Sick Sick Sick

I have been working for two months now. Right after school started I got a bad cold that took about three weeks to get over. The first week of October I came down with a stomach virus. Luckily, it was not H1N1 symptoms so I just slept alot and got better on my own.

This past weekend (two weeks after my stomach virus) Jeremy and I went to St Louis for a friend's wedding. On Saturday my throat began to hurt. I woke up Sunday morning to head back home from St Louis and had body aches and a throbbing throat. I went to Urgent Care on Monday morning and was told I had strep throat. I have been out of work for three days now. I am on antibiotics and feeling much better. I will be returning to school tomorrow.

It seems that this first year of working is going to be a rough one. I have been told I will catch everything from the kids my first year of teaching but I didn't think it would really happen. Obviously, my immune system is not built up yet and these kiddos are as sick as ever with colds, strep, flu, and the dreaded H1N1. I am praying that I can get my shot soon and not come down with the nasty flu. I am looking forward to next month and praying that I will be illness-free.

I hope everyone is doing well and not sick like I have been. I am excited to get back to the kids at school.

A few weeks in and a paycheck

Well school has been in session now for a few weeks and I am finally settling into my role as the speech pathologist at Cowden and Holland. It is going alright; however, it is challenging to say the least. I have around 45 kids that I see twice a week at both of my schools. Half of those children either have autism or mental retardation. Paperwork is a whole other story. I haven't had too much of it yet because it is the beginning of the school year but I know it is going to get more overwhelming with time.

Today I got my first paycheck and boy does it feel good. I quit my graduate assistantship position back in October so I got my last check from MSU in November. I then took loans out to get by my last semester of school before I graduated and of course had help from Jeremy. I had two externships that I worked full-time at during my last semester and didn't get paid a penny for either so it has definitely been a while since I have made some money. I was lucky and blessed to not have to work this summer but rather live off my husband's salary. This is my first check as a professional. It sure feels good to be getting paid!!!

I went to my old roommate Katie's wedding this past weekend. It was a beautiful ceremony and reception. The food was awesome and the live band was a blast! My good friend Lyndsay who I also went to grad school with is getting married in a month in St. Louis. It is truly the season for weddings!!! First me, now all of my friends and then my sister is going to be marrying Brandon in April or May. I sure can't wait till their special day.

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the cooler weather. I know I sure am. I love this time of year when the leaves starting changing color, the air is cooler, it becomes hoodie season, and football begins. We are going to a Chiefs game in October and I can't wait!!! Take care and God Bless!!

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!!