You're in Control...

I can't help but keep singing the song my brother and his one buddy who used to play for Sonic Flood wrote.  Today was just a weird day, and very emotional for me.  The school day was just blah...sometimes good and sometimes not so good.  Tonight was the last night my brother lead worship for youth group and I could barely make it through without crying.  It's not that I want him to stay, I do want him to go because this will be good for him.  I just have had a rough few weeks with saying goodbye to a few friends and now my brother.  The one who has been there through everything...is moving to Nashville, Tennessee.  I wouldn't be as upset if I didn't have to say goodbye tonight due to this "snow" that is coming since he leaves Saturday morning...anyway...

Here are my top 5 for the day:
1. Dinner with my brother.
2. Seeing the students engaged in worship.
3. 7 Red students playing Jeopardy and actually learning :)
4. Hearing my brother and the youth band perform his new song.
5. Mentor meetings with my favorite mentor :)

Your Love is All Over Me...

Day 3 since being back from Spring Break and I'm STILL in an overall good mood!  This is a new record for me!  I'm hoping this is the start of a better outlook on life!  I'm not letting the little things ruin my entire day and just feeling happier inside and out (even if my students say I don't look happy because they are being bad haha).   I'm just praying for no snow between tonight and Friday..I want to see my brother lead worship for the last time at youth group tomorrow night without being worried about the roadways!

My top 5 for the day:
1. Getting in and out of the grocery store in under a half hour (and I wasn't even rushing).
2. Breakfast with the Chamber Singers courtesy of one awesome parent :)
3. Phone call with a long lost friend :)
4. Singing worship songs while working around my apartment :)
5. My 7th Grade Blue group and 4th grade students with some funny sayings :)

You Make Beautiful Things Out Of Us

Some good things came out of today which was nice.  It was just nice to get to school early and have some time to grade, focus myself, and relax before students came in.  I am noticing I am doing better with being alone and spending a lot of time alone.  I do a lot of reflecting (sometimes that's not so good), but it helps me to let out my fears, hopes, struggles, and the like and give it all to God and just spend time in the silence.  I am enjoying sitting here after Zumba and my shower with no TV on and just the quiet ticking of the 2 clocks I have.

Here are my top 5 for the day:
1. Zumba and seeing my 2 favorite little ones trying to dance it out :)
2. Getting my contract for next year and being reassured that I have a job :)
3. Girl talk with my best :)
4. My 7th Grade Gold group...always making me laugh (even when I'm trying not to)
5. Having it be light outside on my way home from Zumba :)

Your Love is Amazing

Today being the first day back after Spring Break...I actually had fun!  The kids were so excited to tell me all about their vacations and I have to say...I was excited to hear about it.  It was a very fun and tiring day to say the least...and I heard about the apartment...kind of...I'll post more when I know the definite answers.

My top five for the day:
1. Hearing all about everyone's Spring Break vacations!
2. Lunch with a student and hearing all about her vacation.
3. Spending time catching up with a great friend.
4. Uploading (finally) some cruise pictures.
5. Being in a great mood 98 percent of the day :)

Cruise in Review Post

Here is a very brief overview of what happened each day on the cruise :-)

Monday (March 21st):
-Early flight to Fort Lauderdale which meant we were on the Cruise ship and walking around by 12:00 PM.
-We had a buffet for lunch and checked out our room (a fairly decent sized suite) where Grandma and Grandpa had requested it be decorated and with Champagne and fruit/chocolate covered strawberries.
-We had a mandatory evacuation drill where we just stood in lines waiting to get into our boats (if we were sinking)
-We stood on the top deck with Pina Cooladas as we departed and watched the very end of the Florida come and go.
-Dinner with our waiter Emre from Turkey and Assistant waiter George N.
-The first show was a Comedy Show and then we had a 70s disco fever in the Promenade.
-We got a chance to turn our clocks back and gain an hour of sleep :-)

Tuesday (March 22nd):

-A day at sea

-Breakfast in the dining room

-Spent a few hours at the pool (got really burned on my legs)

-Johnny Rockets for lunch.

-Dad and I played Bingo (we played it with electronic cards and had 30 Bingo cards going at once)

-Formal dinner night (had formal pictures taken and delicious meals)

-Show: Impressionist

Wednesday (March 23rd):
-A day in Labadee, Haiti
-Breakfast in The Windjammer (buffet)
-Relaxed on the beach, under the trees.
-Shopping in the little shops and getting some cute gifts.
-Live music from locals.
-Mom and I went for a walk on the way back to the ship and walked up to Dragon's Cove.
-Casual Italian dinner night.
-Played a game "Name that T.V. tune".
-Show: Comedian/Juggler and Dad was picked beforehand to perform
-Love and Marriage Game show (we watched)

Thursday (March 24th):
-A Day in Falmouth, Jamaica
-Walking out of the ship to a live band from locals.
-Walking through Falmouth to get to the bus (very cute shops that were like Williamsburg or Gettysburg)
-Took a half hour bus ride to Montego Bay to go on a Catamaran to go snorkeling
-The water was so clear we almost didn't need to go snorkeling to see everything.
-Sailed through the fish and bird sanctuary and saw a Sea Cucumber up close
-Pit stop on the bus on the way back at the Rainbow Gift shop.
-Got hit on by the security guy who needed to look through my bag before entering the ship.
-Milwaukee Lutheran HS Choir performance before dinner
-Caribbean themed dinner
-Show: Ballroom Fever (dancers and singers)

Friday (March 25th):
-Day at Sea (last day)
-Dining room for a lovely breakfast
-"Walk for Wishes" with Dad (bought a $10 tee and walked 5 laps with the captain and some of his crew for the Make-a-Wish foundation and we had a Make-A-Wish Kid lead us in the laps)
-Reading "Pursuit" on the deck of our suite and relaxing up by the pool
-Windjammer Buffet for lunch
-Casual dinner and last dinner with Emre and George serving us.
-Show: All Access (singers and dancers performing rock and roll and pop from the last few decades)
-Purchased formal pictures and a scrapbooking kit

Saturday (March 26th):
-In Fort Lauderdale
-See previous posts for this :-)

Pack, unpack, Pack, unpack

Packing and unpacking has become my life.  Today I had to unpack all the clothes from all the suitcases so I could find the clean clothes I needed to bring back to the apartment (granted it's cold so I can't wear any of the cute outfits I have) and then I had to pack it all up to come back to the apartment, and then I had to unpack it all again.  Go figure...haha.  I did find a nice surprise which is that the house I am currently a tenant in, is "Under Contract", so who knows who my new landlord will be and if I'll be allowed to stay here.  I still have done nothing for school for this week and still have a lot of grading that must be done today and tomorrow!  I'm excited to go back and see all the kids and hear about their trips, but at the same time, I'd love to just rewind and go back on the cruise and stay there.  I'll post another update later about the summary of my trip and a few pictures.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Seeing my brother lead worship for the last time at church.
2. Still feeling relaxed in my apartment.
3. Spending time with my family at lunch.
4. Feeling loved by the EC family about my apartment situation.
5. Getting a card in the mail from a family about how good the musical was :-)

Home again, home again

It's 11:00 PM and I am just settling into my bed.  The cruise was wonderful and I will give an overview of the highlights in a later post.  I was so sad to get off the boat today and realize I had to come back to reality.  This was the first vacation I felt like I could really just relax and not have to worry about anything.  I did miss having internet and all that, but it was nice to escape from the real world for just 5 days. Tonight, I will just list my top 5 from today.

1. Reading some great e-mails about big events over the past week.
2. Warm weather in Ft. Lauderdale.
3. Finishing "Pursuit" (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!)
4. Sleeping in a queen sized bed (due to being at my parents house of course)
5. Looking at pictures from the cruise (all 250 of them) and reminiscing.

Give us Hope, my voice is calling...

This is my last post for the week!  I am currently sitting in a hotel in Newark getting ready to go to bed (yes it's early but we have a SUPER early flight out tomorrow morning).  I am so proud of my 3 Region choir kids.  The concert was amazing today and they all looked great.  I am so looking forward to this trip and to be without contact with the real world for awhile.  I think I just need to get away from it all and hopefully my mind will stop for a week.  So, I will do a giant update of the week when I get back either Saturday night or Sunday morning...BON VOYAGE!

My top 5 things for the day:
1. All packed for the cruise.
2. No traffic to or from Secaucus High School.
3. Taking my time getting ready in the morning.
4. Seeing the smile of my Region choir students for finishing their performance.
5. Relaxing in the hotel with the family :)

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain...

So as I sit here at my parents house relaxing, I can't help but think about everything going on this week.  This past week was a very busy, high stress week and this next week will be a very relaxing week.  I had to pack and clean the apartment before I left for a week and am pretty much having to unpack and repack everything into another suitcase because I don't have a good one for the plane to Florida.  I was able to get my haircut and look pretty awesome for this cruise so needless to say...it has been a very successful day and am not thinking about what I need to do for school :)  This is a true Spring Break :)

My top 5 from today:
1. Coming home to find "Pursuit" (my book to read on the cruise) and my 31 bag waiting for me :)
2. Getting my hair done by my awesome hairdresser :)
3. Having a home cooked meal (first one in awhile that was not chicken of some sort) and wonderful dinner table conversations with my family :)
4. Sleeping in and feeling well rested :)

5. Laundry being done so I can finish packing all my clothes :)

And if our God is for us, then what can stand against...

This was such a great day!  Gorgeous weather (in the 70s today!) and a pretty good day at school means a very successful day.  Spring break officially started at 3:00 today and I got a chance to see my brother lead worship in the city!  I have not been able to do that yet and am so proud of him.  He has grown so much and when he moves in 2 weeks I'm really going to miss him.  Well, I need to get to sleep so I can get up early and pack for the cruise!

Here are my top 5 from the day:
1. 70 degree weather so I was able to have 3rd grade music outside.
2. Meeting new friends.
3. Having a light teaching schedule to get all my grading done.
4. Worship night in the city with the family, some youth group kids and Steve, and some church friends.
5. Seeing/hearing Dordt College's Band and Orchestra and remembering why I love music.

May the road rise to meet you...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  This has been a great day!  Great weather, great students, great youth group, great feeling on life today.  I finally feel the weight of the 4th grade musical off my shoulders!  Youth group was a great time seeing the new team come together and see my brother sitting in the booth with me running sound while I run lyrics.  It was a great night and seeing some youth group kids that I haven't seen in awhile.  Well, I need to sleep some since it's Friday tomorrow!

My top 5 things today:
1. Gorgeous weather so I can drive and teach with my windows open.
2. Dinner with my mom.
3. Youth group with my girls.
4. Talks with my "mom away from mom" and mentor :)
5. Seeing the new worship band form.

Every rose has it's thorn...

Yes, that song is going through my head right now...after I accidentally pricked myself with a thorn from the lovely roses the 4th graders got me after the show today.  I was very pleased with everything they did.  A lot of them thought Sunday's was better because it was more energy (I tend to agree with that one), but none the less today's was good too!  I also can't thank Jenna Beverly enough for taking pictures of the musical for me!  I'm very glad this musical is over...it means I'm one step closer to this cruise.  Here are my top 5 things for the day:

1. Finding 2 bathing suits that fit plus a cover-up and getting free earrings out of it because I'm that cool :)
2. Lovely co-workers and my two "moms away from mom" for good heart to heart talks.
3. Getting my nails done with a great friend :)
4. The 4th grade musical = done, lots of smiling faces, and some pictures with students :)
5. My mom and the staff at The Daine Shoppe in Morristown :)

Here are a few pictures from the musical:

Up and down and up and down again

I must say that working out (especially Zumba) really brightens my look on life (at least for a little while).  It's when I get into my car and just start thinking about life that I start, not getting depressed, but just...I don't know how to explain it.  There's just so much going on in my life and in my head that I can't put it into words.  I'm so excited for this cruise and am ready to get away from life (if even for a few days).  Here are my top 5 things from the day:

1. Help from a great friend and teacher when I needed it for musical set up.
2. Zumba with the co-workers and friends.
3. Talking with a fellow co-worker about when we were in middle and high school.
4. Knowing my bag from a great friend is sitting at my parents house!
5. Some good songs on Glee tonight!

When words fail, music speaks...

That's a quote I saw on the wall going towards the music room in Memorial Middle School in Fair Lawn.  I got the opportunity to see 3 of my students participate in a rehearsal for Junior High Region 1 Choir.  I cannot be more proud of them.  It's been a pretty off day...I felt fine until I went to make lunch then wasn't feeling good all day.  Then I tried to keep some pizza down and so far I've been feeling much better.  I'm looking forward to this crazy week of being busy every day after school.  Here are my top 5 things from the day:

1. Celebrating a student's 13th birthday three times today :-)
2. Spending time talking to other music teachers at Region Choir rehearsal today.
3. The choir singing a piece from beginning to end and actually sounding like a music piece.
4. The last episode of "The Bachelor".
5. Knowing in exactly 1 week from today I will be on a cruise to Jamaica :-)

Sick, Sick, Sick

Today was a sick day...literally...I have not been able to keep anything down except saltine crackers.  I'm trying waffles for dinner tonight.  Tonight was the big 4th grade musical and I love that the kids did so well!  We have one more performance at ECES on Wednesday morning.  I'm so ready for them to perform and finally be done with this musical.  I'm looking forward to this week since it's the last week before Spring Break and the kids will be so excited!  I'm excited as well (not that there's a cruise in the future or anything).  Anyway...starting to feel a little better, so here are my top 5 things from today:

1. Having wonderful co-workers who are there when you need them (to pick up pizza because you can't stand the smell of food at the moment or to keep the kids in line)
2. Getting some progress on the grading.
3. Seeing the smile of the 4th graders knowing they did a great job at the musical tonight.
4. Getting flowers from a student knowing you impacted their life.
5. Laying in bed all day (even if I was sick).

Only time will tell..

Today was way too busy.  Got up super early, 2 people looked at the house so I had to clean the apartment, I was out of the house nearly all day, and it's Daylight Savings.  At least I was able to find some really cute shorts and tops for the cruise (oh yea and some shoes of course).  I'm debating whether to do some more grading, lesson plan for the week, work on the 4th grade musical things, or just call it a night and get up early tomorrow.

Anyway...here are my top 5 things from this gorgeous day:

1. Being able to have the windows open with the sun shining in my living room.
2. Skyping with Rachel over in Paris and seeing her 2 boys and how big they have gotten.
3. Spending some time grading with a great friend and her husband.
4. Finding really nice clothes for the cruise with Mom.
5. Having a clean apartment.

You make beautiful things...

I love Fridays.  My Friday schedule is fairly easy (which makes looking forward to Friday easy).  Today on the other hand...let's just say tonight I am looking forward to just relaxing and hoping to not think about school.  It all started by not sleeping much last night and we lost power and I was just too tired to get out of bed to fix my clock.  Don't get me wrong, there were some really GREAT times today...in fact it was most of the time, not too bad.  It's just things that did go wrong...were major stresses on my life that just keep getting me frustrated.  Two days until the 4th grade musical at Cedar Hill...two days to get a good chunk of my grading done...two days to get everything together for the 4th grade musical...two days until the end of the weekend.  Spring Break is so close, yet so far.

My top 5 things today...
1. Seeing the smile of the 1st graders and 6th graders as they worked together learning about Australia.
2. Having gorgeous weather outside all day and being able to open the windows.
3. Finally being done with a very long and stressful week.
4. Having a relaxing Friday night.
5. Having 7th graders actually pay attention for 95% of class!

I'm running to Your arms...

Spring break is nearing, the musical is almost here, and my brother moving to Nashville for good just keeps getting closer.  With all the rain we've had today, I feel like I live in the rainforest and the kids are really starting to show how much they NEED to go outside for recess.  Sitting at youth group and watching my brother lead worship...I realized how much I will really miss him.  He has always been there when I need him and seeing him grow into a young Christian man has really made this sister proud.

Here's what has made my top 5 today:

1. Getting all but 1 green lights all the way home from youth group.
2. Having help from my brother and my mom with the 4th grade musical.
3. Getting home safely from youth group in the rain, flooding roads, and trucks flying by.
4. Helping a dear friend in her time of need (since she's always there for me).
5. Coming home to a letter from my best friend :-)

And all of creation sing with me now

This has been a whirlwind of a day.  With the musical coming up, it's just so stressful and it just seems like some of the kids just don't care.  I put a lot of energy into this and they just don't care.  It's just so frustrating whenever you put all your time into something and you just don't get the response back that you thought you would.  Just one more week and at this time I will be celebrating that the musical is over :)

1. Seeing the wonderful high school musical with a friend :-)
2. Having an alright choir rehearsal with good vocal production!
3. Getting in and out of the grocery store in under a half hour.
4. Having a movie night with myself.
5. Feeling loved by some middle school students :-)

Better is One Day

4th grade musical this weekend at Cedar Hill and next Wednesday at ECES...let the stress level of my life be at an all-time high.  But, I can't do anything about it.  I've done what I could with what I have and now it's up to the students.  Sometimes I just need to be reminded that God is in control of everything and I just need to let it all up to God (especially when there is more on my mind than one thing).  Overall, it was a very high emotion day with lots of ups and downs.

1. Brand new "Glee" episode with Gweneth Paltrow and John Stamos

2. Saying "Happy Birthday" about 5 times to the same person today.

3.Having co-workers to "vent" to and know they understand where you're coming from.

4. Zumba to get out all that stress and laughing with friends.

5. Discussing "The Bachelor" with co-workers :-)

Someday

Today was a day of "somedays" for me.  Someday I'll have a day where all my students actually don't give me a headache.  Someday I'll feel motivated to do all the work I need to.  Someday I won't be thinking about work and can enjoy my night.  Someday I won't come home to an empty apartment, but to a house full of life with the one love...whoever that may be.  Anyway...Only one more school week then I'll be on a cruise to Jamaica with my family for Spring Break :)

My top 5 highlights of the day:
1. Talking to an old college friend :)
2. Knowing my book is on it's way!
3. Thinking about where I'll be 2 weeks from today!
4. "The Bachelor" reunion show.
5. Sunshine on a busy day.

Healing Rain is Falling Down...

Ok, so it really is pouring outside but I am just consumed by the song "Healing Rain" by MWS and "You're Everything" by David Crowder Band.  Since it is raining...it is a great night to grade...although this will be a very long night of grading.  This has been a whirlwind of a weekend...but only 2 weeks until the cruise and a very busy week ahead of me!  This is the week before the 4th grade musical...aka...my stress level seems to be at an all-time high for a good solid 4-5 days until our first performance on Sunday at Cedar Hill CRC.  Here are my top five things today:

1. My brother leading worship at Mendham today.
2. Being able to sing with my brother at Mendham today.
3. Clean clothes.
4. Outlined for the week at school.
5. My mom taking some of my 4th grade musical stress away from me.

Spring is in the air!

Well, today was quite the interesting Saturday.  Didn't move from the bed for a couple hours and got a call/doorbell ring from my landlord to inform me that she already has people coming to look at the house as soon as I got out of the shower and had to leave the apartment in about 45 minutes...but I still found 5 positive things today!

1. Sleeping in and not waking up to an alarm.
2. Being able to drive with my windows open and no jacket.
3. Being greeted by the dog at the door :-)
4. Ordering a brand new book "Pursuit" by a pretty awesome new author :-)
5. Having some girl time with my best on the phone.

When it rains, it pours...

I feel as though goodbye's are some of the hardest things to do, especially when you have to say goodbye to two special people in your life in one week because of jobs moving them over 6 hours away.  And everything always happens in threes, so I find out that my landlord is selling the house and I may have to move. Even so, this has been the best day mentally for me in 4 days!  Here are my 5 highlights:

1. Spending some time to talk to three students about their lives (1 before school and 2 at lunch) and knowing I'm making an impact on them.
2. Receiving all music projects for 7th and 8th grade on time (first time ever since I've been teaching).
3. Happy hour for some girl time with great girls.
4. Running the last scene in the 4th grade musical.
5. Spending quality time with a new and yet very close friend before he leaves to move.

Happy Birthday Mom!

So since today is my mom's birthday, it couldn't be that bad of a day right?

1. Music fun day with half-day Kindergarten :-)
2. Dinner with Mom and my brother!
3. Quiet car rides to think.
4. Being able to try out a SMARTboard lesson and have students excited to use it.
5. Knowing there is one more day until the weekend!

Some days it's hard to list 5 positive things...

Today just had a lot of ups and downs both physically and mentally...here's to some 5 positives about today:

1. Going to hallway duty and a teacher keeps saying "Top o' the mornin' to ya" and more things to make me smile.
2. Hearing the choir finally "get their parts" (especially my boys sounding strong).
3. Watching 8th grade music videos of various artists from the past 5 decades.
4. Spending some time before school talking with a student and seeing her grow.
5. Having leftovers for dinner.

Sometimes it's the little things in life that are my positive things.

5 Things that made my day

1. Spending time putting things up at school with a great friend.
2. Zumba with co-workers and laughing
3. Watching 8th grade skits on different music artists of the last 5 decades.
4. Talking with old friends.
5. Reading for fun.