Forgot to Tell You Friday

I went to Corks N Canvas with Tiff yesterday and painted a fleur de lis. It's now hanging up in our bedroom! We had SO MUCH FUN. I'd love to do this again, but instead of going to the place to do it, just getting together with some friends for a girls night and finding something online to try to "model" a painting after.... that, or I'm pretty sure there are a few artsy people out there that I'm friends with who could EASILY "lead" a "class" like they do at C-n-C. Definitely something I want to do again, though.

Work starts in a week and a half. While I am really excited about getting back in to my "routine" and meeting all of my new students, I'm also dreading waking up at 5:20 and also leaving Parker.

We're going swimming tonight with Tiff and Bryan. I can't wait! Other than vacation, Parker has not been in a "big pool" all summer!

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Ben Brown, particularly his wife Ragan. I don't know either one of them, but I have some friends who know Ragan pretty well. I'm just praying for God's peace that passes all understanding to pour into her life during this awful time.

Tell Me About It... a day late..

Ok, so I'm totally just copying it from my Facebook, but here's a new post!

1. I cannot go to Hobby Lobby without buying a bag of Old Fashioned Creme Drops candy. I used to eat them at my grandparents' house as a child, so it's a sentimental thing.

2. Target is one of my favorite places to buy clothes for myself and for Parker. I got a pair of shoes there this morning.

3. I have two tattoos- a pink fleur de lis on my left hip, and a dove with an olive branch on my left foot. I want one more... but I'm not sure where I want to put it yet.

4. I gave up drinking caffeine *AGAIN*. I hope it sticks this time.

5. I am completely obsessed with Sweet Tea. Seriously. I love it.

6. Trent and I saw the movie "In Good Company" on our first date, after a dinner at J. Alexander's.

7. My favorite restaurant (currently) is Islamorada (in the Bass Pro). I order the same thing every time- Islamorada Portofino.

8. I have never worked in food service or retail. Even in high school/college, my jobs were office-based.

9. I have taught English I, English III, and English IV-AP. English III is by far my favorite. It's totally not the subject, but the kids are a great age!

10. I actually started to like football after Central High's great season last year.

11. If I had to choose one sport as a "favorite" to watch, it would totally be Olympic diving. Ok... normal sport? Baseball.

12. Parker's middle name, Ann, was my Aunt Deborah's middle name. Unfortunately, she never got to meet Parker, but when Parker is old enough, she will definitely hear ALL about her namesake.

13. Trent wants my next vehicle (in the future) to be a mid-sized SUV. I am terrified of driving anything bigger than my Camry.

14. Parker just hit me in the head with an alligator puzzle piece. She wants to type. Ha!

15. My yorkie, Jackson, is named after former LSU baseball & football player Chris Jackson.

16. I have never owned "expensive sunglasses" because I would probably break or lose them within the first week.

17. I love to read, and even though I fought the Twilight series for about 2 years, I totally gave in and am slightly obsessed. Is there a Team Emmett? If so, I'm totally on it. If not, I guess I'll settle for Team Jacob.

18. The last movie I saw in the theater was The Proposal. I completely loved it.

19. I used to have a total celebrity crush on Matthew Mcconaughey. Recently, Ryan Reynolds has taken over his place in my heart. I mean, have you SEEN his abs???

20. I totally love the fact that Trent has a shaved head and tattoos.

21. I just got an iPhone earlier this month, and it's pretty much my favorite "gadget" ever.

22. If I were going to be on a reality t.v. show, I would COMPLETELY love to be on Big Brother. Unfortunately, my life is way too boring to ever be chosen.

23. If I were ever going to audition for American Idol (which I'm not- but thanks for asking!), I would sing "Feels Like Home" by Chantal Kreviazuk. It's on the "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" soundtrack.

24. I bought a sewing machine earlier this summer, and I love to sew. I wish I knew how to do more.

25. I really, really wish I had more artistic talent. I want to start painting.

Simple Saturday

Oh how Parker makes me laugh!! My new favorite... When she's upset, but not upset enough to cry, she says "I cryin'! I cryin'!" in this whiny little voice! So funny!

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am mostly thankful for two things:

• Great friends, especially other "mom" friends
• Naps

Wordless Wednesday

Tell Me About It...

So here's my first shot at "Tell Me About it Tuesday"....

School starts in 3 weeks. Yuck! But as much as I dread it, I'm also a little bit excited! I spent a good part of Monday working on getting things ready. My co-worker Abby helped me hang fabric for my bulletin boards, now I've just got to actually put something ON the fabric. I also want to paint part of my wall with chalkboard paint... there are currently two chalkboard panels, but they are that hideously nasty green color- you know, like baby poop green- so they need help! I also did a lot of paperwork- re-vamping my syllabus, working on new vocabulary stuff, and trying to find/re-do/organize handouts for the first few weeks of school. I really want to make some copies and beat the copier rush that I know will take place during our in-service days.

I am really enjoying this season of Big Brother, but I find myself believing sometimes that the houseguests really ARE in high school. Yikes. Ronnie, you have got to chill! And Laura... wow. Just wow. So far, Casey is my definite front-runner favorite, and I like Lydia a lot as well. Jordan is cute, but... I just don't know.

I watched The Bachelorette- The Men Tell All. OMG.. these guys are RIDICULOUS. I'm a little puzzled about why they needed two hours of that madness.

This week is a busy week. Monday was "school stuff day"... my parents had Parker for most of the morning/early afternoon. Tuesday (today!) is our lunch date with some of my ZHS coworkers!! I am so pumped! Wednesday is SAHM Bible Study (hooray!), Thursday is our Whitty Playdate! WOOHOO! Lots of fun things!

Music Monday- "No Not One"

This weekend, Trent bought me Christy Nockels' latest CD, Life Light Up. I listened to it for the first time this morning. Not only does it have some great songs we sing at The Ring, like "Hosanna" and "Marvelous Light", there's also this one... "No Not One"....

No better word than from Your lips
No perfect life than what You lived
No greater gift, no not one

No brighter star has ever shined
No better hope for all mankind
No higher mind, no not one

No one has ever known
This kind of love You've shown

There has never been a greater love
Than Your son
No, Not one
And there will never be a name above
No, Not one

With His life You have forgiven us
Hope has come
Hope has come
And there will never be a greater love
No, Not one

No image true or sweeter frame
No simple word can match Your name
No greater fame
No not one

No one has ever seen
The depth of Your majesty

No greater call - You gave us all a reason to live
No greater love - You gave us all a reason to give
No greater life - You gave us all a reason to shine
No greater love - forever mine!

I wish that I could say that these lyrics are always my focus and at the forefront of my mind. Sadly, life gets in the way sometimes and I tend to be more cynical. But, oh, how my heart desires to ALWAYS say "No, not one. There is not ONE thing more important than YOU in my life."

"Blog Schedule"

In an attempt to try to post (almost) every day, I'm giving myself some "Guidelines" to post by...

Music Mondays- posting lyrics to a favorite song/something that has been speaking to me

Tell Me About it Tuesdays- Whatever I feel like "telling you about"

Wordless Wednesdays- Just a picture... and maybe a caption

Thankful Thursdays- Things I have to be thankful for that week

Forgot to tell you Fridays- random tidbits of info

Simple Saturdays- a one-liner or single thought post

Say What? Sundays- again, whatever I feel like saying! : )

Starting.... NOW!

I'd Need a Savior

So I was listening to KLOVE this afternoon while we were driving home from Chik-Fil-A (I'd say that requires a double "shout out" to Jess! haha), and they played this song I'd never heard (or maybe never paid attention to) before. I really love what the lyrics said, so I wanted to post them!

I'd Need a Savior- by Among the Thirsty

How many names can I use to explain the love of my Jesus,
the life that he gave and so many times will I praise you today.
I lift up my life ‘cause you’re always the same
And my offering to you I bring

Chorus:
Your name is Jesus. Your name is Jesus.
You’re the Wonderful, Counselor, my Friend.
You’re what I hold on to; I know that you brought me through
All the days of loss, to the cross you knew
I’d need a Savior.

How many songs can I sing to proclaim your wondrous love and beauty so great?
What would I say if you brought down the rain and everyday
I walk through the pain my heart would still say…

Chorus:

You’re what I hold on to; I know that you brought me through
All the days of loss, to the cross you knew
I’d need a Savior.
I’d need a Savior
I need you, Savior

Big Brother

I'll admit it. I am obsessed with Big Brother. I watched it with my mom starting from Season 1, and it's one of my favorite summer guilty pleasures! I even got Trent to start watching it with me while we were dating. But I must say, this season already intrigues me the most!

High school can either be the BEST time of your life, or the WORST. So I think it's really interesting that they're basing this season around the high school clique idea. I almost feel sorry for the poor people in the house!

But I must say, it really wouldn't surprise me if the "Brains" and the "Off Beat" decide to band together and get rid of the "Popular" and the "Athletes"... and I think Jessie from last season better cool it with his "I'm so amazing, my arms are so huge, look at how gorgeous and strong I am" business or he's gonna find his (incredible fit, I'm sure) butt walking out the door early!!

Moms' Bible Study

So this summer, I have had the amazing privilege to meet weekly with some of the other moms from our church. We are about to start a new Bible study called "Shepherding a Child's Heart" and I'm super pumped about it. Yesterday, Meg, who leads the study, gave us these six points to remember... I know a lot of the people who read my blog are actually IN the Bible study, but for those moms who read this who weren't there, I want to share these things! Great wisdom to remember...

1. My children are a gift from God and should be considered a blessing!

-James 1:16-18; Psalm 127

2. I am called by God to raise my children!

-Ephesians 2:10

3. I have been given everything I need to do this... I just have to use it!

-2 Peter 1:3

4. My labor, no matter how seemingly tedious and fruitless, is not in vain!

-1 Corinthians 15:58; Proverbs 22:6

5. Even when I'm weary, His empowerment is available!

-2 Corinthians 9:8; Jude 24-25

6. I cannot do this apart from Him.

I'm trying to encourage myself in these things. Even though Parker isn't really at the age where I have to discipline her a WHOLE lot (I mean, yes, we do get timeouts for throwing dog food or climbing on Jackson's kennel in an attempt to get on the kitchen counter), I know that it is never to early to start preparing MY heart for the "tougher" parenting as she grows and develops her personality even more. I can't wait to see what God teaches me through this study and the women who are walking through it with me!

Do We Look Alike?

Parker at 23 months

Me at 25 months