Sanctified

14 Days

2010-08-04T20:17:00.002-04:00

until the first day of school. Oh dear.

I feel like I have so much to do and I don't even know where to start. I am pretty darn nervous about everything. I can't believe in 14 days I will have 60 students of my own.

Here are the things I do know:
- I know how I want to conduct my spelling lessons
- I want to incorporate writer's workshop
- I want to teach the QAR strategyf
- I know how I want to run my classroom library

Here are the things I know I have to do:
- Arrange my classroom
- Create my welcome letter
- Prepare for Open House
- Get my lessons together for the first week of school
- Attend a million orientations

Let's get the ball a-rolling!! =)

Women, like me

2010-07-29T20:46:00.003-04:00

So I realize my last post was a little on the sad side so I thought I would lighten it up with some things I have been reading and pondering.

I seem to have been fascinated with Esther lately and I keep hearing about her everywhere, church services with special guests and even a high school girls' Bible study. So I thought I'd go back and read the book of Esther over again. While reading the book, I literally found myself going through my days thinking of her and what she would do in my situations and how she would look at things from a humbled servant's point-of-view.

When finishing Esther, I started reading 1 Samuel. I have never read the entire books of Samuel, I usually read about Hannah and stop. I told myself I was going to read the entire books because I haven't before and they are hubby's favorite (I wonder why, hehe). But after I read about Hannah, I HAD to stop and reread it. These two ladies paint a perfect picture of what any Christian should do, but truly a woman.

Both Esther and Hannah changed the entire fate of their families. In the broader scheme, they changed the entire fate of nations. Esther saved her own life and her cousin's, along with all the Jews. Hannah had a son to carry on the family name who later ... well, I haven't gotten that far yet, BUT I know Samuel lead up to the birth of Jesus somehow. =)

Esther fasted. Hannah worshipped. As simple as that. Esther fasted before seeing the king. Hannah rose early every morning to worship God in faith that she would one day have a child.

I don't have a family, per se, of my own. I have a husband and the future prospect of a family, which includes children. So why not begin to change the fate of my family now, which could in turn change the fate of a nation. I often find it difficult to remember that EVERYONE in the Bible were living, breathing flesh, just like me. Esther and Hannah were real women with real issues. They nurtured like me. They loved like me. They cried like me. They created beauty like me. They probably even crafted like me. =)

But two ordinary women did extraordinary things by simply fasting (for only three days to be exact) and worshipping God (in the morning). I just might never get through 1 Samuel because I am so enthralled by Hannah!

I figure no one reads this ...

2010-07-27T20:36:00.002-04:00

... so it would be a perfect place to lay it all out.

I am tired. I need a vacation. Maybe just a day where I get out of town with no cell phone. No calls. No text messages. No contact with anyone but God. I need a sabbatical. I have worked nonstop since October. School let out and I went to summer camp. Now I'm working two jobs where I work 10 hours a day. I stop summer camp and the next day begins workdays. Workdays end and the next day school starts. Please don't get me wrong, I am very grateful to have a job seeing as many are without but I'm tired. I feel like I can't do anything well. I can't love people well. I can't plan well. I can't take care of my house well. I can't be a wife well. I'm not loving God well (though I have been putting forth a conscious effort on that part).

Sam and I are stepping down from working with the high school youth at church. You'd think this would bring me a little relief with the load I carry but that relief has been stolen by the enemy and is now replaced with worry and guilt. I worry that these kids won't be loved. I am afraid they will feel abandoned. I feel guilty for giving up. I feel guilt over stepping out when it gets messy. I know that being newly married and starting a new career are valid reasons to step down but this is how the devil is playing with these decisions.

I am incredibly lonely and alone all the time. I know this is no one's fault. And if there were someone to blame, it would be me. Though blessed with jobs, Sam and I work total opposite schedules. On his one day off a week, he has band practice for church when I get off work. I know things won't stay this way forever but a part of me really feels that if something, anything, does not give soon, I will break. I feel as though my prayers and pleading for someone to confide in have been left unheard for over a year. I can not help but feel hurt by God. I go to Him with my deepest hurts and longings and still, I am alone.

I know my joy and strength comes from the Lord. I know that I do not carry any of these things alone, for He ultimately carries me and all my baggage. But I am not perfect.

Been Too Long ...

2010-05-11T20:23:00.003-04:00

So I feel bad that I completely abandoned my blog for like a whole week. I really don't know where last week went at all! So, I'm going to focus on this week instead. =)

So next week is EOG time. My second grade class had adopted a third grade class to encourage them during the EOGs. We are putting together survival kits with lots of candy in them! I am also thinking about making some sort of banner to hang outside their door. Maybe with a balloon theme? I JUST found a cute balloon wreath that I'm contemplating making to hang outside the door. That's where I got the balloon theme. Now I'm thinking of making a banner and having balloon shaped construction paper that each student can write good luck or something encouraging on it. Now I need to think of a catchy, fun slogan to put on the banner. Here are some ideas of mine ... now remember, it's 8:30 and my brain is tired. Hehe

"Blowing through the EOGs"
"Flying through the EOGs"

Something with lifting?

This is cute. Using a Twister mat and saying "Putting Your Best Foot Forward". Maybe?

Any other ideas?

On to the next thing. So last week I had to read chapter books that I'm going to read with my students in the coming weeks. So I cheated and decided those would count for my books last week. But hey, children's books are so much fun to read. I encourage everyone to read some. They are easy, fun, and thoughtless. Great for just being a kid again for an hour or two.

So this week I am reading the book I last wrote about, Azusa Street: They Told Me Their Stories. It's pretty good so far. There is so much introduction and background at the beginning of the book so I'm just now getting to the good part. I'll keep you updated!

Book 4, Week 4
6 Days, 104 Pages

Celebrity Jeopardy, a must-see

2010-05-04T19:38:00.003-04:00

I have not fallen off the face of the Earth. I've just been busy ... reading! Ahh! Not really just reading. But being an actual teacher. Yippie! =)

So the lesson plans are mine for the rest of the year. I haven't had to worry about lesson plans and grades and assessment in a year! Oh how I've missed it! All the other second grade teachers are like, "Oh man, assessments. No no no!" And I'm like, "Finally!! To feel like a real teacher again!" It's sad that assessments make me feel like a real teacher. See a problem here? Bev? Barack? Want to fix this?

Anyway ... Yes, I've learned how to assess second graders and use the almighty, all-knowing palm. Hehe. I also have interim reports to go home Monday (which I haven't started yet) and I had to get all my lessons for next week done today so that I would get my copies made in time. Our wonderful copy lady will be out Thursday and Friday. Oh yes. How I've missed those moments.

**** Celebrity Jeopardy is the best! These celebrities are hilarious. They are alot less serious than the usual contestants. *****

So I finished book two, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane. DO NOT READ IT. It's not worth it. The beginning is slow to get into the book, the middle is good, and the ending just ruins it. I was highly disappointed. Let me just get it out of the way so you're not tempted to read it, she ends up being in the family line of witches. Yeah, it's not worth it. So now I'm on to my third book. I'm headed in the non-fiction Christian direction this week. This book is titled Azusa Street: They Told Me Their Stories. Azusa Street was a place in California, I believe. It was a crazy awesome revival that happened from 1906-1910. The Holy Spirit was so openly present with physical proof and miracles everyday. I've heard so much about this revival and the book so I'm excited about getting started!

Book 3, Week 3
6 Days, 127 Pages

Thursday Already?!

2010-04-29T18:28:00.003-04:00

I can not believe it's Thursday already! Where has the week gone. More importantly ... where has the month gone?? Tomorrow is the last day of April. Four months of 2010 have already come and gone. Sheesh. Plus, it being Thursday, I only have THREE days left to read Book 2. Oh golly ... More on that in a minute.

I am loving my interim position with second grade. I think I could see myself teaching second grade. I had a not-so-good experience in college and pretty much detested anything lower than fourth grade. And of course I never wanted to teach anything higher than fourth. So that pretty much only left my narrow search for a fourth grade position. Thank the Lord for this opportunity!

So today we went over a reading comprehension passage the students did yesterday. It was a recipe on how to make bluberry muffins. In the passage they talk about beating the ingredients together. Well, J sits beside me because he has a hard time staying focussed. He has been tested and approved for special needs assistance so now we're just waiting for that to take place. He can't really read anything we do in class because he's on a low first grade level and has already been retained twice in second grade so he has to move on to third grade next year. He's really smart and can comprehend reading when read to him and he's on grade level in math, he just can't read anything.

Well anyway. He was having a hard time staying with the rest of the class and wasn't checking his work or following along. I had already gotten on him like twice to stay with us. We got to the part in the passage about beating the ingredients and as another student read it, I hear J singing under his breath, "let the beat drop, do do doooo, let the beat drop, do do doooo'. Over and over, the Black Eyed Peas. He had his little shoulders popping and heading bouncing. I didn't have the heart to tell him to stop so I just smiled and started singing the song in my head along with him. =) These are the types of moments in teaching that make it worth it. The joy of working with kids!

So yes .. back to book 2. The Physick of Deliverance Dane. It's taken me longer to get into this book but I've finally gotten there. It's a pretty clean book so far. I just want to get to the end to finally figure out who Deliverance Dane is and what she has to do with a college student in 1991. Like I said before, I enjoy historically based books so this is a good one! I just wish I had more time this week ... I'm getting nervous I won't make my deadline. It's crazy how much I want to meet each deadline and it's just a personal thing. I wish I was this into deadlines in college. Haha.

3 Days, 235 Pages
Book 2, Week 2

Book One is Complete!

2010-04-24T15:51:00.003-04:00

That's right. I have met my first goal and I did it two days early. =) I've already been to the libray and picked my next book, but I'll get to that in a minute.

Knit Two by Kate Jacobs. I would give it 3 1/2 stars out of five. I have to warn you that it does use explicit words and a brief sensual section in on chapter but other than that, I really enjoyed it. I liked picking up with old characters and getting back into their lives. As cheesy as it sounds, I really felt like I was part of the Friday Night Knitting club. This book deals with loss and forgiveness and moving on. It's an easy read that won't make your head hurt after reading it. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more talk of knitting in this one as there was in the first one but that's okay. A free knitting pattern at the end and two recipes made up for it. Give Knit Two a try! =)

My next book will be The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe. I first heard about this book when the author was doing an interview on the Today Show. It is an infusion of the present and the past of the Salem Witch Trials. A college student begins research for her dissertation and discovers she is much closer to the past and history than she knew. I was hooked! I love novels that include history and fiction, especially art history. I have already chosen another novel, to come soon, that deals with fiction and art history. Yipee!

So ... Book 2, Week 2
9 days (since I finished two days early), 362 pages

P.S.
We have hatched baby birds in our mail box! They are so tiny and cute. Will post pictures of that and the mutantpillars when I am home. I am posting from the parent's computer so I can start my next book.

2010-04-22T19:51:00.002-04:00

Alright, first things first. I have pictures of my crazy, ugly caterpillars but I took them using my cell phone and I'm not sure how to upload them. I know it's probably something simple but simple things tend to be tricky for me, especially when technology is involved. I would get Sam to help me but she's sleeping already. He's a sick little boy tonight. =(

I am about half way done with my first book of the challenge. It's a good one! It's the sequel to Friday Night Knitting Club, so if we decide to read this one, I would suggest reading the first book first. You really don't have to. It's not that kind of book that you miss out on a whole lot by not reading the first book but the first one is so good that I suggest reading. It's especially good if you're a knitter. Holla to all my knitting gmas out there! (Yes, I just used gansta slang in my blog ... last time, I promise). When I was reading Friday Night Knitting Club it made me really long for a group of women that I could sit with and just knit and talk and drink coffee/tea and laugh with. I still want that ... who am I kidding. The only knitters I know around here are all seasoned grey-haired women. Not like back at school.

Anyway ... this week has flown by! I can't believe it's almost Friday already! This school is just about over. So many mixed emotions. I emailed the principal of the school that I'm at right now and thanked him for the great opportunity to sub for a maternity leave and threw in a hint that I want a full-time job next year. He emailed me back this morning saying that he would definitely keep me in mind when hiring for next year. Whoopie!! He said he would know more going into May and June. Keep those prayers coming!! Well, I'm off to get ready for bed and to read some more! Hopefully pictures will be up tomorrow.

4 days, 176 pages to go

Second graders vs. Caterpillars

2010-04-20T19:18:00.003-04:00

So today in science we were talking about the differences between humans and caterpillars. No, this was not a random question. We are studying the life cycles of butterflies. Well, most students stuck with things like, caterpillars have fur and humans have hair. Caterpillars have 16 legs and humans only have 2. Caterpillars change into butterflies and humans just stay humans. Caterpillars eat leaves and humans eat food (apparently leaves are not food).

Well then we got around to how caterpillars are born. A little girl raised her hand and answered that humans were just born alive and caterpillars came from eggs. Silly me decided to correct her and tell her that humans come from eggs as well. The whole class erupted into a chorus of "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT!" I let them all know that they would learn more about that in either middle school or high school when they learned the life cycle of humans. But today we were going to just talk about the life cycle of butterflies.

Then, a little boy raised his hand and said that he was different than his caterpillar because humans were peach and caterpillars were different colors. Before anyone could catch on to what he said, I changed the subject and decided we talked about life cycles long enough for one day and took the class outside to play. Who knew the life cycle of a butterfly could be so controversial in a second grade class?

Tomorrow I will post pictures of the gross, mutant caterpillars in my classroom!

So all day long I could not wait to read more of my book. I read for about 20 minutes before my walk and I'm headed back to reading once all my clothes are picked out and things are ready for tomorrow. So far, so good!

Soo ... 6 Days, 263 pages.

52 Great Books to Read

2010-04-19T19:14:00.003-04:00

So I bought this little pocket sized box of cards when I was in high school entitled "52 Great Books to Read". Each card has a title with a summary of the book on it. And to be quite honest, I haven't read half of them. And I probably never will. I originally started this post with the goal that I would read those specific 52 books ... well I've changed my mind. Hey! I'm allowed to do that. It's my blog. =)

So here's the NEW challenge. 52 books in 52 weeks. That's a book a week. I will create my own list of 52 Books to Read .. in 2010. Since I don't know the future and how the books will turn out, it will be the best books to read of 2010/2011. I told you, it's my blog. I can do what I want.

So book number one: Knit Two by Kate Jacobs.

7 days, 318 pages to go.

Book 1, Week 1

2010-04-14T17:45:00.002-04:00

Are there holes you can't dig yourself out of?

Because I think I've created a nice little nook in the ground for myself ...

=(

Just Another Tuesday

2010-04-13T20:20:00.002-04:00

Alright, I promise not to be as down as I was the last time I posted. Sometimes I just have days like that. I may be Spirit-filled and blessed but I am still human after all!

Spring break is over and it's back to school! We have a little over 9 weeks of school left and then it's sweet summer time. To be honest, I'm not ready for summer. I just started in a classroom (somewhat) of my own and I only have weeks left. To me, it's still new and exciting. Plus, I don't have a guarantee that I'll be back to a classroom next year. I think deep down I'm afraid of summer. I'm afraid of what it will bring ... searching, waiting, searching, waiting ... sitting in the unknown, being unemployed. However, I'm not there yet. I still have 9 weeks. =)

Quilting has taken over two rooms in my house. Have I mentioned that I am now a quilter? I have put the knitting needles down for awhile and taken up lengthy dates with my NEW sewing machine. I have completely finished four quilts and actually sold one for profit. I am currently making another one for sale. I love it! I think I like quilting better than knitting ... shhh ... don't tell Ann, my lovely knitting teacher. I think I am going to try and sell quilts this summer to make some money. It's time I use my creativity for something other than a time passing hobby.

Golly ... The Biggest Loser is brutal! I'm sitting here watching my Tuesday guilty pleasure and these personal trainers insane. I'm not sure if I could handle being a contestant. They sweat so much! And they get yelled at constantly. I hate yelling. Doing it and hearing it. Actually, that's a lie. Sometimes a good yell just makes me feel good. But only when I'm by myself so that no one thinks I'm yelling at them.

Looking for a Goal

2010-04-08T18:38:00.003-04:00

So I'm sitting here, before church starts, wondering if this is what my life will look like all the time. I just reread my last entry on following the Holy Spirit so I feel a little strange typing this, but if I denied my doubt all the time, I'd be lying and saying that I wasn't human. Yes, I still choose to follow the Holy Spirit in any direction He leads but sometimes I wonder ... is this it? Even for now?

I'm subbing for a maternity leave that runs until school ends and I'm actually looking forward to getting back in the classroom. I guess the dazed and amazed stage of having "my" classroom hasn't worn off, yet.

But I look at my house and the mess that it's constantly in, and I look at our lack of funds, and my big desire to organize everything and I just don't see any middle ground. I hate cleaning. I hate picking up things every single day. I hate scrubbing counters each evening. Is this what it takes to have a home that I long for? I walk into people's homes that I admire and it's always clean and organized and smells good ... and then there's my home ... I wish I had an endless budget to ORGANIZE my house. I want file folders and plastic containers and baskets ... *sigh* I drool when I go down that aisle in Wal-Mart and Target. I love my husband but I didn't realize I was marrying all his habits as well. Oh well ... for better or worse, right? =)

Alright, so to get to the title of my post. I'm looking for a goal. I just watched Julie & Julia a few nights ago and I am inspired! Not to cook French food or anything but to do something. As you few readers of mine know, I'm not good at keeping up with this. So I'm thinking if I had a goal, like going through an entire cookbook, or something to that effect, it would help me stay consistant with this. Soooo, if you have any ideas ... please let me know. =)

I would try a weight loss blog, but I don't want to publicly show my failure. So anything besides that.

That is all for now ... I'm feeling a bit peppy so I might be back tonight. Who knows!

The Truth is what I choose.

2010-01-11T20:58:00.002-05:00

The Holy Spirit is not around to make us more comfortable. He is here to guide us toward our Holy Father and help us to keep our eyes on Him. The Holy Spirit does not lead us into places that WE desire to go but places that GOD desires us to go. Even if they two are not the same.

This is a hard truth that will bring so much peace to those that choose to follow. They choose to follow the Truth.

I choose to follow the Truth, the Holy Spirit.

After reading Forgotten God (well, the first two chapters anyway), I decided to make a list of reasons that I don't allow the Holy Spirit to guide me all the time or what simply scares me about Him. Here are some of the reasons I came up with: 1. I won't be able to hear Him to follow Him 2. I'm asking the wrong questions and looking for the wrong things 3. He won't show up for me like He does other people 4. I'll miss out on being with Him and 5. I won't be able to feel His presence. All valid reason that I'm sure I'm not alone on. But after further thinking about it, I decided I don't care what my fears are regarding the Holy Spirit, I choose to follow Him (fears and all).

There are many people that I graduated with that have been blessed with jobs and wonderful opportunities (awards, encouragement from staff and faculty, publications, etc.). And I have struggled with trust, contentment, jealousy, and all other negative emotions but I truly am happy for each and every one of them. I can read about their accomplishments and be genuinely positive about them. But still, I wonder where my big break is. I sit and think about when I will have what my heart desires. And then I realize I DO have what my heard desires. I desire to follow the Lord and trust in Him. I desire to follow where the Holy Spirit guides me, each and every day. And at this point in my life I am right where God has me. I have walked through the open doors that God opened for me being led by the Holy Spirit the whole time. Now I have to come with terms that what my future looks like in my eyes might never be what God has in store for me. And that's okay. Because I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good and I want all His goodness all the days of my life whether that's in my own classroom or in another country!

The Truth, His Truth, is what I choose.

And by the way ...

2010-01-09T22:50:00.002-05:00

I accepted the 9-day subbing position. It's a start!!

Today is Saturday

2010-01-09T22:39:00.002-05:00

Yep. I have come to love Saturdays. Even more than Sundays. Most Saturdays I get to sleep in (until 7am! Whoo!) and then we go grocery shopping. After that, the day is wide open! Sometimes we clean, sometimes we hang out with people, and then other days we are just lazy like we were today. After the grocery store, Wal-Mart, and Sam's, the hubs and I spent the day with the parents watching an SVU marathon. Great Saturday!

So last night I went on a hunt for a new book to read. Trying to find something to study is hard when you have no idea what exactly you're looking for. After slowly walking up and down the aisles a few times, I decided I wanted to study about being in God's presence at all times of the day and not just at church or when I'm doing something 'spiritual'. So of course I did what any other person would, I picked the book with the coolest cover. Haha. Forgotten God by Frances Chan. Also the author of Crazy Love, which I own but haven't read yet. I've heard great things about him and his books so I'm looking forward to starting it tomorrow. The book is about the Holy Spirit and how He is forgotten so much in churches. He is forgotten in our daily lives. Chan teaches about how to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and have a personal relationship with us each day. Needless to say, I am excited about starting it. And the covers really neat, too. :)

Getting in the groove of things ...

2010-01-04T19:08:00.002-05:00

Yep, today was the first day back to work. I wasn't sure if I would work today since it was the first day back from work but God blessed me with work. And a half day, at that. Such a nice way to get back in the groove of things. I subbed for a class that I've had four times already. It was so nice to know the students and how they behave. And they were so good, too! It really helps when students know their subs and they were excited to see me. Best part of the day!

Tomorrow I embark on Kindergarten (again). Last time I subbed for Kindergarten I had the class from Hades! They were holy terrors and that's putting it lightly. I'm trusting in God that tomorrow's class will NOT be anything like that one. I also found out that my name is in the "pot" for a 9 day subbing position. I know it's not too long-term but it's a start. I would have the same class for 9 days in a row and know for 9 days in a row exactly where I would be going! How marvelous!

So in class today, I started a unit in science about space and the teacher had me create a KWL chart with the students. One student raised his hand and informed me that he knew exactly how many stars were in space. You ready for this? There are ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHT stars in space. Yep, that's it. Haha. I asked him if we could write that space has many, many stars instead of writing an exact number and he respond, "by all means." :) I love it!

My permanent position is coming. I am believing that and claiming it! Thank you, Lord!

For now, I will continue to listen to Paramore: Decode. Goodnight!

Finally!

2010-01-03T20:00:00.002-05:00

I have been trying to remember the username and password to my blog for like a week! And I finally figured it out. It's under my email from like 3 years ago ... *sigh* My current email address is my old blog's username and I don't know how to delete it. Welcome to my technology illiterate brain.

Anyway ... Christmas break ends tomorrow. Back to school. Back to waiting around and wondering if I'll be working. I'm not going to lie, I enjoy not working. I like having time to do things I like to do ... reading, quilting, knitting, thrift shopping, watching movies, doing laundry (yes, I like laundry), decorating my home. I never thought I'd say this but I could see myself being a stay-at-home wife. But maybe that's because I don't have a job that I enjoy. Maybe if I had my own classroom and students I'd enjoy working a little more.

Our church is doing a corporate 21 day fast starting tomorrow and the hubby and I are joining in. I have never done a fast before so I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I'm excited about bringing my body back to a healthy stage. I'm looking forward to seeing how God will change my life and my walk with Him as well as my marriage and my relationships with others. One thing that the hubs and I are believing for are doors to open to our careers. Right now we both just have jobs ... not careers. We want more! We are also believing for financial prosperity and direction in our finances. Now I know that when you're fasting the Bible clearly says to do so that no one knows but I don't really think this is boasting or trying to gain sympathy. I am just simply sharing what is happening in my life. Right?

By the way, I am listening to Bella's Lullaby from the movie Twilight. I love it!! Yes, I will admit that I like the Twilight series. SO SHOVE IT! I'm just kidding ... But no, really. I like the song and it kinda makes me want to cry for some reason. Perhaps I'm PMSing. :)

I know this post has been a little spastic so I'm just going to switch gears, yet again. This morning the hubby preached at church. He talked about testifying and what you need to do in order to testify about God. I was so proud of him for using an acronym. I just love acronyms. :) So here it goes:

T - Trusting in God
E - Establishing a relationship and basic principles of a Christian walk (prayer time, reading the Bible, etc.)
S - Study His Word
T - Tell others
I - Involve yourself in church in order to encourage each other
F - Forget the past and look forever forward
Y - You (Everything God has done, He has done for you because He loves you)

Alright. I think I will make some hot tea and go read for a bit. Currently reading Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict. Now that I've remembered my username, I'll try to update more often!

R.E.S. is not for me!

2009-11-09T19:15:00.003-05:00

Fifth grade again today. This time ... not even remotely enjoyable. These two classes that I had pretty much ruined Richlands E. for me. I think I will stick with my Summersill and Morton kids. What a long, long, long day. I was ready to put those students on the bus around oh ... 9 am.

Anyway. We'll see what tomorrow shall bring.

So last Sunday I ended up having to clean my ENTIRE house in one day. To say the least, it was not enjoyable. My feet and back hurt by the time I got done and my mood was so sour! So I decided this morning that I would make a weekly list of chores that I will do everyday to avoid this treacherous day of slaving around the house. Now remember, my house isn't that big so my list isn't too detailed and some things I will do every day (picking up and putting things in their places).

Monday: Vacuum carpets
Tuesday: Clean front bathroom
Wednesday: Clean kitchen (countertops, sweep, mop)
Thursday: Sweep and mop bedroom floors & wash bedding
Friday: Dust
Saturday: Clean out fridge & any yard work
Sunday: Clean back bathroom

I had to break up the bathrooms because I hate to do them so much! I hope this helps to keep my cleaning easier and my mood sunnier!

Well, as you can see, I finished my first quilt. I went out today and picked out fabric for two more. I'm excited to take them all to church to see how pretty they look in our new sanctuary! Okay blog world, I'm going to try to end this day on a happy note. Off to flipping through decorating and cooking magazines (thanks to Mrs. P)!! :)

Rag Quilt! Finally!

2009-11-08T21:57:00.012-05:00

So here it is. My first quilt. Ever. It may not be perfect but I'm proud of it!

These were the materials that I started with. A fine swirl print and some basic solid colors to accent it.

All the cutting was finally finished. So many little square sandwiches.

Small squares of fabric turn into bigger squares of fabric turns into a row of frabric that turns into rows and rows of fabric!

The first picture is of the front side sewed together and the second picture is the backside. I know. It looks reversed but trust me, it's the right way!

Almost done ...

Here it is! The final product! You'll have to excuse the little fuzzies of thread. It literally just came out of the dryer!

Hope you enjoyed this fabric metamorphosis. :)

Be sure to check out many more exciting transformations on Between Naps on the Porch!

Making progress!

2009-11-07T22:20:00.002-05:00

I just wanted to let you know that I am about 75% of the way done with my first quilt! I have been documenting the process with pictures and will post them soon! I am actually really excited about this quilt and satisfied with giving it to the church. One (almost) done ... many more to go. :)

So as you know, yesterday I subbed in a few pre-K classes. One of the classes I was in, I passed out the afternoon snack which was pineapples. You would be amazed at how excited these children got over leftover pineapples. Anyway. One little girl was sooo excited. She made up a little song about her 'papples' as she called them. This is how our conversation went:

"I love papples!" - Katie (as we'll call her)
"You mean pineapples" - Me
"Yep. Papples." - Katie
"They're called PINEapples, Katie" - Me
"Um, no. Ms. Coale, papples are apples with a plant on top" - Katie
"My mistake." - Me

Yep ... arguing with a four year old gets you nowhere. :)

Dramatic play and high school football

2009-11-06T22:37:00.003-05:00

Ever wonder what the day in the life of a pre-K student was like? It's probably just as you'd imagine. Alot of playing! I started my day as a daughter to two pre-K girls, then I made Lego transformers, and then I ate some Play-Doh fried chicken. In the next pre-K class, I was a doctor, sand castle architect, and doll house security guard.

It was an eventful morning. Then it was time for recess and lunch. Who knew it took pre-K students 45 minutes to eat lunch! You should have seen their faces when we served them turkey delight (turkey pieces drowned in gravy). They pretty much ate pineapples and chocolate milk for lunch.

So even though it was not my dream day working with my dream age group, I think it paid off. At the end of the day the principal wanted to meet with me and talk to me for a little bit. He was my A.P. in high school so it was nice to catch up and let him know I was interested in teaching. Connections! Praise Jesus!

So another blast from the past ... Sam and I went to my old high school's last football game of the season. What a good time! Good football game, good marching band, great company. I reminisced alot during the game just thinking about how much God has brought me through in eight years, going on nine. Eight years ago, I was just starting out in the marching band, high school, my walk with God, learning who I was. I know it's said quite often but it really does feel like just last year I was walking across the track for senior night. How quickly time goes by!

It's even weird to think that just two years ago Sam went to a football game, freezing again, to watch the marching band. And now we're married!

P.S. Montages in movies are my favorite part!

Anyway ... I'll end on some scripture regarding to the path of life and the crazy, unexpected turns it takes us on.

"You show me the path of life. In Your presence there is fullness of joy; in Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. - Psalm 16:11

I started out poor but ended up rich!

2009-11-04T18:18:00.003-05:00

Today was such a struggle for me. I woke up at 6 am, like normal, and got ready for my day not knowing if I would work or not. Struggle number one ... I don't think people understand how nerve racking it is to go to bed each night not sure if you'll work the next day or where or what group of kids you'll be with and what you'll be doing. For some people that may be fine. People that enjoy spontaneity and flying by the seat of their pants. Well anybody that knows me knows that's NOT me. I live by a calendar and a time schedule. So yes, that would be struggle number one for today.

I ended up not having to work today which is fine. I enjoy my days off (most days). I thought I'd take time to finish up some projects that I had started. I am working on a Christmas tablescape for my dining room and one thing I am making are glasses with etched snowflakes on them. I got out all the stuff for making the glasses and I realized I had no masking tape. Guess that project would have to wait until later.

Then I pulled out my centers that I began making while student teaching and I thought I'd work on putting those together to use for tutoring when I start that this month. After getting all the papers sorted and organized, I remembered I didn't have any more folders. Again, another project to wait until later.

At this point, I was out of ideas. I read for a little bit. Watched a little T.V. Emptied the dishwasher. Then it was 11am ... I had the whole day ahead of me with nothing to do. It seemed that everything I really desired to do (shop, go out for lunch, make art, decorate my house) all required money. Money that Sam and I don't have. I spent the entire day bored and bummed because we don't have money to spend on new shoes or a new bedspread.

Since when did I become so materialistic?

I have always struggled with boredom. Just as my mom. I'm an only child. We can't entertain ourselves all the time. But when I was little I would color or make jewelry out of flowers. I would put on a CD, dress up, and sing into my hairbrush and pretend to be Reba. In high school, we would spend hours circling our mall maybe buying a $5 pair of earrings. Or we would watch our favorite movies over and over again.

Today, I could not satisfy my boredom. I spent all my energy blaming our finances. I wasted a day pretty much that I could have spent with my husband fishing or taking pictures or playing a game or trying out a new recipe. I wish I could start the day over and learn from my silly decisions. I need to spend less time desiring what I don't have and more time enjoying what I am blessed with!

Romans 10:12 " ... the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him ... "

I refuse to believe that I am poor for the Lord has made me rich!

Maybe I am inspired ...

2009-10-28T21:19:00.002-04:00

I think that subbing might not be a good idea for me. No, it's not that I can't handle it or anything. But it is making me think about other possibilities for my future. So today I subbed for an art class and I had a blast! I would have never thought about being a specials teacher before but now, it's a possibility for the future. I have always loved art and making things and being creative. It's one of the reasons I minored in Art History. I wanted to keep art in my life somehow. Maybe this was an eye-opener that I could one day make art with children and teach them about the great artists and inspire them! Maybe.

So I know this is random but I wanted to share the commercial I just saw on TV ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV6puTS14Ho

Oh yes ... that was on public television. I feel my IQ dropping.

Anyway ... I have not only been inspired about artistic children but also artistic tables! Yes, tables. Like the ones you eat off of. There are these things called tablescapes. There are many women (and men) out there that transform their every day dining room tables into art and I am going to try my hand at it. Here is my main inspiration ...

Yesterday I went bargain hunting at some dollar stores and thrift shops. I found 6 plates and 5 teacups all for $5.12! The plates are a milk chocolate brown with snowflakes on them and the teacups are a dark brown. I think I am going to do browns, blues, and whites with a snowflake theme. I am so excited! I could possibly do this entire tablescape for less than $30!

This, my single friends, is what married life does to you. It changes you. You change when you have a house of your own. BEWARE!!

Good Morning, Monday.

2009-10-26T08:06:00.003-04:00

So this could quite possibly be the first post of the day. First implying that there might be more than one! (I set my blog as my homepage so that I would remember I had one! Boy, am I getting smart!)

Rainy Monday morning and I don't have to work. So many things I want to do on my day off! Read, sleep, clean the house, sit at a coffee shop. So many possibilities. Ever since I started working (again), I have really come to appreciate time off.

P.S. I am getting tired of hearing about H1N1. Thank you Mr. President for declaring a state of emergency and further scaring Americans. I greatly appreciate it.

Anyway. I am really struggling with God's sovereignty and trusting in His grand scheme. I feel like Sam and I have been called to a certain ministry and we are serving, faithfully. But there is something holding us back. Something beyond out control. The only thing we can really do it pray about the situation and the people involved. And trust me, we have been. But the obstacle hasn't been moved, not even a tiny nudge. At this point, we just don't even know what to do. We feel as though we have offended and been offended. Neither of which is good for advancing the Kingdom. *sigh* You'd think after being on IV leadership for three years, leading in the ministry would be a breeze and I'd be great at communication and collaboration.

For Emily!

2009-10-24T22:22:00.002-04:00

What in the world would I do without Emjay! I really, really do want to get better at this blog thing. If not for anyone else, or myself, for Emjay. It's always for Emjay! :)

Let's see ... I feel like all my blogs are updates on my life. I guess that just means I should update more frequently so that I don't have to do these apologies about forgetting my blog and a lengthy life update. But for now ... here's my apology and my lengthy life update.

Married life is an adjustment, to say the least. There's is twice the laundry to do, twice the amount of dishes to wash, twice the amount of hormones to control and get used to, twice the mess to pick up, twice the opinion to consider. It's not all fun and games folks. There are days when I realize I don't even kiss my husband until it's time for bed!

But married life also means twice the laughter, twice the silliness, twice the sweet memories. Someone to watch movies with whenever you want, someone to sleep closest to the bedroom door to make you feel like you're protected, someone to eat dinner with, someone to dance with in the kitchen. Yes, I would recommend married life to anyone.

I still have no teaching position as of yet so I am subbing to make money and get into the school system. Let me just tell you ... subbing is not glamorous. At all. There are two things I have put on the pro side for substituting. One: I get to see many, many different classrooms and steal many, many ideas! Two: I just get to go home when the kids get on the bus. No meetings, no grading, no lesson plans.

But on the other hand ... I have to be mean sometimes. Kids are crazy. They will try to take advantage of anyone. I feel like subbing will give me some crazy thick skin for when I get my own classroom. Just keep me away from those dern 6th graders!

Alright. That's enough for one night. Plus, it's quickly approaching my bedtime. I'm such an old lady. Time to eat my "midnight" snack of grilled cheese and watch some 'Parks and Recreation' with the hubs.

Until next time ... :)

A Little Update

2009-03-15T09:51:00.002-04:00

Reading Lindsay's blog reminded me that I have one after all.

Let's see .... since the last time I wrote many things have happened. I actually did start my bucket list over the break one day while staring out my kitchen window, drinking a cup of coffee. Unfortunately, I left the list at my parent's house. So I will have to update you on that when I get home again. (Which feels like it will never happen)

Student teaching has flown by. I am officially done, as of tomorrow. Now I just let subjects go, sit, and wait for April 17th to get here. Student teaching has been a great time, for the most part. I can't even sit here and begin to number all the lessons I have learned. However, if I could sum it all up in two words, what I have learned, they would be flexibility and consistency.

The job market for teachers is still on the fringe and no one knows exactly what is going to happen. I have put in seven resumes back home and I plan on sending each of them another copy in the mail. It's all I can do. I know that getting anxious and paranoid about a job right now makes no sense, seeing as schools don't even know what positions they need to fill until the end of this month. Therefore, I will continue to patiently wait on and trust in Him.

More later.

One more thought!

2008-12-08T15:24:00.002-05:00

I am going to start a "bucket list".

Not right now. But over break. When I have to sit and drink coffee in a coffee shop for pleasure. Look for it!

Indeed it happened ...

2008-12-08T15:11:00.002-05:00

... I forgot all about this thing. I am terrible.

I just finished with my last day of college classes, forever. Well, until I decided to go back and receive my Masters which after this past week and the work load I've been trudging through might be never. And I'm fine with that! Until I get restless and want something more for my life.

I am also sitting at work, which will be all over tomorrow as well. Next semester will be a new adventure with nothing old in it. No school work, no campus job, no InterVarsity. Just new-ness. My feelings on this are more like an Oreo. On the surface level, I am jumping for joy and am nearly on the brink of tears I am so excited. In the middle I am rather surreal and unsure about what to expect. I have grown rather used to syllabi, assignments, and lectures. Then if you go even deeper, I am back to jumping for joy. So there you have it, my future plans is an Oreo.

Today at lunch it was brought up that even teachers are having a hard time finding jobs due to the economy. Is this even possible? I thought teachers and nurses were the two more guaranteed jobs in our society. While everyone else was stressing and complaining, I heard this reassuring voice, "I will take care of you. Trust Me." As much as I get stressed out about things and overworked, I really am not as stressed compared to others. Over the semester I have slowly been learning what it means to be Christian in this demanding, time consuming, stressful society. I know I still have a long way to go before I stop crying endlessly over tiny details like notebook cover sheets and ribbon for wedding programs but today, I took a small step toward that relaxing, peaceful, joyful life God promises us. I heard Him speak that gentle, loving thought to me and I knew it was God and I just kept right on eating my peanut butter sandwich while everyone else's blood pressure began to rise at the thought of being jobless come August.

A New Start

2008-11-18T11:41:00.003-05:00

I'm not sure why I listened to my roommate when she commented on my lack of blogging. But I did. And I was thoughtlessly inspired to create, yet again, a new blog. We shall see how long I keep this one up.

It's nearing the end of the semester and I am definetly ready for a new start. I'm done with classes, done with work, done with professors. I keep hearing from the ones who've gone on to graduate already that I should not wish this time away, the real world is not much better. I guess that doesn't leave me much to look forward to now does it? Well despite what I am told, I am still ready for a change of pace and atmosphere. No more 3 hours classes! No more Curry building! No more useless, waste of time lesson plans (that everyone, including your professors, know you will never teach)!

I am ready for a new start.