1 down, 35 to go

The first week of the brand new school year is officially done. I really feel good about my classes and enjoyed getting to know a whole bunch more kids. It has been a week of mixed emotions for sure. I am excited to finally be back in the swing of things at school. I really do like my class, it is full of a bunch of fun kids. It's just that I miss last year's class so much!! I've mentioned before that it was a great year, but, really that is an understatement. It was something that I couldn't plan for or create, it just happened, and it was special (to me at least). I got an email tonight from one of those former students telling me how awesome her new school is. This is great news and I am SO glad my students are doing so well there. It just makes me miss the good ol' days. :)

On a happier note, we had an all warm and fuzzy moment at school today. I have been using the four principles of the FISH! Philosophy in my classroom. They are Play, Be There, Choose Your Attitude, and Make Their Day. It is great because the "principles" are simple enough that the kids already get it without a lot of explanation. My class is loving it and they are using the "language" all day long. It's really kind of cute. Anyway, I told them this morning that today was FISH Friday and we were going to have a special "Campfire Time" this afternoon.

So, right before recess once we were all packed up to go home, I summoned everyone to the campfire (sadly there isn't a campfire in sight). I asked the kids to think back on this week and share with us either something they loved about school so far, or, an example of someone making their day. Immediately hands shot up. The majority was just loving everything about school and they were sad that it was Friday and we weren't coming to school on Monday. Then a girl raised her hand and shared about how another girl made her day by asking her to play on her volleyball team. Then a boy shared that it made his day that another boy played some emperor something or other game with him at recess. Then a new boy to the school shared that everyone made his day by being his friend. It went on and on for several minutes. I was amazed. I even think I heard some kind of nice music playing in the background. They get it more than I ever could have imagined. I can't wait to hear what they have to say next week!!

Mark that one off my to-do list

Well, the first day of school has officially come and gone. Overall, it was a pretty good day. I am pleased with the way my students bought into everything I told them today and I think we may be off to another great year!

I was just looking at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram website because, well, I'm too cheap to actually pay for the paper. I also know that if I paid for it, I wouldn't read it. Anyway, they had several pictures of the "First Day of School" from lots of local districts. As I was looking at the pictures I was reminded of something that I think everyone should remember. It was the picture of a mother crying as she said goodbye to her kindergarten student that got me. Honestly, my first thought was why in the world is she crying? School is such a good thing! I know it's a big day and everything, I just didn't see it from her perspective. Then I started thinking, parents don't bring their kids to school all dressed up with new school supplies because they think school is such a wonderful place. They bring them because they have to, it's the law. They bring their kids to school and trust us to do something they themselves can't do (not that they can't, it's just not feasible for most). They basically say, here is my most prized possession please take care of it and return it to me better than when you got it.

I find this level of trust very humbling. Most of the eighteen sets of parents that sent their kids to me this morning don't really have any idea who I am or what kind of person I am, but still they sent me their very best. They trust me to take care of them for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. They trust me to fill their minds, make sure their stomachs get fed, and to develop their character. It is an incredible responsibility and in some round about way God has made it clear to me that this is what I was made for.

It is finished

Well, I must say that it is much easier to blog when you aren't working. The last couple days have been absolutely crazy but I can finally say that my classroom is finished and I'm ready for school!! It is a personal rule of mine not to count the hours or money that I spend on school stuff the week before school starts. I can say with some level of certainty that the hours would be the highest ever for my three beginnings of the school year. I can also say with absolute certainty that my classroom would look ugly, cluttered, and chaotic if it weren't for the help of a few people. They have unpacked boxes, moved desks, cut tons of stuff, painted tons of stuff, sewed, cleaned, and most importantly remained patient with my right-before-school-starts self. So, thanks Kristy, thanks Ashleigh, and thanks Mom. I'm pretty sure I'll be owing you all for a really long time. :)

Happy First Day of School everyone!!

I've got nothing

I wish I had something clever, noteworthy, or funny to say, but I really don't. I've been crazy busy trying to get everything ready for school. We are officially 5 days away from the first day. The fact that I haven't even seen my classroom yet is a slight (very slight) hiccup to my ability to be "ready" for school. I am certain though that everything will work out fine and this will be the best year yet. I have learned much in the past 3 days of not-at-school teacher inservice, mostly things about myself. One of my favorites is that I got to experience a real-life example of one of the things I was planning on emphasizing to my class; the power of choosing your attitude. I like what Proverbs 15:15 has to say about the matter (in particular, the Message):

"A miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song."

I had a much better day today since I didn't allow myself to dwell on all the things that aren't going right and instead stayed focused on the things I could control. I'm not sure what song tomorrow will be filled with but I think I'm going to wake up (cough cough) at 5:45 with a cheerful heart. I'll let you know how that goes. :)

Inspiration found

I've also spent a lot of time this summer thinking about the next school year. Every year I try to "start over" in a way that will make each class feel like they are getting something brand new. Well, my classroom theme last year was "Camp Learnalot," and I loved it. The kids really seemed to get into it and it was just fun for everyone. It was really hard to think of something new for this year because I liked Camp Learnalot so much. I finally decided I would just add fishing to the already established camping theme. So, while we are still eager to learn s'more, this year we are going to be "hooked on learning." I have been looking all over the internet for pictures to use and I've even tried drawing some of my own, but, today I finally found what I was looking for. I did have to actually pay for this clip art but I think it is going to be perfect.

So long sweet summer

It is officially 12 hours until I must return to work. I spent my last day of freedom getting myself ready, I even got a haircut, which is something I really dislike doing. It looks good now but I'm sure when I have to fix it myself in the morning it will be a whole different story.

Since the summer is officially about to end, I thought now would be a good time to give a quick recap of all the things that filled my summer:

Many of my summer days were spent at the pool with great friends. I survived a couple sunburns and can happily report that I am more tan than when the summer began. I also got the opportunity to watch a lot of good little league baseball. If you're still playing ball into July that really means something and the games got more and more exciting. For two weeks in the evenings I was a "coach" at my church's Basketball Camps. I had a lot of fun hanging out with lots of kids.

My first big adventure of the summer was a mission trip to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in June. Vancouver is really just on the other side of the United States/Canada border but, it feels like it's on the other side of the world. I saw lots of things that I have never seen before in my life. It was an eye-opening experience for sure and I left with a greater burden for people who are left hurting from all kinds of abuse. It has caused me to pray that God would open my eyes to the people here at home that need me to be Jesus to them.

My next big adventure was to be a sponsor at Kid's Camp at the end of July. It was really the first time I have been to camp as an adult and not a kid. Somedays you may not have been able to tell that I was an adult. :) We had lots of fun doing all sorts of stuff. The most meaningful thing for me though was getting to talk with a girl about her decision to become a Christian. It was cool because I could really feel God getting 'me' out of the way so He could do the talking.

There were lots of other exciting things that happened but I'll spare you the details. Mostly, I'm thankful for this summer because I believe it is leaving me as a better person, better friend, and a better believer.

Wanted: TP Bandits

My closest neighbors got their house toilet-papered pretty good last night. Imagine my surprise when I got home tonight (at about midnight) and my house had been attacked!! Based on my estimates only one roll of T.P. was used and it was much too tasteful to be the work of unsupervised kids. The list of people who know exactly which house is mine is not that big, so the questioning will begin tomorrow. If you have any information that could lead me to the TP Bandits please call the hotline, and perhaps you could be a part of Operation Don't Mess With Me!! :)

My night

I had the opportunity to watch Will and Allie tonight. It was the first time I've watched both of them, at the same time, by myself. They were great as always, and they even went to bed without any trouble. I think Will is really smart and he is always saying funny stuff but, tonight we had a write-it-down-and-remind-him-in-15 years kind of conversation. It went like this:

Will: Say Hi to my kangaroo!
Me: Does your kangaroo have a name?
Will: Yeah, it's Charlie the Bunny!

I'm not joking either, he seriously said that. Also, Charlie the Bunny does look like a kangaroo!

Will with Charlie the Bunny

Allie has learned to "hug" you when you pick her up and it is just the sweetest thing. I picked her up after putting her in her pajamas and I think I could have held her all night. Then I realized she just wanted me to hold her and not put her in the crib. Either way it was a nice moment.

Allie in the cutest outfit ever

fam-i-ly

20 Years Ago~Gotta Love the 80s
Most people love their family, but how many are blessed enough to really, really, like their family. I am proud to say that I stand with the latter group. I love my family and would do anything for them, but I also really, really, like them. We have been through lots of stuff, but thankfully, we have been through that stuff together. If I had to describe my family in one word it would have to be...constant. They see me at my best and my very worst and the fact that they love me, some days inspite of me, is amazing. Allow me to introduce them to you:

My Dad is the hardest working person I know. He has always done whatever is necessary to give the family not only what we needed, but as much as he could, what we wanted. He is patient, kind, smart, creative, and very outgoing. He is a godly man that shows us all with his actions what it means to follow Christ. He is very wise and in retrospect, I wish I had listened to him more. I don't consider him "old" at all, but, there is some speculation that Mexico still had control of Texas when he was in first and second grade. :)

My Mom, to me, is a good hug. It just feels good to be around her. She also has worked very hard to provide for our family. I don't think I was ever more proud than the day she graduated from nursing school. How she managed being a mother and full-time student at the same time is still a mystery, but she did it with flying colors. If anyone of us has a question, we usually start with Mom. I remember my brother telling me at a very young age that "mom knows everything." She has never led me to believe otherwise.

My brother, Josh, is simultaneously the smartest and luckiest person I know. How's this for smart and lucky; he somehow turned a broken kitty litter box he found by a dumpster into a couple hundred dollars on Ebay. He also ranks very high on my funniest list. He graduated from SMU with a music degree and then went to UT Law School. It is nice to be able to threaten to call my lawyer and really know I have someone to call. If something is made out of wood or could be, he will make it rather than buy it. While I am in no way admitting guilt, he remains to this day the only person I have "pushed through a wall."

Josh brought Kelley into our lives a little over five years ago and because of them I get to spoil and love on two of the cutest kids ever. Kelley is also very smart and extremely crafty. She graduated from UT with an education degree and continues to be a source of great classroom ideas.

My sister, Ashleigh, is well, amazing. She is the most self-less person I know. I don't think there is anything that Ashleigh wouldn't do for somebody she cares about. She is artistic/crafty in a way that makes me really jealous. Ashleigh is a firm believer in family traditions and if we ever even just thought about doing something one Christmas, it is now a tradition. :) She went to Baylor too, so that makes me like her a lot. I believe we are up 2-0 in the Estes Bowl (the name we have given Baylor vs. SMU games). She is about to start her first year of teaching and I know she is going to be the best first-year-teacher there ever was. She is also right up there with Josh on the funny list.

My absolute favorite thing about my family is our ability to laugh. It is like we have some uspoken rule that when we are together our number one priority is to make each other laugh really, really, hard. My stomach is usually sore after an evening together. We are goofy but we are real. I really, really like my family. Not even just most days, but everyday.

5 Years Ago

Sheet update

I just wanted to give everyone an update on the sheet situation. I really feel like ironing my sheets was a good idea. I slept great, the only problem was that I went to bed really late and got up really early. I don't know that I had adequate time to fully experience wrinkle-free sheets. Perhaps the most noticeable benefit was a significant decrease in "pillow-wrinkle" lines on my face when I woke up. :)

Two days in a row

That's right, two days in a row I have been to Ross. The cool thing is, I got to go tonight with another one of my favorite friends...

It was just about a year ago that I started my second year of teaching and what a year it was! It was incredible; great kids, great parents, and a great sense of family in my classroom. It was a life-changing year for sure. God's fingerprints were all over it. Through a few of those kids God led me to a new church, new perspectives, and many new friends. One of those friends is Kristy, her son was in my class. She is a wife, a mother of 4 boys, a teacher, and so much more. In a way that only God can, he allowed us to become friends throughout the school year. She encouraged me constantly, took the time to get to know me, and helped me in countless ways. Kristy is one of the most intentional, thoughtful, honest, and caring peope I know. She's also very funny. I can't really remember what she was telling me, but, Diet Coke totally almost came out of my nose tonight because I was laughing so hard. We're both "thinkers" so we can have some pretty crazy conversations and I genuinely enjoy every one!!

She's not much older than me, but, when I grow up I hope I'm a lot like her. I'm so thankful that just because the school year ended our friendship didn't.

So, who wants to go to Ross with me tomorrow? :)

Bedlam

Bedlam is a good word to describe the way my bedroom normally looks. But, not any more my friends! I spent some serious time today cleaning out the closet, organizing my sock drawer, and I even made my bed. I am officially down to 5 days before I must return to work, so, I thought it would be a good idea to restore a little order to my life. You are probably asking yourself,"why is she blogging about this?" Well, I think I went a little too far today and it makes me laugh so maybe it will make you laugh too! I'm not really one to make my bed everyday, I just don't see the point. If I know you are coming over, sure I'll make it and I'll even let you believe that it's always made. :) I decided today that before I made my bed I was going to wash the sheets, don't worry this does happen regularly. The thing is, when they come out of the dryer they are all wrinkled really bad. Normally, this doesn't bother me, but today I decided I would do something about it. I ironed my sheets!! This may be completely normal, but it's really not normal where I come from. You should have seen me trying to get every last wrinkle out of the fitted sheet, it was quite entertaining. Not to mention it took awhile (I think I may have too much time on my hands). So, if you hurry, you can come check out what my bed looks like made, with absolutely no wrinkles. I'm so impressed I may just sleep on the couch!!

I could blog about this

I have had this blog for less than a week and already it has become an interesting part of my life. When something funny, sad, or thought-provoking happens I all too quickly think, "I could blog about this." Well, this evening was filled with some pretty great "I could blog about this" moments.

It all started when my friend Haley spontaneously asked me to meet her and Abby for dinner. Now, you're gonna need some background: Haley and I have been friends since like forever, well probably more like third grade. We went to the same church, the same middle school, the same high school for two years, you get the point. We have known eachother for a long time. Ever since we went away to college, she went to A&M (sick) and I went to Baylor (sic'em), we have become even better friends. We have shared many big moments in life, some we're proud of and some we're not. She took me to get my tattoo (it really was my idea though Dad), I was in her wedding, and I was there when Abby was born (not like right there, but at the hospital). What is so cool to me, is that even though we haven't seen eachother often since we went away to school (about once every five months) we can pick up right where we left off. Most of the time we are laughing about dumb things, saying dumb things, and doing dumb things that we wouldn't do with anybody else. Tonight was a perfect example of this.

So, we started out by meeting at Don Pablo's for dinner. We eat and mostly talk about school (she's a teacher too), then it comes time to pay the bill. "I could blog about this" Moment #1: My Diet Coke cost me $2.30! Are you kidding me? That is just insane. Once I realized how much it was costing me I insisted on sitting there and drinking another glass full. Then, I got the server to bring me more in a to-go cup. I've been very frugal lately. As we were leaving, Haley decides we should go to Marble Slab for ice cream, it's in the same shopping center and she has a coupon!! "I could blog about this" Moment #2: We get to Marble Slab and as Haley is pulling Abby out of the car she realizes that she has had a blow-out. Not just any blow-out, a big, ugly, stinky, all-over-the-place blowout. She blamed cheap diapers, I just laughed really hard. You should have seen the two of us trying to clean it up! Did I mention Haley got it on her shirt? Finally, all is well and we go inside. "I could blog about this" Moment #3: We go to pay for the ice cream and they refuse to take the coupon! It isn't expired and an identical coupon has been used at the same location before. I think that is the last time I trust Haley's coupons.

Next, she decides she needs a new purse, not just any purse, a big, but not too big, neutral, I can carry it in the Fall purse. "I could blog about this" Moment #4: We try Ross first. Now, I'll go with my friends anywhere they want to shop, but, Ross has to be like my least favorite place of all. That all changed when as Haley is "trying on" purse after purse Abby spews all over her. Remember, she already has blow-out remnants on her shirt. Again, I'm laughing pretty hard. In the end, Ross didn't come through. So, we head to Stein Mart. "I could blog about this" Moment #5: As we were walking into the store our eyes immediately went to some lovely hats. Like, really nice. I jokingly put one on and in seconds Haley has whipped out her camera (apparently a new Mom always has it handy) and starts taking my picture! See, we can act pretty juvenile. Next, we try Burlington Coat Factory. "I could blog about this" Moment #6: I wouldn't recommend Burlington Coat Factory. That is all I really should say about it. There was much laughter though. "I could blog about this" Moment #7: Since we were so unsuccessful at our "bargain" shops Haley decides she can spend a little more money, her idea of a little more money, drumroll please, Target. Now, don't get me wrong, I love Target. I just thought she was going to say "let's just go to the mall." She was unsuccessful once more, Abby was hungry, and it was getting late. We decided to call it a night.

Hopefully there won't be too many more days with this many "I could blog about this" moments, but, I'm thankful for this one...I had fun.

You never know

My Dad took the day off of work yesterday to do some work around his house. He was kind enough to mow my yard for me so I offered to take him out to dinner to say thanks. We decided to go to Fuddruckers. It worked out nicely because I didn't end up having to pay for dinner! :) Well, as I was dropping my Dad off after dinner he mentioned something to me that made me wonder who is actually reading this blog. He said, "You better not tell any of your students about your blog because it links to Haley's and hers says some pretty crazy stuff about you." I said, "Don't worry Dad. I promise that stuff is not true she's was just being crazy when I was over there the other night." Then, as I was driving home, I thought, "How did he even know about my blog?" I know I hadn't said a thing about it. It was crazy! It made me realize that you never know who's reading this.

Haley-my Dad says that's strike two. :)

Jumping in with both feet

Since I'm trying my best to be committed to this whole blog thing I may as well try to get something out of it right? Well, this Blog is giving away a 37" LCD TV courtesy of Best Buy. Go check it out and enter to win! And, if you do win, you're going to let me have the TV, right? I'll let you come over and watch it! Just kidding, if you win you can keep it. :)

No regrets

It has been just a little over a month since I did the unthinkable; I bought an iPhone. Those of you that know me well know that it is not unthinkable for me to spend an absurd amount of money on something that I really don't need. But, I can happily say that I have absolutely no regrets about this purchase. I love my iPhone. Perhaps the best thing about my new gadget is that having it only increased my cell phone bill by about $10 a month. I just got my first bill and I knew it would be a bit higher so in preparation I got rid of all the silly features on my home phone (a phone I never use). I am paying $10 more a month for my cell phone but $40 less for my home phone, so, it balances out to $30 a month in savings! According to my calculations, it will have paid for itself in a little over a year. Let's hope it's still working a little over a year from now! :)

Have you heard about Apple's latest creation, the iPhone Shuffle? It will be really small and when you want to make a call it will just call someone randomly, you never know who you're going to get. It also contains an iPod Shuffle and you can put your pictures on it, you just can't see them! :) Check it out!
For some of my more gullible friends, this is just a joke!

My favorite thing

I feel extremely blessed to play a few roles in my life: daughter, sister, aunt, friend, and teacher. I try to take all of my roles very seriously but there is one thing I am that is my most favorite thing; aunt. It is hard to put into words the way my day brightens when I walk into the house and Will comes running towards me or how my heart melts when all I do is look at Allie and she smiles. They are two of the cutest kids ever and I am blown away by my love for them. I am so thankful that God has allowed me to be so close to them. They are growing up fast. Here are a couple of my current favorite pictures of each them. The one of Will was taken last summer and the one of Allie was taken about a month ago.

To blog or not to blog?

I have been wrestling with whether or not to join the blogosphere for some time now. My initial hesitation was simple, do I really want my thoughts floating out there for any and all to read? Then I realized I probably didn't have anything worth writing about. But, alas, here I am giving in to the pressure. I have no real plans for this blog so don't go counting on me to say something that is worth reading. At best, this will be a place that I will occassionally empty my head. I think I could sleep a whole lot better with an empty head! Well, here goes nothing!

P.S.-Now it's your turn Kristy :)