February Currently

I am linking up with Farley over at "Oh' Boy 4th Grade" for her February Currently.

Listening - I am listening to "The Price is Right" but not really watching it.  I am also listening for the baby monitor.  My seven month old is down for her morning nap.

Loving - I am loving having today off so that I can catch up on some things.  We are out of school due to ice.

Thinking - I am thinking about all that I need to get done - laundry, revamping plans for a shorter week, meal plans, etc.

Wanting - I am wanting some time with Kevin, my husband.  He was gone from Thursday-Sunday.  When he got home yesterday, I had to leave for a meeting and then it was Super Bowl.  He had to go to work today. :(

Needing - I am needing to get up and fold clothes before little bit wakes up.  I also need to do my daily workout that I have been putting off since I didn't have to go to work.

2 Truths and a Fib
1) I love water! - Water is pretty much all I drink.  I absolutely love it, but it did come as a challenge at first.
2) I play the piano. - I absolutely love playing the piano.  I actually give private lessons after school to 8 kids.
3) I have plenty of money! - FIB!!! - I am teacher, and my husband is a farmer.  What teacher has plenty of money?  However, my family is able to live comfortably.  God has truly blessed us.

I hope you have a blessed day!

Elizabeth

Meet the Teacher Monday

I am linking up with Trina at The Ordinary to Extraordinary Classroom for her "Meet the Teacher Monday" linky party.  

The Business of Blogging 

1. How long have you been a blogger? 

I have been blogging since 2011, but I did not start a teacher blog until 2012.  Until here recently, I have not kept up with either of my blogs.

2. Do you have any blogs other than your teacher/education blog?

Yes, I have a personal blog called "For Such a Time As This".  I have just recently started blogging more so it's actually up-to-date.

3. What niche is your blog in? 

This blog is more motivational and educational.  My personal blog is a little bit of everything.

4. Do you have plans to start any other blogs? 

No!  I think I have enough going on.  

5. What do you enjoy most about blogging?

I enjoy inspiring others and connecting with other bloggers.  I also like the good ideas I get from reading others' blogs.

6.  What do you enjoy least about blogging? 

The time it takes to keep a blog going.  It would be great to have a million followers, but all that takes time. 

7.  How often do you blog? 

I try to blog at least once a week for my series called "Wednesday's Word of Wisdom".  However, sometimes I get behind on these.  I would ideally like to blog at least 3 times a week.  

8.  If you could meet anyone from the blogosphere, who would it be? 

I don't guess there is just one blogger that I would like to meet.  However, I would love to go to a Teacher/Blogger Meet-Up at some point.

9. Are there any hot-button issues you will not discuss on your blog? 

I don't really refrain from any issues, but I definitely pray about everything I post before I post it.
10.  Name one thing (or more) that you would like to accomplish with your blog? 

I would love to gain more followers!  

Elizabeth

Wednesday's Word of Wisdom

Guess what?  It's Wednesday, and I am actually getting this post done on time!  Life has been settling down lately, but my husband is going out of town tomorrow until Sunday.  So, it will just be Adelaide (my 7 month old) and myself for a few days.  I keep telling myself that I can get everything done while he is gone so I can spend some time with him Sunday night.  We will see if that really happens.

Anyways, back to this week's Wednesday's Word of Wisdom.  I have been having a hard time lately trying to find a balance between doing what is right and separating myself from negative people.  I go to work to make an impact on students, but it is so easy to get into a conversation with a coworker that brings someone down.  When I try to stay away from these people, I feel like I am talked about for keeping to myself.  It's not that I think I am better than anyone; it's just I have work to do, very little time to do it, and I want to set a good example.

My Bible Study group has been studying "The Daniel Plan", and this week was on focus.  One of the scriptures that stuck out to me in my reading was one that hit home with what I am going through at school.  The scripture states:

Source: http://www.etsy.com/listing/110625428/scripture-art-16x20-romans-122?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_query=Scripture+art&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=all

No one is perfect!  However, we don't have to do what everyone else is doing.  It is ok to be different as long as we are doing God's will, and we are doing it for the right reason.  I want to be positive and negative people bring me down.  I hope that when the people around me start to talk negative that I can say something positive to add to the conversation.  I may have to be in the world, but I don't have to be of the world.  

I pray that if you are going through a similar situation that you find peace with being different.  I pray that you are able to see God's will being done in your life and that you are able to remain positive in a negative world.

Elizabeth

Wednesday's Word of Wisdom

I know it's Saturday, and I am just now writing Wednesday's Word of Wisdom.  Please forgive me! It has been a crazy week.  My 7 month old has been sick, our grade celebrated the 100th day of school, and I went a few nights with hardly any sleep.  I am determined that I will get this next week's post done on time.  :)

This week I have really had to rely on the Lord.  Adelaide has been sick at home and not sleeping at all.  I have been going to work with hardly any sleep and trying to do the best I can to be an effective teacher.  Have you ever felt that you are giving it your all, but it still is not enough for some people?  That is how I have been feeling. This is the verse that I have held closely this week:

Photo Credit: http://wastingperfume.com/2013/08/05/bible-scripture-memorize-proverbs-3-5-6/

I have looked to the Lord to direct my paths.  I know I am doing what he has called me to do.  I know I am doing everything that I can do to teach my students.  I know he has handpicked every student for me to teach; I just have to trust him to use me.  Trust is hard, because you are leaving it up to someone else.  However, trusting God is the best!  When you trust him, he can do great things!

I pray that you are able to trust the Lord.  I pray that you allow him to do his work through your life.  I pray that you are able to see clearly the direction he has for you and that you are able to use it to bring honor to Him!  I pray that we all have a great last week of January.

Elizabeth

Meet the Teacher Monday

I never got to the Meet the Teacher Monday linky last week that Trina was doing on her blog, "The Ordinary to Extraordinary Classroom".  So I am doubling up this week and doing last week's and this week's.

Last Week's Topic was Vision Boards.

Since I am a week behind I did not do a Vision Board, but I did answer the questions.  :)

1. Where did I win in 2013?

I won a precious baby girl on June 14.  We named her Adelaide.  She has really change my mindset this school year.  It is not all about my work anymore.  I am really trying to put God first, family second, friends third, and work last.

2. Where did I lose in 2013?

Since I was pregnant, I would have to say fitness.  Although I did not look pregnant most of the time, I definitely gained weight.  I am not comfortable where my weight is now and really want to change it before the summer.  I would also have to say finances.  Having a newborn is expensive.  We have plans to build a house so we want to get as much paid off in the next few months as we can.

3. What did I learn?

I can't do it all.  I have to find a middle ground for things.  I am working on this in 2014.

4. Where do I want to be this time next year? 

This time next year I would love to be in our new house beside my parents.  I would love to have all minor bills paid, down 20 lbs, and have ran a 10k.  We will see how that all goes.

This week's topic is Three Things.

List three words that describe you:

1. Perfectionist (a.k.a. OCD) - My coworkers laugh at me all the time, because I am constantly having to redo things if they aren't right.  I don't like mistakes on papers.  I have to be organized so I can find everything.  This can be a problem at times.
2. Positive - I try to remain positive and keep a smile on my face.  This doesn't always happen, but I am more positive than negative.  My husband might think differently, because I seem to let it all out when I get home.  However, in public I try to remain positive.
3. Punctual - I can not stand to be late!  I am usually early to everything.

What three things are on your bucket list?

1. Visit all 50 states - I have already visited Hawaii so the next big trip will be to Alaska.  I would love to do an Alaskan cruise!
2. Sky Dive - I know crazy, but I have always wanted to do this.
3. Learn to play the guitar - I play piano so I want to teach myself guitar.  I got a guitar a few years ago, but it just collects dust in the corner.  I am hoping to change this during 2014.

What is your favorite music genre? What are three of your favorite songs (any genre)?

I have a major in Music.  I really love all music.  I guess my favorite music genre would be adult contemporary pop.  I don't prefer hard rock or rap, but I do listen to a lot of country, christian, and oldies.  My three favorite songs are…

1. Amazing Grace
2. Bless the Broken Road
3. Oh, Happy Day!

If you won the lottery, what three things are you going to buy first?

I don't think I would actually buy something, but this is what I would do...

1. I would give 10% as tithes.
2. I would pay off all current bills.
3. I would set aside some for Adelaide's future.

What's your favorite movie genre? What are three of your favorite movies (any genre)? 

I am not big on movies, but I guess if I had to pick a favorite genre it would be romantic drama.

My three favorite movies would probably be…

1. The Notebook
2. The Blindside
3. Hunger Games

List three of your character flaws:

1. Workaholic - I love to be busy! Sometimes I overwork and don't spend enough time with family and friends.  I am working (haha) on this for 2014.  I need to find a good middle ground.
2. People pleaser - I don't like upsetting people.  I have really had to learn the word "No" here lately.
3. Planner - I like everything to be planned out.  My husband is the opposite so sometimes this becomes a problem.

Three friendship personality DEAL BREAKERS:

1. Negative - I don't like when someone is always negative and can't see the positive in something.
2. Last Minute - Although I don't think everyone needs to be a punctual as I usually am, I don't like when someone is always late to everything or cancels at the last minute.  
3. Living like a Teenager - I like people who act their age and not like they were still in high school.  We can all have a good time, but we are adults and there is a right way to do it.

List three things you want MORE of:

1. Time - Can't all teachers use more time?
2. Money - Not too much, but enough to pay off my bills. :)
3. Kids - Not right now, but I would love to have a few more kids.  I don't want Adelaide to be the only child like I was.

I hope you enjoyed learning a little about me. :)

Elizabeth