S.U.M.M.E.R.

SUMMER. Oh, the joys of SUMMER! I could get use to sleeping in every day and being lazy! It's glorious. I'm sure by August I will be bored with it, but this week I'm loving it!

To start summer off, Holly and I went shopping Saturday! What did we shop for? Swimsuits. AH! Drag, I know. I hate swimsuit shopping just as much as the next girl, but when I find the right one, I love it! I tried to find pictures online of the suits I got, but couldn't find any. :-/

Monday was spent laying out by the pool all day long. It was amazing! Holly and I went out to the pool around 2 and stayed until 9. Lacey came over around 3 and Ty showed up around 4:30. We then decided to cook out, so Baron came over too. (Baron is Lacey's husband!) We grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and spent the rest of the evening sitting in the pool. It was a wonderful day!

Summer is about to get really busy though and I couldn't be more excited. Friday Lele gets here! Saturday the rest of FBCT will be here for their annual Dallas mission trip. I'm excited about seeing some of the kiddos! Saturday night Holly and I are going to see Lady Antebellum and Tim McGraw in concert!! Sunday we will be with FBCT and go to church at Cornerstone. Monday-Wednesday we are doing a backyard bible club with FBCT and I am so excited! I had a blast last year and can't wait to do it this year. Then Thursday we are off to Sweet Home Alabama for Tiff's wedding!

I can't believe Tiffany gets married next weekend. I am so excited for the six to be reunited! I get all giddy just thinking about it. A night in Tuscaloosa together followed by a day at the lake followed by Tiff's wedding. It's going to be great! I will also get a chance to see other friends and lots of family, so I am excited about that too! I will be sure to post lots of pictures from that weekend. :)

When we leave Alabama, our old roommate Charlee will be coming back to Dallas with us for a few days! We are going to do lots of shopping, going to see Wicked!, and lots of other fun Dallas things. I can't wait to show her around my new city. :)

So that's a quick post about where I'll be the next two weeks. I'll probably be super busy and won't have much time to post. Happy summer everyone! I love this time of year. :)

Why?

Many people don't understand why anyone would ever want to be a teacher. So many times I have been asked, "Why are you a teacher??" or even "What is your favorite part about teaching?" Today, I got to experience the reason I am a teacher and my favorite part about teaching.

In Texas, students have to take the TAKS test starting in 3rd grade. In 5th grade, they have to pass both the reading and math test in order to go to middle school. Since they have to pass it, they get three chances. Once in April- if they don't pass it then then they take it in May. If they don't pass it then, they go to summer school and take it at the end of June.

One of my students (we will call him Joe) has worked so hard this year. He didn't pass either test last year, so it was going to be a big deal for him to pass this year. He passed reading on the first try and I was so proud of him. However, he failed math. He had to go to extra math tutoring for two weeks and then took the test again. He worked so hard and was so nervous about it. He didn't want to go to summer school and really wanted to go to middle school!

Well, the results came in today. I got the joy of calling Joe up to my desk. I whispered in his ear that he had passed the second test and didn't have to go to summer school and would be going on to middle school. His eyes got huge, he looked at me and said, "SERIOUSLY?!?!?" and I said, "YES!". He then threw his arms around my neck and screamed "OHMYGOSH!!!!" He then jumped up and down screaming "YES!!" He then paused and looked at me and said, "You're really serious, this isn't some kind of joke??" I said, "YES, I'm serious!" and he said "I DID IT!!" and then did cartwheels around the room! I was so happy for him that I didn't even try to stop him. He then started tearing up! Oh, it was such a precious moment.

Another student, we will call him Bob, has also worked so hard this year. I have encouraged him all year and told him that not only can he pass, but I expect him to pass. He didn't pass any the first time.... he passed both the second time! He found me after school to tell me and couldn't stop smiling. :)

THAT is why I am a teacher. For those moments when these kids who are in such a low economic area realize that they are capable of achieving amazing things. I love that moment, and that look in their eyes. I love seeing their smile when they realize they can achieve things they put their mind to and I love knowing that I helped them get there. Teaching may be a straining job, but it is the most rewarding job out there and I don't regret for a second that I chose it as my profession.

"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops."

Memorial Day plus Updates :)

I've spent all afternoon making a new header for my blog and changing the background. Although I'm not a big fan of green, I think that I like it. I'm sure Lacey will agree that it is very "me" since it is pink and green... and she is convinced those are my two favorite colors! haha... Anyway, there are lots of random updates I'm going to include in this post, so get ready! :)

Field day was two weeks ago. It was HOT but fun. Bonnie, Valerie, and I spent most of the time in the (air conditioned) gym. It was just too hot to be outside for two hours!

The night before field day, we had a surprise visit from Lyndsey and Hunter! Lyndsey was my roommate my junior year of college. She moved to NYC after that year and I have only seen her a few times since then. Hunter is her older brother and is a Navy Pilot. He just got stationed in Cali so they were driving cross-country to move his stuff out there. They stayed a night with us on the way! However, they didn't get to our apartment until 1:30 AM! But we were troopers and woke up to hang out for awhile. We talked and watched The Office Finale. Although I was exhausted during field day, It was completely worth it since I got to spend time with both of them! This picture was taken at 6:30AM, so excuse Hunter and Lyn's PJs and mine and Holly's tired faces! :)

Last week my team at work celebrated my birthday (even though it's not for another month and a half!) They went ahead and did it since we won't be together then. Obed is the bilingual teacher for 5th grade and he was in charge of bringing my birthday treat- I had originally requested a chocolate cake, but he surprised me with my new favorite treat! Pumpkin Rolls! I had never had them until this past fall (when Obed made them and brought them to school), but I am in love. He decided to make them for my birthday since I have been requesting them ever since! Don't they look delightful?? Trust me, they were! I have got to get his recipe.

We had an amazing memorial day weekend. Friday night was movie night at Josh's apartment with a lot of friends from church. We watched The Fantastic Mr. Fox... don't ask me how it was, I fell asleep before it was over ;-) Saturday I had a lot of me time. I went shopping and then watched a movie. That night we hung out at the Dugger's because Kev and Ali were in town! It was nice to see them, as always :) Sunday we went to church, and then to lunch. After lunch we went to a friend's pool and played a mean game of water volleyball! I don't have a picture of me playing, but here is one of Holly!

It was so much fun. That night we went to dinner with Alicean and Paula. It was good to spend time with them too! Then Monday we layed out at the pool all day. It was so nice! We spent time at our apartment with Sarah for a few hours and then headed over to lay out with some friends in Dallas. We had dinner at The Rusty Taco. I had never been, but it was so good! There are so many random places to eat in Dallas, and I have found that I love every one of them! Oh yes, did I mention that we purchased one of these this weekend? Margaritaville

It was definitely worth the money. It makes the BEST margaritas... I mean, slushies! (ha!) We will enjoy using it this summer with our friends, for sure. Anyway, it was a great weekend and put me in the summer mood. I can't wait to spend every day like I spent this weekend!

Today was the 5th grade skate party. It was fun! I can't believe I'm about to have to tell my kids bye. I am going to miss them! I couldn't have asked for a better first year. Only two more days until summer! That is so hard for me to believe.

I am also adding some pictures of me and Sarah from the crawfish boil a few weekends ago at Josh's. :-)

Again, I'm still loving life in Dallas. (If you can't tell from the pictures!) I can't wait to spend my summer here. There will be fun times indeed! Julio is obviously still tired from our busy weekend. Both of us are thinking that after Glee tonight, we will be going to bed!! (By the way, I loved Glee last weekend.... Bad Romance was amazing and their version of Pokerface was outstanding!)

Action Sports Art

My dad and some of his friends have started a new business. It's called Action Sports Art and it is pretty awesome! They take different college pictures and create a collage of them and then print it on canvas. They are really cool! So far they have only done Auburn and Alabama. If you are a fan of either school, go check the canvases out here. Nick Saban has one in his house and office! They are awesome. My older brother has one of the Auburn ones and it's beautiful (even for something Auburn!) Would be a great gift for any fan. I'm currently trying to talk my dad into getting me the elephant one for Alabama!

*On the home page you have the chance to enter your email address. If you enter it before Monday, you will be entered into a drawing for a FREE canvas!! They will be giving away one Alabama canvas and one Auburn canvas. Go enter your email!!!!

Year One... Coming to an End....

Tomorrow is my last "normal" day of my first year of teaching... as in the last day that all of my students will rotate through my class. But even then it isn't going to be exactly normal. (We have awards ceremony and then I have an ARD meeting so I'll be out of the class then too.) Tuesday is our 5th grade skate party and then Wednesday and Thursday are half days.

Where did this year go?? It seems like just yesterday that we were starting. And now... we're basically done! I have been blessed with the best first year of teaching that I could have ever asked for! My homeroom students were amazing and I'm going to miss them so much! My other students were great too, but I seriously couldn't have asked for a better homeroom. My team is amazing and I couldn't have survived without all of their advice and help. The Lord blessed me with two girls at work who quickly became some of my best friends in Texas- Lacey and Bonnie. They are also first year teachers, and together we have survived! I was so blessed to meet them, and I absolutely cannot wait for both of their beautiful babies to be here! My school as a whole was just so wonderful. There isn't another school that I could imagine being at!

I am ready for summer break, but I am getting sad about seeing this group leave. It is a class that I will never, ever forget. How could I? They were my first class and they were wonderful. I was asked on Monday if I was going to cry and at first I said no. But every day this week I have looked at those kids and thought, "How is it possible that I'm just not going to see them anymore?" They go to middle school and some of those students I seriously may never see again. I am going to miss them so much, but I pray that they learned something of value from me and that I not only helped them to become a better student, but a better person.

So here's to the last four days of my first year of teaching.... I am going to enjoy my summer, but I can't wait to do it all over again next year. :)

Puppy Faith

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future."Jeremiah 29:11

My dog just spent five minutes getting comfortable in bed. He walked in circles, patted the covers down until they were just right, and then got all cozy in his spot. It literally took five minutes for it to be just right.

And just as he got comfortable, I threw the covers off and got out of bed to go brush my teeth. And he didn't even consider the fact that it just took him five minutes to get comfortable- he immediately jumped out of bed and followed me to wherever I was going.

Funny how a dog can speak such a strong message to you.

It made me think... why aren't we always like that with our Master? We spend so much time getting comfortable in wherever we are in life... and then when it's time to follow God to a new part of our life, are we always willing to go? Do we get up out of our comfortable area and follow Him without even thinking about it? Or do we complain and make excuses about how we're comfortable here and don't want to move.

I hate to say that more times than not, I want to stay in my comfortable spot. I don't always want to follow Him to wherever He is taking me- what if it isn't as comfortable as the place I'm at now? It's scary to leave where you're comfortable!

But as christians, we need to take on the mindset of a puppy-- no matter how comfortable we are, when our Master is ready to move on, we follow. We shouldn't have to think about it or contemplate it, we just need to jump up and go. He will never lead us to a place that is wrong for us.

Lord, thank you for using my sweet puppy to remind me to follow you in a selfless way. Help me to be in tune with where you are going, and help me to follow your lead all of my days.

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Trussville, Tuscaloosa, Dallas

Today at Kelly's Korner, her show us your life Friday is "Show us your hometown!" I am going to do a total of three towns, but it's because I consider all three of them "home".

1. Trussville, Alabama

I lived in Trussville from the age of 4 to the age of 18. It was a great place to grow up. It is located about 15 minutes north of Birmingham. I have so many great memories of my time there! I was so blessed to grow up in a community that was beautiful and full of great people.

One of my favorite places in Trussville is Civitan Park. The Cahaba River runs through Civitan and there is this old bridge there. There is a disc golf course too! I spent many spring and summer days there in high school. It's where I learned to skip rocks too! Every year they have the Festival on the Cahaba, where they have carnival rides and plenty of food that is bad for you!
I went to First Baptist Church of Trussville pretty much my whole life. Although this isn't my church anymore, it will always be "home" to me. This is where I first came to Christ, where I was baptized, and where my mother's funeral was held. It was basically my second home growing up.

And you can't learn about Trussville without seeing the gazebo. I don't know why it's there, but it's cute, right? haha...

Trussville also has the annual "Dog Daze" festival which is always fun. There is lots of shopping and tons of great food too! (The Palace, Habeneros, Joel's!) Trussville is a small town that I know I would suffocate in if I stayed there now, but it was a great place to grow up and it will always be home. :)

2. Tuscaloosa, Alabama

This city has my heart. I lived there for four years during college. It is home to the wonderful University of Alabama! This was literally my favorite place in the world. Sometimes, my heart aches to be back there.

Bryant-Denny Stadium and Denny Chimes on the quad. Arent they both gorgeous?? Oh, how I love that place. Tuscaloosa is home to great football, shopping, bars, and just fun times. I love this place!! If you ever go, be sure to lunch at City Cafe, grab a margarita at El Rincon, and end the night at The Houndstooth!

3. Dallas, Texas

My newest home! This city has quickly stolen my heart. What is not to love about this place? Shopping, sports, action, theme parks, great people, awesome church, wonderful job... this is what I was made for! I love my life here and I love this city! If you ever come to Dallas, be sure to eat some tacos at Desperados, grab some cookies from JD's Chippery, and go shopping at ANY of the malls! Catching a rangers game is always fun too! :)