Blessings Come.....When You Listen!

This summer I was approached with the possibility of teaching 6th grade. Being that I love and adore my 8th graders, every single year, I didn't really see this being an option. I felt content, happy, and in love with my job. So, why change anything? However, when I took a step back and remembered why I was ultimately there, I remembered it was for a bigger purpose. God wanted me there. But maybe this was God's plan, especially since it felt that a complicated and uncomfortable one. So, I told my principal and good friend, that I would teacher wherever they needed me! I prayed for God to place me where I could do His work. Well, here we are a month later and I am a 6th grade teacher! I LOVE it! I love my new room (that you can check out in the above video), and I already love my kids! I have felt so much more motivated and in love with my job since I became a part of the 6th grade team! It has also helped that I have a team of great teachers to work with this year :) They ROCK!

I am really excited about the adventures that are to come my way this year. I am hoping to accomplish a lot, and to really be a better educator to my cute new 6th grade babies. This summer I had a lot of time off (because of my wonderful husband!), and during that time I set some goals for myself. I really hope to grow a lot as a colleague, teacher, staff member, and team player. I know I have a lot more to learn, and I am just so excited to start!

Now, for the backlash of this new assignment! I have been working SOOOOO hard! I don't know how I would be getting through this without the grace of God! I have been working 13 hour days at my school, and attending M.A. classes, and taking online classes for my CLAD certificate. So exhausting. I am trying to not lose my sanity, or push my husbands patients. He asks me about 10 times a day when I am coming home :) He is too good to me! But, hopefully before the end of next week I should get organized enough to only work my contractual hours, ha ha! Cross your fingers and say a prayer for me, please!

Time for a Mommy update! She is doing really really well! She has lost 17 pounds during the first week after her surgery. She is already feeling healthier, and motivated to make a positive change for her and my Daddy! Thank you again for your prayers.

I have to go! The family is yelling my name :) It's time to be a good daughter! Love all of you, I will be back again soon.

xox

Harmony Joy

Love Is In The Air

Here is an oldie but goodie! Ceasar and I went to Vegas in November for a day, just to get away and escape life's daily drama's. I love this man so much for his supportive, kind, patient, and loving heart. God could NOT have made a better man for me than him.

After we got married we moved into my parents house for two reasons.
1. Saving money for our home
2. Helping my parents out during my mommy's recovery
This was not only my father's idea, but my husbands also! They both thought that this step/transition would be best for everyone involved. Well, they were both right. But who expects their new hubby to adjust so well to living with their inlaws? I mean, I know my parents are as close to perfect as it gets, but Ceasar made it look so easy. He is so kind! I honestly don't know what I do to deserve such a man!

Everyday I come home from work and this man spoils me. The house is clean, bed is made, and he has paid the bills! He makes me relax, calms my nerves, and listens to my daily drama. Now, I am sure most of you are saying, "Yeah Yeah, you are newly wed, ha!", well you are right, we are, and I am going to eat it up until he says, ENOUGH! I just feel so blessed, and my cup is over flowing so much that I had to share with all of you just how wonderful my husband is to me :)

Tomorrow is my last day without babies in my classroom. This is my first year teaching 6th grade at WMS, and I am very excited! I hope to be the best teacher I can be. I want to stay positive, and I want His light to shine brightly from all I do :) Please say prayers!

I must go now.......I have homework, research, and planning to do :) I will update more soon. Oh, my mommy is recovering quickly, thanks again for all of your kind thoughts and prayers!

xox

Harmony Joy

Educational Growth (& Updates)

When I graduated High School I never saw myself as the type to attend school the complete duration of my life. However, that seems to be exactly what I am doing. I have attended structured educational settings since September of 1987. I have obtained my High School Diploma and my B.A.E.. I am currently one class away from my M.A. in Education, 3 classes away from my Administrative Credential, and 2 classes away from my CTEL Certificate! Wow! A lot of school, right?! Now that these programs are coming to an end I am debating enrolling in the Doctoral program that Point Loma will be offering soon.

Although my motivations may seem clear, I feel that there are MANY reasons for my extended educational excursion. A few of these are;
1. Better myself in my career
2. Earn more money
3. Open the door for more employment opportunities
4. Get out of paying student loans
5. Gain the education and experience needed for future goals
As you can tell there are many diverse reasons for my continued efforts in education. Overall, I enjoy to process, but it can be stressful at times.

Right now I am feeling some stress from the amount of work I will need to accomplish over the next 2 months. I am preparing for a new grade level, taking online courses, taking courses once a week at Point Loma, and trying to stay positive, energetic, and happy! Now don't get me wrong, I know this is all possible with A LOT of prayer and FAITH! I just want to reach these educational goals while juggling personal, marital, relational, and social goals all at the same time!

Phew! That's exhausting just to type :) Please keep me in your prayers, and any encouragement, words, or advice are greatly appreciated.

In other news......

Ceasar and I are thinking about volunteering some of our time. We aren't sure for what organization we want to work with, but we know we both have felt the desire to get out there and serve. I will keep y'all posted on our search.

Ceasar is started school tomorrow! He has torn some ligiments in his right foot that will not allow for him to play soccer :(, so he will be attending ELAC this Fall to start his Gen. Eds. I am so excited for him. We are so blessed to have this opportunity to have close to no bills so that he can pursue the avenues God has for him. God is good!

My Mommy is going in for surgery tomorrow at 9 am. Please keep her in your prayers. I promise to update everyone on her status, but we all have faith in a fast, healthy, and uneventful recovery! We have faith!

I think that's all our news for now :) Love you all for your support! Have a great Sunday.

xox

Harmony Joy

Soul Searching

I know I have already been MIA for a while, but it was for a good cause. I promise! I have been trying to figure out a theme or a purpose for my blog. Something to motivate me to write, share, inspire, and grow through this process of blogging. The even that sparked this thought was Julie and Julia. I feel like Julie, I need something to help keep me motivated in my direction, desires, goals, and dreams. So I thought that there would be a few topics, just to start, that I would write about.

-Professional Goals: My efforts to stay positive at work, and become the BEST for my kids.
-Acting: My continuous journey in the industry
-Educational Growth: My efforts to achieve high education goals
-Family: New adventures of being a Newlywed
-Religion: My relationship with God, and his people

I figured these topics would help give me a focus of my blog. I truly look forward to experiencing and sharing my growth in all of these areas. I will title my posts according to the topics they address. I hope this will prove to be enjoyable for all!

Thanks for reading, caring, sharing, and your love!

xox

Harmony Joy

Today in a Nutshell

So my day went a little like this.........
Today was a great day! I woke up late (as usually during vacation), and I was sweetly awoken by my husband returning from doctor visits. He is trying to get his foot issues diagnosed so that he can heal ASAP! I got up to hear about the appointment only to get dressed for the next appointment. We got him X Rays, then headed to my school to set up more of my classroom, which I love. After we worked for about four hours in my classroom we headed to Andra and Armando's house for dinner, great conversation, and food art by Lottie :) A good time was had by all! Then my day got even BETTER! Andra and I (with others) headed to book club and then men stayed home to talk business and faith! PRAISE GOD! This was a blessing! Then when Andra and I returned the men treated us with Cherry on top (frozen yogurt) and even more great conversation. The night continued, finally ended, and left us wanting to spend more time with the amazing Soto family!

Today was great :) I am so thankful for the people God has put into our lives, we are truly blessed! Ceasar and I are headed for a great life together and I am so excited to see where God takes us and who we meet on our journey!

I wanted to share my dad, but I will update more about the acting stuff, work, and my hubsters tomorrow!

GN
xox

Harmony Joy

Blogs, Photos, and More....

So I went and signed off on my photo. I felt like I was second guessing it a lot, but my husband was there to reassure me ;) All fifty prints will be ready by tomorrow morning, and by tomorrow afternoon I should have atleast twenty sent out!!! I am so excited!!

I know that I have just set up and started spilling my life out on this blog, but I am seeing a move in the NEAR future. I will be posting my new site address soon. It will have a username and password due to the fact that I don't want my students to have any kind of access. I am sure you will all understand!

As my summer vacation is coming to an end I am trying to find a way to make some extra money so that I will be able to survive until I get pain in October. I am trying to sell stuff on craigslist, but I am NOT having much luck at all. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. We have some great stuff to get rid of, ha ha!

Well, I know this wasn't much of an update, but I promise to update more soon! Hopefully after Thursday things will slow down. Love you all, have a great day!!!

xox

Harmony Joy

Praise God!

I woke up this morning knowing that I would be working on getting headshots printed, resumes finalized, and searching for representation. However, I did not expect to receive an email from an agent asking to be sent my headshot and resume so that an appointment could be set up!!! The Lord is good! Since this wonderful email I have been frantically trying to pick my headshots, print them, to push towards a closer deadline. I had set a deadline to become represented by September, but if the Lord keeps his hands in my desires, it looks like I will make or beat that goal. Woo Hoo!!!! I just can't stop singing his praises :)

So, as you can imagine, I am super busy today with organizing myself! Which I love. I am going to include in this post my photo link with all 500 photos and my favorites. Please let me know your opinions as I am still not sure if I will have them touched up.

Love you all! Please continue to keep my in your prayer!

xox

Harmony Joy

HJC Photos

Hollywood Here I Come......

Most of you know I have started back into the industry. Please check out my site and give me feedback, please! I will also be posting some more headshots in order to chose the final ones to be printed! Yay! So exciting :)

HJC Acting Site

xox

Harmony Joy

We've Only Just Begun

I am so excited to be back in the blogging world! :) Hopefully it will last longer than my last spout of blogging glory, ha ha! Love you all, and update will start tomorrow!

xox
Harmony Joy