• making time for hobbies I enjoy
• new possibilities
• double date
• forming a list of books I look forward to reading this summer
• visiting an adorable new puppy

• children's underwear (& other generous donations)
• get together with great girls
• thankful that I am not affected by allergies (can't help but feel bad for puffy-eyed 2nd graders)
• ice cream cake
• the fact that it's Friday

• giving handmade presents
• having Grandma over for dinner
• staying safe from tornados
• Easter candy on sale
• recalling memories of my time in New Mexico
• an extended episode of The Office

• math lesson outside!
• beautiful day for a walk with my husband
• back on the stage, even if just for a few seconds
• Brain Pop Jr.
• cool breeze
• making Mother's Day cards and seeing the sweet side of my students
• "Mom, you look prettiest when ... you go out for dinner with daddy."
• "Mom, you look prettiest when ... you don't wear any make up."
• "Mom, you look prettiest when ... always."

• encouraging e-mail
• improved MAP test scores!
• cold, crisp salad on a hot day
• 1st game of the season (for me): watching my "little" brother play ball
• blooming tulips

• driving with the sunroof open
• successful meeting with "the postmaster"
• Monday night with my cousins (it has been too long!)
• kind compliments
• crafting for loved ones

• "He's Alive!" - celebrating our risen savior
• being a part of a choir again
• delicious Easter dinner & dessert
• sitting on the deck and enjoying the sunshine
• getting a walk with mom in before the rain
• a Sunday free of school work

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2011

• adorable shower invitations
• visiting with my great-grandfather (who still looks good at age 92!)
• curled up in my husband's arms to watch a movie
• quick nap on the couch
• generous student and parent

• my secret stash of pretzel m&m's
• seeing A & E at the same time
• "Wash me in your precious blood...my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God" - singing in our Good Friday service
• helping a friend get organized
• Christ's body, broken for me ... Christ's blood, shed for me

My mentor & good friend - great "group" to walk around the museum with!

the "Discovery Room" at the American Museum of Natural History

• an enjoyable time at the museum
• flexible 2nd grade parents
• frozen yogurt from Sprinkles
• reason to wear my sunglasses
• a long weekend ahead!

• planting flowers in memory of my Grandpa
• using underwear to change the world (or at least one small corner of it)
• travel Scrabble
• sitting on the porch
• the power of the cross - this week's Bible story/video led one of my students to say a prayer and accept Christ into her heart (and have the courage to tell me)! I am once again reminded of the gift of Christian education and my reasons for being a part of it.

• getting my massive stack of grading done at school
• respect and support from fellow staff/faculty
• telling "the best story you will ever hear" - how God sent His Son to die for our sins, and His victory over death!
• getting the mail
• delicious meal (complete with one of my favorite desserts! Mom spoils me!)

• making spontaneous plans with a friend
• my handsome husband
• taking a closer look at repentance with my small group
• God's answer to our prayers: a missionary to speak with the 2nd graders about how we can help stop injustice in Asia
• an episode of The Office to provide some "down time" at the end of the day

• sunshine after the rain
• a sermon that I needed to hear
• prayers for my family in church
• plans for October 7, 2011!
• trying a new recipe (and enjoying the results!)
• short work week ahead

• relaxing pedicure
• a rainy day of no set plans - an opportunity to catch up at home
• switching back to the spring/summer comforter
• clean sheets and new pillows
• one of my favorite meals prepared by my love
• sympathy cards in the mail box
• hearing news of another engagement in the family - gotta mark the calendar for a spring/summer wedding in 2012!

• making it through "Amazing Grace"
• celebrating the life of a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend
• gathering with family and watching old home videos
• walking with mom on a beautiful day
• talking about plans for the next family get together - A & A's wedding!

• gorgeous weather
• wearing a new outfit
• a hand-made card stuffed with Dove chocolate
• having almost the whole family together (missed you Grandpa)
• so many people extending their sympathies - a true testament to the impact of my grandfather
• friends who waited in long lines just for me
• sitting down after a long night of standing

• seeing my (newly engaged) brother!
• accomplishing my sub plans earlier than expected
• buds showing up on the tree outside our kitchen window
• dedicated moms who come weekly (and even early) to see how they can assist me
• watching my students joyfully sing out "Your Love is Amazing" in chapel today, complete with motions (a song I taught them!)

• helping out grandma in any way possible
• looking at old pictures that bring back fond memories
• mother/daughter dinner
• hugs and kind words from friends near and far
• students that put a smile on my face "to cheer me up"

• sunshine on a cloudy day
• celebrating the life of my brother (he has a wonderful year ahead!)
• knowing that our beloved Grandpa was welcomed into the arms of Jesus
• supportive friends and colleagues
• loving husband who put all of his own needs aside to simply be with me

• "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” - Revelation 21:3-4

• "Do not be anxious about anything; but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7
• walk & conversation with one of my best friends
• gathering around the table with family
• not having to drive to church
• songs that bring back memories of Meadowbrook

• only 2 loads of laundry to do
• enjoying the beautiful day with a beautiful friend
• mint oreo mini-blizzard from DQ (perfect timing too!)
• Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)"
• date night at home

• spring conferences - check!
• free afternoon
• new TV series: Brothers and Sisters
• appetizers and drinks
• cousin bonding!

THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2011

• escape from school for at least a few hours
• Netflix instant viewing
• kind words from my students' parents
• homemade pasta fagioli
• half way through my last round of conferences for this year
• post-conference drink with 2 wonderful friends & fellow teachers

• fun night out, and for a good cause!
• gift from Grandpa
• wearing a cute outfit (if I do say so myself)
• successful centers
• ready for conferences!

• spring humidity that hit me as I walked out the door for work this morning
• a rare meat and potatoes meal
• birthday treats, from 2nd and 3rd graders!
• time spent with family
• hearing that my students were well-behaved in specials

• a wonderful hubby who not only made my dinner, but also my lunch for tomorrow (what a guy!)
• making progress on prep for conferences
• though forecasts predicted rain, we were outside for all recesses!
• episodes of Glee to lighten the mood while working at home
• turning the heat off

• strawberry cake
• catching up on the good and bad with our soul friends
• choir practice: an opportunity to sing!
• looking through old pictures and reminiscing
• walking to church and not freezing
• planning for 4 school days instead of 5

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2011

• working at ditto with mom
• finding some awesome bargains!
• getting dressed up in my new outfit
• "always look on the bright side of life"
• warm enough to hang clothes on the line outside

seeing Spamalot at NJPAC...

...for free!

• handing out Friday prizes
• positive feedback on an album I designed
• yousendit.com (amazing!)
• "slumber party" with the girls
• an encouraging note from a student