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Sinner saved by grace. Wife to a cute preacher. Momma to 2 precious baby boys. Blessed beyond measure. And I deserve none of it.

Blog Archive

Monday, November 30, 2009

just another day in the life of a K4 teacher...

This morning one of my little girls came into my room and began talking to me. I noticed her hair looked freshly done so I said, " M, your hair looks so nice this morning." She looked at me, put her hand on her hip, and with tons of attitude said, "Well, I did just wash my hair!"


We were reviewing our blend ladders this morning. I decided to make it a competition between the boys and the girls. This particular game we played, the boys won. (Any competition is taken very seriously with my kids!) One of my girls very angrily looked at one of the boys and says, "Loser!" Ironic.


My kids were playing inside for recess this morning because it was too cold for Mrs. Jerkins today. While they are playing, I overheard this: "A, your heart is dirty! You need to go talk to Jesus!"

Saturday, November 28, 2009

simply wonderful

What a wonderful last few days! Wednesday was our Thanksgiving Feast at school. Our kids were encouraged to dress up like a Pilgrim or Indian. So we had a very fun feast that ended with an early dismissal. :) The teachers then took down all fall decor and we put up our Christmas stuff. Then our Thanksgiving break officially began!

Coming home at at 2:00 p.m. and taking a nap was a great way to get my break started. D came home a few hours later. We decided to use one of our gift cards for a fun date night. We went to Bonefish Grill. I had never eaten there. It was delicious! I highly recommend it! So after a delicious and basically free dinner, we rented a movie and came home to watch it on our new 60 inch TV... aka the Christmas present. Who needs a movie theater when we have this?! Thank you direct buy!



Before the movie, I made my Thanksgiving dinner contributions: Pumpkin Cheesecake and Turtle Pumpkin Pie. I do not like pumpkin pie, but will eat both of these. They were delicious. Thank you, Hollie, for the great recipes!

It was so nice to sleep late Thursday morning. And by sleeping late, I mean until 8:00. Although I did get a friendly wake-up from my alarm on my phone which is set for 6:30 a.m. Monday-Friday. Oh so handy... but annoying on this day. Thankfully, I was tired enough that I quickly went back to sleep. Then D's alarm went off at 8:00.... thanks honey..... so then my coffee and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade began calling my name.

Before we knew it it was time to go to his parents house. We arrived early to load all of our Christmas stuff up in the car. After it was all loaded, we jumped in his parents car and headed to Hernando for our Thanksgiving lunch at Grandmomma's and Grandaddy's. The food was amazing. I will not dare admit how much I ate, but let's just say I was wishing I had worn looser fitting pants.

We returned back to the Jerkins' house and got in our car and headed to my Granny and Gan- Gan's house for a late dinner. Once again, the food was too delicious to stop at one plate. Yea, I know... gluttony is a sin, but the food was so good and Thanksgiving is only one day a year. I'll work it off later.
The good food and fellowship was followed by a family tradition: Dominoes.




I think this Thanksgiving I was reminded of how thankful I am that our families are so close. Regardless of how crazy holidays can be, it's so nice to be able to see both families each holiday.


With our Christmas stuff already loaded in the car, it made decorating very easy on Friday. Oh how I love this time of year! Christmas music on the river all of the time blesses my little heart. This is our first Christmas in our house so it was fun trying to find new places for all of my "decorative junk" as D calls it.

Now I am sitting here cozy on my couch, D killing some bug in the window, football on the TV, Christmas decorations around me, Thanksgiving leftovers in my belly... yes, my life is simply wonderful.



Tuesday, November 24, 2009

sweetness

As I am typing this, Lily is jumping up and down beside me dancing to D's Smokey doll that sings. We are keeping her tonight while the rest of her family are at the Memphis game. We are at the church for volleyball. Lils and I decided to take a break and come find candy in D's office. She ran in here and yelled, "Smokey" as soon as she saw him.

She has chocolate all over her face after eating who knows how many mini chocolate bars. I lost count after 2. :) It started as a great teaching opportunity. "Lily hand me the orange candy." Then she said, "I want 2 candies." Needless to say, her teacher aunt was thrilled to let her eat the 2 pieces that she so easily counted out. Smokey now has sweet chocolate fingerprints all over his orange T-shirt... that my genius 2 yr. old niece pointed out.





If I haven't said it before, I love my nieces.

Monday, November 23, 2009

ultimate security

"Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure." Psalm 16:5

My Beth Moore study: "Lord, in all the chaos and crisis, all the threat and doubt, You, have caused my life to work out. Instead of me falling apart, the lines of my life have fallen together. Truly, I can say that You have given me a delightful inheritance."

What assurance that no matter what we go through God has specifically ordained the ups and downs. He has assigned our portions, but most importantly He has made our lot secure. Nothing can rip us out of His mighty grip!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Ten Things Thursday

*The count down is no particular order. I just need the numbers to keep me on track.


10. South Philly= a delicious philly cheese steak place downtown. I'm not normally a huge fan of philly cheese steak sandwiches, but this was exceptionally good.


9. Memphis basketball games= being there in the mix is exhilarating.


8. Lunch with sister and mom= sweet time.


7. Boldness= I truly believe God gives us an extra ounce of boldness when we make a profession of faith... why else do people walk down the aisle so confidently who normally would not... we got to see this boldness this past Sunday morning from one of our girls.


6. Nights at home with the hubs= the best.


5. Ending of another bible study= surprisingly sad, but looking forward to the other one that we're starting in January.


4. Christmas gift for a mom in need= an amazing opportunity to bless someone who has no idea.


3. Professions of faith= I am so blessed to be apart of a student ministry where God is moving mightily.


2. D= I know I've said it before, but I am married to the greatest guy on earth. I love watching as the Lord uses him to lead our youth.


1. D ordered our Christmas present and it came in 2 days ago. Tonight our plans are to "renovate" ...as he says... to make room for it. I'll explain and post pictures later. :)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

throw-up

So clearly this is a topic that gets your attention, but it's not a very pleasant one. I've been teaching for 3 years, baby-sat for 11 years, and I of course have been alive for 24 yrs..... I have seen my share of throw-up. I've come to a conclusion... I do not do throw-up.

Well, you can probably guess where this is going... one of my students threw-up all over the lunch room floor. Poor thing had been acting funny today and before we knew it... it was coming out and it did not want to stop. Thankfully, I had finished my lunch and was preparing my class to line up when the incident occurred. I immediately told her to run into the bathroom behind her as I ran out the lunch room door to get our school nurse. God love our school nurse. What she has to go through with 68 children including her own class of 9... the woman definitely deserves a raise! Thankfully my little girl was able to change clothes and wait for her dad before another round hit. I was able to get my class down for nap while, Mrs. Roach, bless her heart, cleaned up the mess. (Is this in her job description?... probably not, but if I had to clean it up then she'd be cleaning 2 different throw-up spots up.)

This got me thinking.... what in the world am I going to do when I have kids who are throwing up? I know it's different when it's your own children, but just the sound makes me gag! Give me kid poop explosions all day... I can clean that mess up with no problem.... but throw up? No stinking way... no pun intended. All I can say is, Sweets, hope you can handle some throw-up.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Nights at Home

I love nights at home. It's rare for us to have a night where we can eat dinner together and hang out at home. Because of our busy schedules, nights at home do not happen often. It is our choice, most of the time, to be as active as we are in different things. We know there will come a time where playing ball several nights a week and church activities will have to fall on the back burner to early baths and bed time. So for now, a busy schedule is alright with us. It makes us better appreciate our nights that we get to stay at home. Thankfully, last night was one of those nights.

There's nothing like coming home and cleaning a much needed dirty house (the cleaning fairy has decided to no longer visit), working-out w/ friends, fixing dinner, eating with the hubs, and folding laundry while we watch one of our favorite shows that's 2 weeks old... thank you DVR. Nights like that remind us to be thankful for the little things: my home, my hubs, and even the fun things that fill our new home.

We are so blessed. Nights at home are a great reminder.

Monday, November 16, 2009

teachable moment

One of my little girls told her mom that she kissed a little boy during nap time on Friday. (I was home sick and the sub must have put their cots by one another because I never would have put those 2 cute, little talkers together.)

When I sat our cots out today, I asked what nap time was for. I gladly heard napping, resting, etc. Then A told me that her and D kissed during nap time. I explained that our kisses are just for mommy and daddy. I even went as far as to explain that just like we have to keep our hands and feet to ourselves, we have to keep our lips to ourselves. She looked up at me with the sweetest smile on her face and said, "But, Mrs. Jerkins, he's my boyfriend and I'm going to marry him."

I couldn't help but smile. I was for a moment at a loss for words. Then I realized I had to go back into teacher mode and use this as a teaching moment. So everyone then got a 4 yr. old "purity talk" about keeping our hands, feet and lips to ourselves.

Why I love rainy days...

As weird as some may think it is, I really do love rainy days. I look forward to them in fact. (Except when we have important things planned for outside!) Rainy days are just so cozy to me. Here are a few reasons why I love them....

5. Rainy days= inside recess which means Mrs. Jerkins gets more things accomplished

4. Rainy days= cozy, comfy clothes day

3. Rainy days= snuggle time on the couch

2. Rainy days= a good excuse to stay home and get things done or...

1. Rainy days= a good excuse to be lazy!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Thank You




Thank you International Delight for creating such delicious coffee creamers. They make my early mornings bearable and my other mornings so much better. I have once simple request... please allow the White Chocolate Raspberry creamer to be sold year round. This "seasonal" stuff is mess. Why take away such a great thing?

Yours Truly,
A very happy coffee drinker

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Ten Things Thursday

-Slim Skillets (the fried chicken place that took over Bola Pasta)= good, but not great.


-Shopping in Nashville= a yearly must…. So many good memories.


-Safe travel= we take driving inches from other cars so lightly… thank you God for keeping us safe daily.


-Zebra chaise lounge= fabulous


-Spanked by a 4 yr. old= you heard it right… a 4 year old took his belt off and hit me with it. Needless to say his dad did the same thing, but to him.


-Happy times farm= a great on campus field trip- merry-go-round, pony rides, train, large animals, small animals…. Can’t beat it!


-Memphis basketball games= awesome… thank you Jerkins for getting great seats and getting extras for us!


-Carrabbas= best Italian food in Memphis! I could eat there everyday!


-Supervisor position= never a dull moment… I have lost count on how many unruly children and parents I have spoken with in the last week… it definitely makes life interesting!


-Youth Bonfire/Hayride= perfect night, good message, good smores, huge bonfire, enormous tractor pulling our hayride, 1 student who stepped from death into life! And that is why we do what we do!



Tuesday, November 10, 2009

lots of fun stuff...

This weekend was a much needed get-away. Not that I was relaxing a bit, unless you consider the few minutes we waited on benches relaxing. We came home with tons of packages and no emergency rooms visits to report.



Chubs decided to give me a smile.


She did this most of the time.


Exhausted and waiting for Momma D and Grandmomma to hurry up. This was hour 8 or 9 of shopping on Saturday.


This was the car when we got home. There are many packages stuffed in other bags and smashed to the limit.








When I got home this is what I found....


Oh yes, it's my new zebra chaise lounge in all of it's fabulous glory.


I have the best husband in the world!








Today Happy Times Farm visited us. Oh what fun we had!






And last but certainly not least... today is my favorite sister-in-law's birthday. I can say that now because she's my only sister-in-law... not for too much longer though... thanks to Rob I get another one! So Julsie, I hope that you have a great birthday! You're the best sister-in-law anyone could ask for. You're so very opinionated but that balances us sugar-coat everything kind of people out so well. I can always count on your honesty! And what makes you the best is that you have given me the cutest 3 nieces in the world! I wouldn't be aunt candy without you!







Friday, November 6, 2009

Nashville

This weekend is our annual girls' shopping trip. Almost all of the ladies from Daniel's mom's side travel to Nashville for a weekend full of shopping. This is a trip that I look forward to every year. There are about 10 of us that go. We meet at 7:00a.m. on Saturday morning so we can be there soon after the mall opens. We spend all of Saturday (we're there til it closes) and usually only end up getting less than halfway through the mall. Then we get up Sunday and do the same thing. Boy, is it exhausting, but it's so fun. It's a weekend to catch up with family, get some Christmas shopping done, as well as help pick out some things I'd like for Christmas too.

I'm hoping this trip won't be as eventful as our trip 2 years ago. On our way to Nashville, we stopped at a gas station for a potty break. Before anyone realized it, someone had locked the keys in the car with a sleeping baby in the back. Apparently, the town we were in was very small because the only locksmith was out hunting and couldn't be reached. The gas station attendant was awesome. She called her husband, cussed him out, and made him come up there and unlock the car. 2 hours later, we were on the road. We got there, did a lot of shopping, and then we went into Gap. My niece, Maggie, decided to stand up in her stroller. Julie and I were right there, but before we could do anything she fell head first out of the stroller and nailed her head on the base of a clothes rack. I will never forget the look of fear on Julie's face when she grabbed Maggie up and saw the gash on her forehead. After a nice tour of the back alley's of the mall, we found first aid/security. They agreed she would need stitches. So we gathered our things when low and behold here comes Santa walking towards us (at this point in her life, Maggie is TERRIFIED of people dressed up in weird things) She then screams louder than she did when she hurt her head. After making Santa leave, me running and getting the car, we finally found the hospital. Thankfully that Saturday night was a slow night for them because an hour later we walked out of the hospital with a much more pleasant Mags with her gash glued shut.

I'm looking foward to a weekend away with the ladies, but I hope it's a calm, uneventful weekend! Look out Nashville. Here we come!


Thursday, November 5, 2009

Thankful Thursday

10. T-Shirt Decorating Party= lots of fun and a great time to catch up with friends.

9. Dinner with Frannie and Walt= an eventful evening.... including 2 trips to the restroom per their request.... Leah and Dan aren't too bad either.

8. Race for the Cure= a new tradition that will not be taken lightly.

7. FBCHW Family Harvest Festival= a new Jerkins tradition... I got suckered into face painting.... just kidding Mel... I loved it!

6. Our church family= doesn't get much better.

5. Pumpkin Cheesecake= delicious... will be my contribution to Thanksgiving dinner.

4. Time with sister= nothing better.

3. Mom's ability to take my beautiful fall garland and make it into a gorgeous wreath= cute door

2. P90x arms= my favorite.

1. 13 visiting students that came last night= awesome.


I've decided to take my Ten Things Thursday and turn it into a Thankful Thursday as well. I guess with Thanksgiving around the corner it reminded me... as I'm explaining this to my students... that we can voice our thanks and be thankful every day.... not just one day a year.

I asked my students what holiday was in the month of November and of course they named almost every other holiday as well. Finally, someone said, "Thanksgiving." I explained to them why we celebrate Thanksgiving. I went the "it reminds us to be thankful for all that God has given us rather than the pilgrims and indians route. That story will be told another day.... I then gave them an opportunity to tell everyone what they were thankful for. I heard Mommy, Daddy, the dog, Mrs. Jerkins (melts my heart every time).... but then their answers got crazy... "I'm thankful to God for lights" or my personal favorite, "underwear." I indeed am thankful for underwear too.


So in honor of Thankful Thursday I will be thankful for:
-the time spent with friends and not the ache in my back from bending over for 2 hours painting t-shirts.

-the sweet memories with second cousins and not the bruises on my back that Walt left from his loving punches.

-the fact that I helped support breast cancer and our special survivor and not that I had to get up at 5:45a.m. on a Saturday.

-that I helped make Halloween a safe and fun evening for many and not the fact that I missed my Mags, Lils, and Hals in their cute costumes.

-my pumpkin cheesecake being edible despite the fact I didn't follow the recipe that Hollie gave me.

-the time I have with my sister even when she keeps me up past my bed time...j/k... well partly.

-p90x for the great workout even though I would like to seriously hurt that Tony guy some times for his weird facial expressions and off the wall comments.

-a great night playing basketball with some of our visting students despite the fact that I sweated my tail off, didn't finish my bible study, and got in bed later.... it was well worth it.

I choose to focus on the things that matter rather than the dumb things that inconvenience me. Bottom line... it's not about me. I wasn't put on this earth for my pleasure and benefit. Although, God has been so good to us. I have so much to be thankful for every day of the year!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

this generation...

I am in my third year of teaching K4. For those of you unsure of what that is... it's just a 4 yr. old kindergarten program. Through my "many" years of experience, I have found that I love this age. I love how inquisitive they are, how they soak up information like sponges, as well as the hilarious things that come from their mouths. Many things they say, I never would have as a 4 yr. old. Partly, because technology is quite different then it was 20 yrs. ago.... wow, that makes me sound old... anyway... here are a few of the funny things they have said:

Only in our generation kids would say...

-"just text me"
-"oops, I deleted it"
-"before there were cars people rode.... buses" (not horses, but buses)
-"the horn on a car is so you can tell people to get out of your way"
-"I'll call you on my cell phone later"
-"I want to see my picture" (after it was taken seconds before)


My sweet babies never cease to amaze me. Can you think of other funny phrases from kids in this generation?

Monday, November 2, 2009

Race for the Cure

Saturday was the Race for the Cure. This is the 2nd year that I have participated and I am certain it will be a yearly tradition. One of my teacher friends here at MRBS is a breast cancer survivor. We got an MRBS team together, Kelley's Kingsmen, and walked/jogged/ran in her honor. What a humbling experience! I found myself teary-eyed as we walked around before the race. I am not a fan of her, but Melissa Ethridge's song "I walk for hope...." played with my emotions after seeing all the pink survivor shirts, bald heads, and family/friend support.

Many people had signs pinned on their shirts that said, "I run in memory of..." or "I run in honor of..." I couldn't help but thank the Lord for how he has protected my family and kept us from having to wear "I run in memory of..." shirts. This was such a neat opportunity to be apart of. It contained a lot of fun, fellowship, exercise, and the satisfaction of knowing that I helped contribute to finding a cure for breast cancer.

If you didn't participate this year then I strongly urge you to do so next year. You won't be disappointed!

Personalized shirt


Our finished product from our shirt decorating party... ok, so we'll teach and not design.


Thousands of people participated... the most ever for Memphis.


Part of our group... Sara ditched us as and ran rather than doing our walk/jog combo.


We survived!


One of the lovely homes that entertained us during the race.