It's Official

There have been a lot of changes in my life in the last year: getting married, moving two times, Jared getting married, and so on.  However, one of the biggest decisions Michael and I made recently was that I would not be teaching next year.  This was not any easy decision for me because I still love teaching.  I love my students, I love my co-workers, and I love Ashbrook High School.  It has been the only school I have worked at (outside of student teaching) and even though it has had its ups and downs, I have learned so much and developed amazing relationships in the six years I have taught there.  However, it was time for change.  In addition to teaching full time, I have been coaching full time also... and after six years of working 13 hour days something had to give.  I know that the Lord has been working in my heart for the past year, changing my priorities and my desires.  When I was single, it wasn't so hard to work a 13 hour day and be gone for a full weekend at a swim meet.  My time was my own and I could use it as I pleased.  But as a married woman, my desires have changed, and I think it would be nice to spend time with my husband without being completely exhausted by 9:00pm.  So as of a week ago, I officially resigned at Ashbrook and I am now turning my attention to coaching at ATOM and eventually transitioning in as the head coach of the program.  I am excited about this change.  We may be poor for the next few years, but at least we'll be sane!

And I will never forget the people at Ashbrook that changed my life forever...



Happy Wedding Day Jared + Marissa

My baby brother got married last weekend in Malvern, PA.  It was one of the most fantastic 4 day extravaganzas of my life.  From dinner at the Nilon family restaraunt, driving through horse country, drinks & hanging out with old friends at the hotel, cracker barrel breakfast, seeing great Aunts & Uncles I haven't seen in 8 years, dancing, eating, partying, and most importantly celebrating the union of Jared + Marissa... This was a perfect celebration of two people I love so dearly.  Congrats to you both! I couldn't be happier for you - I'm a big fan of marriage.

Now for a few pictures...

I took a ton of video that I haven't had a chance to load yet, but this one video sums it all up:

Let's Hear it for New York!

….Concrete jungle where dreams are made of….





Well this post is way too late but life gets crazy. For our 1 year anniversary Michael surprised me with a trip to New York City. We got to the city by 10am and spent most of our first day in the Museum of Natural History. I love that place! So many cool exhibits and it reminds me of my childhood so much. One of my fondest memories is taking the subway from Jersey into the city to go to the MNH. Later on that day we hid from the rain in some wine shops & Dylan's Candy Bar, and had some real New York Pizza.  We eventually checked into our very mod hotel in the middle of Manhattan. The next day we spent exploring the city (Rockefeller center, eating delicious food– I recommend Crumbs over Magnolia bakery any day, ground zero, Staten Island Ferry, Statue of Liberty, going to times square at night, etc).    We also tried to walk the Brooklyn Bridge, but we couldn't find our way onto the bridge walk.  However, this was not a lost cause because we stumbled upon this little dock area that was beautiful.  It reminded me of Charleston in NYC.  The last day was a bit more relaxing. In the morning we went to the top of Rockefeller Center and then walked around and hung out in Central Park. It was a whirlwind of a weekend but it was so much fun! And I think Michael has turned into a city boy!