An Exciting Day!

Today was an exciting day at our church for a couple reasons.

#1 We both wore shorts to church (just kidding... Well, we did both wear shorts, but that's not why it was an exciting day).

#2 We celebrated the ceremonial ground breaking for the church building! That's actually why we wore shorts. Instead of meeting at the school where we usually have Sunday worship, we met on the property that has just been cleared this week. Imagine an outside service in Florida during the summer. That's why we all dressed comfortably and cool. ;) We did have a big tent that kept us pretty shaded though. It's an amazing blessing to be a part of the church in the midst of so much growth. It was planted about 11 years ago, and in the last 3 we've been here it's just amazing to see how God has/is working and moving. And even better to know the vision is to use the building to SERVE others, not just have a pretty place, and secondly to know the church isn't really a building. ;)

#3 We ordained deacons, including Matt! Four deacons were ordained, and it's really neat to see God provide a place for Matt to serve in this capacity, as his heart is so oriented to serve.

I took my camera, but I didn't get any pictures because we were on the greeting/question answering team and I didn't want to walk around with my camera. I'll post some from our pastor's blog as soon as he puts some up!

We hope you had a good weekend. :)

Moving Forward

This past Sunday, our church voted on some decisions that allow us to move forward with building plans. The church owns the property outright, thanks to the Lord's generosity through the Body. And now the building plans have been approved and we're looking forward to hearing a ground-breaking date! It's an exciting time!

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love, this righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save:
'Til on the cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid;
here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day
up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine,
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
‘Til he returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand!

On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.

Happy Easter!

The last few days in pictures...

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Holding out for a Hero...

Our first night of The Incredible Week was, well.... incredible! Thank you for your prayers, and keep 'em coming! :)

Here are some pictures of last night's activities. I'm hoping to get pictures of Sticky Vicky, Sir Smash-a-lot, and Dr. Slime tonight.

Gathering everyone after dinner for our large group time to get everything started.

Making capes in the Secret Identity Lab (arts & crafts)

Our Secret Identity Lab leader, sporting her own superhero gear.

Superhero 101 (lessons)

Mission Incredible (games)

Our first night of The Incredible Week was, well.... incredible! Thank you for your prayers, and keep 'em coming! :) Registration went smoothly, all our leaders showed up (which is always a good thing :) ), the skits were GREAT! They're so fun. Every time Vicky Sticky comes on stage, everyone yells "Let's get sticky!" and when Smash comes on they all yell, "It's smashing time!" Then they "boo" Dr. Slime. :) And when they first come into the theatre for large group, we have a montage of superhero action clips playing with "Holding out for a Hero" playing (blaring) over the sound system.

Here are some pictures of last night's activities. I'm hoping to get pictures of Vicky Sticky, Sir Smash-a-lot, and Dr. Slime tonight. Before I sign off for now, check out the video below of the yellow team coming up with their cheer for the week.

We Need a Hero!!

The Incredible Week is here!!!

Our church's VBS (Kids Camp) begins TONIGHT! Our theme is "The Incredible Week" and focuses on superheroes... in particular the "greatest superhero of all," Jesus Christ. Each night we'll be talking about a different aspect of Christ's character. Please pray for the week to run smoothly (I am co-directing it... eeek!), but especially for the hearts of the children AND the leaders to be soft and teachable. We pray for fertile ground in which to plant eternal seeds!

Blessings,
Becca
p.s. I'll try to take some pictures throughout the week. :) Our superhero actors (Vicky Sticky and Sir Smash-a-lot) have really fun costumes!

It's Here!!

Our Kids Camp postcards arrived today!! We can start passing them out on Sunday! Here they are--I scanned in the real thing! :) Woo hoo! Check it out. :)

Blog by Photo

[picture coming soon after info is edited out of it]
Celebrating receiving the title to Matt's car!!!!!

Silver candlesticks we found at Goodwill. A little bit of tarnish remover did them some incredible good! I've wanted silver candlesticks since we registered for our wedding, but didn't find any I liked then. Now I'd just like one more to complete a mix-and-match set of 3... and some platters to decorate the wall like Kim did! :) Any hints, Kim (or anyone else) on knowing if a random platter/plate/candlestick/etc. is really silver plated, and not some other material?

The Build-a-Bear one of my students made for me at the end of school. She picked a dog for Sammy (and named is Samantha), a black and white embroidered skirt because it reminded her of the skirts I often wear to school, really cute sandals b/c I usually wear sandals down here in FL. And of course, teacher stuff. :) It also has a sound chip that barks! :) I love it, and it means SO much, because this particular students LOVES Build-a-Bear. I will *always* think of her when I see it. :)

One of the bulletin boards I made for summer institute... it was a pizza glyph. :)

Beading

This week was our church's May women's fellowship event. We met at a store called Bead All About It for some food, fun, and fellowship. The way the store works is you buy $10 worth of beads, and then they provide you with the wire and crimps (for multi-strand or to clamp it off when you're done) you need and the expertise of the owners. I have to say, it was overwhelming to see all of the beads when I walked in. Whoa. I thought I'd never be able to choose something. There were just SOOOO many possibilities! I hadn't really thought about what I wanted to make ahead of time, so my brain was swimming! I saw some cute orange and white beads, and I thought about making a UT bracelet or necklace. But, I decided I wanted something I would wear more frequently--for my first project, at least. ;) I spent a long time looking around and starting several ideas in my head. I finally settled on some neutral stones with a kind of pendant arrangement.

When I first heard about it, I thought it would probably be really easy to hit the $10 mark... and go way over. But honestly, I had trouble hitting $10! My final total, once I purchased the clasp too, was $14. Not bad! The paint-it-yourself pottery place next door (which we did last year as a women's event) came out to about $30. I was so excited to find this place has sooooo many options--you could never run out of project ideas--and it was sooooo affordable! Don't be surprised if you receive handmade jewelry from us as gifts now! :) I already have a design in mind for Charis! :)

Without further ado, here is my necklace....

Praise the Lord!

Our church has spent the last month involved in a capital stewardship program preparing to make commitments toward constructing our own building (we meet in a school auditorium right now--the church bought two parcels of land (next to each other) a little over a year ago, and the elders voted to use some abundant year-end giving in December to pay off the land, so we going into the building campaign with no debt!). As part of the leadership team (because we were leading the children's activities), along with some other families in the church who were asked to consider making an advanced commitment, the goal was to have $500,000 pledged in advanced commitments from that group comprising about 1/4 of the families in our church. Our church is predominantly college and graduate students, so that's a lofty goal. The next "celebration point" was $750,000 when the whole congregation made pledges, and the third point was $900,000 with the body at CCC making sacrificial commitments. The consultant hired to guide us through the process told us in no uncertain termss, "our math and past experience tell us this can't be done--you won't raise this. But I do not want to limit God, so we'll see what He prompts among you." The building will be $1 million to $1.5 million when all is said and done.

Well, this past Thursday was the date to turn in advanced commitments (some families were specifically asked to make a commitment in advance, anyone was welcome to do so), and today was the day for the whole congregation to turn in their commitment pledges. Our pastor announced the total for the advanced commitments--coming from just 1/4 of the families--was... you won't believe it! The total from that 1/4 of the families was..... $1 million!!!!!!!!! I think everyone was FLOORED! We are SO thankful and SO excited! It is amazing to be in the midst of God's movement and will! And we PRAISE Him for His faithfulness!

Also, I got to spend the afternoon with Jamie yesterday, which was SUCH a blessing--I'll write more later. Among other things, I got to ask her about VBS (she was the director last year), and her answers to my questions gave me peace to say yes to directing VBS this year. Please continue praying as we seek to acquire our curriculum--that the Lord would raise volunteers and already be readying the hearts of the children AND adults who will be involved!

We hope your weekend was as obviously God-filled and covered as our was. :)

Blessings,
Becca

Long time..

So I know I'm overdue for an update. Unfortunately, this week has been a little crazy!

• We had a WONDERFUL visit with my parents, my uncle, and my cousin over the weekend. The only problem was its length... WAY too short!
• Monday was a tad of a sad afternoon coming home to a very empty house after it was FULL of people we love so much! Not exactly the right "mood" for blogging... more like the right mood for tears (my dear, sweet husband is such a patient man!)
• Yesterday I came home and then pretty much fell asleep on the (new) couch until Matt called to say he was coming home! Yikes! He even made dinner, because I was so tired and sleepy.
• Today was an early release day, but I also stayed late in order to exchange the teacher workday Friday for a day off... that meant working from 12:30-5:30 in my classroom..... looooots of grading going on in my room, especially some fun writing prompts and science projects.
  
• Tomorrow I stay late again, but not quite as late. And then Friday is OFF!! Tomorrow my class is also presenting their Black History Month powerpoints! And we have a free day for resource, so I'm hoping to get in some cursive and science, and maybe a quiz or two before the week is over and the long weekend is here!
• Friday is my day off--woo hooooooo!
• Saturday is Sammy's graduation.... we need to brush up on a few things. ;)
• Jamie is coming to visit on Saturday!!!
• Sunday is the all church event for the stewardship program
• I need to make a decision about directing VBS this summer.... I'm hoping Jamie will have some good insight since she did it last year. And I need total peace one way or the other... I keep going back and forth just when I think I have peace!
• One week until spring break!
• Two months of school left (EEEEK!) :)
• That's all for now

Lots of love!
Becca

Busy busy busy!

It's one of those times again that just doesn't seem to slow down!

After running errands all afternoon yesterday, today didn't really lighten up any either! After lunch yesterday, we worked in the yard, trimming some things and pulling some things up. Then we planted some bulbs in our pots and along the side of the garage. After that we went to Sammy's class. I am VERY proud to say our trainer said Sammy did the best at "stay" out of all the dogs!!! I was so excited!! :) hehe

Then we dropped Sammy off and went to dinner at McAlister's. After that we went to the mall in a futile search for new black dress shoes for both of us. Matt's are old and uncomfortable, and one of my soles cracked this week. The mall produced no contenders. Then it was off to Walmart. We got a second trash can for our yard trash (it is picked up separately from house trash here), some herb seeds I wanted, and some curtains to try in the den. THEN it was over to Rackroom Shoes where Matt found new black shoes he's giving rave reviews so far (and on sale 50% off), and I found some I REALLY like, but not the right size. Their website says the store in Turkey Creek has my size, so I'm hoping to go there while I'm in Knoxville this weekend. :) Lastly, we went to Target to look for shoes. We ended up finding another curtain panel that was a possibility for the den.

When we got home, Matt wanted to take down the vertical blinds and install the new curtain rod I got for Christmas, so he did. We hung the two panels to compare. One is definitely a no. The other is a possibility still, though quite similar to the drapes in our bedroom and we are considering a different color scheme for the den (the kitchen is actually more neutral than I thought, so one we liked but didn't buy to try is now back in the running). After that, he put the front doors on the armoire I assembled when he was out of town.

This morning was church, and we ended up doing bulletins and offering due to a misunderstanding. Then we had lunch, and I went to the grocery store to get ingredients for appetizers for tonight's all-church Valentine's party. I made the Applecake Tea Room fruit medley courtesy of Joy passing along the recipe (Matt was very excited) and some little ham and cheese biscuit things I found on allrecipes.com One girl at the party raved about the biscuit things without even knowing I made them! That was a huge blessing. I made two tins of them, and one tin was completely empty by the end of the party, the other tin was in the second food room not as many people perused, and it didn't have much left either. :)

Lastly, it was home to feed Sam and write lesson plans (just what I wanted to do at 9:45, let me tell you). I made a list of all the "to do" things stressing me out (file for the homestead exemption for our property taxes, file our FSA receipts for reimbursement, etc.), asked Matt to cuddle, and then wrote up my plans. Praise the Lord for a 4 day week!

One last thing, I was asked to consider if I'd be willing to direct or co-direct VBS this summer for our church. We are supposed to pray about it and they're going to call on Tuesday to see how we are feeling led. Please pray that we will have a lot of peace and desire or no peace and no desire. Being a pleaser, I want to make them happy. Knowing it's a smaller church and we've jumped right in, and I know our names will come up for stuff frequently. But this summer I'll have probably writing and math committee work, planning for extra magnet stuff (novel studies to go with the curriculum, etc.), I think a week of magnet summer experience, the possibility of moving my classroom..... ahhh! A little overwhelming. :)

Gotta run and get some sleep now... stay tuned for pictures of the curtains we are deciding between!

Love,
B

Christmas Break!

I am on Christmas break--yea!! It's my first official day "off." I have not spent it how I anticipated, but more on that in a second. :)

I really want to start out by thanking all of you who left such sweet comments on my post about J & M moving. It was SUCH a blessing to know I have such faithful friends and prayer warriors in my life. And it was such a reminder to me that I AM surrounded by friends, even though we might have some geographical distance separating us. Through you, the Lord blessed and encouraged me in SO many ways. Thank you, thank you. Thank you for your support, coming alongside me in my hurt, and also for those of you who shared similar struggles. It sounds awful on one hand, but it it's such a relief to know there are others in such similar places--further confirmation that I am NOT alone! I also have the added blessing of being able to pray for the places YOU are waiting and wondering--which is a great privilege and way to keep from focusing too much on my own places of waiting. :)

Secondly, today's changed schedule. :) Our assistant pastor's wife is due this week with their first baby girl!! They have twin boys (about 6 years old) and a 2 year old boy. But the baby girl is on her way! They were going to be induced last Monday, but the hospital didn't have any beds (no room at the "inn"!) available. Yesterday at church, Frank told me they MIGHT be able to get induced that night. They were to call the hospital at 10 and then go in at midnight if they hospital had room for them. They needed someone to stay overnight with the boys if they got a "yes" and wondered if I could/wanted to. Of course I wanted to! And as it turns out, the hospital DID have a bed for her when they called at 10. So, off we went to drop my car off at Rob's (where the boys would be for the 2nd half of today) and take me to Frank's. I got to spend the last 12 or so hours doing something I haven't done in over a YEAR, something I used to do at least weekly... babysit! The boys were great and VERY excited about the baby coming. They are THRILLED it's a little sister. :) I talked to Suzanne this morning, and she was having some contractions but overall just waiting around. Hopefully we'll hear an announcement before too long! After breakfast, playing outside, reading a story, snack, getting dressed, etc., etc. (not in that order), I drove the boys in Frank and Suzanne's van over to Rob's. It was fun to get to be around little ones again and "play" mommy, especially to such SWEET little boys. Matt was really excited that I got to help out, but kidded that maybe he SHOULDN'T let me go... joking that it might kick the maternal instincts into high(er) gear and get him in trouble that we don't have any kids yet. :)

I had to kind of chuckle at myself at one point. Going through so much child development training (it was my major, after all) and having such wonderful families for whom I babysat back home, not to mention teaching experience, I was pretty confident. The littlest one woke up in the night, as I'd been warned he's been doing lately. He was very sweet and didn't panic that I was there, but my presence also alerted him to his mom's absence. He ended up waking about about once an hour, immediately remembered each time that his mom wasn't home, and started crying. I tried all my usual tricks, patting and rubbing his back, rocking, whatever I could think of. He would look like he was drifting off, but he was just laying with his eyes closed. I could quiet him down from crying, but I could NOT get him to fall deeply asleep. What a great reminder for me that I NEED God, and will need Him all the more when we have children. It's not that I think I have it all figured out, but it was sweet to run to the Lord and have Him provide--not through Aaron falling asleep better, but through the energy to get up each time he awoke.

Matt's home to eat a bite of lunch before heading back to work, so I should go. Enjoy your day and walk with the Lord! :)

Love,
Becca

Emptiness

Tonight our small group had a combined Christmas gathering / going away dinner for one of our couples. Actually, only the wife was able to join us, as her husband is diligently plying himself to his new job's responsibilities in order to be able to take the time to move this weekend. My feelings were very mixed as the get together (dinner out together) approached. You see, M&J (the couple) were, well, are an answer to prayer for me. For almost a year, Matt and I made our life here in Gainesville and prayed for friends. He quickly formed friendships with his coworkers and enjoys spending time with them at work and hanging out. I found myself in a work situation that just hasn't led to (m)any friends. That is, until, J. She teaches (taught, as of this coming Friday) the grade level above me at my school and invited us to the aforementioned small group. Is is HER asking, through the Lord's leading, that led us to our church and small group. Her demeanor at school is very outgoing and wonderfully assertive, which greatly intimidated me at first. I remember Matt asking me soon after we met J&M if I thought she could be the answer to our "friend" prayers for me, especially since we have teaching in common. I distinctly recall telling him I thought we might be friends, but her assertiveness seemed a little too intimidating for me, we wouldn't be good friends. Little did I know what God would teach me as He orchestrated time for us to get to know each other better. As the layers were peeled back from J's heart in her sharing her time and God's story in and through her, I thought, "This is it--a friend, a good friend, at last." We started hanging out with J&M more outside of church stuff this summer. Matt gets along really well with M, and they even went fishing together in the Gulf. I saw that J and I were a lot more alike that I first thought, and that there was a great deal of tenderness to her.

That is why I cried as soon as we got to the car after church about 6 weeks ago. J told us after the service that they were moving to Atlanta. I wondered, based on comments she had made, if some of M's recent travels had to do with interviewing. I held onto the hope that the interviews where to move up within his office here in Gville. But, that was not in God's plan. As soon as we got to the car, I lost it. I'm fighting tears just thinking about the roller coaster of emotions and my heart's cry to God the past 6 weeks. At first I thought, "I was wrong! J was not the answer to our prayers for a friend!!" But I have seen in the last 6 weeks, that indeed, she was and IS. It has been painful. More painful than if we hadn't become friends and I'd gone the past 14 months with no friend. In a small town with so many college students, it is difficult to find other couple our age who are "staying." People remark with shock and delight, "Oh! You're not in school?!? You mean you're... staying?!?!?" when they find out. As a person who quite admittedly dislikes change and clings to routine, it can make my stomach hurt to think about how many people will come and go from our lives and hearts by living here.

Soon after moving to Gville, our pastor mentioned in a sermon that he was told after moving here not to let anyone in. "People just leave in this town, don't let them too close." He commented on how BACKWORDS that is to how Jesus calls us to live and love. We are to love freely and fully, to enter into the community He provides, and to wish well those whom God moves on to other places. Yes, it means brokenness. Yes, it means heartache. But we are not called to seal ourselves off from that possibility. I heard what he said, I so appreciated what he said, but I never thought I'd be called to live it out so soon. Here I am, letting go of a relationship already. Here I am, not letting go of "a" relationship, but honestly, of the one person here I truly call a friend, other than my husband.

My heart's cry has included many things the last 6 weeks. Lots of confusion, lots of questions, lots of cries for peace and trust. In the midst of my aching and wondering, there are 2 things He has shown me through this answer to prayer.

Number 1: I am determined that I will not let my heart become hardened and hesitant to love and let others in by the "losses" the nature of this town is already bringing to pass. It is, after all, where God placed us in His wisdom. It is, without a doubt, where He led and has provided for us abundantly in so many ways. In being determined not to stave off more hurt, God has taken my eyes off of me and my aching heart, away from "why don't people try to get to know me--I'm still new!" to "who is newer than I am?" and "who looks like they could use someone to come alongside?" It doesn't matter how new I am, it doesn't matter how few friends I have, I can still be one. I don't have to already have any friends in my corner (other than Jesus, and Matt rocks too ;) ) in order to be a friend. God has renewed the eyes of our hearts to seek out those with whom we can enter in, instead of waiting to be sought after. Instead of Satan dealing a crushing blow by making me feel like the loosely forming threads of a friendship rug are already being pulled out from under me, I am more determined than ever not to yield to the "comfort" of avoiding hurt. Loving hurts. Sharing life hurts, especially when things change. But, loving and living require sacrifice. That sacrifice will not keep me from living and loving, even if every friend I ever make here ends up moving.

Number 2: The sermon was for me this morning. I don't know who else it was for, but it was for me without a doubt. Rob word-for-word said, "Whatever or whomever you're waiting for, you are not alone. God is with you." Wow, did my heart need that reminder. Whatever or whomever I am waiting for, I am not alone. God is with me. Emmanuel, God with us. As my one friend leaves and I feel like I'm left with empty hands and a grieving heart, I am NOT alone. In SO many ways I am not alone. I have the most amazing, loving, holds me while my tears overflow, patient, encouraging, supportive husband; I am not alone. I do have friends, even though they don't live here; I am not alone. I have two incredible families who love me and pray for me; I am not alone. But most of all, the God of the universe is with ME. He is WITH me. I am NOT alone. I do not have to fend for myself in this wait, and I do not have to hold it in and act like it's all fine. The God who knew my every thought and everything that will pierce my heart before I was born is with me. Rob talked about being in a waiting room at the hospital or a doctor's office, waiting for something. He talked about waiting alone in that room, and then seeing the door open and finding the face of someone you know. Someone who loves you to wait with you. I am not at the ER, but the pursuit of a friend has been much longer than I expected, and just when I thought it was over, I'm back in the waiting room. But, I am not alone.

I have always loved the end of Little Women, where the professor tells Jo, "I have nothing to offer you, my hands are empty." She gently and lovingly takes his hand and answers, "Not empty now." As I've held up my heart and my hands the last 6 weeks feeling like they are so empty, today God spoke through Rob and reminded me, "Not empty now." We will keep waiting, together.

Time is FLYING!

I can't believe it's almost October! In fact, I can't believe a number of time-related things...
-it's almost October
-it's fall (sure doesn't feel like it)
-it's almost our anniversary (the real one, not a monthly one!!) :)
-E gets married a month from Thursday!
-my mom is coming to visit in TWO WEEKS
-my birthday is a month and a week (or so) away
-then it's just matter of time until Thanksgiving (and our first trip to K-town in 4 months)
-then it's just about 2.5 weeks until Christmas break

Woo hoo!!

We have had a good weekend. I'm fighting off some kind of bug, which is pretty stinky and energy-sapping. But I'll just keep trucking along. Yesterday we had a friend and her dog over to visit with us and play with Sammy. Sammy growled at first, which was ridiculous since her dog is at least 5 times as big as Sam. Silly puppy. But she got overself and they had fun playing together and running all over the yard. Later last night, Matt and I went to go look for a new printer. Ours has had paper feeding issues for awhile, but they've been much worse lately. Seeing as how G-ville isn't exactly known for its shopping, it's been a little frustrating. But we think we found one that fits the bill. Hopefully I'll pick it up on my way home from work tomorrow.

This morning was an installation service for the new assistant pastor at our church, followed by a lunch for the whole congregation. Then we came home and I honestly don't remember what we did. I worked on lesson plans a little. I took a nap. Matt did all sorts of stuff to the backyard. I helped prune some trees. We had a pretty yummy dinner for one of my tried and true "quick and easy" recipes--great for days like today when I don't feel so hot. Then Matt showered, I finished plans, ironed, he did the dishes. And now we're settling in for the night. I need to shower, we hope to do a Bible study lesson, and then it's off to bed!

So there's a little update on us. :) We hope you had a joy-filled weekend. :)

Quick Tidbit

**EDIT** Here are 2 pictures of the plate I made at Do Art. :)

I was trying to make an all-occasion celebration plate (to celebrate promotions, raises, FCAT being over, etc.) :)

(with the birthday plate we have--I was trying to use similar colors)

• Last day of work for the week--woo hoo!
• I should be able to pick up my plate from the Do Art place today (the one I made with the women's ministry at church last week). If it's ready, I'll be sure to upload a picture (if it's not hideous)
• I am having a more delayed than usual migraine aura--fun. My vision is so far off, it's not even funny. But, there are less than 2 hours left of school. And I plan to go home ASAP after school. :)
• I got my science leveled readers delivered to my room today!!
• I got to see a co-worker's ultrasound. So sweet!
• I have a really funny story about voting in Florida (hehe) to write up later. Well, funny in a "not-so-funny" kind of way.
• I am taking pictures of the kids for a symmetry project this afternoon. It turned out really well last year.
• I am on top of homework grading!!!
• I need to catch up on reading classwork grading.
• I need to write next week's lesson plans.
• We are being introduced as new members at church on Sunday--we're joining CCC.

And last but MOST CERTAINLY not least............

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!!!!!!

I hope you have a wonderful birthday! It is KILLING me not to be there; worse than not being with you for my own birthday. But, I think God has us being introduced as new members this weekend so I can't be tempted to drive all night to get there and then drive back all day Sunday. I miss you and I love you, and I hope you have a fantastic weekend of
birthday celebrating.

Apologies

Sorry I haven't updated yet this week! Time is FLYING by, now that school is back in session. Wow, where DOES all the time go??

We are doing fine. My camera batteries need to be re-charged, and then I can post some updated pictures of Sammy, more curtains, etc. I'll try to get them charged this evening.

Tomorrow is Open House at school, and Matt's going to "Manland." The men's ministry at church is having an event for the guys to hang out. Last night was this month's women's ministry activity. We met at one of those studios where you can paint unfinished pottery (or you can tile a mosaic). I painted a "special day" plate, so we have an alternative to our "happy birthday" plate for other non-birthday special occasions. I'll be sure to post a picture when I get it back (7-10 days, they have to fire the pieces in a kiln before we can bring them home). It was just 2 minutes down the road from me, too! Definitely a place to go back to. :)

I need to run to the grocery store and see what Sam is up to. I hear some chewing....

Check back soon!

It's the prince!!

My husband, the prince :)

Tired...

We are TIRED! This week is our church's first ever vacation Bible school, and we are wiped out! Matt's also been in the midst of completing a project at work (something MY HUSBAND designed was implanted in a patient's body for the first time EVER today!!!!), and I've been reworking some stuff for math tests for school. We've been busy! I've also cut all the cardstock for moving announcements, and I've addressed up through the Gs. I just need to finish addressing, stamp them, write our new info (including getting a new FL cell phone number), and mail them! Whew! We are definitely planning to take it easy this weekend.

I'm sorry this is a short update, but I'll have more soon. :) Unfortunately, it seems our hydrangea and lily were planted rather late in the season and didn't get to "put down roots" enough to withstand the FL extremes--tropical storm Alberto one week, and rainless 90s the next. They have all but withered away. I'm trying not to cry. We'll try again next spring. :-(

We hope you are having a good week!

Love,
Becca