Happy 4th Birthday Elsie!

Today is Elsie's birthday and she apparently decided to throw herself a party since she figured I wouldn't. I mean, she hasn't gotten one yet, so it's a pretty good conclusion! I came home and discovered she had found more curly ribbon, unrolled it all over my bedroom and had fun with it! I spent the next ten minutes or so trying to get cute pictures of her. She's almost like a child in that she doesn't cooperate with taking a photo and almost always looks away right as the camera snaps. By the end she was giving me the, "No more pictures Mommie!" look.

She even brought the ribbon to me at the dinner table hoping I would play with her. I did oblige her and ran with the ribbon all around the house for her to chase. After our romp, both she and I were breathing hard. Maybe we both need to exercise more! She ended her playtime with a trip to the "happy box" aka catnip in a box. Now at the end of the evening, she's brought her ribbon back to the bedroom and is sitting happily next to it. She's a mess, my girl, but I love her! Enjoy our photo session!

God's time

Today's sermon at church was on God's timing in our lives - how appropriate for me. As I struggle along thinking that, of course my timing would be best, it was good to be reminded that God is good and that his timing is always for my best.


I'll admit, this year has not been the greatest school year. I've had some struggles and I think now I am maybe starting to see the fruit of them. All year my thoughts have been, why these kids, why were they divided this way, why me? Now as we are beginning to end the year, I've realized these kids were placed in my class because they need me. God knew what he was doing and it was his timing to see fit that they be with me this year. I've learned much from them and they may try my patience much, but it's been refreshing to realize that these kids need me and for that reason, I'll press on with them. Leading them to the gospel the best I can.


Pray for us this week as we take our standardized testing! Or rather, pray for me! This can be one of the most stressful weeks of first grade. I have to go back to chanting my standardized testing mantra:

My security is not in first grade testing, my security is in Jesus Christ. My security in my teaching career is not is first grade testing, my security is Jesus Christ. It helps a lot to remember why I'm teaching and who I'm teaching for.

Have a great week!

Coming Soon . . .

. . . a new blog post!

Merry Christmas!

How deep the Father's love that He should send his Son among us! I pray you and your family will have a blessed day reveling in the knowledge of the Father's love for us!

Luke 2:1-20

The Birth of Jesus Christ

 ¹ In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. ² This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³And all went to be registered, each to his own town. ⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. ⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

 ⁸ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹²And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

 ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” ¹⁵ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. ¹⁷ And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

In a stable

I'm not sure how I stumbled upon this blog, but I just love what Missy wrote last week. Please go on over and read what she has to say about Christmas and living in a fallen world. I couldn't say it any better!

In a stable

A Charlie Brown Christmas

I don't care how old I get, I still enjoy watching A Charlie Brown Christmas every year. Here are two of my favorite scenes.