Valentines day :)

Ah, and entire day to tell the people you love how much you love them. Can you think of a more perfect day? I love Valentines day.

I just read on a friends blog, "it's valentines day. 

and my motto, for this day of love, is to show the ones in my life that i love them...not just my husband, but my children and friends.

listen, hallmark made up the fact that this day has to involve you and a significant other.

  SO...go and tell your friends, brothers, sisters, moms, dads, grandparents, the random lady in the grocery store...whomever...that you luuuurve them." ..... and I couldn't agree more!

So, I embrace Valentines day with a full heart. The colors are very me. Pink has always been a favorite of mine, cream is quickly overtaking my house, and red looks so nice next to these two colors. Decorating for Valentines day is a blast.

I always love making any kind of  wreaths, but Valenines wreathes are to die for. 

I love writing notes, so making fun things like this for my husband is a real treat. I love the fact that we can count down the days to Valentines day as well as make him smile with short, sweet words.

I REALLY enjoy making cards. This year, one of my new years resolutions is to be a better actual neighbor. I think its quite sad that people live in so close proximity, but don't really know the people they live next to. I wanted it to be a mission for me to really reach out to my neighbors. I am trying hard to come up with ways to reach out. I made Valentines cards for them, but am still looking for more practical ways to serve. If any of you have an idea of how I can better reach them, I am all ears! ( I forgot to snap a picture of them before I gave them away.)

I also adore my kids at school. They are so precious and I love them so much. I made them some cute Valentine cards as well. 

I also made a cute bag of goodies for my two aids. I  do not know what I would do without them! They really help so much with my kids at school.

At school, we had a party for the kiddos. We made cookies, made crafts, ate way too much candy and exchanged Valentines. Sweet friends came earlier in the week to make these fabulous mailboxes with my kiddos. They were so excited, and when we filled them up with Valentines from everyone, they were in heaven. I love seeing them smile!

They kiddos, gave me lots of Valentines as well. I feel so loved!

Can't forget the sweet treats my mother in law sent me. She is the bests, and always remembers to send me special presents on special days. LOVE her so much!

My favorite thing however, is the present I bought Jeff this year. I made him a photo book with pictures from our 2012. It says, Oh how I love you, let me count the ways. On each page I have a reason why I love him with a picture that matches. He may really appreciate it one day.

I also wanted to think of a way to make Valentines day special for longer than just one day. I love the day, but we really should show others that we care about them on other days too! So I made this canvas with envelopes that hold coupons for things throughout the year. For example, one coupon is for breakfast in bed.. the envelope says "for when you want to sleep in on a Saturday" There are four others that Jeff can "cash in" at any time throughout the year :) 

Jeff also made Valentines day special for me. He bought me a charm for my bracelet, he took me out to dinner, then we went and walked around the mall and he bought me another special surprise :) He is so sweet, and I am one lucky girl.

Later, we wrote notes to each other in our book. We always write a note each Anniversary and Valentines day in our book. It is a fun tradition, and I know when we are old and gray we will love looking back and reading our love notes to each other on our special LOVE days.

I hope you had a very special day as well.

 Love, us! <3

Awana's lock in 2013!

I love going back to Midway for lock in's. I love seeing how things have changed since I was a member.  I love seeing the children grow. I love the way the people there still come up and give me a hug as if I never left. I love that the church is actually the church, and is welcoming, loving, excepting, and growing in the Lord. I love it all. I especially love the kids!

 The kids who had all of their verses memorized and were up to date in their Awana books were able to come and have pizza, play games, and enjoy a night of fun and fellowship. 

I really love these girls so much! 

I think I did about 15 heads of hair...

Jeff and I went to the Lock in ready for the excitement and craziness. Jeff planned some games, and was in charge of the all time favorite scavenger hunt that my mom spends hours writing each year. He had a boys team and I had a girls team. I don't think you'd be surprised that my team one :) Girls are just better at coming up with creative ways to pose for pictures in scavenger hunts.. and since there were bonus points for creative poses, the girls kinda had one up on the boys.

Oh and two more pictures of this cutie.. just because... who can resist those big blue eyes?!?

Going to these lock in's always brings me back to the days when I was participating in these events as a little girl. I would get all ready to stay up late, talking and giggling with my friends, doing crafts and playing games.. Lock in's were always a highlight, and God used them to grow me, even when I didn't realize it. During those lock ins I remember reaching out to someone who needed a friend, that reminds me to be more compassionate.. or spending time singing songs, that helps me memorize scripture.. or playing games, that instills the importance of teamwork and getting along with others. All skills I still am working on today. All skills I hope these two can continue to learn...

Anyway, Jeff and I had a great time learning from the kids, playing games, and spending time with my family. We left both talking about and looking forward to the day when we can do things like that at our church :)

100 days

Today marks 100 days of fun, 100 days of learning, 100 days of getting to know my students needs, wants, desires,and learning styles, 100 days of patience, 100 days of grace, well...100 days of school. (and 100 days smarter) :)

I can't believe we have reached this point already. I can't believe over 100 days ago I was anxious about moving, praying faithfully for my 8 precious kids, and frantically getting ready to start a new chapter in my life. Over 100 days ago I had no idea what was in store for me when I walked into my classroom. If I am honest, I still don't really know from day to day what to expect. But that is why I love my job. I am never bored, I am constantly learning, and I know I will not go long without a student's big embrace. Pure joy!

When I think about being in school for 100 days it often makes me wonder... what did I do with my time? Did I spend it wisely?
Did I show enough grace?
Did I let Christ shine, or did my selfish desires shine through?
Did I love enough?
Did I teach enough?
Did I show an attitude of thankfulness?
Did I show joy?

Today I am focused on the joy part... I think that as Christians, we are called to be joyful. I fail at this most days. I slip into complaining, I am often not thankful, and therefore not joyful. And some days, I just want to sleep, and not get up and go teach. But I am reminded that teaching can and should be a joyful experience. Even on the most challenging days, there are still moments of joy. I want to challenge myself to be a joyful Christian with a smile on my face and a song in my heart. After all, it's Gods day, and we are instructed on how to use it.. rejoice and be glad. (Psalm 118:24) Let the celebration begin. (with the 100th day.. AND within my heart!)


"Jesus did not promise to change the circumstances around us. He promised great peace and pure JOY to those who would learn to believe that GOD actually controls ALL things! - Corrie ten Boom.