Loving my new job -Amy

I recently started professional development for my new teaching job at a charter school on the west side of the city. So far, I am TOTALLY loving it. That is actually a serious understatement. I am loving everyone that I work with, I am loving the methods they are training us to use, and I am loving being able to successfully put into practice some strategies that I learned in college. To make a long story short, I learned about "Reader's and Writer's Workshops" while I was in college. These are unconventional teaching methods that have proven to be very successful at improving reading levels and comprehension. Galapagos (where I work) uses these methods and I am so excited to be a part of it.

I really feel like this new job was a great fit for me, and it is making me a better teacher every day. I am sure I will have my share of challenges, but the support that the staff has offered is unbelievable. The professional development opportunities that have been offered and will continue to be offered are meaningful and helpful. I feel like I have grown so much in the past 3 weeks, and I am so excited to see what will happen once I really get into the year.

I truly miss my past school, and I definitely get sad when I think about my students or see other teachers posting on facebook about what they are all up to together. They were an amazing staff as well and I was truly blessed to be part of their staff last year. Still, I feel like I am in the right place at the right time for Roger and I, and also just for me as a professional. I am growing so much, and I love that my beliefs about education fall so closely in line with the school that I am currently a part of.

I am loving Chicago life!

Living and Traveling - Brady

Hey!

We made an offer on a place in East Lakeview. It's actually right between Kelly's and Amy's apartments. :) Ha. I'll keep you updated on what happens!

Also, Kevin and I went camping way up on an island in Northern Michigan. It was absolutely perfect and a great adventure, except for these awful black flies that would attack and bite. But that's part of the outdoors, I guess. Here are some photos:

Kevin on the ferry to the island. It was about a two hour ride, and if you missed it on the way back, you were staying another night.

This was the highlight. Our campsite overlooked Lake Michigan, and this private path took us right down to the water.

The view from inside our tent.

There are several shipwrecks on the island - this one is still above water. People would swim out and look around on it.

Sunset on our "private" beach.

No news is...- Brady

Not really good news in this case. Just frustrating news.

Kevin and I have been condo hunting for a month now and are seriously the most indecisive people anywhere. I think we're driving our realtor crazy.

First, we looked at places that were too expensive. When we realized that was the case, we switched gears to look at cheaper homes. Then, I realized I didn't want to live in Andersonville, where most of our favorite places were, because it's too far from the goings-on of the city. So now we're kind of back to square one.

At this point, I'm seriously just kind of giving Kevin geographical limitations and a budget and telling him to have at it. Pick any place he wants. I feel so bad that I keep knocking out his choices.

Remember when I just wanted to be living in the same place as him? Remember that? Amazing how quickly I stopped being grateful for having him in Chicago and started whining about something else!

I'm back! -Amy

Ok, I am officially back to the blogging world after a few crazy weeks of change and getting accustomed to a new life. Now that I am settled in Chicago, in a new job, with a new marriage, I should have PLENTY to blog about. I definitely would have updated sooner, but Roger and I were in Jamaica, then it took forever to get our internet set up, then life just got super crazy over the last week with the new job! So, I am setting a goal to blog twice a week now that life is starting to feel a bit normal again!

As I have so much new stuff to blog about, I better stick with one topic at a time. I will start with the wedding. It was such a great weekend, and I really had so much fun. One, it was GREAT to see both Roger's family and my family all together. It was a little sad though because we just couldn't find time to spend enough time with all of the people we wanted to see. I would have loved to have a whole weekend with each individual family member! Ha! Wouldn't that be nice?

It was so much fun though, and turned into a beautiful day, and VERY fun night. I'll attach some of my favorite pictures!






















Blogs to come: Honeymoon, new job update, apartment update

Oh goodness. Too. much. amazingness. has been going on. To recap:

- Our adorable cousin Kristen got married. That was a big old fun family wedding.
- The very next weekend, Amy and Roger got married. You know, no big deal.
- Amy got a new job.
- Roger got transferred to a much more convenient location for HIS job. This news plus Amy's job news eliminates the insane commutes they were going to have to do this year.
- Kelly finished her intense summer job and started her second year with her non-profit.
- I turned 28.
- Kevin and I officially sold our house in Fort Wayne and are looking hard at condos in Chicago.
- Kevin was a groomsman in one of his best friend's wedding up in Whitehall, Michigan. We had a fantastic, fantastic weekend up there.
- Amy went to Jamaica.
- Amy moved to the city.

Yowza!

Let me avoid talking about any of these big events and just say that I love having my sisters in the same city as me. Last night, we all had a sleepover at Kelly's (Roger is unfortunately sick and had to go to the Dr. in La Porte - so Amy crashed with us!). Then, Amy and I drove up to Evanston together - me for research work and her for her orientation to her new job. We grabbed coffee at Mickey D's and enjoyed the views from Lake Shore Drive. I can hardly handle the awesomeness that is my life these days.

Whew! - Kelly

I am SO exhausted but so happy... the wedding was awesome, it's great to be back in Chicago, and overall life is good!

I'm headed to bed, but with 9 minutes left before midnight I just have to say...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FAVORITE BIG SISTER BRADY!!!!




We need to celebrate later this week. :)

Love ya!!