Possible Purchase

Okay....here are some pictures of the possible new Moody house. Closing isn't until June, but we're still really excited about it. It's 1967 four side brick, 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, full backyard. Click on the picture to view the online album.

New Home

After 25 years...I lose a piece of me

Tomorrow I will officially change my name...that means that I am letting go of a HUGE part of my identity. All through life people called me Sara Terry. It was almost as if my first and last name were fused together and could not be separated. In third grade I was Sara T. not to be confused with Sarah S. As a teacher I've been Ms. Terry. Now, as I officially complete the marrital duty of taking on my husband's name (because I really want to), I'm losing part of who I have always been. I'm losing my last name.

Of course, as I lose my last name, I gain another name...a new part of me. But this new part doesn't have as much meaning as the old. The old ties me to my family. A family I'm very proud to be part of. The old ties me to my lineage- where I'm from I'm not sure- but it's a good history. The old starts with a consonant, has double letters, and ends with a y. And, yea, so does the new.

I guess going from Terry to Moody isn't that crazy. I mean, kids never made fun of Terry. There isn't much to make fun of. It's really plain. On the other hand...Moody...there's so many places to go with that. I'm not looking forward to the adult humor it will encourage.

I'm not taking the old with me. I figure that if I'm losing the old I should lose it completely. There won't be a Sara Terry Moody out there. That just sounds odd. But, Sara Marie Moody has a sweet ring to it.

It's time to work on my new signature and get ready to be Mrs. Moody in the classroom. It'll take some time for my ears to adjust to the new ring, but I believe I'll be able to do it. It may take the rest of the staff at the school to catch on. I believe I'll probably be Ms. Terry for as long as I teach at Tri Cities. But, I'll know the difference, my students will know the difference, and, most importantly, my husband will know the difference.

Secondary Solace

It seems that life offers very little solace from the craziness of work, love, and staying healthy. Every job not only ups the anti every other day to pile the work higher and require more hours and more effort for the same amount of money, but it also adds emotional stress and frustrations that lie beneath the surface and explode in moments of happiness and solace.
Love is a beautiful thing and I don't know where I'd be without my love, Matt. But, the idea of love is far more romantic than the actual act of loving someone. Love isn't easy- the patience it requires, the selfishness it repeatedly exposes, and the flexibility it builds- yet it is addicting. Planning a wedding to showcase the love is more stressful than being with Matt and simply loving him.
Health is such a relative word. Are we healthy if we're not over weight? Are we healthy if we can run 3 miles non-stop? Are we healthy if we ingest 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day? How are we to stay healthy with all the time we spend on our jobs and on each other (and on other random things like weddings)? How are we to measure our health? If we feel good? If our tests are all within the correct range? If we never outgrow our clothes? Am I healthy?
I guess today I'm just wishing that I had a little more time to focus on the little things that have nothing to do with my daily scheduled life but are directly connected to the health of my inner being and soul.

Engaged!!

That's right- I'm engaged. Of course, I spread the news like wild fire because I was so extremely excited, but it's not just a rumor you heard on facebook- it's entirely true.
It happened October 30, 2008 on Matt Moody's front porch. I went over after work and he was just sitting in the rocking chair waiting for me. I didn't think much of it because it was a beautiful day. We sat there and talked about our days and he suddenly had a reason to stand up. As we were standing there, he put his arms around me and started talking about houses. This isn't really anything new because we speak of futuristic things without being realistic about them. So, he mentioned that we need to have a house with a good view from the front porch. We kept discussing the matter until he said "don't hate me, but before we have a house" and he put his arm around me with a ring in his hand. I was in utter disbelief, laughed, and asked if he was serious. It took me over 30 minutes to actually believe what was happening. I was shaking and just kept repeating "Oh my gosh". He told just about everyone we know and no one gave it away. He was going for shock and surprise and he succeeded beyond measure. It's wasn't romantic, it wasn't some intricate plan to confuse me, he just fooled me into believing that he was completely incapable of saving money and then BAM--a ring on my finger.
I enthusiastically said yes once I calmed down and we started planning...there's going to be a wedding this June!!!!

Hiccup

I hate the hiccups. I believe sister Katy hates them more. Well, at least she hates when I have them. She yells at me to control them in any and every way possible. But, sometimes I just can't. Sometimes the spasms rack my diaphragm for what seems like an eternity with no end to the annoyance in sight. I think life feels like that too sometimes. Completely uncontrollable. The middle of a semester in school makes life a little crazy. The madness of students failing. The madness of students having to pass the Georgia High School Graduation Tests. The madness of our school not making AYP (annual yearly percentages) and the madness that causes for my free time. There are some fabulous things about working in urban schools, but there are also hardships that, when juxtaposed to my previous teaching experience, seem horrifying and uncontrollable.
I do not fear the uncontrollable, I'd just like a few days off to slow down.
I do get time with Katy and Christen this weekend. Maybe even a GT/FSU game!
Wish me rest...

Surprised?

Five months later I'm still alive. But, that's about the only thing that is the same since June.
Well, I'm still dating Matt- so that hasn't changed.

But, I have a roommate. A really great roommate. We met through a mutual friend, ate lunch together at Chik-fil-A, and signed a 6 month lease. She's really fun and sweet and I hardly ever see her because of our crazy schedules. But, the saturdays filled with football and boyfriends are really fun.

I also have a job. It's a crazy job. It's a job I'm technically not qualified for. But it's the job that God gave me. I'm working at an urban school in East Point, Ga. If you recall I live in Cartersville which is north of the city, and yes, East Point is south of the city. That means I drive 60 min everyday to work. And, I'm teaching ESOL (English for speakers of other languages). Luckily it's a literature class, but it's still to kids that are struggling to get a grasp of the language. Insane. Yet, somehow, I like it. Public schools on the other hand....not so much.

It's been cool to see how God has provided for me in ways that I wouldn't really imagine. He gave me a wonderful person to split the rent with, a great place to live, a steady job, and a boyfriend that is in the same city. God has shown time and time again that my plans are not his. He stopped me from getting a job at Starbucks. He stopped me from moving in to an apartment by myself. He has stopped me from being conceited because I'm in a new place, with new people, doing things I have no idea how to do. So, it's a complete learning experience. But, it's an awesome one. And, I'm so glad to be where I am. Everyday gets better (even though some days seem 10x worse). I'm in a good church, in a good small group, and getting to know lots of good people. I can't imagine being anywhere else right now. I know I'm where I want to be.

Quarter of a Century

Yea...the big 25...mid-twenties...I'm old.

I'm also in America again. I arrived a few days ago and have been getting back into the life here- although I don't really have a life here. So, life here is hard to get back into. I don't feel too far gone, there are still Starbucks on every corner and more stuff than I could ever need in the Target facing north and the Wal-Mart facing south. But, I'm adjusting and loving the fact that I get to be with my family and friends here. Loving that I get to be with Matt.

I still don't have a job or a place to live. Those are pretty high on my priority list right now. In fact, I'm a little nervous about both. I know God will provide. I know things will work out, but I'm not super excited about the rough process. I think it's already been harder than I imagined. I think things are 'falling into place' a little slower than I hoped. It's not even been a week since I landed on this side of the ocean, so I'm not freaking out. I'd just really like to have a job, have some security and have a place to call home...those are my prayer requests and my greatest needs.

On the other hand...it's great to be home!