Marshmallow is Sick :(

I was going to post a Favorites on Fridays post, but I am just not in the mood. The kids' hamster, Marshmallow, is sick and I don't think it will be long until she is no longer with us. We took her to the vet today. Her body temperature is very low and one of her eyes is shut and I'll spare you the rest of the details. It is all just so sad. I contemplated whether or not to take her to the vet because I could have bought four new hamsters for the same cost as a vet visit, but I wanted the kids to know that I cared enough to try everything. :(

Loving the "Grouchy Lady"

Yesterday, Caroline, Luke, and I were mailing some letters at a mailbox in a parking lot. It was one of those mailboxes where you just drive up, roll your window down, and put the letters in. The kids wanted to come up to the front seat and put the letters in for me, so I divvied the letters up and they started to put them in the mailbox. Well . . . this lady was behind us and she started yelling at the top of her lungs, "C'mon . . . we don't have all day!!!" She was yelling so loudly that people in the parking lot actually stopped walking and looked our way. Of course the kids quickly scrambled to their seats and buckled up faster than they have ever buckled before. My immediate reaction was to get out of the van and sarcastically say, "Does somebody need a hug?"

But I didn't want this to happen. . .

So instead, I waved apologetically and explained to Luke and Caroline that some people are just not happy so they take it out on people like us. We decided that she needs Jesus to be in her heart. :)

I take everything personally (a BIG flaw of mine) so, of course, I let this grouchy lady ruin the rest of my day. For some reason, I keep thinking about her and I am going to start praying for her with the kids. I want them to know that even though she was mean to us, we should love her and pray for her and maybe someday she will not be grouchy. I know that there MUST be something in her life that is taking away her happiness. There must be. We'll never know, but hopefully one day her heart will soften and she will start counting her blessings. ;)

p.s. and if you have never watched the movie ELF . . . watch it!! (don't wait until Christmas)

Favorites on Fridays . . . Like Oprah's "O" List, But Not Really

Jake's Favorite Book Series: Red Rock Mysteries by Jerry B. Jenkins and Chris Fabry

Jake cannot put these books down!! There are 15 in the series and he is on book 14. What will we do when he is all finished?? The kids in his class love them, too. He likes the suspense in them as well as the good Christian messages. He reads at least an hour every night . . . I have to get him to stop!! (I used to have to MAKE him sit down and read 20 minutes. . . shows you they are gooood books!)

Happy Birthday, Sweet Caleb

A few weeks ago, we celebrated Caleb's (my sister's son) second birthday. Look at those blue eyes. He was in all his glory with his cousins. :) (he LOVES people!)

The cake.

The "blowing out the candles" sequence of pictures.

Waiting . . .

Getting ready to blow. . . Blowing. . .
So proud. :) Eating . . ."Happy Birthday, Caleb!! Yaaaayyy!"

The Grandmas.

The Grandpas.

Opening the presents . . .
Taking pictures of the celebrity . . .

Happy Birthday, sweet Caleb . . . we sure love you. You are a blessing to us!!

More About Flowers

How funny!! Yesterday, Caroline and I were focusing on how beautiful flowers are and how nice it was of God to create them for us. Then this morning when we opened up our devotional book, guess what it was about?! Yep! How nice it was of God to give us plants and flowers!! I LOVE when that happens! :)

"He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man."

Psalm 104:1

By the way . . . this is the devotional book Caroline and I have been using. We really like it. (It is written by Diane Cory and it is published by Legacy Press)

A Little Taste of Spring

I love winter, and you know I looooove snow, BUT . . . I have had enough of these dreary, wet days. I am officially ready for spring!! Unfortunately, it is still January. Sooooo . . . Caroline and I bought some beautiful spring flowers to cheer us up a bit. I wish you could smell this over the computer . . . it smells so wonderful. Every time I walk into the kitchen, I can smell it and it makes me happy.

These flowers were only buds when we bought them. We just got finished with our plant unit, so it has been really fun to watch them quickly grow and to identify all of their parts.

We planted this Amaryllis a couple of weeks before Christmas and it is now in full bloom. I love this flower because the parts are so identifiable.

Flowers are truly a blessing from God.
Psalm 104:13

"The earth is satisfied with the fruits of Your works."

SUPERBOWL!!

Congratulations to a former fourth grade student of mine, Jermon Bushrod. (he was in the first class I ever taught) He is number 74 on the New Orleans Saints and I am so proud of him!!

photo: the Free Lance Star

AP Photo

I can't wait to cheer for him in two weeks!!