A Cardboard Testimony

Have any of you ever seen these? Tim and I went dancing a few weeks ago and a church did a special to spread God's Word through these cardboard testimonies. I found this utube video of one and teared up as I was watching it. These are so touching and it makes me so happy to see what these people have been through and how God has CHANGED their life.
Here a few examples if you have never experienced one of these. I am telling you, there were over 200 people in the building and you could hear a pin drop. They had Christian music in the background and I will say there were many teary eyes.

This was near the end. The people (old, young, kids handicapped) came out one at a time and stood with their sign. Then they flipped it over to the positive side to show how God affected their lives.

AMAZING!

One of my blogs I follow posted something similar talking about these testimonies. I have tried to find her blog post and even google the correct name, but can't seem to find it. I do know that they can be called cardboard testimonies as well.

There were people that had been involved with drugs, alcohol, divorce, abuse, theft, sicknesses and depression in the past I was astonished to see some of these signs and then read the outcome of their "new" life with Christ.

Has anyone ever been to, seen or heard of these testimonies? I don't know about you, but I was truley moved after witnessing one of these special events.

Easter Post (Better Late than Never)

I hope everyone had a Happy Easter and remembered the reason we celebrate this wonderful holiday. He is Risen!!! We read the Crucifixion story each day leading up to Easter and Houston was so sad to hear how Jesus was treated on the cross, but how exciting it was when the stone was rolled away and Jesus had risen.

I have been a little M.I.A. this week. Let's just say it was a CRAZY week, with field trips, bad weather, tornado position with 20 kindergartners in a hallway, no school due to roads flooding and collapsing around here and some other issues I have dealt with this week as well. Not to mention, the famous Fairy Tale Wedding today. I watched it this morning and am now watching it again.

I have lots to post about, but I wanted to post our Easter morning pics first.

Here is Houston on Easter morning opening his goodies.

His basket from the Easter Bunny

Again

This is his basket from his friend Tabby in his class.

My Easter basket from Tabby in my class.

My other Easter Basket from Abigail in my class

Easter Baskets Galore on the Kitchen table, not to mention, I forgot to take pics of Houston's giant coloring book, markers, candy, cards and cash from other people.

We had such a nice day celebrating Jesus' life worshiping and spending time with family and friends. I hope all of you bloggy friends had a Happy Easter as well.

Enjoy the beautiful weekend we have in store!

An Epic Fail

I got word one night at Houston's Tball practice that I had been signed up to play on an adult softball team in town. I thought, "huh, that sounds like fun, I guess". I wasn't sure of the details or anything and it had been 17 years since I last played and I didn't know who had signed me up for this.

Fast forward one week. I get a text telling me we have softball practice from a random number. I was already in Memphis at the doctor and was not planning on coming back home before Hou's tball practice. I quickly ran home, grabbed clothes, my glove, and dinner in 7 minutes. Yes, I said 7 minutes total time home. We then headed out to practice. Houston did great, then it was time for me to.... well play ball.

I was first at bat and I chose one of the heavier bats to hit with and I am definately thinking I feel the pain today. I hit about 30 balls and then played outfield catching balls for a while. I caught a couple in the air, a few grounders, chased a couple down and missed some too. I even caught one with my knee and I have the bruise to prove it.

Anyway, I woke up this morning and was sooooo sore! I am thinking I better do something about this if I want to continue to play.

The entire time I was on the field, I was thinking, "ugh, it has been years since I playedand I think my ending result for the night was simply....... an epic fail~

I Will Cherish These Forever!

I got the most special Birthday gifts from some of my kids this year. I wanted to share a few so I would never forget how sweet these babies are.

My friend Beth's son Neal went and found this heart bag and put one of his Easter eggs with candy from his school hunt in the bag and asked his daddy if he could give it to me. He did this all on his own. Little sweetheart!

Houston made me this card and he and daddy picked me out a sweet one too. He got a dollar from his wallet and wanted me to have it. He also won this beanie baby at the carnival and hid it until my birthday so I would have a surprise. Also, he won some Magic School House books at the carnival. I told him I needed to use them in my Kindergarten classroom to teach with. He gave me 3wrapped up in a box with the dog. What a caring sweetie! This is a picture of a few of my gifts I got this year

Houston's decorated box with the dog, money, a necklace and books inside

Flowers, balloons and a teacher plaque from a former student.

Flower from a sweetie in my class

Balloons

Horse bucket in back full of brushes,treats and horse stuff from my sissy and my cards

I had a lot of kids make me handmade cards with invented spellings. They are so precious! One little girl said, "I love your hair, it is so pretty. I don't care if you are black or white Ms. Collins, I still love you the same because we are all equal no matter what. you are a great teacher and I love you"! We have been studying about MLK for the TCAP review and learning about equal rights and this baby has got it down pat, I think :)

A sweet gift sent in a package to me as a "happy" from a dear friend. The dragonfly is from a fancy pottery place down south and I love the cross.

Funny story.... a coach purse from a former student. It was hers and I told her I loved it when I saw her with it. She begged her mom to let her give it to me for my birthday and mom said yes! I called mom to make sure it was ok and she said that is all she talked about was getting me a coach. I heart it!!!

My Memphis tiger chair for tball games!

Of course I got some pretty amazing things and more to come from the hubby. I got lots of cash this year too!!!

My Weekend of Birthday Celebrations

Thursday was my 31st birthday. Yes, I know.... I am OLD. Houston had Tball practice that night, so I hung out with my tball crew. Friday night after work, me and these beautiful girls headed to The Happy Mexican to celebrate! I had never been, but heart Mexican food and drinks, so this was definitely the place for me. We got there and I had a jumbo strawberry margarita (which was the bomb) (oh yea, it should be for $12) :), we also had cheese dip and Beth and I shared an order of enchiladas. We still could not finish it all, it was such a big portion and delicious too. The food, company and environment was fabulous and I think we all had an amazing night out. Oh yea, I did get a pie in the face, a sombrero on my head and tequila poured down the throat. Lovely right, I know. Actually, it wasn't that bad though. I just love the way, they asked Melissa permission to pie my face. They brought her out a credit card bill book and wrote her a note that said, "Can we throw a pie in her face?" Check yes or no. HILARIOUS!

The gang Me before the pie

ok, now after

Me and Beth

Then Saturday night, me and the boys headed out for Mexican again. Our family just can't get enough mexican food.

Me and my boys

I had a wonderful birthday this year and I am determined not to let this "old age" thing get to me this year.

WILW

I am linking up with Jamie for What I'm Loving Wednesday this week.

1. I am loving that the TCAP achievement tests are almost over. I had given it to my Kindergartners 3 days and only one day left :) yahoo 2. I am loving that my birthday is tomorrow and I am going out this weekend to celebrate with my girls. 3. I am loving all my birthday gifts my mom brought tonight. Especially my Hot pink purse with zebra lining, photo frame, photo album, earrings, dress, candle and homemade brownies~ (Not on my diet plan) 4. I am loving that when I weighed this morning, it looks like someone may have lost 2 more pounds this week. 5. I am loving all of the beautiful spring weather that we have had lately. 6. I am simply loving life right now!

Dancing, T-Ball, Briarfest and a Rodeo with a happy ending

Friday after school, we headed out to go dancing. It was a lot of fun.

Here is Hou before he went in. Of course he had to bring a build a bear.

Me and Tim taking a break after the Cha Cha Slide My heart

Houston at his T-ball game. We were out of town last weekend. He was so excited. I swear he is growing up way too fast :(

My friend Gayla came out to watch my boy. Plus we got to spend some time together too.

After his game. Daddy had to miss this one because he was working the Briarfest carnival. He was so sad and has never missed one of Hou's games. He kept calling to check and see how he batted.

Briarfest Spring Carnival

Doing the Bungee jumpoline

Petting Zoo bunnies

a Floppy eared Easter Bunny

Hedge hogs

Baby piglets

Rides...

Now, time to get ready and head to the rodeo.

The beautiful $80 cake he won at the Bake Walk

I swear, everyone wanted this one and we won. They kept telling us to cut it or share. Crazy! It has a price on the side that says $82. and it probably weighs 10 pounds or more. I couldn't even tote it. We carried it to papaw's office to keep it safe.

BEAUT-I-FUL

Circle Cross Rodeo with TannerThis guy proposed to his girlfriend in front of hundreds of people. They started out playing the song, "Are you Gonna Kiss Me or Not?" and he took the mic and went up to her, got on his knee and asked. It was so romantic. Me and my friend Susan had the chills.

And then they walked out together!

I hope everyone had a safe and great weekend. This weather the Lord has given us has been amazing lately!