Where has time gone...

...sometimes I swear we just moved and we were trying to get settled in a new place. We have now been in South Texas for 6 months....WOW!!!

Justin and I had a great Thanksgiving, Kory and Emily ended up coming to eat with us and it was nice having some friends to spend the day with. We actually spent a lot of time that weekend together just hanging out, which is always nice. We had tons of food and tons of leftovers.

Emily and I went shopping in the Valley (near the Mexico border) and had a great time together. I seems like we have known each other forever sometimes. Anyway, I got most of my Christmas shopping finished up during that trip, and actually finished this weekend...YAY. And that means Christmas is almost here and we get to go home soon. We fly out 12/21 around 4 and arrive in DC around 11pm.....we have a crazy schedule planed in order to spend equal time with both families. We fly out 1/1 at 3 in DC again and get back to Corpus around 9. If any VA friends or family wants to get together with us, we would love to see you too!!! Let us know and we will try to fit you in our plans. You have no idea how much we miss everybody!! Ok all for now....BYE!!!

This Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I decided I should list all the things I'm thankful for in my life....


~My husband and his continuous love and support

~Mine and Justin's Families, who we miss more and more each day

~My VA Friends

~Growing up in a small town and the values and morals I have because of it (and my parents, of course)

~Emily and Kory....who have made living in Texas a little better

~Whataburger....which also makes living in Texas a little better

~Having taught for 2 years at SDMS....I miss it everyday but having taught there makes me realize there are schools that function better than my current school.

~Having a Job right now when a lot of people don't...even if I hate it at times.

~The 100 students out of my 110 students that make my days fun and enjoyable

~Having money to pay all of our bills and not have to make tough choices each month when it comes to money

~Being educated...and all of the opportunities I have because of it

~The vision of the future that Justin and I share


....I have a lot to be thankful for even if I forget it at times.....

48 Days Until VA

So it's finally November and that means Thanksgiving and Christmas soon. I get a full week off for Thanksgiving......2 1/2 weeks away.....THANK GOD!!! My kids at school are great, but they drive me crazy at times. I am looking forward to a nice long break.....then Christmas is right around the corner. Justin and I are going to be in Virginia Dec 21 - Jan 1.......so let us know if you want to get together. We miss everyone so much and want to spend our time visiting all of our friends and family.

After our Christmas vacation, Justin has to move out to the ranches for the semester. I'm not looking forward to him being gone all the time....but I guess I got to get used to it. I'm sure I will be writing about that later.

I really can't believe we have been in Texas for 5 months.....I am looking forward to these 3 years flying by.....

...OK all for now...More later

A Great Week

This week was one of the best I've had in quite awhile. It actually started last weekend. Kory and Emily came up on Saturday. Emily and I went shopping while Justin and Kory played video games. We hung around the house for awhile then went out to eat at Montana Mike's. We had a great visit with them. Sunday being my cleaning/laundry day, I was doing laundry (in a different laundry room which is nicer and not nearly as crowded) and got a call from Kory wanting us to go to a Gun Show in Robstown. We quickly wrapped up laundry and met Kory and Emily. Emily and I walked around the gun show looking at the jewelry while Justin and Kory looked at the guns. It was so nice to have a female to walk around with and not to mention Emily and I get along great. We have since the day we met. Anyway, we went to dinner at Chili's Sunday Night and then headed back home.

Monday came around too soon (like always), but I had a teacher in-service all day (which is good and bad all in one). I got home early and was generally grateful for the in-service day. Tuesday came around and I had a quiz for my students to take along with make-up work (this makes for a very easy day for a teacher). But Wednesday was probably the easiest day ever for a teacher. The 10th and 11th graders in my school took PSATs during the school day and the other students stayed with their homeroom teachers. I got to babysit my seniors for 4 hours then met with one of my classes (which did nothing). Thursday I actually had to teach something but Friday my classes had a button lab (ie. attach buttons to a piece of fabric). Overall, a great week of school.

The weekend came very quickly (which makes me happy), Justin suggested going on a date. We went and ate dinner at Applebee's and saw "The Invention of Lying." We had a great time together and really liked the movie. Today I had a meeting for DI (Destination Imagination). I am the Team Manager. I have never been the coach before but I did compete for 10 years when I was in school and loved it. I am excited to get started with my team. Afterwards, I went shopping at Stein Mart and Sears. I bought way to much stuff and could have bought tons more. I came home to Justin and his cabin fever but more on that later.

I have been asked over and over about what I wanted for Christmas and I have no idea yet. But when ever I think about Christmas, I think about my Birthday because it isn't to far from Christmas. I started thinking about what I would really want. Justin will be on the ranch and won't be home. I really can buy whatever I want now that I have a real job. Anyway, Spring Break for my school is the week right after my birthday and I couldn't think of anything that I would want more than to spend time at home. So today I purchased plane tickets to go home on March 13 - March 20. I am so happy....I know that I will be home for Christmas but I really miss my friends and family. You know as they say.....You don't know what you got til its gone. I miss everything about VA. Anyway let me know if you want to do something when I come home. Now onto our other big purchase....

I came home to a husband that just wanted to get out of the house. We decided to run to Academy (like Dick's) and the Super Wal-mart. BTW, We never go to Wal-mart anymore because we get all our groceries at HEB (Crazy, Right). Academy is the store Justin always wants to go to but this time we didn't buy anything. We headed to Super Wal-Mart and walked around a bit. We eventually ended up in the photo center and started looking at video cameras. Justin and I had already agreed we were going to buy one for Christmas as our gift to each other. Recently we had even talked about getting one before Christmas so we could make some videos to take home at Christmas. Well today was the day. We got a pretty nice JVC with an internal hard-drive. Justin is very excited and has already started shooting stuff for his first movie. OK that is enough for now. NIGHT from TEXAS!!!

Life as a Texan!!

Well, Justin and I have lived in Texas now for over 3 months....WOW...where did time go? I am learning to like it here.....I will never get used to being so far from friends and family....but we are starting to build our own group of friends..so that is exciting. I am also a Texan at school.....a fighting W.B. Ray Texan to be exact!!! We just had a Pep Rally for our game tomorrow against Flour Bluff. Go Ray!!!

School is going good....I am trying to make myself be a better teacher...the first two years I just survived....and this year I am trying to improve on areas I have been weak in..........things are going well.....I still am lost half the time when it comes to administrative things....but I'll get it. Yesterday I tried to call about one of my students.....come to find out his parents only speak Spanish.....and that is the case for a lot of my students.....so that is really different than VA. I miss home like crazy...I want to be able to see friends and family everyday.....but oh well.....this is the life we have and I might as well enjoy it!!! God has us here for a reason....and I'm gonna stick with his plan!!

Justin is off Hunting this weekend with a friend of his...so I have the house to myself....Heck yes!!! TGIF!!!

I am a high school teacher!!! AHHH!!!

So I'm sitting in my classroom waiting for the day to start. Most of the teachers have students in their rooms getting their schedules. I am so nervous but excited. I really loved teaching middle school students and hope to teach them again one day, but right now I have a new challenge and that is teaching high schoolers. I know when Justin and I move again, I will have a wide range of experience as a teacher. From a rural middle school to an inner city high school.

I am so grateful to God for answering my prays of getting a job, there is a reason why I'm suppose to be at this school and I hope to leave my mark!!! He has really looked out for Justin and I throughout our marriage and I know I do not thank him enough. Justin is going to Kingsville today for a meeting and hopefully he will find out when we can come home for Christmas!!! I can't wait to see everyone again. OK...the day is getting started better go!!!

Dana

School Starts Tomorrow!!!

So Corpus Christi ISD starts school tomorrow!!! I am very excited to be teaching this year, I am so grateful for a job and everyone I have met so far seem great!! I told myself that this year I am going to do a better job with planning and staying on top of paperwork. Before, I was so focused on making it through the day that I had a hard time staying up-to-date. I have mostly everything ready for the first week, I'm gonna finish stuff up tonight

I found out soon after I got this job, that things are changing in FCS next year for the state of Texas. They are changing all of their classes, and offering more subject specific classes. We have already started talking about what classes we would want to teach next year. Anyway here is my schedule for this year:

1st - Personal and Family Development (PFD)
"T" Time or Homeroom
2nd - PFD
3rd - PFD
Lunch
4th and 5th - Hospitality with Special Ed Kids
6th - PFD
7th - Planning.

I am a little nervous about this Hosp. class because it is for 2 hours. But I guess I'll make it work. I really have nothing to go on, except for the other teacher telling me to do crafts and stuff!!!

But life is good....I have a job and a wonderful husband!!!

Work

SO, I'm sitting here at some teacher training sessions. Most of them have to do with stuff on the computer, which I already know how to do. So I am bored out of my mind, anyway, I'm stressed out a bit about the start of the school year, but looking forward to the challenges.

Job

Well It's been awhile since I've updated this. Things haven't been great and amazing....so I guess I didn't want to report bad things. Anyway, things have definitely taken a turn for the better in the last few days. I haven't really been finding lots of job openings close by and started looking for opening across the state of Texas and even Virginia. I found a few and decided to take the exams I needed to take in order to obtain my Texas teaching license. I took the AAFCS test mid-July and the Texas teaching exam at the end of the month. I passed both and now had met all requirements for my license. I'm still awaiting official confirmation of it though.

Anyway, I found a school in Ballinger, Texas that needed at FCS teacher and contacted them. The Principal was very nice and the school sounded like a place I wanted to be. However, Ballinger is 6 hours from Corpus Christi, and I would never see my husband. I first set up an interview with the Principal only to decline later the same day. I just couldn't move to a place where I knew no one, it is bad enough here in Corpus. Anyway, I found a job opening at a hotel and applied for that job the same evening. I got an interview for the next day and even had a second interview on Friday. BUT, on Friday I received a phone call from an assistant Principal for a job in Corpus Christi at a high school. She asked if I could come by for an interview and I quickly got ready and went. Everything went great and she recommended me for employment. So, now I'm sitting around waiting for a phone call from central office to offer me a job or set up an interview. The new teachers in this division are suppose to start today, so I know I will be behind but at this point I just need a job!!

My former co-workers all start back today and I miss them all like crazy. Many of them hold a special place in my heart. I wish I was there with them, but I know we will all stay in touch.


Well that is all for now, Hopefully I will have some official good news soon.

Anniversary

So Justin and I just celebrated our 2nd Anniversary. We had a great day together. We agreed that we would journey over to the beach and spend some time there......it was great!! We were pretty much alone and just enjoyed being by ourselves. We parked right on the beach and stayed near the Jeep the whole time. So the day started out great. We came back and chatted with Jessi and Kaeleb for awhile on Skype....so it was nice to talk to our family for awhile on our special day.

We went out to dinner to Longhorn Steakhouse, the same one I mentioned earlier. Dinner was great and the company was even better. We then went and saw the movie "The Hangover." It was very funny and very raunchy. I felt embarrassed at times, even though I am plenty old to be watching a Rated R Movie. Anyway, we had an AMAZING day together!!!

First Week in Texas!!!

Picture from the Trip to Texas!!!

Well I've been in Texas a whole week now. I still don't feel like I belong here, it just isn't home yet. Though, I'm not sure it will ever be home. Justin and I have just been hanging out all day and sleeping in...so it feels more like vacation. Justin heads back out to the ranches on the 24th for a few days, so at that time I will be in job search mode. Something will work out, I'm not really worried yet!!!

We've been hanging out by the pool today and now we are playing this new exercise game on the Wii called "Active." Let me tell you, I've never had a workout like this (atleast not from a video game), everything is preplanned and goes at a fast pace. Unlike the Wii Fit, you don't have to sit and decide what to do next. There is a 30 day workout that Justin and I are both doing, you workout 2 days then rest one for 30 days. Then after that there are other preplanned workout or you can create your own. There are some sport workouts included and "dance" ones too. It is a little expensive at $60, but I think it is worthwhile!!!

Daisy is settling in nicely. She was glad to get off the road and I think she is liking her new place. There is a lot to see out the windows and it stays cool in the apartment.

Back to Texas

Well, I'm back in Texas now!! What a long trip, but we made good time!!

In Tennessee we ran into some concept cars being road tested.





We made it to Mississippi and Daisy was glad to be out of her Box.

Here are some other random shots from the trip.

Super Dome in New Orleans, LA (we made a detour to drive down there)

Crossing the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, LA

The Bayou in LA

Welcome to Texas!!!

YAY we made it!!!

So Erin and I are both worn out and slept in today. I'll post more later....but for now enjoy the pictures!!!

Address

In case you wanted our new address it is:

Justin and Dana Folks
6838 Everhart Rd Apt# 63
Corpus Christi, TX 78413

School

Well, firsts things first...only 3 days of school left!!!! But the same thought makes me sad too......some of these students have touched my life in the past two years, and its hard to believe I only get to see them 3 more days. But most of the kids are crazy this time of year and don't want to work at all. I have been super busy lately trying to wrap up classwork, finish grades, and pack up my room. Today we have 8th grade awards and I get to honor 3 girls that have made my life easier here at SDMS. I am also trying to leave my room in good condition for the teacher after me. Life is busy in middle school!!!!

As far as a job for Texas, nothing yet but I'm still hopeful. I have sent out applications for two school districts with openings for Family and Consumer Sciences positions. I know something will work out, I just would like it to be sooner rather than later. But I know there is a plan for this and I need to be patient.

Justin has started working on the ranches in Texas. Cell phone service isn't great at one and not at all at the other. The same goes for Internet Servive. So I may not get to talk to Justin for a couple of weeks......That will be hard. Both of us are ealing with the situation the best we can, and this puts a kink in things. I know there are people who have to deal with more, but this is the first time we've had to deal with something like this.

Ok school is getting ready to start. Have a great day!!!

Our Apartment

Living Room.....Justin and My Dad watching TV

TV and Picture Table

Artwork above couch

Justin watching TV with his new boots!!!

View in from front door, and my daddy!!!

Dining Room and Kitchen

Kitchen

View from Patio

Sink and Dishwasher

Stove and Fridge

Spare Bedroom

Bathroom

Master Bedroom

View from Master Bedroom

Well that is our apartment....it still needs work but it is home for now!!! If you want to come visit let me know!!

Back to VA!!!

Well I'm back in Virginia.....for a couple weeks anyways!!!! The drive down to Texas was long and tiring. We arrived in Corpus Christi at about 2 pm (Central Time) on Saturday and started unloading the U-Haul.

Let me tell you, I was very nervous when we arrived into town because I wasn't sure everything would be worked out with the apartment complex. But to my relief, the first girl we talked to there was working when we arrived and check in went great!!!! We got into the apartment and my heart sunk. I have never lived in an apartment, and have never seen a completely empty apartment. I thought there was no way I could live there, but things got better. We got everything off the truck and got beds made and called it a night!!! We ate at a great steak house that night called Longhorn Steakhouse....we will be going back soon!!! We were all exhausted and fell asleep very fast!!!

On Sunday, Mom and I got the apartment unpacked (mostly). She worked in the kitchen as I worked in other parts, Justin helped some getting beds set up. We ordered in Pizza for lunch and then fixed spaghetti for dinner. It was nice being able to fix a meal there. With Bed completely set-up and cable we all slept great that night!!! By Monday, we were all tired of unpacking, so we hung out and watched the race. Mom and I ran out and did some shopping...fun fun!! We went to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner....yummy!!! I think Justin is in love with that place!!! We then went for a walk on the beach.......it was nice and windy. Tuesday we all went down to the college Justin will be attending - Texas A&M - Kingsville - He went to talk to his advisor while Mom, Dad, and I walked around campus, we then ate leftovers for dinner then went to bed. On wednesday we all woke up bright and early to head to the airport to come home. In the past 48 hours I have been to Texas, Michagin, and Virginia. Crazy!! Ok, I better get back to work!!

I'll post pictures later when I get home!!!

Moving Day

Well, Today is the day. We hit the road with our Uhaul all packed up. I have to say I am very stressed out from this move and everything at school. Having to make sub plans is worse than water boarding, I'm pretty sure. The kids are crazy because of SOLs and the end of the school year coming up. Anyway, I need a break from school.....but packing and moving is not the break I needed. Justin and I have been really emotion these past few days, I think we both haven't dealt with the fact we are moving 24 hours away from Home. I know we can get on a plane and come home any time but it isn't the same as being right around the corner. I know I haven't really thought through things because I've been so worried about the logistics. I also get to come back for a few weeks and my goodbye is a little further way. But I know I haven't dealt with being away from my husband for about a month but I guess we'll make it work. We have no other choice. And I better get used to it because from January to May, Justin will have to live at one of the ranches.

Kaeleb had a baseball game last night.....It was Justin's last as a coach and he gave a great speech to the kids. I got a little chocked up as he was giving it.....as well as a couple of other people. It is going to be hard not being able to go to K's baseball games and see him every day. Anyway, Things are going to change, both for the good and the bad. However, I think Justin and I need this change in our life, it will help our marriage and make us stronger individually.

Here we go......wish us luck.

Going Away Party

Justin's Parents threw us a going away party last night. It was great spending time with friends and family before we leave. I know it is going to be hard not seeing our friends for awhile. But everyone is welcome to visit!!! Today I have been packing up the kitchen....and starting on my clothes!!! Let me tell you, packing is no fun!!!

Justin and I hit the road on Thursday after I get off work. We then are going to stop by Fincastle to drop off Daisy and get Mom and Dad. We are going to drive to Knoxville, TN that night, then up early Friday to Drive to Orange, TX, then finish the drive Saturday Morning, Hopefully be in Corpus around 1. Then Mom, Dad, and I will fly back to Virginia on Wednesday (5/27). I'll be in VA until 6/10 then I'm heading back to TX with Erin!!!


That's it for now!! Wish us luck on our move!!