Graduate School

I just received my admissions letter to the University of New Orleans! I teared up when I got it and am so relieved that I have a post-graduation plan come August. Now I am working on figuring out what to do to earn money this summer and how to pay for graduate school for the next two years.
I am also giving myself pep talks on a regular basis. I think I can...I think I can...23 days until classes end! Freedom is in sight!!
*Deep breath*
Now back to work. Ugh.

Spring Break 09

I am sad to see Spring Break end. My week was busy but not the schoolwork kind of busy so it was nice. I visited Lagniappe for a few days, went to new orleans to visit a potential graduate school, and went to Fairhope to see family and the Arts and Crafts Festival.
Katrina and I at an old graveyard in new orleans. We parked near the French Quarter then hopped on a trolley on a mission to find a block party. On our way we found this graveyard. One of my favorite head stones said, "At Rest". Won't it be glorious when God comes back and we are all finally at rest!?
This is my friend Beka and I in New Orleans on St Patty's day. We finally found the block party somewhere downtown and enjoyed a green beer at 11am--probably the earliest I've ever drank before. :)

Later on St Patty's day, we went back to Lagniappe and enjoyed time with friends. I hope Katrina isn't too scarred from her experiences.

Don't I have georgeous siblings!?

I love these guys!

I killed it!

Last year I bought my very first plant with my former roomie who is a horticulture major. From the beginning I struggled to keep it alive. The first day I brought it home it shed all of it's leaves and I thought it was dead. It finally came back and was looking great. Now it looks like this and I don't know why...maybe it is because my horticulture roomie moved out and now it is neglected. I tried but I definitely don't have a green thumb. I guess I'll stick to silk plants for now. :(

Teacher Appreciation week

I absolutely love the kids that I teach but since I can't show you their adorable faces due to privacy issues (boo), I will show you pictures of things they gave to me this past week.
Monday they brought letters to thank us for being their teacher. My favorite letters are the homemade, handwritten ones but they all melt my heart.

Tuesday our students brought their teachers one flower each. All of our flowers made a beatiful arrangement that I have in my bathroom now. And I'll let you in on a little secret...if you put the flowers in Sprite they will last longer. It's true; we had flowers in school that were in water and I took mine home and put them in sprite. My flowers are now alive and well and the others have already wilted.

Wednesday they brought all kinds of treats for us to enjoy. Homemade cookies, candy, girlscout cookies, roasted pecans, and much more. Me and my roomies enjoyed them all!

Thursday's theme was to be extra kind to your teacher. It was wonderful!

Fridays are our teacher planning days and are also set aside for the teachers to test and evaluate students to see if they qualify for services so our kids do not come to school. However the PTA had wonderful food set up for the teachers all week.

It is so nice to know that you are appreciated for all of your hard work! Hopefully all of the teachers will remember this appreciation when they are having a tough day/week.

Look What I Can Do!

Before:

After:
My Model:

My church here in Auburn has a women's knitting group (sorry to all you guys that wanted to participate!) whose first project was to make baby hats for the Women's Hope Medical Clinic here in town. They are hosting a baby shower for the women tomorrow night where they will give them the hats we made as well as other baby items.

The group is called K2 TOG, which in the knitting world, means to "knit two together". Thus the purpose of this group is not only to help women with children but to also build relationships between women at the church. It truly is a neat group of women!

My next project to knit is a cotton baby bib. I can't wait to see how it turns out. Note that this is only my second knitting project. It takes some time but I love the outcome!

I had a great day!

Today I went to my gym to get my reevaluation done and here are the results since Thanksgiving...drum roll please...
I've lost a total of 12 lbs!
I've lost 9% body fat!!
My at rest heart rate has dropped (thanks to a cardio class that is kicking my butt).
Go me!

My life song

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found was blind but now I see.
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieves. How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.
Chorus: My chains are gone! I've been set free! My God my Saviour has ransomed me! And like a flood his mercy reigns! Unending love. Amazing grace.
The lord has promised good to me. His word my hope secured. He will my shelter and portion be as long as life endures.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow. The sun forever to shine. But God who called me here below will be forevermore...will be forevermore. You are forevermore.

This is a beautiful rendition of amazing grace and a comforting reminder that God is gracious to me. I so often forget the grace that has been imparted to me and do not give grace to others.

Probably the biggest reminder of my sin is when I am interacting with the Buddies. I so often see and hear their anxiety. Their ability to focus only on themselves is aggravating. Then like a lightbulb from the Holy Spirit I am reminded, "oh yeah...they sound kinda like me...dammit". Thank you God for being so gracious toward me in my sin. Help me to impart that same grace and love to others and continue to remind me of your grace.