Just Waiting....

So, summer is upon us, even though it's not quite June 21st. Joey has just finished up at South Knoll Elementary as a Dual Language Aid. I think this was by far his favorite job! The kids were wonderful, parents were involved, teachers helpful and administration actually supportive, unlike his last school district. Unfortunately, as an aid, they only pay you over 10 months instead of the 12 month option, so he's now in the process of finding a summer job. He has a guaranteed job at Marble Slab, but only for very part time. I have to say that my tummy is looking forward to that position, but my waste and rear are not! He has an interview tomorrow at Old Navy, my old company :o), and is hoping to get something there that could potentially extend through next semester as a little side money. He's finished his content test for EC-6th grade and passed, his bilingual supplemental and passed and will be taking his LOTE next week, I believe. This will certify him to teach ESL, Bilingual and Dual Language classes up to 6th grade. The teaching job market in the area is rough though! He's submitted applications to more school districts than I can count on a hand, but has only received one interview. Unfortunately, they gave that position to another person who is already certified, even though he gets his temporary certification as soon as he gets hired. I know he'll make a fantastic teacher, but just needs someone to give him a chance! We just keep praying, but Joey's better at staying faithful than I am. 

It's been really rough for me for the past year. The infertility struggles we're dealing with are affecting me more than I realized. Lately, I've just been angry with God for allowing me to go through so many struggles in one short lifetime with no answers. You would think that after someone goes through things as difficult as I've dealt with that I would get a break one day, but things haven't started looking up for us yet. I know that God will only give me things that I can handle, but I just feel like saying, "You know what?! I don't want to be strong anymore!"  I try to keep my chin up as much as possible and stay positive, especially for all you pregnant people around! :o) I am looking forward to being an Aunt in a little less than three weeks. I get my first niece, Camilla!  

Other than that, Joey and I have just been trying to get creative with things to do around town that don't cost anything. We've explored Lick Creek Park, enjoyed First Friday and Bark in the Park (cause I was working that one), and might go to the last concert at the CS Starlight Music Series event. I've still got my eye set on an island off the coast of Belize as soon as Joey gets a teaching job! I'm so overdue for a vacation that I don't even care if debt isn't paid off yet! 

Hopefully some good news updates will follow shortly...

What's This Blogging Thing About?

So, we Hensleys noticed that some friends have this thing called a blog, and thought we might give it a go. I suppose since we're such late starters compared to those of you high tech folks out there, we should update the world on what has transpired over the last 2 1/2 years! Here goes...
Two weeks after getting married, Amanda started her last undergraduate semester at Sam Houston State University, taking 24 hours of coursework (yikes!) and Joey started his job at West Corporation in College Station, driving 110miles a day, since we were living in Huntsville at the time. Every morning, Joey would get up with Amanda as she left for a full day of class and work afterwards at a Veterinary Hospital, and eventually get ready to leave for his full day of work/training, not returning until about 2:00am. Amanda would come home to their dog and cat, cook dinner, leave a plate for Joey and go to bed after studying. This went on for about 5 months until Amanda finally graduated. We moved to College Station in May 2008 after Amanda graduated from SHSU with a B.S. in Agriculture. Joey was finally spared from driving so far, and reduced his commute from 55miles to about 5 miles. Amanda got a job as Director of Banfield The Pet Hospital in College Station, and the two Hensleys finally got to experience married life where they could actually see each other!While starting life here in College Station, we aquired another kitty, Dude, from Amanda's brother and thus our furry family became three! Joey continued taking classes as they came around from the College of Biblical Studies, still having to drive to SW Houston once a week. Joey's car finally died later in the Fall of 2008 and so the two Hensleys became a one car family...talk about forced into communication! In December 2008, we experienced another life changing event. Amanda found out she was pregnant, even though we were on the pill, but miscarried a few short days later. After having this unexpected gain and loss, we started talking about when to have a family. After much discussion and debate, we decided to start trying on Valentine's 2009. Joey finished his degree from the College of Biblical Studies; B.S. in Christian Leadership in May 2009 and finally got his degree on our wall of diplomas! This was such a momentous occasion for our family as a long road was finally at an end. Joey was told through out life that he'd never make it through high school even since he had a traumatic brain injury, but proved all those doctors wrong as he walked across the stage last weekend to shake the school president's hand as a bachelor degree recipient! In August 2009, the West Corporation received word that their contract with American Express was ending and Joey was laid off. This was a scary time for both of us since an enormous pressure was placed upon Amanda to take up financial responsibilities for their family and Joey was set frantically looking for new employment. Througout the end of the year, Joey worked for the Bank of New York Mellon handling shares of stock for Met Life and working at Santa's Wonderland at night. He finally received an interview at South Knoll Elementary where he was hired for the Spring semester as a Dual Language Teacher's Aid. In January 2010, Joey started his new job doing two things he loves most, working with kids and speaking spanish! Later that month, after several visits with the doctor and SEVERAL rounds of bloodwork, the Hensleys tried a round of Chlomid and found out they were pregnant again! Unfortunately, we miscarried again 24hours after finding out such wonderful news. This was the hardest thing that we've ever had to go through after trying a full year, but was the happiest 24hours of that time. Several more doctors visits later, we're left with no answers as to why we can't get pregnant/Amanda doesn't ovulate very often, and why we can't seem to have a viable pregnancy. Through all the emotional struggles, we try to keep our chin up, have faith and hope and trust in God's timing.
Two years have gone by since moving to College Station and to date, we are living in a duplex in College Station-which is surrounded by three Mulberry trees by the way-with our two cats and dog, Rosie, Dude and Gomer. Joey has just completed one of his content tests to get certified to teach, and has one of two spanish certification tests scheduled in a couple of weeks. He is currently looking for a teaching job in the fall for anything from EC-6th grade. Amanda is still working at Banfield as the hospitals director of pet nursing staff and hanging in there with crossed fingers for Joey's job interests. We also recently purchased a 2001 Camry with only 66,000mi on it (what a find!). We are so thankful to be a two car family again! We're currently using a hormone fertility treatment, but in compliance with doctor's orders this morning, we're going to stop trying so hard for the next 3-4 months, as in not pay attention to BBT, and ovulation tests and all that mess.
More updates to follow as we get used to this thing of blogging...hopefully the next updates will be about jobs or babies!