"A World of Music"

Success! My first music program as a music teacher is over! I'm totally glad to have it over and done with. I was tired of the songs and tired of worrying about it. It's been a doozy of a week, that's for sure. The third grade did a good job overall on Thursday. They were nervous and totally excited which caused a bit of a challenge in the "standing still on the risers and keeping your eyes on the director" area. A few students were chatty, yes chatty, up there in front of everyone in between songs. I even had one gentleman decide he was done during the second to last song and just sit down on the risers. I could hardly believe my eyes! Luckily we had 2 performances so the second one was MUCH better. Something about parents in the audience makes kids shape up a bit. :) I did have 2 students in tears of stagefright before the second one, that was interesting to deal with. In the end, they sang well and did a great job. I consider the musical a success and a fabulous learning experience. One down- 4 to go! The next one, "Feelin' Good: A Celebration of Health", is a short 3.5 weeks away and the fourth grade is already doing a great job. I feel much more prepared already so hopefully that's a good sign!

Life, as i know it..

So it's been 2 months since the last update. That in itself could explain how crazy busy life has been over the last few weeks!
A lot has happened in the life of the Thoringtons. First, we're still plugging along in our respective schools. I love my job. I love teaching and inspiring these little people. (most days :) My first class program is Thursday, the third grade will be singing "A World of Music". As every new teacher, I've learned a lot about the process as I felt my way through it the last few weeks. The next one will be arranged, organized and taught differently. I'm reminded of a quote made up late at night on a band trip back in high school, "We all learn as we go, but always wish we could've known before we went." Jacob has successfully (he hopes) finished his second to last round of midterms. The fact that he graduates in 6 months is settling in for both of us in a very exciting, scary, unnerving way. God has a plan.. we just wish we could know a smidge of it at the moment!
We've been to two weddings in the last month- the first in Wisconsin for some of Jacob's law school friends. It was a beautiful wedding with very yummy cake. :) The second was a little closer to my heart. It's a funny thing when you reach a point in life that you've dreamed of forever. Rebecca Cathey and Chad Watson are now Mr. & Mrs. Chad Watson as of last weekend. It was a beautiful wedding and even more beautiful was watching those two souls FINALLY join in a blessed union. As I stood there beside them Saturday night, I realized for the first time (yes, the first time... even though I've thought about it many times before) that we are all grown up. We're not going back to Cookeville to ride around at midnight looking for open gas stations that had cherry-lemon sun-drop, I'm not going to spend another night on the floor of Apt. D discussing life over an entire cake made by Meg and Ness for my birthday, I'm not going make banners to decorate random yards at 3am in the freezing cold... these things are memories of the past. My heart breaks that these days are done, it aches to return to those times and appreciate them just a little bit more so I don't lose them from my bank of memories. My tears during their wedding were in mourning for all those days, yet also filled with happiness for the memories yet to be made and the fun to be had in this stage of our lives. So much will happen in the next few years- more weddings, more yearly "girl trips" or even married friend trips, some babies and sharing all those times no matter how far apart we are. God has blessed me with the most amazing friends that I know no matter where life takes us we will always take a piece of each soul and heart with us. These friends won't be the ones that 20 years from now we wonder where they are... these are relationships that will stay, soul friends, forever.
It's amazing how God uses certain occasions to show me how blessed I am even when the chapters of life end and new ones begin.