Day 120...Grateful for a Good Day...

Today was just a good day. Nothing great happened...my kids were a little sentimental today with, "Ms. Cole, are you gonna miss us?" ...or "Ms. Cole, you are one of my favorite teachers." ...or "(silence)"  Haha....love those kids!

Terri and I had a good day...we worked together on book count and she even gave me some suggestions on some stuff for next year.

We had a coaches inservice...that was only about 45 minutes long...so that was great. Then off to Boot Camp. So...after just over 700 calories, my first snow cone of the summer, and then a night watching the Mavs (hopefully a win)...it's just been a good day.

And now I'm tired. :)

p.s. My apartment complex is changing our cable service as of tomorrow. Since I am going to move out (which I cannot wait to do) in a couple months, I just got the cheapest deal I could, and that didn't include Internet. So...I'll blog at school when I can (our filter will randomly block blogspot). So...don't worry if you don't hear from me for a while. I'll still write down my gratitude-s and post them when I can catch up! :)

Day 119...Grateful for my Grandfathers....

Thank you to Papa Hank and Papa Troy for serving in the military.
Thank you to all the men and women who give their lives to protect mine.
Thank you!

Day 118...Grateful for a Word from Church...

Today, we visited another new church. I really liked it. The pastor has been teaching through the book of Jonah. We were on chapter 3 on Sunday. He literally taught the chapter verse by verse. It was a really good sermon. One point he brought out of the text was how God continues to show us that He will give us second chances. Moses....Abraham....Jonah. In Jonah chapter 1..."Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah..." and then in Jonah chapter 3..."Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time..."

The Lord had to rescue Jonah...but He still spoke to Jonah...to a man running from Him. Praise the Lord for second chances. :)

Day 117...Grateful for Family in Town...

I love when family comes down here to visit!
This weekend, my cousin Karin and her family came down to visit and to celebrate little Sophie's birthday. It was a fun day.
I met the girls at American Girl for lunch....the girls got their ears pierced (Sophie even got her dolls' ears pierced)...all the kids and Karin ice skated...

We were planning on going to the Rangers game...but the kids just wanted to swim. I ran a few errands while the "decision" on the night was made but...Joey talked Eli into going to the game. As he was going to buy two tickets for them in the cheap seats, a man offered them two of his tickets for free. Not only free...but second row behind home plate!
Here is a picture of Eli.

Karin and I were both glad we didn't all try to go to the game...otherwise they would have missed out on that great opportunity. :)

I hung out with the girls at the hotel pool. I did pick up some cupcakes for us all....but as I was driving, the box took a spill on the floorboard. They didn't look cute anymore...but they sure did taste good!
It was a fun day with family.

Day 116...Grateful for Little Victories...

I have been coordinating our schools' Biggest Loser Competition for the last couple of years...but I've never won any of the money prizes. Well, I decided that I was going to win (or at least place) in this competition. We competed as couples just like the show. And...well my partner and I took the lead at the beginning of the competition...and somehow managed to hang on and win! Wahoo! $40 whole dollars to split between us! :-)

Still....grateful for little victories!

Day 114 and 115...Grateful for Dinner with Good Girlfriends...

Things have been really busy...and busy in the evenings...so for Wednesday AND Thursday, to be able to go out to dinner and visit with two great girlfriends. I feel blessed. Blessed with their friendships and blessed to know them. So, I'm grateful for dinner with good girlfriends.

Day 113...Grateful for Learning Something New...

So, I get to be in charge of our school's website next year (don't look right now...cause I'm not working on it yet...and my principal wants me to change it)...and I'll be teaching Webmastering. Well, my new district coordinator for that new class has sent me a huge book on HTML and CSS (it really is a different language...that I learned in college) and I started working through it today. I really did enjoy it. Even though I'm a little overwhelmed by the new classes for next year...a glimpse of the challenges for learning something new makes me a little more excited.

Day 112...Grateful for a Fun Night at the Ballpark...

Monday night...a GREAT night at the ballpark.
It rained all day...well, actually stormed...but dried up by 6:00 when we headed to the ballpark.
The weather was wonderful....
We received a Josh Hamilton figurine when we walked into the ballpark...
Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz returned from their injury rehab....
Josh Hamilton's first at bat...a line drive shot over the right field wall.
And the Rangers won in just over 2 hours (which is huge since it was a school night!)

It was a GREAT night at the ballpark!

Day 111...Grateful for Church...

I'm kind of in a spot in my life where I know I need a change...I want to meet new people...I want to visit and experience a new church family...but it's kind of intimidating.

So this morning I went back to a church a friend of mine and I had visited...
And of course, they were sending all of the members over to their new worship center to pray over it (as well as some other things)...and the visitors were supposed to stay with the pastor and "talk". I left encouraged and kind of excited about the experience...but before I moved to a closer seat, I had the feeling that I remember having on my first day of Junior High...and then again on my first day of High School. I enjoy the pastor, I enjoy the church, and I'm glad I was there today.

Here's my favorite quote from the sermon today...

"It's our job is to humble ourselves. It's God's job to exalt us.

If we try to do God's job, then He WILL do our job."

Day 110...Grateful for Movie Day...

I really enjoy when my Saturday is really empty...and I can do whatever I wish! :-)
Of course I was responsible for the first part of the day...Boot Camp...laundry...cleaned out some drawers from my dresser...cleaned my room...but then it was time for a movie!

A good friend of mine and I went to a matinee (to get the tickets at the low price of $7.50...ha!) and then drove over to the dollar movie (well, actually a $2 movie). They were great shows and it was a great relaxing day! I love movie days!

Day 109...Grateful for Spring Cleaning...

So at school on Thursday or Friday...my department head was gone...I have been told we need to clean out our office...too much junk...and I was motivated for some spring cleaning! So...one filing cabinet down...and only two more to go...plus our shelves. I feel so productive...I mean...we teach technology classes...pretty sure we don't need handouts from 2004 anymore... :-)

Day 108...Grateful for Programs at School...

So tonight, Thursday, I went to see our school musical. Thoroughly Modern Millie. Let me just say...we have some very talented freshmen and sophomores. I laughed the whole way through. It was opening night, so there were a lot of "oops" moments...but good grief they were awesome! So...I'm glad we still have these programs at school for our kids to show off their talents.

I'm putting it here in writing...one day Mary Margaret Flaming will be on Broadway, on TV, or in the movies somewhere....She's. That. Good.

Day 107...Grateful to Say No....

I had a long day on Wednesday. I finally was able to go through some emails about schedules and such for the summer and trainings for school. My summer is packed. I haven't said "No" to anything yet...I said yes to VBS at church...I said yes to working the Summer Conditioning Program...I said yes to going to Chicago...I said yes to a two week training in Tyler for a new class...I said yes. Don't get me wrong...I'm so THANKFUL for my job! However...it's overwhelming right now.

I had to take a co-worker to the airport and then get up to the church by 6:00 for a VBS meeting. Well, I was over 45 minutes late to the meeting, walked all over the childrens' area to figure out where to go....and then to find out I still needed to go get a badge. I was so tired from the weeks leading up to Wednesday that I just left and cried the whole way home.

Looking at my calendar that night, I knew I had to say no to some things.
I had to say "No" to VBS (I would have only been able to be there for three days anyway).
Although I hate saying no and letting some people down, and putting a friend in a little bind...I felt one huge weight lifted off my shoulders. So great! So today (well, Wednesday) I'm grateful to say "No"!

Day 106...Grateful for the Downhill Side...

So for the last few months I've been juggling three big things plus being a teacher. Well...Saturday the race happened and ended...so all the volunteer coordinating was over.
Monday...I was able to send in all 7 seniors' final grades that I have been teaching in eSchool...finally!
And tonight...we had our annual Viking Awards assembly (that our art teacher and I pretty much put togehter).

Aaahh....breathing a sigh of relief...
Only 16 days of school left...but who's counting. :-)

Day 105...Grateful...

My heart is still overwhelmed by Saturday. I am still just grateful to have been a part of the first annual Head For The Cure North Texas...grateful to know Stevie and be able to call her my friend...grateful to be able to help make just a little impact to something so much greater than me.

Day 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, and 104....

What a week it has been!!!
I pulled out a notepad last night to write out each day of what happened...how grateful I have been for this past (crazy!) week! If you haven't heard....we had the First Annual 'Head For The Cure-North Texas' 5K race yesterday morning. It was my first time to be on the working and creating side of a 5K race...and it was AMAZING! Here is why!

(fyi....this will be long...there are links to stories and videos that I totally want you to read and watch...to get the idea of the week)

Monday...Packet Stuffing...
So...you know when you sign up for a race, and they tell you to pick up your bib number and your t-shirt at "packet pick-up"? Have you ever thought about how the packet got stuffed? All those fliers, all those discounts, all those goodies? Well, I always just went through the packet and kept what I liked and threw the rest away...with no regard as to how it got into the packet in the first place. Hmm....someone, or some group of people...had to pick up each of those "goodies" and put them in the packet just for me to go through and throw away. Well, that is exactly what we spent Monday night doing. I'll admit...it was long (3 hours or so)...it was tedious...we laughed...Stevie ordered us pizza...but after the experience we had Saturday morning, the three hours seems like nothing!

Tuesday...Jackie...what can I say???
This was the one night I didn't have anything to do for the race. So...I went to boot camp...and Jackie kicked my tail! I did terrible....but felt great after! Thanks Jackie! Love you!

She looks really sweet...but class is a killer!

Wednesday....On-Site Meeting...
So apparently right before a race, you have an on-site meeting. So you can see where everything is going to be located, where we set stuff up, and allows us to visualize the morning of the race. Thankfully it rained (thankfully only because we knew it wouldn't rain on Saturday)...but it made 'visualizing' pretty tough. I was one of the last ones to get my directions from Gerryl (our race director)...so as I was sitting there talking through the volunteers and how Saturday will work...Shari (the one in charge of getting Head for the Cure to North Texas) kept asking why I wasn't nervous...cause she was! Well...to me it wasn't a big deal...I just needed to be ready to tell 120 people where I needed them to work when they showed up Saturday. When I left, I got in my car and started thinking...am I supposed to be nervous?? No...I shouldn't be. I have great friends that signed up to help...and they were amazing. Here is a reminder of why we were doing all we did!


Dallas Morning News- Running Headlines

Thursday...Packet Pick-Up Day 1...
We had packet pick-up Thursday afternoon...and then we went to dinner with Stevie and her family as well as some of the staff for Head For The Cure (in Kansas City). What a super reminder of why we are going the race and why we are all going crazy with details.  It was awesome to hear from Stevie's parents on what they were thinking as they received updates in Oklahoma from their daughter Tyler (the one responsible for sponsors for the race) on the numbers and work being done down here in Texas. All for their daughter. I left thinking how encouraged they must be to know what an influence their daughter has on so many peoples' lives. Here is the promo video of Stevie and Brandon...two of the people whose stories were embraced from the very beginning.

Head for the Cure You Tube Video

Friday...Packet Pick-Up Day 2...
So at packet pick-up the second day, we spent a lot of time discussing the final things for the race (as well as help people get their packets, bibs, and t-shirts). One volunteer that came to help is a brain cancer survivor herself. Deborah was amazing. She is going through her second round of chemo right now. She actually completed the 5K...received a "Keeping the Faith" award...and looked amazing doing it. Deborah made my night...such an encouragement!

Saturday...Race Day!!!
Here are a couple of pictures from the race. I was busy telling people what to do so I personally didn't take any pictures...but I downloaded these. Here were the numbers from race day. Remember...we had originally thought the race would have 250-500 runners, would only need about 50 volunteers....and here is how it ended up! Only God can receive the glory!

2219 registered

62 teams

283 on TEAM STEVIE

791 donors donating over $56,800

126 volunteers

 

We grossed $152,000 - all for brain cancer research! 

 

Runners Ready!!

And they are off!!!

 

Praise the Lord for my 120 volunteers...I was there at 5 am...and they arrived shortly after. None of this would have taken place without them. And...Texas was right on schedule with crazy weather! We were FREEZING...and these volunteers served their hearts out! AMAZING!!!

Our Team that made it all happen!

I went home and read in the quiet for a little bit, slept for about 30 minutes, and then met a few of my FCA kids for a rough-riders baseball game.

Here are a couple of the girls that I sat in the grassy area with...

Then everyone else came and sat with us...then they all left...here is how the "teacher" feels when they all go get food together and leave me to save their seats. :)

 

 

Sunday...Sleep...Rangers...

I had to sleep in...I was exhausted! My body only needed about 8.5 hours...but I got that much sleep...woke up without an alarm...and loved it! I had some time to read the Word...I made cinnamon rolls (like I used to have on Sunday mornings growing up)...wrote this blog...and then I headed to the Rangers game! Thanks Rachel for the invite!!!

 

Day 97...Grateful for My Mom...

I'm grateful for you mom!

I love you!

I'm also grateful for all the mom's in my family...love you all! 

Happy Mother's Day!

Day 96...Grateful for a Full Day...

Not so sure I'm grateful that it was a full day...but it was a fun day. Here is how my Saturday went...

Our FCA for the Plano schools had a 5K run to raise money to send kids to FCA camp this summer. I  had a few FCA kids running so I made an appearance to show them my support.

They even had Bevo (the UTexas mascot) in attendance!

I had enough time to get some breakfast, shower, and get to a baby shower for a girl I coach against. She is a great coach, teacher, fellow FCA leader, and loves the Lord. 

I ran home to wrap the next gifts...and then drove to my friend Laurie's wedding shower. It was a kitchen shower...but we also all received a recipe card to add a favorite recipe for Laurie to put in her recipe box. Then as we left, our little party favors were little chocolate candies with a prayer card attached. Each was for a different day leading up to the wedding and something specific to pray for Todd and Laurie. I picked up the candies dated with Sunday's date. Praying for you (and so happy for you) Todd and Laurie!

I had to leave Laurie's shower a little early in order to get to the next shower in time to deliver the gift. So...off to Cassie's baby shower. We are soon to Baby Benson any day now!

I had about an hour before the next item on the agenda. Our schools' drill team, The Vikettes, had their Spring Show on Saturday night. Although I was super tired and just wanted to relax, I am SO GLAD I went...the girls did an awesome job...they had a guys' dance in which I had multiple of the guy students in class as well...and then our drum-line performed, in which our FCA had a great representation! It was such a great show!

Grateful for this full day to be over!

Day 95...Grateful for Friday....

Man...this time of year is tough...busy busy busy...kids are ready to be out for summer, teachers are ready to be out for summer...but we are all still going to school day in and day out.

My students are creating games using Flash (animation) to review for their final exam. They are definitely creative and have kept me laughing all week over their ideas. I mean...there is one game called "Illegal Immigration"...

Each "traveler" is trying to cross the border from Mexico. If the traveler gets the question right then they will make it over the wall. If the traveler gets it wrong...the stick figure runs up the wall...and then tumbles down off the screen. Is it a little questionable? Yes. However...one of the two group members is from Mexico himself so they can't say the group is being racist...instead everyone so far has taken it "tongue and cheek" and we have all gotten a great laugh out of it.

Even though I had a day off in the middle of the week...even though my kids have made me laugh A LOT...I am still SO GRATEFUL for Friday!!!

Day 94...Grateful for my Kids...

A day away from my students was definitely what I needed...
And I think they were as excited to see me back as I was to see them....
Crazy what a day away will do!

Love those kids!

Day 92 and 93...Grateful for Rest and Sick Days...

I was feeling a sinus infection coming on...not that it has become a true sinus infection...I have been super tired and a little stressed with three big deadlines coming up for things I'm kind  of in charge of...or at least super busy with.

Well, driving to school yesterday I figured out that to have a break...I would need to take today off...otherwise it wouldn't be until after school is out. (which I'll take that break as well!).

So I got home from work yesterday and went to bed for a couple of hours...woke up still all sinus-y...ate a little bit and went back to bed.

It was so great to get up without an alarm...make breakfast...and have my coffee while watching Regis and Kelly. Great day of rest...thanks to a sick day!

Day 91...Grateful for These People...

I've been thinking about my family a lot today...

I'm grateful for these people...

Day 90...Grateful for Movie Night...

Mindee and I have been seeing movies together for a few months now...Groupon and Living Single have been having Movie deals lately, so they haven't been full price movies either! Even better!

But...that also means popcorn and diet coke for dinner! Wahoo!!!
I'm grateful for a movie night tonight!

Day 89...Grateful for a Saturday...

It was a full Saturday...but I liked it.
Just in time...I needed a Saturday... Grateful for it!

Day 88...Grateful for Testing to be Over...

Friday...the last day of TAKS testing!
And probably the last day ever...don't worry! We will still have testing...but now the students will have "End of Course" testing for each of the core areas. Yippee! :(