State FCCLA Meeting 2012

I spent last week with 5 students, my husband and approximately 1,100 teenagers from across the state of Tennessee.  We enjoyed the State FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) leadership meeting.

We enjoyed a formal banquet, and made new friends. 

We enjoyed the sights of downtown Nashville.

 We enjoyed dinner at the Spaghetti Factory.

We stayed at the Opryland Hotel.  It is amazing!

I am so proud! 

They competed and won silver medals for their efforts. 

We made memories to last a life time!

From July 29, 2011

Happy Easter!

I enjoyed this beautiful spring day, by taking 30 high school students to a local day care center.  My students brought in over 300 plastic eggs and filled them with candy and stickers.  We then took the eggs to the day care center and hid those eggs for the small children to hunt.  We had a blast!  I am so proud of the high school kids.

When it was time for the small children to go in for lunch, the high school students spent time at the local park.  We had pizza and enjoyed a quiet day away from school.  It was a lot fun!

From July 29, 2011

FCCLA STAR Events 2012

OK, I know this sounds petty, but I feel cheated!  I am taking it personally that we have had such a mild winter. I love my snow days!  Snow days are vital to my winter activites, the ones where I organize my closet or spend time catching up with projects that I want finished.  Due to ordinary winter weather, our school system  typically misses 10 - 13 days for snow/ice.  We've missed 4!  :(  Oh well, spring is just around the corner and I must change my attitude!

Yesterday, I took 6 students to East Tennessee State University for competition in FCCLA STAR events.  They spent many hours and lots of creative ideas to produce amazing projects!  Of the six, 5 students qualified for State Competition in Nashville, in April.  Unfortunately, I've had camera issues and can't post all of the students that went or showcase their projects.   We now begin the fund raising part of our school year.  This year we are selling key fobs.  Example above.  For only $5.00 you can order a Key Fob personalized with name, thread color, many choices of ribbon and webbing. Lots to choose from! Please send me a note if you are interested in purchasing one. Again,  way to go FCCLA members!  I am so proud of you! XOXO Theresa 

December Wonder

From our house to yours Merry Christmas!

I can't believe 2011 is almost gone.  It was a year of new adventures and opportunities.  We had a beautiful Christmas and I pray your house was full of love and grace.  Happy Almost New Year!  :) Merry Christmas! From July 29, 2011

I'm still around!

Life became busy upon our return from Oklahoma.  We made a trip to Kentucky to visit with our oldest son and his wife.  We had the priveledge of uplifting them into the ministry.  His dad was honored to speak at the ordination service.  It took me back several years.  I was a young bride when my husband was ordained as a minister, and here I am 32 years later committing my life again to pray, this time for my child who has chosen to follow God's calling into the ministry. 

I am one proud mama!  :)

We returned from Kentucky, worked 2 days then gathered all of those of us who could travel and headed to Georgia.  Our middle child - the one who was in OK, is now stationed in GA and as the Army has a tendency to do, while he is in his training phase is not allowed to leave the area.  It's been awhile since I've ridden in a van with 6 adults.  We had a great time!  We arrived at Ft. Gordon, GA in time for Thanksgiving meal on post.  It was a treat!  The officers served the enlisted men and their families.  The tables were decoratively set and there was plenty of food.  :)  It was so much fun being with all the kids and listening to the teasing, laughing, and overall just spending time with our family!  The week following Thanksgiving was hectic and a little frantic.  I am the advisor for FCCLA, a student organization with the emphasis on Family.  Our community project for this year was "STOP Child Abuse".  I will tell you more about that in another post.  I forgot the camera and left it at school.  On that Friday, I had surgery on my right ear.  I know the surgery and condition have a name, but for the life of me, I don't know what they called it.  I had to go to Knoxville, to a specialist for this surgery.  I have been completely deaf in that right ear - it has gotten worse.  Basically, if you spoke to me on my right side I would not have a clue what was being said.  Miracles, for me anyway, it was correctable with surgery. I admit, I was very nervous, to choose to have surgery is not an easy decision to make.  But with the frustration of asking people to repeat everything they say to you and then still not having a clue, I realized it was time.  The nurses and staff at the hospital were kind and made the experience not horrible.  :)  I really was expecting it to be horrible so I was pleasantly suprised.  I headed into the operating room at 7:30 and woke up at 9:30.  We were headed home by noon.  I have spent this past week recooperating.  There are always side effects of having surgery that are unpleasant, but for the most part, I have had an easy time of it.  I am greatful!  I went back and had the packing and stitches removed on Thursday.  That wasn't a picnic nor was it fun.  I left with a horrible headache and pretty much feeling yucky.  On the positive side - I can already tell a huge difference.  I go back in a month for hearing tests, but when I cover what use to be my good ear, I now can hear!  I am thankful! My beautiful daughter has been able to stay with me and help.  While here she has been creative and made these ornaments.  I love them!  I am in awe of her creativity! I plan on attempting to return to normal life around here.  Tomorrow I will give church a try and then possibly school on Monday.  I've missed being at school and think it will be interesting to see if I can now "hear" what the students are saying.  :) Love,

From July 29, 2011

Oklahoma!

Guess where I've been? 

OKLAHOMA!

Our middle child graduated from Basic Training with the Army.

We spent time with this young lady and her husband.  :)  The trip there was frightening, thank goodness the trip home was uneventful.  Oklahoma, welcomed me with comfortable weather, no rain, and a few green trees.  The Army training is very intense and only a few complete.  I am proud!  It has been a long 10 weeks.  I got up enough nerve to ask the drill Sargent below, how he commands the attention of 200 young adults within just a few seconds.  I want the secret!  I think it would be helpful when trying to get the attention of high school students.  :)  He assured me if I wanted to join up he could train me.  I said, "no thanks".  :)  But I was very impressed.  I am back in Tennessee, readying myself for a new week. My thoughts are with this young man as he begins a new journey in Augusta, GA. Have a wonderful week! Love,

From July 29, 2011

Spaghetti Squash

Fall has arrived in the mountains! 

 I love it!

Have you tried spaghetti squash?  We gave it a try this weekend and I can say it was quiet tasty!



Wash, pierce with 4 or 5 slits.  Place on paper towels and microwave for 12 minutes, rotating every 4.  It will be soft, and easy to cut in half. When you open it up, you will think you have spaghetti. Remove the seed and with a fork, pull the pulp from the Rine.   Add spaghetti sauce, spaghetti squash, ricotta cheese, mozzerella cheese and more spaghetti sauce.  Bake for 20 - 30 minutes. It was very tasty, but I admit, I think it needed meat.  Of course, that will make not as healthy.  :)  Enjoy! From July 29, 2011