HILARIOUS!

Ok, so I couldn't resist sharing this with the world. It is just too funny for words. I've watched it a million times, and every time it just gets more hilarious to me. Enjoy...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gUpfqO7jIwc

Sunday Mornings...

Ben and I have been teaching in the 11 o'clock Young Toddlers class for four years now! It is crazy how the time has flown by, and I was reflecting today on just how blessed we have been to serve in this ministry. We have the privilege of getting to know so many Godly parents and children. It is neat to see how Christ is woven into their lives from such an early age.

One of the coolest things we get to experience, are the relationships we develop with some of the families as their 1st born, then siblings, come through the room. I cherish the time I get to spend with such Godly counsel.

Ben and I have started babysitting for a few of the families. Last Friday we got to sit for 5 yr. old Jake and 2 yr. old Jed Simpson. We played with Jake's new bike, ate popsicles, and watched Garfield & Friends!

On Friday we are going to spend 3 whole days with the cutest kids in town, Lauren and Luke Rumley. We can't wait to take them to the water park, playground, and some other special treats while their mom and dad are out of town.

I learned today that another one of our toddler families lost their 3rd baby to miscarriage suddenly this week. The sweet mommy sent me a text this afternoon just letting me know she appreciated the love I was able to share with her toddler at Sunday School. Just hugging her little one helped her to know how much we're hurting for them.

I'm so thankful to the LORD that he has entrusted us with these precious ones. They are a sweet spot in my week, and I pray that each of them comes to the knowledge of our Savior quickly. He is our only hope in a fallen world.

A New Song

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They're bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won't let me go
And is the reason why...


I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved


Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams
and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It's grace I'm standing on

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I've worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

- Natalie Grant "Will Not Be Moved"

Trainee Turned Instructor!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have officially... become a Jazzercise instructor! Thanks to all of you that have been praying for me and encouraging me to keep on going! I was really nervous this week preparing for the written test and audition, but everything last night went amazingly well. I felt very at peace and had a lot of fun.

Today and tomorrow I will be heading back to Dallas to attend seminars that will help me put sets together, perfect my "moves," and learn the business end of the franchise. I plan to be teaching my own classes in only a couple of weeks! Very exciting! I was telling Ben last night that it is really neat to go after a goal and accomplish it. It has been a very fulfilling process. I am so excited about helping other people achieve personal fitness in a healthy and FUN way!

Countdown Mode

One of the best things about teaching 5th grade is that the end of the year goes by quickly. As 5th graders- (the top of the elementary school food chain!) we get a few extra priviledges. We have a kickball tournament with the kiddos for the last week of school and also have a swimming party on June 4th (June 5th is our last day of school). Truly, we are in countdown mode! In honor of the end of the school year, I thought I would add to my blog a very important list that all teachers will smile and agree with!

You Know You're a Teacher When...
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE A TEACHER?by Jeff Foxworthy
1. You can hear 25 voices behind you and know exactly which one belongs to the child out of line.
2. You get a secret thrill out of laminating something.
3. You walk into a store and hear the words "It's Ms/Mr.> _________" and know you have been spotted.
4. You have 25 people that accidentally call you Mom/Dad at one time or another.
5. You can eat a multi-course meal in under twenty minutes.
6. You've trained yourself to go to the bathroom at two distinct times of the day: lunch and planning period.
7. You start saving other people's trash, because most likely, you can use that toilet paper tube or plastic butter tub for something in the classroom.
9. You want to slap the next person who says "Must be nice to work 8 to 3 and have summers off."
10. You believe chocolate is a food group.
11. You can tell if it's a full moon without ever looking outside.
12. You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says "Boy, the kids sure are mellow today."
13. You feel the urge to talk to strange children and correct their behavior when you are out in public.
14. You believe in aerial spraying of Ritalin.
15. You think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.
16. You spend more money on school stuff than you do on your own needs.
17. You can't pass the school supply aisle without getting at least five items!
18. You ask your friends if the left hand turn he just made was a "good choice or a bad choice."
19. You find true beauty in a can full of perfectly sharpened pencils
20. You are secretly addicted to hand sanitizer and finally,
21. You understand instantaneously why a child behaves a certain way after meeting his or her parents.

A sigh of relief!

I am excited to say I have good news on the Jazzercise front! I taught two more songs today and they went great! I think I am finally starting to ease in to being comfortable on stage. Any time you are put on the spot in front of people there is risk involved--- but hey, how would we experience anything without trying, right? I got two Jazzercise instructor shirts and a new pair of shoes, so now I feel like I'm suited up for the job.

In other news, our best friends Nick and Elisabeth Srader are having a HUGE celebration tomorrow! Nick is graduating from Criswell College!! These two have been our long time friends (aka family) since we moved to Denton over 5 years ago. It has been amazing to kind of "grow up" together as married couples. I'm so proud of Nick's accomplishment and I can't wait to par-tay tomorrow at their house after the ceremony. I am truly blessed to have such a great friend in Elisabeth, and Ben and I are so thankful to the LORD that we are able to share this wonderful weekend with them!

Jazzercise "Junkie" turned "Flunkie"

So I'm writing to blow off a little frustration with myself. I am admittedly a Jazzercise Junkie. Those of you who are into Jazzercise probably understand this term. It is given to those people that attend regularly and the instructors can call you by name... if you aren't there-- they wonder what is wrong!

I decided to turn my passion into something more... I have decided to try out to be a Jazzercise instructor. It may sound easy, but my friends, it is no simple task. Because Jazzercise is a franchise- I actually buy into the company and become a franchise part owner. It will be a great Tax write-off, and investment. Besides the financial commitment, there is a staunch try out procedure. On the weekend of June 13-15th- I will travel to Dallas to audition. There I take a written exam (on exercise physiology and anatomy), turn in CPR certification, take several classes, and then perform 2 out of the 10 routines I have learned ahead of time. These are pulled at random, and you have to teach them to the other people that are trying out, who act as your students.

All of that said, I have spent the last several weeks learning how to teach the routines I thought I knew. It is completely different when you are standing on a stage, listening to the music, many people standing and staring at you for direction. Not to mention I am somewhat of a "spatially challenged" person- and I am trying to say "Grapevine right" when my body is moving left. You also have to make sure you cue far enough in advance that people get the direction- but not too far ahead.

So today I feel I had my first flop as a future instructor. I have been practicing and practicing the routines, and my mentor, Anne, had been preparing me to get on stage and do the real thing for a real audience. When I tried my hand at it today-- well, I have to say I just need to keep my chin up and keep trying. I came home sobbing, feeling somewhat embarrassed and thinking that some of these people might not be too excited about the new instructor joining the team! It seemed that every thing I had practiced flew right out of my head. I know that my "Type A" personality doesn't leave much room for error, but it is hard for me to give myself any grace when I feel there are people paying to have a good workout!! :)

So my husband has graciously offered to be my guinea pig student and let me practice in front of him so I can get my jitters out, and hopefully not feel like such a "Jazzercise Flunkie" next time. If any of you are interested in joining me for some practice sessions, let me know. I could really use the help and experience from my friends.

So if any