4 More Days...

Oh my, is it Spring Break yet?! I am so ready for a break. I need to get away. What are your plans for Spring Break?

I am taking 4 boys from my youth group and 3 other women to Kissimmee, Florida. We will be volunteering at Give Kids the World. If you remember, I served there a couple of summers ago. That place stole my heart. I have missed it so much. Now, I finally get to go back! One of the women going is my sister! I am very excited to share this with her. I mean, I spent 2 months at this place. It's nice to show these things off to family. We'll be coming back Wednesday, so I'll still have a few days to do absolutely nothing.

Well, I take that back. I won't be doing absolutely nothing...I have a job interview! It's at the Elementary School in Puckett, MS. (Yeah, I don't know where that is either.) It's a small town, but the principal was so nice. I'm excited to meet him and see the school. Where is God taking me? I haven't a clue. I just want to make sure I'm in the car He's driving. (You may insert "Jesus, Take the Wheel" lyrics now.)

Hopefully, the next post will have pictures from GKTW. Pray for us, please!

Million Dollar Quartet

Saturday, Moma and I went to Memphis. That is always an adventure with just the 2 of us. Ha! We went to the Orpheum to see the show, "The Million Dollar Quartet". It was amazing!

Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis. These actors looked just like the character they were portraying. It felt like they were all really there! This show was inspired by true events. At the end of the show, they got together to take a picture at Sun Records, then a screen came down and showed the real picture...

I wish I was here when they were. Wonder what it would be like if they were all still alive?

It's a tradition. :)

I just love the Orpheum. If I could, I would have my wedding there. Haha! Like that will ever happen, right?!

By the way, it is Monday morning and I am wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. I love President's Day!

Basketball

Well, I finally made it to a basketball game. It just happened to be against Ole Miss. So it was a good game to go to!

The Hump was packed! Can you see the Ole Miss section?

We had to use teamwork to get this picture taken!

I got to take a picture with Renardo Sidney!

It was a good night. These days I don't have the time (or energy) to go out as often as I once did. Ah, the joys of the real world!

It was a great game. And it's always great to see the Bulldogs beat the Rebels/Black Bears. However, I could have done without all the GTH's. It's rude and I don't like it.

Oh, the whole teaching 4th grade is going well, too. Whenever people ask how it's going, I usually reply with, "Well, I haven't cried and neither have they, so I guess we're good."...I can't say that anymore. It finally all hit me Friday. I kill myself teaching these kids a particular skill. We do fun things. They do worksheets. They do activities in groups. Then it comes time for the test. Bomb. I was grading papers when they were at activity, and I teared up. I am hoping that things will get better. Or they will completely surprise me when it comes time for the MCT2 test.

I've been filling out applications for other school districts for next school year. I'm anxious/scared of where God is going to take me. Stay tuned. ;)

Week 1

Well, I finished my first week of school! It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The kids tried to test me, however, I squashed that idea real quick! I had to lay down the hammer, so hopefully now that they know I mean business, I can be more fun as the days go by.

I feel so grown up...it's weird...

I had some visitors that week. Nicholas Young stopped by on his way to Jackson. I knew Will Simmons was coming, but when I went to let him in the building, he told me he had a surprise for me. Little did I know it was my best friend, Amy! They got me one of those reusable cups with the straw. (I love those things!) It was so wonderful being able to show off my room and talk about my kids. I feel like that's all I talk about now; school and students.

Monday was a holiday. (Thank you, MLK!) I spent the day in Tupelo alone. I enjoyed it. I went where I wanted and spent as much time there as I wanted. I even bought a few clothing items! I was happy, but my wallet wasn't.

Today was Parent-Teacher Conferences. I went to a meeting from 8:30-11, working in my classroom until 2:30, parents could come from 3-6. It was a LONG day!!

Looking forward to what's ahead!

Classroom

Someone recently told me that she doesn't like to read all my words and that I should post more pictures. Well, here you go!

This is my new classroom. Enjoy! :)

I made the wreath. A friend of mine painted the canvas.

This was my mother's podium. My uncle made it for her. She started the sticker collection and I've added on to it. This podium has been at Aberdeen Middle School since 1992. Now it will be with me at Louisville Elementary School.

Christmas

I think if you asked anyone, "what is your favorite holiday?" you'd hear "Christmas". Well, I am no different. I absolutely love this time of year. The lights, ornaments, Santa, the wishful dreams of snow, Christmas songs, family, the tree, gifts, Jesus. It's just magical.

My family has its' traditions for every holiday. This year was a little different because Sarah is now a nurse. And of course, she had to work Christmas Eve night and Christmas night. So she wasn't here at 6 am when Ben and I went downstairs to see what Santa left us. She wasn't with us when we went to Grandmother's house either. She and Drew were here in time for Christmas at Meme's though. Then we came back to our house and did gifts here. We were a little rushed because Sarah was closing in on being up for 24 hours!

We had a wonderful time. I think we finally finished around 3 pm. So it was a LONG day, but it was full of excitement, surprises, laughter, and love. Now comes the Debbie part of Christmas, taking it all down and packing it all up...until next year!

Graduation and Mission Arlington

Friday, December 9th, 2011, I graduated from Mississippi State University. I wore tassels from PKP and KDP. The words "Summa Cum Laude" were beside my name in the program. The ceremony didn't last too, too long. I just can't believe it's over. I'll start teaching January 9th in Louisville, MS. I'll be the new 4th grade Reading/English teacher. I'm ready to get my room set up, but right now, it just doesn't seem real. So glad I have a family that supports me through everything.

Shaking President Keenum's hand.

Graduation was a little different. Daddy and Ben were not able to come. The whole family came to Starkville Thursday night and we celebrated then. That was wonderful, but it still just wasn't the same without everyone being there. Thankfully, my wonderful mother and sister were able to come. And I know Daddy and Ben were with me in spirit the entire time.

Sarah and Drew got me a pretty Mississippi State picture frame (very suitable for the family picture with me in my cap and gown) and an insulated MSU cup! Momma and Daddy got me....a Cannon Rebel camera! I could NOT believe it! I was hoping to get a new camera, but I figured it would be a little Kodak one like I've always had. This completely trumps all the other cameras out there. I absolutely love it and I'm just looking for reasons to take pictures now! Meme got me a George Forman grill, so I'm going to try that gift out tonight for dinner!

The day after graduation, a group of us loaded up and headed to Arlington, Texas. We have done this for 3 years now. We go to Mission Arlington and volunteer for a few days. MA is absolutely amazing. Right now the Christmas Store is going on. Adults with children can come in and shop for their children. They get 1 large gift, 2 small gifts, and 1 book per child. However, before they can enter the store, they hear the Christmas story and have a chance to make a decision for Christ. We did a wide variety of jobs this year. We stood at the entrances to parking lots to direct cars, delivered bikes, went door to door at apartment complexes, moved a lot of boxes, worked in the Christmas store, and worked in the bins.

Mission Arlington has a special place in my heart. Blessings rain down on us whenever we go. Yes, they work us hard all day long, but it's all for the Kingdom. Even down to the smallest, insignificant job, it is something that has to be done, so why not us?

This is our group with Heather and Mrs. Tillie. Wonderful people, wonderful ministry, wonderful memories. Looking forward to going again!