waiting...

Well the semester is almost over and I have interviewed and I am still waiting. The VA is notoriously slow about hiring so I am not very worried. But I realize it is highly competitive. I am working hard on the dissertation this week as most of my class prep work is done. Wish I knew something.

The deed is done...

Well i think the interview went well. Apparently they have to keep straight faces and just read the questions on the page. I got to look at the questions about 15 minutes before so that helped. I feel pretty good about it but don't really know. But I am glad it is over. Might not know anything for a few weeks.

Also got an email from my advisor and it didn't make me cry so that is good. She said my ch. 2 was a "substantial improvement." but still of course needed some of her wise correction. She is quite thorough with her comments. But I appreciate it. ALso Eliza has learned to roll on her side. She lays on the floor and I try to tickle her and she laughs and laughs and rolls away from me. She is hilarious.

Feeling at peace...

Well since Eliza has her own blog now I might bore some of you with news about my thoughts etc. I think I have resolved to myself that I want to be a social worker again. I also feel like that I can still be a historian by teaching a few classes here and there but mainly concentrate on being a social worker, a husband, a dad, and a volunteer at our church.

I had an impromptu meeting with some of the history faculty at Milligan and they support wholeheartedly my being included as an adjunct faculty member in the future teaching a class every so often that interests me. I feel affirmed by them with this and it is something that I think will be good for me.

The point is I don't want to move my family anywhere, no local colleges are hiring, and I think I might like to be a social worker again so I feel good about this decision. I still want to finish my dissertation, I hope my advisor understands my decision not to pursue teaching full time. So anyways I hope that my interview goes well. It would be so nice to be able to provide more substantially for my kid's future.

It other news someone turned me on to this savings program for your child's college through the Tennessee Best Program. A short synopsis is that you buy units that are invested and the idea that is that you pay for your kids' college in today's dollars. Here is the website that explains it more fully. http://www.tn.gov/treasury/best/index_1a.html

I know one friend who used it to help pay for two of his children's schooling. Even despite the stock market crash these investments gained ground. So Kristen and I have signed Eliza up for and will begin contributing into it. It also has coupons that you can give to relatives etc if they want to buy a unit for Eliza as a gift. It may sound weird but it really seems like a good investment for your child's future. Anyway, those of you with youngin's in Tennessee should look at it. It is also a tax free investment. Cheers!

I got an interview...

Well I talked to the social work supervisor today at the VA and I have an interview for Friday at 10.45 for a mental health social work position. I am excited but also nervous. (those who know me are not suprised). I might have to work on Saturdays but hey it is a full time job and my foot in the door. They have performance based interviews at the VA so they actually grade you on how well you answer questions. Yikes. It's like a pop quiz, you have to answer each question with specific experiences from your past. So say a prayer for Ted because I would really like to have a job. thanks.

possibilities...

Well I got a phone call from a social work supervisor at the VA today. I was in class so she left a message to call her and when I did I think she had already gone home so I left a message for her. But anyway that is kind of exciting because there is really no reason for her to call unless they want to talk to me about interviewing for a job. They just email you when you don't get an interview..I know because they have emailed me a couple of times about a couple of jobs. So I am excited that something possibly might work out.

Easter pictures..

We spent Easter in Louisville with my sister and her kids. Here are a few pictures of Eliza's first Easter.



Papaw and Nana stopped by before we left to give Eliza some Easter presents. One of the bunnies was from her Aunt Jeanette.



Here's a pic of Granddaddy and Mamaw and all the grandkids. Eliza is in her easter outfit.

Here's the Booth family right after Church. It was a great service.

On the way home we stopped by to see Uncle Aaron and Aunt Katie. Eliza was most fascinated though by Aaron and Katie's pet rabbit Darla. Eliza did so well travelling in the car. We are so thankful for all that Easter truly means with the resurrection of our Lord.

Our spring pictures..

We went to see our good friend Julie Roberts who is also an artist with the camera. She took our 6 month pictures for Eliza. The weather was so beautiful. Here is a tease...

Waiting..

Well now it is getting closer to the end of the semester and I am waiting to see what kind of job I may have in the fall. I haven't heard anything yet on the three jobs that i have applied for but I feel hopeful. I have been thinking of taking some of my books home from Milligan and putting them in my home office. It seems a bit sad to do that but I have to get all those books home.

Eliza is a little under the weather with a cold but just passed out. I carried her upstairs in my arms to her bed. I know that will be an awesome memory that I will always cherish.