Hand n' hand

Thanking God...

2011-05-23T17:22:00.002-05:00

~♥ Thanking God for our newest blessing ♥~

♥Alexander Dwayne♥

May 22 2011
Dwayne & Stephanie

It seemed like forever that we were waiting for you,

Waiting patiently, then impatiently for you.

And now you are here.

Together we are sharing laughter,

memories and tears

We are loving unconditionally

a miracle we just met

knowing already,our hearts belong

to you.

Fear...

2011-05-17T18:09:00.000-05:00

Fear has roared at me this week. Dared me to turn back.
And I have listened more than I'd like to admit.
I read these words...

"We're called to chase lions. There is an old aphorism 'No guts, no glory.' When we don't have the guts to step out in faith and chase lions, then God is robbed of the glory that rightfully belongs to Him."
-- Mark Batterson

I swallow hard and the fear stays.
I talk to friends, pace the floor, have trouble going to sleep at night.
Then this morning I'm sipping coffee. And I start telling God how big He is and how He can do anything.
Anything.
When I look back at the fear, that lion roaring at me, it seems so much smaller sitting alongside the God of the Universe.
And I realize it's been that way all along.
Fear roars at me again.
But this time it sounds more like...

Meow.

I chase it out the door.

Silly cat.

And I turn instead to all God has for me.

♥ 2 ♥ with Holley

This post by Holley reminds of of the constant fear that Manitobans feel as they battle to keep the flooding under control. They have the guts to step out in faith and chase the lions. Below are pictures of the Assiniboine River right next to our community.Our people have been helping with the sand bagging in the Portage and Elie area for three days now. While the water levels were high, along with the levels of anxiety, we DID NOT have to evactuate nor did our cows lol. Some of the stories going around are so dumb! Yes, we were worried, but were safe through it all.

Road out of colony

Shore starts way in middle photo where first trees can be seen-shore is underwater

seepage before the dug through holes through roads so it could flow away

Finally...

2011-05-02T18:06:00.004-05:00

I finally have a reason to update...and what a joyous update it will be!!!!!!!! :P

the tracing...
the cutting...
the tedious job sewing together of 1 x 1 inch pieces...
the hours of listening to my itouch play numerous songs over n over again...
my moms encouraging, "Tuah, geh mochs goh'uh"...
moms assistance...
& my rugs journey...
has finally
come to an
end...

only to be stepped apon :(

I totally love it... Some people probably look down on Fortrel Rugs...Why I can't figure out because they can be gorgeous... Here is the master piece...

This is the day...

2011-04-18T09:58:00.001-05:00

that you get to begin a new week.
This is the day...
that you're loved just as you are.
{1 John 4:18}
This is the day...
you have everything you need.
{2 Peter 1:3}
This is the day...
that victory is yours.
{Romans 8:37}
This is the day...
that God has made.
{Psalm 118:24}
There's never been one like it before and there will never be again. You're in this moment, time, place for a purpose and you've got what it takes to fulfill it.

♥ 2 ♥ with Holley

HAHA and haha

2011-04-07T17:45:00.000-05:00

My weekly source of inspiration...

2011-04-04T15:15:00.003-05:00

You've got something to give.

Something good and right and true.
Something fashioned in heaven and placed in your heart.
Something we need and it's beautiful.
Maybe it's a smile.
A little kindness.
That dream you're ready to start living.
You matter.
Oh, how you do.
The God who flung stars into place, who holds the world in His hands, who makes all things possible lives in you.
And this week will be better because of what you two do together.
Watch out, world, here comes you...

♥ 2 ♥ with Holley

~ I don't know about you, or if you've even ever encountered ♥ 2 ♥ with Holley but when I get the weekly email from the website I subscribed to my heart skips a beat because.... I know it contains something beautiful I need to read the moment I receive it...something beautiful that will touch my soul and make me realize I do make a difference, what I do matters, and the world would miss me if i wasn't around ;).
When I open my inbox I painstakingly wait for my browser to open this weeks write up from Holley and when it's finally on my screen I take a deep breathe and I start reading... by the time I'm done reading the stress and anxiety that weight heavy on my heart wash away and I feel like I'm sipping on a cup of herb tea, feet propped up, with a box of chocolates in my lap. That's my idea of relaxation and the message I get weekly makes me feel like that without even actually doing it...Does that even makes sense?? I don't know but to me it does ;).
Every week my soul gets comforted and uplifted by the personal context and bible verses Holley so graciously shares with the souls in need of enlightenment. Our existence, yours, mine, every bodies, is a miracle and every week is a gift... not just another 24/7 era of hair pulling stress waiting to be put into motion.

Inspired?! You better be! :)

Subscribe to messages by Holley: http://holley.dayspring.com/

Card I made at a recent card makin' party-I love how it turned out!

Good News for a New Week

2011-03-21T12:27:00.001-05:00

I stand in front of the mirror and brush hair, teeth, thoughts from my mind. But the worries keep coming as I consider a new week.

If that doesn't work out...what then?

If I really can't do it...what then?

If something happens...what then?

I quietly whisper a prayer and it seems my heart hears a response that begins with those same two words:

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Romans 8:31-32

The sentences that follow say I'm more than a conqueror and nothing can separate me from God's love.

I breathe deep of grace, love, victory, hope that's secure.

And I can dare to walk into a new week with my heart held high.

♥ 2 ♥ with Holley

Our next big Adventure

2011-03-16T15:41:00.002-05:00

It started out with a wild idea and 4 pieces of 2ft by 1ft wood. I was out to make learning about animals interesting for my Science students. My goal: to make learning interesting. I taught the same unit 2 years ago with other students and planned the unit using research projects as assignments for the animal classifications of reptiles, mammals, birds, insects, fish and amphibians. I soon came to despise the idea of grade 2 and 3 students having to do tedious research papers instead of something exciting and fun. Yes, they are informative but give a child a 2 inch book to go through to find information and you’ve got some discouraged kiddies on your hands. So I pondered for a couple days until a light bulb went on and my pen flew over my paper making plans for our next big adventure.

Before we started this mysterious project I planned a shopping trip to acquire the few supplies we would need to make this project a success. United Unlimited in Winnipeg and they had an amazing selection of small plastic animals… even if the place does smell funny. I bought some plastic greenery and rocks from Dollarama, made a batch of clay and off we were starting the next big adventure, one that will be talked about by its participants for weeks to come.

So last week on Friday I scheduled in an afternoon of fun for the scholars in my class room, hence the construction of the coolest animal habitats you have ever set eyes on were brought to life. Our goal was to make them look as realistic as possible and the outcome was astounding. I admit, I had my doubts about it and wanted to scrap the idea before we even began but I’m glad I didn’t.

We started out by mixing acrylic paint into the clay and off we went building a farm and forest for some mammals, birds and insects. My students worked hard to perfect the area that they were assigned to and feverishly toiled to make trees of out cut up toilet paper rolls, clay and plastic leaves. We made a stream running through the forest and out into an ocean for some fish and other sea animals. When we were done building the habitats we added the animals, plastic plants and let it dry during the weekend, eagerly awaiting Monday, anticipating all that was left to do and excited to give it another go.

On Monday we tackled the lake, swamp and jungle for reptiles and amphibians. Throughout the whole process the students stopped to admire their work, rightfully so, as they were doing an unbelievable job that surpassed any expectations that I had. We made trees with vines, a green-blue swamp, a lake and made a desert at the far end of our display. It was kind of hard to include all the habitats because a jungle can’t be right next to a desert so I had to make sure our approach was as realistic as possible.

Today we finally, got a start on the Arctic part of the habitats and it was probably the easiest to do seeing as we only had to make ice burgs, a partially frozen sea, mountains, waterfalls at the students request and thus completed our project. I’m impressed, to say the least. It was fun, educational and gave the students a chance to work together and be creative.

Our Next Big Adventure Complete:

~✿~ ❝Weekend project❞ ~✿ ~

2011-03-12T20:16:00.001-06:00

❃~Me n my sis have this thing for making scrapbooks to preserve memories of our darling nieces...so when we're blessed with one we enthusiastically set out to make an extravagant book of memories for them to look at when their older... or so their mommies have a place to put their pictures instead of a boring old picture album. BUT....'ahem'...I don't think any of them are finished yet, due to lack of time :(. We probably never even make it to 20 pages, I'm not sure but we do try. It's the thought that counts and the love that’s poured into the 'few' pages that we do make. So for part of today we put aside our sewing projects and spent some of our weekend making pages for Jaycee Kate♥ and these are the 2 pages I created so far. We decided on a εїзbutterflyεїз theme...it just fits.

♥~For the first time~♥ --something worth blogging about

2011-03-07T14:28:00.000-06:00

If one feels the need of something grand, something infinite, something that makes one feel aware of God, one need not go far to find it. I think that I see something deeper, more infinite, more eternal than the ocean in the expression of the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs because it sees the sun shining on its cradle.
-- Vincent van Gogh

♥Meeting Kaylee's baby sister, our newest miracle-Jaycee Kate-for the first time♥

~She's so small and beautiful...babies take your breath away when you see them for the first time ...and so many times after that. Kaylee wanted to hold her and said, 'tumel heh'uh'. Now Kaylee can sing "~~Winkle, Winkle Little Star~~ to her lil sis. What a doting big sis she'll be.♥~

-- Will post birth announcement at a later date--

♥Theeeeee Antler Lamp ♥

2010-12-26T20:38:00.001-06:00

Antler lamp I made for someone specail♥ with the help of my big bro and Daddy. I love how it turned out & guess what....it works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

~ * ~Gingerbread Christmas Trees with the Kiddies @ School~ * ~

2010-12-26T16:25:00.000-06:00

This year, instead of making the infamous Gingerbread houses we decided to avoid the whining and grumbling that usually occurs when constructing them and we took an easier route...Gingerbread Christmas trees made out of star shaped cookies...whining problem solved! It was, from my prespective, a lot more fun, because it wasn't as time consuming and difficult to constuct for the children. I took some photos to share with you...Enjoy. I hope you were all blessed with a joyous Christmas, surrounded by loved ones.

The first step was baking the cookies, which I did with my Early Years students. They did a great job, but unfortunately I didn't think of taking pics.:(

My sister made the paste for us that we used to glue them together and sooooooo the constructing began...

This was most likely the students favorite part...getting a container of candy to decorate .....& eat :P

& this is what the finished product looked like.

kola schutff....for lack of better things to update

2010-12-11T22:54:00.001-06:00

From this...

to this...hand embriodered roses n swirls (click to enlarge & then click on photo again)

some of this years Christmas cards I made

When you feel overwhelmed...

2010-11-12T10:45:00.002-06:00

Demands knock on my door.
Burdens beckon me to answer.
The to-do list stretches for miles.
I whisper, "I feel overwhelmed."
And in the stillness it seems I hear...
"Child, open your heart to Me instead of the demands of the day.
Lay those burdens at My feet, not on your shoulders.
Let go of your list and dare to embrace My grace.
I do not require you to be overwhelmed.
I enable you to overcome.
And with Me, you always will."

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

new shoes♥

2010-11-03T11:26:00.001-05:00

I think relationships are like new shoes....at first you don't want to walk through the muddy waters but sooner or later you are faced with circumstances in which you have to dive in or walk away...Diving in n deafeating the muddy waters proves that the shoes were made for you and at the end of the day no matter what you've been through you still loooove those new shoes... :P♥

i know...i'm such an idiot :o)

~Adventures in Miss Melissa's Classroom ;)~

2010-11-02T15:14:00.014-05:00

Welcome to My Classroom

To some it may not seem like much, but when I’m in my classroom I feel like I have a purpose. I feel like I’m doing something not only for myself, but for my students and my community. Yes, some days I want to scurry out at the end of the day without glimpsing back dreaming about days off which are nonexistent, as I’m well aware of. Some days I enjoy it so much I don’t want to leave. There are weeks that go by without a hitch and I feel like I’m doing something right. In those weeks/days teaching is almost easy, effortless so to speak, which leaves me blindsided and totally unprepared for the upcoming weeks that do not turn out to well. In these weeks I painstakingly get out of bed, treading on egg shells at that time already, in fear of damaging everything I encounter. These weeks can turn out to be a total dilemma and will be if I enter my class room having expectations of the individuals who learn there which they are incapable of fulfilling.

I wonder if I’m in denial… I must be to think that every day should go perfectly according to my plans. I’m not even in control and to think I am and to live like I am is just a set up for disappointment, yet still I do it . It’s on days like this when I foolishly put trust in myself and forget about trusting God to get me through.

Subsequently, at the end of the day I sit at my desk for maybe the second time that day, I go over my day plan and reflect on the events of the day. To my utter dismay we didn’t get as much done as I had anticipated. What do I do when we fail to accomplish as much as I had planned –I completely and utterly panic, thinking that I’m doing something so dreadfully wrong that it will take years of education under a different educator to correct my heinous errors . However, I’m hoping that’s not the case….

My point is this: When I trudge to school at 8:30 in the morning I shouldn’t be thinking that today will be a perfect day to teach my students all 20 Matter definitions, to make a flip book out of them, to finish the diorama we’ve been working on for weeks, to get the Math and Social Studies unit done, to teach 3 different grades 3 different ELA Lessons and all the while thinking I’ll have time to plan a new Science unit in-between. I should be walking to school thinking that today I get another amazing opportunity to teach my students, to watch then learn and to learn along with them. I should expect nothing and my students would be fulfilling and exceeding all the expectations I had for that day. Nobody, not even I, performs at the same level daily and I expect my students to be able to do just that some weeks. The less we seem to get done, the more I try to get done and it’s not working. Last week just didn’t work for any of us.

Therefore, this week I’m trying something different. I get up in the morning and I ask God to please show me what to do because I don’t know what that is anymore. I ask to be accepting of my students and their capabilities and most importantly I ask God to help me realize that I can’t make unreasonable expectations and wait for them to be accomplished no matter how reasonable they seem to me. I try to face the day with a more relaxed perspective. As I plan my day I reasonably ponder on whether we can get some things done that I have in mind to and then I remind myself that even if we don’t accomplish what we should today….it’s OK. If my students don’t learn about the entire world of Matter like I wanted them to, it’s OK because at least I taught them the concept of patience and acceptance. Those too, are valuable lessons, which they can apply to their lives, and even now as they journey through the years of their youth.

The moral of this story: No expectations are the best expectations.

Ohhhh and I think my classroom is worth bragging about so here are some photos I’ve been wanting to share for quite some time.

Calendar/Reading Area:

Library:

Play/Math Center & a just few of the Games I've made:

(Foam Story Boards for Math)

There you have it...an update that should keep up updated for months to come ;).

♥

Every once in awhile...

2010-09-01T21:12:00.006-05:00

So......wadddya say to an update :) There isn't much to write....well there is, but where do I start? I spent most of the day making my class room ready and I'll let you guess what the theme is for this years decorations...Let the guessing begin :-)

Most of my time is currently being consumed by baking for our annual bakesale...To tell you the truth I'm kind of sick of baking and everything that goes along with it. :s We got a few of our 'tomato work' done this week too. I'm actually looking forward to school starting, I think I need a change of scenery. As you can see I'm out of practice with the whole blogging/writing thing so goooodbye. :) Oh, I'll post a pic of my two latest projects:

Baby slipper with a hand embroidered bullion rose:

And a border I hand embroidered on one of my dresses:

Sorry so short but I have to get back into the game slowly. :)

♥Abi♥

2010-07-06T19:33:00.003-05:00

...been workin on Abigails album and these would be my latest additions. Figured I'd share since I need an update and I'm not in the mood to ramble :)

Angel of Wisdom

2010-06-24T19:34:00.003-05:00

There's something about these figurines that draws me in... another attempt at making a Willow Tree Angel.

♥

I ♥ to Create

2010-05-14T11:02:00.006-05:00

Lately, I've got the sewing fever and I hope It never goes away. I'm loving it lately!!! Here's what I've been working on:

This is called a Buddy Pack. It's a bag and toy all in one :-D

Another pattern I bought and I made one for Kaylee and gave it to her on her 1st Birthday on May the 11th. I think she loved it cause she grabbed it and hugged it. :) ♥ I can't believe she's a year old already. ♥

Baby Sandals:

These I made for Abigail and they look adorable on her. Used jean material so it would fray - love that look.

Always On The Go

2010-05-06T20:31:00.011-05:00

I don't really feel like rambling or in other words writing a post and I think one is long over due. The past few weeks have been filled with bustling about trying to use as much time as the day offers us. New projects have been started, we've said good-bye to loved ones, and celebrated birthdays to name only a few things that have occupied the duration of the past couple weeks. To end this post I will post a few pictures of the projects I've been working on after school:

I bought a pattern for these Mary Jane Baby Shoes online and have been trying it out. Love it.

Willow Tree Angel I made for a friend a couple weeks ago:

Latest Digital LO for Kaylees Album:

Latest Digital LO for Abigails Album:

Mothers Day Gifts we made with the kids at school-Flower pots:

Here's one I made:

There you have it...The boring life of a tired blogger...lol...

Rest in Peace Grandpa♥

2010-04-24T16:05:00.004-05:00

God Only Cries for the Living-Diamond Rio

God only cries for the living

'Cause it's the living that are left to carry on
An' all the angels up in Heaven
They're not grieving because you’re gone
There's a smile on their faces
'Cause you're in a better place than they've ever known
God only cries for the living
'Cause it's the living that are so far from home.

It makes me sad
When I think of my Grand-dad
I miss him each and every day
But I know the time will come
When we’ll wonder why he went away
Maybe we're not meant to understand
Till we meet up in the Promised Land.

You can listen to the song on the player at the bottom of my blog. It's near the end of the playlist.

~♥~ Earth Angels ~♥~

2010-04-21T13:17:00.007-05:00

Throughout my life there have been times

I’ve caught a glimpse of Heavens light,

Shining down upon this world of sin

I pause to take a look around,

I see the blessings in my life

Lord, You’ve sent us earth angels.

Chorus:

No, they don’t have wings

But they flutter in and we are,

Never the same again

For they have changed our lives.

Lord, You’ve sent us earth angels.

Family and friends are by my side

Through them you have lifted me,

And showed me just how much You care

As I walk my pace slows down, I stay behind

To glimpse upon Your earth angels.

Chorus.

I see a child cling to Mom and Dad

You’ve given them the gift of life,

When I get to hold them close, I see

The ray of hope I thought was lost

The miracle of life in disguise.

Chorus.

Some do have wings and have already taken flight

Loved but too precious to stay,

And so you called our Angel home

Before we ever held her close,

Baby you’ll live on in our hearts.

Chorus:

Yes, some have wings

They flutter in and we are,

Never the same again

For they have changed our lives

Lord, please hold our Angel close.

I really don't have a whole lot to write these days, not for lack of not trying though. It's just that either I don't have time or I'm ways to tired to write anything that makes sense. But this blog is in need of an update thus the lyrics.

Something I wrote back and January when I became the Auntie of ~Baby Angela~. I don't pretend to be good or claim to be a good writer, just so you know. I just write what comes to mind and as lifes moments bring pain and heartache we still have to take the time to remember the blessings. I guess writing is a way of coping with the 'not so pleasant' moments that life throws our way. It's supposed to be sung to the meoldy of 'Born A Star-by the Waldner Messengers'...with a few altered twists or whatever you want to call it. It was a little difficult to write it to that melody and get it to flow smoothly because the first verse has 6 lines and the others 5. And I don't know if it's a big deal that I used 'I' in the verses and 'we' for the chorus, but it made sense at the time. Now sing it for me and send me a recording..haha.

Written for my friends and in Memory of our baby Angel.

♥

A New Life

2010-03-29T19:43:00.001-05:00

I trust that You will see me through...I will walk on.

Spring Break Is SOOO On!

2010-03-26T14:22:00.002-05:00

Spring break is here!!!!!! I don't know what to expect though. Will I get some sleep in? I’ll probably try, but no matter how much I'd love to get some shut-eye during the day sometimes, for just an hour, sleep manages to elude me. I just can’t get my brain to slow down enough.

I think it's going to be like every other holiday- I'll enjoy at least one or maybe even two days of it and then I'll go crazy without the constant bustle of school and preparation for the next big project. The worst part of it all is breaks are when I actually get time to THINK- and that's scary, really, really scary! :)

To Do:
-Finish embroidering border on my dress
-Plan a Spring theme for school
-Plan a Social Studies Unit (if I'm really ambitious)
-Sew Human Rights Quilt for school

Now I just need encouragement to get all that done. I’m sure could add more but that’s what came to mind at the moment.

I couldn’t bring myself to make my students do work on the last day before spring break. Actually, truth is I was tired and decided we’d have a fun day. So last night I wrecked my brain for a fun activity to do and I decided we’d make Easter Bunnies out of clay and Model Magic. Of course, I gave them the ‘Easter bunnies have nothing to do with Easter’ speech first and then we were off. They did a super job and they look so cute. I got the idea from Madimaginations. She made hers out of fimo instead of clay. When we were done I sealed them with a layer of Modge Podge (awesome craft glue) and the kiddies proudly took their Bunnies home. (Mine is the 3rd one from the left)

♥

εïз Like a Butterfly εïз

2010-03-24T17:28:00.000-05:00

I was working on a demo for an art project yesterday - a Magic Box aka Exploding Box. Sounds dangerous?! It really isn't. :) I saw them on a blog online and decided to attempt them with the boys I have for Art. I get to do creative projects with the boys on days when my sister has her crafting class with the girls. I know I’ll need a lot of patience but I think we can do it! I’m definitely going to do a less complicated and smaller version with the students though. To save myself from headache I’ll probably end up doing the scoring and cutting of the box and leave the decorating to them.

I built a butterfly garden which turned out not nearly as cool as the one I saw online however I still kind of like the results. I might decide to do a Farm or Under the Sea scene for the boys.
Here are some photos of the Magic Exploding Box I created. It took forever but I really enjoyed it.

I included the following quote and with Baptism only a few days away, it reminded me of the whole concept. Emerging from a cocoon, which is our old self, and with faith, hope and strength we are transformed into a new creature. I really like the connotation. I think it’s my favorite part of the whole project.

εïз
Like the butterfly
I have the strength and the hope to believe
That in time
I will emerge from my cocoon…
Transformed.
εïз

For a simple, easy to follow tutorial visit this blog: Smile Always
It might take her a couple days to get the tutorial ready. I’ll post some of the boys’ projects at a later date when they have completed them. This is a photo of the box my sister made. I think it's pretty neat also.

♥

~♥~Through the Eyes of a Child ~♥~

2010-03-22T17:41:00.000-05:00

I added a new 'feature' to my blog. Check out the ~♥~Through the Eyes of a Child ~♥~ link in the right hand column to occasionally catch a glimpse of life through the eyes of my amazingly talented students. :)

Unfortunately, you won’t be able comment if you wish to do so. If you want you can always comment about it on one of my other posts.

I feel like I can’t keep the things they say to myself because at times they just seem to brighten my day no matter how grumpy I want to be. At times, they give me inspiration, and hope. So I want to share them with you and hope that the little things they say will make you laugh, be inspired or whatever it will be.

Be Inspired ♥

~His Magnum Opus~

2010-03-18T18:46:00.000-05:00

Magnum Opus

I’m not even sure I’m correctly pronouncing this word but nonetheless I like the sound of it, in fact I like the definition even more. The first time I laid eyes on it was while I was pondering over an inspiring, soul-lifting composition by one of my favorite authors- Max Lucado. In this beautiful piece of writing he stated, “We are Gods magnum opus.” The explanation for this strange, yet intriguing word is: the "masterpiece" of any given author or artist. No matter how many times I ponder it I still feel unworthy of being called Gods Masterpiece, how about you?

In addition to this wonderful fragment of literature, I also found this quote in Ephesians 2:10. "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." Surely, this is something we can strive towards and while some of us, including me, are in the process of baptism we can make it our goal to be His masterpiece as we journey onward. Bear with me, please, as I bring to light the ‘other’ main reason of this update .

I hung the words ‘magnum opus’ on my bulletin board a year or so ago in hopes of seeing it from time to time and gaining inspiration from it but alas the handymen in this house seem to have gone missing and it hasn’t gotten put up yet! So I was reminded of it under the strangest circumstances-during my science class, of all places. Starting a new unit always makes for lots of interesting discussions. If you’ve ever worked with children you know that they want to share their ideas, ALL at once. While we were talking about natural and man made structures and architects one of the students hesitantly asked, “Nuh weh ihsn duh architect vuh uhs?” “Who is the architect of us humans? Then he shyly went on to answer his own question with yet another one, “Ihes duh Himble Vuhtuh?” “Is it God?” To tell you the truth I was amazed and at the same time shocked that a 7 year old would make that connection. I never even considered making that connection but due to the child-like wisdom portrayed by a student I was reminded that He truly is the greatest architect of all. We, humans build museums, skyscrapers, monuments but He created this thriving earth along with all of its inhabitants and all the while making us in His image…His masterpiece. Holding a brush, our Holy Maker lovingly coaxed the canvas to life and painted a picture too beautiful for words. So we bow down, and we worship You Lord and all the while pray for the wisdom and strength to live up to Ephesians 2:10 and to be Your ‘magnum opus’.

♥

Welcome to Hand N Hand

2010-03-04T11:43:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the blog consisting of the ramblings and ravings of a tired Early Years teacher. I’m not kidding about the tired part but the occupation is worth it. Time and effort that goes into shaping who our children will be one day is time well-spent. Every time I walk into my classroom I stand amazed at the talents and abilities of each student. Some days I have to wonder who the teacher is because the small things a child can teach you are countless. Patience, acceptance, understanding…they’re a constant inspiration.

This blog will consist of ideas, projects, thoughts, and activities that my students participate in, in my classroom. I’ve had a personal blog before, which was neglected after awhile but I’m hoping that I’ll be consistent in updating this one. Since children are a true inspiration and a part of my every day I have no doubt that the motivation to keep this blog going will linger.

I want to share a prayer with you that goes through my mind so often. It hangs on my classroom door and gives me the courage to face each day.

Each time before I face my class,
I hesitate awhile, & ask the Father,
"Help me Lord to understand each child.
Help me to see each student
A precious soul most dear
And may I lead them
Through paths of wonder not of fear.
Dear Father as they look at me
For Christian guidance true
I look to thee & humbly ask
That thou shallt teach me too!"

Hand n' hand

Thanking God...

Fear...

♥ 2 ♥ with Holley

Finally...

This is the day...

♥ 2 ♥ with Holley

HAHA and haha

My weekly source of inspiration...

♥ 2 ♥ with Holley

Good News for a New Week

♥ 2 ♥ with Holley

Our next big Adventure

~✿~ ❝Weekend project❞ ~✿ ~

♥~For the first time~♥ --something worth blogging about

♥Meeting Kaylee's baby sister, our newest miracle-Jaycee Kate-for the first time♥

~She's so small and beautiful...babies take your breath away when you see them for the first time ...and so many times after that. Kaylee wanted to hold her and said, 'tumel heh'uh'. Now Kaylee can sing "~*~Winkle, Winkle Little Star~*~ to her lil sis. What a doting big sis she'll be.♥~

-- Will post birth announcement at a later date--

♥Theeeeee Antler Lamp ♥

~ * ~Gingerbread Christmas Trees with the Kiddies @ School~ * ~

kola schutff....for lack of better things to update

When you feel overwhelmed...

new shoes♥

~Adventures in Miss Melissa's Classroom ;)~

Every once in awhile...

♥Abi♥

Angel of Wisdom

I ♥ to Create

Always On The Go

Rest in Peace Grandpa♥

~♥~ Earth Angels ~♥~

A New Life

Spring Break Is SOOO On!

εïз Like a Butterfly εïз

~♥~Through the Eyes of a Child ~♥~

~His Magnum Opus~

Welcome to Hand N Hand

♥

~She's so small and beautiful...babies take your breath away when you see them for the first time ...and so many times after that. Kaylee wanted to hold her and said, 'tumel heh'uh'. Now Kaylee can sing "~~Winkle, Winkle Little Star~~ to her lil sis. What a doting big sis she'll be.♥~