Life is so Black and White Sometimes

So, ever since I started teaching, my mom has told me to buy a journal to write crazy, funny things that happen throughout the year. Don't ask me why, but I have not done it yet - and there are less than 2 weeks left of school. So, I feel that I have to use my "electronic journal" to tell you about two incidents that have happened the past week....

1. One of my more difficult students was in "cool-down" on Wednesday. (It is a nicer word for time out.) Our rule is for them to sit still and super quiet for 2 minutes, until the timer goes off. He would make it quietly for about 30 seconds at a time. After restarting the timer several times, I told him to "Zip Your Lips!" He looked at me with such sad eyes, started crying and said, "But, but, Mrs. Kelley, I don't have a zipper!!" Oh, we laughed so hard! How are we supposed to discipline when we are cracking up?!?!
2. One of my girls came up to my desk, when I was working on the computer. She put one arm around me and gave me a big, slightly creepy grin. She looked at me and said, "Eight-Tiny-Legs," and dropped a live spider on my desk!! AAAhhhhhh!! I screamed and shot back in my chair. After the fact, we all laughed about it, but man, who knew she found a spider in the class!

We Miss Jimmy

This week, Jimmy had an awesome opportunity to go to Ohio for work. He is a branch manager for Woodforest National Bank so, he never has to travel. But, he was one of four managers in the company to be chosen for a committee to write and implement new policies. He left for Ohio on Sunday morning. Sunday night, it was weird that he didn't come home. It is not unusual for Jimmy to work late and get home around 10pm. When that happens, he typically falls asleep on the couch, while watching TV and wakes up when Layla jumps on him, while I am letting the dogs outside in the middle of the night.

On Sunday night, Maya woke up about 2am to go outside. I took the dogs downstairs and Layla ran over to the couch to wake Jimmy up. She did not understand why he wasn't on either couch. When we went back upstairs, Layla went to every door and scratched on it. I let her in every room for her to inspect it and discover nothing. She looked all over for Jimmy, until I forced her to come back to our bedroom. She misses him and knows something is different!

Jimmy comes back tonight! I am going back to the airport to meet him at baggage claim at 7pm! YEA! We are so excited! I think he had a really good trip. He met a lot of "important bank people" and got himself known in the company. I am so proud of him, but ready for him to be back with us!

Plus, only three weeks until our vacation!!!

Here are some fun pictures of Jimmy!!!

The Countdown is On!

So, as of today, we have 14 school days left! We are all ready for the break! Before I taught, I used to think teachers were crazy by counting down until summer. I mean, at least they have a summer break! (ok, maybe they weren't crazy - maybe I was just a little jealous!!) Now that I am a teacher, and fully involved in the countdown (we have it written on our chalk board), I understand the need for a break!

I don't think anyone would teach without the break! The teachers are getting burned out, the kids are getting crazy and its almost too hot to go out for recess!

In addition to our "Days Until Summer" countdown, my family is counting down for our vacation to the Riviera Maya!! We only have 27 days! 4 weeks from yesterday! Can't wait!!This is where Jimmy and I were last year. It is Talum, a part of the Mayan Ruins (you can see a part of it on the left side). It was the best beach I have ever been to!!

Dare to Imagine

This video was shot at the beginning of our "Dare to Imagine" campaign at church. A few of the kids in our congregation gathered to play on our church property and imagine what they see for our church in the future.

God can do MORE than we can Ask or Imagine!

For the past three years, our church, Joyful Life, has been worshiping in a school. Each Sunday, church members meet about two hours before worship starts to set up the worship area. Each Sunday, we all stay after service to help take down all the equipment. We (as a church) own 5 acres of land in The Woodlands.

For the past month, we have been going through a "Capital Campaign" at church. We have to come up with $360,000 in order to begin to build our building. Members have been asked to give a pledge of money, above their normal offering, for the next three years.

Yesterday, we had an awesome prayer walk on the property. A group of us met to pray, sing and have communion on the property to get ready for today.

Today was the day we all turned in our commitment cards. I was nervous this morning that we would not meet the amount. (We have just about 100 people in our church.) Well, the total amount was announced and it came to $408,000!!!! This is so amazing, incredible and unbelievable! The next step is to meet as a congregation to vote on building. Now that we have come up with above and beyond the amount needed, I am certain voting on a building will be no problem!This is a cross we have on our land right now. Isn't this an awesome picture??

Its not everyday you get to meet the First Lady and Jenna Bush....

Yesterday, mom and I had an incredible opportunity to meet Laura and Jenna Bush. They were at Barnes and Nobles in The Woodlands to sign their new book, Read All About It. 1,000 wrist bands were handed out to those who were anxious enough to wait in line to get them. We were lucky enough to be among the masses. Each person was allowed to bring three books to be signed.

Me, with Secret Service in the background. (This was a big deal to us in The Woodlands).Here is a list of things we were not allowed to bring. You know....explosives, knives, weapons. I had to leave them all at home.We were really impressed with how friendly, nice and personable they were. I mean, we knew they weren't going to be mean people, but they took a minue to talk to everyone there.Laura Bush said, "You two must be mother and daughter," to my mom and I. She asked if we taught at the same school, what grade we taught and said how neat it was that we are both teachers so we can share our experiences with each other.I had to get a picture with them, but this was the best we could do. We were not allowed to 'pose' with them.Here is a picture of the book and the signed copy!

I could not believe how long the line was when we left! Look at all the people waiting to meet the Bush's!This was such an awesome experience I will never forget! It was so neat to meet such great people, and I am so happy I had the opportunity to do it with my mom!