Natty Update!

Alrighty! So, our little "monkey" if officially 7 months old TODAY! She is the love of our lives! We absolutely adore and treasure every moment we get with her. Each day she is doing something new now. So far, she's waved, sat herself up, crawl, and gets into "everything" that's on the floor - stuff that I don't even realize is there. Well, I didn't "baby-proof" this weekend. It just didn't happen. It was too hot, and I was too tired to go out, so I didn't. Here's my favorite picture of Natty so far. I think she has the most gorgeous blue eyes ever...

It's been really H-O-T here in CA. We've had to be a lot more careful with Natty. We have been discovering that the heat is really bothering her. We were watching Game 5 of Lakes vs Celtics and she all at once started throwing up - like projectile vomiting. It's happened a couple times before and each time she's just nursed and was hot and sweaty, so we have been trying to keep her tiny body cool. It's strange that so much can come out of such a small, fragile body. Poor Natty.... =(

In other news, I've finally filed for my "clear credential." According to CA, I guess I'm a "highly qualified" teacher - whatever that means. My credential is in the mail, and for the rest of my teaching career - every 5 years - I get to keep paying the District, so I can keep my job. Yay for me!

We are still house-hunting. We're pre-approved, so now we are saving up for a down-payment. Did I mention we're taking donations? =P

Well, hope everyone else is staying cool and off to a great week. Happy Monday!

It's the Weekend

So it's been a rough week. One of my students, especially one that my assistant and I have been trying to mentor, got caught with weed at school. My husband found it humorous that I did not know that pot and weed were the same thing. I suppose it's a good thing I didn't. I found this incident with my student very discouraging. Everyday I go to work, I pour myself into what I do. Honestly, I do not think they could pay teachers enough for what they do. To me, teaching isn't just another job. The pay is fine, but really, it's not worth what teachers put up with and go through. I mean, seriously, where is the compensation for a broken heart, a weary soul, dried up tears, and sleepless nights? I sometimes feel if I'm the only one that looses sleep over her students. I sure hope not and I doubt I'm the only one. The reason I make such a big deal out of this is because I truly believe my class is a mission field. These kids don't really need a teacher; they need someone that cares. Most of my students come from broken homes, one or both parents are in jail or had served time, can't afford lunch, can't afford school supplies, etc. What does one do with all of this? I can't save the world, but I want to make a difference. So, when I heard that this young man (8th Grader) was caught with weed, I was discouraged. He's suspended for 5 school days and placed in opportunity the rest of the school year. I understand he needs consequences for his mistakes. For me, that means I may not see him again. It's hard. My assistant shared that you never know when your seed is going to sprout. Some of us plant, some of us water, and some of us sow. I ache for the day that I sow because I sure don't see fruit yet. It's times like these that makes it hard to believe there will be fruit. I just want to know that my efforts aren't futile.

Needless to say, I'm glad it's a weekend. I need recharging. I feel like I've pour myself into my work and I've been running empty. I'm glad I get to stay home with Natty ALL DAY tomorrow. We're going to be "baby-proofing" the apartment - THAT'S going to be fun!

New Favorite Verse

Job 23:12 -
12 I have not departed from his commands,
but have treasured his words more than daily food.

This is my new favorite Bible verse. I've tried this new thing. I'm on FB and I found this application through a friend. It's basically a "read your Bible in a year" type deal. However, you can customize it - read from beginning to end, chronologically, etc. I've chosen to read chronologically, and right now I am in Job.

Even though I've read Job before, different things have popped out of me more thing time around. It just goes to show that God's Word ALWAYS has something for you, no matter where you are.

Job 23:12 really touched me because this is the woman that I want to aspire to be. Having Natty has really opened my eyes to a lot of things. One of those things is how to set a godly example for her. I have realized more than ever now that I need to be THE role model for her - how to be a godly wife, mother, and woman. It is my desire that when Natty is older and looks back on what she may have learned from me, that she can confidently say that her mother was someone who treasured God's word and followed His commandments. That I was someone who lived off of God's Word.

Getting Creative

So, we're really trying to make our food stretch in efforts of saying up money for a down payment on a house. Here is a creative I made that Tim found was a pretty good hit.

Guacamole-Salsa Burgers (Time to make, 20 mins)

Ingredients:

• 1 Chicken Breast
• 3 slices of cheese
• 3 sets of hamburger buns
• 3 tbs. of olive oil
• black pepper
• Butter
• Zaschilla sauce (Food 4 Less)
  

*Makes about 3 burgers.

Slice chicken breast about 1/8 in. thick pieces. Set aside.
Heat up 3 tbs. of olive oil in a skillet. Cook chicken until light brown. Season to taste with black peper. Set aside.
Butter each side of buns and cook over medium heat until golden brown.
Top 3 of the bun halves with cheese and let it melt.
Spoon cooked chicken into the remaining halves. Top with zaschilla sauce.
Serve with some yummy chips!

This was a perfect serving for Tim and I. Pretty good lunch on a budget.

Natty News

Quick blog, guess who's waving now?!? I am in AWE of all Natty does and is learning. It is just unbelievable!!!

Here's some of her milestones:

• Rolls over EVERYWHERE
• Sits up
• Eats fruit/veggies
• Smiles constantly
• Laughs
• Knows her name
• Crawls
• Waves
  

I WON!!!

Ok, totally silly, but I get so excited when I win stuff, just because I never really win stuff! Anyhow, our mortgage company sends out monthly newsletters, and there's trivia questions in it each month. Anyhow, I always enter contests and never win, but I thought, hey it's worth a shot. So I entered, and I won!!!! I get free Starbucks!!!!

Ok, the funny thing about Starbucks is, if you know me really know, you know that I DO NOT drink coffee. Can't stand the stuff. Well, I've never EVER purchased a coffee beverage. I mostly get the cream frappuccinoes, hot chocolate, and yummy ice-teas. Silly I know, but hey, it makes me happy.

In other news, we are still looking for a house. We've started the very "daunting" process of getting our pre-approval letter, which tells realtors what we are good for. We're excited though. We recently found a 4 bd/ 2 bath about 20 minutes from my work, which would be PERFECT for us. It's at the end of a culdesac and is still within CNUSD. We drove out to see it the other day and it looks like a very nice starter home. We're really not extravagant people. We're just looking for a place to raise a family, and a yard for Natty. Keep us in prayer for that if you think of it.

Natty is growing very well. She's got a tooth and a half, rolls over EVERYWHERE, and has learned to sit up. We are so blessed to have her as our daughter. She is a wonderful child. She really lights up my life. I think the favorite time of day is when I get home from work, and she hears me unlock our apartment door. She doesn't see me, because she's in front of our couch player, but she'll turn herself around and wait. I'll get on the floor and crawl around the corner of her couch and I'll smile real big and call her name. She gets the HUGEST smile and giggles when she sees me. It makes me feel so loved and content.

Well, that's it for now. Happy Weekend Everybody!

I got it!!!!! (Job 6-9)

Ok! I think I just found my new favorite chapters of the Bible. It could have been so easy to read Job and not really realize how much it impacts do. I've been a couple days behind, but I'm still going in order. I'm glad I did, because today I was given a revelation! All this time, I've always thought and got used to Job just being about God's unfailing love, and Job's undying devotion to the Lord. HOWEVER! Reading Job 9, it all at once hit me!

3 If someone wanted to take God to court,[e]
would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times?
4 For God is so wise and so mighty.
Who has ever challenged him successfully?

This is totally about the challenge between God and Satan! Satan chose to challenge God and Job 9 is a response to him!!! I'm so thrilled. It gets better!

5 “Without warning, he moves the mountains,
overturning them in his anger.
6 He shakes the earth from its place,
and its foundations tremble.
7 If he commands it, the sun won’t rise
and the stars won’t shine.
8 He alone has spread out the heavens
and marches on the waves of the sea.
9 He made all the stars—the Bear and Orion,
the Pleiades and the constellations of the southern sky.
10 He does great things too marvelous to understand.
He performs countless miracles.

Job is exalting God, letting Satan know just how 'BIG' God really is - kinda like a MAJOR resume. I've loved reading this chapter.

AND here is the best part...
32 “God is not a mortal like me,
so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial.
33 If only there were a mediator between us,
someone who could bring us together.
34 The mediator could make God stop beating me,
and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment.
35 Then I could speak to him without fear,
but I cannot do that in my own strength.

Closing in on v. 33 - This alludes to Jesus Christ, our mediator!!!!

OH MY GOSH!!! I have loved this chapter!!!! Totally AWESOME!