November has been a great month so far. NOVEMBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER! Ah. I just LOVE saying that word because I never thought the end of 2011 would ever. get. here. But ALAS – it’s SO here!
Jamie will be home for r&r in a few weeks, and I’m def kind of freaking out! Germany was a great trip, but it was so unplanned and at times pretty stressful, so r&r will be an amazing break for both of us. No army whatsoever – thank you JESUS! I can’t wait to see you, babe!
I’ve had four trips for RC scheduled this month and already knocked out two of them. Spent a week in NJ, which allowed me a night in Staten Island with my aunt, uncle, and several cousins and their spouses. SO wonderful to see them and catch up! Visiting friends and family around the country has definitely been a huge perk of this job.
My next trip was up in Imlay City, Michigan. Imlay City is a great little town, and I really fell in love with the people up there. The superintendent had seen Darrell Scott speak at a convention a few months ago, and he said his whole life changed after meeting Darrell (pretty typical for most people who meet Darrell – he’s a great man.). He knew instantly that his school system needed RC, and when I met him Monday morning he was just BEAMING with excitement. It’s always so wonderful to meet your host and feel their excitement for the day. They’re usually very excited to meet the speaker and get set up for the day, which makes you feel really good that you’re bringing something so important to their school.
One night the superintenent asked me to meet him and “a few others” for dinner at a Mexican restaurant, and when I walked in all five principals, severals assistant principals, their spouses, and of course the superintendent were all there and immediately hopped up to shake my hand and greet me. It was the weirdest moment!! As an educator, I would normally feel COMPLETELY intimidated and nervous to eat dinner with all the “big guys”, but they were excited to eat and chat with ME. Kind of surreal! They all toasted to Rachel’s Challenge, their schools, and to me for bringing the program, and I just kept thinking “Man! I wish these people actually mattered to my career! I’ll never teach up here and the fact that I’m on the “inside” with these people really doesn’t mean squat.” Dang.
On Thursday I went with my friend Amber and new friend Corissa to Nashville for the CMA Country Christmas Concert. It was fun to hang out with them, but the concert was kind of a bust. Since ABC was filming it for a televised program, many of the artists had to sing their songs several times in a row to get it right. I definitely understood that even though these artists probably love being singers, sometimes it definitely is WORK. Overall, it was a fun night, but not something I’ll attend in the future.
On Friday, Brittany, Bethy, and Mary Elizabeth came up to visit me!! I honestly canNOT even explain how excited I was to see them!!! I’ve been missing my friends so much since I’ve been on the road with work the last few months, so it was truly WONDERFUL to spend time with them. We did the Nashville nightlife thing last night and had a blast. I LOVE visitors, so FRIENDS — come see meeee (and Teddy!).
It’s so naptime. Right now. Can’t type anymore. Good night. 🙂
Hi! I’m Erica, and I absolutely adore sharing my life on this website with you! I come here almost daily to blab about all of the things related to being a regular wife and mother in today’s ever-evolving society. I share about our new home, what’s on our kitchen table, what we’re hanging in our closets, where we’re traveling to next, my crazy 5 a.m. work outs, how I make time for girlfriends, our faith, and much more. We always have a lot of balls in the air and somewhat thrive on the chaos. I believe in the power of story-telling as a form of inspiration and entertainment, so I’m here to do both! I was born and raised in north Alabama and recently re-planted roots here again after my husband transitioned out of the Army (he is now in the Reserve and it’s going so well!) I’m a super proud mom to three little girls (ages 7, 4, and 1) who seem to be the stars of the show around here (for good reason – they’re pretty great!) I’m so glad you found me and are here reading! I hope we can get to know each other here on the blog as well as Facebook and/or Instagram. xoxo