....................

The Ghost Cat Saga Continues....

As my students line up the same little boy....with the ghost cat is lined up with his lunch box...and the following conversation takes place:
Student: My ghost cat is in my lunch box!
Me: Now, how can you tell it's in your lunch box?
Student hands me his lunch box and says :You feel how heavy this thing is!
(He then proceeds to hold the ghost cat and allows me to pet her/him.)

...This kid cracks me up.....

Another little boy tells me today:
"Mrs. Webb, I am a very caring person. I even gave away my baby pants so that other children who have accidents can use them."
...my response..."Wow, that is caring!"

A Little Funny Continued

Well...just a little update for you. The little boy who told me about the ghost cat had something to say in the middle of a lesson today. He all the sudden jumps and says, "I feel him....Did you just feel him? My ghost cat is here, I can feel it. It just walked by." The kid next to him looked terrified! I tried to ignore it and move on. This little boy is hilarious! He cracks me up daily.

Oh I have to thank God for fun students...they make my days so fun!

A little funny...and a little homesick

Here is the funniest thing that I heard from one of my student's this week:

Student: Mrs. Webb, I had a cat and he lost his balance. Then we had to take him to the vet and now he is a ghost that guards my room at night.
Me: Humm..so the cat died?
Student: No! He just lost his balance and now he's a ghost. He's not a bad ghost but a good one.
Me: Well, thank goodness!

The same kiddo told me later that his father could see the future and could come perform for the class. This kid is a real character!
Feel free to check out our class website at http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/StaceyWebb/

I'M A LITTLE HOMESICK...

Sometimes it hits me like a little hunger pain, other times it knocks the breath right out of me when I am least expecting it. Random things cause it to happen and I am not sure what caused it this time, but I am feeling a little homesick. Maybe it's because it's Fall...my favorite time of year. I am flooded with memories of cheerleading and high school football games. I am reminded of cool mornings and getting out my sweaters and long sleeve shirts. The ranch is beautiful this time of year...and I miss being there. Maybe it's because my whole family will be at home this weekend for the special Riverdale Cattle Sale...and I'm so far away. Or maybe it has to do with the fact that my sweet Aunt Nell just passed away today reminding me of how much I love my family. On top of that as I sit on my floor writing this, there is a movie playing on the television in front of me that I only ever watch while going to sleep in my room back home, Facing the Giants. Usually when I watch this I am in my comfy king sized bed with the door cracked open so that I can look out and see my mom and dad's door open just down the hall. Whatever is causing, it hurts a little. There are days when I love being in California, when I am so glad I'm here and not there....but today is not one of those days. I've written in my blog before about the things I love about California...the reasons why this is such a great place to live. But this evening, since my heart is in Mississippi....I'll tell you my favorite things about going home.

1. I love the excitement that builds up inside me as I walk through the Jackson airport knowing that in a matter of minutes I will be able to embrace my Daddy and Mama.

2. I love all of the embraces between myself and my parents. They are many!!

3.I love turning on to Huckleberry Rd...aka "The Gravel Road" and knowing I'm about to see the most beautiful place on earth, Riverdale Ranch.

4. I love the trees, the grass, the leaves, the cattle.

5. I love my mama's pantry...and all the good food that's in there!

6. I love waking up and kissing my parents good morning.

7. I love seeing my nephews and Donna and Robbie.

8. I love going to Dirt Cheap in Kosciusko and running into old friends while there.

9. I love going to Howell and Heggie the local drug store/ gift shop and talking about things with the friends I find inside.

10. I love the porch swing on my parents back porch...not when I am out there alone, but when one of my nephews or family members is out there with me.

We won't go home again until Thanksgiving....and I cannot wait. I have been so blessed with an amazing family who loves me and loves the Lord. I just wish I were with them right now!

A LOOONG UPDATE...

IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS SINCE I'VE WRITTEN....I AM ABOUT TO BEGIN UPDATING REGUARLY AGAIN!

Here is a summary of what has been going on in the past two months!

We Went home to Mississippi for 2 weeks in July and got to spend time with both of our families. We had a blast!


We also went on a road trip with two of our good friends from California, Cathy and Cliff Riner. We went to Sequoia National Forest and saw some GIANT trees, went to San Francisco, and stopped in Big Sur and Santa Barbara on the way home. I'll upload pictures later...the website won't allow me to do it right now.

And....days after getting back from our trip, I began teaching First Grade! I have 21 Fabulous students and I am falling madly in love. They've already made so many funny comments that I could begin a book. Infact I think I might change the title of my blog to "Marvels of a First Graders Mind." I need to tell you all they say. They make me laugh so much. The first day of school I allowed them to make the rules for our classroom. They had already told me about 10 rules...which is way more than they can really remember to follow so I decided to move on. There was one little blonde haired boy who could not allow me to continue without telling me a rule that we must establish. This was the dialouge:

Student: Mrs. Webb, I have a really good one that no one else has said and it is a super important one.
Me: Okay, well if it is super important than please tell us.
Student: No Picking Your Nose in Class!
Me: That is a really good rule!

That is just one of the many insightful comments that they offer every single day.

My goal for the school year is to make each of my 21 students feel as if they are my very favorite. So far it is only a struggle with one of them. I love being their teacher though. I am having so much fun teaching them and I think they are having some fun, too! We dance (thanks to an amazing CD from Donna), we sing, we exercise, we laugh, we have massage trains on Friday! We play, we learn, we have a lot of fun together!


My dear sweet husband is telling me it is time to cook dinner, so I am going to get out of this comfortable leather recliner and make something.....but I'd rather stay here and tell you more about what's happening in Hermosa Beach!

I Promise to update at least once a week.

Life's Little Pleasures

As I sit down to write this update, I am sipping my favorite beverage. It is a Grande Mocha Light Frappacino/No Whip! For $3.85 I can happily sip this beverage for about 12-16 minutes...and I love every second of it. I do not treat myself to these on a daily basis....but occasionally I wake up craving Starbucks!!! Today was one of those days. Starbucks makes me feel so good!!! The photo is of one of the three Starbucks in our small city!!! I can't for the life think of living an hour away from one (as my parents do in Mississippi)....it's just one of the small things that I have grown accustomed to that I never want to live without.



But...this post is not going to be about Starbucks, believe it or not....I want to give you an update on Ryan and I. So.....



This is our favorite time of year to live in LA. We spend every weekend at the beach (For me...some week days, too). Ryan absolutely loves beach volleyball. He is very good at it....me, I like to play sometimes. I scream and block my head when the ball comes my way...which is not the strategy if you want to win. So, I only play when it isn't a serious game and when there are nice people playing on my team! We love being at the beach though...and the water of the Pacific is finally getting warm enough for us to get in. We have yet to pick up surfing, but love boogie boarding! So all of our free time is spent on the sand of Hermosa Beach or in the
massive Pacific ocean.

Ryan is still working hard. I feel a little guilty since I get to sleep in and he has to go to work. So, I try to make most of my days somewhat productive. I tutor a couple days of week...and as for a job for the fall...well, it all rests on whether or not I passed my CTEL test. If I passed, I am almost positive I will be teaching first grade. If I did not pass, I have no idea. But, I am waiting on God for that, and trying not to worry.

Our church (Mosaic) is doing a gathering here in Hermosa for six weeks. If it is a success, they will move a gathering down here indefinitely. This is so great since we normally drive to Beverly Hills every Sunday. It would be such a blessing to have one so close. Not that Beverly Hills is super far away....but when you are driving on LA interstates, it can get quite congested with traffic. We are helping out in leadership roles with this new gathering, and are enjoying it immensely. I am beginning a new Bible Study at our home. This will be our 4th womens bible study. I love doing these. God just keeps bringing such amazing girls into my life. ...and he Challenges us beyond belief through these Bible Studies (We are doing Beth Moore's "Breaking Free" this time around).

We are heading home to Mississippi in 12 days. I cannot wait to see our families! My nephew Maeson just left me a message on my voicemail asking if I was in "Califorma" and he wanted to know when I could come see him. ....I melted at the sound of his precious voice. I really am looking forward to being home. I have to admit that I dread the many comments that Ryan will make concerning moving back to Mississippi. I know it is coming....but the truth is, I don't think God really wants us back in Mississippi. I don't really want to move back, either. If God says go...then I will go. But, I honestly think he is saying...NO....not now...I have so much more you need to do. I actually told Ryan that I would be perfectly fine with God keeping us here in L.A. long term. I have found such freedom in living here. Freedom in my faith....Freedom to love without limits...Freedom to act without judgement.....such freedom! Today as I was running down the strand (concrete path along the beach)...I was looking at the people I passed and those who passed me. As a guy with a mohawk rode past me on his beach cruiser....it reminded me of how much I love this place! I love that there is not one "normal" way to look. I love that no one looks twice at that man...no one thinks how abnormal he is. I think God is healing me of every prejudice bone in my body...and I PRAISE GOD FOR THAT! I love that I am learning to see our extreme differences as an amazing gift...and what I love most is that those differences that I once thought extreme, seem less and less that way.

I realize this has been such a random post! If you are still reading...sorry for the random thoughts that flow through this brain of mine! We miss you all! Come see us...come experience this place that God has used to change my life!

Now, I desperately want another Starbucks!

I DID IT!

I DID IT!!!!

My friend Peggy and I just finished a 4th of July 5K race. I have never done anykind of race before....I've run....but always just on my own. Peggy has done a half marathon so this was a tiny thing for her...but a big deal for me. This was before we started....and we had no idea we would be dressed alike! The numbers made it seem so much more important than a normal run! It was a lot of fun and I plan to run another one....and maybe even a 10k! This was so fun! Thanks Peggy.....you made it a blast!

I AM....

During my third grade assignment I had my students create a poem. The title of the poem was I am. They were so fun...the kids did a brilliant job. We had a template that told us what type of thing to write for each line...for example: characteristics of yourself, something imaginary, something real....etc.

I kept one of my students because I loved it so much.....it made me laugh histerically...the spelling in it makes it a little hard to figure out...but even funnier once you get what he was saying. I am going to type it just as he did! ENJOY!

I AM

I AM TUFF AND HAPPY.

I OWAS WANT A RING TAIL LEMUR AS A PET.

I OWAS WANT TO BE A SOCCER PLAYER AND WIN A LOST OF TROFEES WHEN I MAKE A GOOL.

I CRIE AT MY UNGL POLE FOUILS AND WHEN I MISS MY DAD.

I DREAM I HER DAGON BREEHING FIRE.

I TOUCH SKALEESKIN.

I HERE A BAND NAME THE SPIBERS.

I FEEL GOD IS RITE BESIDE ME.

I FEEL HAPPY FOR MY MOM AND DAD AND MY FAMLY.

I WONT TO HAVE A NOW HOUSE AND BE RICH LIKE DONGLE CHOMP. (AKA DONALD TRUMP)

I THINK WENE I GROW UP I WONT TO DRIVE A MODIDIKEL.

I THINK GOS IS IN MY HART PRTAKING ME AND MY FAMILY.

NOW....HERE WAS MY EXAMPLE:

I AM BUBBLY AND PASSIONATE.

I WONDER IF THE PRESIDENT EVER DISLIKES HIS JOB.

I HEAR BIRDS SINGING.

I SEE SPARKLING DIAMONDS.

I WANT AN ORPHAN FROM CHINA.

I AM BUBBLE AND PASSIONATE.

I PRETEND THAT I AM A DANCER.

I FEEL THE BRUSH OF FAIRY WINGS ON MY FACE.

I TOUCH THE CLOUDS ON RAINY DAYS.

I WORRY ABOUT CHILDREN WHO DO NOT HAVE PARENTS.

I CRY WHEN I MISS MY FAMILY.

I AM BUBBLE AND PASSIONATE.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT LOVE IT.

I SAY GOD HAS A PLAN.

I DREAM ABOUT EVERYTHING UNDER THE STARS.

I TRY TO BE A FRIEND TO ALL PEOPLE.

I HOPE THAT PEOPLE SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN ME.

I AM BUBBLY AND PASSIONATE.

So, this particular student did not quite get the activity nor did he follow directions...but for him...he did his best, and boy did it make me smile!

Mississippi Avenue

On a recent trip to Beverly Hills...and drive down the back roads of the city, I drove past Mississippi Avenue and had to stop for a photo. Who knew??? A little piece of home thousands of miles away from home brought the biggest smile to my face!

PRAYER REQUEST: ON SATURDAY JUNE 28TH, I AM TAKING 3 TESTS KNOWN AS THE CTEL. IT IS TO CERTIFY ME TO TEACH ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS (STUDENTS WHOSE FIRST LANGUAGE IS NOT ENGLISH)...SO PLEASE, PRAY I PASS IT. THIS IS MY ONLY CHANCE TO PASS IT SINCE THEY ONLY DO IT TWICE A YEAR...AND I NEED IT TO GET A POSITION THIS SCHOOL YEAR. PLEASE PRAY HARD. OFF TO STUDYING.......

CHUBBY BUNNY!!!!

**UPDATE** MY VERY GOOD AND RESPONSIBLE FRIEND, JENNIFER REMINDED ME THAT THIS IS A DEADLY GAME AND A HUGE CHOKING HAZZARD. I KNEW THIS BEFORE PLAYING AND TOLD EACH GIRL THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO CHOKE OR DIE. BUT, INCASE THERE IS A SMALL CHILD WATCHING....DO NOT PLAY THIS AT HOME OR ANYWHERE FOR THAT MATTER.


So, I know it has been forever since I last blogged. I am sorry. I miss it. One more day till my official Summer break, and the blogs will be back to normal. For now, here are some funny and a tad embarrassing videos of some of the greatest girls I know. We look or act like we could have been drinking....but there was nothing but sweet tea in our system! Video number three was shot the day after 1 and 2....and the battery died mid shoot.

Marriage

Ryan and I have had several big things happen within the first four years of marriage:

1. As soon as we got married I moved to Houston, Texas....and had to deal with being a homesick little girl at the same time as learning to be a wife...which meant getting over the fact being a bride and a wife were two totally different roles!!!

2. I finished my degree while being married...which led to many bitter feelings on my part because I did not want to feed my husband when I had homework to do!

3. Right before our 2 year anniversary, Ryan moved to Fairfax, VA with Exxon...while I stayed in Houston and finished my internship. So, we were married but states apart for 9 months.

4. We moved to Los Angeles where we knew no one....and built our life here.
Those were all pretty big moves for us....but each one has had amazing benefits for our marriage.

Things I have learned about my husband within these four years:
1. He has a huge giving spirit.
2. He should be on medication for OCD. (Don't worry, he does not read this!)
3. He is not quite as open to sharing details of our lives as I am...haha.
4. He has a food obsession...and it annoys him that I don't find pleasure in any other food than chocolate.
5. He is really funny (this I already knew), but if he starts cracking himself up.....he starts making jokes of everything....and the funny level varies at this point (to all but him).
6. He is one of the most honest men I have ever known.
7. His intelligence is so much bigger than I could ever think.
8. He LOVES grocery shopping....I hate it ....but he insists we do it together! I sometimes pitch a fit when I don't want to go.
.....and so much more.

Things I have learned about myself because of Ryan:
1. I am a tad bit irresponsible (Okay...a lot).
2. My forgetfulness/not being responsible annoys others.
3. I am a quitter. I really don't care to win or lose...but I give up very easily.
4. I have bad grammar.
5. I am messier than I think I am.
etc...........

Things that I love about Ryan:
1. He is funny.
2. He takes such good care of me.
3. He is so responsible.
4. He loves the Lord.
5. I love to hear or see him laugh.

Things that annoy me about my dear sweet husband:
1. I hate our EXCEL spreadsheet budget...and his dedication to putting every dollar spent into the budget.
2. I am annoyed by his bodily functions at inappropriate times!
3. I am annoyed by him when he thinks he is funny.
4. I am annoyed by him when he won't take Chloe out.
5. I am annoyed by him when I am the one doing all the chores and he is watching tv, etc.
6. I am annoyed by his OCD.

THE THINGS THAT I DO THAT ANNOYS HIM ARE TOO MANY TO LIST.....

Things I wish someone would have told or taught me before I got married:

1. I wish someone would have told me that there would be days when I would think that I must have misunderstood God when I thought He told me to marry this man. I wish someone would have told me that it's normal to have those "I'm stuck in this! What have I gotten myself into?" moments.
2. I wish someone would have told me and taught me how to fold fitted sheets (momma, i know you tried, so I guess I should say, I wish I had learned).
3. I wish someone would have shared with me a secret of how to get husbands to clean!
4. I wish someone would have told me and taught me how to hide money from my husband....haha..I know this is absolutely dishonest, but I mean really if he did not know that I had $3.85 to spend on starbucks, I would not have to put that $3.85 in the stupid budget.
5. I wish I had learned to brainwash or hypnotize people....or put him to sleep (for just a little while..haha).
6. I wish someone would have told me that just because I can't stand him for a couple days does not mean that I am a horrible person or married to the wrong person. It means I am an imperfect human trying to love another imperfect person.....and it doesn't always work out so well.
7. I wish someone would have told me how to turn off and deal with my bitterness when I think I've been wronged.
8. I wish I would have learned how to make stinking pancakes. I can never make them turn out pretty!!!!!

P.S. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE RYAN WITH ALL MY HEART AND WOULD CHOOSE TO MARRY HIM ALL OVER AGAIN AND AGAIN (the majority of our days :) ).

p.p.s ....NO JOKE...Ryan just asked me if I had updated the budget, and says I need to do that before tonight! Man, that is annoying!!!

Anniversary!

EXACTLY FOUR YEARS AGO ON THIS VERY DAY.....

....I MARRIED MY BEST FRIEND.

Coming Soon: My insights and opinions of the first 4 years of marriage!

Taken Back in Time...and I got there just by breathing!

Today I was reminded of the amazing things our sense of smell can do. Ryan and I were shoe shopping for him...not for me (although I did browse through the women's section), and while walking the men's aisle of the sketchers outlet and seeing shoe after shoe I passed by a person and was suddenly back in high school with an old friend. It took only the second that it took the scent of this person to hit my brain and I raced backwards from 24 to 14 in no time. My mind was flooded with memories. It took me by surprise! I have not seen or talked to this person in years and all of the sudden I felt like we were close again. It was the weirdest thing. It made me think of how powerful this sense is. I remember being in Houston....maybe a year after being married and I was walking Chloe. A truck similar to my dad's was approaching us...it made me smile to think of him. Then, I heard the purring/rumbling of the loud diesel engine, which made me think even more about my dad. As the all too familiar truck approached I began to smell the distinct odor that a diesel truck has, and when it passed by me...the memories were so real I just started to cry! I mean I get homesick and cry easily but had I just used my sense of sight and sound, I think I would have been okay...but the smell of the diesel knocked me back into my Daddy's arms and I lost it. The smell of freshly cut grass here in L.A. takes me back to Mississippi in heart beat. The smell of a skunk puts me back on Huckleberry Road. A certain deodorant takes me back to the girls locker room. A particular brand of lotion carries me back to the Bahamas. Some flowers' aromas take me back to a funeral parlor. I am not super sure if I love the way smell connects us to memories or not. I like that it triggers memories, but at the same time...it's almost like I have no control...I have nothing to prepare me for the memory I am about to live through again. It takes me by complete surprise and sends me back in time. However, most of the time I come back to my present state feeling appreciation for the quick trip back in time.

City of Angels

Last week I had a conversation with my Papaw and he asked, "Wormy (my nickname from him because I use to be soo tiny), you really like it out there don't you?" I replied with, "Yes Sir, I really do love it!" Then today at church, our site pastor, Goodie, spoke about our city and our purpose here etc. He mentioned that the majority of people not in LA have no idea why anyone could love it so much. So, I decided to write about my top 10 reasons that I love my city. Now, I realize I live in Hermosa Beach...but still Los Angeles County...and still considered the LA area.
So, here I go...here are some reasons why I absolutely love this place!

1. The Diversity. I absolutely love the diversity of all the people here. From the kids in my classroom, to the people I see walking and driving down the street. It reminds me of "Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World"....I see red and yellow, black and white....and they truly are all precious in His sight!

2. The passion of the people. The majority of people I have met here are not originally from here. They have moved out here to pursue some type of passion. Which makes the people of LA usually very passionate. They may be pursuing a career, freedom, a new identity...whatever...but they bring their passion to this city...and boy is it fun to see passionate people.

3. Exercise is a way of life here. If I have to go somewhere that is 1/2 mile to a mile away...I usually choose to walk there. This is a place where people are always out walking, skate boarding, biking, etc...at least in the Beach City that we live in. There is constant peer pressure to be outside and be exercising....I just love walking to the bank, to the grocery store, to the drug store, and out to eat. With a place so beautiful...why would you sit in a car when you can be outside.

4. I love the beach!!!!! I love surfers, skateboarders, beach chairs, beach towels, the life guard stations, the life guard trucks. I love the strand (concrete walkway by the beach where everyone bikes, runs, walks, skates....). I love the pier. I love Volleyball, and more than playing it, I love watching volleyball. I love the laid back atmosphere and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore line. I love boogie boarding (when the water gets semi warm). I just love everything about hanging out at the beach with friends or alone!

5. I love the view on clear LA days. SO....we have a good bit of smog...and fog...but when it rolls out, or right after a rain, the view of this city is phenomenal. You see mountains near and far, you see the HOLLYWOOD sign from the Pacific Coast Highway by our Target. You see Catalina Island. You see beautiful sights that take your breath away.

6. I love the view of the mountains...especially when they are snowcapped. I mean...where else can you look to your left and see the Pacific Ocean lined with palm trees and look to your right and see monstrous snow capped mountains!!!

7. I love the weather. A handful of hot days, a handful of cool days....very few rainy days....and you get the most perfect weather! It is just amazing. I will confess that I have turned into a wimp because I've been so spoiled by Southern California weather. When it hits 90 I think I am dying of heat exaustion and below 70 I shiver in pain...run to my car and turn on my seat warmers!!!

8. I love being so close to the entertainment industry. I know....it's awful...the things we watch and listen to these days. There aren't too many wholesome shows available, however I am star struck and in awe at least once a week when I meet someone who is just in the industry. I love seeing television and movie scenes and recognizing right where some scenes were filmed. I love that although I can't recognize a celebrity for the life of me, they are all around me.

9. I love the freeway! Yes, that's what I said...I actually love the freeway. Let me explain. 4 years ago I was a little uncomfortable driving in Jackson Mississippi and I would not leave my apartment in Houston Texas for fear of highways and freeways. God...has so graciously answered my prayers and not only made me comfortable driving on giant freeways but I actually find it fun! Now....I don't love the traffic on our freeways (although I do like looking at the cars around me)...but I love zooming down the freeway and thinking..."I am driving in Los Angeles California...and I'm actually OK...and having FUN!"

10. MOSAIC. I did not put these in any order...and if I had Mosaic would have gotten in slot number one or two. I love our church! I have never experienced anything like it in my life. I love the mission of our church, the heart of our pastor, the heart of all of the leaders and people involved. It has changed my life.

Sure, there are things I miss about Mississippi and even Houston, and of course there are some things about LA that I am not a super huge fan of....but overall I absolutely love this place. I am so thankful for the oppurtunity to live here. God has opened my eyes and taught me so much. I only hope to leave a mark in this city....as it has forever left a mark on my life.

Use Your Head!

It is still amazing to me how two people so totally different can live in harmony (most days). A week or so ago my friend Jessica and I hopped in the vehicle and ran some errands. I knew we needed to get gas quickly or else we'd be walking. So, I thought about the nearest Exxon station(have to support them since they support us) in the direction that we were heading. As we pulled in I looked at the price per gallon and said, "$3.99 for regular...man!" I just pulled right on up to the fuel tank and began pumping. As I pumped I chuckled to myself as I replayed a radio dj's comments in my mind. He reported that some parts of the nation were about to experience gas prices over $4.00. He then added that anytime we hear "some parts of the nation"...that usually meant us in California." I thought man....he was right! So, I stood outside of the vehicle waiting on it to finish filling up while chatting with Jess. I then heard the click of the handle signaling the fueling had ceased. I returned the giant emission free nozzle into the holder, hopped in the vehicle and went about our day. Later that evening Jess, Ryan, and I were at our apartment when Ryan asked if I filled the jeep up with gas....actually this may be better in dialogue form so here is how the conversation went:
Ryan: Did you fill up the jeep today?
Me: Yep, and gas is $3.99!!
Ryan: (sounding alarmed and shocked and stopping everything to look at me) YOU PAYED $3.99 PER GALLON!
Me: Yep...that's how much it costs now in our part of the nation.
Ryan: Where did you go that is cost that much...because I just saw it for $3.78!
Me: I went to Exxon...the one right beside your work. But, the radio man said that it was going to cost that much here.
Ryan: Stacey, that is the most expensive gas station around! How much did it cost total?
Me: I don't know.
Ryan: (getting upset..but trying not to get too upset because Jessica is here) YOU DON'T KNOW! YOU DID NOT LOOK?
Me: Nope, Sorry...I never look. We had to fill it up regardless of what it was going to cost.
Ryan: (shaking his head...he looks at me and mouths the words...."USE YOUR HEAD!")
Me: A few moments later....just die out laughing at the thought of how different we are!

I would say that the biggest difference between Ryan and I is the way that we think. I think pretty much all with my heart! Ryan....all with his head. I mean, thank heavens we have one another or we'd be in a bigger a mess but I must admit there are some moments that I am in absolute awe that our personalities are so different. OH...AND I'VE BEEN NOTICING GAS PRICES ALOT...AND HE WAS RIGHT NO WHERE ELSE IS IT THAT EXPENSIVE!

LONG TIME NO POST!

It has been a few weeks since I've posted...well I guess only a little over two. Not just a ton of things have been happening. I've continued pressing foward through 3rd grade. I have good days and bad days....depending on my kiddos. Some days I want to take them all home...other days they drive me crazy. I've discovered that 3rd grade girls completley begin to lose their genuiness. I mean...they try to impress you, and act like someone other than their real self...that breaks my heart...I mean they are 9 for goodness sakes! So...that's school!
I am on week 6 of my Beth Moore BELIEVING GOD study...and am becoming ever more convicted and challenged. This study has been amazing for me and at the end of it I am going to write about the 10 week life changing study.
On a lighter note, 27 DRESSES comes out on DVD Tuesday and Oh...I am so excited! I love this movie!
WE HAVE A NEW NEPHEW! Ryan's brother and sister-n-law...Dana and Micheal had a new baby boy last week. I plan to post a picture of Will as soon as we get one.

This has all been super random....but O Well...more to come later!

Living Proof Live San Diego

Cathy, Lorraine, Yvette, and Me

So, this weekend I picked up three of my most precious sisters and friends and we had a hilarious drive to San Diego, Ca. We met some other girls from Mosaic down there....and took part in Beth Moore's Living Proog Live Conferece. It was amazing....even now as I am typing the tears are welling up in my eyes. God had told Beth to teach on Psalm 139. I have grown to love this chapter like never before. We talked about these main points that Psalm 139 shows us.

1. O LORD, ...I am known.

2. O LORD, ...I need to be known.

3. O LORD, ... I'm scared to be known.

4. O LORD, ... I've always been known.

5.O LORD,... I can know because I am known.

6. O LORD, ... My enemies are known.

7. O LORD, ... My anxieties are known.

8. O, LORD,...Search me and know.

It was so amazing. God is really working in my heart and life. I am just in awe and amazed...and I am still processing all that God is still teaching me thru this weekend. I came home and just had to pray and cry for like 2 hours after getting home Saturday evening. After I have processed it all....I will share more. But until then, I will share some fun photos because not only was it life changing....but these girls and I had soooo much fun!!!

This Miss June "Junie B" and me

Me, Yvette, and Lorraine (cathy behind the camera)

Yvetters and Me

...................more to come later...Ryan needs the computer....ugh!

STAR SIGHTING!!

The truth is ever since living here I have been on the lookout for stars....and I am sure I have seen them, but I never can recognize them. Well, several Friday's ago, my sweet friend Jessica, Ryan, and I went to our local Hermosa Beach Farmer's Market. We were sitting down watching the people and Jess and I were enjoying very good turkey dogs (Yeah I know ...turkey dog...I guess that makes me a little bit less of a Mississippi girl). Anyway, I had noticed this one man and his wife/girlfriend earlier because they were both beautiful people...but I just thought that they were beautiful. Then, J says, "Okay, do you want to see a movie star?" Ofcourse, my heart starts pounding a little, and I am super pumped because not only am I about to see a movie star, but they are in my home town of Hermosa Beach...on my turf. So, she points out the beautiful man that I had seen. "Who is he???" I asked. She informed me that he was in 40 year old virgin and some other films..all of which I had not seen...maybe why I did not recognize him. But, I could not take my eyes off of the movie star. I mean I wanted to see what he bought, how he interacted with his lady companion. I was super excited, but tried to play it off cool and just eat my turkey dog. I really wanted to run up to him and get his autograph (MY MOM WOULD HAVE)....but I noticed no one else was bothering this man....no one seemed to be as excited as I was that he was in our presence. I did think Jess was waving at him once....She began to flap her hand and I looked at her and said, "Are you waving at him?"....To which she replied with laughter and informed me she was shooing away a bug. So...anyway, we came home, looked him up on the computer and instantly confirmed it was him....I can't recall his name right now....but I saw a movie star.

Other than this one confirmed sighting other celebreties I have seen are:

• Well, I for sure saw Ellen Degeneres at her show.
• I for sure saw Larry King on her show.
• I am almost absolutely positive I saw Collin Ferril driving down Santa Monica Blvd.
• I really thought I saw Jessica Simpson at the Manhattan Beach target...but the more I think about it...the less sense it makes that it would have been her.
• There was some MTV star at church that someone pointed out to me.
• Oh...and I have a friend...who comes over weekly for our Beth Moore Bible Study....and she actually has a show coming out...a reality show on the CW, FARMER WANTS A WIFE. She is on this show. Her name is Brooke Ward.....so she is my own personal friend/celebrity..haha.
• I also thought that I saw Usher in a land rover in hermosa....Ryan looked at the guy and replied, "Stacey, have you ever even seen Usher?" Apparently he did not see the uncanny resemblance...haha.

So, I will keep looking and I will report on any more star sightings....

WICKED!!!!

Yesterday evening, Ryan got a call from his boss saying they had an extra ticket to go see Wicked last night....if we wanted it. I Have been wanting to see this Broadway Musical for a year now! And finally, a little frazzled but excited...I got ready in 5 minutes flying out the door and speeding to their house half an hour away to make it in time. I nearly hit a pedestrian, but made record time on getting to their house in Venice. Then we went to Hollywood where Wicked was being performed in the amazing Pantagous theatre. It was really neat. The entire performace was amazing! I highly recommend it! Of Course, I now want to be a broadway performer. I think I will be trying out for the part of Glenda all day in front of my mirror. If only I could sing....this could be my career. Anyway, I was super excited and wanted to share that excitment with you.

Easter Cookies

So, Easter was a few weeks ago...but I just got around to posting my Easter cookies. I had so much fun with these! Maybe I want to be a baker when I grow up.....

Spring Break '08

Well, I have not written since becoming a third grade teacher. Three years ago I would have never wanted to be in a third grade classroom....but the truth is I love it. I love the smaller ones better. I think I am definetly better at teaching younger students, but I really enjoy this group of kids. Of Course the first week, I received several notes and comments telling me I was not going to replace their other teacher.....but now they seem to have accepted that she is not coming back and I'm staying. So, we've adjusted and gotten in the groove of things quite well.

And now it is Spring Break! Thanks to ExxonMobil and their need for Ryan this week, our Spring Break plans have been cancelled. We were going to go to Catalina Island and then drive up the Pacific Coast Highway and head to northen California....but since we found out 2 days ago that this would not be possible, I have composed a Spring Break todo list. It look just like this...

To Do:
Laundry
Clean out closets (This is going to be thrilling)
Bathe Chloe
Take Chloe to the Dog Park (I might should do the park before the bath)
Scrub the bathrooms
Write letters to friends
GET A TAN
Apply for passport
Grade some papers
Blog some of my most recent thoughts and conversations I have had with myself..haha
Shop a little (I have to do something fun!)

The one thing I have to look foward to...Beth Moore Conference in San Diego on Friday and Saturday.

So....as you can tell, this is not the most exciting Spring Break ever, but I am kinda excited to just chill and get things done around the apartment. I will let you know how it goes! Hopefully I will blog some interesting thoughts soon!

A view from the pew

As I go to our church on Sundays I am amazed. I am amazed by many things, the intimacy of it all, the talent before me, the way God speaks through our pastor and penetrates deeply into my heart...meeting with me, comforting me, and challenging me each and every Sunday. I am also amazed by the difference in the church I grew up in and the church I am in now. Please know I love my home church in Mississippi....but the differences are so vast it is almost comical. So, I thought that I would take some time to compare the two.

There are so many points to compare from....but I've decided to describe my own view from the pew....or auditorium chair.

Let's begin with a view from the church I grew up in..in Mississippi. First...I sit next to people I have known probably for several years....and I am on a pew...a pew with the wooden slightly sloped backs and velvet 3 inch thick cushion. In front of me, on the back of the pew before me is are Baptist Hymnals and a King James Version of the Bible...just in case you forgot yours. As I look around me at all the people....I see mostly middle aged and older adults. The women are dressed in nice dress pants or dresses, men in khakis, button up shirts, and some in wranglers. They are all white, middle class, conservative people. Their faces clean shaven, their hair well groomed. They are good people...most of them have watched me grow up. The service begins...we stand, grab our hymnals and sing songs whose page numbers were already printed in the bulletin. While standing and sometimes singing we sing things such as Blessed Assurance, Holy Holy Holy, etc. The choir director leads us while being accompanied by an organ and a piano.We sing and we sit. We then have childrens church....which was one of my vary favorite parts...all of the children go down while the most amazing children's minister leads them in a clever....really neat mini lesson...and then the children return the pew with their parents. The offering takes place...and the wooden circular plate with the reddish velvet bottom is passed from pew to pew....person to person. Then the pastor stands..sometimes at the big wooden podium but usually dressed in a suit...there he stands and delivers his message. There is an alter call at the end of the service. Sometimes people go down to pray, to join the church, and sometimes to give their lives to Christ....but the majority of people in the church have been going for years...and are already believers.

Now, the contrast....sit with me through a few moments in Mosaic. I am not sitting in a pew this time...nor am I even in a church building. I am at the Beverly Hills high school auditorium. No hymnals or Bibles in front of me...afterall this is a high school in California and that might just be a tad bit illegal. As I look around now, I cannot help but think of heaven....because the diversity within this one room is amazing. I am sitting beside an African American man whom has come to become one of dearest friends. In front of me I see Asians, Hispanics, Filipinos, Caucasians, Middle Easterners, and the list could go on and on and on. They are dressed...well....no one is dressed the same. There are men and women with shorts on, flip flops, dresses of all lengths, clothes of all sorts.....all colors....all styles...many pairs of jeans (unfortunately, not so many wranglers). They are mostly young adults.....20's and 30's would be the majority. It's like playing where's waldo to find an elderly person (i miss the the elderly). Some not so clean shaven...many not even what some would say well groomed. I see mohawks, red streaked hair, blue streaked hair....bleach blonde hair....and ofcourse your normal shades too. I don't know very many of these people....probably have real relationships with only about 20 of them. The service begins ...sometimes with drama, other times with improv, or even a dance. Then we worship...and boy do we worship. On stage we have 2 vocalists, a drummer, a keyboard player, a violinist, some electric guitarist, and occasionally someone spinning records! The neat thing is....it is never a performance....it is true worship of everyone on the stage and most of us in our seats. The songs are great...many written by our own staff, people are actively participating and loving singing to our Lord...many raised hands, joyful dancing, etc. No children's church, in fact I have never really seen a child in the actual service part. The offering is not passed until the end...and no offering plates....rather paint buckets are passed! When are pastor comes to share....he is not wearing a suit....quite the contrary....he is in jeans...sometimes a tshirt (my favorite is a gray one with pink machine guns and a guitar on it)...other times in a button up...but always untucked and comfortable. And...there is no podium. He does not even stand alot of the time. He has a stool and he sits and just talks....like he is in a conversation...many times just with me it seems. There is rarely an official alter call....but the neat thing is the majority of the people in this service have not been in church their whole life...going to church is not the common thing to do in LA. Most of these people are here because they crave this, they want this....they are seeking Christ. And...that is so neat.

I think one of the only common factors between the two churches is that they are both Southern Baptist.

Now, I am not saying one way of church is right and the other is wrong. There are so many different things about every church. Alot of it is because of the culture and location that the church is in. Some people desire the traditional way of church....some people would never be able to stay awake in the traditional way. And....I am only comparing the view from the pew...not the mission of the church or the core values....just my little view and the differences! I will say both blessed my life....but I will also say that for me personally, now that I have experienced worship so intimate and so full of Christ and fun at the same time...I never want anything less!

If you are still reading this....sorry, it was long...and it was just something that I have been thinking about for a while, and decided to put it into words. Feel free to check out our amazing church at www.mosaic.org .

Missing MeiLing....

(taken from the great wall china adoption website)

It will be 6 more years before we can even send off a completed dossier (adoption paperwork) to China. But....wow...somedays I am overwhelmed with such emotions just thinking about MeiLing. I can't wait to see her little almond eyes, olive skin, and straight black hair in contrast to her cousins whom have blond hair, curly hair, etc. I know MeiLing won't even be born for several years. But I pray often for her birth mother....who at this very moment will need to develop the courage not to abort her(if she finds out that she's a girl) or the courage to take her to a safe haven when she is filled with pain and disappointment after birth when she finds out that she did not have a boy...and will be filled with grief as she gives up the baby she's carried for nine months. She will have to be courageous!

Lately I have been flooded with thoughts of how neat it will be that God will hand choose a daughter for us. I know the thought of God creating a baby in the womb out of a husband and wife's genes must be similar. But for me....the thought that when we get her, God will have chosen her from all the babies...to be our baby......WOW....tears just flow and flow and flow. I just went on the adoption website...and as I looked at pictures of "Gotcha Day" and saw these parents being handed their babies, I sobbed! It is just such a reflection of God's grace and mercy...and how he has adopted us into his family!

Anyway, by the time Ryan and I get Meiling I will have wanted her for 10 years! She will be well worth the wait and when we get her....I have to find an outfit like this little one is wearing in the photo above!

What I want to be when I grow up....

I have mentioned before that I always ask new classrooms of students what they want to be when they grow up. They usually have to remind me of their name first...and then give me their answer. I always participate in these interviews. The conversation usually goes something like this:

Me: My name is Mrs. Webb....and when I grow up...(I am usually interrupted by a student here)

Student: You are grown up!

Me: Well, that's okay...grown ups can change their mind about what they want to do. ...(then I continue) Ahemm....When I grow up I want to.....well actually I want to do a few things (which I am now completely breaking the rule of the game...since I told each student that he/she could only choose 1 thing, but since I am the teacher I can break the rules).....I want to either move to China and work in an orphanage, be a child life specialist, own my own boutique or gift shop, design my own stationary, design t-shirts, work at a store called Swoozies (www.swoozies.com), be a nanny, etc. etc.....

As a child my list of things I wanted to be when I grew up went something like this (as best as I can recall):

An Actress
A cheerleader (can't convince Ryan that I should try out for a professional team..haha)
A scientist (very briefly....I just liked rocks a lot)
An office worker (I looove office supplies like pens, sticky notes, those carbon copy message pads, paper clips, and I even love answering the phone for businesses....and taking messages, answering easy questions, and transferring phone calls.)
An interior decorator
A child life specialist
....teacher was never even an option....



So....the point of this blog is to admit that I still have no idea what I really want to do for a living. I never once said...when I grow up...I want to be a substitute teacher! Please don't get me wrong....I love my job...I get to be off basically whenever I desire, I get to meet and teach and love soooo many kids and form amazing relationships...and it is relatively easy...not to mention it has pretty good pay! However, I find it a little odd that I am 24....have a degree...have been married for nearly 4 years...and have no idea what I want to do career wise. Did I mention that I was voted "Most Likely To Succeed" my senior year of high school? I guess success can be measured in different ways. I am not stressed out by this.....I am not even really worried....just slightly perplexed by the thought.

When will I ever decide?

Another Round of Loaded Questions.....

Here we go again....

If you could own one type of store, what would it be?
A gift shop that sold my own line of stationary, cute purses, bags, invitations, frames, art, and monogrammed stuff.

What is something that you are allergic to?
Pond or Lake Water

What is the first thing you do when you get out of bed?
Find my house shoes, moccasins, flip flops or something for my feet. I cannot stand to be bare footed.

If you were on a deserted island, what cd would you want with you?
A Jack Johnson CD

What is the first thing you notice when you meet someone?
Eyes and Smile

If you wake up in the middle of the night, what do you usually end up doing before you fall back asleep?
PRAY....I specifically pray for whomever comes to my mind...and often wonder if God did not wake me up just to cover that person in prayer for that moment...but then I worry if that person is okay.

What is your favorite thing to buy at a convenience store?
Diet Dr. Pepper and some kind of chips...like sun chips, funions, Cheetos....oh or beef jerky or corn nuts...haha.

If you could live during a specific time in American history, when would you choose?
The time of Pride and Prejudice...whenever that was. Oh, but wait, that may not have been American History.

What is your favorite greasy appetizer?
Cheese Sticks from pizza hut

If you could change your mind about one thing you did today, what would it be?
I would not have eaten a 2nd cookie!

What is the best thing about having children?
haha...well, Since I don't have any or want any for a long time, I can't answer this question. I am positive that there are joys in having children that I won't understand until that day.....but today I will answer this question..."What is the best thing about not having children?"
-Just going to the store whenever I want.
-Running whenever I want.
-Eating whenever I want.
-Sleeping whenever I want...and waking up when I want to. So, Basically....I am just way to selfish!

What was the last movie that made your eyes tear up?
"Becoming Jane" and "The Other Boelyn Girl"

What word best describes the outfit you are wearing right now?
Hideous or Eclectic (I am wearing running clothes which consists of blue capri running pants, one long white tank...a periwinkle tank....a long pink apron, and tennis shoes with holes in them)....wouldn't you agree hideous is correct?

Farewell Muffy Dog...

Muffy had been a part of the Jolley family I believe since 1997. That made Muf Muf 11 years old when she died today. I wanted her when I was in the 6th grade, after seeing my cousin's puppy (who was Muffy's sibling). My mom said if we could get rid of my 3 cats that we could get the puppy...and so we did. She was a cute fluffy ball. I remember the naming process....what name could we give this precious little dog?? Around this same time, my brother Robbie had recently referred to himself as "A Stud Muffin." My mom then said...what about Muffy? It was the perfect name for the black and white ball of fluff. She came home with us and slept with me her first night with us...I could tell she was adjusting when I woke up to Muffy chewing my fingers. She instantly became a part of our family. She loved when my mom would do laundry. It always seemed as anyone held up socks in the air to try and see if one matched the other....that Muffy thought this was her game. She would attack the sock in the air. She also hated for my hair to be in a pony tail and would find a way to get the pony tail holder out of my hair, if I were near her level. She grew...and grew...and soon was quite obese for such a small dog. ....But her size was just part of her character. At dinner time she had her place....right beside my Daddy (on the floor not in the chair)...and whatever Daddy had, Muf Muf also sampled. And we wonder why she became so heavy? She loved popcorn and could still catch it in mid-air....this was her only trick but she really had it mastered! She was a 12 inch tall cow dog, okay so she did not really help herd the cattle, but she loved to tag along in the truck with my Daddy. She was a sweet dog....she was gentle, too. She handled nearly 4 years of my pestering dog, Chloe, invading her territory and attacking her. She was good with the grandkids....and came to enjoy their food falling to the floor from the high chair. She was so content....until you mentioned a haircut or a bath! She lived a long life for a little dog. I remeber sobbing on the way from my wedding to the hotel because I did not tell Muf Muf where I was going...and she would think that her "sissy" (haha) had abonded her. I tried to explain as I layed on the floor face to face with her the next time I saw her why I was moving and that I would miss her and come back and never forget her. I will miss her little fat self, I will miss her horrible over bite, and her dreadful breath. She was the first dog that I really loved! So, farewell my sweet Muffy dog! You were loved by all and will forever be cherished in our hearts. Thank you for bringing us so much joy for 11 years.

Polka Dots and Ditches!

Well, for a few years I have wanted laser surgery on my face to remove acne scars. However, after finding out the price I decided it might be shallow to spend that much money to change my appearance. Besides, the scars actually represent the passing of something painful, annoying, and ugly. So, I should be thankful for these scars and not trying to get rid of them....right? Well, 2 weeks ago I was tutoring my precious and beloved Ethan and Romea. Ethan is 6 and Romea is 4. I absolutely love them! In fact right after moving here to CA, they were living in our apartment complex while their house was being remodeled. Since I knew no one, anytime I would hear or see them at the pool I would run out and casually decide to lay out at that very same time....just so I could be around some children....and they were such fun ones! Now we have such a great friendship! ....Anyway.....last week Romea looked at my face pretty intensely, and then this was the conversation that followed her stare:

Romea: Miss Stacey what are those ditches on your face?

Miss Stacey: Oh, those bumps...well they are called pimples. They are no fun.

Romea: (still staring) No, not the bumps (touching one)....the ditches (now touching the ditch)...what are these ditches in your face?

Miss Stacey: (cracking up with laughter)...OH, those! Well, those do look like ditches, you are right!

Romea: But what are they?

Miss Stacey: They are scars...from when I use to have those bumps.

(She gently rubbed the ditches as to show me sympathy....and then hopped off.)

................................TODAY'S CONVERSATION WITH ROMEA.............................................

Romea: Miss Stacey, What are those polka dots on your face?

Miss Stacey:(remembering last weeks conversation I immediately pause to appreciate how hilarious the moment is) Oh, Romea.....those are freckles!

Romea: OH

...............FUNNY ROMEA MOMENT 3.......................................

So Romea was drawing illustrations for a story she told me and then she was going to draw me...and she says:

Romea: I think you look like a dead fish.

Miss Stacey: A dead fish?? Romea, have you ever even seen a dead fish? (I mean surely if she had she would not see such a resemblance)

Romea: Yes, and I touched it with the back of my hand.

Lucy: (Ethan's little friend) Nah, I think you look like a dead fairy.

Miss Stacey: Goodness, thank you Lucy. I'd rather be a dead fairy than a dead fish.

This is Romea (pronounced Row-May-Uh)

After today, I think I shall seriously reconsider laser surgery, or maybe something even more dramatic!

Crafts, Birthday pics, etc.etc.....

Well, I have several new pictures.....very random of course....but I wanted to share them with you!

This was taken Sunday on Hermosa Beach. We walked down Sunday afternoon for a few minutes to play volleyball, football, and eat watermelon with our friends Cathy and Cliff.

Ryan decided to kick the volleyball over the net rather than hit the ball. It was pretty cool...and I just happened to get this shot.

And he waits for Cliff to hit it over.

Cliff and Ryan playing...

This is my friend Jessica and our friends' Christin and Dwayne's little girl Noelle. This was taken Saturday night at my birthday gathering!

Jessica, Me, and Cathy.....

My dear sweet husband and myself.

Okay, so my friend Brianne has the neatest giant red clothes pin. Hers was a Christmas gift I believe from Pottery Barn.....and just like I fell in love with Brianne....I also fell in love with her giant clothes pin! So, I found a wooden one at Micheals and tried to make my own version.

Frames that I made for a friend's baby shower.

My mama and daddy sent me some birthday $. I bought a dress and some fabric. I did not know what I wanted to make with the fabric, but later decided to cover some canvas with the fabric....

The three fabric canvas'.

One of the Best Birthdays....

So, I have had one of my best birthdays and it is not even my birthday yet. Saturday will be my birthday...but already it has just been so great. First of all, I got my red kitchen aid mixer as a valentines/birthday gift from Ryan. I love it! Then, I got my favorite dress ever and some fabric with which I have already done 1 project (pics to come soon) from my parents. Donna and Robbie gave me some monogrammed jewelry that I have wanted for several months!!! Just last night our small group had a surprise party for me and gave me a cake, a precious card, had a banner up for me, and gave me a digital picture frame!!! I am watching it now...it's so great! I mean....if it were to get any better I don't know what I would do. In small group...we just finished studying the book of Ephesians and I was explaining how God has really blessed me beyond measure. In Ephesians 3 Paul talks about how God is able to do immeasurable more than we could ever ask or imagine. I have a huge imagination and God has truly blessed me far beyond what I could imagine. I have the greatest friends and family. I could never ask for more

A New Kind of Culture Shock!

Growing up in the south, saying yes ma'am, no sir, please, thank you, Miss and Mr....is not preferred but expected. If a child does not include these manners when speaking with an adult it is a bit appalling. Even at the age of two my nephews are corrected each time they answer a question with yes or no...rather than yes maam or no maam. This is the way I was raised and it is the way of life in the south. RESPECT is HUGE and manners are part of that respect.

After moving to Houston...I began to see less of the yes maam and no maam....but it was still pretty prevalent. Now in LA, I don't think I have heard one child say yes maam. It is definitely not common in conversation here. I have to catch myself as a teacher because when a child curtly answers me with yes or no....something inside of me deep within my southern roots wants to look that child in the eye and say, "Excuse me?" To which I want their response to be "Yes Maam." But the truth is....it is not going to happen and I am getting very use to it.

I however can never get over the rudeness of some children. Today I was subbing in a 2nd grade classroom. While some of the girls were gathering outside of the classroom before class they were peering through the window to see their substitute. I could hear everything that they were saying...first I heard in a very mean snotty voice, "Oh, My Gosh....She's a teenager!" Then this student proceeded to tell every other student that came up to look at the little teenage sub. Here I am 4 times her age and allowed my feelings to get a bit hurt by her remark. Then I had several disrespectful students. After getting on to a little girl for being disrespectful, she walks up to me....looks me in the eye and says in such a sassy voice, "You are not any fun!" I don't think I could say that to anyone much less someone much older than me.

There are many reasons why I feel hesitant to ever move back to Mississippi.......but being in a place where respect and manners rank super high on the priority list would be nice!

The Healthy Lifestyle a.k.a. Diet Begins

Why can't I eat 8 chocolate chip cookies every day? Why was it that I bought mini rice cakes rather then potato chips at Target today...and why can't I eat pizza every other night? And why in the heck does exercise have to be such a pain? WHY??? Because my jeans are tighter than ever before...because it is already swim suit season in California...and because in a month I have my annual doctor's appointment which is also the one time a year I step on scales....and I am determined to lose any weight that I have gained since this time last year (siighhh).

Now the hard part of this is...I want to do this so that I feel better about myself and my body. But the last thing I want to do is become obsessed with it. Living in an appearance obsessed culture makes this difficult. Also, having had an eating disorder in the past also makes this tricky. So....that's why I decided to post about it....tell the world. This way I can somehow...kinda...hold myself accountable.

But, really....it is such a pain that we have to make a concious effort to watch what we eat. I hope when we get to Heaven our spirtitual bodies will thrive off of things like cookie dough, cookies, brownies, doritios, flaming hot cheetos, peanut m&m's gumballs, those sugar cookies with the bright icing from walmart/sams/costco,etc., chips and salsa, milk shakes, beef jerkey, and my beloved diet dr. pepper...would'nt that just be wonderful!!!???

So, until then .... pray that my appearance will never be more important to me than my character and spiritual health.....and pray that I can have self control as I really desire to stick to this healthy lifestyle.

Oh...and just because I haven't done this in a while....a loaded question card for the day:

If you were in line at the deli, what would you order?
This is easy...turkey sandwhich on wheat bread. Mustard no mayo. Please add lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and every kind of pepper available! YUMMM!

What would you title your autobiography?
Utter Randomness

What color looks terrible on you?
Orange

Where is the best place to take a family vacation?
Branson, Missouri



ENOUGH, ENOUGH, ENOUGH....I HAVE TO GO RUN NOW.... I HAVE PROCRASTINATED LONG ENOUGH...AGGHH!!!!

THE BEST VALENTINES WEEKEND EVER! Part II

This is Wyatt (Ryan's sister's son) singing "At the Cross." And yes, that is Ryan playing with legos in the back ground.

Wyatt singing "The B-I-B-L-E"

Maeson and Robbie telling Tacey Goodbye!

More to come later...and some pictures of the neices...but for some reason...blogspot is not wanting those images to upload right now!

THE BEST VALENTINES WEEKEND EVER!

This Valentines was wonderful! On the Eve of Valentines Ryan gave me a Valentines gift! I was so surprised and excited...it wasn't just any gift but something that I have always wanted! It was a red kitchen aid mixer. I was so surprised and felt so loved!

Then, on the 14th we flew to Mississippi to be with our family. We surprised my Daddy...which was priceless. I also surprised my sister-in-law Donna...which was fun! Here are a few glimpses from our weekend! We have the best family in the world!

This is my big brother, Robbie, and I. I guess we are still a little childish. P.S. Make up is not worn when hanging out at home in Mississippi!

One of the many highlights of my weekend...a quick horse ride with my nephews, Maeson and Wes.

Here is my Wessy Bug!

This video was taken when Maeson and I went feeding the cows with Daddy.

HAPPY VALENTINES!

Love is in the air! I love valentines....actually I love the whole month of February for 2 reasons...one because it means my birthday is only 1 month away and the second reason is I love all of the Valentines stuff. I love the pink and red hearts, the candy, the talk of love, the stuffed animals, the cards...I just love the coversations of love. We have a nearby Target that the parking is in a parking garage and the store is above the garage. You have to ride up an escalator to get into the store part....and as you go up, there are giant signs that look like the heart message candy hanging from the ceiling. Each time I see them it makes me smile. I pick out which one I want that day...for example they say things such as, hello luv, hello star, hello precious, hello cutie, hello cheeky, etc. Most of the time I pick "hello precious...." So I am just playing an imaginary game in my head that someone is saying that to me...haha. Anyway, each year I have been making Valentine cookies....I have so much fun doing it. Here are this years cookies:

I hope that you have such a wonderful Valentines and feel more loved than you ever have before! Happy Happy Heart Day!

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BABY BLUES (THE RESTURANT)

Last Weekend Ryan and I met his boss and his bosses wife at their home in Venice, California (just north of us about 15 minutes). We went to a Bar-B-Q resturant that Ryan has been wanting to go to for a while. It was called Baby Blues....and I must admit, it was very good. My favorite part was the dessert ....banana pudding...the best I'd ever had! I also was a tad bit offended...well okay, not really offended, but I thought it was funny. You see, it was a hole in the wall place...but the servers were I believe intended to look southern. They all had on jeans and sloppy big white shirts (like a big undershirt)...and a john deere cap. And the girls hair was horrible messy ( I am not sure if that was part of the southern attire or just her). Anyway, I overheard our waitress explaining to someone else that the attire was "white trash." I mean....seriously...just because you are from the south and eat bbq doesn't mean you are white trash...or dress like it. Anyway, I am rambling now and have a ton that I need to be doing so, this is for me today.