Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Joyful Journey- Day Six

It's Tuesday and that means it's American Idol night. I'm really enjoying it this season. Adam, Kris and Danny are my favorites. I'm glad Scott had a good night.

I love the radio station I listen to here. It is part of the American family radio stations based here in Phoenix. A husband and wife team up for the morning show. Chris and Emilee provide a lot of fun and good times. They have a segment where they give the audience a mind bender to answer. Usually you can win cd's or something. I shared today's mind bender with my class. I had only one student figure out the answer. All of them enjoyed it so much, they wanted to come up with their own. It was a great way to fill time between our tests.

We made our monthly trip to Costco tonight. I love that store!!!! They didn't have our bagels, but that was okay. That place is always busy regardless of the day or time.

I want to wish a Happy Birthday to my uncle today. Ron, I hope you had a great day!!!

C.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Joyful Journey- Day Four

We had the opportunity to attend the Tempe Arts Festival today. He has a friend who was showing his glass art creations at the festival. It was a lovely day to be walking the streets admiring all the different artists' work. While I am not an artist, I felt very blessed to be able see others' work. I think I may have gotten some sun. Oh well, I was looking a little pasty. I was pretty tired when we left.

Afterwards, we made a trip to my parents to clean our car. It's always nice to start the week with a clean car.

My husband is fixing dinner tonight, so what more joy could I have. He is awesome!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Joy - Day Two

I am digging a little deeper today.

I was hoping to be joyful over a Kansas Jayhawks' basketball win tonight, but that was not meant to be. I can be joyful that they should be a great team next year.

I am joyful that I do not have to shovel a foot of snow tomorrow (sorry all my friends in Kansas). Shoveling sunshine is a whole lot more fun!!

I am joyful that my mom had us over for dinner tonight. It was nice not to have to fix something.

I am joyful that we both have jobs. While our jobs can be very challenging at times, it sure does beat the alternative. My class really enjoyed our report card celebration today!

Thanks for coming along with me on my joyful journey.
C.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Joy - Day One

Tomorrow is Friday!!!! It's also report card day. I have decided to celebrate both of these facts with a popcorn party. I am always looking for reason to have a party. In my devotion today, it talked about having joy in all circumstances. Daily I am challenged with this. Sometimes it feels easier just to be gloomy when times are tough. Well, that brings me to the popcorn party. We are down to our last nine weeks of this school year!!!! Surviving a nine weeks grading period is an accomplishment for sixth graders and teachers as well. Besides next week is state testing. Make note...class celebration next Friday to celebrate the end of testing.

This is day one of my joy blog. My goal is to find the joy in everyday life circumstances. Thank you for coming along in my joyful blog journey.

By the way, I was surprised by the behavior of my class today. All I can say is there is hope for the future after all.

C.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

We had a great time over at my parent's. The meatloaf was very yummy. We were also able to see the pictures from their trip to Israel. It was very neat getting a glimpse of the ancient biblical cities. I think my favorite part was the Western Wall. Someday I would like to visit Israel and walk those ancient city streets.

My dad and brother brought back some special gifts for us. I received a Jerusalem cross. It has one large cross with four smaller ones around it. The four crosses symbolize either the four gospels or the four corners that the gospel went out to. The five crosses symbolize the five wounds of Christ.

We just made a run to Sonic. I knew it is 11, but it's always a good time for a strawberry limeade.

Have a wonderful Monday!!



It's time to go over to my parent's for meatloaf. My mom makes the best!! Hope everyone has a great night!!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Junior Mints and Dr. Pepper All In A Friday Night

Well, it's Friday night and I am watching Gilmore Girls. I have my Junior Mints and Dr. Pepper beside me, so all is lovely. I am in the middle of season 5 and it is so good. I will be a little lost when I finish the series. I can't believe I missed this show when it was on.

As of 10:30 tonight my family has returned from all their travels. My dad and brother were the last to get back. They were almost afraid they would not get into Phoenix tonight, but everything worked out. We made one last trip to check on Max and Mimi before my brother got home. I enjoyed taking care of them. Maybe they will miss us!

I'm trying to decide how to spend my last two days of spring break. I know what I should do, but working on school stuff doesn't sound very exciting. Monday morning will be here before I know it, so I better do some planning.
I'm sure laundry and cleaning will be part of my weekend activities.

Thanks for listening to me chatter.

C.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Spring Break Day 4

Happy Spring Break day 4!!!! I can't believe it is Thursday already. I started my day early with a Dr.'s appointment. Just love those!! It was with a new Dr. so I was kind of unsure where I was going. Fortunately I allowed enough time and I was not late. Stopped at Walgreens to get some prescriptions filled and then it was time for a treat. Dunkin Donuts' have the best chocolate covered donuts. I was good.

My mom is coming back today, so we will be making a trip to the airport. I don't really like Phoenix's airport. Hopefully we will miss some of the afternoon traffic.

I have been getting some items checked off my list this week. I finally tackled the refrigerator yesterday. It's something I don't enjoy doing, but feel really good when it's done. Let's just say it's time for a trip to the grocery store!

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous here in Arizona. Today we are to reach 90 for the first time this year. That is a little warm, but I won't complain. 90 will seem very cool in a few months.

I guess I better get back to my list!
Have a wonderful day!
Cheri

Monday, March 16, 2009

Day One of Spring Break

I had a very nice first day of spring break. Nothing too exciting or earth shattering. I did get to talk to my dad and brother from Israel. It sounded like they were having a really good time. They are about nine hours ahead of me, so they were getting ready for bed.
I spent some time cleaning off our patio. If we are going to use it, this is the time do so before the heat comes. I have a couple of plants that seem to be growing well there. At least I have not killed them yet!!
I started a new book this week. It is called,
Luke's Story. It is written by Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. I plan to dive into it as soon as I finish watching my recording of Dancing with the Stars. Melissa did a great job tonight!

Time for some reading!!!
Cheri

Sunday, March 15, 2009

I have chosen Isaiah 41: 10 as my next Siesta memory verse.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

I can not say enough great things about the devotional, Streams in the Desert. Today's lesson centered around that heaven is "being filled with earth's broken lives." "God is building his kingdom with the broken things of earth." Wow! I had never thought about it in that way before. Success to God is not the same as it is to us. Praise God! Whatever your circumstances maybe, God can mend those broken pieces and raise you up to a higher purpose.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

A Little of This and A Little of That

Spring break is here!!!!!! I am excited. We don't have much planned and I'm happy about that. It should be a
nice, relaxing week!!

Pi Day
Pi day seemed to be a success. I would probably do some things differently, but overall I think they had a good time. Thanks Safeway and Frys for donating the pies!! Unfortunately I left a few pieces out at school. I thought I had them with me, but when I got home they were not there. Not good!!!!!! Hopefully the custodian threw them away.

Update on the cats and the orange tree:
My brother's cats seem to be doing okay. We had trouble getting into his complex tonight. Some guy behind us finally came up and said, "Can I put my code in. I really need to get home!!" I'm also happy to report that no scorpions have been found at his house. He always seems to have some this time of year. The orange tree is not dead, so that is good. This is probably my parent's third try at growing one. I guess you could say my dad is persistent. My mom will be on home hopefully next Thursday from Kansas. My dad and brother should be home next Friday from Israel. I hope everyone is having a good time!!

That's the update for today. Time for bed!
Cheri

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Dressing Cute in A Recession

I was reading Kelly's Korner blog today and she was discussing dressing cute in a recession. She always looks adorable! I love finding great deals on clothes, so I was anxious to hear her ideas. A few of the stores I enjoy shopping at are Kohl's and T.J. Maxx. "Sale" is a good four letter word and you can always find them at those stores. Kelly also mentioned Walmart. She included some pictures of some really cute clothes you can find there. I will have to check it out this weekend!

I love finding great deals on everything. I had forgotten about the Dollar Tree until tonight when I needed paper plates for our Pi day on Friday. I walked out with 70 plates and 100 forks for under $6.00!!!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

I'm just spoke with a manager at Safeway and it looks like they will donate pies for our Pi day celebration at school this Friday!!! Yea!! I have never held a Pi day, so this will be very interesting. It should be a great way to cap off the week before spring break. Can I just say that spring break can not come fast enough!!

I guess I should do some grading since I so far behind. Have a wonderful evening!

Cheri

Monday, March 9, 2009

We are in the process of baking barbecue chicken for supper. I have burned fingers on both hands, so I am having to stop every few seconds to put ice on them. I guess cooking and me don't mix!! hehe

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Happy Wednesday!!! I can't believe the week is almost over. Spring fever is definitely in the air. That sounds weird to say since I live in Arizona, but it's true. My class is so talkative. They always have been, but I swear it's getting worse. If they would just concentrate for 5 minutes so we could get through circumference of a circle, I would be a happy teacher!!

I'm watching American Idol right now. I was happy to see Scott from Scottsdale make it through to the top 12. His family attends my parents' church. He has been blind since the age of 2, but has not let that stop him. He is a very gifted musician. I can't wait to hear him sing and play the piano!

Unfortunately, I have inherited my mom's lactose intolerance. Ice cream is pretty much a staple in my family's refrigerator. I, on the other hand, can go years without even buying it. Once in a great while, I will get the urge to eat some. Well, Safeway had Breyers on sale today. Buy one - get one free. I decided to take advantage of this awesome sale. I bought some Breyer's coffee flavored and french vanilla ice cream. I had some when I got home and I'm doing okay, but I'm thinking I might not have anymore for quite some time.

It's time for some KU basketball!
Cheri




Sunday, March 1, 2009

It's time for another Siesta memory verse. This time I have chosen Matthew 6:33.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

I became re-aware of this verse from the blog "His Treasured Possessions." She mentioned this verse had been used by Gary Thomas at the Focus on Marriage seminar conducted by Focus on The Family. Gary said we needed to become God-centered spouses. He used this verse to answer the question, "How do I bring God's kingdom into this home?" This spoke volumes to me, so I decided to use for my scripture memory.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Sunday!
Cheri