Let's Hear it for the Girls

It took work and a last minute change, but we finally found a date we could all get together to celebrate February birthdays (Tonya, Michelle, and GayeAnn).

We met at McAlister's for dinner.

It was Kenley's first night out with the girls.  She was definitely the "stand out" in the group!

After dinner we headed over the P3 - Paint, Party, Play in Ozark.

Here's GayeAnn making a large something for her coffee table.  Can you see her hand?  That was really only the beginning of her mess.  She splattered paint on the wall behind her, the floor underneath her, on Hannah's gnome, and the on the chair beside me - which was three away from her!!  Can you picture the mess?  It was quite comical!

Hannah and Tonya

Michelle, Tina, and Mom

Here are the somewhat finished products! 

Hannah - gnome

Tonya - candy dish

Michelle - platter (Michelle and Mom used a special kind of paint with crystals that will pop when they are fired.  It's really a cool effect, but you'd have to see it totally completed to appreciate it.)

Mom - utensil holder

Tina - candy dish

Me - a bowl to hold some "stuff" in my kitchen that otherwise wouldn't have a place (earbuds, photo flash drive, ipod case, etc...)

Can you see Tina's perfect polka dots?  Here's a tip for ya.  Do not use the end of a paintbrush to make polka dots.  Big no-no!  When fired they turn out lopsided.  Upon hearing this word of advice, it became clear to me why my last personally created piece of polka dot pottery turned out like a boobie plate instead.  I will not make that mistake again!  Ha!!

We enjoyed ourselves so much we already set a date to go back in honor of Tina's birthday.  If you're not doing anything Monday, March 22nd at 5:30, come and join us!  I gaurantee you'll have a good time!

Mom, GayeAnn, Michelle, Tina, Tonya, and Hannah, thanks for a wonderful evening!  It felt good to laugh and laugh and laugh!  Love you all!!

**Blog friends, I can't sing the praises of this pottery place enough.  They were sooooo nice!  They were eager to help, but not pushy.  There is no sitting fees and their prices definitely beat that of their competitors.  They had private rooms and plenty of pottery to choose from. If you're planning an event like this, I highly recommend going to P3 - Paint, Party, Play.  (You can find them on facebook.)  They are located right off Hwy NN in Ozark, just past Lambert's.  If you know where I live, they are located right across the street from my subdivision in an old white house.

Unfinished

This pot has been waiting for a plant (a hardy plant that I can't easily kill) for about 2 months now.

This picture frame has been waiting for a picture for about a month.

I gathered all necessary supplies to finish a birthday project a couple of weeks ago.  At least it won't be "unfinished" much longer.  I have to give it to a special someone on Friday!!

Do you have unfinished things like this around your house? 

One Year

This chronological Bible will take you through the entire Bible in 1 year.  The part that I'm most excited about is that it has been arranged in the order the events actually occurred.  My mom, dad, and papa started back in January and are really enjoying it.  I picked up a copy today and can't wait to start it!

Birthdays

We've been doing a lot of celebrating around here lately!

Love them both so much!!

Hiding

When I become exhausted, I usually go into hiding.  You know, the kind where you shut yourself off, become numb, and just let life happen to you.  The kind where you just go through the motions.  That's where I've been.  In hiding.  I'd like to put it eloquently and say that I've just put down my sword to rest.  But, I need to face the music.  I became weary and just gave up.  I've given up looking for the positive.  I've given in to fatigue and negativity.  I've let my guard down and have listened to the lies of the enemy.

Here are the things that sent me into hiding:

1. In January I got a new student.  Boy is he a tough one!  He really needs more help than I can give him.  Over the past month and a half, he's completely changed the dynamics of my classroom.  Sad to say, some most days I feel out of patience and understanding.  He has really worn me down.  This weariness brings me to point number 2...
2. It seems every year this job gets harder.  There are more demands and more behavior issues to manage than ever before.  I struggle to remain passionate about the profession I love.
3. Well, I'm not even going to type this one out.  Let's just say, same old, same old!  Lately I've even started wondering if I've done something wrong and so God is punishing me by not giving me something that seems like such a simple thing. 

Now, to be totally honest, God has been speaking to my heart for a couple of weeks now, guiding me towards things I need to do to help these situations.  I have absolutely no excuse for not stepping up to what He's shown me other than that I didn't feel I had it in me to do.  I haven't been ready to get back up and press on.

Here's why I know it's time to come out of hiding:

1. Each day that I head to school, I do so unprepared.  I'm not ready to "do battle".  I have not armed myself with the Word or God or spent time seeking Him before I start the day.  It's no wonder I feel like the walking wounded!
2. I know that I know that I know, I'm right where I'm supposed to be right now.  I've been called to teach and hopefully share the love of Jesus too.  I need to stand firm in this.  God has a plan and a purpose and He has equipped me with the tools I need to do that which He has called me for.
3. We recently had a service about the the Vision for 2010.  I felt God remind my heart of those words from Esther, for such a time as this.  I felt confident that Sunday saying, Lord I will walk through the doors of opportunity that you open for me.  I will serve you and give you my life.  Lord, have your way in me.  I believe that God has plans for me, something good, too.  His word promises that.  Instead of continuing to pray for it, I'm going to celebrate it now and give thanksgiving now. Tonight at prayer meeting Pastor John talked to us about the value of praise.  He was totally spekaing to me when he said that sometimes, we don't want to believe God's plans going to to work unless we can figure it out, but God wants us to submit, trust, and believe.  Shouting God's praise for what He's going do prepares the way!

I'm so thankful to serve a LIVING God!  A God of the Universe who cares about the day to day happenings of my life.  I'm thankful for family and friends who support me with prayer and encouragement when I'm struggling.  I'm praising God for the victories I'm going to have now that I'm coming out of hiding!!

Valentine's Day

A knock at the door.
My Dad on the other side keeping up a tradition he started when I was in high school.

Dinner and a movie with my oldest nephew.

Celebrating my Grandma's birthday.

Valentine's Day - a day spent with those you love!

A Busy Week

February 7th - 13th was conference week.  This is always a dreaded week for me.  Don't get me wrong, I really do enjoy visiting with the parents of my students.  There's just something about talking for 12 hours straight for nearly two days in a row.  It's exhausting!  Lots of other things were going on this week, too!

Sunday - Mom always fixes lunch for me on Sundays, so I thought I'd give her a break today.  I fixed cheese steak sandwiches and homemade cheese-fries.  This is nothing like the healthy meals Mom usually makes, but it was good!  For dessert I made Better-Than-Anything cake.  Ohh, it was SO good!  I shared the leftovers with Tina and Tonya's families along with Kelly and Leslie.  It was such a big hit, I'll think I'll serve it at Bunko in March.

Monday - Because I was hoping for a snow day today, I kept Chloe with me instead of sending her with Mom.  (She is NOT fun to take outside in the snow.  She's very stubborn!)  Well, there was no snow day, so after work I took her to mom's.  I picked up Chase along the way because there was too much "togetherness" going on at his house.  After we dropped off Chloe he went with me to the O.C. to workout.  He was my very own personal trainer.  We walked/jogged the track.  He kept after me about going faster and working harder.  It was a great workout!  While we were there, we saw a couple of girls he goes to school with.  I know there aren't very many 12 (soon to be 13) year olds who would walk with their aunt and not be embarrassed.  He doesn't even know it, but in those 30 minutes he made me feel so loved!  Afterwards, I took him to his favorite restaurant: McDonalds, and then back to my house.  (From the time he got home from school he had eaten 2 big bowls of cereal, double cheeseburger, large fries, 4 poptarts, and a container of yogurt!!  He's a bottomless pit!)  At my house, I showed him one episode of "The Office" I thought he'd enjoy.  We laughed and laughed.  (Jen, I think he's hooked!) 

Tuesday - Conferences - yep, that sums it up!

Wednesday - walked with Kelly after school in her neighborhood.  It was so nice to be outside and soak up the sun.  While we were walking, we planned our Spring Break mini-trip.  We're going to go to St. Louis!  She has never been in the arch!  I can't wait for her to experience it!  After walking, I stayed with Garrett and Ethan until Grammy picked them up for church.  We played a competitive game of Uno! 

Thursday - Conferences - Leslie surprised me a cup of english-toffee-some kind of coffee drink.  A day or two prior to this, she brought me one just to try.  You see, she's recently joined the rest of America and has become obsessed with coffee and the whole caffeine experience.  Now, she wants to get me hooked.  Leslie, mission accomplished!  I've been thinking about this delicious cup of energy ever since!  (Seriously, thank you for being so thoughtful!  I'm so glad I get to see you at work every day.  You always find some way to brighten my day!)

Friday - A day off!  I went shopping with Mom - Sam's and Hobby Lobby, two of my favorite stores!  I didn't know if I'd be able to contain my excitement!!  Mom, how did I not take a picture of us?  We spent the day grocery shopping and running a few errands, but I had such a wonderful time spending the day with her!  I love you, Mom!  That evening I went to Jacob's basketball game.  Any team going up against him better watch out because he's aggressive!  I'm disappointed to say I didn't get a picture of this either!  (That's how tired conferences make me!  I can't even get the camera out! Ha!)  Later, I took Garrett to his 9:50 ballgame!  Seriously, who schedules a 9:50 ballgame for third graders?  Because Ethan had an 8:00 ballgame the next morning, I took Garrett to the game and he came home and stayed the night with me.  He played such a great game and worked up an appetite.  He ate a sandwich, chips and salsa, and 2 bags of Sun chips!

We started a movie, but by this time it was 12:45 and he only made it about 15 minutes!  He slept in until 9:45 and woke up wanting to play Life.  Garrett, I always enjoy spending time with you!  You are such a great conversationalist! 

I had a visitor drop by this morning with the most thoughtful gift, but I'm going to include that in tomorrow's Valentine's post!

Happy Birthday, Michelle!

To my beautiful, generous cousin/sister:

I pray this year brings you happiness, peace, special times with those you love, and many moments filled with true joy!  Finally, I pray that this year brings us closer together!

I love you!

Happy Birthday, Tonya!

To my dear, sweet little sister,

I pray that this year is full of laughter, love, unexpected blessings, and joy!  Thank you for bringing all of these things into my life!

I love you!

A Productive Evening

• Faculty Meeting after school
• work out with Mom
• grocery shopping
• dinner/watch General Hospital
• pep talk from Kelly
• made cookies for a sweet little boy
• in bed before 11:00

This is the reason why I need to work out after school.  I get so much more done!