This Week at School

I usually don't post a lot about work related stuff, but I had a couple of pics to share. 

This week is Red Ribbon Week and the kids have really gotten into.  A while back ago, we did a lesson over refusual skills and the kids would giggle when I said crack, meth, or beer.  I let them know quickly that drugs are NO laughing matter.  Several came to me later with stories from their families.  Any way, I digress.  Back to Red Ribbon Week.  We are having a door decorating contest. It is supposed to be student developed/made.  I had my kids put their ideas in a basket and then chose the one I thought was best.  Here is our final product:

Colin told me it wasn't fair that I helped by taping up some stuff because the kids were supposed to do it all.  I informed him that I don't let my kids stand in chairs so I HAD to do some. 

Tonight was also Literacy Night. We had storytelling and trick or treating.  Here is a picture of me and a very scary friend:

Colin had a great time. He got to hang out with his friend Christian.  I felt the love of my students who had already heard the book Holler Loudly in class, but came to hear it again. Carson went to his own fall festival with his daddy. I hear we may be the winners of a $15 Sponge Bob pumpkin. We will find out tomorrow.

Off to watch The Rangers. Hamilton is on deck!  Go Texas!

Honeysuckle Hill Farm

Recently, we took the boys to Honeysuckle Hill Farm down in Springfield, TN.  We will definitely remember this place for next year as we had a great time.

Like It? You can get it too!

I've heard wonderful comments about my scrapbook pages I have been making with the My Memories software. 

And I have to say, I am loving the software.  It is so much fun to play with!  The boys even get in on the action. Colin made this one:

I love the fact that if the boys start fussing or my "me time" is up that all I have to do is save and exit. There is no cleaning up. 

Would you like to give the software a try? 

Click HERE for this FREEBIE:

Play with it with your own editing software.  If you like it, go to My Memories and purchase the My Memories Suite software.

 If you use my code, you will get a $10 discount.  The code is STMMMS34203.  Of course, I would appreciate you using the code. I do get a little something in return.  The code is also good for purchasing designer packs from My Memories. 

Calvary Block Party

Sunday was our annual block party. God blessed us with beautiful weather, great attendance, delicious food, Christian fellowship, and loads of fun.  The children performed during the service. After our meal, we had live music from our praise band and The Newman Family.  There were games, a cake walk, inflatable slide, facing painting, a craft, a hayride, and prizes.  We had a fantabulous day!

Praying for K

I have shared with you about my neighborhood and my unhappiness with everything going on.  Well, the week of fall break I had a yard sale and one of my neighbor's showed up.  As we made small talk, K began to let it all out.

I learned a lot.  

I learned that she has never known life without drugs and alcohol.  K doesn't have any coping skills other than getting her fix.  Recently, her biological dad OD'ed and died. She said, "I realized that could have been me. That is the path I am on. The next time it could be me." K has had to "voluntarily" give up her two beautiful children and go to rehab for 13 months.  The kids' dad is in prison. She said after her treatment she can't come back home. In "her crowd," there is no way out. She told me, "Addicts don't let you live it down. Eventually, you start using again." She apologized for all the things that have gone on and explained that she never meant for her life to get so out of control. Does anyone? Well, I  slipped a New Testament between the clothes she bought without her knowing and told her I would pray for her. Later, K came back and thanked me for "that book." I told her she was welcome and maybe it would help her. 

I hope K is sincere. For her sake. For her children's sake. Rehab won't do her any good unless she allows Jesus to walk with her.

I have learned that I need to pray more for my neighbors. I know I can't run when things aren't right, but through prayer, God can do something even though I can't. He can change a person's heart. Sometimes it might be our own! Don't get me wrong; I am certainly not saying what K has done is right, but I now understand why she is the way she is, and I need to pray for her. For her to straighten out her life. For her to know Jesus.

What We Have Been Up To

Last week was fall break. A much needed break.  The boys and I hung out for a few days, played alot.  We were supposed to go to the Feeding America Warehouse in Elizabethtown to pack Backpack Program bags, but I was sick the night before and Jeff's back was all messed up so we stayed home.  Thursday and Friday we had a yard sale.  Thursday was also a very special day....

We had a nice family cookout to celebrate.  Hot dogs, s'mores, and a Strawberry Shortcake cake.  Can life get any better?

I was able to have a chat with one of my neighbors who came to the yard sale. That is another post. 

Saturday we just had to get away.....

We spent the night at "our hotel."

Then on Sunday, we went to The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere.

We had a wonderful, much needed family getaway.  Then it was off to work on Monday ending with a sick child at 2:30 this morning!  The fun never stops around here!

We are looking forward to a beautiful fall weekend here in South Central Kentucky! 

His Word Wednesday

Is it Healthy?

I published a post recently about wanting out of our neighborhood. 

I am still praying about it.

Our neighborhood has calmed down some. The last time the police were here it was due to a child custody issue, not anything illegal. But I still want out.  Away from people who live off their grandparents and don't work, who do drugs, who cuss their kids in the front yard when they do finally decide be a parent and try to keep them out of the road.

I still think about that other house.  I just drove back by it with the boys. Is that healthy?  The boys love it. I informed them two of them would have to share rooms. That didn't suit until I stated they would have full reign over the basement! 

The other day, I was imagining decorating that house for Christmas. Where my Christmas village would go. How our annual Griswald Family Christmas party would go over. The boys coming downstairs to see what's under the tree. Is that healthy?

We know we can't afford it right now.  That trading option sounds so nice though. It is fun to daydream.  Is that healthy?

So until my dreams become reality, I'll make wise financial choices. I'll cut back. I'll get rid of stuff I don't need. I'll keep praying.

Happy daydreaming, ya'll.

This day, I marry my best friend

Twelve years ago today, I married my best friend.

 We stood before our family and friends, his best guys and my best girls.  We stood before God, and we made a committment....

For better or for worse.

For richer or for poorer.

In sickness and in health.

Til death do us part.

 We've been there.

We've done that.

We've dealt with possible heart issues.

We've dealt with an unplanned mammogram.

We've dealt with a child in NICU.

We deal with financial strains.

We deal with daily life strains.

We deal with whatever uncertainty the Army brings.

Our promise to each other didn't end at the alter.

It didn't end when we cut the cake.

It didn't end leaving the church in the honeymoon getaway car.



Our promise is built on the Word of God.  With whatever life brings, we will depend on our Father to see us through. The good times and the bad. As long as we both shall live. Amen.

May our marriage bring glory to our Heavenly Father.

Happy Anniversary, Jeffrey. I love always and forever and ever. Amen.

I am looking forward to many more wonderful years of marriage! Can't wait to see what they will bring!

Soccer Awards

Small Town

One thing I like about living in a small town is the football homecoming parade.  The entire school system walks downtown to watch it.