Publix Friday Night Fireworks

Friday night we took the girls and Kenneth to a Braves game in Atlanta. Of course, I totally forgot to bring my camera so I have no pictures to share except for one that I think God laid on my heart.
The game was rather uneventful (1 - 0) but after the game there was a fireworks show. The fireworks were the only thing Carlie was interested in. Well, cotton candy did hold her attention for a few minutes! Anyway, she hasn't seen many fireworks and couldn't wait until the game ended so the show would begin.
When it started she was standing in front of me. Within seconds she had pressed herself as close as she could get to me, tucked her body under my arm, and was holding on for dear life. The crazy thing was that she never once took her eyes off the sky. I was thrilled to have been responsible for bringing her there and was more than happy to hold her tight while she enjoyed the show.
That was when God very clearly spoke to my heart. I could almost hear Him say, "This is a perfect picture of how I like things: I provide a wondrous display that makes you stand in awe and your response is to step as close to me as you can get and let me hold you tight so you feel secure." WOW.
That is what I want to do: Stand as close as I can get and keep my eyes wide open for the glitter and lights that God has to show me.

I now live on an island!

Study Island that is..... School started Monday and for me it began with a bang. I am utilizing an awesome new software program this year called study island and it is intense! There is so many things available for the students to work on that my head is still spinning a little bit. I am also having to learn parts of the program as we go - there is no amount of training that can substitute for hands on figuring things out!
I realized how much I have missed my students and being in a classroom.
I remember how exhausting it is to get up before the sun and be on my feet all day.
I am so excited to bring my girls with me to school everyday - even though it means flat ironing three heads of hair and dealing with my little artist that thought it would be fun to write on the walls!
I am grateful for God's provision and the things He is doing in my life and in my family.
And boy, oh boy how I am excited to be back with my teacher buddies! SCA has some of the most amazing teachers and many of them I am grateful to call friend. These ladies push and inspire me to be a better person and they keep me on my toes. I love them!
All in all, we are off to a great start on what I feel will be a very productive year.
If only I could work on Island Time!!!