Prayers for a friend

It's no secret that leaving HG and starting a new job at QES wasn't easy for me.  I was leaving my best friend and starting over at a new school.  I was a little nervous to say the least.

And then I met my new coworkers.  Ya'll they are seriously some of the sweetest people I have ever met or worked with.  They immediately welcomed and accepted me into their family.  They have been patient with me as I learn the ropes and have answered my countless questions.  

It has been such a blessing to be a part of QES and to work with these people.

My coworker and friend, Theresa, is battling cancer right now.  It seems wrong to use the word battling because she has been so positive about everything.  She goes to treatment bright and early and then comes to work and spends her afternoons doing amazing things with our G/T program.  

Theresa has played a huge role in making my transition to a new school not only smooth but enjoyable.  She is an amazing person, coworker, teacher, and friend.  

I have been blown away by you and the prayers you have said for Andrew and I and our someday babies.  They have been what gets me through the rough days.

I know Theresa has had rough days and will have more has she continues to beat this cancer.  Would you please join me in praying for her and her family?  I know it would mean the world to her.

A Letter In Waiting: My Baby's Daddy

To my beautiful first born,

When I dream about you one of the things I look forward to the most is watching your daddy with you.  I know he is going to love you so much.  He already does.  He doesn't show it or talk about it like I do, but I know he dreams about meeting you just as much as I do.  

You are one lucky kid to have a daddy like him.  He will make you laugh harder than you ever thought possible.  Your daddy is constantly telling stories, making up songs, or cracking jokes.  His sense of humor is one of the things I love most about him and I have no doubt that you will love that about him too.  When you want to cry, Daddy will make you laugh.

You'll never be bored because you have a daddy who loves nothing more than to make up crazy games to play.  He and your cousins, Cody & Pryce, are always making up a new game to play.  They love a good competition.  Don't ever expect your daddy to let you win.  He won't do it.  He wants you to always give your very best and he wants you to learn to be a gracious loser.   

Not only is he funny and competitive, but your daddy is the smartest person I know.  He is going to teach you more than you can imagine.  He loves history and will drag you on many educational vacations.  But you'll enjoy them because he has a way of doing that.  His excitement for things is contagious.

Your daddy will teach you how to share the love of Christ with the people around you.  He will teach you how to serve others when he buys diapers for the single mom who doesn't have enough money or when he returns an elderly's person cart for them.  He will teach you to be thankful when he buys lunch for the soldier behind him in line.  I know because it is through these actions that he has taught me to share the love of Christ.  

Your daddy isn't perfect but he will love you with everything he has.  He will take care of you when you are sick.  He will cry with you when you are sad and hold your hand when you are afraid.  He will pray for you.  He will laugh with you.  

He will probably be your favorite person in the world.  I know he's mine.

I love you sweet baby of mine.

Mommy

Happy Sunday

Family Vacation Part Two

I was visiting with my Mommom a couple of weeks before we left for the beach.  I was telling her all about our upcoming vacation and how much I was looking forward to it.  She brought up how blessed I am to have in-laws that are such loving people.  I couldn't agree with her more.  Ya'll I could not have picked a better, sweeter family to marry into if I tried.  They aren't in-laws, they are just family.  Andrew and I both loved every minute of our time on the beach with them.

I think it is a pretty special thing to have a family of this size.  We all love each other and love spending time together.  It's all a good time filled with laughter.

Mom & Big Man

Chris, Krystal, and Kandace

Jayna, Jessica, and Joylyn.  We missed Tony and Waylon.

Joy, Gerry, Tyler, Cody, and Pryce

Jill, Alex, Amelia, and Sydney

(They had professional photos taken so I don't have their portrait.)

Cary, Sara, Jackson, Millie, and Will

Andrew and me

This next one is easily my favorite picture from vacation. Andrew and I with all of our nieces and nephews except Waylon.  These kiddos bless my heart more than they could ever know.   Having this many awesome nieces and nephews has a way of easing the fact that there are no little ones in our photo.  

I can't wait to get it printed and framed.

Family Vacation Part One

Andrew and I just spent last week on the beach with family.  It was the perfect way to spend the last week of summer.  Andrew's parents as well as all 5 of his siblings and their families were able to go this year.  We were only missing two of our guys - and they were missed.

James Taylor

First, I just want to say thank you to everyone for the classroom love.  My classroom is my home away from home so I like for it to be a happy colorful place.  I can't believe school starts a week from today.  It's just crazy.


Andrew and I saw James Taylor in concert Friday night.  This was our second time seeing him, but this time we had front row seats.  We were pretty excited.

Andrew bought an album to have signed and he scored the first autograph of the night.

It was a great show.  He is a funny guy.  And so nice.  He signs autographs during intermission until the band pulls him away to sing again.

We hung out at the end of the show and got a picture with him.

Not the most flattering picture of Andrew and me but we're with James Taylor so who cares!

My 2014/2015 Classroom

I did it.  I said goodbye to the owls and chose a new theme for my classroom this year.  I was a little nervous about it because it took me forever to make a decision on a theme.  But I love all my chalkboards and neons and am pleased with how it turned out.

Welcome to my 2014/2015 Classroom.

The view from the door...

Ready for Open House...even though I wont' be there.

I am in OBSESSED with this bulletin board.  I cannot wait to add their pictures from the first day of school and then change that hashtag out throughout the year.  I usually despise bulletin boards.  Last year my board was blank all year.  But I am super happy about this turned out.

This shelf holds supplies for students and is where they will turn in their work.

I bought these solid black panels but they were too short so I extended them with the green fabric.

My space...

Filled with work ready for the first week.

A few special owls got to stick around.  

The view from my desk...

Table Caddies

I think I'm going to add a cushion to my stool.

The front of the room...

My other whiteboard....

That's the full tour.  What do you think?  Think it will make math a little more fun for my students?