Contemplating Goodness and Changes

Tomorrow starts a new month...December...one that will be extra full of special things and events. However, as I sit and think about it I am again aware that my focus may be in the wrong place. Our pastor preached on Stewardship this morning and I got to thinking today about being a proper steward of everything and that includes my time.

I am good at putting things off, if I don't feel like doing something I am really good at putting it on the back burner and then forgetting about it. Since I have gone back to work I have been failing at my mantra of keeping up with my housework. I use the excuse of being tired and then decide to do something else.

My goal for December is simple...don't put off what needs to be done regardless of how I am feeling. I don't want to get to the end of the month and feel like a failure. Instead I want to build momentum to start the new year on the right foot with a plan in place to make 2009 a really profitable year. The end of 2008 is approaching and I have been thinking about the past year and boy did God meet needs in extraordinary ways!

*We had a huge flood and our baby is still with us. God protected her and helped her to get out of a flooded basement without getting caught in anything harmful or being electrocuted...Thank you God for my daughter.

*We made the decision to put the kids in public school and I prayed fervently that they would be placed with good teachers. God has answered this prayer and I am pretty sure that Janea's teacher is a Christian. They both have teachers that fit them well and are helping them to learn and grow in their educations..Thank you God for answering prayers.

* I used my time when I wasn't working to focus on Sparks and Awana and it has made such a difference. I am prepared and ready each Wednesday night and I have been blessed with good leaders who are committed to doing a good job and honoring God! Thank you God for great Sparks leaders!

* We moved to a place where we can again be our family of four. It's a good place to be, we are more focused on spending quality time together enjoying each other's company and having fun! It's been sweet! Thank you God for my wonderful family!

Family Fun???? I think not!

Jaron woke up on Thursday morning throwing up and having bad intestinal issues. Janea started getting sick around 2:30 Friday afternoon...I got home from shopping cleaned up my living room started putting up our Christmas tree when I was hit with it...I started throwing up last night around 7:30....then Dan got it around 11:00 last night....oh my word, it's been bad and it appears that life is returning to normal...the kids feel better, Dan and I are on the mend and so I think that the storm has passed....not my idea of a great Thanksgiving but that is okay!

Black Friday...bring on some good deals!

Well, we braved the crowds and got a few good deals and had a good time together! YEAH!

My mom, my sister Wendy and I went shopping early this morning. We left later than the early morning crowds since we didn't need absolute door busters...my dad had left earlier to get some stuff that he wanted to pick up but we were still out the door before 7am. We started at Kohls where I picked up Dan's big gift from me and Wendy got my dad's gift and my mom got some stuff for her sister. We also got a gift for Janea and some stuff for ourselves. Then we went to Michaels where Wendy was looking for frames for a painting she has been commissioned to paint. I got Janea and my co-teacher a gift too. After that we went to Gordmans where I got a new purse for Fall and winter and Wendy picked up a present for Jaron. We then were kinda tired so we went to Mc Donalds for a late breakfast and met up with my Dad before we went to Hobby Lobby and Mardel. My folks stayed together to do more shopping and then I went home with Wendy to make sure the kiddos were okay since they were staying home with Daddy this morning. All in all a productive day of good deals and fun! Tonight we will hang out more with Aunt Wendy since my Mom and Dad are going to a wedding tonight!

A new Scrapbook!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Look what we made!

Yummy! Right out of the oven!

Mom and the kiddos!

The kiddos and Grandma make some yummy apple pies!

The pumpkin pie made by Grandma and Jaron

The pumpkin pie made by Janea and Grandma



We had a lot of fun making apple and pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving! I love hanging out with my kids and my mom! It was a super fun yummy day!

WHOO--HOOO!!!!!

5 days off! Hip Hip Hooray! A 5 day stretch to recharge my batteries, eat tons of food, do a little bit of shopping and just relax! YEE HAW!!!

I think I am a little bit excited!

Thanks Mom!

Do you know what to do when you buy pants that fit everywhere except the waist? You call your mom and have her help you take them in!

Janea is a hard fit in pants, her waist often doesn't fit the pant and they will fit everywhere else. Well I found cute pants for $5.00 a pair and I couldn't pass them up but they were 2 inches to big in the waist. So I called my momma and she put extra elastic in the back of the 3 pairs and now they stay up and they still look good! I am so Thankful that my momma knows how to tailor clothes, that way I get a good deal and Janea benefits too!

Kids say the Darndest...part 3

Yesterday at school one of our students was asking why we have to learn Phonics. My co teacher explained that we study Phonics to help us learn to read, and know how to spell things...well on his way back to his seat he replied..."well turtles have shells!"

Today another child was not sleeping during naptime and we play a naptime CD that plays Kum ba Yah...and all of a sudden this child starts singing...Kum bi yi....on Lord...Kum bi yee! We just burst out laughing!

Also, I think one of our parents may hate me because I sang the song...Found a peanut, found a peanut, found a peanut just now, just now I found a peanut, found a peanut just now...well one of the boys is running around singing...found a peanut, found a peanut, peanut, peanut, peanut...over and over. Oops...

All Peaches and Roses...

I always say life can't be all "peaches and Roses" but so far this has been a good week.!

Issues at school are being worked out and solutions are being made...and I may end up with my own classroom...so I can really do things my way(evil laugh inserted here)!

I am by no means a full time domestic but I am doing a good job of making some yumminess to enjoy in the cold weather.

The kids are doing good and enjoying life and being pretty good so life is good again. It's getting closer to Thanksgiving and here are the big things I am thankful for.

My Fabulous Family

Our little house that we fit in nicely

My job

My class and the kiddos

My church who has been so supportive this year.

So it's all good....I like that

A different sort of day

I got to sub in the kindergarten class today! It was a nice change and the kids were extra cooperative in the morning and then they slowly got more chatty since it was Friday!

Dan had an adventure too today...I got a call from my kids school during lunch today...Jaron had soiled his pants! So I had to call over and over to wake Dan up since that is the middle of his night and then he had to quickly go and pick Jaron up from school. They got to do a project together and hang out till Janea got home!

We had a nice yummy dinner or turkey, stuffing and cranberries...prelude to the beginning of Thanksgiving! It's been a good day

When you really wish it's Friday

Today was a day that I wish had been a Friday so I wouldn't have to be at school tomorrow. It was a super long day!

We have a student whose mom is in the hospital today to have a baby and so he was worried about Mommy all day and needing lots of extra attention. That's hard on teachers, the kids, and the student. I was glad when he got picked up earlier and got to spend some extra time with a family member. I've been praying for an easy delivery and easy transition for the whole family. We are having a big brother party tomorrow at school to celebrate!

One of my students broke out in hives today....all over his stomach, back and face. He just wasn't feeling good and really didn't have a good day because of the way that he was feeling. He was itchy and hurting and that makes me feel extra sad for him.

My co teacher and I work long days and work hard at getting everything done with little planning time or time without our students. Well today, another teacher was being rather selfish and took advantage of a situation so she had plenty of planning time and we had an extra 5 kids in our class. She has also spent a large portion of the week complaining about the changes in schedule and how they stress her out and that the situations are unfair and frankly we are tired of it. It's sometimes hard to work with people who only think about themselves. It's even harder when you are teaching the same grade and her child is in your class and her child tends to cause trouble because he knows there are no real consequences. I've been the staff kid and I have had staff kids and they can either make or break a year. Right now we are approaching the breaking point of needing to speak with the boss about the lack of consideration that she shows to others. It's hard to be Christlike and loving when you want to slap her silly!

Sorry to rant, but I am tired and needing to get things out. Please pray that I will check my bad attitude at the door and treat the person who is treating me the way I don't want to be treated in a loving and Christlike way!

I'm going to have a good day

I decided that no matter what happened to me today at school, at home or at church I was going to have a good day even if it killed me!

Well, today had its ups and downs but I do feel like it was more ups than downs!

So all in all a good day

Kids Say the Darndest Things...part 2

Today we were playing Duck Duck Goose with our class, now I think Duck Duck Goose is boring so I always switch up what we say it makes it more fun! Well today we were playing chicken chicken Rooster! Here's a little of what I heard

Chicken, chicken, chicken....goose!

Chicken, Chicken, Chicken, Duck?

and the funniest, I laughed so hard

Chicken, Chicken, Chicken.....egg!

I think we needs some more practice!

Also we were going to the gym today and we had to go through a hallway we don't usually use since they were in the process of setting up what looks like a 100 Christmas trees in the lobby of the building, and we passed the choir suite where they had some rather pretty praise and worship music playing( Our school is located in a church building). One of the little boys made the following comment:

"that is the most wonderful music, it is the most wonderful music I ever heard"

Not what you usually here from a 4 year old!

My new favorite song

This morning in church I got the opportunity to minister through special music. I sang my Favorite Thanksgiving Hymm with the totally awesome soundtrack from Barlow Girl. Really reminded me that I have to be thankful and give God all the glory for the things He has done for me.

"For the Beauty of the Earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth,
over and around us lies...

Lord of all to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of Grateful Praise
Lord of all to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of Grateful Praise.

For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on Earth and friends above,
Through all gentle thoughts and mild

Lord of all to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of Grateful Praise
Lord of all to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of Grateful Praise

For thy church which evermore
Lifteth Holy hands above
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of Love

Lord of all to Thee we raise
This our hymn of Grateful Praise
Lord of all to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of Grateful Praise!

It's Time...

to run the dishwasher--we're out of clean dishes...in 2 days...how does that happen?

to go grocery shopping...we're out of a lot of things.

to do laundry....we're running out of clean clothes....especially socks and underwear...I guess I didn't find all the dirty stuff last week!

to change the sheets on the beds---haven't done that for at least 2 weeks and its needed!

to remember that life moves even when I would rather have stayed in bed!

Darn Near Friday

I wish this week was over! It's been a long.....long.....long....long....long...week!

I am ready for the weekend! I want to sleep in....past 7:30! I want to not have to get dressed if I don't want too! I want to see my husband for longer than just a few minutes or when he crawls in bed at 4:30-5:00! I want to enjoy longer periods of time with my kiddos...and get to do something fun...even it's just reading a book that's not for homework!

Tonight I have to get a jump on house cleaning...I think my house is in need to a thourough cleaning...I need to become Superwoman and get it done!

Thank you God..

I was driving to work this morning listening to talk radio and the election recaps and all that and I was getting really angry about Obama winning. I don't like the man, I don't like his policies and I really didn't want him to become President, that is my opinion if yours is different that is fine. So I was talking to God and praying about my attitude and asking why he would let this happen. Then I saw it! There was a beautiful rainbow in the sky right in the direction I was driving. I watched the rainbow for 10 minutes and it really reminded me that God is in control of everything, He loves us, wants us to love Him and has promised that He will not destroy the earth by flood again and yet He hasn't promised us that life will be all peaches and roses. I won't always to get to have things my way, the world does not revolve around me! So Thank you God for the beauty of Rainbows and the way you always keep your Promises!

Election Aftermath

It's not the happiest day in America for me. I'm not happy with the number of people who support a more liberal agenda that are now in control of the White House, and Congress and the Senate. On the other hand my trust is not in the politics of this world. Its firmly in the hand of my God and won't let go or let me down. So join me in praying for our leadership for the next four years and maybe God has something bigger planned than I can see right now. I voted, did what I could but God has other plans and that is okay with me. Thank you God for being in control!

I Voted!!!

I got up extra early this morning to be at my polling place at 6am. The line was around the building...but I perserved and 40 minutes later I was done....so it's all good. I am thankful that I get to influence my country with my vote and I am praying for God's Will in the election...not to say that if my candidate doesn't win that I won't be scared or dissappointed but I know that my life is in God's hands and so I am secure! So did you vote today?

On a sidenote...I even look patriotic in my red skirt, white shirt, and blue jean jacket!

Content

I am content...I am happy...I am thankful for where God has put us and for the people who share my life...I was reminded today about how God wants us to treasure Him and be content with where he has placed you....and I think that is true of me!