Going Away Party

I worked on a few special things Thursday night in preparation for Friday. This was one of them.



On Friday we had a going away party for our sweet student teacher, Ms. Clare. We LOVE Ms. Clare. She will be a GREAT teacher, and it was so nice to have an extra set of hands in our classroom. She surprised us with cookie cakes, chips, juice, and a card. But then we suprised her with some goodies! We did most things in red/black since she is a softball player for Valdosta State University.






She did have time to work on a few thing for us before she left. She made Thanksgiving t-shirts with our students.



Last night Matt and I went on a date to Chili's. I had heard that they changed the menu, but have not been since...well I couldn't find anything to order! It was fun to walk around and look at all the Christmas decor and lights though. We look tired in our picture. We usually like to spend Friday night in, but since we knew we wouldn't have a spare moment to have any time together Saturday, we opted for last night instead.


Matt is at work this morning, and I am trying to get a few things organized at our house, then I'm off to volunteer at the Annual Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival (PWAF) here at our Cultural Center. I am working in the hospitality room with some fun people. I'm sure I'll see tons of cool artwork that I wish I could purchase for Matt's office. Then I'm off to "Become One" a FREE worship service at the auditorium...our FBC choir will be singing, as well as some praise bands.

It should be a busy and great Saturday!
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what GOD's will is--HIS good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2

Around town...

Today was my kind of afternoon! The weather here in SGA is wonderful and the trees all changing colors are glorious! I love Fall, but I also loved the hint of winter I felt in the air today.

Look in the background of this picture. Mess everywhere. I had a talk with my students about putting things back in their places. I have EVERYTHING labeled and in bins, buckets, or boxes in my room and they KNOW where everything goes...even better than I do. I should've taken an after picture. Because my room is now SPOTLESS and very organized again. It only took them about 15 minutes, but I think my babies will do a better job cleaning up from now on. I love leaving school feeling caught up and organized.


Then I had to run to a local store (DDP Monograms and Gifts) to pick up one last thing for my cute student teacher. Her last day is Friday. I think that she would love all of these things.




Of course I ran into several friends to talk to in there. I love seeing people everywhere I go (most of the time). I got to chat with the owners and take some pics of things that I am loving. I love that necklace for the holiday parties that I'll be attending.


I love their stockings. I will be buying our stockings this year...I really will finally decide on some! No more empty stocking hangers in our house!




I just packed up my fall decorations (sad) and am going to slowly begin getting out Christmas. I know it is too early, but...we're about to be so busy that we won't have a break in our schedules until Dec. 16. Which is actually my birthday. So I want to have everything ready to enjoy. The stores already have it out, so why can't I? :)



Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3

Family Love

We went home to my parents house for the weekend. It is always fun to go back to my hometown. It never fails, Matt always decides that he wants to move there...as soon as we enter the city limits...haha! He loves it and I do to! It is hard to believe but I haven't been there since June and Matt hasn't been there since March. Our schedules have been so packed that my parents have graciously come down to visit us every month or two. We arrived late Friday night, so we didn't do too much. We ate subs and chatted. I got to love on my sweet G girl!!



I love sleeping in my old room. I still love the colors! I keep one of my pillow cases in our house now, just for the memory. Matt likes hanging out in daddy's office.



Saturday we headed to Warner Robbins for a shopping trip. We ate at Cheddar's and shopped around at our favorite stores.




We got home, ate mexican, watched the Dawgs lose :(, and relaxed by a fire. Then we made another little fire outside and enjoyed s'mores. We ended the night by watching When in Rome.






We were so sad to leave on Sunday, but left refreshed and grateful for the great time that we had together. I started decorating a few wreaths and garland for my mama...so fun! It put me in the Christmas mood.



I also got her jewelry ready for the holidays (I'll share that later).

My sweet parents and the house that I love so much! They just painted their front door red and I love it! People were stopping mama in Kroger and telling her how much they liked it! HA! You know you live in a small town when that happens.




Monday afternoon we drove to Albany so Matt could sing with our church choir at the Georgia Baptist Convention. Our pastor is the President of the GBC and it was a big honor to hear him speak and listen to our wonderful childrens, youth, and adult choirs. Here they are warming up!


Me, my friend Becky, and my assistant principal and friend, Brecca, went on a Target and Zaxby's run before everything started. We had a good time. I enjoyed being there with my TFBC family!! Can you tell by this picture? Ha Ha Ha!!


We ended the night by seeing Matt's dad! I'm so glad that we were able to see him and that he was able to hear Matt sing! The choir truly sounded better than ever, like angels.


We didn't get home until close to midnight last night and we were sooooo so tired on the drive home. We are definitely getting to bed early tonight!

I started a new Bible Study tonight, since both of my studies at church ended last week and my new one won't start until mid-January. It is called Living a Life of Worship. It is simple, but filled with scripture. I hope that everyone has a great Wednesday!

Psalm 62:5
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Around the house...

I enjoyed my day yesterday, but woke up this morning, EARLY, feeling sick, sick, sick. Just plain bad. I decided to sleep it off, and woke up to this. Sweet girl loves her ball, but apparently gave up on me and fell asleep on hangers and all.


Whenever I'm feeling bad I always retreat to the other side of the house. Where our "nursery" and guest room await. I took a photo album, the phone, a few pillows and blankets into our empty room/nursery.


What a pretty view!

I sit and think about how the baby furniture will be placed and what colors I will pick out. I even have the paint sample book thing from Benjamin Moore in the room. In case I need to reference a color. HA! I guess it is my peaceful, dreaming room. I like to think about what God has planned for Matt and I.

Then sometimes I'll go across the hall to the guest room. This furniture was my furniture growing up and in college. So it is my memory room. I think about all of my good memories. (The bed is unmade because I was about to put clean sheets on it...it is usually always ready for company.) I feel very safe in this room too. And I always thank God for his blessings and reflect on things that He taught me.


Now, thankfully, I'm feeling much better. I've been munching on these.


Addressing envelopes to the sustainers in league. We are sending them info about Christmas at the Center.


And folding tons of laundry that I washed yesterday. While wearing my uggs and GA pj's! Very cute I tell you!


And here are just a few random pictures from my phone from the past few days.




I'm off to organize our closest some and put away laundry. I LOVE having this time off. Such a blessing!

Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

My love for...

Taylor Swift goes deep. I love every song she has ever sung on every album. I know a lot of people say she can't sing, but I LOVE her music. It is mellow, soothing, young, and just puts me in a good mood. She has good lyrics...and I ususally relate to a lot of them. I love her new song, Back to December, that she sang last night.

I do have to laugh at this parody of her song, Love Song...haha!!! This is floating around the blog world and it is very funny!


Enjoy!!

Wednesday is the new Friday!

I am so excited to have these next 2 days off (even if they are furlough days and I'm not getting paid for them)!!

We grilled steaks before Matt had to go to choir. Matt made me the best baked potato ever to go with it.

I've enjoyed relaxing and watching the CMA's. There have been so many AWESOME performances already. Country music and I go waaaayyy back. I grew up with it and it defines many of my memories. I LOVE ALL country music!


And of course I have my pumpkin candle lit. I guess I'll be switching it out for cinnamon, cranberry, and balsam candles soon.


I'm hoping to sleep in tomorrow, take Blakely for a morning walk, and get caught up around the house...specifically on laundry. :)

It has been a wonderful Wednesday. I'm thankful for my VSU student teacher and that I get to be a mentor to her this semester. It is good seeing old VSU professors when they come to observe her too. :) Now, I'm about to settle in and enjoy the rest of the CMA's!! Happy Wednesday Y'all!

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
Psalm 116:1-2