Prom

I still *distinctly* remember several details of my junior Prom. The weather was horrible! Think rain that flooded streets, power outages all over the city, wind so bad that an umbrella was useless....

But I loved my dress. I had fun with my date. It was a great memory.

Senior Prom- equally fun. One of those "lasts" of high school. To say that I was obsessed with my dress would probably be the understatement of the century.

Fast forward what feels like about 20 years. Not really, but it certainly FEELS like forever.

CHS Prom 2010. Prom from a TOTALLY different perspective.

Somehow, as a teacher, it's more "scary" than "glamorous."

I don't know that I will ever let Parker go to Prom.

Scratch that, she can go, but I'll still be chaperoning.

And the after party will be at my house.

Where they can have as much sweet tea or Dr. Pepper as they want.

Here are a few highlights....

Dawn, me, and Shannon... my sweet friends!

Beautiful Heather and I

Precious Jenna! I've known her since she was a tiny little girl!

Sweet Mark

Two of my former Zachary girls were there! I taught them as freshmen! And now they're graduating!! (Have I really been teaching long enough for that??!)

I don't know what I'd do without Abby at work!

Brandon brought Alyssa! I LOVE this pic of them!

Me with sweet Lys

Oh, Cooper! :)

Beautiful Dylan

My "little brother".... can't believe he's graduating

William..

All in all, it was a good night. I don't know that I've ever prayed quite so much for my students. But they are great kids, and I love my job because of them!

I am not.

I am pretty sure that the Lord often has to use extra doses of patience when He "deals" with my heart.

More to come on this subject, but for now, I will post a few lines from a song my friend Nathan wrote that pretty much sum up what He's teaching me...

Sweet forgiveness, Grace Unending

My heart broken; My voice singing

You are God, You are I AM, and I am not.

You hear my voice and you know my every thought

How sweet to hear the song I AM is singing in my heart again

You are God, You are I AM, and I am not.

Vote for Parker

One of my friends, Amanda Causey, is a great photographer who we have worked with before! She took some AWESOME family photos for us back when she was just starting out in her business, and we LOVE them! Amanda is one of my high school friends who does photography in addition to her other job because it's just something that she loves.

She's doing a "cutest kid" contest on her blog and facebook, and I'd LOVE it if you'd go vote for Parker. Because, let's face it, Parker is just too stinkin' cute.

You can go HERE or to her Facebook page to vote for Parker!!! She's #10!

And if you wanna post this plug on your own blog, I wouldn't mind that either! :) Ha.

You can vote once a day on both sites every day from NOW until next Wednesday (the 21st!)

Two things....

I don't do a whole lot of "promoting" other blogs on my site, probably because there are likely only about 7 people who READ my blog- HA! However, today there are two things I want to tell you about!!!

I don't know how many of you read the "Bring the Rain" blog (link here or click the button on my sidebar), but if you don't, you should. Angie's husband Todd is a part of the Christian group Selah, and her blog is an incredibly powerful, incredibly raw view of their family's journey through life, grief, joy, restoration, etc. Even if you don't read her WHOLE story (and trust me, it is worth reading every.single.post), you should absolutely check out this post she just wrote called "Tree of Mystery." COMPLETELY amazing/beautiful.

And second, my friend Lindsey (of the blog "Playin' With the Pencils") has an amazing website for her photography business mustard.seed.photography. Go read her blog, check out her photography business, then give her a call to have some pics made of you and your family.

Enjoy this beautiful day! :)

Easter Weekend...

How Deep the Father's Love....

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast inJesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom