BEST one

in a long time. Our weekend, I mean. We stayed plenty busy...but had lots of fun too. Friday afternoon I hosted a shower for one of the girls on my wing at school. Her daughter just so happens to be in my class, so that made it even better. We always do a shower for the second baby at a local mexican restaurant. I love the people that I work with (and we stay so busy with our little ones during the day that we hardly see each other) and LOVE getting to chat and celebrate together.



After the shower Matt and I headed up to our church to start off the Disciple Now weekend. The Worship Leader was GREAT!!! The speaker hit home as well. The theme this year was....BREAKABLE. From routine to revival!!!!!



Saturday we went grocery shopping and slept in (Hallelujah! It was much needed)! We also dropped some things off at our jeweler. They are in the process of moving and we got to tour their new boutique. SO COOL! Then I whipped up some Vidalia Onion Dip and a Corn Salad to take to a barbeque out at Lake Riverside. We didn't end up leaving until close to midnight.




Sunday we enjoyed two AMAZING church services!!! Our pastor preached a LIFE CHANGING message on Sunday night. Here is one of my favorite songs from Brett Younker. He sang it all weekend long. I didn't buy a cd, but I will be downloading it from iTunes soon.




I spent Sunday night cooking "SNOW"...well cakeballs and coconut cake to resemble snow for Snow Day at school on Monday. I was also in charge of decorations, drinks, and corn muffins.


Habakkuk 3:2
I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by.
And in your anger, remember your mercy.

Experiencing

restoration, renewal, refreshment, and revival! I am quoting this from my AMAZING pastor's heart. This is going to be our focus the next few months.

In Psalm 51, David prayed, restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. The call of Hosea was, Return to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled (14:1). In Acts 3:19, Peter preached that repentance brings about times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. In a moment of deep contrition Ezra expressed his desire: That our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival (Ezra 9:8). The desire of the prophet Habakkuk: O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known (Habakkuk 3:2).

Hebrews 11:6...God rewards those who diligently seek Him.

The past few days.

For some reason the last few days of work have been insanely busy. I've had lots of paperwork to do and back to back meetings to attend. My kids have also started to run fevers again. Over half just had the flu before Christmas....I hope it is not lurking in my room again. As a matter of fact, one child told me that she could hear the flu sneaking back into our classroom. Hahaha!! I am planning a baby shower for Friday and DNOW with our church is this weekend, and a few other things.

I left on my pj's all day Monday and ended up adding rain boots and a coat to my outfit...good thing I don't have many days off that are rainy and cold...Matt might be in trouble because I'd always look like that. And I'm not even going to talk about my hair that day. :)


I left school early (by early I mean by 4) yesterday and today to run errands for this weekend. I don't know why but I thought that soup and caesar salad sounded so good for supper last night. And it was sooo good. Matt was actually off of work at a decent hour and we got to cook supper together. That's always fun!



I've been setting out a few Valentine decorations here and there. I like adding some holiday flare back into our house.



I wore my toms to work today and felt like a skater girl. Ha! One middle schooler told me that she liked my shoes and had never seen that color. I had to laugh and tell her that they probably don't make that color anymore...they're about 4 years old.


Other than trying to keep up with The Bachelor, Biggest Loser, The Real Housewives...and now Idol. I've been reading, reading, reading. I'm thankful that Bible Study starts back up next week!

I'm currently reading The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes. It is hard to put down.


I'm also listening to Hillsong's Yahweh Live cd over and over this week.


I hope everyone is having a great week!!
Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Safe

My sweet husband is FINALLY home safe from his sales meeting and a little extended time with his grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was supposed to leave for Tulsa EARLY Tuesday morning and fly from Tallahassee to Atlanta. He got a call on Sunday saying be prepared to leave tomorrow morning to either fly out of Panama City or DRIVE. That was during all the snow and ice hitting the south east. He ended up getting to stay a little longer, but had to miss part of the sales meeting. Needless to say, all the unknown and preparation, and cancelled flights made for a long week.

Here he is around 5am the day he left to fly out. He was already in his suit and on the phone with Delta in the 4am hour...trying to figure out how long the delay was and if he would make his connecting flight, etc. Sort of stressful. (He was rushing out and even though this picture was blurry didn't have time for me to get another.)


He had a great time in Neosho, Missouri. His cousin Aaron, came and picked him up in Tulsa. He had special dinners prepared for his arrival and enjoyed working out with the boys and hanging out at Aaron's church. He said he felt really special. :) He went to a really neat mexican restaurant with all the fam and then he sang a solo in church on Sunday. His grandmother and aunt drove him back to the airport (they also fixed a picnic lunch to eat in the car...which I think is precious). He got home close to 11pm last night. I am so thankful that he is home safely!


Poor thing is already back at work this morning. While I'm enjoying MLK day at home. And it is raining out! Yay for a rainy day at home!

My weekend...

documented by really bad phone pictures. :) Hey, it's all I have right now!

I left Friday to go to Dublin to visit my parents. (I had a lot of drive time, alone, so I have been lost in thought lately...I feel a sentimental blog post coming soon :). )


I was met my a delightful fire and got to spend the evening with the best parents in the world!


Saturday morning my Dad cooked us a big breakfast and then Mama and I were off. We headed to Warner Robins to shop. I needed a few things for a baby shower that I'm hosting and we had a little bit of Christmas money to spend.


We met up with Daddy at Pete's Place for an early dinner. It is a little hole in the wall Italian restaurant in Dudley, GA. It was really good!




We got home and decorated for Valentine's Day.


Looked at our finds. Mama got a new huge purse. Bigger than mine even.


I FINALLY retired my wallet after 6 years or so maybe a little longer. Matt got it for me shortly after we got engaged. It is SO dirty. This picture doesn't do it justice. I found a cute silver leather one at TJ Maxx...the inside is GOLD!



My Mama was also determined to send me home with lots of goodies. For myself and as donations for Bargain Bazaar. She actually added a LOT to this initial pile:)


Then we settled in by another fire to watch the Falcon's and then Miss America.

We watched Letters to Juliet today. I LOVED it. We watched a family dvd too. I guess with Valentine's coming up and watching a love story, I felt sort of sappy. Here are my parents on their wedding day. And my wedding portrait. I look at both everytime I go home. The portrait is so lifelike. It takes me right back to June 2006.




I am home and getting laundry together, unpacking, moving things around, and watching my worn out Blakely girl sleep. I'll feel more settled in a few hours.

Galatians 5:16
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

Heart Warming

Project Rosebud is an event that touched my heart through league last year. I already signed up to help again this year even though I'm not a provisional. This year, they tacked on a service project. Last weekend the provisional class went to a nursing home with their "rosebuds" and gave the residents there manicures and played bingo with them. These pictures that my friend Ali took touch my heart.





*And only in service to others, may we find the true joy in living. -JSL Collect

Galations 5:22-23
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Meetings and Surprise!

Tuesday...typical meeting day for me. I have to hurry to the cultural center for our January Junior Service League meeting. I am in charge of Bargain Bazaar sign ups so I have to be there early to set up and recruit volunteers. My provisional class is also in charge of beverages and snacks tonight. Then I'll be making my way to the county office for our January School Board Meeting. Hopefully I'll make it about when they get out for extended session. Busy, busy day!

When I walked in a few minutes ago I immediately noticed a Christmas decoration in my undecorated/empty house. I saw this months ago, wanted it super bad, but wouldn't pay full price. Matt saw it today, got it at a steal (after bargaining I might add) and surprised me! He is one thoughtful man. How tacky will it be if I cover the candy looking tops with something to reuse it for Valentine's Day and the 4th of July? Ha! I really might!




Here are the library books I checked out yesterday. I can't wait get home to put on my pj's and read a few chapters during Biggest Loser commercials!


Hope everyone had a blessed day!

Pslam 139:23
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.