a break down

It's been a big week. Or so it feels.

We are selling about half of our furniture and getting rid of it on Thursday. That means our couch, computer desk, desk chair, and 3 bookshelves. We're losing a lot of seating basically. We're thinking about buying pillows to sit on the floor in order to be more comfortable. It's interesting "losing" things and getting really into the simplicity of life.

I told all my students on Monday about the move. The 3rd graders are the ones who have taken it the worst, and some of the 4th graders. Most of them were just more excited about the fact that I'll be seeing celebrities on a regular basis. I found that amusing. One of my little guys though, it hit him hard. The other teacher leaving and I had a talk with him today. He gave us both letters and money. We of course gave the money back and he was just really upset. He wanted to help Danny and I buy plane tickets so that we wouldn't have to drive all the way there! So precious. It was rough with him.

I am realizing more and more how short our time is here. I just talked to my mom tonight about coming down and it would be in 2 weeks. Then a couple more weeks and it's Memorial Day and a couple more weeks and we're gone. Gone. It's so ridiculous (that's one of my words:). I'm somewhat in denial that it's happening that fast. But then I look around me and see how part of our house is leaving in 2 days and things are getting boxed up and thrown out. That definitely helps me understand that it's actually happening. It's going to be a very sad day in June when I leave the school for good. Tara and I realized today again though how close we'll be; literally right next to each other (state-wise at least). We're both glad that we're making this trip West semi-together.

Danny just realized he won't have anything to lean up against after Thursday when playing video games. We already talked about how we need to downsize more because of the small U-haul we're getting and then how we're only going to have a bedroom to ourselves. Wow. It's going to be so different. Hopefully it'll be as money-saving as we're hoping it will be.

Above all, my peace is found in the Lord. He reminded me today of the way that He is able to work things out, even when I'm so upset about a situation. He has a way of diffusing things if we allow Him to. He's so good to us. I hope that you know that.

waiting

This seems to be the story of my life right now. Waiting. It's been a good season though. Currently I'm waiting on hold to talk to someone in California about transferring my teaching license. What a fun evening.

I officially told my principal on Monday and she responded in a much better way than I was anticipating. Not that I thought it would be horrible but she was really encouraging. Considering I'm the second one from our 4th grade team leaving, that felt like something. She gave me a lot of compliments as well. As hard as she is to work for because of her high expectations, I'm thankful to have had the opportunity and learned how to deal with everything. For the most part:)

Tomorrow is 60 days until the big move out day from our complex. Each day it gets a little bit closer and a little bit more real and a little bit bigger. I'm excited, don't get me wrong, but the reality is sinking in and it's definitely bigger than I initially realized. It just doesn't "hit" you until it starts happening. Especially now that I don't have a job anymore... that was one of those reality sinkers.

I'm so excited though. People continually ask me why and what has made it become official and why we can't stay. All these answers point directly to the Father. He's the author and finisher of our faith and we're doing this because not doing it would be disobedient. We know it's what He's calling us to do, even though it means leaving a place that has become home. I've already told some but I really think it's going to be harder to leave Florida than it was to leave Indiana. We're leaving friends that we've been intentional about having and getting to know and spending time with. I'm leaving an amazing community of teachers and supportive parents. I've told myself I will not cry until June so I need to stop talking about this now.

On the up side, Danny's taking pictures. Lots of them. And they're so good. I'm so excited for him. I love that he's working on opening up other avenues of income for himself by improving his photography skills. If you know him, check them out on his facebook. If you don't, check out www.millerdanny.com for some older ones. I'm so proud of him.

Well I'm off hold now so it's time to go grade papers. Let the count-down begin!

brand new

This is the beginning of something new as we are starting a new season in life very shortly with our move to Los Angeles, CA. We'd love to have you keep up with us and hear about the adventures God takes us on!