Christmas Time is Here

Well, it's definitely been a while since I posted, but I'm putting off grading so I figured there was no time like the present to give a little update.

I'm almost halfway through my second year of teaching. I'm teaching Advanced Algebra 2, Precalculus, and ACT Math Prep this year. Teaching 3 classes, taking classes at UofL and going through the hassle that is KTIP has made this semester challenging to say the least. I can proudly say that I'm still sane and I have 3 days until Christmas break! Lee successfully finished this semester at Southern, also finished the apprenticeship program at our church and has been working like crazy at Walgreens. He'll be utilizing part of his break to get ahead on reading for a class on Revelation next semester. We're both enjoying working with the college group at church (leading community groups and Lee is the "director" of the BFG (Sunday School)). We're excited to see what God will bring us in the new year.

I've already had two, somewhat pathetic, snow days so far. We have built in make-up days so at least (as of right now) I won't have to go any later into June. There's still plenty of winter left though. Lee and I used one of those days to do our Christmas decorating. And yes, Lee actually helped. I think he mostly liked helping make cookies so he could eat the icing. Here's some pictures of our productive day! I hope everyone else stayed safe in the winter weather too!

A Pinterest Night

Last week I had a couple of girls over for a Pinterest night. The point was to try out new recipes and crafts found on the website. Of course, one doesn't have to have a Pinterest account to have such a shindig but anyone who has used it could attest to the convenience of having all those ideas in one place.

For my new recipe I tried these Mini Tacos which turned out pretty well. I had the hardest time finding wonton wrappers. We finally found some dumpling wrappers at a tiny Asian grocery store and they were with the frozen foods. Maybe that's where they are in other grocery stores too? I noticed in the comments that some people mentioned just using Tostitos Scoops and that could work too, but I would think they'd almost be a little too mini. I also made some salsa to add on top (while wishing I had some fresh produce from my parents' garden). I didn't take a picture but here's what they would look like (my wrappers looked a bit thicker I think and they were round).

For my craft I made these fun frames. Mine are obviously a little different. The barnyard frames were a little too expensive for my blood, and the tip of "dissolving" steel wool in water and vinegar to act as a stain didn't seem to work for me so I just left them as they were. I also used cardboard instead of metal backing and just glued everything on with a small clothespin to be able to easily change out pictures. I think they turned out pretty well. They're not on the wall yet because the frames didn't have a way to hang them. Also the pictures are just stand-ins because we're hoping to get pictures made for our anniversary.

Original

My Version

Have you tried any fun ideas from Pinterest lately?                                       

Free Audiobooks

So I've officially "survived" my first year of teaching. I'm going to take some time to reflect on it and hopefully post back here soon. However, since I've officially started my summer "break" I thought I'd share something that may make those summer trips a little easier. I'm a fan of audio books for long trips (like say a 9 hour drive to Louisville to visit us...anyone?) Here's a few free ones to get you started.

Matt Chandler's The Explicit Gospel. Our college group was reading this around the time we were leaving last year but I never got a chance to read it.









 
The other is one of my favorite stories of all times. Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I'll take this book in whatever format I can get. For this one you'll need to use the coupon code PRIDEFREE.








These are both from separate websites and you'd have to set up an account to download but I didn't have to enter any credit card information for either so that's nice. To download into iTunes I selected the M4B format and saved it so it opened up in my audiobooks section in iTunes. Maybe these will make any summer travel you have to do a little better. Enjoy!

I found both of these on Money Saving Mom.

To the Awesome Moms

To all the awesome moms out there. Gotta love some Kid President.

Dry Bones

Happy Easter everyone! I have to be honest, Easter kind of snuck up on me this year. I'm ashamed to say I think I was so busy focusing on the start of Spring Break that I didn't spend much time reflecting on one of the most important Christian holidays.

Lee and I worked in the nursery for the first service this morning. I guess you could say I got my baby fix. During the service, our pastor preached on an interesting passage for Easter. Ezekiel 37:1-14.

[1] The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones. [2] He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry. [3] He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord GOD, You know." [4] Again He said to me, "Prophesy over these bones and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.' [5] "Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones, 'Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. [6] 'I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the LORD.'" [7] So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. [8] And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them. [9] Then He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life."'" [10] So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. [11] Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.' [12] "Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. [13] "Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. [14] "I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it," declares the LORD.'" - Eze 37:1-14 NASB


It was interesting to look at the connection between the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of his people. We were dead in our sin, without hope. Christ died and was resurrected so we could have life. He breathed life into us. Thanks be to God for the story of John 3:16.

This passage made me think of this song which we sing in church often.

Spring Break Update

Things have been rolling along here in the Woodmansee household. I'm officially on Spring Break so I should have some time to do some updating.
Teaching has been pretty good although I can feel myself (and my students) getting lazy as the year goes on. We have about 8 weeks left of school and that big ole' End of Course Exam in the near future. We did start the last trimester and I'm teaching one of the Advanced Algebra 2 classes which I'm enjoying. It's a faster pace than the comprehensive classes but the students are (for the most part) great! I have had a difficult time trying to balance the teaching classes I'm taking with the two preps I now have for school. It could be worse though. Spring Break is not going to be as restful as I'd like since I have projects due soon in all 3 of my classes not to mention I'm way behind on grading and planning. I should  be able to fit in plenty of reading and sleeping though (not to mention the trip to Fayetteville at the end of the week).
Lee is doing pretty well with classes and work. Things seem to be going much better with the lighter class load although he's feeling the stresses of an online Greek class. We'll both be done with classes in about a month or so and hopefully we'll get a bit of a break before summer classes begin.
Lee and I are now working with the college ministry at our church which we're enjoying. It's great being around college students again plus we still get to hang out with some of the couples from our previous BFG. We've also started volunteering in the preschool ministry (Lee says so I can get my baby fix). We're so blessed with our church and look forward to all the opportunities to serve and grow.
I'd love to do some deeper posts this week. Hopefully I'll be able to carve out the time. To all our friends and family, we love you and miss you (but maybe we'll be seeing some of you soon)!

Woodmansee 2012 in Review (& looking forward)

Happy New Year everyone (only a day late). I can't even claim being busy has kept me away since I'm still on vacation. I did take down the Christmas decorations yesterday. I'm still proud that we can fit all of them (except the tree of course) into two boxes. Go us.

Since 2012 has officially ended I thought I would recap all the goings-on of the Woodmansee household. 

• The beginning of 2012 brought a Thomas family ski trip. No one broke anything so I count it as a success. The rest of 2012 we knew would bring lots of changes. We knew we'd be moving to Louisville so we started making plans. I had decided to try to pursue teaching instead of engineering as my career. This was very scary for me because it was going to me less comfort for us. Obviously it would mean less pay and I'd be going back to school...again. I flew off to Louisville to interview with the JCPS district and with the UofL. I also had to take a few math classes at the UofA. Things were starting to take shape. Lee was still working hard with the college group at FBC and finishing up his last semester at the UofA. Did I forget to mention that I had an awesome time on a cruise with my mom (oh and Lee went to Canada) for Spring Break. Woot!

 

• At the beginning of the summer both Lee and my sister graduated from the UofA. After that it was a whirlwind of finding a place to live, packing and moving. An adventure to say the least. There were a few friends' weddings along the way as well. Once we got settled in Louisville I started class at UofL and Summer Institute with Teach Kentucky. I also had to find a teaching job at some point. Lee looked for a job and found one at Walgreens in the photo department. We found our new church and met some amazing people. We also celebrated our 3rd anniversary!

• Fall brought lots of school! I started my job teaching Algebra 2 at Southern High School and Lee started seminary classes at Southern seminary (yes, it gets a little confusing around here when we just say Southern). I also took another teaching class towards my MAT at UofL and Lee continued working at Walgreens. Both of us learned a lot and had to adjust to new schedules (getting up at 5:30 for me and Lee working nights). I think both teaching and seminary were tougher than we were expecting but we know this is exactly where God wants us to be. We were able to go home for Thanksgiving and it was good to see family!

• In this last part of 2012 Lee finished up his first semester of seminary. I successfully made it to Christmas break! I've been enjoying my vacation and spending more time with Lee. We weren't able to go home for Christmas but we had a good time with friends and our little family.

I'm not very good a resolutions but there are some things I want to do better in 2013.

• Get back into budgeting carefully and couponing (at least a bit)
• Take more pictures (clearly)
• Keep up with the blog better
• Get more organized as a teacher
• Get back into a women's bible study

There are some fun things coming up for Lee and I. We'll be trucking along with school and work. We're hoping to make it home and to Fayetteville sometime. It looks like we'll be getting into some ministry opportunities at our church (more on that when we know more). Lots of good things for the Woodmansees. I look forward to sharing them all with you!