Let your heart come home to me

I'm watching "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" and waiting to see the tree be lit.  Hearing some of these Christmas songs makes me very grateful to be in a Christian school where I can play these songs and have the students sing them in concert.  Yesterday I couldn't update because we had no power until about 7:30/8:00 and then my internet was being funny.

Top 5 for Tuesday:
1. Last day of warm weather
2. Getting power back on just as I was packing to head out
3. Laughs with colleagues during a long meeting
4. Extra prep day
5. Fun day with the elementary kids

Top 5 for today:
1. Christmas at Rockefeller Center
2. Hearing good news from my neighbor
3. Feeling prepared for the concerts
4. Spending girl time after school
5. Having food in the cupboard

O Christmas Tree

Well almost all of my Christmas gifts are ordered.  I have two ordered...two more to go and then I can focus on a group gift :)  I will say, I teach some of the most thoughtful kids.  One of my students picked up a CD and got it signed for me over Thanksgiving break.  I'm looking forward to hearing the story behind this CD from her mom tomorrow :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Hearing student favorites about Thanksgiving
2. The student excitement to give me a CD she thought I would like
3. Very successful choir rehearsal
4. Fully registered and started paying for grad school
5. Ordering really AWESOME Christmas gifts :)

I am Judas' kiss, but You love me anyway

My brother leading worship

The end to a long and amazing weekend is here.  I'm enjoying the Christmas tree and the Christmas candles I have burning.  I'm glad I got a little ahead before the weekend so I could enjoy the weekend and not stress tonight.  I haven't been sleeping well and am just hoping I sleep better this week now that the graduate school things are done and can focus my mind on something else.

Triple Baby Dedication :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Seeing my brother lead worship again
2. A triple baby dedication
3. Catching up with extended family
4. Enjoying a Sunday night with little school work
5. Apartment by Christmas Tree light

Best wishes for a Bride-to-Be

The delicious cake from an awesome baker :)

Today was number...I have no clue of bridal showers :)  It was very beautiful and I loved seeing some church friends I haven't seen in a long time.  The bride was very thankful and I can see the love her in eyes when she looks at her husband-to-be.  They are young, but not as young as some friends I know and I am praying for a great relationship for them.

Me and my fellow piano player :)

Me and the bride :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Seeing church friends and catching up
2. Celebrating a friend's soon to be new life :)
3. Good talks with my mom
4. Leftovers for dinner
5. Looking at my ornament from my sponsor child and rereading her mom's note to me :)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Black Friday...does anyone know why it's called Black Friday?  Did anyone go out shopping on Black Friday?  I for one didn't.  I got a chance to see my second brother and my mom's best friend.  We went down to my apartment and decorated the living room with my Christmas Tree :)  Now it's on to a movie night with the family :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Decorating my Christmas Tree
2. Going to Longhorn for dinner
3. Homemade waffles for breakfast
4. Seeing my second brother and my mom's best friend
5. Movie night :)

Happy Thanksgiving to all...and to all a good night :)

This could have quite possibly been the best Thanksgiving ever.  It was only my parents, my brother, my grandmother, and I.  I hit no traffic coming out here, my brother flew in from Nashville for a long weekend, and lots of laughs all day.  I'm very thankful for a family who always supports me, my friends who are always there, students who care, and the God above who loves me no matter what.  What are you thankful for?

 

Top 5 for the day:
1. Seeing my brother for the first time since August and a family all together since March :)
2. Waking up to an e-mail from a former student about being thankful for me :)
3. Delicious food and laughter around the table
4. "Christmas Vacation"-family traditions that never get old (even if I did fall asleep)
5. Sleeping in the same house as one family, quite possibly the last time in this house for Thanksgiving

Mark brought home Ivey Cakes Cupcakes from Nashville

Just a few more hours...ok more than a few

This time tomorrow I will have already had a wonderful meal for Thanksgiving, spending time with my brother and parents, and enjoying life.  I will not be worrying about school, grad school, or anything else.  Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for what we have and I am very thankful for a lot of things this year.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Spending some time with a friend for lunch
2. Setting up my next three years for Grad School
3. Clean apartment before leaving for a weekend
4. Half day of school
5. Lots of laughs with my students

Two down...1/2 a day to go

You know the days where you think it's going to be decent and then it just goes the opposite?  I feel like that's what today was.  Just a busy, crazy, non stop day until I got home.  I know on Sunday that I would choose Jesus EVEN IF...it's just hard.  I'm being patient and trying to stay as positive as I can, but days like this just make it hard.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Seeing the 7th grade worship team do a great job without Me or Josephine having to lead
2. Being able to get all grading done at school
3. Making plans for lunch for tomorrow
4. Playing flute while the faculty sang
5. Getting a "class pet"-a family of paper pigs

Early morning...baby arrival

So from about 2 o'clock until 6:15 I couldn't really sleep.  I got a text from my friend from college saying that my other friend (his wife) went into labor about 12:45.  From that point on I couldn't sleep, I would doze off, but kept waking up to see if I got a text about the baby, nothing.  All morning through teaching I kept checking my phone and my kids kept wanting to know if I heard anything.  Finally...about 10:45 I got the text that at 10:01 Caeden Andrew was born :)  I can't wait to go out and meet him and spend some girl time with my best :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Early morning text messages
2. Getting that FINAL text about Caeden Andrew
3. Pictures and first looks at baby and family
4. Finishing the musical selections
5. Relaxing night

Daddy and Son

My best and her son :)

I'll take Jesus EVEN if...

The study today at Emergence was on Malachi 3:1-4.  How do you view God?  Do you judge him because of what you don't have and what others have?  Are your friends who are non-Christian having a better life than you?  Life isn't about what you have and don't have, it's about living in God.  Today really opened my eyes.  For a long time I've been comparing what others have and questioning, why does so and so have this and I don't?  Why are they getting married and I'm still single?  Why do they make more money than I do? Why did they have a solo recital and I didn't?  I really should have been saying, I'll take Jesus and rely on Him EVEN IF I'm single and alone.  I'll take Jesus and live in Him EVEN IF I am low on money.  I'll take Jesus and live in Him EVEN IF I don't have a solo and work hard.  I'll take Jesus no matter what life throws at me.  So, what do you choose?

Top 5 for the day:
1. Church with friends
2. Gorgeous weather with the windows down
3. Working ahead
4. Christmas music
5. Leftovers

I fought You every step of the way...Yes, but you did it

Just finished watching "Evan Almighty" and it always reminds me that no matter how much we fight God, he always loves us and watches out for us.  He knew way back when I started applying to graduate schools that I would get into Montclair State, but I had to start applying for Boston University first and realize I just didn't like the idea of "online" classes only.  He knew back in 2004 when I was applying to colleges that I would go to LVC and have a job at Eastern Christian.  He knew I would have some amazing friends and great women of God to talk to about issues going on in my life.  He always knows what's best for me even if I fight him the whole way.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Getting the "official" acceptance letter to Montclair State
2. Home cooked meal
3. Lesson plans and grading done
4. PSU beats OSU
5. Movie night

Joy, Unspeakable Joy and overflowing well no tongue can tell

Listening to Christmas music on this cold Friday night.  But this is not just ANY Christmas music, this is the music my brother did last year on his Christmas EP album.  It's a good way to kick off this last weekend before the holidays begin and end a busy week.  The biggest news today...I GOT ACCEPTED INTO MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY'S MASTER OF ARTS IN MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM :)  I'm just a TAD excited about this :)  I'm ready to be a student again (if even part time) and focusing on music.  It'll be a nice break from focusing on the kids :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Getting that "unofficial" email to calm my anxious mind
2. Christmas music on a cold night
3. Good choir rehearsal with the 7th graders
4. Supportive friends and colleagues :)
5. Hearing my brother's voice...even if it's through his CD

And oh, how He loves me, and oh, how I disbelieve...faithless me...

It was a great talk at youth group tonight and had a really good conversation with my girls.  I am loving these high schoolers and all their fun and great answers.  Have you ever felt distant from God?  Is it normal to feel like that?  What can you do when you feel this way?  All those questions were some questions we discussed and how we can support friends.  The line as the title is from the worship leader's songs he introduced to the youth group tonight.  There have been times I feel like that and as much as I feel like running away from him, I need to keep running to him. I'm a work in progress and always will be :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Youth group girls that haven't come in a month or more coming tonight
2. Dinner with Mom
3. Almost finishing 4th grade auditions
4. Getting home at a decent time
5. A day of no rain :)

Beautiful One I love, Beautiful One I adore, Beautiful One my soul must sing

We're halfway through the week...the last full week before Thanksgiving.  I can't WAIT for this time next week since I get to get ready to head home to my parents and see my brother for the first time since August :)  So...what are you thankful for?

Top 5 for the day:
1. Good talks and spending time with a friend and her son
2. The last IDE class until next semester :)
3. Extra prep due to a class trip
4. Music fun day surprises from 2nd grade
5. Girl talk with another friend on my prep

I apparently look like a Disney princess or I'm shaped like an eggplant...I'm going with Disney princess :)

Sometimes I just want to want to know

Living by yourself has its positives and negatives.  I enjoy being able to come home and relax on the couch without having to worry about what time I'm eating dinner because it doesn't matter to me.  I enjoy being able to come and go as I please.  I like being able to decorate how I want and watch TV/movies.  But it's getting the point I keep asking God: Why am I still single?  It's now holiday time again and a constant reminder I'm single and no one to spend it with.  I'm very grateful for all that God has given me.  He has given me a full time job, a great family, wonderful friends, a place to live, and his never ending love.  Along with many other thoughts running through my head for work, this is going through lately.

Top 5 for the day:
1. 4th grade auditions surprising me
2. Gorgeous sunrise to start the morning
3. Middle School chapel
4. relaxing evening
5. Warm weather

I see Your face in every sunrise, The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes

Ok so I didn't get a chance to update yesterday due to some football and conversations.  Anyway, the last two days have been great.  Singing in church is always fun and a great way to refocus myself on what is most important in my life and what should be most important.  Trying to make this a positive week and go into school with a smile on my face and excitement in my heart.  We'll see how well that goes :)

Top 5 from Sunday:

1. Singing on the worship team

2. Compliments on the hair :)

3. Jets/Pats game...even though they lost

4. Skype to help a friend in need

5. Family time

Top 5 from today:

1. Discussion for sectionals about boys voices and why they are the way they are

2. Decent sound out of the choir

3. Extra prep time

4. Planning two chapels and girl time with a friend :)

5. Questions if I changed my hair :)

It's all about "team"

I want to say I'm super proud of Penn State and their football team.  They did lose today to Nebraska (and I could only watch the first quarter due to my haircut and the beginning of the game wasn't too bad.  The pregame was the best and I teared up a little bit.  Both Nebraska and PSU players and coaches gathered at center field to pray and come together to stop child abuse.  It was definitely what PSU stands for and they will overcome all the focus that is on them right now.  We are...PENN STATE!

Top 5 for the day:
1. Seeing two teams come together in support of recent events
2. New haircut and color
3. Pancakes for breakfast
4. Laundry all done in a day
5. Family time with football

It's a little darker in person :)

Today is the day You have made I will rejoice and be glad in it

It's finally over!  My interview and music theory placement test went great today!  All morning I tried not to think about it (but it's hard to think about when you start teaching theory things in classes).  I'm very grateful for working in a Christian school and for having Christian friends.  I could feel the nerves running through me all morning, but as soon as I got to Montclair and was walking around campus I felt fine.  It was great to be back on a college campus and even greater knowing I could be a student here in a few months taking a class to improve my knowledge of what I can do to teach :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Feeling quite confident about my interview
2. Meeting new people with similar interests going for the same degree
3. Being able to take the test earlier and remember more than I thought
4. Winning the teacher merit drawing at school-$50 to restaurant.com
5. Prayers, texts, comments, hugs, phone calls all to say "I'm praying for you"

Quick update

Ok, so this is a quick one so I can go to bed.  It's been an interesting day to say the least...I'm starting to get sick (I can feel it), I got hit from behind in the CVS parking lot (I'm fine, the bumper is a little split), and I had youth group (amazing time of course).  Tomorrow's the big day...Montclair's interview AND music theory placement test.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Dinner with my cousin
2. Seeing my cousin at youth group and hearing she LOVED it and wants to come back :)
3. Finding out I can get a 3 month prescription through my insurance :)
4. Worship to calm my nerves
5. Comments on my living room and "good luck" messages from the elementary teachers since I won't see them tomorrow :)

Days like this :)

It's the start of a new quarter...and I'm loving it.  The 5/6 choir sounds phenomenal, the 5th and 6th grade general music classes are full of energy, and I am just enjoying teaching.  A new quarter means new opportunities...wherever they may be.  I have a lot of work going on the next few weeks, but my main focus is the music theory placement test and interview for Montclair's grad school audition...getting nervous every day...

Top 5 for the day:
1. Putting my living room back together and LOVING the color :)
2. Spending some quality girl/music teacher time with a friend
3. Wonderful IDE class with great teachers, and feeling inspired
4. Homemade pasta with leftovers for lunch for two days!
5. Excitement for a new quarter with new students

My new living room :)

What are you trying to teach me?

This question has been running through my head for the past few days.  What is God trying to teach me in every aspect of my life?  It's a question I know I have to be patient and wait to get the answer.  It's a few things going on that just make me think this way.  So I ask you, what is God trying to teach you today?

Top 5 for the day:
1. A painted living room (with the 2nd coat on)
2. Students surprising me with their auditions
3. End of the quarter and feeling prepared for the new quarter
4. Extra prep to prepare for the day
5. Evening of TV :)

I have been changed for good

I have "Wicked" songs stuck in my head.  They have been there since I got to my doctor's appointment (probably because I was singing away in my car to it hah).  It's been a decent day (especially for a Monday).  Looking back at the day I got a lot done!  My living room is also FINALLY PAINTED!  I need to do ONE more coat tomorrow and then call it a day :)  Wednesday I can finally put the room back together and hopefully I'll feel a little better about this Montclair interview on Friday.

It's done!

Top 5 for the day:
1. A helpful mom to drive all the way down here and back to help me paint
2. Getting to the doctor's office early and being taken right away
3. Getting the living room ceiling and walls painted
4. Decent sound coming out of the 7/8 choir
5. Positive parents thanking me for all the work I'm doing for the 4th grade musical

Better lighting

A beauty, beast, street rat, and princess all in one night

It is a night of Disney classics.  Currently "Beauty and the Beast" is on and then "Aladdin" will be on.  I love Disney movies and yes...I can cry while watching them..don't judge :)  I got the trim of my windows painted and tomorrow Mom and I are painting the living room...FINALLY!  I can't wait to see this room done and put back together :)  I also took down the door to my bedroom and will be putting up a curtain instead since it's such a small opening.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Daylight Savings Time ending...an extra hour of sleep
2. Painting my window sill and trim...one more step to being done with the living room
3. Disney movie night
4. Getting ready for what will be a very busy week
5. Jets win :)

Crafts and Christmas

I did not do as much as I had hoped today, in fact, I did nothing that I had thought.  I hoped to paint the living room window trim and get that dry so I can paint the walls hopefully in the near future.  Instead I stayed in bed until the afternoon getting some work done and relaxing.  I spent the evening relaxing with a friend and crafting...making Christmas presents :)

Crafting buddy :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Girl talk and crafting with a great friend
2. Simple mac and cheese and veggies for dinner
3. Learning a new craft and getting used to the Cricut...hoping for one for Christmas :)
4. Christmas Tree Shoppes with a fellow music teacher
5. Looking through my cruise pictures that came in the mail yesterday :)

My Christmas ornaments :)

Uptown girl...my uptown girl

I have certainly been loving spending time with my landlord's girlfriend.  My living room is finally all spackled and sanded.  All I'm waiting on is to paint.  I'm definitely painting the window trim and possibly the ceiling if there's enough paint.  The best part...I have a fridge full of food and a plan for the weekend :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Semi-successful 7/8 choir rehearsal
2. Dinner and "Greek" with the neighbor :)
3. Feeling complete with the spackling and the sanding
4. Food in the house
5. Relaxing evening of tv and games

What's your calling and purpose in life?

Today was a great day since it's conferences at the elementary school and I was able to get ahead on work and prepare for the new quarter.  Youth group was great since I got to see missionaries I haven't seen in a few months.  They're on home assignment from Senegal and they were youth sponsors when I was in youth group :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Laughter and kisses from a baby
2. Hugs to small group girls I haven't seen at all this year
3. Getting ahead in work since I had extra prep time
4. Hearing from Michelle and Brian about life in Senegal
5. Worship and seeing the kids worship

Only full day over

Since we had two snow days I only had to teach all day today...tomorrow and Friday are half days for me since we have conferences :)  I'm looking forward to working most of the day tomorrow and getting ready for the new quarter with the 5th and 6th graders :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Decent 4th and 5/6 choir rehearsals
2. Comments on how I look
3. Being able to leave early
4. E-mail about my pictures from the cruise :)
5. A good exhaustion from teaching :)

Happy November!

Well, it's November 1st.  Needless to say, I ended October and started November in a very fun way.  I spent all yesterday cleaning since we had a "snow" day and spent some quality girl time with my best friend from high school.  Today I spent it doing some home repairs like spackling and taking the air conditioner out.

Top 5 for Monday:
1. Picking up right where we left off
2. Getting the "no school tomorrow" call
3. Homemade dinner and drinks
4. Getting a visit from my mentor/friend and Tinkerbell and Jessie from Toy Story 3
5. Clean apartment

Top 5 for Tuesday
1. Spending girl time with the "super"while spackling
2. Catching up with Paris friends and noticing a change in me personally since the last time we spoke :)
3. New "Glee" and "New Girl"
4. Watching cracks and holes in the wall vanish :)
5. Enjoying another "snow day"