Christmas Joy

Here are some of the pictures from this Christmas season :)

Mike and I at my friend Lisa's wedding..

Christmas 2013

Rockets!

Christmas

Iv'e come to the conclusion that I am not a blogger.  I forget to blog.  I don't have much to blog about.  I just do not remember to do it... and I don't feel that I have something that exciting to talk about :)

However, I did want to talk about what I have been learning lately.  Our church has been doing Christmas this whole month, so the last 2 weekends have been filled with christmas songs, christmas decorations and much more.  What gets me excited is the worship during this time of the year!  I love being reminded that Jesus came down to earth perfect as a little baby boy and lived a perfect life :)  

What I am really learning is to TRUST that Jesus has a plan for us.  A good plan for us to have a family one day and to not fear anything but have our constant hope in Him.

I love the lyrics of Holy Night:

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine! 

I also love this video :)  I think I have shared it once or twice before too!

Christmas Medley from Harvest Bible Chapel 1 on Vimeo.

The bible says that only someone who knows they are a sinner, believes in Jesus as the savior - that he died on the cross for us-, and lives their life for him obeying his word will be saved and meet Jesus in Heaven :)  It is this time of year that I get excited to share the news of Christ and really remember what I am living for.

I love that famous question: Is there a heaven? Do you think your going?  

And the follow up question: why?

Here is a link to a video that Mike and I thought was interesting & shows us what many people think about Jesus/Heaven & salvation..

http://geniusthemovie.com

Fall Festivities

My friend Taryn and I were talking one day in September and we mentioned how fun it would be to do a fall day.. filled with fall foods, pumpkins and possible even a craft :)  Well, we made it happen and our first event 'Fall Fun Day' became real... here are some pictures on how it turned out!

Our Crock Pot Hot Chocolate!

Apple Crumble - turned out GREAT!

The Beginning of our apple crumble baking..

The Hot Cocoa :)

-this turned out really really strong.. I would add some more water next time!

Finished products :)  For the apple crumble.. I loved the topping & I would double the recipe for the crumble.. yum!

Our Craft Tiffany found.. 

Time to carve pumpkins.. how I was strong enough to do this as a kid I have NO idea.. does anyone else think it is hard to cut the top off your pumpkin?!

Tiffany & Kyla's pumpkins!

My pumpkin.. not feeling too creative like some people!!!

Taryn's.. she donated this to our house!  Can you guess what it is?!

This is Amy's!  Turned out great! I never trust those designs they give you but this may have changed my mind for the future :)

Kyky

Thanks for coming girls!!

My love <3

We decided that the fall fun day would continue next year.. with a visit to a pumpkin patch and were going to step up our crafting abilities.. we will see what 2013 brings :)

Thanks for reading.. 

Healing Songs

Some songs that have been touching my heart lately:

• Mark Schultz - All Things Possible
• Sanctus Real - Promises (releases October 9th)!
• For King & Country - Crave

These songs have been bringing healing while driving in the car... they remind me that our God is faithful, He is with us & He loves us :)  These things have not been easy to say.. in the midst of some darker times..

All Things Possible

Even when it feels like the light is fading
& i've lost my way
Still i'm holding on to the One 
whose making all things possible

My God is strong and mighty
My God is faithful
My hope is in the Lord
For He is able

~Mark Schultz

Love, 

Alisha & Mike

For Aunt Cindy

For the past two years my aunt has fought a battle with cancer.  She was diagnosed with Leiomyosarcoma. This rare form of cancer was tough, but she was a fighter.  She enjoyed life, she loved her family, she pressed on and did all she could do.  These past weeks have been a battle and today Cindy left this earth to go to heaven.  What was amazing through it all was her faith - knowing she believed in Jesus personally and knew exactly where she was going.  She was bold with her faith letting others know that is what pressed her on to fight the fight.  I have learned much from Cindy and will always hold the memories in my heart.  It is hard to not have her here with us but I am so thankful that I have Jesus as my savior too.  I have no doubt I will see her again.. She has no more pain.. no more tears .. 

I love you Cindy <3 
I love my family.. I love you shawn, scott, kevin & amy.. your so brave <3



If you want to read more of Cindy's story you can on her carepage.
Here is an article about Cindy at the relay for life .. here.

first month of school

This first month of school has flown by!  I cannot even believe that I have been teaching that long and don't feel too overwhelmed.  I hope that I am doing a good job.. but there are some days I constantly feel like I should be doing more.  Like.. if I take one moment to stop and breathe I question myself!  I guess thats the life of a first year teacher.

We have an event called: Project Heart Well.  It is a 5K run/walk through District 81.  More information can be found here  Project Heart Well  It is coming up September 30th!  Go ahead and sign up today!

More about school to come later.. Mike and I visited Katie, Jared (and jude & elly) this past weekend!  It was a great way to spend labor day :) Mike had been gone the previous week in Mexico so this was great time together!!

It seems we are both so busy these days... working, coming home around 5:30/6, eating, cleaning up and heading up to bed!  Of course I have been super tired and wanting to sleep around 9! He does NOT like this ;)

This weekend we had literally nothing.. it has been so lazy.  Reading on the deck, went to church, talking walks outside - its been good!  We have some busy weekends for the rest of September - like next weekend we get to go to ISU for Family weekend to see Kyla! We have not seen her for about a month.  I am trying hard to update the blog about 2x a month.  It is not going too well but I will try harder from now on :)

Alisha

holy cow

Let me first say... time has FLOWN by! I cannot believe today I officially started school.  Yes, we had new teacher orientation today! But before I get into all that I want to back up a bit...

June - Mike and I got to go on two vacations in June and I am so thankful he works so hard to take the time off!  We went to Tennessee/Kentucky with my family and Florida with his.  It was in florida that I found out I got my job :)

Tennessee of course the Opry!

We got to go to HARRY POTTER WORLD!!!

yay :)

Meanwhile in between all this we celebrated two years of being married :) Mike took me downtown chicago where I went on a shopping trip, we stayed at the Sutton Place and ate at Carmines.

Love <3

In July I had the priveledge of doing a camp through Harvest at the local track.  I learned a ton about leadership, juggling many peoples schedules and were I think God is leading me :)  It was hard work but I am excited to see wehre it leads over the next couple of years!  Begginning of July was filled with camp and summer school.  I got to go to a Kay Arthur conference @ Harvest.  Let me tell you she is the real deal.. if you can ever go see her DO IT!



July 22 - Mike annual meeting.. some people may think it is super boring and all "meetings" but it is surprisingly so much fun!  free food, a zoo, and a maroon 5 concert doesn't sound boring to me!  Mikes company has about 5,000 employees as of 2008 (thanks wikipedia) so when they all show up to Milwaukee for 5 days.. people notice! It happens every year but for some reason the city just does not get used to it.. and by city I mean people driving down Kilbourn and having to stop at a green light while hundreds of people illegally cross the street. Anyways.. Mike found out early in the year that he was chosen to speak at a concurrent session.  Tuesday afternoon people have the choice of a bunch of sessions to go to and Mike was speaking in one.  It was a huge honor to speak :)  Here are some pics of our time there:

Mikes name was on a big board :)

The Zoo!

Us @ Maroon 5 concert :) SO good!

Mike getting ready to talk.. so proud of him!

Now its already August 7th, I have not updated in about 2 months and I really wanted to stay on track with this! Oh well ;) I will do better now I hope!  School starts for the kids August 15th.  A lot of people have been asking me what I will be doing.. well let me do my best to explain.  I am the 5th grade resource teacher or inclusion specialist or whatever the districts are now calling it! I will be working within the 5th grade classrooms as well as pulling kids out for some extra help with math, writing, reading, ext.  I am excited but find that every day there are more and more questions!!! ah! I need to be patient and know that God is with me and there is a reason I am in the school :) 

A theme in my life right now is God not forsaking me.  A while back Meredith sang her song 'Not for a moment' at Harvest.. when I was still looking for a job.  The song really helped me through and it is now available on iTunes. Listen below.. its seriously so so good. 

Finally! Pics of the home :)

I have meant to do this for the past month and a half but time has gotten away from me! As many of you know we moved into our new home May 5th 2012!  I cannot believe its been a whole 6 weeks!!!

Here it is! Oh and if you still have not been over to see it, come on over!

OUR HOUSE!!!!

Flowers from mom!

When you come in the front door.

Dinning Room

Favorite room!!! The kitchen :)

Looking into the family room from the kitchen

Our deck!

There she is :) We love living here, are still learning and still have some projects! Summer has been filled with travel and now we are home for some time to enjoy..

<3

Mrs. Lankford, do you have internet?

Oh the many questions I will miss...

(In the middle of class..) Mrs. Lankford, do you have internet?  How much does it cost?  Do you have gel in your hair?  How is your hair so wet? What religion are you? Do you still have your wedding dress? Mrs. Lankford... my thumb is hot. Mrs. Lankford... hit me over the head with a mallot!

Oh and my favorite...
Student: Mrs. Lankford?
.. yes..
Student: Can I go to the bathroom?
.. yes
Student: But I may take a long time..
OK
Student: Im doing number 2.

School is out for the summer! :) Those eight weeks flew by and I cannot believe I am done!  It feels a bit weird to have no structure to my days but I know I will be plenty busy with the house, family, vacation, camps..

Here are some pics:

Bathroom!

View from kitchen window..

The craziest room.. office!

Now you will just have to come & visit to see the rest of the house! Mike & I are having family over this weekend for them to see, we are excited to share our blessings with others. Thanks for all the support and love.

Alisha & Mike