Goodbye Summer, Hello Reality

Ahh, summer is already coming to an end! It seems like it just started...yet somehow it's already time for me to go back to reality. But I've missed people, teaching, seeing the ocean every day, my comfy bed, and even just having a schedule and routine, so I'm looking forward to returning to life at my little house at the coast.  (I'm also slightly terrified about this year...but trusting that God will see me through!)

This summer has been such of a blessing! I have done so many fun things: I went on a cruise with my sister and 2 of my nieces (and learned how to dance to Thriller--jealous?), got back into kickboxing classes (I LOVE them!), went rafting, attended a wedding, spent many, many hours visiting with friends, watched the Olympics, read books (for fun! not just teaching related!), planned how I want to decorate my classroom, stayed up late and slept in, went to noon worship at church (I really miss it when I'm not here!), and completed two online classes for grad school (ok, this last one was not exactly fun).  

It really has been a great summer.  In addition to all the fun things I've gotten to do, God has used various people, teachings, and books to remind me how amazingly great His love and grace are for me.  I'd like to blog about that soon, as I feel like I just have to share some of these things I've been learning that have been truly changing my outlook on life and my views of myself.  He is so good!

So, goodbye summer (and all those I love in Southern Oregon! I'll miss you!) and hello to another year of teaching and adventures!

My Pinterest Addiction

I'm a sucker for Pinterest.

I'll start by looking because I have some extra time, and before I know what's happened, someone has changed the time on my clock ahead an hour. It's the strangest thing.

But I do love it. It has so many beautiful photos and provides me with great ideas--especially ones that are teaching-related. I am SO excited to have my own classroom for a complete school year and have an opportunity to decorate, organize, and create. I love making things but never seem to have enough time for it...until this summer, that is!

I now present you with something I made for my classroom after months of gazing longingly on Pinterest photos of similar ones:

It's a crate seat! Isn't it cute? I picked the fabric to match the color scheme of my classroom: blue, green, purple, and pink. I made it out of plywood, foam, and fabric with a little help from my wonderful father :) It's actually meant to be a fun place to sit, but the cushion also pops off so I can store things inside--bonus storage space!

I haven't decided whether to put it in my reading area, around my kidney table (my original idea, before I was only able to make 4 instead of 6 due to running out of foam...that stuff is more expensive than you'd think!), or next to my rug to be used as special seating spots.  I'll make that decision once I'm actually in my classroom and can try it out (in just less than a week).

What do you think? :)

Hello Again!

     It has been over two years since I last posted on here!  So much has happened in my life that I almost decided to scrap this blog and start a new one, but I just love being able to read my old posts.  I couldn't bring myself to delete them--they not only bring back memories, but I'm also able to see how I've grown and how God's hand has worked through circumstances to lead me to where I am now.  So, rather than get rid of the old blog, I redesigned it, gave it a new name, and voila! Like-new blog. :)

     I was inspired to start writing by several friends who have recently started blogs (or I've recently discovered them). I've kept a journal since I can remember and have always liked the idea of writing a blog, I think life just got busy and I didn't stick with it.  However, I'm really going to try to keep up this time!

     I'm going to keep this post short and sweet.  I have more I want to share (hint: a super cute something I made for my classroom and a thought-provoking book I've been reading), but I'll make you come back to read that later ;)

     I'd love it if you'd follow me or let me know what your blog address is if you have one so I can follow you, too!

Blessings!