Merry Christmas? YES!

I pray you had a wonderful Christmas.

God blessed us in many ways!

Our middle child brought home a beautiful young woman, and with a little help from his sister, was able to document a huge moment in his life.
We are thrilled to add a new member to our family!


No dates have been set, as soon as they are I will let you know!

Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright

Silent night, Holy night

Son of God, loves pure light

Radiant beams from thy Holy face,

With the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord at thy birth

Jesus, Lord at thy birth

May God bless you!

XOXO

Theresa

Snow Days 2 - 9

My last full day of school was Friday, December 3, 2010.

Yep, winter has come to the Appalachian Mountains in a big way!

I spent snow days 1 and 2 organizing that horrible non walk-in closet.

Snow days 3 and 4 were spent sitting at school waiting for the fruit from Florida to arrive. Fruit had to be delivered, school or no school.

After missing 4 days we did go on December 10, one hour late. Which was perfect, as we had a prearranged community service project that we really needed to attend to. We took 43 students and helped the Salvation Army organize the Angel Tree gifts.

We have done various other community service projects, but I believe this one in particular was very rewarding. I am so proud of how hard the students worked to help make Christmas memorable for a child. :0)


Then winter storm #2 hit our area. This time, it brought snow on the first two days, then an inch of ice for the next two. Yep, I missed the entire last week of school due to winter storm #2 and #3.
What did I do with all this time?
I made friends with my sewing machine - it's been awhile since we've spent time together.

I spent time with this beautiful and talented young lady. We worked on a couple of projects that had been inspired by my time on the computer.

The coffee filter wreath is everywhere in the Christmas Decorations in blog land. They've looked so beautiful, I thought - I've got to make one!
250 coffee filters and 2 bags of glue sticks later, plus several burnt finger tips, we turned this..... You will have to continue reading to see what it turned in to.

We had a small party tonight for the ministry staff in our church. It was so much fun! We have the most caring and genuine ministers and I am thrilled to have them in my life!

Red Velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing, sprinkled with glitter dust. Yum!

Drum roll please........

Yes, that's the wreath we made with the coffee filters and glue sticks. I think it looks quiet elegant over my bed. It makes me happy!

Enjoy this Christmas Season!

XOXO

Theresa

Snow Day #1 2010 SY

What do you do on a snow day?

If it doesn't look like snow at your house, you post the photo of the snow from Saturday morning.

We woke up Saturday to a sweet, white world. :0)

You make a crock-pot of taco soup. Yum!

Make plans to tackle that "walk-in" closet that you can barely "walk-in" to. :0( But..... decide you've got all day to begin that project and

turn on the TV and sit down to eat breakfast while catching up with day time TV.

I did not realize Nate Berkus had his own show, but there he was when the TV came on.

I stopped and watched. :o)

I was fascinated.

He had a guest photographer, and had her to give tips for photography.

I was mesmerized.

OK, I admit, I distract easily.

But seriously, wouldn't you rather learn decorating tips, photography tips and spend time on the computer than to organize a non-walk in walk-in closet?

Maybe snow day #2 will be tomorrow and I can begin that project then? OR, maybe I can begin it this afternoon?

Decisions, decisions, I hope I make the right one. :0)

Enjoy your afternoon!

XOXO

Theresa

Great Weekend!

I've had a restful weekend.

Good food,

great company,

and a little

time to

reflect on

God's blessings.

I spent time this afternoon getting to know my camera,

and trying to be creative. :0)

I did miss one of my children, but am proud of how well he is doing living in the big "L".

We will all be together soon.

XOXO

Theresa

A Month in Review

I can't believe a month has gone since my last post.

Obviously, I have been a little distracted! :0)

We raised almost $200.00 for Breast Cancer Research.
These young people worked diligently on this project.

For a donation, I agreed to face painting.

I am so proud of all the hard work.


The first weekend in November found me in Washington, D. C.
I have never been so you can imagine how thrilled I was for this adventure.

For the past 3 summers, I have attended the TN State Jump$tart Personal Finance Conference. This past summer I discovered there would be a National Jump$tart Conference in November. I immediately contacted Central Office and asked if I could attend. With their support I made the journey from Northeast TN to Washington, D. C. It was amazing! Truly, one of the best conferences, I always enjoy going to conferences, but this one was especially informative and educational.

We stopped at Monticello, on the way home on Sunday. I remember doing a report on Thomas Jefferson in elementary school, and it was awesome to visit such a historical home.

They provided entertainment after dinner on Saturday night.

These guys were very comical and educational.

The formal dinner was so artistically prepared I had to take photos.

The butter was molded into the shape of our nation's capital building.

I have never tasted spaghetti squash before,

and I am now looking for recipes.

This was caramelized spaghetti squash and it was delicious!

Salmon is on the left, beef on the right, asparagus and mashed potatoes.

YUM!

Inside this small chocolate cake was a warm fudge cream.

With that warm vanilla sauce, strawberry and whipped cream, words are almost impossible to use.

We had our November meeting this past week.

It has taken me a few years to get the hang of coordinating fun meetings, student participation and academics, but I am pleased of how things are going this year.

I allow the leadership team to plan the menu, prepare the food with other members and then each member drops by during their lunch period and has lunch, finds out what is happening in FCCLA and basically enjoys spending time with each other.

I am blessed!

Two days this week and then the day our nation celebrates, 'Thanksgiving".

I am thankful for:

God

Salvation

Hubby

Son & DIL

Son

Daughter

MIL

Dad & P

Sisters and Families

Niece & Family

G. Nephew

Church

Church Family

Job

Students

The list could go on, but I will end with -

I AM BLESSED!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

XOXO

THERESA

Pink Pride!

We have had a fantastic week!

250 cupcakes were made and iced.

20 pounds of potatoes were peeled, cubed and
boiled for a yummy potato soup.

6 pounds of ground beef was prepared for a spicey chili.

Retired teachers, school administration, community leaders, our county school director, newspaper and other special guest were invited to attend lunch.

300 + Students and Staff wore

pink to support our campaign.

Why?

To bring the educational, family and political community together for

Breast Cancer Research.

We aren't finished,

more to come,

I just couldn't wait to share this part of the project!

XOXO

Theresa

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, my beautiful Daughter!

I remember well, the day you were born.

How quickly the years have flown.

I thank God, for you, a precious gift.

I pray God showers blessings and love on you.

XOXO

Love,

Mom

Monday, Monday

Imagine my surprise this morning,

while standing in the hallway at school, when I happened to look down and noticed my right foot. That wouldn't be surprising, if I hadn't noticed that I had on my blue/silver shoe.

I remember distinctly deciding to wear my gold shoes.

It didn't make any sense,

until I looked at my left foot, there it was- my gold shoe. I had been

dressed, for 2 hours, at school for 1 and had no idea I was wearing 2 different shoes! Had I lived only 2 miles away from school, I honestly think I would have left. Living 30 miles, I had to stop and think, would I come back? No. I took a deep breath, quietly, told my teacher friend, to look at my feet. We laughed, until tears ran down my face.

I said a prayer, begging God to help me keep a sense of humor. Went back into my classroom and pretended nothing was out of place. :0)

It was 4th period before a student asked me why I was wearing different shoes.

I wish I had said, " you get the candy bar of the day", but instead, I confessed.

We all laughed, and the world didn't come to an end.

How was YOUR Monday?

XOXO

Theresa

School Notes

I had the opportunity this past week to travel to Carson-Newman College, in Jefferson City, TN with 6 young women from my school.

They are my Leadership Team.

We had a lot of fun!

I so enjoyed touring the campus and the Family and Consumer Science building. In a time when universities are closing FACS departments, it was with pleasure to see a beautiful new building built for the sole purpose of Family and Consumer Science Studies.

I am proud of my background in Family and Consumer Science Studies , FACS (Home Economics :0).

When given the opportunity to share, I make a point of emphasizing that FACS
is the only program with the family as the emphasis in all areas. The shame comes from ignorance thinking, "it's cooking and sewing".

When asked, " What do you teach?" I always say, "I teach Personal Finance, Communication skills, Child Development, Parenting, Foods and Nutrition.

I also teach, leadership skills, stress management, team building and career success.

Some weeks, I teach consumer advertising, housing, interior design, clothing and textiles.

I prepare lessons that provide the students the opportunities to be creative,

stretch their comfort levels for the working world, and understand who they are.

I chose this program of studies because I wanted the opportunity to be "proactive" instead of "reactive".

Contrary to popular belief, parenting is a skill that can be taught, budgeting a family's income

is vital to the structure of the family unit.

Handling stress is a skill that is necessary for all to learn.

Without these skills, families may find themselves in situations that require outside help.

How much easier would it have been to take classes that focuses on the needs of individuals and family members, instead of having to repair the damage that is caused by ill prepared individuals?

The young people in these photos are why I go to work every day.


They have taken a step to learn how to communicate, work with others, deal with stress, and understand the dynamics of family structure.


On this particular day, the students were divided into teams.
Each team received the same materials, 2 packages of 25 balloons, and a roll of masking tape. They were instructed to build the tallest, free standing tower possible in a time frame of 20 minutes.

They had been given tags - foreman, inspector, encourager, and employee.

Upon completion of the towers they discussed how their title influenced their behavior and success of the tower.

Yes, I teach FACS, that is my story

and

I am sticking to it! :0)

I pray you are enjoying the beautiful days that are

beginning to promise a new season is arriving.

XOXO

Theresa