Forks?

Do I live in Forks? Do you know where this town is?? If you don't, you need to read Twilight! I love the saga! I started reading it over Thanksgiving break and finished the next 3 books over Christmas break in about 3 days :) I was sucked in and my mind was addicted to the characters and the story...crazy! Anyway, I went to see the movie on Thanksgiving and didn't really like it that much. Last weekend, my parents, Matt, and I watched it in Dublin b/c I made my mom read all the books. I really liked it a lot!!! So good. It made me want to read the books all over again. And I will...but my dad is retired and thought that he might want to read them...hahaha! I love it! Most of my cousins and friends have read the entire series and are equally obsessed!


The only vampires that I could ever love ;)

Anyway, it has been raining on and off for the past 3 days. It has consistently rained for the past 24 hours and I really feel like I live in Forks. The deep rumbles of thunder remind me of baseball with the Cullens!!! A teacher friend of mine is actually having a Twilight movie night with blood red wine, brownie bites, etc. at her house in Lake Park! How pefect!

Soon to come: One of my favorite students loves Twilight. Her and her sister play Twilight instead of house. lol. Ashlynn told me her favorite parts of the movie and her little opinion was so insightful and sweet that I am going to bring my video camera and let everyone learn about Twilight from a Kindergarteners perspective! This is just one thing out of a million that makes me love my job!

Laminin, Flood Warnings, and Registration!

I watched this video on Kelly's blog and thought it was very neat. I really like Louie Giglio and have seen him speak in person several times. I have been in an extremely reflective mood lately and have been in awe at the place that I am in in my life. Sometimes it can be hard to follow what you think or know God's plan is for you...especially when it requires BIG changes or leaps of faith. I took one of those last year about this time, and struggled so much with my decision until recently. Lately, I have realized why I am where I am and have begun to understand some lessons that God has been teaching me. Let me tell you, this Fall was not easy at all! I can slap a smile on my face and put on a masquerade with the best of them. However, very few people knew how I truly felt. I never told them, but they questioned me often. Let me just say that Jesus is my rock, my comforter, and shelter! Really, He is! OK, Moving on...

It has been raining nonstop! I love rain and thunderstorms (without wind) but enough is enough. They cancelled school today for lots of counties. Not mine though :) I had a great day despite having to work in yucky weather and am looking forward to my break in 2 days!!


Today is April Fool's Day. It is not a favorite day in our home. It is a sad day for us, and if you're reading this I know you know why. So my kids kept saying "April Fool's" and "There's a spider behind you"...things like that. I did have one child that pulled a great prank on me. He came in with his arm in a cast (it was really just bandaged, but looked professional). He had a big grin on his face so I should've seen right through him, but he said he fell off his bike yesterday. I was very concerned and asked if it was swollen and if he had a bad gash, etc. He said his mom went to the store and wrapped it up....that he didn't have to go to the hospital. He even went as far as to ask if I had anything to elevate his arm with. He got a pillow and propped it up during Calendar and Circle Time. Then in the middle of a song we were singing (about an hour later) he shouted out...April Fool's! I couldn't believe it! All day I would hear him telling people, I fooled my teacher today!!! Haha! His older brother is in middle school and he went to school with a wrapped up leg. I wonder if his teacher was as gullible as I was!

Registration...usually easy and painless. This is my very last time registering for Grad school. One of the classes I was supposed to take was closed. I have emailed everyone imaginable and it is still up in the air about what to do. I also have a dilemma with what teacher to take for another class. Now, I'm seriously thinking about getting my gifted endorsement. So I decided to just give up on the first class and register for a gifted class which is what I really and truly wanted to do from the beginning. I really hope that it counts towards my endorsement! Regardless of the slight chaos, I am excited about my last semester of school and hope to learn a lot and soak up every memory!

Well, it is thundering again, so I'm going to get off the computer and do some schoolwork and spend some time with my hubby! Another night huddled inside all cozy in our pjs!

Blessed

Matt and I spent a relaxing weekend in Dublin and then tonight, I spent a much needed refreshing evening with the original grad school girls. I will write more about our fun Margarita Monday once things slow down! Graduation Pictures + Easter Egg Hunt + Week Before Spring Break + GKIDS = HECTIC! I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to blog next week!

I am sooooooo blessed to have a group of girls that truly know what a struggle it is to teach full time--give your heart and soul to your job, then go to school all night, all while raising a family or being a good wife! We just have such a great time when we all get together for our grad reunion dinners!


These are the awesome women I am talking about. We teach Pre-K to 6th Grade! We are standing outside of Coyoacan!

I never dreamed that God would bless me with so many new friends in a graduate program! Now that this season in my life is coming to an end, I have been reflecting on these two favorite verses...
"God is able to do immesurably more than all we could ask or imagine" -Ephesians 3:20

"Delight yourselves in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" -Psalms 37:4

I truly am blessed beyond measure!

Take me out to the ballgame...

Yesterday afternoon was fabulous! I got up and worked around the house for a bit while Matt was at work. Then we headed out to Remington Park. I watch my sweet Kaylee play tball. She hit a homer! She was so cute in her hot pink batting helmet with her name on it. Her pink glove and bat and big ribbon in her hair...she's a girl after my own heart. Her grandma is supposed to be sending me a picture to school on Monday.

Then we went over to watch Anna and Abby...they were playing at the same time on different fields. When we got there Becky (she played in college and loves the game) was stressed b/c Jonathan got sick and had to go home and she was helping coach Anna's team. So Matt and I stayed at Abby's game. Abby is #4 (my number)!!! Her and Anna both play first base (my favorite position)!


Abby playing First.


Waiting to bat.

I loved being at the ball field. We saw everyone we knew of couse...it was opening day and all teams played. The smell of the fresh cut grass, the breeze, boiled peanuts, gatorade, etc. I was in my zone :) We had a great time!


Anna and Matt enjoyed these boiled peanuts after the game!


Anna and I after her game.

I ended up coming home and sleeping the rest of the day, woke up and had a temp of 101.3. Yuck! So Matt and I layed on the couch and watched What Happens in Vegas! It was funny. I feel a little better this morning, still achy..so I didn't go to church. I am sad that I've missed so often due to sickness these last few weeks.

It is beautiful outside. Everywhere we go we see beautiful dogwood trees, bradford pear trees (my fav) and cherry blossom trees blooming!! It has really been taking our breath away! Matt is going to hit some golf balls and probably go play. I am going to read for grad school outside. Then come in and work on some other school stuff while watching Twilight. I like the movie, but the books are GREAT!
That's all that has been going on around here! It's back to the grind tomorrow.


Bradford Pear Trees


Dogwood Trees


Cherry Blossom Trees

Multiple Blessings!

I had the best day today.

I'm spending my night with this...


I'm really enjoying this book by Kate. If you're a fan of the show, I declare this a must read!

I'll be at the softball fields/t ball fields bright and early in the morning! Fun, fun :) Happy SPRING!

PRAISES!

I was reading Kelly's praises on her blog and decided to write down my praises!!

1. I am married to the most wonderful hubby (my best friend)! He is my biggest supporter and encourager!

2. I have the most perfect golden ever...she is human to me and my sweet baby.

3. I have an amazing group of friends and church family at FBC who I know will always pray for me or help me in any way.

4. I have a job that I love. I get to be a mama to 20 beautfiul sweet 6 year olds who have stolen my heart! And I have been a part of so many other precious childrens lives. I am with the kids more than they are with their parents!

5. We have a house, no car payments, no credit cards....double income in a town that we love. And that is a huge blessing with the economy the way it is right now.

6. My parents and ginger only live a few hours away. They are both healthy right now. And I am sooo thankful. The same goes for my grandparents. And my brother. He lives close by.

7. God has given me the best friends that I could ask for here....when I never thought I'd meet anyone. School friends (GP and HnH), church friends, grad friends) I feel so blessed!

8. Jesus holds my hand every day and gets me through everything. His plan is something to be praised.

Some other things that I just love: the seasons, the weekends and a clean house, picking out clothes and accessories for people and myself, reading great books, watching dvds and going to the movies, listening to Matt play guitar on our back deck, quiet mornings with Blakely, my Bible, and praise music before school, learning about anything related to the field of education, polka dots, monograms, THE POOL, the Y, downtown Tville, visiting Valdosta, Jacket's games on Friday night, Spring (Baseball and Softball Season..going to lots of rec games), Sunday night church, nice restaurants around town and out of town, facebook, walking at the lake, visiting my family, visitors, Wed nights at church with Becky, Lynn, and LeAnn, grad nights...Margarita Monday and Tropical Thursday's, Community H 07-08 get togethers, VBS, DNOWS, talking to administrators and learning all about their job and them (weird I know), Karen Kingsbury, Casting Crowns, flip flops...well all shoes and accessories, the south, being tan, early to bed...early to rise sometimes...then staying up super late and sleeping in, laughing, bubble baths, sonic vanilla diet cokes, root beer in a bottle, koozies, Hobby Lobby, teaching/loving on my babies all day, old friends and memories, beach towns, pictures, Southern Living, living in a small town but visiting big cities, country music and the windows open, breezy days, front porches, working hard all day...then coming home and relaxing with my family, womens bible study...I mean the list goes on and on....so I'm going to stop now!

Overall, I realize how blessed I am and how much I have to be thankful for and all of the praises that I need to remember! Thank you Jesus :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

We proudly wore our green today! Matt wore a green tie to work.


My room mother is awesome!


The leprechaun hid a few clues around our classroom! My kids were beside themselves!!! Too sweet!


He really didn't mess up our room! (I hate a messy classroom) :)

After a country Idol (right up my alley) and Biggest Loser, I'm off to bed...in green polka dotted pjs!