Grateful

A couple of life updates:

*We are moving back to Craven County!
*JJ got a wonderful job opportunity at Cherry Point. He leaves for training in MD tonight. He will miss all his former coworkers and bosses in Elizabeth City.
*I am going to start *hopefully* working at Swansboro High School at the end of the month. I am finish up at Perquimans in two weeks. I will be teaching Teen Living and Interior Design I & II.
*We will be living in New Bern with JJ's father Jim to help offset some of his bills and take care of him. Mainly we want to be with him and spend time together as a family

So we spent this whole weekend packing with my parents. My parents surprised me with a laptop with Windows 8 since I have to return my work computer. I am using it as a type :) My parents will be here with a U-Haul when I get off of work on Friday. I am having two boys load the truck. Saturday we plan to work on the New Bern house and get it ready for us to live there and also to do some projects around the place before Jim returns. I have to come back to Perquimans to finish out  my last week of work then I will be in New Bern for good.

I get sad when I realize what we are leaving here in Hertford/Elizabeth City. This is the place where we really grew close as husband and wife. I know for a fact I would NOT be who I am today if it wasn't for all the experiences I have had in the area. We have met some awesome people while we have been here! Laura Biggs: the best clinical teacher and friend in the world!, Cindi, Will, Becky, John, Erin, Brandon, Corey, Willie & his family, Amy & Wayne & their family, Angel (my mentor), J's coworkers, soccer players & their families, my coworkers (Ashley, Bob, Sarah, Hannah). Everyone has been wonderful to us and taught us lots. We have had great times with everyone here and will cherish them forever. It's not goodbye forever but see ya later!

But then I realize what moving home means. Here is the list of why I am SO happy to move home!!!!!!

*Family. Family. Family.
*We are so blessed to be able to go home to care for Jim and be with him with everything happening. I wouldn't trade this for anything. It will be nice for J and Kara to know exactly what is going on with their Dad. I can make sure he is eating well and is being spoiled;)
*My parents are the BOMB. Every time J and me hang out with them we always have a fun time. J and Dan get along so well and me and my mama are two peas in a pod. I cannot wait to call my mama up to hang out on a Saturday. Since 2008 when I moved we have had so many long phone conversations and I am happy we can actually go do more things together. J and Dan already have plans to go shooting guns and play golf. When the time comes for us to have kids I will be happy they will REALLY know their Grammy and Pappy.
*Mallory and her family. I have been gone since Aubrey was born. I moved to Greenville two months before she was born. J and me are happy we will be able to be around them as they grow. We cannot wait to pick them up and take them to do fun things. I am happy when they have sporting or school events we will be able to be there. I love them and cannot wait to be their "full time Aunt!" Who knows, maybe one day Aubrey will be babysitting our kids!
*Lauren Beth. I don't even know how to begin to share my excitement on this one! Lauren is "my person". I can tell her anything and she always has an open heart and accepts me for who I am. I love her dearly. It will be a good feeling to call her up for drinks after work or to kick it with her and her hubby on the weekends. I am happy for the adventures in store for us! I know this is not in the immediate future but if and when the time comes for us to have kids I am so happy my kids will have their "Aunt Lauren" in their lives. She will be such a genuine influence.
*Ashley Bambina will only be a 40 minute drive. Even though it isn't "across the hall" close I am still happy to be close to her again. We were together almost everyday in college but the past two years we have had to be apart but for good reasons (working overseas, moving for jobs). I am ecstatic to be able to spend time with her again like the good ol' days. Dog walking, Netflix veg sessions and the likes are in store for us. We won't think twice before throwing our crap into a car and riding off on a adventure. I look forward to more adventures with my bambeanie baby. ;)
*Jake, Renee & Con Man! Jake is JJ's cousin (more like brother). Renee has become one of my absolute closest friends and Conor is growing like a weed. We are happy to be closer to them to watch Conor grow and spend quality time with all three of them.
*JJ to be around his friend Tim, who is like his brother!
*J has some family is Havelock as well and it will be good to be close to them too.
*Mrs. Allmon & her husband. I am happy that I can go enjoy Sundays with the Allmon's at their country home in Vanceboro. I have some of my fondest college memories driving out to her house when I was stressed beyond belief. The rides home always came with a sense a clarity as to what was important in life. I am a better person and wife from spending time with them. Their marriage is an inspiration to mine. I love sitting outside with them watching her chickens, going through her garden and enjoying a glass of sweet tea. She is the one who taught me how to sew and I spent endless hours working on projects there. If they ever need anything I would jump up and drive to them with zero reservations.
*Mario's Pizza..and Paula's Pizza....La Rosas...and Musashi!
*Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle
*Annunciation
*More drives out to Cherry Branch!
*There are coffee shops *hallelujah*
*We will be close to family so our vacations won't be spent driving, although we will be going to visit Kara, Tom, Tyler Anne & the new walnut of course, so we can actually take trips WE want to take.
*I am happy to reconnect with old friends in the area too. I look forward to spending time with Caroline and Ashley Holder. I am looking forward to catching up with friends of my youngster days, Christy and Jessica Drake.

I am sure I am forgetting some people/things/food places (such a fatty!). I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday ahead of them.

Much Love, Marcy

Moment to sit back and reflect...

I cannot believe it is already November!

Quick update:

• I have been teaching for over 1/2 a semester into my first year now. There have been many struggles and some days I come home thinking "What is the world....?" but reflecting back I wouldn't trade it for anything! I love what I do and couldn't imagine doing anything else at this point in time. Every experience this past year leaves me thinking I have learned so much and doubtful I will be able to learn anymore and I am wrong every single time. I have grown and learned so much these past couple months not only about teaching and my career but myself, my marriage, my husband, etc.
• JJ and I finished coaching soccer for this season. Between this and teaching it goes without saying we were/still are both beyond exhausted. All in all, the players excelled and truly improved. They saw their first win in quite sometime this season. Every game we played was a competitive game. Perquimans soccer is not the easy game for any other team anymore.
•  JJ and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary this past September. We watched our wedding DVD for the first time and boy was I teary eyed... more like sobbing;) What a beautiful day we will both cherish forever.
• We moved from EC to Hertford into a quiet neighborhood. We are enjoying living here more than living in EC. EC was fun while it lasted but for where we are at in our lives this house meets our needs better.
• We found out that my father-in-law Jim has stage 4 pancreatic cancer. On top of this, he had to have a back surgery to fix nerve that was being smashed and cutting off function to his right lower side of the body causing complete atrophy. Everyone is upset and worried. I held a good front in front of the whole family but when I am alone I get emotional. He has been like a father to me since I was 16 years old. I have so many life changing memories with him including camping, ski trips, Las Vegas, mountain trips, Shackleford Banks and the list could go on and on with destinations we have all traveled together to. But aside from the vacations, it's the little things like fishing at night during beach week or the glass apple mug he gave me for my high school graduation because he knew I was going to teach that put a lump in my throat. The hardest part is recalling his toast at our wedding and how we slowed danced and he told me I was the most beautiful girl in the room and the most confident one for miles. I can't even type this without tearing up. My heart breaks for my husband who has already lost a parent to cancer and now is worried about the same thing happening again. He is only 24 years old. No 24 year old should know what it feels like to lose one parent and even have to think about losing another. J and I are both trying to stay as positive as possible.
• J and me are doing excellent in our marriage. Even though we are both worried and stressed with family health, work, etc. we still stay stronger than ever together and tackle everything with perseverance. I thought I meant it the day we got married but even in a years time I can say my love for him has grown stronger than I could ever imagine. I am proud to say he is my husband. He is wonderful, smart, compassionate, cute and my list could keep going on and on. I have no idea how he keeps it all together through tough times like these. It's good to know my husband is a fighter and is so, so strong. I know that when the time comes and we expand our family that I will have that same man standing by my side through whatever life my toss our way.

That is all for now. 

I am going to watch Steel Magnolias and cuddle with my little family. 

I will leave everyone with one last thought...

Friday the 13th

And what better way to start it off than by having a horrible nightmare?

Yup. Thanks a bunch fictional holiday!

Several years ago JJ and me traveled to Pigeon Forge, TN and on the way back we stopped in at a Native American store and he bought me a dream catcher. Ever since, I have not had any bad dreams. I used to have many my Sophomore year of college. I have been sleeping pleasantly since we moved to Elizabeth City UNTIL I put my "wonderful" dream catcher up. Wednesday night I had a serene, clarifying dream then last night...made me wake up confused, sweating and completely unhappy. We will be gone this weekend so hopefully I can see if it even has anything to do with the dream catcher.

I hope everyone has a relaxing yet fun weekend. JJ had his check up yesterday and is healing just fine. Went to Joann's to use a gift card a friend and her fiancee (Cindy and Will) gave me for graduation. Thanks again!! Today I have some errands to take care of and I am going to Zumba at 11:00 a.m. with my buddy Erin. The plan is to stay in New Bern tonight. Tomorrow morning I am going to meet my mama to get some clothes for my first year of teaching (like I said, my mama is the BEST!) Heading to Ashleigh Smith's shower thrown by Lauren after that. Then...BEACHIN' it up baby! The goals over beach week include 1. Catching up with JJ, family and friends 2. Relaxing 3. Keeping up with my working out 4. Relaxing 5. Relaxing ;)

Lots of Love! Marcy

"Say It Ain't So"

I wish I posted on a regular basis so I wasn't feeling like I am playing catch up! Since I wrote my last update post....

1. The school year finished out and my students did well on their finals! The Foods I final exam scores were wonderful!!! The week after school was out we had a Common Core workshop where we focused on getting our curriculum maps completed for the next school year as well as trying to alter our thinking towards project-based learning. I love the concept and have many good ideas but just need to find ways to get more specific for each one I have. It was a lonnggg week but very beneficial for me, especially being a new teacher.
2. My brain has officially defrosted ;) I have been able to do some de-cluttering, soul searching and relaxing! Been able to try some new recipes. I have kept up with Zumba and been able to hang out with some of my EC friends. 
3. Was able to celebrate Father's Day with JJ's dad a little late but nonetheless, we had a amazing time. Spent some time with my family over the Salter families events. My sister and her husband had their marriage blessed in the Catholic church on their 5 year anniversary. That same day, Aubrey, Cullen and James were baptized.  JJ and I are Aubrey's godparents. This bring up a new point...
4. When we were first asked, we both were more than honored. But this title was without a doubt what got me to change some of my thought processes. What kind of spiritual guidance would I be able to offer her? JJ has always been stronger in his faith than myself. Since this event I have definitely doing some soul searching from how I spend my time to what I think about even down to the choice of words I am using. I wouldn't say I have done a 180 but just trying to continually think of ways to improve because none of us are perfect. Of course I want to be the best/nicest/most genuine wife, daughter, sister, friend, teacher, "mommy to the dogs" and even stranger to those I do not know. But even more importantly, I want to be the best "me," I can be. 
5. I started an experiment to try not to be so "bossy" in my marriage. It's easy to just say how I feel right when it occurs, especially to my husband. He has truly ALWAYS been there for me, more than anyone and in ways I just can't begin to explain. The only other person I can rate here would be my absolutely, stellar mother. The two of them are the only people I have truly broken down in front of and let it ALL out. They have been my biggest supporters with their unfailing love and acceptance. They keep me striving to always be the best I can be. But back to my "bossy" change, I started with little things like biting my tongue when he was driving one time back home (I am the absolute WORST "back seat" driver when he is driving!). After a couple of ALMOST slip ups I started to relax. Once I did, we had some of the best conversations on the drive and laughed so much at random things. We didn't talk about bills or or jobs or stresses in our lives. We just had fun. The second thing I did was for a whole week I didn't boss him to wake him up or clean up after himself. Although the house did get a little messier, it was worth it to not see ANY friction at the end of the day. I even noticed he was even MORE attentive to the dishes/laundry that week. I was amazed at what a small change could make to our daily lives. 
6. JJ had to get his wisdom teeth out last Friday. They had to cut up into his sinus cavity and even down into his jaw to remove his 5 (YES, 5!) wisdom teeth. I felt beyond helpless once I got him home. I felt worn out myself! I made sure to wake up every 2 hours to make sure he took his medicine, remembered to feed him first and it was until Saturday night that I realized.. I HADN'T been eating! This was awful and I felt like complete crap. But even through his swollen-ness and feeling like death he knew I wouldn't go fix myself something to eat when I was too busy taking care of him.. he ordered me a pizza knowing he couldn't partake.. now, that's a great husband!
7. Lastly for this blog, JJ and I are going to be the soccer coaches @ PCHS this fall. JJ will be the head coach and I will be the assistant. He was taken such charge in getting everything together and being honest, it's pretty sexy!!! It's nice to see him able to get into something he is so passionate about again but this time for other people..the students/team! I thought keeping ourselves busy would help my continue to push aside thoughts of having children but being honest, seeing him shine through in this leadership, seeing how our relationship is thriving and just everything is NOT helping my case!!! ;) Only time will tell but as for right now, going to continue to enjoy our lives and my new teaching career/coaching position this year and give it my all!

Lots of Love! Marcy

PCHS Soccer Schedule

PCHS Soccer 2012

*All games start @ 6 p.m.

Date	Opponent	Home/Away	Address
August 29th	Pasquotank	Home	PCHS Field (Recreational Center) 310 Granby Street Hertford, NC 27944
September 5th	Pasquotank	Away	1064 Northside Road Elizabeth City, NC 27909
September 10th	Hatteras	Away	48576 HWY 12 Buxton, NC 27920
September 12th	Northside	Home	PCHS
September 17th	Riverside	Home	PCHS
September 19th	Southside	Away	5700 NC HWY 33 E Chocowinity, NC 27817
September 24th	Manteo	Home	PCHS
September 26th	Camden	Home	PCHS
October 1st	Gates	Home	PCHS
October 2nd	Hatteras	Home	PCHS
October 8th	Northside	Away	7868 Free Union Church Road Pinetown, NC 27865
October 10th	Riverside	Away	1260 Godwin Avenue Williamston, NC 27892
October 15th	Southside	Home	PCHS
October 17th	Manteo	Away	829 Wingina Avenue Manteo, NC 27954
October 22nd	Camden	Away	103 US 158 West Camden, NC 27921
October 24th	Gates	Away	88 US HWY 158 West Gatesville, NC 27938
October 31st	TBA	PLAY OFFS BEGIN!	TBA

Recently...

Wow- where do I even begin!?

Since I wrote last, I have done/seen/finished...

1. My absolutely wonderful internship. The knowledge I gained from my clinical teacher is beyond measureable. Without her guidance and leadership I would not be the successful teacher I am..which leads me to...
2. I have my first official teaching job! I am out at Perquimans County High School and I am truly loving it! This semester I taught Teen Living, Foods 1 and 2. Next semester, I will be teaching Personal Finance and Food Technology. My students surprised me this semester. They were respectful and inquisitive. Their entrepreneurship project was a hit (will post pictures later). My job is sending me to two conferences this summer: biotechnology in Wilmington and the CTE conference in Greensboro. In between all of this I....
3. Threw my best friend her bridal shower. I would do anything for that girl (Lauren). Her bridal shower turned out to be such a hit. Thanks to Elizabeth for helping me decorate, Amy for making the wonderful centerpieces and all the bridesmaids and Ms. Wendy for bringing yummy food!
4. Graduated from East Carolina University with my Bachelors of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences education. I am beyond lucky that I found this major because it has turned into the perfect career for me. I couldn't be happier! Eventually when I go back to graduate school, this degree set me up for numerous options.
5. Was a bridesmaid in Kara and Tom's wedding ceremony. It was wonderful to see all the family and just makes me wish we lived closer to them because I truly miss getting to watch Tyler Anne grow like a weed. I made her a first year scrapbook that I know she will love to look at when she gets older.
6. Went to Lauren's bachelorette party in Myrtle Beach. She has no idea where we were taking her and I LOVED tricking her the whole way ;) I had so.much.fun with all the girls! It was one of the best weekends of my life. Lauren "went out" with a bang!
7. Went to Sam and Eric's wedding. Her ceremony, decorations, reception, etc. were so original, so her and beyond beautiful! Their wedding day was absolutely perfect and I wish them many years of laughter, love and happiness!
8. On the one weekend I had free, I still went back home to hang out with my family and friends. I went to a lovely dinner with my parents and got a label maker (BIG DEAL for a new teacher!) I was able to enjoy some downtime with the soon-to-be bride at the beach. Was able to see some friends from high school and then got a beach day with our E.C. friends in Kitty Hawk. 
9. Last but certainly not least to wrap up my weeks of fun I was a bridesmaid in Lauren and Jon's wedding celebration. I feel beyond lucky to be part of her big day. She has been my best friend, my sister, "my person" these past couple of years. I love her so much and couldn't describe just how wonderful her whole weekend was. I meant what I said- JJ & I are always here for both of you. I look forward to watching your love grow and thrive throughout these coming years!

After all of these events, I plan to enjoy some down time with my hubby and doggies. Today we went to the farmers market and I bought fresh blackberries and just got done baking homemade blackberry cobbler. We are having some friends over for a BBQ tonight and to play some games. Tomorrow I am off to see my bestie Ashley Polk who just got back from Spain!!!! It's been since last fall I saw her. I am so happy she will be staying here now! Glad she had the time of her life in Spain but happy to have her back in the states. She is starting on her masters degree this summer and I am proud of you sugar booger ;)

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Look for new recipes, pictures, stories, etc. here. JJ and I just went today to look at this gorgeous house in the country sitting on 13 acres with chicken coops, horse stalls.. the whole country life I have ALWAYS wanted. We will just have to see.....

MUCH LOVE! Marcy

I'm back!

& Ready to begin blogging again! Saw the blogger changed their privacy settings so you can't search me by name and find my blog (reason I went completely private because there was no way I wanted my student's finding this!).

Can't wait to write and fill everyone in. Life is beyond good!