That time of year again....

I feel like lately it has been that time of year again for everything. Fall is upon us and that means a lot is about to take place. Kids Market started up again. I didn't to buy much - but of course I found a few interesting finds. I was looking for a sand box type toy for Brandon, and found a sand table - great because now Brian doesn't have to worry about it killing the grass! I looked for a super man out fit (since costumes are so popular this time of the year). I found a 2 foot superman figure - really funny - but I thought he might like it. Of course I bought winter clothes and and shoes. I am so thankful that the Lord allows me to participate in something like this - really saves money for our family. Everything is in great condition too.

Fall Festival is upon us as well. I am excited to be coordinator again this year. I found some neat games at the Kids Market that I would like to incorporate in the festivities. This year's theme is Team Spirit. It should be a lot of fun. Anyone interested in donating for the door prizes please let me know.

I have decide to help out with the girl's ensemble group this year as well. It should be fun and a learning experience at the same time.

Brandon and I will be spending a lot of quality time together since Brian is away. We miss him already, but we look forward to web cam chats and phone calls. Grammy and Papa may get some grandparent time as well.

School is going well, and my piano lessons are filling up all my time. I have taken one more student for the Fall, so my schedule is full. Looking forward to a great recital. Happy Fall Y'all!

A New School Year Begins...

So yesterday I began my first day back to school teaching one class - Spanish. I am so excited to have this opportunity. I miss being around the Spanish influence, so I am putting myself back in the books to keep learning so I don't forget. I have 11 students this year. 3 are of Mexican descent. This should be fun. Yesterday they chose their Spanish names for the year. They pick some of the weirdest names - Godofredo? It makes me laugh - but I am looking forward to a good year. Today we learn greetings.

I begin piano lessons next week. I have 23 students so far - and I plan to keep them as long as I can. I love teaching piano, and I look forward to a great recital this year. So, far the school year looks full, but exciting. I ask the Lord to bless it and give me strength for each day. I know that I will need it as I continue this task in serving Him.

Brandon's Train ride...

We finally took Brandon to the North Alabama Railroad Museum. He was so thrilled to ride the"real" train. It was about an hour long ride. It was a nice day for the trip too. Not too hot PTL! We think we might have increased his lust for trains with this trip though - he hasn't stopped talking about it since.

I learn so much everyday...

Everyday I find myself learning so much from my mistakes. I fall short of God's holiness in every aspect of my life. How depressing it becomes when I feel that I will never be like He is. YET, there is always a new day coming. I look so forward to tomorrows that I often forget what happened today. I am so grateful that God's mercy is new every morning. I can look back and be happy that yesterday is passed and I can start fresh today. This week I experienced a humbling event in my life. I reacted so selfishly in front of my visiting family members, that I failed to see how I hurt some one's feelings. Although apologies come naturally for me, I had a difficult time with this one. My husband helped me remember that it is not important WHO was right, but rather that I DO right. All in all everything turned out fine. I can not fathom how God must think when He watches us daily as we fail Him miserably in so many areas of our lives. I am so challenged everyday to do better than the day before.

Piano Recital 2009

I am so proud of every single one of my piano students. We had a great recital this year. It was bigger than ever and it went so well. I am looking forward to watching them improve over the next year. They have learned so much, and have done so well performing. I pray that every one of them will continue to use their talent to serve the Lord.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

I think it has been raining now for almost a week straight. I love rain! I just miss the sunshine. So I got my plants and flowers planted just before the rains came. Good thing! I have already cut so many peonies - the bush is overwhelmed with blossoms. My house was full of flowers, so I started giving them away - Everyone I shared them with was so excited to receive flowers. Maybe this was God's way of allowing me to be a blessing, and I didn't even have to spend any money to do it. It felt really good to share my blossoms with my friends.

My piano recital was May 2nd. It was great! The kids did a terrific job and I was so proud of all of them . I can't believe how many people showed up just to watch. I even received flowers from one of my students. Roses and white daisies - my favorite combination. I guess all that giving away of my own flowers helped my to reap the blessing of receiving some as well. Isn't it neat how God works!

Hello World! See what I have learned!

So today marks the beginning of "Becky's blog". I have a lot going on in my brain and I just can't seem to get it all organized. I just spent about an hour trying to order trophies, ribbons, and medals for my piano recital in two weeks. I delayed a little in the order process. I just love recitals. My students have come such a long way from where they started. I am just so excited to award them for their hard work and good effort.

I recently went on a trip to Knoxville to visit with my sister. We had a good time, but I learned something very important from that trip. I will never travel alone with my son again. He is a very strong personality, and without my husband to help me, I just can't enjoy the trip as much as I would like. It's not that Brandon is so bad or anything. Sometimes teaching a child and growing him in the Lord takes more work than one parent can do on their own. For this I am grateful to be married to such a wonderful man who is also a terrific father. I know the Lord teaches me lessons through my experiences as a mother. This was definitely one that taught me to be grateful for the husband that I have.

I asked a mother of 3 boys how she plans her day to get things done around the house. She replied " Some days you just have to realize that there are some things that won't get done." This was very wise advice to me in my new experiences in motherhood. I try so hard to do all the things that are expected of a wife, but when a wife becomes a mother and is still working a full-time job, juggling all those responsibilities and expectations can become overwhelming. I asked my fellow-teacher lady friends at the school how they managed teaching when their children were young. The reply was the same from all of them -"I didn't work when my children were young." It wasn't that I had to work - I just enjoyed it, but let me tell you this - Not working full-time has been so rewarding for me as a mom and wife. I still teach piano and tutor on the side, but I love my flexible schedule and my one on one time with Brandon. I wouldn't change it for anything.

God knows why things work out the way they do. I just need to continue to trust Him, especially when I am unsure. I learn lessons everyday from others around me - please feel free to share your learning experiences with me.