Being sick is making me sick.

Before this week, I was sick for pretty much two straight weeks. I started feeling better this week, but still lacked energy and work gets in the way of me doing much homework some days. Needless to say, I got behind. When I started to work on everything today, I realized that I had not only missed deadlines and was submitting some things late, but there were a few things I no longer had access to, including a test. I knew the test had to be taken by end of day on February 22, but I got my dates mixed up; I thought today was the 22nd. It's not the end of the world, but definitely not how I want to operate in my classes.

I hope to get everything caught up and get ahead this week. Hopefully before Friday. Even though I missed almost an entire week of work, I'm taking off some much-needed time, starting Friday. I have to work next Wednesday and Thursday, then I'm taking off Friday again. That weekend, we're going to D/FW with Nancy and Alex; little man wants to see a hockey game. It took me a few hours to find something, but there's actually a minor league hockey team in North Richland Hills, the Lone Star Brahmas. On Sunday, we're going to Grapevine for a bit of fun at Legoland Discovery Center. If Alex knew, he'd be just as excited as Paul and I are. Maybe I'll post a few pictures of the weekend.

But next weekend, I have my last face to face class session this semester.

No matter what, I just have to trust God. He made me well and, because of Him, we're able to take a little vacation. Without His guidance, I wouldn't even be a student right now. He is in control and will help me with the rest of my work this semester. All I have to do is let Him help. Give it to God and don't take it back. He's got this.

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.

Click!

So, I had Paul take some pictures of me after work today. After I cropped them, these were my favorites.

I went with the last one. There was one more picture that cracked me up. It's my Faceboook profile pic at the moment. This is what happened when I told him I wanted a pic I wouldn't have to crop too much:

I actually like it.

Oh, and on the second day of classes, I have both of my assignments for this week submitted! Now I just need to read ahead.

Spring is here!

Sort of. Today is the first day of the Spring semester. Believe it or not, I've been waiting for it. Book vouchers started last Monday, so we went to the university after I got off work Tuesday. I was shocked. For six books, only two of which were available used, my voucher was a grand total of $175.15. One class is web-enhanced, the other is web-only. I sent in my introduction for the web class. Dr. H, the professor of the web-enhanced class, wants us to include a picture with the intro. No problem! As soon as I have Paul take a good one after I get off work tomorrow. I have pictures, with no makeup, from Thanksgiving and Christmas. Since this is for something professional (or at least professional-like) I want to be wearing makeup. And not have a zebra print Snuggie pulled up to my chin. These were my options:

October 2013. I took this one on my phone while I was at work. (I was documenting how well my hair held up throughout the day.)

Thanksgiving 2013

Christmas Eve 2013

January 2014. I had Paul take this for a digital scrapbooking challenge, then I cropped the pic in PicMonkey.

None of these are what I want to portray to my professor and my class. I'll post the one I use, hopefully tomorrow! 

There don't appear to be any reading assignments for this week, but I want to start reading for next week. TTFN - Ta ta for now!

Happy New Year!

Well, I was completely lazy today. I intended to take down the Christmas tree and take the wreath off the door. Didn't happen. I napped, watched TV, did one scrapbook layout, and played on Facebook. I just found two pictures I just loved.

This was posted by this page on Facebook. It's one of my favorite quotes, so I had to share it.

I need to take a picture of Noelle like this next year. Cracked me up! With all my Elf on the Shelf searching and browsing, I'm surprised I just now saw this.

Laughter is great any day, but I can't think of a much better way to start the new year. May we all allow God to guide us into His will for our lives in 2014.

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!