Speaking of Change...

Do you remember my first post ever when I explained the name of my blog? If not, then you can read it here. If so, then you remember the lyrics that inspired the name of my first blog:

"In a moment, everything can change..."

Well, these words couldn't ring any truer! So many things have changed since my "old blog" days, I thought I would take a minute and catch everyone up. (disclaimer: if you read my mom's blog, A Chelsea Morning, feel free to skip this post- I'm sure you're pretty well caught up already!) Even though all these changes happened over the course of two years, they still feel like they happened "In a moment's time..."

My Age

(Duh!) Okay, that was a silly one. Let's move on...

My Marital Status

Yup- I went through with it. On June 23, 2007 I said "I do" and Aaron went from being my wonderful fiance to being my wonderful husband.

So, I went from being engaged, to being married. As if that wasn't a big enough change! I had no idea how many changes start happening once you sign the marriage license!

For one, my name! (Of course, when you hear your last name a million times a day, "Mrs. V!" Mrs. V!" , you get used to it pretty quickly! I also had to change my driver's license, my social security card, my bank account information, my magazine subscriptions, my blogger information...wait...I kind of didn't get around to that one, did I? Anyway, you get the picture. It felt like I was taking on a whole new identity! But, it was the best change I ever made, and I love my new identity as Aaron's wife, so it's all good!!

My Address (Twice!)

Not long after the honeymoon, my new hubby and I packed up everything we owned and moved across the state so he could pursue a Master's Degree. We moved into the married housing right off campus. And with that BIG change came a million little ones - again. My bank account information, voter registration, magaz...okay, okay, you get the picture. The biggest change for both of us was being 5 hours away from the family we were used to being 5 minutes away from. (I still haven't gotten used to that one, by the way!)

We stayed in that apartment for a year, and then we moved again- at my pleading- into a cute little condo an hour south of where we were. This put me closer to my job (within 5 minutes!!) and - as I like to think of it- an hour closer to our family. In a year we'll do it all again, to move back to where it all began. I don't even want to think about how big that move will be! But, we're settled and happy for now, so it's all good!

My Job

Before I got married, I taught third graders at a cute little elementary school in Southwestern Colorado. Now I teach fifth graders at a K-8 school in Northeastern Colorado. So, my school district changed, my school changed, my kids, parents, and co-workers changed. You want to know what the biggest change was? The surprisingly enourmous leap from third grade to fifth grade! It is unbelievable how much kids change between the ages of 8 and 10! Especially the girls! You don't even want to know about some of the notes I confiscated! Goodness gracious! But, fifth graders, over all, are a hoot, and I love the adventures they provide for me every day, so it's all good!

My Car

I know, people get new cars every day, right? Whereas I love my new car, I don't love how I got it. It all started on a Monday morning in November- the first day back to school after Thanksgiving Break. I was just driving along minding my own business, when out of nowhere a little blue car (and its oblivious teen driver) pulled right out in front of me! I knew I couldn't stop in time, so I did the only other thing I could think of in a split second. I slammed on the brakes and cranked the wheel HARD to the right. The good news is that going right allowed me to barely clip the front of him and avoid oncoming traffic. The bad news is that going right took me right off the road. WAY of the road. To be more specific, through-a-ditch-through-a-fence-into-a-tree-in-someone's-yard off the road. Okay, so I am probably making it sound way more dramatic thatn it really was, but it sure felt dramatic when it happened! The Lord was with me that day, though, because despite my car being completely totaled, I didn't even suffer a sore muscle, scratch, or bruise! So, here I am, unharmed!

And two months, a hellacious insurance company battle, and one attorney later, I have a beautiful new silver Jeep Grand Cherokee that I adore. (I call her Belle, as in Silver Belle). So, it's all good! Now, if I could only get up the courage to drive again.... I'm kidding!

By the way, it's worth mentioning that my husband got a new car, too. This is his new beauty. (I call her Hailey, as in Hail Damage - another story for another day). He got his a much more pleasant way- by selling his truck and using the money to buy a car. Great concept, don't you think?

So, there you have it- my life update in a nutshell. A very long and wordy nutshell, I know, but I did the best I could. I am sure there are more changes I will think of (don't even get me started on how different the weather is on this side of Colorado!), but for now I think you're all caught up!

I just hope something interesting happens soon, so I have something to write about!