HE never let go!

Listen to music with video- refresh video if it starts after reading post----The Lord has done great things for us and is still doing great things. If you know us- you know the amazing meaning behind this video and the song accompanying it- He is truly amazing and I will forever thank Him for my prince charming- although my "prince charming" is not "perfect"- I would never expect him to be---- but HE is perfect- the One Who brought us together- please note that as we grow- there are pictures that match each other of similar events in our lives- Happy early Valentines my sweetheart-You are the most amazing blessing in my life...I thank the Lord above everyday for you.You are by best friend and my LOVE- thank you for always believing in me! HE never let go!
I can see a light at the end of the tunnel---for a heart that holds on! I will fear no evil--- for our GOD is with US! and if our GOD is with us then whom shall we fear???

Harper

If you haven't been following the blog- Kelly's Corner - you need to start now! I just had to put a little post about her today! Her baby Harper was born with a ton of very severe conditions that were threatening her life- Harper went home yesterday and I just cried reading the post this morning. They have the most amazing story- from their meeting to the birth of their child- their faith is such a testimony.

CRAZY hair!!!

OK- so I thought I would try something new this morning and "wave" my hair- and with the weather so cold- it turned out to be more of a frizball than anything else...haha- Hope you get as big a laugh out of this as I did this morning- this was my reaction when I looked in the mirror-

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!

My Favorite Things about Teaching!

I love about a million and one things about my job... so I just thought that I would take some time to point out some of the things that I love the most! I will be constantly updating this post as the week goes on... I"ll start with one tonight:

Here are some of my favorite things!
1. I could listen to them read ALL day long!!!

2. My classroom!!!

3. My drawers- that a teacher definitely designed!

4. Their sweet handwriting!

5. Sweet little hands!

6. Sweet little eyes!

7. bumps and bruises that always need kisses!

8. Pretty little drawings!

9. Inquisitive little eyes!

10. They SING to me...yes she is singing to me... "Oh Come all ye Faithful!"

11. Missing Teeth- it has to be the cutest thing ever!

I'll keep adding to this post all week....

What's Cookin'?

Brown Sugar Glazed Pork

3 fresh garlic cloves

2 Tbs light brown sugar

2 teaspoons Montreal steak seasoning

1 pork tenderloin (about 1 lb.)

2 tablespoons butter, divided

1/4 cup red wine

1. Crush garlic, using garlic press, into medium bowl. Use knife to remove garlic from bottom of press. Stir in brown sugar and montreal steak seasoning until well blended

2. Preheat saute' pan on medium heat 2-3 minutes. Cut strip of pork diagonally into about eight 1-inch thick slices. Place pork slices in bowl and press into mixture

3. Place 1 tablespoon of the butter in pan; swirl to coat. Add pork; cook 5-6 minutes on each side or until well browned and internal temp is 160 degrees.

4. Remove pork from pan. Stire in wine and remaining 1 tablespoon of butter; simmer 1 minute, stirring continually. Serve wine sauce over pork.

6. I made mashed sweet potatoes and steamed brocoli to serve with the pork.

There was an awesome picture of what the finished meal looked like on the plate- but I accidentally deleted it from my camera- ugh! Oh well- it was a yummy and really quick meal!

The "Little" Things!!

P.M.- UPDATE on the "little" things:
Another "little" thing happened today that really brightened my day- I went to our UMW Bible study group and was able to share with them my idea of starting a small ministry for women that are waiting for their child. The idea was very welcomed and I found out that there are a few more women that really need this type of prayer group as well. I was very blessed by the fact that I followed my heart and brought up the idea to my group.

Here is the flyer that I made: (If you know anyone that would be interested in joinging this prayer group- PLEASE pass this info along- we will have our first meeting at my home.)

A.M- Today I recieved a special email from a parent of a student that I had last year. Her name was Madeline and she was so special to me. This is the email from her mom:

Madeline was watching the movie Matilda - don't know if you've seen it - but it is about a little girl who lives with the worst parents ever. She gets to be really close to her teacher b/c her parents totally ignore her. The parents eventually leave and she asks the teacher to adopt her. It is a cute movie (funny even though it doesn't sound like it) and in the middle Madeline said - if that happened to me, I would get Mrs. Laney to adopt me, she meant it to! She really misses you.
Here is Madeline- isn't she the cutest!!!! ( and I WOULD adopt her!!)

This made my morning- then I had a student from this year walk up and give me a drawing- I get one of these "drawings" every other minute- but this is what made this one extremely special. She handed me the drawing and said: "Mrs. Laney, I worked on something really hard for you- do you know why I did that?" My response (indignant and busy) "No hun, why?" and she said "Because you do so many things for me, and you give me so many things, like reading and writing, that I just HAD to give something to you." I swear I got tears in my eyes. Here is the masterpeice! :)

I'll be looking for more "little" things to post about as the day goes by- this should be a fun project!

cycling, inside recess, and beef stew

I am enjoying using this blog as a personnal diary- so I will be posting daily now if at all possible. It really helps me focus in on all the good things that happen during a day and remember to write about it....
I have started a cycling class that is on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 5:30 a.m. I thought that I would HATE it...but much to my surprise, I am really loving it! You burn so many calories and sweat a ton- then after getting ready I feel like a million bucks and ready to start my day. I REALLY like the fact that I don't have to work out in the afternoon after school....and especially after an inside recess day! haha! Which brings me to my next point- have you ever been held up in a room with 15 5 year olds ALL day? I know a few of you that have...and you know what it means to not want to do ANYTHING after you have done that all day. haha! I did manage to get home and cook up a yummy meal- which I want to share. I LOVE to cook, for those of you that do not already know that...so you will be getting alot of new recipes if you check my blog regularly! I really like the idea that after it is all cooked and eaten- I can still share it with all of you!
This is what was served at the Laney house today!

Hearty Beef and Vegetable soup with Cheddar Beef Wraps

ingrediants for soup:

2 Tbs unsalted butter

5 oz fresh sliced onions (1 1/4 cups)

1 cup diced celery

1 cup crinkle cut carrots

1 Tbs minced garlic

1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms

10 oz. freshed sliced squash/zucchini (2 1/2 cups)

1 (32 oz.) box reduced-sodium beef broth

1 (20 oz.) package refrigerated diced potatoes and onions

1 fully cooked beef tips with gravy (17 oz package)

1 cup tomato sauce

1/2- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

Preheat large saucepan on medium-high 2-3 minutes. Place butter in pan and swirl to coat- add onions, celery, carrots, and garlic; cook 2-3 minutes, stirring often, or until onions begin to soften.

Then stir in mushrooms, squash, and zucchini. Cook 1-2 minutes or until heated.

Move over to a bigger soup pan and add the remaining ingredients

Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook 10-15 minutes- I put it on low for about 20 more minutes- but you don't have to.

Cheddar Beef Wraps

1 Tbs unsalted butter

5 oz fresh pre-sliced onions

1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms

1/2 fully cooked beef tips with gravy (17 oz package)

1 cup shredded cheddare cheese with peppers

5 multigrain flatbread wraps

instructions:

1. Preheat large saute' pan on medium-high 2-3 minutes. Place butter in pan; swirl to coat. Add onions and mushrooms; cook 2-3 minutes

2. Stir in the beef tips

3. Place cheese on one end of each wrap; divide beef mixture over top of cheese.

4. Roll wrap around filling

5. Place wraps on a 2-sided grill (like a george foreman grill) for 2-3 minutes or until toasted and cheese melts-

Here are the final results! Yummy!

( I added a side of cornbread)

(this is Cal's plate- I have to make sure and fill my big boy up!- ha)