So much happens in a year....

Well it has officially been a year since I started this blog and so much takes place within that short period of time.

Two of my good friends welcomed new babies that are just too cute. My niece and nephews grow up too fast and are learning things at record speeds.

My sister and father and their families have moved back to Ohio and now can see each other anytime. Sometimes life passes us by so fast it feels like we've been sitting still the entire time.

I have noticed that I have become more patient with God and where he wants us to be.

Josh and I are learning to like the simpler things in life and not everything has to be about getting out of here. Although this town is not where we would like to settle, I know that God has a purpose for us being here and slowly he is revealing that to us.

I miss all of my family and friends. I can't wait to go on our summer vacation with my in-laws.

I will also try to make a trip home in early July to celebrate my mother's belated 60th birthday.

I can't believe it! My mom will be 60, but she doesn't look a day over 45. I can't wait to see everyone. The older I get, the more I want to be with family and friends and just drink them in.

I wish I could I see them anytime I want and it has been difficult living so far away.

One day soon, I hope to be closer, but until then I must continue to rest easy that God has all of us right where he wants us and even if I lived on the other side of the world my love for my family and friends never wains.

God Bless you on this day, May 28, 2008.

HB

Winding Down

Sorry it's been a while. I am finishing the end of the semester. I can't believe it is already over. This semester has been quite a ride. I taught both saxophone and clarinet, which I was a little worried about because I don't have a lot of experience with saxophone. Now I can honestly say I would feel confident teaching saxophone again and I would have no problem. I was afraid in the beginning of the semester that I would not be able to reach the students because #1) I am not their regular instructor and #2) I don't consider myself a saxophonist. I soon overcame that fear and now I feel that I did accomplish something with them and no matter what they took away from their time with me I gave them everything I had both musically and intellectually. I will really miss teaching all of these students, because for the first time ever, I felt like a real music professor. It was definitely a highlight in my career. More good things happened this semester...my best friend Elizabeth had her second baby (Emma) and my niece and nephew celebrated birthdays. It has been a great time and I have learned a lot. Next up for Josh and I is going to Florida to hang with his family and then we will get to stand in our good friends' wedding in New Orleans. It is going to be a great summer!! God Bless, HB