the best gift of 2013

I suppose it is fitting that I have yet to give an update beyond November of last year. It makes for the perfect space to share the news that we found out back in November... news that was our little secret for a while, but is now public knowledge ... we're so glad we can shout it from the rooftops!

Yes, it's true! Our little family is expanding from 2 to 3! We are excited beyond measure to meet our "peanut" in July 2014! Though of course we have our share of fears and anxieties about this new adventure too... everything "baby" is new to us so we have a lot to learn in just a few months! But we know God's timing is perfect and we trust that we will be prepared (or as prepared as we can be!) when our little one arrives.

We've been so amazed at the process already... how what looked like just a tiny seed at 7 weeks grew into a mini human being by 12 weeks, and is growing rapidly now so that in just a couple weeks we will have a detailed anatomy scan and find out if baby is a he or she! 

Thankfully, I've been feeling great! While I lacked an appetite and had an upset stomach for a few weeks early on in the pregnancy, lately I've been feeling pretty "normal." My energy and appetite have returned, so I'm hoping this continues! It's hard to believe we are nearing the halfway point (I'm 17 1/2 weeks today - crazy!), especially because baby is just starting to show him or herself. But I'm sure that in the next few weeks I will need to break out some bigger clothes sizes!

We would definitely appreciate your prayers for us on this journey toward parenthood! Stay tuned for a gender reveal coming soon!

oh baby

Among many other celebrations, this fall also brought it's fair share of baby showers! It was a privilege to attend a baby shower for a friend from town. Even though I didn't know another soul at the party, her family and friends were so welcoming -- I can tell her little one will be loved beyond measure! I have only known her for about a year and a half, but it feels as if we have been friends for much longer. We genuinely connected early on in our relationship, and our walks around the neighborhood are always a highlight of my day! I have a feeling we will only get closer in the future.

As part of my shower gift to her, I offered to take maternity photos in a nearby park. So on an early November afternoon, we braved the brisk autumn temperatures for some photos while the colorful leaves were still on the trees. I'm so glad they loved their photos-- I did too! 

I could not be happier for these friends as they welcomed their new addition into their family on Christmas day! He is adorable and I'm sure there will be many photos of him to add to their collection. 

Toward the end of the month, I also helped host a baby shower for my sister-in-law who is due with her first child in March. Since she and her husband live in Chicago, we decided it was best to throw her a shower while they were visiting for Thanksgiving. It was a small and intimate event -- mostly family and a few close friends -- with some fun activities that made everyone laugh. It is exciting to think that the next time we see them, their baby boy will also be here! 

With all of these little ones, we certainly had a lot to be thankful for this past Thanksgiving!

looking back

Happy New Year! 

Though I can hardly believe it is 2014. The new year snuck up on me this time. The past few months have been filled with anticipation and excitement ... we had a lot to celebrate! Weddings, showers, holidays ... all wonderful things, though they also filled up our calendar, not leaving much time to savor these moments, let alone document them here on my blog. 

So, before I look ahead to 2014 and all that's in store, I thought I would take a few posts to back up and reflect on some of the great things that happened in the end of last year.

Here's a look back on the highlights from October, beginning with my best friend's bridal shower. Our surprise was a success, and the pumpkin coffee theme suited the bride perfectly! It was fun to plan out all of the small details that helped make her shower special and unique to her.

Just a few days after the shower, the hubby and I took off for a mini vacation to Florida! We stayed 5 nights in Orlando at a beautiful resort that my family has enjoyed for years, but this time we met our close friends down there. The weather could not have been better -- sunshine and high 70's/low 80's the whole time! -- which was perfect for relaxing by the pool with a cold drink during the day, and heading out for dinner and ice cream at night! We also spent one day at Disney's Hollywood Studios, where we rode the Tower of Terror and Aerosmith roller coaster over and over! We had so many laughs. Our few days in Florida went way too fast!

More updates coming soon! I've made it one of my New Year goals to get back to blogging!

falling back into busyness

How is it November already? Somehow time slips away as the leaves fall to the ground each autumn. The school year seems to put my life on fast forward! Before we know it, the holidays will be upon us again!

I generally live in one of two states -- busy or extremely busy -- and the past several weeks and months have been one of those extremely busy times! I'm certainly not complaining because I realize my busyness is by my own choice, and most of what makes me so busy are things that I absolutely love doing! Every so often I panic and wonder why I say "yes" to so many things, but yet I can't think of an answer when asked what I could cut out of my schedule! Here's what's been keeping my hands full lately:

While I love so many of these things, I am also so thankful for today... a break from routine. A day without a plan. A day for me. Tonight will bring another wave of parent/teacher conferences but for now I'm relishing in today. 

ups & downs of the first 2 weeks

So, I know you're wondering... how's school going?

I've answered this question so many times already and the answer has been different depending on when it is asked. If you asked me before this past Wednesday, this was my answer:

"School is going GREAT! I am already so in love with my students and my schedule. I love that it is a small class and I can give them the small group or one-on-one attention they need. My students are such good listeners and generally eager to follow directions. They are kind-hearted and genuinely care about each other. I haven't even needed to use my classroom management system for discipline yet! I can honestly say that I enjoy going to school everyday and spending my days with these children and the wonderful 2nd grade team that I have the privilege of working with. This may just be my best school year yet!"

Unfortunately, my blissful situation at school was turned upside-down a few days ago. Maybe that's a bit dramatic, but that's how I felt when I heard the news. Our staff was called in for a meeting after school this past Wednesday. We knew that we may have some staff and scheduling changes to address since there were some last-minute decisions made before school began. But, I certainly did not anticipate how they would affect me personally.

So now when people ask me how school's going, my reply is different:

"My class is wonderful and I love spending time with them. But class sizes are small, and I'm worried for my school. Our enrollment is lower than anticipated for this school year. As a result, some tough budget decisions had to be made. One of these decisions involves our elementary school instructional aides. While we are fortunate to keep them on staff, their hours will be reduced as of tomorrow. Also, the aide positions have been switched around so that one works strictly in 1st/2nd grades, while the other works in 3rd/4th grades. This means that the aide I have worked with for 3 years and grown to love as a friend and colleague will now be working in 4th grade. While I am happy she still has a job, I am so disappointed that her job no longer involves working closely with me. I'm confident my new aide is a hard worker, but I am grieving the loss of an amazing aide and friend. My time at school will simply not be the same without her help."

Tomorrow begins a new journey at school - one with new schedules and new aides to train. I can only hope that our new journey will also bring new students to solve our enrollment issue. We have another staff meeting this week to learn of other changes that will be taking place across all of our campuses. I am praying for how this will impact our students, our staff, and our school. Please pray for EC!

on the eve of a new school year

Tomorrow begins a new school year. My 5th year of teaching! It's hard to believe I am 5 years into my career already. When I tell people that I'm entering my 5th year, they assume I know what to expect and can just whip out my old lesson plans and do it all over again. There is some truth to that, but even after being a second grade teacher for several years, I still have many emotions going into the first day of school.

I'm sad to say good-bye to the sweetness of summer.

I'm excited to get to know 15 new students and help them grow this year.

I'm eager to see how this group of 9 girls and 6 boys will interact together.

I'm anxious about all of the small details I need to remember on the first day.

I'm hopeful that the first day will go smoothly, even without the extra set of hands of a student teacher (what a blessing last year!).

I'm grateful for a small class size, an always positive co-teacher, and an amazing aide.

I'm nervous about our low enrollment for this school year, and what that could mean for the future of our school.

I'm not sure how I feel about getting back into routine. I typically enjoy and thrive in a routine, but I'm fearful that I will have a hard time sticking to it. I'm afraid of overcommitting my time and energy.

But aside from all of my mixed emotions, the one pressing most on my heart for this new school year is feeling chosen by God to be the teacher for this particular set of 15 children. Of course, I feel this way every year to some extent, but this year is different. Perhaps it is because I have a few children in my new class that come from heartbreaking family situations. I know these children are loved by their families, but they have been through so much grief in just 7 short years. I'm feeling the responsibility of making sure that all of my students, but especially those that have experienced brokenness, know that I love them and will be there to support them, no matter what life brings. I want to be a model of Christ's love for them.

The problem is that I'm not exactly sure how to do that. There are no curriculum manuals with step by step directions for growing in love. I can't do it on my own. Will you pray with me that God will give me the grace and patience I need to make a difference in the lives of my students this year? Pray that my words and actions are not my own, but God's. Pray that my relationship with God will be my first priority, and that evidence of this will overflow into my daily interactions with students. Pray that they will see Christ in me and want their lives to reflect His as well. 

Even if these children forget how to add 3 digit numbers, count coins, tell time, spell high frequency words, or write a paragraph, if my students grow in their love for God and others, I will be one happy teacher.

It all begins... TOMORROW!

summer is slipping away

I recently heard a quote that rang true for me: "For teachers, the month of August is just one long Sunday night." While of course I have been enjoying every bit of summer to its fullest potential, it's true that with the turn of the calendar from July to August comes the pressure to start thinking about school again. I have spent several days in my classroom now and happy to say it is just about ready for the kids to arrive! I've also begun to think about those first week lesson plans, along with copies I need to make and projects I need to prep so that I'm all set for what looms beyond Labor Day.

But don't think for a minute that I don't love my job. I do! There is definitely a part of me that is excited to get to know my new class and have fun learning with them. Summer is just oh-so-sweet that it is hard to let it go.

I had high hopes and dreams for the summer. I always do! With nowhere to be everyday, the summer always appears to have so much potential for my own hobbies and projects. Earlier this summer, I made a list of goals (am I type A or what?!) to accomplish. Let's check in and see how well I did:

1. Earn the 11 professional growth credits I need to become a "Senior Teacher"
Check! Spent 9 full days in trainings, learning more about an established phonics program and how to incorporate it into my teaching and tutoring. Also, did some mapping and reflecting to see how well our curriculum connects to the new Common Core State Standards. Lastly, I read a book about reciprocal teaching to investigate better ways of teaching comprehension. I certainly worked hard, but it should (literally) pay off!

2. Tutor at least once a week
Six out of ten weeks isn't bad! Was able to use some of the strategies I gained from my phonics trainings.

3. Learn more about photography
Check! This summer, I learned to edit photos in Photoshop. Though it seemed overwhelming to me when watching others edit, I now know that I am capable. It is a time consuming project, but makes all the difference in photography! This will certainly prove helpful to me on a personal and professional level.

4. Enjoy the lake with a friend at least once a week
Check! How could I not?! :) My parents' lake house is my favorite place to be, especially with a friend to enjoy it with!

5. Spend daily time in God's word & prayer
I have no excuse for not following through on this goal. I wish it wasn't so hard for me to make this a priority! I have been good about sticking to my schedule for reading through the Bible in a year. It is amazing how God provides the right passages at the right times! But, I wish I had spent more time in prayer. I was off to a great start early on in the summer, but somehow even summer gets busy. Hopefully as I transition back into routine, my prayer life will become a key part of it.

6. Catch up on my scrapbook
Ha! I cut some photos, and it stopped there. I still have weddings from 2010 and 2011 to work on! I'm not sure when, but s-o-m-e-d-a-y I will catch up. Though I did plenty of crafting for others through a.j.e.less designs and for my best friend's upcoming wedding events! 

7. Exercise 3 times a week
Almost! I'd say I was consistent with exercising twice a week. I enjoyed attending more morning classes through Mandy's Underground Fitness, many of which were outside at the park! I love working out with friends, especially when we can be outdoors on a beautiful day.

8. Try a new recipe once a week
Not sure if I managed to do this every week, but I loved cooking/baking when I was able to! Most recipes were a big hit, including zucchini parmesan, monster cookies, quinoa stir fry, bumbleberry crisp, one pan pasta, quinoa burrito bowls, and garden vegetable pasta.

9. Read, read, read!
Check! I rarely have time to read for pleasure during the school year. If so, it's about 10 pages before bed at night so it takes me months to read 1 book! So summer is my chance to read books that others have recommended. My goal was to get through the Harry Potter series (I have never read them all the way through!). I'm hooked! I am just starting book 7 so I doubt I will finish before school starts, but I made great progress! I also read some other great books in between Harry Potter novels. Here were my two favorites- I would highly recommend both of them! I read both so quickly - couldn't put them down!

10. Relax

Glad I can say - check! I thoroughly enjoyed my summer. In between all of these goals, I spent many relaxing weekends at the lake, a week in the Adirondacks, a day down the shore, and a weekend in Syracuse with great friends. I will soak in every last minute of relaxation on this upcoming Labor Day weekend. Though school will certainly make my life busier again, I am going to work hard to keep Sundays free for rest & relaxation.

All in all, it was a GREAT summer!