Thanks, Pinterest!

Saying I LOVE Pinterest is a huge understatement - I have it to thank for many craft projects, organizational and cleaning tips, new recipes and NOW fun little pics for one of my bulletin boards at school...

If you're not on Pinterest yet - GET ON THERE! You won't regret it (well, maybe you will at 1:00 in the morning when you're pinning dessert recipes and ideas for next year's Christmas decorating, but in general you won't regret it).

I challenged myself to do a month of new recipes and I'm almost done - when I've wrapped it up I'll post links to all the new ones I tried ( a lot from Pinterest a lot from Mix and Match Mama).

Hard to Believe..

Hard to believe that this week last year I was in Jamaica with a group of MCA high school students! This year our high schoolers are serving in local mission opportunities, attending a 5-day college tour trip, and on mission in Houston and the Ukraine!

Definitely been thinking a lot about the sweet faces I got to meet last year and wondering how they're doing now...

I can't wait for our students to get back from their trips and hear how, although they intended to do the blessing, they were blessed by going on the various mission trips.

Teaching in a private, tuition-based school is often a sacrifice (time, salary, etc.), but getting to watch these students grow in their relationships with Christ every day and be a small part of that makes it all worth it. If you have a minute, please be in prayer for the McKinney Christian Academy high school students serving our community and around the world this week... wish I was there!

Future Mustang

Two weeks ago (I still can't believe I lost a WHOLE WEEK! with this crazy weather), several parents threw a baby shower for me as well as another girl who works with me (who actually had her baby girl this past Wednesday). It was after school in the library and was attended by LOTS of our Junior High and High School students. The best part was getting to see how excited some of the students were about the gifts that they had picked out.

One of my 7th grade boys and his Freshman sister gave me this adorable little onesie for Mason to wear "when we come watch all their games". :) Another one of my sweet girls gave me these peace socks because she thought "they look like what you'd wear if you were a baby boy". hehehe
There was a TON of food and cupcakes and they gave each of the moms-to-be an individual cake to take home and enjoy after the shower.

Unfortunately, I totally forgot to bring my camera that day, so I'm hoping that one of the moms took pictures and will get them to me at some point. It was so sweet and thoughtful of my parents, teachers and co-workers and was a really fun afternoon.

Anything for my students...

I absolutely ADORE my students and will do just about anything for my them (or use as incentive for them to do their homework. hehehe). I've planned and chaperoned countless dances and events, held pj parties at my house, volunteered at a donkey rescue farm, participated in staff vs students sporting events, been "parodied" in skits, rapped (yes, I said rapped) to get them to memorize formulas or other information, AND dressed up for every spirit day for the last 5 years. That said, as I was attempting to pull together an outfit for "ancient civilizations day" at 5:30 this morning, I almost couldn't do it. That's until I thought of their disappointed little faces (disappointed at not seeing their favorite math teacher look like a fool) and decided to bust out my leopard leggings, brown tunic, fur vest, dinosaur necklace, pebbles hair and giant shell earrings and be a cavewoman. UGH!

Dave was still asleep as I was about to head out and I think he about peed his pants when he saw me leaving - he INSISTED on snapping a picture (while lying in bed) which is why this is such a flattering camera angle (hello, double chin) and lighting and why I look so happy (that was all sarcasm in case you couldn't tell).

When I got to school the kids were all dressed in their ancient gear and I was glad that I sucked it up and participated

Several things about the picture below...

1) Yes, that's me in the back and yes, I realize that I blend in with my 12 year old 7th graders

2) I don't know why one kid is dressed as a ninja or why he's pretending to slit the other kids throat

3) The kid in the bottom row in our MCA rugby shirt, has a nametag on that says "I'm from an ancient civilization" - how creative :)

This super sweet student spend ALL weekend making his own suit of armor (which you can't really see), complete with GIANT shield - too bad I can't get him to spend that much time doing his homework :)

This adorable girl has a sister named Madigan - how cute is that?!?!?! Tomorrow is "Medieval day" and I'm brainstorming how I can somehow incorporate a red fleece bathrobe and pj pants into my costume. :)