Time for rest...

I woke up at 8 am for the first time in a long time today. I actually got to sit with my huge cup of coffee and sip it slowly while watching the morning shows. This is what it feels like to be on break and I love it! How needed it was!

Update (because some have asked): The kids loved their lunchbags, but I think their parents were more impressed than they were. A handful brought them to school yesterday with their lunch or snack in them. They were so cute!

One of the perks of this job (other than a summer off) is the Christmas gifts. Yesterday I received a plethora of gift cards (the best being $50 to the mall), stationary, Carolina picture frame, and tons of candy. Most of all I got the sweetest letters about how much they love me. When you get so frustrated with them, it is time like this that remind you that you are making a difference.

So now its time to prepare for Christmas! We're leaving for RM today to be my family until Christmas day then will travel to Boone to be with J's family. I love Christmas! I love the traditions, the time with family, the music, the sights, the sounds....and well the presents too!

If I don't post again, I want to wish each of you a Merry Christmas!

It is finished...

Ladies and Gentleman, I am estactic to report that I have finished all 21 lunch bags. The road was long and tough but I persevered and I finished strong. Here is a picture of just a few just to give you an idea. They are green and gold for our school colors and each is personalized with their name. You can't see it put inside there is clear plastic, in case of spills. They have velcro on them so you can roll them down and close them. (The middle one is open). Take a good look at them because they will not be repeated next year. :)

In other news, Jennifer Orr is now Mrs. Vincent! I traveled back to RM this weekend to witness the joyous occasion. Also this weekend, I am proud to say that Appalachian State won the I-AA Football National Championship again. They now have back to back trophies thanks to some awesome freshmen. I think it was totally because of the yelling of two rowdy fans who stood behind the field goal to cheer them on...haha Jeremy and BP. :)

Tonight we had the pleasure of having the Brookins over for dinner. Their newest addition is just the cutest thing ever. I had to take a picture of him and I've included it here for your viewing pleasure. :) He's so precious!

March 1997

What was going on in March 1997? Evidentally people were very busy making babies! This week I have had 5 kids with a birthday all in consecutive order. For those of you who don't remember, when you have a birthday in elementary school your mom sends in cupcakes for the whole class so yes you guessed it! We have had cupcakes for snack for the last 5 days!!! What in the world?! The kids are already hyper enough with the holidays and now you throw some more sugar on top of that!? Crazy times! Please Dec. 21st 4:00 pm, please arrive quickly!

Surprise weddings and unusual gifts

This weekend was one of surprises. Have you ever showed up to a party and someone was like "Surprise! We're getting married in about an hour!" Yeah I never had until this weekend. Tudor is quite the sneak and invited us over for a "Christmas party". As we arrived, we noticed that she was in a white dress and there was a lot of older people there but I never really thought to question the party. As Toot and I were talking, I asked her when the big wedding was and she was like, "Um...today!" I was like what!!! She said yeah in about 30 mins. I was utterly shocked to say the least! I felt so bad because I was getting ready to tell her we had to leave because we had to go to family function. So feeling incredibly akward, we tried to gracefully bow out before the ceremony started so that we would not be a distraction later. I felt so bad for missing the real meaning of the party and not being able to stay. So Toot, if you read this, I'm extremely sorry we missed your big event but we excited for you! Congrats!

And the surprises keep coming......so tonight we go to our Young Married Christmas party and as always play the Yankee Swap/White Elephant/Dirty Santa game where you bring a present and get a number and take your turn drawing a present. Well if you know my husband, he likes to play jokes and laugh so he decide we would bring an adult set of footie pajamas that glows in the dark. I mean these pjs were great when you were 2 but eventually grow out of them but not now! Thanks to Target you too can have a pair. Well they were hit of course and they were stolen and tried on many times. See the pictures below of Derek and Dustin trying them on.

Well the big surprise came when the Alipours came in with a gift that had to be refrigerated. We were like, "Yay a cake or maybe ice cream". So Spence being the bold one he decided to open the present. As he slowly opened the gift, the look on his face was priceless (after he realized exactly what it was.) To his surprise, it was a real live lobster with a leash!! Yes the Alipours brought a live lobster! It was awesome. See the picture! Needless to say it was a fun exchange and we ended up with awesome placemats and dipping bowls from Thailand. I was pumped!

It's now time for bed to rest up for another week of school. For those who are keeping track: 9 days of school until break and 7 more lunch bags to sew. :)

Tell me don't....

the next time I want to sew a Christmas gift for my 21 kids next year. A hobby that I loved has now turned into a big frustration. From jammed sewing machines to fabric that doesn't match... I have about hit my limit. I have about half of them done, which is good, but I'm about spent.

In other news, I am now a quarter of a century old and I had a wonderful birthday. Thanks to everyone who sent IMs, emails, and called to wish me a happy birthday. It meant the world to me!

Also, I am taking volunteers to come take over my class. With the holidays so close, the children have gone crazy and we are all just ready for a break. So anybody want to switch jobs with me? :)

Prayer Request

Please pray for one of my students Robert, whose mother tried to attempt suicide tonight. Pray for their family during this hard time and for me that I would able to help him through this.

Thanks!

Why do I take on so much?

The Christmas season is always a busy time of year but this year it seems over the top! We have an event every weekend (both nights) and sometimes more than one event a night. We all know I am such a planner but even I slipped up and planned 2 things on the same night.

Not only do we have events planned, we throw in Jeremy's exams, progress reports for me, and the normal planning. I made matters worse by trying to be super teacher. Let me explain, the kids are obsessed with the fact that I sew and have nagged me from day 1 to sew them something so I thought I would sew their Christmas present. So now I'm up to my ears in fabric and lunchbags. That's right..I'm sewing each of my 21 kids a lunch bag. It's really cute but I don't think I really thought about how long it would take to sew 21 bags when I started. Jerm has been a gem tonight and has helped me cut and iron out all the kinks I came across. We'll see how it goes...I post a pic when their done.

Jeremy also gets another shout out b/c he and my parents got a me a terrific birthday present. (My birthday is Tuesday, the 5th for those who care). Well my mom will be out of town on business this week so we celebrated early on Saturday. They got me the cutest little red IPOD nano. Now I wouldn't normally pick out a red object (as I tend to associate it with State and my heart yearns for the baby blue) but I love it!! By buying the red IPOD, Apple contributes $10 to the AIDS campaign in Africa. If you know me at all, you know how obsessed about Africa and how excited that my present can help in some way. So THANKS Jerm, Mom, and Dad!!! :)

In other news, BP is coming to stay with us this weekend and I'm excited to have some time to hang out with him. I love my little brother and it's funny how now I can't seem to hang out with him enough. It's funny how time changes relationships...when we were younger I couldn't stand being with him b/c he was aggrevating and annoying. Now I can't wait to see him again and hang out with him. (Mental note: another thing for the to do list----clean the house before Friday).

Alright, I've wasted enough time...back to sewing. :)