my family. Keep Brian company for me.

Nothing Yet

Alright, folks,

There is no news on Mercer yet. I called the grad school yesterday, and one of the key players in making decisions is out of the office until Monday. So, hopefully, I will hear something while I'm on Spring Break. Hope you guys in Houston Co. enjoyed yours!

We got the House!

Woo-Hoo! We are so excited! Some details:
Good neighborhood not far from Northside High School
3 Br/ 1 Ba
900 Sq. Ft.
Nice yard
Landscaping optional (a small monthly fee, but I will do everything I can to convince Jeanette that it's a good idea)
Very nice housing manager
Carrol St. (for safety, we won't put the actual address, so you'll have to just ask us)

It's a bit on the small side (especially the bedrooms) but it more than makes up for it in other areas. Now here are some pics:



The front of the house







The backyard







Hey! We actually have a kitchen!









The dining area










The living room









The bathroom









The master bedroom from the corner








The master bedroom from the door
And just so you know, yes, I'm standing in the center on both pictures









We may not have a pool, but we have an ice cream truck. I can't wait till the summer now.







Pulling up the Rent sign. It's ours now!





We plan to start moving in on the 25th. The 26th (Saturday) we will be hosting a "How much can your truck haul and can you carry" contest, so be prepared.

Renting a House

Brian here. So apparently we forgot to let people know that we were looking at renting a house. Sorry guys. Well, consider this your official notice.

We are looking at renting a house. We've been considering doing this for awhile, and with Jeanette looking at going back to school, it just seemed like the right idea. Unfortunately, our options are limited since we're having to look for a fairly cheap place (part of that whole not going broke thing). So far we've seen some not so good, some ok, and some that would be great if it was $100 less. We're mainly trying to find something north of town for commuting purposes, but we can't limit ourselves too much. Really all we can do is pray that God will guide us to the right place.

Anyway, J has here audition on Monday afternoon, so I ask that you all pray for her. She also has to take a test at some point, so she's pretty stressed out right now. But I know she'll do fine, and that God will watch over her and bless her during all that. And we should know sometime on Tuesday if she got accepted, so keep an eye out.

Jeanette & The Boys

Hey, guys! Brian here. Wanted to thank everybody for the support they've been showing us. We really appreciate it. I have no doubt that Jeanette will be accepted to Mercer like we want, so know it's just a matter of trusting in God to make it happen (and to make sure we don't go broke at the same time). House (rent) hunting is going well. We've seen a few good prospects, but more on that later. In the meantime, we took the boys to the Vet today to have a 'little operation' done. They're home now and doing well, but they haven't yet got their sense of balance back, and they are still quite loopy. Kenobi seems to think he's going to take off or something, cause he won't lift his body more than an inch or two of the ground, while Obi just keeps bobbing his head. I would upload a video, but we still havent gotten it to work properly yet, so you'll just have to make due with some pictures.








Anyway, we managed to get copies of the pictures that the family that saved them had. They were so cute! Here's a sample:









Well, that's all for now. See you all later!

Opportunities for next year from every direction

I had the opportunity to go to Byron Middle School yesterday. I went to evalute the program and consider a transfer. The program has potential, but I'm not sure if God wants me there. The BMS teacher really wants to go to the high school. Weird, huh?

Today, I got a call from another middle school that wants to interview. I will give details about this when I know more.

AAAAND, the Head of Graduate Studies for the Townsend School of Music (Mercer) called me today to give me some details about my upcoming audition.

I will have to:

-Rehearse a collegiate-level music piece with the Mercer Singers (they're a really good ensemble, and it makes me sweat thinking about it). They will send me the piece of music a week before my audition.

-Interview with a panel of professors, and

-Take a theory test (I'll be studying all weekend). It's like trying to remember math from high school.

I know God will show me the path to take, but I'm definitely still prayin' hard.

Have a good week or weekend!