Worst Blogger EVER... AGAIN!

So I just can't seem to keep this up! So much is happening right now in life and the time to sit and blog is very little!

Super fast update:

• The official decision was made to move to Murfreesboro this summer.
• I put my house on the market in March.
• I resigned from Finley Elementary in May. It was one of the hardest decisions that I have ever made. I did not have a job yet in M'boro, and I was stepping out in faith and leaving a wonderful job and friends that had made my teaching career what it is today.
• I packed and moved over the course of several weeks (UGH) and became an official residence of Murfreesboro, TN. :-)
• I began to endure the LONGEST. SUMMER. EVER. With no news on the house or job front, I felt like a total waste of space. I felt bad being off work when I had no work to go back to.
• My house sold in late June and we closed in the beginning of July. This was such a relief. The right couple came along and I knew that this was the right decision.
• I had the best interview EVER on July 12th at LaVergne Lake Elementary. Mike drove me to the school because I was super nervous. My bff, Mandy, had coached me the night before on how to be interviewed so I felt confident but still nervous. When I left, I knew that was the school for me. Knew it.
• One extremely, long, painful week later, I got that faithful phone call from my awesome principal. He wanted me to teach first grade. Was I interested? Uh...YEAH!!
• And thus began the beginning of where we are now....

My life consists of school, eating, school, sleeping, school and more school. I've barely seen my bffs or Mike since I got my job because I've been spending 13 hours a day at school, weekends included. Changing school districts, schools, and grade levels sent me for a LOOP. I have been teaching 10 years and I felt like a newbie!! Still do!! But I have a wonderful school and the BEST team EVER behind me. They are lifesavers. :-)

So my NEW obsession is... first grade teaching blogs!!! These women are amazing! They have time to teach and share on their blog! Since it's a new curriculum, this is so helpful for me because I can see what others are doing and share with my teammates. Here are a few of my favorites:

Babbling Abby at The Inspired Apple :-)

Michelle at Fabulous in First :-)

Jennifer at First Grade Blue Skies :-)

And Cara at thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com!

Anna at Crazy for First Grade :-)


Lynda at Curls and a Smile


Erica at E.B.'s First Grade


These ladies (and MANY MORE) are so fantastic and have helped me so much!

My second obsession at the moments is...

TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS!! This website is a dream come true for me! I love cutesy ideas and games but don't have to know-how or time to put it together. But these fabulous people DO! And they get paid for it! But because we're teachers PAYING teachers, the prices are FANTASTIC!!!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/

A few pics for the road...

My empty room at Finley. Yes, I cried. And yes, I left more than I meant to. LOL.

My precious niece Alaina at her dance recital this summer. One of the highlights of my summer!

My "niece" Madison Grace looking as sweet as ever! I'm loving living closer to her and the rest of my "nieces and nephews" and their sweet mommas!

Alaina and Ella in their ladybug shirts this summer! Had a great time with them while visiting D'burg!

Me, before my faithful interview. Several girls on the interview committee commented on my cute sweater! :-)

My new room!!! It's HUGE!!! More pics to come of this beautiful place!

Ok, I'll shut up now. I'm going to try and keep up with this thing. Probably going to be more school, than scrapping, but hang in there. Thanks for reading!

Only 2 weeks... Not too shabby!

Well its been two weeks since I've posted... not too bad for me! But its been a whirlwind of a few weeks so lots to tell!

First, I had an AWESOME 31 party with my good friend, Megan Madden! I got lots of goodies coming for next to nothing because of all my great friends and family!!! :-)

Then, I went to Murfreesboro for the L-O-N-G week

end with my sweetheart and besties!! I drove to Cookeville on Saturday to spend time with my best friend, Mandy and her precious miracle, Madison Grace. She is such a beautiful little girl and I'm so blessed to get to be in her life! Aunt Amanda loves you sweet girl!!

Plus, spending time with her sweet momma is always f

un! Mandy and I pick up right where we left off and can talk for hours! Such a great friendship! Then I headed back to Murfreesboro, had brunch with my love and one of my besties, Lauren (aka Lala) at the good ol' Cracker Barrel. Such fun! :-) Then, I cleaned Mike's condo from top to bottom! It was so... FUN! I had such a good time and part of the fun was knowing how happy he'd be when he got home! And he was!! :-) Then, since it was President's Day weekend, I got to stay Sunday evening and Monday! We went to Kingston Springs on Monday and had lunch with Mike's dad and stepmom. We always have a good time with them! Then, I had to head back to the burg... until next time!

Next, a short afternoon trip to Memphis for my sister in law, Amy's sister in law, Anna's Premier Jewelry party! (Did you catch that?! My sil's sil. ;-) I LOVE Premier and even though I felt as if I were "cheating" on my consultant, I did have a great time!

Then, my annual scrapbook weekend with my girls, the ScrapAddicts. One of these ladies, Threase, and I created this group many moons ago and it has grown and grown. There were 20 of us there this weekend and it was so much fun! I worked on Mike and I's mini album, a few Christmas cards and a few "blog projects" that I got from blog hopping! Here's a few:

This is a page I did, trying out "doodling". Its been all the rage in scrapbooking for a while and I guess I'm just behind the times. This was a FREE card from Snapfish (www.snapfish.com) of Mike and I for Valentine's Day. I thought it turned out really cute!

This is my good friend, Kerri's Christmas card from 2009. (Yeah, I'm a little behind! But what scrapbooker isn't?) She has the cutest little boys and always the most fabulous cards! :-)

This is a banner I made for St. Patrick's Day. I originally saw this banner on someone else's blog but CANNOT find it right now! Hopefully, I'll find it when I get home and repost! I think it is super cute!!! Oh, and the letters are glittery. Don't know if you can tell...

This Valentine's Day art, originally seen at Peppermint Plum. I changed in up and little and haven't framed it yet, but it'll be so cute next year!

:-)

So this brings us up to date... I did a few other projects that aren't done yet, but they can wait. Hope everyone has a fantastic week!

Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day has always been a rough day for me. I've been single most of my adult life and watching friends and loved ones showered with love, flowers, candy and cards on this day has been kind of hard. I've always tried to be happy for these people but hurting inside since I was single. Selfish, I know.

So, yesterday morning I was all prepared for a pretty yucky Valentine's Day. I had talked to Michael the night before and he had no plans to come to Dyersburg to visit. I had assumed he would since it was V-day, but he had some things to do at home. Still, I secretly hoped he was planning on surprising me. I just felt it was coming. So I texted him mid morning as I always do. Then he texted me back. Not good. He doesn't text and drive so he wasn't on his way. :-( Then I called him during PE (Like I always do) and he answered and was "driving around in Murfreesboro, running errands." And I truly believed he was. He was calling out landmarks, places he normally goes and different traffic problems occurred in M'boro. I was convinced. He wasn't coming. I was devastated.

So the last hour of school was awful. I just wanted to go home, crawl into bed and pout. Then, I went into the hallway about 2:55 to talk to a parent. I was standing there talking to her when out of the corner of my eye I saw someone coming up the ramp by my room with flowers and a balloon. Now, this had been happening ALL DAY yesterday at school. People constantly bringing stuff into school for their sweethearts and their children. I glanced that direction and had to look TWICE! It was my love. My sweetheart. My Michael. Walking up the ramp, dressed up, with flowers, a balloon, A CARD (he never buys cards) and himself! I was so excited! I immediately started crying and backing up saying "I didn't think you were c

oming!" All my parents were saying "Awww..." It was so special! I opened the door and my kids saw him. (They LOVE him!) And all of them were excited. I didn't think the day could get any better! Wrong again!

We left school and went back to my house. He also had brought me my favorite candy! So we took my flowers in, got them in water, let the doggies out and headed to town. We were going to try and have an early dinner so we could beat the crowd. But 4:00 was a little too early. So we went by and saw my parents, check with Abe's Ribeye Barn to make sure they were opened and headed to dinner about 5:00. It was SO GOOD! I haven't been to Abe's without a large group before, so it was new for both of us. They handed out roses to the ladies! We had a delicious, QUICK dinner and were heading to the movie theater. We stopped by Walgreens for a sec and the Red Box looked really good. So we decided to rent a couple of movies, head home and relax. It was so worth it! Just a quiet evening in, watching Secretariat (P.S. GREAT movie!).

I couldn't have asked for a better day or a better Valentine.

Michael truly is the love of my life and I'm so blessed to have him in my life!

I love you babe!

Looking ahead...

Its human nature to look ahead. No matter what's going on, you're always looking at what's coming up. My whole life I'd say "I can't wait for..." and my momma's would say to me, "Don't wish you're life away!" But I just. can't. help. it. I have very little patience, which is humorous since I'm a teacher. You'd think I'd have a ton. But not so much.
Anyway, I can't help but look to the future. Plan for the future. Hope for the future. When there are exciting things going on, I can't help but look forward to them and hope for them to HURRY UP!
But, I'm trying my hardest to live in the moment and enjoy my time in the present. Not the future.
Oh boy, this is going to be hard.

Bad blogger.

Oh, I'm so bad at this. I really want to be better but for some reason, I can't make it happen.

So much has changed since I last blogged and thus part of the reason for not blogging. No time. Because. I'm. in. love. L-O-V-E, love. And its fabulous!

In my last blog I mentioned "making new friends"...an

d that was Michael and he is the best! We've been dating about 8 months and I've never been happier. Unfortunately, he lives in Murfreesboro and I live in Dyersburg, so the long distance thing is ROUGH. But I know it'll all be worth it. I'm hoping to make a move to Middle TN this summer, pending a new job up there. I can't wait to be in the same city with the man I love!

Lots of other great things have been happening:

I have a new sister in law! Brad and Amy got married in November and it was a beautiful wedding! See below.

My (biological) nieces, Alaina and Ella are doing great! Alaina has started Kindergarten and is too smart for her own good! She told me back in September, that she was tired of the letter "M"...they'd been doing it for a week and she knew what it said, how it looked and she was ready to move on! HA! Ella is a sassy almost 3 year old and such a cutie! She has SO much personality! She loves to state the obvious too. My sister in law, Miranda, was loading her into the car, with a bunch of bags, cups, etc. and Ella said, "Mommy... you're busy, huh?" LOL! Below is me and the girls at Brad and Amy's rehearsal dinner.

My besties are doing fabulous and their children, my nieces and nephews, are getting so big! Mandy's little miracle, Madison, is just that. A miracle. Check out her story at therawlsfamily.blogspot.com. I also can't wait to be back in Middle TN to be closer to all of them! They are the best friends any girl could ask for! This is all of us at Danielle's baby shower for baby Olivia! Can't wait to meet her!

As far as scrapbooking and diet goes, they have both been at a stand still. :-( I need to FIND the track again, to get back on it!

So I'm going to try harder to keep up this blog... I need an outlet somewhere. :-)

Hope you're still reading!

Love, A

Not bad... but not good either!

So a month's time frame isn't too bad for updating this blog. Not a whole lot to say I guess and even less time to say it in.

Summer is just 5 and a half days away and I can smell it!!! My students are liked caged animals right now, with chlorine and adrenaline pulsing through their veins! They are so ready to go and p.s.... so is their teacher! This time of the year is crazy with programs, field days, award ceremonies and such...its hard to make it!

I'm so looking forward to this summer! So many things are happening:

June-

• Princess Madison will make her arrival!
• Staying in M'boro while waiting for Madison :-)
• Going to Georgia to visit my brother and his family for Alaina's ballet recital
• Alaina and Ella may come home with us for a week
• Camping trip with Crystal's church
• St. Louis trip :-)

July-

• Murfreesboro for 4th of July and ECLIPSE!!!
• Cookeville to see Madison (& Mandy and Duskin) before school starts back

I really am excited about all of my trips and seeing all my friends! Plus making some new ones ;-)!!!

5 and a half days, peeps... I think I can make it!!!

Toodles!

Trying again...

Here I go again...lol. I've been encourage by my bestie, Mandy, to keep my blog updated. Check her out and pray for her angel coming soon (therawlsfamily.blogspot.com)!

Busy couple of weeks coming up...

Next week: Monday thru Thursday - TCAP camp after school from 3 until 5:30... I think I'm going to be exhausted!

The next week: Monday thru Thursday - TCAP!! So stressful, for me and the kids, and I just pray that I've prepared my kids for the test.

The next week: Friday night - Relay for Life from 5 until Midnight! I'm my team's captain and we've worked really hard this year! Hoping everything comes together!!

Whew!!! I'm tired from writing all that! Not to mention having ANY fun in those three weeks! Plus losing weight and exercising...how in the WORLD do my married friends and friends with husbands and kids do all of this and take care of a family?!?! I can barely juggle my own business much less a whole family's worth!!

Thank goodness for summertime being just around the corner and the daily walks in the park to remind me of that!! Blessings!

New decade, new start...yeah right!

LOL...once again, I'm trying to do better about this! And probably won't make it this time, but hey, I'll try.

Seems like everyone and their momma is out of school tomorrow for "snow" or cold but good ol' Dyer Co. is going. So I'm just praying that none of my babies that ride the bus in the morning will freeze while waiting.

Other than that, I'm getting ready for our "annual" Gatlinburg trip with some of my girls from the boro. I miss these ladies so much and cannot wait to spend time with them. They have been my sisters and friends for over 12 years now and I'm blessed to have their love and friendship...

"To the world, I promise temperence, insight and mercy. To crusade for justice, to seek the truth and defend it always. To those who my life may touch in slight measures, may I give graciously of what is mine. To my friends, understanding and appreciation. To those closer ones, love that is ever steadfast. To my mind, growth. To myself, faith, that I may walk truly in the light of the flame."

Truer words were never spoken.

Just can't do it...

For some reason, I just can't keep this blog up! Seriously?! What is wrong with me?!!? LOL, just kidding...

So here again are some few updates:
The diet is going well...well kind of...As of the beginning of June, I was down 61 pounds! I was very excited! However, the summer was kind of a whirlwind and I ended up gaining about 15 pounds over the three months (June, July & August) of summer.

BUT, I'm back on track! I've been going to the gym BEFORE school as opposed to after school. After school, I was so tired and I couldn't make myself go! So I get up about 4:15, let the dogs out, get dressed and head to the gym about 4:45. I get there about 5 and workout for about an hour and then head home to get ready for school. Plus, I'm spending Sunday afternoons making salads, lunches, snacks, etc. so that I can pack lunches quickly each morning. Also, I've been making an effort to actually EAT breakfast and not just turkey bacon! :-) I'm hoping that my changes will make a difference on the scale!

I just found out today that I was accepted to grad school! We start classes Sept. 23rd and I'm so excited!!! I love school and can't wait to get started!

Looking forward to fall break...I'll be heading to Orange Beach for two weeks...hopefully! Everything was set for me to go for the whole two weeks, but now I'll have to miss two grad classes to go. I've emailed my professor and I'm hoping she'll excuse me. Fingers crossed...

I feel like every time I update this blog, I'm working on cleaning up my scrap room. Guess what? This is Labor Day weekend and...I'm working in my scraproom!!! LOL...I'm hoping for the best!

I think that's about it for now. I'll try harder to update this thing...if anyone's reading it...:-)

A long overdue update...

Hello all! I'm very sorry I haven't updated in a while. My student teacher is gone and my computer at home has been DEAD, so updating hasn't been an option.

But I have a few minutes this morning to say hello and catch everyone up!

On the weight loss front, I'm down 45 pounds in 17 weeks on the South Beach diet. I'm pretty excited even though it has slowed down. I've been going to a spinning/pilates class every Monday and Wednesday and I believe that's going to help me in the long run. I'm not slowing down!

On the scrapbooking front, I made it through my absolutely fabulous weekend at Lakeshore and got a lot done. I loved every minute of it and can't wait to do it again! We're trying to get a weekend together at one of our friend's house here in town, so I'm hoping that works out!

On a non-related area of this blog, I want to take a minute and write about sportsmanship. I've always been an advocate for promoting good sportsmanship since I work with kids! This has been especially important with the recent basketball tournaments. I've been going to support our Dyer County Choctaws and have noticed the complete LACK OF good sportsmanship amoung teams in Northwest TN. I've seen GROWN ADULTS taunting TEENAGERS and egging them on to the point of breaking. Bringing up players "mommas" during a ball game is ridiculous and spiteful, especially if the child doesn't have a mom! I've seen other teenagers assault basketball players, while supposedly just "cheering for their team." And finally, I've seen groups of fans taking their hatred for a good team to a new level. This has been the saddest season for sportsmanship that I have ever witnessed and I'm NOT TALKING ABOUT THE DC FANS! Some of the NW TN fans out there should be ashamed and banned from future games if they can't conduct themselves with class. There's a difference in cheering for your team and rooting for the other team to fail. There will always be a better coach, a better team or a better night. Learn to accept the outcome of a game with class and teach your children the same!

Now, I'll step off my soapbox...Have a great weekend, friends! And...GO CHOCTAWS!