Shine - One Little Word for 2014

Sunny Days in Second Grade is hosting another My Truth Monday.  

This Monday the theme is "My One Little Word for 2014".  This is to be a word that you concentrate on throughout the year.

I chose the word "Shine".  I want to shine as a Christian, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a teacher, a friend, a blogger, and so much more in 2014.  It is so easy to get in a stalemate position where you are just doing what you always do, and you let your light burn out.  I feel that is where I have been lately.  I have been overwhelmed with everything going on and trying to make everything work out.  However, I want to let my light shine in 2014. Matthew 5:16 states "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."  I want others to be able to see Christ in me especially at my school and in my classroom.  If my light burns out, I will not be able to shine.  I will be dark, negative, and not one that others want to be around.  I want to be the opposite!  So here's to a Shining 2014!

What will your word be for 2014?

Are you looking for other blogs to read in 2014?  Check out this super fun link party hosted by Simply Kinder!

My Truth Monday: Fitness

I finally made it to Fall Break!  My To Do List is a mile long, but I am slowly checking things off of it. I am hoping to get back into this blog thing.  I know you are probably saying you said that before, but it is truly something I love.  It is just hard to find time to do it.  I am hoping this week I can sit down and plan some things out.  Please check back!

I wanted to start by joining in Denise's My Truth Monday series on Sunny Days in Second Grade.  I think this is a great way to get to know each other.  The first one is on Fitness.  Here is my truth about fitness.

Join in on the linky fun!

Elizabeth

Wednesday's Word of Wisdom

I know I am a day late, but it has been one of those weeks.  Have you ever had one of those weeks? Where you could not get anything done? Where nothing seems to go right?  Where it seems that everyone is against you?  That is how I have felt lately.  I know it is not true, but I just feel like I have more trouble than good.  I have double-booked all week, I have had a sick 12 week old, and I have not caught up on sleep from a weekend trip to the other side of the state with the high school cheer team that I coach.  In the midst of all my troubles, I have had to remember this verse:

Source: http://thefrugalgirls.com/2013/08/our-refuge-and-strength.html

God is my strength. If I put him first, then my troubles will be less.  However, when I put everything else first then I will get like I was this week.  It's definitely hard sometimes in our extremely busy society, but we have to realize what is the most important.  First comes God.  Then comes my husband.  Then comes my daughter.  Everything else comes after.  When I am able to put these things in this order my days go by better, and I don't feel overwhelmed with troubles.

I think my trouble first started on Sunday when I missed church due to the cheer trip.  Now I couldn't help missing church, because we were on the long road back home.  However, I could have devoted some of my time studying His Word.  The whole time after I felt behind and not knowing what to do next.  Last night, I finally put everything on my forever long To Do list aside and made myself go to our Sunday School Class's first night of Bible Study.  It was definitely what I needed.  It's amazing what a difference it makes when you prioritize correctly.

I pray that you will find hope in your times of trouble.  I pray that in the midst of our crazy world that you are able to put God first. I pray that you are able to not be burden with everything going on, but you are able to find peace in this life.

I hope you have a great Friday, tomorrow!  I'll be back this weekend with a new entry. :)

Elizabeth

Wednesday's Word of Wisdom

If anyone asks me what my greatest fear is, I would definitely respond with the answer of failing.  I believe my husband and my parents would definitely agree.  I do not like to fail in anything.  Anything I do, I try to do my very best.  I get very frustrated when I am not successful at something.  Well this school year proves no different, I want to be the best teacher I can be, I want to be a positive, Christian coworker, and I want to grow as an individual.  However, I fear that I may not be successful in all avenues.  I have had to remind myself that the Bible says in Isaiah 41:10 to

Source - http://astepinthejourney.com/2012/10/isaiah-4110.html

I have to remember that God is going to be with me every step of the way.  He is the pilot of my life and depending on how much I give to him the more he will direct my paths.  He is my strength!  He is my helper! He is my GOD!

I'll be honest with you by starting this blog back I am afraid that I may fail again at keeping it up, but I am going to try my best to keep it up.  I hope this year is great for everyone.  Remember that when you fear (anything), God is there with you.

I pray that God gives you the strength to be a positive role model for not only your students but your coworkers and family.  I pray that when times get tough that you remember that He is always there holding your hand every step of the way.  

In Him,

Elizabeth

Too Noisy!

Do you ever have that class that the kids just can't keep their mouth shut for one second?  I have that class this year.  The kids are great kids, but they are so comfortable with each other that all they want to do is talk!  I have been desperate to find something that will work to motivate them to be quiet.  I found it this week on the internet!

Too Noisy - The App

 

This app is available on iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad!

This app consists of a noise level meter built for the classroom.  This helps teachers keep control of the noise levels in their classrooms.  Similar to a speedometer, the noise level meter increases as the sounds in the classroom increases.  If it gets "too noisy", then the alarm goes off.  With the pro version, teachers can control the noise levels for various parts of the day such as group work and/or silent time.

I started using this app today, and my kids loved it!  They kept asking me to turn it on.  I made a rule that if they didn't set it off that they could get a marble in the good side of our rewards scale, but if they set it off they had to put a marble in the bad side of our rewards scale.  Well low and behold, I set it off twice by being too noisy myself...haha.  The kids thought this was hilarious!

You can check out more information about it here.

What have you found that works for your classes that like to talk a lot?

September Currently

Happy Labor Day!  I am linking up with Farley for her September Currently:

It's definitely been a productive day, but I still have a lot to do before my To Do Lists are complete (Does that ever really happen?).  Adelaide and I have enjoyed a day together while Kevin has been clearing off our land where we are planning on building our house.

I ordered a new jogging stroller a few days ago.  I ordered a BOB!  I am so excited and can't wait for it to come in.  I am really working hard to get back into shape, and I think this will help a lot.

Does anyone else feel like there is not enough time in the day?  I have so much to do and so little time to do it in.  However, I know it will be ok.  I just prioritize what has to be done now and what can wait.

My three things that I would love to accomplish this month that will make my heart happy:

1) Exercise Daily - I definitely think this will make me feel better about myself.  Plus, I always feel better after working out!

2) Have a Quiet Time Daily - When life gets busy, it is easy to omit our quiet times.  However, this has to be a priority.  

3) Stay Positive - It is so easy to become negative due to life's difficulties, but like our Sunday School lesson stated yesterday it is our job to be joyous in all situations.  I have to remember this when things do not go my way and/or when others try to bring me down.

Well there it is...My first September Currently!  Now back to finalizing plans for this week.  I pray you have a great 4 day week! :)

I'm Back!!!

After almost a year of being away from the blog, I have finally decided to come back.  This year has been full of great things in life, and I am ready to start blogging again.  I thought the 1st of September would be a great time to do this.  Let me catch you up on a few things:

Last Fall, I worked on completing my Masters of Science in Education with an emphasis on Administration.  I have no plans on leaving the classroom, but I wanted to go ahead and have a back-up plan for the future.  I was able to walk at graduation in December!

(Yes, my husband looks like he could be featured on Duck Dynasty.  He has this thing with not shaving during duck hunting season.  I have quit fighting him on it. haha )

Also, we found out in September that we were expecting our first child! (Hence, my puffy face at graduation.)  We kept it a secret until after Thanksgiving.  I am really not sure how we did it, but we were able to without anyone even expecting it.  We had so much fun telling everyone in unique ways.  We told my parents by asking them to come over that we had a project we needed help with in the office.  They walked in to see a poster saying "Future Baby Room - Deadline June 2013".  Their reaction was priceless.

Then we told Kevin's sister by having her open up a late birthday present in which she found a shirt announcing being promoted to aunt.

We had so much fun and was able to catch both on video and by picture.  Best of all we were able to tell all our family and friends through our Christmas card.  I take a lot of time on my Christmas card each year to make sure it is memorable, and this one was one of my favorites to do.

(Sorry I can't figure out how to rotate it.)

Here is a close-up of the picture.

It was so much fun getting phone calls and text messages from people once they received their Christmas card.  In January, we had a Gender Reveal party at Kevin's aunt's house (a Bed & Breakfast in our hometown).  It was fun to see what everyone guessed we would have.  We had a box that we opened that contained balloons.

It was a girl!  We welcomed Adelaide Elizabeth to our family on June 14.  She weighed 8 lbs 7 ounces and was 20 inches long.

I worked all last year and only missed a 1/2 day for a long doctor's appointment, and I went back to work this year like normal so things have been a little crazy with everything going on.  However, we are enjoying being a family of three and getting use to the crazy life of a teacher and farmer.

I am looking forward to blogging again and catching up with some of you.  Make sure to follow so you can catch my Wednesday's Word of Wisdom that will also start back this week. :)

Elizabeth