What's On Your Nightstand?

This summer I have been catching up on a lot of books that have been on my "To Read" list for a while. During the school year I read alot, but it is usually professional books/articles/blogs/etc. I feel as an educator I can never stop learning and reading is one way to stay abreast on the latest research and trends in education. However, this school year, I am hoping to find more of a balance between professional and pleasure reading.

In order to hold myself accountable, I am planning to participate in a monthly meme sponsored by 5 Minutes for Books called What's On Your Nightstand? On the third Tuesday of each month I plan to post which books I have read, and which books I am planning to read. As time goes on, I hope to include a short review/golden nugget from each book, but for now, I am happy to just get this going....

Books I Have Read Since June:

Unveiled by Francine Rivers

Unspoken by Francine Rivers

The Yada Yada Prayer Group by Neta Jackson

Divine by Karen Kingsbury

The Husband Project by Kathi Lipp

Books I Plan to Read in August:

• Same Kind of Difference As Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore
• The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down by Neta Jackson
• More Hours in My Day by Emilie Barnes & Sheri Torelli
• Creating the Best Literacy Block Ever by Maryann Manning, Deborah Camp, Gayle Morrison

Happy Reading!

Mercy Me Concert

Last night Mickey surprised me with concert tickets to see Mercy Me at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. It was an outdoor concert full of praise and worship led by Bart Millard and the band. The weather was perfect, the view was phenomenal and the Holy Spirit moved in a powerful way! Mickey and I agreed that it was the best concert we had ever attended!

What do you want to do?

As the "dog days of summer" dwindle away, I realize that I still have quite a few items on my summer to-do list that have not been accomplished. In order to hold myself accountable, I thought I would put in writing a few things I would like to get done before the first teacher workday on August 11th:

1- Spend a day by the pool- alone!
2- Clean out and reorganize closets and cabinets (esp. kitchen & hallway)
3- Clean up, organize and decorate backporch
4- Scrapbook Summer 2009
5- Give a shot at "once-a-month cooking"
6- Plan Girlfriends! kick-off
7- Layout plan for MP3/Girlfriends! @ LFBC
8- Design a PD blog for CGS
9- Devise a reading/blogging plan for the upcoming months
10- Plan a Sunday School gathering

This summer Mickey, Mackaylan and I have spent lots of time with family and friends. We have enjoyed trips to the beach, picnics at the park, swimming, cook-outs, staying up late, and much more! However, the best part is...summer is not over. Besides the items on my daunting to-do list, I still have a weekend with my Gamma girls, a trip to Gatlinburg, and a marriage retreat left to enjoy! Needless to say the next few weeks are going to be B-U-S-Y! So..what about you? What do you want to do before the end of summer?

Summer Vacation

beach
sunny, breezy
playing, relaxing, swimming
memories made with family
vacation

Kids Say the Darndest Things #2

Yesterday, while swimming in the pool, "Cousin Marigold" was swimming around with Mackaylan and working with her on putting her face in the water and blowing bubbles. In order to make the process seem more appealing, she was comparing herself to a motorboat. After her demonstration she looked at Mackaylan and said, "Now it's your turn to be a motorboat." Mackaylan, in all of her infinite 4 yr. old wisdom, thought for a minute, then looked up at her with a twinkle in her eye and said, "Ummm..no thank you. I think I'll just be a sailboat!"

Chocolate Day

Since I have entered the world of Twitter I have learned so many new things! Yesterday I learned that today would be Chocolate Day! Just let me tell you- I LOVE CHOCOLATE! Twix, Snickers, cake, icecream, Rolos, milkshake, etc. So, in order to keep with the spirit, I invite you to join me in doing the Chocolate Dance (demonstration below.) I promise it will help keep your figure in check if you choose to celebrate this glorious day!

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Last week while at the beach, Mackaylan, Pop-O, Mickey and myself were taking an evening ride on the golfcart around the resort. Along the way we saw a lady walking a Labradoodle. As I was expressing how I think they are the most adorable dogs in the world (Sorry, Sima!) Mackaylan piped up and said, "I know, Mama. One day we will get Sima some eggs and after she sits on them for a very long time then we will have some puppies like that!" Oh, the musings of a 4 yr. old. Gotta love it!