My Teacher Story

I decided to link up with Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes - a wonderful teacher blog - and share my teacher story.  Growing up, I had 3 crazy brothers.  I spent a lot of time playing by myself and I played school.  I lined all my dolls up and even wrote on the wall with my school notes.  Ha!  School was just always fun and easy for me.  When I went to college, I knew I wanted a career that helped people.  I considered social work, but quickly learned I could not handle all that I would see.  I considered pharmacy - which my parents fully supported. Ha!  But I didn't want to go to school 5 hours away from my family.  So one day, I went to my parents and said," I think I want to be a teacher."

 At first, my parents were not supportive.  I had two older cousins that had taught for many years and shared their stories -the good, the bad, and the ugly.  My mother, like any other mother, did not want me to have to deal with anything bad.  She discouraged me.  My parents even told me if I continued with my "teacher" plans, they would not pay for my college. 

So the next semester, I paid for my own college.  I worked hard at school and a part-time job and got all A's that semester in upper division classes.  I think that convinced my parents that I really wanted it and I was not going to change my mind.  So they paid for the rest of my college and now brag about what a good teacher I am.

I have taught for 14 years now - all middle school.  I never thought I would end up in middle school.  I always thought I would teach 1st or 2nd grade.  But I have grown to love middle school.  I have taught 7th/8th grade math and 7th grade language arts.  Middle school students are unpredictable and never boring.  They are full of drama, as well.  Ha!

I am moving to a new school this fall - still middle school though.  It is a small school closer to where I live.  I am so excited, and I can't wait for this school year.  This summer, I have spent time "spying" on other blogs getting wonderful ideas.  I can't wait to implement all these new ideas this year.  And that is my story!

Fabulous Friday

I had such a good Friday! I didn't do much- just hung out with friends and family. But it was a great day!

• I organized Allie's hair things in a cute jewelry organizer I found at Marshall's
• I found an adorable red filing cabinet for my office area. I didn't buy it yet, but I found what I wanted.
• I spent time with my mom who has been taking my aunt to Nashville for radiation treatments for weeks. My aunt has one more week and 2 days left! PTL
• I had lunch with a friend I haven't seen in a while.
• I picked up and love my new Vera Bradley glasses. I just might wear these and get rid of my contacts. They are so cute!
• I found Allie a maxi dress on sale.
• My mom bought Corbin several things at Belk on sale. She buys Allie a lot, so she wanted to buy Corbin something.
• I spent a lot of time organizing and looking at old photos.

Love the days where I get a lot accomplished and spend time with my family.

Shopping - 911

As a women, I want to look pulled together and nice when I go out.  But I am 38, and I am having more shopping trouble than ever.  I don't want to look like I am dressing too young, but I want to look like I am in this decade.  One of my favorite shows is "What Not To Wear."  Love that show!  It really is not about just the clothes.  It's much more -  how you feel about yourself.   It's about rebuilding women's self confidence.   I think I need to nominate myself for the show.  I know I would LOVE it.

Anyway, I have bought several things lately, but have not worn them.  I bought these adorable shorts from Old Navy.  They are cute and were not expensive at all.  But I don't know if they are too short.  I would wear a 3/4 sleeve shirt with them to try and balance them out.  But I live in a small town, and I don't want people talking about my short - shorts!  Ha!  I am short - only 5'2 - so maybe I could get away with them. I tried them on and did the "finger -tip" test.  That's what we do at school.  They did pass.  The shorts fell to my fingertips.  Ha!  I think before I take them back I will try them on for Eric and see if he makes a comment.  No comment = good.  What do you think?

I also read several fashion blogs that shop at Anthropologie.  I love their clothes, but the prices are too much for me.  That being said, I decided to order one top and just see.  Of course, it was packaged nicely.  But I don't know if it's worth the price.  It also fit weird on me.  So I guess I will send it back.  Oh well, I wanted to try.

The top is beautiful and would go with a lot.  I just think maybe it's too expensive to keep.  So now since I am kid free today, I am off to see what I can find for fall.  Since I am a teacher, I usually slack off on dressing in the summer.  Wish me luck!

Oak Ridge Indoor Pool

Every afternoon for the past week and half, it storms for hours. The kids were starting to fight more and more. So today I took Corbin, Allie, my niece and nephew to the Oak Ridge pool. They play ping pong and foosball(spelling?) for a little while, then we hit the pool. We saw other kids they knew. They had so much fun. It was so nice to get some energy out.






Allie is very competitive! Ha!






Corbin going off the diving board.







The noodles!

My Sweet Girl

This morning Allie woke me up with breakfast in bed. She had made me toast with strawberry jelly, a waffle, 1 chocolate chip cookie, and 2 strawberry fig newtons. She also brought me my Diet Pepsi. I'm not going to lie. I cried! That was such a sweet gesture. We have been working on serving others and not being selfish. She totally surprised me. I love that girl!





She loves to dress! Ha!

God's beauty - Laurel Falls

We are so lucky to live close to the Smoky Mountains.  This past Saturday, we decided to go up and hike.  We hiked Laurel Falls - which is  amoderate to easy hike.  It is 2.5 miles roundtrip and took about 2 hours to complete.  Laurel Falls is a popular hike, so there were lots of people on the trail.  We had so much fun.  We are looking to go back and do other trails.  The scenery was just beautiful. 

Change of Priorities

This summer has been so good for me.  I had a stressful school year with Eric traveling a lot,  Corbin's stomach problems, and new evaluation standards.  It really made me stop and think what or who is important.  I wrote my top 5 Priorities and printed it out.  I have one copy hanging in my bedroom, and I am going to carry one copy with me.  When I start to get stressed or overwhelmed, I am going to pull out my list and see if it's on there.  Should it be as big a deal as I am making it?  Here are my top priorities for 2012 - 2013:

1.  God - We go to a fabulous church and feel like it is home to us.  We are blessed to have a wonderful Pastor and church family.  But I need to concentrate on my personal relationship with God.  I need to read His Word more and ask for understanding.  I can't be content to just attend church on Sunday and Wednesday and listen.  I need to become actively involved. 

2.  Family - I love my family.  They mean everything to me.  I need to adjust my attitude and speak with more loving words.  With Eric traveling so much, it can be easy to take everything out on him.  I need to make sure my children see a positive, loving relationship between us.  I know this affects children so much.  I also need to say No to my children more.  Material things are just that.  They simple don't need everything.  I want to work on them volunteering more to help people in need.

3.  My job - I still love teaching and feel that God called me to be a teacher.  It is so stressful these days being a teacher.  I have to realize I need to give it 100% and then leave it at school. I also need to work on being more positive and not listening or getting caught up in negative talks.  Negative talks benefit no one.  As a teacher, I need to set a good example for my students.  My new principal told me that if you do something in the best interest of the students, and it doesn't work out, it's OK.  Admit your mistake and move on.  We are human, and we are going to make mistakes. I thought that was so supportive and kind.

4.  Myself /Health - I tend to, as other mothers, to put myself last on the list.  But if I am not taking care of myself, how can I take care of everyone else?  I need to take time to exercise, read, or whatever I need to do to relieve my stress.  I need to take grandparents or friends up on watching my kids.  They know with Eric traveling, I need time to myself.  I did not take their help this past year.

5.  Friends - I need to make my friends a priority.  I have some friends I have know since elementary school.  I have some new friends I have meet at church or work.  I need to take the initiative and ask them to lunch or schedule a girls' day.  I tend to wait around on others to plan everything.  I have one friend that has asked me several times to get together with her.  I never did.  I know she got tired of asking me.  Ha!  So I asked her, and we are going to lunch this coming Tuesday. 


I am so looking forward to this school year.  I am well rested and enthusiastic.  And I know that God doesn't give us more than we can handle.  I need to rely on Him more this coming school year.