school closed = productivity on my end.

so. i have this thing about planners & calendars. i am obsessed with them and am always looking for new ones. in my blog surfing this weekend, i found this! it looks amazing. the downfall? it's $50 :( but i am seriously considering it. is that bad? 


i am working on goodies to take for new years eve.  the carmel pretzels were a  big fail. i left them in the oven too long and the carmel melted all over the place. buuut i may still take them. who knows. this afternoon calls for chocolate covered carmels & chocolate covered pretzels. 


i just downloaded the new matt nathanson cd "modern love." so far, it's amazing. worth a listen.


i am currently memorizing my 30th and 31st Bible verse. it's amazing how doing something like this is life changing. i never thought i would be able to memorize scripture like this. but so far, so good. fifteen weeks down :) 

a day of crafting with my best friend. 

result? signs that still need to be strung.

finally strung one of them. [at least it is the current season]

 hung on my coat closet door.

got to spend time with this kid.  not my nephew by blood, but i am still auntie rachel :) 

opening presents.

organizing my new [to me] desk. got it free from friends.

i have always wanted a roll top desk. and no, i am not an elderly person.

happy almost new years eve. have fun & be safe. 

I wish you a Merry Christmas.

maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more. -the grinch. 

Christmas.

Santa or Rudolph- Santa for sure. 

Stocking or presents- I do love stockings (usually gift cards which are always good) but love love presents. it's a fund tradition that we take turns opening presents one at a time. 

Egg nog or hot cider- i don't think i have ever had egg nog. so in that case, hot cider.

Angel or star- angel for sure. 

Decorating the tree or putting lights outside- well since i live in an apartment, decorating the tree. although i do love looking at outside lights. 

Warm cozy fires or sleigh rides- fire for sure. that is where i am doing this post from! in front of the fire at my parents. 

Family time or friend time- both. i love spending time with my family and all the traditions we have. but i also have some good traditions with my friends too. 

Expensive presents or from the heart- from the heart.

Snowball fight or snowmen- snowmen. 

Caroling or Christmas stories- both. 

Snowy days or ice days- snow. i hate driving with ice on the ground.

Red or green- red.

taken from the shine project.

i wish everyone a VERY merry Christmas. 

Merry Christmas!

a visitor from texas! so happy she is back in the mitten for a few days :) 

ch-ch-changes & failure.

shirt. cowl.

so, if you can't read the shirt since did the whole take-picture-of-myself-in-the-mirror-thing... it says "be the change you wish to see." 

so. i have made some goals for myself. i hope these are realistic. some of them are:

-do a fundraiser for my kids at school [i teach at-risk preschoolers].

-live a healthier lifestyle.

-have more women join Bible memorization at church. 

-learn a new trait/skill/hobby.

there are more, but none that i am ready to share.

i am scared of failure. i think this gets a lot of people in one way or another.  but i know that God will guide me in every aspect of my life. this past week i had a hard time with my verse for Bible memorization. i was super busy last week and didn't do my routine [i have the verse written all over the place in my house, car, school bag etc.] like i normally do. so i was worried since i didn't have it done on saturday night that i wouldn't be able to say it on sunday. but with some prayer and advice from a fellow group member i GOT IT! and wouldn't you know it, my verse for the week was about anxiety? funny how God plans things like that.

on a more happy note. only three more days and i am off of school for 9 whole days! hooray.

leigh is having a one-for-one giveaway. 

i won this 31 bits necklace from her a few weeks ago.

Merry [almost] Christmas!

winter wonderland.

the dog warming up by the heater...smart puppy :) 

winter has begun.

[new] long winter coat has been worn.

heat is on [for a while now].

snow has stuck to the ground.

Christmas tree & decorations are up.

shopping is [one present away from being] done.

Christmas cards are a work-in-progress.

cookies have been exchanged [thanks to my co-workers.]

one of my favorite children's books.

   

tree.

that's right, I have an N'Sync ornament..

enjoy the start of the new season.

31 bits.

very loveleigh is having a giveaway!  31 bits is an awesome organization. it is hand-made {rolled paper} beaded jewelry by women in uganda.  i have several pieces of this jewelry and get compliments on it every time i wear it. people are amazed that the beads are made from rolled paper. these women are incredible and do incredible work! so go on over to visit very lovleigh to see her giveaway. and visit 31 bits and check out what they are all about. 

thankful.

1. Who do I appreciate? my family, friends and God. 

2. How am I fortunate? i have family & friends that love me. a job that i love. Jesus who died for my sins. 

3. What material possessions am I thankful for? my apartment. my car. my computer & my new camera (canon rebel).

4. What abilities do I have that I'm grateful for? my ability to teach.  i teach preschool and hear SO many times "oh, so you're like a babysitter?" um, nope.  on the other hand, i heard a few months ago from a stranger "you have to have good preschool teachers because it sets the standards for those children for the rest of their school career."  amen to that.  

5. What about my surroundings (home/neighborhood/city/etc.) am I thankful for? i still live close enough to my parents & sister to visit.  but of course i always wish i lived closer to my extended family. 

6. What experiences have I had that I am grateful for? that I became a Christian almost 2 1/2 years ago. it has changed my life. about 10 weeks ago i started doing Bible memorization at my church.  so far, i have memorized 21 verses.  i didn't think i was going to be able to do it, but have surprised myself. 

7. What happened today/yesterday/this week/this month/this year that I am grateful for? thanksgiving this past week. i was able to see my family and spend several days with them. there are so many times that i wished i lived closer to them, but treasure the time i actually do get to spend with them. 

8. What opportunities do I have that I am thankful for? teach preschoolers. they are at a fun age where they like to learn. i love to see their faces light up when they think something is "cool" or shout "wow" or even say "ms. rachel, you're silly."  puts a big smile on this girls face. 

9. What have others in my life done that I am thankful for? sounds corny, but it is true...my friends & family are simply there for me.  they love me and accept me for who i am and will help me whenever i need it. 

10. What have others done that I am benefiting from in my life (even if I don't know who those people are)? Jesus. he died for everyones sins so that i can live the life i lead.  also, the men & women who are serving to protect this country.  i can't possibly imagine doing what they do. but they do it proudly, with honor and dignity, and love of their country.  thank you & God bless you!

11. What relationships am I thankful for? my parents & sister.  i get along GREAT with my parents.  they mean the world to me and am so blessed to have parents who do so much for me.  my sister and i have busy schedules but are always there for one another.  

12. What am I taking for granted that, if I stop to think about it, I am grateful for? that i have the ability to be living in my apartment.  a lot of people aren't able to live on their own (with out having a roommate or living with their parents) so i am very grateful i am able to do that. 

13. What is there about the challenges/difficulties I have experienced (or am currently experiencing) that I can be thankful for? (e.g., What have I learned? How have I grown?). challenges are indeed difficult.  and they suck at the time.  a big challenge i had this year was when my ex broke up with me.  i didn't see it coming at all and my heart hurt a lot.  but it has been for the best and made me grow a lot.

14. What is different today than it was a year ago that I'm thankful for? i have started my second year of teaching.  people always say that your first year of teaching is your hardest, and i agree with that. but i made it through!

15. What insights have I gained that I am grateful for? i had a teacher in high school that always used to say "enjoy the struggle."  when i first heard her say that i thought she was crazy (because she was kicking my butt in aerobics class at the time).  but it is something i have learned to appreciate.  life isn't always easy. it has its ups and downs and struggles.  but you will get through it. so while you are going through it, remember to enjoy the struggle. 

what are you thankful for?

taken from the shine project.