Pancakes, long walks, and Fall-like weather...in May!

Saturday morning we picked up pancake breakfasts to go from Applebee's. Our local TCMS cheerleaders were having a fundraiser for camp, so of course we had to support a few of our favorite Jackets.


It was rainy and cool...we spent the rest of the day lounging around the house, which was SOOO nice for a change.

The childrens and young musicians choirs sang at church on Sunday. They are oh so cute and talented too! I love watching some of my former babies sing! I also got to hug the neck of a friend that I hadn't seen in awhile. That was good for my soul!


I finished up my lesson plans for the school year, and got them ready to copy and turn in! Lesson Plans are probably my least favorite thing about teaching. I like teaching the lessons...just not writing them.


I had a super productive day at work today, that's good for a Monday. We had a fun day and ended it with a make your own sundae party. One of my parents made this cute cake to go along with our theme! Tomorrow is field day...my FAVORITE!


Matt and I are loving this surprising change in weather. It feels like FALL to us. So of course I am in the mood for pumpkins, football, harvest candles, burnt orange, apple cider, and Halloween! I don't know how I can be, especially since summer, swimming pools, and warm weather are what I've been dreaming about!

We ate supper with the back door open and then went on a long walk around our neighborhood.




I'm counting down the days...4 days until school is out for summer! Yay! Hope everyone had a great Monday!

Zephaniah 3:17
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

May Favorites

I'm completely addicted to my local hospital's online nursery. It is the coolest thing to me! I check it at least a few times a week to see what sweet babies have been born. Matt finds it amusing that I personally know so many of them! I just blame it on living in a small town.


I have been dreaming about TJ Maxx and Target. I haven't stepped foot inside either in over two months....and I will admit that online browsing just makes it worse! :)

Hydrangeas, ferns, and magnolias. LOVE!!! They are everywhere!




I can't get enough of Zumba. I didn't love it at first, but I got hooked after a week or so. I guess all those years of dance came back to me.

My Lilly planner. It is quite large, but I keep it in my purse anyway. I think I've found my favorite planner ever.


My beach chair. Who knew I would become so attached to a little striped chair? I would rather spend all day every Saturday sitting in it (on the beach or at home), than do anything else. If we have something planned or are out of town, I always tell Matt, "I wish I was home in my chair." Ha!

Country Strong. Although it is so sad to me, I love it anyway and could watch it over and over.


Desert Song (isn't it always) by Hillsong, and verses on being in the desert. This topic is highly intriguing to me these days. I feel like the Lord is teaching me what it is like to be joyful, prayerful, and patient in the desert.

And of course, my front porch and my rocking chair. I think the weather is perfect right now...not too hot. It's peaceful. Crystal Light Iced Tea too. I crave it...all day long.


There you have it...my May favorites so far.

Luau, Room Makeover, and the perfect Friday night.

We had a Wing A Luau last night over at Mrs. Doe's house (she is a fellow teacher). She is retiring this year and LOVES everything about the beach. In fact, she'll be heading down to Destin for the entire summer the week we get out. I'm jealous! :)


We had four blenders going, beach music drifting throughout the house, and numerous beach themed appetizers...but the one and only request that she had was...pizza dip. I never made it before, but decided to honor her wishes and gave it a shot. She was so happy!




I have been re-doing my room at school the last two days. Crazy I know, seeing that we only have 5 days left. I have traded furniture, changed my complete layout, and gotten rid of 2 bookshelves. I have also organized all my shelves and drawers. Next week, I'm tackling my filing cabinet and other cabinets....then I'll be done. I just had to change it...right then!

Matty grilled tonight and then hit golfballs to Blakely for awhile. We sat outside and enjoyed catching up. I took a bath and was in pajamas by 7pm. We are going to start a movie now...hoping I can stay awake for at least half.


I am so thankful that it is the weekend!

Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

MISTAKES

Oh how I love reading the devotional, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young each morning. It really gets me thinking. When I read Monday's devotion two people immediately popped into my head. I found what I was reading was so true and uplifting in mine and Matt's current situation and in the situation of a good friend. So of course I had to share! I

"DON'T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF. I can bring good even out of your mistakes. Your finite mind tends to look backward, longing to undo decisions you have come to regret. This is a waste of time and energy, leading only to frustration. Instead of floundering in the past, release your mistakes to Me. Look to Me in trust, anticipating that My infinite creativity can weave both good choices and bad into a lovely design.

Because you are human, you will continue to make mistakes. Thinking that you should live an error-free life is symptomatic of pride. Your failures can be a source of blessing, humbling you and giving you empathy for other people in their weaknesses. Best of all, failure highlights your dependence on Me. I am able to bring beauty out of the morass of your mistakes. Trust Me, and watch to see what I will do."

Romans 8:26-28
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

Micah 7:7
But me, I'm not giving up. I'm sticking around to see what God will do.
I'm waiting for God to make things right. I'm counting on God to listen to me.

Ephesians 4:32
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

WHIRLWIND

The Countdown is on!!!


Graduation is tomorrow...


then comes finishing portfolios, writing rubrics, and permanent records. Anyone feel my pain? :) We also have an entire WEEK OF FUN planned for next week. I am tired just thinking about it!

We brought dinner to a couple in our Sunday School class on Monday. They had their first child a few weeks ago, Maddox Grant!! He is a cutie!


I think that after this week is over, I will feel like I have it together again...not so overwhelmed! In the midst of the whirlwind that I feel like I'm in, the Lord has been teaching me some amazing lessons. I can't wait to share...soon! I hope that everyone is having a great week so far!

Deuteronomy 8:11
Make sure you don't forget God, your God, by not keeping his commandments, his rules and regulations that I command you today.

Spring Celebrations!!

My brother graduated from my alma mater, Valdosta State University, with a B. A. in Accounting this weekend! We are so proud of him! My family drove down on Friday afternoon and spent the weekend at our house. My brother's girlfriend, Miranda and her parents celebrated with us every step of the way too. Graduation day was filled with lots of pictures, tears, excitment, RED/BLACK, good food, and memories!













My parents came to my school on Friday and brought my class a treat! I thought this picture was so cute!


Then we went downtown and ate at Paulie's Pizza, then went to a few shops that were open late, as it was Ladies Night in honor of Mother's Day.




Last weekend, Matt helped me prepare for Relay at my school, then we went to Relay for Life out at the high school. I was pleased with the amount of money that was raised!



Saturday morning we woke up early and drove to Atlanta for my FIL's retirement celebration from Georgia Tech and campus Ministry. We enjoyed catching up with some old friends, and hearing some inspiring stories, songs, and memories from his former students.

A little bit of hope :)

"Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; how blessed are all those who long for Him....He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you." Isaiah 30:18-19