tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56590021062648952342024-02-20T05:19:16.850-08:00Marvels of my MindStacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-71466604119983359632011-06-27T21:56:00.001-07:002011-06-27T22:43:50.256-07:00Noah James<div align="center"><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTVJrD-GeCpGBO9Z-T9lE1YI8AQu4N7-oyA9NBaC77f-0BmN-4e1iuYY5qxvn3k_NVJFg755m-RsciIAxsBLoZEq2aPH6kKHm1ZMEvjN3pXgOeGksQRSmUNdHI_bCTuy6C9uUa6OpUbw/s1600/May2011+147.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623130847739858786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTVJrD-GeCpGBO9Z-T9lE1YI8AQu4N7-oyA9NBaC77f-0BmN-4e1iuYY5qxvn3k_NVJFg755m-RsciIAxsBLoZEq2aPH6kKHm1ZMEvjN3pXgOeGksQRSmUNdHI_bCTuy6C9uUa6OpUbw/s320/May2011+147.jpg" border="0" /></a> I thought I'd take some time to fill you in on all of the fun things Noah James is doing now as well as just some FYI on his sweet self. So, let's see:</div><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br />Noah is just days of way from being six months old! I cannot believe it! That also means we are days away from another set of shots...and this breaks my heart.<br /></div></li><br /><br /><li><br /><br /><div align="center">He rolls everywhere and get wherever he wants by rolling or scooting. He can get in the crawling position but can't go anywhere so he just falls over to one side. He'll be crawling soon, though.<br /><br /></div></li><br /><br /><li><br /><br /><div align="center">He can sit up now, but not for very long before he falls over. He loves sitting in his bumbo seat though.<br /></div></li><br /><br /><li><br /><br /><div align="center">His favorite toy is a water bottle, preferably cold. Actually, he wants anything cold, like a cold glass, can of diet coke, etc. I am pretty sure he is teething.</div></li></ul><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li><br /><br /><div align="center">He will start solids soon and I think he will love FOOD...like his daddy.</div></li></ul><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li><br /><br /><div align="center">We have a baby swimming pool that he and I sit in daily. He likes water and the grass. He prefers to lay on his tummy in the pool with his chest on the inflatable outer ring while running his hands through the grass. :)</div></li></ul><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li><br /><br /><div align="center">He completed his first week of Vacation Bible School last week. He was such a trooper!</div></li></ul><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li><br /><br /><div align="center">He laughs and grins and giggles and talks. It's the cutest little thing I've ever seen or heard.</div></li><br /><br /><p align="center"><br />I'll update more later. Here are some recent pictures.<br /></p></ul><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623133631240803282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyWhOFMROZKdff9agrZOyXTMcXJi9JplDKGiZQZsq40k5_hmlsSabuEHr0Q0p61nmYq2xpJ7pXFOkr5NT1jav_P64KXxQOlipVuCyMXvlQ55Ighr0PUXb-3ul_v5bo2zqOwyUnftAEUs/s320/May2011+257.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">This is Noah at the New Orleans aquarium.<br /><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623134251687288434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrgYy8k-0euy5naTqFYyZLHG9edMMLg9xz1aIR5vKR-FwYE9v325g3yvBx5DFh8qkGXYp_yp3McnRQ8JyAqq4j_3OoKQG0UVgFewXx4VwKXvIeAIRF1a7RU8M8WrBouPwOHOrHEWQMQM/s320/May2011+262.jpg" border="0" />His baby dedication. We were all praying...Noah was checking out the crowd. But later during the prayer he turned to our pastor and grabbed his hands. :)<br /><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623135411166283890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPXo8OKROD4E1lxMvuB4b_W3BGM6kFT5Mp2vR_X9winXSKiyyrBRjL0iPbAxaAKltBesoROGYye-FXzGYCBZSwOFhsPs6hEz0CkcOKJZfKcgOTcDtrgjSAxOoWsEw0qWCIGp7QeMu-iw/s320/May2011+272.jpg" border="0" />NJ and my Daddy. Nj..obviously distracted.</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623137486234880018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRN-6xKTdfIVsSOu47f2cCAvcA2dNuTTbvsNXi9Scj4CJml8YBjqz9bJCiYF_QqD7XUSnnuaf03X4cQhyphenhyphenYb-dNnE1L2Cn_O-stnSSFYFaoLESuGfbeiqY6NBPYmdVXKlhHWnti2amC3s/s320/May2011+298.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><br /><p align="center">Noah got into this sweet position himself to snuggle with his Daddy!</p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623138361752189762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvUN6jMhlqNOcFf70QVNGF2Qms7lpi3K3pXzlKZAN8awMRMVIz1VsKPXUOj392-aSDxojVOfVVrMfzOe0yD3D4xTwm07b5f6Sa_Q8-HhVeVREvfzV8kZKVq3PO9SEnxnzIxjdp3_jr9U/s320/May2011+300.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="center">Drying off in Mommy and Daddy's covers afer a "swim." It wore him out.<br /><br /></p>Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-82606518796294934092011-06-25T19:57:00.000-07:002011-06-27T21:55:58.710-07:00Project Aisle 23: Post 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuT5JnHXx8KWw9XXPBGkWAFRIaCxJler5-S3twriuy-2uIsvlW382f_Q4saRzRQavWwaUvKNh-8GxXzVgZ2rbkmyoSE0N9f_WVurSTPzSPLt_d4D6bd64nOwHaW8PT0xEpNd9jh8jF4I/s1600/May2011+310.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623129816933983970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuT5JnHXx8KWw9XXPBGkWAFRIaCxJler5-S3twriuy-2uIsvlW382f_Q4saRzRQavWwaUvKNh-8GxXzVgZ2rbkmyoSE0N9f_WVurSTPzSPLt_d4D6bd64nOwHaW8PT0xEpNd9jh8jF4I/s320/May2011+310.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Last week God spoke to me about a burden that I was carrying so heavily on my soul through one sweet old man whom I had never before met. This week, God spoke to me through the lives of four women some I've known my entire life and some just a short time. I am so excited to share this with you...but my mind is racing to tell you so much that I might lose you. I'll try to reign in my thoughts. So remember, last week God taught me to stop worrying about being the parent that all the books were telling me to be and trust Him to teach me. This week, over and over, God was speaking to me about His faithfulness. On Tuesday, I was in the ladies bathroom of church nursing Noah (we had VBS all week so I was at the church with Noah helping). A friend and mother of two, Karen came in and out of the blue she told me that she knew I was very hesitent and worried about becoming a mom but that as she had been watching me with Noah that I was so naturally very maternal with him. I knew that this was an answered prayer. I was so fearful of becoming a mom...I had all of these questions and doubts. Everyone said I would instinctly know what to do and that I would instantly fall in love with my baby. But I feared that I would be the one person who didn't know what to do or fall in love with my own child. I prayed, and God was so faithful to answer. Karen's sweet words just shone light on God's faithfulness. Then, mid week I received I spoke with one of my best friends (since like 9th grade), Jenni. As we spoke, God reminded me of yet another way where He proved himself faithful to answer me when I cried out to Him. You see, after I had Noah James, I went through a period of time where I was overwhelmed with fear of something happening to him, Ryan, or me. These constant fears brought sadness. In talking about this with Jenni. I knew that the only way I got over that period of fear and sadness was through prayer and the Lord. So...once again...God was reminding me of His faithfulness. The third woman who God used is my friend Kristin. She lives down the road from me and sold us our rainbow....so she then became my co-worker and friend. She called because she shockingly found out she was expecting. She was one of the first people I told that I was pregnant...and in that conversation I sobbed, I was mad, I was scared, I was bitter, I was so confused. She remembered how upset I was about getting pregant and thought I could empathize with her. And while I could, I also could not believe the way I reacted to <em>my</em> news. I cried out to God throughout my entire pregnancy..not rejoicing over the new life inside me...but being honest about my fears. ....I can't believe that was me. I can't believe I felt that way about my baby. But God...he did not think less of me. He listened and he was again faithful to answer. I am more in love than I ever thought possible. Thank you Lord for being faithful to listen and answer. The fourth lady that God used to encourage me this week is my aunt. I went to the mailbox one day this week and found such an encouraging letter that I know Christ led her to write. Once again, God reminded me of his faithfulness to show himself to us. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>I began to think about how neat it is that God desires to speak to us through his word, others, his creation, etc. But I have to admit. I got a little sad wondering how many times He was longing to offer me encouragement, or trying to speak into my life....but I wasn't listening for His voice. I have learned the more you listen, the more you hear His voice, and the more you hear it, the easier it is to recognize and discern His voice from all the others. He is faithful to show himself to you!!! </div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">"O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure." Isaiah 25:1</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div>Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-22674192668696095722011-06-20T20:43:00.000-07:002011-06-20T21:26:36.591-07:00Project Aisle 23: Post 1As I sit "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">criss</span> cross apple sauce"(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">indian</span> style for those without young children or who aren't teachers) on our comfy sofa, lights out all around me, hearing only the sound of my baby boy's sound machine and my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pandora</span> radio, I begin to type and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">instantly</span> my body lets out a sigh....ahhhh...it's good to be back in the blogging world. I've wanted to update for a while now. But, I wanted it to be meaningful...not just ramblings. I thought about writing all about Noah James and his millions of amazing sounds,movements, expressions, etc. But, I could go on and on forever about that precious child, and really...who (other than my mama and aunts) would want to hear all of that. I thought, well, I could write about my adventures in motherhood....but you've all been here and let's be honest...I don't really know what I'm doing and I'm not sure I want to tell you all what a fool I have become as I sing made-up rap songs to entertain my baby while driving or the interpretive dancing that I do to make him giggle while I attempt cooking dinner. So, needless to say...a combination of a mental block and lack of time kept me away from the world of blogging. But, just last week something happened and it hit me..."This is it...I have to make this my blog project." So...first, let me share the story...then if you're still with me, I'll share the purpose of the blog. (Oh, and I'll still talk about my baby boy :)..can't stop me)<br /><br />Noah and I made a trip to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Wal</span>-Mart mid morning last week. I always wear him in my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">moby</span> wrap...so he's attached to me and watching all that goes on around him, stealing the affection of every shopper that glances his way. We were in the checkout aisle (aisle 23..and I don't know how I remember that). I've noticed that when you visit <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">wal</span>-mart in the morning you are joined by lots of older people....and I love old people! There was an old lady in front of me (taking forever) and an old man behind me. The old man was probably a little older than my grandfather. I noticed him as soon as he pulled up behind Noah and me. He was tall, had tan, worn, and weathered skin and was wearing blue jeans and a tattered blue jean shirt which wasn't even buttoned all the way. You could tell he was a hard worker...even in his old age. He began to talk to Noah and play with him. He was a sweet man. He kept saying what a fine boy Noah was. He commented on his blue eyes, patted his chunky legs, and played with Noah's "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">noopie</span>" as he called it (His <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">pacifier</span> if you are wondering). He told Noah that he was going to grow up to be a fine young man and grow up to be just like his daddy and do whatever his daddy did like hunt or fish. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Of course</span>, I was talking to the man through all of this. Then the man looked at me while patting my sweet Noah and said, "Young Lady, let me give you one piece of advice. You hold this boy and love on him all you can right now. Because, pretty soon he'll be gone or wanting a car." I replied with, "Oh yes sir, you are right. I will. Everyone says they grow so fast, I believe it." We then continue to talk, he tells me about his great grandson also named Noah. (I told you that old lady in front of me was taking a long time.) I asked him how many children he had. He told me he had two. He had a boy and a girl. But then he said, "My boy died when he was young of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">leukemia</span>." ......................................................My heart sank and he must have seen it in my eyes. I told him how sorry I was that he had to go through that. I asked how long his son was sick for. He told me he died a little less than a year from finding out about the cancer that was eating his son's body. He then put an arm on me and told me not to worry that it would not happen to my Noah. I just wanted to hug this man...I wanted him to hold me right there while I cried. This piece of advice that he gave me is advice you hear often...so often that you take it for granted. But when you hear it from the mouth of a man who lost his only son...a man who wished he had held his son more while he was still alive, then it kind of takes on such a deeper meaning. It hit me hard. He was right! The neatest thing is that God sent that man to me. He also sent the old lady...thank heavens she took 20 minutes to buy her groceries. ..I'm the kind of person who always wants to do whats right. Not because I am a good person...but just because I want to do what's right. I don't want to do anything wrong. Mix this with being a first time parent and you create a mess of stress. That's what I had become...I was trying to live up to what all "The Books" tell me to do as a mom and was beginning to feel like a failure. God spoke to me that morning in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">wal</span>-mart. He told me to put the books down and pick up my beloved baby boy. So now, I am solely seeking Christ for my parenting counsel and not the many books that I've collected, not to mention google. He lifted the burden. ...........And here is where the blog project begins...with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">this old</span> man on aisle 23. God is teaching me so much about being a mother, a godly parent, a human being, and a wife and He uses the most surprising situations sometimes to teach me. Daily there is something happens in my life that is my "life lesson" so to say for that day. So Project Aisle 23 is about me looking for, learning from, and sharing these random situations and people that God is using to teach me. I'd like to do this for 30 days. I may miss a day or two...but I'll catch up. I'd like to post weekly but I'll be busy loving on Noah James so I'll get to the blog late at night if I'm not exhausted from the days events.<br />Thanks for listening...it's good to be back! And I will post soon an update on Noah James and his incredible little self...but it's late, and I need some sleep :).Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-17715605961648444402011-04-02T12:40:00.000-07:002011-04-04T18:04:32.094-07:00A tribute to Chlo-Bug<div>So...for me writing is a release. It's the way I best express myself and my emotions. This must be why I pray mostly in writing in a prayer journal. If I am trying to express something of importance to Ryan, it's more effective when communicated through writing. ...And today...this post is for no one or no reason other than to gain closure and grieve over the loss of my precious Chlo Bug. So, if no one reads it...that will be just fine. If someone does read it, they may not relate to any of this...But, my heart needs this in order to start letting go and say good bye. <br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Chloe Jane Biscuit Webb</div><br /><div align="center">June 20th, 2004-March 31st, 2011<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591898710184620834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQ2bzRNvnBpZ0FK6UnBOwRwlrYmdlzmFDnbAf2SfHpSoB_fX3aP1fRNF13bSPQvqSpluBcnGhLJOXZjTQTQSeBUzUABOOdcy6vo8raBflbVvrpiggfZf0Aywe5yElyhtQOO-oRoDajn8/s400/Apartment+016.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left">"Stacey, you have got to stop crying and being so sad. Maybe you should get a dog." This was my mom's advice to me on a long distance telephone call from Houston, Texas to West, Misssissippi shortly after marrying and moving away from everything familair. I was homesick...A LOT! My mom has given me lots of adivice, and this just might be some of the best she's ever given me. The search began for a puppy, a companion, a best friend, a baby. Mama actually found an ad for Chloe in a paper in Mississippi and drove a few hours to pick her up for me. I always loved that our whole family (Ryan, Myself, and Chlo-Bug) were all born in the great magnolia state. I remember anxiously awaiting an e-mail from mama containing pictures of Chloe Jane Biscuit. We excitedly opened the e-mail entitled "Congratulations on your baby girl" and instantly fell in love with a golden brown ball of fur....my little girl. Over the next several months my homesick heart began to heal with the help of Chlo-Bug. We went to parks together, went to the pet store, played all kinds of games. We had quiet time together. She listened to me read the Bible, sat beside me as I watched tv, and listened to every thought that entered my mind. She had become "my little girl" and my best friend. Months turned to years and the friendship and love only grew stronger. Chloe became quite the traveler. She went from Mississippi to Texas, from Texas to Virginia, from Virginia to California, and from California to Louisiana. As much as I enjoy moving and making new friends along the way, every move has contained a period of time where I went through a sad spell. I was uncomfortable in my new surroundings, lonely because I didn't know anyone, and mourning the loss of friendships left behind. But one friend stayed constant and loyal through it all...that was Chloe. She continued to listen to me complain, let me hold her close and play with her hair while I cried....it was in these sad moments that she never wanted to leave my side. I always told her that God made her just for me...that everything about her was everything I needed. I believe that, too. I know that most believe that animals don't have souls....and I guess there is no way of really knowing the answer to that. But I do know that Chloe had a way of reading my emotions and speaking to my heart...not just speaking to my heart but ministering to it somehow. Letting her go has been so hard. The days following her "Vet Appointment" were so hard. I can still see her, hear her...and sometimes I can still smell her :). I don't want to dwell on her death but rejoice over her life. Thank you Lord, for making the most perfect dog for me....and giving me 7 years with her. Thank you Chloe Jane Biscuit Webb for loving me unconditionally. You will forever be loved and missed. </div><br /><div align="left"></div></div>Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-59172603571979719562009-10-15T20:16:00.000-07:002009-10-15T20:22:48.218-07:00FUNNIEST MOMENT OF THE WEEK...On Tuesday, I took my students to the Pumpkin Patch. We all picked pumpkins and I put them plastic grocery sacks and we brought them back to school. We sat them on the patio, so we did not trip over them all day in the classroom, but when we left school it was flooding and we had to run out of the classroom into the rain. So, I told the kids to leave the pumpkins there until tomorrow. I told them water was good for pumpkins anyway. As I walked out of my room to go home, I noticed one of the students also left her apple from lunch in the sack. So, the next morning, one of my little boys runs in the room and says, "Mrs. Webb one of the pumkins growed a baby!!!"....I said, "What??" And he replied, "ONE OF THE PUMPKINS GROWED A BABY LAST NIGHT!!" I just started laughing and said, "Come here Ayden...let me show you...the pumpkin did not actually grow a baby, Bailey just happened to leave her apple in the bag with her pumpkin, but you are soooo funny!!" He smiled sweetly, but did not find the moment as funny as I did!Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-58866553801127192542009-10-13T17:50:00.000-07:002009-10-13T18:12:13.789-07:00Me...a football fan?<div><div><div><div><div align="justify">So, for Ryan's 30th birthday I bought him season tickets to Mississippi State's football games. Even though I was a cheerleader I have never gotten into football until now. I have loved going to the games with Ryan and have found myself becoming a football fan. There are a couple of things that I have discovered about myself though. I hate watching the guys drop the ball (I think that is called a fumble..haha), not because it makes me mad. I hate it because it makes my heart hurt. Literally, I feel such pain for those guys because thousands of people are yelling at them from the stands and I guarantee you they did not do it on purpose and feel bad enough about it already. I also hate when the fans leave when we are losing. I also hate to see anybody lose because I can only imagine how disapointed the losing team feels. I am not a competitor, I knew this already...I made more friends than points in every sport I ever played. But, despite the heartache I experience for the players who mess up, I am enjoying the atmosphere. It seems like we are driving back to Mississippi for games every weekend. So, I thought I'd share a little bit of that with you.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392254811703486402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8WJWcCTZv8lPme64kvh4dGw59I1SVWuGZ_EwqZ-L1E5N5utyr1e6ZwkZlZxR28WjlvaKqeED4jqtEYxiP-AiwssudJBJfkEyExCXFrzZS8dyAvLFG_vwBJ9fIzAbQI5gnqACsugPSjA/s400/October09+012.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392255588826993122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglu823b6yNV39wzrbEwkKLJEFEG42gUIgrVkYVU1lChiAVhln6FZD6faZZGs3a1TXh-zmqnsNaECuILbd9fe0R2R_AGNhVqyLw2CU5dfMB0k19VOXd3zNb6WadiP7gi5gDwyhj6ROi6Hg/s400/October09+014.jpg" border="0" /></p></div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392256204787159922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAphL5lCx4zTyjtjq9YfnzZlBV1tl5gfy1x74aTDuL63cA_7LOFoG7Ga-xl2N1kRMUAiWPtfb7V4GRejoDWx3wglEQuPy4q5n5ogTWomKfXhoKPoTKPwk7NuvLB8EQVS68bqwRL35U5x0/s400/October09+019.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392256511438033170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlA8Inkqg1yeol3xjF0PIiW-hWdPcURU_HJjrVyc5al_X1NN0ICin_9afHS1nARuqt5nDZVGNuaXJkAt4UC6q6DvH9-7nien-BEhW_vphrCTst4K69UkTzyi6BXSBlMd6Zdpa5qZSpIE/s400/October09+031.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392256918584923266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6F-IXM0xa-gaemxkPvJSjUjPNaziq5o8_7hYnPoGMex03SoA6Q9ULqQtEQlDKqY5FyFnU7nEiacuunPwd2i9veG1PJLUEtppZQS0L1e5KzjROgcPG02-dflz31VQ9nNKrLiFR0yIVn2A/s400/October09+037.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392257166854525234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcehqaNxfJ8lSXWrJvOQHvzrDEN4xe0jTIMmGZaP7p1DwpoTmryVUh9rheNmhckFjdqbQ2Llw_sgh7z6YZuPB7_VeqQq_DwVjV6rrX1zcS0j_W86nTZcgw6qeZ7saKbtJr2t9l3Bp6DI/s400/October09+027.jpg" border="0" />Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-32131556890023678732009-10-05T18:48:00.000-07:002009-10-05T19:34:40.916-07:00Finding the Blessings...I have often used the word "sweet" to describe God. I even made my small group do a whole weeks worth of study identifying the sweetness of God. I could not get over the reactions I had. I think some people thought I was crazy....they could not think of how God was sweet. Well, today I was reminded of just how sweet God is to me. As many of you know, I've been struggling to like living here. I love our house and neighborhood, but never venture out too much (cause there's not a whole lot to do). Well, my favorite store in the world (stay with me here) is a store called Dirt Cheap. They carry lots of Target and other fun stores things but really cheap, and sometimes slightly damaged. They have these in Mississippi....and wow, I just love them. My best purchases so far are Vera Wang and HOTEL bedding for cheap, gap khakis for 25 Cents and an anthropologie pillow for $2. Well, it just so happens that they just opened a brand new one about 15 minutes away from my home. I went today and bought some bedding (photos to come soon) for our guest room. As I arrived in the store, my heart was beating so excitedly that my legs and eyes could not keep up. I was driving home in bliss thinking of my purchase, and excited about the replenishing of my discretionary funds next month...when it hit me. I think God put that store there just for me. That was his way of brightening up my days here. He knew I needed something...and he gave me a store, not just any store...DIRT CHEAP, my favorite store!!<br /><br />....what a great ending to a day....<br /><br /><br />Highlights of the past few weeks:<br /><br />* Ryan and I have had a fun time going to all of Mississippi State's home football games. We are enjoying the time together (well, I am enjoying the time together, Ryan is probably enjoying the football).<br /><br />*There is lice in my classroom (or on 2 heads in my classroom). I am not surprised! It's my number 2 fear in life and God is obviously trying to work on this one. I am constantly performing self lice examinations on myself though, pretty obnoxious.<br /><br />*Chloe Jane Biscuit Webb is officially blind. The poor baby can't see and runs into stuff a lot! It breaks my heart!<br /><br />*I got to cuddle with my niece Anna Jaymes last week. After she fell asleep with my mom and dad, Mama put her in the bed with me and I loved waking up and feeling her there. There were only two problems, 1. She woke up saying, "tee tee" and then I felt the soaking wet sheets. Then as we got up I saw problem number 2....you see, I tend to play with peoples hair in my sleep (not that I sleep with lots of people...haha. only my husband, and occasionally my mama or jenni, jodi, and donna). Apparently, I had played with the toddler's hair all night long, and all in one or two spots. Well, when sweet little Anna Jaymes was walking in front of me, I saw what looked like a resemblence of a birds nest in the back of her head. So....ummm, I tried to brush it and wet it...and it never went back to normal. So, I sent her down to Donna and Robbie's and blamed her bad hair on the rain outside! Now, I confess...it was actually all my fault. Sorry, Anna Jaymes...Aunt Stacey really did not mean to make you look like that.Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-45806783869035078632009-09-03T17:16:00.000-07:002009-09-03T19:36:18.701-07:00It's been a while.....<div><div><div><div><div> It is time for me to begin updating. I can't promise regular updates but I am going to try to be better. So much has happened in my life in the past few months that I can't tell you about it all...so let me do it in the form of highlights.</div><br /><br /><div>So, we left California....and it was emotional for me. I sat on the airplane next to a guy around my age and began crying before ever taking off from Los Angeles. The poor guy felt awkward I know as he sat and listened to me cry. I dreaded take off, I did not want to have to watch the city of angels, the city that I had come to love so much, fade away from my sight and life. God, being the sweet and compassionate God that He is threw a blanket of clouds over the city early that morning....and I never saw once glimpse of anything but glorious clouds. After that emotional flight....things sped up in our lives. We looked for and found a house within 4 days. We fell head over heels in love with our realtor, "Miss Reba." We spent 30 days living in 2 hotels, both of our parents houses in Mississippi, and a cabin on Enid Lake. By the time our house closed we had both began work in Baton Rouge and were feeling very unsettled and ready to have a home. We moved in our house....and we love it. We have lots of things on the to do list ...and it just keeps getting longer. To be honest, when we moved I began to really pray for Ryan. I was worried that the adjustment might be hard for him, because he loved his job in Torrance so much. I thought that me, being as easy going as I am :) would have no problem adjusting to a new life. But, I was wrong. Ryan is doing great. I on the other hand have had a few break downs where I just cry. I miss California and almost every aspect of our lives there (with the exception of our last living situation). So, pray for me....please. This has been one of the hardest transitions yet.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I started work at my new school August 3rd. I really miss my old school. Everything is very different. One thing that is different is that I am now teaching kindergarten. I really enjoy my class. Here is one of the highlights of our move: I actually have 4 NON-ENGLISH speakers in my classroom. Zip, Zilch, Zero, Nada English. Although this isn't rare for Los Angeles, it is VERY rare for Central, Louisiana. I love them so much. These 4 children are the highlight of my days for multiple reasons. One is that they symbolize so much for me. You see, when we found at that we were coming to Baton Rouge and not going overseas I pitched a fit with God. I wanted to be in China working in an orphanage, and I did not want to go back to the south, where it's the opposite of diverse. The diversity in L.A. was one of my favorite things about the city. So....God sent me to Baton Rouge and brought the Chinese orphans and diversity to me. He's reminding me that He has a plan. So two of my children came form China less than a month or so ago. Two recently came from Mexico. One of the Chinese students is a little girl. Her parents sent her and her little sister to America with another Chinese family who opened up a resturant in our city. I see this little girl, as my orphaned China Baby....and I am madly in love with her and these 4 other children who are new to our country. Now, I also like my other 16 students..haha...but some of them are so bad that I want to cry. So, this is another reason these 4 EL's are blessing to my life. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Oh, and one of my kiddos has the Swine Flu.....yikes! So, in closing...here are some pics of our house.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377431340348909410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Kz0AoBpbS6g3DxpiV2m2C_FpmCt8zI_SeRiFum4RXWU3RpvVQ5ylyWYiuU7exU-3mUnjO6_dWzvgOMVTHEN1qf1wZmT6riPt4d3C-SDkDcFU6OgTNY1Let-02EN15Tzfd-3iXkZdbkY/s400/august09+249.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377433803347589506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANMkM1G1U6ysQgAL0H_WDoTkJL61EcO0-J7odWOQogcmTOObOzOTyktuWp50o5Ryg2nhozbxGhyjYEMNT88LA2Gkk1jkR6_YikKT8U99-OHPEPT23W4gqxHNqdjzrzJAItruf_Ic24W0/s400/august09+021.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377434708380163474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOF-6YYvJaYHG9KJchnB3UIMTog5bgHRu12u8OOmb8c7yQWFpvPdVgVrPx73PD_0RsA7sop1qE5qlXaisRiwlO_b-dYLLnY8ESHl6moxh17S5e4IcHqsVeelgYuhyphenhyphen3NVTHy1kIxNBN4N0/s400/august09+237.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377434963941793106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CmTEfEcCcUL4vLgOGEOlt4wX3x36pLVai3_TvH2jvwuKscXxIof2qU-fcaGh8G_F3sZnVjsHKDrgji115rAtEV0Hbv_H195MoXEhvCutta3KnncHolyAvnu6IJ3__dj9EtlTsB6crLQ/s400/august09+019.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377435230533859794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcv9IdElDnbfNxJKeZfnT86RwZwdZOJpmNL0lc-K0k2t7KCWCoQ2ZSfHczKGsgPuo3zRHFOZ2blirR6meLXE7nTvCPmXTeCiTCjrP_9-pQgfnp5RRZwVHHhmD6v3bsmu6jTmJe4R3hSuw/s400/august09+177.jpg" border="0" />Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-91646596102651891792009-05-01T17:56:00.000-07:002009-05-01T18:15:00.943-07:00...Just don'tknow what to do with my life........Last night this was what I wrote in my prayer journal...and I really just wanted to share it.<br /><br /><br /><br />Father it happened again. It was a feeling that I felt in every inch of my soul. It's a feeling that confuses me...but it's from you, I know.<br />She turned her head a little different than mine. Cerebral Palsey was the first thing that came to my mind. On her wrist was a tatoo that spoke of something so bold . The ink spelled"courage"...and her story it told. A beautiful picture of God's amazing grace. I can only imagine the trials she's gone though, but still she smiles and runs after you. This girl she wants to serve the needy, the hurt, and the broken. Wow God...in her very words your love was spoken. But why God does it affect me in sich an intense way. I don't know what to do with these feelings, I don't know what to say. All I know is that I long to lover her...to make her feel special, treasured, and adored. I want er to feel normal in a way that she's never felt before. So God, show me! What can I do? I want to somehow use this passion for you. It's your love they need, your affection they seek, but God is it possible to give it though me?? How Lord? When and Where? Show me the way, because it's really not fair.<br />It's not fair that I get to move my body with ease. It's not right that I don't get people staring curioiusly at me. Why her God? Why has <em>she</em> had to suffer? It's not just her God, there are so many others. I want to be a light...a Barnabus in the night. I want to be their friend. Just tell me God...do you want to use me in the lives of the sick, the scared and the broken.....show me how God...please allow doors to open.Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-88694858613876536732009-04-22T21:20:00.000-07:002009-04-22T21:29:53.491-07:00From the mouth of 1st graders to thepages of my blog...My students are currently making a Recipe for a perfect Mom. We were brainstorming ideas and I said "Patience." Of course the response is..."What is patience?" I explained what it is and then my extra grace required child says, "My mom doesn't need patience cause we don't be bad to her." I laughed hysterically because coming from this child's mouth it was comical ....she requires more patience than I have some days. However this led to the comment of another student saying, " My mom is not patient. Not when I am trying to use the bathroom." ....and then another student says, "My mom takes a whole hour just to use the bathroom." The conversation then turned to gas and one little girl says, " Mrs. Webb, Why don't teachers fart in the classroom?" All of this happened within 3 minutes and I realized how quickly 22 first graders can get off task and run with it. I laughed hysterically for about 30 seconds and then threatened the next one that said "Fart" with a trip to the office!!!<br /><br />I don't know how we ever get anything done!Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-84748135757660705382009-04-13T19:31:00.000-07:002009-04-13T20:10:38.551-07:00If at first you don't succeed....don't force it!!<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center">Last week Ryan and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversery (a month early) in Jamaica. This was our first time in Jamaica...our second time at a Sandals Resort. We had an amazing time. But the most memorable of the week was an unexpected event. Before I begin the story let me start by saying we met an amazing couple, Sara and John, who were on their honeymoon. We met them on the plane ride there...and were BFF by the end of the week. They were such a blessing and so much fun. On Wednesday afternoon we joined Sara and John on an off the resort excursion. We went into the town of Ocho Rios. I was a little scared. It's just a really sad country. Lots of drugs, perversity, and agressive people. However, we wanted to experience the city and take back a few souvineirs. We bartered at the open air market went into a few Jamaican stores and then headed into the direction of a Hard Rock Cafe. The walk there was pretty scary. Sara and I were just ready to find a bathroom. ( I think 75% of my vacation was spent in a restroom :)). I needed to go and we both wanted to wash our hands and get clean. We find the gift shop for Hard Rock...and us girls immediately head for the restroom. The restroom was a public restroom shared by all of the surrounding stores. It was nicer than I expected...but still not super. There was a Jamaican lady who stood guard of both men and women's...probably keeping druggies out. We enter the restroom and begin to bathe in the sink. Then, I go into the stall to take care of my business. I stood up...adjusted my cute pink tank and gray cotten skirt and turn to face the toilet in order to flush. It had on of those small cylinder silver sticks sticking out of the side. So, I pushed it....and then said, "It won't flush." I pushed again...or maybe I pulled...to be honest I blacked out here because the toilet exploded. Yep...It exploded!!!!! All I remember is high pressured water spraying me everywhere from head to toe. I Screamed and turned to try and open the door. The water was still spraying so hard....and everywhere that I could not get the door open...the lock was too slippery. Meanwhile I am still Screaming ....I yell for my new friend Sara....only to see her run by through the little crack in the stall. I finally get out and the bathroom attdendant, another local woman, and Sara are standing in the hall way in disbelief as I walk out. I am walking out soaked....with a look of disgust and shock on my face....but I felt I needed to explain. So I said, "The Toilet exploded!!!" Sara said "I know, it got on me too." Meanwhile, the toilet is still exploding and the water is pouring into the hallway at a fast pace. Sara and I just looked at each other and I kept asking, "What do I do??" She looked just as disturbed as I felt. I go into the mens room and scrub my arms and face with soap. Then we head into the gift shop to find our husbands. We see John first...and Sara starts crying and can't even get words out to explain what has happened she just keeps pointing to me and crying. Then, I began to explain that the toilet exploded and I start sobbing (unexpectedly)....people are staring now because I am soaked and we are both crying. Ryan came up and we explained to him. Later he told me that as he saw me he thought.."Did someone push her in a pool?" We buy a t-shirt and I go into an electrical room to change into a dry shirt. The ladies at the store kept bringing lots of paper towels to help me dry off. ....and the exploding toilet was still exploding and had now began to cover the parking lot with water. </div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center">......soon I began to laugh histerically at the event. I mean really, how many people have ever had a toilet explode on them?? The event completley bonded Sara and I. As I replay the memories in my mind I am overwhelmed with laughter.</div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center">We later decided that it had to have been clean water...with that much pressure behind it. But still, dirty or clean toilet water....the event goes in my most memorable for sure.</div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center">Below is a photo of us 4 in the cafe as we wait on our Taxi to pick us up.....my oh my. I will now have an unhealthy fear of flushing...and if you use the restroom after me and I haven't flushed...go easy on me...the wound is still fresh.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324378540532721266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2ng_z23me5Mcd276O5pBBfdnhgUpEglsWJY5GV0EZCLIuwo6sSy8q-97h9db3DWh6y8a51ax6yJTqhFhpBYxOsq59aWa5ZHqReyiHGIeqD7gsi3tEfiTFc8yM5UCW05FwpDgXHxrOIQ/s400/Jamaica+046.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324378944834477730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQkVL2YaprM7hzHJp1XF6YxD2sUVkNY8ISf3UrqxfKsedXgIsH43pM0Ap-2YdL-z7Nm0RK7wYK_GRyExfq_3t0dTMlbXH6YOKfc_x57j3eUn1qJF_cL6LPuyq1azJnkmFV24OhiPHVqU/s400/Jamaica+118.jpg" border="0" /> ....and here we are with no tears,no toilet water, and no recent trauma.....Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-29014603852401791742009-03-23T21:17:00.000-07:002009-03-23T21:53:10.893-07:00NO WAY BENGAY!<div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><div><div>Yesterday one of my very best friends and I completed our very first half marathon. That means we ran 13.1 miles....and ran the whole thing, no walking. We also ran for an hour in a terrential down pour! It has only rained like 10 times in the 3 years we've been here...and it just happened to rain on the day of our race. Here are some pics from the race of Jess and I...but this blog is not about the run....but about the day before.</div><br /><br /><div>My hip had been hurting, due to months of training and running on pavement I am sure. I wanted so badly to be able to run the 13.1 miles without pain so I headed to Target and bought some Bengay. The day before the race I put bengay on my hip a couple of times though out the day, and it seemed to help ease the pain. So, after my evening bath I decided that since I was only like 9 hours away from the race I should lather up with some more bengay. So, lather up...did I ever? I put that stuff on as though it was body lotion or moisturizer. I rubbed that creme all over and used quite a bit. Confident that I would be pain free though the night and the next morning, I headed to bed. By the time I crawled in and pulled the covers up I was beginning to feel a bit uncomfortable. Then within like 30 seconds the entire lower half of my body was ON FIRE! I ran into the bathroom and tried scrubbing my legs with a wash cloth. I was still in pain. I tried soaking in cold water, stood in front of a fan, fanned myself, blew on my skin...I tried everything. All I could think was that this had to be 1st or 2nd degree burn. I had a quick moment of insight into my role as a believer. If this was anything (or a mild version) of what Hell was like...then I just absolutely had to warn others. After about 15 long minutes my burn seemed to ease....I crawled into bed and begin to shiver....it was the strangest experience ever. I went from one extreme to the other.....and now all I can say is never again! I will not use Bengay as body lotion as long as I live and I have no idea what I was thinking. .Right now, after the race my knee is aching in pain in need of some relief...But from now on I say....."No Way Bengay!"</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>...Oh andthe photos....</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316610348839785538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 303px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxXIpW0WerywtqtdGAY3wE3fNlnvhaHCnP0pEqWyaYc9TZ3CCrx7WPAw3TVMXATzq-NRWZIJy_DlswvWyIyTzH2FcqHuOqdw5uHH9MDY9bX3QDyp579ifUle4PaziTwe9w0Nb28akyd8/s400/beforehalf.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>We made shirts that said.."Running out of things to say???" It had all kinds of questions and topics for conversation for us and for the runners around us. I mean we were running for 2 1/2 hours! We did not run out of things to say.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316610770528897170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvImkeguLeAm7an3FRqBm1I4g-zPc4vQQWDx65VGRxFNChsohgNPtU60eThThMKHj5dHEceeps-GfTHXqQUL9OePufMWBIDnoIDyD33HlUQuMYylW7cDE_lOh_RT7J17Ypgp0sR0NnKQ/s400/halfy.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div><br /><div>Jess and I before the race. Before we got out of the parking garage...this is the last shot of us in dry clothes.</div><div> </div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316611182298109266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nLJvcu7SOk63v1UFVtC1H5KTGF28RHUFzUSGOUpXzZTHvqgLEMaWuEtVmWCJYfNjeIxNOmfAE7yDnNVv713AL8JvFC3yv0uJkapW_VONv2D_aBDTM1EIzqRmKZBjgO1axSJrSr0-hLk/s400/march09+085.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Mile 12 1/2....only half a mile to go!!!!!</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316611637869577778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_O9-3o2Z3RVbkiN9_MsWCad-hfe_Xyn3m-sK6UH0WBV68DdgibdLpA_TJ1hAp1Sy6YKo4QhPZT_InQqqcfpYNLaVQ52dYGO_Twv7SLntyzcHC47tLDQIsHZA851fquFgs1iRenMl3YWg/s400/march09+087.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><p>Crossing the finish line...the clock time isn't our real time... we actually finished running in 2 h 33 min. (you have to subtract our 15 minute wait in line at the portapotty)</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316612163235163106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjXFYTKBs8BsEaMSVyos3CkPxKbdvaohnuk58BP2M-EOWbPUVu1BoRJLVsupMUehvmw3lt9Evd_RETUnsVtbX7Dyl53FuOxPC4FBSxWhkIgYHGXgtRxZ8Dr8Bn0VWYEbxrAgg7qDHDks/s400/march09+088.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">WE DID IT!!!!!! I am so blessed by her!<br /></p><br /><p align="center"></p>Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-8177498377367786482009-02-17T17:51:00.000-08:002009-02-17T18:07:55.064-08:00MALE EGOS....As I sat at the small round table with a boy and girl student today...trying to catch them up on work that they missed last week I was reminded that just as it seems females are born with a dramatic gene (proven by most of my girl students), males are born with a macho gene. Both students were working on the same thing. The little girl was finishing quicker than the boy and kept trying to help him. He had told her twice to stop that he could do it on his on....but then the third time she attemted to help him he put his pencil down looked across the table and said, "Look, I told you to stop. I am a man! I don't need help!" He then picked his pencil up looked down at his paper and began shaking his head back in forth in frustration. I looked at the little girl and we both just started giggling. ....and I thought, this is something neither of them will grow out of..EVER...she'll continue to try and control/help men for the rest of her life and he will continue in his stubborness, constantly refusing the help (especially of a woman) from here on out. So, I decided not to try to tackle this life lesson and change their behavior, instead I just let them keep on living as it came most natural...and I kept on giggling.Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-47308077649244188672009-02-15T15:23:00.000-08:002009-02-15T17:12:40.120-08:00Love<div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">UPDATE...I JUST READ THIS TO RYAN AND WAS APPALLED BY THE NUMBER OF TYPO'S AND GRAMMATIC ERRORS.....NOT APPALLED ENOUGH TO GO BACK AND CHANGE THEM ALL....SO PLEASE DISREGUARD THE MANY ERRORS.</span></strong></div><br />This Valentines day I woke Ryan up with a Valentines breakfast which included heart shaped pink and chocolate chip pancakes, pink milk, heart shaped toast, and fruit....he had to work that day so I fed him and off to work he went. Here are some pics of the breakfast.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303169318448620786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZG7EuxKc0FN_PdIlA0AozkDKV3_8TuiJXf76Wv3Cnx99KNPuUGq1mDYUHkNZqDJtoT7tz6mkIcmQznlIFFO30x7EIWPejiwGcv20nHXN11OyFA-gYbPbhGNxHi7wCLvUj7JUzQhWFw4/s400/Fun!!+423.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303169703738827954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3e3nCf-wHXg1qJMXIqbzzM4MaGRdWlz07oVobkOdNl0w2UQSNhYdkvZPy3ws-uj-FcoVZZU7z8e0LdAsyL9KNQ8FxHP0abZb9Rnf-jgsO9UtU1mWfTMgzlFNinwIUXaaKs_jYRVKSQdI/s400/Fun!!+427.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The rest of my day was filled with feelings of love that were so strong, I nearly burst into tears in the dish rag aisle of Target. Usually on Valentines Day our thoughts turn to how much we love our spouse, our family, our friends, maybe even our pets. This day, mine surprised me by turning to something so different. Now, Don't get me wrong. I am more in love with my husband than I have ever been, I am in awe by the love I have for my family, I have been given more friends than I deserve, and I am madly in love with Chloe Jane Biscuit Webb. Yesterday, I was driving to Target when I was scanning through radio stations when I overheard a song saying something about the 405. So, I pressed the scan button in anticipation of what I would hear next. The 405 is one of our giant Freeways here in LA....one infamous for horrible traffic. The song I think was titled "She's so California." All thoughout the song it made references to L.A. and California and about how much this girl loved it. It was funny because in my CD player I had "Mississippi Girl" by Faith Hill. I still consider myself a Mississippi girl, but who would have known that I'd fall so in love with Los Angeles, California. After listening to the song, I began to think about how we might be leaving California in only 5 short months. I kid you not....my heart began to ache...tears welled up in my eyes and I started asking myself what it was about California that I'll miss. The night before this incident I was chatting on Facebook with a friend from Mississippi when I said that I was sad to leave CA. She responded with "Yeah, I would not want to leave the beach, either." I wanted to tell her...you don't understand it's not the beach, it's nothing physical at all. But, I could not put it into words. Now, it's valentines day and I am in deep thought as I pull into the Target parking lot. "Get a grip Stace" I told myself. I knew a little retail therapy would do me some good. I grab my buggy (people in LA do not call them buggy's by the way), and begin weaving through the aisles marking off items from my list, and getting a few too many things that wern't on the list. I had made it to the homegoods (towels, sheets, dish towels) section of the store....all this time as I grabbed product after product and put it in the cart my mind was still preoccupied, trying to wrap a logical explanation around the emotions in my soul. I began to get teary eyed again and decided I had to leave soon. I came home and have been dying to put all of these emotions into words. ...So, here I am...trying....<br /><br />I think the best way I know how to address my absolute love for this city is by first telling you some of the sterotypes I had formed in my mind about the citybefore ever coming here. Who knows, maybe you've thought some of the samethings.<br /><br /><br /><br />1. Los Angeles is full of fruitcakes. No joke...I thought this. Maybe I should define "fruitcakes".<br /><br />Fruitcakes: Flaky, Free, Liberal people, treehuggers, shallow, wierd<br /><br /><br /><br />2. Los Angeles is place where I would feel pressured to be fashionable, look a certian way, be a certian "model type."<br /><br /><br /><br />3. Los Angeles would be a place full of non believers and the believers would be few and far between. When I saw non believers, I actually felt it would be full of wicked people doing wicked things all the time.<br /><br /><br /><br />4. I thought Los Angeles would be a fun place to live for a little while, but never expected to love it as I do.<br /><br /><br /><br />Now, I want to address each of these thoughts reveal the truth, and the ways that my life has forever been changed by the city of Angels.<br /><br /><br /><br />Misconception number 1: L.A. is full of fruitcakes.<br /><br />Boy was I wrong. The truth was I had never experienced diversity prior to moving to LA. I was use to a life where most people, esepcially those who I was ever around were just like me. Sure there were different races in the south....but even that seemed to be limited to 3 or 4 skin colors. As I sat in the turn lane yesterday awaiting my turn to go I looked at the people in each car that passed me. Within 8 cars that passed not one of the people occupying those vehicles looked anything like me! Most of the people I chose as friends in the south were similiar to myself in so many ways, similar backgrounds, similar skin color, usually a similar hair style, similar walks of life, similar faith, similar style of clothing, similiar beliefs and values, similar thoughts on life, and sometimes similar dreams. I am ashamed to say that anyone who did not share any of those common bonds with my I viewed as different and by saing different I mean "wierd." Once again, as I type away on my laptop and face the truth of this issue I am brought to tears. You see living in this city has taught me so much about myself and my closed minded view. I have learned the beauty in diversity. I have learned to appreciate and value those who have nothing in common with me because they possess something that I can learn from. This city is full of people from various walks of life, various backgrounds, various ethnicity and race, people with various dreams, various styles....and when you put all of these different people together you get the most beautiful picture. People here embrace EVERYONE. No one is considered "different or wierd"....I mean goodness, none of us are the same...each one of us is the wierd one! When I think of using the term fruit cake.....I laugh now...it's a little ironic. I know fruitcake doesn't have the best flavor, but the concept of so many different things mixed together in one sweet treat.....that's what this city is like. So many different people...all combined to make a masterpiece. Thank You Los Angeles for teaching me to embrace other's differences,thank you for revealing the beauty of diversity.<br /><br /><br /><br />Misconception number 2...that I would feel pressured to be someone, look someone, etc. YIKES! I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE MISLED. Maybe if I were in the entertainment industry this would be true.....but believe it or not, not everyone that lives in Los Angeles county is a movie star. I have never felt more free to be who me....to be exactly who God created me to be. The funny thing is that when Ryan and I go home...as soon as we get into the Houston or the Jackson airport I notice that all the girls my age look alike. Everyone either has the same style shoes on, the same type of T-Shirt, the same brand of bag, the same jewelry, and most of the time lots of make-up. Where as here, I never ever see two people dressed alike, everything goes. It's like create your own style...and whatever you want goes....and no one even looks at anyone thinking...what does she have on...NO PRESSURE! I was shocked when I got here by how little make-up girls wear. I have come to believe that the cosmetic industry makes the majority of it's money in southern states...and I would LOVE for someone to do real research on it, because I am positive of it's outcome. I am not meaning to talk bad about southern states...I mean I love the south....but my thinking was purely wrong that LA would put more pressure on appearance the the south. Thank You Los Angeles, for helping me to realize that the value of a person truly doesn't have anything to do with appearance. Thank you for freeing me from trying to fit in...thank you for encouraging me to stand out rather than blend in.<br /><br />Misconception number 4: L.A. is a wicked place full of wicked people. Before I actually address this I am just reminded of the Musical that I saw here in LA "WICKED" ....wow, it was good. If you have a chance to see it...GO...whatever the cost...go, it is worth it. You'll never view The Wizard of Oz the same again. Now....Focus, Stacey, Focus! I first have to say that you know, there are lots of misled people living in this city. There really are people who are involved in wicked things, there are people who believe false truths, have false securites, false hope, and are lost as can be. This is true In Los Angeles, California and it is true in Madison, Mississippi. So,if this is true...what has changed in my opinion? My reaction and feelings towards these people. Prior to moving here I would think that I needed to cram the blood of Christ down their thoat. I would feel the need to evangelize, to let them know what the consequences of those kinds of actions are. Now, I know that in all of their wicked /poor choices there is a reason behind it....and there is a person with amazing potential, and before they are going to accept the love of Jesus, before they are going to welcome Him into their life and change their ways, something else has to happen. They need to feel loved, they long to feel known, they want to be cared for just like me. ...and by getting to know these people, becoming their friend not their personal missionary, learning who they are, loving that person despite their actions, by welcoming them into your life...they will open up. Once these people trust you and your love for them....trusting Jesus and His love for them will come much easier. My pastor, Erwin McManus once said, "You have to earn the right to speak into someone's life." He said that just because we are right and they are wrong gives us no right to force that on them. God uses evangelism still today. But many many people will be more impacted when we don't make them our "project" but our friend. Thank you Los Angeles, for allowing God to use you to teach me what love is. For showing me that although people desperately need YOU....you desperatly need ME to love them as you do.<br /><br />And....last but not least...misconception number 4: LA would be "just a fun place to live." The truth is...God used this city to change my life. He took my sheltered, close minded heart and brain and opened it up. Two and a half years after living here and a lifetime of impacts. I'll miss the beach, but it's not the reason for the tears, I'll miss the sunsets, I'll miss the free ways, I'll miss my church more than I can bear, I'll miss the strand, the sun, the weather....but the heartache doesn't stem from any of that....it's all these dad gum Fruitcakes that live here and teach me on a daily basis. It is because of them that has my heart is longing to stay. Some of them I know well, others I just observe and they still teach me. So, I recommend that anyone move to Los Angeles....wait til we have this crazy budget crisis figured out, well, nevermind...don't wait...just come anyways I don't think that it will ever be worked out. Come....but know...your life will never be the same....and while your hear, don't pass up the fruitcake! Thank you God for using a city such as this to forever change me. Los Angeles, California...the truth is...I AM MADLY IN LOVE WITH YOU!Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-16763063730165846772009-02-13T07:58:00.001-08:002009-02-13T08:09:48.342-08:00First Grade FunniesThis week I had one of the funniest interactions with my students. I just had to share...<br /><br />Let me set up the background of this conversation. I was asking the kids to tell me everything that they know about Abraham Lincoln, and I was writing them all down on my jumbo chart paper. I was getting responses like, "He was a president." "He was tall." "He was shot."...and then this happened....<br /><br />Me.. "Who can tell me smoething else about Abraham Lincoln?”<br />Bronson.. "He Knew God.”<br />Me.. "Wow...Yes, he did know God..that’s very good Bronson.”<br />Justin to Bronson..”Everybody knows God.”<br />Bronson to Justin and the whole class..”No..Not everyobody knows God. And if you don’t know God you go to Hell.”<br />Justin to Bronson.."Now, why did you have to say that?”<br />…..meanwhile I am just letting the conversation play out….because hey, let the kid plant some seeds and evangelize...as the teacher I sure can't say that.<br />Bronson says.."No this is true. I read it in the Bible. And I know that Abraham Lincoln had a wife named Sarah and they could not have a child and so God presented them with a child"<br />...I personally didn't know a ton about Abe Lincoln...so as Bronson was saying this I was like...wow...okay...maybe this as true, but the more he talked I knew he was probably telling the story of another Abraham...<br />So, I ask " Bronson, do you remeber his son's name?"<br />Bronson: "No....I forgot....wait no, I remeber, It was Issac...they named him Issac."<br />It was at this point that I am sure we are talking about 2 different Abrahams. So I jump in the conversation explain<br />: "Oh Bronson...You are right. There was a man named Abraham who knew God and he married Sarah, and God presented them with a son named Issac. But, that man never became our president. He was a different Abraham. But You know what, I think they both knew God!<br /><br /><br />It was as Bronson's faith had been shaken. He couldn't bend his little mind around how that Abraham was not Abraham Lincoln...and all this time he had it all figured out.<br /><br />They crack me up...whether or not I like teaching them right now...I certianly like conversing with them.Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-18034663999571859892009-02-09T18:16:00.000-08:002009-02-09T19:04:35.851-08:00Questioning....Lately, I have been questioning whether or not I am called to be a teacher. Up until two weeks ago I thought I had the best job ever. I also thought I was doing exactly what I was made to do (most of the days). However, the deep questions started about 3 weeks ago. Now, a lot has been happening in the past 3 weeks in my world. I have had both strep throat and the flu. I have had to review the retention guidelines and decide whose parents I need to break the news to. My husband has been working a horribly demanding schedule and I have seen him very little....and for some reason for the past 3 weeks my students have been unable to get along resulting in tears daily, tattling hourly, and continuosly listening to 1st grade drama. So, are these questions just a direct result of exhaustion, illness, and all of the things mentioned above....or is it more? Was I created to do something else? ...Yes, I believe that we are created with specific gifts, talents, and strengths. I believe that there is something that God created me to do that only I can do....the question I am asking myself is, is this it...is this what God longs for me to do?<br /><br />You see, when I was in high school I learned about something called a "Child Life Specialist." From the time I heard about this I wanted to do it. According to Wikipedia, <em>"Child life specialists are </em><a title="Pediatrics" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pediatrics"><em>pediatric</em></a><em> </em><a title="Health care" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care"><em>health care</em></a><em> professionals who work with patients, their family and others involved in the child’s care in order to help them manage stress and understand medical and various procedures."The objectives of such services will be to minimize the negative impact of situational disruptions while maintaining individual growth and development and family relationships." </em><br />Now, for a paraphrased version of that....a child life specialist is there to be an encourager. This is the person that helps the patient relax, understand what is happening....but you are there best friend. You are there to be a light in a horrible experience, to the patient and to the family.<br />I was going to major in this but was told it's hard to get a job in this field, especially in MS where there aren't any major Children's Hospitals. I knew I wanted to do something with children...and that I was drawn to the sick or hurting...so I chose special education. After 1 semester of my jr. year special education classes I knew that special education wasn't going to fit that longing in my soul. So, I chose early childhood education. My senior year I came so close to changing my major to Child Life, but did not do it. Since moving away from MS, we have lived in cities with major children's hospitals....making my heart ache a little that I didn't choose Child Life.<br /> Last year after teaching 1/2 a year in third grade I fasted and prayed asking which I should be. God specifically told me, "Stacey, stop trying to collect tomorrow's manna." So...it is nearly one year later and I am asking Him again.<br /> I know that right now I am called to be the best possible teacher that I can be. But, my heart cries out for something else. Logically I am thinking, Stace...you already have a degree and credential to teach, you get summers off, you have a great schedule, you love children...you just need to stick with this. It is so much more convienent to just be a teacher. I am reminded though of a quote from Beth Moore, that says.."Convience doesn't build character." I also think....do I choose a job that I like or a job that I was created to do?<br /> Basically, I have no idea....it's all just spinning in my head and aching in my heart. I just decided to spit it all out on this blog. So, if any of you read this and you know me....then by all means share your advice. I welcome all advice.<br />Thanks for listening!Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-84868708124158555282009-02-02T12:41:00.001-08:002009-02-02T13:19:37.775-08:00Update coming soon.....<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>I checked out my brother and sister in laws blog...and it inspired me to get back into blogging. So after a long vacation from writing...an update will come so very soon. Until then....here are some of my favorite pics of the last few months.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298303829471090866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrRHVsxV18Nw_JjAZXzFR9b_PpjdVhFwukGse_5fecI7j_DlfM4Gm3So5v2jQVGlYAT4_iZW8xLPwCxHVNA8-bEEpq1VUXB-rOQVWfipOcCtcC0_xR8vGLJbmcQd-u0tON3ZJRC_sOSE/s400/ThanksgivingChristmas+08_rm3+184.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298309097489834866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6Mdxm_jmnUn-hwTv-RHlitDGVctnlfEM-ccho0Uil5j3yyK5ueXzKSjp_JOikkezKBFgJYXU1oNsknIcAcPNa4k8KxLXLhKvvGvGPZWNEbd77rntAiNhPh9gSDA8cJi4gC4zTkOhoRY/s400/ThanksgivingChristmas+08_rm3+364.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298309550106804594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxO2HDBw-wHdsK4ezNeBFINa74YuDyZgSQ3tCJP8mzViXiK0fatx79veQ7XL978hoHoYel-zyFMk-WqHmVLtCZgKiS5VDLjJkO2pOQG8LHRiqpFWlG8Z2kxngzW_db8O8N_egY_xyCdE/s400/ThanksgivingChristmas+08_rm3+357.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298310409962933906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIojyIoFGJzDp_myU6lsVUywumzcmXY5L_Vdut7UYulOYe0o88VCrWLU7zhTy_llevMPv4NkiYT72Y6DUzbWE4ZM_EX_GUL87_KcS4WcdVH8Yk7f-_kHsypOxF-kdvde1o2t0o70IhuNE/s400/ThanksgivingChristmas+08_rm3+005.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298311259959107378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhb3O3jgN7GAn1o78hvuNV2qFFnncyzMPewkF4TeC2JA-2abl3-vXD16leMeL0yYjBs7-XZseQF9UJuJNNoi-SHi54B4z6P7EdstDhftYEv1FpWi5cOH2R7yjn5voUY8LeD08BGLOkeVE/s400/ThanksgivingChristmas+08_rm3+248.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298312105635253666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcK4sk7Pi0oef1bPejY3Nk7cP6_CsU8nrdJicm8r6Val4UaExzEIp3xxRculGIbXSraK3f7R-VrvXtYuWLOWey6zFsKkjkK2qxMTdVEcgcjVRu5D1JYnYATQYR4VFshUF4UVmEoGtHmE/s400/ThanksgivingChristmas+08_rm3+271.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-32930690420512327282008-09-26T19:30:00.000-07:002008-09-26T20:03:17.339-07:00....................<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzCCvi7cu1HAorlIB16rcKa7ZSz6ueJpmZvvIty3f_agNmUWzh90YAJkye_uvVhKHZ4bk_tre4_2Bjl9163yn4pASQBz7EJWoI-27FhVqikjizxvh7xO88rBHPUBKllpMrovNmPY2ch4/s1600-h/RoadTrip+037.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250528448041256402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzCCvi7cu1HAorlIB16rcKa7ZSz6ueJpmZvvIty3f_agNmUWzh90YAJkye_uvVhKHZ4bk_tre4_2Bjl9163yn4pASQBz7EJWoI-27FhVqikjizxvh7xO88rBHPUBKllpMrovNmPY2ch4/s400/RoadTrip+037.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8SxQq9jCbLmpv2Tzot0BVB31pHfvxZTrPw_94Q6wslV9Fax5Fce5fiTBRLvOCU-B6uKrbc2v5GNiLumLTmJBTGROKwj1z7elmv6ZXnde-ThUmkuvcVJNc_KtXwY8QMhhdGXOb1A4wLfc/s1600-h/RoadTrip+014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250524488629185506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8SxQq9jCbLmpv2Tzot0BVB31pHfvxZTrPw_94Q6wslV9Fax5Fce5fiTBRLvOCU-B6uKrbc2v5GNiLumLTmJBTGROKwj1z7elmv6ZXnde-ThUmkuvcVJNc_KtXwY8QMhhdGXOb1A4wLfc/s400/RoadTrip+014.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-47151051975737286612008-09-26T19:25:00.000-07:002008-09-26T19:29:44.770-07:00The 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:<br />Student: My ghost cat is in my lunch box!<br />Me: Now, how can you tell it's in your lunch box?<br />Student hands me his lunch box and says :You feel how heavy this thing is!<br />(He then proceeds to hold the ghost cat and allows me to pet her/him.)<br /><br />...This kid cracks me up.....<br /><br />Another little boy tells me today:<br /> "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."<br />...my response..."Wow, that is caring!"Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-21668493901470244782008-09-23T18:44:00.000-07:002008-09-23T18:50:04.383-07:00A Little Funny ContinuedWell...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.<br /><br />Oh I have to thank God for fun students...they make my days so fun!Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-32725096735601911072008-09-21T19:05:00.000-07:002008-09-21T19:26:59.526-07:00A little funny...and a little homesickHere is the funniest thing that I heard from one of my student's this week:<br /><br />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.<br />Me: Humm..so the cat died?<br />Student: No! He just lost his balance and now he's a ghost. He's not a bad ghost but a good one.<br />Me: Well, thank goodness!<br /><br />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!<br />Feel free to check out our class website at <a href="http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/StaceyWebb/">http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/StaceyWebb/</a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">I'M A LITTLE HOMESICK...</div><br /><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />2. I love all of the embraces between myself and my parents. They are many!!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />4. I love the trees, the grass, the leaves, the cattle.<br /><br />5. I love my mama's pantry...and all the good food that's in there!<br /><br />6. I love waking up and kissing my parents good morning.<br /><br />7. I love seeing my nephews and Donna and Robbie.<br /><br />8. I love going to Dirt Cheap in Kosciusko and running into old friends while there.<br /><br />9. I love going to Howell and Heggie the local drug store/ gift shop and talking about things with the friends I find inside.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-38121344709658323512008-09-13T19:06:00.000-07:002008-09-13T19:29:29.382-07:00A LOOONG UPDATE...IT HAS BEEN TWO MONTHS SINCE I'VE WRITTEN....I AM ABOUT TO BEGIN UPDATING REGUARLY AGAIN!<br /><br />Here is a summary of what has been going on in the past two months!<br /><br />We Went home to Mississippi for 2 weeks in July and got to spend time with both of our families. We had a blast!<br /><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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:<br /><br />Student: Mrs. Webb, I have a really good one that no one else has said and it is a super important one.<br />Me: Okay, well if it is super important than please tell us.<br />Student: No Picking Your Nose in Class!<br />Me: That is a really good rule!<br /><br />That is just one of the many insightful comments that they offer every single day.<br /><br />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!<br /><br /><br />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!<br /><br />I Promise to update at least once a week.Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-70932509997907593952008-07-07T12:14:00.001-07:002008-11-15T06:13:10.784-08:00Life's Little Pleasures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVRNwcOwHrtDLMPM7Q7PY_R8UZT_deedFDHo-oqgnZ_yF_dtU723Le30bQ71g-LWuPjiwx9ps4HhXTxHwWFklX7zC4k9Cf8NnlZydw9mt7SMI9rWkEbAw7YNzrx2KyPEa3WSt0h35lIg/s1600-h/Fun!!+356.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220353080882760962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVRNwcOwHrtDLMPM7Q7PY_R8UZT_deedFDHo-oqgnZ_yF_dtU723Le30bQ71g-LWuPjiwx9ps4HhXTxHwWFklX7zC4k9Cf8NnlZydw9mt7SMI9rWkEbAw7YNzrx2KyPEa3WSt0h35lIg/s400/Fun!!+356.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As I sit down to write this update, I am sipping my favorite beverage. It is a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Grande</span> Mocha Light <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Frappacino</span>/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 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Starbucks</span> 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.<br /><br /><br /><br />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.....<br /><br /><br /><br />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 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Hermosa</span> Beach or in the<br />massive Pacific ocean.<br /><br />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 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">CTEL</span> 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.<br /><br />Our church (Mosaic) is doing a gathering here in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Hermosa</span> for six weeks. If it is a success, they will move a gathering down here <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">indefinitely</span>. 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 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">th</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">womens</span> 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).<br /><br />We are heading home to Mississippi in 12 days. I cannot wait to see our families! My nephew <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Maeson</span> just left me a message on my voicemail asking if I was in "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Califorma</span>" and he wanted to know when I could come see him. ....I melted at the sound of his precious voice. I really am looking <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">forward</span> 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 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">mohawk</span> 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 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">differences</span> as an amazing gift...and what I love most is that those differences that I once thought extreme, seem less and less that way.<br /><br />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!<br /><br /> Now, I desperately want another Starbucks!Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-10277677765286913272008-07-04T09:40:00.000-07:002008-11-15T06:13:11.516-08:00I DID IT!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1nPNuqozWM97ObzTh1twD2EYApKUAG-U9jv7bCbOSOvgFXbIskEv9eWGv8uOLlH8VyhbSMwxf1BygP13nRMiBQeM-gBZSVOwLFA0M8z5OEhhTOI6L2WZ8vaU8lEOcGSDRzF7PsdtRSs/s1600-h/Fun!!+316.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219202261351550034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1nPNuqozWM97ObzTh1twD2EYApKUAG-U9jv7bCbOSOvgFXbIskEv9eWGv8uOLlH8VyhbSMwxf1BygP13nRMiBQeM-gBZSVOwLFA0M8z5OEhhTOI6L2WZ8vaU8lEOcGSDRzF7PsdtRSs/s400/Fun!!+316.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffTdCFbwUHT_-PY6WGfbDm_1NsVDe6dwM1pVLptUCtJ1JTGi2D8gTBOpCk9lPpRZVfJrHe6zzaqqlGmnkawfqVulnFupijE707fRHQvGW4Ga8eQAsGXeqb5FIMXMhuwb48buI90idqu4/s1600-h/Fun!!+315.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219200238165111330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffTdCFbwUHT_-PY6WGfbDm_1NsVDe6dwM1pVLptUCtJ1JTGi2D8gTBOpCk9lPpRZVfJrHe6zzaqqlGmnkawfqVulnFupijE707fRHQvGW4Ga8eQAsGXeqb5FIMXMhuwb48buI90idqu4/s400/Fun!!+315.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;">I DID IT!!!!</span></div><div align="left">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!</div></div>Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5659002106264895234.post-78800406487866728882008-06-30T18:17:00.000-07:002008-06-30T18:33:54.652-07:00I 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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br /><div align="center">I AM</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">I AM TUFF AND HAPPY.</div><div align="left">I OWAS WANT A RING TAIL LEMUR AS A PET.</div><div align="left">I OWAS WANT TO BE A SOCCER PLAYER AND WIN A LOST OF TROFEES WHEN I MAKE A GOOL.</div><div align="left">I CRIE AT MY UNGL POLE FOUILS AND WHEN I MISS MY DAD.</div><div align="left">I DREAM I HER DAGON BREEHING FIRE.</div><div align="left">I TOUCH SKALEESKIN.</div><div align="left">I HERE A BAND NAME THE SPIBERS.</div><div align="left">I FEEL GOD IS RITE BESIDE ME.</div><div align="left">I FEEL HAPPY FOR MY MOM AND DAD AND MY FAMLY.</div><div align="left">I WONT TO HAVE A NOW HOUSE AND BE RICH LIKE DONGLE CHOMP. <span style="color:#cc0000;"><span style="font-size:78%;">(<em>AKA DONALD TRUMP)</em></span></span></div><div align="left">I THINK WENE I GROW UP I WONT TO DRIVE A MODIDIKEL.</div><div align="left">I THINK GOS IS IN MY HART PRTAKING ME AND MY FAMILY.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">NOW....HERE WAS MY EXAMPLE:</div><div align="left">I AM BUBBLY AND PASSIONATE.</div><div align="left">I WONDER IF THE PRESIDENT EVER DISLIKES HIS JOB.</div><div align="left">I HEAR BIRDS SINGING.</div><div align="left">I SEE SPARKLING DIAMONDS.</div><div align="left">I WANT AN ORPHAN FROM CHINA.</div><div align="left">I AM BUBBLE AND PASSIONATE.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">I PRETEND THAT I AM A DANCER.</div><div align="left">I FEEL THE BRUSH OF FAIRY WINGS ON MY FACE.</div><div align="left">I TOUCH THE CLOUDS ON RAINY DAYS.</div><div align="left">I WORRY ABOUT CHILDREN WHO DO NOT HAVE PARENTS.</div><div align="left">I CRY WHEN I MISS MY FAMILY.</div><div align="left">I AM BUBBLE AND PASSIONATE.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">I UNDERSTAND WHAT LOVE IT.</div><div align="left">I SAY GOD HAS A PLAN.</div><div align="left">I DREAM ABOUT EVERYTHING UNDER THE STARS.</div><div align="left">I TRY TO BE A FRIEND TO ALL PEOPLE.</div><div align="left">I HOPE THAT PEOPLE SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN ME.</div><div align="left">I AM BUBBLY AND PASSIONATE.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">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!</div>Stacey Jolley Webbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12306938331149381656noreply@blogger.com0