Expectations

This year, to kick off our school year, we had an in-service all day one day and one of the statements has really stuck with me. The speaker talked about the expectations you have for the students and how if you have low expectations for the students, they will have low expectations for themselves, and how if you have high expectations for the students, they will have high expectations for themselves.

Well, this has really stuck with me, but for more than my students. Of course, I started off my year telling them that I have high expectations for them and think that they can do the best possible. But, I've started telling myself the same thing. I keep telling myself, "This is going to be a great year."

And, now, three weeks into the school year, I find myself much calmer and doing a better job in everything that I do. I start each day off with each task, expecting myself to do my very best in that task. And, as a result, I have found myself doing better in each task and staying calmer.

Lesson: Have high expectations for yourself and take it one day at a time. You'll find yourself (if you're like me) calmer and doing a better job.

So long summer, I shall miss you

St. Simon's Island, Georgia

Ok, so I know it's been a while. What can I say? I discovered how much I truly appreciate the benefits of being a teacher, one in particular being a nice two month break to rest and relax and spend time with family. So, here's to you, summer, I shall miss you!

Beautiful Sunsets

Evening Walks on the Beach

Hunting Island, SC

Beautiful Charleston, SC

Charleston Harbor

Lesson: Being a teacher is always worth it for the benefit of impacting students, but summer does make the deal sweeter. See you soon summer!

Gotta Love Yard Sales!

Mom and I went to several yard sales this past Saturday. We call it "yard saling" in my family! We had a blast and found some incredible deals....I defy anyone to prove to me that yard sales aren't worth the time after looking at my list.

Here's what I found (not including what my mom found):

Solid Wood Book Shelf that folds flat and has an "Arts and Crafts" feel: $18

Dooney and Bourke Purse: $2

Spode Christmas Tree Tea for One Teapot and Cup (still in box): $5

Southern Living at Home Vintage Plant Pot: $7

J. Crew Sweater: $3

Old Navy Top: $2

Gold Cuff: $1

Mary Kay Bronzer: $3

Matrix Hair Products (5 items: all brand new): $12

"Water For Elephants" (needed for my book club): $1

Christmas Berry Wreath (prettiest one I've seen): $1

Two paper back books for Jeff: $2

"Scene It" Bonus Pack: $2

"Foodies" Board Game (still wrapped in packaging): $1

KitchenAide Classic Stand Alone Mixer: $30

I think that covers everything....again, I defy anyone to prove to me that "yard saling" is not worth the time!

Lesson: Learned this as a young child, but it doesn't matter how little you pay for something if you get the same product at the same quality (Example: a $200 mixer for $30!)

My Favorite Place On Earth

A couple of blogs ago I mentioned my favorite place on earth, Charleston, SC. If I could live there, I would! Here are a few pictures from my most recent trip in the spring. Enjoy!

Lesson: It's sweet to have dream places that are reality.

Instruments Feed the Soul

My sweet mom came to visit for the past few days and it has been absolutely wonderful.

She and I were talking today about music (a common subject between us) and I realized something. I haven't been practicing the piano like I used to because I use it so much at work, so there is no pleasure in practicing it at home. I'll come back to it someday and it will be a sweet reunion.

But for now, I need an outlet, an instrument that will feed my soul like the piano did for me for the past 17 years. It's my goal to learn an instrument from each of the instrumental families. There's woodwinds, strings, brass, and percussion. Well, percussion's done (did YOU know the piano was a percussion instrument). So, I think I am going to begin looking into cello lessons and knock out the string family.

Because, after all, music, and more specifically, playing instruments feeds my soul like nothing else!

Life is Crazy

"Be STILL and KNOW that I am God"

So sorry for how long it has taken me to post again. Life has been crazier than I could believe. Here is what's been going on since the last time I posted:

1. My little sister got engaged!!!! :)

2. My other little sister graduated from high school!!!!!!!!!!! :)

3. Jeff and I went on our five year anniversary trip to Charleston, SC (my FAVORITE place in the world).

4. My little brother graduated to the next level in the navy and is now living in my FAVORITE place in the world!!!!

5. Took my middle school choir to Carowinds!

6. Cleaned up my classroom and graded like a fiend!

7. Gave exams.

8. Hosted a middle school end of year party at school!

9. Hosted a high school choir cookout at a park!

10. Graduated my six seniors, four of which have been with me for all four years....still refusing to think about it :'(

11. Started deep cleaning my house.

12. Have managed to get pulled over twice for not updating my license registration (and NOT get a ticket), which is sitting on my counter to be done TONIGHT!

13. Hosted a Pampered Chef Party!

14. Painted my kitchen cabinets!

15. Been to Alabama and back to celebrate the life of a very sweet woman, Bonnell Bouldin, my dad's mom!

Needless to say, life has been busy.

I'm hoping summer will slow down, but I'm having a tough time.

In the midst of all this, I was reminded this morning to "Be still and Know that I am God."

Perfect reminder....more later!

Sunday Thoughts

Jeff and a group of people from our church did a skit to this incredible song and it's one of my favorites. Every time I hear it, it makes me feel so close to God and want to worship him non-stop.

So, here it is. Happy Palm Sunday!

"In Genesis, He's the Breath of Life,

In Exodus, He's the Passover Lamb,

In Leviticus, He's our High Priest,

Numbers, the Fire by Night,

Deuteronomy, He's Moses' voice,

In Joshua, He is Salvation's Choice,

Judges, law giver,

In Ruth, the kinsmen-redeemer,

First and Second Samuel, our trusted prophet,

In Kings and Chronicles, He's sovereign,

Ezra, true and faithful scribe,

Nehemiah, He's the rebuilder of broken walls and lives,

In Esther, he's Mordecai's courage,

In Job, the timeless redeemer,

In Psalms, He is our morning song.

In Proverbs, wisdom's cry,

Ecclesiastes, the time and season,

In the Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream.

He is, He Is, HE IS!

In Isaiah, He's the Prince of Peace,

Jeremiah, the weeping prophet,

In Lamentations, the cry for Israel,

Ezekial, the call from sin,

In Daniel, the stranger in the fire.

In Hosea, He is forever faithful,

In Joel, He's the Spirit's power,

In Amos, the arms that carry us,

In Obadiah, He's the Lord our Savior,

In Jonah, He's the Great Missionary.

In Micah, the Promise of Peace,

In Nahum, He is our strength and our shield,

In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's pleading for revival,

In Haggai, He restores a lost heritage,

In Zechariah, our fountain,

In Malachi, He is the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings.

He is, He Is, HE IS!

In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, He is God, Man, Messiah,

In the book of Acts, He is fire from heaven,

In Romans, He is the grace of God,

In Corinthians, the power of love,

In Galatians, He is freedom from the curse of sin.

Ephesians, our glorious treasure,

Philippians, the servant's heart,

In Colossians, He's the Godhead Trinity,

Thessalonians, our coming King,

In Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, He's our mediator and our faithful Pastor.

In Hebrews, the everlasting covenant,

In James, the one who heals the sick,

In first and second Peter, he is our Shepherd,

In John and in Jude, He is the lover coming for His bride,

In Revelation, He is KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS.

He is, He Is, HE IS!

The prince of peace,

The Son of Man,

The Lamb of God,

The great I AM!

He's the Alpha and Omega,

Our God and our Savior,

He is Jesus Christ our Lord,

and when time is no more,

He is, HE IS!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttS7FH8X4n4