Five Minute Friday: Dive

It is hard to believe that 2013 is here. It seemed like yesterday it was 2012 and I took a breath and *poof* 2012 was long gone. I am "diving" into this new year with a bit of apprehension for some reason. I have made some goals (read below) and hope to achieve them throughout the year.
But, once I got back it was time to get back into the gear of school. My students have been very excited and full of energy since coming back from Christmas break--me on the other hand has been exhausted!!!! This week I had one added to my class which made 20 kindergarten students all together. I am thankful for my kids and the way they keep me smiling---and they def. keep me on my toes. The first semester is ending today and now we are going into the second part of the year---its intense....My students will be busy with seatwork, reading homework, and written homework....soon to follow spelling!
So not that five minutes is over I really talked more about diving back into school....what can I say I am a teacher and I love what I do! =)
P.S. TODAY was carnival day for the K4 and K5 and we had a BLAST!!! :)

New Year--New Goals

It is that time of year. That time I pray and decide what changes I want to make in my life and what goals I want to reach in 2013 (almost wrote 2012). I have to say 2012 was an okay year over all--lots of changes occured--some changes I did not like at all.....but have learned to accept them. The highlight of my year in 2012 was directing my first Kindergarten Graduation--can we say OVERWHELMING....but fun! I feel last year I really didn't grow much in my spiritual life---which is my own fault because I failed to spend time with the Lord. As I reflect on 2012, I have to admit it wasn't my best year spiritually and physically. I was diagnsosed with Utricular loss in my right year---inner ear--and Vestibulo-Oculer Reflex (something like that)--basically this is why I've been lightheaded since before school started. I was also hoping to lose 30 pounds...instead I lost 10 and gained 15. So as I have refelected upon last year I hope this year is better.

So here are my goals for the year.

NEW YEAR GOALS

Grow closer to the LORD

Eat healthier

Drink less coke

Lose 10 lbs by summer

Redecorate room

Keep house neater

Be fully content with social status

Pay off surgery

Pay bills on time

Serve and focus on others more

 

 

I have also invted my friend Angela Wilmoth to write on the blog as well. We would like to share what the Lord is teaching us in our devotions and how our goals are coming along! :) 

CHRISTmas!

I love Christmas! Christmas has always been one of my favorite holidays to celebrate! For one, 10 days before Christmas on December 15th, I received Christ as my personal Savior. I love the smell of peppermint, holly, gingerbread, pine trees, home-baked goodies, I love the sight of Christmas decorations..especially white twinkle lights, ornaments, tinsel, and ribbon. I love eating peppermint bark, fudge, and other delectable treats I know I shouldn't eat but do. I love Christmas music of all kinds, dancing around the house, and singing. While all these things are wonderful and fun my favorite thing about Christmas is the reminder that God keeps His promises. Many years ago, He promised to send a Savior to save people from their sin. It humbles me to know that Christ came to earth just to die for my sins, and the sins of the world. It makes me sad that consumers are taking the true meaning out of Christmas. Although all these things are fun let us remember the true reason for the Season. 

Merry Christmas friends!

Christmas Classroom board--The REAL Reason for the Season

My porch all decorated for Christmas

Love my Tree!

Hallway Christmas Board

Teaching 2012-2012

I am going into the third week of my year and all I can say is WOW! I was praying all summer for the class the Lord would want me to have....weather big or small. The Lord has given me nineteen precious souls and lives to touch! I am looking forward to the chance to teach each and every one of my students. I wish with all my heart I can share their pictures and names with you but thankfully the Lord knows who each and every one are.

My desire this year is to be the teacher that God wants me to be. My verse for the year is:

 Deut. 6:⁷ And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.


I want to be a dilligent teacher to each of my students and tell others about them...I want to pray for them when I wake up and as I am going to sleep. They are my life to the next 9 months. 

Hoyt House & English Tea

Deep down inside I wish I could have lived back in the days where ladies sat and had tea every afternoon and when special company over. Tea time, cucumber sandwhiches, fancy pasteries, and clots of cream are things I have only read about in my Jane Austen books and seen in the BBC/Masterpiece Theatre movies. There are even times I think I was born in the wrong era. A dream of mine was to have a tea party...a REAL tea party with loose tea leaves, fancy pasteries, and piano music in the background.

Last year I mentioned to a friend that I wanted to go to a tea room for my 29th birthday. I have to be honest I totally forgot about it...until Lori told me to "doll myself" up for a special surprise. I was thinking maybe she is going to take me to garden so she can take pictures of me.....or the beach.....

So the Sunday after my birthday I got up and curled my hair...put it halfway up....carefully applied my makeup....painted my toes to match my dress...and put on my ruffly sleeveless teal dress. After church Lori and I got into her car and headed north toward Fernadina Beach. We pulled into this beautiful yellow house which is also a Bed and Breakfast. A few times a week they have a English tea--complete with your own tea pot, tea cups and saucers, clots of cream, sugar cubes, and a tray of food including cucumber sandwhiches, egg salad sandwhiches, salmon, pasteries, and fruit.


I am thankful to have such a wonderful and thoughtful friend! :-)

Waiting for the one....my prince charming

Written June 22, 2012. Edited 5-13 This past week I turned a year older. My last year in my 20's...it is hard to believe. I still feel like I should be this little girl sitting on daddy's knee, playing with my Barbies, running barefoot down the street, and running through the sprinkler. It is also that time of year I begin to reflect on my singleness of life. This year it has been harder to be fully content about being single....mainly because I have already gone to two weddings this summer, one more wedding in a few more weeks, then another girl in my single's group is getting married in October. So that for one makes me want to get married even more. I had a coworker be blunt and ask why I was still single Nd why I wasn't asking guys out or flirting with them....I was stunned. I told her I really don't want to get a guy that way. She was surprised to hear that I didn't flirt. I got to really thinking about it that evening and decided I don't want to be known as a girl who got her man by flirting. The Lord brought to my mind some verses I studied in college on the unwise woman vs. the wise woman. I decided the unwise woman flirts and throws herself at a guy to get his attention. The wise woman waits on the Lord and lets the guy pursue her. This is what I want I want to be pursued....

Five years down...many more to go

Last Thursday, May 31st, I completed my fifth year of teaching. It is amazing to see how the Lord has allowed me to get this far in my teaching career. I admit there have been times I wanted to "throw in the towel" but the Lord {and I haven't let myself} do it. This past year, if I can give it one word, was INTERESTING. I know everything the Lord allowed me to go through was for a reason...it not only made me stronger as a teacher but also grow as a Christian.

I have been able to talk to my kids about Christ and what He did for them. How each child can serve God at home, church, and with their friends. We learned how to read and write stories. We learned how to count, fill in missing numbers, add, subtract, and measure things. Now my precious five year olds are moving on to 1st grade. I hope and pray that they will remember "the best teacher ever" (as they call me) and remember me as teacher who loved them and loved God.

The highlight of my year was directing my first kindergarten graduation program. I admit I was overwhelmed with the huge responsibilty. The Lord defintly helped me along the way. When it came to the week before the program I thought it would never come together. At the last minute on the last few days it came together beautifully. The program went great!!! My students did an awesome job--I was one proud teacher beaming from ear to ear.

When it came down the the last three days of school it was hitting me that some of these kids weren't going to be my students anymore. We had fun on our rainy field day with musical chairs and some other fun games. Wednesday the sun came out and we enjoyed an adventure at the zoo. Then Thursday I hugged my kids one last time....well as my kids at least. I am sure going to miss them!

I am so thankful for my fifth year of teaching and can't wait to do many more in the future if the Lord allows.