It's a Crazy Ride

Life with Jillian

2011-03-25T06:29:00.001-05:00

Life with Jillian couldn't be any better. Jacque and I aren't really sure how we lived the past 4 1/2 years without her. Sure there have been a few sleepless nights. Sure we have gotten frustrated with one another. BUT none of that matters, our lives have been truly blessed just by having Jillian join our family. Having Jillian has opened me up to be the person I used to be. The person I was before all of the pain and struggles to overcome what so many people placed in my shoulders and threw at me. Jillian Grace Cunningham, you are exactly what was missing from our family. Thank you God for my little girl. You gave her to us in your perfect timing instead of that of the world. It couldn't be any sweeter to be me right now. I have the unending love of my savior, the unending affection of a beautiful woman, and now the prettiest little girl I've ever seen.

Busy Life....About to get busier!

2010-11-05T22:47:00.000-05:00

I always fall behind on this blog, but now I can blog from my phone so that should help. If you read my blog before I hope you will keep coming back, and tell other people about it. I am changing the title and content to reflect the new focus of my life.....our family, which will soon include Jillian Grace Cunningham. She has already completely changed my life. In the last 6 months I have watched as my focus shifted from the things I want to have to the things we are going to need. We feel truly and deeply blessed to have this sweet baby girl on the way. I will say that what parts of my heart her momma had not already softened, Jillian has already completely softened my heart, and that is a good thing. I already love my little girl with my entire being and can't imagine loving her anymore, but know I will once she gets here. There are still a lot of preperations that need to be made, but we have 4 months to get it all done. We are officially registered for everything we need, and have started buying diapers when we go to the store. We have decided on which room will be her's and are beginning to prepare to start painting it and getting it all set up. I am already really loving my new role as a daddy. Every night I lay in bed and feel her kicking. When she starts kicking I talk to her for a little while, and then I read her a book. Then I sing her the lullaby that I picked out for her. I think she is beginning to recognize my voice as crazy as it may sound, because she moves towards it and calms down when I sing to her. I can't wait for February 22nd....on second thought I can wait because there is still so much to be done, but I can't wait to meet my daughter.

Work is going really well this year. My class is the best class I have ever had, and I feel like I am a better teacher than I have ever been before. I don't feel like I drag into work every morning. Most morning I am excited to go to work. I am also excited about the idea I have to start a class blog to keep the parents up to date with what is going on in my class, and to share with other teacher.

My family has moved to Grapevine, so now instead of being 7 hours away, they are 1 hour away. That is nice, and will be really nice when Jillian gets here. I am so thankful that my mom and dad moved closer in time to be around for the birth of the first grandchild. Shelby is at ASU and Jessica will be coming to live with us in January. So like the post title says, I have a busy life that is about to get busier!

WOW

2010-05-28T06:20:00.000-05:00

Wow, where has time gone? My baby sister Shelby is graduating from
high school today. It seems like just yesterday she was following me
around asking what I was doing and if she could do it too. She has
grown up so much that it's hard to believe she is even the same
person. She has truly turned into an amazing Godly young woman. I
guess I can't really call her my baby sister anymore.

In other news we flew to Lubbock for her graduation because we still
aren't out of school yet. I had never flown before last night, so I
was a little nervous before we got on the plane. I can now announce
that I LOVE flying and believe there is no better way to travel.

I get to spend the weekend with my family and go to my nephew's second
birthday party. However right now I'm going to go back to sleep. Later

Just a picture of Shelby:

Multimedia message

2010-05-23T18:47:00.001-05:00

Just a test to see if I can now blog from my iPhone.

Take Five Hundred Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty Two!

2010-01-26T23:27:00.002-06:00

Have you ever noticed how life just gets crazy? Well in case you haven't ever experienced that phenomenon BE WARNED: LIFE GETS CRAZY!!!!! Jacque had her surgery on Dec. 22. She is doing well, she went to see the doctor and they said that she is right on track. God has been teaching me lessons over the last 5 weeks, not that He doesn't usually, but they are just more obvious ones right now. I have learned that I am much more capable than I thought when it comes to cooking and cleaning. I have also learned a few new lessons on being a supportive husband. I have always been supportive, but she just needs it more right now. I have been doing a devotional every night and every morning. Every night at some point during my devotional I look for a scripture dealing with something Jacque needs support in. Right now most of them center around strength, and how the only true source of our strength is God. I then take that scripture and write in on a post-it and stick it to the door, where she can see it when she leaves. We have such different schedules in the morning, I try to be at work by 6 or 6:30, when she is usually trying to get up, this is a way that I can still speak God's word into her life daily. It has become something I really look forward to doing. School is much better than it has been in the past 6 weeks or so, God is blessing me in ways that I would have never imagined. He has used the stress of Jacque's surgery to draw me closer to him. I have found my center in my faith again, and that has made everything else much easier. Not easy, because we were never promised easy, but easier. Look for God's blessings in your life. Maybe they will come from the student who finally understands the skill that they have struggled with for longer than you care to remember. Maybe its a coworker who takes time to remember you and just stop in to ask how things are. Maybe its that you made it through another day of something you thought you weren't capable of surviving. I will leave you with this, because I should be in the shower right now. First check out the songs at the top of the page, they are good ones. Second, if you get discouraged or start to feel your strength waining, do me a favor...check out this scripture: Psalm 3:5 (NIV) "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me." The Lord will sustain you through anything, you just have to trust that he will, and get out of His way. Later.

Cowboy Stadium

2009-06-06T18:48:00.001-05:00

What else!?!

2009-05-04T09:03:00.001-05:00

What else is going to happen? We lost power again last night at about 10:00, and had to stay in a motel. Now I have found out I may not be able to go to the men's conference that I really want to go to. I don't mean to complain, so I'll just pray...
Father,
Please give me patience and strength today so that I can make it through the day. Thank you for all you have done for me, and the life you have given me. Amen

What a Day!

2009-05-03T17:16:00.003-05:00

No electricity since late last night, and then we woke up and found that our side fence had been knocked down by the storms last night. We were set to start our new church today, after a month of set backs every Sunday morning. Today I was determined not to let Satan stop us from going to church once again. So we quickly dried the boys off and brought them inside. We then quickly got dressed and ready to go to church, with no electricity mind you. The church was amazing. I can't tell you how long it has been since I felt so welcome at a church, if I ever have felt this welcome. I felt so free during the worship part of the service, finally lifing my voice in praise. I also really liked the pastor and the sermon, it really spoke to me. I am very excited to see how things go from this point on. Until next time.

Trying to Figure it Out

2009-04-17T20:50:00.003-05:00

I have a lot going on in my life right now that I am trying to figure out. A lot of things that I don't understand right now... and I'm not sure I ever will. I am trying to figure out how things can just develop and show up and turn life on it's ear. I thank God for my marriage and for my wife...with out her I wouldn't be able to even worry about trying to figure things out, I would just lay down and let them run my life.-- This was me about three weeks ago, I am finally starting to feel a little better for those who are concerned. School is a struggle right now the kids are crazy, and we just had to tell them that our field trip is cancelled due to the Swine Flu. So you know....that went over well. 23 Days and counting. There will be no summer school for me this year either. I am taking a hard earned break. Until next time! J.

Loooooooooooong Week!

2009-04-09T22:14:00.003-05:00

This has to have been one of the longest weeks of my life. I feel like I have lived a life time in just the past 6 days. I don't understand it but when my allergies act up and I get congested I am sicker than at any other time. It just takes all of my strength away. I did however receive the chance to play a rousing match of Mud Pit Tug-o-War at school yesterday. It was a reward for the kids who have been behaving and getting things done. It was a lot of fun, but of course I had decided I didn't really need to take a change of clothes to school with me. I did okay until our principal announced that we would have a mud fight, my team even won the two rounds of Tug-o-War. But when he announced the mud fight I was suddenly having mud flung at me. I was a little dirty but still faring pretty well until he announced mud wrestling, followed by "Everyone get Mr. Cunningham!" The other teachers who had participated all ganged up on be and threw me in the mud pit. It was a whole lot of fun though, and the kids enjoyed it, and it was after all, all for them. We will start our new church in Kaufman. I am really excited. Jacque's parents are here so they will go with us. It is so nice having a beautiful home for our families to come visit us in. God has truly been good to me this week, just in little ways I don't always notice. My goal is to slow down and start trying to see all the ways He blesses me. Until next time, love your life.

Have You Ever Wondered?

2009-04-06T13:01:00.001-05:00

Have you ever wondered why it is that God puts us in the same place as the one person who drives us absolutely bonkers on a daily basis. You know the one, they walk in the room and your blood pressure sky rockets, they open their mouth to speak and your begins to twitch ever so slightly. I think maybe He is trying to teach us about loving someone beyond what we see and what they do. Like He does for us. Its hard and Lord knows I very guilty of not doing what I should in those moments. Just something I was thinking about and thought I would share. So....have you ever wondered?

Pretty Good!

2009-04-05T21:25:00.001-05:00

Forgot to mention earlier that I get to see one of my favorites Reba in concert with George Strait in June. Her performance of her new song on the ACMs reminded me. Speaking of which, I really like the new song, "Strange". Check it out when you get the chance.

Check it Out!!!

2009-04-05T17:42:00.001-05:00

This is my first mobile post. Isn't it amazing what we can do with technology. Until next time, love your life!

Have you ever wondered?

2009-04-05T17:29:00.002-05:00

Just wondering, have you ever wondered what the people who come up with commercials do all day. I mean WOW... to have a job like that. I imagine they show up to work at about 10. Take a hard earned coffee break (what's a break?) at about 10:30, and of course they probably consumed by hunger by 11, so they GO OUT to lunch (I don't even need to say it)! They are probably back by 12:30. Put in a few hours' work, and then it's off to home by 5. Now that's the life. I know, I know it probably really isn't like that. But...have you ever wondered?

Aaaannnnddddddddd We're Back!

2009-04-05T16:45:00.008-05:00

The title says it all. I am back to the blogging world. Since blogger has made it possible to blog from my cell phone by sending text messages I will be able to keep up much easier since I am rarely home. Life is good...trying to survive to the end of the school year. Is is June 5th yet???? I have been sick all weekend, and Jacque was out of town. But I didn't even call and bother her, I just took care of myself and didn't even wine or anything (take that ridiculous "Guys are babies when their sick" stereotype). I am loving being a home owner, I can do what I want to the house whenever I want without asking permission. Well, except maybe Jacque's (it is her house too). I have changed the title as you might have noticed. I am going to be updating with a new song atleast once a week, hopefully more. We are going to be trying a new church in Kaufman that some of Jacque's friends invited us to, I am really excited I hope this is the one for us, we have had trouble finding the right fit. I will be updating more often now, so until next time. Later.

Oh Boy!!

2008-07-01T20:33:00.002-05:00

Okay, sorry I know I said I would keep things up to date, but I AM teaching summer school, and it is crazy. I got to go home and see my family this past weekend, and I had a great time. I got to meet my new nephew, Gavin, my cousin Bonnie's son as well, he is an amazing little boy. I will try to post pictures later. I am really excited about being his uncle, Bonnie and I are like brother and sister, so it is only fitting. I am actually going to get to see him again this weekend and go to the zoo. My family is going to get to come visit for about a week.
I have also found a new band that I really like. The name is Chasen, and I have posted a video clip below for their song, "Crazy Beautiful". I hope you enjoy it, because it is currently one of my favorite songs.

Chasen, "Crazy Beautiful" :

My theme song right now probably seems a little strange, but it is "One Step at a Time" by Jordin Sparks. This songs just reminds me that as my beautiful wife and I go through life we must pace ourselves.

"One Step at a Time":

MASSIVE UPDATE!!!!

2008-06-14T13:56:00.006-05:00

And we're back! So after a very long self imposed hiatus I have returned to the blog world. I have had quite a few ups and downs since we last talked so here we go.
TAKS Update-- I ended the year with only one student failing the reading test and two failing the Math test. I would have like to say, in case you don't already know, thats amazing for any teacher, let alone a first year teacher such as myself.

Work Update-- After a lot of thought and prayer I have decided to stay in Terrell, I just feel that I have not accomplished everything I want, and am supposed, to do there. We will also be team teaching next year, I will thankfully be teaching just Reading and Language Arts, which is exactly what I wanted to do. I don't know who my parnter is right now, because I have been through three already and the year hasn't even started yet; they keep getting new jobs and leaving. I have also been on the list to teach summer school twice already, and been denied. Not because of me, but because they don't need as many sections as they originally thought.

My family-- My baby sister has her first job, and she chose to keep it in the family, as she is working at the exact same grocery store that I and our sister both worked at. My oldest sister is thriving in college, and helping our cousin who just had a baby. My parents are doing great, my dad is growing a garden so he is officially and old man. As I type this I am in Stockdale, TX visiting my other family, or inlaws if you must. They are doing great and it is really doing Jacque a world of good to see them.

Random update-- I am going back to school as of August 1st. I will be attending Lamar University and earning my Masters in School Administration, and yes that means one day I could be the guy making all the decisions, scary isn't it. I am also getting new lawn mower, hopefully when we get home.

As for life in general, it is great I am very happy and enjoying my hard earned summer vacation. And as for my favorite theme song of the moment here it is...(insert drum roll here) "All I Want to Do" by Sugarland. This song describes how Jacque and I are with one another, and really just makes me think of the days when we have been able to just stay at home and be in love. Until next time, enjoy the song, and love your life.

Jason

Update

2008-04-20T21:13:00.002-05:00

So sorry it has been so long. I have been crazy busy. Work is going well, it gets hard from time to time, but hey I deal with 8 year olds all day, so if you think it doesn't get difficult you are nuts. Life is pretty good right now. TAKS scores knocked my socks off, lets just say my class did very well. I am most definately ready for summer break to get here. I love 'em but it is definately time. My favorite time of year is here... the time when I can wear flip flops, shorts and a t-shirt, that is when I am not at work. In fact, the kis don't even recogize me when they see me outside of school. I feel like I am finally hitting my stride and can't wait to see what next year holds.
Jacque is doing okay, she has her good days and bad days. We are looking for anything and everything that can help her. Someday we'll find something, until then I just do everything I can to make things easier for her. God is good. Until next time.

The Day is Here...Tomorrow!

2008-03-04T20:58:00.000-06:00

Well, I know it has been a while since my last post. It has been a little crazy, getting ready for TAKS. I had to finally accept that I have done everything I can to prepare my kids for the test, and that now it is up to them to pass the test. I am going to take each of their test booklets and pray over them in the morning, I am going to pray over each of their desks, their pencils, and will continuously pray as I monitor the test. I really surprised one of my kids today when I told him that I would be praying for them tonight. He asked, "Are you going to pray for all 22 of us?", and when I said yes he was shocked. Now don't take this the wrong way, he wasn't shocked that I pray, but that I will pray for each of my 22 students.

Life is going pretty good right now. I can't say its perfect, but its good. For the moment I am content with that, we were, after all, never promised a perfect life, or a good one at that. God is blessing me is ways that I cannot even see, even as I struggle to see my place in His perfect plan. It isn't a big struggle, just things I think we all experience at times.

Jacque recently introduced me to a new artist, that Chelsey introduced her to, named Brooke Fraser. Brooke sings a song called "Shadowfeet" that has been my theme song as of late. It plays in my head for most of the day. I start my day off, listening to it and singing on the way to work every morning. I also listen to her CD until my kids come to the room every morning, it just seems to calm my mind.

Well, I need to get in bed, so I can get to work early tomorrow. If you have an extra prayer tonight or in the morning send one up for my students and I, if you don't mind too much.

It's Been A While

2008-02-15T19:10:00.000-06:00

Well, Valentine's Day has come and gone and aside from getting to give my wife a gift that she really wanted... it was horrible. I would like to say that when Valentine's Day approaches there is a collective SCREAM from elementary school teachers everywhere! My students were literally turing cartwheels, CARTWHEELS, down the middle of my classroom during the party. I did get a few nice gifts from my students, and Jacque gave me a nice new water bottle, yeah I know what you're thinking, but I loved it. It is something I can really use, especially since I started drinking water all the time. Besides, she did much better than last year.
I got a new student at the beginning of the week, who likes to steal things. Yeah, so I am pretty much the most paranoid person in the world right now, every time this student picks something up I worry that I will never see it again.

I know that I can't complain too much, I have a great life, but sometimes a person just needs to vent. When I don't think I can make it I think of Jacque, she is the light at the end of all my dark and scary days.

I always have what I call the theme song for my life, and Jacque is the only person who I ever really share it with. Music is really big part of my life, I connect everything to a song in some way. For example, when I hear "You and Me" by Lifehouse my mind instantly goes back to our wedding day and I see Jacque walking down the aisle and feel the same feeling I felt waiting at the front of the church trying to see her. Right now my them song is "Beyond Measure" by Jeremy Camp. The song is all about the blessings you have and how God brought them to you, and with all the stress I have been feeling I have been trying to keep this in mind.

Today was.... a Better Day!

2008-02-04T19:51:00.001-06:00

Today was pretty good, after I got over the shock of one of my students withdrawing Friday, without my knowledge. He is a great boy, and I will really miss him, I know he is probably better off where he is going, but I wish I could have just said goodbye. I literally found out he was gone when I went to submit my attendance on the computer and it showed that I only had 21 students, not 22.
I had a great day with my other kids today. I started tutoring for TAKS today, and it seemed to go well. I am beginning to really calm down and focus, I've got my game face on!
God, blessed me today, He allowed me to see the good things instead of the bad.

So Sorry!!

2008-02-03T17:58:00.000-06:00

I am so sorry that it has been so long since I've posted. Life has been a little bit crazy, TAKS is coming, and I can't even describe the pressure, you just have to have experienced it. I mean there are 22 students depending on me to have them ready becasue if they don't pass they don't go to 4th grade. I have had several near melt downs, but have managed to pull my self out before I completely lost it.
I have decided that my students are going to be fine, and no matter how good I am at my job, I am still a FIRST YEAR teacher. This is all part of the learning process, I just praise God that I am surrounded my amazing Godly people who are willing to help me figure it all out. Next year will be better, because I will know where I'm headed and how to get there, instead of figuring it out along the way.
I have lost ten pounds, want to know what I did...I drink at least 74 ounces of water a day. Jacque says we are like the SlimQuik commercials. I have also started eating better and will begin working out this week.
God has been showing me things about my self. For example, in church today God showed me that it was definately the right decision to step down from Praise Team and the Choir. I truly worshipped for the first time in long time today. When I was in the Choir and on Praise Team I was always consumed with making sure I was harmonizing correctly and singing the same note as everyone else, today I felt...FREE!
I am, as always falling more and more in love with my wife everyday. I hear this song by Leona Lewis, from England, that is a little weird at first, but as I listened to it I realized it is how I feel about Jacque. My heart beats with love for her, I am pretty sure that I would "bleed love" for her.
I'll try to post more often, but until next time God Bless!

Just a few Pictures

2008-01-12T00:05:00.000-06:00

Finally

2008-01-11T20:18:00.000-06:00

Well, my old account got locked out because my email changed, so I opened this new one I just never posted. I haven't really felt inspired, but now I do. I will try to keep this updated, but I have also decided to put my photography up as well. I don't claim to be a pro, but I like to take pictures, so let me know what you think.