I'm singing

If you know me at all, you know that music speaks to my heart in encouragement, hope, conviction, courage, purpose, surrender; I could go on and on.  Here are the songs on my heart lately. 

This one is such a source of encouragement and hope.


This one just makes me weep.  It's impossible to understand just how much He loves me!

Keeping it Real

I was married 6 years ago today. Unfortunately, it lasted only 16 months and took me five years to heal. I would be lying if I said it didn't hurt to think about what I was doing 6 years ago today and remember all the hopes and dreams that I held in my heart. If only it had turned out differently. I'd be married right now with a few kids of my own.

I have no doubt that God has someone for me. While I can't wait to meet this person and share my life with him, I'm scared about what the future holds. I'm scared to trust that completely and love that unconditionally again. I scared to put myself out there. I'm scared that I won't have enough to offer someone. I'm not 26 anymore. Will I find someone willing to look inside to my heart and all that I have to give? Will he see me the way Jesus does? Will he be patience when hurts or insecurities of my past relationship rear their ugly heads? These questions seem like mountains.

Thankfully, I serve a Mountain Mover! Jesus, you love more than I could ever imagine. Help me let go of all my fears and uncertainties and use this time alone to dwell in You.

You might be a teacher if...

...you come home with marker all over your hands. What's sad is that the other hand looked just as bad. What's even sadder is that I have no idea how it got there. I didn't even know I was covered in purple ink until I noticed the smudges I left on my desk and any papers I touched!

What a Treat!

Cara and Alysia have been filling in as principal for the last week. It's been wonderful seeing them on a somewhat daily basis again. It's been 2 years since that last happened for me! Monday, Cara joined Leslie, Kelly, and me for lunch. It's amazing how quickly you can fall back into old routines!

I'll miss you, Girls!

Quality Time

Quality time in the presence of God.

Quality time with with my family.

Can one day get any better?

I don't know about you, but nothing recharges me quite like time with family and friends!

Hannah's Wedding Day

Can it be? Is the little girl with the white, curly hair who loved being with the "gurls" really married? I still remember playing Barbies and dancing around with her! I'm so thankful that we were able to share this momentous occasion with her.

Shopping for her dress was so much fun! I still can't believe we found the perfect one in just a few hours. I'm not even going to get into the details of all that we laughed about that day!The night before the BIG day we all ate dinner together. It's sad that it took a wedding to get us together! (Mmm, mmm! D'Aprinos was delicious!)
We came back to my house for Mom's homemade doughnuts,
a hair color,nails,
and pedicures.
On Wedding day, we slept in and then heading out to get Hannah's hair done.

The day passed quickly and before we knew it, we were at the church getting dressed.What a beautiful bride!

Hannah Grace, you've grown into such a smart, independent, beautiful woman. I treasured the time we spent together this weekend. I wish you and Justin all the happiness that this world can offer!

Have you see these people?

Me either!!

Look now. It won't last long

Chloe went to the groomer on Tuesday. She looks so cute! The last couple of times I've gone to pick her up, they've shaved her. She definitely wasn't looking her best. But, this time they got it right! (Thanks, Tina, for keeping after them!) I thought I'd post of few pictures. It's Chloe's mission in life to tear out the bow she gets at the groomer. She rubs and rolls until her hair is in total disarray. I took this pictures the same day she went to the groomer and you can already tell she'd been working on getting it out!

Rising Above

It's time to rise above.

It's time to rise above the lies, gossip, slander, harassment, dirty looks, personal and professional attacks, and hatred.

It's time that I stop living in fear and dread and start living like a child of the King of Kings. He is my defender and protector.

As long as I'm speaking and living truth, I have nothing to prove.

Those who wish harm on me will fail in their deceitful, underhanded attempts.

God is in control.

A dear friend emailed me the words to the song "Tornado" by Sara Groves. It fits my situation perfectly! Thank you, Friend, for reminding me of the bigger picture.

You live your life like a tornado.

Destruction follows everywhere you go.

And you have no plans to stop or slow (oh).

I will not let this bitter root grow in me.

I will not let you leave that legacy,

But it gets so hard when pain is all I see (oh).

And every time I find healing, you're making a new mess,

And I am learning the real meaning of forgiveness.

And I tried to remove myself from your path,

But I keep on waking up in the aftermath.

So I pick up again and say I won't look back (oh).

And I will not let this bitter root grow in me.

I will not let you leave that legacy,

But this constant fight is breaking me (oh).

And every time I find healing, you're making a new mess,

And I am learning the real meaning of forgiveness.

And it hurts when you hit at the hearts of the ones I love;

When everything you touch is rubble and dust.

And it gets so hard to know how to trust,

But I will not let that bitter root grow.

I will not let it, no no. But it gets so hard (oh).

And every time I find healing you're making a new mess,

And I am learning the real meaning of forgiveness.

And I could move and never send you a forwarding address,

Or I could learn the real meaning of forgiveness.

"Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:10-12

100% - Is it possible?

I'm beginning to think it's impossible to give 100% of yourself to every part of your life. If I give 100% to school, inevitably I'm behind at home on cleaning or laundry or yard work. If I give 100% to life at home (i.e. planning and cooking healthy meals, working out, making sure everything is in it's place, grocery shopping, paying bills, blogging, getting to bed on time) it means there's papers I've left ungraded, Math Power-Points that are unwritten, emails that have not been responded to, lessons that need to be planned, professional books that need to be read, etc... You'll notice I've yet to mention time spent reading the Word or in prayer. What about nurturing my relationships with family and friends? Where's the balance in all of it? How do I find it? I feel like it's a give and take. One day I may be more focused on what needs to be done for my job. Another day, my focus may need to shift to my home and making sure I'm all caught up on work here. But, how do I keep from feeling guilty when I can't devote my time and energy to all my responsibilities every day? I'm afraid that if I live in the moment, I'll forget something! If you have any suggestions on this, please share! I'm in desperate need of your help!!