Where Has June Gone?

WARNING: This post might be long :)

I know it is not over yet but I feel like June has come and is going so quickly. The past two weeks have kept me so so busy! You just have no idea. I am learning that once I become a "real" teacher I will have zero time for blogging. This makes me sad but I tell you what....it has worn me out. I know people may think that teaching is the easiest job or that it is just babysitting but honestly, I feel like since I started teaching this summer and actually having a classroom that is my own, I have not stopped thinking about it. There is constantly lesson plans, activities, ideas, and students who are on my mind. With all that said......I HAVE LOVED IT!!! I cannot imagine going into student teaching in the fall without having had this experience. Seriously. I know that not everyone is passionate about teaching but those of you who are understand. (Lindsey :) haha)

So what have I learned? Teaching is a full time job. I am going to have to really force myself to keep my work life and home life separate because I can tell this will be a challenge for me. I have learned a lot about management in the classroom. I have gotten some great lesson ideas for when I actually start teaching and I really do feel like I have been able to make everything that I have done fun for the kids.

P.S. I have the greatest kids. Seriously...there are about 60 of them and they are great. If I could post pictures I would but.....ya know. Can't do it.

Oh, I also now know why teachers have a love/hate relationship with field trips. Can anyone say exhausting? Yeah. They wipe me out. Needless to say.....these last couple of weeks have been so much fun...so draining...and so worthwhile. This week and next week are all I have left. I am trying to soak it all up and make the most out of it!

Another new thing that has happened is I have been participating in a Bible study with about 10 other women. We are going through the study, Lies Women Believe. We have only met twice but already it has been so refreshing for me personally to be around these ladies. I am learning a lot and truly enjoying the fellowship. I honestly think it is because I am with 9 and 10 year olds all day long and it is just a breath of fresh air to talk about what we are learning and hear how the Lord is working in their hearts.

It is hard not blogging for so long cause I forget what has happened. Brett and I have gotten to spend a lot of time with friends. We went to a shower for two of my friends one weekend and then got to hang out with a few of our closest friends who we had not seen in a while... Not even sure if that makes sense. I guess if we were close we would have seen them but......life has been hectic for us all. We also got to "chaperone" the AJM prom. I wasn't a very good chaperone since I danced half the night....whoops. What can I say? I love to dance.

Oh....and we also celebrated a very special man yesterday. I hate that I didn't get to blog about this yesterday but......time just got away from me. Happy Father's Day to the most amazing father in the world. I know everyone says that but seriously....he wins.

I thought this was a sweet picture of dad holding Virginia. Anyways....he is seriously the most humble, caring, hardworking, forgiving, loving father. He works so hard to take care of our family. He gives FAR MORE than he takes. I have learned so much from him. He is an incredible encourager and is really one of the smartest people I know. I do not know what I would do without him. So...thank you dad for all that you are and all that you mean to our family! I love you!

Anyways....I am so looking forward to this weekend. I am FINALLY getting to see this adorable little girl... (and her parents!!) I cannot wait to squeeze her! Plus, it has been a while since her Aunt Amy and I have gotten to do a weekend photo shoot so I am pumped!

Crazy girl!

You will probably be hearing a lot about this precious thing over the next couple of weeks. Of course with this weekend and then someone also has a first birthday coming up that I am certain will be documented minute by minute!

Have a great week everyone!

A Lovely Getaway

So..when you hear LaGrange, Georgia and Phenix City, Alabama....you may not be thinking of lovely vacations spots. However, for me, it was just what I needed this weekend. As soon as I got done with a long and completely stressful day with my fourth graders, I headed home and packed up to head to LaGrange, Georgia with Brett.

Why?

Because of this angel right here. Brett and I went to spend the night with Eric, Lindsey, and Virginia. We were already planning to spend Easter weekend with Brett's family so we decided to make the trip there first. I am so thankful we did. I have missed this peanut and it was so good to visit with Eric and Linds and see their house.

Sorry its blurry...

Daddy teaching Virginia how to play the guitar.. :)

She moves those hands...A LOT which is why it's so blurry! She loved Brett!

I could eat her! She is the sweetest, most adorable baby and I love her!

We then headed to Phenix City to be with Brett's parents. We came for Easter but also for one of Brett's friends weddings. It was such a relaxing weekend and so good to spend some time with the Kittrell's.

Before the wedding...

Easter Sunday....There are better pictures but they are not on my camera!

This morning when I woke up I was able to spend some time in the Word and obviously, I thought a good bit about my Savior and the sacrifice He made for me. Last night, Brett and I were talking and he looked at me and said, "2,000 years ago someone died for us. Why'd He do it Lou?" We talked about how much love our Father has for us to send His only Son to die for a bunch of sinners who are so unworthy. I am so thankful for the life that He lived and the death he bore for me.

"In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, 'Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee. The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" -Luke 24:5-7

"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes through a man." -1 Corinthians 15:20-21

"Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." -1 Corinthians 15:54-57

He is RISEN and I am THANKFUL!

I also wanted to let you know.... My book to read for March was a book that was given to me over a year ago. My parents read it and then Brett read it and several other friends I know. I tried to read it when I got it but after a couple of chapters, gave up. I began reading it at the beginning of March and pretty much the same thing happened. Remembering my New Years Resolution.....I kept trying and trying. Well, let me tell you...it was tough for me to get into. I got down to the last 3 days of March and as I forced my way through the first few chapters...I could not put it down. I would say it is one of the best books I have ever read. I am going to be honest....I finished the book on April 1st so hopefully, you will have some grace even though I missed my deadline by a day. :) I would highly recommend it. I was in tears as I got to the end of this book.

I hope you all have had a wonderful, relaxing weekend and a great Sabbath!

He is risen indeed!

The Azalea Trail Run...

I hope you all are having a great weekend. Mine has been so nice and a much needed break. I have gotten to spend a lot of time with my family and Brett. That has been good because we do not get to see each other much during the week. Last night, we relaxed and did homework. The homework part wasn't awesome but...we were able to spend time together and for me, I don't really care what we do as long as we are together.

Now...let me share with you a decision I made just 26 days ago. I decided that I wanted to run the Azalea Trail 10k race that happens in Mobile every year. I have never run an actual race...other than the fun run for the Azalea Trail when I was younger...but I wanted to do it. I wanted to do the 10k even though they were having a 5k as well this year. I didn't inform the blogging world about this decision because basically, I figured I'd back out. haha. My pride wouldn't be able to take breaking the news that I quit. Just another reminder of my sin and how prideful I am. Anyways, I have been training for the past 20 something days and although I run pretty consistently...I was forced to start running longer runs. Training had been going good. My endurance wasn't too bad but my legs have been sore throughout the process.

Fast forward to this morning. I woke up around 6 am...immediately thought, "what a terrible idea this was" haha. Just kidding....but seriously, it was early. We headed downtown and began warming up. Jeff, Amy, and I were the ones who ran today. Amy and I stretched and took a short jog around the block. My shins began to throb and I thought...."ahh...not today." We got back and were about to go line up to start. I was thinking it was going to be a rough run. Brett came up behind me and said a quick prayer for me and my shins. :) I started getting nervous as we lined up and finally...the gun was fired and we were off.

It was such a great run. My shins really did not hurt at all and I was pushing myself the whole time. I felt great. It was tough...don't get me wrong...but I did pretty well. Bottom line...I finished and I loved it. I want to run more races for sure. I completed the 6.2 miles in just about an hour..maybe like a minute or a minute and a half after an hour. I was going for under an hour but I felt like I really pushed myself so I can't complain!

Here are a few pictures from the day....

My sweet sister who ran with me the whole time...even though she

probably could have smoked me! :)

The three racers...

My face pretty much tells how I was feeling before we started. :)

Jeff finishing wayyy earlier than us. What a stud. 46 minutes. Baller.

Never has a finish line looked so sweet....

Sweaty. Hot. Happy to be done and have finished!

As for the rest of the day.....Spot of Tea for breakfast, back home for a shower, a three hour nap (me on one couch...Brett on the other...haha), and a relaxing day. It was the perfect Saturday. I hope yours was just as good!

Enjoy your Sabbath tomorrow!

How Was Your Weekend?

Because mine was just great!

The weekend was fun, relaxing, and fairly productive! On Friday my brother, sister-in-law, and niece came into town! They had a marriage conference across the bay so the family headed over to keep Virginia. Brett and I drove separately because...being the great guy that he is, he bought us tickets to see Dear John. So..I have heard that the book does not have a great ending. However, I must say...while the ending leaves you hanging a little bit I would still give this movie a thumbs up. Maybe this is because I am a sucker for sappy love stories. Seriously...I'm pitiful. :) Either way..I would recommend seeing it.

Before the movie we made a pit stop at the Grand Hotel to see my sweet family. Did I mention I love living in Mobile? Wanna know why? The following pictures might help explain....

We got to see the most beautiful sunset.

No, I don't get to see this every single day but it is still such a blessing to live near this bay!

"Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen." -Psalm 72:19

So Saturday...Eric, Linds, and V all came back across the bay to stay with us. Excuse the following pictures....I am her aunt and I am allowed to think she is the sweetest, best, most adorable baby to ever be born. :)

So sweet..

Could you not just eat her up?

:) I love this!

Sorry there are so many...at least I didn't post all 200 pictures I took! :)

Seriously..I look at this sweet girl and think, "what did we do before

Virginia was part of this family?" haha

We had such a fun weekend with Eric and Linds too! :) Unfortunately, they had to go back to Auburn...

I have to say...Sunday was also a really great day. I go to a church called, The People of Mars Hill. I cannot tell you what a blessing it is to be part of a body like Mars Hill. I love it! We have been going through the book of Genesis and on Sunday we were in chapter 24. It is when Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac. First of all, I never realized how specific this servant was when he prayed for to God, asking for His wisdom and favor.

"Then he prayed, 'O Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a girl, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'--let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.'" (Genesis 24:12-14)

Then we see that before he even finished praying the woman who was to be Isaac's wife walked out to get water. She did everything that the servant had prayed. She was selfless. We learned that during those time it would be common hospitality to provide a drink for a servant who asked for one but it would be going beyond expectations for a girl to draw water for camels. The servant had about 10 camels with him meaning that she would have drawn several gallons of water for them to drink. We learn that this girl who will go on to be Isaac's wife is Rebekah!

The biggest thing that I learned (that Jack taught..) was that this story is a picture of the Holy Spirit who comes and prepares us for the day when we will be united with Christ. This servant came to find Rebekah and prepare her to be united with Isaac. We, as believers, essentially are Rebekah! I also want to put into practice being as much of a servant as Rebekah was. I want to go above and beyond for those around me. I thought this was cool so I wanted to share...

Well, this week is really busy but there is so much to look forward to!! Brett's 21st birthday is Thursday and Valentine's Day is Sunday!

Have a good week friends!

Simply Delightful

Ah...how good it feels to be halfway done with the week. Actually, my weekends start on Thursday afternoons around 3 o'clock which is quite nice. Tomorrow is a big day though. I will be teaching two of my own lessons. I have taught plenty of my teachers lessons but tomorrow I will teach my sweet fourth graders about equivalent fractions and about WWII in Alabama and attempt to make it as fun and interesting as possible. Bless their hearts!

This week has flown by but I have to say, I am ready for the weekend. Why? Well, probably the main reason is because I get to see this sweet angel for the first time in over a month...

I cannot wait to squeeze her! Oh, and the camera is ready to go...I am certain that her Aunt Amy and I will not miss a moment of her visit. :)

I do have a busy weekend ahead of me though. I have to say, my to do list will be full of both fun and not so fun things.

1.) Lesson plans and homework (boo)

2.) Plan for Brett's birthday

3.) Organize this room of mine that has gotten oh so cluttered! (I hate that it is this way

cause I am normally organized but school has taken over!)

4.) Create my list for the dayzeroproject

(This was inspired by Bayleigh and "Inspiring someone to make a list"

was on her list! So go ahead and scratch this one off! Actually you may want to wait till

I actually make the list! Hopefully this weekend!!)

These are just a few of the main things I have planned but I am looking forward to it!

It's All About Attitude

So today was one of those days that started off not so great but then ended up being fabulous! Honestly, it probably didn't need to be stressful but I have this new thing where I stress myself out and put far more pressure on myself than I really should. I know. I know. Not so smart. Thankfully, I have sweet friends and family who step right in and feed me truth and pray for me! I am so grateful for them. I constantly kept trying to remember in Psalms where it says, "Cast all your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you..." (Psalm 55:22)

The rest of my day was so great. After the initial unnecessary stress in my first class I had three more. How is this good? Well, in case you didn't know or couldn't tell..I LOVE my major. Really I do. No, class isn't always fun and I cannot wait to graduate but overall, I really do enjoy my classes and try to soak up all that I can in them. I have amazing teachers who are passionate about what they do which probably helps. After class I went to the intramural fields and walked with my sweet friend Julie. I love the time that I get to spend with her. What an incredible encouragement she is to my life. Now, I am sitting in bed, listening to worship music, blogging. :) What a perfect end to the day. I was looking through some pictures from Christmas that I was just now able to load on my computer because of "technical difficulties." Most are of Virginia...so obviously I have like over 200 and it takes forever to edit each one. Here are just a few that I love....

I mean seriously.....precious.

I love this. She loves to be rocked by her daddy. It is so fun to see Eric and Lindsey with Virginia. They are such great parents...

Jimpa and Lili

I know you are thinking you have never seen anything more beautiful....it's true. :)

On that note...I am off to bed.

A Tribute to a Wonderful Woman

Monday..Monday...Monday...I have to say, I am normally not bothered by them but today Monday and I just did not agree. I did not feel well. Classes were long and crazy. Things didn't go just how "I thought" they should have (that is probably the first problem... :) Will I ever just learn that the Lord is in control?)

I have to say...it ended up being a great afternoon/evening....except that I will be asleep by 10:30 after planning to be in bed at 9. Oh well....

Today was my mom's birthday. She is so amazing. Really, I can truly say that she is a woman whose example I desire to follow because she follows Christ. We had such a fun night. Amy, mom, Julie, and I all went to Felix's and had dinner together. It was nice to have a night with the girls and celebrate this wonderful day!

She is the most sincere, humble, gracious, giving, loving, honest, faithful, wonderful woman I know. No, she is not Jesus :) but she sure does strive to pursue holiness in all that she does. I am so grateful that the Lord blessed me with an example like her. I can say with complete honesty that she has the character of a Proverbs 31 woman.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her; 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

Proverbs 31:25-31

Those verses are so true of her. I only hope to be half the mother, wife, and friend that she is.

Sorry this is so short...I have an early day and it is way past my bedtime!

Great Memories and New Beginnings

So, I have to say that 2009 was pretty much great! I have definitely had my ups and downs but overall it was fabulous. I had the privilege of spending three amazing months in Belo Horizonte, Brazil with a great team!

I also met some pretty amazing people while I was there... :)

No...seriously...they were great! I miss them dearly!

I also celebrated a year of being with this amazing guy! He has definitely been one of the greatest blessings that God has given me!

I also celebrated two special days with two of my very best friends! Katherine and Blake got married in August and Colleen and Jason just got married in December. I had the privilege of being part of their special days. Each wedding was different but both girls looked unbelievable and had perfect weddings! Colleen's wedding also gave me the opportunity to travel to Canada which was so much fun! Wish I could share pictures but I still do not have the software on my computer to add my pictures!

Of course, my family and I welcomed the newest member of the Blackman family into this world and have celebrated many of Virginia Louise's "firsts" with her!

Including...her first Christmas! :) She is precious!

There were way more things that happened this year but these were some of the major events!

This past year God taught me so much. I have to say, I definitely learned that God is so faithful even when we are unfaithful. He has blessed us with so much. It makes me think of the verse in James:

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

-James 1:17

How great it is to know that He does not change.

Now that I am thinking about the next year there are many things that I would love to change. Call them New Year's resolutions....I guess. I've never been one for them but as I think about the last year there are things that I have seen in my life that could be improved and changed.

*I want to be more faithful with my prayer life. I want to be consistent in praying for my family and friends and ask them specific ways that I can pray!

*I want to be more consistent with my time in the Word and with memorizing Scripture!

"I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You."-Psalm 119:11

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." -Matthew 24:35

*I want to read one book a month...I saw this on someone else's resolutions and I think that this is such a great idea and although school is overwhelming and crazy...I believe that this is completely reasonable and beneficial.

*I want to take better care of my body as far as what I put into it with the things that I watch, listen to, read, and eat!

*I will write letters or an encouraging note to someone once every couple of months....not emails or facebook messages. Snail mail!

*I want to remember that my role towards Brett is first and most importantly, his sister in Christ.

*I want to cook more and learn more about it from the best, mom!

*Save money. Give it to those who are in need.

*Blog more consistently...haha. Lets not be too specific. :)

*Be intentional with all that I do and not waste time.

((These are just a few. There are plenty of things that I can be improving on over this next year. Most importantly, I pray that the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. I know that this world is full of so much darkness. I pray that I will not be sucked in, but instead will be a light. Thank You Lord for a new year!))

I Am Still Alive!

So...about me not blogging for about 4 months. I knew I would be bad at this. I will say it again...I am going to try and be better about this. Right. So basically, the day after school started in August my life was completely consumed with elementary education. What a fun, crazy, stressful, challenging, confirming, amazing semester it was. I had the amazing privilege to observe all semester in a 4th grade classroom at George Hall Elementary. I love this school. My class was so fun and I learned so much. I have pictures but unfortunately....I cannot show them right now because my computer doesn't have the software on it. (But that is another story that goes along with this semester and contributed to the stressful part of it!) Anyways, I am thankful that I will be back in this same classroom next semester!! All of my classes consumed the remainder of my time. I stayed on my computer constantly...and as a result...my computer pretty much died. Luckily, I am on the inside with a mac professional and he helped me revive it! I have to say, this semester was probably my craziest but also one of the best. I barely had a social life but I am grateful because the Lord definitely continues to confirm that I am supposed to be a teacher and I cannot wait!

In other news...during the time that I was able to break for 2 seconds from school I got to visit my precious niece. Seriously...she is adorable. Here are a few pictures that I took in recent visits....

Adorable right?

Not even and Auburn fan could deny that she is so cute in her Alabama dress! Roll Tide!

She LOVES bath time!!!

Anyways, so my excuses for not blogging for four months basically consist of school. I have been on Christmas break for a couple of weeks now and honestly have not known what to do with myself. It has been nice to rest. Christmas Eve is tomorrow which is exciting and Saturday I am going to Phenix City to visit Brett and his family! That is one hard thing about breaks....all my college friends and boyfriend go home. Boo. But, this has been a great time to be with family! I have been so encouraged and refreshed! So..hopefully, it won't be four months before I update again! I really do enjoy this blog even though I am probably the only one who reads it....I really should make time to do it. haha. Oh well...Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Since I've Been Home...

Well, I must say I am doing exceptionally great at updating this blog. I believe I am up to one post a month! Whoops...I will hopefully get better as the school year gets started. So since I have been home I have been full speed. First of all, if you did not know...while I was in Brazil my niece was born. She was not supposed to arrive until I got home but this determined little girl chose to come a week early. She chose July 8, 2009 as the day of her arrival and she is doing great! So...upon arriving home I was able to meet this brand new addition to the family! Here are some shots of this perfect, little girl!

She is pretty much wonderful and we are loving every minute of having her!

After a few days of rest I got to meet up with the rest of the Brazil team and go to Panama City Beach, Florida. We went down to see everyone at beach project. It was so great to spend time with the team and other friends I hadn't seen in months! It made me realize how much I missed my team after not seeing them constantly for a few days! :)

Photo Courtesy of Hannah Meherg

Upon returning home from SBP I celebrated my 21st birthday! It was a fun day filled with family, friends, and 21 presents! Such a great day!

Photo Courtesy of Jeff Jacobs

Last but not least, this past weekend I was privileged enough to be a part of my best friends wedding! Yes, Blake and Katherine finally tied the knot and it was a beautiful and emotional day! Here are a few shots from this past weekend: