Never to late again!!

Never to late!!

Here are some more!!

Never to late!!

So this post is going to be of random images I have taken with my new camera since Christmas!! Enjoy!!

Get your creative juices flowing!!!

Ok so I love being creative. One aspect about teaching that I love is the ability to be creative and express myself in ways to show people my personality. Well in the past few months I have felt a void because I haven't been creative. Actually I have been very boring. When I went to Guatemala last year I came back with millions of pictures and the intent to scrapbook them. I started and then fund ran low and I couldn't develop all the pictures. Also life stepped in and gave me a reality check.

The other night I was getting on Matts nerves because I was bored out of my mind and I really wanted to do something but he was busy with that little electronic box of his. He said " You need a hobby!" So I thought and thought and I knew what I wanted to do but see what many of you may not know about me is that I tend to get carried away with things and I seem to not be able to stop. I was scared that if I started this hobby it would become very unhealthy!

Which leads into the reason of this post. If you read the post below I was looking back at old photos and decided that I was going to scrap our journey to this house. I want to be able to show our children that at one point in our life we had a really nice house. I am going to miss this place and I didn't want to forget it. If you are at all like me you know that pictures get taken and then stay on your computer FOREVER!! You don't do anything with them so it was pointless to take them in the first place. So I went out the other day and picked up a few things that I needed for this scrap book and began. The past few nights I have been really excited about my masterpeice! I love scraping and being creative. Well I again became obsessive and thought about what else I could do. So I started to make little notecards to send to people. My love language is gifts and things like that. I love little notes and fun things to make me smile. So I sat down on Friday night and created eight creative notecards for my frinds and family. I made three to thank the three people who are writing references for me. I did on for my mom, step mom, mother in law, sister in law, and my fiend Lisa. I felt so good after I was finished. I even stamped them and sent them out that night. My stupid self didn't take pictures. So this post is dedicated to finding a hobby and being creative. I will take some pictures of the book and post them.

This post is also a for me to vent a moment about my life. So my dearest husband gave me this AMAZING camera for my birthday and Christmas and I have fallen in love with photography. The sad part is there isn't much in my life to take pictures of. I know this investment was for our future whisenant clan but still I see this camera and I want to take pictures but I never seem ti find anything to document. So enough whinging and off to scrap some more pages!

how things have changed.....random thoughts of a school teacher

So as I sit here on my day off which I have to say was much needed I sit here and ponder on thoughts I haven't had time to think about. So on Friday we welcomed a new addition to the Millbrook clan. Her name is Caroline Elizabeth which makes me happy because Elizabeth is an amazing name I have to say. People with that name have amazing strong lives ahead of them! :) This new addition has brought on a flood of thoughts. I was sitting here thinking that I turn 24 this year which is really odd to me. Granted it is really far away since my birthday isn't until November but that doesnt erase the fact that 24 is coming this year. I never thought about how much I would have accomplished by 24 because I always thought about twenty or 18 never 24. The funny thing is that I have accomplished many things and 24 is a year that I hope brings many more. Welcoming this new addition has made me think about how a year seemed so long a few years ago and now it doesn't. A year is short and can bring many great things and many changes. I talked witha friend last night that I hadn't talked with in awhile and it made me think about those years that have flown by and how we have grown. It makes me think about the future and how God has ultimate control and I have non. :) With this bein an election year my heart and head has been filled with so many thoughts and worries for the future. Matt and I are excited about making better choices and setting goals for each other. I think that is really important for anybody is to have goals that are never ending. I turned twenty one and I thought it was all over. I had met EVERY goal I had set plus one. I thought there wasn't anything else to accomplish and I was wrong. I am excited and it makes me happy to think that I have many more things to do in my lifetime.

I feel that Matt and I have grown alot in the past few months because of this move. To think about that we will be married for three years in may is hard because we don't feel like newly weds. We are so comfortable with each other and we love each other so much. We fit so well together.

This move is approaching fast and I am scared and excited and very sad. I sat down on Saturday and printed out my lesson plan pages for the rest of the year. To a non teacher you probably have a blank look on your face but for a teacher this is a bitter sweet moment. You begin to freak out because that means the end it not far off which mean that test is not far off but it also means that a new year is approaching and teachers also live for the new year. We only get better because of the year we just had has taught us so many great things. This year def has and I have learned more htis year then the last. I am scared though because I want the new year to be exciting but I am scared I a shooting myself in the foot since I am not really excited to change schools.

Well I am sad that our house will no longer be ours. I never thought I would get like this about our house. I really thought it would be a move not a monumental thing. I have started to think the past few days about making a scrapbook of our first home together. I want our kids to know that at some point in our life we were stable and had a home that was nice. :) I don't know what the future holds and you never know wher eyou will end up but I know that I want to remember this house and this journey because I feel this is a HUGE chunk of our life. Since we are moving to VA and renting ANOTHER appartment I don't want us to forget about this place that has taught us so many great htings. YOU might not know how a house could teach you something but this one has. It has taught us about moeny, about gardening, about taking care of a puppy ( and how being on the third floor isn't always easy with a new puppy), how making time to spend together can get lost in a 2000 square foot home, how when you wear your spotted pjs while taking the dog out people think your parents live in the house, how fighting in the drive way might send the wrong message to your neighbors, how much we love laying around on saturdays in our own home, how completeing home improvement projects is a huge reward for the both of us :), how nice it is to have a laundry room on the same floor as your bedroom....so I could go on and I think I might have lost you in the second paragraph but I don't want to forget these memories. I want to remember them forever and I want to share them with our children because I love hearing about my parents and their past but they seemed to forget alot and I don't want that to happen.

Well this is the end of a random post but I was in one of those moods to type and think...hope I didn't lose you as a reader!!

Odyssey of the Mind...Oh My!!!

So this weekend I had the great pleasure of being part of the judging team of Odyssey of the Mind. For many of you who aren't in the AG group of kids (joke) I will explain. OM is a program design to help children problem solve and to come up with a solution to a problem of their choice. When they solve the problem to go to compition and compete with schools all over and show their solution. Their solution can vary but they are judged on two areas. Style and general. I am a general judge which means I watch them and make sure they are within regulations but also be subjective when it comes to creativness and other aspects. Now I know you are knodding asleep as I type but to a big old dork like me I love this stuff!! I love watching children perform and problem solve. If I was staying in NC I would def start up an OM team at millbrook! I love the idea behind this program because it isn't for just smart AG children it is created for children who can problem solve and cooperate.

Well things have been great. We are just hanging around and waiting for the right buyer. We have shown it four times and no bite. We know the right family is out there we just hate the waiting game. We want someone to come get it!!

School is sad. I hate knowing I am leaving. It is hard to get excited to go out and and get things done I wont use but for a few months.

Ok I just pulled over my soap box and I am ready for my speech. As you read below I love DONORSCHOOSE!!! It is an amazing website for teachers to write "grants" and receive supplies for their room. Well I found out friday that those supplies are the property of WCPSS. I am so upset!!! I know I know people who know anything about grants you know that the itesm are the property of the organization not hte person. Well first of all I didn't knwo that about grants. What I did know was that if you read the website it states that depending on how the grant is written it depends on who the iteme belong to. I am so upset because if I knew this I wouldn't written all these grants because I knew I was leaving. I just hate that this is going to leave a bad taste in my mouth.

one of those days....

So today was one of those days where you don't want to get out of bed. Yesterday we celebrated a friends of ours on their baby. She is due on the tenth and we had a shower last night to celebrate. It was so much fun!! We played so many fun games and I laughed so hard!! It was so odd to think about her leaving to have a baby but its the way life is. It made me think about VA and our move and how sad its going to be. It really hit hard last night that I wouldn't be around these people anymore. That maybe if Matt and I get pregnant we wouldn't have these people around to celebrate with and these are the people that really have been there. I am scared that I wont have that in VA. Now if you know me at all you know I can make friends easily but I am scared that they wont be like the people I have here. Nancy said she would come visit but I said to her that she is going to forget about me. I will miss her and the gang and its going to be hard. I am sad right now thinking about it. Its going to be a test of faith and will. I really don't want to sound like I am complaing because I am not. I am just worried that when we get up there I will lose all that I have here.

I still am fighting this cold. I hate being sick!!! TheraFlue has been great though. I can't drink it again right now because it makes me sick but whe nI did it worked so well. I hope I wake up tomorrow feeling better!

So we took the dog to the dog park to let her run around! I love going because she seems so happy when she is there. She is running and running to her hearts content. She plays with other dogs and loves it!! Matt and I love going because we get to sit and talk with each other. Its like a date but not a mushy date! I love spending that time with him and our puppy. Today Matts friend DAvid was there wtih his family and their two dogs. Stella loved playing with them!! It was such a pretty day today. It is a cath 22 though because it was nice and warm but that makes you think the global warming!

germs germs germs go away

Ok so I have tried the past few weeks to stay away from sick people and not get sick. The past few days I have taken some pills in the morning to keep away the crud but this morning I woke up with the CRUD!!! I hate when you feel like this. My throat is burning my nose is running and I feel cruddy. I went this morning to walmart to get something to take and I found theraflue. THis stuff works. Its a tea like stuff you drink and you it sooths your throat. It really worked. I felt better but now I don't. Working with kids is like russian rullet with sickness. Luckily I have a strong immune system but this time it let down its guard.

Well this year is def the year of lessons. My parents this year are working me hard. Today I had another meeting and its frusteratiing because this child still reads at a first grade level but his parents don't want the to hear that he isn't growing. It worries me and its hard as a teacher to see a studne not succeed. I want so badly to make him grow but I can't.

Well we have shown our house twice and both time they say they love it but it wasn't the house for them. My thoughts are that you know what the features are and if you read the booklet you would know if it was for you or not. People amaze me sometimes. Its hard though because I spent last weekend with my father and he is a police office and he sees alot but his heart has become so hard to the world. He really seems sad all the time. I don't like seeing him like that. I think when we have grandkids he will def start to enjoy life a little more but I hope that it wont be to late.

So I am not a political person and I really hated politics until MAtt and I started dating. As the years go by I have learned more and more. It hard to belive what these people say. I am scared that this world is falling apart and that makes me scared. I think about this alot and it makes my stomach turn. I really wish that you could belive the delegates and see what they really stand for. The sad part is it really doesn't matter because when they get elected they wil no longer have a really say. I pray this country has a chance to get better!

What a great day!

I had such a great day today. My kiddos were so good today! They really came to learn today! I love days like this. Makes my job easy and it makes you want to keep teaching.

This weekend was so great. CATS was amazing!!! We had a blast. We were stuck behind some nasty people that couldn't keep their hands off of each other which was making my father really mad. He was ready to slap these people. They wouldn't stop talking, he was sucking on her fingers, she wore a bluetooth the entire time that was blinking....it was bad. I hate people like that.

Well my conferences were great. The first mother was a nut. She didn't want anything on her sones permanant record which makes me laugh. Its not like this record goes anywhere with him. She declined everything that we wanted to use to help this poor child learn math. I really hate people like htis. She wants a weekly progress report because she wants to know what he needs help on and what he is still lacking in. I just wish she would see that something is not right.

The second conference was great. He was very supportive and really wanted to help his daughter. Everything he said to her was the same tihngs I said to her. It really made me feel better and helping her.

Well this week starts the begining week of ALP. I am a fool for doing it two times each week but we needed the money and its hard not to do. I am just going to get so tired. No complaing though. We will have to see!!

What are they thinking!!!!!

Ok so today I had a little young lady come to me and start to tell me that she is leaving our school. She started to cry as she told me which made me cry. She was telling me that her mom is moving them. Come to find out she is being kicked out of their appartment because her mom can't pay. It makes me so mad that these parents aren't making better choices. I am so sad for this little girl because the teachers at Millbrook love her so much!!! It breaks my heart!! This is the part of the job people don't tell you about. They don't tell you that your heart melts each time you walk in and that student that was there is gone and how that feels. I still say the name of another student who is gone because the same reason. Because she is being kicked out and that means she is homeless she can stay at our school but I don't know what is going to happen. I am sooooo sad.

To build off the title, what are they thinking. Parents again AMAZE me. So tomorrow I have TWO parent teacher conferences. One in the morning and one after school. The one before school I am ready for. I have all the ammo ready and I am ready to fire! This woman is more worried about his permanant record then helping her son. The one after school wants to talk about her and how she is making poor choices. I am more woried about the afternoon one because I think he is going to get defensive. I really wish parents would think about the way they speak to teachers. I will update you later about these two conferences.

On a lighter note this weekend my parents are coming to see CATS with Matt and I. I LOVE broadway and musicals. I am sooo excited. My parents bought us tickets so this weekend should be lots of fun.

FOR SALE!!!!

Well its final....the house is on the market!! Its an odd feeling. I think I am happier now because we have started the process but its also hard because I want to know things and I want to know when we will sell the house and when we will move. I am a planner. You can't plan selling your house. It just happens. So we spent the entire day cleaning organizing and getting rid of things we don't need. It was stressful because I had work to do and I didn't want to clean. I wanted to spend my day off laying around the house, but my dearest husband wouldn't let me. Its ok though because we listed the house and hopefully we will get a bite. Please pray that someone out there wants our little house and wants to pay us what we want. I am excited now that we have the process started, but it is scary. Also if we sell our house quickly then we can move into a cheaper appartment which will help because we can save the money for when we move to Richmond. So lets pray that our house will sell and the Lord will provide us with a good offer.

Oh sweet Raleigh NC!!!

Ok so this past week has been fun! The news is so funny! On Wed. the news started to talk about snow and wintery mix. So people start freaking out! The county calls for a two hour delay on Thursday and we all wake up to NOTHING!!! It was so funny. Parents were so mad at us for the delay because they had to get to work and nothing happened. No snow or sleet or ice, nothing! So we get to school and these parents are dropping their kids off early and leaving and we have kids waiting outside the school because their parents are gone and they dropped them off to early. It amazed me that these parents would leave their kids to wait out in the cold.

So the news makes me laugh again! So Friday rolls around and the news calls for another snow fall of 1-3 inches. They say this one is coming and that people need to be prepared. So we all braced as this winter storm comes through NC. Saturday morning comes and it is raining. They say the rain will turn to snow at 10. 10 comes and go no snow. They say 12. 12 comes and goes, no snow. They say 2. 2 comes and goes and no snow. So around 2:45 it starts to snow itty bitty snow flakes. We laughed so hard. It kept snowing. We went to the movies got out at 8:30 and it was still snowing, nothing was really sticking but it snowed. Now remember everybody and their momma cancelled eveything on SUnday because the the huge snow storm we were having!! DOn't you love NC!!!

On another note, we went to the movies last night and saw "27 Dresses"! It was so good!!! Matt and I laughed so hard!! It was a great chic flic. Those movies always make me feel warm and fuzzy!! I want to find a new love story book and curl up on the couch and read, but I can't. We have to start cleaning our house so we can sell it!!!!

just wanted to brag a little

Ok so a few posts ago I told you about this amazing site DonorsChoose.org and how it is a site for teachers to put a grant and hopefully somebody will fund it. Well today I got the sweet little email that said somebody funded my grants. This will make 12 now that I have had funded!! It is amazing that people still care and ask nothing in return!!! I couldn't belive that I got two more today!! My children are so excited and they also couldn't belive that somebody would spend so much money on them. It is amazing!! Today I recieved two third grade libraries of books in spanish for those students who speak spanish. I also recived tons of math manipulatives and games for test prep and review!!! I can't wait to get it all in the mail!! It really makes your day when you see that email!!!

Another note is that today was a good day with my kids. Latley it has been hard and if you read the post before this one you will see that teaching is fading fast for me because of this move. I really want to still love this job but with those crazy parents and this move it gets harder and harder each day!! I love being a TEACHER it really is my calling and I think I am pretty good but there are days like yesterday where I go home and ask God what am I doing!!! We also today got a new reading seires to help us with guided reading!! When we got the boxes I was sooo excited because it has tons of resources for me as a teacher and for my children who struggle!! I love days like this, truely makes teaching easy and worthwhile!

Also just another little praise, I had seven level FOURS today on our math test!! That makes me sooo happy, ecsp with a class of five learning disabled children! I was so excited for my class. I only had four that got level twos which means the rest of them passed!! The past few tests haven't been like that. Hopefully this is starting a trend for the other test!!!

one step forward, two steps back :(

Ok so we drove up to Richmond this past Sunday to see what it's like. Matt has been twice so he knew the area a little but I had never been. I was really excited because I knew this trip would make me think about Richmond as a place and not a move. I wanted to get a feel for the area and see the different schools in the area. We had gone with an address of Matts work and townhome complex that we wanted to look at. Matts mother bought us a TOM TOM for Christmas which was a blessing because we were able to use that to take us everywhere. So we drove up and found his office building and then went to the townhome complex. They were closed till one so we went and got lunch. We found this area where there was every store you could imagine. The area is called Short Pump which we hear from everywhere is the place to be. After eating we went back to the townhome and talked with them. They showed us a three bedroom home which was really nice (alot smaller then our house now, but alot bigger then our first appartment). I really hated the idea of renting a place for the amount they were asking because it is just being thrown away but we can't buy another place right now since we don't know our plan. After we talked with them we cliked on the TOM TOM to find all the schools. The really nice thing about this place is there is a school 4oo yards from the entrance so that would be amazing!! I could leave the house two minutes before I needed to be there!! We looked at five schools and then drove around to look at other appartments. The nice thing about the first one is that is is a townhome and not appartment. I really like it because it is three stories and it feels more like a home. Overall I left VA feeling alot better about the move and I am excited about our new adventure.

Now you are probably wondering why in the title I said one step forward two steps back, that leads to today's events. Today I was researching the steps I need to take to get my license in VA. I talked with the HR lady and found out some things that make me sad. Since I haven't taught in NC for three years I have to start at the beg as if I was just graduating college. I have to take four assessments and fill out all the paperwork to get my license. If I had taught in NC for three years I wouldn't be dealing with all this. That makes me the maddest. Ontop of all that VA doesn't post their teaching positions so I have no idea what schools have openings. This whole thing is getting harder and harder. There isn't really anyone to contact or a plan of action. I KNEW there were going to be hoops to hop through, but i didn't think there would be flame all around them. Please pray for me that I can keep my sanity as well as still keep the hope that this is the move best for our family.

What are they thinking?

Ok so let me start off by saying that yesterday was a monumental day!! Nancy, Rhonda, Erin and I went to shelly lake for a quick run. The loop is two miles and I was so close to making it all the way around. I wanted to quit and they wouldn't let me. Nancy was amazing!! She made it all the way around with not complaint!! It was great she def. motivated me. Can't wait to do it next week.

Ok so onto why I wrote the title I did. This week has been a little stressful. I have this parent who has been trying to meet with me for about a month now but she hasn't made a great effort to get ahold of me and it bothers me that she is blaming me. Parents amaze me these days. She knows there are issues with her child but yet she has declined any help that we want to give. She never turns things in on time but yet she plays the concerned parent card. It blows my mind!!! The hard part is I am still learnng and crap like this ruins my day! I get the note in the morning and all I want to do is scream and I can't. My poor children get the end of the stick and I hate it. I feel horrible and then on top of it all her kid is just so hard to figure out. I can't decide what is making him so out of it. WE have been in school for this long and he still doesn't know how to get his spelling list aligned and his words where they need to go. It frusterates me!!!! I just can't belive there are parents out there that don't want thier children to succeed!

ANother one of my students is also having a hard week. So his mom wanted us to fix him so we started a contract with him. We created it for home and school. He as doing so GREAT!! Our AP went to his belt thing on satruday to support him, and this student got all his checks and he chose to spend time with mr. clark. His mom was all weirded out about why in the world would her son pick spending time with him. She made this student feel bad about it and it makes me so mad! I was so excited about hs progress and now there isn't any. He was horrible this week!! Parents amaze me!!

www.donorschoose.org

Ok so this is take two of this post. I probably wont go into as much detail as the first because I am pissed that the post didn't work. I was typing and it just all deleted. So from the title you can see that I am steping up on a soap box once again. As a teacher you want what is best for your students. You want to bring them the best education you can. Being in America is amazing but when it comes to teaching I don't think people value it as much as they should. Does a doctor have to pay for his scaple or bandages that he uses....of course not!!! They why do teachers have to buy the things they need? This aspect of my job blows my mind. So one day I was watching MTV and I saw this commercial for www.donorschoose.org. This is a website for teachers to write grants for items they need and for people with money to buy the items for them. This website is a blessing!!! It started in NY by people who care about education and saw that teacers weren't being paid enough and weren't being supplied the things they need. This website allows for teachers to ask for things they can't afford or for things they would NEVER buy themselves. For example I needed an electric pencil sharpener and a huge hole puncher. I didn't have the money to buy a nice one so I wrote a grant and someone filled it for me. I asked for books on tape which will help my students read better and allow them to listen to a story and not have to worry about the words. This is something that I don't have to have but it is great to have it. I would never buy them myself because they are exp. and I can't afford it. I have had seven grants filled so far. The latest one was a 5 foot skeleton for my science lessons. The other one that was jsut filled was a problem solving kits to help my children get better at test taking and getting used to the words and what the questions are asking them. This website has made teaching so much easier and better. Please get the word out about this website!! It is amazing that people I have never met care about my children and want to fill these grants for us!!!

My movie moment

Ok so in the Whisenant household things have been crazy. We are trying to work out this whole move thing so things have beem tense. We just have to sit in this waiting game and see what happens. Well after Christmas we have been trying to save for this move to make sure we can make the best decision. So this weekend I asked Matt to take me to the movies. Yesterday we sat around and napped all day and I really wanted to go see P.S. I love you because I read the book in college and it was one of the better books I have read. The story was so sweet. He didn't want to see is but I really wanted to. So all day I kept asking and he kept avoiding me and it got to be late. So at 6 he said lets go. I was so excited. We got our tickits and Matt kept reminding me that the movie probably wont be like the book. He tells me this because I get very sad when I read a book and the movie is nothing like the book. The nice thing about this was that I read the book years ago so I don't remember all the details. Matt was being so cute. We were all cuddly and holding hands. If you know me you know that my love language is not touchy feely, but Matts is. So there are times I really try to hold his hand and hug him.

During the movie I was crying through the whole movie. This movie was one of the best chic flicks I have seen in years. It got low ratings but the movie was great. It made me cry a happy cry. I love the feeling you get when you watch a true love story. It makes you think about all those great things in your life. When we got out of the movie I was ovwhelmed with this feeling of love and joy. Matt asked if I wanted to go to starbucks and hang I said sure. We got our coffee and sat outside and talked about VA. It was one of those moments that you want to freeze in your head and remember. As were driving home I had thise moment that I have never had before. I was sitting in the car thinking about Matt and us. It was crazy how much I love this man who loves me completly. I was thinking in my head how God is amazing and how I am so lucky. People say that all the time but I truely mean it. I never thought I would get married then I went to college and met Matt. I haven't gone through what alot of women do. I wasn't hurt by a guy or went through thousands of relationships. I really hadn't dated anyone when I met Matt. I was telling Matt last night that I never have the fear that he would ever leave me. In my heart I truely know that he loves me unconditionally and that we are meant to be. It was a moment that I don't want to forget. That is why I titled this my movie moment because matt and i just fit and that makes me think I am living my fairy tale movie!!

just another week

So another week has gone by and I am tired! I have only been in school three days and it felt like an entire month. Well we met with anothe relator. This has been a hard part of moving. We have to meet with two and pick one. Well the first was great I thought there is no way anyone could sawy me to not pick her and then last night happened. The two people came a married couple and they were the sweetest. Very down to earth and sweet. They were very energetic and seemed to really want to help us. After they left Matt and I were stuck. I told him to pick because he does all that stuff but he couldn't decide either. We liked them both for such different reasons.

It is so odd to me that one day I can be super excited about moving to a new place and meeting new people and then the very next minute be super super sad and want to cry and not think about moving. I want to be supportive but it can be hard since in my heart I want to stay here with these amazing people and my school. I know God has a plan for us and what we may want may not be his plan so I am going to keep my head held high.

Today is school it was very eventful. So in the middle of word study time we see a police car fly down millbrook road. Now this happens alot since we have an entire wall of windows that face a very busy road. WE usually just ignore it and move on. Well today another police car flew by. Then another and another. These cars had lights and sirens as well as being ummarked. Now I was little curiouse since we had seen at least five now. Then five more flew by. There was a total of ten police cars. After they flew by two ambulences flew by. My kids were all excited now and they were brainstorming what could have happened. So a few minutes later I got on WRAL and found out that a deputy had been shot. Right after I read that online the two ambulences came fying down the other way towards the hospital. That is all they knew at the time. Then about thirty minutes later I got on again and saw that they were doing an alcohol drug sting at a house right at the corner of the road my school is on. They said they had called on 12 police officers to do the sting (we saw 10):) needless to say I didn't tell my children what had happened but it was fun to hear them brainstorm. About an hour later we had to walk to lunch and when we got outside we saw the TV choppers hovering over the house that the police were at. My kids were so excited. Its moments like this that amaze me about these children. Listening to them brainstorm and come up with ideas about what had happened is so neat. I love being a teacher because you get to see their little minds work.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! 2008

Wow this year has flown by. Many great things happened this year. We have grown so much together and with our family. I can tell 2008 has many things to offer as well. We will be moving to VA in the summer which is a huge move for us. We will be selling the house and find a new home.

Here are me resolutions for the new year:

1. work out at least three times a week: I started this two weeks ago and have been really good. I got an ipod for Christmas so that will help. I also got a new gym back which I am really excited about.

2. Find a new church family and read from the bible: This is one I know that I need but it seems like an ovwhelming task for me. I just don't know where to begin.

3. Have at least one date night a week: With all our busy time we need this night for us. Video games and computers turned off and quality time spent together.

4. Keeped the house picked up: Ok this is the worst for me. We don't pick up after ouselves and so when the weekend rolls around we have to REALLY clean. If we would just pick up little by little we woulnd't have spend all saturdya cleaning.

So here are four that I really want to stick with. I have other small ones that pertain to my job and things but those are ones that I would let go as long as these four stick. I hope this new year brings many joys and happiness to everyone.

Here is a video my mom sent me. Thought it would inspire you all.

must be boredom

I am sitting here watching TLC bored out of my mind because we haven't done anything all day. I love lazy days but I also hate them. I hate just sitting around the house and doing nothing productive but I am also in no mood to clean the house or do laundry. You would think being married I would always have someone to entertain me but no.I think that is the hardest part living away from family. You can always call family up to hang out or eat dinner with or just go over their house to hang out. In Raleigh i don't have that. I love my friends but all of them I work with and I hate to call them to hang out since they all spend day after day with me. I don't want them to get sick of me. Katie called and she was buying chili ingredients for New Years Eve get together at her cousins house. I felt a twing of jelousy because we don't have that here. Matt and I really don't have a couple we hang with. I was reading another persons blog and they have a game night they attend and that is something I love doing. We love playing games when we go to our families but in Raleigh we don't have a couple we feel comfortable calling and saying hey you want to hang. In college people are forced to spend time with you since you live with them or you work with them. Being an adult it is hard because its harder to meet people in the same stage of life. I think that is what we have missed by not being a full time member of a church. Now that we are moving I don't want to go to a church and fall in love and then have to leave. I know that is what is missing in my life right now but I am alrready having a hard time leaving have to let go or a church family would be the hardest. I know this is not a worthy reason but I just know that right now its the right thing. I will look harder for a church when we get to VA since we know we will def be there for a year. I want to find a family because I know that we don't have that in our marriage right now. When we were going to church regularly I know that i felt better about myself. Since I have gone on a tagent back to the reason of this post. Here is a story that I have to share about my amazing husband. God created him for me. I am not an easy person to love. I am greatful for all the people that put up with me because I am difficult and I am high energy. Matt knows everything button to push but also everyone switch to switch to make me feel better. Everyday is a new adventure because we learn more and more about each other. Here is a story to show how sweet he is. He is the most caring person and he takes care of me all the time even when I don't tell him. I know that I need to tell him more but here is a moment that shows how amazing he is.

So this leads to a sweet story. My husband is an amazing man. He is always thinking about me and never does for himself. He is always buying for me which I love because that is my love language but I sometimes feel horrible because he doesn't get things for himself. Through the years he has splurged on gifts for me but only once for himself (x box). So he got a gift card to bestbuy for Christmas. He was excited because he really wanted this computer game. He bought the game and loaded it and it didn't work. The computer he had was so small for the game. Now a little history on his computer. When Matt started college in 2002 he bought this computer. It is a desktop and has held up nicely. He doesn't hook it up to the Internet because it has all our financial info on it so it is still working well. The thing is, it is almost six years old. That is old for a computer these days. So back to the story. Matt is now mad because this GREAT game that he bought doesn't work. So he called his computer friends and they suggested a video card thing that will make the computer better. We went out bought the card. The card wasn't enough power. We went back spent an hour trying to return the first one bought another card came home installed and it worked ok. Now my wifely duty fell into play. Matt really needs a new computer not just for games but for everything else. So I said to him why don't you get another computer. Being the realist he said we can't. :) Now for another side note, Matt got me a Nikon D40 camera for my bday and Christmas. I am in love with my camera and it wasn't cheap. So I dropped the computer thing since he does our finances and we conducting a HUGE move in a few months. Fast forward two days and we are in Walmart getting groceriesWe walk through the computer game section and it was like the heavens opened. There stood a box with a 19 inch desktop computer that was fast enough for this GREAT game he bought. I could see the gears turning in his head. I knew he was thinking about it so I said why don't you get the computer. His eyes GREW three times and he said " You mean I can buy the computer?" Now remember he does the finances so really he would know better then me, but he sounded so cute when he said it. I love seeing him all excited about something since he doesn't get this way about alot of things. So he said it again " Can I really get the computer?" I said of course and there he went box in hand walking through Walmart with his new computer. We got home and he has been on that thing for two straight days. He even came upstairs to show me the imprints the chair is leaving on his leg. He is so cute, he has been hoping around the house each time something really cool happens. It is so cute!! I love being married to him. Even though the past few months have been hectic and we aren't sure what God has planned for us I am sure he meant for us to be together. Matt is truly my better half. There are times where I get all flustered with him and the things that we argue about are always stupid but being married to him is what I was created for.

I know why no one checks my blog....because I don't update

Ok so I see now what no one reads my blog. I don't update it. :) Simple as that!! Ok so I am on Christmas break from school and I am bored and Matt is playing his new computer game so I thought this would be a great time to play around with my blog. As you can see I changed the background all by myself. I didn't call James one time!!! Even though I deleted the part where I am able to change the font type I still made it look pretty. Not sure how I deleted that part but I did. Ohwell!

Well we have some pretty exciting things happening in our lives. We are moving to VA at the end of the school year. Matt is taking a job there which is a GREAT opp. for him. Now before you ask I wasn't happy with the move. I didn't want to leave this glorious place call Raleigh. I love it here. Our house is great and the people are amazing! How could I leave? Well as a wife these are those moments where you suck up the sadness and support your husband. There was never a moment where I thought about not moving because I know how excited he is. I know he wants this and it is great for our family and I know all this. That doesn't make the move any easier. I know I will cry, I am crying as I type that is how attached I am of this place. I think what I am so sad about is leaving the friends I have made. These are people that have been there since we started this journey. These are people that have been through the move and the house and the dog and the JOB. I am so scared that our friendships will stop with this move. I don't want to lose these amazing people. I felt the same way when I graduated college. Now a days it is so hard to stay in touch with people because you have so much going on. I just don't want them to forget about me and our friendship. I think that sounds selfish but these people have been there for me through it all and I don't know what I am going to do without them. I am also very sad about leaving my school. Millbrook has been a place that no one could imagine. This is a school that has embraced me and all that I am. If you know me at all you know that is alot more then people bargin for. Paula has been an amazing mentor and without her I wouldn't have this job. She has pushed me to be a better teacher in every way. She has shown me how to stand up for myself as well as be strong in those moments when you want to lose it. The entire staff has truely become family. This is a place where you walk down the hallway and people hug you and ask how you are or call you beautiful just because. This is a place where people know your buisness because they care about you and wnat to be there for you. And las but not least the team I work with. These woman are a blessing from heaven. They truely make this job bearable. They are the four people in my life that know almost everything. My neighbor is the person I can't live without. She will never know how much she has meant to me. She has taught me so many amazing things. This person will never know her impact. I always joke about her getting sick of me and even if she is she NEVER lets me know it. Nancy is the only person in the world that will always put you first in the conversation and when you talk with her she is always excited to hear the story or your plans. I have never met someone who truely cares about her friends the way she does. She will be missed the most!!!!! How could I leave all this? I am so scared I am going to get into a school that doesn't get ME or I don't get it. VA has alot of traditional schools which will be a shock in itself. I just hope that I can keep all the memories and make new ones as well.

Other then the move nothing new is really happening. We will put our house on the market some time in Jan or Feb. Hope it sells fast and for what we ask and then we will move in temp. housing till I finish out the year. I hope that this all goes smoothly or I might just lose it. Matt has been amazing. He knows this is hard for me. He wants what is best for us and I know this is the best for us but it still hard.

Well Christmas has gone and the new year approaches. I am excited about this year but the past two years have flown by. I can't wait to see what the new year has to offer I hope that all our family stays well and that our friends will have all their wishes come true. I will upload some pictures from the family Christmas dinner. I will also put some Stella pictures up. Matt got me A Nilon D40 camera for my birthday so there will be many pictures to come!!!

When the media screws up

So a few posts ago I told you about how our school didn't meet NCLB. Well on Friday we found out that the state screwed up. We really did meet NCLB. So now all these parents who were told they could leave, can't. The state has to call all our parents and let them know that our school is amazing and they want their child to stay. It is funny how things work out. I am very excited about making AYP but when you get blasted in the newspaper about how you didn't make it for two years in a row people wont hear the retraction. We will have to see how things turn out.

Ok so Monday officially starts the first days of workdays. I am really excited to get this year started and get my new batch of kiddos. I heard last night that I have a class full of new children to our school. That is a double edge sword. One side is you don't know the kiddos so they could all be hellions, or the other side is they are great kiddos and you have an amazing year. We are hoping for the second side!! Can't wait to get started. I changed my room up so I will have pictures soon!! :)

The suprise is out!!!

Ok so this weekend I threw Matt a 25th suprise birthday party!! It was great!! I had all his family up here along with all his friends!! It was amazing!! He loved every moment of the party. He hates having attention on him so at time he was a little shy but it was great. He also got every gift he asked for. I loved throwing him the party but it was sooooo nerve racking. On Friday I had to drive all the way to ECU to pick my brother up and I had to lie to Matt and tell him I was at school since he had taken the day off. I hate lieing to him but it was all worth it. He was very suprised to see everyone there. He knew something was up when his mom was putting on makeup in the car right before they got home! :) I loved seeing his face when he walked in the door!! This is the first time in five years we have been together that I have given him something for his birthday. He doesn't like getting things he just likes giving so I wanted to really suprise him!! Now he wants to start planning thanksgiving up at our house!! The thing he loves the most is having everyone he loves at our house!! That is what I wanted to give him!!

We also found out this weekend that our good friends the Hardens are expecting their first child, a baby girl!!!!! I am so excited for them because it has been a long year trying for this little miricale!!!! I am going to live vicariosly through her these nine month. The sad part though is she is going to be a stay at home mom which means she wont be teaching with us anymore :(. I am just being selfish because she is an amazing teacher!! I am so excited!! Baby's are in the air!!!

Walking in the door!!!! SUPRISE!!!

James my brother and my dad!!! Who is cooler?

Matts birthday cake!! Guitar Hero II!!!

Matts sister and brother inlaw ( my sister and brother inlaw as well :) )

Matts mom and dad

what a week

Ok so this week has been the most stressful this summer......

In may I was rearended by some guy who wasn't paying attention. I had to get a check before I fixed the car which took months to get. Finally I got the check so I went to get the car fixed. I took it in monday and asked the lady if it would be done by wednesday since I had to leave fore an NCAE workshop. She oh yes it will be done!! I was confident in her answer. Now I didn't ask for a rental since it is the summer and I didn't really need to drive anywhere. So Monday goes and most of tuesday goes. I call them on Tuesday to find out about the car and they tell me it wont get done will late thursday....I panicked!

Side note: I had to be at the workshop wednesday, thursday and return late Friday. This workshop was free but if I cancelled I have to pay for everything. So I had to ge there! I called the shop to ask what I needed to do and they said get a rental. Now remember the insurance hasn't oked a rental so I was freaking out we were going to have to pay for the rental. I get to the rental shop and they said they should ok the rental just take it and they will get back with us.

I take the rental and drive to the beach on Wednesday. Matt calls me Thursday and tells me that the car rental wants my car because the insurance company only said two days (tues and wed.) I am freaking out!!! I can't get a hold of them till I make it back into town on Friday.

I am driving home Friday, almost hit a cop car because he stopped in the middle of forty and I get a phone call. Matt calls to tell me he rearended a guy and that he has to take his car to the shop because the front end needs to get fixed.

I get home and head to the shop to get my car and the shop tells me to call Allstate and let them know that my car wasn't done till Friday and they HAVE to pay for the extra days. I call them and they said they would take care of it. I was relived but still I was STRESSED out because I was scared the car rental place thought I had stolen their car because I didn't return the car. So this week has been stressful.

The workshop was good. I met alot of people that are very active in NCAE and wake NCAE!! I loved being in the room listening to these people talk and share ideas about NCAE. We talked about why teachers don't join and how to explain to them the benifits of joining. The best part was on Thursday this lady from the legislators office came to talk about the budget and that the house keeps throwing out the bill to allow teachers ONE day of personal leave that we don't have to pay for. So she passed out this list of house members who keep saying no and told us to call them. So about 60 teachers pulled out their cell phones and called these house members. It was GREAT!! I felt empowerd to call these members and tell them that I wont support them if they don't cahnge their mind. There is NO reason we shouldn't have this ONE day. They said they would try. I love the power we get being in NCAE and how these members listen to our needs.

Well Stella still has her ring worm. She is losing hair daily. It sucks!! My house is FULL of hair and its everywhere!!!

School starts in THREE weeks!!! OMG this summer has flown by. I have read alot and gone to the pool alot. I am so excited to get back to school and meet my new children. It is suprising how good I feel about this year. This week I am working at the magnet cent on some PYP stuff. Then next week I have two workshops and one kit training. Then the week after RELAXATION!! THEN SCHOOLS IN SESSION!!!

I am a horrible mom!!!

Well the vet called and said that stella is infested with ring worm!! I am so sad for her because she is losing hair daily. The vet said to wash her with this fungle cream and spray down everything with this fungle spray. It is so sad because she looks like an abandonded dog that we found. Her coat looks mangy and she looks so pitiful. Hopefully it will clear up in two weeks.

Well this weekend was the lake trip with the inlaws and it was great. We went on the boat which broke down and we were stranded. Then we got back went out to eat and shopped at Walmart. This weekend made me realize how much I miss my family. I really love Raleigh!! I wish I could switch the cities but keep the people. This place is amazing I just miss my family. We went and saw my dad and played some games with him and it was great. I miss that. I miss those family dinners and gatherings. I want to be there to grow with everything but this city and these people in Raleigh are amazing and my heart has grown for them so much!!! I don't know what to do. You sit here and in your heart you know that this is not the home or place you will be in forever. You know that your young and things change, but it is so hard because you make friendships and they become a part of you. I can't think about leaving these people but I know that some day I will. Matt has told me over and over but I cna't stop my heart from loving these people. I also love my school and wake county. I am scared to leave Millbrook because I don't want to leave something so perfect. I know tha tyou can't get attatched to schools but it is hard. Also wake county gives me so many oppurtunities to grow in my edcuation and profession. We will have to see......

im boring

Ok so I was going through peoples blogs that I don't know and I had one of those light blub moments. The reason I don't blog as offten as I should is because I have a pretty boring life. :) That is not a bad thing but I have a life that doesn't have much going on. I really don't do any extra things and all our family is far away so I really stay at the house with the dog and husband! Hopefully when school starts I will have more to blog about. :) I do like blogging I just can't ever think about anything to write!! Ok enough for now. :)

what do they expect

Ok so today we found out our school doesn't meet NCLB. We worked our butts off this year but we still didn't make it. As a teacher it is so hard because these tiny little numbers change everything. I know parents are going to ask why we didn't meet and what do you say? We have a great school!!! We aren't magicians!! We can't make these kids do anymore if their parents don't care. I just wish people would see that our school is a good school! We have tons of resources and we have great teachers we just can't work miracles!!!

Here is a link to all the schools:
http://www.wral.com/asset/news/local/2007/07/17/1603582/schooloptiosn.swf

I have to get better at updating..

The sad part is I don't think anyone reads this!! Well this summer has gone so WELL!!! I really thought Matt was going to be right and I was going to go out of my mind, but I haven't!! I have loved every day of this vacation. I have read tons of books, gone to the pool, and most of all played with Stella!! I have painted my office, planned a little for next year, cleaned the book room at school, gone camping with old friends and cooked many dinners. I love being at home and relaxing!! I am SO ready for school to start but this has been nice to be at home. I am glad I didn't get a fast food job which was my last resort. Matt has been amazing!! I don't know if I would have been able to do this without him. He hasn't asked me to get a job or even mentioned it. I love him to death!!! He is an amazing husband!!

I am getting read for next year and I am so excited about next year!! I am ready to see those beautiful faces ready to learn and ready to be third graders makes me more and more excited!!! I am ready for next year because I feel so much better about all the things I have to do. I have all these ideas that I want to try. I am excited about becoming a better teacher.

been awhile

SCHOOLS OUT!!!!! What a great feeling to have! My first year of teaching is complete!! As Mr. Flowers put it 29 more to go. To be honest I wont be a teacher for 30 year. I will do something to change this education system. World watch out!!!

Well school has been out for two days and I am already planning for next year. That is the nature of the beast I guess. My brain wont shut off. I can't stop thinking about all the things I want to do better next year. Imagine the ticker at the bottom of the news channel with all the updates, that is what I see in my head all DAY!!! I can't make it stop and there are some really great ideas so I decided to write them down. When I have hit my limit I will run down stairs and open my "To Do" list for 2007 2008 and type away. I have a list started with all the ideas and things I need to do. Sad to say this job never ends.

Well we leave tomorrow for Disney!! I can't wait. One week where I get to be a kid again. Mother inlaw is going so that makes things even better. She will do tons for us and make this week so great!! I can't wait. Matt and I are in much need of a vacation. His job is stressful and I don't make things easy so we both need some R and R.

This will be the first time we leave Stella for a week :(. Going to be hard, I am already sad thikning about it. She is our child and you have all these what if thoughts which to some people it may seem weird, we are talking about a dog. The kennel we are taking her to is really nice and a teacher at school takes her dog there so im not worried about the place. Nancy said she would go get her if she get depressed. :)

Well life is normal as usual. We are just hanging around. We still haven't found a church family yet. We were attending a church but we didn't fit in. I think being Luthern makes it hard to attend a southern baptist church. Nothing against a baptist church its just hard going from one type of church to another. Since we haven't attended this one in awhile, we really haven't looked for another. I know that is what is missing and I loved going on Sundays, made my weeks better and my mind set better, but we can't decide where to go. I know God will point un in the right direction, but I also know he wont take our lazy buts and drive us there.

So this summer I don't have a job. It is a touchy subject. I HATE the fact that I am a teacher with a 4 year degree and make ok money and still have to get a part time job for the summer. We work just as many or even more darn hours then any other buisness person and they don't have to get second job. I know some do for other reasons but most don't. I just wish society would see that we dont get summers off. We don't have a nice long break. I am putting my family under stress by not going out and getting a part time job. I hate that but if you look at the numbers I would have to work every day from 7 to five even saturday and sunday to make a fraction of what I make each week from the first day of summer to last to make a difference. I hate that. Matt has been amazing and not forced me to get a job because he knows how frustrated I am. He said it would all work out and I know it will but darn I hate it. I know this is the lowest my pay scale will be so in the years it will get easier (till we have children) but it just boils my blood. That is why I wont teach for 30 years.

So I am not the rep for our school with NCAE which excites me. I am so excited because I love to argue and I love to make a difference. I atteneded my first meeting and it was thrilling. I sat in a room with 50 or more people that were all like me!!! I know that sounds funny but these people are as crazy and want change as bad as I do. So next year my main job is to recruit people to join. I am excited to see how many I can get. I think as a teacher it is our duty to be part of NCAE. If you want people fighting for your rights you need to join. We have had two years of salary increase due to NCAE. Which would have never happened without them. The more members the more moeny and the more rights given to teachers. Right now they were working on getting teachers TWO days of leave that we wouldn't have to pay out of pocket for. I know your going huh. Let me explain. As a teacher we earn personal leave days like every other perfession but the catch is if we wnat to use them we have to pay 50 dollars for a sub. Now logically your should have your jaw to the floor right now. Sad part is there are rep. in the NC governemtn that don't have their jaws to the floor. They belive that teachers will abuse that right and be out all the time. They feel their children suffer when teachers our out. WE ARE HUMAN!!! My brother graduate from college next year and if I want to go see him fifty dollars out of my pocket. That is a joke. NO OTHER PROFFESSION has that!!! Hence why teachers all take sick leave, but as a first year you don't get that many. Parents seeing thier children win an award, fifty dollars, mothers seeing their fiver year olds proformance, fifty dollars. ALL those mean we have to pay. Its a joke, and guess what it didn't pass. they won by saying children would suffer and there wasn't enough money. MY BUT!!! That is a joke. There is money they just don't want to give it. (stepping off my soap box) So now you see why I am the NCAE rep for my school. I hate the way we are treated and I hate that people are makin decisions for us who have never stepped foot in a teachers shoes, and people who only care about money. So if you want more info ask!! or go to www.NCAE.org.

Well that is all for now! I am going back to make spelling lists for next year and working on my to do list!! Hope you enjoyed my soap box. Many more to come! :)

27 DAYS!!!

Can you belive that in 27 days I will finish my first year of teaching!!! Or as my principle said, finished one year 29 more to go. This year overall has been really good. I don't think I started stressing till after Christmas. My kiddos have been really good this year! They overall have been a GREAT first class! My team has been amazing! We truely get along so well!!

Well Matt and I are doing great! He just took a new job and he is really excited. He really wants to move up in insurance. This is a great move for the entire family. The house is going well. We bought a grill last weekend, and matt has cooked two meals already! Its GREAT!!!

My trip to Guatemala was life changing!!! I can't explain in words how this trip has changed me. Seeing the people in this country thank God for the little things they have showed that as Americans we are greedy! It was hard to to feel good because you know your better off, and these people give everything to get to Antigua to celebrate Gods love. It was BREATHTAKING!! Then to go and see the ruins and the volcano was an added bonus. This trip creates a fire in you that makes you want to change the world. I see these children in this country want to go to school and learn as much as they can and the children here complain all the time!!! I don't know but it was a trip I will never forget!!!

Fatty Fatty

Ok so the past few month I have been noticing some changes. I have been slowly buying new clothes because the others don't fit anymore and I the scale seems to slowly get higher numbers. The last time I checked I was at 137 and that means I have gained 12 pounds in ONE YEAR!!! Ok so when you gain a pound here and a pound there you think in your head so what its fine. When the year is up and you weigh 12 pounds more you like where did it all come from. So the past few weeks I have been slowly becoming more and more depressed because I hate the way I look and my pants are to tight and I had to buy new underwear because the others wouldn't cover my butt! So needless to say matt and I have had some heated conversations because I want to do something about it but I can't. I have no where to work out and I have nothing to workout with. Before in the appartments I lived in there was always a nice gym. I could get motivated and just go on up and workout. Now if I get that motivation nothing! I can walk down the street or jog but my legs start to itch and my knees start to hurt and then I am done. So I am in need of workout equipment. We are vernturing offf today to find me something so this depression will go away. The problem we have is when will I work out! So I told matt if we buy something i PROMISE to work out at least four times a week. I want my skinny legs back. The other problem is that people don't see the weight because I can hide it and its all in my legs and butt. The people don't see the red creases my pants leave on my legs when I get undressed at night. People don't see the wedges I have because my underwear doesn't cover my butt. Those are all the hidden weight gains people don't see. So when I talk to people the get mad becaue they say shut up you don't need to work out. So that is why having a blog who doens't talk back is nice.

So the other thing I am changing is my diet. I am going to try to eat better meals and not snack as much. My diet coke addiction will dcrease, but I WILL NOT STOP! I can't stop and I don't want to stop. So the chips and the sweedish fish are out the DOOR!! So please leave some encouragement for me to get through this weigh gain freakout!!

Overwhelmed.....

Being a teacher you take on a duty that I only teachers can understand. I leave my job everyday with this weight on my shoulders and I wonder if that will ever go away. I have always been someone who is dedicated to their job but I have always been someone who hates doing things half ass. This past few days I have felt I have been givng my kids half ass because of all the OTHER stuff we have to do. ALP is an afterschool program that kids are put in if they are low and you don't think will pass the EOG. I have decided to do work ALP which means every tues and thurs till five. Its like an extended school day. Since deciding to do this I have thought more about ALP then I have my own class. I have been planning for that and not thought about my day with 21 kids. Its sad, a teacher said today that if we had time to plan for our own class we wouldn't need ALP. I think thats true, if we were just able to do our own darn job we wouldn't have to have kids be put in an afterschool program. I really am overwhelmed. I feel this way because I love my JOB!! I hate this feeling that I can't do my job and that is the hardest part. I know all the teachers feel this way and that teachers have said this for YEARS!! I def think that as a teacher I just hope in years to come things will get better. I know what I need to do and hope that I will be able to my job some day.

been awhile

The new year has come! This past year has been a long but fast one. Things are going really well. Stella got her woman parts removed which makes her an it. I still love her though.

The house is going great. We went to a struggling artist show today and got some painting for the downstairs. I am so excited to hang them and make this place look a little more pretty. I love getting things for the house!! Matts hates spending the money but its ok cause in the end he loves it.

School is going great! I have a great class and I am really feeling good about this year. Not sure how effective I am and if my kids will pass the EOG but I am doing all that I can. I really don't know if they will grow but I do know that my kids love learning and I love teaching them. Some days are harder then others but my kids are really good. I hate the state of NC but theres nothing I can do to change their rules. OUr children have to learn so much in math its impossible to get it all taught WELL.

well thats all for now. back to cleaning the house and taking STella for a walk.

pictures pictures

Lets try for more pictures.

finally!!!

Well is has been about two months since I updated. I kept trying to add pictures but it wouldn't let me so I would get mad and not write anything. I just gave up and decided that I should write even without the pictures.

Well we moved into the house on the 28th of September. It has been amazing!! Having a house is what we needed. That small appartment was killing me because I felt cramped and I needed space for my things and not just his or ours. They still haven't built the darn deck but its cold so its not a huge deal.

Well we got our first baby!! HEHE I mean our first puppy!! She is the cutest thing ever. Her name is Stella and she is a boxer rottie mix. She has the sweetest personality. Her ears are funny looking so when she props them up. I love her so much!!! Matt and I just laugh every day because of her. She brings so many smiles to us and makes each day more fun.

Well school is GREAT!! I am really suprised how not stressed I am. I wake up each day wanting to be at school and my class is amazing. I have great kids and I really love teaching them. They truely make each day the best it could be. Teaching is one of things that I have so much passion for I wake up each day to make the day before better. I do put alot of pressure on myself and there are days I don't do my best but I try really hard.

Well Matt and I are doing great. It has been a year and six months. Its hard to belive that we have been married that long. We have grown so much together. We are closer now then we have ever been.

Well in April I am so excited because I get to go to Guatemala!! Our school is providing a service trip that you can go on. You have to pay but not near as much as it would be if you were going on your own. I am really excited because you spend half your day learning spanish and the other half in an orphanage helping children. I am so excited!!

Well the family is going great. Mom got married to her ten year boyfriend. FINALLY!! I mean it was about time. They needed to since they have been together so long. I am glad they got married just hope it lasts.

SEVEN DAYS!!!!!!!!

Well we have hit the count down. Today is the seven day mark till we are homeowners. I am so filled with so many emotions. I am ready but scared. Here are some of the recent picks we took. Doesnt look this way anymore because they cleaned up and are ready for move in!!!

Well school is great. I have great kiddos and I love teaching. Nothing really eventful is happening. I have my fist parent teacher confrence so that will be interesting. I can't wait to have this weekend off. We are starting to pack which is so exciting but closterphobic. We have no where to put all the boxes. With the new bed and the old one taken down we have no kitchen and the family room is full.

Well next weekend we will hopefully have all our family up to move!! That is the best part about it all!! We bought all the paint and we are READY for the move!!

Labor Day...

Ok so this weekend was a three day weekend. I really was not wanting to stay at home for three days. Now that I have my own room and class to take care of, I felt like this monday was a waste. People think I am crazy, and mark my words a few months from now I probably wont feel this way about our days off. Having the house almost done we are saving saving and saving more so really all there is to do is stay at home. What fun is that? There is only so much TV a person can watch. I brought home things to do but its boring when you are at home working on stuff. When I am in my room have that vibe and more motivation to work. Ohwell, only a few more hours left.

Ok so today we did something MAtt and I thought we couldn't. We picked out paint colors. Now to a normaly person this may not seem like such a big deal but it was. IT WAS HUGE!! We have talked about colors for two years now. Before we even thought about buying a house. HE is more of a neutral guy where as I am colorful. So right there tells the story. So finally since Home Depot had a GREAT sale on paint today we bought paint. So that made it real which meant we had to pick colors. We sat down on the floor with EVERY imaginable color and picked them out. IT WAS GREAT!! The only room that we are still not sure about is the dining room. I will try to post the color.

Well we went by the house and they have the cabinets in!!!! We were shocked because that meant they had painted and everything. They are going so fast. I am not sure but they may get done earlier. I can't wait because not only are we moving in all our family is coming up and that will be the first time they are all up here together!! I think I am more excited about that.

Well the first week of school was GREAT!!! I love my class already. I am so attached to so many of those little people. I can't wait to really get to know them and figure them out. I have some where I am sort of stumped by some of their behviors but I have such an amazing team we are already working out some strategies. I can't wait to actually start teaching them the fun things. We are starting the Human Body Kit this week and that is one of my favorite things to teach. I love science in general but this kit is alot of fun to teach. I am so excited abou thtis year, but I know there will be those days where I wont come home feeling this way and I want to prepare myself for those days. I belive that if I cherish these good days and use them to help bring those bads days up I will do just fine. :)