Coffee CubBuster

It's funny how you go through a dry season and a rainy season. Just like the tropics. Except I hope your seasons aren't too extreme at any point in time. ;) Matthew and I haven't had too many overnight guests since we moved into our apartment. Not to mention, we haven't had many daytime guests either. I'm not complaining though. I know its not the largest mansion in the world. I also still have things I'm putting up and getting together to make it feel like a home. However, for some reason this week-- the week that I have my school's HS retreat up at Sharptop, the week I contract the ever-present first school-year sinus cold, the week we have the all-important school educational banquet late at night, the week I'm just pooped as a pickle-- this week my family seems to crave a night at the Smith motel. (That's MOtel not HOtel). Trust me.You won't get your luggage taken up to your room this week. Don't misunderstand me. I love over...

Another Blair name has vacated this world. We are dropping like flies (all good things do)!  Good thing Matt Blair is there to carry us home. My sister, Nicole, and her hubby Steven tied the knot in Cancun this past Saturday. She looked absolutely stunning, and minus the rain, everything went perfectly. There was unbelievable and an endless amount of delicious food.  Yes I had more than three meals a day, and no I don't feel bad about it.   There was latin dancing, the yummiest of coffee drinks, and Mr. Smith by my side. What more could I ask for. Well, maybe a little more sleep. Nicole wasn't the most laid back of brides. It was really great though. There was even turtle beach births! Yes. You read that right. However the over-protective marine biologist wouldn't let us take pictures. (The visual is forever burned in my memory though) Like sister, like sister- She had the best blue shoes! I don't know if you can see Nicole's sash on her dress but all the...

What's a wall worth? Some say it distracts, others say it heightens concentration. I say, a little color goes a long way. As a new educator, I am slightly lacking in my school room decor. However, some lovely co-workers of mine have assisted in the Mrs. Smith classroom wall fund. I think they took pity on my sad walls. Amazingly enough, despite the craziness of pre-planning week, the crafty and creative history teacher actually put my bulletin board together for me! I am really actually blessed to work where and with whom I do. It's truly a blessing. Anyway...I had printed off a few exceptional quotes and verses on simple computer paper, and she actually laminated them and then put up a bunch of her own scrapbook paper. The picture might not do it justice, but it sure upgraded the walls in my classroom!  Now I just need a little rest before those high schoolers come barging in Monday morning. Maybe they will be so mezmorized by the board that they'll be speechless on day o...

I'm officially a Masters graduate! Hallelujah! Thank you hubby for supporting me. You know how to handle that responsibility like no one else! ;) It meant so much to have my brother there to make me feel so special! My parents endured many nights of me studying and stressing! I can't thank you enough for everything! My dad even came into town for the event. Thanks for everything Dad! I start working as a professional teacher in two days! Yes, I am now a professional (as opposed to my amateur status I maintained last year during my internship). Here's to influencing  America's bright future! ~Mrs. TeacherBuster

Matthew and I recently returned from a mission trip to Haiti with Adventures in Missions .   I can not begin to try and explain all we experienced in Haiti. We experienced something that can only be explained through your own experience of it. When you take away all the luxuries we have in the U.S. it's easy to feel God, hear God, and see God. There's just no denying that. I'll just try to give you a quick snap shot of our trip via poor quality photos. :) A typical street in Carrefour, Haiti where we stayed for 6 days (near Port au Prince) There's no trash system, so there's trash everywhere! Eventually the Haitians burn piles to get rid of it. This was a local market trash/rotten food pile. Tent cities are all over the place. They represent areas where buildings once stood before the earthquake hit. They have even set up mayors for these "cities" Our team was estrogen-heavy, but these are three of the 5 guys with one of our wonderful tr...

I did it!  I finished grad school. I'm officially a Master! I can't believe it! This year has flown by so quickly. It's really true --you can do anything for a year (even move in with your parents, liquidate your savings, change careers, and plan a wedding all while obtaining a Masters degree).  I mean at this rate, I should go and see if I can make it in the Big Apple Circus for a year. I think I could do it. Well, I'm so thankful to everyone who encouraged and supported me along the way. (I'm not sure why that sounded like a valedictorian speech, are there even valedictorians in grad school? whatever, it came from the heart!) I'm so blessed, and SO happy not to be juggling work and school any longer. If God could get me through the craziness of this past year, I know my first year of teaching won't be too bad. Hopefully... Truth is, I've been having dreams that my first day of school is like a preview for Dangerous Minds . Except I'm not nearly a...

My husband- I can't believe that 7 years ago today, I met the love of my life. I met a man that God designed perfectly for me; a man that would change my life for good; he would come alongside of me and grow in God's love with me. A man that can still make my knees weak and my heart sing; a man that humbles himself to trust God first and love me second. I met a man on a beach that would turn my world upside down, and then bring me straight back up to stand in awe of my creator.  I was blessed enough to meet my best friend at 19 years old. He would know me and understand me like no one before. We would laugh harder, louder, and more often than anyone ever had. He would pursue me, adore me, and show me how to live life simply and spontaneously.  Seven years ago, I met my other half. I met someone as imperfect a myself. Someone that can be just as stubborn and silly as myself; someone slow to speak, and quick to listen. Someone who would challenge me to be better, stronger, a...