Thankful

I can't believe it's already time for Thanksgiving! Where has the year gone? In honor of Thanksgiving, I want to share the things in my life that I am most thankful for:

1. King of Kings - with the kind of year that I've had I have needed Him more than ever. I am so very thankful that He loves me unconditionally and is always there guiding me through life. He has blessed me beyond what I deserve, and for that I am truly thankful!

2. Mr. Fleisher - I am one lucky girl because I am married to my best friend. Mike is a great, Godly man who is always there for me. He has seen many sides of me this year, and has held my hand through it all. I love you Mike!

Mike and I at the Hog vs South Carolina game in Fayetteville!

3. Mi Familia - what can I say? My family has never failed to be there for me - I love that about them! I am blessed to have such a supportive family!

4. Besties - these girls are in every way sisters to me. We have grown up together and know so many things about each other - and yet we still love hanging out! I'm sad that we have all moved to different cities, but every time we reconnect, it's just like old times. I can't tell you how much you girls mean to me - Love

Lena, Katie, me, and Laura at my wedding

5. Crestwood - I couldn't just say co-workers because I am so very thankful for being able to work at Crestwood! The staff, parents, and students are all absolutely wonderful - I can't imagine wanting to work somewhere else. Of course, my work besties make it even better. We always say it's a rarity for someone to both work in a great place and also work with your best friends - we get to work with our best friends every day!

With Lindsay, Sharon, & Sabra before performing at the talent show

6. Bella - I love my doggy and am so thankful for her! She keeps us laughing :-)

7. Certified - after a stressful 8 months I found out that I passed my National Boards! This was a great end to a not-so-good year. Now I'm looking forward to the benefits of being NBCT!

About to mail off my box for National Boards

8. Pinterest - this one may seem out of place, but it's brought out my creative side. I've always considered myself creative, but this wonderful website has opened my eyes to all the crafts I need to make. I am truly excited to incorporate many of these pinterest finds in my house!

I am also thankful for those who actually took the time to read this thankful list! I hope everyone enjoys time with their family and friends over the Thanksgiving weekend! And, last but not least, GO HOGS! BEAT LSU!

Worthy Is The Lamb - Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

A friend of mine posted this video a while back saying she thought this is what it would be like in Heaven. We sang Worthy is the Lamb this morning at church and thought immediately of this video. It was a great way to start off my Sunday!

Painting with a Twist

I have discovered a wonderful new place for Girls' Night Out - Painting with a Twist! One of my coworkers has been wanting to go now for several weeks and this past Friday was the perfect time. What's great about this place is that you don't have to be an artist - I am by no means an artist. You sit at a long table with your canvas and painting supplies and follow along with the instructor. Since Fall is here, we chose to go the night they were painting "Colors of Autumn". I will say that mine does not look exactly like the instructors, but that's ok. Really, out of the 30ish people there, no 2 paintings were the same. Below is a picture of my final "Color of Autumn". Again, I have never really considered myself to be a great artist, but I am pretty darn proud of myself. We are definitely planning to go back around Christmas time.

Maybe I've found my true calling....probably not!

Us girls with our paintings. Everyone's look great! I highly recommend you try this place out at least once. It's a chain so there's one in NLR and in Fayetteville.

On a different note, I found this at Kroger today...

Oh yeah!!! The countdown has been on for the past several months. I can't wait to see Breaking Dawn - this magazine just made the anticipation even higher! I am planning to start rereading the series before November 18th. Team Edward all the way!

I hope everyone has a great week! I'm hoping that mine goes by quickly :-)

I Remember

September 11, 2001

It's hard to believe that 10 years have passed. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was a senior in high school and heard about the first plane when I walked into my mom's office. By the time I got to class the 2nd plane had already hit. While we, traveling STARS, were sitting in a circle the news was showing on the TV. Mrs. Ratliff, my teacher, was talking when we saw the first tower collapse. From that point on class was over. We all moved closer to the TV in order to focus in on what was going on and the magnitude of it all.

By lunch time, the news of a gas shortage had made it's way to my school. My mom checked me out while I was in my American History class - I never got checked out. She gave me her Sam's card and debit card and I left. When I got to Sam's I remember the line for gas was all the way down the access road! I ended up finding a smaller station to get gas then went straight home to catch up on the news.

While I cannot even come close to knowing what it must have been like to have seen these attacks first hand, it still made an impact. My heart breaks for those who lost their lives that day and for their families. I am honored to live in a country that can come together in moments like this. I am also honored that many service men/women have risked and/or lost their lives to help us feel safe again. I pray for our country and that we are able to grow even stronger and closer to Him throughout this next decade. My we not dwell on what happened, but allow it to make use even stronger. I also pray for the service men/women, firemen, and policemen who risk their lives daily in order to make the USA a safer place to live. God Bless America!

Desired Prayer

I pray that this can eventually be my prayer. I heard it this afternoon on K-Love while on my way home from getting another round of blood work. Scott was talking about how truly hard this prayer is to truly pray with all your heart. No one likes to go through pain, loss, or any other storms in life, but we are not promised a life without those things. Mercyme is a Christian group that I have loved for a long time, and I've just added this song to my list of favs! I do hope that one day I can sing this song and truly mean every single word.

"Bring The Rain"

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on You, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are such greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty

Praise You in this Storm

This past week I have experienced one of the hardest, most emotional storms of my life. I have been blessed with supportive family and friends who have given me encouraging and inspirational words. While I'm still struggling with trying to get answers from the Lord about why and how to move on, I have had this song running through my mind constantly:

Praise You in this Storm
by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now, God, You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear you whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise You in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for you are who you are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for you are who you are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

And I'll praise You in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for you are who you are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Goodbyes

Well, my summer is officially over, so I must say goodbye to sleeping in, afternoon naps, and the free time to do whatever I want. This has been a fun summer! We didn't go on any big vacations or anything, but we still got stuff done. We started our summer by celebrating Mike's 30th birthday! I can't believe I'm married to a 30 year old :-) Here he is with his the traditional cookie cake...yummy!

We are still in the process of renovating the kitchen - we have the granite, sink, & faucet installed, but we haven't decided on a backsplash yet. I'm hoping to get this done soon rather than later. Mike and I also enjoyed a quick getaway to Memphis. I am sad to see summer go, but am looking forward to being back on a normal schedule. Is it bad that I'm ready for it to be November? The end of the year seems to be the best!

I also had to say goodbye to my Granny, my dad's mom. She was an amazing, christian woman! Since her death was so unexpected, it was extremely hard on our family. Plus, this is the first grandparent that I've lost. I've included several pictures of my dear Granny throughout the years - from raising her 3 boys to seeing my graduate from the U of A. I love and miss you Granny, but I know I'll see you again.

My dad with his parents and brothers - this is a cherished picture because it's one of the few of my granddad before he died.

Granny with her boys

Granny with her parents & her boys

Celebrating a Taylor family Christmas

The whole Taylor crew outside Granny's house in Center Hill

At my 2006 U of A graduation in Fayetteville

"For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens". ~ 2 Corinthians 5:1

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus". ~ 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-14

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful". ~ John 14:27

Walkin In Memphis

Mike and I took a quick trip to Memphis last weekend to getaway. I've been to Memphis numerous times - shopping, The Orpheum, etc. - but I've never actually done the touristy stuff. Until now. Here are a few (not really) pictures from our trip.

BEST FRIED CHICKEN EVER!!!!!

Graceland

Sun Studios - very cool tour AND we got to sing into the same microphone as Elvis!

The actual recording studio - bands are still able to record music

Another great restaurant, The Arcade. Home of the Elvis sandwich - yum!

And our last stop, the Memphis Zoo. Enjoy these cute animals!

The roof, the roof...

...the roof is on FIRE!

Well, not really, but it is new and improved! Thanks to all of the lovely hail in Maumelle in the Spring, we had to get new shingles. We've had to wait all summer for them to show up because of all the homes that needed work, but they finally came and finished in 1 day. This is excited for me because it was on my summer to-do list and now I can check it off!!! The picture above is the before shot of our roof....very cool, I know.

The pallets delivered with the much-awaited shingles.

And, drum-roll please, here is the new roof! You may not be able to tell a difference, but it's new and that's all that matters. I had to sit and listen to all of the hammering, nailing, and throwing while they were here - I thought I was going to go insane! The insanity was worth it to check this off my summer list :-)

Speaking of the summer list, another to-do was to update our kitchen with new granite counter tops and a glass tile backsplash. Mike and I have been making decision after decision about the granite we want, and I am glad to say it is being installed tomorrow! We have been demoing the kitchen to prepare...here is a sneak peek at what our kitchen looks like now. I can't wait to see the after!

Daddy's Girl

Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there - especially to the most wonderful dad of all, my daddy! I have always been a "Daddy's Girl" so I've looked up to my dad in every way. He taught me how to play basketball, walked with me to church on Sundays, took my sister and I camping when we were younger, spent many Father's Days watching our dance recitals, taught me how to fish, and walked me down the aisle at my dream wedding! I love all that my dad has done for me and feel very blessed to call him "Dad"! Here are a few of my favorite pics of my dad...

Started out as a daddy's girl early!

My all-time favorite of my dad (sitting) and his older brother, Jim (standing). I love the expressions on their faces!!

My dad (left) with his brothers Jim (standing) and Ronnie (right).

I think this is his senior picture - handsome!

He and my mom right after they got married - He has always shown me how a husband should love his family!

Playing with my sister and I at the beach

I'm also grateful that he loves my husband and treats him like his own son!

Dancing to "Unforgettable" at my wedding! This song is so precious because it's what we danced to for the Father/Daughter dance at Ms. Karen's when I was in the 3rd grade. Thanks for being an amazing dad! I can't wait to see you, someday, as a grandpa! I love you!!!

Summer Plans

Summer if officially here! I have been counting down the days since after Benchmark testing and it's FINALLY HERE!!!! I'm planning to get a lot accomplished this summer - especially since we teachers only get 2 months instead of 3 this time. For those who are interested, here are the things I want to get done this summer:

1. Update our kitchen. We have builder-grade tile on the floor, counter tops, AND the backsplash. Needless to say I'm tired of looking at tile! We are in the process of picking out granite to replace the tile on the counter tops. Since we have white counter tops, we are looking for a dark slab with some color pattern. I will post pictures once this is complete!

2. New backsplash! Once we have chosen the new granite counter tops, we will look for a new backsplash. As of now we are thinking about using subway tile, but we're not positive yet. Again, I will post pictures once the job is completed - Mike is wanting to do this on his own :-)

3. Breaking Free by Beth Moore. Some of my coworkers and I decided to create a small group in order to grow spiritually together and, of course, get to hang out over the summer. We chose Beth Moore's Breaking Free study. We have our first group meeting tomorrow and I'm so excited! I've done the original Breaking Free several years ago, but we are doing the updated version - can't wait to see what God has in store for us this summer!

4. STARS Training - This is the program that made me want to be a teacher! I have helped train the new high school juniors and seniors in NLR since 2005 and I'm so excited about this summer's group of teens.

5. Wedding Scrapbook - Mike and I got married 3 1/2 years ago and I still haven't gotten our scrapbook together. I plan to finally finish it this summer - hopefully :-)

6. Best Friends - my 3 best friends are spread all across the country - Conway, Dallas, & Denver. We are hardly ever able to get together with all 4 of us there, so this summer we are planning to either visit Laura in Colorado or have Laura and her hubby come here. Either way, the Fab Four will be back together and in for a lot of fun and memories!

7. Memphis - Mike and I chose to forgo a big vacation this summer due to lack of time and lack of time to plan. Instead we are looking at visiting 2 cities within a days drive of Maumelle. The first is Memphis - we've both been but have never done the real tourist-y stuff. Of course, we will also eat at some of the famous eateries, visit Graceland, and maybe take in a musical (if there are any good ones showing at the Orpheum)!

8. New Orleans - Stop #2 will be New Orleans. I went in the 7th grade, but Mike has never been. It will be interesting to see the differences since Katrina. We plan to stay at the Omni Royal Crescent Hotel (pictured), tour the French Quarter, and the famous cemeteries. And lets not forget the famous beignets - yummy!


All in all, this is looking like it's going to be a great summer! I will post a review to see how much I actually got accomplished :-) Hope everyone enjoys their summer!

Bieber Fever

For our 3rd talent show performance, the teachers at Crestwood did Justin Bieber's "Baby". It was so fun to see the kids dancing and singing along - kinda makes you feel like a celebrity. Here are a few pictures of the performance. I'm hoping to get video from one of the parents soon.

My girls before the performance! They make my job so much more fun!

Lori, our principal, as Ludacris....the students freaked out!

Our spanish teacher Taylor as Bieber

"Baby, baby, baby, oh!"

The whole dance crew! Can't wait for next year's performance!