Penguin Mania

 

Penguin

Mania .....

If you haven't stopped by to see me lately........ you may come to the wrong office.  I've moved.  In the process of my responsibilities changing from preschool and elementary to just elementary...... I was asked to move offices.  The move makes me more centrally located to the elementary wing.  This also provided me the opportunity to change the "theme" for my office.  For years (just about 17 years) my office was decorated in Noah's Ark.  The many things I had acquired over the years were primarily from families I hold very dear to my heart.  For now they are packed up but will soon decorate the walls and shelves of my craft room at home.   I have been intrigued with penguins for a while now.  I had a few things already but slowly a few more "pretties" have shown up.  A big shout out to Jesse Wood for the painting that now graces my office wall and the buckets that hold some pretty essential items.  Can you tell what is in my buckets?  Why yes- that is dum dums in one bucket; pens, scissors, etc. in another and note cards in the bigger bucket.  Thanks so much Jesse!

I love penguins so much that sometimes I visit here and watch the penguins live at the Tennessee Aquarium.  Especially when they have new penguins.  I love watching them. 

Some of my new penguin friends are in the picture below.  One does flips, one is a puzzle and one is just really cute.  The main reason I wanted to show you this picture is because there is one thing I could not depart with from the Noah's Ark theme- my name plate.  Friends at my first church, Shively Baptist in Louisville, Kentucky gave me this and it had to stay.  Good thing it had the same shades of blue from my new office walls so my designer friend Jena would allow it to stay.  Does anyone (not from Louisville) know where it was made?

I even found one office supply that goes with my new theme......

Having trouble figuring this one out? 
Well here it is open---- a jump drive! I believe you can never have too many jump drives!  Well come by and see me- check out my new space in person.  I would love to see you!
Much Love!
Mrs. Tara

Distinguished Young Woman

Last night I had the privilege of attending Tennessee's Distinguished Young Women of 2013's Flashback:  One Moment in Time.  Tonight they will crown the DYW for 2013.  This has been a new experience for me.  I attended the Bradley County event a few months ago.  Many young ladies I knew were competing for the local title.  A young lady I have had the privilege to know for the past 8 years won.  Miss Ashley Heald holds the title for our community.  She is competing against 19 other young ladies from across the state of Tennessee.  Last night she did quite well.  I am so very proud of her.  No matter what happens tonight - win or lose- Ashley is my DYW!

Ashley's heart has always been to follow after Jesus.  I can remember when she attended Kid's Evangelism Explosion.  She memorized her verses and the stories to aid her in sharing Jesus with her friends quickly.  She was able to assist me in helping others in this memorization.  The same was true in AWANA and her desire to commit God's word in her heart.  She feels God calling her to be a Children's Minister.  I know God is going to use her to impact many for His kingdom.  He is already doing that through her life and it has been exciting to watch. 

I am also so proud of our community.  This is the headquarters for this organization (on the state level), so we serve as the host for the state event.  Reading the paper all week on the activities the contestants have participated in has been amazing.  I realize this would not have been possible if so many organizations and businesses had not opened their door.

I look forward to attending tonight.  However, most of all I look forward to watching Ashley as she follows the path God has for her life.  

Oh How He Loves Me

How do I know He loves me so? 

He died on a cross for my sins.  He paid the penalty for my debt.  A debt He did not owe.  All because He Loves Me, Oh how He loves me. 

I am thankful it did not end on the cross but three days later .................

The stone had been rolled away.  He overcame death and He is Alive! All because He loves me so!

I will never completely understand His love.  A love that that sent Him to the cross in my place so I might live forever.  He covered my sin and He has covered your sin- all because He loves us!

I am thankful...................
I am blessed....................
I am unworthy................
I am a sinner saved by His grace
ALL because He loves me so!

Much Love!
Mrs. Tara

Spring To Do List

Spring at The Biltmore House

Today I have spent some time trying to catch up on reading blogs I have added to my Google Reader. I love this feature on my google account.  If you haven't tried it, it is awesome.  Google Reader keeps blogs you like to read all in one place and shows the new blog posts from each blog.  As you read the new blog posts it removes them from your reader.   

One blog I read today was Life as a Mom.  She wrote an incredible and challenging post on - Making a Big to Do Out of Spring!  She even shares ideas of things you can do AND a download of a cute form you write down things to do, places to go, movies to watch, books to read and people to see! You should check it out. 

After reading her post and being challenged by it- here are some of my "Making a Big to Do Out of Spring" ideas-

Things To Do

1. Organize the Craft Room
2. Clean Out my Closet
3. Make a craft I have already pinned on pinterest
4. Plant herbs.

Places To Go

1. Birmingham Zoo
2. Ocoee White Water Center with a picnic
3. Birdwatching with my neighbor friend

Movies to Watch

1. October Baby
2. The Smurfs
3. Love Comes Softly series

Books To Read

1. Karen Kingsbury series - I need to start the series on the family again

People to See

1. Mike's parents
2. My grandmother
3. Traci and Sheri

Okay- now that I've been inspired by Life as Mom- I pray you will be as well.  In my research earlier in the year on goals, I found when we write down goals and place them in a prominent place, we are more likely to follow through. 

I'd love to hear from you! Please leave me a comment about one thing you hope to do this Spring!

Much Love!
Mrs. Tara

Headbanz and Puppy dogs

I took a day off today.  I had fun playing with my elementary friend.  He came over and we played many things but I most enjoyed playing these two games ..................

This is a Cranium Puppy Pals Bingo- it is great for children who are learning colors, patterns and shapes.  Even though my young friend already knew these things, we still enjoyed playing.  I purchased this years ago at Target.  If you are interested you can purchase it here on Amazon!

The other game we played is one I received for Christmas (yes I ask for kids games for Christmas).  I love them.  This game is not only a lot of fun but can be hysterical too.  I have two versions of this game but today I played this version -

I also have a lot of fun with this version - well because I am a little obsessed with all things Disney....

I have a whole board on pinterest dedicated to this obsession - check that out here !

Well I enjoyed a day off today.  I have a little work to do- headed to the hospital to see one of my kiddos who had arm surgery!
Hope you have had a great day!  If you need some fun in your life - pull out a game for kids and play it- even if it is with all adults!

Much Love!
Mrs. Tara

My ice cream is not melting

I read an article today in the Chattanooga Times Free Press by Holly Leber on Spring Cleaning 101.  I have read a lot of articles and even entire books on cleaning and organization.  However, a quote by Julie Bestry of Best Results Organizing in Chattanooga stuck a chord with me.  She states, "When you bring groceries home, you put the ice cream away in the freezer immediately to keep from having a melted, sticky mess.  Do the same thing with everything you bring into the house." 

What great advice.  I am a work in progress when it comes to organization.  I love Bestry's advice but if she only knew that everything else already in my house needs to find a place for this to truly work.  Her example is so very true and has inspired me to work on finding everything it's own special place.  I am thankful I have at least applied this to my ice cream - I had hate for it to melt!  Gotta go - I have lots of work to do!~

Much Love!
Mrs. Tara

A Plethera of Pins

The latest social media craze is this amazing virtual bulletin board called Pinterest! If you are like me you have quickly become addicted.  As I begin to view all the incredible crafts, recipes, organization ideas, home improvement ideas and much more, I lose track of time.  Before I realize it, I have been sucked into this site with never ending but helpful information. 

However, I have discovered something about myself - I pin lots of stuff but have actually tried very few things.  How about you? Have you tried any of the things you've pinned?

A friend of mine, Jami, is a high school senior.  She recently hosted a pinterest party.  Each of her friends picked one of the recipes they had personally pinned and brought the ingredients to Jami's house.  They took turns making their recipes.  They hung out, cooked and ate their delicious food.  She shared it was so much fun.  So learning from my young but wise (and fun) friend, next month at our Mom's Nurturing Moms meeting I will ask our ladies that the snack they bring to share be something they have discovered on pinterest. I can't wait. 

Last month in MnM we made a craft our facilitator Jackie found on pinterest.  It was neat to actually make something quite a few of us had pinned ourselves.  You could make a memo board, menu board or a calendar - all out of a picture frame.  The idea is the picture frame glass makes it a dry erase board.  Here are pictures of my pinterest craft.........

I decided to do the calendar using paint chips.  The original idea was found here ! 

I made this to match my bedroom! So I guess I have at least made one thing I pinned on pinterest. 

I am so excited to use this new technology tool.  I find things on pinterest for personal use and to use in ministry.  It is a clever thing but unfortunately I must confess I am a pin-a-holic!

Much Love!

Mrs. Tara