bingo.

Today was, hands down, one of the best days I've had with my students!  It's funny, because I really expected this week to be challenging.  And, really, it has been until today.  (As in, I had to write referral #2 yesterday morning.)  In part it's due to the fact that my BTSA Support Provider came in to observe me.  I told my students she was observing them.  Worked like a charm, because they were awesome.  They participated, worked hard, were quiet and didn't disrupt me.  Oh, it was like a dream.  I rewarded my kids by playing 52 rounds of Preposition Bingo with them.  Or maybe it just felt like 52 or 522 to me.  I don't honestly know how Bingo can be so fun, but we rarely do "fun" things, so I guess it doesn't take much.  They are also pretty competitive, so I can really use that to my advantage, too.  In fact, they were begging me to do math review today because we made it a competition last week.  Seriously.  Maybe they didn't realize what they were asking...

I really do love my students.  As much as they wear me out, they crack me up even more.  It's really, really hard not to laugh sometimes...

as promised.

I have not forgotten.  I promised picture of my classroom and I finally took some this week.  Here you go:

The door with a little Christmas cheer.  The kids were so excited to make those snowflakes.  I have another huge stack to put up around the room.  I made them do them in all colors so they can stay up all winter.

These pictures give a pretty good look at how long my classroom is.  I'm pretty sure I do 100 laps around there each day.

Another picture.  You can see snowflake remnants on the ground, the random screen that appeared in the back of my classroom last Thursday morning...and that some of my students have yet to master the art of pushing in their chair *sigh

Everyone's favorite part of the classroom

A view from the other side

You're welcome.  Sorry it's not more exciting!  I still have a lot of wall space to cover...

weekend recap.

"Life just feels like I'm on the edge of everything changing."  I didn't know when I wrote those words how true they would become this past weekend. 

Friday evening was one of much fun and celebration!  I ran a few errands after work and then headed to my Bible Study's Christmas Party.  It was an Ugly Sweater Party, which I failed to find, even after braving Wal-Mart.  I did bring the pizza, though, so at least we had something to eat!  As we ate the said pizza, we watched The Muppet Christmas Carol.  That movie was definitely a favorite growing up and I hadn't seen it in such a long time.  We paused the movie and got ourselves set up to create gingerbread houses.  I actually don't remember the last time I had done this, so it was pretty fun.  We used graham crackers for simplicity's sake.  (The last time we made houses we baked gingerbread, which only led to frustration because it was weak and misshapen.)  Anyhow, we had quite the array of candies...and the fun began!  It became apparent very quickly who had skills at making gingerbread houses, and who did not...ok, some of us had moderate skills.  Or maybe that was the perfectionist coming out of me.  We spent quite awhile on them, long enough to finish the movie once and watch it again another whole time. 

Our Gingerbread Village

Noah's Waterfront Home, complete with raft

A Mobile Home

An outhouse with solar panels.  We're very green...ha.

Maggie was creative in the fact that she used lots of different candy...and she finished quickly so she could eat candy.

Courtney's was a masterpiece.  That's all I really have to say.

Tad and Alisa joined forces to create this pirate ship.  It not only won the "tallest" award, it has a stockpile on that back roof full of candy..."just in case"  

This is mine.  I decided after the fact that it looks like a barn.

Kevin's structural masterpiece.  The chimney was practically in working condition. I think that was the fun part  for him, because he wanted nothing to do with decorating with candy. 

Here's my Bible Study group for the last year and few months...such wonderful friends! (Minus a few of our newest members that either didn't make it or had already left.)

That was Friday.  Saturday consisted of staying in pajamas all day.  I haven't done that since summer, I think, so it was really quite grand.  I did quite a bit of work or stuff around the house, but I still didn't have to get dressed to go somewhere, and that's what counts.

Sunday, oh, Sunday.  That was the day that things began to change, at least for me.  It started pretty normal.  Woke up earlier than I wanted to in order to get to First Service Sunday School at church.  Those 4 and 5 year old really make me smile.  I see such joy in them that it makes me smile.  I particularly loved this week as we continued to tell the Christmas Story of Jesus' birth to them.  The man telling the story is very animated and engages them in it.  It was one of those strange moments where I looked around and saw pure, childlike faith. So sweet and so refreshing to see and hear the miracle of the Christmas story through them. 

After Sunday School I headed to the main service.  From the moment I walked inside, it was obvious something had happened.  Someone told me it's a good service, but "there's a lot going on."  Hmm.  My mom walked in to sit with me shortly after, then a friend came over to tell us what was happening.  I'm not going to go into details, partially because I don't have them, but mostly because it doesn't really matter.   In a nutshell, our lead pastor gave his letter of resignation on Friday.  He's been at the church for 18 months after more than a year of a pastoral search.  To say that Satan is attacking the Church would be an understatement.  That probably means we are doing something right, but at the same time it's hard.  The high school pastor stepped in to preach and did an excellent job handling the difficult circumstances.  Our God is Sovereign and will not fail us.  That's the promise we are clinging to as the Body and as a church family.

Sunday night we gathered again at church for a time of prayer and praise.  It was a hard time in some ways, but so good to be able to turn the pain into praise.   Only God knows what is next for us.  After that, I went Christmas Caroling with some friends.  It was slightly spur of the moment, so I was totally unprepared for the cold weather.  Thankfully I had gloves in my purse with me.  I had fun, though...I think we all did...and the houses we stopped at were loving it too.

Overall, it was a strange but great weekend.  I think I did more social activities this weekend than all of the past few months combined.  Ok, so maybe not, but it does feel that way a bit.  I guess I need to get out more...

december 17.

One year ago today.
That was the day that Papa was rushed to the hospital having a heart attack.  That day changed our lives, really.  I'm thankful for this blog, to be able to go back and reread the events that happened.  Not so much to remember the pain, but to be able look back and see God's goodness in the midst of it all.  How merciful God was to each of us!

This year I'm thankful for each person that surrounds my life.  My family and friends.  I feel like I say it quite a bit, actually, but it's true.  The people around you are the one's shaping you, influencing you, and loving you.  I'm thankful for each one, for the role that they play individually and collectively.  So, thank you.

Thank you for your love and support, each day of the year.  Thank you for your prayers as we approach this Christmas, for my family as we get together and remember the events of one year ago.  Pray especially for Gramma, as she continues to settle into her new reality of living on her own.  Thank you, Lord, for being sufficient through it all...

something unknown.

Do you ever get the feeling of excitement for something unknown?
I know it sounds crazy, really, but I have this anxious/excited feeling that comes over me occasionally, but I don't really know what it's about.  Maybe I just excited for Christmas, because I do love the holiday.  Maybe I'm excited for Break and a day where I can stay in my PJs all day if I want to.  Maybe I'm excited for Wicked, which is 3 weeks from tomorrow. 

Maybe it's a combination of all of those things, or really none of them all.  Life just feels like I'm on the edge of everything changing.  (Like changing for everyone else, not really me...)  This probably wasn't post-worthy because I can't properly express my feelings.  However, this blog is for me primarily, so you're just going to have to live with it.

One thing I know for sure, I'm still in process...

december cheer.

Two posts in less than a week? I'm surprising even myself.  Although, I don't really know who all reads this, since nobody ever comments....ahem...

I love December and the spirit of giving that it brings out in people.  Forget all the controversy about consumerism and materialism, which has its validity.  I just love that this is a time of year when people think about people other than themselves.  It's something I strive to do each day.  To be a generous and cheerful giver.  To give genuinely from the heart.  But it doesn't come naturally to most people.  So I love to see it.  It's not even about the gifts, but about the spirit behind it.  In that sense, it really is the "most wonderful time of the year."  I pray that, not out of obligation, but a true spirit of generosity,you will cheerfully give this Christmas.  Whether it be to your family, friends, church, strangers, missions project, those in need, or anyone in between, realize how greatly you have been blessed!  It doesn't have to be a lot, because it's not really about the gift, but about the willing heart that gives it. 

On that note, please send all Christmas gifts to...

little pieces of life.

Here are some little pieces of my life lately...A collection of random bits, quick stories, and miscellaneous information.

Tonight I broke the Cardinal Rule of Commuting: I didn't use the restroom before leaving school.  By the time I drove 35 minutes, made a quick stop, and 10 more minutes home, I really wished I had.  Of course, I did try to go, but the bathroom was already locked, which, of course, didn't help me a bit.

In just about a month from now, I get to see Wicked again.  So excited!

My students say and do some really funny things sometimes.  It's hard to not laugh sometimes.  Like today, when one of the kids pretty much just ate it.  I would have felt bad if hadn't been messing around, but he somehow managed to tip his chair back and then fell into another chair.  I just had to laugh.  They're just goofy, nerdy 5th graders.  And as crazy as they drive me sometimes, I can't help but love them.

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it before, but I'm teaching Pre-K Sunday School every week at church.  I love being around those kids.  They have such enthusiasm for life and the littlest things.  It also cracks me up to watch them during music, when half of them are just standing there watching the adults jumping around singing and thinking, I can only assume by the looks on their faces, that we are all insane.  They say the most hilarious things, have meltdowns over a torn sticker, and are the picture of childlike faith. 

It's December! Which is so crazy, but also happens to be one of my favorite months.  I love the whole Christmas season, everything about it.  I love shopping for Christmas presents, looking for something that I hope the person will love.  I love when the weather changes (like it has this week!) and I can wear my growing collection of scarves. 

I'm a bit torn about the idea that school goes until December 23 this year.  On one hand, it completely ruins our family tradition of celebrating with one side of the family, which we do on the 23rd every year.  However, the weeks of school will fly by, which means Christmas will be here before we know it.  And, also on the plus side, I get a whole week off in January, which will be pure vacation.  I guess it's not really so bad...

Ok, that's all I have time for tonight.  It's almost my bed time.