Snow Day already?

So we have a snow day tomorrow already.  Trees down and power out all over causes problems for everyone.  I've been very lucky and grateful to God for allowing my power to stay on the whole time.  I ended up breaking my ice scraper/brush also so I had some really wet knit gloves hah.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Getting the phone call about no school tomorrow
2. Making homemade beef casserole
3. Planning for tomorrow's girls night
4. Sunshine shining on the leaves and snow
5. Having power and feeling very grateful

Snow in October?

So it's been quite the interesting day.  I should be in the city, but instead I am sitting on my couch in my Jets jersey as part of my costume.  The snow has been coming down since about 11:30 and has not stopped or let up.  The lights and TV have gone off and on numerous times today.  I am just praying for the power to stay on until I go to bed tonight.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Dressing up even though I couldn't go out
2. Staying in bed until after noon
3. Watching the snow fall
4. "Someday someone will walk into your life and make you realize why it never worked out with anyone else..."
5. Still having power

Christmas time?

All day I felt like it was Christmas time.  Between the cold weather this morning with ice and frost on the grass and the slides at school, it certainly felt like it.  I am enjoying relaxing tonight and am looking forward to going out with a friend tomorrow into the city :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Snack Friday with a different schedule
2. Curling up on the couch
3. Pictures and cards from students from music fun day
4. Sectionals with 5th grade students
5. Making plans for the weekend...even with the snow coming

You are my rescue

Not a lot to comment on because I'm exhausted, but youth group was another week of really challenging questions for not just the girls but me also.  What is your purpose in this world?  Is calling and purpose the same thing?  Can your purpose or calling change?  It was an excellent discussion with only two of my girls tonight.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Great conversation and discussion in small groups
2. Dinner with mom
3. Little traffic on the way home and hitting every green light
4. Hugs from youth group kids
5. Being caught up on most grading and having amazing colleagues

Your grace is enough I'm covered in Your love

Thinking back on the day I enjoyed sitting in devotions and listening about God's grace and plan for our life and even the devotion for the 5/6 choir a student spoke on was about the same thing.  God always has a plan for our life and I know I will continue to forget this just like always, but he will always be there.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Great conversation at class today
2. Getting ready to go into "clean-up" mode for the 5/6 choir
3. Finishing a musical song for 4th grade
4. Excitement from 2nd graders about making faces out of musical notes for "Mr. Pumpkin"
5. Sunshine and chilly weather...fall has finally arrived!

Forever God is faithful

It's amazing to see how fast a day goes when you're super busy.  It was a great day with chapel since Pastor Rob Parker (a father of two of our students) came and spoke to us.  He spoke about the offense and defense of the heart and used football analogies which worked perfectly.  We had the worship team in sports jerseys and I even had a chance to talk to Rob a bit about being a new CMA church.  On the downside...I ALMOST made it 2 months without kids asking me why I'm not married and today the 2nd graders broke it haha!  All I know is they know how to make me laugh!

Top 5 for the day:
1. 7th grade students working hard on their projects
2. One class of 8th grade projects done and graded!
3. A chapel talk that I was able to take something away from
4. Leading worship and seeing the students worship in their own way
5. Students running to give me a hug after school just because they saw me :)

Rushing and finding time to take a breath

Today felt like a roller coaster.  I did a lot of "catching up" this morning since I had an unexpected meeting I needed to have.  On the bright side, I had a great time in the afternoon because kids crack me up.  All I can say is, I love being a teacher...even with all the headaches that come along with it.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Cards from two 2nd graders saying "thank you" for being their teacher
2. Music fun day with a 1st grade class
3. Seeing some of my "tougher" 1st graders grasp the music concept and focus the whole time
4. The cup game with third graders
5. Fun sectional rehearsals

Reunions of all sorts!

I'm currently watching "The Real Housewives of NJ Reunion" and thinking about this amazing weekend.  Yesterday was a great day from helping my grandmother and mom cleaning out the basement to seeing some great performances by high school marching bands.  Today was even better since I got my paycheck from Jesse for band camp and seeing college friends at a friend's baby shower :)

Top 5 from Saturday:
1. Spending time with my mom and grandmother
2. Going to a marching band competition as a spectator for the first time in a few years
3. Hackettstown High School placing first in their division and best music :)
4. Helping to clean out my grandmother's basement and organizing things
5. Looking at old pictures of my great grandmother and my grandfather

Hackettstown warming up on the field

Top 5 from today:
1. Gorgeous sun and weather on the way out to PA
2. Colorful leaves on the trees
3. Celebrating the soon-to-be life of a newborn baby
4. Seeing college friends and catching up
5. Fun baby shower games

The soon-to-be parents

My twin with little Caeden :)

I just want you to know who I am

So last night I passed out on the couch early.  I'm super excited for today because I get to go see Hackettstown's marching band perform for the first time since I last saw them at band camp.  Here are my top 5 from last night:

Top 5 from Friday
1. Having a pretty productive inservice day
2. FAC with the girls
3. Reading for fun on a Friday night
4. Laughter with colleagues
5. Getting the Six Flags trip up and going!

God in my waking, there in my dreaming...

Sitting here in bed thinking about the day I got a lot done, but one thing sticks out above the rest.  Steve has been talking about leadership and what it means to be a leader and how different personality styles lead.  This week we talked about passion and what is passion.  I believe I am a very passionate person, but have never thought of what the negative things could be because I am extremely passionate.  I am very competitive (but have done better with losing) and quick to get angry or frustrated (which I am trying to control).  Because I am so passionate I am passionate in a lot of things I do.  How can I take everything I have been discussing with my small group girls and apply it to my life?  It's fairly easy to think, but to act and actually do it in my daily life, that is a little difficult.

 The 3 qualities of a leader that we discussed are courage, integrity, and passion.  All three qualities you can have separate, but if they are separate they do not lead to a great leader.  I need to start living more how I talk and becoming a better leader in my life.  God is revealing a lot into my life the past few days and I'm interested to see what he has planned for the rest of my life.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Extra prep time to get chapel planned and grading done
2. Dinner with my mom
3. Catching up with some youth group girls
4. Having a great and impactive talk at youth group
5. Getting home earlier and knowing I get to sleep in a little

Walking down to the church with my small group girls

Rainy, Windy Wednesday

It's just one of those days I thought was going to be great and I just mentally shut down.  I'm super tired, but know if I go to bed this early I'll NEVER sleep at all.  A plus was I had some good prep time and a great class after school with good discussion.

Top 5 for the day:
1. 5th grade girls asking if I'm ok :)
2. Some pretty funny 8th grade projects
3. Hearing a great sound out of the 4th grade chorus
4. Being able to teach sectionals for 3 periods instead of 2
5. Enjoying class after school

Wrong way to worship?

Watching this video today really got me thinking.  How do I worship?  Do I only worship on Sundays?  Do I raise my hands but am really thinking of something different?  How often do I really do this?  It just gets me thinking of how I need to make some changes in my life.  How do YOU worship?  Are you like the songs in this video?  Do YOU need to make some changes?

After a long day it was nice to spend some time outside with a great friend just catching up.  I know we have more to talk about, but it was just nice to catch up a little bit while enjoying the exercise.

Top 5 for the day:

1. Enjoying God's creation on a gorgeous fall day

2. Catching up with a friend on a walk

3. Having girlfriends to talk to and always go to...no matter the age or time

4. Wonderful colleagues to let me borrow a projector while mine is MIA

5. Quiet car ride to think and pray

If You touched my face would I know You, looked into my eyes could I behold You?

Lots of things have been running through my mind today.  It's been a long day since I woke up and am looking forward to going between "The Sing Off" and MNF with the Jets/Dolphins game.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Beautiful sunshine and cool breeze
2. Having 4 successful elementary classes in a row and seeing smiles due to filling up 2 of the sticker charts
3. Great sectionals with excellent focus
4. Curling up on the couch with my blanket
5. Notes on my board just because they want to :)

Another week, another day

The weather has been so gorgeous and this morning I woke up with the intention of going for a walk/run but instead I relaxed and went to the grocery store.  I was very grateful for the coupons I got from friends and from previous trips to the store.  I'm looking forward to this week because it's a super short week for teaching because of field trips and an in-service.  I'm getting excited for this weekend because there are some big plans :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Spending all day playing with my updated iPhone :)
2. Having the windows open all day and feeling relaxed
3. Watching movies all afternoon
4. A house full of food
5. Planning for a short week

Apples, festivals, and friends

I could not have asked for a better day.  I spent the day apple picking with a co-worker of mine and her family.  We also went to a fair and spent some time enjoying each other's company.  It was cool and a bit windy, but we spent all day outside and even walked to dinner and lunch.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Enjoying a nice cool fall day outside with friends
2. Apple picking and having some to bring home
3. Enjoying a festival put on by a local high school
4. Walking to lunch and dinner with time to catch up
5. Doing a little shopping and talking

Me and my buddy 

Out shopping

The awesome car we saw on the way to apple picking

After apple picking

A gorgeous day

Mother and son getting some apples

Breathe Easy....EV > CF

Today just showed how awesome my kids are.  One of the middle school students has CF and had to have surgery today due to some breathing issues.  Not only did our kids know about it, but they took it to the next level.  Yesterday they recorded a "v-card" to send to him with get well wishes and screaming and all supporting and praying for him.  Today, thanks to a student's idea of wearing purple, everyone in the school wore purple and we had purple ribbons hanging from the student's lockers to show everyone's support.  These kids support each other and I am super proud of every single one of them...and even siblings at the elementary school participated because they heard about what was going on from their siblings in the middle school.

The new hallway :)

Top 5 from Thursday:
1. Rearranging the music room in the elementary school with friends
2. Dinner with mom
3. Youth group and having small groups with the girls
4. Having a great day of teaching
5. Coming home to a hallway finished with painting :)

The finished classroom

Top 5 for today:
1. Purple all over the school for support for a student and hearing surgery went well
2. Reading student responses as to what they need to work on in choir
3. Having a fairly successful day with the new set up of the classroom
4. Minimal internet problems for the projects
5. Getting some chocolate to get me through the rest of the day from a co-worker who thought we needed it :)

The lockers with ribbons in honor of their friend and fellow student

So don't forget me...oh please I remember you still

It feels so much later than 7:30 on Wednesday.  I had my lovely IDE class today and it was a lot of discussion.  My ideas are just constantly running through my head for what to do.  I just need to sit down and lay it all out.  I've been doing well so far to stay on top of my work (as best as possible).  I have one major grading project I need to get done before the end of next week.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Putting choir music to the actual accompaniment 2 months before the concert!
2. Talking with the "super" of my apartment while she painted the hallway
3. Curling up with a blanket and sweats
4. Celebrating a friend's birthday all day :)
5. Hugs from students and a semi-successful SMARTboard lesson :)

Not because of who I am, but because of what You've done

It's Tuesday which means it's chapel day.  Middle School chapel always has a way of bringing me back into focus.  No matter what the stress, tiredness, or exhaustion is around...it always goes away when it's time for chapel.  Those middle school kids are amazing and seeing God's work in their lives in different ways is amazing to see.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Leading worship at middle school chapel and stepping back a little for the kids to lead
2. Seeing student smiles because they know they did really well in chapel
3. Catching up with fellow teachers
4. Talking with my lovely neighbor/landlord's girlfriend :)
5. Watching "Biggest Loser":)

Reality TV night

It's been a gorgeous day with gorgeous weather (a little too warm for my taste for October).  I also had a half day of work because I had a dentist appointment so overall it was nice being able to leave after the middle school and meet my mom for lunch.  Tonight has been nice since I got some work done outside on the deck and have watched nothing but reality TV al night :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Talking to Nan on the phone for the first time in awhile
2. Meeting Mom for lunch
3. Teaching great middle school students all morning
4. Working outside
5. Reality TV night

A warm fall day :)

Lots of plans happened today.  I got a chance to sing in church and see a lot church family I don't see very often since I don't live in the area.  While singing on the worship team my mind kept racing as to what songs were going to be used on the worship team this week for middle school.  I still can't help but laugh because it just proves my mind is always going :)  It was a relaxing afternoon with my parents watching football all day and get ready to go out to dinner with some friends we haven't seen in a long time.  Overall, it was a warm fall day (too warm for October) but a great day and now....it's off to bed since I have to teach tomorrow morning (unlike most of my teacher friends who have off) but have a half sick day because I have a doctor appointment :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Seeing and catching up with friends from Maine
2. The NYC skyline at night
3. Visiting a friend and seeing his apartment for the first time :)
4. 3 minute party in church :)
5. Sing and playing keys on the worship team with great musicians :)

Seasons come and go but I will never change and I'm on my way...

Prescott and his smile :)

I felt so honored to watch Prescott this afternoon and I had so much fun watching him.  My right arm is killing me right now because of holding him a lot, but watching him play and laugh at just the ball rolling away made me think.  What happens to us as we get older?  We don't find the simplest things to be funny or enjoyable any more.  He loved to play with his toys even if it was just trying to stand up and falling back down.  We would both laugh and have fun.  And I ask again...what happens to us as we get older?  I think babies have it right..we need to start worrying about only the here and now and not what is to come or what has happened.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Getting "high 5s" and "hugs" from Prescott
2. Seeing Prescott smile and laugh at the smallest things
3. The sunset over the mountains on my way home seeing colors of orange, pink, and blue
4. Chicken Pot Pie for dinner (home made)
5. Sleeping in and relaxing in the morning

So let go and don't wait

Being the awesome big sister I am I can't get my brother's soon to be "EP" out of my head.  The song "Too Late" has been in my head all afternoon.  I finally saw the first webisode they posted as a band about recording.  It's been a very eventful day for me.  I recorded the choir for the first time and I'll watch the video tomorrow and prepare their self evaluations.  Everything went fairly well after that and I had a bonus prep today because of a field trip :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Reading outside on the deck in the warmth of the sun and cool breeze
2. Finding pictures and phrases on my board from students
3. Getting an e-mail from a former student about a project they did last year
4. Arriving at the elementary school to find a bonus prep because of a field trip
5. Spending the afternoon working and talking to a friend in her classroom

Yup...let the board writing begin

Never would have known :)

I like the face

Apparently I have an Xbox?

Through the cross You are the truth, You are the life, You are the way

Tonight's senior high talk was about courage and what it means to be a leader.  It was a great talk and having a chance to run a small group with another great small group leader was helpful.  I think the students will start to open up when we have split groups into the official small groups.  I'm looking forward to seeing who's in my small group and start forming/continue forming a relationship with each one.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Timing every light perfectly on the way to school so it was green the whole way
2. Getting hugs from Junior and Senior Highers who haven't seen me in weeks
3. Having a very successful "study hall" with 7th graders
4. Spending time catching up with a friend about life, even if for just a little after youth group
5. Having amazing teacher friends who listen, I listen to them, and just enjoy being around them :)

Love is here, Love is now...

The weather could not be more perfect today.  A gorgeous sunrise, cool weather in the morning, warmer weather in the afternoon, cool in the evening.  Today was the roughest for me with the students, but it wasn't too bad.  Tomorrow is another day and one day closer to the weekend :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. A gorgeous sunrise for the 3rd day in a row
2. Home cooked dinner with leftovers
3. IDE class with lovely teacher friends :)
4. Doing some work and reading outside on the deck
5. A relaxing evening because all the work is done :)

You always zig when I think you're about to zag

Yes, a Glee quote for tonight's title.  It's been a day of working and getting things done.  It felt good to get a lot of work done during my extra long prep and finish the Montclair Music Department application :)  I'm enjoying this new look on life I'm taking and trying to not let things rub me the wrong way.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Finishing the Montclair Music Application and sending it out
2. Relaxing evening "Glee," "The New Girl" and a drink :)
3. Getting lots of work done at school and still time to enjoy my students
4. Successful xylophone SMARTboard lesson
5. Nice cool, fall air and no rain again!

Colors of Fall

This morning I saw the most gorgeous sunrise in awhile.  It was still somewhat dark and looking out between the trees I could see the orange and red and blue of the sky being lit up by the sun.  I knew that no matter what happened today I was just going to let it run off my shoulders...and I did.  Looking back at the day, it wasn't a great day, but I didn't let things bother me so I still had a great day.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Waking up to a gorgeous sunrise
2. Cool fall weather with a break from the rain most of the day
3. Spending time researching to help a student succeed in choir
4. Realizing at the end of the day I didn't let things bother me and I felt ok
5. Working on setting up the music bulletin board at the middle school!

Baby Showers bring baby flowers!

Today was great since I got a chance to see some fifer friends I haven't seen in a few months/years.  This was all due to a friend having a baby in a month!  She looks phenomenal and I can't wait to see and meet baby Stanley.

On the drive home in the rain and silence since I was charging my phone and my radio was all static, I have decided that only I can change my mood.  I'm going to try my best every time to remember that because only I can let things bother me.  With God's help, I believe I'll be able to do this.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Seeing the "mommy" and "daddy" to be in smiles all afternoon
2. Catching up with some fifer friends :)
3. Cool weather and not a lot of rain until the drive home
4. Seeing the puppy excited for her sleepover :)
5. Football and Real Housewives night :)

The baby cake!

Me and Amanda...soon to be mommy...due 11/11/11

Opening my present of washcloths and a musical toy of course :)

Rainy Saturday

It's a day that I feel was put in slow motion.  I was up around 8:30 but didn't really do anything until 2.  It was nice to relax and cuddle with the puppy for a bit this morning.  It has been great to have something to come to and to love, but I wish I was in Nashville with the family and the band.  I miss seeing my brother and hearing about his new adventures.  Well, it's off to watch some movies on a rainy Saturday and get some school work done.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Spending some time with a friend while running errands
2. Movies and relaxing
3. Getting some school work done
4. Hearing the patter of rain
5. Cuddling with the best cuddler of all