Big Girl Job

Well I officially started my first big girl job on August 13th. I have been attending meetings, orientations, and trainings up to now for Springfield Public Schools. I have set up my classroom at Cowden which is my home school. I will be at Cowden everyday and at Holland, my second school, only two afternoons. As of right now, I have about 37 kids on my caseload at both schools. I am sure the number will continue to fluctuate for some time. There are three district programs at Cowden this year. I will be seeing all of the kids in these programs for speech and language therapy. The three district programs include two autism programs and one mental retardation program. This year is going to be a challenging one but one I will never forget because it is my FIRST YEAR!! I am excited and feel blessed to have a job and to have one that I think I am going to truly love. I hope to make a difference in all of my kids' lives. Tomorrow is the first day of school for Springfield but I get a week to schedule my therapy groups so I actually will not begin seeing children until around next Wednesday. I am nervous but oh so excited!!!

Our Reception

We had our reception on Saturday, June 27th. Most of our family and friends were able to make it. We enjoyed seeing everyone and spending time with you all. Everyone who came was able to come got to watch our dvd of our wedding on the beach before we were introduced. We then ate, drank, got the cake, danced, and enjoyed our evening. It was a magical time for us as was our beautiful wedding. We are still loving married life. We have officially been married around a month and a half. We are so blessed!!!

I Do

Jeremy and I were married on the beach in Antigua at the Sandals Resort on Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 5:00pm. It was everything we had hoped it would be. We could not be more excited to be starting our lives together as husband and wife.

We are looking forward to celebrating with our family and friends on Saturday, June 27th at our reception.

Getting close

Well in 8 days we will be getting on a plane headed for Antigua and in 11 days I will be standing on a beautiful beach saying my vows to Mr. Elliott. I am so very excited to be marrying the love of my life.

I have spent the past five years getting to know him better, making memories with him, and falling more in love with him each day. I am excited to start my life with Jeremy and grow old with him. He is all I could ever hope for in a husband. He is going to make a wonderful husband and an even better father to our children.

I couldn't be more excited for this time in our lives and for all of the wonderful people that love us and support us, thank you all so very much.

I have included two of my favorite engagement pictures so far. I still have not received the disc with all of our pictures but thought I would post a few so you could see our photographer Katie Gillespie's work. I will get engagement and wedding pictures up as soon as possible when we get back.

God bless each of you!

The Soon-To-Be..... Mrs. Andrea Elliott

Finished with school FOREVER!!!

I graduated on Friday May 15th at 1:30pm with my Masters in Speech Pathology. It was a great day filled with family and friends. I will begin my job for the Springfield Public Schools on August 13th.

I just found out that I will be at Cowden and Holland Elementaries. I will have around 35 or so children at Cowden. Most of these children will either be in one of the district programs for the district meaning that the kids will either have autism or mental retardation. I will be working with a few children that are nonverbal and some that are very high functioning. I will have around 6-8 children at Holland which is where I did my externship. These children will more than likely be kindergarten students either with a speech or language problem.

I am very anxious but excited to start my career working with children. I am hoping to be a nanny over the summer to make some extra money and to start helping pay for the bills again. I have had a semester doing my externships with no pay so I am ready to make some money. I hope everyone enjoys the summer as much as I will. I am planning to spend lots of time with my family, going to the lake, going to Chiefs/Cardinals/Royals games, and getting married. Thanks to everyone for all of the support and encouragement over the past two years of grad school. I am sure glad the ride is over!!

And let the ceremony begin.....

I am graduating on Friday, May 15th at 1:30pm with my Master of Science in Speech Pathology. I could not be more excited to be done with school for GOOD!!! This is my second college graduation and the last! Both of my externships are completed and paperwork turned in so it really is going to happen. It is a very exciting time in my life and I am ready for the real world. Now the only worry I have left is praying that I don't trip in my heels while walking up to accept my diploma. ha! Have a great weekend!

Two weeks left...

Well I have only two more weeks left at the nursing home. It has been a great experience but I am ready for it to be over. I graduate on May 15th at 1:30pm for the second time. I AM THRILLED to be almost finished with my education. I have now been in school for 19 years straight including elementary, middle, high school, four years of Bachelors work, and now two years for my Masters.

We are also getting super excited for our upcoming wedding. June 13th will be here before we know it. I am ready for school to be over, start my life with the love of my life, and begin a new job that I know I will love!

Hope everyone is doing great.

P.S. I love the warm weather......come on Summer!!!