Christmas Traditions in the Classroom

This has become a Christmas tradition in my classroom. I love to see how it turns out every year.  My kiddos did a fantastic job coloring each section this year! I bought this Andy Warhol inspired Christmas Tree mural several years ago. There are a bunch more murals on the site. I might have to buy another one sometime. 

Having fun!

Too much thinking

I really shouldn't stay up late.
Especially when I'm alone.

Too much time to think and overthink things. But then I guess it is also a good time to pray about it.

Wishing my copy of "When people are big and God is small" weren't in storage in CA. I really need to read that book at least once a year. Fearing what other people think is not something you stop doing easily. Here I just had a nice evening with friends and now I sit here remembering things I said throughout the evening and start worrying about what they thought when I said it. If a friend of mine were telling me this I would be reassuring them that what they said was ok, but it is hard convincing yourself. Have you ever noticed that?

So, what do you do? My initial thought...

I have no idea.

But when I sit and think about it I know that I need to pray about it and let it go. I would know if I had said anything really wrong. And when I think about it I know I didn't. I know that God has put these friends in my life for a reason. If I really did say something dumb they would let me know. But if they really do know me they would know that I didn't mean anything by the things I said. It all comes down to the fact that I may have said a few things that were embarrassing and I don't like being embarrassed. They have probably forgotten about it by now...they are probably sleeping by now. Which is what I should be doing.

Ok, going to bed now. Time to stop thinking about it. Sleep will help!

Grandma

Grandma and I showing off our White Elephant gifts. 

I've been trying to get my grandma out of the house a little bit more. Hard when it is so cold outside. She doesn't like to be cold. Here we are at our church Christmas party. I have to say that I think she is adjusting well to my Grandpa being gone. I know that it is hard for her at times. I'm excited when I can take her out to do things since she is stuck at home alone all day long while I work. The biggest outing will be in a few weeks when I take her in California with me for Christmas. That will be a big adventure...I haven't told her yet. I know that sounds terrible, but she is such a worrier that I was afraid she would be miserable for a month. Miserable with worry for a week and a half is much better...hopefully. I'm prepared for the fact that she may be very mad at me for just buying her a ticket. But in the end I think it is the best decision. She needs a big distraction from the first Christmas without Grandpa. And my mom and I need her around so we don't worry about her the entire time I'm in CA. Praying that God keeps us safe and healthy while we travel.

Oh Grandma

Oh the things that happen when you live with your grandma.
She used so much bleach to clean her kitchen towels that I had to open the front door so I could breath. Did I mention it is 24 degrees outside? But breathing is important. :)

Fun lettering!

A friend asked me to write some song lyrics for her to frame. I think they are from a Chris August song. I write it three ways to give her some options. I love doodling with words!

The last one is with a metallic pen. I love it, but it needs a simple frame since it is so busy. 

I love this kind of doodling! It is so relaxing to me (I know I've said that a lot on here). 

Good Motivation

Well it hit me hard today that I have got to get in better shape than I am right now. I'm going to be trying on bridesmaid dresses at the end of the month! So I brought out the dreaded 30 Day Shred dvd. Kinda proud that I made it through all three circuits! The funny part was that when I did jumping jacks near the touch lamp it kept turning on and off. Hahaha!!

Mist vs. Midst

       I'm so glad the Lord guides us to reread things! I'm constantly having to reread things.
       This morning in my Bible reading I was reading things all wrong. And I'm sitting here thinking to myself "That is strange. I don't remember reading or hearing that before." Not that I'm this great mind that remembers all I've read or been taught in scripture. But this stuck out to me.
       For whatever reason, ok I know it was the Lord, I went back and read the passage again. I had to laugh when I saw how I had read it wrong the first time. Luke 4:30 says, "But passing through their midst, he went away." What I initially read was, "But passing through the mist, he went away." Just a little different. I must be watching too much sci fi. Ha!
       Reading through the passage and a study guide I do believe that it was a miraculous escape from those who wanted to kill Him (Jesus). This wasn't the time God had prepared for Jesus to die. But I'm sitting here picturing in my head Jesus standing at the edge of a cliff, a mist forms and Jesus floats away in the mist over the cliff... I have a strange imagination sometimes. Anyway, it is amazing what a difference a few letters make when you are reading. And that wasn't the only thing I misread this morning.
       So all that to say, I'm thankful that even through our faults God teaches us and allows us to see His truth.

{Day 14 - Memory}

Obviously I'm not doing this picture thing is every day! I've been slacking off. 

I have so many fun memories that I randomly chose one. This is from college when my friends and I saw Wicked. I was totally obsessed with Wicked. I have to say that seeing Broadway musicals is one of my favorite things to do. 

This was such a fun night! We got dressed up and drove down to LA along with a bunch of other TMC students. I miss these ladies so much! We all had so much fun with each other. I love being able to keep up with them on facebook. So thankful for the fun memories I have from college. God sure is good to me!