Favorite Fridays

Hello gang...well, it's Friday again and I am excited to write my first "Favorite Friday" blog post. I'm totally ripping this idea off from a friend, but we all know imitation is the finest form of flattery.

So here we go---in my finest "Oprah's favorite things" voice...my very first Favorite Friday post is dedicated to the one and only...

Hello, gorgeous...

I do believe this is love at first sight...

I walked into the Apple store last week on a whim, and walked out with this beautiful display of perfection. From the minute I stepped foot on the sales floor I knew I was doomed. My poor bank account just didn't stand a chance. It was almost as if the skies opened up, and for a brief second I could hear angels singing. 

I checked in at the front of the store, and was then released to play with the gadgets. After breathing the apple air for a few minutes, I was greeted by a super cool geek (oxymoron, for sure, but he was actually kinda cool).  Thirty minutes later I was congratulated with a wild round of applause, followed by the presentation of a gorgeous white box. From there, I was redirected to the registration station and welcomed by a team of geeks. "Mac virgin" was the term they had given me...and this was, in essence, my wedding night. 

It was pretty fabulous, I'm not gonna lie. There were a few other "virgins" at the table and together we celebrated in our newfound mac glory. All it took were a few clicks, downloads, and I was on my way home. 

It's been a week since I brought her home, and I must say, she is simply fabulous. I know she's got a lot of tricks up her sleeve, but like all marriages, it takes time to figure each other out ; )

So there you have it...my very first favorite Friday post. If you're reading this from your mac, then I know you get it. If not, well, it's time to make a trip to the Apple store. 

Class of 2011

Many of you know I used to be an elementary school teacher. During my first year in the classroom I fell in love with a group of seven year-olds and vowed I had found my lifelong calling as a second grade teacher.

After a year of second grade bliss our Principal came to me with a proposal. She asked me if I would give fifth grade a shot for the following year, and if I hated it, I could have my second grade classroom back. I'm always up for a challenge, so I took her up on her offer.

I would be lying if I said it were easy. It wasn't. But there's a saying in life about a silver lining...and, well, with that fifth grade class I certainly found the silver lining in the form of a few really great kids.

These kids and their families have truly made a difference in my life. Over the years they have participated in my wedding (my 5th grade room mom even caught my bouquet!), showered me with baby gifts, and  remained in touch with me (gotta love Facebook).

Here's the kicker. These kids are not kids anymore. In fact, they are High School Seniors...preparing to graduate and head off to college.

I fought back tears of joy when I received this beautiful announcement in the mail:

Corey and I attended their graduation party on Saturday and all I have to say is WOW. I am so proud of you- Ellie, Jake, Mackensie, and all of my other former students! You have made this [former]  fifth grade teacher super proud : )

among the darkness there is light

This past week has been pretty tough. If I could sugar coat it I would- but that would be nearly impossible. It began with the sad news of my husband's grandmother (Me-Maw) passing away early Tuesday morning. She had lived a great life, and of course we rest in the comfort of knowing she is in Heaven with her husband and her daughter (Corey's mom). Still, there is pain associated with losing a loved one, no matter how old they are or how much better off they are in Heaven than on Earth.

The day after Me-Maw's passing, we received a frantic call from a family friend. Their 5 year old daughter had fallen 6 feet from an indoor play structure and landed on concrete. With news of a fractured skull and brain hemorrhaging, we went into panic mode.  For 48 hours we prayed as a family, on our knees, for this little girl. Thankfully, she is at home now, resting and recovering in her own bed. The fear I felt for her (not to mention her parents) was so very real. I praise God knowing he is working to heal this sweet friend of ours, and we are so thankful she will make a full recovery.

As we rejoiced in the news of Caroline's release from the hospital, I received a message from a friend's husband stating they had lost their baby girl (she was 28 weeks pregnant). Although her pregnancy was high risk, things were looking good and we had high hopes for this child. My heart was broken to learn of this news, especially thinking of her as she was being induced to delivery this baby. Rebecca Reese Martin was born on Sunday May 15, 2011. She was baptized shortly after delivery and will be laid to rest next to her great grandfather. I gave up on holding in my tears yesterday- it was just impossible.Tears are streaming down my face even as I write this post.

Throughout this week of "darkness", I must look up to our Heavenly Father and remember that even though sometimes we don't understand WHY, we have to trust in HIM. And that yes, there are times of darkness in our lives, but among the darkness there is always light. This light may be a tiny flame, or a blazing sunset. Either way we must believe that all things do come from our Creator, and allow His light to shine, no matter how big or small.

photographer unknown (could not find the source!)

I came across this image this morning, and wanted to share it with you. It reminded me that among the rocks and crashing waves we experience in life, His light continues to shine on us.

I am embracing the light today and hoping for a better week ahead.

May God's grace and light shine on YOU today : )

*To read more about Rebecca Reese's story, visit her mommy's blog http://incuteshoes.blogspot.com

hung up on...me

Based on my lack of consistency in regards to blog posting, one might think I'm not that interested. Quite the contrary, in fact. I absolutely love writing in my blog. Unfortunately, at this time it's not exactly an income producing activity. So although my posts are here and there, I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing.

I realize a personal blog doesn't have to be a huge time commitment, after all, why can't I just sit down for a few minutes and share a story from my day? It's not that big of a deal. Just do it already. After all, I have so much to say : )

I know exactly what my problem is. I am hung up on...wait for it...myself.

Shocking? Hardly. I know I'm not alone when I say this, but I am my biggest critic. My own personal criticisms shut me down, and far too often I start writing a post and get stuck after the first few sentences. Clever, well-thought stories or anecdotes come into my head as quickly as they pop out. Perhaps it's because I'm not trained in the formal task of writing, or perhaps it's just me. Getting in the way.

When I started this blog I set the standard high for myself. No whining posts about my kids, husband or job. No boring updates on how life's been treating me. And no random posts just because I promised myself I would write 4 times a week.

What I've realized is this: If I want to whine for a paragraph or two about my kids or share a totally random thought of the day I'm just going to suck it up and write it.

After all, it's my blog. I can write whatever I want.