Friday Fill-ins... 5/21/10

(some sights I look forward to seeing again when we drive up to Washington)

You can follow this meme here.

1. Knowing that my children are safe, healthy, and happy never fails to make me smile.

2. I'm looking forward to moving and settling in before we have to go on a road trip for an out of state wedding.

3. Pandora (cello music) is what I'm listening to right now.

4. Potato salad must have DILL pickles in it!

5. A juicy, Fuji apple was the best thing I ate today.

6. Today was long anticipated.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dinner at a friend's home, followed by music practice with the band, tomorrow my plans include finishing up the cleaning/purging of the garage, visiting and checking out a house to rent and Sunday, I want to relax and worship my Savior!

Sometimes you just need to let go...

that's why I'm drinking herbal tea today, instead of coffee. Ha!

No, seriously. I have been having a little bit of a rough time lately. Just "stuff". The thing is that it's really not my own "stuff" that I've been stressing over. Well, one thing is and that is the fact that we have to move because the house we're renting is being sold.

Anybody have room for a family of 6 and two small dogs?? o_O A little stressed about that!

Anyway, I worry for everyone else. I hurt for my siblings when they hurt. I get angry when I see somebody I love making the same mistakes over and over. I feel betrayed when people you care about and would do anything for, take advantage of your kindness.

So...after much worry, much crying, much sighing, and I'm sure much eye rolling....I'm letting it go. I have to. It's not my thing to be depressed or sad or anxious. It does not suit me.

I've got tea to drink now... Have a great day and KEEP IT REAL!

Don't hide! Let me know if you're here!!

My hubby and daughter went out visiting some people that had come to our church for the first time and they also made some stops at some of our members homes. This is a regular Saturday for my husband and we all usually join him, but sometimes he will take just one of the girls if I have another appointment.
Well, Taryn accompanied him this last Saturday and when they returned she had some flowers for me from one of our ladies. They were beautiful. Some purple flowers and some giant red roses...loved them! I immediately took them to the kitchen and arranged them, cut the ends, found a vase, put them in water...you know the drill.
On Sunday afternoon I decided that I didn't quite care for the way the purple ones smelled. I had to put them outside. Just too strong. Anyway, I rearranged the roses and was happy with my flowers once again. On Monday morning, my husband was at the table where the flowers were. He suddenly calls out for me and asks if I had noticed anything....

Hmmmm...what? No...I don't think...Yikes! Where'd THAT come from? Do you see him yet? =)

There he was. Just cruising along. Okay, not really cruising, but he was moving. I had to laugh. He was there through all of that cutting, rearranging, adding flowers, throwing out flowers.... He just never let me see him. Thank goodness he wasn't a big spider! *shiver*

So I know that I have been MIA and my posts have slowed down, but I am here and I am really motivated to stick around. I'm just wondering who still stops by. Can you do me a favor? Drop me a note in my comments or whatever to let me know. Don't hide...I want to be a good hostess and know how many are stopping in here. =)

He looks cool, huh? ;>

Will You Yield?

~Matthew 16:24 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."~
I have been leading the ladies in my study group through a book called Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. We have really enjoyed taking our time reading through the book and sharing with each other our thoughts, insights, etc. As I read a few pages last night, I came across something that just stopped me in my tracks. Seriously.
One point that she mentions is the lie that "I have my rights." This statement has been used and abused by so many for so long. Of course we have our "rights", but do we really need to go around demanding and proving and stomping our feet?
The part that struck me was: "...the fact that successful relationships and healthy cultures are not built on the claiming of rights, but on the yielding of rights. Even our traffic laws reflect this principle. You'll never see a sign that says "You have the right of way." Instead, the signs instruct us to "Yield" the right of way. That is how traffic works best; that is how life works best." (p. 74)
WOW!! Do you see that? Yield the right of way! That means that I may HAVE the right of way, but I am going to YIELD the right of way. Guess what?? It's not all about me. I don't have to have my way or demand my way or fight for my way all the time. I am talking about giving up what you believe in or compromising your standards. I am talking about everyday relationships.
If we all learned to yield ourselves, we'd be so much happier. Life would be more simple. Imagine if we could teach our young children to YIELD. They would do so much better with their siblings and school mates. Eventually, it would even help them with their spouses and employers. Again, I am not talking about allowing yourself to be walked on...I am talking about considering others first.
Listen. I realize that sometimes it is necessary to state our rights and get what we need, but for the most part, we could yield our way.
I once heard someone say that they felt sorry for women that were at the "beck and call" of their husbands and children. When I heard that statement, I actually felt sorry for HER. I love being able to serve my children and my husband. It truly does bring me joy.
The bonus (that this lady may never get to experience) is that my husband and children see the joy I have in serving them and in return, THEY begin to yield their way and give back to me! I am seriously spoiled!
Do you know what our Savior did for us? He YIELDED Himself. Romans 15:1-3 tells us, "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. "
There are so many ways that we can YIELD. It's as easy as allowing someone to go ahead of you in line at the grocery store, but it could also be something bigger. What is it for you?

Hello blog...

Hello faithful friend.

You are always here for me.

I have been fickle.

Forgive me?

I will try my best to make time

to visit you more often.

I think of you daily.

I miss you.

I am back.

Love,

Sherry

xoxo

April 12 of 12...

Didn't think there'd be much to document since it was going to be a "regular" school day, but then I realized that's what this project is all about. It's supposed to capture my day - regardless of what my schedule is. So... here we go. Just a little glimpse because I didn't get started until I got to school and then faded out somewhere toward the end.... =)

This is my special girl Hannah. She stops by to see me between classes sometimes. Love her so much!

My student Hannah was very excited to get this souvenir from someone who recently went to Haiti. She wants to be a missionary to Haiti one day. She's another special Hannah.

Just a few of my 8th graders in a study group during history. I teach some of the most awesome students in the world.

Here's another one of my students. Lane is showing us the proper technique (according to him) for stretching before a run. He cracks me up.

This is what one side of the sky looked like outside of the school today.

This is what the other side looked like. Crazy and cool, huh?

Here's my little Marco and Naomi after school in my class. They are enjoying a little snack. Naomi is in K-4 and Little Marco is in daycare here at the school. I enjoy having him close by.

This is one of their favorite activities in the afternoon. They play while I catch up on grading or lesson plans.

Speaking of grading...here's one of the tests that I was grading.

Had to get a snapshot of Danielle. She is the daughter of one of my best friends. I wish the camera did justice to her big blue eyes, but her smile and freckles are definitely represented here!

Not sure what happened, but this was the last shot today. Hannah had a game and I started out taking pics here and there, but then the game got so exciting I must've put my camera away. I know!! What was I thinking??

Anyway, there you go. By this time it is usually after 6 and we are headed home to figure out what's for dinner or run errands. It is always a full day, but I am always reminded at the end of the day how blessed I am.

March 12 of 12...

So, I read Susan's reminder email before I went to bed, got my camera ready and then forgot by the time I woke up. Ahhhhh yes. I am a dingbat. No worries though...I remembered by the time I got to school. Not a very eventful day really, but hey - it was Friday! That makes it pretty good no matter what.
Well, here we go...

I brought my coffee maker in to school and the English teacher and I can have coffee within reach whenever we want it. I just didn't feel like making that walk to the kitchen just for coffee...plus I like mine just so... Oh. Can't forget my sugar-free creamer. It helps to start the day this way...trust me.

This is my little man Marco with two of his friends. They had a dinosaur day at daycare and learned about dinosaurs and had special food, etc. He wore his dinosaur p.j.'s 'cause that's all he had that had a dinosaur on it. Cutie.

One of my new favorite things. Bought these beautiful sweet peppers at Costco. My kids love them too. I brought these to snack on at lunch. Yummy and pretty.

Here's my Hannah trying to sneak by me. She saw me with the camera and tried to hurry by...oh, no you don't! Say cheese!!

This is our school and where I come to teach every day. I love it.

The sky was a perfect blue and spring was definitely in the air. Fall is my favorite, but I can't complain about this at all!

This is the back of my classroom. Just changed this back board to Civil War. I am teaching the Civil War to two of my classes right now. I still get choked up whenever I talk about Lee surrendering to Grant and how they both treated each other with such dignity and respect. Is that corny that I get emotional over that? Alas... I can not help it. *sigh*

This arrived in the mail today. I really don't have anymore subscriptions these days, but a girl in our church was doing a fund-raiser thing and I didn't want to pay for candy. I do enjoy this magazine though. My favorite magazine is Artful Blogging and Where Women Create. Of course, they are more like books. They come out every 3 months, I believe. So inspiring!

Towels to fold...not as inspiring, but I don't mind it.

Marco and Naomi having an after school snack and playing one of their favorite things. Naomi received this special quilt that was made by a friend of my sister. The kids play "I spy" with it.

I was at a loss as to what to make for dinner. I had forgotten to take any meat out and my husband was about to just throw in the towel and order pizza. I remembered that I had a bag of those frozen chicken tenderloins from Costco (love that place!) and decided to make a mushroom cream sauce for it and do some steamed brussel sprouts on the side. YUM.

Marco made a redbox run and we ended the evening watching Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs. It was cute...made me hungry though.

And that's it folks! Another month gone by. Do you participate in the 12 of 12? If so, let me know in the comments section!