Cardboard Testimonies

I don't have time to do an entire Easter post.  I will surely try to later.   I have some pics I want to post after I get them uploaded to my computer.

But for now, I just wanted to share a video.  The church we go to, Christ Church, did cardboard testimonies during the Easter services.  It's awesome to see how God has moved in so many lives.  If you have time, you should watch.. be blessed.. and know that He can move in your situation too.

PS-- my hubby is on here at about 7 mins 13 seconds (alcohol and drugs, I've done them all....)

Good Friday

Easter Sunday is always a day of food and family and celebration.  We (my family and I) celebrate Jesus Christ and the fact that He rose again after conquering death, hell, and His grave.  We celebrate that He is ALIVE...The one true and living God!

But the Friday before, Good Friday, is a little different.  I'm usually alone or just going about my day with no big celebration.  It's more of a solemn and quiet day.  Today marks the day in history where my Lord and Savior laid down his life willingly so that I might live.  He went through torture and pain that we cannot imagine.  He became the ultimate sacrifice.  That's huge to me.

I was reading through some blogs today, and found these word's on Stephanie's blog that said it so well. 

She said, "today represents the spotless lamb, nailed to a cross on our behalf, on my behalf.  I'm praising the Lord in my heart for His sacrifice and trying to keep my mind centered on the love He literally laid down on that cross, some 2000+  years ago, through his death.  Thank You Jesus for a Friday that was agonizing for you and ultimately good for me."

And here are scriptures that perfectly depict what today is all about--   

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" Romans 6:23
"that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." Romans 10:9-10

Jesus died so that our sins, ALL of our sins, could be washed away and so that we could live eternally in Heaven with Him.

Just think about that sacrifice!  It's amazing.

student teaching

I'm tired.  I've been tired every day this week.  Those two year olds are wearing me out!  Thankfully next week is spring break for me.  I think a break is much needed.  And after break, I only have 2 weeks left!  :)

Don't get me wrong, I love those babies.  And I have been having fun.  I'm just ready for a break.

This week we were learning about Easter.  I put together a few little activities I thought I would share.  They are VERY simple.  Remember, my babies are only two!

First, for our science center I made a "touch and feel bunny".  I just did my best (which was still pretty bad!) at drawing a bunny.  I covered it with cotton balls and added eyes and a nose from construction paper.  The kids got to feel the bunny and understand more about the concept of "soft" vs. hard.

Then I bought some large plastic eggs from the dollar store in different colors. The children take turns playing with this activity.They simply match up the colors.  It helps with color recognition and really makes them feel like they have accomplished something. 

This next activity is one of my favorites for them.  What do you get when you put together plastic eggs, black eyed peas, and hot glue??  Egg Shakers!!!

You can do this with any filler.  I just used the peas because I had them in my pantry!

The kids love anything that makes noise, so they really enjoy these.  We use them to have parades around the room and to enhance our dancing.

Lastly, I'll leave you with our new fingerplay from this week....

All of these things are so simple, but the kiddos love them.  And that makes me happy!  :)

Happy Hump Day, everyone!!!

My Love

My sweet husband left me this message on the fridge for me to find when I got home today. Oh, and he brought me a mall cookie! He's the best.

more new news!

My first bit of news is kinda bittersweet.  I ended my love/hate relationship with Myspace last night.  I started my account in 2004!  I cannot believe that I had been using it for so long!!!  Myspace was good to me for a while, and it definitely served it's purpose.  But, really, I just never use it anymore.  The only reason I would log in would be to see if my sister wrote anything or posted new pics of Ava.  That reason alone proved to not be enough.  It was sad to say good-bye... but then again, I still have FACEBOOK! haha.  I can't seem to give that one up just yet.

My second bit of news is a very happy and very welcome bit.  I GOT A NEW PHONE!!!  I realize that may not seem like a big deal to many of you, but to me it's huge.  You see, I had a phone that I loved before I got married.  But marriage caused some big changes in my life, and my cell phone service provider was one of them.  When I changed providers I got stuck with using an old, outdated, plain, hard-to-use, flip phone.  Needless to say, I wasn't loving it.  Well today was my lucky day.. Justin and I both got new phones.  Here is a picture of my little beauty-- I refuse to speak of exactly how much time I have wasted spent tonight playing with this thing and figuring out all it can do for me.  I will just say no lesson plans have been written and housework is still waiting on me.  Yikes!

dress shopping

After my last post I decided to go looking for a new dress.  If you know me, then you know I shop cheap.  Like really, really cheap.  Pretty much if it's not on sale, I wait til it is.  This sometimes makes it hard to find what I'm looking for.

Tonight I went to Old Navy, Wal-Mart, Ross, and Target.  I finally found my winning dress at Ross.  It's a maxi style dress which I love and cannot wait to wear with a little t-shirt under it or a cardigan over it.

I'll also have you know that although I went into Target looking for a spring dress, this is what I came out with...  An entire package of Cadbury creme eggs.  I've been craving them ever since reading Jill's post here.  I finally gave in to the temptation!

Oh, and I got some of these for the husband.

Yep, it's safe to say I won't be swimsuit shopping ANYTIME in the near future.

But I WILL be enjoying my chocolaty egg goodness!

 

What are your favorite places to shop and your favorite Easter candies??

Lately

Where do I begin?!?  I can't believe I have gone so long without posting anything at all.  I just haven't had time.  This could be a longgg one.

This past Saturday, Christ Church held it's annual Spring Fling event at Kiroli Park.  It's just a time when everyone can get together for some fellowship, games, food, and Easter egg hunting.  Justin went super early in the morning to help set up.  I stayed home and slept late and met him up there later.

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Sunday night at church we had some special guests from a program called Teen Challenge.  Teen Challenge is a Christian faith-based solution to life-controlling drug and alcohol problems.  A few of the guys and girls gave their testimonies, and I was on the verge of tears.  It's amazing and inspiring to see the work that God has done in these peoples' lives.  Many of them were addicted to heavy drugs and/or alcohol and/or in prison before entering the program, but are now completely free! They also signed Mercy Me's song "I Can Only Imagine".  It was very touching to see those young girls and women up there with such passion and such hope.  I cried like a baby.  If you've never heard the song, you should give it a try here..

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Monday, Justin and I got a big surprise.  His parents decided to buy me an early graduation gift.  It's something we've been needing desperately. A new washer and dryer!!!  I couldn't have been happier!  Our washer went out about a month ago, so I've been having to carry all of our dirty laundry to the in-law's house to wash.  Needless to say, it has not been fun.  And I'm so grateful for this gift :)

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Tuesday was busy, but pretty uneventful as far as I can remember.  (all of my days have sorta been running together lately...)  Anyway, so here are some new kitty pics--

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Wednesday was a big day.  I'll handle it in list form!

1.)  My good friends Heather and Chad are pregnant and expecting a little one at the end of August this year.  They went to the doctor yesterday to have an ultrasound and find out the sex of their little angel.  Well guess what!?!  It's a boy!!! I cannot wait to go shopping with Heather for little boy things.  I'm so excited already to meet this little guy!!!  Congrats again, Heather and Chad!!!

2.)  Justin and I have been going back and forth on what to do about my near future.  I graduate next month, but there has been a toss up between me going back to school immediately or just going straight to work.  After trying ULM last week with no luck (they told me 3 years to complete my bachelor's in Elem. Ed), I tried LA Tech yesterday.  They are telling me I can be finished with my bachelor's by next winter.  We decided to go for it!  So as of June, I'll officially be back in school as a Tech Bulldog!            I cannot believe I'm going straight back to school, but I know it will be worth it in the long run.  Wish me luck!  And if there are any teachers out there with advice, suggestions, or whatever, they are surely welcome!        :)

3.) After a long day, we ended it with a night of First Wednesday Worship at church, dinner with friends at the lovely Wingstop, and American Idol.  Does it get any better than that?!!? 

Mmm.. I love wings and french fries.  Even though I know they aren't good for me.  Or maybe thats why I love them so!

And American Idol was okay.. the results shows are never my favorites.  Some of the people were acting pretty crazy on there last night.  I'm not mentioning any names.  haha!  :P

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alrighty, I think this post is long enough.  I need to get out of this house.  My hubby told me tonight that I needed to go buy myself a new dress.  Aren't I lucky?  He's so good to me.

 

Have a wonderful evening!!!