Emmy & Brian 4-26-14

Another wedding weekend for the books! 

This time, in Atlanta! It was such a great weekend celebrating Emmy and Brian! 

As always, we love getting to spend time with family. It even adds a little more fun to the mix when it's in an out of town area (for most of us anyways)! We had quite the long drive, but made some yummy pit stops on the way--Dreamland in Tuscaloosa has THE best ribs, hands down. 

Once we got there, we had wonderful weather. It really couldn't have been better! 

The only place where white bread and BBQ sauce make an amazing appetizer

My amazing brunch dish from the South City Kitchen for the Bridal Brunch

 Sweet cousin Emmy and Aunt Marcie

 All of the girl cousins--love you all so very much!

 When in Georgia, one must get beer locally brewed. Not to mention, you can't pass up this blueberry goodness!

 The ceremony was held at Greystone in Piedmont Park 

Emmy thought of everything! Sunglasses for everyone because we were facing the sun as it was going down! 

 The glasses apparently made for some pretty funny pictures too! Ohhh, Nana!

Emmy and Brian's ceremony was so sweet. Their love for one another was so apparent and so moving. Their first act as a married couple, taking communion together. May the Lord forever bless them and their marriage!

 My mom and her mom

 I loved this! Such a great idea. 

Until the next wedding! 

He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

Hoping that you all had a blessed Easter Sunday!

What a joy we have in the fact that Jesus is Risen!

 Because of this happy news, we can be resurrection people. 

People of peace, joy, hope, and people on a mission (coming from Luke 24:36-49). 

We had a great Easter! 

We started off with brunch at the church (which is always delicious) with all of our church family followed by lunch with family and friends that are as close as family. 

 With our "grandpa" 

 I can never explain to you all how much I cherish this girl and the friendship we have!

 Same goes for this gooney bird here too!

 My first Easter as a Mrs. and it couldn't have been better!

I do love when all the family is together!

It's such an everyday blessing getting to fellowship with these people, but man is it sweet! 

Joy of a Child

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord..."--Psalm 127:3

When I made the decision to pursue Special Education as my career, I knew it had the potential to be quite an emotional career. There's a number of reasons it could be that way but so far, from my two short years of teaching, I've come to find that the toughest part that I personally face is when it's time for them to move on to the next school! Most of the time, I have my students for two years, their 2nd and 3rd grade year and I love that about my job. I get to watch them grow not only academically but, emotionally, physically, behaviorally, and socially. I proudly watch them make friendships and foster those over this two year time span. I come to really care for (appreciate) their true personalities and even experience those personalities change and mature as the years press on. I get to really invest in their lives for two years--and so far, it has been such a blessing and has done so much good for my heart! 

Even though they move on to the next school, I know I'll be able to keep in touch and check on them through the years. That's one of the joys of working in such a small school district. I also know that they will be in good hands and under teachers who care for them just as I do. It's the calm that I have in the storm of them growing up and moving on. But, when they move to a completely different school or even more so, a different state, that's when it gets me! In an instant there goes my link to a child that I've spent the past year (or two) investing in and caring for. My assistants and I always say how the best/hardest part of our job is how attached we get to the kiddos. It's impossible not to! Even the one's that drive you bonkers! Each and every one of the 16 students that I've taught thus far have touched my life in some way or another. It's so funny, and you will hear teachers say it all the time: we are teaching them but they are also teaching us in so many ways and they don't even know it! 

With all of that being said, yesterday I had my last day (his family is moving) with one little guy that I've shared life with the past two years. I feel the need to share a little bit about him with you all so you can get a little glimpse of the many blessings I reap from my job. I can promise you that what I share won't even scratch the surface of how much good he's done for my heart!

I can remember the first time I ever met him. It was my very first open house as a brand new teacher, waiting in my newly decorated classroom to meet my very first set of students and their parents. In walks this tiny, little, boy dressed to impress and with the squeakiest voice I had ever heard! The first words out of my mouth were: "Oh man, he's a cutie" and his mother quickly responded, "Oh yes! But don't let him fool you!" They were brand new to the school district, as was I, and I knew we were in for a year. I always thought of him as "my guy" because he was brand new to Pearl the same year I was and we conquered our new territory together.

I could easily go on, and on, and on about him. I could show you hundreds of pictures and dozens of videos to give you just a taste of how full of life, humor, and joy he is. But instead, for my own sake (because I've done so good about not losing it thus far), I am going to share just a little bit about him and the things people love about him. 

First thing I realized was that he was a talker! Oh boy, could he talk--to ANY and EVERYONE! That first day of school I don't think I could have fathomed just how much of an impact he would make on not just me, but all kinds of people at the school just by talking to them. 

With that being said, he is the biggest people person you will ever meet. During our free time he never wanted computer, never wanted to watch a movie or read a book, he would be found at one of our desks just wanting to talk--telling jokes, talking about sports, asking our favorite restaurants and gas stations, asking about highways and exits, talking about trucks and cars, wanting to go to Taco Bell or Church's--investing in me. The same goes for our mornings when we would take the absentee to the office. We had a routine and a list of people we HAD to see each morning. My favorite part about that is that NO MATTER who it was that he saw he was just as excited as he was over the last person. He made you feel so important and so loved and you could see/feel the genuine happiness he had in just getting to talk to you! You will never meet someone who loves football more than him. He could get so worked up over someone arguing with him who the best team was--in his mind it was his team or no team. Loyalty at its best! Sports fanatic to the max. This little thing was smart as a whip. Had a memory like no other and amazed me with it daily. I saw so much progress in him over the past two years and it was such an encouragement to me as a teacher. 

He would look at me and tell me he loved me at least once a day. He would tell me I was his best teacher ever. He has the sweetest, most pure heart I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. 

With yesterday being his last day, I want to try and paint a little picture of it for you to show a glimpse of the impact he made. 

He started the day being escorted in by his bus driver and 3 best friends on the bus. They all wanted to walk with him one more time. I had fellow students of his stopping by all throughout the morning wanting to hug him and tell him goodbye (word travels fast!). We had our Relay for Life walk and some of the Mississippi Braves players came to walk with us--who was smack dab in the middle holding two of their hands?--yep, you guessed it. His day was made just with that alone! At lunch teachers were stopping by and giving him hugs telling him how much they would miss him. We had a yearbook going around the school as a going away gift for him and I can't tell you how many people wanted to sign it--to let him know how much they cared and how missed he was going to be! We had a surprise party for him at 1:00 and even I was overwhelmed with how many people stopped by. He was given all sorts of gifts, more hugs than you could imagine, it was SO AMAZING to see the out pour of love for this one little boy. I have tears in my eyes as I think about the appreciation and joy that I saw on his parents face as they took in the constant flow of people coming to love on their son one last time before he went on to change the world in another area! It couldn't have been a better day. I wanted him to know he was going to be missed and I wanted him to know how much people loved him and I can assure you that he left our school happy and with his head held high, knowing that he was deeply loved. 

 Ohhh, how we will all miss this little nugget! But boy, be expecting great, big things from him!!

As I mentioned earlier, he is not just a happy child, he is a JOYFUL child. I remember about 3 years ago my dad doing a sermon on the difference in happiness and joy and writing this post today took me back to that sermon. I have to share with you some of what he said: 

"The first characteristic of faithful, effective ministry is JOY.

"There is a difference in JOY and HAPPINESS.  Happiness is a feeling that is based on what happens to you, it is conditional and it is very self centered when it comes down to it.  Joy is not based on external circumstances. It is a choice of attitude.  It is gladness based on a firm and personal confidence that God is in control of your life.  It is totally internal and it is something that grows in you as you live/suffer for Christ."

I don't know about you, but after hearing Dad say that...I was on joy's side. Now that I think about it though--how many times have I ever even thought of the JOY in my life?  I can tell you, I don't think I've ever used the term joy to describe anything in my life.  I have used the word happy.  "I am so happy," "Oh, I was so happy to get that," "Oh my, that makes me so happy,"(you get the picture)

Hearing joy being described in this manner made me long for that.  It is something that lasts and something that only gets better.

This young man has joy and it is as contagious and humbling as one can imagine. 8 years old and he is more full of joy than any other person I know. It's natural for him, he doesn't have to force it or look for it. He makes it happen in everything that he experiences. I love that. I am forever changed by that.  Who knew that an 8 year old would be such a testament?!

There's a portion in Matthew 18 when the disciples asked Jesus, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" and Jesus calls a child over to him and puts the child in the midst of all the disciples that were asking that question and says to them: "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven"--Matthew 18:3-4

Jesus says that CHILDREN are the GREATEST in the kingdom of heaven--what more of an honor could it be to go through life with these children and see life the way they do and to be reminded DAILY of how Jesus wants us to believe?! It's such an honor. 

This student was that child. I know (and saw yesterday) that he did that for so many people--teachers and students alike. He helped us all to humble ourselves and appreciate, even just for a moment, life through his eyes. He will never fully know what a blessing he is to me and I will forever praise and thank God for allowing our path's to cross! I am so thankful that God placed the desire in my heart to teach, to be reminded daily of the fact that I need to humble myself like a child! Something that is so hard for an adult to do. 

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

The Mondays

Usually when people talk about "The Mondays" it's with negativity.  

Today, I'm trying to alter that connotation. 

Here's the things I love about today:

Not having to use my heating blanket to sleep anymore (come on Spring!)

Waking up to the sound of rain.

Our daily bible reading to start off our mornings. 

The way one of my student's made fun of my rain boots, all day. He literally showed them to everyone we passed and then would cover his mouth and giggle. They aren't that bad, I promise!

Another one of my student's earned so many "good behavior beads" over the last few school days that she made a necklace AND a bracelet, she was so proud and so was I.

Bumping into my hubby in the hall, he was looking MIGHTY HANDSOME TODAY!

Realizing how close my assistants and I are and taking comfort in knowing that we each pray for one another as life's trials come our way. 

Finally making it back to the gym after an unplanned week off.

The end of pollen season being in sight! 

Planning for teaching ESY (summer school) for my first time ever! I am so looking forward to a new experience and ways to broaden my teaching skills. 

Coming home and seeing that the garbage men actually left the can in the yard this time rather than the street!

Finding my newest Erin Condren notepads in the mail! Aren't they awesome

Finding all the seasons of "Saved By The Bell" on Netflix

How awesome the current book I'm reading is--"Joni & Ken" by Ken and Joni Eareckson Tada. I'm only 30 pages in and I've underlined half of it. 

Coming home to a clean house!

Getting a  little color back to my skin--goodbye pasty face!

My bubble bath. 

This delicious dinner: Lemon Peppered Salmon over salad

Knowing that we only have a 4 day work week this week.

The fact that Easter is Sunday!

Getting pictures of Chester from my mom and silly texts from my Dad. Never a dull moment with those two. 

Getting to just sit and relax with the love of my life. 

Catching up on a few TV shows. 

The chamomile tea with honey I will be having here shortly. 

It's the little things people, it really is!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Monday!

Let's get rid of this negativity associated with this day and think about one thing that made today great for you. 

Jambalaya, The Primal Way

This deliciousness comes from "The Primal Blueprint Cookbook" or as I call it, "the fancy one". The meals in here are a little more complex than the ones from the "Quick and Easy Meals".  Nonetheless, this one for the jambalaya isn't too bad! 

What you need:

1 pound andouille sausage (or other spicy sausage), cut into slices

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 green bell peppers (we use 1 red, 1 green), finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 teaspoon paprika (we don't use)

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon dried oregano (we don't use)

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (we don't use)

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or less if you don't want the spice--we use dabs of hot sauce instead)

1 (14 ounce) can of diced tomatoes--we like the Centos brand from Kroger

1 can of rotel (we used hot)

2 cups chicken broth (we used some we homemade that we had frozen for added flavor)

1 head cauliflower

1 pound raw shrimp, shells and tails off

What you do:

Cook the sausage in a large, deep pot. 

As it browns, add a little more oil to the pan and then sauté' yellow onion and bell peppers until the onion becomes soft. 

Add garlic and spices then tomatoes and chicken broth.

Bring to a simmer with the lid on for 10 minutes. 

While it simmers, cut the cauliflower into small florets and grate in a food processor (or blender) so the texture resembles rice. 

Add the cauliflower to the pot and simmer another 10 minutes. 

Add the shrimp and simmer until cooked through and pink, about five minutes.

All that's all she wrote!

It was actually fairly simple. The most time consuming part of this meal is chopping the cauliflower. 

It made PLENTY for just two. 

So now, we have lunch for the next 3 days--just to give you an idea of how much it made. This is giving 2 heaping scoops for a serving. 

Missions Conference 2014

In February, we had our Missions Conference at the church. 

It was a weekend full of prayers, speakers, mission reports, fellowship, and inspiration. 

I always love to hear about how the God of the world is working in all of His people--it's so encouraging and serves as such a reminder of His strength and His sovereignty over the world. 

I want to give a little spotlight to my sister and her upcoming mission trip she is going on this summer. Here's a post from her blog that she will be using to keep in touch with everyone while in Ethiopia this summer on her mission trip:

Addis Ababa

APRIL 11, 2014 / LEAVE A COMMENT

Hello everyone!

For those of you reading this that don’t already know, this summer I’m doing an internship through Mission to the World (MTW) where I’ll spend the months of June and July in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

I, along with the other interns, will be working with kids coming from impoverished families. Often these families don’t have jobs, enough food, or adequate housing. As an intern I will help with the after-school tutoring program geared mainly towards elementary aged children with focus on teaching English as a second language. In the month of July, when the kids are out of school, we will run a VBS type program for the kids so that they can learn about the gospel and also have a good schedule while they are on school break. I will also help with a more extended, focused tutoring program that takes place in July. While I’m serving I will also be exposed to other parts of their project including home visits, helping with two-week teams, and helping with support distribution among the team.

I thought a good way to begin the story I’ll be sharing on this blog, I would share with y’all how God has lead me to this opportunity:

After I served my first summer at Twin Lakes, I went on a mission trip to Peru with TL that following Christmas break. Twin Lakes takes this trip every year and pairs with the local churches in Trujillo, Peru to put on summer camp for a week for the children in the local communities. My first cross-cultural ministry experience was so wonderful. I fell in love with the children I worked with and felt such a heaviness having to tell them goodbye on the last day of camp. As cliché as it sounds, I felt like I left a piece of my heart with those children in Peru. I felt like God used that trip to reveal to me the passion I have for cross-cultural ministry. This was something I really wrestled with the following year. Am I really called to do mission work over seas? Is this something God really wants for me? Or am I just confused? How could I feel such a love for something that I only experienced 8 days of? Amidst all of my doubts there was still so much I was sure of.

I was sure of the joy I felt when I got to hold the hands of those sweet children and see smiles spread across their faces. I was sure that my heart broke when I had to tell them goodbye not knowing if I’d see them again. I was sure that I wanted to see them again.

I returned on that same trip the following two years. After my second trip to Peru I spent most of the spring semester (2013) praying that God would open the doors for me to go somewhere. I even secretly hoped I wouldn’t get into nursing school for the upcoming fall so I could finally go. Doors continued to shut and my I experienced a lot of frustration with the place God called me to. But He walked alongside me and patiently taught me to trust His timing.

When I realized summer 2014 was going to be open, I began to look into MTW and their internship options. I applied and hoped that maybe God would open the door for me to finally go. I couldn’t be more excited to say that He has done just that! He has affirmed me along the way in so many ways.

When I chose Ethiopia as my first preference, I wasn’t completely sure what all I’d be doing. All I knew is that I’d be working with children. (that’s all I needed to know) But whenever I talked to the missionary in Ethiopia that did my interview I learned what they were expecting from the interns. She said that we would be working with children and one thing they really want from their interns is people that can apply the gospel to all we would be doing with the child. For them to be able to take fun games, songs, sports, and be able to practically teach the kids the gospel through activities. My eyes filled with tears and I listened to her speak. The very thing she was looking for in the interns is something that God has taught me to do while I worked at Twin Lakes. Twin Lakes does that very thing- we are taught to apply the gospel to everything the kids do. To teach the children, the gospel isn’t just something you do on Sundays and Wednesdays, but it is central to EVERYTHING you do. I was blown away by how God, in some ways, has equipped me through working at Twin Lakes to do the part job he’s called me to this summer. He has equipped me through three summers of working at Twin Lakes, to minister to children in this unique way. How neat is that? What has been even cooler to see is that 2 other people on our team have both worked at Twin Lakes before too!

I’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of support and encouragement I’ve gotten about this opportunity. Thank you all for the ways y’all have provided for me both financially and emotionally. Every amount of financial support, every prayer, every encouraging word, every thought- all of these things mean so much me and I really appreciate you all. I’m not good at keeping up with things, especially blogs! But I’m going to try my best to keep all my supporters, family and friends updated on things going on before and during the summer. I’ll share specific prayer requests, feelings towards the trip, and stories while I’m there.

I’ll end with this:

“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Hebrews 13: 20-21

     When I think about this summer, I’m filled with a wide array of emotions. There is a lot of uncertainty. But I am certain that the Lord has equipped me with everything I need to do His will- everything I need to please Him. Only through Jesus Christ. This is the sole strength I stand in.

Yours in Christ,

Mary Claire

Be sure to keep up with her blog here and read alongside with me. 

But above all else, please remember to pray for her as she is gone all of this summer! 

Dining Room

Monthly home post time! So far I've taken you through the Kitchen and the Living Room & Foyer.

This month's debut, the Dining Room! It'll be a short post for a small area. 

 Our table and china cabinet actually came from family members. They were originally my grandparents and have lived in many homes and this past summer, they finally made it to the 422. 

Our sweet magnolia painting on the wall was done by Jason's grandmother when she was 18 years old. Needless to say, the women in his family are quite the artists. 

 I love the fabric on the seat cushions. Our platter and salt & pepper shakers were wedding gifts.

 This picture is for the curtains. The only curtains in the house that have a print on them! Can you guess where they're from? TJ Maxx, as usual!

 We did not register for china when we got engaged. I wanted some really fun, beautiful dishes that we would get some serious use out of! So, here we have the Anthropologie show case!

 Everything other that the tea set and one other platter are all from Anthropologie. They have THE BEST KITCHENWARE! I want it all every time I go in there. 

On the middle shelf, you see one set of each of the place setting we got. We love them! 

This room has already had a few game nights, pumpkin carvings, puzzles, and dinners eaten in it. Here's to many, many more!

Loaded Fauxtato Soup

Y'all, this was good. Like, really good

and EASY.

It hits the spot if your craving loaded potato soup. 

This recipe comes from one of our favorite cook books, Primal Cravings: Your Favorite Foods Made Paleo--it is packed with great recipes! 

What you need:

1 large head of cauliflower

3 garlic cloves

1 quart chicken stock (we made our own the night before and have frozen the rest for future recipes-we recommend this because it adds more flavor)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Salt to taste

We also added ghee in there which is the same as butter, just healthier.

toppings:

crispy bacon, sliced green onions, cheddar cheese, ghee (or butter)

What you do:

Cut the cauliflower in half, lengthwise. Cut out the core and remove  the outer green leaves.  Roughly chop the cauliflower into pieces. 

Add cauliflower pieces, garlic, chicken stock, and lemon juice to a large soup pot. Bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer. Continue to cook until the cauliflower is tender. 

Meanwhile, if you are using bacon, now is the time to cook it. 

Transfer the cauliflower mixture into a blender and blend until smooth. (We didn't do this step--we have a hand blender which made very short work of this--we used the hand blender in the pot and blended until smooth consistency we wanted)

We also added the ghee (or butter) into the soup while in the pot--at least a tablespoon or 2 (ghee does not have as much flavor as butter does, so you will do this to taste if using butter).

Top soup with your choice of toppings!

I told Jason today, next time we make it, we are going to double the recipe because this made enough for dinner and then lunch the next day and it's one I could definitely have more of!

Autism Awareness Month

April marks Autism Awareness Month with today specifically being World Autism Awareness Day. 

Take a minute, think of an individual or family that you know that is somehow affected by Autism. 

A child. A sibling. A family member. A cousin. A student. A coworker. A church member. 

Think of them now, and stop what you are doing and say a prayer for this sweet individual. 

Being a special education teacher, I've taught 7 children with autism out of the total 15 children I've taught in my two, very short, years of teaching and I can say without a shadow of a doubt The Lord has made a deep, deep, sweet spot in my heart for these children especially. That's almost half of the total children I've taught thus far. Autism is such a common disability among children with disabilities and I am thankful that the world is taking the time to educate people on it, to bring awareness to those who may have no idea. I know that no amount of teaching will ever prepare me for everything I need to know about relating to and teaching children with autism. But I can tell you one thing, there is so much to learn and so much to see through their eyes.  

Another fun fact, Jason made his career changing decision to pursue special education because of one little girl with autism who stole his heart. 

In case you don't know anything about Autism, here are a few facts:

It is a development disability

There are usually deficits in social interaction, communication skills, and cognitive functioning

1 in 68 children have been identified as having autism

It is almost 5 times as common in boys than girls

almost half, 46 percent, of children with autism have average to above average intelligence

It is estimated to cost at least $17,000 more per year to care for a child with autism than it does for a child without--health care, education, therapy, other services, and caregiver time. Children with more severe autism estimate at least $21,000. 

I want to share a little something from the mom of a previous student of mine. Being the mother of two children with autism, I have a lot of respect for what she shares with me.  She knows my heart and she knows how much I treasured the year I was able to teach her precious son. 

She shared with me two organizations that deserve your attention during this month. 

The National Autism Association

 She shared with me that this organization has grant programs that are available to families. They also offer and provide something called "The Big Red Safety Box" which I had never personally heard of and when I looked it up, I was really happy to see that being offered to these parents! It's such a great thing. While I was looking up the site for the first time, I saw a message stating: "Our inventory of free Big Red Safety Boxes has now been depleted. We hope to have additional funding soon." They are in need sponsors and donors! 

As mentioned previously, care for a child with autism is expensive! Consider donating to a worthy cause that is doing a lot of good!

Joni & Friends Jackson 

Another organization, which I can personally attest to is Joni & Friends Jackson. This past summer I spent a month interning with Joni & Friends and their International Disability Center (if you are interested in my time there, go to my blog here) and they are a wonderful, wonderful organization. 

They are faith based organization that offers education, support, and ministry to all who are affected by disability.  This includes autism. They organize and provide respite care night for families, social events, ministry dinners, trainings, and support for churches that are developing programs.  They do so much more and above all else, they love these children the way that God intends us to love, without judgement and questioning. They offer many events that can be volunteered for. Consider helping them by praying, volunteering, or donating. 

Joni & Friends Jackson is now having their first ever Family Retreat at Camp ASCCA in Alabama. June 15-20! This is huge for our region and I couldn't be more excited for the wonderful things that the families that attend will experience at this camp! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Spread the word! Volunteer to be a STM (short term missionary) and have the week of your life! 

God is doing WONDERFUL things through this organization and we have a branch RIGHT HERE IN JACKSON! How blessed are we?

This month is very near and dear to my heart as I work with/teach/love/care/laugh/cry/hold/hug/squeeze so many children that have autism. I see so much of God's love for us as believers when working with these children who can be so complex at times, so questioning at times, yet so simple and easy others.  I am so thankful and forever blessed by the love The Lord has rooted in my heart for these precious children!