91 Things Done! :)

1. Go camping. For real. 7/24/09
2. Go to a home UGA game.
3. Go to an away UGA game.
4. FINISH a scrapbook for myself. 6/30/10
5. Make a scrapbook for someone else. 12/24/09
6. Go see Brandi. 7/10/09
7. Go on a road trip to a state I have never visited. 7/10/09
8. Go to the Sundial. 7/18/09
9. Have a garage sale. 8/1/09
10. Go on a picnic. 7/11/09

11. Learn the names of the flowers in my yard (thanks Mom). began 6/14/09
12. Do a Bible Study on one of the gospels.
13. Take Juleah to the movies. 7/6/09
14. Drive down to Mema’s for a surprise visit. 11/27/09
15. Visit my Papa. 6/2/10
16. Write my biological father a letter. 11/22/09
17. Write myself a letter to open in 5 years. 1/30/10
18. Keep a journal/blog that is updated weekly. began 6/13/09
19. Eat ethnic food that I’ve never tried. 8/8/09
20. Stay off of Facebook for a week. 5/2/10-5/9/10

21. Pay for a stranger’s dinner. 12/7/09
22. Read a classic novel that I was supposed to read in high school (and never did). 7/3/09
23. Open a savings account and put money in it every month. (opened) 7/1/09
24. Have a snowball fight. 2/12/10
25. Build a new friendship. 10/13/09
26. Go to a concert of a singer/band I know. 9/4/09 Britney
27. Go to a concert of a singer/band I’ve never heard. 9/11/09 Son Volt
28. Go to a drive-in movie. 6/25/10
29. Organize my classroom. began 7/27/09
30. Get a massage. 12/3/09

31. Tell my parents the truth about something I lied about when I was younger. 9/26/09
32. Plant and grow a flower from a seed. planted 7/5/09, first flower 9/12/09!! :)
33. Jump in a pool with all my clothes on. 6/25/10
34. Spend the night at someone else’s house (not a relative). 7/10/09
35. Cook a HUGE breakfast. 7/12/09
36. Cook a full dinner by myself. 7/2/09
37. Relax in a bubble bath. 7/2/09
38. Take Zoey to a dog park. 5/15/10
39. Take a dance class. 6/29/10
40. Go for a moonlit walk. 7/4/09

41. Watch the sunrise. 7/24/09
42. Stay up all night. 7/23-24/09
43. Take a nap on the porch. 6/15/09
44. Go tubing at the lake. 6/21/09
45. Do a “photo-shoot” of someone. 7/11/09
46. Spend an afternoon reading on a blanket in the park. 7/3/09
47. Run a mile outside. 6/25/10
48. Go to a Braves game. 6/22/10
49. Dance in the rain. 7/7/09
50. Learn to play a song on an instrument.

51. Talk to a non-believer about my faith.
52. Learn to play a “gambling” card game, like Poker. 12/19/09
53. Go to a casino. 3/22/10
54. Be in two places at once. 7/10/09
55. Chase/catch lightning bugs. 7/1/09
56. Buy ice cream from the ice cream truck. 6/30/10
57. Walk barefoot in the grass. 7/11/09
58. Lay in the grass with no towel/blanket. 7/11/09
59. Sing a song at karaoke someone picks for me- but it has to be one that I know! 7/8/09
60. REALLY clean my car. 7/9/09

61. Eat at The Varsity. 4/21/10
62. Learn the 50 States song.
63. Watch a French film. 6/17/09
64. Go to an amusement park. 6/23/09
65. Further my education. 8 Saturdays this school year!
66. Go on a date. 11/24/09
67. Stay in my PJ’s all day. 9/21/09
68. Go out in public with no make-up on. 1/3/10
69. Pay off one credit card. 2/9/10
70. Throw a party. 6/27/09

71. Fly a kite. 6/8/10
72. Go fishing. 6/9/10
73. Make a video and post it on YouTube. 6/14/09
74. Go to a real farm. 5/31/10
75. Tell ******* I want a truce.
76. Visit the Atlanta History Center.
77. Visit a winery. 7/11/09
78. Spend the afternoon and evening at Stone Mountain. 6/28/10
79. Have a game night. 12/14/09
80. Go to the Kangaroo Conservation Center in Dawsonville. 6/24/10

81. Have a pillow fight. 6/10/10
82. Take a sick day when I’m not really sick. 12/7/09
83. Play in the mud. 8/23/09
84. Fast.
85. Enjoy a drink outside on a patio/porch. 7/11/09
86. Write a letter of apology to someone I’ve hurt. 9/26/09
87. Learn to tie fancy bows on packages. 12/15/09
88. Cook a turkey. 11/26/09
89. Buy a piece of artwork. 10/17/09
90. Have a bubble-blowing contest with bubble gum. 7/12/09

91. Learn how to “drive” a golf ball. 6/18/10
92. Shoot a gun. 8/23/09
93. Make jewelry. 12/19/09
94. Hit 100 on my speedometer. 7/10/09
95. Admit that I’m wrong. 6/10/10 -saw seaweed, not OIL, in the ocean. :-P
96. Smoke a cigar. 6/20/09 (Congrats Scott and Linds!)
97. Have a conversation with a homeless person.
98. Write a letter to someone overseas. 6/29/10
99. Thank someone for a compliment and mean it. 1/23/10
100. Relax in front of the fireplace with a fire burning that I made. 11/23/09

#18

#18- Keep a journal/blog that is updated weekly...

Well, I didn't do so well on this one. I did update my blog more this year than I ever have before, but I didn't do it weekly, so I can't really cross this one off. I am very excited though, about my new blog project, which I was going to start at the beginning of the new year, but I think I have to start July 1 because I am so excited about it. Since I love photography so much, and pretty much take at least ONE picture every day, I am going to start a Project 365. I will post one picture everyday that "sums up my day" with a short summary about what it is/feelings/etc. I will definitely be posting it to my blog... not sure about facebook yet. There might be days that I can't get on a computer to upload my pic, but I will have a picture on my camera that represents everyday. At the end of my project, I will make a digital scrapbook (I've actually never done one of those before! I always have made the "real thing.") to display my project.

Thanks so much to the few people that have followed me through this year! I did 90% of my list, which, as my good friend Ana reminded me, is an A! :)

#47 and #33

#47- Run a mile outside.

#33- Jump in a pool with all my clothes on.

I have ALWAYS hated running. Mainly because it was hard for me to breathe, it made my chest hurt, and those endorphins everyone talks about getting while they run? Yeah, my body is just fresh out of running endorphins. :-P But when I made this list, I thought, ya know, I should be able to run a mile. Outside. And you can see it took almost the entire year of my list to actually do it. Not because I was trying and failing, but simply because I DON'T LIKE IT. haha! I have a joke I tell my friends, "I only run for my life, so if you see me running, you better haul it, too!"

When I first created my list, one of my Amandas (because I have three) said that she would love to go run my mile with me, and then we can jump in the pool with all our clothes on to cool off. It sounded like a perfect plan to me! Being the true friend that she is, she got up EARLY on a Summer Friday (so we wouldn't die of heat exhaustion) and ran it with me- she had even clocked the half mile from the beginning of her neighborhood so we would know where to turn around and come back! There were a couple times where I really did think I might die, but I made it! And let me tell you, jumping in that pool after was AWESOME. A pool never felt so good...

#47 and #33, complete!

#20

#20- Stay off Facebook for a week...

This one has made me realize how much I rely on Facebook not only to entertain me, but to keep up with/keep in touch with people. It's crazy to think that just 5 years ago, I did not think in "status message" mode, I didn't plan events to hang out with friends, or win contests... to think, I had to look at "real" photo albums to see pictures of friends! :-P

I know that Facebook has its downfalls, and too much of a "good" thing can be a BAD thing... but I appreciate how it has helped me befriend people again that I lost touch with, and helps to keep up with busy friends through status messages and pictures.

Through this week, completing #20 on my list has shown me how hard it is to quit something cold turkey (I know you are all laughing at me right now, but what do YOU do when you are just sitting around, waiting in line or waiting on a friend to meet you...? I know lots of you like me that sit on your phone on Facebook while you wait! Don't lie... :-P), and how much of a habit Facebook is in my life, but also a way to keep in touch with people. I'm going to try my hardest to find another "habit" that makes a better use of my time. But that's not to say I won't be on Facebook anymore. ;-)

#20, completed!

Acceptance of God's Plan

Well, my last blog was written in excitement of the Haiti trip... but those of you that know me already know what I will say here... I was told that I wouldn't be able to go on this trip. I was so sad at first, and even a little mad that I had gotten so hyped up about it and now I wouldn't be able to go. Then, I realized that this was not up to me... that this was God's will, and if I was supposed to be going, I would be. I thought this was "the" trip- perfect timing, perfect opportunity, etc... I felt like I was finally ready to face my fear of being out of my element and be on a mission trip, but I've realized that MY "ready" is not HIS "ready."

It has taken me a long time to realize and accept God's plan- that He is in control. Saying it is so much different than believing it, and I said it for a long time... but I can honestly say that now, I believe it.

#51- BIG news!

#51- talk to a non-believer about my faith... nope, haven't done it yet, but let me tell you my big news, and I think you'll know where I'm going with this. :)

Most of you know me, and know that I'm a girly girl. I'm by no means a "princess," but I'm not into roughing it... being dirty... being sweaty... but God has placed it on my heart to go on a mission trip. I have wanted to for a couple of years, but all of the trips have always fallen during the school year, and I can't take off work for that long. I decided if there was ever one over the summer, I was definitely doing it.

Sure enough, June 21-28 there is a mission trip to Haiti to work with children (um hello, spiritual gifts!). Obviously, unless you've been living under a rock, you know that things are tough over there right now. So the mission trip will be rough as well- no accommodations... we will be in tents, using outhouses, eating meal replacement bars... God is really messing with me on this. He has put this trip on my heart, and I absolutely know it's where He is leading me. But it is scary... good scary, but scary. As I said, I'm a girly girl that likes a bed...a shower..., and God is throwing me into this experience full-force.

This will be my opportunity to minister to and love on these babies that have nothing, and in some cases, no one. And I know one thing for sure- it will change MY life. My friend Jason told me (and I for sure believe him) that I will come home and realize that I am capable of living with SO much less than I have, or thought possible. I know that it will be the most emotional, inspiring, painful, and joyful (yes, all at the same time) trip I've ever been on.

And I will complete #51 just in time. :) June 30 will be the end of my list!

this picture is borrowed from a friend's trip to Haiti before the earthquake. :)

From Ash Wednesday to Easter...

Some people have asked me why I'm observing Lent since I'm not Catholic... It is my way to prepare to celebrate Easter, and the resurrected life that I live and hope for, as a Christian... :)

What is it? For those of you that don't know:
Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection. Observance is from Ash Wednesday to Easter- 40 days (not counting Sundays).

Last year was the first year I did it. I gave up chocolate. It was kind of cliche, I know, but it was the only thing I could think of that would really be a "struggle" for me. I made it! And there were times where, while watching others eat chocolate around me, or having to push aside the craving, I had to remind myself WHY I was doing it, and it really did make me more disciplined in my prayer.

Most people "give up" something for Lent, as part of a fast. So in keeping with the verbage, I am giving up laziness and disrespect for my "temple."

1 Cor 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

My next 40 days will consist of working out (at least) 4 days a week, and just being more respectful to the temple that my God gave me. Every time my alarm goes off so early in the morning to get up to work out, and I go to hit snooze, I will remember my promise to God, and it will be the motivation I need to do it! As I'm working out, I will be praising God that I have the temple He gave me, and that I have the opportunity to glorify it for His name.

This is not something on my list, but fasting is... starting to feel a press on that. When I put it on my list, my intent was to fast with food in some way... Will need to figure out what it is that I am going to fast, and for how long, and do a lot of prayer about it. Especially with my new workout plan- I need to make sure I stay healthy. :) Please be in prayer for me through Lent, as well as that God would press on my heart what He wants me to fast, for how long, and when- because of course His time is when it will be most appropriate. :)

#24

#24- Have a snowball fight.

I FINALLY got to have my snowball fight!!

Ok, so it was with a 6-year-old. But who cares?? It was soooo fun. :)

I also made a snow angel, a mini-snowman, and played snowball catch with Zoey! :-D

I made a mini-snowman on the roof right outside of my window. :-P

#24 (plus some!)- completed!

#69

#69: Pay off one credit card

Well, I did it! I just made the payment that will pay off one of my credit cards, thanks to my tax return. It was not a huge balance, but it will make a difference. I'm trying to use the debt-snowball method to make a dent in my debt... this was my lowest amount account, so now I will apply the amount I was paying on this account to the next lowest account.

I am trying so hard to stay on a budget. Much easier said than done... but I'm doing much better now than I was last year at this time. I really need to start the envelope budget so I can get a better handle on my money, as well as pay more to my debt.

But, I've made one step in the right direction...! #69, completed!

#17

#17- Write myself a letter to open in five years...

Clearly, this would be somewhat personal, so I am not going to include the letter in this blog. I will copy the intro and conclusion of it though, so you can understand the purpose of including it on the list...

Dear Me,
I am writing this for you to read in five years. Trying to decide the advice, the hopes, and the predictions I have for you has made me think back over the last 5 years of your life and how much you have grown. This time 5 years ago, you had not graduated college yet. You were a “Christian” but really had no idea what it meant to be one, other than you believed Jesus died for your sins and lives in your heart. Your world had revolved around one guy for so long that you really didn’t have any close friends anymore. Your new boyfriend would end up playing a huge part in your “real” salvation. You finally graduated college with TWO degrees, became a teacher and a regular church-goer, and realized you would only be happy moving back to the area you grew up in. Little did you know, the move to Lawrenceville would change your life. You became an essential part of your church through small groups, and have so many friends that continue to grow you and influence you to be the best person you can.

(insert here...hopes, dreams, regrets, and private thoughts... :-P )

Wow. I just realized as I write this, you will be 31, almost 32, when you are reading this. I have seen a few of my friends turn 30, so I hope it wasn’t too bad for you. I think about you all the time- what you will be like in 5 years, 10 years, 20… some days, I feel like I hardly know you, and others, I feel like I’m the only one that does. I really do want the best for you, and I am so proud of how far you’ve come in certain areas of your life. Of course, there are still things that need work, but everyone needs work. I hope that you have continued to grow and learn in these five years.

I love you. And that’s important. I hope I still love you in 5 years. I have a feeling I will. :)
~Jessica

#17-completed.

#99 and #65

#99- Thank someone for a compliment and mean it... #65- Further my education

If you aren't a teacher, and don't know someone that is, it's easy for you to take for granted what a teacher actually does. Everyday, I have to figure out how I will teach a skill so effectively that all 20 of my students will be able to grasp it, as well as do it in a way that will keep those 20 children entertained long enough to listen to me and actually learn the concept. It's easy to get "stuck in a rut" which is what most older teachers end up doing- they get tired of learning new and engaging ways to teach.

Right now, I am taking a class through the county that is teaching teachers how to use Reading and Writing Workshop in their classrooms. It's a lot to learn, but you wish you could just start doing everything you learn in these classes in your own classroom right away because of how great it is. I have started implementing a few things I've learned in my own classroom, and it has made SUCH a difference already in my kids' excitement about reading.

My Literacy Coach at my school came in my room last week to watch the new things I was doing, and was very complimentary of my ideas and techniques I was using. At that time, I was still unsure of how "great" all this really was... I knew good things were happening, but it was a lot of work, and still very new. So, of course, I thanked her for the compliments, but was still doubting myself. I find that I often do this... it's not that I can't take a compliment... but if I don't really feel the same thing, it's hard to.

Well, today, in my class, I shared the things I was doing and showed some examples, and the instructor came over on a break and wanted to see everything. She told me she was so impressed by what I was doing, and she was so thankful that I was actually taking what I was learning and using it in my classroom. For whatever reason, maybe because I've seen the difference in my kids so I can believe it myself, I was able to thank her for her compliment and mean it. :) I was suddenly so proud of myself for the things I was doing in my classroom because I KNOW I am making a difference in these kids' lives and the way they feel about reading. :)

#65- still going, and #99- completed. :)

Will Americans Do The Same?

Tears stream down my face as I watch the concert drive, Hope For Haiti Now... as I watch footage taken in Haiti of the devastation and the heartbreak, but also of the hope that still exists in the crumbling streets of the country. I watch young men dig through concrete with their bare hands to get to people that are trapped in the collapsed buildings... not rescue workers, but Haitians that love and care enough about their people to do it themselves. And the people that they have rescued are carried out singing and praying, and they are so faithful.

We banded together as Americans on 9/11, and I have to have faith that if something devastating like this happened in America, we would do the same thing for our own brothers and sisters, just as many Americans are reaching out to help the Haitians. But I ask, why does it take something devastating to help people in need? There are people all around us that need help, and they might not be buried under concrete rubble, but they are crying out for help and day in, day out, they go unheard. Don't let it take a tragedy to help those in need. Give to those in Haiti what you can, but don't stop there......

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18

#68

#68: Go out in public with no make-up on...

I know some of you laughed, or maybe scoffed, when you saw this on my list. I am not someone that spends a lot of time putting make-up on everyday... 10 minutes max. But, I feel weird going anywhere without even a little make-up on. It's not that I think I'm ugly, I just know that make-up can accentuate my better features. It makes me feel better about myself to have it on.

So tonight, I met Ana for dinner, and decided what better time to do this than with my accountability partner? :) Ironically, I didn't "feel" any different, and I wasn't self-conscious about it... I almost forgot I hadn't put make-up on. It may not necessarily be a new "habit" of mine, but it definitely made me feel accomplished. :)

#68-completed!

Ringin' In Twenty-Ten!

Top Nine of 2009- in no particular order...

1. Making new friendships and strengthening old ones... I am so very blessed to have the friends that I do!

2. Becoming a small group leader... what a privilege! I got to know, grow with, and learn from some amazing Godly women!

3. Jivey's List of 100 Things... thanks to a few of my friends who started this, and let me "copy them" and join in! It has been very rewarding and has helped me grow in ways I wouldn't have otherwise. Plus it was just fun.

4. Teaching 3rd grade... moving from 1st grade to 3rd grade was a big jump, and one I was beginning to wonder if I was going to enjoy, but I have loved every minute of it! Ok well maybe not EVERY minute, but every job has its moments. :-P

5. Mom getting married... She married an amazing man, and now I have a new family! This also affirmed my desire to get married on the beach. :)

6. Surprise birthday party... No one has ever thrown me a surprise party until this year! And wow... the outpouring from friends was incredible. I couldn't believe how many people came! It absolutely was a Jiveypalooza. :)

7. Driving to see Brandi in Indiana... I love taking road trips, but had never done one by myself, and never that far!

8. Being a part of my friends' weddings... I am so excited for Lindsay, Scott, Jess, and Ted! I am so thankful I got to be a part of their important days. :)

9. Taking pictures... I absolutely adore taking pictures, and I don't think I could live without my camera. And I just got a new one... woohoo!

Ten Things I'm Looking Forward to in 2010:
1. Buying my mom's house...? It's a possibility!
2. Continuing to be a small group leader.
3. Learning how to work my camera as more than just a "point-and-shoot."
4. Upcoming friends' weddings! :-)
5. Finishing my list of 100 things.
6. Growing in my relationship with God.
7. Making more friends and strengthening friendships.
8. Spring Break Cruise with 'Mandalynn!!
9. Being ready to teach whatever grade and whatever students may come my way in August.
10. The summer. Need I say more? ;-)