Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Where did all the beautiful sunshine and warm weather venture off to? I mistakenly became excited with the few days of decent weather thinking that it might stick around for more than just a day or two. So that leaves Matt and me to sit around the house, watch television, and stare at each other while Mollie jumps from recliner to couch to floor and back to recliner again every time it thunders. Maybe I'll sleep well listening to the rain tonight.

School is going well for both Matt and me. At the middle school we're preparing for the ARMT and SAT 10. I guess since we live in a world full of alphabet soup tests...ACT...AGE...OLSAT...we might as well get used to teaching to the test. All my fellow teachers out there can sympathize with this nonsensical method of educating Alabama's youth; however, we must cooperate with the "powers that be," right?! My kids at school are TOTALLY burned out on reading passages and answering questions. Heck, I'm tired of going over the passages and explaining how to find the answers!!

Here's the highlight of my school day today: "Student A" stole "Student B"'s newest kicks from the locker room and wore them around school all day. "Student C" decided that I was the lucky teacher who needed to take care of the whole situation. Yay for me! Students have become professionals at wasting time and doing everything else in the world except English. In the same breath that I use to complain, I want to express my thankfulness to the Lord for my job and the blessing of His children in my life. I spend half my class time supplying pencils, paper, and kleenex to miniature people whom God created and loves more than I'll ever know. Welcome to my life, and praise God I have a job! Has God not called us to serve? I pray that God will give me a servant's heart. I truly desire to be His "good and faithful servant."

Tomorrow is day 2 of C25K (Couch to 5 K), and I'm hoping that I don't drown in the attempt! I'm hoping I'll enjoy being outside and spending time mellowing out after a day of work. Matt has track practice after school now, so I'm back to having some time to myself. I try to enjoy the time I have alone although I miss him dearly while he's at work. We're both extremely blessed to be working and busy doing the things we love.

I made hot spinach and artichoke dip with pita chips tonight. Here's the recipe I used:

2 boxes of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed
1 can of artichoke hearts, drained
8 oz of cream cheese
1/2 cup of sour cream
1/2 cup of parmigiano reggiano cheese
1/2 cup of your favortite cheese (I used a cheddar and colby mix)

Mix ingredients and bake at 350 for about 20-30 minutes. Yummm...

Matt and I are still hoping our house in Russellville will sell soon. Please, please pray for us as we have this in the forefront of our minds. I can't begin to explain the peace we have with our decision to move or how God has opened our eyes to His will for our lives; however, our fleshy hearts desire for someone to come along and cherish our home as much as we did. Therefore, let me finish this post with God's direction for our lives. Even if we don't quite know God's plan, we can lean on His Word. Proverbs 3:6 promises us, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Psalm 37:23 tells us, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord...." And Isaiah 30:21 informs us, "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left."

May God bless your week!

Searching His Will,
Coty

Welcome 2011!

Matt and I had a wonderful holiday season at home in both Andalusia and Florala with a dash of Orlando, FL sprinkled into the mix. We could hardly wait until school let out on Friday, December 18, 2010, but now I wonder where all the time off went! We spent the first half of the break in Orlando with Uncle Danny. We went to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. We still had to get our Disney "fix," so we went to all of the Disney resorts and Downtown Disney. I was able to take some great pictures at some of the resorts. I've posted more pictures on my Facebook profile.

We came back home on the 23rd, and if at any point we were in Florala, Matt (I only helped a little bit) picked up pecans, used the chainsaw, cut some firewood for his parents, split firewood, hauled firewood, picked up some more pecans, loaded up firewood in the truck, unloaded firewood off the truck, picked up pecans again, mowed the leaves, took pecans to the pecan house to be sold, fed pecans to Mollie, cracked pecans for me...let's just say, he kept himself extremely busy. It makes me tired just typing it all. He loves spending time on the farm, and I was so glad to see him doing the things he loves.













Mollie also took full advantage of being on the farm during the holidays. I think she ran from the time she was let out the door until we walked back into the house at the end of the day. Every night she would literally "crash" on one of us on the couch. She was an exhausted little dog. Honestly, I really think she loves spending time at Grandma and Grandpa's house in the refreshing, open air!! I know we do as well.



We also spent some time in Andalusia with my family. We played Dirty Santa for the first time this year, and we all had a blast! Granny's gift was stolen several times, which made the game hilarious, and I'm thinking that this tradition may continue in the years to come! Granny and Momma made a wonderful meal, Uncle Danny made some fab desserts (carrot cake, strawberry pies, ambrosia...yummmm), and Tay, Hunter, and I brought some appetizers. Matt and I miss spending time around the table with our families during the year, but spending time with everyone over the holidays brought us a whole lot of joy to end the 2010 year.

We also loved spending some time with Miss Priss! I think she had a great first Christmas! Matt and I really enjoyed watching her smiling face this holiday season!

Soph really is one of the happiest, most beautiful babies I've ever seen! We have such an amazing family and are so blessed to have been able to spend time with them.

In conclusion, my verse for this post comes from Colossians 3:23-24. As many of us start back to our jobs this new year, let us remember what God's Word tells us about what we do with the time we've been given. It reads,"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." I pray that you will serve the Lord "with all your heart" and find yourself closer to his presence this new year.

Seeking His Will,

Coty

Happy Birthday, Tay!

Happy Birthday, Tay! I'm so glad to be your sister, and I truly appreciate all that you do for Matt and me. Over the last few years, we've grown to help, value, and listen to one another without judgement or criticism. Your unconditional love means the world to me. I admire your free spirit and willingness to always help a friend in need. You've always been there when I needed you and given me advice when I asked. I value your honesty and your kindness to me, even though you tried to kill me several times as a child! In honor of your special day, I decided to list just a few memories that only my sibling can appreciate.

1. You stupid dumb head nong nong!

2. Thank you for calling The Bead Shop.

3. Happy do

4. Swinging outside at the house on Lindsey Bridge Road singing the theme song to Family Matters.

6. Jumping out of the tree onto the trampoline

7. "Rooster, how do you want your eggs?"

8. "For he's a jolly, good fellow!"

9. YOU SHALL NOT PASS!

10. Donkey donkey monk

11. He's whizzin' on the carpet, Dad.

12. Ol' Jackie boy loves ol' Jackie boy

13. Get in there...you...

14. "Tay Tay, did you bite sister's arm?"

15. I'll give you a nickle to clean my room.

16. Vvrroammm...Vvrroammm

I'm so glad to call you my brother and my friend. I hope you have a wonderful birthday! I love you very, very much.

Even when things are challenging, just remember...

"And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." Matthew 7:25

Resting on The Rock will save us.