Weekend

The Lord gave Michael and I a wonderful day together on Saturday. I love simple days where we are not rushed and can enjoy time together. We started off the day in Knoxville. While he took a test at the testing center, I drove to Turkey Creek and visited Old Navy and the Dollar Tree. (He passed the test. I have an incredibly smart husband!)
After he was finished we ate lunch then headed to the Sweetwater flea market. He promised to buy me something....and he did....playing cards for school. Maybe we went on a bad day but we felt like it was 90% junk being sold. He did buy two cd's (that I'll be stealing later).
After that we drove to the Ocoee river. It was a lot of fun. We didn't tube, just watched...and let me tell you it was awesome.

Fun fact: They had the 1996 Whitewater Olympics here. It was neat seeing all the flags and how beautiful the area was set up.

It was kind of major when the rafts flipped.

You can see the man on the bank throwing a rope to the ones stuck in the rapids.

I'm so ready to do this now.

Here's Michael pulling the victims from the water. Ok...not really but that would have made a great story!

These guys were pretty cool! They'd get out in the rough spots and do awesome tricks like flips and the such!

This was our notice saying to go pay $3.00 or receive a $75.00 fine in the mail. We missed the whole paying to park signs.

After that we drove to Cleveland and met Michael's Parents and Steve for dinner, then went to their house to visit for awhile. I didn't get any pictures there...sorry.

It ended up being a loooonng day but it was still perfect!

How-to?

I'm looking at this picture....and my first thought is...I could so make that top...with a slightly different bottom.....My Second thought is....Wheres Teresa when I need her?

Sunday's Scriptures

The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

--Psalm 18:46

What Teachers Do During the Summer

Let me introduce ....Queen Verb (or possibly princess adjective). Isn't she cute.....that's her crown in the floor, or the beehive like Michael says.

Her brother (0r son) Prince Pronoun ended up in the garbage can. He was only a crumpled pile of Styrofoam after the "accident".

Next I'm moving on to King Noun and the cute frog prince (not sure what title the frog will get).
I chuckle every time I see this picture. It makes me wonder if Michael realized what he was getting into a year ago. Who doesn't want to come home everyday to a tarp in the middle of the living room, a scattered mess of paint bottles, and some half painted characters.

He's one lucky guy!

Picture Post

These pictures have been hanging around on my camera for awhile. Thought I'd finally share.

Michael's Birthday Cake....Yeah, it was even uglier in person. All lit up.

The Graduate...


Jen and Punk

Punk and Aaron

Katie and Punk

Punk and Kiah (they are really starting to look alike).

Me and Punk

All the graduates.

Sunday's Scriptures

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

--Psalm 103:13

Happy Birthday to Michael

He's the big twenty-six today.

A Riddle

Can anyone guess what these two items have in common?

Sunday Scriptures

Philippians 2:

1. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

2. Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Gift of friends

I’ve been meaning to blog about my “precious gift” for a long time. (My holdup has been that I forgot to take a picture. What’s a post without a picture? This story would be so much better if I had a picture. I’ll try my best to paint a great mental picture.)

I have always felt like God put me into my teaching position. I had prayed (and prayed and prayed). And had almost given up hope when it came around. A few well-meaning people have suggested teaching at one of the local Christian schools in our area. While my life is totally arranged around my faith and it is who I am and teaching in a school of like-faith would be encouraging and pleasant…I can’t get away from the fact that God has put me where he wants me. There is a peace about it that I treasure. I’ve heard my pastor say many times that you are better off in God’s will in a wild jungle then out of his will sitting in your home in the great US of A (that’s paraphrasing).

The biggest benefit from my job has been the friends I’ve made that I otherwise would have never known. God has given me some life-long Christian teacher friends at my school. I want them to know I much I appreciate them and their friendship. On the last day of school they called me into my room. I couldn’t figure out what was going on. There was a big gift bag on the table. It was packed full of all kinds of goodies. (This is the part where I wished I took a picture). They had bought these for me to take with me when mom had her surgery. There were several packs of muffins, gum, candy, snack mix, candy bars (they know my love of chocolate), chapstick, magazines, books, paper tablets, pens, and much much more that I’m sure I’m forgetting.

There was also a card with money to help with traveling expenses and a hotel while in Nashville. This is the part that humbles me the most. All three of these ladies are at stages in their life where they need this money for them and their families. Their sacrifices touched me deeper than they will ever know.

More than these material items is the simple concern they show. Whenever I talk to any of them, the first thing that they ask about is mom. They know this is a huge burden on my heart right now. They always offer to do anything they can and express their prayers.

Friends, Thank you doesn’t seem like enough. I don’t deserve friends like you. I hope one day the Lord allows me to repay you. But for now…Thanks

P.S.The chocolate muffins were especially yummy!

All you've ever wanted to know!

Today is THE day. A great day. A celebrating day. Why, you ask. For two reasons. For two great reasons. For two celebrating reasons. Number one—it’s the first day of my summer break that I’ve haven’t had to go anywhere! I like being busy but some days I like just being at home.

And the biggest reason. Number two—this is my 100th post! *fireworks* *Hooray*
So in honor of this great day…here are 100 facts about me.

1. My Best friend: Hands down—Michael
2. Favorite Restaurant: Cracker Barrel
3. Favorite Scent: Vanilla
4. Occupation: Teacher
5. I’ll be teaching Second Grade this year.
6. Last year I taught Kindergarten.
7. The year before that Second grade.
8. The year before that Kindergarten.
9. The year before that Second grade.
10. Anyone sensing a pattern?
11. Most days I love my job.
12. Some days I question why I’m not a nurse instead.
13. Coolest place I’ve ever been: Meteora, Greece
14. My background on my laptop is a picture from there.
15. It’s been my background since I’ve had my laptop.
16. My picture is way better than the ones on the website.
17. It’s a great conversation piece.
18. Other countries I’ve been to: Kosovo (is it a country yet?), Macedonia, Greece, England, France, Italy, Switzerland, Mexico, Canada.
19. I love traveling.
20. I have 2 sisters and 1 brother—all who adore me and want to be just like me!
21. I’m my mom’s favorite!
22. I love blogging.
23. I love getting comments on my blog, (hint, hint).
24. One time, I said on my hundred post I was gonna do a giveaway.
25. I lied—you’re getting this instead.
26. I’ve contemplated starting a teaching blog—I’m afraid no one would read it and I’d run out of ideas.
27. I love my simple Jetta.
28. Best thing about my Jetta—heated seats!
29. Musical talents….Ha!
30. I can’t sing. Kindergarteners think I’m awesome but the person beside me in the choir doesn’t think so.
31. Michael enjoys singing in the car with me until I start changing keys (come on, it all really sounds the same!)
32. I played the trumpet for 3 years in Middle school.
33. I really was awesome.
34. My neighbor wanted my sister to tell me not to practice outside while she was on her porch drinking coffee.
35. I would have practiced inside but mom wouldn’t let me.
36. This really hindered my talents. My neighbor drank a lot of coffee.
37. Mom finally hid the trumpet.
38. She still hasn’t gave it back.
39. I think she forgot where she hid it (she does that a lot).
40. I took several years of piano lessons.
41. I was allowed to keep my piano inside….nice change.
42. Can only play simple things. Never really developed this talent.
43. Favorite drink: Sweet tea from sonic.
44. Worse fear: Losing my husband
45. I love being a wife.
46. I love cooking for my husband. I love it more than he does most of the time.
47. I hate washing dishes.
48. I’ve never lived in a house with a dish washer.
49. I’ve never lived in a house with 2 bathrooms.
50. I’ve only lived in two houses.
51. I have 72 blogs that I’m subscribed to in google reader.
52. I’m a tab-alcoholic. At any given time I normally have a minimum of 5 tabs open in internet explorer.
53. I love to read.
54. I love reading to kids.
55. At times I feel like it’s the only time I have their attention.
56. I love the dollar tree.
57. I have a weird sense of humor.
58. I chuckle every time I think of my debit card plan but am to afraid to share it.
59. You’d think I’m weird.
60. Favorite moments: Quiet time with God, there’s nothing like it.
61. Pet Peeve 1: Loud Women….yuck!
62. Pet Peeve 2: Men with long finger nails…double yuck!!
63. I dislike rude people.
64. Buddy, I could care less if you get in front of me in the check-out lane. I have a deep satisfaction knowing I wasn’t rude jumping in front of someone!
65. It’s human nature—desire to be first…RUDE!
66. I love love my church!
67. I have a hard time making conversation with people I don’t know.
68. This is where #17 comes in handy.
69. J/K (refer to #56)
70. I love me some Hobby Lobby.
71. It ranks up there with the dollar store and Michael.
72. I’m sort of crafty.
73. Carly and I are working on some items to sell at a craft fair.
74. I hate green beans.
75. I love Mac and cheese.
76. I hate feet.
77. Except mine, they come in handy.
78. I love a clean house.
79. I hate cleaning.
80. Call before you come over, Please.
81. I love getting mail. Walking to the mailbox…good times!
82. I love getting emails.
83. Most of all I love blog comments…(can’t you take a hint, already?)
84. I like the beginning stages of scrapbook.
85. After 2 days I’m over scrapbooking.
86. Knock on wood…I’ve never had a speeding ticket.
87. Knock on wood…I’ve never been pulled over while I was drivers seat.
88. This brings me to my next point, if you saw Michael and I pulled over on the interstate the other day, he wasn’t speeding.
89. It was expired tags.
90. Only not on our vehicle. It was a jeep he was working on.
91. No ticket…just a warning.
92. Growing up I was in the club. Babysitter’s club that is.
93. I have read all the babysitters club books…Yep, I’m that cool.
94. My laptop was a gift from my aunt and uncle.
95. In the gift department, it only falls under my engagement ring.
96. It saw me through grad-school and many years of teaching.
97. I have the prettiest engagement ring and wedding band ever.
98. Wow, I’m almost to 100. This was easier than I thought.
99. I have the best husband ever!
100. I love my life.

Hope you enjoyed.

Sunday's Scripture

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

--James4:6

Home Sweet Home

There is not place I'd rather be than home. I love the sweet little home that the Lord has given Michael and me. There is no place sweeter in the whole world. I absolutely adore my husband.

It's really sad that we don't slow down more and enjoy the blessings of life. That's exactly what I plan to do today and tommorrow. Slow down. Enjoy. Home.

Collage Fun!

1. What is your first name? Stephanie
2. What is your favorite food? Macaroni and Cheese
3. What school did you go to? Homeschooled
4. What is your favorite color? Pink
5. Who is your celebrity crush? No One
6. Favorite drink? Sweet Tea from Sonic
7. Dream vacation? Somewhere warm and Quiet
8. Favorite dessert? Cheese cake anything!

9. What you want to be when you grow up? A Teacher (call me crazy!)
10. What do you love most in life? The Lord
11. One word to describe you? Colorful

12. Your nickname? Steph

Don't be a party Pooper. Here's how to make your own.

1: go to flickr.com
2: in another window open http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php
3: choose 4 columns, 3 rows
4: answer the following questions in the search bar of flicker. pick your favorite one on the first page and paste the address into your mosaic

5. Comment on this post with your link