Merry Christmas

Wondering what I was doing the last 3 weeks?

I was making memories...

I was spending time with those I love...

I was eating good food...

I was preparing for itineration and budget raising...

I was teaching...

I was remeniscing about Christmases past and missing the one no longer in our family photos...

But most of all, I was reflecting on the real reason for today...

Merry Christmas Everybody! 

Friday Favorites

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

It's been a while since I last did a Friday Favorites post, so I thought today was a good day for one...

I was looking for a different one, but stumbled across this verse and it definitely became a favorite. What a great promise!

And speaking of the Bible, my mom and I are doing this Bible devotional of sorts right now. It's my favorite :)

Work is going well. My kids are all over the top hyper, but such is to be expected since it's this close to Christmas :)

I found a couple new favorite quotes about teaching recently...

I also found a new favorite anchor charts my favorite kiddos would enjoy :)

Oh and look at my new favorite shirt for work...

Now as much as I love being at work, I must say that Thanksgving Break was my favorite! Having an entire week off was awesome!!

I got to visit Colorado and some of my favorite people in the world...

I got to see one of my most favorite scenic views - snow capped mountains...

And the day after I came home, I got to celebrate one of my favorite holidays with my most favorite people... My family :)

Plus I got to eat some of my most favorite foods...

My mom and I braved the Black Friday madness and did a little Christmas shopping for our two favorite girls :)

Spending time with my mom is always one of my most favorite things to do...

And since it's my most favorite time of the year...

Hello December

Once upon a time, 2015 started. The first day of the year was a slow one, without much planned. It was nice to be at home with my family, ringing in the New Year by watching the ball drop on tv with my mom since my dad had already gone to bed. It was fun and relaxing and a nice memory.

And now...

Now it's the 1st of December. There are only 31 days left in this year, counting today. 

So today I'm saying hello to December. 

Want to know what else I'm saying hello to this month...

I'm saying Hello to Christmas music. ...lots and lots of Christmas music. I've actually been listening to it for a while, but now others are too :)

I'm saying Hello to Christmas Break. Hello two weeks off from work :)

I'm saying Hello to Christmas...

...which means I'm also saying Hello to my first Christmas without my dad.

I'll be saying Hello to a lot of pastors, friends, families, businesses, etc, as I work to raise my missions budget (support). 

I'll be saying Hello to another sort and purge of my stuff, as I prepare to pack for/move to Senegal. It's easier to do these large scale sorts when I have lots of time off.

...well, not actually packing my suitcase. I'm just going through all my stuff and deciding what to actually pack in my suitcase.

And last, but certainly not least, I'll be saying Hello to 31 days of Scripture writing...

What's up November

Today I'm linking up with a few other bloggers for this month's What's Up post. Want to join along?

The questions for this month are...

What I'm eating this week...

I've had so much good food this week. Plus I got bumped up to first class and had this deliciousness for lunch :)

What I'm loving...

I have so loved being in Colorado this past week, spending time with my Best Bud :)

What I've been up to...

I've been reading, hanging out with friends, eating good food, laughing so very much, taking in God's beauty/scenery, enjoying cold weather, and having the time of my life in Colorado with friends who are like family :)

What I'm dreading...

The painful part of celebrating my first Thanksgiving without my dad. It's already hit me a few times. Not to be a downer, but it stinks. ...big time! I so miss him...

What I'm working on...

Y'all... Coloring books are so not just for kids anymore. I will totally be the 30 year old coloring on the plane later today :)

Past that... When I get home, I have to start hitting the phones, scheduling services, and raising my missions budget.

What I'm watching...

I've been doing quite a bit of people watching at the airport. Have you ever noticed some of the characters that come through? :)

As for TV - I'm looking forward to watching as many Christmas movies as possible.

What I'm reading...

Food: A Love Story - This book is hilarious! I'll be posting a review on here soon.

What I'm wearing...

I've worn a jacket and scarf and warm socks with boots everyday while here in Colorado. Brrr...

What I'm doing this weekend...

Hanging out with my Mama and enjoying the rest of my Thanksgiving Break :)

What I'm looking forward to next month...

No school - Christmas - no school - hanging out with my family - Oh, and did I mention 2 weeks off from school? :)

What else is new...

A friend offered her photography skills to help me get new photos for missions promo stuff. It's the first step of this itineration process. And starting next week, I'll be hitting the phones, calling pastors and friends and all, booking services and meetings to share my heart for Senegal and working to raise my budget to get back there next summer! 

Memories

It's been 7 months...

It's been 7 months since my dad passed away. They say it gets easier over time. And while I think that is somewhat true, sometimes it's still so incredibly hard. 

I just miss him so very much...

So in honor of 7 months of separation, I've been thinking about all sorts of memories...

I remember him laying on the floor with my brother and me, playing with our toys - Barbies for me and GI Joes for Josh :)

I remember one Fall, there were so many leaves, that the hill behind our house made for the perfect Fall sledding spot. So he rigged up a sled out of something and we all laughed and played for hours and hours and had the best time!

I remember moving all those times and thinking I was such a big shot riding with him in the uhaul truck.

I remember him chaperoning my field trip to Bellingrath Gardens when I was in elementary school.

I remember him praying with me at the altar of the church when I made the decision to follow Jesus forever. I remember him baptizing me when I was ready to make that public confession of faith. And I remember him laying hands on me at youth camp when I was baptized in the Holy Spirit.

I remember him driving our band bus in high school.

I remember him holding me tight and letting me cry over some boy who'd broke my heart.

I remember him waiting to open his Christmas gifts 'til we kids had opened ours.

I remember him leaving the Atlanta airport after my very first time going to Senegal and me turning around and seeing him wiping tears away. 

I remember him finding our he was going to be a grandpa and begging my brother and sister-in-law to not be joking :)

I remember him riding with me to Selma the day of my first interview at the school here - all so he could just be with me. 

I remember our trip to the Navy vs South Alabama game last year. He was freezing, but had the best time!

I remember his pride in talking about his family.

I remember his strength...

I remember his wisdom...

I remember his love.

I miss him. 

But I'm so very thankful for the memories.