What's up September

Today I'm linking up with Mix and Match Mama, Pinterest Told Me To, and The Larson Lingo for the end of September's What's Up Wednesday post.

The questions for this monthly series are always similar, with a few tweaked from time to time, depending on what's going on.

The only different aspect of these is that there's always one last question that is significant to the month at hand.

So if you want to join along, grab the "button" below and the questions above and go for it! :)

What am I eating this week?

I love these little tuna packets. Lemon pepper and ranch are my two favorites.

What am I reminiscing about this week? 

Days gone by...

What am I loving?

Spending time with my nieces, soaking it all in because before I know it, it'll be time to leave for Senegal...

What have I been up to?

Remaking my schedule (AGAIN) after almost 9 weeks of school...

What am I working on?

...learning to make time for resting in God.

What am I excited about?

Y'all, I've learned to get excited about the smallest of things with some of my kids. Case in point... One of my friends finally learned the difference in the letters/sounds "b" and "d" :)

What am I watching?

My mom and I have started watching NCIS and NCIS New Orleans again. I love me some Gibbs and Pride :)

What am I listening to?

I love this Francesca Battistelli worship song. 

What am I wearing?

Flip flops while I still can... Oh Winter, as much as I love you, I'm going to miss my flip flops more.

What am I doing this weekend?

A whole lot of nothing :)

What am I looking forward to next month?

We have 2 days out in the middle of the month. Well, one is a Professional Development day, but at least we don't have to teach :) 

What else is new?

Nothing much... Same ol', Same ol' :)

And for September's special question...

What's your favorite Halloween tradition?

Halloween isn't that big of a deal for me. I think it's cute to see the kids all dressed up. But that's about it.

Just a typical Tuesday

Today I'm linking up with Bailey from Brave Love Blog for the Blogtember Challenge and taking you through a day in the life of yours truly.

5:40 - I totally overslept and didn't leave 'til this time. At least I packed my lunch last night so I didn't have to do that this morning. 

6:43 - I'm reading/journaling through Acts right now. So I reread Chapter 1 while waiting to go in at work.

7:00 - Morning Duty begins. I'm sitting outside, waiting with the early arrivals.

7:25 - Part 2 of Morning Duty... Time to monitor a few hundred friends eating breakfast.

8:05 - The last breakfast eater finally finished and now it's time to wash the tables. FYI - Kids are messy eaters.

8:30 - After running a few errands, in able to eat my own breakfast and prep for a meeting we have in a little while.

8:50 - Time for my Meeting. Meetings are a very constant part of my job. If I went a week without a meeting of some sort, I'd think something was wrong. Haha!

10:30 - Working with my 3rd group of the morning. Apparently pencils can be good luck charms. At least that's what 2 of my kids thought. So I had to write GLP (good luck pencil) on theirs :)

11:30 - After a couple more groups, it's my prep time. On the to do list for this time? Write an IEP.

12:00 - Lunch!

2:30 - This is my 5th group of the afternoon. We worked on a couple of confusing beginning letters/sounds...

3:27 - Kids are gone, so it's time to eat a snack and tackle the war zone that is my classroom. I definitely prefer coming to work in the morning and my classroom being clean.

4:15 - After cleaning, prepping, and modifying a couple tests for tomorrow, I'm finally ready to go.

5:45 - It seems like I'm always at the gas station. Thank goodness tomorrow is payday!

6:00 - My mom treated me to Pizza Hut for supper. Yum!

And with that I'm signing off. My day may not be finished, but my brain is almost there after this long day.

Bonne Nuit Y'all :)

A Fancy Grilled Cheese

I was watching Farmhouse Rules on Food Network the other day and she made a delicious looking "fancy" grilled cheese. 

It had all these fancy schmancy ingredients, but still looked super easy. So I said, I'm gonna make that... 

So here's my version, which has been tweaked some...

First up are the ingredients.

You need:

* bread * mayo * monterey jack cheese * tomato * red onion * avocado * cilantro *

The directions are super easy.

Slice the cheese real thin. I used Monterey Jack for this sandwich, but you could use whatever cheese you like.

Side note... My niece still calls this cheese "Pawpaw's cheese" since it was the snack she and her Pawpaw shared when she'd visit he and my mom :)

Anywho - Back to the sandwich...

Slice all the veggies super thin. You don't want the tomato to make the sandwich too watery.

Next, you need a few leaves of cilantro. 

Once everything's prepped, spread mayo (yes, mayo!) on one side of each slice of bread. 

Then put the bread, mayo side down, in a skillet on medium. Layer the sandwich with cheese first, followed by the veggies. Then top with the other slice of bread, mayo side up.

 

FYI - Those are 2 sandwiches, not 1. I just forgot to take a photo with the top slice on. Also, I sprinkled a little garlic powder on top after this photo.

Cook sandwiches until it's as brown as you like. 

You can serve these sandwiches with soup, salads, chips, or anything else you like. I had mine with some of my mom's pesto pasta salad. Oh and the plates? That's the fancy stuff for such a fancy sandwich :)

Where Words Fail Music Speaks

Today I'm linking up with Bailey from Brave Love Blog for the Blogtember Challenge and talking about the current song/music choices in my life.

Since being back in the States these last 15, almost 16 months, I've started listening to music so much more. So here's a little taste of the songs that are played the most in my life...

1) Fight Song - Rachel Platten

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

2) Satisfied - About a Mile

Let Your song be the song I sing 
Through the blessing and burdens this life will bring 
In You alone I'm satisfied

Through the struggles I face 
When contentment starts to fade 
Through the constant wondering 
When my doubt is crippling 
This will be my, this will be my prayer

No matter the cost 
I'll take up my cross 
And run to You, run to You 
No matter the cost 
I'll take up my cross 
And run to You, run to You
3) First - Lauren Daigle

Before I bring my need
I will bring my heart
Before I lift my cares
I will lift my arms
I wanna know You
I wanna find You
In every season
In every moment
Before I bring my need
I will bring my heart
And seek You
4) See You Again - Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Pugh

It's been a long day without you, my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began
Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
When I see you again

5) Oceans - Where My Feet May Fall - Hillsong United

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

Friday Favorites

I'm linking up with Andrea, Narci and Erika and sharing some of my favorites from this week.

This week was a busy one. This past weekend I spent a lot of time at home, studying my favorite book and also being presented with a memory of my favorite guy.

I went to a local favorite for lunch with my mom and had some of my favorite foods.

I bought a new flavor of my favorite brand of lip balm (EOS). This one is blackberry and it's my new favorite.

On Tuesday, I had to deliver paperwork to all the teachers working with my favorite students and loved getting the chance to walk down the hall of my favorite school...

The staircase leading up to my favorite classroom recently received a "face lift". Isn't it nice?

Field trip days are usually my favorite, especially when I get to spend the time with some of my most favorite kids...

Pizza Hut is always a favorite, especially since they'll deliver :) Paired with the de-caffeinated and de-sugared version of my  favorite drink, it makes for a great lunch!

These pecan pie flavored M&Ms are my favorite. They're only a seasonal item. So I'm going to buy a bunch to stock up on and take with me when I head back to my favorite second home (Senegal). 

Seeing my favorite country's flag being raised outside my favorite school makes me happy :)

Yesterday was not my favorite. It was quite rough. But that's okay. As a result, I found these goodies...

Thursday's Letters

Dear 93.7 WDJC, You're our local Christian radio station and I've rekindled my love of you. Thanks for providing a good dose of inspiration on my morning drives to work.

Dear Field Trip, You happened yesterday. Our entire school went and was gone from 9 til 2ish. And oh my word, it was hot and exhausting, but the smiles on the kids' faces were so worth it :)

Dear Fall, You began yesterday. Can you hurry Mother Nature up on bringing us some cooler temps?

Dear Amazon Prime, You rock! Just sayin'

Dear Morning Duty, You aren't ideal since you require me to get to work so very early. But you know what... I really do love getting to hang out and get to know so many of our kids while we're waiting 'til school starts.

Dear Rain Boots, You've gotten quite the workout this month thanks to a little thing called Rainy Day Dismissal.

Dear License Exam and Interview, You happened this past Monday. Thanks for not being as scary as I thought you might be :)

Dear Caffeine Free Diet Dr. Pepper, I love you. Know you'll definitely be missed when I leave the country next year.

Dear Big Bang Theory (the tv show), You started back this week. You're so hilarious. I'm so glad some co-workers introduced me to you a few years ago :)

Dear NCIS, You also started back this week. My dad so loved you! So it made me smile to watch it and think of him :)

Dear School Supplies, I love you. I also think I might have a slight addiction when it comes to you.

Dear Shocked, You're how I'd describe some of my kids when they found out I am 30 years old. It was hilarious!

Dear Blessing, You're how I'd describe my Special Ed ladies at work. I'm going to miss them next year!

Dear Ant Bite, Who would've thought something as small as you could hurt so bad.

Dear A Whole Lot of Nothing, You're what I have planned for most of this weekend. And boy oh boy am I happy about that :)

Dear Writing Thank You Notes, You're a lost art form. I think more of the world needs to find you again.

Dear Pecan Pie, You're a seasonal flavor of M&M's and I think you are the bomb dot com.

Dear Fields of Cotton, You're what I've passed every afternoon recently. You're so beautiful! I just wish I'd stopped and taken a photo of your beauty.

Dear Wish List for Senegal, I've started you on Amazon.com. As of now you include trunks (in place of suitcases), plug adapters, and a few school supply items, among other things.

Dear Ready to Start, You're how I am in regards to raising my missions support. But I can't until all the paperwork (not mine) is finished. Here's hoping all that gets finished soon!

Guest Post

Today I'm participating in Brave Love Blog's Blogtember challenge, which prompted me to invite a "guest" to share on my blog.

I read a blog post at some point, where the girl interviewed her husband, and loved it and thought it was an awesome idea!

But alas, this is where I stand in the husband department...

So I decided to ask this lady instead...

That's my Mama. She's an awesome lady. She's hardworking. She's generous and kind and loving. She is extremely supportive and encouraging. And I could go on and on... Just know this. She's great!

So anywho - On to the questions...

1. Who's your favorite child? It's me. Isn't it?

Both of my kids equally. I can't pick one child over the other. Come on!

Ok, just kidding. On to the serious questions...

2. What are your thoughts on my blog? 

I love reading your thoughts on stuff.

3. What are your thoughts on Facebook and email and such?

I think they're great inventions. I think too many people share stuff that should be private. But when it's used right, it's great. I don't feel the need to use all of that myself, though.

4. What are your thoughts on the presidential candidates in America?

They need to hear from God. I think too many of them are just into themselves and need to look to God for guidance.

5. What are your thoughts on America today?

It's a wonderful country, but it definitely needs a touch from God.

6. How do you feel about me going back to Africa?

Mixed emotions - I'm happy you're gonna be doing what God wants you to do, but I'm sad I won't get to see you every day.

7. When are you going to visit me in Africa?

I don't know. Maybe a year or so after you get there...

8. Dream vacation?

The mountains 

9. Tell us 3 things few people know about you.

* I am a minister. 

* I was a sassy child and always got in trouble for "talking back" to my mom.

* I had to drop out of school to take care of my bedridden mother.

10. Anything else you want to share with my readers?

If you're married, cherish your spouse. Live life to the fullest with them. You'll miss them when they're gone...

Also, happiness is a choice. Choose it.

Sometimes good things come in threes...

Today on the blog, it's all about the threes...

Three Happy Moments from this week...

1. Getting a package I'd been waiting on.

2. Making a 94 on my License exam

3. Pedicure

Three products you love...

1. EOS lip balm

2. These new Sharpie pens

3. My new journal/calendar

Three Things You've Recently Eaten...

1. Zesty Ranch flavored Veggie Straws

2. Apple and Cheesestick for Breakfast

3. Pizza

Three Things You've Drank Recently...

1. Snapple Mango

2. Milk

3. Caffeine Free Diet Dr. Pepper

Three Moments on the Job

1. Morning Duty

2. Breakfast Duty

3. Field Trip

Three Places You've Been Recently...

1. Sawmeal

2. My Classroom

3. On the Road

Three Selfies

1. 

2. 

3. 

Three Non-Face Selfies (your hands, feet, etc.)

1. 

2.

3. 

Three Pictures with Other People

1. with my Mama

2. with my oldest niece

3. with my youngest niece 

Three Things Recently Read

1. The Bible

2. A book to help me better teach my students...

3. A note from a friend...

Three Quotes

1.

2.

3.

Three Memories

1. Football game with my dad...

2. Baking cookies with this cutie...

3. Kids Club at DA

Three Photos of Anything

1. Walking down the hall of my school...

2. Saturday's lunch...

3. Zaxby's on the way home from church...