Gardening 101

Last Friday night, the husband and I went to Lowe's to scope out their shrubs and flowers. After much deliberation, we purchased 9 azaleas.

Saturday was a beautiful day so we went to work.

And I do mean work. The first couple of hours was spent "playing" in the dirt. I decided very early on that I do not enjoy gardening. It is not my cup of tea.

If you look closely at the above picture you will notice a certain little girl watching out the window.




Working around this tree didn't help matters any.





Despite what these pictures show, I worked too. Although I will admit that the husband worked much harder than I did. Either way we were both a little sore come Sunday. But it was worth it, because now we have these beautiful azaleas. I LOVE THEM!

He nailed it!!

What do you want to be remembered for?

That is the question I posed to my history classes earlier this week. We discussed people who are remembered for doing something good. Popular answers included Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, and God. We then looked at the flip side of that. What about those remembered for something not so good? Hitler and Michael Jackson were at the top of this list for my 7th graders.

After several minutes of what I felt was some good discussion, they began to journal about what they would like to be remembered for someday. I got several silly 7th grade answers, but I also got some really good and well thought-out answers. I required the students to show me their work before they could put their notebooks away for the day. During this process I skimmed their entries to get an idea of what they said. In my afternoon class as I was skimming, one student's essay brought tears to my eyes. I told him I would have to read his later.

Today, during my planning period while I was alone, I pulled his notebook and finished reading his entry. He wrote about a couple of things that he wanted to be remembered for, all very sweet and touching.

There was one paragraph that really hit home with me and I wanted to share with you all. With a promise not to give his name, this student gave permission for me to share. Actually he didn't care if I shared it all with you and his name, but I want to respect his privacy.

Anyways. Here is what this particular young man wrote...

"I would also like to be known as someone who spread the word of Christ. Because I would feel at the top of the world that I saved someone from hell and led them to God, and also that God would be proud of me. Because this is the best thing you can do."

WOW!! That's it! He nailed it. This 7th grader understands something that a lot of adults never figure out. It's all about God. Telling others about him is the best and most important thing we can ever do in this life.

I'm thankful that God gives me students who are an example to me.

Better Than A Hallelujah

Have you heard this song?




I have to tell you, I'm not normally a big Amy Grant fan. But I love this song. This song reminds me that my prayers don't have to be some beautiful eloquent speech. My prayers don't even have to audible for my God to hear. He knows my heart and he loves it when I share my heart. I can go to my God with anything. He wants to hear about the joy I experience as well as the pain I experience in life.



Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help,as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary. Psalm 28:2

I'm Done! Stick a fork in me!

We had the big test a couple of weeks ago. Remember that pity party? A week of testing all morning and wasting time all afternoon. Awful week.

Well now those test are done. Those are the test that we build up all year long, telling the students that is why they are in school. The test are all that matters. They have to do well on the test. We are told all year long teach for the test.

Those test fall mid-April. At that point, I am supposed to have taught a year's worth of Science. If I don't get to it, which I never could, it doesn't matter. My students will still be test over it and expected to do well.

Now that test are over the students have done what they have to for the year. They have officially checked out. They've taken that big test so they feel like anything we do from here on out can't be that important. For the past week, it has been a constant battle to help them realize they are still in school and we still have work to be done.

I have to be honest with you, this year I have checked out with them. I'm tired. I have honestly woke up every day for the past week and said out loud, "I don't want to go." I hate feeling that way. I really do. It's not even that I don't want to get out of bed in the morning. I flat out do not want to go to work.

We have an ACSIP Audit Monday. That basically means we have people from the state coming to make sure that we are following the plan that we wrote to help improve test scores. They have written up every school they have visited this year. At this point, I just want to survive through that.

My goal every day is not to lose my patient. My goal is to speak in a soft voice and not yell. How sad is that! I'm not at all worried about teaching.

If you think about me over the next month or so, say a little prayer. I do love my job, but right now I'm having a hard time with that.

Have You Ever?

Debbie at Arkansas Bloggers created a fun list of questions to help us Arkansas Bloggers get to know each other. If you are an Arkansas Blogger, please join in the fun and don't forget to link up here.


Have You Ever....

1. Started your own blog?
Yes, I've started several, but I'm down to just this one. I couldn't keep up with a separate one for teaching and yet another one for scrapbooking so they are all rolled into one.

2. Slept under the stars?
I slept outside on our trampoline once as a kid. I woke up soaking wet!

3. Played in a band?
I played clarinet in school from 6th grade all the way through graduation. Loved every minute of it.

4. Visited Hawaii?
Not yet. It is definitely on my to do list though.

5. Watched a meteor shower?
I can't remember ever watching one.

6. Given more than you can afford to charity?
As much as I would love to say yes, I'm going to have to say probably not.

7. Been to Disney?
My junior year in high school our band played in a competition in Disney World. We had a blast!! We even won first place. Of course we didn't bother to mention that we were the only school in our division. :)

8. Climbed a mountain?
I climbed Pinnacle Mountain a few years ago with the husband and nephew. Miss Liberty Belle climbed as well. In fact, she probably did better than I did. HA!


9. Held a praying mantis?
Only dead ones! I've held my fair share of those for bug collections all throughout school. I'm still not sure what I was supposed to learn from those.

10. Sang a solo?
Every time I'm alone in my car. :)

11. Bungee jumped?
No, but I wouldn't completely rule it out either.

12. Visited Paris?
Nope. Never been out of the country

13. Watched a thunder and lightning storm?
Can you live in Arkansas and not have this experience? Of course I have!

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch?
Does scrapbooking count?

15. Adopted a child?
We adopted these two furbabies.


16. Had food poisoning?
Thankfully, no I haven't.

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty?
No I haven't, but that is also on my to do list.

18. Grown your own vegetables?
I helped my parents a time or two as a child in the garden. But me personally, no I haven't.

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France?
No, but that would be cool!

20. Slept on an overnight train?
No, I've only rode on a train one time and it was to a town 15 miles away. Long ride huh?

21. Had a pillow fight?
Isn’t that what pillows are for?

22. Hitch hiked?
Yes, when I was 5! When I was in Kindergarten, I rode the bus past my house and to my best friend's house every day. Her mom kept me until my mom got off work. One day I just forgot and got off at my house. The bus was long gone before I realized that I was home alone and locked out. We lived on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere. There was never any traffic. I remember sitting on the front porch just crying scared to death. Then a car started coming. My little five year old self got so excited. I ran to the end of the driveway and started screaming, jumping up and down, and waving my arms. The man in the car drove right past me. But then he turned around and came back. I hopped in the car with him and gave him directions to my friend's house. I'm still amazed at 5 that I knew how to get there. I am awful with directions. By the time I got there my mom and my friend's mom were freaking out. Thank God that strange man was a good man!!!

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill?
Guilty as charged.

24. Built a snow fort?
Yes!!

25. Held a lamb?
No.

26. Gone skinny dipping?
Only in the bathtub.

27. Run a marathon?
No, but I wish I could!

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice?
No.

29. Seen a total eclipse?
I remember talking about an eclipse at school when I was in elementary and watching it, but other than that I don't really remember it.

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset?
Many!! One of my favorites was watching the Sun rise over our nation's capitol.


31. Hit a home run?
In wiffle ball, yes. In softball, no...only a double!

32. Been on a cruise?
Not yet, but it's on the to do list.

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person?
Also on the to do list.

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors?
I've been to where my grandparents were born.

35. Seen an Amish community?
From afar... would love to visit one though.

36. Taught yourself a new language?
I can speak a little bit of Spanish but I sure didn't teach it to myself.

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied?
I'm satisfied right now, but it has nothing to do with money.

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person?
No.

39. Gone rock climbing?
Not like repelling, but I've climbed the rocks on the way up Pinnacle. :)

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person?
No, but again.. that would be cool!

41. Sung karaoke?
Nope

42. Seen Old Faithful erupt?
To do list again!

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant?
I haven't.

44. Visited Africa?
Nope, but don't really have a desire to either.

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight?
In Destin, FL

46. Been transported in an ambulance?
Had that experience in college when I flipped my car into a tree. Oops!

47. Had your portrait painted?
No, but my brother and I have had one of those cartoon drawings done.

48. Gone deep sea fishing?
Nope.

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person?
Nope

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris?
Nope

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling?
No. I have no desire to go scuba diving. Being under water freaks me out a little. I would go snorkeling though b/c if we ever have that chance, the husband wants to.

52. Kissed in the rain?
Yes.

53. Played in the mud?
Yes. Because I'm a wonderful big sister, I've made my brother plenty of mudpies.


54. Gone to a drive-in theater?
No, but I plan to go to one with my parents this weekend.

55. Been in a movie?
Only those of the home made variety. I played the role of etc. :)

56. Visited the Great Wall of China?
No.

57. Started a business?
Not yet, but I'm constantly playing around with ideas.

58. Taken a martial arts class?
No, but I think that could be fun or at least funny.

59. Visited Russia?
Nope and another one that I don't really have a desire to go.

60. Served at a soup kitchen?
No.

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies?
No, but I've eaten plenty.


62. Gone whale watching?
Another item for the to do list.

63. Got flowers for no reason?
Not that I can remember. He always has a reason. :)

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma?
Sadly, I don't weigh enough. They won't let me.

65. Been sky diving?
I haven't, but I'm open to the idea.

66. Visited a Concentration Camp?
No and I'm not sure I would want to. We went to the Holocaust Museum in DC. Pretty sobering!

67. Bounced a check?
Once or twice.

68. Flown in a helicopter?
No and even though I just said I would jump out of a plane, I have no desire to ride in an helicopter. Would freak me out.

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy?
Yes. I have a bag of stuffed animals in the attic and some board games in the hall closet.


70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial?
Yes and I loved it!!!!

71. Eaten caviar?
Yuck! No!

72. Pieced a quilt?
Not yet. Now that I have a sewing machine, it is something I want to learn to do.

73. Stood in Times Square?
Yes!

74. Toured the Everglades?
No, but it's on the list as well.

75. Been fired from a job?
Thankfully, no

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London?
I haven't seen it in London, but we watched it at Arlington Cemetery in D.C. Very cool!

77. Broken a bone?
I haven't and yet I still have to have my bone sawed off. Not fair!

78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle?
Yes. Not a fan!

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person?
No, but I'm going to someday!


80. Published a book?
Not officially, but I've co-written and give several as gifts.

81. Visited the Vatican?
Nope

82. Bought a brand new car?
I have owned three brand new cars. I was spoiled there for awhile. Total a car, get a new one. :)

83. Walked in Jerusalem?
No, but I would love to!

84. Had your picture in the newspaper?
Yes. My picture was in the paper for several things at school

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve?
No. Why would I do that?

86. Visited the White House?
I have stood outside the White House, but we didn't get to go on a tour. Because of that, it was my least favorite thing in DC.


87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating?
Uh no! But my Daddy has done it plenty of times.

88. Had chickenpox?
When I was in 7th grade. I caught them from my little brother who caught them from our cousins.

89. Saved someone’s?
Mmm. No, I don't think so.

90. Sat on a jury?
No.

91. Met someone famous?
Yes. The Duggars. :)

92. Joined a book club?
I've been a part of several in my life time. Love Books!

93. Got a tattoo?
Nope. Too permanent.

94. Had a baby?
Someday

95. Seen the Alamo in person?
Nope.

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake?
Can't say that I have.

97. Been involved in a law suit?
No and I would like to keep it that way.

98. Owned a cell phone?
Yes. I was a Senior in high school when I got my first cell phone, a fact that puts my 7th graders into cardiac arrest. Some of them got their first cell phone is 4th or 5th grade. What on Earth does a 4th grader need a cell phone for?

99. Been stung by a bee?
More than once.

100. Tell us where you were born.
I was born in Newport, Arkansas.

In the Whispers

Last night I was reading in 1 Kings about Elijah. Elijah was a man a God. He took a woman's dead son and gave him life again.

Go told Elijah to meet him on a mountain. While Elijah was on that mountain he endured a heavy windstorm but he noticed that God wasn't in that storm. Then came an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake either. And if that wasn't enough for Elijah to go through, there was a fire after the earthquake. God wasn't in the fire either. Elijah noticed that it wasn't until it was calm and quiet that heard a voice in a whisper. God was in that whisper.

Last night as I was laying in bed thinking about that story. I began praying that I could slow my brain down and just be quiet. I prayed that I would be able to hear God speak to me. While all this was going on, the husband was passed out next to me snoring like crazy. He tends to do that when he is exhausted. So I'm praying to hear God and for quiet stillness and the husband's snoring begins to quiet down. After just a minute or two he completely stopped snoring. It was so cool. I knew God was at work.

I felt like God told me that someone needed me to pray. I grabbed my phone and changed my facebook status to ask how I could pray for you. Within a few seconds I had a reply from a friend of mine. She needs prayer for a couple of things in her life. She is facing some pretty big trials right now. She is the only reply I received and I knew it was her God wanted me to pray for. I began to just lift her and her loved ones up to God. No sooner than I could finish saying amen after praying, the husband started snoring again....LOUDLY!!

I just laid in bed crying in amazement at God. He cares about the little things, even the snoring of my husband.

I don't know. Maybe this story doesn't seem all that amazing or cool to you. All I know is that I could feel God working in my life last night and it was awesome!!


I hope my last few posts have not come across at me bragging or tooting my own horn. Please know that is not at all what I'm trying to do. God has just been drawing me to him lately and I can not help but be excited about it. I just want to tell everyone I know, including you, the things He is doing in my life.

I would love to hear how you have seen or felt God in your life this week! Let's give praise where praise is due.

11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
1 Kings 19:11-13

My Momma, Birthdays, & Shrubs

Next to the husband, my momma is my very best friend. I talk to her almost every day either on the phone, through text, or email. During a mammogram a few weeks ago, they found a lump. They determined that it was calcium build up but then decided they wanted to do a biopsy just to be sure. When Mom called and said they wanted to do a biopsy, I immediately started crying and praying. I went back and forth between having complete faith that everything would be okay and playing the what if game. I found myself praying for God to help me with my unfaith. And He did. I had my short crying spell and then I didn't worry for the rest of the week. That is out of character for me. I'm usually such a worrywart.

They scheduled her mammogram for this past Monday. I took off work to drive up and be with her. It only took them about an hour to do the biopsy but she lost a lot of blood so she had to stick around for another hour. We just sat in the waiting room and visited. My Daddy, Mommom, Aunt Tammy, and a friend of Mom's from church were there. They checked her vitals after an hour, told her she was fine, and sent us on our way. We went to lunch and enjoyed some more visiting.

She got results yesterday and today. They didn't think they looked at a large enough sample the first time so looked again today. The lump is benign! Praise be to God!!! I am so very thankful.


Now on to the birthdays... Saturday was Liam Bailey's birthday as you all know. I decided to load him up in the car and head to Petco for a new shirt. This little guy absolutely loves to go bye bye!! I can't even begin to tell you how loud his shrill of a bark is if you leave him here and leave.

So we get to Petco and the nice young lady working there hands me a flyer and lets me know there is a photographer in the store and I can get a free 8x10 of Liam Bailey. I say thanks and think to myself there is no way. I'm not paying for pictures of my dog. You all know that I take enough pictures of my dog. However, she apparently went and told the photographer about us, because no sooner than she had left, here he come.

Poor Liam Bailey. This guy tried for what felt like 30 minutes to get a decent picture of Liam. Liam was tired and having nothing to do with it. He had no desire to sit and have his picture made. However, he did decide to pee all over the place. :) Love my boy. The guy finally decided to just take a picture of Liam and ME! So now I'm posing with my dog in the middle of Petco for this guy. CRAZY!!

I picked out my one free 8x10 and turned down the $280 package the guy offered me. That's right people! $280 for a picture of my dog. I'm sorry, but that is absurd. And you all know how much I love my babies.

Monday I woke up with a head cold. I couldn't breathe or hear very well as my whole head was stopped up. By the time I made it home from being with Momma, I was running a fever and feeling awful. Thankfully I married a great guy!! He drugged me up with some NyQuil, gave me my heating pad, and put me to bed. While I was half asleep he apparently (I don't remember) came in and asked if I was okay with him digging up the shrubs in front of our home. Apparently I told him to go for it. Now this is something that we've been talking about for a couple of years now and I'm okay that he did, but that man should know not to ask me those kind of things after giving me NyQuil.

Either way I woke up the next morning to find this....


A bunch of dirt.

Now we are trying to decide what to put in place of the old shrubs. Any suggestions? To be honest, neither one of us really know what we are doing. Right now we are thinking about azaleas in the back and then some sort of colorful flowers in the front. We need something easy to plant and that will require little to no maintenance.

God is good!

Can I just say that this past week, despite my exhaustion and frustration, has been one of the best weeks I've had in a long time.

My relationship with God the past few days has been just that... a relationship. I have found myself mediating on His Word and just praying without ceasing.

Although I know how mighty and wonderful my God is, I've still been amazed this week by him. Friday I woke up with just an awful attitude. The husband was gone on business again and I had a full morning of benchmark ahead of me. I just wanted to skip the day and move on to Saturday. As I walking around my room after getting the students started on their first test of the day, I walked over to my desk and read the scripture for the day off of my calendar. I cannot remember the exact verse, but it said Worthy is the Lamb.

Before I had even finished reading it, God was speaking to me. My attitude was awful and He is most definitely worth my best. Honestly, within seconds my attitude did a 180. It was all I could do to not lose it in praise in front of my kids while they were testing.

-----------------------------

Whenever I'm in my car, I listen to KLOVE on the radio. This week they have been having their spring pledge drive. I hate when they do this. There is less music and more talking about how they need money. Normally I listen to my ipod or a cd while they have pledge drive. I didn't do that this week. Instead I found myself listening and crying and just praising God for his love, his goodness, and his grace. I don't know how many times I've said AMEN to something they said this week. I'm sure if you have past me on the road this week you thought I was a lunatic. I've literally just been crying and raising one hand to God all week. (I kept the other hand on the steering wheel)


It's just been one of these weeks that has been wonderful, but if you asked me specifically why, I don't know what to tell you. My only answer is God and unless you have experienced the pure peace and joy that comes from the Lord then I'm not sure you can know what I mean.


Andrew and I did not get up and go to church this morning. I can tell you that it was because he was exhausted from being out of town, but that's just an excuse. We just didn't go and I have felt lost all day. I've just wanted to be with other Christians and praise God today.

Even without church, I was able to do that a little. We spent the afternoon with family celebrating birthdays. Andrew's sister, Joy, and her husband, Gerry, are two people that I love to spend time with. They are fun to be around, but more than that they are the kind of people who exude a love for God. Every time I'm around them, I leave filling refreshed. I leave having a desire to deepen my relationship with God. I hope that someday I can be for someone else what they are for me. Joy and Gerry, if you are reading... Thank you so much for being godly examples. You are both such a huge blessing to me.


I pray that the love of God would continue to fill me up and overflow onto those around me.


"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. " Psalm 136:1

My New Memory Board

I was feeling a little crafty this weekend and with the husband away, I thought I would play.

This is one of the many projects I've been thinking about since we started making over my scrapbook room. It's a memory board.

I have looked at several "how to" websites and the husband I have talked about several ways to make it.

I found a blog that I fell in love with Friday night. Check out Little Birdie Secrets. There are a ton of crafty ideas, tips, and tutorials. She has scrapbooking projects, sewing projects, jewelry projects, recipes, and a ton more. She happened to give a tutorial for an easy memory board. I used her tutorial as my guide.

To make this memory board, you will need:
*Canvas of any size (I chose 18x24 and bought 2)
*Fabric (Slightly bigger than your canvas)
*Ribbon
*Buttons
*Thread
*Sewing Needle
*Staple Gun
*Good Christian music in the background (personal preference of course)


Because I bought one big piece of fabric, the first thing I did was lay both of my canvases on the fabric and then cut the fabric into two separate pieces.


After the fabric was cut, I ironed it.


I then laid one of my canvases face down on the fabric. I wrapped the fabric, nice and tight, around the back and stapled with the staple gun.



Once the fabric was attached, I laid out my ribbon on my board. I laid 4 pieces diagonally one way and then 4 the other way, weaving them in out. I do not have a picture of this, but if you look at the final product I think you will get it.

I then removed all the ribbon except one piece. Holding in place, I flipped the canvas and stapled it on the back. I added one piece back at a time, stapling it on the back until all eight pieces had been stapled on.

With all eight pieces of ribbon attached, it was time to sew on the buttons. I added a button every place that two pieces of ribbon met. Sewing the buttons added something to the appearance, but it also helps hold the ribbon in place so that I can later place pictures under the ribbon.

Here is the final product against the blue wall.


I am so pleased with how it turned out. I think it looks great in my scrapbook room. I ran out of ribbon and was not able to do the second canvas. Once they are both finished they will go on either side of that window.

I'm debating on whether not to build a frame around them. Whatcha think? Frame or no frame? If you think frame, what color? I'm leaning toward a cream color.


And on a side note...I bought a sewing machine today. I'm so excited. Hopefully I will soon have some new crafty things to share with you.

Guess Who's Two!!

Of course we don't know when his exact birthday is. He was found wondering the streets as a puppy.


How could anyone not want this cute little guy? When we found him at petfinder.com, he had been up for adoption for several weeks. If we hadn't brought him into our home, he was going to put down. How sad is that!!!!



He is the sweetest puppy I have ever met. He loves to cuddle.



His favorite place to be is in the night night under the covers.



He gets so excited when he knows we are getting ready to leave. This little guy loves to go bye bye.



He is so different than Liberty. He LOVES to wear clothes. I'm going this afternoon to buy him a new shirt for this birthday.





HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIAM BAILEY!!!

The Longest Week

Benchmark Week. Standardized test all morning every day. This has to be the longest week of the year.

We are told not to sit down or read anything. Basically I walk around my room watching students take a test that I'm not supposed to read. It is exhausting.

I have come home every day this week completely exhausted. It's an exhaustion that I don't think you can truly understand until you have given the benchmark test.

It's awful! That may be a dramatic statement, but this week has been exhausting and just plain awful. I'm sorry. I don't know how else to describe it.

This week has also been very stressful. I have felt the stress and tension building up all week. I knew today that I was at my breaking point. I just felt like if one more little thing happened I was going to lose it and break into tears.

In fact, I actually did break into tears once I was at home. The tears came for no other reason than sheer exhaustion. Have you ever been like that?

I'm feeling a little better now, but I'm more than ready for tomorrow to be over with. Tomorrow is our longest day. We test from 8 to 12. YUCK!!


Okay... pity party over. Thanks for listening. Hopefully positive thoughts will be back very soon.

It's A Give Away.

Leslie over at Lambert's Lately is hosting a great giveaway in honor of her blog's birthday. You should go check out her blog and her giveaway. I think you will enjoy it.

This Past Weekend

Wednesday night the husband got a phone call from his boss. He needed to be in Springfield by 8AM Thursday morning. The husband doesn't even come close to being a morning person so he decided to go ahead and leave Wednesday night. The furbabies and I were home alone Wednesday night and Thursday night. The husband was able to come back home Friday and made it here around 7PM that evening. I think his babies missed him.




Saturday we kept our niece Kandace all day. She wasn't real sure about staying with us when her Mommy left, but she got over it pretty quickly. We loaded her up and headed to Lowe's & Target. She is such a good little shopper. I've never seen a kid like to go as much as she does.



After our shopping trip we were all ready for a nap. She and I passed out on the couch and Uncle Andrew snapped a picture. I promise she didn't nap like that the entire time. :)


Sunday we decided to visit All Points, a small home church that Andrew's sister and her family go to. I enjoyed it so much. The Holy Spirit was most definitely present. The message definitely hit home with me, which I wrote about in the post below.

After church and lunch, Andrew and I went bike shopping. I've been wanting one for awhile, but he doesn't approve of any of the ones I like. Well we finally hit jackpot yesterday.

I have a brand new bicycle.


I have ridden every afternoon this week and I love it!! I'm no where near ready for the 20 miles that my husband nephew consider an easy ride, but I'm enjoying it none the less.

Whatever is true...

I don’t even know where to begin. There has been so much going on in my head lately and more importantly in my heart.

For the past several weeks, God has been placing different things and people in my life to help me realize some things.

It’s no secret that I daydream about the children that I hope Andrew and I will have someday. In the past those daydreams have always been about names, nurseries, showers, and family time. Not bad things to dream about. But lately my daydreams or thoughts have taken a different direction. During one of our many conversations about the right time to have kids Andrew made the statement that he just didn’t feel we were ready spiritually. I have to confess I was offended by that. I didn’t know how he could think that, after all we are (and were at the time) both Christians who go to church. Funny how even though I knew then that there was more to it than that, I thought that would be sufficient for my children someday.

Lately I catch myself doing things and I think to myself, I don’t want to do this in front of my kids someday so why am I doing it now. I’ve had this thought while I’m texting or checking facebook while driving. I don’t want my teenager doing that so I have to set the example not to. I had this thought awhile back when I was meeting Andrew after work. I had gone out of my way to get something to eat and for a reason unknown to me I didn’t want him to know about it. So when he called and asked where I was, I lied. I instantly thought what if my child were sitting in this car listening to me. I’m lying and over something so silly. Andrew wouldn’t care if I ate. I’m pretty sure he wishes I would eat more. :)

Then I had the thought that while my future children are what prompted all this, there is someone who is with me always watching me. I’m doing these things before the Lord. I have heard people ask what do you want to be doing when the Lord returns. What will he catch you in? That is just silly. God is not going to get here and be shocked by what he finds me or you doing. He is with us always and already knows what we are doing. He has already caught us.

A week or two ago I was in a bad place because a family member had hurt my feelings. I knew that this family member had no idea of the fact, yet I continued to dwell on it. I had sent Andrew an email about it in the middle of the day and in his response he included a scripture.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admireable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

I can’t tell you the number of times God has given me this verse in the past couple of weeks. I haven’t been able to figure out why he keeps giving it to me. After the message Brother David shared at church yesterday, I think I’m beginning to figure it out.

I have sin in my life. I have been ignoring that fact. I’ve been ranking sins and comparing myself to others. I’ve been trying to make myself look good.

I watch things on TV that are not true, noble, right, pure, lovely, or admirable. God told me yesterday to stop watching those things.

I might have thrown a little fit in response. I really like those TV shows. But I know they aren’t what I need, so I’m giving them up. Satan tried very hard to convince me otherwise. He was almost successful. It was hard to delete these shows off my DVR, but they are gone. My DVR is no longer scheduled to record these shows.

I’m asking God to forgive me and help me rid myself of my “secret” sins. Besdies they aren’t a secret. He knows about them.

I pray that in the weeks to come and for the rest of my life God will keep reminding me of Philippians 4:8.

Getting to Know You Sunday

I haven't played Getting to Know You in a couple of weeks so I thought it was time to play again.


To play..copy the questions..answer them..post them..then come back here and get your link on.


The questions..


1. What color do you wear the most?
2. Would you rather have $10,000 dollars or a dream vacation?
3. Do you have a weird, quirky or unusual habit?
4. I really need to start..........?
5. What was the first blog you ever read?
6. Do you collect anything?
7. How old were you when you had your first kiss?
8. Do you text/twitter while driving?


1. What color do you wear the most?
I go through spells. Lately I have been wearing a lot of purple.

2. Would you rather have $10,000 dollars or a dream vacation?
Definitely the $10,000. We could really make a dent in our debt then. That would feel so good. Plus if we did that we could afford our dream vacation. :)

3. Do you have a weird, quirky or unusual habit?
I'm sure that I do, but right now nothing is coming to mind.

4. I really need to start..........?
keeping up with our laundry.

5. What was the first blog you ever read?
The first blog I read was my sister-in-law, Jill's blog.

6. Do you collect anything? Not really. I have a collection of children's books for my future kiddos, but I don't really consider that a collection.


7. How old were you when you had your first kiss?
I was 16 or 17 and in the 11th grade.

8. Do you text/twitter while driving?
Guilty as charged. However this is a habit I'm working on giving up.

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things

Grilling out and having friends and family over. It's starting to feel like that time of year.





The smell of fresh cut grass. I love that people in our neighborhood are starting to mow their yards.


Yellowbox Flipflops. If you don't any go buy some. NOW! I'm serious! Best flip flops ever!!



And of course a pedicure so your feet look pretty in those yellowboxes. :)

101 in 1001

101 goals to complete in 1001 days. I loved the idea...probably a little too much. Several months ago when I found this idea I was immediately interested.


I wanted so badly to do this that I threw a list together very quickly. I still like the idea, but when I look at my list I question why certain things ever made it to the list.

So for now I'm calling it quits. I want to take my time and actually think through my list. I want things that are meaningful and relevant. Some of my goals are that way now, but there are several that I'm not happy with.

I guess I could just replace the current "bad" items with new ones. I've considered that option, but I think I would rather just call it quits for now.

So until further notice my 101 in 1001 has been put on hold.

A New Adventure

As the 2009-2010 comes to an end, we are starting to prepare for the 2010-2011 school year. That just seems crazy! There are going to be a lot of changes for us at HGMS next year. We are moving into a brand new building, which is very exciting. There is also going to be some shuffling of teachers. I am accepting a new challenge. I will be teaching seventh grade science and math next year.

I am more than terrified about teaching math. I am not a math person. It doesn't even come close to being my forte. Yet, I have to teach adolescents math next year and hopefully help them learn to love it and have confidence in that area. It is definitely going to take some work on my part.

I have confidence that with a little studying I can teach myself 7th grade math. If I can't then I know my hubby can. :) My concern falls to the classroom. My teaching style is hands-on in the classroom and very little to no homework. I have no idea how to do this with math. I have already begun looking for ideas.

I absolutely love my notebooks and want to incorporate them into math. That is what I'm focusing on right now. Trying to find a way to do notebooking with math. If anyone out there has any suggestions, please send them my way.

Home Building

I posted a couple of weeks ago that the husband and I were discussing buying some land and building a house.

The discussion has continued and I think a decision has been made. Before I can let you in on the decision, I need to back and fill you in on the discussions that have taken place over the past few days.

** Because the first piece of land that we found was a good 45 minutes or more from my job, we continued to look. The husband found 3.5 acres that was only 15 minutes from my job. The nice part is this piece of land doesn't really make the husband's commute that much longer than it is now. We fell in love with this land.

**There was a lot of discussion and possibly a few tears about floor plans and house designs. House designing has been a bit of a challenge. While we like a lot of the same things, our taste seems to be totally different at the same time. The husband eventually designed a split level that we both loved.

**The more we looked into everything, the more financial challenges that seem to rear their ugly heads. That leads us to the the decision that we have made. It's not the fun decision, but it is the wise decision. We are going to put off the house building project. We thought about going ahead and buying the land and building later, but that doesn't seem to be working out either. We know that if we were meant to have that land, it will still be there when we are ready to build. If not, that's okay too. I believe we will find another piece of land that we love just as much.

Sometimes being a grown up and making these "wise" decisions isn't all fun and games. But I know this is the right decision for us right now and I'm okay with that. The whole process will be so much better when the time is right.

We are finally making some process on paying off our debt. Now that I can see the progress, this affects all of our decisions. We have already decided no twice because it would hinder our progress.

My First Award & April Fool's Day

I received my first ever blog award from Chelsey over at Scrap Happy. I'm supposed to tell you 7 things about me that you might not already know and then I pass this award onto 7 of you. So here we go!


Seven Things About Me You Might Not Know.....
1. I used to have my nose pierced.
2. I prefer my ice cream in a cone.
3. When I was in Kindergarten, I rode in a car with a complete stranger. Glad he was a nice man.
4. I get homesick easily.
5. I do not like to sleep near a window or with my closet door open.
6. I am not a morning person.
7. When I was younger I used to imagine my name being Elaina Weaver (you know how girls are) and I didn't even know who Andrew was... another Weaver boy who isn't related to us.

I love all the blogs on my blog role. There is no way I could choose just 7 of you. Consider yourself all rewarded.


As you all know Thursday was April 1st, or better known as April Fool's Day. I arrived at school just before the first bell rang Thursday morning to find a little surprise.

I barely cracked my door open since my hands were full. At first I thought the cleaning staff found a new and strange cleaning method. But then I opened the door a little further and found this...




My desk chair was on top of a table as well. The prankster had written Happy April Fool's Day on my board. I just busted out laughing. It was exactly what I needed that particular morning. My first period class came in a few minutes later and then put it all back to normal without even being asked. :)

These are the jokes I like, funny and harmless.