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'm still here!

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, even though some people probably think I have. It's the end of the semester, so everything is coming due.

My research paper for Human Growth and Development is due Tuesday. If you're counting, it's now about 11:00 Friday night. I've barely started on the actual paper, still trying to read the research I've collected. For the most part, it's kind of interesting. My topic is the causes of downward aging of menarche in America. If, like most people, you aren't familiar with the word "menarche", it just means a girl's first menstrual period. Apparently, a hundred years ago, the average age was around 16 years. Now it's around 11 or 12 years. We have poster presentations, in which we present a summary of our research papers, due on December 3. I'll try to take pictures of my poster and post them.

My research proposal for my educational research class is due December 2. I found out last week that the articles have to be from 2005 or later. The one article I found that is most on point with my topic is from 2001, I think. Anyway, it is definitely before 2005. I asked Dr. L about it; she said I could use it, but I need more recent research to back it up. I may just have to adjust my topic, which she told us may be necessary. I can't concentrate on this paper, though, until I finish the research paper that's due first.

I'm ready for this semester to be over. Mainly because I want these papers to be over. I got smart for next semester; I only registered for two classes. The funny thing is that both of them are web classes. I'll only have to go to the university for class meetings a total of four times the whole semester. That just means I'll have more study time at Starbucks!

Help, please!

One of the requirements of my educational research class is a class research project. If you're reading this, please click the link and take our survey. We're trying to get as many completed surveys as possible; the more data, the more accurate the results. Please pass it along!