My advice for stress relief...

redecorate by moving things around. It is always when I feel in over my head that I get the urge to organize and move furniture, get crafty, or hang something. I just feel like I need to feel refreshed by change. And it is usually not the best time to tackle something. I can't tell you how many times Matt will roll his eyes about my ideas to move furniture or paint something at midnight...haha! But he knows, if he isn't willing to help, I'll just do it myself anyway. :)

He was thrilled about my idea today as you can see. :) Thankfully, it was easy and all we needed was a hammer!


I moved my old nightstand (which was really a painted tv tray...since Matt's bedroom furniture that we re-did when we first got married only came with one), and put my vanity in its place. Then moved in an extra kitchen chair. And found some frames that were collecting dust and hung them. How FUN! I do eventually want to paint the vanity/nightstand/desk and get a different chair. But it will do just fine for now! I LOVE the change! And so does ol' Matty!



Matt even straightened up the laundry room for me!





I also put out some of our Georgia signs and plates to get ready for the quickly approaching football season!



Very thankful for such a hard working husband! And I'm thankful for a day to get things done around the house and ready for school...without actually being at work! :)

Happy Saturday y'all!

My Kindergarten Classroom...year 5!

It is very hard to believe that I'm starting my fifth year teaching (sixth if you count student teaching and support teaching)! It couldn't have gone better! Every single one of my students showed up for a little meet and greet today...that is a record for me! I am always rushing in the morning. So I'll have to settle for an AFTER picture of Matt and I.


I was able to get a few pictures of my classroom today (unfortunately the black fuzzy dots are still showing up in almost every pic). It makes my classroom and boards look dirty. I promise that they are not! I will add finished pictures of the bulletin boards soon...I forgot to take pictures of them!















Special thanks to Target for so many great finds in the Dollar Spot! Haha!


I guess I'm all ready for my fifth first day! Praying for the best year yet!!



And hoping for restful weekends for all of my teacher friends!

Longest first day EVER!

But in a good way! I got my roster, sat through a meeting, got lots done, got ready for open house, visited with friends, helped with orientation, made it through class, spent more time up at the school preparing to meet my new babies, then celebrated with a Sonic drink and a last minute Wal-Mart run at 10:30pm. Whew!


You said
You'd never leave or forsake me
When you said
This life is gonna shake me
You said
This world is gonna bring trouble on my soul
This I know

When everything falls apart
Your arms hold me together
When everything falls apart
You´re the only hope for this heart
When everything falls apart
And my strength is gone
I find you mighty and strong
You keep holding on
You keep holding on

Paisley, Polish, Pretty Babies, and Staying Positive!

Paisley is everywhere...from my classroom to our kick-off JSL invite! I do love a great pattern!


I picked up some polish today...a last hurrah for the end of summer. I got orange and blue essie polish and I scored a great deal on them. I told the cashier that I was going back to school tomorrow and she asked me if I went to Auburn???!!! I was thrilled that she thought I was young enough to be in college (Someone at Dollar General told me that I didn't look old enough to be teaching for 5 years...more like 1 she said..haha! When I was actually starting my first year of teaching, people thought I was going away to college...how time flies), but even though I'm loving orange and blue this summer, there are red and black in my veins. Haha!!


Lots of babies were born today. Including baby Joseph...my new cousin in law nephew or something like that. He is precious! Congrats Aaron and Joanna!


I've been reading lots on staying positive. I know that I for sure need a positive attitude as I begin several challenging things starting TOMORROW. Here are some words of encouragement from Jesus Calling...
"Watch your words diligently. Words have such great power to bless or to wound. When you speak carelessly or negatively, you damgage others as well as yourself. Ask My Spirit to help you whenever you speak. As positive speech patterns replace your negative ones, the increase in your Joy will amaze you."

Enjoying the freedom of one last day to run errands at lunch if I want to! (My camera keeps putting black spots on every picture I take...hmm?)


Proverbs 12:18
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

James 1:19
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry...

Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Hoop Hype and Keeping up the Kardashians!

I happen to love hoop earrings these days. They are all I want to wear besides my big pearl studs. Silver, gold, and tortoise are my three favorites....HOOPS HOOPS HOOPS! Maybe it is because they are so light and we all know that my right ear is going to tear any day! Anyone else?



Also, The Kardashians have sucked me in. I always liked the show and would watch it every now and then if I saw it as I was flipping the channels. And everyone knows I love a good reality show. Recently, I watched the first three seasons on Netflix in order, and that will get you addicted. I am catching up on the rest of them online.

Have you done anything KIND today?

Last weekend, my friends and I (we are all teachers) were going absolutely nuts over all the great buys in Target's dollar spot. The Bradfordville store was stocked super well and had tons of great finds for teachers and classrooms. We were sort of loud and over the top (like we usually are) and CB started talked to a random lady. The lady mentioned how her son was starting school, etc. Out of nowhere she pulls two five dollar bills out and hands them to Carrie Beth. One for me and one for her (she didn't know Jenn was with us). She told CB that she LOVED hearing teachers get excited about buying things for their classrooms and students. CB tried to give the money back, but the lady wouldn't take it.

I MEAN. Just ten dollars really changed my life and my outlook on random acts of kindness. As crazy as it seems. Who does nice things like that anymore?

I've been talking about this to everyone that I come in contact with and they reminded me that in the past week I gave away lots of my own supplies to a struggling teacher. I helped an elderly teacher move everything heavy in her classroom, and I helped a brand new teacher fill out some paperwork. BUT, I NEVER just pull cash out and surprise people with it. I would, I just don't think about it. It made me feel so happy though, so I defnintely am going to have to do it sometime.

Do we look excited, surprised, and thankful or what???!!! Oh, and we split the money!


Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, KINDNESS, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.....

Gettin' Ready

I guess I'm just getting myself geared up to go back to work. I finished painting some cake pans to use for my lunch count and science center.


Then, I changed up the top of my celebration chair. It desperately needs to be repainted after 4 years. BUT, I just wasn't up for it this summer, so I just repainted the word celebrate and added a bit of zebra and swirls to match my "updated" room. Next year, I will completely redo the chair. It literally gets pulled from square to square every day, and there is hardly ever a moment when a little kindergartener isn't sitting in it oh so proudly. :)



I started adding dates in my planner. And got together my notebook for my Thursday night class that starts THIS week. GAG! I'm terrified!


I finished reading KK's Learning book. I was happily surprised to read this book at the perfect time. Somehow, I completely relate to Bailey in this book. I feel like her struggles are my struggles and fears...just in a different way. The situations are scarily similar though.


Have a great week! I'm definitely counting on this!
Psalm 37:5
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.