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 :)

My Classroom

Here is my classroom and some of my favorite items…. I love polka dots and bright colors :)

My phone camera is lame, but the color of this stapler is not!

You get to look through this beauty if you sub for me.  I'm obsessed with it.

This clipboard makes me want to write a nurse pass or make a to do list.  It's that cute ;)

Dollar Store balls- use them to review or take turns :)

Instead of name plates, we are using Sharpie Paint Pens this year! So cool!

Like I said, I like bright colors!

The Treasure boxes!  aka holder of my mom's old jewelry, our kids' old toys, and random things that I throw in there and my students adore :)

My reading nook.  Love my new bean bag!  Most of my books are from Half-Price or online garage sales.

The banner I used at our wedding adds to the windows!

Small, but fun carpet!

My second home- have to make it fun since I live here 9 hours a day.

First Day

The First Day went really well.  I got plenty of sleep and was not feeling anxious at all!  I definitely felt your prayers :)  I've got a good group this year- very sweet.  They hug a lot and kept telling me I was cute, so of course I love them.  It is my first year being trained for hearing aid devices, diabetes, and behavior for emotionally disturbed, but I'm ready.  Teachers = every job in one.  We are a little bit of everything- educator, nurse, therapist, social worker, motivational speaker, entertainer, child-whisperer, miracle worker, I could keep going.  ;)

I took a few pictures right before we left, but it was impossible to get Jack's attention (and make eye contact).  He was very happy though and jumped out of bed when I said 'school.'  He cried, "I want school" all summer so it was nice to be able to say yes!  I love that he loves his school.  They are all so sweet and loving.  He has come SO far in the last year and a half there.  He is talking so much more, more social and responsive, better at following directions and demands, better at sharing and taking turns, and accepts no a little better ;)  It makes my heart happy and my mind at peace when I hear a teacher at his school say, "There's my sunshine!" He knows many teachers there and they are ALL so kind.  I adored his teachers last year but know this year will be just as great!  I am so thankful for teachers who love on my boy all day, everyday.

Ellie started first grade at a new school!  She was a teeny bit nervous, but didn't show it.  She was strong and brave and her mommy said she did great!  She made a new friend and liked 'everything.'  So proud of her for being so brave and a big girl.  I missed her yesterday at school with me.  It was strange not having someone play teacher while I was cleaning up after school.  I know this new school is perfect for her though and she will do great things :)

2014 First Grade- Ellie, PPCD- Jack

Variety Trunk Show

Do you have plans September 28th, 3:00-5:00?

You do now :)

Please come to my 'Variety Trunk Show'.  All the proceeds will go to Autism Speaks in honor of my son, Jackson.  The DFW Walk for Autism is in October so when you shop, rather than give $ to me or the various boutiques, you will donate online right there to Autism Speaks through Jack's team page.  We will do this 'auction' style with the donations from different boutiques such as:

LBartlett

Hippie Chick Boutique

Suburban Chic

Paizlee

Congress Clothing

Kendra Scott

Burlap by Ever After

 

I will also have a representative from Stella and Dot!

Please come and bring your friends! 

Shop, hang out, eat some snacks, and learn more about Autism.

I hope you come!  

217 Mapleshade Dr.

McKinney, TX 75071 

Goodbye Summerrrr!

Farewell Summer 2014.

It was a good one.  

We played, we cleaned, we relaxed.

We had some mini-adventures.

We tried new things.

We crossed things off the list.

We laughed.  A lot. 

We destressed.

We read books.

We spent time with God.

We lost a tooth.

We learned to swim.

We practiced taking turns and accepting no.

We celebrated two birthdays and two anniversaries.

 We wrote letters.

We played in water.

 Some favorite pictures:

 My goals for the summer:

1.   Spend time with God 

2.  Play with the kids and make them laugh

3.  Clean out the attic/garage and buy shelves

4.  Deep clean the house

5.  Clean out closets

6.  Read 

7.  Start making smoothies for breakfast

8.  Paint the rocking chairs

 

 

**I've done all of these!  (Painting the chairs this weekend) 

It was a good one.  I'm ready to see my friends at work tomorrow :)

***I've gotten great feedback from my last post, and have some book titles and oils to share once I've tried them or read them!