Friends

Why should I still be surprised that God provides all of our needs. Like I've mentioned before, Steven and I were scared that we wouldn't be able to find friends since we are living in such a small community, but God provides.

Emily and I decided while we were on our way home from the WCHS game that we both needed a little girls day, so she picked me up Saturday morning, and we made our way to Baker's Square in downtown New Bern for breakfast. It is an Amish owned restaurant, and let me tell you, it was delicious. Emily ordered French toast and I got a gravy biscuit. Everything was so oversized that there was no way you could eat it all (well I could probably eat it all, but I would have been sick for the rest of the day).

After stuffing our faces, we made our way to Morehead City to go to a teacher's store called Teacher's Pet. Emily teaches 4th grade at one of the Elementary schools that feeds into WCHS, and I wish you could see her classroom. It is like a work of art. She and her husband, Brandon, spent a lot of time in her classroom this summer, and it definitely shows. Anyway, we both got a few things for our classrooms and made a quick trip to Target and Harris Teeter.

Some of you may be thinking, "Okay, the title of this blog says 'Friends', so get to it." So here it is...Emily has been an answered prayer of mine. I really enjoy hanging out with her. We are a lot alike, and enjoy a lot of the same things. It was a great day spent with a really good friend!

xoxo,
Ashley

My First Week at WCHS

I have had a great experience, so far, at WCHS. The teachers came back to school on the 19th, so we had four days to get everything ready for the students who returned on the 25th (Wednesday). I met so many nice people, who have been so warm and helpful to me. I feel so blessed to be able to work with so many friendly people.

Okay, so I admit it...I thought transitioning to another states course of study and teaching a different grade wouldn't be too much for me to handle. I arrogantly thought, "Oh, I've been doing this for three and a half years. I can figure all of this out in no time." Couln't have been more wrong. EVERYTHING is different from Alabama. The books they teach are different, the Writing Assessment test is different, and their expectations are very different. I spent the better part of last week at the school trying to figure out my curriculum and make a 90 day plan to turn in to administration. Now that it is almost completed, I feel much better about what I'm doing and SOOOO much more prepared.

I finally met my students on Wednesday, and I have to say, I am very pleased with everyone in my class. I mean, of course there are always going to be a few "Chatty Cathys", but all in all, they were very well behaved. I am looking forward to getting to know them much better over the coming months.

Steven and I went to our first WCHS Eagle football game with Emily and Brandon. We had a lot of fun hanging out and talking with them and all of my new teacher friends, but we got killed by New Bern High. New Bern High is a bigger school and in a different conference, but the rivalry is still bitter (much like my alma mater, LCHS vs. Hatton game). I felt bad for the boys and coaches because they really wanted to beat New Bern...there's always next year.

Overall, great week at WCHS! I'm excited about the rest of the semester!

Last day...

Today is my last day off. I have had an especially long summer break this time around because in Alabama we got out of school May 21st. North Carolina kids didn't get out until June 12th, which means they don't come back to school until August 25th. I go in tomorrow for workdays and professional development. I will have four days to do a total renovation of my professional life and get everything in order.

I have enjoyed being off work, although I have found that the more I am off the more useless I become. Steven and I live in a small apartment right now, so there isn't much to keep clean. Bridget cooks all the time and never hesitates to invite us to join them. We don't have a yard to take care of or kids to play with (yet). Needless to say, I have had a lot of time to myself. I hope I haven't become too much of a loner.

I am nervous about tomorrow. I don't know anyone, but I am sure it will be a lot of fun. I have butterflies like I did when I first began teaching at OHS. Say a prayer for me. Anyway, I'm off to the school to get some owrk done and then to treat myself to a pedicure ;)

(an early) War Eagle!

Auburn football is less than a month a way. I wanted to pay tribute to this momentous occasion with a little picture diary of sorts. War Eagle!

Me and husband (not then, of course) opening game day 2006.

All of the girls waiting for the student gates to open (2008).

"Go big or go home!" (Opeining Game 2007)

LSU game with the girls (2008)

My two favorite Auburn doctors (Beat LSU game)!

My two favorite Auburn fans (LSU 2008)!

Rolling Toomer's corner (2007)

Osborns + McCullochs = Auburn Family (2007)

Tailgating (2009)

Sue and I with the boys (2006)

Rolling Toomer's corner after beating Bama (2006).

The year of the thumb (2006).

Holdin' it down since 2002.

After beating Florida (2005).

"It's great to be an Auburn Tiger!"

They left me...

Thursday was a lot of fun. Mom, Dad, and I woke up late, and went to downtown New Bern to look around at all the stores and eat lunch. Mom and I could have shopped for the rest of the afternoon, but we thought Dad might go into a coma if we made him, so we spent the rest of the day in Atlantic Beach. What a beautiful day it was! We all put our chairs down in at the edge of the water and talked for a few hours before packing up and heading back to the house. After we had cleaned up and Steven made it home, we headed off to Famous Subs, which has quickly risen to the top of mine and Steven's favorite restaurants in town. The name really doesn't do the menu justice because it offers a million different things, not just sandwiches. For example, this is what was on our table: speghetti and meatballs, bacon cheeseburger, onion rings, small supreme pizza, small super sub, chips, cheesey garlic bread, and french fries. Needless to say, we took home a few leftovers. After gorging ourselves with food, we made our way back to the house and visited with Bryan and Bridget a little before hitting the sack.

Friday was bittersweet because I had a great morning, but I was so sad that my parents were leaving. They packed up their things in the morning, then we headed to the mall for a little back to school shopping. Later, I took them to Smithfield's for lunch to try a little North Carolina BBQ. Although nothing compares to Alabama BBQ, it is still quite tasty to say the least.

The drive back to our house was awful because I knew I would have to say goodbye to them when we made it home. It is hard to say, but Steven and I know that we aren't going to be able to go home again until Christmas. That is a long way away...Mom cried, of course, and Dad gave me a big hug. After I got upstairs, I definitely teared up. I am a lucky girl. I have wonderful parents who love me and my husband fiercely. What a wonderful week!

Steven missed out.

Steven went drum fishing with Billy tonight.

He missed out on a fun dinner party at Bryan and Bridget's.

I met some really cool people.

I think I may have gotten a side job as a traveling teacher for two weeks during the summer.

I'll let you know ;)

Day 2 (in a hurry)

I don't have a lot of time before they wake up and we get moving, but this is how day 2 went down...

Mom and Dad slept in a little yesterday morning, while I made muffins and fought every urge I had to go and wake them up; finally, I decided to let them sleep and blog about our day instead. Then, I took all the boxes Mom and Dad had gotten out of storage in Auburn for my classroom and took them up to the school. It meant so much to me that they drove two hours out of their way to bring me my stuff. So, by the time I got back at 10:30, they were dressed, ready, and eating breakfast.

After talking for a while, we got in the car and made our way to the ocean. My parents LOVE the beach. I mean, I like to tan, but the ocean isn't my favorite. I would say I prefer fresh water to salt any day, but these two can't get enough, especially Dad. I felt sort of bad because he had no one to play with out in the water. As I think I've mentioned before, I have an irrational fear of being attacked by sharks, so I stay on the sand most of the time. Anyway, we ate lunch and relaxed until around 3:00 and then headed back to the house.

After showering and welcoming Steven home from work, we made our way to downtown New Bern, where we were going out for dinner. We met Bryan and Bridget at Morgan's (really cool restaurant + good food) and had a really great time. Mom and Dad wanted to take them out at least once to try and pay back a little of the hospitality they had shown all of us. Afterward, we came back to the house and watched a little bit of The Proposal before going to bed. We were all exhausted.

While I am writing this blog, my southwest breakfast casserole is in the oven cooking and Mom and Dad are still sleeping. I think it's time they get woken up ;)

I'm so happy they're here!

Mom and Dad finally made it here at 1:00 Monday night. They took about a four hour detour through western NC before realizing they were headed in the wrong direction. Anyway, they are here and we have already had a great time.

Yesterday morning, I made gravy, biscuits, bacon, and eggs for breakfast. After we finished eating, we decided to go to the beach. BUT FIRST...I had to stop by the realtor's office because Steven and I made an offer on a house! Who knows if we will get it because we super low-balled it, but anyway we have officially started the process. I had to sign some paperwork in New Bern, then we headed off the Atlantic beach.

Since we only had a few hours, I took them to Fort Macon where there is public beach access. We were completely lazy (after two weddings in one summer, these folks are tired). We talked, read, ate chicken salad sandwiches, and caught some rays for a few hours. Mom wanted to leave early to tour the fort, so we packed up a little early and made our way to it. She has been reading these books from Civil War time, so she has become very interested in that historical period. The fort was amazing. Steven and I had already toured it once, but I got to see a lot of things that I hadn't noticed before. We couldn't believe just how much manual labor went in to building a structure that is so sound.

Last night was truly special. Mom and Dad attended the weekly Bible study that is held at Bryan and Bridget's house, and I believe we were all blessed by it. Bryan is an amazing man of God, and he has a way of delivering his thoughts that is so captivating. Afterward, we all ate a ton of Mexican food Bridget had cooked. She invited everyone to stay, so that Mom and Dad could meet all of our fellow church members. It was a lot of fun. We followed up on this time of fellowship by making a quick run to Johnny's (little country store in Cove City) for some of the best ice cream I've ever tasted. And bonus: he only charges 50 cents a scoop. It was DELICIOUS!

What a great day 1 with Mom and Dad. Can't wait for day 2 to begin!

Unexcpected Prize

So, Steven got a raise last week, and I came home to a bottle of Juicy Couture perfume left on my side of the vanity. Every time we are in the mall, I stop and get a spray from the fragrance counter, so he knew I liked it.

Why is he so good to me? I don't deserve the man.

Weekend in Atlantic Beach

Steven and I were invited a while back to go to Atlantic Beach with Bridget's family. Mrs. Marietta and Mr. Rodney, Bridget's parents, are two of the nicest and funniest people I have ever met. I mean it. Steven and I refer to them as the "sitcom couple" because they need their own show. Anyway every year, Mr. Rodney and Mrs. Marietta rent a huge house on the Atlantic Beach sound with her brother, Charles, and his wife, Sweet (she was the youngest of eight kids, so they all gave her this nickname--she really is sweet, though). They all like being on the sound because Mr. Rodney and Mr. Charles both have boats. The kids love to tube, and the older men like to go out into the big water to fish.

Steven and I drove up with Bridget and Bryan on Saturday morning. I love her family. It is huge; there were people everywhere (I guess, I felt at home a little). Bridget has one sister, Ginger, who is married to Patrick. They have twelve-year-old twin girls. Uncle Charles and Aunt Sweet had two boys, who are both married and each have two girls. Throughout the week the young girls (ages ranging from 4-17) invited friends to come and visit and even boyfrinds, too.

Steven and I were given our own room when we got to the house. Can you believe their hospitality? We sometimes don't even get our own room when we go home to visit!We told them over and over again that we could sleep on the couch, but they wouldn't hear of it. After putting our things away, a few of us went on a boat ride, and by the time we got back to the dock, the girls had pulled out THE TUBE (cue dramatic music...dun dun dun). I honestly don't mind tubing in the lake, it's not my favorite thing, but I will do it; however, tubing in the ocean with sharks (on Shark Week, no less) is not my idea of a good time. I've seen Jaws one too many times...However, after much coaxing, I , Ashley Meadows, tubed in the ocean. It was so much fun...until I fell off the tube and was hanging out in open water waiting for the boat to turn around and get me. I started to totally panic in my mind. I tried to imagine anything other than sharks coming up from below and pulling me under, nada. I swiftly got back in the boat. I was done with the tube. Of course, Steven loved the tube and stayed out there for as long as he could. He's an all-star at water sports, for sure.

We filled the rest of our time by going to the beach, playing ladder ball and corn hole in the yard, sitting around talking, or playing the game Just Dance on the Wii (even the older guys danced, which was hysterical). While we were there, Steven learned how to catch crabs off of the dock, which he became quickly addicted to doing. Apparently, you need what they called a turkey neck, but what looked more like a ham bone, to tie on a string and throw down into the water. Steven and Mallory (one of the twins) caught almost a dozen crabs, which was a great success for a first timer.

My favorite part of the whole weekend was, of course, all of the delicious food. These people know how to eat, and they expect you to eat as well. Every morning, we had a country breakfast with all the fixins'. Lunch was usually a smorgasbord of things for sandwiches (i.e. chicken salad, pimento cheese, ham, turkey, relishes), fruit, and sides. Suppertime was always the best, though. One night we had Mrs. Marietta's homemade spaghetti. I know what you're thinking, "Oh, just speghetti," but her speghetti is something to write home about. I think it has a lot of sugar in it...It is sweet sauce--totally addictive. Another night we had a Mexican fiesta, consisting of tacos, chicken enchilada casserole, refried beans, a vegetarian casserole, Mexican grits, and homemade salsas. Delicioso! The best night was crab night. The ladies made fried crabs, crab soup, boiled crab, crab legs, crab claws, slaw, and bread. It was a feast! Neither Steven nor I had ever eaten crab, so figuring out how to eat was a little bit of a challenge. Anyway, it was a really fun meal.

Bridget's family are all wonderful people. They are all really funny and love to laugh. I had the greatest time just relaxing and getting to know them. It was a great extended weekend!

Happy Thursday!

Since I did "oh so much" work yesterday looking for houses (she says dripping with sarcasm), I think I will treat myself to one last day at the beach with Bridget's family. Steven and I went up last weekend (blogging about that soon), and they will be leaving tomorrow so I am going to spend the morning/afternoon with them. I had to drive seperate because Steven's boss, Ronnie, invited us to a Meals on Wheels mission that his church is doing for families in the community. Steven and I feel so blessed, and we know that we should be involved in things like this more often. God wants us to give back to Him and His people a portion of what he has given us! Happy Thursday everyone!

Househunting (for real this time)

I am meeting with our realtor, Connie, today at 10:00. I have picked out like 20 houses online, and she has added a few new ones in that she wants to show me as well. I have nervous butterflies like I did when I went to look for my wedding dress. I knew that my dress was out there, but I didn't know which one would fit me best. Same thing with a house...I have seen a lot that have nice features, but will it fit Steven and Ashley (we'll see)? I was talking to Betsy on the phone yesterday, and told her that I needed my sisters' opinions on this...I'm not the responsible one who makes great decisions--that's usually one or both of them. Anyway, today is the big day, and I couldn't be any more excited! I will update soon with details, maybe post some pics and all of you can help me decide.

Get your trailor ready, Taylor. I feel a move coming up ;)

Dear OHS

How do I miss thee? Let me count the ways.

First and foremost, I miss all of the friends that made my time at OHS so fun. There was a comfort level between us that is incomparable. I miss sitting around the lunch table with all of my people (i.e. Summer, Kirstin, Bryan, Jason, Sarah, and John) and laughing endlessly about one thing or another (one of the plusses to teaching high school students is the endless amount of stories). I miss the first few days of school before the students arrive that I get to hang out with all of peers, even if that means we have to go to workshops. I miss going to Cottage Cafe, Jim Bobs, or Mandarin at lunchtime and coming in five minutes late. I miss Dr. Rogers standing in the back of the room because he can't sit still. I miss all the inside jokes Kirstin, Summer, Jamie, and I shared throughout the entirety of the workshops. I even miss rolling my eyes at all the new theories and work we find out we have to do for school improvement...

Secondly, I miss my students. I think I should write a book. A book that only includes funny stories that I have experienced while teaching. I have only been teaching for three years, and I already feel like I have enough for a good start. Maybe I'm a little biased, but I think that I had the best group of kids each semester. Even the rough ones...I'm pretty sure I learned more from them than so many of the good ones. There were days that I would walk into my classroom and feel terrible, and then one student would give me a compliment or say something funny and my day would change completely. I will always remember my students at OHS. They are very special to me.

Lastly, I am going to miss all the sports and clubs I got to attend or be a part of throughout the years. I love OHS football games. I smile just thinking about being at one of them. It was always fun to sit with close friends and watch the games. The atmosphere was always very energetic. One club I am going to miss is FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). The students who faithfully attended this meeting every Friday morning were like lights in a world of darkness. Just to see there smiling upbeat faces meant the world to me, and always seemed to make my day go a little better. Jamie and Kyle always did an excellent job with this club, and I learned so much about boldness and perseverance from these two amazing Christian examples. Finally, although I never thought I would say this, I am going to miss Diamond Darlings and OHS baseball games. I believe I have sat at more OHS games than any one person should, although when you have a friend with you, it really is a lot of fun. My first two years, I had Kirstin by my side. One or both of us was always there. We always had a ton of fun and laughed hysterically about things happening at school or in our personal lives. Last year, Kirstin opted to coach soccer, so Summer joined the Diamond Darling team. Although I always felt unorganized, it was always fun to hang with Summer and the girls at the games.

For all of these reasons and many more, I will miss OHS with all my heart. There were so many people there that I learned something from in one way or the other. Thanks for all the good times. Much love.