Friday!!!!

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! ~ Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 (NIV)

Yes!  Friday is here and I made it!  Having a week where the kids can't go outside (both at school and at home) due to rain makes for long days and a long week.  

My Blake Rooster has snagged his first "real" job.  He will be working at CiCi's.  (You know--"Hi!  Welcome to CiCi's!!)  I have a hilarious (Yes, I laugh at my children often.  Isn't that why we have them?  Ha!) picture of him in his T-shirt, cap and nerd glasses.  I was going to post it, but I promised I wouldn't without him saying he was okay with it.  I told that precious sixteen year old to PLEASE let me know when his supply of contacts is getting low b/c he might not want to wear his glasses to work with that ball cap.  (ROTFLOL just thinking of that picture!!)  

The twin Roosters have baseball practice and they look just as pitiful (HA!) in their uniforms that are way too big even though we got the smallest size pants we could find.  The Colonel is still on a mission to find the time to run to another sporting goods store to see what he can find for them.  

I'm leaving today after school to attend a women's retreat in Charlotte with...drum roll, please....ALBERTA!!!!!  (The wonderful Mrs. Stewart)  I'm excited to be spending the time with one of my favorite people, but being the painfully shy gal that I am, being in a large crowd for a long period of time makes me a little anxious.  (And those of you that know me very well and are questioning my shyness level--Yes, I am shy!!!  Haha)  Anyway, I can't wait to share pictures and reflections on my blog when I return.

Okay, indulge this mother of three wonderful boys for just a minute or two.  As you have read a few posts ago, my friend Lisa just had a baby girl.  The only time I get to buy cute clothes for children is when my friends have girls.  Is this not the cutest little outfit?

After about the age of four, my boys stopped wearing smocked outfits.  Sadness.  I saw this dress and thought how cute Ellis would look in it.

And look at this dress with the little bloomers!!  OMG!!  Precious!!  

And how could I pass up this dress with this little ruffled slip under it!!  Now the bows and shoes are up to Lisa.  That is the reason God gave me all boys.  I can not do hair!!  I can't imagine having to match bows and socks and shoes to dresses.  I'd never make it to church on Sunday or else my poor princess would look like a rag-a-muffin.  It is all I can do to get my boys to put on a pair of shoes.  I love my boys but I love when my friends have girls!!

This sweet thing crawled in my lap after school yesterday and fell asleep laying on me.  I hated to have to get up to finish supper.  I'm going to miss that time when these Roosters are bigger I am sure.

How quickly they grow up.  This was Blake two years ago.  He has changed so much. 

Just a year later...Now imagine those glasses with a baseball cap on that head...ROTFLOL again thinking of that picture.

This starts Monday in the Forest right after the students load the buses.  There are twenty of us ready for the misery.  I seriously hope it is fun though.  I just can't imagine push-ups being fun.  

Another "Ketchup" Post

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." ~ Matthew 6: 1- 34 (ESV)

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent as many already know.  I know not all religions "practice" or emphasize Lent.  I remember it being part of my childhood because, although I grew up Protestant, my grandfather was Catholic.  "Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, and moderation and spiritual discipline.  The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ--His suffering and His sacrifice, His life, death, burial and resurrection." (About.com  Christianity)  I've read where people are spending more time in Bible study, keeping a journal on insights from devotionals revolving around the 40 days of Lent, etc.  I think it is great.  However, shouldn't we be this diligent with our time with God every day?  It certainly gave me a little more to think about as I read my first devotional yesterday.  Just a thought.

My crew and I have been up to lots over the past week.  Sickness entered the house yet again, but I am grateful that it didn't last too long.  I am also thankful for the few days of higher temperatures so that I could open the windows and hopefully bid the germs farewell.  

Kids at school have been eagerly learning about fractions.  I love teaching fractions even though it can be difficult for some students to grasp some of the concepts.  I think I enjoy the most b/c we eat a lot during this unit of study.

The fourth graders went to the symphony last month.  Mr. McIntosh texted me to let me know he had just confiscated a purpose from the student sitting NEXT to him b/c she was having a pocketbook picnic complete with candy and a Slim Jim.  I died laughing.  Really?  A Slim Jim?  Obviously she didn't realize how strong the smell of those things are.  And I must teach her how to fly under the radar.  You never, never, never sit NEXT to the teacher if you plan on having a pocketbook picnic!

This is my "death march" (just kidding) every morning.  My room is at the far end of this hall.

Sometimes I think this should read "Entering the Twilight Zone"...I really am teasing...I work with a really fun group of teachers who have a heart for children...The students are pretty fun too...HA!

Some student work that Jenn and I put up outside my door

The Roosters have started baseball.  They are doing Coaches Pitch this season.  (John Ryan wasn't in the mood for a photo shoot, so Nick is my only model for the blog today.)  

My big Rooster got his first job which I'll write about in another post!!  Congratulations, Blake!  I'm proud of you for landing one at sixteen!!

I got a picture of John Ryan while sleeping.  I just love watching my kids sleep.

Monday was Dr. Seuss Day and Nick brought home this picture of The Cat in the Hat.  I think he did a great job for a six-year-old.  It is just one of those pictures that when you look at it it sort of makes your eyes hurt, ya know?  Something about the lack of symmetry. (I wonder if he used Mardi Gras colors on purpose??)

Met the Colonel out at McCrady to have our ID made.  I would have never imagined the Colonel being in the military full-time.  He took a military course in college and was hooked.  I remember the day he told me he had decided he was going to go the Officer route through college and get commissioned.  I literally turned around and walked off from him.  However, I got used to the idea and he is really awesome at his job.  He loves it and enjoys going to work everyday.  I've managed to adjust to being a military wife over the years; however, I must admit that it wasn't something that came easy for me as I am painfully shy.

Flowers for the den.  I usually put the flowers the Colonel brings me home on the kitchen table.  I decided to put these in the den to add some spring cheer to our sitting area.

And the neighborhood is starting to come alive with a few signs of spring

(Picture copied from "Dear Lillie" blog)

And everyday I am thankful that my God strengthens me and helps me and upholds me with His righteous right hand (paraphrase Isaiah 41: 10 ~ One of my favorite verses).

With Spring Comes...

"For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." 1 Timothy 4: 8

I have this weirdness level in case you haven't figured it out yet.  I'm somewhat of a quirky nerd.  One of the things I do is relate how long my school year is to trees.  I know. I know.  Weird.  There was this huge tree on the playground at my last school, and I used it to gage my school year.  When school began, the tree was covered in leaves.  Then came Fall and the change of color with winter following and just bare claws reaching to the sky.  Finally, around March I would be on the playground and notice tiny buds appearing on the tree.  I knew that this marked the nearing of the year for me.  I always got excited when that tree started blooming.  

When I left my last school, I actually looked for a tree to "follow" through my year.  Needless to say, our playground is void of trees except for the pine forest behind the recess yard.  However, as I was walking to my car one day last year, I noticed that our parking lot is surrounded by Bradford Pears.  Perfect!  I decided to "follow" them throughout my school days.  I actually take pictures of them with my nerdy self.  HA!

These were the trees in October as they just began to change color.  With the new dress, I knew that right around the corner were Thanksgiving and CHRISTmas vacations.  Smile!

Today as I left school, I noticed teeny tiny little buds on the trees.  Oh, joy!!  This is the sign that Easter break is not far off.  (Yes, I am a teacher that looks excitedly towards her vacations.)

Do you see those beautiful buds?  Three more months of school!!  YES!!  Can I make it?  I think I can; I think I can; I think I can!

What else comes with spring?  Ah, my obsession with getting in shape.  It seems that my love of winter comfort foods has added an extra seven pounds to my 5'4" frame.  At that height, you can see the extra chicken and dumplings.  So, with spring comes...

a membership to Gold's Gym.  Blake is very serious about his weight training and informed us that his membership had expired.  I have been trying to talk myself into joining with him.  This weekend the Colonel took Blake to Gold's to renew his membership and also signed me up.  No more talk.  Notice that I also have a MWR card too.  That card gives me free access to the gym on post; however, they don't have the mind distractors that Gold's provides.  There is something about distractions that helps me make it through 1.5 hours of sweating (which I really hate to do).

Picked this up at Publix today.  These magazines (remember I have an obsession with magazines) help motivate me.  Let's face it, no workout program will be successful without DESIRE.  You have to want it.

I ordered Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred video about...oh...a year ago and never opened it.  I watched it while I cooked supper tonight just to see what I was in for "if" I decided to get started on it.  I was going to see if a few teachers at school wanted to do it together since it is only 20 minutes.  The workout includes push-ups.  OMG!  I HATE those things!!  This did not motivate me in the least.  Blah.

Then the gals went from push-ups to squats with over-head presses.  Are you kidding me?!!  I can't stand those either!  However, let's just go ahead and face it--I really can't stand any exercise except walking.  Working out really has to become a competitive game I play with myself.  It is the only way I can motivate myself to actually get started.  Once I start, I'm good to go.  I actually have to keep myself in check b/c it is very easy for me to become OCD with my workouts.  

So, when am I starting my spring shape-up?  Um, how about NEXT Monday?!  Ha!  I'm still in the "talk myself into it" phase.  It will take me about a week to convince myself to do this.

(This picture was copied and pasted from the blog "Dear Lillie."  This chalkboard print can be purchased from her shop through a link on her blog.  Just Google "Dear Lillie" blog--)

With the desire to workout and the blooming of the earth, the best part of spring is the reminder that God loves us so much that He spared not His own Son.  Yes, the best part of EVERYDAY is knowing that my Redeemer lives!!

Foreshadowing?

"Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and He will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field." ~ Zechariah 10: 1

As we were pulling out our driveway to go to church this AM, I happened to glance in our neighbor's yard and noticed this Japanese (I think) Tulip tree starting to bloom.  Seeing these beautiful purple flowers always foreshadows the coming of spring to me.  Even with two winter storms that brought snow and ice this year, it seems that winter flew by.  Just this sight of God's creation waking up to new life makes my heart happy.

I took this picture Wednesday night as I was leaving Bible study at Shandon.  I adore this church because I adore the people that make-up the church for without the people this would just be a building.

The countdown and entrance of the choir. I love worship at Shandon!!

Ready for the message-- I love that the back of our bulletins is left blank for sermon notes.  I actually keep my bulletins on a big silver ring so that I can go back to my notes when I need to remember something from a sermon.  I call it my "Blessing Ring" b/c hearing God's word is always a blessing to me.

New sermon series is entitled "Losing My Religion:  Finding God's Reality"

Today's Text was Romans 14: 16-23 "Finding and Enjoying Freedom"

I always take away so much from Dr. Lincoln's sermons.  I go to church to worship and praise God, but He always GIVES me more than I deserve.

Getting ready to go get Sister and head out for some grocery shopping.

After church selfie...I just love the way grey hairs stick straight up--NOT...I read where Biotin is good for hair and nail health, so I started taking it about four months ago...Hair started growing like mad...I don't know that it is any healthier, but it is definitely longer...So need a hair cut but just can't find the time to make an appointment...

This is my Mouse Kitty.  The only two people in the family he has anything to do with are Blake and me.  If I happen to lock him out my bedroom, I always find him asleep outside my door.  He was definitely worth the trip to Sumter to save him from an untimely death.  I love my Mouse Kitty.

I have a random post about babies, baseball, field studies and friends coming very soon.

 

Ash Wednesday (beginning of Lent) ~ March 5, 2014

Palm Sunday (Commemorates Christ's triumphal entrance into Jerusalem ~ Last Sunday before Easter and marks the beginning of Holy Week) ~ April 13, 2014

Maundy Thursday ~ April 17, 2014

Good Friday ~ April 18, 2014

Easter Sunday (Celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ) ~ April 20, 2014

Snow, Earthquake, Heatwave

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ~ Colossians 3: 16 

This past week has been rather unusual in the south.  In less than two weeks, we have had two snow/ice storms that have kept us out of school for a total of five days.  Saturday night I was reading in bed when the house shook.  I'm talking windows rattling and the house shaking like something exploded outside minus the noise.  We live near a military fort, but normally you don't hear tanks firing or weapons' qualifications late at night.  I thought something fell on the roof due to the ice, so I got up to check things out.  Nothing. Shortly after that, my phone and Blake's phone started going off with texts from people asking us if we felt the earthquake.  EARTHQUAKE?  WHAT?  It seems that Edgefield, SC, had an earthquake that registered 4.1.  (In Sunday school, one of the ladies said, "Come, Lord Jesus, come!"  Definitely a sign of the times.)  If winter storms and earthquakes (yes, I realize an earthquake is not considered weather) aren't enough, I read the weather forecast for my area for the rest of the week and the temperatures are supposed to reach 78 degrees Friday. Heatwave in February.  HA!  With that being said, I'll let the pictures finish telling my story.

This is another reason why I love Shandon Baptist.  The Clucks are getting sweet notes from Sunday school teachers.  I know a lot of churches do this when people visit, but we have been attending Shandon for almost a year, and we are still getting sweet messages like this.  It really feels like a second home.  I love it!!

I just started subscribing to this magazine. Remember I told you I have issues with magazine subscriptions.  It really is bad.  Well, I also have issues with cookbooks.  I love to buy and read cookbooks.  Now mind you, I am not that kind of gal that cooks all the time.  I sort of get on a roll.  I'll cook really big/good/different meals for a spell and then I get tired and I'll call the Colonel and ask him to please bring something home for supper.  Cooking sort of hits me in waves.  Anyway, this is a really good magazine with simple, non-flashy meals.  (I will say that the picture of chicken and waffles did nothing for me.  That actually looks rather gross to me.  However, the breakfast recipes on the inside were really good.  I love breakfast for dinner.)

My favorite soup is She-crab soup.  I could just dive in a pot and eat it until I died.  I've made it a few times and about killed myself on the 1,000 calorie bowl.  Because of the calories, I don't make it that often.  I recently saw this soup in Publix and thought I would try it.  It is really good.  The Colonel hasn't tried it yet, but I don't think this will be a keeper for him b/c it is a little spicy.  It is b/c of that that I liked it.  

I have no idea why this precious rooster was upset.  I have forgotten.  Probably yet another fight between him and his twin rooster.

This is Mouse's new bed he has made for himself.  Cats are just...well...different.

Valentine's Day was sort of hit and miss at our house.  We usually don't do anything special except I'll cook something "different."  This year we had the ice storm, but the Colonel surprised me with more flowers.  I have no idea where he got them b/c everything was shut down around here during the ice storm.  I guess when you are out in it working 16 hour days you run across a few places trying to make a living.  

Do you ever order anything off QVS or HSN?  I usually don't.  I think I have ordered one thing way back when.  It was some cooking thing that I used one time.  Anyway, one Saturday I was watching this infomercial for Cindy Crawford's "Meaningful Beauty" skin care line.  I totally disregarded televisions use of technology and became amazed at the melon that didn't rot.  (Good marketing strategy)  Forget the fact that human skin is nowhere near that of a melon rind.  (Blame it on the rain.  Wasn't that a song "back in the day?")  Anyway, for ONLY $39.95 I could have Cindy Crawford's flawless (airbrushed to death) skin.  I was sold.  (Sucker)  I ordered the stuff.  I've used it for about a month.  I actually like it, but I am looking nothing like Cindy did in the infomercial or in the brochure that came with the lotions.  I don't only use this.  I alternate with a Retinol cream every other night too.  Skin is softer but wrinkles are not going anywhere.  Sigh.

Love my crazy crew!!

Happy Heart Day

"Let love be without hypocrisy.  Abhor what is evil.  Cling to what is good.  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality." Romans 12: 9-13

Happy Valentine's Day!  It doesn't feel much like the red heart day around here.  The boys and I did manage to work on their cards today.  They don't have school again until Wednesday.  Oh, well.  It was fun listening to them debate over which cards suited each classmate.  Ya know, you learn a lot about classmates doing Valentine cards.  HA!

Here are a few pictures to tell the story of our day.

 

That would be the sun and even some blue skies that I have missed.  Yesterday, I laid across one of the club chairs in my living room with the sun beaming in through the picture window.  The next thing you know I was asleep with the sun on my face.  Nick asked me what I was doing, and I told him I was soaking up Vitamin D.

 

The patio had a layer of ice on it, so the Clucks went out to "ice skate."

 

The yard was also covered in a layer of ice which Nick soon found out.  Oops!

 

 

Southern Hockey--frozen patio, one golf club, one hockey stick, a puck made out of a jar lid, and patio chairs as goals.

 

Valentines for classmates!

 

There is ice on the ground and this child is in a sleeveless shirt and underwear.  Yes, I am THAT kind of mom.

 

I caught this Rooster leaving the kitchen with a bag of chips, water and a cup of marshmallows.  My clucks have worms b/c they eat all the time!

 

Nick ran into the kitchen showing me that his tooth fell out finally.  Then he asked, "Does the tooth fairy come in the snow?"  (She does if she still remembers the tooth fell out at nine o'clock tonight.  Ugh!  She has been known to forget.  I put the tooth in a baggie and hung it on the fireplace so I would see it all day.  Probably need to leave the tooth fairy a note on the bathroom mirror.  Fairies are flighty you know.)

 

 

Never ending sillies.