Thankful

It's been a great week! I'm thankful to the Lord for family, friends, and some time off work to enjoy with them...

Happy Thanksgiving, and enjoy the pictures! :)

November 20: Some friends of mine asked me to take a family photo for this year's Christmas card, and I was happy to do it! This is their precious little boy, Bennett.

November 21: My roommate Jamie had family in town for a few days, and I had the pleasure of baking with them on Sunday afternoon. You can tell they are both a lot of fun! :)

Making snacks for small group...

November 22: The 3rd grade team - 4 gifted teachers who make me smile!

November 24: My brothers, looking all westerny (It's a word, I promise!). Aren't they handsome? :)

Elise and Abi, my sisters-in-law who I love. They are just beautiful.

November 25: No picture, but here's another of Eric from the 24th.

November 26: I took several family shots on this day, some of which I've posted below. Here's a small glimpse into the personalities of my family. I love the above picture of cousins (and a brother), although Becca may not like that I posted this one. She may have been in the middle of eating an apple. ;)

Cousin Allison - such a sweetheart!

Cousin Ashley

Aunt Lisa & Uncle Will

Cousins Catherine & Rachel

Cousin (in-law, I guess) Caleb

Grandpa Bob & sweet Cousin Annabel (my gpa is actually wearing a visor with attached gray hair - I'm not sure where he got the hat, but it was hilarious to see him with spiked "hair". He wore it all week long!)

Fall Colors

This week, the colors around Dallas have been incredible. I don't remember this variety in years past, although maybe I didn't take time to notice. God's love is so evident in His creation, and His works so clearly proclaim His glory! I love this verse of a hymn I recently saw on a favorite blog of mine:

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest;

sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,

join with all nature in manifold witness

to Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

November 13: Dallas Arboretum with Kim - it was the perfect day to go!

Isn't she beautiful?

November 14: Puzzles with the little ones at church. These kiddos bring a smile to my face.

November 14: I may have turned around on a busy street and creepily stood in front of a stranger's house to take this picture. But can you blame me?

November 15: Chocolate Kahlua cake I made for a coworker's birthday. Thanks for the recipe, Julie!

November 16: A bit of Christmas shopping.

November 17: Group Connect! We had our own sign and everything! :) Rachel and I have officially begun a small group through our church (thank You, Lord!), and we were able to meet some girls on Wednesday night who will help start the group off.

November 18: Baking with Megan...always a pleasure!

Six of Seven. Not Bad!

Halfhearted attempts to take pictures this week...but there ARE pictures!

Enjoy! :)

November 6: My new craft project. A few months ago I started thinking of birthday ideas for my assistant at school. I decided I wanted to order a name plate for her desk - you know, one of those fancy plates that CEOs of big companies have (or maybe that's just in my head!). But I wanted one that was cute, not...professional looking. Turns out nobody sells those!

So...a piece of wood, some cute scrapbook paper, paint, and Modge Podge later...voila! I give you...Mrs. Miller's desk plate! There is a different design on the other side, so it's like two gifts in one! I got a little stand for it tonight, too.

I realize I'm a huge nerd. I'm okay with that.

November 7: To bake or not to bake? As soon as the question was asked, I realized we didn't have enough eggs, so...........not to bake.

November 8: No picture

November 9: Cary and I went to see a screening of the movie "Courageous" this week. It comes out in September of 2011 and is made by the same people who made "Fireproof". It is a great movie - check it out!

November 10: Hummus. Yummus.

November 11: The best homemade apple pie I've ever tasted. Thanks, Megan!

November 12: Making a diaper cake for a shower my roommate is throwing this weekend! The finished product (minus a teddy bear on top):

N.D.I.

A first-grade teacher recently told a story of a little boy in her class who was writing N.D.I. on several papers he was turning in. Most questions would be answered, but the mysterious N.D.I. would randomly appear on a line or two.

It happened enough times that the teacher finally asked him about it. After a gentle, "Honey, what does it mean when you write this?", the boy looked directly at her and responded with:

"Not doin' it."

Ha! So straightforward, yet entirely unacceptable! :)

This relates to the week, I promise. And now for my pictures...

October 31-November 6: N.D.I.

I have no excuse for failing to take a single Project 365-related picture. Such is life. Tomorrow begins a new week, and hopefully I'll get back into it!

Just for fun, below are a few favorite moments from the week:

*Being interviewed with my roommate for home-group leadership by one of the pastors at church, in hopes of beginning a home-based ministry to single women.

*Taking my mom to Bible study with me on Monday night.

*Wearing galoshes at carpool duty in the rain.

*Taking a moment to really watch my kids learn in class - watching them use the minds God gave them, and thanking Him for my job that I love.

*Rejoicing when my students respond to correction with teachable hearts.

*Listening to Christmas music.

*Decorating the lunch table with a Christmas tablecloth and centerpieces, knowing full well it would make two coworkers mad.

*Spending time with one of my favorite families.

*Singing hymns with Jamie when she pulled out her guitar after a year of no practice, and laughing hysterically because we couldn't find the right key.

*Partaking in Jamie's "snack" that she so proudly offered me. When I asked what it was, she said with a smile "cake batter!".

*Turning on the heat and wearing my comfy robe.