I've probably mentioned it, but this spring has been so full of unanswered questions...will Zac get his first assistant principal job? Will I get a teaching job? What will I be doing? Will he live here or get to move back to Austin? Will we be able to sell our house? When will we find out what we will be doing next year?
Today answered most of those questions, because I GOT A JOB. One I am very happy about! I will be getting to work at the same school, and in the same room I am in now, except I will be a teacher instead of aide. This means I will have a lot more planning, meetings, and paperwork to do, but I will also get paid four times what I get now. An exchange I don't mind making! :)
That being said...we will be living in Midlo for another year. We are okay with this. The pros are that we will not have to sell our house yet, we will have another year of equity in it by the time we do sell it, we have lots of friends here, and I get to work in an environment I already know I LOVE! Zac is still looking for AP jobs, but is also considering simply teaching (and no longer coaching). He has a few things in the works, but of course we are anxious to get his job pinned down too. It would be extra nice if it happened before we left for Spain, but either way, I'm confident he will be somewhere he likes next year! The thought of doubling our salary and having more free time together (without him coaching) is so exciting to both of us. We want to travel more...and we will be able to! Woohoo! In fact, on the way home from Austin, we started talking about the speech that key-note speaker Marcia Gay Harden delivered at Eli's UT graduation (post to come in near future!!). Something she said really resonated with me, and when I started telling Zac, he said that it had stuck with him too, and he kept hearing it over in his head like I was. She referenced The Rolling Stones, saying "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you find, you get what you need." As much as we both want to be in Austin to be near our families, we both feel like this is where we are SUPPOSED to be. God works in mysterious ways, but I know that months ago the thought of NOT moving to Austin was devastating and unacceptable, and now I am completely at peace with it. This feels right.
Zac's Masters of Education diploma came in the mail today and I hid it in my purse and busted it out at our "Jules got a job" celebration dinner. I was way more excited about it than he was (haha, go figure, right?) but he was still happy to have it in his possession.
Okay, before I go to bed (which I should have done an hour ago, but GAH...I'm still giddy and hyper and happy and my-mind-is-racing-a-million-miles-an-hour excited) please let me tell you the short version of how I was hired.
I interviewed Friday and was told I would be called early afternoon with a decision. At 6:30 Friday night, my principal called my cell and told me he would not be able to tell me anything until Monday, because another person wanted to interview, and they felt they owed it to her. Okay...fine with me. I saw him this morning and he smiled and said he hoped to talk to me soon. I was so busy with my day, I kinda forgot about it all, until I was on my lunch break in the classroom. A student office aide brought in an envelope. I grabbed it, assuming it was for Vickie, but as I was handing it to her, I noticed it had my name on it. My heart sank. Zac has been applying for so many jobs, and we keep getting these letters in the mail saying "thanks for your interest, but the position's been filled." I just knew this is what that was. I handed it to Vickie and asked her to open it for me. She swore they'd never deliver bad news in such an impersonal way, but I still did a nervous little dance by her desk, begging her to open it. She finally said "just open it Julia!" I opened it, and as I read it, our classroom door opened (not uncommon, since we sell Tea to teachers, they are always coming in around lunch and buying a cup). I was so jittery and nervous, I had to read it twice to see what it was saying, and I was still confused. It read:
Mrs. Oldham,
Will you please be the new CBI teacher at our school next year" Check one:
YES[] No []
Sign Here_______________
I looked up from the paper, so someone could explain to me what was going on, and our principal was standing in the doorway smiling, and he said "well are you gonna check one, or what?" If you just knew my principal, you'd know this is SOO unlike him. (He reminds me soo much of Zac...very reserved, professional, even tempered, etc) Before I could even say anything, I felt my heart start pounding and my eyes fill up with tears and I just gave him the biggest hug. (Also weird, if you think about this guy being like Zac and not really the hugging type.) But he smiled and told me he'd been wanting me in this position for a very long time, and he felt so relieved that it was official and he was so happy to have me. It was awesome! Vickie stood up and hugged me and we might have teared up a little bit together. I know we will have really hard times next year, but we are in it together, for better for worse. And what better person to go through a crazy year with, than a great friend and amazing teacher!? I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!
And just in case you want to hear it: You Can't Always Get What You Want! (Glee style!)
Monday, May 24, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
What a weekend!
I went to Austin this weekend for the State Track meet. Since Zac is applying for assistant principal jobs, this could realistically be his last event as a coach. He had two kids make it to state, both pole vaulters. Neither did their true best, but the boy did win second. (The part that stinks is that earlier this season he vaulted 15'9" and the kid who won first at state won with a vault of 15 feet!) Anyways, no gold medals, but it was still an awesome experience for MHS track. Zac was very sad not to have his awesome distance runner there though. Last year she won the mile and two mile, but an injury kept her from competing this year. Zac kept saying "it feels so weird to be here without Carly!"
One of the other coaches drove the kids back to Midlo, so Zac got to stay in Austin with me and spend time with our families, which I have to say was my favorite part! :) We stayed with my folks and had some quality time with them, and then Sunday we met Baw and Aunt Nancy and my cousin Amy for lunch at Jason's Deli. (YUM!) Saturday afternoon we went to Eli and Ryan's new condo downtown. It is so amazing and has great views of the city. One of the coolest things is that the gym where Eli works is in the same building, so that is super convenient for him! That night we met Zac's family for dinner at Mesa Rosa to celebrate mother's day. After dinner we went to a park and just watched Ellie play (okay, we played a lot too!) until the sun went down. Fun times!
Woah...who even knew that merry-go-rounds could go that fast? It was borderline painful...yet so fun too, haha!
brothers :)
Eliza's fan club! All the Oldham's (plus Andy, Tatem's high school BFF) watching Ellie play...
the cutie pie...
I love that little girl! She had a fever and was still such a champ all through dinner and the park!
Eli and Rye's new condo. Their stuff isn't really moved in yet, but it is sooo nice!
When we went to Jason's Deli to eat lunch, we saw Matt and Tara and three week old baby Magnolia walking in to Sprouts! It was such an awesome run in! Maggie Mae is so tiny and perfect! It was great to see them, even if just for ten minutes! :)
PS-I blogged two separate posts back to back on the same day, so make sure you look at both of them...if you want. Just scroll down to hear about our weekend in Katy and Cinco de Mustache:)
One of the other coaches drove the kids back to Midlo, so Zac got to stay in Austin with me and spend time with our families, which I have to say was my favorite part! :) We stayed with my folks and had some quality time with them, and then Sunday we met Baw and Aunt Nancy and my cousin Amy for lunch at Jason's Deli. (YUM!) Saturday afternoon we went to Eli and Ryan's new condo downtown. It is so amazing and has great views of the city. One of the coolest things is that the gym where Eli works is in the same building, so that is super convenient for him! That night we met Zac's family for dinner at Mesa Rosa to celebrate mother's day. After dinner we went to a park and just watched Ellie play (okay, we played a lot too!) until the sun went down. Fun times!
Woah...who even knew that merry-go-rounds could go that fast? It was borderline painful...yet so fun too, haha!
brothers :)
Eliza's fan club! All the Oldham's (plus Andy, Tatem's high school BFF) watching Ellie play...
the cutie pie...
I love that little girl! She had a fever and was still such a champ all through dinner and the park!
Eli and Rye's new condo. Their stuff isn't really moved in yet, but it is sooo nice!
When we went to Jason's Deli to eat lunch, we saw Matt and Tara and three week old baby Magnolia walking in to Sprouts! It was such an awesome run in! Maggie Mae is so tiny and perfect! It was great to see them, even if just for ten minutes! :)
PS-I blogged two separate posts back to back on the same day, so make sure you look at both of them...if you want. Just scroll down to hear about our weekend in Katy and Cinco de Mustache:)
MAY I tell you about this month? :)
Wow, it's been too long since I blogged about something fun in my life. This month has already been action-packed! We got to go to Katy to see Madeline's very first dance recital, which was about the most cuteness I can possibly stand without exploding. I even teared up a bit...that's how precious it was! :) I taught her some fun poses on the way...
the pout
the kiss
this is her blowing the kiss.
Madeline and one of her friends after the show. Hadley bought Madeline flowers. Precious!
After pics and hugs and lots more pics, we went to BR31 (some call it Baskin-Robins) to celebrate. Madeline chose a neon blue and pink ice cream, which was "cotton candy."
Owen is still as perfect as ever, and growing much bigger. He smiles often and gets lots of attention. Molly thinks his face tastes delish! :)
On the way home from Katy, we met Ramsi and Bez in Bryan to look at puppies! Ramsi's been wanting a Sheltie since I met her and Zac found this litter listed online. We got to help them pick her out. Ladies and gentlemen...meet... Worley! :)
Friday, May 7th I had to take my state Special Ed test (which I found out later I PASSED!) and then was the second annual Cinco de Mustache party. There weren't as many mustaches this year, but the fun was multiplied. I played flip cup for the first time and turns out I'm not very good at it, but it was lots of fun. There was also a pinata, silly girlfriends, and yummy food catered by Nicole's dad, who is a chef in Dallas! Obviously it was an AWESOME night!
Unlike a lot of our PO5(ish) events, the boys were invited this time. In fact, Zac and I rode to the fiesta with Ramsi and Bez and Cody and Rheanna.
So yeah, I was awful at the pinata, but I still got some candy...off the kitchen counter!
For some reason we spent a lot of time in the bathroom. Nicole has a gorgeous shower, and it only seemed appropriate to take a weird picture in it...
See? I told you the bathroom was like the cool place to go! Rhe-T and I even took this pic with a sign that SAYS bathroom, just to prove it!
Molly and Worley are quickly becoming besties, just like Me and Ram. Aww...two generations of BFF's...how sweet! :)
In a few weeks I turn 26! OMG!! :)
the pout
the kiss
this is her blowing the kiss.
Madeline and one of her friends after the show. Hadley bought Madeline flowers. Precious!
After pics and hugs and lots more pics, we went to BR31 (some call it Baskin-Robins) to celebrate. Madeline chose a neon blue and pink ice cream, which was "cotton candy."
Owen is still as perfect as ever, and growing much bigger. He smiles often and gets lots of attention. Molly thinks his face tastes delish! :)
On the way home from Katy, we met Ramsi and Bez in Bryan to look at puppies! Ramsi's been wanting a Sheltie since I met her and Zac found this litter listed online. We got to help them pick her out. Ladies and gentlemen...meet... Worley! :)
Friday, May 7th I had to take my state Special Ed test (which I found out later I PASSED!) and then was the second annual Cinco de Mustache party. There weren't as many mustaches this year, but the fun was multiplied. I played flip cup for the first time and turns out I'm not very good at it, but it was lots of fun. There was also a pinata, silly girlfriends, and yummy food catered by Nicole's dad, who is a chef in Dallas! Obviously it was an AWESOME night!
Unlike a lot of our PO5(ish) events, the boys were invited this time. In fact, Zac and I rode to the fiesta with Ramsi and Bez and Cody and Rheanna.
So yeah, I was awful at the pinata, but I still got some candy...off the kitchen counter!
For some reason we spent a lot of time in the bathroom. Nicole has a gorgeous shower, and it only seemed appropriate to take a weird picture in it...
See? I told you the bathroom was like the cool place to go! Rhe-T and I even took this pic with a sign that SAYS bathroom, just to prove it!
Molly and Worley are quickly becoming besties, just like Me and Ram. Aww...two generations of BFF's...how sweet! :)
In a few weeks I turn 26! OMG!! :)
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Enjoying the Small Things
I have a new favorite blog, and you could say I'm slightly obsessed with it. I could go on an on about it, but instead I'll keep it short and just tell you some of my favorite things:
1.She has amazing pictures! She is a professional photographer, so her photos are breath taking.
2. She is an amazing writer, and I find myself wishing I had written some of her entries, because her language is so beautiful, and because I agree with her so much!
3. She is a mom and loves being a mom. She is laid back and has the best attitude. She keeps it real.
4. Perhaps my favorite thing about her...she has a daughter with Down syndrome. If you don't know me well, you might think that is a strange thing to like about somebody. But those who do know me, I mean really know me, know that I have an unexplainable strong bond to Down syndrome. I love this blogger's outlook on life. Read her daughter's birth story HERE.
Enough of me describing the blog, you should just check it out instead. I'm telling you, every single post she writes is amazing. I sit and take it all in after I'm done, and then usually look at all the gorgeous pics again.
Oh, and here is something she wrote that really struck me, and I've gone back to it and re-read it, because I think it is so true..."I find it refreshing in this day and age that women are talking about their short-comings, their fears, their insecurities and maybe, just by doing so, we are empowering each other a little more. Accepting that we all do these things, feel these things, say these things and moving on together to overcome them. We are not perfect. We are messy and complicated and creative and good and we try our best at so many different endeavors. And it's this brew of wonderfulness that is indeed what makes us perfect."
1.She has amazing pictures! She is a professional photographer, so her photos are breath taking.
2. She is an amazing writer, and I find myself wishing I had written some of her entries, because her language is so beautiful, and because I agree with her so much!
3. She is a mom and loves being a mom. She is laid back and has the best attitude. She keeps it real.
4. Perhaps my favorite thing about her...she has a daughter with Down syndrome. If you don't know me well, you might think that is a strange thing to like about somebody. But those who do know me, I mean really know me, know that I have an unexplainable strong bond to Down syndrome. I love this blogger's outlook on life. Read her daughter's birth story HERE.
Enough of me describing the blog, you should just check it out instead. I'm telling you, every single post she writes is amazing. I sit and take it all in after I'm done, and then usually look at all the gorgeous pics again.
Oh, and here is something she wrote that really struck me, and I've gone back to it and re-read it, because I think it is so true..."I find it refreshing in this day and age that women are talking about their short-comings, their fears, their insecurities and maybe, just by doing so, we are empowering each other a little more. Accepting that we all do these things, feel these things, say these things and moving on together to overcome them. We are not perfect. We are messy and complicated and creative and good and we try our best at so many different endeavors. And it's this brew of wonderfulness that is indeed what makes us perfect."
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