When you leave here, don't forget why you came. ~Adlai Stevenson, to college graduates

So, after three months, today was my last day of physical therapy. I know time was dragging when I had to sit around the house but it is really crazy for me to think that it was over three months ago that I had these surgeries. I do feel a little bit nervous knowing that I won't be checking in with someone on my progress and letting a professional examine the swelling, moving my knee cap, strapping the ice on for me. I mean, I can do all of this myself but there is something very comforting knowing I am not responsible to care for it on my own. Now, we are in a different world...
I have already promised myself that the gym will need to be a part of my life again. This is not something I am really opposed to. As a matter of fact, I enjoy the gym. The "me" time, the stress relieving, and I really do feel energized because of it. What scares me are the multiple machines, temptation of pushing a little harder, possibility of damaging my knee more. They have given me exercises to do but I know it is going to be difficult to not push harder.
On a positive note, my friend hooked up his connection to the Hospital for Special Surgery. They do not take my insurance but he has convinced one of the best doctors there for ACL reconstruction to accept my insurance. I will have to pay the consultation fee but please...in comparison, it is worth it. I am calling this week to make that appointment. Phase one ends and I move onto Independence and Plan B. Of course, only with your support have I made it to this. xoxo

It's never safe to be nostalgic about something until you're absolutely certain there's no chance of its coming back. ~Bill Vaughn

Oh, I got nostalgic over them. And right when the nostalgia reached it's peak, the rumors began. Then, the website was up and running. A little glimmer of hope flickered inside of me. Could it be? Would they do it? Before I could understand the depth of my excitement, they were performing on Today in NY! A joy I have not experienced since I was 13 years old... Watching the BEST BOY BAND EVER perform live!
For those who have been living a sheltered life the past few weeks, New Kids on the Block are back and better than ever! I am going to the concert tonight and will give PLENTY of updates tomorrow and the joys that you will be missing out on!

Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same. ~Emily Brontë

WARNING: THIS BLOG CONTAINS EXTREME FEELINGS THAT ARE BOTH CHEESY AND CORNY. MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AUDIENCES.
Well, as some of you may know, boyfriend and I went out last night to celebrate three years of dating. While some friends tease me in saying, "Oh, anniversary? You got married?", I believe this is a great thing to celebrate. Before him, I didn't last more than 6 months with a guy! First, I got to his house where there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers waiting for me. I don't think I have ever seen roses so fully bloomed! I love them! We then drove down to Long Branch for a beautiful dinner at Rooney's. I highly recommend it for any of you Oceanfront restaurant lovers! While the weather was not as sunny as one would hope, the atmosphere and view were amazing! After a wonderful dinner (I got lobster!), we walked on the beach a bit. I am sure my PT would not be happy with this since I am techinically not allowed to walk on sand yet. But, you know me, I am such a rebel. We were LITERALLY the only ones on the beach. Which would be why the pics are all taken by us.

After that, we decided to go see a movie, something we usually don't have the time to do. We watched Tropic Thunder (haha clearly a romantic anniv movie). It was ok. I laughed. But I didn't bust a gut or anything. It was nice to just sit and watch a flick together. After all, that is what we did on our first date. :) So, the movie ended and we decided on an after dinner/movie drink. We drove into Belmar to the Boathouse. A friend of his was playing the drums for the performing band. We had a couple drinks, laughed at some of the silliness going on around us, caught up a bit with his friend and then drove home.

I realized last night there are certain things I love about him that mean the world to me. Like when I put my head on his shoulder, his head so naturally leans on top of mine as if he were just waiting for mine to fall into place. Or how we could be at a restuarant and with just a smile at each other we know we just observed or heard the same thing from another table and we laugh. But most importantly, I realized last night what a gift he is in my life. He has taught me so much in the past three years that it is hard to even imagine a time when I was without him. Whether it be through the love of your life, your children or your best friend, I pray all of you find that person in your life who will challenge you to grow. I know I have found that person in him.

Your life may be the only Bible some people read.

I experienced a great gift this week. It is rare that teachers get to see the fruit of their labor. Most times, students in my class are excited and eager to learn about God. But I know that once they leave my room, there is a great chance they can forget my words and become mixed up with the many challenges they face. Since I only teach freshmen, I am blessed to be a part of their faith journey for their beginning year in our school. After that, I may catch glimpses but there are also the few that I never get to see or chat with during the next three years.
I saw one senior student this week who I have not had the opportunity to speak to since I taught him freshmen year. Perhaps a quick hi in the hallway but nothing beyond the surface of our days. This kid was a hard working student. He strived to be the best he was built for and by no means would that end up being highest in the class. He was frustrated by his hard work and low grades but displayed an enthusiasm in my class that is hard to forget. He wanted to learn about his faith but never was able to personally connect to it. I have encouraged him to attend a retreat at some points but he kindly declined every time. I never saw a reason to push. He is a good kid and I trusted that at some point, things would fall into place for him. It has to happen that way for good people, right?
He sought me out this week and I was surprised because he looked a bit more serious than I usually see him. He pulled me aside to inform me that he has signed on to join the Army Reserves. I know each person has their opinions about such a thing, but I was proud to see him dedicate himself to being disciplined and well taught. He went on to tell me that this summer he attended basic training. I was impressed by his maturity as he told me that some of his most life defining moments were when he was sitting around with some of the other guys at night time and discussing matters in life. He spoke so proudly and seemed to be so confident in who he was, gifts I was not able to see in him just a few years ago. He continued his story by explaining that the other men there were arguing the concept of God and what role faith should have in our lives. This young man said that he cannot explain how or why now but something within him just clicked. He said that he spoke to these other guys about the gift of who God can be if we allow it and the necessity of His presence in each one of our lives. I was amazed at the wisdom he spew forth and I could feel myself filling up with joy and excitement for his newfound gift of faith. The smile on my face clearly displayed to him that I could not be happier with this news. Until he said, "Everything I told them about God, everything I was so happy to share...I learned in your class. I finally understand."
As a teacher, I cannot imagine anything more rewarding than this moment. What more could I ask for in my first week of school?

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. ~Victor Frankl

Before I begin this blog, I want to thank Mom, Kenyon, Heather and whoever else stopped my loving family members from leaving a sarcastic or silly comment on my last blog. Good to know my in laws (and my mom!) can take me seriously! :)

It is amazing to me how much I have been noticing change that is taking place. For one, realizing that most of my nieces and nephews are now in school and there really aren't any little babies in the family anymore (Sorry Er, she is not that little anymore). For another, I have been noticing the changes that were made for me this school year. I moved my classroom downstairs due to all the complications with my knee. Also, I am not sure when my next (and hopefully last!) surgery will be so it is best I am on the first floor. It is different to be on the first floor. I don't mind it though. Most importantly, I am noticing changes in who I am.

I began this blog as a motivation to stay on track with my weight loss as a fundraiser for Camp. Clearly, it has strayed from that goal. As have I. I wish I could say that I have continued success in that area but it is quite the opposite. I have hit a point of frustration with my physical health. I am trying to eat healthy again. But, the lack of cardio exercises I am allowed to do is making me feel very defeated. I remember feeling this way after my initial knee surgery 8 years ago. After swearing I would not get to this point, I am left wondering...what changed? I feel like people around me are excelling and succeeding in so many of their goals and I am just stuck. I miss feeling that pride and that sense of accomplishment.

I recently learned that making promises to yourself and sticking to them will drastically improve your self image. I am going to try that. I think I need to also remind myself that things don't happen overnight. I let myself get to this point. Truthfully, I let it happen all summer. So, now is the time for change in me (again). A new school year. A new classroom. A new me? Well, I will give it a try.

Enjoy some pics from my new classroom...

There is more to life than increasing its speed. ~Mohandas K. Gandhi

I went into Philly last night to visit a friend from HS. I have not seen her in some time and chatting with her over dinner and drinks reminded me of why we became such close friends. Here is what we realized....

I fully believe that our age group is in a weird in between stage. We feel the pressure to be married already at the age of 27 while we are fully aware that many our ages are not married or in a serious relationship. It made me question a lot about where I am in mine. I love my boyfriend and many of you who know him, know that we are perfect together. There is not a single doubt in my mind that we are going to be married and live a life together that will be filled with happiness and abundant blessings. We are one week away from our three year anniversary and it seems as if the rest of the world is not satisfied with the fact that I have found a man to love.

Before I dated him, my longest "relationship" was 6 months. That was more of me being a therapist for a guy than a respected girlfriend. So many have asked us directly when we are getting married. In my view, this is rude and completely inappropriate. But, they are loved ones so I understand it is meant out of excitement for our future. Some will ask me only when he is not around as if there is some "inside scoop" I will give them when he is not standing by my side. I am sure he gets the same from people he sees when I am not around. Which brings me to our question at hand....Why must people rush away this gift of now? I know (from newlywed friends) that once married, there is a whole new pressure on when to have kids. I suppose this is just normal since just about everyone does it. But, why does this have to be? If I were to tell everyone when we think we will get engaged, wouldn’t that take away from the moment because everyone expected it? Isn’t there a point where people just need to leave our relationship to us?

I am not angry. Nor am I saying people are doing things out of disrespect as opposed to love. I am just saying, when people put these questions in my face all the time, I feel a pressure that doesn’t exist when I talk to the only person who is in the relationship with me. I feel like I am disappointing loved ones who expect me to have been married by now. So, I am writing this blog to put it out there once and for all….

I believe right now IS the beginning of the rest of my life with the person I love. I am learning things about myself and about him that I feel are important before we get married. I am 27 years old and I feel like I am almost but not quite ready yet to be married. I do not want to get engaged because people feel that I should be by now. I want to get engaged when we feel like we have hit a point where WE are ready for it. Each relationship is different and I can tell you all about mine, we are in love and we are happy.

Who Cares about their kid the most?

So far, I have posted pics of Katie....no response from Dawn. A pic of Maggie...no response from Heather. I would post pics of Brett & Todd but I don't know if Kev or Kim read my blog (ghost readers?). So, let's try this one.....


A little over the shoulder action from Maeve.



Wow, these are three of the best looking people I know!

Um, the staring game or do they hate each other?
OK....I am attempting to get some comments from family here. Since the last blog rendered comments from my friends and "rather" (I am sorry but I have no clue who that is!)

**********Update: This whole blog is VOID due to the fact that Heather cannot spell her own name. LOL. Nonetheless, pics are cute! :) hahhahaaha (Love you rather!)