I "Heart"....

I am participating in this weeks I "heart"... at You and Me Plus Three. Go there now to add yours and read others!!

I "heart" friends.  Just got home from getting a pedicure with one of my teacher friends.  It's a blessing having someone to talk to and share you frustrations with that really understands the situation.

I "heart"  God who has blessed me in so many ways and continually answers prayers that help resolve difficult situations.  I had another prayer answered today about how to deal with an extremely difficult student.  This also means that Mike doesn't have to be a personal aide for said difficult student.  I'm sure this is a very happy day for Mike, too.  His stress level has been reduced greatly!  :)

I "heart" the fact that it is almost the weekend.  I'm looking forward to some mother/daughter bonding time with my mom in Branson this weekend.

I "heart" that there is only 3 more weeks of my graduate classes and that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I "heart" my students and that they put forth their best effort on the Benchmark test this week.

Death of the Chi

Yesterday was one of the worst days I have ever experienced.  It is definitely in the top ten of my worst days ever.  We have been struggling with a student for some time now. His behavior is out of control at times.  We had another incident yesterday where the police had to become involved.  I won't get into more detail in order to protect the privacy of the guilty!  The point is I should have just stayed home.  I should have known it was going to be a bad day when I tried to fix my hair and my Chi hair straightener wouldn't come on.  I don't think many people understand the relationship my Chi and I had.  It was like my security blanket.  It was always there for me, supported me, and met the needs I had for my hair.  We had a long-standing relationship.  The Chi and I were together longer than my hubby and I have been.  For the past two days, I had to go to work feeling incomplete.  Now, however, the bad times are over.  Hubby and I made a stop at Target after school.  I now have a new friend!

And now peace and balance have been returned to my life thanks to my new Chi Turbo!

How Time Flies

I just can't believe how quickly time goes by when you are happy in your place in life.  Mike returned a little over two months ago from his first stint at OCS.  When he returned, we knew we would have over three months before he had to report back to Camp Robinson in Little Rock.  Now, here we are and I realized May 10 isn't really that far away.  For most of the time he's been back, he has been working at my school as an aide for a student with behavior issues.  We found out today, that could be ending this week.  Not that that is a bad thing!  This job has been super challenging, but it means that as our time together comes to an end, we won't be seeing each other as much.  How can time go by so quickly?  We have been super busy and even had a fabulous vacation.  I know we are going to enjoy these next few weeks, and especially the two weekends we have left (He has drill the other two weekends before reporting).  I am so thankful for this time we have had together.  God gave us this time, and it definitely wasn't wasted.  Our bond has only strengthened.  I pray that the time apart goes as quickly as our time together has.  I also pray that God gives Mike the strength, courage, and peaceful feeling he needs to make it through OCS this time.

I "Heart"....

I am participating in this weeks I "heart"... at You and Me Plus Three. Go there now to add yours and read others!!

Ok, ok, I know it is not Thursday. It's already Saturday, but I just now had time to sit down and add this post. I am at my former high school administering a test and have a few extra minutes. I love this idea. Just taking a few minutes to think about what we love and what truly makes us happy! So here goes my first list. I hope to make this a regular Thursday post for me.

I heart my life right now. I have so much to be thankful for, both personally and professionally. Can a girl ask for anymore than that.

I heart my hubby because he unconditionally puts up with me and all my craziness. I don't use craziness lightly, either. Sometimes I am high strung and high maintenance, and he always handles me calmly and with patience. I am working on not worrying about everything and trying to live more in the moment.

I heart my mom who has stood by me and all my decisions since I was an infant. What a perfect example of parental love she has set for me. I can't wait to reciprocate that for my own children one day.

I heart Spring. It is such a time of renewal in the great outdoors. The weather is beautiful and the flowers begin blooming. I get to plant my garden and pull out the flip-flops and capris. Life just can't get any better.

I heart the opportunity I have been given to go back to school and pursue another graduate degree. My hubby and mom are very supportive. I don't have to worry about not having time to do the work. My slack at home is always taken care of.

I hope you all have something in your life you heart, too.

Garden Time

It has been a while since I have done a post, but times are busy right now.  We went to Greenbrier over the weekend to spend Easter with mom.  Saturday was such a beautiful day, that we spent the afternoon outside doing yard work.  I weeded a flower bed at our house there and mulched some leaves.  Mike and I then did some more work in the yard to get the pool ready for use this summer!!!  I will be spending most of the summer there while Mike is gone to OCS.  I also decided I wanted a garden.  I have grown tomatoes in the past, but I wanted to expand my horizons and try some different things.  I want to start kinda easy, though.  So, I ordered a raised garden from Sam's.

It's not this exact one, but very similar.  It was delivered today, so filling it with plants is my goal for this weekend.  Again, the weather is supposed to be fabulous.  I am still trying to decide what to grow.  I'll do some tomatoes for sure, but I'm thinking about cucumbers, peppers (for salsa and pico), squash, and eggplant.  I would love suggestions for other yummy things to include that are also easy to grow!  I'm not sure if I have a green thumb or not!  Ha!