Goodbyes

I hate goodbyes. Today I had to say Goodbye to 11 precious faces. 11 faces that called my name a million times, sneezed on me, coughed on me, had me tie there shoes 1000 times a day, and at times made me crazy.... well some of them. :) Regardless of the craziness of the school year, I will miss them. This is the bittersweetness of teaching.

I have 180 days with these kiddos. Though I may feel like I'm losing my mind at times, I love them. I love them despite their flaws. And I will miss them... but on to kindergarten they must go. So Cole, Olivia, Grace, Miranda, Morgan, Kade, Trey, Camryn, Samuel, Kelsey, and Timothy.... I love you guys so much!

With that said.... Hello Summer.

5 years

5 years ago at this moment I was eating french toast at my parents house and watching home movies with my sister.... knowing within a few hours not only would my name change, but the rest of my life.


Words can not adequately express how much Daniel Jerkins means to me. Outside of Christ, he is the most precious thing to me. We may have been married only 5 years, but we've been together over 10. I seriously love this guy more every day.

Thank you Daniel Jerkins for these 10+ years. I hope we have 100 more together!

Worship

Here's the message on worship that d spoke on at Refuel.

Worship

What is worship?
-to ascribe worth
-anything you do that shows you value God supremely
-should be a way of life- Its the giving of yourself

Why should we worship?
-He alone is worthy
-we are created to worship
-When we worship, we fulfill our purpose.

How should we worship?
Do's:
-focus on God not self- offering all that we are for the glory of God
-focus on what Jesus has done for us- sacrificial love
-b/c we can't help it- If we have no desire to worship then we don't know Jesus
-worship is backed by actions- our life should show it

Don'ts:
-don't just go through the motions- We're not doing anyone any favors. If worship is boring then you're not worshiping the one true God.
-don't worship casually- He is worthy of all our praise
-don't focus on self- If you worship only in the good times then your worship is selfish. He is worthy to be worshiped in the good times and the bad.


*We need to focus on our total desperation for God. Worship is not about our benefit, but about His glory and delight.

Try It Tuesday

Double Stuf Oreo Blast




This is delicious. Although I will say D has ruined this for me. He is convinced thats its a genius marketing scheme on Sonic's part. His thoughts are is that they charge .20 cents more for a normal oreo blast with the double stuff cookie just sprinkled on top. I don't really care. It is delicious and I would eat one every day.


Some of you might be wondering how I rewarded myself for reaching my weight loss goal... well with new clothes and this sweet treat!



Here's the secret though.... order your double stuf blast. After they've brought it out examine it. Chances are there are hardly any oreos throughout the blast. Then push the button, explain your case, and then they'll bring out a kids cup of more crushed oreos. So you get double the oreos at no extra charge.

Anniversary Getaway

So...this Thursday the hubs and I will celebrate 5 years of being married. We would normally celebrate Memorial Day weekend but we're leaving to go to the lake with the fam for a week so we thought this past weekend would be a great time to get away.

Back in the day at Bellevue, the time to get married was the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. It was perfect for friends and family that were traveling. Seriously, since 2002 we've had friends/acquaintances get married that day. It just so happened that Julie and Jeff were the ones in 2003, us in 2006, and then Kacie and Jeremy last year. So we decided to make it a group anniversary trip. We headed to Muscle Shoals, Alabama to a golf resort. The boys played golf and we laid by the pool. It was a wonderfully relaxing couple of days. Too bad it couldn't have lasted longer!

D and I headed out Thursday night....

Our hotel



The Clubhouse at the RTJ golf course


Friday, I rode the first round with him...


and took pictures.





Then I decided to let him play and I went back to the hotel and did this...



Finally Friday night these guys plus their men showed up.




So Saturday, us girls did more of this....




While the boys did this...




Then we met them here on the balcony for lunch.




There was also a lot of eating, laughing, napping, and sunburning involved. So thankful for family that I not only love more than anything else, but seriosuly enjoy being around! And this guy isn't so bad either!

Busy Life

"Even a cursory glance at Jesus’ life reveals a busy life. All the gospel writers notice Jesus’ busyness, although Mark in particular highlights it. At one point Jesus’ family tries to stage an intervention because he is so busy. “Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, ‘He is out of his mind!’” (Mark 3:20-21). Given the sacredness in the ancient world of eating together, Jesus’ life seems out of balance. But he loves people and has the power to help, so he has one interruption after another. If Jesus lived today, his cell phone would be ringing constantly.

The quest for a contemplative life can actually be self-absorbed, focused on my quiet and me. If we love people and have the power to help, then we are going to be busy. Learning to pray doesn’t offer us a less busy life; it offers us a less busy heart. In the midst of outer busyness we can develop an inner quiet. Because we are less hectic on the inside, we have a greater capacity to love….and thus to be busy, which in turn drives us even more into a life of prayer. By spending time with our Father in prayer, we integrate our lives with his, with what he is doing in us. Our lives become more coherent. They feel calmer, more ordered, even in the midst of confusion and pressure."

--Paul Miller in The Praying Life

Thoughts?

Victory!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 Months, 20 weeks, 150-ish days.... 20 lbs. GONE!

Starting weight: 163

Weight today: 143

I came across this picture the other day and just about threw up. This was taken in January about the time I started ww. We were playing Just Dance.




This was taken last month so I wasn't quite to my goal but close.



WW will be something I continue for the rest of my life, but for now I am going to reward myself with a Double Stuff Oreo blast from Sonic!

Try It Tuesday

I have a weird obsession with buying laundry detergent... or anything else like that (shampoo, conditioner, body wash.) I'm weird.... I know... but I seriously get excited when I know its on my list of things to get at the store. I normally don't buy the same kind. I like trying different ones.... unless I find one I really like and then I'll use it for a while. A few weeks ago, I was in need of laundry detergent. (Just a side note: I have been looking for the perfect combination of detergent/fabric softener since we got married. I like when you can smell your freshly clean clothes throughout the day. I will be honest and say I have actually stopped people and asked them what kind of detergent they use.) So to wal-mart I went and I discovered....

Gain: Apple Mango Tango

I will be honest and say its not my absolute favorite detergent, but it still smells very good. I would def. buy it again. Am I the only weird one like this? Are you guys anal about your laundry? If so, have you found a great detergent/fabric softener combo that makes your clothes smell fresh all day? I'm talking so fresh that people comment.

Weekend Fun

Friday was crazy so I didn't get to post my ww update. So here goes:

Last week: 145.2

This week: 144.4

Our weekend was consumed with sports... shocking. Friday night we had people over to watch the Grizzlies win game 6. Too bad they couldn't do the same with game 7. The 2 towels on the mantle became 2 towels and a shirt. Classy, huh?

Sunday afternoon these crazy girls went to lunch with us and then came over to watch the game. Poor D with a house full of women watching a crucial game. He did however manage to rub off some the the grizzlies fever. We had to leave before the game was over to set up for Refuel so we took a portable TV. This is what I saw.

Tiff getting so into she's waving the growl towel.


All consumed.


And my favorite is Tori holding the antenna. Yes very redneck. Welcome to Fayette County.

Backing up to Saturday night... we took our youth to the Redbirds game. Attempting a good picture with Randy's crazy driving.

It was a great night for baseball. Though we were in jeans and jackets... at least we were not sweating which is normally what we do at baseball games. My favorite part were the fireworks. We always go on firework nights so even if you don't like baseball.... you still have an enjoyable time. I love Kendall and Karlie's faces in the background.

Tori is a prime example of how you can come to the Redbird's game and have so much more fun doing other things than simply just watching the game. Don't worry, we made fun of her for it.

Baseball to me is boring... the food and fireworks are much more up my alley!

Back to Sunday.... we did our normal Sunday morning thing.... then the sweetest part of the day was when a precious youth girl come forward to give her life to Jesus. What a great reminder of why we do what we do. All the fun events, hours spent with crazy, moody, hormonal teenagers, all the counsel and conversations, the countless messages prepared.... all so worth it. Stephanie is a sweet reminder.

Sunday night we began a Sunday night youth worship service that we will continue quarterly called Refuel. So rather than going into the main service... we did our own. This isn't a great picture, but it was the best I could do without being totally distracting.

We had an awesome worship band and then d spoke. It was an amazing night. The focus was WORSHIP. Obviously it was a worship service, but d wanted our students to really understand what worship was. So he spoke on worship as well. I'll share the message another day b/c it was so good it's worth a post of its own! Refuel was such a refreshing way to start our week with our focus on WORSHIP.

Random Thursday

I came home to this the other day. 5 years of marriage and it takes the grizzlies in the playoffs to get him to decorate...

I've enjoyed the grizzlies in the playoffs because its given us a good excuse to have some parties. Here are just a few of our crashers...

awesome students

and the sister....she isn't so bad either

One little girl at school always has the cutest headbands. I'm talking... if I were a thief I might steal them from her...that cute. It so happened that the one she was wearing one day matched my outfit. She let me try it on and I didn't want to give it back!

This was the best picture I could get. I tried with the phone not in my face, but every other way blocked the headband.

So I'm on the hunt now for some really cute headbands. Preferably ones that don't make me look 5... which is what my lovely sister told me.

Ummm... yes please

Just when I thought this couldn't get any better....

...they created this.

Yes, the fat girl in me can't wait to try it!

Try It Tuesday

It's no secret that I have a small.... ok thats a lie....an enormous passion for delicious coffee creamer. Not powder creamer... that's disgusting. I'm talking refrigerated, liquid goodness. Well, I have found another that has yet to disappoint....

Thank you International Delight!

Whirlwind of a Weekend

Ok... seriously... why is it that the work week creeps by and then on the weekends we blink and its Monday morning?!

My whirlwind of a weekend.... no seriously it was...began on Friday. Well, kind of.... let me explain... I was summoned for jury duty and had to report on Friday to select my week. So I wasn't at school but downtown. Me and the 3000 other people waited and waited. Don't worry, I came prepared.

Thankfully I found out that I had a friend that had to be there the same day and time so we stuck it out together. My cousin was actually there too... small world. However with over 3000 people, there's bound to be someone you know there.

I was honestly hoping to get a week next fall, but the available weeks didn't go that far so I'm stuck with it this summer. Boo. After writing down all the possible dates and figuring out which ones I'd be here for.... the strategizing began. You were only suppose to line up if you could serve that week. So we sat through the first week. Then we decided to move closer to where the line began. Then we realized the line was so long and the dates we wanted were only 2 weeks away that we'd just risk it. Thinking by the time we got to the front of the line they'd be giving out the paper for our week. Well.... at first it was working, but then the week before the week we wanted apparently had a ton more open spaces so we started to let people skip us. (Yes, technically we were not following directions b/c if we didn't want that date we were suppose to sit down, but now the line was even longer that we wouldn't have gotten the week we wanted.) So after smoothly allowing several to jump in front of us... which seemed courteous.... we realized that we were now drawing attention to the fact that we were waiting for a different week. I guess we weren't as smooth as we hoped b/c someone finally came and said if you don't want this week then get out of line. So we just got that week.... which was fine but it wasn't our first choice. The funniest part was that all the while my cousin was standing with us, but then she disappeared when we got in trouble!!! She somehow manged to jump in line further back to the get the better week. She said after we left, I assume b/c of us.... they made everyone (remember we're talking thousands) sit down and gave them a speech about following directions. Ha. Leave it to the teachers to not follow directions and get everyone in trouble. Come to find out we were 5 people away from the week we wanted!

So after that fiasco I had the rest of the afternoon to chill. I ran errands and then did some much needed laying out. Soon D was home and we were out the door to one of our students' baseball games. They were down 6 most of the game. Then in the last inning they came back to tie it making them go into extra innings and wouldn't you know it.... we had to leave! D had a basketball game so we couldn't stay any longer. How sad is that?! The game got good and we had to leave! We did hear that the game went into 11 innings and they won by one. Crazy.

Thankfully the gym D plays basketball at also has lots of workout equipment so I got my workout on during his first half while he played. And since this has become a favorite....

....we couldn't let a perfectly good Friday night go without some.


Saturday morning I went to go watch some of my students' soccer games. I had talked previously to the parents about going to the soccer game and then to McDonald's afterwards. Then be done in time to go watch another soccer game. We actually had some other students' and their parents meet us there. It was a fun morning of spending time with parents and students outside of the classroom. As excited as I am for summer, I will miss these precious families!

Our afternoon was spent here...

A friend gave us these awesome tickets and a parking pass. I could get used to watching basketball like this! Free tickets, parking pass, and food... not to mention a great 4th quarter and overtime.... a.w.e.s.o.m.e.

I actually looked over to D at some point during the first half and said I'm sure glad we didn't pay to be here b/c the game was so bad, but then they woke up and pulled it out.

However, I did realize after drinking a pepsi for the first time in years that there is no comparison between it and Coke. Pepsi is a sad want a be.

B/c the grizzlies won, there was a coupon for Ghengis Grill so me, D, and our friend Pete went there with every other Grizzly fan apparently. I can't even remember what combination of stuff I got, but it was delicious! Much better than the first time I went there. As we're sitting there eating we watched this happen....

It physically hurts me to look at. My whole body goes numb and I want to vomit. Thankfully I was eating while watching it.... great combo.


Sunday morning was a great morning of cinnamon rolls galore for Food Sunday, a great message on prayer from D to our students, and then a great afternoon/night with family. How sad is it that I didn't get one picture of either of our moms on Mother's Day. That by no means that we love you guys any less. We are so thankful for your influences in our lives. We love you both!!!!

While playing a game, I noticed something funny. Just the way we have our chips describes me and the hubs perfectly.

Mine

His.

Can you tell which one of us is OCD?

Weight Watchers Update 16

I know its Thursday, but I have jury duty tomorrow and wasn't sure when and if I'd get a chance to post. So... here's my update a day early.

Last week: 146.8
This week: 145.2

This week's weight loss: 1.6 lbs.
Total weight loss: 18.2 lbs.

2 pounds away from my weight loss goal!!!!

Happy Birthday, Maggie Ann!

This has been an exciting few weeks for you little girl. You lost your first tooth, accepted Jesus as your Savior, and today you're turning 6! Here are a few pictures to take us down memory lane...

The first time we met... you were precious even though you looked like and old, chinese man.

You and your buddy Taylor.


You loved to swing.


One of these days you'll give this thing up.


Not sure what to think about the cold in Colorado.


I don't know who was having more fun... me or you!


Cruisin' the boardwalk in San Antonio with you and Grammy.


Playing with your favorites.


You're my lap buddy.


You love having your hair in piggies.


Your first soccer season.


And now you're a big whopping 6 year old!


Mags, we love you so much! Happy 6th Birthday!