Reading Challenge Update #2

7. Mr. Popper's Penguins - I'm actually a little surprised that I had never read this book until just now. I saw the movie when it came out a few years ago, but the movie and the book are like night and day. I absolutely LOVED this book! I decided to read it to my class since we are working on penguin reports this month. My 1st and 2nd graders loved it. It was adorable hearing their giggles and "oh no!"s when something crazy would happen to Mr. Popper. We were all surprised by the ending. It was such a cute book!

Mice aren't Nice

I've  been really good at not watching TV while I'm trying to fall asleep over the last month. But tonight is a little different and I'm breaking my rule. The reason I'm breaking my rule you may ask? None other than the fact that there are mice in my house and while I was watching TV in the living roomI could hear them eating the poison bait I left out. (Shudder!) I'm trying to distract myself from the fact that there are mice in my house! Ugh!! So watching tv in bed is a must.
Hoping the poison does the trick and that they all die.

Good Night, Jamie the Mouse Killer

Reading Challenge Update #1

5. Stonewall Hinkleman and the Battle of Bull Run - Finally a book I read for fun on my own! Yay! I was intrigued by this book when I saw it on the library website. I did enjoy it, but I wouldn't read it to my class. It was definitely for older kids. But even then I wouldn't want my older kids to read it either. There was some bad language which was disappointing to me. Other than that I really liked the book. It gave an interesting perspective on the Civil War.



6. Brave Emily - This was a very sweet American Girl book. My boys groaned at first when I said I was going to read it, but I think they actually enjoyed it. Although they would never admit it. What I liked best about this book is that is brought good conversations about WW2. Most of my students don't know anything about WW1 or WW2. So it was neat to explain some about the war to them. We talked a lot about what it would be like to leave your family and have to live somewhere else during a war.

Already working on a book at home and a new book at school too! Almost halfway done with my challenge!

God's Word

I'm super thankful for this packet of cards. They have seen me through a lot of stuff in my life. Every card is full of truth from God's Word. I made this ring of Scripture cards when I was in college, but I really started using it and adding more cards my first year of teaching. For a while I was in a good habit of carrying it around with me, but sometimes I fall out of that habit. Yesterday I came across them and decided I needed to try keeping them with me again. It is so helpful to have God's Word in my hands easily. I work at memorizing these verses and God brings them to mind at just the right time.  

Just last night I was praying through some 'what if's' I was struggling with. God brought to mind Psalm 118. I love that every other line is "His steadfast love endures forever." After some time praying and giving my 'what if's' to God I made a list of them and wrote this phrase after each one. What a relief to know I can say that phrase after every worry I can come up with. No matter what gets thrown my way God's steadfast love endures forever. Even if something is hard or makes me feel uncomfortable God's love is still there and it is better than anything I can think up.