The things 7th graders say...

I gave my students the chance to reflect on what they've learned/liked/disliked from my class this year and also to give some tips to next years kids. Here's some of the things that really made me laugh:

Things learned, liked or disliked from this year:

• I liked how Mrs. Liles pushes us to do stuff, but sometimes it scares me.
• I disliked the temperature and I liked the smell of the room
• I wish we would have learned more about the master swordsmen who crafted swords and other weapons
• Desks must be aligned perfectly
• Like that it is always clean
• learned who Tony Romo is
• I liked that the classroom was organized and we got to sing
• Mrs. Liles drools over Tony Romo
• I liked how you would be sarcastic to certain people just because you wanted to

Advice for students next year

Important Things to Bring…

• Your brain
• A non-jokey attitude
• A sense of humor and a talkative mouth
• A picture of Tony Romo
• Let Mrs. Liles’ sarcasm go through you cause you will hear it a lot
• Binder, pencils, and your brain, and maybe even Lysol

You Should Know…

• Mrs. Liles has OCD issues and gets annoyed easily
• If you mess up her room you better clean it up because Mrs. Liles is a neat freak
• Mrs. Liles takes things very seriously and she has good hearing
• Mrs. Liles is very competitive
• Don’t aggravate Mrs. Liles or she shall make you feel 2 inches tall
• Don’t talk during a test or she will give you a zero forever and ever amen.
• Its like being in the military, everything must be perfect!
• Mrs. Liles is borderline OCD and she sees all.
• Mrs. Liles loves the Cowboys
• She yells sometimes but its funny
• Treat Mrs. Liles like a princess
• Mrs. Liles is very nice when she wants to be
• Mrs. Liles is ALWAYS RIGHT
• Mrs. Liles does not put up with students that act like 1^st graders

Ways to behave…

• Don’t behave like 1^st graders
• You can’t behave like 1^st graders
• Listen, don’t talk and be mature
• Like an adult
• Perfect!

How to keep Mrs. Liles happy…

• Tell her that her baby looks cute
• Be on her good side
• Once in a while ask her how her baby is doing
• DON’T lie
• Say awe every time she shows you a picture of her cute little baby
• Do not ever lie to Mrs. Liles
• DO NOT!! Move stuff on her back counter
• Be a fan of the Cowboys
• Never argue with her
• Keep your eyes on her while she is talking
• Don’t say the word “mean” following the teachers

Words of wisdom…

• You will make it if you try
• Don’t act like a baby
• Honesty is the best policy
• You know she likes your class if she lets you talk about shampoo and conditioner
• “I mean…”, “What!?”, “You people…”, “Lift don’t drag”
• Wait till you are older to get a nose ring
• I’m going to say this, don’t ever make Mrs. Liles mad
• “Let the kid in”
• Use a lot of hand sanitizer, be good, shut up and do your work
• Don’t ever argue with her
• Sing or you will do solos with a mic

Running around in cirlces

Bird Nest Update

I am happy to say that we have seen the bird and we think the eggs will grow healthy and hatch. We've noticed that everytime we come into the house or leave, the momma bird (maybe daddy not sure what type of bird this is or what its habits are) leaves the basket and flies to the tree in our yard. Once we are safely out of sight it returns. Justin took the basket down yesterday to show it to our friends children (the McDowells) and there was a third egg in there. This morning the momma bird was in the basket when I walked out and I tried to get a picture of her, but I couldn't get too close or she'd fly off. You can't really tell from this picture but she's in there sitting on her eggs!

Bird Nest

Today when I went to water the geraniums in my hanging basket this is what I found:
Justin says that since we haven't seen a bird today, it may have abandoned the eggs and we won't get to see little birdies hatch. I showed it to Alina and she was pretty impressed. We'll see what happens!

Mother's Day

For the first time in my life I enjoyed breakfast in bed this morning! It was wonderful! Justin woke up early saying he needed to work, but I could hear him in the kitchen and just let him enjoy it:) He made bacon, eggs and french toast (my favorite). He even brought in a rose from our rose bushes. It was very sweet and thoughtful. Thank you Justin for being such a wonderful husband!
After breakfast, Alina woke up and Justin went to her, because she had not yet signed the card. Then she came out of her room to bring me my mother's day card. She was so cute, I can't believe I am so blessed to be the mother of this beautiful little girl. God has truly blessed me and given me an awesome responsibility to train her in righteousness, and it is my prayer that He gives me the strength and wisdom to carry out this task and that when she is older she will not depart from what Justin and I will try to instill in her.

Alina is also a big fan of French toast. She ate every last bite!

I hope that all the mothers out there had a wonderful day of reflecting on the blessing we have been given. Never could I have imagined the love you feel for your child, but I am so grateful to be able to experience that each day. I am so grateful for my own mother and all that she did for me. It is amazing to finally be able to realize how much she loved me, thank you mom!

Walking!

Here is Alina finally deciding to walk! It took her awhile to get the confidence to just let go, but she's excited now.

Michaud Weekend

This weekend we spent a lot of time with our friends, Matt, Jessica and Patrick Michaud. They are moving to Nashville in less than two weeks and we will miss them very much. Here's what we did.

Sunday - We had a going away drop-in at our house for Matt and Jessica. I decided to do a "Gone Country" theme since they are moving to Nashville. Lots of friends stopped to visit. We had fun hanging out, and especially enjoyed watching the kids play together!

Patrick, Jessica, Sara, and Sarah

Jason, Lindsey and Leslie

Burton and Alina having a tea party in the middle of the living room

And for our big news of the weekend, Alina finally decided it was okay to let go and walk by herself! She has been taking steps for a long time, and pushing her toys around the house, and walking by holding just one hand, but she's finally decided to let go and walk by herself and she loves it. Video will be coming soon:)

Saturday we went to Patrick's first birthday party at the park. We had a lot of fun playing with friends on the play ground and eating cupcakes.

Alina loves the slide!

Mmmm....

Alina and Riley

Roper, Alina and Patrick playing with dirt and bubble toys

After a fun time at the park, Alina and I went home with the Michauds to help them get the house ready to go on the market. Alina and Patrick slept while Jessica and I cleaned. Afterwards, they came to our house so their floors could get worked on. After a long day of playing, Alina and Patrick took a bath together. Aren't they adorable?

The Lord Will Provide

A few weeks ago I discovered a wonderful old song! Yes, old but new to me. Matthew Smith & Indelible Grace does some great stuff with taking wonderful old hymns and putting them to new more 'singable' tunes. I have really enjoyed getting into these songs, but one by John Newton (who wrote Amazing Grace) has really stayed with me. I've been posting it verse by verse on Facebook, but thought I would put it all here so others can enjoy it as well. Every verse speaks to me in different ways, its amazing how God truly provides for us in everything. I hope you read this and are encouraged to trust the Lord in all aspects of your life.

Though troubles assail and dangers affright,
Though friends should all fail and foes all unite;
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,
The scripture assures us, the Lord will provide

The birds without barn or storehouse are fed,
From them let us learn to trust for our bread:
His saints, what is fitting, shall ne'er be denied,
So long as it's written, the Lord will provide

We may, like the ships, by tempest be tossed
On perilous deeps, but cannot be lost.
Though Satan enrages the wind and the tide,
The promise engages, the Lord will provide.

His call we obey, like Abram of old,
Not knowing our way, but faith makes us bold;
For though we are strangers we have a good Guide,
And trust in all dangers, the Lord will provide

When Satan appears to stop up our path,
And fill us with fears, we triumph by faith;
He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried,
This heart-cheering promise, the Lord will provide

He tells us we're weak, our hope is in vain,
The good that we seek we ne'er shall obtain,
But when such suggestions our spirits have plied,
This answers all questions, the Lord will provide

No strength of our own, or goodness we claim,
Yet since we have known the Savior's great name;
In this our strong tower for safety we hide,
The Lord is our power, the Lord will provide

When life sinks apace and death is in view,
This word of his grace shall comfort us through:
No fearing or doubting with Christ on our side,
We hope to die shouting the Lord will provide

Mustangs and Playgrounds

Sunday afternoon we went to a Mustang car show to see "The Killer Bee." This yellow mustang belongs to Dave, the janitor on our 7th grade hallway. He loves his car and was so excited about the show that we decided to go and support him. We got there at the very end but did get to say hi and see his car. I also ran into a student from school who's parents had a car in the show and he thought it was pretty neat that we were there. It was right by church so we went to have a picnic at the church playground after that and hang out until time for evening church. Unfortunately it was raining a little, so we had our 'picnic' inside Tomlin Hall and then went on the play ground when it stopped. Alina loves to play outside! She loves to swing and go down slides. She thought it was really funny when mommy was swinging on the swing next to her. We had a fun afternoon!

Apology

I must apologize to my dear friend Leslie. I made a terrible mistake on yesterday's post. Jason did NOT win at Chicken Foot, his wife Leslie did! The thing is he is usually in last (sorry Jason, but its true) and he was pretty close for most of the game with Leslie. But in the end, as Leslie pointed out to me, he lost by like 40 points. So it was almost a great win for Jason, but he was actually in second place. I would like to blame this on the fact that I was blogging while working:) Maybe I shouldn't admit that, but hey I'm doing it again today, students are researching the Cold War and writing a children's book:)