Hmmm...some little boys are trying to win my heart and it's working! Bailey made me a stamp art picture and it was hanging on the fridge at work. On the front said "Miss Nicole" and on the back said "from Bailey." How cute! Then today, while being the outside teacher (more or less watching the kids play outside, 3 yr old Jordan came up to me, grabbed my hand and said, "let's go for a walk." So we walked around the playground. These kids are too cute!

Well, I must get going. Much to do before I head to work again. Have a blessed day!

Ouch! I cracked my head on my car door yesterday afternoon. It still hurts! I am getting all bruised up lately. I got a nasty bruise from trying to get off my top bunk bed in a hurry, "kicked" an exercise machine (not on purpose!), dropped a huge can of fruit (for the day care) on my knee, slid on the floor that had some dirt on it and scraped up my knee, burned my fingers on a hot pan...I'M A KLUTZ!!!!!!!!

Anyway. Things are going pretty well. I've been busy.

Have a blessed day!

Yesterday was a long day at work. 9 hours with no lunch break. This happened because we had an in-service teacher's meeting. It went pretty well. They talked about ways to improve and such and then it was opened to the rest to make comments. They started talking about me because I am pulling double duty there because I am their cook and a teacher. They said I am the best cook they have ever had (mainly because I am nice to the kids and not mean to them). I thought they were just saying that because I was sitting right there in front of them, but when I went and checked on the nappers in the two's room (a few were awake and moving around), I could hear the remaining staff talking about me again saying what a good job I was doing. I don't like being talked about, whether I am in the room or not, good or bad. Things like that could make one get a big head. I really don't think I have done that good of a job. I have made some really dumb mistakes. Anyway...

Before the meeting, I feed the kindergarten crew of 5 early again. Since they did not have school Friday or Monday, I didn't have to feed anyone early. I gave them each 4 M&Ms (from a funsize package) and they were why I gave them candy. I told them that I missed them. They one said "You thought about us?" I told them I sure did. Another girl said that she thought about me too. I said "You did?" She said "Yes. I thought about how much I love you." How sweet! The others soon chimed in with saying they loved me too. It was really cute. I love working with kids.

If you read that post on Feb. 15, I told you about that one little girl who told me she didn't like the candy I gave her, well, I have a small update about her. The two days following, she was trying to be a little sweeter. She thanked me for the cookies that were out for morning snack (I had nothing to do with them...it was another child's birthday) and then the next day she complemented me on the dress I was wearing. After the kindergartners were finished with their lunch and helped me set up the hallway for the rest of the kids' lunch time (5 kindergartners eat an hour before the rest b/c they have to catch the bus for school), I called Taylor into the kitchen. I told her that she has been having a better attitude the last few days and that I really liked it. I told her it was good. Then I gave her a piece of candy. I saw her again after the bus dropped her off back at school (she was being picked up to go home) and I told her to keep up the good attitude and gave her a hug. I did find out that she comes from a rough home. April and I are trying to be mother figures to her. She really needs it.
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Doc read these a couple weeks ago and I found them to post them:

NON-BILL OF RIGHTS"

We, the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid any more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt-ridden, deluded, and other liberal bed-wetters. We hold these truths to be self-evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim that they require a Bill of No Rights."

ARTICLE I:
You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.

ARTICLE II:
You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone — not just you! You may leave the room, change the channel, or express a different opinion, but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.

ARTICLE III:
You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful, do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.

ARTICLE IV:
You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes.

ARTICLE V:
You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care.

ARTICLE VI:
You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.

ARTICLE VII:
You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.

ARTICLE VIII:
You don't have the right to demand that our children risk their lives in foreign wars to soothe your aching conscience. We hate oppressive governments and won't lift a finger to stop you from going to fight if you'd like. However, we do not enjoy parenting the entire world and do not want to spend so much of our time battling each and every little tyrant with a military uniform and a funny hat.

ARTICLE IX:
You don't have the right to a job. Sure, all of us want all of you to have one, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful.

ARTICLE X:
You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to pursue happiness — which, by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an overabundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights. __________________________

It's time to get back into the swing of things. My one day off of work is about over and I still have some stuff to do. Oh yeah, Volleyball Marathon is starting tonight. I am very thankful the dean of students said that I don't have to participate this year. I am going to sponsor a few people, though. I just don't have the time to sign up for 4 hr shifts. I am at work most of the day (at the day care for 9 hours) and then I work at night for anywhere from 3-6 hours. The rest of the time I like to sleep or work on my school work. The only time I would have a 4 hr block is my sleeping time. Sleep in much more important.
____________________________

I guess I was an item of gossip the other night and them it was used as an illustration in dorm devos. From what I was told, a church lady asked my dorm mom how I was doing and asked where I was at. The church lady had asked someone else, I guess, and was told that they couldn't say anything because it was bad. ?!?!?!? (My dorm mom thinks this person had someone else in mind...and so do I!). That's why this church lady went to my dorm mom. She told her I was at work and doing fine. Some of the other girls told me about this the next morning (neither one of roomies were at devos either...we all work at night!). Then my dorm mom told me about it. We had a good laugh. Then, she saw me yesterday and said "Oh, you're not out running around with a guy?" I replied, "Not that I know of. I think I am still here!" We laughed again. That was certainly interesting. Gossip is a bad thing, but I'm glad things were cleared up. It's kind of sad to think that others would think wrongly of me, but that's probably why they went to my dorm mom to find out if what they had heard was true. My-oh-my!

Have a blessed Sunday, the Lord's Day!

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Yesterday was pretty nice. The only sad thing was that I had more valentine greetings and cards than my birthday. Oh well. I'm over it.

I got some things from my day care kids: cards, candy, a mug

I gave the kindergarteners that I feed at 10:30 some bottlecap candy on and one girl looked at it and said she didn't like that kind. I looked at her and told her she was rude and took the candy back. This girl is something else. Then, she asked for the candy after she ate and I told her no because she didn't like it. The other kids said thank you. I don't think some of these are taught much at home.

I want to share some thoughts on my devotions, but I'll have to do that later. That will also give me some more time to think how I want to write.

I worked out the last two days and I hurt! I can't work out tonight because I am going visiting after work. I have a CPR class to attend on Saturday so I can't go bus visiting then.

Well, I owe, I owe, so it's off to work I go.

Have a blessed day!

Friday, February 17, 2006

Yesterday was "one of those days." I'm better now.

The other day, I read Daniel 3 for my devotions.

Daniel 3
1Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

2Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

3Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

4Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,

5That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:

6And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

7Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

8Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

9They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.

10Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:

11And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

12There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

13Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

14Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

15Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

19Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

20And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

21Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

22Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

23And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

25He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

26Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

27And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

28Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

29Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.

30Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
_________________
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego all had a backbone and wanted to do the right thing. All Christians should have such a desire to serve the Lord, but many do not. These men went against the flow of what everyone else was doing. They did not do it for show, either.

This passage was an encouragement and a challenge to me.

Saturday, February 18, 2006

I spent the day getting trained on infant, child, abd adult CPR and first aid. Now I am certified. The instructor was very rude and crude. I did not like him at all. He should consider who his audience is before opening his mouth. One good thing he did was not give some folks their cards because they were goofing off. They have to take the class again. I don't think he said a word to me when I was practicing on the dummies. It was interesting. I had to get trained because of day care worker regulations. Five of us college girls work in one of the two branches of the day care. April and I at the closest one and Leah, Megan, and Darcy at the other one (where the training was held). April and I went to WalMart afterwards and we found out there was a Subway in there so we had that for lunch.

Well, not too much going on today.

Have a blessed day!

Happy Single Awareness Day!

We had another very good message. Tonight, Preacher spoke on the ministry of suffering.
No one wants it. No one is going to volunteer to get cancer, go through financial ruin, to go through any pain or death. BUT, suffering, trials, and the valleys bring out the best in people. That is not saying every person who has been through at trial will make it because some people love their sin too much or they will just quit when it starts to get hot.

1 Peter 1:6-7

6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 1:18-19

18Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1 Peter 2:7-8

7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

1 Peter 4:12-13

12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Peter, the precious preacher, was talking about value, not the lovey-dovey sense of the word. Jesus is precious, His blood is precious, our saving faith is precious. These are very valuable.

Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

1. They prepare us to comfort others

* Sin and quitting keep miracles away
* It takes a battle to have victory
* Don't worry when you suffer
* You will be able to help others because sufferers make the best comforters

2. They bring us to the end of ourselves

* Phil 4:11 was written in a jail cell
* You don't learn contentment unless in the valley
* Trials make us humble, make us lean on Him, show our weaknesses

3. They keep us close to Him

* We have to look to Him for strength because our own will run out
_______
This helps me to keep things in the right view. Every person has gone through something. I know I have. We shouldn't want to have nothing to ever go wrong in our lives because then there would be no growth spiritually. I know that all too often I have tried to hold things on my own. Didn't work well, that's for sure.

It was a good message.

Well, I gave in and went to urgent care. I find out that I have Bronchitus, Sinititus, and my Asthma is acting up. Now I am on antibiotics and steroids. Fun stuff, huh?

I've not been feeling well the last couple of days. Not. I thought about stopping at Urgent Care on my way home from work, but I was feeling better than I was this morning so I didn't. We'll see how tomorrow goes. I plan on getting my taxes done tomorrow after work.

Me and Carol







Baggii (from Mongolia)




Nate using the walker/skater thing. When I took the pic, he said "Oh no!!! That's blackmail material!" And so it is!





Me attempting to race







Me using the walker thingy. That was the fastest I went around the rink!




Abby, Johanna, and Lindsey






Me on a horse and carriage ride






The boys waiting for the carriage ride. They looked so cute in their old fashioned garb.





Carol and I






Annette (Netters)

I am beyond tired right now. I want to sleep some more, but I have to be at work at 8:45 to set up the kids' snack and then make lunch and clean it up. Then I have class. I can possibly have a chance to study the back of my eyelids after that (and then go to my other job). That's what happens when you have two big bills to pay off. So, the story of my life right now is work, work, work.
I think I am one of those "jack of all trades, master of nothing" people. My job title(s) show that a bit: cook, pre-school teacher, janitor, student. I don't thin I've mastered any of those!
Here's something from last night's message: When you say no to God, you are in dangerous territory.
After work last night, old time radio was on and we turned it on in the middle of a program and these comments made us laugh: Man 1: You just contridicted yourself! Man 2: Who else is better qualified to do that?
Well, here are a few more pics to enjoy!

Stand by your (tin) man... Abby

The only pic of me at Shipshawana

Abby and Jael while we were at Shipshawana (Look out Abby! She's going to cut your hair!)

Jael on the butcher's block...and Abby's behind the knife?!?!?!?!

My girls in their pretty, old fashioned dresses

I am beat! I haven't been getting enough sleep and today wiped me out since I had to go all the way out to Valpo to do shopping errands for the day care. Man, that was a lot of food! I was worried it wouldn't all fit in my car (and I pretty much drive a tank: an 83 Olds Delta 88 Royale).

Ah, yes, more kiddies.






"I do nothing wrong, ever. Honest" One of my day care kids.








Glenn and I at the ice skating rink








Abby and I







Glenn goofing off for the camera

SNOWCONES!!!! That's what Glenn and I made!