happy fall.

fall is here. 

down syndrome buddy walk was last week. big success.

the weather is cooler.

apple orchards are calling my name.

pumpkin spice coffee creamer is in the fridge.

sweatshirt weather is here.

october is breast cancer awareness month. 

feeling of the first cold of the season coming on is not so exciting.

curling up in a blanket in my recliner while blog surfing on a saturday morning = amazing. 

dinner tonight with old friends and getting to see my "nephew" is very exciting.

happy fall. 

prayer life.

prayer changes things.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. [philippians 4:6-7]

one thing i am challenging myself to do is improve my prayer life. my pastor had a great sermon lsat week. main points:

1. God wants to bless you.

2. we dont ask.

3. we pray little prayers.

4. dare to ask for the best.

5. be bold.

6. stretch your faith.

7. if you PRAY bold prayers, God will do bold things in your LIFE.

sometimes i feel like some of prayers won't be answered because they are silly and i am praying for things that aren't important to God, but yet i still want them. and i know i shouldn't have that thought, because if i pray for something from God, it is important to Him.  God takes a interest in my life and if it is important to me, it is important to Him. my pastor challenged us. he asked us if prayer was important to us. he said, if it was we need to be serious about it. have a prayer list. so that is what i did. i unwrapped my new journal that i bought on super clearance at borders and began my prayer list. 

and i will end with something that my pastor said on sunday. "go for it." pray big things, pray small things, pray bold things, just pray. 

fall is around the corner.

i can't believe that fall is right around the corner.  i am looking forward to cooler days, sweatpants and sweatshirt kind of days, changing leaves,  fall weddings, thanksgiving and duh.duh.duh...putting my Christmas tree up :) i can't wait for that last one!

i officially finished my first year of teaching, woo hoo!  i taught all summer so my school year was a bit longer than most of my teacher friends, but i made it through.  i learned a lot throughout this past year and love where i am at.  my school is a great place for kids to be. i get along with my co-workers and got a really good review from my bosses  [always a bonus] :) 

i finally made my bucket list. it doesn't have much on it yet because i was drawing a blank for some reason. but i have it now, so i can add to it when i remember everything i wanted to put on it. 

a note from one student.
"you are not only our teacher, you are a friend and guide all in one!"
makes hard days worth it. 

beautiful view from comerica park. love looking at old churches.

i finally made a bucket list. this isn't what i had envisioned for it, but it will do for now. 

scrapbook i'm working on for my parents 30th wedding anniversary. shhh, don't tell, it's a surprise. 

weddings, birthdays, wedding shower, baby shower, oh my! its a busy few weeks with gift giving.

happy [almost] fall.

passing the time.

so i have realized one thing lately: i need to STOP spending money!  so i have decided to use my craft supplies to work on  a few projects [instead of going places to spend money]:

-a scrapbook for my parent's 30th wedding anniversary.

-clipboards for co-workers for Christmas (never too early to start working on them!)

-some sort of way to display my bucket list. 

-start my bucket list for the above project.

-cards. -birthday.-anniversary. -wedding. etc.

perhaps i should start with the organizing aspect... i have A LOT of scrapbooking/card/craft supplies and have most of them organized in my spare bedroom. one thing i am struggling with is how to organize my scrapbook paper. 

any other suggestions for craft projects? 

seasons.

you should clothe yourselves instead with the beautfy that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. [1 peter 3:4]

we have a new sermon serious at church; seasons. we all face seasons during our lifetime, both good and bad. right now, i have a season of change, a season of hurt, a season of disappointment, a season of growth, a season of finding-a-new-normal. etc. etc.

the last month has been hard for me. adjusting to a "new normal." i have had good days and bad days. last week i had a few bad days... but i am really trying hard to focus on the positive and move forward. this season too, shall pass and i will grow and learn from it. it's hard at times to remember that though. but i hope a few of these verses can remind me daily that i will make it through. my pastor always says worrying will do nothing for you.

don't wory about anything; instead, pray about everything. tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. then you will experience God's pease, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. [philippians 4:6]

for i can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. [philippians 4:13]

this is corny, but cute :)

via.

this too shall pass. i am just glad that i have an AWESOME God who i can turn to.

bucket list.

remember the movie that came out a few years ago called "bucket list?" well, i never saw the movie but the concept is great. you create a list of things you want to do/accomplish before you die.

a co-worker of mine has a bucket list that she actually uses. if she does something on her list, she crosses it off. that is awesome! there are so many things i want to do in my lifetime, why not make a list? yes, i know i am only 26...why do i need a list of things to do before i die? am i being morbid? no. just hopeful that i will accomplish things off a list.

so this weekend i want to create a fabulous bucket list. not only adding things to it, but making it a creative process. maybe busting out the cricut machine i just brought over to the apartment...

do you have a bucket list? if not, you should consider making one and try to cross things off :)

via.

happy weekend.

new beginnings.

so...i moved out and my apartment is finally coming together. whew.

spare bedroom.
living room.

dinning area/living room.

screened in patio.

kitchen.

my room.

bathroom.

i still have a few more things to do and a few more things to hang on the walls, but for the most part it is done. i am very excited about it all. :)

thankful thursday.

what are you thankful for?

-amazing weather.

-a job to go to everyday.

-the fun i have teaching 3 and 4 year olds. sometimes they say the darndest things.

-family.

-friends.

-awesome church and small groups.

happy [almost] weekend.