Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful..

I can't believe today is December 1st. The year is almost over, 2010 has flown by and 2011 is staring at us right in the face. I absolutely can not believe how fast the year has gone by and how much everything has changed.

I went from a student to an adult.
Moved twice.
Got my first big girl job.
Learned how to stay a float in my big girl job, even though some days I feel like Im sinking.
Tried to find myself in a new city.
Got a new fur child.

I remember this time last year and thinking graduation would never come and I would never have a job, oh how wrong I was.

I love my job but I have never worked so hard for something in my life, but I love every second of it. I love the school God has put me at and the team I work with. I have such supportive parents (for the most part) and my students are a trip. They keep me on my toes and definitely challenge me every day.

For the last three years, I look back and think, God has blessed me with not only challenges but the grace to overcome them and see why He has done everything that He has. I feel very humbled to be where I am at this point in my life and definitely don't feel as if I deserve it.

The One Where I Tooted..

Here is a teaching story that I will never forget, I lost all self-respect but at the same time gained some, too.

As I'm lecturing my students on hallway manners for the umpteenth time and swear that if they don't learn it, Im going to take them to the Pre-k hallway and have them learn from the 'little people', I have them lined up in a strait line against the book shelf and am lecturing, lecturing, lecturing. You know, how the good teachers do it.

I should have pre-tensed this story that this is also the day before I was going to run my first 1/2 marathon. I was drowning my insides with more than usual water and a ton of fiber, because you know, that's what runners do.

Back to my story. So as I'm lecturing, you all of a sudden hear a long 'pooooo'. Not a subtle fluff, but a toot that comes out of a babies bottom when they get excited scooting across the floor reaching for that shiny toy that they have never seen before. I tried to recover but it was obvious, that not so silent toot came from me. My students all had a grin on their faces and without moving their heads were trying to look at each other with their eyes and doing everything they can to control their laughter.

I tried to recover but even I couldn't hold in my laughter. I kept talking but I just couldn't go on with my serious lecture. I looked at them and just said, 'next time you toot, you remember that your teacher did one day and there is no reason to be embarrassed.' The classroom erupted in laughter. Nobody had a strait face and I can't blame them, I wouldn't have been able to either. I told them it's ok, President Obama toots, I toot, everyone toots, so there is no reason to have shame. One of my precious students raised their hands and asked if I'd stop saying toot because it weirds them out. I then politely asked if they wouldn't go home and tell their parents.

So, that is the day I tooted. Never a dull moment in 5th grade.

Uhm... Is This Thing On???

Hi, my name is Taylor and I have a blog... that I completely neglected. The whole point of starting this blog was to follow my first year of teaching, so I could look back, in months, years, whenever and reflect, laugh, cry or even cringe about what I went through as a newbie. Then I dove right in.. let me tell you, some days I can barely keep my head above water, others I feel like I am the luckiest person in the world to get to have a job where I get PAID to do something so fun.. then my bubble gets popped and I leave work and come home and cry.

There have been so many things that I have experienced the last month 15 weeks that I have thought Im going through menopause ( ;) ). I have so many fun stories to share, some heartbreaking ones, and some down right ridiculous.

I ran my first half marathon, moved into a new house, and so far, survived 15 weeks (which have flown by so freaking. fast. ).

Did I mention I have gained 8lbs? I'm working on that..

I have so much to catch on. I am so glad the holidays are here. I am like Buddy the Elf. Im ready for lights, garland, cooler weather, Christmas spirit, and of course tis the reason for the season.

Changes (hopefully) Coming Our Way

One season is ending and another is beginning (shortly) and with that comes beautiful colors, cooler weather, football season, hoodies, Fall scents and flowers, I seriously can't wait. I love opening the windows when it is cool outside and having my scentsy warmer on and watching 'Fall movies'. Yes I watch 'Fall movies'. I one of those crazies. I would love to move somewhere with four actual seasons but Texas Fall will have to do.

Mr. G has also decided to take a new career route and we are in the midst of looking into where it could take us and when. I hope with everything that it works out for him. Im trying not to get my hopes up though for fear of disappointment.

Favorite 5th grade quote of the week:

Student: You must not get a lot of sleep at night..
Me: Why do you say that?
Student: Your eyes are purple and veiny under them..

I have a slight, very faint purple coloring under my eyes that gets really dark when Im sick and I have been fighting off a cold lately but seriously? This particular student is slightly strange, but still. I love them all and they all make me smile but sometimes I wonder, really?

Im finally getting into the swing of things and I can't believe this is week FOUR. I have survived four whole weeks. I have conferences next week, wow. I feel so lucky to wake up and go to a job that I love and it not feel like 'work'. I enjoy being where I am and doing what I do.

Another plus right now, Mister and I have found an amazing church. We are in a bible study group that consists of 5 other couples studying 'The 5 Love Languages' and Mr. G is really liking it. He wants to go to bible study and is really enjoying where we are. I am so glad God put us where we are and has surrounded me with the people he has.

It's almost hump day, the week is almost over! Have a great day!

Vitamin C Pleasseee

My throat hurts so bad right now that when I swallow, I feel as if my ears are going to bust. It took 2 full school weeks for my sweet angels to infest my immune system. Im trying to fight it but I feel horrible. I came strait home today and put sweats on before I even kissed the mister and he walked in and asked if I wore my sweats to work today. I. WISH.

I do have some slippers I change into when I moving around the classroom. Its for background noise. :)

It's been nothing but rainy today and it's going to continue all week. I hope that it brings cool Fall temperatures because Im ready to bust out the decor and let the cool air into my house.

Happy Tuesday!

2 Weeks Down.. How Many 'Til Christmas Break?

I have made it 2 weeks. 2 whole weeks. I am actually proud of myself. No meltdowns (myself or the chillens), no angry parents (yet), and I haven't lost anyone (so far). I am enjoying myself and slowly getting the hang of everything. I am getting to know people and making more friends every day. I am learning to love the town I live in and that is surprising.

I have some students with horrible home dynamics and it makes me just want to take them home with me, cook for them and buy them lots of toys and clothes because they don't get a lot of attention. It breaks my heart and I think about so many of my students when i am at home and pray for them at night. I am very lucky that I have some very supportive parents, some even greet me with a hug. It makes me so happy. I have gotten the sweetest gifts, just for no reason and it makes me feel so important. I am an important person, little ole me. Now I hope I make a difference in these kids lives.

It is weird to have an adult job and adult things to do. Yes I have been an adult but now I have a real job, not a waiting tables (not that this isn't a real job because it brings in the money) in college job. I feel so validated in life. Amazing.

It's a 3 day weekend y'all followed by a 4 day week. So. Happy.

So. Tired.

I have never experienced what such extreme exhaustion has felt like until recently. Im am so tired. Thankfully when I get to work though, I'm able to push past it and do my thing. Work doesn't feel like 'work' like it did in college. I don't dread it nor do I hate going there. I love my job and I love what I do, now if I could just get the hang of it. Im not going to lie, Im not used to not being good at something.

Im so thankful God has blessed me with such a great class. Are they perfect? No. They have their behavior issues and I have some that drive me nuts but they all mesh so well. I feel so lucky. They have great parents who are involved and care about what they are doing and to be honest, I feel spoiled.

I am finally making friends. I went to church on Sunday and feel like it could be my church home. I enjoy the people I work with and know that if I ever needed anything, they would drop anything to help me.

I feel like I'm waiting for the ball to drop and I shouldn't be this lucky. Anyone ever feel that way? Like when something good happens to you, it has to be followed by something bad?

Maybe Im just crazy.

Baby fever is slowly starting to set in. I've been saying I don't want babies for years and now I feel like I want one. Its a little baby bug but I hope it goes away because I'm not sure I'm ready. Are you ever really ready?

Broken Record

Oh My Word. Where have I been.. I feel like my whole world flipped up side down and I have been thrown into the real world. I am now officially a teacher even though my contract was signed quite a while ago. Even though I am the one with the classroom and stand at the front of the room and have the desk, I don't feel like a teacher. I don't even feel like an adult sometimes! I don't feel old enough to be in this world, I remember being the age that my students are, it honestly seems like yesterday.

I have never been so tired in my life and can honestly say I'm not just saying that. I can't count how many days I have stayed at work 11-12 hours and come home and just crashed. I thought the other night, what do people with children do? How do they come home to a family and take care of a household? I haven't cooked dinner in over a week, I do my chores on the weekend and thankfully its just the mister and I so our house stays pretty clean. I just can't imagine coming home and being a mom.

On a lighter note, I have made friends. Im so ecstatic about that. I have THE best, no really, I do, the best team. I love the people I work with and I work at such a great school with a positive atmosphere (sorry to gloat but I just want to share my excitement). I have made beautiful (Im referring to the inside but they are beautiful on the outside too) friends. I am just so excited. It makes all the long hours worth it. Id rather work all the time with wonderful people than very few hours with people Im miserable with. One of my new friends even blogs!!! I don't tell anyone that I blog, for multiple reasons but I was looking at her facebook profile and saw her blog and was so excited!

I hope to find my niche soon and get the hang of all the things that I have to do because I feel like Im one big multi-tasker. I have such a great class, 14 boys and 7 girls and they all mesh well so wonderfully. Are they the perfect class? No, I don't expect them to be but I already love them. I'm so excited for the year to get rolling and for us all to get in our groove.

Funny of the week.. I was so nervous this week, I never introduced myself to my class. I told them my name but didn't tell them anything about me. For 3 days. My mom lectured me about this and how it was important. She also lectured me about the difference between being strict and being mean. Apparently I am the stylish and pretty teacher but Im mean. I don't even care at this point, Im just trying to survive.

This weekend... sleep and trying a new church with Mr. G. I am so excited about this church, Ive heard great things about it and I hope it can be our new church home.

Hope everyone is surviving August. The temperature dropped 10 degrees here putting it in the 90's and it has felt so nice. Really, it has made a world of difference, I hope that means fall is right around the corner! I LOVE fall and decorating and all the scents and the leaves, I could go on. :)

Oh Arizona

Oh how I figured out Arizona is not the state for me. It smells very different, especially in the morning and after it rains. I couldn't wait to get back to Texas. I love Texas. There is just something about Texas, ya know? People from Texas have alot of pride.. we do. How many people do you know from your state that will tattoo for example the state of Michigan on their body because they love it so much.. I know a couple of people who just love Texas so much that they have tattooed it onto their body. We take redneck serious down here.

Where is this post going? Yes, Arizona not about Texas and pride. So I was in Arizona for 9 days. Nine long days, nine days that left me emotionally and physically exhausted.

I have a cousin who is 5 years older than me that I grew up with. I am very close to her and consider her my best friend. She is one of the main reasons that I was able to get through college, she kept me motivated. She has been struggling for the past 7 years with anorexia and food restricting. It didn't become apparant to me until 2 years ago when it started to consume her whole life. The poor woman is the most career driven person I know, VP of her department in her corporation at 28, owns her own house, financially independent but something was missing. One day on her way to work, instead of turning left to get on the highway, she turned right and decided it was finally time to check herself into rehab, in Arizona. She drove to her moms house and they spent 2 days working out all the kinks and in 5 days, she was off.

She called me and told me what she was doing and I canceled my plans in June to fly to Chicago (on a days notice) and went to say goodbye to her for atleast 8 weeks. There would be no phone conversations, just good old fashioned letter writing.

She called me one day and asked if I would go with her mom to Arizona to attend family week and learn about her disorder and participate in her therapy. Let me tell you, it was not puppies and kittens. I felt so emotionally exposed and vulnerable and really struggled with having to be brutally honest with her about what her eating disorder has done to our relationship and myself personally.

I felt as if I was in family counseling, personal counseling, and marriage counseling all at once. Needless to say, wounds will hopefully start to heal and we can all start to move forward.

I definitely look at people suffering from addictions differently now. Having an eating disorder I learning is an addiction itself and it takes over every aspect of your life. Im not giving people with addictions a free pass but I can understand now how it takes over and you can't think of anything else.

So that is where I have been and what I have learned. I am exhausted today as I worked 10.5 hours for the first time in such a long time. Im exhausted. Literally. Have a great Thursday, this means it's almost the weekend!!!!

I'm Back.. And I Feel Like A Loser!

I have been in the land of dry heat and sand for the last 10 days. Oh, there really is no place like home. I feel like such a loser because I missed reading my blogs, I was sitting in our hotel room one night thinking, 'Man, I just need some 'me' time and would love to just read some fun blogs'.

Words can not even begin to express how emotionally exhausted I am today. I really want to write about the experience I had over the last week and a half but I am having trouble finding words, I want to do so in a way that is classy and full of tact just in case my blog is ever found by my IRL posse, and because this person is very close to me. I also want to share all the things I learned. I hate when I read things on blogs and people are cryptic, because IMO, if you are going to spark peoples interest and leave them hanging, then don't say anything at all. But that's just me. :)

I officially started professional development this week and got my classroom keys. I felt so validated getting my keys today and opening my door. It was as if all the hard work has paid off. I love hearing a new jingle on my key ring, it's music to my ears. Now comes the work of getting my room together after training in the afternoon and into the evenings. Lord help me.

Can't wait to catch up on every one's blogs!!!

Oh The Places I Would Like To Go..

Brittany Ann over at Living in the Moment http://brittsbeat.com (seriously.. someone show me how to do that super cool blog thing y'all do!) has given me an award. I feel very special on this wonderful Thursday morning, let me tell you (I even checked my dashboard to make sure she was talking about me! I know, nerd alert)..




When I turned 18 and was graduated high school 5 years ago.. I had no plan. ZERO. I only enrolled in community college to keep my parents off my back. I mean, what 18 year old wants their parents hounding them? So I enrolled in some classes that I had zero interest in, didn't even buy the books, and started my 'college career'.

I then met my husband. He was in the army. I never really dated in HS. I had one serious boyfriend and didn't like putting my life on hold for people so dating someone in the army was probably not in my cards. God was laughing. We exchanged emails and started to get to know each other. I started to like him and thought that while he was in Iraq, we could just be friends. Silly me, I really started to like him and decided to not date anyone. When he got back from Iraq I decided to date him. I fell in love with that silly army boy.

I started to think, if I marry this army boy one day, I will need a career. I need to finish college. I better get my butt in gear. He is the motivation that got me through college.

The person I was 5 years ago and the person I am now are polar opposites. So many of my friends are still in their 'living it up' stages still. I never went through that stage nor do I have any desire to go through it.

My plan right now is to start my master's in the next year, maybe year and a half. If Mr. G gets out of the army, buy a house where he grew up in 2012. If he stays in the army, start trying to have babies in 2012. I would love to start traveling a little at the end of the year and go to a couple of destination spots and renew our vows at our 5 year anniversary which also happens to be in 2012.

I know that right now, I have all these plans, but in 2012, it will be interesting to look back and see how my plans panned out. My plans 5 years ago when I finally decided to finish college, for the most part went how I wanted, but then again, they weren't near as big as they are now.

I have been praying for the grace to accept whatever God puts before me instead of asking for specific things to happen. I pray that whatever happens, he will show that it is all happening for a reason.
***********
Im now passing this award on..
Abbie at Satisfy my Soul
ENS at Sweetheart I Must Confess
Jane at Moonflowers Mojitos and Me
Jes at Day to Day Life of an Army Wife
Jennifer at Beyond Jennifer and Jason
Beth at This American Wife

So tell us where you think you'll be in ten years and pass it on to ten more lovely ladies.

Giveaway

No not me.. but the Mrs. at http://tryingourbest.blogspot.com is having a giveaway from her mom's super neat etsy shop. Her shop has all kinds of service stars, burp cloths, and tote bags. 100% handmade and very beautiful. So go over and check out her loot.

And for the love of Pete, can someone please tell me how to link to someone's blog with out having to do it the nerdy way like above. I feel like such a loser!!!!

Goood-bye Summer

Dear Summer,

It is with bittersweet tears that I bid you a farewell.. no more sleeping in until 8:30 or lounging on the couch until 2:00 p.m. in my pajamas watching Reba & Wife Swap. All the things I wanted to spend time doing with you, I was too lazy to do. No summer reading, no working on my tan, minimal work outs or craft projects. Taylor=lazy bum.

Even though I have been looking forward to you leaving because I have been bored to tears, Im sure by September, I will be counting down until your return next year, so don't stay away too long. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't linger too long into the fall months seeing as it is so hot here, I feel as though I am in the Sahara desert walking to my car and sweat develops in places that Im sure isn't normal.

I am so excited for the coming months and sorry that I am kicking you to the curb early, but sadly, you have worn out your welcome in my household.

Hit the road, Jack!


Love Always,
Taylor

What Do YOU Do?

I have a small problem? Well not really a problem. I love to shop for clothes. I probably do it more than I should. I have a whole walk in closet in our master bedroom to myself. Ole Mr. G, well, his closet is in his man cave. All out by choice of course. :) We both like our space and I like to organize my closet by type of clothes. Work pants, work tops, jeans, summer clothes, sweatshirts, everyday shirts. Then they are all organized by color, so I need my space. That's not my problem though.

My problem is I will be out and about and I see a cute cardigan or a cute scarf or maybe a really cute belt, but I may not have anything to match the belt or scarf or cardigan. Do you buy it and wait and see if you find anything to coordinate it or not buy it because you don't have anything to make that cute outfit? I never can work up the nerve to buy that one piece because I don't have anything to match it. I guess it's fear that I'll never wear it but then I end of regretting it later on.

So what do you do? Buy it or only if you know what you will wear it with?

Letters to My 20 Year Old Self

I saw this on another blog I follow and how she saw it another blog she followed. Basically the blogger asked all her readers to write a letter to their 20 year something selves to see what kind of wisdom and advice these bloggers could convey to younger bloggers. I just want to write a letter to my 20 year old self to look back on it later and possibly laugh at the advice I gave now!




Myself at 20.

Dear Self,

Get it together, quit skipping class with your 'friends'. Those friends won't actually graduate, you will and you're only causing yourself heartache in the long run by making graduation one step further away. You're wasting your money, time, and being a pain in the butt. Just get it together finally!

Don't be such a workaholic. Enjoy time with your friends and loved ones. Putting money in your bank account isn't always the most important thing in life. Sometimes it is important but don't try to work your life away. Stop and enjoy your younger years. They will fly by and before you know it, you will look back and wish you enjoyed them more.

Enjoy the dating part of your relationship with the Mr. Don't dwell on getting married. Don't pick silly fights and enjoy each other at the age you are. You will never get this time back.

Love with all your heart. You will learn in the next couple of years who your true friends are and how important your family is to you. You will learn it is OK to be vulnerable and humility makes you a stronger and more mature person. Learn from your mistakes and try not to make them twice. Worry less and slow down in life. Take every day as it comes because it is a gift.

If you could look back, what would you say to yourself?

90 to Nothing

I feel like I went from going 90 mph to nothing. Or more like nothing-90-nothing sounds more appropriate. I am exhausted.

I have had such a great weekend, I love doing small errands with the husband but we are just spending time together. My favorite trips are those that we go to Low3's (home improvement store). I could spend all day in there, it's my new toy store.

I have started a new craft project today, it's my biggest one yet and I'm so excited. It's the final touch on my office and I'm so ready to be done with that room. Heck, I feel like I'm so ready for a lot of things but that's a whole 'nother story. 45 days until school starts, anybody else giddy with excitement? Maybe that's just me!

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe 4th of July. Happy Birthday America! God bless this wonderful country and those that protect it!

Stumped

I'm not really sure what I want to share tonight, I have a little bit of what I have heard it called as 'blog fodder' right now. I could easily tell you about how Ruby got horribly sick the last 36 hours, landed us in the vet this morning, and I got very little sleep last night. One vet bill, dry cleaning bill, a puppy who got sick all over my car on our 3 hour road trip home today, and we are all better. But really, that is all in the past. Last night solidified the fact that I'm OK with waiting for babies a little bit longer. :)

I thought I would fill you in on a little bit about me.. just so we can all be on the same page.

-I love to clean. It gives me a sense of normalcy.
-I could eat donuts, cheeseburgers, and pizza everyday. I eat at least one of the three every week.
-I enjoy working out. I can be slightly neurotic about it.
-I thrive on a schedule.
-I have a fear that my house will burn down when I am the last person to leave it. Crazy, I know. I am scared I will be the person to leave something on and I will come home and my house will be ashes.
-I am very close to my family. Very close. My mom and my cousin are my best friends.
-I would be a full time student forever if I got paid for it. I love going to class and learning new things. I love being on a college campus. I can't wait to go back for my Master's.
-I love the holidays. The time from Thanksgiving to Christmas is my favorite time of year but I wish I lived somewhere that had a Fall season because I bet Fall would be my favorite time of year if it wasn't 85 degrees during 'fall' here. :) I would love to live somewhere with 4 complete seasons!
-I love to walk around a room and straiten things. If something looks out of place, --I will 'straiten' it. If a picture frame isn't strait or a pencil is crooked on a desk, I will fix it. I have mild OCD.
-I enjoy it when someone massages my scalp or plays with my hair. Best. Feeling. Ever.
-I'm terrified of teaching in the Fall. Terrified.

That's a little about me.. anything about y'all that is random that makes you different from the rest of us?

Be Still My Heart

As I was surfing the guide last night I saw this was on.



Who doesn't love Dirty Dancing? (besides my husband) I have loved this movie for years. I saw it on the big screen 3 years ago when they did an anniversary special, we waited in the theatre when the power went out for over an hour and tornadoes were going on just to see some Johnny and Baby just to have it canceled. Fits were thrown when the manager said he wasn't 'sure' they would be able to show it the next day due to having to send the movie back to the production company. After dealing with 10 angry women, he decided to 'pull some strings' and let us come back the following night.

'Nobody puts Baby in a corner'

'Dirty Dancing I'm scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life, the way I feel when I'm with you.'

I was just so happy to lie on the couch and watch this last night.

Imagine my surprise when I wake up and THIS was on this morning!



I don't know who is cuter, Sandy and Danny or Johnny and Baby.. it really is a tough one!

The icing on the cake would have been if THIS would be wrapping up their movie extravaganza..



'I got no place else to go!! I got no place else to go!'

'No sir. You can kick me outta here, but I ain't quitting.'

My mom and I can quote these movies 'til we are blue in the face. Sometimes we will just text each other random quotes back and forth, it always makes me laugh.

Anyone else have a great older favorite that they never get tired of?

Whole 'Lotta Nothin'!

I wish I could say my absence was because something eventful and exciting has happened in my life, but sadly it's because I have done nothing. Mr. G has been TDY for the last two weeks and that means I have been one lonely wife, as in I sit and do nothing all. day. long. I can't wait to start working again. Im literally counting the days.

I literally was in a fowl mood because of my lack of human interaction. My behind went flat from sitting on it for so long. I can only clean and jog around the neighborhood so many times per day.

I have a confession to make. This was the first time I have been by myself for more than 2 days before. How you may wonder.. with 2 deployments, schools and TDY's under our belts? School and scheduling have made it to where I have always been able to go home for his 'vacations'. Im sure I could have this time but with a new puppy and another dog and my mother having 2 dogs of her own, it would have been a full on circus and I wasn't up for that. I also wanted to know I could brave being home alone, to be honest. I was terrified and as soon as I got used to it, of course his school was complete. Go figure.

Today is a lazy Sunday full of catching up on household chores and little things that I need help on since its a 2 man job. :) I hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend.

Rest Easy Everyone..

THIS



AND THIS


Are now being sold at Hobby Lobb[Y].

Hurry. GO Now. Time is running out.