They are making me crazy...

This has been the craziest most stressful week. My students are having a difficult time getting along and following directions. They are disrespectful to me and to each other. They don't respect my authority and feel like they can talk back and argue with what I say. They have anger issues and want to hurt themselves or others. Then there is their parents...one accused me of letting my kids evangelize in class, one of hurting her child on her purpose. It just never ends...

I feel helpless. I don't know what to do. I've learned to pick my battles but there are so many. I feel like more of a firefighter than a teacher. I've talked to my principal, the school counselor, the psychologist...everyone offering their sympathies but never a real solution.

I'm sorry to complain..

Thursday's Thirteen

Today's Thursday Thirteen is The 13 Craziest Names I've had/Seen in My Teaching Career: (no lie these are all real!)

1) Matches
2) Cashmiere
3) Sapphire
4) Sapphire's sister Jade
5) America
6) Chardonnay
7) Tequilla (wonder what these parents' favorite drinks were)
8) Sienna
9) Basadar
10)Shriek (pronounced Shrek)
11)Yayshara (9,10,and 11 are brothers and sisters)
12)Hamidat
13)Amokowomo (it was a last name)

12 and 13 are African names so they have a reason for being unique but seriously, I wonder what some of these folks are thinking about when they name their children.

My how times have changed

This weekend for once was a quiet weekend where we had no real event or task to attend to. Friday night we were finally able to get together/eat dinner with the Derbys. Everytime I see them I am reminded how much I miss them now that I can just walk over to their apartment. On the way, Jeremy and I were discussing how our Friday nights have changed since we've lived in seminary land. When we first moved here, we had couples over all the time or went out with someone almost every weekend and now it's rare that we go out with other couples. We asked ourselves when did this happen and we realized its because most of the people we hung out with have moved or now have a baby and don't go out like they did. Most new moms have to worry about feeding times or are so exhausted they dont want to hang out late. So we decided we either have to join the baby club or find new friends without kids. (No offense to our friends with kids...we still would love to hang out with you too!)

Saturday Jerm had two intermural football games which is always fun to attend and catch up with all the girls. Then we had to go to the grocery store b/c we were seriously out of everything. Today was low key with church and small group.

I'm dreading going to school already. I know many of you have had to endure me saying this many times through out the year but its only week 5 and I feel this way. This group is running me ragged... please pray that the Lord would give me strength, wisdom, and patience. I finally told Jerm that next year I think I wanted to look into something new next year after he was out of school. So pray that the Lord would give me discernment. Also pray for me personally that I would trust and wait on the Lord in all things and realize that His timing and will are perfect and not to be anxious about anything. Thanks guys...I appreciate you keeping up with me and also for praying for me.

Thursday's Thirteen

As many of you know, I love to read blogs so I thought today I would share 13 blogs I check regularly (I have more but this is only a Thursday 13)...click on each name to visit them.

1) Blessed, Believing, and Blogging Browns-- my friend Jamie's blog... some of my favorite entries include funny things her youngest daughter Austin Kate has to say.

2) The LittletonsMy college roomate Erin's journey towards adopting two beautiful kids from Uganda.

3) WinDot My friend Cheri's blog on her life as a new mom. She has a super cute little boy whose picture frequents the blog almost every day!

4) Living Proof Ministries Beth Moore's blog with daughter. She writes just likes she talks which makes you feel like you are her close friend having a conversation with her.

5) The Fruit of the Spirit is not a Coconut Our friends Trevor and Keva's blog---they too are in the process of adopting a little boy from Ethopia. I check her daily to see if they have received word. :)

6) JD Greear Our pastor's blog

7)GirlTalkCJ Mahaney's wife and daughters write about Biblical womanhood and other great topics.

8) Musical Sea (private blog)--This is the blog of our friends Josh and Krista who are serving in N. Africa. I love reading about their new life and catching up on their daughter Lydia.

9) The Yoze in Asia (again due to the nature of their work, I'm not sure if I can reveal the site) but they are an awesome family from our church who are serving in Asia. They are amazing writers and their love for Christ radiates through their writing.

10) Lindsey's Blog My friend Lindsey's blog...always fun to see her new pictures!

11) On the Road to Emmaus Our former neighbor's Paul and Miranda are also adopting from Ethopia and their blog is very Biblically focused!

12) The LairFriends Cher and Stephen.. former NY actor/actress couple who rock it on Sunday mornings. Both are hilarious which makes their blog even more fun.

13) The Derby's x3Kevin and Stef's blog

Ok I may have offended a couple of you because you didn't see your blog on here. Have no fear, I do read your blog..I just didnt have room here. If you want me to read your blog you also have to tell me about it as well as update it regulary. :)

Have fun with some new reading!

Mom Turns 50 (Almost!)

On Tuesday, my mom turns 50!! Because of everyone's schedules, today was the only day the family could get together so tonight we celebrated her 50 years with an awesome dinner by Dad, cake by me, and lots of presents. Here's the recap:
Mom's Chocolate Cheesecake (in many varieties) with the OVER THE HILL candles!

Mom begins to read Ma-Ma's card about the day she was born.

Ma-ma cries just thinking about what she wrote in the card.

Jen's present

Dad's present

Ma-ma's present

My present..digital photo frame

Happy Birthday to You!

Blow out the candles!

Happy Birthday Mom! We love you and hope that the next 50 years were as fun as the last!

Forgotten Pictures

I was looking through some pictures today and I forgot that I hadn't posted these pictures from the first weekend in August. These are from Homecoming at my grandma's church in Emporia, Va.


The 3 grandkids... Cameron (my cousin), me, and Brandon (my brother)

The Fam minus Jeremy

Brandon and Dad decided to be cute and match once we got back to Great Ma-Ma's house. They are a bunch of dorks!

Thursday's Thirteen

Today's Thursday Thirteen is Shannon's Top 13 Movies. These are ones that I could watch over and over (and have).

1. Grease


2. Dirty Dancing


3. Center Stage


4. The Holiday


5. High School Musical


6. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days


7. Forrest Gump


8. Sound of Music


9. Steel Magnolias


10. Office Space


11. The Notebook


12. Legally Blonde


13. Failure to Launch


Did anyone notice that most of them are chick flicks?