My Valentine

Yep- for this girl, Valentine's Day is dreaded every year.  With each passing one, I hope the next will bring something different.  So far, it hasn't, but my faith isn't in myself or a man- it's in MY GOD!  That's the love I chose to celebrate yesterday.  Although I woke up in a terrible not so good mood, my heart was full and content by the end of the day.

It started off before school when my sweet co-teacher brought in the cutest notecards and a precious note that made me feel special.  Then, it continued around 9:00 am with office aide #1 bringing in a bright red wrapped gift.  I was very confused when she said, "It's for you."  I read the note and tears came to my eyes.  The gift was a coffee pot (notice the note), in which Scarlett had heard me say recently that I didn't have and needed to purchase due to my new craving for coffee.  She's so thoughtful and creative!  I LOVED it! 

Later yesterday afternoon, office aide #2 comes in with three roses and a bright pink bag.  Again, "It's for you."  What in the world?  Inside the bag was a candle, chocolates, and a heart-shaped soap.  This note was one of the kindest and special ones I've ever received.  I will keep it forever.  I still don't know who sent it, but I think God used them yesterday to fill my heart and provide me an earthly representation of HIS love.  I will never forget it.  The note says this:  Amy- Thank you for being who you are.  You are someone that can turn a bad day into a great day.  You know how to make others feel special simply by how you treat them.  You are a fantastic teacher and I know for a fact your kids adore you.  On this day of love, I want you to know so many love you and that's because you show love to others.  Most of all, thank you for showing others that being a child of God is so special.  God has blessed my life (along with others) for knowing you.  MHBS is very lucky to have someone like you. (Please believe I shared this not to boast or be prideful of myself.  I, in fact, feel very undeserving of the words this person spoke.)

After school, I come to my car to find this.  It's a gift basket for my mom and me from my precious friend, Amanda.  Inside was chicken salad, chocolate covered strawberries, homemade heart cookies, plates and polka-dot napkins, and more.  Overwhelmed....that's what I was.  Another reminder of how blessed I am by the absolute best friends in the world. 

My day ended with dinner with my sweet and precious Mom.  She is the most incredible person and is my rock.  I couldn't have asked for a better Valentine's date. :)

I don't know what I did to deserve all my "happys" yesterday.  Somehow that dreaded day turned out to be such a blessing.  I'm seeing God more and more lately and I think yesterday was just another way He made His presence known to me through some truly awesome people.  THANK YOU- to everyone who played a part in making my day so special. I will have a new perspective next Valentine's Day.  I will make sure those closest to me know they're loved, like I knew yesterday.  Although, it wouldn't hurt to have a husband for next year either.... :)

In Recent News....

This post has been a long time coming.  I have logged in numerous times only to sit and look at the screen in hopes a blog topic would grace the presence of my brain.  Obviously, it never happened.  I typically don't write about my life because...well...there just isn't much exciting about it.  I work, I go home, and I work again.  It's a monotonous, BLESSED, and sometimes boring cycle.  But then I thought, you know....this blog is for me and it's always fun to look back over old posts to see what I was up to at that time.  Hence, this post. Lately.......

I'm still obsessed with my precious niece.  She's just the best thing that has ever happened to me and I think about her nonstop.  She's starting to talk more and more now and we just all think everything she says and does is the cutest.  I miss her from the moment they walk out the door to head home until the time I see her again.  She's my sweet angel. 

I've been spending a lot of time rehearsing for Winterfest.  If you remember my post from last year, it's a youth conference my friends second family and I sing at in February.  Last year was our first year and boy, was I nervous!  We sing on stage in front of 6500 people and I'm certainly not used to that type of audience!  It was such a blessing last year and I absolutely cannot wait to go back next weekend.  We're learning new songs that are amazing.  If you're interested, download Stronger by Hillsong, Awakening by Chris Tomlin, and Mighty Fortress by Christy Nockels.  If you love Christian music, you will LOVE these songs.

I started the low-glycemic index diet again two weeks ago.  This is the same diet I was able to lose over 20 pounds on a couple years ago.  I did well until Thanksgiving and well, you know how hard it is to be on a diet around the holidays.  I've prayed about this for a while and thanks to God found the strength despite my hesitation, to start it again.    It's basically leaving out all carbs (unless they are natural carbs found in fruit), no processed food, etc.  This diet makes me feel SO much better.  I love that what I am feeding my body is all-natural and HEALTHY.  It's not always easy, but the reward outweighs the struggle.  I covet your prayers to stay strong and keep this lifestyle up.  I've lost 5.6 pounds the first two weeks and am hoping to lose lots more.  For now, my new favorite foods are a Jennie-O turkey burger between two pieces of lettuce, Carb-balance tortillas and natural peanut butter wraps, and peanuts.  I can't do without those staples!

I can't believe school is nearing an end.  Summer break is still over three months away, but time is flying!  I'm excited to go to the beach again with my family this summer.  We're moving the party from Gulf Shores to Destin this year.  That will be a nice change.  I'm super excited to go to Minneapolis as soon as school is out to visit Josh and Ginger, the boys, and new baby boy Willingham.  I've always wanted to visit the Mall of America so Lord willing, this summer will be my chance.  Don't count on me to ride the roller coaster in there, though.  I was the one scared to death on the kiddie coaster at Waterville in Gulf Shores.  If only I had a video of my face.......

I guess that wraps it up!  I will post pictures from Winterfest when I return.  I am going to try and post my dieting progress again occasionally, just in hopes of keeping myself accountable.   If it bores you, feel free to pass on those posts.  I hope this finds everyone doing well....and doing a snow dance by the way.  What's winter without at least one snow day?  That's what I'm hoping for.  Happy Hump Day!