Gratitude Friday

Good morning! I'm still up on Thursday night so by the time I have my list done, it'll be Friday. Grab a cup of freshly roasted coffee (exclusively roasted for you by the Duke), a yummy blueberry muffin and think about you're thankful for. Here's my list:

1. things and events that continually make me go "hmmm." Been thinking a lot and it's good to evaluate of where I've been, where I'm at and where I'm headed. If you have my map, let me know because I sometimes I just don't know anymore!

This came through my email this morning. A definite "think about!" The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death. - Thomas Paine

2. lilacs and their amazing fragrance! Yankee Candles has gotten close to bottling the smell in their candles, but nothing can replace the smell of fresh lilacs. I can press my nose into my three bushes forever. I'll be sad when the flowers are gone.

3. my kids! Ian turned 22 this week. We visited Jen's house this past weekend and got to meet Brad, the new love! It's fun getting to know them as adults and seeing their individual differences. (This picture is from a year ago when we had the Duke's Air Force retirement ceremony. BONUS GRATITUDE: I'm 20 pounds lighter now than in this photo!)

4. Mt. Hood. The mountain in Oregon was BEAUTIFUL when we were driving to my uncle's house. I could have stared at it all day long. I really love the ocean, but mountains are becoming some of my favorite things, too.

5. my cousin Gigi. Will you please pray for her? She has thyroid cancer and it's continuing to spread, despite her thyroid was taken out a few years ago. I love her tons and I'm very glad she's part of my life. We weren't able to spend much time together growing up so we're trying to make up for lost time. I can't wait to go to Long Beach, WA with her in July! She also has three beagles...how cool is that? "arrrrroooooo!"

Share with everyone what you're thankful for this morning! It's 5:18 Pacific Time and I'm checking to see if I have a morning teaching job. Nope...so I am also thankful I get to go back to bed for a few hours! However, if you still have coffee in your cup or would like a refill, Company Girl Coffee is the place to be! Head on over there, meet my friends and check out Rachel's newest & the most beautiful project of Company Girl. You'll be blessed! Have a great week~

Happy 22nd birthday, Ian!

So many wonderful memories of the 22 years you've been in our family -- wishing you a wonderful birthday today and many great years to follow! Remember Who you represent, remember Rule #1 (Don't be an idiot!) and know that you are loved lots, always!

Sister, sister!

I am happy to introduce my two sisters to you!! This is the first time that all three of us have EVER been together. Tammy, Mattie and I have never lived together and only have met each other about four times. Our paths only cross when our dad brings one of us to meet the other. The first time I met Tammy (left side of picture) was when I was pregnant with Ian (22 yrs ago!) The first time I met Mattie (right side of picture) was when he brought her to Germany and she was about 2 1/2 yrs old. (She's now 19!) This picture will be treasured FOREVER because it's the first time we've ever been photographed together. Amazing, huh?

We have a very interesting history between all of us but I'm so glad that we got to be together at the Hescock family reunion this weekend! Stay tuned for more great pictures of our family.

Gratitude Friday (on Saturday)

Good morning! Grab a cup of coffee and share your gratitude list with me.

1. http://companygirl.com/ My friend Rachel is putting together a book all about girlfriends! I was looking at some of the photo entries this morning and realized how much I miss getting together with my many girlfriends. Why is there never time to get together or even just touch base via email, a phone call or snail mail? I'm going to have to fix that. I want more pictures of you all, esp since I lost my camera. Ok, hop over to Rachel's website and look at the photos I entered. If you have some amazing girlfriend photos you'd like to submit, go for it! Voting is going to take place after June 7th. (The photo below is from my birthday last yr!)

2. sunshine in the beautiful Pacific NW! Blue skies, warm temps and the purple lilacs blooming! Only thing that could be better...we could be camping this weekend!! sigh...

3. great days of guest teaching -- no kindergarten, either! I'm still searching diligently for a full time teaching job but know I am blessed with the amazing guest teaching jobs I've had this year. I'll be kind of sad when school gets out in a few weeks.

4. a new Starbucks that opened up on Fairchild AFB!

5. size 10 capris are too big...I bought some last night at Costco and I got them home to realize that they didn't fit. Back they went! So it was great incentive to go to the gym last night to walk/run five miles. Plus I got to watch the Seattle Mariners vs San Francisco Giants. I stopped my exercise after the 7th inning. I would have been there FOREVER since they went into the 12th inning with Seattle winning 2-1 (WOOHOO!) My secrets for continued weight loss and inches -- eating breakfast every morning, taking meds that help my body do what it's supposed to do instead of gaining more weight, lots of different types of exercise, almost zero sugar (including soda pop and only a smidge of chocolate) and try to not eat after 7 pm. It works for me!

Have a great weekend! The York family is headed to the Mt. Hood area tomorrow to attend a family reunion on my dad's side. It could be interesting. I love seeing my cousin Gigi who also has 2 beagles so just being with her will be worth the trip!

Siesta Scripture Memory Team

As I was getting ready for the day, I was thinking about the song "beauty for ashes" and decided to look up the verse that goes with it. I think I will memorize Isaiah 61:3 as it reminds me to get out of the blue funk!

"To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory." Isaiah 61:3

It's a beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest! I'm headed this morning to teach 2nd grade at Fairchild AFB...two days in the same classroom. How fun! Yesterday's job was with 1st and 2nd graders -- a wonderful day with those kiddos! I love being able to go into different classes in different schools and in different school districts -- and just being able to give 200% of myself to each class!

A Slow Day...

It's nice to be at home today and just be able to read & nap! Mr. Sunshine isn't out playing and although I had an option to teach this afternoon, I've got some projects to get finished inside the house.

I heard back from the president of Quality Schools International (where the kindergarten teaching position was posted) and the job had been filled on Saturday. However, he gave great encouragement to me and through a series of emails, we'll be meeting this summer in Spokane for an interview!! WOOHOOO~ When I told him that the Duke is going back to school to get his teaching certificate in High School Science, he said they love to hire married couples to teach in their schools. Who knows, perhaps in the next few years, the Yorks could be teaching overseas somewhere!!

In the meantime, I'm continuing to search for teaching jobs. I found one in Walla Walla but definitely need to go back to school to become proficient in Spanish (it's a dual language elementary teacher position). There's also a lot of openings in Montana (thanks, Montana girlfriends!) but I've got to see how the Montana certification sysytem works & figure out how to get fingerprinted through their OPI. Wonder if I have to take a trip over to Missoula to get it all taken care of.

Time to find something to nibble on. The Beagle Boys and I will go on a walk later this afternoon!

Applying for teaching jobs!

After learning that teaching jobs in WA will be very hard to obtain til there's money in the budgets once again, I've started applying in other states and countries! yes....COUNTRIES!! Today I applied for a kindergarten position through Quality Schools International. This job position is located in the Ukraine. While it's scary to have to think about being away from Spokane and my family, I need to be in a full time teaching job. I'm not sure if this is the right decision to be out of the country (didn't I think Grand Coulee and Nespelem was a bit of a commute last yr?) But I think I'm up for the challenge and to gain the valuable teaching experience needed to continue being a teacher of excellence.

If you know of teaching positions in your area (whether in the US or out of the country!), please let me know! I'm a Washington certified K-8 teacher, willing to be in a public, private and/or international school. Guest teaching is a very important role but I'm ready to be back in the classroom full time!! My love of teaching has become addictive~

"If I give the best of me, that becomes my legacy!" (from Mercy Me's Blink of An Eye)