3 Years

Since tomorrow will be the three year anniversary for the Tillitson Clan being what it is with mine and Lauren's marriage, I thought I'd do a brief overview of the past year.

This time last year, I had just been hired by the school I am currently working at and preparing to change careers. Lauren was finishing up her first year as a full time teacher. Lauren went to training for AP training as I was finishing up my last job. As I finished up, Lauren and I took a vacation to see her parents brand new house they just bought, which I love. I then began my new teacher training, which ended with me getting pneumonia. Fun. Lauren and I were then went to our district trainings together as we prepared for the new year. My 26th birthday came up where us and a bunch of friends basically had a night on the town in down town Ft. Worth. This was a blast.

The fall was a rough start for both of us. In At the end of August, Lauren's uncle was shot and killed. It was a hard funeral, but I'm glad God put me there to be for my wife and her family. At Lauren's school she had to deal with a classroom that should not have been a class room. She is still in there today, but with God on her side she has made it work. I on the other hand went through culture shock. As much as they try to prepare you for in teacher training, they can't really train you for what I went through. I entered my school, and my kids for the first 6 weeks tried to push me to where I wanted to leave. Thankfully I had God on my side. He gave me the strength to endure and when the kids realized that I wasn't leaving things greatly improved.

In November, Lauren's brother came to live with us for a month. This had its ups and downs. On one hand it was nice seeing him, on the other, we got burned out by having him here. We celebrated Lauren's 25th birthday at the start of the month as well, we went to The West End with a bunch of our friends as well. The West End isn't what it used to be, but we still had fun. Lauren then went to a conference and she had fun. Unfortunately I did as well. I spent over $300 on comics, movies, and video games. Thanksgiving was a blast. We saw most of my family out in East Texas.

December was a month with some ups and some serious downs. My favorite time of the year is Christmas which always raises my spirits. We had a wonderful Christmas with Lauren's family, as I knew we would. While we were gone, I had gotten word that my Papa had a heart attack. On our way back home, Lauren and her family dropped me off at the hospital in Tyler to be with my family. When Lauren got home our dog Darrel was hurt. You don't want to know the details, so I won't say them. On December 29, that morning Lauren had to put Darrel down, his injury had led to a serious infection. On top of that, my Papa passed. This was one of the hardest, if not the hardest Christmases for me EVER.

January was a month of joy which was needed, but also some frustration. Our friends, Tommy and Crystal told us they were pregnant. We are so happy for them. Not going to lie, we were a little jealous, because we have been trying, and when God says it's time, it will be time. Lauren's brother came to stay with us for another month. His struggling to get a job turned into frustration and he ended up putting a whole in the wall of our house. (which he repaired) In February I went to Austin for a convention, which I enjoyed. I also met Lauren's dad in Austin to drop off her brother. In March my school gave me another hat and I began working on school schedules. Good thing I pick up computer programs well, because I had no training on how to do this. This was also a time when Lauren was having frustrations at work again that had to lead to some serious considerations, but Lauren put her kids first and will be gladly teaching them again next year. In April, as teachers we had to deal with TAKS testing. I'm not against a testing for accountability reasons, it is just difficult to test kids all day long.

We are now in the month of May and closing up the 3rd year of marriage. A week and a half ago, Lauren's dog Iris was hit by a car. Thankfully God was watching her. Two complete strangers saw her and called the vet number that was on her tags. You can read the "Iris Updates" for further info on this. She is doing wonderful now, her meds have been cut in half and she is as peppy as can be. (And no she's not on that kind of medication.) Well tomorrow is our 3 year anniversary and here's to many more.

Until Next Time,
Tillitson Clan