Some good news....

So today is a spiritual post. I need it. Trust me. I know God is with me always but there are those times when you really just "feel his presence more than others. I have been going through some stuff the last few days. Not going to lie or deny my heart has been heavy. He knew this and has provided me with an opportunity of a lifetime to help keep me going. Myself and another friend/special needs teacher have been asked to attend the 2013 AWANA Ministry Conference in Wichita in August and present some sessions on teaching kids with special needs to AWANA leaders. I had the awesome opportunity to be an AWANA leader to a little guy with Down Syndrome this past year. It was such a heart warming experience. One of the best parts was getting to see the look of pure joy on his parents face when he was able to recite his verses. It was so exciting for them to have him be able to participate like all the other kids. I am not going to say it was always easy but I will say it was one of the most rewarding things I have been a part of. So excited to get this opportunity!! Love. Love. Love this song. Really love hearing my 5 year old belt it out.

Matt Redman - 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) (Official Music Video) from matt-redman on GodTube.

A new one from Jefferson.

Pinterest

I have a love-hate relationship with Pinterest. I have "pinned" SO many things and at the time each and every one of them I planned at some point to cook, make, buy, or decorate. So here we are almost two years later and I have to admit I have not even come close. Not even close. I have made some awesome dishes and cute crafts but I have decided this summer I am going to get busy and put a dent in my boards. Why not right? I am going to have some extra time and this will give me something to do with my girls and give me a head start on my classroom for next school year. I want to share some of my "pins" with you!

I am going to see about finding this..

 

These would be fun to make.




How fun to do with the girls!




We are totally making these this summer!




Love these bags.


Love this dress!


Bang Bang Chicken? I think yes!




And this suit? Love!



I want this lamp. Bad.



Going to do this in the garden this summer.



Going to try to make this rug. Makes me happy just looking at it.




This will be my read while on the airplane in July. Can't wait!





Have you checked out Pinterest? Silly question because I am sure you have but if not, what are you waiting for?!

My song of the day. American Honey by Lady Antebellum. Feels like home.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Yay for 3 day weekends! So love them. This one is special to me for two reasons: it's day to remember those who have fought and died for our freedom and I don't have to go to work tomorrow. I had the chance to see one of my grandfathers tonight. He was a pilot in World War Two and his plan was shot down and he was a prisoner of war in Germany for a year. When I think of everything he went through just so we can be free...wow, it brings tears to my eyes. It kills me to think about what he went through..and what my grandmother went through during that year of worry.

I have decided to make this blog more about pictures than posts. Now that it is summer I am going to get back to photography and hope to take some pictures of families. I will post things when I feel the need to really pour out my heart and when I find something I think might interest you. I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial weekend and got to spend it the way YOU wanted. Whether it was with your family and friends or taking time just to unwind by yourself. We all need that sometimes. Tonight I will leave you with a few pictures from this weekend and a few other things. Hope you have a fantastic Tuesday!

My girls have a new hobby. Fishing! They LOVE it. We have a small pond a few steps from the house and this is where they are spending a ton of their time. My dad came out and fished with them today.



One thing I love about my pastor is that he isn't afraid to touch on issues that are going on around us everyday that some pastor's might not touch. He is in his early forties and has ten kids. Yes, 10! Boy how lucky are those kids to have such awesome parents. Danny and Kim have been a blessing to our church and have touched so many lives. A year or so ago Pastor Danny opened up his message with this clip. Take a look:

Powerful, no? His name is Jefferson Bethke and you can find more inspiring videos by him at: http://jeffbethke.com/ I have to say when I listen to him I think about my daughters. I so want them to meet a nice man someday that will respect them and treat them how they should be treated but most importantly, that they lead through faith. As they are getting closer and closer to becoming teenagers it is getting more real and more scary! For example, Natalie has 4 boys texting her asking her to be their girlfriend. FOUR! So proud that she continues to say no, I don't want a boyfriend but would love to be your friend. This video is for my girls. Goodnight!

Reflections

So I have decided to try this whole blog thing again. It's been awhile and now life is starting to slow down for summer I figured the timing was right. Besides this blog I am also going to start one dedicated to the autism classroom. For those who might not know, I teach students with autism in a self-contained classroom at Brooks Magnet Middle School in Wichita, Kansas. Besides my self-contained students I have several other students who are on the spectrum but attend regular classes on my caseload. This was a new experience for me this year as I have always had just the self-contained kids. What a learning experience this year has been! Several ups and downs but overall a very productive school year. This Wednesday is my last day with the kids and it will be bittersweet. I love having a little break in the summer to spend with my girls but I miss my students and co-workers. You really do become like family. So...as the next few days fly by I will savor this time with my students and give them as much TLC as possible and try not to let the tears fall on the last day as I walk my 8th graders out the door for the last time.

Most people who read this if not all already know quite a bit about me. I'm a mom to three girls, ages 12, 11, and 5. Married to Jason. We live in Valley Center, Kansas and live a pretty simple life. We are blessed to have family close by who are always willing to help with the girls due to our crazy work schedules. Valley Center has been a good place to call home the last 15 years. Jason and I grew up in Wichita and when we decided to get married I pleaded with him to move here. My mothers parents are from this area and I had fond memories of coming here as a kid visiting my grandparents and great-grandparents. I envied my cousins who attended the small schools here as I was never a fan of big schools. Luckily he agreed and here we are with no regrets. The girls love their schools and have made some great friends.

The girls keep us busy and while I am looking forward to the slow down of crazy schedules summer brings, I also love seeing them do their thing. Soccer, dance, AWANA, and now t-ball take up many hours throughout the week. The older two also play the flute and clarinet. Lately I have been pondering how we are going to mangage getting three kids to all their activites because as they get older there are more opportunites. Thank goodness for carpools!

So this is my life. We live. We love. We laugh. Many days there is lots of craziness thrown in. But it's a good life and boy are we blessed. Is it always butterflies and rainbows? Nope. It works though and love is in this house.

25 Facts about Me:

1. I love my job. I really, really, do. How many people can actually say that? Probably not many. I know I have been one of those people in the past. Trust me, I feel pretty lucky. I am where I should be and I can't imagine doing anything else. I love my students, I love my school, and I loved my co-workers. This has never happened before and I know it could change in a heartbeat so I am holding it dear as long as I can.

2. I want to live by an ocean someday. Let me rephrase that. I WILL live by an ocean someday. Cape Cod would be ideal for me.

3. I love the smell of salt water in the air. Sand between my toes. The sunset and low tide.

4. At times I am scared out of my mind of raising three girls. THREE GIRLS!!!

5. I am scared to death of snakes. Yes, yes, I know many people are scared of snakes but really, I go into panic attack mode. I went to the circus with the girls a few years back and Natalie wanted to pay to hold the massive boa or anaconda or whatever...so, in a moment of bravery or stupidity not sure which, I went down with her and held it with her. I feel sorry for those people who were near us in line because I really was close to hyperventilating! I did it though and I have a picture to prove it!

6. I love Colorado. It's breathtaking, no?

7. I have been attending college off and on since 1998. Can I just say I am tired. Tired of studying. Tired of night classes. I will graduate with my masters in 2014. So. Ready.

8. I have an amazing younger brother. He is six years younger than me and I love him dearly. He is married to a beautiful woman, Jennifer. They have given me a niece and nephew who I love dearly but don't get to see as much as I want to.

9. My parents are still married. Wow!

10. I am not a very good driver. While I would love to live in Colorado I would not like to DRIVE in the mountains.

11. My favorite food is mexican. Ate it everyday when I was pregnant with my girls.

12. Coffee is a good thing. A very, very good thing.

13. I wish I loved running and working out. I really do. I just don't like it much. I see all the running pictures and posts on Facebook about this run and that run and while I am happy for them it's just not my thing.

14. I love KU basketball. Everything about it.

15. I love to sing. It was "my thing" growing up. Always hoped to go to Broadway but my life took a different turn. I'm okay with that.

16. I love the theatre. I love the feeling it gives me to escape my life for a few hours. I have been fortunate enough to have seen some amazing productions over the years. Very excited to take the girls to NYC next month with my mom. We will see Wicked!

17. Barbra Streisand. Anything by her. Just watched "The Prince of Tides" the other night for the 100th + time I'm sure. Love it.

18. I'm a Gemini. :)

19. My faith is important to me.  Making it a goal this summer to read the Bible more.

20. I love taking pictures. Big hobby of mine.

21. I love DIY projects and crafts. Follow me on Pinterest! http://pinterest.com/angiecj/

22. I think I have ADHD. Maybe.

23. I probably spend too much time on social media. I am going to cut back on this. It's a time waster.

24. I love animals. Dogs, guinea pigs, you name it. Jason doesn't so much.

25. Summing up a few things in this last one: Favorite Movies: Legend of the Fall, Stealing Home, Prince of Tides, Love Actually, Bridget Jones Diary.  Favorite Band: U2.  Favorite Drink: Diet Coke.


AND I want to make THIS cake THIS weekend!



And a song for Friday.....Love David Gray.