FINALLY!!!

I had to write about a huge praise that happened today. As some of you already know, I have had quite a struggle finishing the requirements for my VA teaching license. Over the past few years I have taught using a provisional license, which definitely made things more complicated when looking for jobs. However, this past November I took and passed the final required Praxis 2 exam and figured I was well on my way to being finished with everything required. Recently, I learned of potential additional Praxis 2 tests I might have had to take, but luckily it was a false rumor. I checked the VA Education website today and searched for my name in the teaching license database, and up popped my information, stating that I have finally been issued a full teaching license for VA, to teach grades 4-8. I still need to get them to change my maiden name and spell my middle name correctly, but that's nothing compared to what I've been through! After all these years, my license is finished and I am good to teach until renewal in June 2011! Praise God for giving Mark and me the patience and diligence to finish things up! My next hurdle is to apply for my reciprocal NC license this summer and end up with a NC teaching license for grades K-9. Please pray for my continued motivation to finish everything up and patience for stuff to be processed. The end is most definitely in sight! :-)

P.S.--> I've included some pics of our oldest nephews Jacob (first pic) and Isaac (2nd pic). Don't want them to think their favorite Aunt and Uncle forgot about them in their blog!

We are officially cool! :-)

Ok, so in an attempt to keep people updated better on what's going on in our lives, Mark and I (Kristin) decided to join the ever-growing world of blogging. Married life has kept us pretty busy! Well, summer is right around the corner, and I am very much anticipating the end of a very crazy school year. It will be nice to finally relax in the evenings, knowing that I don't have any paperwork to complete or lessons to plan. We just finished our statewide standardized testing this week and both the students and teachers are quite happy to see them done! Mark is keeping busy with Apple and Biogen, and very much enjoying meeting up with new friends for pick-up basketball games and other things. Candy, our 4-year-old black lab is very much spoiled, but still very sweet and full of love. So yeah, for right now, not too much excitement going on with us, but I guess this is the calm before the storm of weddings, family get-togthers, and vacations of summer! I figured I'd attach a couple recent photos just to make our first post more interesting....enjoy! :-)




Mark and I cheezin it up for the camera at Beth and Tyler's wedding.








"The Beast" aka Candy











Our nephew Caleb with his Monkey. :-)













Caleb's twin sister Bekah looking oh-so-girly for the camera!