KEES Break In

I found out Sunday afternoon that sometime after 10:00 pm on Saturday night, our school, Kelly Edwards, was broken into. I was at the open house for the new CDC building for church (which looks amazing! I know they are so excited to have it completed.) and Mrs. Clamp (the district director) informed me that Sat. night the school was broken into. She told me that I needed to go up there and check on my room. So Kevin and I left church and there were still policeman up there. They told me not to go in my room and to not touch anything. They weren't finished cleaning up the glass and taking photos. I just went to the door to look and as far as I could see, I couldn't tell there was any damage except one of my glass panes was busted so they could get the door opened. That was about 5:30. I got a call at 6:30 saying it was okay for us to go into our classrooms and clean up and check for things that were missing. I didn't have anything that was missing. They had opened this tall closest that I have, but didn't take anything out. They went through my top 2 drawers in my desk. They opened the top drawer of my file cabinet and took out some of my math files and messed some of them up. They had taken this container I had and dumped it on the floor, all I had in there was extra teacher supplies like paper clips, tape, sticky notes, etc. I had this jar of marbles on my desk that I use sometimes for things and they had dumped all them out, but that was it, besides my door. I have a door on one wall that connects to the room next to me and they had gone through there to get to the other teacher's room. They busted out the glass on all 5 classrooms on the 3rd grade wing, all 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 2 kindergarten classrooms. The 5th grade classrooms at inside the main building and they were harder to get into. They did get inside the building by going through the K5 rooms. They didn't really do anything to the inside of the school. One classroom on each wing was trashed, with everything thrown into the floor. The classroom on our wing that was trashed was the challenge room. They turned over her tables and just threw stuff on the floor. She had a tub of digital cameras and all the cameras were stolen. The teacher next to me, had a lab top that was in it's case and hidden under her computer table, they took it. But she found it in one 4th grade room. They decided to leave hers and take the one from that 4th grade room instead. One other 4th grade room, they wrote on her walls with a sharpie marker "Bloods"-which is one of the gangs that we have around here. And they wrote some stuff on her white board. She couldn't even use her classroom today. Most of it was just minor damage, not a lot was stolen. They think who ever broke in used gloves, because they found traces of the power that are in gloves in the rooms. We think it was to mostly vandalize the school, some said it could have been an initiation to a gang, but we really don't' know. They came around today and fixed our doors with new glass, so everything is a good as new. The problem with Kelly Edwards is that the school sits off the main road and no one would know that anything like this went on. There isn't any alarm system, no cameras, no fence, nothing to protect us. First-Fourth grade, are classrooms are outside on wings. Meaning you walk out my classroom and you are outside. I don't know if this will cause the board to try to get us something to help prevent this from happening again, but we had a break in last year, not as bad, and they have one just about every year. I hope they do something, but probably not. I hope it won't happen again this year. The school sat up there all summer and 2 weeks after school starts, they do this. And they didn't still any other computers or any money that teacher's knew they had in their desk, that was all still there. I also found out today that one of the first grade teachers was at the school Sat. night until 9:00 that evening and one kindergarten teacher was at the school until 10:00 that evening. Both teachers were in their rooms working. So, it happened sometime after that. Mrs. Clamp said that one of the fourth grade teachers went up to the school Sunday afternoon about 1:00 and found her classroom broken into. She called her husband who was on the board of trustees and he called Mrs. Clamp to tell her. But school went today just as though nothing had happened. I told my students what had happened. They were asking why there was no glass in the door. They were surprised and seem upset about what had happened. But I think they needed to know, they would have of found out anyway. So....pray that this doesn't happen again, that they get us some kind of protection, and that no one gets hurt. You would think, us having the "babies or little ones" that they would do something to protect them before they would the high and middle school. But I guess not. The town keeps voting against a new school because of taxes, I guess they are waiting for someone to majorly get hurt before they do. It didn't really scare me, but it made me very angry. However, I won't be going to work in my classroom anymore on the weekends. Which whenever I did last year (which wasn't often) I went during the morning or lunch time, I know doesn't make much of a difference.) I was so ticked off as I was cleaning up my mess and helping other teacher's clean up. I don't know you have ever experienced your stuff being gone through by a stranger, but it makes you feel very angry and it felt different last night as I walked into my room. But today with the kids, it was back to normal and we have all pulled together to over come this and let it not get to us. School has to go on as normal as it can.

Mandisa - Broken Hallelujah

Mandisa is one of my favorite Christan singers. I loved her on Amercian Idol and still do. I think she has an amazing voice and is truely gifted. I love all her songs, they really inspire me. This is one of her newest ones. I think it's so precious and just a beautiful song. I hope that it will bless you and encourage you. No matter if you what you are going through in your life right now.

Sunday

I can't remember if have mentioned it or not, but at our church were are currently looking for a new pastor. Our pastor, Stephen Burnette, felt God calling him to a different church after 11 years at Barnwell. To take his place, the youth minister, Lee Clamp, is our interim pastor. (We think he may be taking the place of the actual pastor here shortly). I have known Lee for several years now, in fact about 8-9 years. I do not know him on a real personal level, but I did a Disciple Now weekend with him and his mom Mrs. Clamp is the district person for Williston, where I teach. I have always enjoyed listening to Lee. He has brought a breath of fresh air to the church this summer. He has such a passion for the Lord and challenges us to do the same. I just had to share what he preached about this morning.

Before I begin, this summer I went home by myself twice to visit my family. (It was during the week so Kevin couldn't come). The second time, I was running around doing some errands and I was stopped at this light. (Now, as you are aware, the "newest" thing is to have your car show your personality (like with the some version of the palmetto tree or inital stickers). People have all different types of stickers, etc. to make their car "their own". The car in front of me had this bumper sticker that I read it, then had to read it again and it has just stuck with me. It said
"We Must Be The Change We Wish To See In The World". I thought about it, and I was like, yes, we have to change first, before we can expect other people to or before the world will. I felt like this went along with what Lee spoke about this morning.

"A Changed Life" -Acts 2:14-41

Lee began talking about if people knew you before you were saved and before you were changed, then they can see a difference (at least you hope they can.) Once you have committed your life to Jesus, there is a change, in everything you say, do, and think. You are a new creation and a new person. I feel like that at times we only focus on what Jesus did for us on the cross just at Easter time. We need to be constantly reminded of it but even then we have come so complance to it, that it doesn't have an affect on us anymore. One of Lee's points this morning was "The RESURRECTION separates Jesus from the pack. Meaning all other leaders or starters of every other "religion" has died and is still dead and is still in the ground. Only Jesus died, was buried and on the 3rd day arose. There was a verse this morning that I had never heard before. (and yes I am sure there are many, but I know I had never had this one brought to my attention.)

"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep( meaing death) in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. " ~ 1 Corinthians 15:17-19

Meaning that, had Christ not been raised from the dead, our faith would be in vain. We have not been cleansed from our sins. Our faith would be just like all those others. Jesus knew the person each one of us would turn out to be, He knew the sin we would commit, and He knew that He would be sent to the cross to pay our debt, yet He still created us. Wow! I know I couldn't be that forgiving.

The next point was that "The RESURRECTION reveals the need for repentance. Romans 6:23
Most of us never call out to God unless we are in the mist of something that we feel like we are drowning in sin or in trouble. Lee used the example of a life jacket. We don't wear a life jacket unless we are on a boat and are in danger of the boat going down or it we think we might me in danger. Some of us, only "wear" God when we need Him. We need Him every day. I couldn't do my job as a teacher without Him. When I was deciding on my major, there was an afternoon my sophomore year that I was alone in my dorm room and I was on my knees praying for direction in my major. I felt like it was education, but I prayed if that was it, that I knew I couldn't do it by myself and I asked God to help me. Every morning on my way to school and at night I pray for my students and myself that I will be about to teach them to the best that I can. We need Him not just when we are drowning, but when we are still standing on the shore. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing (those that don't think their sin is that bad and those that don't think they need Jesus) but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.)
1 Corinthians 1:18

And the third point was that the RESURRECTION gives us HOPE. Knowing that Jesus did rise on that third day, is the reason we have hope of eternal life in Heaven with Him. Lee said "God doesn't want you to simply change your behavior, but to change your boss." You can "pretend" that you have changed or you can "act" a certain way around people, but unless your heart has been changed to where you listen to Jesus and try every day to be more and more like Him, you will fall. But He will pick up back up if you repent and realize you need Him and He needs to be Lord of your life. Only you and God know the "true" state of your heart. Thank Him today for loving you know matter how often you forget Him and bring shame to His name. If you know that you have never accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, don't wait until you are in need of a "life jacket" do it before you get on the next boat. There may only be one "life jacket" on board and you may be too late.

Poodle Perfect

Today, Abby went to the groomers for her fall hair cut before cold weather. Thankfully she didn't have to be cut as short as she has been in the past. She looks so pretty! I love her red bows. And this time she has silver nails, normally they paint them this dark purple color and it doesn't show up well. I just think she's the pretty poodle! She was so happy to see me. She had been there since 10:00 (Kevin dropped her off) and I got her at 4:30. She hadn't had anything to drink all day. That was the first thing she did when she got home. I thought she was going to drowned herself in her water bowl she was drinking so much. I gave her a treat and a new string ball to play with as a special treat for going to the groomers. I just feel bad when she goes, because she has to be in a cage all day.

Here's some pictures. It had been raining, so mostly I had to take indoor pictures, because I didn't want her to get dirty yet.

Here she is just about to thirst to death.

She's waiting on me to throw the ball to her.

I love her being so fluffy!

I like it when she smiles for the camera.


This one is my favorite. I did get one good outside picture. As you can see had just finished raining heavy.


Abby and her new string ball.

The New Chicken Curse

If you know anything about Gamecock football, you have heard of the "Chicken Curse". I can't remember what it is exactly, but I always hear it mentioned when the Gamecocks start to lose a good many games, (which let's face it, that happens every year, sorry babe!) Well, I think there is a new "Chicken Curse" in Barnwell county and it's against the chicken farmers. In the past 3 weeks, there have been 3 chicken farms to catch on fire and 2 of those, burned completely to the ground and they lost everything. One was a friend of Kevin's, Jason Still. A few weeks ago, he lost 4 of his 6 chicken houses, completely burned to the ground. He didn't know anything about it, until he went to work the next morning. Thankfully, he was cleaning out at the time and didn't have any chickens. They said it was something to due with the cooler and there was a short that started the fire, but the power was off. Then today, we heard about another guy who his cooler part of the chicken houses got a short and started, but thankfully they were able to catch it before the whole house was in flames, just the front part of the house burned. He had chickens still in there. Then Kevin said there was a farm that last week burned to the ground because it had gotten struck by lightning. All three farms were Columbia Farms chicken houses. Kevin is employed by Amick Farms, same type thing, just different company. However, this has gotten Kevin and the rest of the chicken farmers in the area a little bit jumpy. Please keep these farmers and their families in your prayers and pray that we don't end up in the same boat.

A Relaxing Lake Weekend

On Friday, as soon as I could get away from school, I headed home and Kevin and I were off to the lake for the weekend. My parents meet us there and we all had a much needed relaxing, no stress and no schedule weekend. My first week of school went well, I can't complain. I seem to have a pretty good class, especially when you start talking to some of the other teachers. However, it changes from day to day. But I was very tired by Thursday evening and Friday seemed to drag out. But it finally came. Kevin had had a very stressful week with things on the farm. We both needed to get away and de-stress this weekend. We could not have asked for any better weather. It was perfect! We had a wonderful weekend! I hope I will have another good week at school and that Kevin's week will be much better.

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First 2 Days of School

Well, it's over. The first day that is. Overall, yesterday went pretty well as well as a first day can go. They are always very chaotic and so disorganized, and you don't stay on schedule for anything. The only thing that I did stay on schedule for was recess, lunch, and activity. The rest........Today ran a little smoother. And yes, the "mean" teacher that I am, gave homework last night and tonight and we jumped right in today with teaching and learning. With all that you have to teach, you can't wait another second. But I have to say, today was a good 2nd day. No telling what tomorrow will bring, but I like my little group. Yes, I do have some that have some issues, and I know as the year goes on and things get harder, their issues will get bigger, but one day at a time. The only complaint I have as of right now, both days around lunch time I have had the worse headaches. Can't figure out why. The teacher next door to me tells me, it's from stress. I have never had headaches like this on the first 2 days of school. I normally have already started loosing my voice by now and probably will by Friday. But hopefully they will get better and start going away. I will say that I am one that always has the radio on and I have to listen to music while I'm in the car, but this morning, I turned the radio down so I couldn't hear and drove in silence, knowing that in just a short time I would hear lots and lots of noise for the next 7 hours. :0) I just have 178 more days of school left! Ha, Ha!:0)

Here's a group picture of my "precious" ones:

I can't make the picture any bigger, but if you double click on it, you can pull it up and it will be bigger.

I Love Lucy!

I love the "I Love Lucy" show. I always have, even as a little girl I would watch it. It became a joke in high school...Lindsey and I always called ourselves Lucy and Ethel. Which one was which? We never decided, because at times we both got ourselves into situations like Lucy did and the other at the time would be Ethel, trying to help the other one out. For birthdays, we even always try to find an "I Love Lucy" card. It's just this inside joke we've had going on. Well, Lindsey loves the show just as much as I do. I have always told her about this one episode where Lucy and Ethel have to fix a shower and of course you can just imagine what will happen. Over the summer I have been seeing this advisement for "The Lucy Show", which was a spin-off from the "I Love Lucy" show. So I looked it up online and finally, after many years, I finally found that shower episode on YouTube. So I have downloaded the whole thing for you to watch. It's in 5 parts and each part is about 5 minutes long. It gets funnier and funnier. Trust me, if you enjoy Lucy you will love this one and get a lot of laughs. Enjoy!

The Lucy Show - Lucy And Viv Put In A Shower 1/5 (1963)

This is part 1. Trust me, it's worth watching all 5 parts. You will be rolling, laughing. Enjoy!

The Lucy Show - Lucy And Viv Put In A Shower 2/5 (1963)

This is part 2.

The Lucy Show - Lucy And Viv Put In A Shower 3/5 (1963)

This is part 3.

The Lucy Show - Lucy And Viv Put In A Shower 4/5 (1963)

This is part 4.

The Lucy Show - Lucy And Viv Put In A Shower 5/5 (1963)

This is part 5, the last video.

Back Porch Pics

Okay, I have been promising back porch pics...the truth is we haven't finished it completely. Everything is done, except the doors and 2 side boards have to be stained. Neither Kevin or myself have had the time to do that. I've been busy getting my classroom ready and he has been busy with the farm, so one day they will be stained. Kevin just went ahead and put them up, so at least it would be done.



BEFORE......






AFTER......

Classroom Pics

Okay, today at 3:00 I finally finished my classroom, papers copied and lessons ready for the first day. Did you say today? Yes. But today is Saturday. Yes, it is. Were you the only one at school? Nope, I sure wasn't. Will you go tomorrow? Nope, but I know some teachers will be there. When did you start working on your classroom? The 2nd week in July. Ohhh.......

Okay, yes I just had a conversation with myself, but......See last year, there had been 3 different teachers in my classroom over a period of 2 years. When I walked in last year, (wish I had taken a picture) the walls were yellow, I mean mustard yellow! Awful! So the school painted over it with their lovely choice of this tanish-orangish, beige. It made the room look dirty, and old. And yes,the school is old, but it made it worse. I had so much junk to sort through and basically just moved my stuff in. So this summer I had the chance to really clean my room and get it like I wanted it. Since it's so old, they don't mind if you paint. I painted it white with dark blue trim. The room looks so much brighter and cleaner! Plus, I did go through and clean it, so I know it's clean. It takes so much time to get a classroom ready for the beginning of a new school year. Even if I didn't have to paint and change everything up, it still takes a lot of time and effort..that is if you choose to do it right. At my school you can go up there on the weekends and work and throughout the year last year, there were some Saturdays, even Sundays that I went up there. And there were always at least 1 other teacher there.

Monday morning is less than 48 hours away. I still have lesson plans to finish for the rest of the week and other things to do.....A teacher's job is never done and there is always something to do. Kevin asked me last night, "what more can you possible have to do?", but then again, there is always something for him to do on the farm and his work is never done.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures. The older pictures were taken during February, I was taking pictures of some projects that my kids had turned in, they were at activity, so it looks really junking more so that it would have if I had taken a picture of it from the way it was at the beginning of last year.

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Put on your dancing shoes

On Wednesday we had our annual district wide opening celebration. If you are not a member of the Williston School District Family, you have not experienced this......last year my eyes were opened wide to how they celebrate the coming school year in the low country. When it's time to begin the meeting, all three schools, elementary, middle, and high school will enter. Near the beginning we have a spirit contest. Normally the elementary school wins. The high school mainly just sits there and the middle school tries their best. (This year they did give the spirit stick to the middle school, I think they felt sorry for them, they did try) Kelly Edwards is known for doing some crazy entrance. This year we recreated the famous wedding video that has been playing on YouTube over the past week. I had not watched until today. We had 2 middle school teachers that were coming down to the elementary school, so they decide to "marry" them into the Kelly Edwards Family. I wish I had the video of that to post, but I do not. It was very funny, but after watching the "real" video I understand now.

I showed Kevin this video tonight. Since the Bride and Groom were Jill and Kevin (and the bride was similar looking with the skin and hair color and the groom was with Kevin), I think that in 10 years we need to renew our vows and recreate this. It was a lot more upbeat than our original ceremony, so I think it would be a great way to start off our next 10 years. So.... those that were apart of the wedding party, get your dancing shoes on and start practicing.....you have 9 years to be ready.

Oh by the way, this is the real deal video too, it's not actors. This couple has been on lots of different morning talk shows. Here's the link to watch one, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WVI1Xc6Z2Q the couple talks about their now famous entrance.

JK Wedding Entrance Dance

Back to School

Well, it's sad to say that this is my last day of vacation for the next 9 months. Yes, I know that I will get days and a week here and there off, but it's my last day of summer vacation. Tomorrow I have to "officially" be back at school. Thankfully I have worked since the 2nd week in July painting and getting my room ready, lesson plans started, and copies made, because I got our schedule for the week and I will be in meetings all day off and on on Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday parents and students can come meet their teacher, so I will be at school until 5 pm that day. Then Friday will be a little more relaxed and hopefully finish everything on time so I don't have to stay too late. It's hard to get back started...it's overwhelming.....very anxious, excited....etc. Meeting the parents to me, is more nerve racking that meeting the students. The first day is Monday, Aug. 17th. That will be a very chaotic day. I don't like the first day. I still get very nervous about that day. You have to go over rules and procedures, and nothing goes right that first day. By the end of the week on Friday, it will seem like we never left for summer break and we will all be back into the swing of things. But a new school year is excited because you are starting fresh with a new class. And this year should be a little better, because last year I had to learn a new grade and new school. I know a little more as to what to expect and what is going on this year.

Some school year prayer requests: I appreciate all who keep me and my class in their prayers this year!

1. Pray for me. Pray that I will be the best teacher I can. To not get overwhelmed. To be able to relate to these kids and parents. Pray that I will be able to get my school work done at school and not have to bring too much home. It's hard on me and it's hard on Kevin when I am still doing school work all evening and all weekend.

2. Pray for my students. Pray that they will be a good class and listen and try to do their best. I know I have at least one "bad" boy student coming up. Pray for him. He has a difficult home life and other things going on. I'm told he's pretty good as long as he stays on his medicine, so pray for that.

I'll have some classroom pictures up for you soon! Oh, and some porch pictures too.

Happy Birthday, Abby!

A year ago today, Kevin and I came home from church and this little, black, curly haired dog came crawling onto our porch. She was very scared, but her tail was wagging and she wanted her belly rubbed. I left and went to Mrs. Katie's house to get some dog food and when I came back she was in Kevin's lap in the swing and from that moment she was ours. We never found out where she came from. She had been out on her own for a while and had been abused. She was just about a year old when she came to us. We were surprised to learn she was a full blooded poodle. Never would have probably picked out a poodle, but she has been a great dog! Each day she gets more and more spoiled. We had not planned on getting a pet, much less a dog, after a month of being married, but God gave us the most precious, sweet, and loving dog there is! Kevin thought she was a boy at first that had already been fixed. So, Abby would have been named Oliver, if Mrs. Katie had not set it straight that she was a girl. We both, I don't think ,would know what to do without her. She has been great company and is a great watchdog.

Here are some typical Abby things:

1. Loves to chase a tennis ball. If we could afford a tennis ball machine, we would. She is like the energizer bunny.

2. Her inside toy is a rope, that she loves to chew on. She also has a special glow in the dark ball that my aunt Susan gave her. (She's not allowed to bring her tennis ball in the house. She will tear all the fuzz off it, and it makes a big mess.)

3. She sleeps in the bed with us. (Not our original plan) She likes to be in the middle. When Kevin gets us, she moves to his side and sleeps with her head on his pillow.

4. She will always run to the window to see who is outside or what is going on if she hears a noise.

5. She can jump into our arms flat-footed and we don't have to bend over.

6. She enjoys going for a ride, doesn't matter how short or long or in what, she just likes to ride with you.

7. If you sit in our green chair (you can see a picture of my dad and her on the slide show) doesn't matter who you are, she will sit with you.

8. She likes to drink water from the shower. We have glass doors that slide, and she drinks the dirty, soapy water from the sliding tray. Gross!

9. Her treat is a milk bone. We don't feed her any people food. What she gets is crumbs off the floor or she will go into a trash bag if left unattended.

10. Yes, she is very spoiled, but we love her and wouldn't have it any other way!

I put together a slide show of some highlight pictures of Abby over this past year. Enjoy!

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