27 Dresses

The other night we had a 27 dresses Girl's Night with friends from church. There were about 10 of us but only 4 showed up in their old bridesmaids dresses. It was so much fun! Even though I have seen the movie 27 dresses 5 times since it came out, there is something about watching it with a bunch of girlfriends. Of course we didn't start the movie when we said we would because when you get a group of women together...they have a lot to say. I love "girl time." Three of the girls in that picture are pregnant...No, I am not one of them. I tried to get a picture of Krista and Rhonda's belly because they were poking out of their bridesmaid dresses.

My uncle saw me in my dress before I headed over to Rhonda's and asked "Why are you wearing that?" I explained what we were doing and he gave me this crazy look and said "that's the silliest thing I've ever heard of." Most of the time men just don't get us women....and that is when I am so thankful for girlfriends and silly Girl's Nights!

Next one on the list: 80's dress and Pretty in Pink. How much more fun can you have?

Summer here I come!

Tomorrow is my last official day of the 2008 school year! All I have to do is finish some paperwork. I feel as though the weight of the world has been lifted off of my shoulders. Summer...here I come.

"Camp Dangie" starts on Monday. I am doing a "summer camp" for my 12 year old brother. I got a little carried away and made up a schedule that is color coded and came up with the cheesy name which is our names combined (Daniel and Angie) We are doing everything from swimming, to the library, gym, cooking lessons, art projects, bike riding, and 1 really fun field trip a week. I am excited and suprisingly enough so is he.

I am looking forward to spending time with him. Before I know it, he will be way too cool to hang out with his big sister, so I am taking advantage now. He is actually kind of excited too. I have a feeling this will be a summer we will both never forget. I thought about making us matching camp t-shirts...but I have a funny feeling he would not be cool with that. I might do it anyway.

So here is to the summer! Looking forward to some relaxing with family and getting closer with Daniel. Adios school. See you in August and hopefully not a moment sooner.

Evaluations

Yesterday, I got my evaluation from my principal and my parent evaluation scores. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. My principal gave me an excellent review and my parent evaluation shot up a few points from last year. I was surprised because I have not had as close of relationships with my parents this year as I have in previous years. It is always reassuring that you are doing a good job when a parent writes something kind about you. So 3 years almost down and hopefully only 1 more to go. After this year...I just don't know how many more teaching years I can take!

Dayne Dreaming

Last night I had a dream that I got to see Dayne. I was inside my house and Jaimie yelled out: "Oh my gosh...Ang...Dayne is here" My heart jumped and I dropped whatever was in my hands and ran out the door. There was my little chicken. I swept him up and gave him the biggest hug and kiss ever and he just cracked up laughing. I kept saying over and over again how much I missed him. He had lost some teeth too, so he looked older than the last time I saw him. I was so thrilled..I thought for a minute that it might be real.

That is the second time I have had one of these dreams. It's nice because I get to see Dayne for a few brief minutes and I feel the happiness...but then I wake up and my reality is shattered as I realize he's not really there and I can't see him. I miss him so much! It's little things like that, that set me back a few steps and get me upset all over again. I hope that one day soon my dreams do become reality..I miss my brother!

Soryn turns 1!

We had Soryn's 1st birthday party on Sunday. I cannot believe how fast a year has gone. I feel like I was just at the hospital for her..and since then there have been 2 more babies enter into our family. Here are some pics from the party.

Pedicure

I have the most amazing husband in the whole world. He is so good to me! I know he loves me...and here is proof. He painted my toenails for me last night...2 coats! I am the luckiest girl in all the land!

Happy Birthday Chicken!

My little brother turns 6 today! Happy Birthday Chicken! I wish that I could tell him myself. My hope is that he will feel so much love and excitement today and know that I am thinking of him.

Praise you in this storm

This song is not new to me, but it really hit me hard tonight and I have sung it out over and over again at the top of my lungs. We all have different "storms" in our lives......and it can be so hard to praise God during the hard times of our life. The Lord gives and takes away...and although I have had something taken away from me....I will lift my hands and praise him, because I know He is right there with me and holds every tear I shed in His hand. He will never leave me. He does have a purpose for the hard times. I am realizing that as things get harder, He is drawing me nearer to Him. So while I am sad and torn, I am also so excited and anxious to see all of the goodness that God will bring out of my sorrow!

The Great Commission

Why is it so hard to share our faith with those who are close to us? It always seems easier to travel half way around the world and share with a complete stranger...at least for me. I worry about those close to me thinking that I am judging them or risking a close friendship. The great commission is to "Go and make disciples of all men" Why is this such a struggle?

I tend to think, "We'll they'll just see me and get it" but the truth is...that is only part of it. I am always scared of saying the wrong things or not knowing the answer. But I know that God will equip me with wisdom if I just ask. I think Satan implants doubt in us that we aren't good enough or we don't have the right to share our faith.

It has really hit me hard lately how much I love my family and friends and am concerned with their eternal life. We're not given an exact time of when the Lord takes us out of this world. We have to be diligent and confident in sharing the TRUTH! Please pray that God will grant me peace and confidence and a deep desire to step out and share his love and grace with those closest to me.

National Day of Prayer

Today is National Day of Prayer and we are celebrating it at school as we do every year. You know it is so easy for me to take prayer for granted. I don't always think of how much of a gift it is and sometimes I even shamefully dread doing it, unless I really need something from God. But prayer is powerful and should not be taken for granted or pushed aside like a chore.

It amazes me to think that God can hear me whenever and wherever I am. He has provided us a way to communicate with him through prayer. I find that I pray here and there throughout my day...but sometimes completely take for granted this amazing gift and privilege. God wants to hear from us and spend time with us.

I am doing a Bible Study right now called Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World and it talks about having "Living room intimacy" with God. I love that term! It reminds me that daily I need to just calm down and enter the "living room" and have some good quality time with my Father in Prayer, Worship, and the Word! Think about how comfortable and cozy you feel in your living room. It is inviting and comforting. So now when I have my quiet time in the day...I enter into my "Living room Intimacy" with God and we just hang out a good while and catch up, like good friends

I praise God that He loves us enough to want to spend time with us...to wait for us....to call us to Him. Thank you Lord for the privilege to pray. You hear every thought...every word and you really care! Wow!

It is a blessing that we live in a nation that allows us to have a National Day of Prayer! Let's not take it for granted!