What a week...

It's only Thursday night, but this week seems like it has been going on forever!  I don't know why, but this past Sunday seems soooo stinkin' far away.  Thankfully though, Thursday is my Friday since I don't student teach or have a real class on Fridays.

Speaking of student teaching, at the beginning of this week I moved into a new room.  I'm now with 11 two year olds.  6 girls and 5 boys.  I like it alot.  There is a huge difference between 2 and 3 year olds.  I never would have guessed!

Well, I know this was a boring post, but nothing really interesting has been going on.  Just student teaching every day and class every night...  Maybe this weekend will bring about some excitement!

His Healing Power

God is really showing out in the little life of Harper Stamps. She has come so far and overcome so many obstacles in such a short time. Kelly posted an update today full of wonderful praise!

Harper is now awake with eyes wide open!

God is faithful. He is a healer. He is a miracle worker.

Prayers are better

Today one of the things I read was Exodus 16-18. The people of Israel were griping and complaining about not having all the water and food that they wanted. They were complaining to Moses and Aaron instead of praying that God would send the food and water they needed.

This is what the footnote said-- "Some problems can be solved by careful thought or by rearranging our priorities. Some can be solved by discussion and good counsel. But some problems can be solved only by prayer. We should make a determined effort to pray when we feel like complaining because complaining only raises our level of stress. Prayer quiets our thoughts and emotions and prepares us to listen."

This really, really spoke to me where I am today. Justin tells me alot that I complain too much. I don't like that about myself at all. I really do want to be a positive, glass half full type of person. Lately I have been complaining about some things that I wish were different in my life.. like not having as much money as I would like, Justin not having a new job yet, not having as many good friends as I would hope for, etc. But through my Bible time today, I believe God is telling me yet again to give it all over to Him.

So Precious!

Tonight I went and visited with my sister and Ava for a while. I get to missing them and have to stop by every now and then. They live right down the road, and really I don't visit often enough. Ava is growing so fast and doing new stuff every time I see her. She is talking now. Real words, not just babble. She is cruising along the furniture and behind push toys. She will be 11 months in just a couple days.

I love my sister and her baby girl!!!

Unofficial One Year

Yesterday (1/23), Justin and I celebrated our "one year" anniversary.  One year ago we committed to each other and started dating.  It's funny to me how fast it went by, yet how long ago that seems.  We have done alot in our first year... one of those things being marriage!  We have already had some rough moments, but the good far outweighs the bad.  I love my husband, and I love being married to him.  Now I can't wait to celebrate our real one year anniversary... one year of marriage.  It will be here before we know it, I'm sure!

To celebrate, we went to Shreveport and stayed the night in a nice hotel.  We ate wayyy too much and did some shopping.  It was really nice to get away and spend time together without having to think of anything else.

 

 

 

First pic of the day.. me looking sleepy and Justin being his goofy self.

 

 

 

 

Our first stop of the day was the Bass Pro Shop. 

 

 

I love this pic.. I told Justin to act natural with this bear.  He says, "I can't.  I don't feel natural doing anything with this bear.."

 

 

 

 

Next, we went to the Boardwalk and shopped a little bit.  The weather was great so we just walked around for a while enjoying it.

This was our best friend on the trip.  We would have gotten SO lost without it.  We even got a little lost one time with it!  Ha!

Neither Justin or I had ever been gambling before at all.  We decided to try some penny slots to see what it was like.  Long story short, we spent $4.00 and hated it!  But the good news is that for signing up for a rewards card, we got free dinner and breakfast buffets!  Wahoo... we are always down for free food!!!  And it was pretty good, too.  Here is Justin enjoying his crab legs...

And here are a couple from after dinner..

We had a great time together and decided we need to do this more often!!!

3's and a Recipe

Today was officially my first day student teaching, but I didn't do too much with the kids. I did paperwork and watched some videos and then toured the school before I went to my new classroom. I will be teaching in a 3 year old class of 13 students. There are only 4 girls, and they are all as cute as can be! I tried hard to learn names today, but still don't know them all. A few of the kids clung to me from the very beginning, so I know them pretty well. My "lead teacher" seems very friendly and down-to-earth. I'm glad about that. I like people that are easy to talk to, especially when I know I'll have a million questions. I'm pretty excited about what's to come, but at the same time still really nervous! Pray for me!

In other news... I cooked a new recipe last night. Justin and I both liked it alot, so I figured I would post it. I can't remember who I got it from, but here it is now:

Cheesy Chicken Roll Ups

8 oz. cream cheese

4 T melted butter

4 C cooked chicken (or 2 cans chicken)

1/2 t salt

1/4 t pepper

2 cans crescent rolls

 

Mix all ingredients together.

Unroll crescent rolls and separate into squares.

Press seams together so they stay squares.

Put a spoonful of mix in the middle of each square and fold (like a hot pocket).

Bake at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

We like are food spicy, so I seasoned our chicken while cooking it with a variety of spices! It was so yummy! Sorry about not having pictures. I was in a hurry cause it was getting late and we were starving! :)

A sweet gift

Today my good friend Lacey (mentioned in the last post) gave me an incredible gift.  Since we repainted our kitchen and dining area I have been in desperate need of some new wall decor.  I had one big wall with nothing on it at all.

Well, Lacey Herring, my very artistic and talented friend fixed my problem.  She painted something for me.

 

Isn't it awesome?!  And it's one-of-a-kind!  It's hard to see in the picture, but the verse in the middle says, "When you seek me, you will find me.. if you seek me with all your heart".

I'm so blessed to have her as a friend... in more than one way.