Finally, fall!

I know you've all been dying for me to blog… just hoping and praying that I would soon write again.  In case I have more than 3 readers besides my mom, here is a new blog post ;)

First day of Fall meant I wore my boots and got a PSL.  I've read those articles about all the not so good stuff in Pumpkin Spice Lattes- did it stop me from continuing to get them?  Nope :)  I really enjoyed it too.

A few weekends ago, my MIL, and I drove to Waco just for fun.  We are obsessed with Joanna Gaines and her show, Fixer Upper.  My friend Holly's husband, has been on it a few times since he works for Harp Design Co.  We went to her store, Magnolia, and left with these cute trays.  So worth it because I also got to eat lunch at Ninfa's and see Holly and Penny!  I told Dana, my MIL, how I used to go on dates in college just so I could get some free Ninfa's….whoopsies.  We also went to Spice, where I got the orange candles and brown holder.  They smell amazing!

This is my fall/Halloween wreath.  I know some people don't like Halloween, but Jon and I both do.  I like dressing up and going trick or treating, and I like decorating for it.  I bought it all at Michaels and it all clips or ties in- SO easy.  I didn't do anything, seriously!  That's my kind of craft!

Here are Halloween pictures from the past.  Since we will only have Jack this year, we will just stick to our street then come back and pass out candy.  Jack tends to want to go inside the houses and doesn't understand why he can't- if we are going to their door, we must know them- poor baby!  Jon is already planning how to make our house fun and scary..

I was Snow White a few years in a row...

50's girl dance costume

Halloween in college- we did Trunk or Treat at church- our theme was 'Around the World.'  You're welcome ladies.

Jack was in my tummy this Halloween :)

Jack's 1st Halloween  

Jack's 2nd Halloween- I got lazy and made him be a Dallas Cowboys Player..aka put this shirt on him..

Jack's 3rd Halloween… he sat in the wagon and ate all the candy :)

My first Halloween with Ellie- my mom made her this dress just like she made mine when I was 4 1/2! 

Last year, such super cuties!

And can we talk about TV shows coming on tomorrow??????  After Curriculum Night I will be in my PJ's on the couch.  It will be a late night ;)

I love Parenthood- love the realistic story lines :)  Love that there is a boy on the Autism Spectrum on the show.  It's one of my favorite shows- I'm sad it is the final season because I just discovered it this summer.  I binge watched all the episodes, thank you Netflix.

Why I do what I do

I wanted to be a teacher in the first grade when I saw Mrs. Davenport wearing sweaters with 3D objects and glitter, matching keds and earrings.

(Sidenote, the text kept wanting to change '3D' to '30D'….. whoopsie)

I played teacher all day everyday.

I taught imaginary students, stuffed animals, and my younger brother, Josh, when I could catch him.  He actually admits to passing pre-algebra because of me :)  I might have made him cry a few times  when I forced him to remain seated in my classroom…. he turned out alright though!

I knew at Baylor I wanted to be a teacher.  I wavered at the end- but Dr. Witte- my professor, who is near and dear to my heart, took me to Taco Bell, and had a heart-to-heart with me.  I will never forget how kind and patient she was and how she took the time to help me pursue what I was made to do.

God created me to be a teacher.  I know it.

He also created me to teach where I teach.  Kids everywhere need LOVE.  Don't get me wrong.  But, some kids at my school who don't have parents, have parents who made poor choices, or they don't feel safe in their home, NEED me.  I've got a tough year ahead….a lot of my class is struggling academically.  I am going to do my BEST and work extra hard to move some mountains, but most importantly I want them to leave my room with a smile.

I LOVE when I hear, 'Do we have to leave?'  or, 'You are my favorite person ever.'  It means the world to me and reminds me that even though some days I am weary and feel like I'm not getting through, I am.

I can't share Christ with my words to my students, but I can give them a SAFE place to come to and a hug and smile each day which is basically sharing Christ right?  :)

And these are just funny :)