I Think I am Dreaming!

Today something happened that I didn't think ever would! I finished this semester with an A in Algebra. I can NOT tell you how SUPER excited I am!!! I worked really, really hard for that A and am extremely proud of it!! WooHoo!! I was terrible in math in high school....I mean TERRIBLE!! I wish I would have had the yearning and discipline that I have now back when I initially enrolled in college at *insert a throat clearing here* 18 years of age!! That seems like forever ago!! Better late than never I guess!! I hope my enthusiasm for school continues as I pursue my dream of becoming a teacher! I don't ever want to lose my drive!! Now it is time to enjoy a nice holiday break with my family until the Spring Semester resumes January 11th!! Yay!!

Praying for Good Weather

Well, today was suppose to be the day that we took our family pictures. I was so excited but, thanks to the rain and the mess they had to be postponed!! So sad! Oh well, hoping for beautiful weather next Saturday so we can try this again! At least we have every one's outfit picked out!! Should be a fun day!! I love my beautiful family and you can NEVER have enough photos to capture the memories! Praying for a beautiful day on December 11Th.

I GOT LOST!!!

Okay Everyone,

Did you miss me??? I got lost, lol!! I don't know how often I will be able to blog but, I am going to try to update more! I haven't blogged in (well) FOREVER!! Can't really catch you up but I will try to promise to update more often from here on out!

I was challenged yet again by Heather to lose some weight. I am soooo bad!! I fall off the band wagon WAY too easily! This is only 30 days so, I am going to give it my all!! I am going to do Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred! If you want to join us, we are starting today December 2 and will run through December 31st. Come on y'all!! We can do this!! I don't know about y'all but I sure could use to lose some weight before the new year begins!!

Praying to stay strong and determined for AT LEAST the next 30 days! Anybody in??

Random Picture Challenge 7.0

Here are the rules:

11th folder
or
September 2007
11th picture



Ok...so here is my 11th picture of my 11th folder! Horrible! It just so happens to be the before picture for Heather and I of when we started Weight Watchers together in September of 2008! Wow! What a picture! Thanks for the motivation picture challenge!

A Teacher's Legacy!

Today, I want to pay tribute to an amazing teacher that definitely left a legacy. My fourth grade year at Jefferson Elementary, I had the joy and honor of being in the classroom of Evannoa L. Hall. I can't even begin to describe this woman. She had a passion beyond words for her career and for those in her classroom. You have to know what an impact Mrs. Hall made not only in my life but in the life of my family. She was the kind of teacher that was there to not only educate her students but there to teach us life lessons. Let me preface this story that I am getting ready to tell you by saying that not only did I have the pleasure of being in her classroom but, my brother did as well. He was in Mrs. Hall's class the year before me 1985-1986. That was the year that we started to learn just what kind of teacher she was and what to expect from her. My brother (who went by Bryan at the time) went up to Mrs. Hall and asked "Mrs. Hall, can I go to the restroom?" and she replied..."sir?" so again he asked "can I go to the restroom?" to which again she replied..."sir?" getting a little frustrated and maybe a little concerned that he wasn't going to make it my brother again said "Mrs. Hall, can I go to the restroom?" and much to his amazement she again said...."sir?" Needless to say, this continued for at least 5 minutes before my brother finally said "Mrs. Hall, may I please go to the restroom?" and she gladly replied, "sure"! Hilarious!! She was trying to teach David that when you are asking to go to the restroom you need to use the word "may" versus using the word "can" because "can" is asking if you are capable and "may" is asking permission. This alone made a huge impact not only on my brother but on myself for the coming year. I knew when I was in her classroom exactly how to ask. This is still something that I think of today. With having the honor right now of being in the classroom when students come up and ask me "Mrs. Washburn, can I go to the restroom?" I reply..."I don't know can you?" and then I proceed to tell them that they need to be asking permission to go versus trying to find out whether they are capable. What an impact she made!

When I was in her classroom the following year (1986-1987 her last year before retirement at age 71) my most memorable moment was involving not only my least favorite but my weakest subject math. Bless her heart, Mrs. Hall struggled with me! Needless to say, I was less than desirable in the math department. She would talk to me about learning my multiplication tables and I just couldn't get there. I struggled in a major way. For some unknown reason, she decided that she would try to give me incentive, which I now know would be considered bribery. She started telling me that if I would learn a set of my tables (my 2's, my 3's, my 4's etc.) she would give me some Sour Cherry Balls (candy that at the time I just thought was the best). Well, it worked! I memorized all my multiplication tables and in record time. I wish I could say that I retained them as well as I should have but not true.

Mrs. Hall had a great 30 years at Jefferson Elementary and my brother and I are proud to say that we were a part of her passion of teaching and refuse to believe that we are the reason she decided to retire right after having The Keith kids back to back, Lol! To Mrs. Hall and all the teacher's that impacted my life and inspired me to become a teacher myself, I say thank you!

Evannoa L. Hall
Sept. 23, 1944-Feb. 20, 2009

Thank you Lord!

Here lately, I am feeling like a new person! A better me, of sorts! By the grace of God, I have changed a lot of things about me, a more disciplined me! I am working on my weight (13 lbs. down thanks weight watchers), I have been investing in my marriage by walking through The Love Dare (from the movie Fireproof) with my hubby (thank you God), I have re-organized my budget (that seems to be working wonderfully, thanks Heather) and I recently started a new routine for keeping up with my chores here at home (that I am really loving, thanks Angie)! On top of all that, I started the process of going back to school to get my teaching degree (It is about time!) I am not sure how all of this came about ALL AT ONCE but, they are all welcomed changes! I believe that God is really working on me! I believe that He is saying...."Hello my child, I am ready (at anytime) for you to become the Godly Woman that I created you to be! I am ready for you to get your life organized in such a fashion that you can achieve the things that I have in store for you and use the blessings given to you for My glory!" Thank you God for opening my eyes at the time in my life where I was ready to receive it! Thank you for loving me and continuing to work on me on a daily basis. Thank you for not giving up on me and for waiting for and encouraging me to be the person that you created me to be! Your grace is amazing and sufficient! Thank you Lord!

P.S. Pray for Bryan through all of these changes! I am afraid it can be a little overwhelming.

Thirteen Years Ago Today!!

My Baby Girl is 13 today!

I can not believe it! Thirteen years ago today, I was holding my first born and admiring my precious baby girl! She was more gorgeous than I could have ever imagined and I felt so blessed! I woke up this morning wondering why time goes so quickly. I can not even grasp the thought that that sweet little angel in my arms thirteen years ago is almost taller than me and is a teenager! It brought me to tears this morning just thinking about it! I have to admit that I love these years though. She is becoming such a beautiful young lady and I enjoy our time together so much! If I could tell everyone one thing that I have learned about motherhood it would be to enjoy every waking moment. Don't let life become routine. Make a memory every single day of their life and cherish it always! Just yesterday I was holding my angel in my arms wondering what it was going to be like having someone so little to love and to take care of. Well today I am feeling so overwhelmed with joy and heartache at the same time. I love watching her grow but then again, I want to keep her right where she is! God has truly blessed me by giving Brittanie to me and I praise Him for everyday that I have her!

To my angel,

"Sister", I love you more than you will ever know! When I was your age your Nana used to tell me "I love you too much, I don't think you will ever know how much I love you until you have your own children" and now I know what she is talking about! I am so proud of the young lady that you are becoming. Everyday that I get to wake up and call myself your Mom I feel blessed! Thank you for all of the memories and I can't wait to see what the next 13 years bring! I love you! Mom



Sissy opening her presents

All my babies celebrating the #13

Brittanie with our friends Toni and James Ingram

Brittanie with our friends The Bouvier's

Sissy with Connor James Bouvier opening their gift

Morgan and Carson Ingram celebrating with Sissy

The Applebee's gang singing Happy Birthday to my Baby!