off we go!

Bags are packed (check)

Travel documents ready to go (check)

School stuff covered (check)

Mask, neck pillow, and Dramamine (check)

Itinerary copied for mom (check)


In just a few short hours, we will be on the plane headed across the Atlantic Ocean... If I survive this plane ride... I'm not fearful of crashing.... I'm fearful of being uncomfortable for however many crazy hours we're going to be on this plane. I can't even take a nap in a reclining chair much less on a plane chair. If I don't get sleep then I turn into a cranky, sleepless monster. And poor D doesn't need that to start off our trip. So please pray that my Dramamine kicks in rather quickly to allow for a more peaceful flight.

Also, please pray for:
-safe travel
-sleep on the plane
-healthy bodies
-safety as we tour
-God's presence to be made known
-a closer walk as a result of this trip
-that we would be able to take everything in and truly understand and appreciate what we are experiencing... not just another vacation, but I life changing trip to see where our Savior walked, talked, and changed lives forever


See ya in a 9 days!

10 Things Tuesday

1. I love to chew gum. Much to my mother's dismay, I am a full fledged smacker... I really try not to, but it just happens.

2. I am currently signed up to play basketball which starts in the next month or so. Not sure how it will be playing again... I'm a bit nervous. Can you blame me?!

3. I'm excited about playing sports again because I have had to sit out the last 4 sports that I had initially signed up for.

4. I love playing ball with my sister.

5. I am 90% packed for my trip.

6. I love cracker barrel...especially sitting at a table by the fireplace.

7. Speaking of fireplace... we finally got our gas logs in and I am loving my fireplace!

8. N.Y.C. Liquid Lip Shine- Au Naturel... is my current favorite lip gloss. (no kc it's not the dark stuff that you hate) And you can get it for less than $3.

9. Nice cell phones are nice for a reason. Don't ever buy anything from Hong Kong. My Hong Kong replacement phone or worthless piece of junk as I affectionately call it... does not do the trick or anything close to it. March can not come soon enough... free upgrade here I come.

10. Tonight kicks off the first annual FBCHW workout class led by yours truly... well yours truly pushes play and sweats with the best of them. Also, tonight we begin our Beth Moore study: Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed. Yay for Tuesdays.

mystery post monday

Thanks to my friend, Rachel, we have a new exciting Monday post... if I remember each week. So... my favorite article of clothing that I couldn't live without....hmmm...I have lots of favorite clothing, but I guess my current fav is a pair of lounge pants from Target. I have to wear skirts everyday to school so it's so wonderful to come home and throw these pants on. I will confess that I wear them in public. They may not be the most flattering, but you can pull them off with anything because they are black pants. I will confess that I prob. wear them more than I should, but they are just so comfy. They are normally $14, but are on sale often for $12.

Ok, I confess I have 2 can't live without articles of clothing. The other piece of clothing that looks much nicer than my lounge pants are my favorite jeans from Old Navy. They are the Flirt style. These pants come up high enough so they don't give you a muffin top, they cover the butt crack, and are so cute and comfortable. The legs are boot cut, but in a flattering, feminine way. They have the slight appearance of a skinny leg, but not so much that your hips look huge... at least I hope not. These can easily be tucked in boots or worn with flats. The good news... they are currently on sale for $17.99 at oldnavy.com.



Now if only I was that small to make them look that cute. Oh, but we're working on it!

2010 challenge

I definitely have goals for 2010. I hesitate to call them "new years resolutions" because I feel like to call them that would mean I'm setting myself up for failure like every other resolution set. So, my goals or my challenge rather for 2010 is 2 fold.... well, really it's like 10 fold, but 2 things that I'm determined to do (in no particular order)....

1. Get in shape

2. Complete my one year bible

Ok, so I know that myself and 15 billion other people have the same goal this year... get in shape. Losing weight is definitely a plus, but I want to be healthy. I want to eat healthier, feel healthier, and exercise more. This decision came on our way home from winter camp, after eating junk all week. I sat in McDonald's and consumed my oh so delicious McRib... I felt awful. So... as I voiced this to a couple of my friends who went as leaders, they were in agreement that we needed to do something. So myself and my partners in crime said goodbye to the McRib and began our challenge. Eating healthier (watching points) and exercising more has already made me feel better and helped the scale become my friend ... which I have to see every Sunday morning with the other challengers.

One new exciting thing we're starting at church is a workout class on Tuesday nights before our ladies bible study. I am heading this up, but before you go and laugh.... all I am doing is popping in an awesome DVD and working out with everyone. So we get a good workout and then get to hang out and hear Beth Moore's: Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed as it challenges us to be the woman that God has called us to be. It's so exciting to dig into God's word with other women who desire the same things as you. Which then leads me to my next 2010 challenge:

Read through the bible! I have tried the chronological route and get bogged down in the old testament so a new opportunity has presented itself. Daniel has challenged our students to read through the bible this year. He purchased for our students an awesome one year bible that is easy to read and offers a little old testament, new testament, psalms, and proverbs each day. Here it is if you're interested:

I am loving it. So while we are challenging our students, we are challenging ourselves as well. Reading through God's word will be life changing. A huge part of reading through the bible this year means that my relationship with Christ will be strengthened as well. To read His word challenges us to obey it. To obey it challenges us to live it. To live it challenges us to share it. To share it challenges us to know Him . To know Him you need no challenge... when you know Him you love Him. Needless to say... we're excited about this opportunity!

So 2010, this year will be different. Challenges will be met. Lives will be changed.

don't judge me

Is it bad that...


I just now exchanged my Christmas presents that needed different sizes.

I have yet to measure my suitcase for Israel.

I enjoy cooking, but don't as often as I should.

I prefer to eat cookie dough rather than a baked cookie.

I prefer a night at home with the hubs over a night out with friends.

I secretly like wearing skirts everyday to work.

I prefer coming home from work and laying on the couch rather than working out.

Some of my dearest friends are 10-15 years older than me.

I could eat McDonald's every day.

I avoid Wal-mart at all cost.

When I read about old testament oaths (putting a hand underneath a thigh)... I, like a 10 yr. old, want to giggle a little.

I could lay by my fireplace all day long.

I have an ab lounge and treadmill that I've used less than 5 times... combined.

T minus 9 days

In nine days, D and I will be getting on a plane headed toward Israel. We are going to the Holy Land! This amazing opportunity presented itself and we couldn't say no. I have spent today's nap time preparing for the 8 days of work that I'll miss. I know I still have plenty of time, but I'd rather not be stressed in preparing. I already have a bit of stress thinking about having to pack for a 10 day trip in a suitcase that I would normally stuff for a long weekend. :) I just like being prepared. Trust me... I have a much larger one, but we haven't measured it yet. D is pretty sure that it will be too big according to the airline's measurements. So.... lets' just pray that my huge suitcase will be the correct measurement to take some stress off of Candace.

The Sheila in me is also a bit concerned that we'll be an ocean away for 10 days as well as we have to fly over miles and miles of shark water! So.... my early preparations are to ease any and all unnecessary stress that I will feel as our trip approaches.

Regardless... I am thrilled about this trip. Several people that we have talked to who have ever been to Israel say that it is a life changing trip. A trip that every Christian should make in their lifetime. Now clearly not everyone can or will, so we realize this is a privilege and an honor to be able to walk where Jesus walked, healed, and preached. Some highlights of the trip that I'm looking forward to: being baptized in the Jordan River (which I hear is freezing!) and swimming in the Dead Sea. How humbling it will be to see the places where so many Christians were martyred for their faith, to see where Jesus performed miracles, where he challenged the disciples, where He was born, lived, died, and rose again. I can not wait to see how the Lord moves in our lives while we are there.... T minus 9 days.

really?!

We excitedly awaited last night for our 2-4 inches of snow. All week long we heard "it's coming!" The teachers I work with said our farewells yesterday with, "See ya Monday." Wishful thinking.

Much to our dismay, we awoke this morning to maybe a half inch of snow covering our yards. Don't worry though, some schools had already closed for the rest of the week anticipating the "big snowstorm." Crazy, I know. A lot of schools and daycares did close today due to the apparent blizzard we got... us however....oh yes, you guessed it...we're open. We go with city schools. Shelby county is out today, but we're not. Do I think this is fair? No. Did I throw a mini-tantrum this morning when I realized that I didn't get to crawl back under the covers? Yes.

One of my teachers summed it up perfectly. She walked in this morning and I said, "Good Morning." She looked at me and said, "If you say so."

This was a very disappointing morning for all of us that had to get up and come to school. However regardless of the stinky circumstances...

"This is the day that the Lord has made; I WILL rejoice (even if I don't want to) and be glad in it." Because... with less than half of my kids, we get a fun play day rather than a normal day of school.

P.S. We did go out and play in the snow for a little bit. They loved it. Then we came in and had hot chocolate and cookies. It's been a tough day. :)

And my sweet hubs just surprised me with a gingerbread latte. I think I'll keep him!

just for kacie

I have the best sister in the world. She is beyond awesome. She's very funny and always makes me laugh... and loves to have me around because I always laugh at her jokes.... even when they are not funny to other people.

Even though we are 4 years apart we are very close. I love that we have such a great relationship. I do wish she'd find another job so I could see her more often. When I get off work, she goes into work and so that doesn't leave much hang out time during the week.

I love that she is my complete opposite. I'm gray and she is very black and white. I can always count on her honesty and count on her to voice it!

I love that we now get to play sports together! Growing up, I was always in another age division... now we get to play with the old ladies forever. That is unless we have to take a break for babies or injuries... yea, I do not plan on going back to the ER any time soon so people, please be nice on the courts and fields.

I do love my sister.

I am so excited... for this year is an exciting one for her. She is getting married in 4 months! I am honored to be her matron of honor... which is a role I am not willing to share. She has done well planning it... it is going to be the most beautiful wedding ever! Many of her friends are getting married this year as well, but theirs will pale in comparison to hers!

She will also be nearing her college graduation... I never would have thought she would want to follow in my footsteps and get a degree in early childhood education, but she is. I am proud that she has stuck with it. It's so easy just to quit, but a degree she will earn soon.

I am also proud of the woman she has become. She loves the Lord and shows it in the way she lives her life. She is truly a godly example of Christ.

Wow- this post started out as more of a joke to make kacie happy that I blogged about her, but it has definitely taken on a more sappy tone.

To sum this up and end the sappiness.... I love my sister. She is awesome. I wouldn't trade her for anything. You can't have her.

back into the swing of things

Well, today brought me back into the real world. No more sleeping late, getting showered and dressed after lunch, no more staying up until midnight because I can (yes, Jeremy and Kacie, I do stay up late sometimes!)... Yes, today I had to get back into the swing of things. The alarm clock went off at 6:00 a.m. Don't worry though I didn't get up that early. I snooze it until 6:40 and then get up. Some may ask why in the world would you set your alarm 40 minutes earlier than you have to? Because I like the idea of knowing I still have a few more minutes to sleep. This also gives me the opportunity to slowly wake-up rather than having jump up and be perky instantly. Trust me, I need time.



Christmas break always goes by faster than I want it to; however the sooner we start back the sooner summer gets here. :) I must admit as I was getting ready this morning wondering how crazy our first day back would be, I was getting excited. I love my job. I love the teachers I work with. And most of the time I love my kids. I'm just kidding. I always love my kids. Some days I love them more than others though. Today happens to be one of those days when I have a stronger love for them. I really did miss them. I enjoyed listening to them tell me what they got for Christmas. I also expected today to be less than ideal as far as behavior goes. I have been pleasantly surprised that they have remembered and followed all of our rules. No phone calls to parents, no other teachers have had to bring me their children... yes, so far it's been a very smooth day. Of course, it is nap time. The day is not over. All in all, for a first day back to school after Christmas, it has been very pleasant.



Apparently I totally insulted one of my little boys this morning though. This week our bible story is about Jesus' childhood. I asked my kids if Jesus stayed a baby. They of course said no and I proceeded to explain that Jesus grew up like they are growing. I asked all of my little boys to stand up. One little boy was hesitant to stand up. I said, "Buddy, aren't you a little boy?" He said, "But Mrs. Jerkins, I'm not a little boy. I am 5!" Heaven forbid I call him "little."



On a sad note, one of my funny, little boys had his last day with us December 18th. His dad is in the military and they had to move to Virginia. He provided a lot of laughs and so if my stories aren't near as funny it's because he is no longer here to provide good material.



Regardless of the lack of funny stories I can guarantee you that my students will keep you entertained ... and most of the time it's at my expense. I was having my kids go to the restroom before lunch. I stood at my classroom door and watched them walk to the restrooms. I also happened to watch one of the other teachers walk out of the lunch room (which is across from my room) with a plate of food. So instead of saying, "Use the restroom and wash your hands quickly." I said, "eat quickly." One of my little girls who was reentering my room hugged me, and looked up and said, "Mrs Jerkins, you mean use the restroom quickly, not eat quickly. Silly Mrs. Jerkins. You must have left your brain at home." I will never go uncorrected thanks to the other 10 "teachers" in my class.



To sum this up... It's good to be back.