What were we thinking?

We braved Wal-Mart and Lowes first thing this morning. What were we thinking? I saw EVERYONE that I know in this town. People were scrambling for back to school items...not fun. I did even run into one of my new students. His parents had my cute little wish list in their hands...and for that I am thankful.

We attempted to take a picture before fighting the crowd. It turned out crazy, like our morning. :)


We just cleaned up and had a low-key afternoon. I took a long bubble bath to relax my mind and read through the book of James. I also started filling out my new planner. It is color coded...I love organization!!

These verses stuck out to me this evening.
James 3:13 (The Message)
Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for widsom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts.

James 3:17 (The Message)
Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced.

James 4:7-10 (The Message)
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master, it's the only way you'll get on your feet.

Mindless

I guess I just needed a little mindless activity. Or maybe I'm already preparing for a new year, being that the first thing I make sure is that my kids know their alphabet and sounds. Either way, here it goes...the ABC's of me.

A- My AIR CONDITIONER is set on: 78. Matt is a stickler for that tempature. Sometimes when I'm getting ready, it seems a bit warm.

B- My BEDROOM theme is: Relaxing. Black and Cream damask with some stripes. And some gold accents. The walls are a light olive green color.

C- The CAR in the driveway is: Matt's company car.

D- My DESK looks: Ready to start a new year, clean and organized (at school). Made of heart pine. Cluttered and full of plantation themed decorations (our office desk).

E- The EXACT time I wake up daily is: 5:00 now that the school year has begun.

F- The FIRST thing I wash in the shower is: my hair. But before that I sit down (we have the rainshower head) on the tile floor in our shower and pray my heart out. Matt thinks I'm crazy. I just started this when we moved.

G- My GARAGE is filled with: My Tahoe, Our Honda, Boxes with Holiday decorations, and some storage shelves that contain everthing from sporting equiptment, pool toys, tools, and extra drinks. We also have a saddle and hay in our garage from VBS.

H- My HOUSE is: perfect for us. We cherish it and feel very blessed to be living in it. We were just talking about how last year at this time, we decided it was the house for us, after a lot of waiting, praying, and frustration. :) Our neighborhood is just what we wanted too.

I- If you peeked INSIDE my bedroom you'd see: A king size bed, lots of perfume, lots of books, a large window with the curtains open, a trey ceiling, and a sweet golden retriever.

J- My favorite JUICE is: Orange.

K- The best part of my KITCHEN is: the openness of it (something I thought I would never want), but now love. We also love our kitchen table and barstools. I do my Bible Study at our bar, and we eat supper most nights together at our table.

L- The LAST person who visited my home was: Carrie Beth. She stayed with us after our Birmingham trip.

M- The last piece of MAIL for me was: my JSL invite and the church bulletin.

N- My NEIGHBORS think I'm: obsessed with getting mail. During the summer, I would check it as soon as I heard the mailman pull away. Yes, I can tell when he drives by. No really, they know I love to read on the porch. We are blessed with great neighbors.

O- If you OPENED my fridge you'd see: food, drinks, and maybe a few leftovers.

P- My last house PARTY was: When all my family came to visit at the beginning of July!!

Q- A QUICK meal I like to fix is: Poppyseed chicken or Breakfast for supper.

R- My favorite ROOM of the house is: I love our living room...it is a relaxing place to hang out, and our bathroom (specifically the bathtub). This may sound weird, but we also love our empty room. We will go and sit in it...plan and dream.

S- The SHAMPOO brand I use: I switch a lot, but Biolage might be my favorite.

T- My largest TELEVISION is: our living room tv. It is a 47 inch. It is our only large tv.

U- UNDER my bed you will find: nothing. I couldn't say that about our old house. Every bed had tons of stuff under it.

V- The last time I VACUUMED was: a few weeks ago. We have all hardwood downstairs (except in rooms we don't go in often) so we swiffer vacuum just about every other day.

W- Looking out my WINDOW I see: A cute porch and lots of knock out roses, a few oaks, green grass, and tons of pines.

X- I wish I had X-TRA: money. Wouldn't that be nice? :)

Y- My YARD is: needing to be edged. It could also use some more landscaping...maybe soon.

Z- ZZZZZZZ My bedtime is: too late. However. I really need to head to be around 9. Why does Rachel Zoe Project have to come on at 10? :) We'll see!

Finally Friday!

So tired my fingers won't type. :) Open house went well, and I'm just about ready for Monday. I have a few things to work on this weekend...then it's time...ready or not.

We celebrated Matt's boss' birthday tonight at a Mexican restaurant. Of course, we saw everyone that we knew. I had a hard time keeping my eyes open on the drive home. I'm excited about snuggling up and watching tv with my little family tonight.



Happy weekend y'all!!

Proverbs 2:3-6
Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Thursday Thoughts

Getting ready for Open House tomorrow, from 8am-12pm!!



I've been praying for my new babies and their families. Hoping that God can use me in their lives.

My back to school schedule has been tiring to us all. I caught Blakely snoozing in my closet at 5:45am the other day. She is used to sleeping in with me. Ha!


Speaking of my closet. I hung this painting that I painted last weekend in Birmingham, at a place called Sips N Strokes. I will post all about my fun weekend soon.


I got this in the mail today. I'm very excited about a new year, and lots of volunteering.


I have a new favorite song, Carrie Beth introduced me to it. I can't stop listening to it. Read the lyrics as you listen!


Matthew 1:23
The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel—which means, "God with us."

A Fresh Start

First day back to work. I'm worn out, but still have to come up with a schedule, get a few notes together, and write names on everything. I got my list and have a sweet, sweet class. I had two mama's scream when they found out that their child had me (in a good way) and one give me the biggest hug ever (she is a fellow teacher). That definitely makes me feel good. I give the Lord all my praise. He is the one that gives me all of my abilities and the one that uses me for His purpose. I'm so thankful today.

I'm a working girl again. :)


This is my song tonight. (Lord of Lords-Hillsong)
Beholding your beauty is all I long for
To worship You Jesus with my soul's desire
For this very heart you've shaped for your pleasure
The purpose to lift your name high
Hear and surrender in pure adoration
I enter your courts with an offering of praise
I am Your servant come to bring you glory
As is fit for the work of your hands

Pslam 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

My lazy day...

the last for awhile. :) I was just on the phone with my friend here in town, and had to admit to her that yes, I'm still in my pj's. I did nothing today except watch a Rachel Zoe Marathon(which must've been on just for me on my last day of summer), cook Matt supper, and organize a few things. I went on a girls trip this weekend and still need to unpack tonight too.

Last Thursday, I headed to my friend Betsy's house for a grad girls dinner. She lives in the middle of a cotton field and it was storming outside, so it was a cozy night in.


She served a delicious meal and even used her fine china.


We ate two desserts. And discussed John Wind's jewelry. Carrie Beth got to meet him, and she was showing us his Fall line that she saw at the Mart.



We enjoyed some serious talks, had a few gross discussions, picked out outfits for Betsy's kids pictures (Colton and Claire) and laughed until our sides ached. We didn't leave until right after midnight. Fun times girls!!

Today

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, therefore I will hope in Him. Lamentations 3:22-24

Ready for a slow down..

OK! Who am I kidding? Things are about to speed up, not slow down. BUT, I haven't had any free "blogging" time lately. I've gone back to work full force, and have been getting highly organized...think obsessively organized in my classroom (not just pretty organized). Ha!

I decided to sit down and do a recap blog before I....print out a few things for my classroom, take them to get laminated, go to school and finish last minute details, get my oil changed, wash my car, give Blakely a bath, go to Publix and the Post Office, clean up and get some laundry done, start packing, and take Blakely on a long walk at the lake...because she deserves it (she's been home alone a little too much lately). Whew!

Here are some pictures from the last couple of days.
Matt and I getting some fresh air after a long day of work and cooking dinner after church on Sunday.




We went to dinner with my brother and his girlfriend, Miranda last night. I got a cute picture of them.


Here are Matt and I on the way to meet them, after I voted.


I moved these two HUGE and HEAVY tables clear across the school (with some help)yesterday, and then got rid of two of my rectangle tables.


Needless to say, I've been busy, but I'll be back to my normal blogging routine soon. :)

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. -Colossians 3:15-17

You are mighty and strong...

I think I've posted this before, but it is on my heart right now...so I'll re-post it. This was at a concert in Valdosta that we were at last summer.

I hear this song a lot of times a day. Everytime I get in my car, I hear it....sometimes several times. I know radio stations are probably just playing it a lot, but I am thinking God is trying to teach me something through the lyrics. So listen, cause I sure am listening, and enjoy.


I went shopping today in Valdosta with my friend Robin. We were looking for some decor for her house. We did good!!
It was so hot today! Blakely and I before I left town.


Robin eating her ice cream cone!


The cross collage that we were putting together in the middle of Hobby Lobby. :)


Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Passing the time...

Happy Friday evening y'all!

I am sitting here, just peachy, in a dress...hair fixed (which is a big deal since I haven't fixed it all summer long), just waitin' on my husband. He stays so busy in the summer, a lot of times he doesn't come home until close to 8pm. We were supposed to meet his boss and their family down in Tally for mexican food at La Hacienda, but it looks like we might not make it at all. He is still in Valdosta. I guess we might have to pick up something in town, because we don't have any leftovers and our fridge and pantry are pretty bare right now.

*Update..change of plans. We met in a neighboring town, later than expected.

Which brings me to my to-do list so far for tomorrow.
1. Go to Publix
2. Swing by Blakely's Vet

So...to pass the time. I'm going to reveal my favorite things for relaxing. Almost every night, I grab my iPod, light my soy candle from Katie, and take a bubble bath. When I do this I can just feel the stress disappear, and that is a good thing.
Love this candle!


Of course my iPod usually plays Desert Song every night.

Over...already?

I can see the end of summer approaching. I worked in my classroom for about an hour on Tuesday and then about 3 and 1/2 hours today. I moved all of my furniture back in place. Did a little bit of deep cleaning, a little bit of setting stuff back out, and a lot of organizing and planning.





After work on Tuesday, I went to my friend, Laura's, cute downtown store, Fireballs. Sadly, she is still teaching full time and it was just too hard for her to do both, so she will be closing FB at the end of July. It has been one of my go-to shops since I moved here...before I even knew Laura. We chatted for a bit and then I went and picked her up some lunch at my favorite, The Scoop, even though it was well after lunch. Somebody told me that I should buy the store. I WISH!


I also got to spend some time getting some dental work done. I am kind of sad that I won't be going back until Dec. That is strange I know.


So, other than working and catching up with good friends, I've been trying to enjoy what is left of my summer break. We've been having really bad storms lately. It looks like one is brewing right now. And it has been soooo hot, and so humid. I think the heat index was 105 today. I've been drinking a few of these. Such a summery drink...Ellen got me hooked on them. I mentioned liking orange drinks when traveling and she bought Matt and I some and stuck them in the freezer for us to have on our way back from ATL a few weeks ago. So good!


I wanted to share this picture of me and my aunt, uncle, and cousins, that stopped by our town earlier this week to eat lunch with Matt and I. They picked my cousin Carina up at camp in NC, and visited Duke, UNC, USC, UGA, FSU, and UF. I think they are going to visit Auburn soon, and then she'll make her final decision. I loved getting to show them around.


3 things that I am anxiously awaiting on this cloudy Thursday.
1. Worshipping here on Sunday.


2. Getting my hair cut SHORTer at Jagged Edge Salon and Boutique in Jamestowne on Tuesday.


3 My mama's birthday on Thursday and my dog, Ginger's birthday too...I won't get to see her but I'll be celebrating with her over the phone. She is my favorite person to shop for!

My cute mama!

Me and my girls. Ginger and Blakely...obviously an old one!

My soul finds rest in God alone...
Psalm 62:1