Just Another Manic Monday - but not this week!!!!!

I'm off of work tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!! Do I seem excited? Oh my goodness - so thankful.

Our trip to Nashville has come and gone. We had a great time. We left Friday afternoon and headed straight to the Convention Center to pick up Cort and Laura's race packets. Then we headed to Mark's house, our friend that was gracious enough to let us stay for the weekend. The girls needed to eat some pasta the night before the race, so Mark treated us to a fantastic meal at Maggiano's later that night. It was delicious.


We all got up early Saturday morning and Mark and I dropped Cort and Laura off to start the race. Cort did great. She ran the half and improved her time by 13 or 14 mimutes. Her knees were much better due to the cortizone injections. She's still in some pain, but not bad compared to before. I got to stand on the side of the street and watch her run by, smiling. The picture here is via Mark. He got some really good candid shots (just before he fell in a puddle of water - seriously)!


We went to the concert Saturday night. We didn't realize that the three finalists of Nashville Star would be performing. Of course, that would be the only reality TV show I don't watch so I didn't have any idea who they were. They were all really good though! Phil is a great performer. I'm not his biggest fan, but it was a good concert.

Church was at Otter Creek this morning - amazing service and lesson on grace. Lunch was at Viddles - oh my goodness. That food was awesome! But, it didn't compare to the steak and chicken kabobs Mark grilled Saturday (see picture below). I thought they were so pretty- I had to take a picture. They were delicious too!!!


Needless to say, we had a great weekend. I have definitely decided that I need to do things like that more often!!!

TGIF!

Thank Goodness It's Friday! Wow - I'm ready for a break. We're off to Nashville this weekend. Cort is running in the Music City Marathon tomorrow. She originally planned to do the whole thing (26 miles) but will probably do the half due to her knees. They've been hurting lately when she runs. She went this morning and got cortizone injections in her knees and has been to physical therapy so maybe she'll be okay for tomorrow. I hope to be there like a proud sister taking pictures as she runs across the finish line!!! Saturday night we are going to the Phil Vassar concert. I am not a huge fan, but Cort got a good deal on tickets because of participating in the marathon. It'll be fun.

We'll come home from Nashville Sunday and I'm taking my last personal day Monday to do absolutely nothing! We're not allowed to be off during the last two weeks of school unless it's an emergency so I have to use it now. And, if I have a day left, you better believe I'm gonna take it!

Josh and Ginger had a doctor's appointment today. They heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time. It was 168 - which the wives tale is that if it's over 160 (is that right Ginger???) that it's a girl. We'll see! (Ging- hope you don't mind me blogging this! - I'm just a proud auntee!!!)

Happy Weekend everyone!!!

This is a long one.....

Do you ever have days when you can't get a song out of your head? Days when you walk around humming or singing it all day long without even realizing it? I do that ALL the time. Today, it just so happens that the song stuck in my head was a new one we're learning at church. It's probably one of the most amazing songs I've ever heard in my life. It's not just the melody, which is absolutely beautiful, but the lyrics are unbelievable. It's called "You Were There." It's one of those songs you hear once and will never forget. I sat in the floor of my bedroom the other day listening to it, imaginging the stories it speaks of, and weeping at it's truth and the power of it's words.

"You Were There"

I wonder how it must have felt when David stood to face Goliath on a hill.
I imagine that he shook with all his might until you took his hand, and held
on tight.

'Cause you were there, you were there in the midst of danger's snare.
You were there, you were there, always.
You were there when the hardest fight seemed so out of reach. Oh you were there,
You were always there, you were always there.

So there he stood upon that hill.
Abraham with knife in hand was poised to kill,
but God in all his sovereignty had bigger plans and just in time he brought a lamb.

'Cause you were there, you were there in the midst of danger's snare.
You were there you were there always.
You were there when obedience seemed to not make sense,
Oh, you were there, you were always there,
You were always there.

So haven't I learned that my ways aren't as high as yours are,
'Cause you alone keep the universe from crumbling into dust.
You re God and though we would not understand you, there you were.
Hanging blameless on a cross, you would rather die than leave us in the dark.
Every moment, every planned coincidence just all makes sense, with your last breath.

You were there, you were there during history's darkest hour.
You were there you were there always.
You were the victor and the king, you were the pow'r in David's sling,
You are the call of Abraham, you are the God who understands,
You are the strength when we're not strong, You are the living Holy word,
You were, you are and you will always be the Lamb of God!

So I ask myself, why did that song keep playing over and over in my head? Does God use things such as music to remind me of His promises, of His love and faithfulness to me? Absolutely! I repeat myself when I'm teaching to stress the importance of my words. Musicians repeat themselves when writing song lyrics to relay a message, as in the song above. I want to believe that God sang this song to me today, over and over and over again because He wanted to stress something to me. This song reminds me of how perfect our God is- His plans, His love, His mercy. It reminds me to trust Him, when I think I can do something on my own. And most of all, it reminds me to just praise Him! He is amazing, isn't He???

"Tonight, Tonight, Tonight - OoOooooo........"

Okay, I'm already too addicted to this blog. I am sitting here writing a post for today and I'm still at school! But, the kids are in the library so I can do what I want with these 30 minutes, right???

I love Tuesdays. I go to work excited about what the night holds. I make sure the laundry is done, phone calls are made, and I am positioned square in front of the television by 6:59. Why, you may ask? Two short words...AMERICAN IDOL! I am a wee bit obsessed. It's my absolute favorite T.V. show ever! This season has been fun to watch! I love Taylor - his unique voice and obvious passion for performing make him popular with voters. I also love Catherine. I chose her from the auditions. However, Season 4 was by far the best. Some friends and I made the trip to the concert this past summer. I must say, it was the best I have been to. (No, it's not the only concert I've ever attended-you skeptics)! I reverted back to my teenie bopper days and screamed, waved, and took a million pictures (two of which are below). I will never forget that concert. Anyone know when tickets go on sale for this season's tour? And yes, I will be making an appearance there too!

20 More Days and Counting....

I survived! The first day back to school after Spring Break came all too quickly. I have been dreading it for days, at least since Wednesday. It was then that I started getting slightly depressed due to the fact that my time of relaxation and hiatus from 17 third graders was far too quickly coming to an end. I must admit though, today wasn't that bad. There were no parent conferences, no observations, no case of the stolen candy, no hitting each other in the face with a shoe, no leaving puddles of pee under a chair in the classroom, no fighting over who is first in line, no barfing in the classroom trash can (yes, all of which have indeed happened in MY classroom). Overall, I'd say I had a good first day back. Now, I'm counting down the days until summer!

Welcome to My Blog!!!

Well, here goes! I never imagined I would be remotely interested in documenting the "Days of My Life." I don't know that there are that many interesting and noteworthy things that happen. However, it gives me something to do and an avenue to share what's going on in my life with friends that I don't see or talk to often. I feel that I have so much to live up to (thanks Kristy, Ashley, and Jesse!!!). After encouragement and great tips, here she is! Ha! Welcome to my blog.