Oh, How He Loves Me

I just wanted to share two ways the Lord has provided and answered my prayers in BIG ways. I know the Lord is working on my behalf every day and extending grace to me every second, but these two things are a huge testimony to me that God loves me.

 

1)About two weeks ago, our pool cleaner stopped working. The one we bought 15 months and was 3 months out of warranty. It would cost about $230 to fix. The pool guy said our filters needed to be replaced too, because they were letting to much gunk through. This could have caused issues with the pool cleaner needing repair. The filters would cost around $370 to fix. For a grand total around $600 to fix everything.

 

Well, just that week we got a check for $457 and a prepaid credit car for $137. Add that up and you get just $6 shy of the $600 we needed to fix our pool. God definitely provided for that financial need Again He shows me He is in control and my money is not mine!

 

2) The other night I was missing my family back home and prayed for God to show me I was making a difference here. The very next morning I received the following email:

 

She could of sent this weeks ago, but God had her interrupted several times on purpose and then had her send it at just the right time. I love that she even used the phrase "you definitely made a difference in their lives".

I know I am right where God wants me!

 

 

"He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us, oh,
Oh, how He loves us,
How He loves us all."

I Survived...

my 7th first day of 1st grade.

The first day flew by!

 I have an all time high (for me) 23 students with a wide range of abilities and personalities.

 

I love teaching but the best part is coming home to my boys, especially when they have cleaned the house and made dinner!

My sweet boy makes me smile and erases any stress from the day.

 

Just listen to his laugh!

"The Lord is the one who sustains me." Psalm 54:4

A Prayer For the School Year

Tomorrow is my 24th first day of school! The butterflies and the restless night before still occur. I am excited and nervous at the same time!

 

 

I would not make it through the school year, let alone one day, if it was not with God's strength, mercy, and love. Here is my prayer for this school year.

 

Lord,

I pray that I find my strength in you and that I seek you in each moment of my day. Instill in me peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, humility, and love for others. I want others to see you in me. Help me to treat each one of my students as your child and see them through your eyes. Help me to use only words that build others up, encourages them, and makes them feel worthy. I know you handpicked each one of my students for me for a reason. Help me be all they need be to me. Thank you for the gifts you have given me and the ability to spend each day doing what I truly love. Help me to mold these students into better individuals and help them realize their true potential. I need you each and everyday to be the best teacher possible. Remind me of your truths daily and who I am working for. Give me the strength and patience to handle tough long days with mercy and grace.
Thank you in advance for the awesome things that will come from this year. I pray that each student that comes through my door will find value, feel love, and know how important they truly are.

 

You are my strong tower and the one I take refuge in. Help me stand strong with you all year
long.

 

In Your precious name,

Amen

Our Weekend Friend

Jackson made it through his first full week of Preschool. He continues to love it and kept asking if he could go on Saturday! We created a little behavior/incentive chart for Jackson to encourage and reinforce good behavior at school. This week he needed 4 stars and wanted to buy a new sword.

 He did it! However, the dollar store was all out of swords. No meltdown occurred (surprisingly), and Jackson chose a bug catching kit instead.

 

We spent Friday night getting the container ready for a bug. Jackson put some stones and grass in the bottom.

 Off to find something for his container!

 We had no luck Friday, but on Saturday Daddy and Jackson caught a little toad. He was so excited! He named him Thomas the toad.

 We got him a little cap to hold water and tried to catch him so bugs to eat. Jackson slept with Thomas in his room and talked to him.

 Jackson decided that it was best if we let Thomas go because he probably was scared and missed his friends.

 

Now, we are on the look out for a new friend!

Photoshop Love

The night before I could go up to school and work on my room, I got the urge to update a few things in my room.

 

I knew I wanted to do black and red to match the seats Brian made for me. I decided to try my hand at Photoshop and see what I could make. Between Brian and I, we figured out how to use the background of our choice to do many things. I created my own word wall letters, theme cards, and schedule cards.

iPhone pictures, it looks better in person!

 

One night this week, I had the urge to make a banner to hang outside my room. I turned to Photoshop to help me whip out a cut banner and labeled baseballs in a matter of minutes.

 I also figured out how to use my own background to create letters and get rid of the background around it. That actually took a lot longer than it was probably worth. But, now I know!

 

Now, I want to find some time to figure out editing pictures with Photoshop!

Haircut

I love Jackson's curls, but they began to get out of control (especially after a good night's sleep:)!

It was time for a haircut, but not before we all enjoy some blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry smoothie.

Jackson helped blend,

 test taste,

and drink the yummy smoothie!

 Then, Brian started cutting while Jackson watched Thomas. I love how much Brian is saving us by cutting Jackson's and his hair.

And the after!

 Why does it seem they always look so much older after a haircut? 

The End of Summer

This was my last week of summer. It was mainly spent up at school and in meetings.

Since Jackson didn't start preschool until Tuesday, he helped me for a few hours in my classroom on Monday. He handed me sticky tack, drew blueprints, and poured concrete:) He was a real trooper, and I enjoyed his company!

After we dropped Jackson off for his first day of Preschool on Tuesday, Brian spent the whole day helping me organize and get my room ready. He was AMAZING! We got so much done!

 Here are a few pictures from my iPhone of my classroom so far. I think it may be my favorite classroom yet! I have a few more little things to do.

In between working in my classroom and meetings on Wednesday, I snuck away to get my hair done!

Lunch out and learning about my 22 new 1st graders were the highlights of Thursday.

Jackson stayed home with me on Friday. I wanted to enjoy our last day of summer together. It started off by sleeping in, followed by playing construction.

We also went out to Jennifer and Lilah's to swim with some friends.

 I am going to miss seeing these ladies on a regular basis,

 and spending my days with this little guy.

 We made a pit stop at the outlet mall on the way home for Mommy to get a few "last day of summer" treats!

I think I am in denial that summer vacation is really over!