Busy, Busy, Busy! *Updated*

We leave for Chicago on Thursday and I am SO excited! 2 things I am not excited about: 1) its supposed to be in the upper 30's low 40's there next weekend. yuck! 2) I will MISS my kids! But we are going to get Wifi in the hotel so we can skype them.

There is SO much going on.
-Feb 27-March 2: Focus Week at church (revival)
-March 3-7: Chicago
-March 8: Parent Conference Night at my school
-March 12: Wedding for Jeff's good friend
-March 13-17: Mission Arlington

There are always times like this throughout the year(May and December are always the worst!) where there is something every night, back to back events, and driving every which direction. Its all fun and good stuff, but there is always potential for it to take focus away from 2 very important things. 1)my time with my family and 2)my time with God and in God's word.

Most of the events we are doing would be considered "service for God's kingdom." And its interesting that Satan can even use THAT to tear us apart from God and our families...even if its just temporarily.

One of my favorite quotes is by Donald Miller.

"I believe the greatest trick of the devil is not to get us into some sort of evil but rather have us wasting time. This is why the devil tries so hard to get Christians to be religious."

I believe that even includes wasting time during our busy-ness. Sure we can waste time by being lazy and not doing service for God. But even the busiest of people can waste their time by "looking busy" and doing service out of habit and without a heart that yearns for God and his will.

I pray that my busiest times in life (and yours too) are not used by Satan to waste time and to tear me apart from my most important relationships.

*Update*
After I posted this, I remembered this verse that I think is perfect for this topic. Just a reminder that God doesn't want our busy-ness. He wants our relationship. So I'll end with this verse!

"I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offereings. " Hosea 6:6

what a weekend...

Friday we took about 45 youth to the Shreveport Mudbugs game. We decided to take Colin along too since he LOVES watching hockey. It was also a reward for good behavior at school all week. He really like it! He was kind of quiet, just because it was an overstimulating place to be with alot to take in and watch. But he had a good time. About the last 10 minutes he started acting tired. So he crawled in my lap and laid his head on my shoulder. Then he puked ALL over me, Jeff's camera bag, and a little tiny bit on a jr high kids shirt in front of us. The jr high kid was really sweet and didnt seem to mind. :)

My thought was that his supper didn't settle well (nachos and Diet Coke...not too healthy!) Well he threw up 2 more times on the way home. And then threw up and dry heaved all through the night and into the next morning. He finally stopped throwing up around noon on Saturday, but had a fever the whole rest of the day.

Also, Saturday I had my friend, Sheryl, come watch the kids for me because I had a doctor appointment to see a GI specialist. (Jeff had a service project planned for the youth). I have been having more and more issues as I get older with IBS and just other...stuff. So after talking with the doctor, he "highly recommended" that I get a colonoscopy...lovely. Then the only time he could do it is this Wednesday at 2:30. Worst.time.ever. Jeff is always out of pocket on Wednesdays! Oh well, we will truck through and get this joyful experience out of the way.

So that was my weekend! Quite eventful. 12 days until we go to Chicago! I am really sad about leaving my kids, but so excited to spend time with Jeff and do some fun stuff!

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Friday, February 4, 2011

Outside my window... atleast 2 inches of fluffy pretty snow!

I am remembering... that when I was a child, we didn't have inclement weather days that often. Maybe once every 4 or 5 years? Since I have started teaching (this is my 5th year) we have had snow/ice days alteast once every year. A few years ago, we also had 2 days off when Hurricane Ike came through the East Texas area

I am thankful for... some of our students at church who have stepped up to the call of being spiritually disciplined. We have a few students who have been reading their bible EVERY day...and that is AWESOME!

I am creating... well...I am waiting for the chunk of time to do it, but my first sewing projects are going to be a play cape for Colin and curtains for my guest bedroom.

I am going... to Chicago in 1 month! I am so excited. I will be sad to leave my kids, but it will be ok. We are taking the kids to my parents house and then we fly out of DFW on Thursday, March 3rd. We will be back on Monday, March 7th. Its going to be a crazy time though, because right before Chicago we have a revival type of thing at church. The Tuesday after we get back from Chicago is Parent Conference night at my school. March 12 we are going to a wedding and then the next day we go to Arlington for a Mission Arlington trip. Whew! March is going to wear me out! It will be so fun though.

I am reading...through the Bible in a year. We read a chapter from 4 different books every night. Its been really challenging for me. I enjoy reading, but I am a very slow reader. Also, its been hard trying to figure out a good time to read. Can't do it when the kids are awake, and once they go to sleep, I struggle to stay awake myself. I have actually found myself most days reading in the parking lot of the daycare before I go in to get them in the afternoons. Hey! Whatever works right? It has truly been an awesome experience and I hope that I don't fail at finishing in a year.

I am hoping...that warmer weather comes soon...and stays!

On my mind...summer vacation! We are actually going to use tax return money this year to go on a vacation. I am really excited. It won't be anything fancy, but it will be a sweet time with the hubs and kids.

From the learning rooms...I have seen such improvement in some of my kids and its really exciting. 1 student has made a complete turn around in her behavior, 1 student is making an effort (most days) to change his behavior, and ALOT of my kids have taken off with writing. Writing is a really hard thing for kindergartners to grasp and every year it seems to click in the 2nd semester. Love it!

Pondering these words... "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." -Romans 5:1-2

From the kitchen...barbecue baked potatoes last night, spaghetti tonight, and also I'm about to make some banana bread!

Around the house...A husband eating a sandwich while watching American Chopper, a little boy eating spaghettios, a baby sleeping, toys everywhere, and a mudroom with wet clothes and boots! :)

One of my favorite things... Carley is obsessed with kisses! I have been kissing her on her mouth alot lately. She used to just stare at me like, "What are you doing to me?" Now she leans in for it, and if you don't come to her she will grab your shirt and pull you in. Then...its not just one kiss...its about 40 kisses!

From my picture journal... Snow Day!