Going on a treasure hunt!

Our anniversary is on Sunday, but Justin will be working, so I decided to get an early jump and surprise him with a treasure hunt. We decided not to buy any gifts for each other, but that didn't mean that homemade gifts were out. I devised a 6 clue treasure hunt with 6 homemade gifts--one for each year we've been married. It started with him going to get Claire from daycare yesterday. While he was gone, I put the gifts and clues in place. When he got home, I met him outside with the first clue which was to take Claire to his parents for the evening. I had given his parents the 2nd clue along with his first gift. The first gift was that he got to pick the movie for us to watch for the evening here at home. He picked 21. The 2nd clue led him back to our house for a Hot Fudge Sundae Cake for us to enjoy during the movie. MMMmmm. It was the first time I'd made the cake but it was so good. It was gooey underneath and more "cakey" on top. Perfect for ice cream, whip cream, nuts, and cherries on top! That clue led him to Claire's room where I had a very early picture of us framed using an old picture frame I found. The next clue led him to his computer where he found a music cd that I'd put together of how I feel about him and our relationship. (He had made one for me before we got married and it is still in my cd player in the car I listen to it so much.) I used some of the same songs, but some newer ones too. The 5th clue led him to the dryer where he found an "encouragement book". Our pastor had suggested a few weeks ago that everyone needs one of these books where you put encouraging notes, cards, etc. so that when you get down or frustrated you have something to remind you of good things. I took this to heart and created one for him. I have saved every card that we have given each other over the years and put them all in chronological order in this book. I also left some room at the back for more to be added. The last clue led him to the living room where I had created a card from my scrapbook stuff and for our movie and ice cream sundaes! We then watched 21 and enjoyed it. We had both heard the story before and we both like blackjack so it was a perfect movie! He is usually the one that is "romantic" and I am usually the procrastinator, but hopefully I was able to catch him off guard. Happy Anniversary!

Boring Week So Far

This week so far has been pretty uneventful around our house. It's been kinda nice. Yesterday we went to the park and Claire got to go in the sprinklers. She had fun and wasn't ready to go even when it was raining! Hurricane Dolly hit the south Texas coast today and although it's pretty far away from us, we have gotten rain all day long.

I finally decided to do something about an exercise plan. So I took up running. I even am planning to run a 5K on October 18th. I have been faithful so far and it has been enjoyable as long as I have my ipod. Even the rain today was nice since it cooled me off. I'm just praying that I'll stick with it. I am not really changing my eating habits, just cutting back a little here and there. I want this to stick and I know if I change things drastically it won't stick. So if you're reading this, I'd appreciate any prayers for me and that I'll stay motivated. I even put a little ticker on the right side to keep me aware of the coming 5K run. I just wish that I would have learned to do this a long time ago.

Worth it All

This week was crazy busy with VBS. We had over 90 1st graders every day this week. This is split between 3 teachers and helpers. 3 of the helpers were teenagers and boy were they helpful. We could not have accomplished all that we did without them! What a blessing! Most of the kids were very well behaved, but of course, there's always that small percentage that is not used to a routine. It was pretty rough the first 3 days and I was really unsure whether I was going to make it to Friday. But on Wednesday, the Lord gave me just what I needed. The story that day was about Jesus dying on the cross for us and rising from the dead 3 days later. At the end of the story, I asked if anyone had heard the story for the first time just then. One little girl sheepishly raised her hand looking around and noticing she was the only one who raised her hand. I reassured her that was ok and that all of us hear it for the first time at some point. She seemed satisfied with the answer and went on for the rest of the day just fine. On Thursday, we were playing a game where everyone got a chance to tell one thing they knew or had learned about the Bible. When it was her turn, she answered that in the Bible we learn of Jesus dying on the cross. Of all the things she could have said, she mentioned the story from the previous day! It was such a blessing to me and it immediately made me so glad that I had stuck with it and it gave me the strength to make it through the rest of the week. I have already requested not to be in a classroom next year though. It was just a little too much for me. Instead, they have an idea for a science room where we'll do small-scale experiments and we'll tie them into the lesson for that day. Sounds exciting to me! I just hope I get enough notice ahead of time to plan properly and be organized! The Lord just always places those little reminders in our lives that His grace is sufficient for us!