Happy New Year!

So we just rang in the New Year and here I am in bed.  All day I have been optimistic about my goals for this year, but seeing how this year is already off to me just being frustrated, it's going to be harder than I thought.  Tonight was nothing special...thought I was going to go shopping: didn't, thought I was going to the movies: didn't, thought I was going to watch movies at my parents: didn't....all I did was get dressed up and do nothing.  We didn't even open the bottle of wine I have been carrying back and forth to this house for a week.  Well, off to bed so I can get ready for a wedding in the morning.

Top 5 for today:
1. Girl time with a friend
2. Hearing my landlord and his girlfriend are engaged
3. Pancakes and bacon for breakfast again
4. "Happy New Year" texts
5. Surprise cookie cake for dessert

Just a few more days until the New Year

The New Year is going to happen in 2 days...Sunday.  It's another year that I'm sure will go by really fast.  I wanted to try something new and see how long it lasts.  Whenever I say that it doesn't last very long, but I have high hopes for this.  I made up a list of "Goals for 2012" instead of Resolutions or Revolutions (some choose revolutions and set a date to get started by).  These goals are hanging on my fridge and I spent a lot of time thinking about them.  I have 10 goals that I hope to achieve by this time next year.  Here are my goals:

1. I will read a daily devotional and spend time with God in the quiet early morning before work.
   
2. I will focus on my friendships and my relationship with God.
   
3. I will change my way of thinking to the positive.
   
4. I will eat healthy and cook once a week (try something new once a month).
   
5. I will make healthy breakfasts on the weekends.
   
6. I will work out 3 days a week, including running/walking.
   
7. I will have a girls/friend night once a month.
   
8. I will craft once a month.
   
9. I will get A’s in all grad classes this year.
   
10. I will have my apartment painted by summer.

This is going to be a big undertaking, but I'm happy to have them.  Having them posted here and on my fridge will hopefully hold me accountable.  A lot of them I have to wait (like getting As in my grad classes) because they are on a set time.  I liked phrasing it "I will" instead of "I want to" because it has me thinking of "I will" be able to do this.  Best part, nowhere in there does it say anything about guys.  I'm trying something new this year, I'm not focusing (or trying not to focus) on the guy situation.  I'm focusing on my friendships and my life the way God intended.  He has the right guy picked out for me and what better way to start this new way of thinking than the new year.

Top 5 for today:

1. Successful pancakes and bacon for breakfast with the girls

2. Girls night/movie night with a friend :)

3. Having my goals written out for the New Year

4. Thank You cards done!

5. Spending some time downstairs with the landlord and his girlfriend :)

Recap of the last two days

So life has gotten a little busy and the week has flown by.  Today is the first day I have no plans besides getting ready for school on Monday and preparing for the new year.  Wednesday I spent dinner and the evening with a great friend and her family.  It was a good way to break up the week and just relax.  Last night I had my small group girls over (only a few of them came) and we had a blast playing games, watching Youtube videos, talking, and falling asleep watching a movie in my living room.  It has been a great Christmas break and wish it could have been longer, but such is life and I can't waste time dwelling on the negativity in life (yes I'm working on my New Year's Revolutions..no resolutions...list and making everything sound positive so I can print it out and remind myself every day).

Top 5 for Wednesday:
1. Relaxing day
2. Good conversation
3. Hugs from the little one
4. Homemade Strawberry Daiquiris until the early morning
5. Finding a faster way to her house

Top 5 for Thursday:
1. Grocery shopping with very few people
2. Small group night with my girls
3. Apples to apples definitions that make no sense
4. Clean office (for the first time ever) and a craft corner
5. All sleeping in my tiny living room while watching a movie

New things to add to my new things

I'm updating early today because I'm hoping to get a lot of work done today and go to bed around midnight.  It wasn't a bad weather morning this morning and didn't even know it was supposed to rain...but when it started it never stopped!  It is pouring and I'm just hoping it stops for tomorrow.  My aunt and my cousins came up today to visit, see the apartment for the first time, and take me out to get some things for my apartment as a "housewarming" gift.  Even though I haven't moved they got a few things for me since they didn't see the apartment for 2 years and knew I had a lot of things already since I've been here.  It was a nice time with my cousins and I had a lot of fun picking out placemats, a drawer for my Cricut and scrapbooking things, and a shoe rack.  I always love adding to my apartment and making it feel more and more like a house.

New Shoe Rack

Top 5 for the day:
1. Sleeping in and waking up in my apartment
2. Unpacking everything and feeling "home"
3. Lunch and talking with family
4. Showing off my apartment and my Christmas tree
5. Putting new things together

Look at all the floor space :)

Family...there's only one

Family time just keeps on coming.  Of course being the day after Christmas I would have thought it would be a relaxing day, not so much.  I wanted to make sure I got back to my apartment to spend some time with a friend before they leave to go back to their home down south, but had some more family time.  I got a lot of time with my mom and brother (which I wouldn't trade the world for) and spent some time with my aunt and uncle from PA.  We don't see them a lot and it was nice to talk to them.  We all went out for dinner and that's always an adventure.  I'm sure when a party of 13 walked in, they were taken aback, but they did get us seated right away (at least from what I could see).  Tomorrow (well technically today since it's after midnight) I get to see my aunt and cousins from Jersey and show them my apartment and take them to a fun place to eat...not sure where yet.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Getting all presents set up underneath my tree
2. Having a friend carry up the heavy items from my car and set up the blu ray player
3. Trying out the blu ray player
4. Laughter and talking with a friend
5. Family time with extended family

Oh night divine when Christ was born

Christmas morning

Christmas has finally arrived and the day went faster than it arrived.  Last night was the Christmas Eve services and they went alright.  It was nice to see some friends again and spend time with my family after the service.  Christmas day was even better.  It was great to spend time with family the whole day, good laughs, and some amazing presents.  God is good and I can't begin to explain how blessed I am with the family I have.

Maddi and her new toy...a chicken

Top 5 for Saturday:
1. Family time with the grandparents after the services
2. The last two Christmas Eve services for the year
3. Keeping traditions like appetizers for dinner
4. Homemade waffles and bacon for breakfast
5. Anticipation of my brother's music video to be released

New ornament and sweatshirt

Mark showing Maddi how to sit in her new bed

Top 5 for Christmas:
1. Family time and bonding with my cousin
2. Laughter around the house
3. Amazing presents from very giving people
4. Smile on my mom's face after receiving her new computer
5. Knowing I don't have school for another week :)

Cousins with matching Jets pillow pets

Me and my cousin

Another late night

Last night was another late night.  Our first of 3 Christmas Eve services was last night and it went really well.  People were engaged and, although it didn't feel like Christmas, it was nice to catch up with some friends who were there last night.  This only goes to show how fast this week is going to go by.  I have so many things I need and want to do that I don't know if I'll actually be able to do it all.  Well, it's time to go get ready for the last 2 Christmas Eve services today.

Top 5 for yesterday:
1. People engaged in worship
2. Christmas gift from one of my small group girls
3. Catching up with friends
4. Relaxing day in my pajamas
5. Dinner at the Diner with my parents

Oh it's Christmas time

Only at this time of the year does my life get a little crazy.  I've been at Christmas Eve rehearsals the last 2 days and have not gotten home until after midnight both nights.  I love being involved in Christmas Eve but the late nights sometimes make it tough to be a fun time with friends.  The last day with the students on Thursday was a lot of fun.  The kids at both schools were high energy, but it was definitely and exhausting day.  I got some really awesome gifts and a lot of edible gifts from them.  With school done and all presents wrapped, it's time to really reflect and think about the true meaning of the holiday, Jesus' birth and his arrival into the world.  My favorite Christmas song to sing today while getting ready for our first of 3 Christmas Eve services is "Welcome to Our World."  It really states everything about this holiday and how God gave us Jesus: He entered the world a little baby relying on parents just like us only to die for our sins...which we do not deserve that kind of love.

Top 5 for Wednesday:
1. Students gifts and their excitement for me to open them
2. Christmas party with the 5/6 Choir
3. Rehearsal with the Christmas Eve team
4. Dinner with a friend
5. Clear skies driving home after a storm

Christmas Eve rehearsal

Top 5 for Thursday:
1. Awesome gifts from friends and students
2. Spending time with my brother
3. Christmas Eve run-throughs...feeling good about them
4. Music fun day to end the last day of the year with Kindergarten
5. Seeing the whole family together in my parents living room around the tree

My gift from a friend

Mmhmm Twilight coffee travel mug :)

This is my grownup Christmas list

It's amazing how one little chapel can change your perspective on something.  The 6th graders did wonderful job with the Christmas chapel.  We heard stories of Christmas past, present, and future, sang Christmas songs, and even watched pictures of what each student wishes.  Most of the wishes were for peace on earth, safety for soldiers, stop smoking, and cure cancer.  A couple stuck out to me that were definitely close to home for them...no more eye diseases and help a siblings eyes get better.  These kids just amaze me every day.  So what is your grownup Christmas list?

Top 5 for the day:
1. Excellent chapel done by 6th grade
2. "Grownup Christmas List" Michael Buble
3. Sing-a-long songs with 2nd grade
4. Getting grading done before leaving school
5. Finishing "Eclipse"

#274

This is my 274th post of the year.  It really makes you realize how fast the year has gone.  Pretty soon it'll be Christmas break for some of us and I for one am looking forward to this break.  I'm looking forward to this week because it started out rough this morning, but it got better which can only mean week itself will get better.  I can't wait for Thursday to give some special people in my life their gifts I picked out for each of them.  Seeing them smile and being able to show how much they mean to me is all I care about that day.  All of my students will probably be high energy and pounding at the walls to go home for Christmas break...it's almost as bad as the last day of school ha.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Music fun day with 1st grade...and seeing their smiles and Christmas cards they made for me
2. Breakfast with the 7/8 choir...playing freeze tag
3. Thoughtful Christmas presents from students
4. Home cooked meal with leftovers for lunch and dinner for 3 days
5. Surprise girl time :)

Candy cane pen, Starbucks card, and a 2 disc Christmas songs (acoustic)

One week

Just one week from today it will be Christmas.  A time for family, friends, and a chance to celebrate the birth of our Savior.  It's amazing to see how much has changed over the year and where we all are.  Are you where you were physically back in January?  Did you hold onto your New Year's Resolution?  Are you who you were back in January?  I know my answer to those questions is no.  I haven't moved, but my apartment is definitely my home now, as opposed to just a place for me to live while teaching at this school and waiting to get married.  I don't even remember what my New Years resolution was so I'm pretty sure I probably didn't keep it.  I have changed a lot this year and not just once, but a few times.  So, how have you changed this year?

Top 5 for the day:
1. Surprise visit from a friend
2. Reading all day
3. Spending some time to just think
4. Waking up to a clean apartment and no dishes in the sink
5. Laughs and heart to heart talks

Maybe I went about this all wrong

Just thinking about how I've interacted with people, maybe I went through things all wrong.  I've been way too nice to people to make sure I don't hurt their feelings, no matter how it makes me feel.  I try to avoid confrontation as much as I can because I don't like knowing people are mad at me.  I was always available for the guy I was interested in and never played "hard to get."  I was always afraid if I was playing "hard to get" they'd lose interest.  I think I'm going to have to make some changes come the new year.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Completely clean apartment
2. Some time for some reading
3. Hanging out with a friend and catching up on life
4. No traffic and a quick doctor appointment
5. Acoustic music with no words

Good things come to those who wait

I cannot believe how much energy I had this morning.  I was wide awake and feeling great about life and the kids were for the most part.  If I have high energy and a good attitude, chances are the kids will too.  The high was definitely from the concert last night and I still can't believe we made a record amount of money.  This school is so giving and the parents are so supportive of the program, it shows.

Today in the mail I got another "save the date" card for a friend's wedding.  I love weddings and I love seeing others happy.  I keep telling myself that it will be me one day sending out the "save the date" cards and it will be to the most amazing guy on the planet.  God is preparing both of us to be ready at the same time, and only God can know that.  For now, I am trying my best to stay focused on Him and positive about life.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Middle School Staff Christmas Party
2. Snack Friday...a little break in the middle of the morning
3. Girl time with a friend
4. Phone time with another friend while he drives back home for Christmas
5. Curling up in my large chair with a book and a blanket on a cold December night :)

The let us all rejoice again...on Christmas Day in the morning!

Tonight was the night...the big Christmas concert.  Both choirs did a PHENOMENAL job and I have heard nothing but compliments about both of them.  All the stress they give me throughout the two quarters always pays off in the end.  I could not be happier about their performances and all the support from their parents, the faculty and staff at ECMS that could come, and my mom and grandmother who make it to every performance of mine.  No matter the age, my grandmother and mother always come to every performance, no matter the distance.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Feeling energetic all day and in a great mood most of the day :)
2. Compliments from both students and their family members on how each year the choir gets better
3. Flowers from a student and chocolate from the choir
4. Spending some girl time getting ready with my awesome accompanist :)
5. Great performances from both choirs :)  I could not be prouder :)

I will be brave I will not let anything take away, What's standing in front of me

Twas the night before the concert and all through the apartment not a music sound was playing, not even a voice....Ok so I'm being cheesy right now.  I have done nothing but think and for the first time all day I'm not thinking and am super excited about it.  The dress rehearsal went as well as we could have asked for.  They did a really good job at listening as best they could and performed so well!  I'm just stressed about other things that have to do with the concert.  I know the kids will perform as best they can and leave it all out on the table.  They will have nothing left to give after tomorrow's concert because they always perform with their whole heart.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Seeing the excitement in the choir students for tomorrow
2. Good rehearsal with my 4th grade chorus
3. Hearing an awesome performance from a concert last night by a friend
4. Reading to relax
5. Watching a student who has auditioned for honor choir before and missed do really well on her audition tape

How can I love when I'm afraid to fall

"Thousand Years" by Christina Perri has been playing on my computer all day.  I love the song and can't wait to be able to have this in my head as I walk down the aisle to my husband...whoever that is.  She wrote the song specifically for the Twilight Saga "Breaking Dawn" and it fit perfectly.  I can also picture God singing this in Heaven to us and just waiting for us to come to Him.  He has loved us since before we were born and for a thousand more years even after we die.  He never fails to love me in my darkest times and in my brightest times.  No matter how many times I run or walk away because of what has happened in my life and I think I can do it on my own, He is waiting there for me with open arms.  Below I have shared the lyrics for your enjoyment.

Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall
Watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow

One step closer

[Chorus:]
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this

One step closer

[Chorus:]
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

One step closer
One step closer

[Chorus:]
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

Football or concert plan?

Top 5 for the day:

1. The comfort of my couch after a long day

2. Strategy for seating/moving at the concert

3. "Thousand Years" Christina Perri

4. "Here With Us" Joy Williams

5. Reading for me and Glee

Oh this is how it starts...brighter than the sun

It's the week...concert week.  All I wanted to do today was come home and curl up on the couch.  It's been one of those days where from the minute I got to school everything went downhill.  I left a few things at my apartment I needed for school, so luckily I had some prep for me to run home and get things I had forgotten.  The kids are already in Christmas mode and we're all feeling it.  They are ready to be on break and I think a lot of it had to do with how early we were hearing Christmas music and talking about Christmas.  I feel like it's earlier and earlier each year!

Top 5 for the day:
1. My cousin getting accepted into Quinnipiac with good scholarship
2. Getting to the elementary school to find gorgeous blocks made for my friend by another friend :)
3. Having great friends who are more like family
4. Curling up under a blanket just to relax
5. Spending time with students after school just to talk

What's your Exodus?

The talk in church was really good.  It talked about the excitement of when we were little about going to the tree and seeing the presents and how we should be excited in the waiting for Christ.  He also talked about how the real story starts at the beginning...back in Exodus when the Israelites were brought out of Egypt and how we're all affected by each other's sin.  Best part...God hears those who cry out to him.  He hears all the cries and acts on them, not always in what we think it should be, but in what HE knows is going to help our cries.  So, what's your Exodus?

Top 5 for the day:
1. Singing on the worship team with great people
2. Seeing a former youth pastor and hearing all the great things in his life
3. Powerful message
4. Jets win
5. All presents wrapped and under the tree

Silver and Gold

I'm sitting at my parents house watching old Christmas movies (they are the best).  Right now it's "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer."  It's been a day that I have done very little, but feel like I got a lot accomplished. I finally finished the book "Breaking Dawn" and boy am I looking forward to seeing Part 2 in the theaters! I also got a lot of Christmas shopping done and only have 1 person left to shop for.  I feel like he's the hardest to shop for too, my dad.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Finishing the book and loving every minute of it
2. Laughs and conversations at dinner
3. Getting some awesome Christmas gifts :)
4. "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer"
5. A curious dog about my hairclip

To trudge or not to trudge..that is the question

It's finally Friday!  It's been a long rough week but I made it and could not have asked for a better Friday night.  I spent it with a great colleague and friend :)  Lucky for me, it was a jeans Friday and the night of "Breaking Dawn Part 1."

Top 5 for the day:
1. Seeing "Breaking Dawn Part 1"
2. Cheering up a sad first grader just by giving her my glasses
3. Surprising a fourth grader by being his ride home and watching his excitement while playing Wii
4. Dinner and girl time while people watching in the movie theater
5. Pretty awesome tweets from people watching

O Holy Night

So it's been a rough couple days, but there have been some perks.  I'm looking forward to this weekend since I'm going out tomorrow night to see "Breaking Dawn" and then working Area Band auditions on Saturday to help a friend in need :)

Top 5 from Wednesday:
1. Barnes and Noble performance
2. Girl time
3. Seeing smiles on students who were performing for the first time
4. Seeing former students and how much they have grown
5. A card to make my day

Top 5 for today:
1. Reading "Breaking Dawn"
2. Getting an apology letter and a picture from a student (when she didn't need to write the apology letter)
3. More success with the 6th grade projects
4. Wonderful colleagues to talk with
5. Going to bed early :)

If you want to make the world a better place then look at yourself and make the change

Glee is on tonight and it's a decent episode.  I've liked most of the song choices.  It's been a decent day, except for the rain.  Chapel was all about how we worship and the different ways to worship.  It makes you think about the way the magi and the shepherds worshipped when they saw the Messiah.  So how do you worship?

Top 5 for the day:
1. Starting to read "Breaking Dawn"
2. Hearing students worship
3. Getting work done
4. Talking to friends
5. Glee and New Girl

You'll always be my Bella, my Bella just less fragile

Ok all caught up on the Twilight Saga...next stop is Friday at the movies to see Breaking Dawn.  Before that I need to read the book, so that leaves about 2 1/2 days since I have youth group on Thursday.  It is definitely a favorite of mine and makes me think about what I want out of life.  In reality, it's not my choice, it's God's choice and He already knows what's best for me.  He knows who I will marry and how my life will be tomorrow, next year, and ten years from now.  As frustrated as I get and as tired as I get...life keeps going and I need to focus on what's more important :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. "Eclipse" movie
2. Christmas party with the ECES teachers
3. Great laughs with fellow teachers
4. Fun music classes with lots of laughter
5. Christmas cards coming in the mail

We're all made of good and bad, it's our choices that make us who we are

I've been watching "Harry Potter" all day again today.  My shoulder is absolutely killing me so I have been stretching and resting it all day.  It is my conducting arm so I'm switching arms tomorrow (hopefully I remember) to hopefully rest my arm.  It's been another day of thinking and praying for me.  The closer Christmas gets, the more excited I get to see my family again.  But I also get more aware of being single since I have a wedding on New Year's Day.  I know I am not alone and God has something great in store for me, I just need to start seeing what he's showing me each day.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Home cooked meal
2. Fun twitter convos
3. Relaxing day
4. Finally seeing Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
5. Resting my arm

Sometimes it's best to just cast those thoughts away

Some days I need to remind myself that and cast thoughts away.  Certain thoughts need to stop coming into my head, and yes I know I let them in.  I have gotten two Christmas gifts wrapped and put under the tree.  I also got another ordered.  I love Christmas time and choosing Christmas gifts to give to people.  Seeing their faces when they open the gifts are always great to see :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. Sleeping in
2. Wrapping and ordering gifts
3. Surprise text messages :)
4. Harry Potter marathon all day
5. Spending time to give myself a break

I don't have the strength to stay away from you anymore...Twilight

I caved tonight...I officially saw "Twilight" and "New Moon."  Must say, I'm all Team Edward :)  I have loved watching the videos and will have to read the books this summer.  I went to my friend's house and had dinner with her, her husband, and her son (a student of mine).  I could not ask for a better Friday night...relaxing watching movies all night with people, not alone :)

Top 5 for the day:
1. VERY successful rehearsal for both choirs combining for their one piece
2. Twilight :)
3. Spending time with great people
4. Gorgeous sunrise and sunset to remind me of how awesome our God is
5. The moon at night

Dare you to move

So I've been hoping that writing my thoughts down here would help me sleep and so far the past month or so I haven't been able to sleep.  I don't have a lot on my mind...just a few big things but I talk about them and pray and give it all up to God  I just don't know what's wrong.  I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Top 5 for the day:
1. Having almost all my girls there for youth group
2. Dinner with mom
3. Good news from my cousin
4. Exciting kindergarteners
5. Making plans for a fun Friday evening :)