I Want to Be at the END of the List...

Kelly's List that is...Kelly created this blog where she has posted all the names of women longing to have a baby. Whether it be through adoption, naturally concieving, holding a baby to term, or through IVF, all the women listed have the desire to be a mother. She also has a list of women to pray for that are hoping to find a life-long companion to share their life with. It is pretty amazing to see the number of women out there with the same desires and frustrations as mine. Kelly posted on her blog that within 6 weeks of having this blog and 6 weeks of prayer for these ladies, 11 women have discovered they are pregnant!!! What an awesome gift from God this Christmas!!!

Kelly posts all the praises at the end of the list, so you can see which women have been successful in their journey. This is where I hope to be SOON....at the END of the list!

Psalm 86:1-7
Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to You. Save me, for I serve You and trust You. You are my God. Be merciful, O Lord, for I am calling on You constantly. Give me happiness, O Lord for my life depends on You. O Lord , You are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask Your aid. Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry. I will call to You whenever trouble strikes, and You will answer me.

Thankful Thursday (Times Three)...

Thursdays are when I post about three things that I am most thankful for that week. Here is my list for this Thankful Thursday (Times Three)...

1. Seeing my family for Christmas...

My parents have spoiled me rotten this year. Not only did they drive from Houston all the way to Jacksonville, Florida to see us for Thanksgiving, but they are making the trip AGAIN this weekend for Christmas. I will be doubly blessed on Christmas Eve, because my #1VBF and my sister will be here too. This is going to be one special Christmas for me :)

2. Scripture...

I have joined Angie Smith's Sundays group and have decided to memorize Psalm 139 this month. We have only memorized the first six verses, but it has really made me realize that God has a plan, He knows what will happen next, and that I should trust Him...He KNOWS!

3. Christmas Break...

There are many things that I have enjoyed about being in education for the past 13 years...teaching children, the relationships I've made with my co-workers, and HOLIDAY breaks :) Only two more days of school and I am off until January 5th!!!

What three things are you most thankful for this Thursday???

Being Mary Instead of Martha....

My best friend send this devotional to me yesterday and it is SO true....at least for me it is. Read this verse and summary and then I'll explain...

"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said." Luke 10:38-39

Martha had the privilege of hostessing Jesus. Jesus actually came to her house. Instead of sitting at His feet like her sister Mary did, Martha worked and actually complained to Jesus that Mary wasn't helping her enough. Jesus gently chided Martha, and affirmed Mary's choice to sit and spend time with Him in the middle of all the work that had to be done.

I laughed as I read this devotional because I am SO guilty of trying to be Martha...not just Martha in this verse but Martha Stewart too! I have a VERY difficult time sitting down...don't get me wrong, I love to sit and watch my favorite shows that I've taped all week in the comfort of my own home...but while I'm watching the television (or really listening to the television), I am also checking emails, reading blogs, cooking dinner, washing a load of clothes, making greeting cards, cleaning the kitchen cabinets, checking my twitter, vacuuming, feeding the dog....need I go on??? I pride myself in being a MAJOR multi-tasker, but this is getting out of control!! Now I must admit that I do take the time in the mornings and devote my entire drive to work to Jesus. I reflect on the verse I have chosen for the day, say thanks to Him for all the many blessings I have received, pray for all the people on my P-List (Prayer List), and ask for a peaceful and productive day. But, what I really feel as if I should do is just STOP!!! Set aside more time than that daily morning drive for Him. Let the dishes pile up in the sink, let the DH help with washing the clothes, spend more time with the DH and my puppy, and overall just set aside MORE time for Him. After reading this devotional I made a promise to myself to try and be more like Mary, not Martha. But I'm going to need some help. Would you join me?


Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Jesus to be a companion during my hectic days. Help me to remember that peace can only be found when I choose to set aside the pressing demands of my life, and quiet myself with You. Teach me to look for Jesus' presence in the middle of my hectic schedule. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

The Stockings Were Hung..

I just had to brag about an AWESOME teacher at my school, Kathy Keel. She is not only teaching our students how to sew, but she's also teaching them the true meaning of CHRISTmas.

Our students in the dance and theatre departments take a sewing class to help them learn how to make costumes. I observed Ms. Keel's class on Friday and was so excited to see that she was teaching them how to make stockings. But not just any stockings...let me explain.

Ms. Keel's daughter told her that for Christmas this year, she wanted to donate some items to a local hospital. Ms. Keel starting thinking about what items they could donate. She decided to have her classes make 50 fleece blankets to donate to the hospital. While her class was making the blankets, one of our parents donated swatches of material from her furniture store. Ms. Keel's wheels started spinning and came up with a WONDERFUL idea. She'd have the students create stockings out of the swatches and donate them all to the hospital. Check out these stockings...they are BEAUTIFUL!!

Ms. Keel and one of our students...

The swatches of material donated...


This was my favorite stocking...I LOVE IT!


More samples of the stockings....


Aren't these just the cutest stockings you've ever seen?

I am so proud of our students AND Ms. Keel. What a great example of the true meaning of CHRISTmas :)

And speaking of Christmas...if you haven't participated in my Christmas Door Tour, please visit the previous post and join in the fun!

Christmas Door Tour...

Today is the first annual Growing Our Own Garden's Christmas Door Tour!!!

Here are the pics of my Christmas front door...

This is a pic of all our decorations at our front door.

Our theatre department at school has a poinsettia fundraiser each year and I always buy a few...I think their poinsettias are just beautiful. I won the metal stocking from Southern Living Home and I think it looks great with the leftover garland from my mantel.

We have the BEST florist shop I have EVER seen...Kuhn's Florist. For the past two years, I have gotten a real wreath and the pine scent is so intoxicating!

My toy soldier is probably my MOST FAVORITE Christmas decoration. My mom bought him for me over 10 years ago and I look forward to putting him out at my front door each year.

Okay, you've seen my front door, now it's your turn! This is how it works...add your link to Mr. Linky below and leave a comment so we can visit your Christmas Door. I can't wait to see how creative you all are!

Maxine Monday and the Reason for the Season...

During the holiday season, it is very easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas...buying too many gifts, going into debt, and unfortunately, sometimes we forget the real REASON for the season. Maxine said it best in this cartoon...

I can gaurantee you that socks are NOT what Mary and Joseph had in mind.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."~Isaiah 9:6

And the Winner is...

Here are the names of those that entered the Christmas Card and Gift Tags giveaway:

1. Alyson

2. Kristy

3. Jordan

4. Miss Anne

5. Mary

6. Heather

7. Petrii

8. Krysta

9. ACC-Mom/Angela

10. Kendra

11. ZentMrs

12. Brandy and Jonathan Crumly

13. Cathy

14. Faith

15. Dottie

I thought I would do the drawing a little different this time. Just to make it a little more fun.

I cut up all the names and put them in a bowl.

I shook up the names REAL good.

I had the DH draw a name from the bowl...I thought he might get a kick out of participating :)

And the winner is....

ZentMrs!!!!

Please email me your address and these cards and gift tags will be on their way!! Congrats!

Merry Christmas and thanks to all of you for particpating! If you are interested in purchasing some of my cards or tags, please visit my Etsy Store to the right on the sidebar.