VA, Wedding Planning, and a New School

 I am finally all moved into my new place in VA.  It was a little crazy at first trying to get all my stuff in one small room...but it fits well and I am satisfied with the look of the room.  It's nice and homey!!   It's been hard moving to a new area that I do not know well at all.  I'm starting to find my way around...ya know...to the grocery store...the May's...and school!!  Hehe...hopefully it'll get easier!!

Wedding planning is coming along.  We have most of the big things done and are trying to do some little things each month.  I'm hoping that if I keep everything organized, I won't be as stressed out closer to the wedding.  We'll see what comes of that!

My new classroom....IS STILL NOT READY!!!  I start in a week and I haven't been able to get in my classroom yet.  I'm pretty much...flipping out!  Last year I had 2 weeks to get everything organized before the kids came back and it was a rush to get things done towards the end.  I was hoping to not have that problem this year since I was up here so early.  However, they are almost forcing me to stress out!!  Anyway, they are doing some kind of electrical stuff in my classroom and hopefully they will be out by Wednesday.  If not, I guess I'll just have to wait!!  Grrrr....

Well, that is pretty much what is going on right now...lots of changes...but sometimes change is fun (especially when I get to see my fiance EVERY day!!!)

Here are a few summer fun pictures!!

Matt's attempt to teach me how to play tennis...he ran for a lot of tennis balls that day!!

One of our date nights to play some miniature golf

Matt's sweet attempt to cheer me up when I was missing friends and home!

Our trip to see Taylor Swift

Another "summer" begins...

Well, the school year is finally over.  It had it's good days and bad...but more than that, I learned more in one year of teaching than I did in my 4 years of college.  There's just something about actual experience that will trump book-work any ole day!   I just got back from Sara's wedding and am now finding myself a little "lost"!  It's weird to not be going to school early in the morning anymore.  Now, I just have to find a job in VA, start planning my wedding, go to Christen's wedding, and move to VA all this summer!  Crazy things to think about...but I guess that's what growing up is.  I'm looking forward to a summer full of adventures, but also some relaxation and wonderful times with friends and family!

Currently Listening Stand Still, Look Pretty By The Wreckers, Michelle Branch, Jessica Harp see related

Goodness...it's been quite a while since my last post.  Being a teacher has been a lot more time consuming and stressful than I ever could have imagined it being.  I am starting to enjoy it a bit more these days, which is a step in the right direction.  However, the stressfulness has been causing these terrible headaches (which turn into migraines)...not quite sure this is something I can do for the rest of my life if it's going to affect my health this way!!  If you're not a teacher...you have no idea what I'm talking about...if you are a teacher...I'm sure you understand.  Teaching is not one of those jobs that when you leave, you are finished for the day.  As a teacher I eat, sleep, and breath school!  Just becaue I leave school doesn't mean my day is over...I'm constantly thinking about things I could have done differently...making lists of things I forgot to do today...worrying about all the other requirements...thinking of behavioral alternatives...and the list goes on.  Don't get me wrong...I love the children, the involvement and influence I am able to have on their lives.  They are such precious gifts from God and not all are shown that every day.  That's where my job comes in...not only to be their teacher...but to be a person that is a constant...someone who shows that love when no one else will. 

Ok...enough about school.  Oh wait...that's my life right now!  This weekend I am able to get a little break and head to TN to see college friends and my wonderful boyfriend!  It will definitely be nice to get away from the school atmosphere and enjoy myself for a few days!

Well...I think that's good for today!  Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!!!

P.S. These are some recent pictures of Matt and I

Currently Listening You'll Think of Me By Keith Urban see related

Well...45 days into teaching and 19 kids later...I'm still alive!!!  It has been a rough past 2 months...but I'm hanging in there and still trying my best.  I think part of my problem is that I want to be the best teacher in all areas.  In reality...that is definitely not possible...especially my first year!  I am such a perfectionist that sometimes if I can't do it perfectly right the first time...I kind of give up and just kind of scoot along.  Things are starting to settle down a little now and I'm able to focus a little more on the actual teaching aspect.  There is still the "other stuff" of teaching that gets in the way...but at least I'm not crying every night now!!

Life outside of teaching...well...that's pretty non-existent right now.  However, I was able to spend a long weekend up at Bryan last weekend for Homecoming (and Rachel and Justin's wedding).  It was great to see old friends and especially my man!  That has been one of the hardest things this year...teaching for the first time and being away from not only my boyfriend...but the one person who probably understands me the best!  I guess I'll just have to stick with the ole "absence makes the heart grow fonder" quote for now!

Time to go to bed...those kiddos wear me out!!!

Teaching...or child-rearing?

Yes...the teaching aspect of my job I like...however...how can I teach 20 kids when half of them won't shut up, sit down, be still, and start listening?!  All this to say...teaching is really not going as well as I thought it would.  Who knows if I'll continue on after this year...maybe I should just go back to retail.  At least then I won't have to deal with 20 kids all by myself, all day...every day!!!

P.S.  This picture was taken almost 1 year ago (just a week away!!!)  Even if my kids make me cry...thinking of this incredible guy still makes me giddy!