{2015 Goals}

I haven't done yearly goals in quite sometime. I'm a huge planner and sometimes it controls my life. However, in the past couple of months I have gotten in the habit of Monthly goals and I have liked them...so we are giving yearly goals a try. 

1. Grow Closer to God

- Daily Bible Reading: I would like to try to follow the SheReadsTruth Read the Bible in a Year, but I've struggled with those in the past.

- Journaling and using my Journal Bible

- Memorize 1 verse each week. 

- 1000 Gifts

2. Growth in Marriage

- Go on Monthly Dates

- Pray together

- Encourage my husband more. 

 

3. Work/Personal Life Balance

- Be more organized

- Take weekends off (wohoo)

- 1 night early each week

4. Health and Fitness

- Workout 5 times a week

- Lose 5 more lbs. 

- Find more coaches

- Help others meet their health and fitness goals. 

- Run a half marathon or a full marathon (I still haven't decided if I want to commit to the training time of a full). 

5. Rise Early in the Morning

- My goal is 5:30, but that seems early, so 6:00?? 

- Read and workout during that time. 

6. Read More

- Try to read 1 book a month. 

7. Unplug

- Take one weekend a month to unplug from social media. 

2014 was a great year. It had it's challenges and bumps in the road. I've grown a lot and God is using parenthood as a way to sharpen and help me to grow. I'm excited to see what this year will hold. 

Things I Wish My Students Knew...

I've been teaching since 2005, I took a couple of years off to move to Haiti, but for the most part, I have 8 years under my belt. Yesterday (yes on a Sunday), when I was talking with one of my students, I caught myself thinking, "I really wish he knew that..." This lead me to think of many things I wish my students knew. 

Dear Student - I wish you knew...

1. I desperately want them to succeed. Not just succeed in my course, but to succeed in life. I don't try to make my class difficult just because it's fun to see them struggle. I don't make them do a lot of homework because I want to make their lives busy...I do it because I know that it will help them to succeed in the future...both failures and hard work, are learning experiences...in those learning experiences are when we often learn more. 

2. I didn't get into teaching for the money. I'm not one of those teachers that complain about my salary (we do have a decent amount of breaks), but I also put in way more hours than I'm required. I got into teaching, because I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to help students, not just in Math, but in life. That means I want to know more about you than the score you had on your last test. I want to know what you like doing, what are you hobbies, who are your friends, what are your struggles?

3.  When I'm not working, I still think about the class. I don't just shut the computer, walk away for the night and forget all about my students or my work. A lot of days it consumes me. How can I help so and so? How can I help them to get the math? I think about your life situations. 

4. I pray for you. High school isn't easy. Friendships aren't easy. A lot of you are in situations that are very difficult. I pray for you. I pray you will find the Lord. I pray that you will seek him. I pray that you will be world-changers and make a difference in this world.

5. I have a life outside of my classroom. I have a family. I like to go to the movies. I like to shop. I like to go to the beach. I eat out at restaurants. Teaching is not the only thing I do. 

6. Life is going to get harder. I know life seems difficult now...but it really is going to get harder. You will have more stress; not just in relationships, but in life. You will stress about the work that needs to get done, you will stress about finances. Life is going to get more difficult. 

7. Enjoy every minute you are given. Life is short. Enjoy this time of your life. Don't wish it away. High school only happens once. Be in activities. Be engaged in your current life situation. Don't wish it away. You only get this time of your life once.

8. Live with no regrets. Don't pass up opportunities because of time or fear.

9. Just for fun...I'm not going to answer my phone at 10:30 if you call or text message. :)

{Friday Favorites} - April 26

1//Date Day: These are my favorite, and we hadn't had one for a while. We went to the grocery store and then to Dominoes. :)

2//There have been 7 puppies wandering around our neighborhood. Claudy wants one. He tried to claim this one... they are still little to be away from mom...but he think he is going to keep it. The name he picked "Black and White" I think it needs a new name!

3//Claudy picked me a flower and took me on a walk! Great afternoon.

4// This week we have a team of teachers from Hershey visiting...looking to partner long term! Yesterday they visited New Horizons.

5//I like to cook and don't typically like to bake, but my husband likes some treats :)

This is BANANA POKE CAKE
* White Cake Mix
* 2 Pkgs, Instant Banana Pudding
* Whipped Topping

Prepare the cake mix as directed. Let cake cool for about 15 minutes. Then poke holes in the cake using the end of a wooden spoon. While cake is cooling, prepare pudding...let sit for about 5 minutes (but don't let it get stiff, it needs to be a little creamer to go through the holes in the cake). Pour pudding over cake and spread evening. Then top with whipped topping!

6//Baby Jeff - Seriously...could he get any cuter?? Please pray for Pastor (Jeff's dad) he fell from a tree a couple of weeks ago and still isn't recovered!

7// Grilled Flat Bread Pizza

* Use Wraps or desired crust of your choice
- Put Olive Oil on Both sides of Wrap. Put on Grill, after the first side is to the Crispness that you desire, flip the crust and add toppings.
* Top with Tomatoes (used a can of rotel)
* Add cheese and fresh Basil

Super good and so quick!


I hope you have a great weekend!!