Wednesday, January 25, 2012

It's stressful to be creative...

Today, I decided to do centers with my kids. Yikes! That's all I did all day during my off time is finish up those centers. It's been really fun, though. The kids got excited about them and enjoyed doing the activities. Hopefully, they will learn a lot from these centers! We'll know after their test on Fridays.

Report cards came out today. They are finally finished!! Whoo hoo!

Tonight, I'm going to get a haircut and then work out!! :)

Monday, January 23, 2012

That's So Silly!

I've been thinking a lot about ways to feel more healthy, well balanced and fulfilled. Since setting and trying to achieve some goals, I've done well and not so well, but even though I haven't been perfect at it, I feel happier. I think it helps to give yourself some grace as long as you are moving in the general direction you want to go. This week, I have been laughing more. 

Here's a SILLY story from school that made my kids really laugh: So, we're reading this book about American history and God's role in shaping our nation. (It's a really good book - The Light and the Glory.) As wonderful as it is, it is NOT a silly or funny story. HOWEVER, when your teacher adds mistakes in, it livens up a lesson. Sometimes I read sections of the book just to speed everything up. This particular day I started reading quickly and I read "The soldiers were FARTING and marching," instead of "fighting and marching."

I'm sure you can imagine the uncontrollable laughter coming from my 8 and 9 year olds. It was fun. :) Everyone needs to laugh at themselves occasionally.  

How are you doing on your New Years Resolutions?

Here is the list of mine (so I can keep up!) and the updates.
 1. Work out 12 times a month - 3 times a week! (I have only worked out 5 days this month so far, but I've done a lot of house cleaning. That counts... right?)
2. Read through the Bible (Read almost every night so far. I've made up the days I've missed! :) Last year I only stuck with it for four days!)
3. Go on one date a month with Jordan - It has to be out of the realm of what we usually do... something creative. (Um... not yet!)
4. Leave work before 5PM every day. (Err... I started off great, but I've been bad lately. Report cards ARE coming out though...)
5. Be early to EVERYTHING. (uh, no.)
6. Get the mail situation under control. (nope.)
7. Craft at least once a month - stress relief!!! :) (Yessss! I LOVE CRAFTS!!)
8. Invite one person to church each month. (Not yet.)
9. Eat at least 2 servings of fruits and veggies every day. (I'm doing better at it.)
10. Drink at least 4 cups of water everyday. (I know this isn't the full recommended amount, but it's still a step up for me!) (I've been close everyday.)
11. Complete lesson plans at least a week ahead - all Monday lesson plans are done this Monday for next Monday. (stress relief!!) (Uh, no. But I have been doing better...)
12. Have one coffee date every two weeks with a girlfriend. (at least!) (I probably have even though I haven't been seeking out friends just for this. By the way, the Coffee Shack is LOVELY. It is so relaxing. Charity and I knitted over there the other day and it was so much fun. They have comfy couches!)

Hopefully, these things will help me begin to have a more well rounded, healthy, and happy life. What are your goals for 2012?

Ooooh! Mom came to dinner last night! She actually came to MY house. If you don't know how amazing this is, put it in this context: my parents divorced when I was in high school. Mom came to my high school graduation, but I didn't know her very well any more because she wasn't living near us anymore. She moved to Colorado to live with her (new) husband. She came to my wedding although I didn't really get to spend much time with her. She missed my college graduation because her husband was sick. She's said she would get together with me other times while she was in the area (which is not often), but for some reason it didn't happen. So, to make a long story short, I've seen my mom a total of MAYBE 10 times in the last 9 years (or so). She had never seen my house, until last night, even though we've been married 4 years. I've been wanting to spend time with her for a long time, but it was very hard since she was in Colorado. She moved out to Wilson, NC last month. It's kind of a random place, but I like that it's close to me! Any way, we had a wonderful dinner and we introduced mom and Mark to BrrrBerry! :) Yay! I hope we do it again soon!

Guess what? Next week, I turn 25!! 2/2 :) I also get to go to Savannah, GA with many of my favorite people. We're staying Wednesday to Sunday. We've been the last 3 or 4 years in a row and we always have a great time visiting with our friends and spending time with the staff!

Also, we're going to Japan for at least 3 weeks this summer. We may also be going to Hawaii for a week (if we can save up money) and Florida for a week for the North American Christian Convention at Disney. It's going to be a great summer!!!

Saturday, December 31, 2011

12 Goals for 2012

1. Work out 12 times a month - 3 times a week!
2. Read through the Bible
3. Go on one date a month with Jordan - It has to be out of the realm of what we usually do... something creative.
4. Leave work before 5PM every day.
5. Be early to EVERYTHING.
6. Get the mail situation under control.
7. Craft at least once a month - stress relief!!! :)
8. Invite one person to church each month.
9. Eat at least 2 servings of fruits and veggies every day.
10. Drink at least 4 cups of water everyday. (I know this isn't the full recommended amount, but it's still a step up for me!)
11. Complete lesson plans at least a week ahead - all Monday lesson plans are done this Monday for next Monday. (stress relief!!)
12. Have one coffee date every two weeks with a girlfriend. (at least!)

Hopefully, these things will help me begin to have a more well rounded, healthy, and happy life. What are your goals for 2012?

Sunday, June 5, 2011

New Friends and Fixing My Food Issues

I love summer! Today, I went to church, had lunch with fantastic friends (Jordan Clark, Paul - our neighbor, Lorie Pittman, Michael Pittman, and their wonderful kids, Josh and Julianna). When we got home, Jordan and I took a FOUR HOUR NAP! :) Yes - it was awesome. Got up, spent some time with Paul at Wal-Mart.

Then, I made a healthy dinner and read more in my book - Fit For My King: His Princess Diet Plan and Devotional. This is a very good book that takes you through 30 days of dieting and fasting from artificial things. Hoping to see good results!
- I am going through this book with a new/old friend. :) We've known each other for a few years now, but have never really been close.

Starting June 4th, we are meeting every Saturday to encourage each other and ask each other the "hard questions." We are also reading this 30 day devo together and another book called "Made to Crave: Satisfying your deepest desire with God, not food" by Lysa TerKeurst. When we meet, we'll talk about the books, what we've learned about God and ask each other the "hard questions" that we don't want to be asked - those things that we know we should do, but usually don't.

My questions are: Have you worked out this week? Have you read your Bible and prayed every day?

I hope this will help me to be more accountable for my actions/laziness and finally see the results that I've wanted for years. I pray that I will grow closer to God, my accountability partner, and become more healthy in the days to come. I'm claiming victory today! It WILL happen!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Tired but productive...

Today I went to the school from 11-3 and I put up my math meeting board, cleared off two pods of desks, sorted many materials, found a home for many things that were just sitting around, and I set up another "shelving unit" - a shoe holder I brought from home :) I got a lot done and I can't wait for my room to be just right. It's coming along very well :)

Laura, the other second grade teacher, and I bought showerboard today at Lowe's for dry erase boards. Out of one $11.87 piece, we got 48 7"x8" boards and 2 large ones for us to use with small groups. Can you believe it? What a good deal! I want to test them out tomorrow. I think they will work just fine :)

I have worked out a LOT this week! I'm so proud of myself :) Here is what I have done so far:

Sun - 3.2 mi. walk
Mon - 3.2 mi. walk
Tues - 16 mins elliptical, About 1.5 hrs doing machines, 30 mins at Zumba (SOOOOO much fun!)
Wed - 3.2 mi. walk
Thurs (today) - REST! (well, I'm going swimming but I doubt it will be intense)

I plan to:
Fri - Babysit ALLLLLL day - first for Josh and Julianna (a lot of running around will be involved) and then for twins, their younger sibling and older sibling - I think that counts for something.
Sat - Weekend Warrior Water Aerobics at Viquest (9:30am) and possible walking
Sun - Weight Machine Circuit and maybe swim

Jordan and I have really been making healthier choices. I hope we can keep it up this time!!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Eclipse

comes out June 30th! Who wants to see it with me?!

Hawaii

Hawaii was wonderful. Best vacation of my life. Most beautiful place I have EVER been. I think I want to live there... one day. I would move there right now... if all of my friends and family would come too :) Here are some pictures from the last couple of weeks.

By the way, these pictures are in a completely random order. You can see more on my facebook or Jordan's :)