Thoughts on teaching

When I first started teaching, I wish someone could've given me a toolbox with various things that would come in handy.  Even though that wasn't the case, I had the honor to do that for someone else. I have several friends graduating soon with teaching degrees. The first is my friend Katie.  I was able to stock a basket with some of my favorite must-haves as a teacher.  It's a customized first year teacher survival kit, complete with customized clipboard.  

Things I included in the survival kit: clipboard, sharpies, dry erase markers, small journal, glue sticks, gum, germ-x, notepad, binder clips, my favorite pens, classroom labels, bandaids, small patterned duct tape, coke, and m&ms.

There's a part of me that can hardly believe it is May already.  Last week I was getting teary-eyed on the way to school thinking about saying goodbye in 12 days.  In August, we became a family.  I was able to witness kids start believing in themselves, accomplish amazing things, overcome obstacles, grow a tremendous amount.  This is by far my favorite part of my job, watching them exceed even their own expectations. After 5 years of teaching (can you believe it?!), you would think it'd get easier.  It doesn't. In some ways it gets harder.  I love what I do, even on hard days, and believe me, there are plenty of days I want to pull my hair out. After saying goodbye, I want my students to remember how much I loved and believed in them. I want them to remember how much fun they had in 2nd grade and how much they learned...especially on hard days when they want to give up.  I hope they'll remember how much I cared about who they were and what made them tick.  I hope they remember the hugs and the laughter we shared.  I hope they remember how much we celebrated, even small victories.  I hope they always do the "friday dance" and sing "happy birthday" backwards. More than anything though, I hope they saw Jesus.

a shower for baby mayzie

my friend/co-worker vanessa is having a baby girl in july and we threw her a shower after school one day last week.  we did it in her nursery colors: mint, coral, and grey.  I thought it turned out super cute! I’m kinda addicted to decorating for showers too. Love how all this came together!  [also, I can’t believe I’m posting again so soon!]

Two of the lovely hostesses for the shower.


The art teacher made this cute frame to coordinate with the nursery and below, Vanessa is holding the quilt I made for Mayzie.


linked up with:
tatertots&jello
katherines corner
six sisters stuff

carter jace young is one!

 

an ol’ housemate of mine had a baby over a year ago and they celebrated his first birthday on good friday with a “mr. onederful” theme.  it was quite adorable and I had the honor of photographing it.  mandi, the party was super cute and your son is adorable! happiest birthday, carter!

week 19: Mayzie's stroller quilt

I feel so behind in blogging and at the same time like I could post 10 different things.  We will start with this.  I made a stroller sized quilt for a coworker/friend who is having a baby in July.  It was my first time to machine quilt and quilt by myself.  Like I said in my last post, I'm obsessed with quilts and seriously doubt this obsession will end anytime soon. This process took a few weeks because I had to make time to actually work on it. Sometimes I wish crafting was my job. Other days I'm glad to have another job to do.  Also, May is like the spring-time Decemeber. (so busy!)  I should've included a picture of my desk calendar at school. It's ridiculous. I used a tutorial from see kate sew.  I really enjoy her blog and let me know if you try her tutorial too! In the upcoming weeks, I plan to post more. Forgive me if life just gets plain crazy though and I have to play catch-up at the beginning of summer.