A Night in Nashville

This weekend Tucker and I made the drive to Tucker's hometown, Clarksville, Tennessee. Every year Tucker's mom, Phyllis, plans for the family to go to a musical. It is something Tucker and I look forward to each year. It is a night full of good food, good wine, and good laughs. This year was no exception!

The drive to Clarksville was laughable. The beginning of our trip was wonderful until we stopped at the Steak n Shake in Prattville, where they gave our food to another customer and we had to wait another 10 minutes for our food. Then due to a fuel spill on I-65 in Clanton, we went on a Chilton County adventure. Because of the fuel spill, the state troopers had closed both north and south bound lanes, therefore, Tucker had to find an alternate route to get us around the spill and back on the interstate. It was a little scary to say the least, but we did eventually make it back on the interstate. Thank goodness my husband is a UPS man and knows how to read a map!

After being on the road for 6 1/2 hours when the trip should have only taken 5, we finally made it to Clarksville exhausted. The next day Tucker and his dad played a game of golf, while Phyllis, Emily, Andy, and I had a delicious lunch at the Clarksville Country Club. Then it was back home to rest before the play that night.

Later that night, we drove to Nashville to eat an indescribable dinner at Giovanni's Restaurante. The food was delectable! I recommend the Tirmisu if you ever get to visit! And of course we had an amazing time with our family. We all have so much fun when we are together. Then we went to the play "Les Miserables". The music was beautiful, the set breathtaking, and the story captivating.

Phyllis, the best hostess ever!

Tucker and I enjoying a delcious dinner at Giovanni's.

Outside Giovanni's

All in all it was another night of wonderful memories made! We can't wait till next year!

Amanda

Stress

Just when I thought life couldn't get anymore stressful, life throws me a curve ball. Last Wednesday I was asked by my principal to transfer to 5th grade next year. While I am excited about this new phase of my career, I am also very anxious. I have absolutely no experience with any children above grade three. Even my lab experiences and internship placements were in early education. I started noticing how big the students were. Some of them are bigger than me! A million thoughts were racing through my head. Would I be able to challenge these students after teaching younger children? Would they take me seriously when I'm disciplining them? What do students learn in the 5th grade? I nearly drove myself crazy for three days.

Thank goodness I work at a wonderful school with such supportive friends. All of the teachers on the 5th grade hall have been so helpful, encouraging, and sweet. I'm very excited to be joining their team. Unfortunately, I am very sad about leaving my 3rd grade team. This year was wonderful! It felt like we finally had a cohesive team, and we were all collaborating. The worst part of all is leaving my best friend, Leslie. I don't know what I'll do next year when I can't just run across the hall. Snack time just won't be the same! Ha!

I feel so fortunate to have a job during this time of budget cuts. Our school had to cut two teaching units, which is why I'm moving to the 5th grade. It's hard when someone you know loses their job, and for teachers at this time, it may be hard to even find another job. Along with this, I have officially taken up textbooks, and we have all lost our minds because of it. School needs to be over now! The students are done and so are the teachers. I'm such an organized person, and I'm just ready for this year to be over so I can start preparing for next year. Did I mention I'm also taking 9 hours of classes this summer? I just keep telling myself I can do it. I'm like the little engine that could- I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

Till next time,
Amanda

Whew!

Life has been crazy friends, and we have been uber busy! I'm sorry for the delay in posts. Just to catch you up on what's been going on in our world...the last weekend in April we went down to Orange Beach with wonderful friends to relax. We had an amazing time. That vacation was long overdue!

I have been going nuts lately with finals and school projects. I took my last final of the semester yesterday afternoon! I am officially halfway through with my master's classes. Whoo-hoo! Only 18 more hours left. I plan on taking 9 hours this summer and 9 in the fall. I know it sounds crazy, and I know I'll be super stressed and busy, but it will all be worth it when I get that pay raise. I just want to get it over with so I can begin working on my next pay raise. Yes friends, I want to go back to get my education specialist degree. Why not? Tucker and I aren't planning on having children anytime soon, and I know as soon as I do have children the last thing I'm going to want to do is go to class. Might as well work on my retirement fund! Ha!

For Mother's Day, we went to the lake to spend time with Tucker's parents and grandmother. I know we already celebrated, but I had to make it official for the blog so....Happy Mother's Day to Phyllis and Mymama! I love you guys a bunch! You both are wonderful mothers and an excellent example for me. I also have to say "Happy Mother's Day!" to my grandmother. I love you!

While at the lake, we drove the boat down to look at the tornado damage that hit the Lake Martin area. It was devastating. None of us could believe what we were seeing. It is one thing to see the damage on T.V., but it's another when you see the devastation first hand. As you can see form the pictures, some people lost everything. It is so important to continue praying for these people and support them in anyway possible.

On a happier note, Tucker's birthday is tomorrow! He will be 27! We plan to go to an Auburn baseball game if he gets off early enough. If not, I plan to make one of his favorite meals, Penne al a Natka. Also, the shingles were delivered this afternoon. The roofers will be here bright and early in the morning to put on the new roof! I'm so excited! I'll update you all with pictures very soon!

Have a wonderful week!

Amanda

"Heaven is for Real"

Happy Sunday! If you have not already read "Heaven is for Real" then I suggest you go out and get it immediately. It is a wonderful true story of a four year olds journey to heaven and back. This is not your typical walking toward the bright light story. This is a story told with the hilarity of the blunt honesty of a child. I read this book in a matter of hours! I literally could not put it down. It's a very easy read and includes scripture that explains everything.

I am a christian, but even as a christian, I have had doubts. I think that is typical of most believers. Its hard sometimes to have faith in things you can not see. One of my doubts was about heaven. I have always questioned whether there is actually a heaven or whether we believe in things like that in order to make the thought of dying less terrifying. This book has made me put aside such thoughts. I feel silly being a christian and not believing what is there in black and white in the Bible.

Because of this book, I have renewed faith! It's a wonderful feeling not being scared of death. I know where I'll be going even if it comes tomorrow! And the best part about it is, I'll see loved ones that have gone home before me. Its amazing to know that I have a Father in heaven that loves me so!