Celebration Date

Michael and I went on a date to O'Charley's to celebrate me getting a job. It has been a long time since we have gone out on town, which was a celebration in itself. We mainly stay at home, and I cook for us. I get this from my mom. We had so much fun eating and having good conversation. We got to talk about "life" and our next steps to make. It is scary and exciting all at the same time. We are seeking the Lord in all our decisions, and praying he leads us in the direction we need to go. I am so lucky to be married to my best friend....literally.

Us before we head out the door to O'Charley's

My red high heels... I wore these at the job fair.

I believe it was the shoes that nailed the job for me.

Back to Being a Bulldog

Wednesday night, after cooking and cleaning the kitchen, I go and find my cell phone and relize I forgot to take it off vibrate when I got off work. I had two missed calls: 1. from one of my good friends 2. a number I didn't know. Right now it is crucial for me to be answering all calls, because you never know if it could be a job offer. Luckily, I had voice a mail. By this time I am shaking, because my nerves are shot from waiting on pins and needles to hear something back after the job fair. Plus, I had been teaching 24 little ones all day, which equals tired. So, I listen to my voice mail, and the unrecognizable (I can't spell) number was the principal from Byram Middle School wanting me to call him back. He didn't say if he was offering my a job or not. I call him back, which happened to be his cell number, and he offered me a job for a 7th grade pre-algebra position. I ACCEPTED IT!!! I HAVE A JOB FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR!!! This was the teaching job I wanted the most! God had blessed me so much! HE answered my prayers with a YES! I am so very thankful. Michael and I jumped up and down in happiness...well I jumped up down. Him, not so much.
Michael is still waiting to hear back from some "in between jobs" until he hears back from a police department. So, now we have to find a place to live:)
I thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. It worked!
Byram Middle School's mascot is a bulldog, so that's where the title came from...in case anyone was wondering.

Meet Benny

I would like for everyone to meet Benny. Why do you I want people to know Benny? He has become my Momma's boyfriend. They met on churchofchristsingles.com. It started with messages on the internet website and then progressed to phone calls and sweet e-mails. My mom has been acting like a teenager, and I love it! It makes my heart smile to see her so happy. They finally got to meet each other this past weekend. Mom and Benny had a weekend full of fun and dating from Thursday night to Sunday morning church. Sadly, Benny had to leave before Sunday lunch due to his LONG drive home, plus he was going to stop by his son's house in Atlanta. Some of the activites they did were going to an Alan Jackson concert, eating at Abner's,playing tennis, riding around Moorville to show him mom's hometown, getting mom's car fixed, visiting Elvis Presley's birthplace and lake, eating at Harvey's, going to MSU baseball game, eating at Obie's, going to a Hootie concert, and Sunday morning church.

Okay, back to what I know about Benny. First of all and most important his is a man of God, which is the most attractive feature of any man. You can tell by his picture he is good looking, but he doesn't believe it. He is extremely humble. He is a baseball coach, counselor, bible teacher, sometimes he preaches, father and grandfather. He has worked at the same private school for around 40 years, has 3 children, and six grandchildren. He lives in Florida, and it is close to Disney World! He seems like a very sincere man. Michael and I enjoyed getting to meet with him and only wished he could have gotten more time to get to know him. Benny, if you are reading this, can't wait to see you again! We hope you had a safe trip home. You make my mom happy, and that's all I care about.

Completely Exhausted

It all started on Thursday, when I knew I had to get ready for a substitute on Friday and make sure that all my lesson plans were finished for the next week. I have to make sure I have all my lesson plans done, because I tend to forget to do any type of work on the weekends until I am on my way to work on Monday. Either way, my little third graders left at 2:45 on the buses, but I did not leave until 5:30! Fridays are when I give tests, and I do not like to let anyone give them except me. I didn't have a choice this time, so I had to leave detailed instructions. I will see tomorrow how it all went.
Why did I have to get a substitute? I had an interview on Friday in Byram, MS at Gary Road Intermediate School. It is a 3rd-5th grade school. I also had a job fair for Hinds County on Saturday, which is where all the principals from Hinds County set up tables to meet teachers for possible openings they have in their schools. Since I had to spend the night, my sweetie booked me a hotel. I have NEVER spent the night at a hotel by myself. I was more nervous about the hotel than the interview. I know.... crazy.
Okay, I got side-tracked. Back to Thurday night. I got home cooked dinner, washed dished, made sure I had everything ready for the interview and the job fair. For the job fair I had to make sure I had copies of certain things for all the principals. I had to have the application, resume, references, teaching philosophy, copy of transcripts, Praxis 2 scores (this test is to certify teachers), and teaching liscence...pretty everything but my fingerprints. I will have to give those too if they decide to hire me! After getting all that together, I was too tired to pack, so we went to bed. I got up early the next morning, ironed everything, packed, loaded the car, and kissed Michael good bye. I have never driven to Jackson by myself since we have been married either!
I had a good drive down there. I am not use to being by myself, so I took full advantage of it catching up with friends on the phone and singing with the radio loudly. Speaking of, my best friend, Molly, who is taking over the daycare world, has bought the cutest house, and she offered me to stay with her. I was super excited! I didn't have to stay at a hotel, and I got to catch up with a great friend! Once, I got in town I changed at a gas station and finished my make-up in the Kroger parking lot. What else was I to do?
Once I got to the school, I had to wait an hour for them to interview me! It was a long hour, but the interview went well. I really like the principal there. So, that night I stayed with Molly. We had lots of good laughs! Her house is sooo cute! I wouldn't expect anything less from her. She always has the cutest clothes too.
Anyways, Saturday morning I got up and ready! I wore my red high heels again:) The job fair started at 10, but I got there at 9:30. I am always Miss Early Bird, which paid off this day. I got registered, and they give you a number when you can go in. My number was 9. I was pumped, because if you know me 9 is a lucky number for me. I got to talk to the principals I wanted to FIRST, so being early paid off. He gave me a card that said "visit room 114 before leaving." I am thinking, "What is room 114 mean?" So, go to all the principals I need to, leave, and enter room 114. I hand the lady the card, and she says, "This is a call back card. Come back at 3 o'clock for an interview." This was at 11 o'clock in the morning when I found out. What was I supposed to do for four hours in Byram??? I managed. I ate at McAllisters and graded papers there. I drove around looking to see what kind of houses where for sale. After I was completely bored with it, I drove back and explained I was from out of town and didn't have anywhere else to go. So, they let me sit in the library and wait with some other out of towners on the call back interviews.
Well, a principal that had set up an interview with me for next week saw me sitting there decided she would interview right then, which it a blessing, so I do not have to go back next week. But, she didn't finish interviewing me on time, and some how they head lady thought I was Tara, whoever that is, and let someone else interview with the principals I was waiting on! I spoke to her and told her my situation. She is super nice and completely fixed everything and explained to the principals I was meeting with it was totally her fault. Thank goodness!
I finally got to meet with Byram Middle School, which had 4 principals interviewing me....a little itimidating! It went well though. It was worth the wait. Speaking of waiting. I am back to being a sitting duck waiting to hear something.
I got back in my car and talked to Michael. He had gotten sunburned at work and Friday and was in a little bit of pain. (When I got home and saw him, his back was as red as a tomato! OUCH!) He told me that he didn't sleep in the middle of the bed while I was gone. He still slept on his side of the bed and parked on his side of the driveway. So sweet and thoughtful! I was ready to go home to see his handsome face!
At this time it was about 4 o'clock. I got home around 7 o'clock completely exhausted!

Easter Sunday

Easter is such a special time to celebrate our Savior rising from the dead to conquer death. Our sins were nailed to the crossed when Jesus died and washed away with his blood. We celebrated Easter going to church and eating with lots of family and friends.

On the porch.

Telling Kate Happy Easter! Her passy is covered in pearls! So cute!

Smiling at Grammy

Corey, Me, and Michael. We were so excited Corey came to visit us!

What a great way to spend an anniversay! (year and 3 months)

Corey and Michael

Kate with her grandmothers: KK and Grammy

2nd Annual Cantrell Crawfish Party

Crawfish, family, friends, and sunshine! What could make for a better day? Saturday Michael and I loaded our lawn chairs and cooler and headed to my brother's for a crawfish party. We had so much fun! Some relaxed in their lawn chairs soaking up the sun. Others stood at a large table eating up crawfish mixed with corn on the cob, mushroom, sausage, and potates. It was spicy but tasty! The potatoes were my favorite, and the crawfish and sausage were Michael's favorite.

Us sitting and relaxing in our lawn chairs.

Me and Amanda
Luke, the cook, me and Michael

Interview and Applications

Okay, some of you may know, but others may not. I had my first interview for a teaching position in Brandon, MS, which is an outskirt town of Jackson, MS. It was this past Thursday, April 9th. Anyways, it was with Brandon Middle School for a 7th grade pre-algebra position for next year.

Q: What does every interview begin with?
A: an outfit. Yes, I had to find the perfect outfit.

I had orignally wanted to go with a pants suit, but when I started to shop, I changed my mind. Imagine that? It took me three shopping trips to find something! I almost had a panic attack...literally. Very stressful. The first shopping trip on Saturday before the interview, my wonderful husband went with me. He was definetely a tropper that afternoon. He wanted to be helpful, but he said that he didn't really know how to be helpful. I reassured him that I didn't bring him along for help, but that I just wanted to spend time with him. He still tried to convince me to get a sales associate to help us, but I quickly said NO to that. We came home with nothing. Sunday, my mother and I went shopping. She found something to buy in every store we went. Me, on the other hand, still came home with NOTHING! This is when the panic attack almost happened. Never in my life have I not been able to come home with an outfit! So, we (Momma and I) decided to go shopping one more time on Monday. I was determined now! I was not going home empty handed. We had already been to all the nice department stores, so we decided to start at Wal-Mart. There, I found three pairs of pants. I thought to myself, "It figures." So, I bought them. I had bought a pair of sear-sucker looking pants, and I had decided to wear them with a red top and shoes. So, off to Shoe Carnival! That is where I bought a pair of red patent leather peep-toe high heel pumps! I love them! Ironically, the manager at the store is a parent of one of my students, and he helped me pick them out. I already had a red blouse I could where, so we went home. Finally! a successful trip.
Wednesday night we head to Brandon, MS and stayed with our dear friends Will and Ginger Everett. Thursday morning I couldn't eat a thing. I got ready and left for the interview. I left in plenty of time to get there, but I couldn't exactly find the entrance to the school. I ended up driving to Brandon Elementary School, which is attached to the back of Brandon Middle School. The nice secretary told me where to go and park. She told me to park at the church across the street from the school, so I literally ran across the street in my red high heels to the interview.

Lesson learned: ALWAYS go early to an interview.

I still made it on time...barely. I had prayed for peace, and for God to put the answers in my mouth for me. And, of course, He came through. I thought the interview went really well. The principal told me that he would let me know some time after Easter his decision, and he I was his last interview. If it is in God's will I will get offered this job. If not, then another opportunity will arise. In fact, I will be going to a job fair for Hinds County next Saturday, April 18th.
Michael got all dressed up in a blue shirt, kakis, and a tie. He looked very handsome...not that I am partial or anything. He went and turned in all his application to the police departments. He even got to talk to the captian at the Pearl Police Department. So, now all we can do is wait for a phone call. Keep praying and crossing your fingers!