Time flies..

I can't believe July is almost over. This summer feels like it's been a whirlwind and we haven't quite touched ground yet. We are ready for some routine and some steady activity. Tomorrow will be a first step towards that goal.. the BAR is here! Jacob takes it tomorrow and Thursday for 6.5 hours each day. He's ready, but nervous. Pray for him if you think of it in the next 2 days. Other than that, we're still searching for a church. It's a lot harder than we thought. We both forgot how many churches there are down here to choose from. We know what we're looking for, but it's just taking a lot longer to find it than we thought. We both feel a little "homesick" for Minnesota this week as we continue to settle here. It's different than we expected to be back home. A big reason is that we're back here, but we're not where we were or doing what we were doing when we were here last. I never imagined it would be such a huge feeling of starting over in a familiar place. This weekend we are going to the Wesley picnic. It will be the first time we've been back to Cookeville or Tech as married people! It will be exciting to go back to the place we met, surrounded by the people we knew then. We're still waiting on jobs, but the Lord is bigger than our worries and fears. Next week Jacob digs into the job search full blast. Schools start in 2 weeks so there's still some time for me to hear something. We shall see!

Happy Anniversary!

That's right, today is our 2 year anniversary! It's gone by fast but we both agree they have been the best 2 years of our lives. We're going to celebrate at P.F. Changs tonight- one of our favorite restaurants. Other than that, Jacob is studying all day... we're on the countdown! Bar Exam = 16 days! Our puppy is growing so fast. Klondike weighs almost 8 pounds, he's 3.5 months old and already learned to sit, stay, come, and go outside to do his business. He's precious. :)

Settling In

I feel like I sat down in front of the computer intending to post about a million times in the last 2 weeks and something always comes up to distract me away...
We made it safely to Tennessee! Our only adventures included hitting a bird (it was quite amusing) and avoiding a bike tire that came flying off the van in front of us and bouncing down the road. If anyone tries to tell you that driving through Illinois is boring they are completely correct. AHH We arrived to the smiles and elated faces of family and a few friends who live close by here in Nashville. It was so good to see our little Klondike, too. He's been a blessing this week as we've unpacked and started to work through the emotions of starting over in a new place. It's settling in that we're here now and not jumping on a plane in a week. While we're excited to be "home", it still feels strange. We miss our MN friends a lot and the fellowship we had with them. Thursday night was a rough evening... I can't remember a Thursday night we've actually been home in the last 2 years! We've begun the search for a church down here. It will be a long process I think. We both want FBC to move down here! I'm not sure we're far enough removed or that we've been able to find the closure yet from leaving FBC so it's making our church visits tough. God has a place, we just have to be open to finding it. Jacob is studying hard, only 5 weeks till the bar! The summer is dissappearing quickly. Time to clean up a bit, our parents are visiting this evening. :)
"There's nothing like returning to a place familiar and unchanged to discover how you, yourself has changed."

Our New Puppy!

Klondike is a part rat terrior, part spitz. He weighs 3.2 pounds and loves to play! We brought him home yesterday morning and he is already very comfortable with us and loves riding in the car. He rode from Nashville to my parents house (about an hour and fifteen minutes) without whining or even getting squirmy! We wore him out yesterday.. he slept 13 hours last night and then took an hour nap after being awake for 30 minutes this morning! He SO much fun!

He did it!!

Jacob Thomas Thorington
Juris Doctorate Degree
University of St. Thomas School of Law
May 12, 2007

The day we've been waiting for...

This was taken December 13, 2003, the day Jacob graduated from TN Tech and decided that Chemical Engineering wasn't his call after all. We had been dating just 6 months and there was a LOT of fun twists and turns ahead for us. And now, here we are...4 years later getting ready for his graduation from St. Thomas School of Law! What a crazy 4 years it has been, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. While it's been fun, it's definitely time for him to be out of school. So on Saturday around 2pm you will hear a large "WOOOHOOO" coming from downtown Minneapolis as Jacob recieves his degree and we face the next chapter of our lives. God is so faithful!

R.I.P. Henry Fitzgerald

Yes, he passed on this morning. Despite Jacob's best efforts to keep him healthy and happy, Henry just wasn't strong enough to fight whatever fungus he had. Leopold is still strong and happy, however! Henry joins Alvin, Theodore, Simon, Scarlett, Clarance, Thomas and Fiesty in fish heaven... maybe we should consider getting a dog, they're probably a little more hearty!

New additions....

These are pictures of our fish- Henry Fitzgerald is the dark blue one and Leopold (aka Leo) is the lighter one. We've had Leo for about a year and Henry has only been here for 2 weeks. Henry won't eat, we don't know why but it won't. Jacob even bought little beta tanks for them and he still won't eat. My husband is crazy about these fish... if his fish care is any sign of his future parenting skills, we're gonna have some lucky kids. :)

"When you can't see His hand, trust in His faithfulness."

I've learned over the last few years that there is one constant in life: change. We grow, we mature and we are constantly evolving into who we are meant to be in the Lord, even when we don't understand anything that's going on around us. Jacob and I have been doing a lot of growing in the last week and a half. Lots of things have happened that have given us important pieces to the puzzle that is the next chapter in our lives. For a long time we've struggled and felt pulled between returning to the place where we started or remaining here in the place were we've grown together and established ourselves as a married couple. Both contain huge amounts of blessings. We've prayed, we've worried (more me than Jacob) and we've talked and struggled for the right answer. Not until last week was the message God gave us clear. Through a string of events (my job cut, his class in TN, etc.) we've found a peace from God that He is calling us to return to Tennessee this summer. It's going a hard transition and it's filled with so many emotions than I cannot even begin to process them right now. We're excited to be closer to our families, all of our siblings are getting close to college graduations and have important events in their lives that we will now be able to attend. Our grandparents are getting older and being closer to them we'll be able to see them often in these next few precious years.
Yet, we're also very sad to leave. God has blessed us with AMAZING friends and an AMAZING church family who have indeed been our family for 2 years. I know we will keep in touch, see pictures on blogs of the new babies and the big things happening in their lives and ours. But I cannot tell you how much God has blessed us by placing all of them in our lives and how hard it will be to say goodbye. (I'm going to stop that now, I have a feeling there will be lots of tissue used in the next few months and I currently am at the bottom of a box!)
So there's our big announcement, our answer to months of prayer. In mid-June we will be executing this move to TN. To where exactly- well, we're not sure. Will we have jobs? Well, not really certain about that yet either. Will Jacob pass the bar? Um, we certainly hope so! What we are sure of is that God has provided for us SO abundantly thus far and we know that will not stop. He knows what going on and by taking this step we feel we're being faithful to Him, no matter how much it hurts or causes crazy emotional rollercoasters. So, as the old saying goes, "We don't know what the future holds exactly, but we have hope for we know Who holds the future."

Finally..

SPRING BREAK IS HERE! I've been waiting for weeks and it's finally arrived. This week is going to provide some MUCH needed relaxation, reading time, cleaning time, prayer time and husband time.(not necessarily in that order) Then I can go back next week (Tuesday, not Monday :) ) refreshed and ready for the last 2 concerts of the year and to finish out on a good note. Last week was pretty icky and I started to hit major burn-out teaching. It was all I could do to get up and get there in the morning, the whole time praying for a good attitude and motivation to do my job well. The week I get back I have my 5th grade choir concert. I pray they will not forget it all over break! It's been a challenge teaching choir this year, but one I feel like I've risen to meet. Honestly, i don't like teaching choir, I'd much rather teach band. I started out feeling inadequate, went to apathetic, and then after much prayer decided to meet the challenge head on and beat it. We will see if the my efforts have paid off on Thursday, April 12. The good news about teaching choir is I won't be doing it next year. First of all, they cut choir (to save money..ha) and second of all, I got cut- Friday morning no less. That's what I get for being the low man on the totem pole! While it totally sucks, I know it's just an open door for something else God is doing. It would definitely be nice to know what that might be, but in time it will come. I feel ok about it because my principal is very supportive and said she would like to have me stay- she's said that all along. It's been a good year.. but it ain't over yet. So rest and relaxation here I come and then... who knows. :)

Fun with Friends

We have spent the past 4 days with some wonderful friends from TN. We went to college with Chad and Becca. Becca and I were always meant to be friends- we went to High school about 5 miles from each other, our bands did a joint concert when we were freshman in high school (and we think we sat next to each other), when we got to Tech we stood beside each other (never talking, mind you) in Women's Glee, she and my roomate were partners on a project.... and it goes on and on. Yet, we always just said "hi" and went on with life until our junior year at Tech when she came to the Wesley Foundation one Wednesday... and ever since we've been truly best friends! It's really a funny God-thing story. They came up to visit this weekend and we got to hang out for the first time as married people. They got married last October, so we haven't had a chance to hang out until now. We had SO much fun! Jacob and Chad played the PS2 and really enjoyed each other's company so it gave Becca and I lots of much needed catch up time. We, of course, visited the Mall of America.. I had forgotten how much fun it is to shop at NY & Co with her! I really, really miss them and hope we're closer someday so we can spend more time together.

Ready for Spring

What a great few weeks it has been! I know, I've got to do better than one post a month! Where to begin... the first part of March started with my 1st/2nd grade program at school. It was "Bugz: A Picnic Adventure" and by far the cutest musical I've done this year. As you can see, they are all dressed as bugs and they sang SO well! I praise God for the patience to work with and organize 160 kids in 7 different classes. This musical was the most fun... but the most stress-filled.
After that, my parents came for a visit. It was great to see them.. and they got to see our 2 feet of snow! I do miss being close to them. Jacob has been working away at his applications. He will be taking the bar in TN on July 25 AND 26th. (Crazy 2 day test) He's going to be taking a bar review class in TN starting May 21st so if anyone is bored for a month, come on up and visit. I could use the company! I'm getting nervous as the summer approaches and crunch time comes for job finding and moving decisions. April 15 is our "decision deadline" and his bar final application (yep, there's 2) due date. Spring is upon us... hallelujah for 70 degree weather!!

A wonderful break...

Today is the final day of my 4 day weekend. I'm quite greatful for the celebration of our presidents.. :) Jacob also had the time off, of course, he has every Monday and Friday free from classes. It's been SO relaxing and so great to finally be able to leave school stuff completely at school. I have a bad habit (I hear this is a problem for 1st year teachers) of not being able to stop my brain from thinking of ways to make programs come together, or ways to teach music using new fun ideas. Even when the school day is done, it stays with me. It is completely mentally draining to not let it go. I seriously dream that I'm teaching some nights, and then use the ideas in my dream in class the next day because they were really good ideas! However, this weekend has allowed me to unwind enough to not even think about school. I'm LOVING it. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and enjoy what I do very much. I just needed a break... and it's been great! I've worked on my quilt(it's almost complete), read my book, plan to actually paint my nails and gotten the house cleaned up, not to mention had some "Sidney time" with season 4 of ALIAS. Originally my parents were coming up this weekend but my mom ended up getting a stomach bug on Thursday night. I was really bummed at first, but I think it worked out for the best. They had time to get well and I had some much needed "me" time. They're still coming, just postponed for 2 weeks. I've also had some wonderful time with God this weekend, it was much needed. I feel revived and energized again by His word, prayer and some time to journal (a hobby that has unfortunately gone by the wayside in the last few months). I had forgotten how much just writing my thoughts down really helps me clear my head. So, tomorrow our routine starts back up and I'm actually looking forward to it. Bring it on...

Punxsutawney Phil Predicts...

Happy Groundhog's Day! For some strange reason I cannot explain I have always loved Groundhog's Day.. and the word Punxsutawney. Here's old Phil's official forcast, taken from his official website: www.punxsutawneyphil.com
"On Gobbler's Knob I see no shadow today.
I predict that early spring is on the way."

YAY Phil, we'll see you next year!

I sure hope he's right.. it's DARN COLD out there!

Your mission is....

We have recently aquired a somewhat unhealthy addicition: ALIAS. The life of Sidney Bristow has both Jacob and I quite intrigued. If you haven't seen it, well, be warned that if you start, you can't stop. I had a roomate in college that would disappear when it came on every Wednesday night.. and now, I know why! Agent Bristow is a double agent for the CIA and for SD-6 (a company who's alias is an undercover branch of the CIA, but really they're evil). Her missions are incredible and the people who surround her make it just enough drama to keep you hanging. Anyhow, we're on season 2 and counting, DVD's of TV shows were a really good idea!

Christmas...

YAY for Christmas. It's my favorite time of year, not necessarily for the trees and decor (though i do love that stuff) but mostly because it's the one time of year we get to go home and spend quality time with EVERYONE in our family. (and the Jesus' birth thing is pretty important, too..) The bottom picture is Jacob's family a few days before Christmas and above is my family a few days after Christmas. This year was very "untraditional" for both Jacob and I. We alternate spending Christmas Eve/Day in Manchester and Columbia. Last year we were with my family, so this year we were with his. This pattern caused many past traditions to be shifted around. My family has always gone to my Gran's on Christmas Eve.. for as long as i can remember we all gather there, have dinner, open presents, take a million and one pictures by the tree and then we head home for the 11pm church service. This year- well- there was Christmas at Gran's, but on the 26th. And the church service was quite similiar at Jacob's church, just at 6pm instead of 11.
Now on the flip side- Jacob's extended family lives in Alabama so they always venture down there the day after Christmas. Not so this year- We ventured before Christmas and managed to see everyone in just over 24 hours! It was an adventure and fun to see and meet everyone in his family. We also squeezed in an Auburn basketball game to see his brother Garret look snazzy in his suit as the manager.
Above all, this Christmas tradition switcheroo made me realize that it doesn't matter when you see everyone, but that you get to see them. It made the reality that we're adults sink in even more! Jacob's mom made the comment Christmas morning that in a few years it'll be really different- lots of little people running around. That makes me REALLY excited, but also sad to let go of that last little bit of "childhood". Soon, going to grandma's will be going to my parents house or his parents house.. which is crazy to think about! Overall, I'm glad we've shaken things up with traditions. It makes it easier to move on and realize that it's ok to allow new traditions to come through. So, bring it on 2007, it will be quite a year!

Just another day in paradise...

Musical #2 was a great success! My fourth graders were "Feelin' Good" today... they were fabulous. I'm so proud of them, and so is my principal. Her words were "Jennifer, they were great. You're fantastic with those kids! We should have this program for the district wellness kickoff in January." As my teeth hit the floor I felt a whole lot of pressure rise off my shoulders. This has been a very stress-filled month with 2 grade programs and a DARE graduation musical for the 5th graders. I feel like I've weathered it, but I've been really run down concerning my ability to actually do my job and do it well. Today, God showed me that I'm totally in the right place. The ways He constantly confirms this to me are amazing. When I want to quit, He simply pushes me back into it. (I truely believe Jacob can be God's hands... God uses him so much to get me back out there when I'm ready to give up!) He, once again, hasn't let me fall even though I feel like I don't have a lot to stand on or much to catch me when I hit bottom. I'm actually excited to go to work tomorrow... for the first time in a while. This is not to say that I'm not entirely ready for Christmas and some much needed time in TN with family, however.
That brings me to another topic on my heart... stupid people. I honestly will never understand how one can have a child and then not care for him/her properly. Some of my students just break my heart. They are crying out for someone to just hug them, just smile at them, just let them know that where they are is a safe place. Unfortunantly, many of my students do not get this at home. As a staff we discussed the need to be understanding this time of year because kids don't want to go home for break.. they don't want to be home because home is not safe or a place of rest. I cannot comprehend this! How can you have a child and not desire to care, love and nurture the child properly???? What is happening in our world when small children don't want to be around those people responsible for them??
My heart aches for these kids, it breaks to think of what they go home to and how they are living. Beautiful little beings that deserve all the love we can give them... scared to death. My prayer is that no matter how frustrated I get with them, I can remain kind and a safe place. If you get a chance, throw up a prayer for these kids. I know I take my life for granted so many times.. how could a kid not be excited about a break from school? Those were my favorite times growing up! You get the picture now, I'm sure. May the Lord bless these little lives... they sure do bless mine. (most days... :) )

"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.

And the beat goes on...

"2 weeks in and I'm still standing." That was the comment a teacher made to me as he passed in the hallway today. I was amused.. it's totally amazing how much energy children possess in those small bodies! I've come to the conclusion over the course of the last week that I completely LOVE my job. I am excited to go to work, I'm excited about the things I teach and the activities I plan and I'm excited to see those kids come in and out of my classroom all day. They challenge me, some more than others, in ways that make me stronger. God is so good... He has blessed me completely!
In other news, Jacob should find out about his clerkship applications this week. If he's called for an interview it will be next week. I'm nervous, he's a bit nervous and we're both just praying that God will direct us. If he doesn't get a clerkship we're back at square one deciding where to live and settle down. We've found that this year we're both a lot more content here in Minnesota. Our lives seem to be more consistent, our friendships are growing and we cannot imagine leaving our church. It's been the highlight of our life here! We do miss our families though and that's a very strong pull back a little farther south. We're just still waiting for God to direct our path. We know He will, but it seems like we're constantly up in the air about the future.
Other blessings include my sister coming to visit in a few weeks!! I'm very excited that she's finally making the trip. We've grown a lot closer in the last few weeks and I'm very excited to watch our relationship grow now that we're both adults. We have two weddings to attend in October also. Becca and Chad are finally gettin' hitched in TN and Jacob's law school friends are getting married in Wisconsin. Also upcoming is my weekend of Women's Retreat with FBC. I'm excited to go this year and spend some time with some of the wonderful women from church.
Our lives are full and busy but incredibly blessed. Weekends are beautiful things!!