The McCall's: Is December Over yet?

We kicked off the month of December with a craft show with Jason's mom. She's very crafty and sells her things at the local craft shows. At the end of last year and this year she thought it would be fun if she taught me her fudge recipe and then had me sell it with her at the craft shows. Not much fun when you're working full time, student teaching full time, getting ready for the holidays, getting ready to graduate and trying to get the house ready for out-of-town family. Anyway, somehow we did it.

Here's what 20 pounds of fudge looks like packaged and ready to go. And, in every flavor: Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Chocolate with Pecans, Chocolate with Walnuts, Mint Chocolate, Candy Cane and Pumpkin Pie.

And here is my table at the craft show:

So then, after the mania of getting ready for a craft show, Jason's dad and stepmom made it here for my graduation. It was a very exciting, and tiring week.

Here they are with the grandkids (Jason's brother's kids), Kara and Hunter:

Then, of course, there was the graduation. Who could forget that? But before I go on, I just think it's important to reflect on where I came from, where I've been and where I'm going. (Reflections...that's the teacher in me!!!)

First of all, where I've been is not easy. I grew up as an only child in a house filled with love. My mom stayed home for most of my life and my dad was the bread winner. When my mom got cancer, the first time, it hit our family like a ton of bricks. I was 5. Can you believe I still remember? Who could forget something like that. However, my parents made it as normal for me as possible. It wasn't even after the second diagnosis of cancer that turned our lives upsode down. It was after the second surgery to the second diagnosis, about 7 years later. After a horrible medical mistake my life changed forever. It was hard to have a normal family after that, but we managed.

It was during that hard time that my mom urged me to go to college to be the best I could. It wasn't that I would never go, I just never talked about it because my mom was so sick and taking care of her was financially draining, I didn't dare talk about spending money on myself. Then, we got that magic phone call. It was from my great aunt and uncle. They asked my mom about my future plans and said they'd like to help out. From that point on my college tuition was paid for at the junior college I was going to. I would charge the bill on dad's credit card and send them the receipt for a full reimbursement. What a godsend they were. Without them, I may not have been this far. Thank you Uncle Donald and Aunt Sharon for opportunity you gave me!

I do have to say though, the free ride did wear out. It was when I started attending Texas Woman's University that I paid my own way. Sometimes I would get student loans and sometimes we would just write a check. Regardless of how I got through school, I made it and it feels great.

Where I've been is a place I never thought I'd see. Furthuring my education really wasn't a priority for me initially. I'm not even sure why. I guess I just thought it was an unattainable goal. However, I proved that hard work, dedication and an undying will to suffer through it paid off. One more thing, I didn't get through it alone. I had my family, friends and of course Jason. He was so calm with me, even though it seems like many times I would just never finish. I literally spent 10 years of full time school and work to get where I am. And just to clear things up, the reason it took me so long is because I decided that I wanted to go to pharmacy school first. It was a good choice at first, but the program is 4 years, on top of a bachelor's degree. AND, there aren't any in this area. The closest one is 3 hours away. Not really something I was willing to commit to. Then, when I got my transcripts after my Associate's Degree I knew I could do better and so I took 2 years cleaning up my grades. It was after that I decided that I might like teaching. Funny, if you knew me in school. I wasn't exactly "good student" material. However, that was the decision I made and I enrolled at TWU. For the last 3 years I have put my heart and soul in to getting this degree, and on December 13, I made it happen!

Before I get to the where I'm going, here is a picture of me on the big day. These are all I have right now, but my dad has some others I will post as soon as I get them:

(flattering get-up isn't it?)

The Graduate:

So, where am I going? Easy! I'm not going anywhere alone. I've got Jason, my wonderful family and I've really surrounded myself with some awesome friends.

The Wednesday after graduation I got a call from Gene Pike Middle School (the one I student taught at) to come tutor their students that aren't passing the state exam. So, I accepted and I start on day a week at the end of January and I work there through May. Not exactly a teaching job, but it's an opportunity to be seen at the school and since that's my first choice school, I will hopefully get a position in the fall. I must have already made and impression on them since they called me back to work for them!

Once I get my first teaching job, I will complete that school year and look in to getting my Master's degree. Can you believe it??? It's only 18 months, and I can finish it all on-line. As far as going any further with my education goes, I'll probably stop there, although the PhD robing ceremony at graduation looked pretty neat.

After graduation Jason had a dinner planned at the Prairie House. I had a great time.

Dave and Mary (Jason's dad and stepmom)