Fall Foto

Taking pictures is like a new release for me. It excites me to go out with my camera and just mess around; I enjoy the alone time as well. Here is a picture I accidently got the other day when I was attempting to take pictures of Fall. And I say accidently because it's an accident any time I get a good photo. I only do it for me and for fun, but tonight I share one of my favorites with you!

Happy Birthday Katy!!!

Peace. Love. Friends.

Simple Woman's Daybook

For today October 16, 2009

Outside my window... it's dark and I can't see a thing.

I am thinking... that it's one thing to hear news, but it's completely different to see it in writing. I got my letter in the mail yesterday from Region 7 that says I am highly qualified in the areas of Generalist EC-4 and Music EC-12 and am now eligible for employment. Is this really happening?

I am thankful for... the soveriegnty of God.

From the learning rooms (slowly switching roles from student to teacher)... I'm working on completing my observation hours before December and attending workshops once a month to prepare me for my first year of teaching.

Our new Superintendent made every employee of MISD come up with goals for the 2009 - 2010 school year. We met with our Principal this week to discuss how we were going to measure those goals and discuss how to get started. Since my plans are to be a teacher within the next year, I figured my goals should help in preparing me for that position. I am now keeping a log of my classroom time, teaching (and documenting it) once every two weeks, attending The Learning Circle for first and second year teachers, and tutoring for third grade math on Monday's and Thursdays. I am so excited!

From the kitchen... Subway was for dinner tonight!

I am wearing... a brown t-shirt and grey fleece pants. Bed time is approaching even though it's only 8:53.

I am creating... a time log for classroom observations, a list of educational terms that I have yet to master, and a notebook with tutoring activities. Nothing decorative, but still very exciting!

I am going... to give China her medicine and then head to bed.

I am reading... The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. My pastor mentioned it to me a few months back and although I blew it off then, it hasn't left my mind since. A friend bought 2 copies of a book that he'd been wanting to read and gave me one of them. I never mentioned the book to anyone... How amazing is it that it's the same book that my pastor recomended? I don't believe in coincedences.

I am hoping... to continue to experience growth and healing. Thank You, Lord for all that You are doing. I'm truly overwhelmed and thankful!

I am hearing... the football game that Casie is listening to on the radio and the music playing on her computer as I type.

Around the house... pretty quiet around here at the moment. Mom and Dad went for a lil' anniversary get away this weekend.

One of my favorite things... listening to a congregation lift up their voices to the Lord God. Have you ever thought about how we are praising the same God that Abraham, Moses, Noah, Luke, Mary, and so many other Saints praised many years ago? I know that sounds so simple, but it just hits you differently at certain moments. Kind of like the words "what do I know of You who spoke me into motion?" did earlier this afternoon. The One who spoke me into motion - that's so overwhelming.

A few plans for the rest of the week... sleeping in tomorrow morning (yes, yes, yes), cleaning house all day, hanging out with friends tomorrow night, and church on Sunday. This is random but I saw this on a church sign back in July and I just have to share - Church is a gift from God; assembly required. Is that not great?! :)

Here is a picture thought... the deer who have been lingering in our back yard for what seems like 3 months. Such beautiful creatures, yet so very hard to photograph. This was taken from my bedroom window - I looked out one day and was caught off guard by how close they were. Sorry about the branches in the way... once again, very hard to photograph.

"There's Nothing We Can Do"

My parents wanted two children; a boy and a girl. They'd been married for a few years and their plans for a family were complete after the birth of Brandon and I. Two and a half years later they found out they were expecting again, but it was not part of their plan. This little surprise was definitely from God and they started to realize that much later.

My sister Casie was born October 3, 1989 a few weeks premature. The doctors held my mother and her newborn baby in the hospital for a while trying to run tests and figure out what was going on with her. After 11 days they sent my parents home with the news, "there's nothing we can do."

Appearently my baby sister's body didn't have the immunities to fight off any sickness that entered her body. The doctor's told us the first time she got sick she wouldn't make it.

I remember hearing my dad tell the testimony of that time in their lives as newlyweds and young parents. He recalled my mother being so upset that she could not even pray. She was angry with God for putting her through this situation. Why would He allow something like this to happen?

We will never know all the reasons He allowed my parents and family to go through that situation, but I believe it's because He had a special plan for her life that wouldn't be the same without that little situation upon her birth.

We are not our past, but our story and destiny would not be the same without it.

I can't help but rejoice every year on my sister's birthday because I can hear the news the doctors gave us, she won't make it, resounding in my head. And instantly I think about the One who did make it. Her birthday is a constant reminder of the Almighty God we serve.

Today marks 20 years that my little sister has been apart of this family and alive on this Earth. I'm so glad He wanted and allowed her to be apart of this family.

When I think back on her life there is just something special about her, and I truly believe it's a part of the special plan He had for her. She has this smile that seems to never leave her face and light up whatever room she's in. She's the one friend that will always be there even when you stab her in the back 20 times. You never feel like she's requiring anything from you or judgemental about who you are. She simply accepts you as you are, and wants you around. She's one of the best listener's I know and is so very humble. One of the coolest things about her is that she doesn't think she's special at all. She has other simple stories in her life that are beautiful testimony's of the Soveriegn God we serve. I am so blessed to have this miracle in my life and it wouldn't be the same without her.

Happy Birthday, Casie! I love you more than you will ever know!

I'm so glad there was nothing they could do... because then there was room for all that He wanted to do.

Simple Woman's Daybook

For today, October 1st 2009

Outside my window... the sun is shining and the wind is blowing lightly. It was actually pretty chilly this morning while I was standing outside doing car duty. The fall weather is definitely starting to show it's face and i'm so excited! Such pretty colors await us!

I am thinking... that i've grown so much over the past few months. Its amazing to me how God can turn a person or situation around in such a short time and in the most simple way. Praise You, Lord!

I am reading... He Loves Me by Wayne Jacobsen - it's a devotional chapter book that I really enjoy. The author reminds us continually through out the pages of the book that God's feelings for us never change. His love for us is unconditional, steady, constant, and eternal. I truly believe our whole outlook would change if we could just wrap our minds around the fact that He just LOVES us. You can't read your bible enough to make him love you more, you can't sing enough songs, be kind enough, work in all the different programs your church has.... stop trying - HE LOVES YOU!

A friend also let me borrow The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey! I have now stared at myself in the mirror and admitted that I am the person with the problem (ha)... and now i'm ready to get a budget and plan started.

From the kitchen... i'm not sure what's going on in the kitchen. Mom prepared a very delicious, spontaneous meal the other night for dinner. If you know her you are already aware of how picky an eater she is. With her being the cook of the family that kind of means we all get to eat what she picks. haha. She stepped out of her box the other night and cooked something new. It was yummy!!

I am thankful for... my parents. They allow their 22 year old daughter who already graduated from college to continue to live at home (and I never hear them complain about it). I decided this week that I needed to step it up when it comes to helping out around the house. My bedroom and bathroom are mine and i'm good at keeping those clean, I also do my own laundry as well, but there are plenty of other things I could do around the house to help out my family and not just myself. Starting next week Monday's are going to be my evening to cook supper.

I am creating... a consistent exercise routine. Okay, so maybe the consistent part isn't all that true, but I hope to make it that way. In August I took up running with the hopes of participating in a 5K sometime in the future. Dad and I ran 3.1 miles in 28 minutes the other night. Atleast we know we can finish now! :) On rainy evenings I try to continue my Shred workout by Jillian Michaels.

I am wearing... a mixture of clothing right now that totally does not match. I took off my black dress pants and replaced them with my red, white, and blue Nike workout pants. I haven't gotten a chance to change my shirt yet - black cami and a long sleeve white fitted shirt. And pink moccasin looking house shoes.

I am hearing... Francesca Battistelli singing on my playlist.

One of my favorite things... most of the time I don't know what to put here, but today I feel like I could list off so many things that i'm learning to enjoy! We'll keep it short and say my kindergartener's! I know they technically aren't mine, but I feel like they might as well be and I love them so much! My favorite part of teaching and working at a school is the relationships - I never thought i'd enjoy it this much. I stinkin' love those children (it makes my eyes water)!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week... a quick trip to pick up an accompaniment track for a wedding, preparing motions for Children's Choir, early release for the children tomorrow at school, and spending time with my family this weekend.

A picture thought I am sharing with you... Katy's sweet children, Heidi and Luke, playing with my sunglasses. I miss not being able to see them as much as I did this summer.

Hello there bug eyes!!! haha!