To be like Mary

This story has a build up.. I'll get to my point. Promise.


A few weeks ago I noticed my cousin, Josiah's, facebook status. Often around this time of the year you can hear the question being asked, "What's your favorite Christmas carol?" Josiah took this status a little further and  asked, "What's your favorite verse from a Christmas carol?" I could not answer the question immediately and have been listening a lot more intently to the lyrics of each Christmas song I sing rather than just belting them out in my car. Then last week I was watching Glee's Christmas episode. I was really impressed that they ended the episode by reading the Christmas story. Not frosty the snowman.. but the real "In those days Ceasar Augustus..." Christmas story. This got me thinking that I had not read the real Christmas story this year. So after the episode was over, I pulled out my Bible and decided I would read it. As I was reading it the same thought hit me.. "what is my favorite verse from the Christmas story?" It's a story I've heard all my life, but if I wanted to pinpoint just one verse that was my favorite.. what would it be?


So I started at Luke 2 and re-read the story for a second time and just focused on every line. If was after I read through the second time that I decided to back up and start at Luke 1. During Luke 1 is when the angel of the Lord comes to Mary and tells her she is going to have a son. Now, I do not know about you, but if someone told me that as a virgin I was going to have a child... I would scream? cry? freak out? throw something? hide? I am not sure what I would do, but I doubt my response would have been like Marys. And this is why I've decided that Mary's response is my favorite verse of the Christmas story: 

Luke 1:38 states "'I am the Lord's servant', Mary answered. 'May your word to me be fulfilled.'"

How many times in my life should I have said, God forget all my selfish, worldly desires... I am your servant. So my next step was to look up the exact definition of servant. Servant is defined as "a person in the service of another." And really, that is exactly what we are here on this earth for is to do the work and service of God. And I think it's pretty amazing that all of what we are supposed to live our lives by can be summed up into a 5 word statement. I am the Lord's servant. 


Normally, for my new year's resolution I pick a verse. This verse is one that I memorize and try and live by for the entire year. I still may do that, but I think my main new year's resolution this year is going to be to be more like Mary. To have an open and willing heart to do whatever service the Lord is asking of me. 


Merry Christmas!!
And Happy New Year!!!

Thankful Tuesday

Today I'm thankful for:


- Coffee when I need it
- Store workers willing to stay on the phone for 45 min for me
- My sisters (even if people don't believe we are sisters)
- Christmas carols
- My dad (for dealing with shopping trips with the 3 of us)
- Trail Mix
- The many blessings I am reminded of daily

Hustle and Bustle

I made it to Christmas break!! :) Luckily I jam pack the last week full of activities and so it normally flies by! I got an absurd amount of presents from my students/athletes this year. I need to go combine all my sonic and starbucks giftcards into one. (I've already put the $50 visa card in my wallet!) I have three large bags still sitting on my living room full of all my gifts because I do not know what to do with them! ha However, my favorite part of the gifts is reading what my students write on the cards. It's always so sweet and here are just a couple from this year: 


"You must be very busy teaching athletics and math. I admire you for doing all that. May God bless you and watch over you this Christmas."
"Ms. Lindstrom you've helped me through a lot of hard math problems. Thank you for wanting to help me."
"Thank you so much for investing into Austin. You make math enjoyable for him." - From a mom


This is what keeps me going into the second semester. When I received the fifty dollar gift card I immediately decided it was too much and I couldn't accept it. It's from one of my athletes that I have an awesome relationship with and I texted her after school was out and just said she was crazy and I'd keep it for her to use after the break was over. She texted me back and said, "No, it's just something to show you how much my family and I appreciate you and all you do. My dad says he's not taking it back." It's been a long three weeks since Thanksgiving due to other coworkers drama, and all these cards just help bring me back down to reality and I know why I hang out with 250 thirteen year olds every day. 


Now that I'm on Christmas break, I'm spending my time hanging out at one of my favorite places this time of year: the mall!! I had a conversation with a friend who said she just tried to avoid all malls at all costs. That was crazy to me!! I love the big trees, I love the lights, and I love the holiday spirit that everyone is... even if it's crowded. Bring on the hustle and bustle, I can fit right in. And that's where I am headed right now and I'll listen to Christmas music the whole way there!

I get a brother!!!

Last Wednesday night I received one of the most important phone calls of my entire life. It was from Hannah's boyfriend, Ben. We've been talking rather often lately since he has applied and been accepted to Teach For America (teaching math!!). So after a long day at school I answered. He asked me what I was doing this weekend? I said I had my tournament for basketball and he replied with well, how long will that last? It was at this moment.. I knew it was going to be a special phone call. He then said, "I'm going to propose to your sister on Saturday night." ... I screamed. ha (he told me later I got the award for best reaction!) I think I said a couple are you for real? are you serious? and he said, "Yes, Mollie." (in his ever so logical and serious voice) Then I'm pretty sure I said, "I'm gonna cry" and he let me have my little moment and just sat and waited for me to collect myself! :) 


Ben proposed at the site where he first told Hannah he loved her. It's a beautiful cliff in Cameron Park (Waco) that most people don't even know exists. They had their moment (recorded on secret video tape which is perfect) and then continued hiking up the hill. When they reached the top (and climbed over a fence) we were there waiting. The ring is seriously gorgeous and looks phenomenal on Hannah's hand. I was super sick (like made a bed in the back seat and slept the whole way there and back), but the day was perfect. My favorite part of the day was calling everyone to tell them. So. Much. Fun. 

I was so excited for both of them. These two have literally grown up together and it's been fun to watch how they've changed and how their walks with God have changed and grown. Out of the sisters, Hannah is probably the most emotional of the three (i.e. Caroline's asked for a new soul for Christmas because she's the least emotional/has no emotions at all). I think Ben is the perfect balance for Hannah with his rational thinking and level head. I cannot wait to see how their relationship grows even further.


Hannah comes home this weekend for Christmas and I'm sure our house will be dominated with wedding planning. I am so excited and can't wait to help her make decisions!! I have never been wedding dress shopping with anyone and I'm glad the first time is going to be with my beautiful, red-headed sister. This next semester is going to be crazy, but I'm ready and I definitely wouldn't have it any other way. She is going to be the most breath-taking bride ever. I love her so much. I can't believe she's starting this next chapter in her life.. but I plan on being by her side every step of the way. 


I'm not sure if Ben is ready for 2 crazy sisters... but we're definitely ready for a brother. Welcome to the family Ben! 

Favorite project yet!!

Ok. This is the easiest project I have tackled so far!! It can change a room so much and yet it's such a small, simple task! What is this magnificent project I've discovered, you ask?? Covering your outlets and light switches!! It's cheap, easy, and super fun! All you need is scrapbook paper, an exacto knife, mod-podge, and 20 minutes of your time. After I completed my first one, I knew I'd never have dull, boring light-switches again!

I've done several more since I took these pictures (I've been meaning to post this blog for a while!)... and I love them all! They help my little apartment look a lot home-y-er.. That's right - I just made that word up. I love mod-podge and scrapbook paper. That should be the real point of this blog. Love it.

Transforming

I am a huge fan of Christmas time. 


No, seriously. I love it. I'm totally one of those people who 1. listens to Christmas music all year round and 2. Start listening constantly after Oct. 31st. Now I've had some talks with coworkers at school who don't like people who start Christmas early for the reason that they feel people just "skip" Thanksgiving. So just to clarify, I do not ever just skip over Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving.... but I just don't feel like celebrating Christmas in December is enough!!! So the Sunday after Thanksgiving I decided to go get everything to transform my small apartment into an acceptable Christmas atmosphere. Not a lot of people come to my apartment and I do not intend on having any big Christmas party.... the decorations are for me! I have loved this whole week of having zero lights on except for my Christmas lights! I turn them on in the morning while I'm getting ready for school and it just starts my day off right! I still have more to do and am waiting on Caroline to come home so we can do some projects, but for now I love my Christmas apartment!!!

I moved my chair to my room for this season.

Oh gosh. The box. At this point I was feeling anxious about trying to assemble the tree by myself.

A pre-lit, 7 1/2 foot tree! Go big or go home!! 

I went will all silver ornaments, bows, and beads! I love it!

Ta-duhhh

Then I added lights up top in my kitchen!

Next transformation will be the kitchen table. I want red place-mats, garland, and the project with Caroline! Stay tuned for that entry!  

Always, Sometimes, Never

I ran across this idea from a blog I was looking at a little a while ago. It is personal I always, I sometimes, I never statements. So this week, I spent my time thinking about these statements that would define me. Some are important and some are not so important. There's really no purpose other than that! :) What statements do you think would define you?


I always: 
- procrastinate

- feel like I’m too tall

- love being tall

- have at least 2 uncompleted projects

- try to be extra kind to restaurant people

- have a song stuck in my head

I sometimes:

- tell my students a ninja is going to appear and kick them

- wish I could be a hermit and never leave my apartment

- sit in my car just to finish a good song

- let my guard down

- forget to text/call people back

- make situations awkward on purpose

- forget not everyone can sing in tune

I never: 

- forget how blessed I am

- say shut up in my classroom

- go somewhere important without my hair being teased and high

- lower my standards

- want to be ungrateful

- will not be a Texas girl at heart

Cooking Adventures for Thanksgiving

This year we had Thanksgiving out at my dad's new house. We were all bringing something, so I had the pressure  privilege of deciding what I wanted to bring. I decided on three things. I was going to make pilgrim hat cookies, pumpkin pie dip (with apples and graham crackers), and green bean casserole. Whew, so I designated Wednesday as my cooking day; that way if anything went wrong, I could change it or re-do it again before Thursday! :) I do have to say that Hannah made the wonderful grocery store trip with me. If I can't find what I'm looking for in 1 minute of looking on the aisle.. I start getting stressed out. Taking the trip with your sister makes you feel a lot better and when we stand awkwardly stand by the spice aisle for 5 minutes looking for pumpkin pie spice.. it's much more fun to just stand there and laugh and then go try and find the "sage guy" later around the store. 


And Granny, now you can kind of see how I did the pilgrim hat cookies! They were so easy! Everyone else, I hope you enjoy the pictures!

All my ingredients for the day!!

The pumpkin pie dip consists of pumpkin, brown sugar, a few spices, greek yogurt, and cool whip! Just mix it all together and stick it in the fridge. I found it definitely tasted better after a few hours in the fridge for everything to kind of settle in together. The end result is a gorgeous color that tastes magnificent with apples!!

Use melted chocolate chips to cover your marshmallows and place them on your upside down cookies.  Then place them in the fridge so the chocolate can set. 

Then all you have to do is use yellow decorator icing to pipe a rectangle and a circle around the marshmallows.  Ta-duhh!

  

Green Bean Casserole was just simple... although I definitely  need to double the recipe  for next year/ I'm actually going to make the recipe that we made Friday with my mom. It was amazing. A little more work, but definitely worth it!

Once I was finished cooking all day I really had no energy to cook anything for dinner. So I did the most simple recipe ever. I cut some grape tomatoes in half and sprinkled some olive oil over them. Then I put some onions around them with some chopped garlic and roasted them in the oven for 20 minutes. With 5 minutes left I sprinkled some parmesean cheese over them (that's the black you see in the picture.. try not to get cheese on the edges!!). I paired a few celery sticks with it and some ritz crackers and I had a great meal! 


Post Thanksgiving Cooking: I know this post doesn't exactly include this...but this was way too good to not write about. I was really not sure how it was going to turn out so I didn't take a picture until it was made. This is Spinach Stracciatella Soup with Orzo. A little chicken broth, eggs, I added mushrooms instead of parsley, orzo, and spinach. It's so good!!!

Another project down!!

I finally figured out what to do over my tv in my bedroom! :)

My original concept.

First thing to do was find the frame and hang it. I really love empty frames by themselves. (Don't mind my morning volleyball!)

I then painted my canvas and decided against painting a second coat. I like that you can see the streaks!

Another project that I love!! :)

I am thankful for my students.

Yes, sometimes I need reminders. Today I received 2 of them. Reminders that I am a role model for these kids and I, often, have more of a relationship with them than most people in their life. These are the days that make me smile. So yes, today I am thankful for all of my 200 students and athletes.

I'm not sure what class it's in... keyboarding? but every year they must type a formal letter to a teacher. I've gotten some every year, but this one had me laughing out loud. It's one of my boys from last year. I love that they even consider choosing me as their teacher to type their letter to! This letter represents my student's randomness so well! I read it first thing this morning and it was a great start to my day! I'm thankful for former and present students.

Dear Coach,
How has it been since the last time I saw you? Have you noticed that "been" sounds like Ben? I get that confused a lot. Actually one time in first grade we had a spelling test. "Been" was on there. I shouted out to the class "it isn't like my name Ben, it's like the b-e-e-n." The teacher got mad at me for spelling it out and I felt embarrassed.

How is your new class doing? I still think that we were your favorite class out of all of your classes. I also will be your favorite student out of all time because I'm Ben, why else? I hope they aren't giving you a huge headache. I know that some classes do that to people. My new class in Spanish does that to me. Did you know that I'm taking Spanish? It is easier than algebra. Maybe because I'm part Mexican but I don't think that has anything to do with it.

Sincerely,
Ben

Today at the end of the school day we had the student/faculty volleyball game. I played last year, but didn't really know the 8th graders.... this year I was their coach!! ha So I talked trash all week! :) Their biggest goal was to block me, but that never happened. It was a really close game, but the teachers won in 3!! 16-14! Coming back from 13-8.... kinda like our entire season! :) It was so much fun and an excellent start to Thanksgiving break! I'm so thankful for my athletes and how much joy they bring to my life.  

Fall Fashion

I have been dying to buy some new fall clothes... but I'm on this whole trying to save money kick. I've even started using cash envelopes to help curb my spending. (at least I recognize it, right?) Thanks to pinterest I've been creating new outfits from the clothes I have and have been pretty successful at pairing things I wouldn't normally think to put together; but I need at least one little shopping spree a new season! So when I got an email from a student's parent that was a coupon for 40% off an entire purchase at Old Navy, I couldn't resist.This flannel shirt is perfect for a Friday at school.

Then I bought this sweater. It's oversize and a little awkward, aka perfect for me! I really love color-blocking, especially with bold colors. The coral with the purple is excellent. A pair of skinny jeans with my tall socks with my riding boots will be fantastic. 

 

Now to my more exciting purchases. I bought this little dazzler to spice up a few Christmas party outfits. The back is sheer, which I love, but I"ll probably wear it with a black cardigan and black pants.

These last two items are the same kind of styles. I will wear both of them with tights and little booties. I love the color of the dress. It's so bright and shiny and I plan on looking like a Christmasy, green evergreen tree while wearing it! :) The shorts I bought specifically for a bachelorette party I have on December 30th... planning a little ahead, yes. Where else would you wear black metallic shorts to?? I love them.

Hopefully these purchases will last me a little while! :) Only 5 more school days til Thanksgiving Break!!! I can do it.. I can do it!!

BUHC2011

Clearly my title stands for Baylor University Homecoming 2011. Ha When I first saw it, I had no idea what it meant. All these abbreviations... I can't keep up with em! ha

I had a marvelous weekend! I finally made it to Waco at 8:30 on Friday night and was immediately met with a group of awesome friends!! We went to the bonfire and parade and tailgate and game and just had a magnificent time! :) I love going back and seeing everyone... I can't believe this is my 2nd homecoming as an alumni! I know it won't be long before I'm there with my own family (Ah, that's weird!).... moving on. 

I capped off the weekend by stopping at my dad's house on the way back from Waco. We didn't really have plans, but when I got there decided it would be a great time to go fishing. My dad and I both love to fish and its something we find very relaxing.We never really go out with too many expectations... but just enjoy begin outside and especially when the sun is setting! It was the perfect ending for my BUHC weekend!

Roomies for our annual bonfire picture!

Parade!

Annual cousin curb picture!

Dad and me at the game!

Fishin'

Pretty decent size!

Volleyball is No More

Volleyball is officially over! I am sad that I don't get to play volleyball everyday anymore, but excited to be a basketball coach! (more to come on that later!)

My girls were precious and I'm definitely going to miss my A team! They gave me this on Monday:

 

A wonderful picture frame with our picture from the tournament in it! :)

 Then on the back they all signed it! They are so sweet! 

And finally tomorrow I get to leave for Waco for Baylor Homecoming!!! One of my favorite weekends all year: it's full of family, friends, tradition, football, and pride. I love it.

Crab, Pizza, and Mummies

Penne Pasta with crab and spinach leaves!

With, of course, Parmesan cheese!!

I had to pair it with my favorite black bean salad!

Pinterest Recipe!

I added the sauce on my own.. it makes it messy.

But they still turned out just great!!

Dipped in ranch! (Hannah - excellent babysitting activity)

This weekend Meagan made "Mummy Dogs"

 

 

Another Pinterest find! :)