The Beginning of the End...

This past week was the last week of Teen CBS. This is a ministry I have been a part of for three years: one year as a core leader, and 2 as the Teaching Director. I will miss this ministry and it will be weird having Tuesday nights open from now on. The last night was particularly strange for me because it was really the first thing/group of people that I have had to say "goodbye" to. I have one month left at Mt. Carmel and I plan on finishing strong! Thanks to everyone involved with Teen CBS for a great year!

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

"Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" is back for its second season on ABC Tuesday evenings at 8pm (and for those of us who are too busy, you can catch it on abc.com!) I got hooked on this show last year when it was in its first season, and even wrote an article for my youth newsletter about the show. This season, Jamie is trying to impact the public school lunch system in Los Angeles. He is being met with great opposition, and the school board will not even let him look in the kitchens, which is pretty sad if you ask me.

Now that I am going to be working in a school next year, I feel even more connected to this cause. With all the health issues in our country, I was shocked at some of the illustrations he used to show what our kids are being fed at school. For example, he had a dump truck pump a school bus full of all the sugar in flavored milk just in Los Angeles public schools each week. The sugar filled the whole school bus and leaked out the windows making huge piles on the parking lot! And that's just the flavored milk in one city, in one week!

This is an eye-opening show for everyone, whether you are involved with schools or not. It's definitely an inspiration to think about where our food comes from and what we are putting into our bodies!

"Wolf Pack" is an interesting mascot...

As the days I have left in the Burgh come to a close, I am getting excited and anxious! We recieved the very exciting news that NC State wanted to offer Nolan an RD position. He accepted the position and will be moving to Raleigh while I am at my training in Mississippi in July. "Relief" is an understatemnt for how we are feeling to have all the details coming together! Thanks to everyone who prayed for us through this job hunt. I guess I better start liking red more...because NC State is the "Wolf Pack" (I better figure out if that is one or two words...) and their colors are red and white!

And we're back...

Life has been very chaotic lately, and my blogging has fallen by the wayside. There are lots of changes in our lives, and I am very excited for this new adventure. Nolan and I will be moving to North Carolina this summer where I will be teaching middle school English with a program called Teach for America. Nolan is in the midst of the job search, and we know something will come around! In other news, my family has lots to celebrate...Melanie is graduating high school (ah! so crazy) and my mom is getting married on May 28. I am excited for both of these wonderful events. As excited as I am to start a new phase of life, it is certainly is bittersweet leaving a city I have called home my whole life, leaving people I love, and a job that has really helped to shape who I am. Nolan and I are so grateful for supportive friends, family, and church "families" who are celebrating this new adventure with us. I look forward to blogging more often...and letting anyone who reads this in on the ups and downs of being a first year teacher and living in a new city!

Holiday Celebrations

I know I have been slacking in the blogging world, but hopefully I am back! We have had a really great holiday season with family and friends. Here are some pictures from our Thanksgiving, Christmas, My sister's 18th birthday, and New Year's...Enjoy!

Consol Energy Center

This past Saturday, we went down to the open Penguins practice at the new Consol Energy Center with our friend Matt Dodd and had a great time! The new arena is awesome and we got to watch the scrimmage from seats we would probably never be able to afford! I was interviewed by a news anchor and made it on Channel 4 News Saturday night and Sunday morning, which means I am pretty much famous now!

DC and Annapolis!

We took a short getaway to Annapolis this past week and it was a great trip! We stayed over in DC with Abbie for the first night and got to see her new apartment and American University campus. Then we headed to Annapolis and met up with the McCubrey's for dinner and Connor's game that night. We enjoyed breakfast with them and then said goodbye. Nolan and I explored the city a little and took a narrated boat cruise, which was informative and fun! Abbie came back and spent the night with us. We enjoyed some delicious seafood! Here are some pictures from our trip:

Our hotel had an incredible view--right on the water! We ordered a huge seafood platter for dinner to share!

Lunch on the water

Downtown Annapolis

We all went to see Connor's game. The field was right on the water and it was a gorgeous night. Navy won the game which was exciting!

Boat tour of Annapolis

We were able to take Connor out to lunch before we left.

Miss this girl so much!