BIG offer day!

Someone better pinch me quick because I think I must be dreaming today..... this has been a very special and incredible day! SO much good news, so much relief, and so much excitement! I don't really even know where to start...so I guess I just jump right in! A week or so ago, Jordan was in the office at school and happened to be in the right place at the right time because the principle walked in and started making conversation with another teacher who inquired about any teaching positions opening up. There just so happened to be a 5th/6th grade math/science class that she thought would be opening....so this kind teacher quickly introduced Jordan to the principle! And they got to chatting and exchanged contact information then a few days later, Jordan was approached to set up an interview! He had the initial phone interview and then they set up an in-person interview so we both had a pretty good feeling about things but didn't want to rely on it and get our hopes up just to be disappointed. So Jordan had the in-person interview today.....and 45 minutes later, they called him back and offered him the job!!! AHHH!!! Jordan is officially a real full-time employed teacher and I could not be happier!! He is truly so deserving of this and works so hard for everything...for our family and for himself to make things happen and to be a better person every day. He is amazing and he is going to be an incredible teacher! Those kids are so lucky to have him for their teacher and I can't wait to see him inspire all of his students and staff members as well. I'm so proud of him and admire his patience to stick out the job hunt while applying for several jobs without hearing back. I know it can get discouraging but he always stayed positive and that is one thing I really love about him!

The other big news is that I have received an internship offer from the University of Iowa Children's Hospital to complete a Child Life internship....starting in about 2ish weeks so that I can be done before Peanut is born!! My supervisor paged me before I left work and said, "we need to talk before you leave for the day." so I was of course freaking out and was immediately paranoid. When she offered me an internship position, it was really the LAST thing I was expecting! I had sort of written that idea off because I knew doing one in the fall wasn't going to happen and doing one in the spring seemed unrealistic with a new baby at home! And they are being so accommodating by letting me start now, mid-summer, and be done by mid-September. They told me, "kids in hospitals need people like you there by their side to support them and help them. We can see your potential and we don't want that to go to waste just because you didn't get certified." I feel so incredibly lucky and thankful for this opportunity!! I have always said how I work with some amazing kids and family...but I also work with some pretty amazing specialists and they are awesome for helping make this happen for me! 

Tonight we will be celebrating with some 312...oh wait. Well, Jordan will be celebrating with some 312 and I will enjoy a virgin strawberry margarita! I'm so happy that things are finally, FINALLY, starting to fall into place for us. Both of these things takes a huuuge weight off my shoulders and I'm thankful to have some of our prayers answered. Things are definitely looking up and looking great! 

He's officially MR. EASTON!

As of today, Jordan is half-way done with his student teaching! Eeek! So happy and excited for him but more importantly, so happy and excited that he already has a full-time substitute teaching position lined up for the Spring!!!! Whoo whoo!! There is a teacher that teaches 11th grade Earth Science and she just happens to be pregnant and going on maternity leave right around the time he will be finishing his J-term class which means....he was offered the position for her maternity leave and officially accepted it!! YAYYYY!!! He is pretty stoked for it as he should be and I'm super pumped for him! It'll be a great thing to add to his resume and it will be a nice way to ease him into the teaching field without feeling really overwhelmed by taking on a whole year right off the bat! And the neighboring teacher to his room is the head baseball coach so he's hoping to get to know that teacher even more so he can hopefully get in on coaching any level of baseball for the school. Double score! We celebrated tonight by going to dinner at Red's, a local restaurant here in North Lib, which has awesome food and an even better beer selection. We couldn't let his first big payroll job go by without a little celebrating of course! And I made some pumpkin bread this afternoon for Jordan so we're going to test that out and call it a night! Congrats Mr. Easton, your Mrs. is so proud of you and happy for you! Those students are lucky to have you as their teacher and I can't wait to be part of your first teaching adventure!