25 Things About Me (off the top of my head)

25. I hate socks. I only wear them with my Nike's.
24. If my bed doesn't get made in the morning because my darling husband is still in it when I leave, then I HAVE to make it before I go to bed! (Does that make me CRAZY?)
23. I wish my kids wore school uniforms so that we didn't have to make so many choices about clothes everyday.
22. I hardly ever go anywhere without makeup.
21. I love Red lipstick! Mary Kay "Red" is my favorite.
20. I am a nerd who plays online Scrabble late at night when I should be sleeping. I love to READ anything I can get my hands on, and I spend a lot of time with tivo late at night. (I may be an insomniac, ya think?)
19. I hate going to bed with dirty dishes in the sink. But, you should see my bathroom vanity, it is a mess with hair and makeup products and that only gets cleaned once a week.
18. I stay up past midnight nearly every night and get up at 6am (okay 6:30). I REALLY wish I was more of a morning person and less of a night owl.
17. I love my job! ( I am a 5th grade teacher!)
16. Sometimes, I feel guilty about working when I leave my own kids, and sometimes I feel guilty that I like my job so much...
15. I talk too much and listen too little, but I'm working on it. (God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth, right?)
14. I need to exercise more, much more!
13. I can't seem to find enough time for myself which is why I stay up so late, I crave alone time!
12. I haven't had a haircut since July, but I color and highlight my own hair (I think I'm almost completely gray, but I'll never find out!)
11. I am still totally and completely in love with my husband!
10. I'd be fine eating sandwiches or cereal every night for dinner and bigger meals only on the weekend (It is tough getting home at 5 after a day of work, and the boys are always STARVING the minute we walk in the door!)
9. But, I cook some sort of meal at least 3 nights a week anyway because I think I should
8. I love junkfood! Salty, sweet, anything! It's bad..... and, I could live on it!
7. I drink at least 4-6 cans of diet coke a day ( I know, I know...)
6. I get very nervous in new situations with people I don't know. I have a weird nervous laugh!
5. I tend to be very moody, and I really wish I wasn't.
4. I worry way too much- about money, about the way I look, about something bad happening to my kids or husband, about if people like me, if I look fat, if my house is clean enough, if my husband is happy, etc.,etc.
3. I just moved to a new town after living in the Dallas Area since I was 6 years old (except for 4 years of college!)
2. I met my husband in a country-western bar (and I'm southern baptist)
1. I believe that God is in control!! (but I have to constantly remind myself that it is all about HIM, not me!)

Abilities

"The Creator has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do."~Orison Swett Marden~ This is Jayden who for some reason sat in a meditation pose when I got my camera out.

I saw this quote on a blog I've been reading occasionally. I don't really have too much to say about it right now, just that it makes me think about my own life and longings, and if I am doing all that I need to with the person God created me to be.

Come On, Just Do It, It's Fun!

I saw some of the blogs I follow doing something fun, so I thought I'd try it... Go the fourth folder where I store my photos on my computer and post the fourth picture (no exceptions!).



Here's the came up for me.....

This picture was Taken in December 2007. Rylan was 3, and we were just being silly, hanging out in the living room.

Tag, you're it...

I tag Shannon, Jill, Kim, Jenny, Cissie, Casey. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

My 7th President

As you're well aware, tomorrow is Inauguration Day 2009 (right now I have an overwhelming feeling that I am not a kid anymore!) The teacher in me started thinking of all the presidents I remember... well, I don't remember Jimmy Carter or Gerald Ford, but they were in office during my lifetime. I wonder what the future will bring, who our future presidents will be, and who my children will see become president. As Mr. Obama takes office tomorrow, I will pray for him as our leader.

It always fascinates and saddens me to see the physical strain the presidency puts on a man. Above are pictures of George W. the first one on his inauguration day, the second a more recent photo. I can not imagine the stress one would feel as leader of the free world. God Bless you, Mr. Bush, thank you for your service, and I hope you experience rest in the coming days.

I Have A Dream...

My thoughts...


For so many, his dreams were outlandish. I wonder what we think is far-fetched today will be the norm in the future.

I am teaching in a school this year where I am a minority because of the color of my skin. My students prejudge me and have ideas about me according to what they have overheard and been told throughout their lives. I have had to work very hard every day to gain the respect of the students and their parents.

My students and I write back and forth in journals. One of the goals I have is to ask them questions to help them get thinking about their dreams and goals. Mine did, but one thing I am discovering is that not all parents teach their children to dream and make plans for the future. One of the most important roles I have as a teacher is to teach my students to have hopes and dreams for the future.

Football in the Sunset

With it getting dark so early, I hurry home in the evenings with the boys as fast as we can so they can play outside before the sun goes down. One night this week, it was football in the front yard. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the "game!"

My new favorite quote... one to live by!

If you're visiting my blog today, I'd love for you to share something good that happened to you today!

Sentimental much?

Saw this on one of my new favorite blogs. Add http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/ to your list, girls! I just wanted to share because I think this is a great idea. I have tried everything and currently have a big mess... that is, for saving and storing the wonderful pieces of artwork that the kids bring home from school that I just can't bear to throw away. Read what she says on her blog about her system... seems workable. Maybe I'll try it!

Tagged (for the first time!)

Since I'm a relatively new blogger and really enjoying it, I thought I'd take advantage of being "tagged." Here we go...

8 things I did today -
1)Got the boys up and ready for school
2)It was "Donut Friday" so I bought them their Friday morning treat on the way to school
3)Had a really funny incident with a cat jumping in the van at the church as I was dropping Rylan off at school
4)Sent a child to the administrator by 8 am for tearing up my behavior chart when I calmly asked her to get started on her morning work
5)Taught with my new projection monitor at school, my new favorite teaching tool!
6)Went through my normal range of emotions in a day of work, as usual at my new, inner-city school, thoughts like"Why am I putting myself through this?" as children took out their frustrations on me to "I know I'm in the right place!" as a little girl confided in me about her family situation and how she didn't get any Christmas presents this year (2nd child this week who has confided this to me.)
7)Stole some time on the computer while the boys played on the trampoline after school
8)Watched "Beethoven's Fifth" with the boys ( I dozed off for a few minutes.)

8 favorite restaurants-
1)Cristina's
2)Jason's Deli
3)Chili's
4)Corner Bakery
5)IHOP (I love breakfast food!)
6)Soprano's (Hole in the Wall in Plano)
7)The Cotton Patch Cafe
8)Taco Delite (Guilty Pleasure for Lunch by my former job in East Plano)

8 shows that I watch-
1)The Office
2)House
3)Decorating Cents
4)Designed to Sell
5)Ghost Whisperer
6)Desperate Housewives
7)Cold Case
8)The Adventures of Old Christine

8 Things I wish for-
1)For my boys to develop relationships with Jesus Christ and become spiritual leaders in their lives
2)For my boys to live balanced lives
3)A lasting, happy marriage
4)Health and Happiness for my extended family members
5)To make new friends with people who live close by
6)Dan to have success in his new career
7)Motivation for working out and eating healthy
8)To become a morning person

8 Things I look forward to-
1)Spring Break
2)Summer Vacation
3)The beginning of every new school year
4)Seeing my husband at the end of each day
5)Picking my kids up from school
6)Saturdays
7)Visits with family
8)The possibility of not moving so much in the future

And, I tag my bloggin' buddies-
Elisa
Kristin
Whitney
Amanda
Kelly
Anna
Kelley
Wendy
Shannon
Jessica
Jenny
Kim
Tammy
Kim
Julie

Ultimate Fighting

Ultimate fighting on the trampoline! Okay, all you mothers... I know, I know, what mother in her right mind would get three rambunctious (did I spell that right?) boys a trampoline? All I can say is that is that Santa brought the trampoline... and it does have a net!!! Also, we live in the country for the first time and we were actually able to put a trampoline in our yard without having to discuss it with the Homeowner's Association first! :) My last comment is that it is working great as a way for them to get all their energy out after a long day at school! That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!!!

Christmas is put away, and the New Year is here!

Here are some pictures from the beginnings of 2009. We have had fun enjoying the non-winter-like weather outside, cooking together, and playing Pictionary and Cranium.

Green Acres?