There's No Time Like the Present

to blog...that is.

So I keep sitting around (I mean grading papers) thinking "I need to blog! I don't have time to blog! When will I have time to blog?!"

So, I'm blogging right now. It might be rough. It certainly won't be perfect, but I will blog.

Because blogging helps me remember. And remembering is nearly a commandment. It is! Read Moses' speech to the children of Israel! Remember who brought you out of Egypt! Remember who took care of you in the desert! Remember who caused your shoes not to wear out! (My paraphrase.)

So I'm blogging to remember.


Last week was a monumental day - the 100th day of school! One of my girls was saddened that the ceiling wasn't covered in balloons (oops). I'll have to do that on the last day of school. They were all asking, "Ms. Smith! What are we doing fun for the 100th day of school?!" Mustering my most cheery voice, "Why, we're doing SCHOOL! Won't that be fun?!" Hahaha....But at the end of the day, they were quite happy about their 100 piece trail mix snacks they got to make. What fun. 100 days. Oh my goodness. Lord, you've been so incredibly faithful. Here are a few pictures...I know they're starred out, but the web is scary these days.

The next biggest things are my formal observation on Thursday (thankfully Dana knows me and loves me and I don't need to be too worried). Next Thursday is Valentine's Day for you, but it's Bring-your-Parent-to-School Day for me (and Valentine's Day, I guess). No, you did not just hear me groan. Let's just say it's not the easiest day out of the year. After we have "school" and the parents leave, then we are PARTYING! I'm thinking a calm movie and a snack? Lol..

That leads me to February 15, 2013. After school, I'm heading on a road trip to see one very special, amazing, fabulous man. You're right! Who else could I be talking about?! Lucas!! I guess it's high time that I let little blogdom know that the very same Lucas is dating lil ole me! :-) In all seriousness, I'm super grateful for our relationship. I'm thankful for our journey...for all that we've learned over the years. God's been so faithful to lead and guide both of us, and I'm so excited to be walking this part of the journey with him. He's working so hard on his master's degree, teaching over 20 students, and doing countless other things and making me feel like one special gal. He's tops and I want the world to know. :-) And I get to see him in 10 days!! I love this picture of us on MLKJ Day. :-) (And no "stars" needed on this picture! ;-)

Well, mom's given me orders to get to bed, so I must obey. She's such a good mom, but why in the world does she think I need sleep? Hahaha....oh boy.

A thought from Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts... (God has used this wonderful mama to change my life...)

" 'The work we do is only our love for Jesus in action,' writes Mother Teresa. 'If we pray the work...if we do it to Jesus, if we do it for Jesus, if we do it with Jesus...that's what makes us content.' That is what makes us content - the contented, deep joy is always in the touching of Christ - in whatever skin He comes to us in." - Ann

Lord, help me to do my work, teach my kids, grade my papers to You, for You, and with You. Be my joy!