teacher's gifts...

As a teacher...this is right up my alley!!!

As teachers, we never EXPECT to be given gifts. However, when that occasional gift lands on my (~always~) messy desk, it is a nice surprise!

I would say some of the best gifts include...

**Gift Cards to...Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, Target, Walmart...We can use these for little morning perks, classroom supplies, or anything for ourselves...which is great!

**Hand Written Notes (from students AND parents)...If you really want to show your child's teacher that they are appreciated, a note is a perfect and inexpensive way! I have a little special box I put letters in. :)

****And just a tip... don't save gifts just for things like Christmas or Teacher Appreciate Week... gifts are the best when they come at random! :)

Thanks for making us teachers feel so appreciate!!!

new beginnings...

A new beginning.

A new start.

A budding...start. :)

And I can't wipe this silly grin off of my face.

But, trying not to get my hopes up.

But loving this feeling again.

easter.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of going to Harrison's baptism. I first started babysitting Harrison when he was 2...and he's now 10! His Mom and Dad baptized him...it was very emotional.

This morning at church, they showed the video of the kids being baptized... and Kylie sang "Hallelujah". I completely lost it.

I was completely overwhelmed with emotion. I think it was a mix of feeling grace, suffering, His love, sin, and confession. I always cry at baptism videos too. Always.

"Hallelujah"

Now I've heard there was a secret chord

That David played, and it pleased the Lord

But you don't really care for music, do you?

It goes like this

The fourth, the fifth

The minor fall, the major lift

The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof

You saw her bathing on the roof

Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you

She tied you

To a kitchen chair

She broke your throne, and she cut your hair

And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before

I know this room, I've walked this floor

I used to live alone before I knew you.

I've seen your flag on the marble arch

Love is not a victory march

It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know

What's really going on below

But now you never show it to me, do you?

And remember when I moved in you

The holy dove was moving too

And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain

I don't even know the name

But if I did, well really, what's it to you?

There's a blaze of light

In every word

It doesn't matter which you heard

The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much

I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch

I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you

And even though

It all went wrong

I'll stand before the Lord of Song

With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah

He is risen. He is risen indeed. He died for my sins...and he was resurrected. What he did on Easter, he wants to do for everyone. For my sins. He died and rose again. Grace. Love. Mercy. Amazing.

productive.

Today I actually felt productive.

That is a very good thing.

Woke up at Emily's... and make yummy fruit smoothies. Got ready, and headed back to my hometown to work at school.

5 hours later, I felt PRODUCTIVE.

Got a TON of stuff done at school and the best part was, I realized after about 4 hours, I went that entire time without thinking of the Boy.

Then, back to Emily's...made dinner for us...watched Glee which warms my heart...and then we are just hanging out.

Life feels good. Right here, right now. Let's hope for more of this feeling.

dealing...

Its not going so well.

Every song reminds me of you. Literally, every single song. Somehow...someway.

Every movie.

Every store.

Every time I get a text I hope its from you.

Everyday I miss you... and my heart hurts.

It's not easy...and I'm not dealing well...tonight. But tomorrow is a new day. Hopefully.

Letter #2:

Hello my dear,

Letter #2 it is. Still feeling alone.

It's raining out right now...actually, it pouring. And there is some thunder. And lightening.

I hate thunder and lightening. A lot. I am not scared of many things. But I am really scared of thunder. Oh, and lightening.

I wish you were here. Because I know that you would already know this. And you would hide under the covers with me...and cover my ears...and make it all better. You would think that I am adorable even in my sweats. You would love me for me.

That's all for tonight.

Love, Me

Letter #1:

To my future husband,

I have always talked about writing letters to my future spouse. All talk, and no action. Well, tonight feels like the night to write my first letter.

These are the kinds of nights that I wish you were here sitting next to me. I wish I already had you with me. I wish you were holding me in your arms and telling me everything was going to be alright. I wish that I had you here with me.

I feel so alone. Right here, right now...I feel alone. I don't know what to do. I want so badly to know you...to have the wait be over. I want to be able to spend the rest of my life with you and not feel this way.

I hope you are thinking of me right now too. I think I miss you even though I've never met you.

Love, Me