Christmas and other things

Christmas break so far has been nice and relaxing. Of course, the first few days of it were forced as I had a nasty cold that sent me to bed until Tuesday morning.

Tuesday morn brought the advent of my sister Angie and I commencing our annual Christmas bake fest. We made about 20 dozen cookies for gifting and of course our families consumption. This year, the new addition to the lineup, minty melts, are the favorite. A peppermint cookie dipped in chocolate, what is not to like?

Christmas Eve brought church with the family and then dinner and the traditional watching of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas performance. Christmas Eve was spent at mom and dads so I would be there Christmas morning. Christmas is low key at our house since its just the 4 of us, so we are able to do exactly what we wanted. The rest of the weekend has been spent relaxing and enjoying having my sister home.

Tomorrow begins the last week of holidays (teaching is good for vacations), but I have errands to run and stuff to do around the house, so the pleasure of lounging in my new PJ's under my new down comforter are over.

Happy New Year Blog World.

Prayer Request

I don't know how many people read this, but right now every little prayer helps this precious little girl. Her name is Elizabeth, she is ten years old and she lives in Valdosta, Georgia. Here is her story.

Several years ago, she defeated brain tumors. All was well until earlier this year when she was diagnosed with Leukemia. During testing, it was found that there were some other things occurring making it a miracle that she survived birth. Well, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving she had a bone marrow transplant and had been doing well. She was looking forward to getting out of the hospital in time for Christmas at home with her family. Sadly, over the past 48 hours things have turned worse. She developed memory issues which we were hoping and praying were "cabin fever delirium" as one doctor put it. But, scans of her brain and spine show tumors growing in both places. Her parents now have the hardest decision ANY parent should never have to make. Do we want quality of life versus quantity of life? Please be in prayer for this family, Mom, Dad, Elizabeth, and little sister Madeline. Please pray for guidance about what is best for Elizabeth, strength for the family this upcoming week and above all, a miracle from God that will completely heal Elizabeth.

What a strange day

Today was the strangest day I have had so far in teaching. It was scheduled to be the annual "Kids Yule Love" program benefitting a local charity. When I got to school this morning, there were no lights in my classroom AND NO HEAT!!!! It was 55 degress in my room and 29 outside. Baby, it was COLD in there.

The power was out in parts of the building. Unfortunately for me since my classroom is there, it was the oldest part. Thankfully the Athletic Complex had lights so the program could go on as scheduled. But, it was a MAJOR Georgia Power problem. The transformer for the middle of the school (the original building) went out this morning. Of course, it was 40 years old. It took GA Power all day to fix it because they had to bring in a crane to replace it and then hook it all back together. (the thing weighs 15,000 pounds). So, at the end of the assembly, Mr. Collins annouced that we got to leave at 12:00. We had to do that cause the lunchroom is in the original building and they could not cook. Of course the kids loved it. I did too cause I was freezing.

Lights and heat are back on so school will be in session Monday morning as usual for exam week. But the experience at the assembly this morning brought tears to my eyes.

The drama this year was the Grinch and the songs about what is Christmas really made me think. This was after we had presented a TSA Family with a check for 5800 dollars to help with medical expenses. That and seeing a nativity played out, the drama, and the gifts that the kids brought in , even in a recession, brought tears to my eyes and made me so proud to be a part of the Tattnall Family. I am now officially in the Christmas spirit!!! Tomorrow I have bell ringing for the Salvation Army with my Y-Club kids and then dinner with two girlfriends to celebrate finishing our masters degrees!!!!!

Finished

I am officially finished with graduate school. I sent the final drafts of my teacher work sample and portfolio off today. I had my exit interview on Monday and it went extremely well. In fact, my professor wants a copy of my portfolio!! So, I am now done and am so relaxed. I slept the best I have slept in almost 2 years Monday night. While I have been busy with other stuff this week, I am not stressed about anything.

The best part about being finished was getting to return to choir practice. I had to take a break while in school because it was simply too much. But, I can't wait for Sunday and the awesome new version of "Joy to the World" by Chris Tomlin. Go listen to it, its great! Then Sunday night, Sonic Flood is in concert at my church. All in all, a good weekend!!! Then only one more week of school and 4 of those 5 days are half days!!!!!

Life after Grad School

Yes, there is life after Graduate School. I am discovering that this weekend. I am the most relaxed I have been in two years thanks to being finished. I am so glad I presented on the first night and only have to sit in class for attendence purposes on Monday night. I am not even worried about my interview.

Yesterday I went to the local library, which I love by the way, and got a tote full of books to read. I am able to read as long and as much as I want without feeling guilty. My list of books I want to read is EXTREMELY long. After sleeping in a bit this morning, mom and I headed out into the frigid cold, yes 38 degrees in central Georgia is considered frigid. We had tons of errands to run since we are helping host a wedding shower on Thursday at school for one of our teachers. Had to get last minute things. Then, I managed to get some Christmas shopping done, mom you will love your gift I got today!!! Then, it was Wal-mart on a Saturday afternoon, not really my idea of fun. But, got it accomplished. After a stop at home to drop off packages, I went to mom and dads for dinner and to help put up the new Christmas tree. Mom got a pre lit tree this year and it only took one an a half hours to put up TOTALLY. No more day long process!!!!! Its really pretty, but will take some getting used to a smaller tree. Tomorrow is church and the conclusion of a restful weekend. Two more weeks and school is out for Christmas!!!