one more reason to continue the sarah palin obsession...

Forget McCain...just give it to Sarah.
ps, I am SO being Sarah Palin for Halloween. I am scrapping my original plan of being Daphne in a family-themed version of the Scooby Doo crew to be Governor Palin. I told Shawn that he could be McCain. He didn't bite. I'm still gonna be Sarah. You know, I can see Russia from my house! :)
RTR Sarah...RTR!

seasons

It is dying, but I think it's beautiful. This past weekend I went along with several other gals from church to a Women's Conference. It was GREAT. I got so much, I could never share it all. One thing that really stuck out dealt with seasons. Trees go through 4 seasons, but they only produce fruit in 1. In one season, they are basically dying. They have endure the drying up and withering time for new growth to come. In one season, they are dormant. Nothing is happening. They appear dead. No growth is visible, no beauty. But on the inside...something is taking place. The next season is the budding time. The weather around the tree may be cool and unstable, but new life is soon to take off. Finally comes the season of production. Visible, beautiful fruit appears. Often in abundance. The thing about it is this...all the seasons must be endured to get to the fruit. The tree has to die, it has to be dormant in order to grow. Isn't that like us? Have you ever felt like nothing was happening? Alone? Forgotten? Thank God that it's just your dormant time. It is necessary for the time of beauty and growth to come. And like my hydrangea...even the dying down season provides us with beautiful evidence of God's handiwork. We are so meek. He is so grand. I am so insignificant. He is so phenomenal. I am nothing. He is everything. I am thankful that He has my seasons planned out and all I have to do is simply be.

Late Bloomers

Can you believe how beautiful the Trumpet Tree is?
Shawn thought it was dead last year and cut it all the way down...but it's back!
This is my meager attempt to be Kamin...our favorite photographer. I am playing with the settings on my camera and tried out the portrait mode...focused on the bird feeder with the trumpet tree in the background. Yeah...I'm no Kamin. Go and visit her blog, see my links and click on Behind K's Lens. She is such a precious girl (woman). She and Kristin (The Family Fields) are practically family and we are pretty crazy about them both. Hit Kamin up and be sure and tell her that I sent you. Kristin has a site linked from her site where she is selling some of her beautiful stuff. Check it out.

griffin.was.here.

Long time no blog!

Those of you that frequent my mom's blog know that she is one crafty girl. She has this bunny that stands out by the light post, and this is not your ordinary bunny. Gigi (my mom) dresses her to fit the season. Well...it's football season. So of course, being a smart, savvy bunny, our girl is sporting an ALABAMA jersey. We went to Mom and Dad's to watch the game on Saturday. Griffin wasn't into football, he wanted to play on the computer instead. Shawn commented that Griffin has better computer skills than he does. That's true. And scary. Seriously, part of Zack's 2nd grade technology curriculum is creating a folder, saving documents in that folder, retrieving documents, changing fonts and colors, etc. That's a flippin' lot for an 8 year old. Anyhoo, Griffin has mad computer skills. ESPECIALLY when it comes to The Wiggles. He's in the fan club. He receives monthly emails from them. This analogy pretty much sums up his Wiggle love. Griffin:The Wiggles::Amy:Loretta Lynn/The Eagles. Yeah. It's that hardcore. So of course, he took it upon himself to print out the masks of ALL OF THEM. For those of you who aren't familiar, that's Greg (even though he is no longer a wiggle), Sam (Greg's replacement), Murray, Anthony, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, and Jeff. Then, he cut them out (on his own...check out those impressive cutting skills) and he and Gigi made masks. When it was time to go, Griffin ran ahead and shouted over his soldier (that's what he calls his shoulders) "Hey Mom-tee...don't come out yet. I gotta go do sometin' important. " This is what he did. I thought it was pretty darn cute. And let me tell ya this...when we went to Gigi's to eat after church today...Bunny was still wearing her Anthony mask.

1st Day of School in Wee-zee-ann-uh

B's 1st day in 1st grade! Even with the uniform, she manages to accessorize in a fab way. Notice the hair bows, Hannah Montana bag, and shoes.
Maddie Moo accessorizes as well...notice the inner tube and gang signs. I LOVE THESE GIRLS!
Rock on, Cupcake...Rock on!

A few things I am certain of...

Here are a few lessons I am presenting with the help of my sweet nieces. First, GEAUX TIGERS! (this week only)

Next, I really wish that we wore uniforms at school. Look how cute BB looks! Kids need to wear them, so do teachers.
Beware the blond chick with the devious grin. She's usually up to no good. That look and laugh are usually followed by something like this...
God love her. This is what happens when you can't get away from Maddie. Once you learn to walk, Sweet Emma...run. Run like the wind.

Aware

I have grown to LOVE walking. (I seriously never imagined that I would say that). I have my trusty iPod, my 2 inch barrier of bug spray, and I'm gone. It's like my therapy now. It's my time to think, to pray, to just enjoy the view. Tonight I didn't get to walk until later than normal, and a storm was passing by. The wind was whipping. The clouds were traveling across the sky quickly. It was nice. I try and choose different playlists according to my moods. I started off with the random pick mode and began my walk with The Allman Brothers "Midnight Rider." For the record, I stinking love that song. (Kevin...are you reading this? GREAT SONG!) I was singing along, loving it. The next song that came up randomly was Don Henley's "Sunset Grill." I love that one as well, I just didn't want to hear it tonight. Maybe it was the weather, but I wasn't in the mood for my usual walking tunes. I searched my playlists and found my Praise and Worship songs. The first one that came up was Shane and Shane's version of "Before the Throne of God Above." LOVE IT! I enjoyed it, then rolled around until I found what I was looking for. By the way, I didn't know what I was looking for, I just felt that I'd know when I heard it. AND I DID. I came across "Aware" by Salvador. HOW PERFECT for me today. I've been so busy STRESSING OUT about every aspect of school that I lost perspective. Leave it to God to speak to me through my iPod. Some of you might now understand what I'm about to say, but most of you will. (if you have any questions, email me, I'd be glad to talk to you about it) Even though I am a teacher, my primary reason for being there isn't to teach. I'm there because it's the mission field that God chose for me. He knew exactly where I would be on September 8, 2008. He knew that I would PROMISE my husband that I would leave the school at 4:00, but that I really wouldn't get to leave until 5:05. He knew that I would be so worn out, so stretched from the CORE reading program, writing formative assessments, SP ED paperwork, etc that I would be questioning my career choice. He knew it all. But He put me there for a reason. I don't exactly know the reason. I may never know it. But this great song made me realize this: God is right there with me through it ALL. He's IN the CORE reading program. (Work a miracle, Jesus!) He's in the formative assessments. He's in the SP ED paperwork. It's up to ME to slow down or to be aware enough to see Him. I am always aware that God is right smack in the middle of a blessing (my children, my family, all the good things in my life). But I must become more aware of Him in the "not so good" things as well. Because HE IS THERE TOO! I am posting the lyrics to this great song. Most of you probably know it. I hope that it will mean something to someone reading this Pulitzer Prize worthy blog. :) And by the way...tonight's post is dedicated to my fellow teacher pal, Jamey Benton (visit her blog from my favorites - A Girl Becoming). She is an amazing, Godly woman. Her devotion to The Kingdom is inspiring. At today's meeting, I glanced over and saw her looking almost as overwhelmed/stressed as I felt. Jamey...this one is for you. By the way, Mom, or someone who has more technological skills than I...how do I post the YouTube video to this song?

Aware - by Salvador
Even in the little things that never seem to big to me
In the things I thought didn't matter much at all
As simple as my daily prayer
To the strength I need to get out of bed
When I fly or when I am bound to fall
Oh it is You in me
That I fail to see

Make me aware, make me see
That everything I am is not all about me
So Take my world and turn it around
So that the obvious can finally be found
Make me aware, make me aware .

When my life is hanging from a thread
And I think about the things You said
And in these moments seems so far away
Help me see the guarantees
That first brought me to believe
So I can make it through another day
Oh it‘s You in me
That helps me breathe.

Make me aware, make me see
That everything I am is not all about me.
So Take my world and turn it around
So that the obvious can finally be found
Make me aware.

I have been missing so much
Not recognizing Your touch
Or acknowledging that You’re the reason I’m even here
I have been missing so much
Not recognizing Your touch
Make me aware...

Make me aware, make me aware
Help me see That everything I am
Is not all about me .
Take my world and turn it around
So that the obvious can finally be found.
Make me aware, make me aware

An Update and a message from afar...

Hey All!

I am SO SORRY that it's been so long since my last post. This past week was very busy. Monday was Labor Day, aka my last free time to post. Tuesday, back to school. Tuesday night was Open House, so I got home after 7:00. Wednesday is my grade-level planning day after school, then I go straight to meet Shawn and the boys at church. After church I had to decorate for Birthday Club on Th. night. Thursday and Friday, I had a workshop with all of 2nd and 3rd grade on writing common formative assessments (in math of all things). Math...not my favorite thing. Anyhoo, I had to rush home Thursday after the workshop and go to church for Birthday Club. It ended at 8:30ish, then I had to stay and clean up. So I got home LATE Th. night just to rise and shine at good old 5:15 Friday morning. PRAISE GOD it's been a good weekend. Zack and Keith both spent the night with friends Friday night (shout out to Jakob and Jordan). But in an UNUSUAL twist, Zack called and wanted us to come and get him. That is SO unlike him. We tried just talking to him, but he wanted to come home. So Shawn went to get him all the while telling him that Keith was still at his friend's house. He didn't care, he missed his mama! :) Saturday I had a TON of errands to do, and we had some friends come over for the BAMA game. Today was church, groceries, lesson plans, ironing clothes, and WHEW...here I am! I hope to do better this week.

On to the message from afar...it's really from Chelsea. And it is HILARIOUS. Remember my last post? Where I got my craft on? (that reminds me, I got my craft on Friday night, before Zack came home. When the project is completed, I'll post the pics...get ready to ooooh and ahhhhh) Anyhoo, my craftiness obviously inspired my pal, Nadia. When I checked my million emails today, I had a nice little diddy from her. It said,

Amy,

Some friends of mine want to say THANKS! - Thanks to you, they're out of storage a whole MONTH earlier than usual! :)
Love, Nod
p.s. HAPPY FALL! I'm a SWEETER now!

It also had a little attachment. It is too HILARIOUS not to share. So, here it is. I hope that you all enjoy it as much as I did. NADIA, thanks for the laugh pal. I LOVED IT!

AGM:)

Fall decorating ~ Before...

It's fall, Y'all! It's time to get to decoratin'. Shawn is in the process of lugging down my thousand tubs of fall crap from the attic. In the meantime, I felt the need to "get my craft on." I used the ole' noodle and looked around at what I had on hand to use. I found my old trusty barley twist pedestal from Southern Living at Home, a Jamestown pedestal and dome, also from SLAH, an old iron candle holder, and some random candlestick. I went to one of my favorite places, Dollar Tree and bought a few little gems, such as moss, a few bags of little gourds, and a few little pumpkins. I went through my ribbon stash and found this precious red and orange check and my trusty black and white. A few minutes, er, half an hour later, and voila! I think it all turned out pretty darn cute, if I must say so myself! It certainly doesn't look like Dollar Tree decorating, but that's exactly what it is. Take THAT, Martha Stewart!!!

And after...

Let me apologize for the terrible lighting...I took these pictures at the worst time possible. But I am so proud of my cute little decorations! And the best part is that these 4 beauties cost me about $7.00 total! I love them! No, I won't display them all together. I just put them together for the pictures. When I finish putting up all my fall/Halloween decorations, I'll post some more pictures for you all to see. Forgive me for boasting, but I'm pretty impressed with my handiwork.

And for those of you who think it's too early to decorate for fall...to you I say Bah Humbug! Get in the spirit. It is NOT too early to decorate. My 3 boys are thrilled that we're getting out the pumpkins and such. Shawn isn't so thrilled, because he's the one climbing up to the attic repeatedly finding more decorations. But nonetheless, he is enjoying himself. (That's what I keep telling him) I decorate for fall/Halloween at the beginning of September. And my Christmas trees (yes, trees, I put up 5) go up on Veteran's Day. ENJOY LIFE! Don't be a "meaner." (Griffin's creation) Be a "sweeter." (another of Griff's words) Get to decorating!