7 quick takes, take 4

Can we get real for a second? Nine days until the school year is OVER. NINE DAYS! I honestly thought the day wouldn't come. There were so many moments during this year that made me think survival was hopeless but look at that! I can do it! Only 9 more days!!!

--1--

I woke up feeling exhausted because for some reason sleeping lately has been a hassle. I haven't been able to fall asleep and once I do I wake up 2 or 3 times. Stress? Maybe? However, feelings of negativity and exhaustion were soon demolished by positive happenings. Such as a coworker texting me and offering me starbucks deliciousness and then walking into a surprise bridal shower from my sweet third grade girls! Talk about a happy day! Also, wearing funny solar system shirts from by beardyman make my day. 

--2--

Not to outdo the surprised-ness I had with my third grade bridal shower today but I am SUPER pumped out my bridal shower tomorrow! One of my dearest friends from high school and her mom are throwing it and I could not be more excited to spend time with some special ladies in my life. 

--3--

Hopefully more adventures in swimming this weekend! I even ordered a swim cap to make things a bit easier on my locks. Full post about my first swim lesson since I was a kid SOON! 

--4--

Thinking about starting this running program. Found on this blog's 7QT's (yup that just happened). I tried Couch to 5K last summer, tried insanity last summer as well, and P90X the summer before that. Looking for a new workout thing to be hooked on this summer! Hopefully this and running will be sufficient for a new cardio routine.

--5--

Day dreaming about all of the awesome clothes I want to buy for wedding events and our honeymoon...and then realistically thinking about how the heck I will be able to buy all of it. Sigh.
(pic found here, amazing cover ups by Jules Moore) 

--6--

Super exciting awesomeness happening in my classroom next year! I get to be a part of a pilot program in our district the implements iPads in the classroom. I am SUPER excited and already have a few ideas of how my new friend can be used on a daily basis. For our anniversary this year I got an iPad and have LOVED it. I've used it a few times in the classroom but having one solely for work will be really nice. Awesome education app recommendations completely and totally welcome. 

--7--

Not really a whole lot to dump in the form of picturas this week! I was busier than expected (I'm always busier than expected) and didn't really think to take out my phone and snap pictures as much. Sometimes I'm ok with this. As much as I like chronicling life and being able to look back at pictures, remembering important things I also think that making memories and being fully present in the moment is a much needed reminder sometimes. I want to start getting into the balance of finding time to take pictures, blog, journal AND live life being present when I need to be. Just thoughts people, just thoughts. 

Happy weekend friends! Thanks to those of you who look at this thing. Like I said before, just trying this out and seeing how it goes. It amazes me that their are actually page views on this blog. At first I thought it was me going back and looking at previous posts but nope, some living, breathing, peopleotherthanmyself actually read these words. WEIRD. and cool. :)


MUSIC!

(you should also check out this guy's cover of "Sexy and I know it" super good)

thoughts about mother's day

This past Sunday was Mother's Day (in case you were unaware...and if that's the case you may be in trouble with your mama). For some reason, the past few years I have found a special place in my heart for Mother's Day. Since I became involved in my church (more on that later) and began singing at our contemporary Mass, the Mother's Day celebration has always been one that sticks out in my mind, one that I always look forward to each year. It's funny, because as I was sitting during Mass this past Sunday I realized that it's not like there is anything special going on... there is no particular homily or anything that changes. But there is always a blessing at the end of Mass, to bless the mothers in all that they do for those around them. It's during this part that I have always felt this warmth in my heart. I feel connected to these awesome women somehow. Whether I know them personally or not, I am proud to be in the presence of such strong women who do so much for the world.

This year was a bit different. I have made and are about to make some big changes in my life and I feel that these changes impacted the usual emotions I feel on this day. I am wrapping up my first year of teaching, I have been living an adult-out-of-college-on-her-own life for the past year, and I am about to enter into married life (in 80 days, just saying). This year of teaching has taught me lessons beyond my thinking. I never realized the mothering instincts that would come pouring out of my heart as I began to get to know the 20 little people I would interact with on daily basis for the next 10 months of my life. I try with the best of my abilities to make these 20 different, funny, and original personalities feel cared for and special somehow in my eight hours I have with them. I have also been preparing my heart to take this huge leap in life and become someone's wife. With that I have been learning about daily sacrifices I may have to make, changes that are going to come when living with a person, and the importance of making decisions together as a team. Qualities that I haven't really had to face as intensely before and facts of life that have made me really miss my life as a selfish college student. However, these are also qualities that I can tell are going to make me a better, stronger, grown-up type person. 

While we may not all fit the definition of a mother, I know I certainly don't, we all share in being women and showing love to those around us in a way that only a woman knows how.  I know I still have a long way to go in becoming the woman I am intended to be, but I hope that in some way, whether it be a student or a friend, I have been a loving, caring, compassionate person to someone in this past year.

I hope that all women at some point or another felt special on Mother's Day! 

true life: my weekend

It amazes me how fast the weekend flies by sometimes. This weekend was full of moving people around and settling into new places! Exciting times! 

Friday: helped move some of our friend Margie's things into her new apartment. Three very dear friends just moved into my apartment complex and my sister is moving to one right around the corner. Our little area is going to be quite the place to be this summer! Lots of activity, friends, and fun. Looking forward to seeing what all this change brings. :) 

Saturday: busy morning, moving around in the afternoon, and an unexpectedly slow and wonderful evening. Had my first swimming lesson from a handsome bearded coach (more on this later) in the morning and soon after we went to go look at invitations for our wedding! I really liked the girl that we are going to work with. She's young, fun, and owns her own small business. I'm all about giving back to smaller businesses that make things more personal and devote their time to the quality of a product rather than the quality of a product. Afterwards, me and the bearded fiance went to have brunch at a cute little cafe down the way from the invitation shop. Everyone needs a mimosa to psych themselves up for a day full of moving, right? Then the afternoon consisted of moving more things and helping people settle in. I have never had a moving endeavor go so FAST. But I guess when you have ELEVEN people helping you, it will do that. We got to see our apartment that we will be moving into after we get married which was another exciting bit to Saturday! 

Sunday: Mom's Day! Started off by gifting my mother with flowers and a yummy candle along with brunch at her favorite restaurant. Then moved onto helping my sister with the first half of her moving. Same old Sunday church routine. Sang some awesome songs for Mass and then went home to grade and CLEAN. Holy cow. I need to get myself organized soooo badly. It helped so much to have some things put back into somewhat order. 

Sorry for the lack of pictures! I figured pictures of people sweating and moving boxes wouldn't be too exciting. ;) Here's to hoping for a week full of productivity, love, fun, happiness, excitement, seeing friends, and joy! Weeeeeeeeeeee! 

7 quick takes, take 3

Woke up late this morning and totally thought it was Saturday. Also, at various times this week I thought it was Tuesday (like on Monday...thought it was Tuesday, yesterday... thought it was Tuesday). Losing my brain much?

--1--

Happy teacher appreciation week to all my fellow teaching people out there! I received a lot of gifts from several students all week long and I'm not going to lie, it was awesome. I'm still in my new teacher state of mind where I feel really undeserving of all the gifts I receive from my kids and their parents. I really hope that that feeling never fades. 

--2--

Wedding news! Bridesmaids shoes and my wedding shoes have been found! Just in time too because apparently my dress is shipping either Friday or Monday. WEIRD RIGHT?! I had a lovely little shopping trip with my sister last night where we were lucky to find both shoes. I am super relieved to have that done and am hoping that everyone likes the choice we made. It honestly didn't hit me until I came home that these are the shoes I'll be wearing on my WEDDING DAY. 85 days, people. Eighty. Five. Days. Also, going to look at and hopefully pick out invitations this weekend!!!! Whoop!  

--3--

Saw this video about a week ago on another blog. STILL making me laugh. Mainly because I think about myself and how many times this has awkwardly happened to me. Especially in college. Even sometimes at work now with kids. I think a kid in the hallway will be talking to me and really they are talking to someone half my size hiding behind me. I have to admit, it's more embarrassing when it involves kids. ;) 

--4--

This weekend, next week, and the week after are going to be full of moving! Two of my dearest friends are moving into our apartment complex this weekend and my sister is moving to one around the corner. Then I'm helping a handsome bearded guy move into OUR new apartment in a couple of weeks, where I will be joining him in August! Weeeeeeeeeeeee! Getting nervous, excited, and happy for some change and new things to look forward to! 

--5--

New blog find! Really digging this girl and her inspirational words and posts. I especially liked one of her posts this week and plan on writing a short reflection about it on here. Check her out! 

--6--

So...Pinterest. Can we talk about this for a minute? I love Pinterest and all that it is about. It gives me ideas I honestly could not think of on my own and overloads me with wonderful amount of information. That's just it though...SO MUCH ADORABLE CUTENESS ALL THE TIME. It gets to be a lot. I want to do cute pinterest-y things but I look at it and I think to myself, holy cow. I want to PIN ALL OF THE THINGS and DO all of the things! Also, I love it when I get on a fitness pinning kick and pin all of this fitness-y motivational stuff...whilst eating cookies and popcorn on my couch...

--7--

Phone dumpage! Woot woot. 

(1. teacher appreciation gift card day...$56 starbucks dollars WILL be put to good use 2. teacher appreciation BOOK day, loving new books in my library 3. cute note from a student 4. classy cinco picture with the prehusband 5. cinco de bulldog! 6. wedding presents!!! 7. footerfly! 8. stock the teacher's lounge day...my fave part was the honey packets.) 

If you can figure out the way I listed the descriptions of those picture I will give you one of those honey packets as a prize!

Happy weekend! Want some nice musics? Click here. 

Also, go check out the 7 Quick Takes guest host's blog here! 

blog name

I have wanted to blog for quite some time now and one of the things that has held me back has been thinking of a cute, funny, witty blog name. This is something that my brain would obsess over to the point that I would become discouraged and the desire to blog would disappear. 

I was told by one of my favorite bearded people to just start. Just start writing, title the blog "in progress" and when a name comes to me it will be perfect and wonderful and I can change it. Yesterday I was sucked back into the blog-naming-vortex-of-doom. All I could think about was finally slapping a title on this blog that would sum me and the purpose of this blog up in a few cleverly crafted adorable words. 

Guess what?

I still have no idea what I want to name this blog. 

I look at other blogs and wonder what moment of ultimate naming clarity struck them. What helped THEM think of an awesome name that summed up their entire blog-being in 5 words or less? 

What's wrong with my brain?

I think the problem is that I'm still trying to figure out what I want from this space and what my intentions are for it. 

And I think I'm ok with that, and it being unnamed for a wee bit longer. 

Maybe. 

(photo cred here)

happiness

"Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections." -Gerald Way

I found this quote earlier today and I'm really trying to hold onto the words and how they apply to my life right now. I feel like this is something I have always struggled with, and probably always will. It's so hard to look past making others happy. To look past an obsession of making the situation surrounding you a type of perfection that can't exist on Earth. To accept that things are the way they are, and to be content with all that you have done and the person you are trying to become. To realize that at the end of the day it is ok to make mistakes as long as you can look yourself in the mirror and think, "I did all I could do today to be a good person, to love those around me to the fullest and that is all I could humanly do." 

Happy Monday

(photo cred goes to my wonderful friend Adrienne who took this picture for part of an art project in college)

7 quick takes, take 2

Here we go again, seven quick takes from this (seriously, unexpectedly long and a wee-bit-tiring) week!

--1--

As stated previously, this week was LONG and more tiring that expected. I was kind of hoping for a more relaxed week but life happens as does overbooking oneself (which I am especially good at). This girl needs a nap and some time not doing anything. Now if only I could tell myself that when faced with the decision to commit to yet ANOTHER activity. 

--2--

May is going to be awesome. As stated by the 23 reasons found here. (just warning to be P.C., some of it may be slightly inapprops. only slightly) 

--3--

Teacher appreciation week is next week! Totally wanting one of these little pretties from Vera Bradley. 

--4--

Today is May 4th, Star Wars day AND  the day that marks 3 months until married times! I think this is completely appropriate considering the bearded nerdiness that I am engaged to marry. :) 

--5--

You know when you have those moments where you suddenly realize just how fortunate and blessed you really are? I had one of those this morning while driving to work. Love those. It's been a week of complaints unfortunately (both voiced and unvoiced). Complaining how long the week is, complaining how tired I am, complaining about money, complaining about everything. But for some reason I was able to reach some clarity today (maybe it's a Friday thing;) and realize that I still have food in my belly, a warm bed, and way too many clothes. 

--6--

Here's a link to a blog I am currently reading. I love this couple and how much they love to teach people about love. They have an interesting story and reading their beautiful words often puts me in a better mood. 

--7--

Picture dumping times! (1. 3 months! I know I'm annoying! 2. Did not realize that so many of the mini wines existed or that they were in such high demand! 3. Suuuper excited about bridaly things starting 4. MAY! 5. handsome 6. Go rangers!)

honeymoon packing list

Something for the honeymoon?

Easily stored beach totes by BAGGU. 

(found via CupofJo)

May

Seriously? When did this happen? Only 22 days until the last day of school and my last day of being a first year teacher. That is CRAZY. 

5 Things I'm hoping for this month: 

-To use my down time wisely by spending it with people I haven't seen in a while or relaxing. 

-Working out consistently and eating better.

-Organizing myself. 

-Journaling more consistently (5/7 days a week? maybe?) 

-Finding something to be positive about and thankful for everyday. (especially on days where I feel like there absolutely nothing to be happycheerywonderful about)

Happy MAY!

true life: my weekend

What a beautiful weekend! Busy and beautiful, my favorite. This weekend we celebrated the marriage of two of our close friends. It was such a fun time and a BEAUTIFUL ceremony. Seriously still dreaming about it. It was gorgeous. We were actually a part of the wedding and sang a cover of "First Day of my Life" by Bright Eyes...maybe if I get the courage I'll post it up here. ;) 

Friday: rehearsal times. Rehearsed all wedding-y things and then had yummy burgers and pitchers of beer at the Stonleigh P. Seriously fun rehearsal and super heart felt. I love these two so much. They are such a wonderful couple and really thought of every.little.thing when it came to making their friends and family feel special during THEIR big day/celebration time. Also, check those red lips! 

 

     

Saturday: WEDDING TIME. So fun. I was nervous for about the first half of the wedding. I always am. I have sung in a few weddings before both for friends and hired by strangers and I STILL get nervous. Way more nervous than singing at Mass on Sundays. I mean seriously, selfish as this  may be... I don't want to be the lone ranger screwing up someone's biggestdayeveroftheirlife. Got to wear a super sparkle-tastic fancy dress and hang out with a handsome bearded guy all night long... perfection. I enjoyed every aspect of the wedding, like I said they thought of EVERYTHING you could want and I honestly didn't leave thinking anything but positive, happy, wonderful, lovey thoughts. Got me super psyched for our wedding (in 95 days). 

Sunday: Church things & rangers game with my dad and a couple of friends. It was a beautiful night for some Texas baseball. The game was slow going but it was a nice ending to the already wonderful weekend. I love baseball. 

While this weekend was filled to the brim with great things, here's to hoping for a much slower week. This girl needs some rest, hardcore.

Happy Tuesday!