Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Inside My Head

(click to make it larger!)


Wordle: inside my head

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Sunday Scriptures



He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
--Psalm 91:4

Saturday, January 23, 2010

My review for Thomas Nelson Publishers of This is your Brain in Love By: Dr. Earl Henslin

This is your Brain in love deals with the scientific aspects of how love affects your brain. In the book Dr. Henslin identifies five types of lovers (Anxious, blue mood, scattered, over focused, Agitated).

After reading each chapter on the five types I was slightly disappointed when I found I couldn't truly relate to any of the five types. The book was still interesting to see how these different scenarios affect the brain and ways to help correct each type.

Last year I read Dr. Henslin's Book "This is your Brain on Joy". It actually focuses more on what is going on inside the brain, and I must say I enjoyed it more.

I give "This is your Brain in Love" three out of five stars. Although I struggled to relate, I'm sure it would be helpful to people who fit into those categories.

Monday, January 18, 2010

A Whirlwind Weekend

My weekend was full of things like......
lots of this a little of this

one of these


a smidge of this

a view of this



the sight of that

but most of all missing this!!!!





Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Win them with humor!

The note I left taped to my front door today:


Dear Mr. Fedex,

I am so glad that you made it along with that ever so lovely and needed package. You see, I am having major phone issues and am in bad need of that replacement! Your timing is superb. Unfortunately, it has been brought to my attention that you can not leave that much needed lovely package without a signature.

That is very very unfortunate for me. You see, My family has decided not to bow to the systems and cultures of this world and accept free money from Mr. Obama as many others have chosen to do. Instead we both trudge off to work daily. And that's where we are currently as you read this letter. This makes us very unavailable for the afore mentioned necessary signature!

So I am granting you permission to leave said package on my porch. And am also including a signature at the bottom of this letter.

However, if that doesn't meet the requirements of your bosses, I would appreciate it greatly if my package be left with the neighbors to the right. They are great neighbors and I would love to visit them this after noon as I pick up the much needed package.

Thanks for your time and thanks for also trudging to work daily, inspite of free government money available to those who choose not to work.

Yours truly,
Michael and Stephanie Jones

The result? Sweet. LG. Chocolate. Touch. Success. and one missing letter.


Sunday, January 10, 2010

Sunday's Scripture--He's Qualified

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:16


For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6


Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

Psalm 33:18


Today I am thankful that God is qualified to be the leader of my life. So often my hands grasp for the steering wheel of life. By swerving the "car" I think I can chose a better path. Sometimes for selfish reasons and at times for ignorance. It's reassuring to know that God knows all things and when he leads there is no wrong turns. No need for directions. No fears. Just perfect peace!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

2010 Goals

I have found in my own life that resolutions are made to be broken. The New Year brings feelings of excitement, freshness, and hopes of big achievements. And I see to always forget the failures of last year's resolutions. I don't I have ever made it two week into the New Year without breaking them...all of them! Yet every year I keep making them. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment. So this year I'm skipping the resolutions. I'm not setting myself up for failure again.

And that's why you won't see me posting a list of resolutions this year! Instead I'm posting my list of goals for 2010. They are clearly not resolutions, which would have been posted a week ago. Undoubtedly, for those of you who are less trained on this sort of thing...these are goals! And specific, yet achievable, goals!

I'm posting them here so that I'll be more accountable. Fail or thrive, I'll be posting in December about the accomplishment (or lack there of) of these goals.

Without Further ado....
1. Spiritually--wanna pull up a chair...this one's a biggy! I will read my bible through this year. I get so much from the Lord when I just take the time to read. Along with bible reading I want to study my bible. I get so much just reading but I also want to take the time to dig a little deeper. My goal is to complete 12 studies this year. That's one a month. Also I'll be more faithful and consistent in my prayer life. I want to be more concerned with my holiness than my happiness this year!
2. Educationally--I want to read 24 books this year (other than my bible). I love to read a hodge podge of stuff but often love gets pushed to the side to accommodate computer time or on rare occasions laundry. I'm going to start posting the books I've read on the side of my blog.

3. Blogging--I love going back and reading my old posts or looking at pictures. Blogging is a great way to document and journal our lives. I want to blog at least once a week.
4. Financially--I want to cut my debt in half. I'm not a big spender and the only credit card I own is to JC Pennys and I haven't used it in years. But I do have my car and some students loans. I want to half this debt.
5. Physically--I want to lose 35 lbs. I know this is a small goal for such a big girl but I want to keep my goals reasonable and reachable. Our school is going to have a biggest loser competition. I hope that helps to motivate me!
6. My Marriage--I want to be a better wife. I want our home to be a sanctuary. A little piece of heaven on earth. I plan on working on ways to improve that.


Tuesday, January 5, 2010

I'm dreaming of a white Thursday...and other random things

  • Some times bulleted posts are fun!





  • It looks like we might get a lil snow Thursday. I'm ecstatic! Is it wrong to be wanting a day off after only 2 days back?



  • Speaking of going back...it's going really well....Would it be cursing myself to comment on how much I feel like my kids have matured?



  • The problem with teaching Mass and Matter to 7 and 8 year olds: Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass. Mass is how much matter is in an object. So basically you can't understand what matter is unless you know what mass is; you can't understand mass unless you know what matter is?!?!?!?! You following me? My kids aren't.



  • They are also struggling with solids and liquids...which is something unbelievably easy for most people.


  • This is a long week....morning and evening bus duty everyday, afterschool classes on Monday, Faculty meeting and church on Wednesday, and ballgame duty on Thursday....does anyone know a snow dance?

  • A parent texted me last night (picture text) of her child's math homework...they couldn't figure it out.



  • I just finished my fourth book in the last few weeks.



  • Last but certainly not least....I'm so so thankful for mom's great report! I'm right there with her; every time I think of God's goodness in this situation I lose it! Thanks to everyone who prayed! Love ya, Momma!




    Aren't we cute, in our gray?


Saturday, January 2, 2010

Hello 2010!

I'm sad to look and realize how little I have blogged the last month! And how little I've document with pictures. Christmas came and passed as a blurr, just as always. It's my favorite time of the year! We had a great Christmas. Michael and I spent Christmas Eve enjoying each others company, then later drove to his mom's and Dads and spent the night. We spent Christmas morning with them and the afternoon at my mom's house.

I was in desperate need of a break from work! These two weeks have been refreshing! It's so nice to be sitting in a clean house and not have to work about the stress of not having time or energy to wash dishes and fold laundry. I'm caught up! Surprise visits are welcome! (Today and tomorrow, only please, I can't promise anything pass that!) :) I've even had time to get a few fun projects ready for school.


I feel like a different person spiritually when I'm off work also. I've stayed busy working around here, but it's so much easier to keep your mind on the Lord while you're dusting vs. teaching 19 rowdy kids. My car hasn't left our driveway in a few days, I guess I'll break down and go to the grocery store in a little bit.

I'm always excited and refreshed at the start of a new year. It's exciting to think about starting with a clean slate. There's so much I'd like to do this year. So many areas that I neglected in 2009.


I remember at the end of 2008 I wrote about what a great year it had been. 2009 was, to say the least, a difficult year. But through the difficulties God was able to show his faithfulness time and time again. And that makes all the tears worth it. Also during 2009 I was able to spend many many hours with my husband and grow deeper in love with him.

I'm excited about all the opportunities that await in 2010!