Ummm . . .

Work was a chore this week. We were closed for the holiday on Monday, but Tuesday through Thursday seemed like Monday. There were even moments when I had to remind myself that today was Friday. Exhaustion set in. I've barely even thought about my homework. Tomorrow I'll have to buckle down, clarify my assignments in my mind, and get it done. I also need to find out what Dr. H really expects of our chapter presentations. My assignment partner and I haven't discussed it yet and I'm still uncertain how we're supposed to present the chapter. And it's due February 1.

Here's a little secret about me. I actually like being a student. I know it doesn't make sense to a lot of people, but I've always loved being in school. (Maybe that's one reason I've secretly wanted to be a teacher for so many years.)

My source of peace in all this is God. I know He has the solution to my exhaustion. He sees the whole big picture. In Him is where my true joy and happiness are found. Without Him, I would have and be nothing. Everything I am and everything I have are blessings from God. I had such a tough day Wednesday that I needed a creative outlet when I got home that night. Here's what I made:

I saw a Facebook post with this verse on it when I was home for lunch Wednesday afternoon. I've read it thousands of times in my life, but it really spoke to me Wednesday. God's plans for me are the reason I'm doing all this; why I have the job I have and why I'm in grad school. I'm planning to print this off, frame it, and hang it in my office. Some days, I really need to be reminded that everything I am experiencing fits into God's plan for my life. Thanks to Maggie for creating the great kit I used, Faith365: Choose Joy. You can find it in her store at My Memories or at MagsGraphics.

Here's a little something to help you . . .

scrapbook in the new year: A couple freebies from the My Memories shop!

Click here for freebie 1

Click here for freebie 2

Hurry, because they're only free until January 12, 2014.

By the way . . .

I think I forgot to mention the main kit I used to scrap Noelle's adventures this year. The kit is called Elves on Shelves, created by one of my favorite designers, A-Manda Creation. I also used the Extra Alphas. If you'd like to know what kit any of the other embellishments came from, leave me a comment. I'll have to do a little research to find it!

Christmas has passed.

That's a sure sign the year is almost over. It also means it was time for Noelle to head back to the North Pole. I guess even a spy elf's got a job to do at the Pole. I guess she stuck around as long as she could. Here are the last of her adventures for this year.

We had a great Christmas Eve and Christmas day, spending both of them with family.

I've been thinking a lot lately about everything I haven't been doing as a Christian. We've lived here almost three years and haven't found a new church yet. Honestly, we haven't really looked yet. I've slept in on Sundays, forgotten to set the alarm, or just flat out didn't plan to go because of homework or going to bed too late on Saturdays. I pray, but we haven't been reading the Bible daily. Would I have the strength to stand up to Satan if he were attacking me heavily? I hope so, but I haven't done much lately to ensure it. I've added this to my prayers. I ask God to strengthen me and draw me closer to him. I pray for those that are in heavy spiritual warfare, but hope it never really happens to me.

I don't do resolutions for the new year; I set goals. I don't always accomplish them, but goals are more meaningful to me than resolutions. One of my goals for 2014 is to be a Christian God can be proud of. I want to make sure I'm in His will, not in His way. I know that things will not be perfect, but certain aspects of my life will run more smoothly if I do what I know He wants. He's pretty clear about some things in the Bible, but I don't make sure to do all those things. How can He give me more if I don't utilize what He's already given me?

Merry Christmas!!!

Since the cats woke me up and I haven't gone back to sleep yet, I thought this would be a good time to catch you up on Noelle's adventures. I could swear I'd posted pictures at least one more time, but I don't see it, so I guess I didn't. Anyway, here are the rest:

I've really had fun with Noelle this year. I can't believe it's Christmas Eve already. I have one more plan that has to take place tonight. I have a feeling that Noelle has a bit of a rebellious streak, so you never know when or where she'll show up. I saw the Elf on the Shelf Birthday Tradition book at Target. I guess she has an excuse to make an appearance or two throughout the year!

Whew! Glad that's over.

After being bogged down with a research proposal, a research paper, and a poster presentation at the end of the semester, I am so glad this semester is over. On the plus side, I got 95 out of 100 points on the research proposal, with a note that it was an interesting topic. I got 200 out of 200 points on my research paper (I can't remember what Dr. R's note said at the moment, but it was complimentary) and 25 out of 25 points on the poster presentation. I haven't averaged it out, but I'm pretty sure I have a B in Human Growth and Development and it looks like I have an A in the educational research class. I'm happy, happy, happy.

Tomorrow should be interesting. I'm attending a preparation class for the PPR exam from 1 pm to 7 pm. The reminder email today said to bring a few things: pencils, scratch paper, snacks and drinks, and reading material in case you finish the practice test early. I have it all; I just need to remember the snacks and drinks.

Noelle, my elf on the shelf, has been a busy girl. I'm making a scrapbook of her antics, primarily using the Elves on Shelves kit by A-Manda Creation.

Since my life has calmed down a little, I'll try to post more regularly.

I just don't wanna . . .

I am tired. I am sleepy. It's 11:30 pm. I haven't even started reading the chapter for Human Growth and Development tomorrow night. And right now, I just don't wanna read it.

Every semester, since my second ever semester in college, I inevitably have at least one chapter that I just don't have time to read. I think this may be one of those times. I don't even know how long the chapter is; I haven't really had time to look at it until now.

On the positive side, I have a head start on my technology class. I already have an account on del.icio.us account and a flickr account. I just need to add some stuff to them for this week. Those aren't the only assignments, of course, but I figure already having the accounts and knowing a little about using the sites puts me ahead of where I'd be otherwise.

And be on the lookout! I found the perfect digital scrapbook kit to make a photo for my blog header. The kit is called Whale of a Tale by Scraps N Pieces. I'm hoping to "do it up", as my scrap friend Menda says, tomorrow and get it posted.

I am so glad that God is more faithful than I am. It was nice to actually get up and go to church Sunday. I'm planning to go visit a different church this Sunday. A coworker says it's great. It sounds like the type of church I would love to be a part of. I just need to keep my butt in gear and get going. I know everything else in my life is so much more enjoyable when I'm doing everything I know God wants me to do. I'm on the right path. I'm leaving the belly of the big fish, but I'm not quite strolling on the beach yet. But at least I can see the shore now!