My Wish Came True!

Well, if you go way back and read my very first post, you know my reason for starting a teaching blog. (click here)  I have been MIA for a very good reason!  I became a MOM!!!!! Through the miracle of adoption, we received a phone call just 3 short weeks ago and have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Kiley.
Here is a little photo slideshow capturing some of the highlights of our journey.

At times, I do get to browse a few blogs and get some ideas in between naps.  At some point, I hope to return to blogland, but in the meantime, I am thoroughly enjoying motherhood!

Remembering and My First Award!

First of all, in honor of 9/11, my prayers go out to all those families and friends who lost loved ones ten years ago today.  As my husband and I were watching football this afternoon, (Well, he's watching, I'm just listening here and there,while on my laptop and working on school stuff and doing laundry.) we saw some great commercials commemorating today.  The best one was the Budweiser Clydesdale tribute.  It made both of us tear up and pause to remember. Watch it and you'll see. (grab a tissue just in case). Apparently, it is a remake.  It aired just once at the Super Bowl in 2002 after 9/11.  Neither of us remember this, but it is very touching.



Now, on to something happy.  I was honored to receive my first blog award!  Andi, from Pencils, Glue, and Tying Shoes chose me for The Versatile Blogger Award!

I literally almost choked as I sipped my coffee, upon reading my comments and emails! Now I know how my kids feel when I give them a little certificate or recognition.  I'm all giddy!  Gosh, golly, gee!  Thank you Andi, you made my weekend!  Be sure to check out her awesome blog!

Here are the rules of the award:

**Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
**Share 7 things about yourself.
**Pass this award along to 15 recently discovered blogs.

1.  I love ALL things coffee! Coffee, coffee (the hot drink).  Any time of today, full octane, no decaf!  I love coffee chocolate chip ice cream, coffee flavored Werther's, coffee (mocha) flavored brownies, see... ANYthing coffee flavored!

  2.  I am a neat freak!  I have to have everything JUST so!  I can't leave my classroom unless all signs, posters, or displays are hanging straight.  My desk my be cleared off and neat.  All papers must be filed or in a pile with a post-it of what it is and what I need to do with it.

3.  My husband and I are adopting!  We are currently waiting for a phone call!

4.  I like to color coordinate everything I wear!  Yes, I'm a nerd and took my mother seriously when she said, always wear clean underwear just in case you are ever in an accident.  I took it a step further and have to wear ones that match my outfit!  

5.  I love to take naps!  I always did as a kid and still do as an adult. 

6.  I have never been out of the country.  I don't even have a passport.  Although, I  plan on getting one and traveling some day.

7.  I use exclamation points WAY too much.  Seriously, someone needs to invent a new symbol so I don't look so silly using them every other sentence every sentence or so!!! (See what I mean?!?)  OMG, I did it again!  I just can't quit!

1.  Debbie @ Sailing Through 1st Grade

2.  Laura @ Delightful Daily 5 Cafe


3.  Melanie @ Schoolgirl Style - Cute Classroom Inspiration


4.  Amanda @ One Extra Degree


5.  Ginger @ Ginger Snaps - Tidbits and Treats for Teachers


6.  Kelli @ Castle and Crayons


7.  Leigh @ Precious Perks


8.  Mrs. Magee @ First Grade Brain

9.  Michelle @ Fab-U-Lous in First


10.  Jenn @ Finally in First

11.  Mrs. Pollard @ Tales of a Teacherista

12.  Marisa @ First Grade Glitter and Giggles

13.  Misty @ 3rd Grade's a Hoot

14.  Alisha @ The Bubbly Blonde


15.  Kristin @ A Teeny Tiny Teacher

Check out these ladies and their awesome blogs!  I should say that picking JUST 15 was EXTREMELY hard to do!  I stalk visit soooooo many more and love them all!

Gratitude Adjustment

Well, it was bound to happen.  The first week of school was one of the best ever!  I kept pinching myself to see if it was for real or just a dream.  Then, today...errr, I had a whole different group!  Everyone came out of their shells!  OMG!  What happened to my precious little class?!  Who took them?!  Where did they go?!  I tried to think, no, we didn't have indoor recess yet.  Nope, not a full moon.  Maybe the cold front that has brought cooler weather was to blame?  One little gem had a melt down and copped a major attitude.  I thought I had gone back to teaching 7th grade.  Holy cow, a first grader?!  Then, the infamous parent phone call followed and more frustrations came about.  I vented at lunch (for the first time this year), but then felt bad about it.  My team is awesome and we all feel you need to let it out, but not dwell.  I think I did a good job following that.  Then, tonight, I came across The Cornerstone Devotion for Teachers blog.  I hadn't visited there in quite some time, but so glad I read it this evening. It was perfect and exactly what I needed to hear.  The topic was Gratitude Adjustment.  Boy could I relate!  Read it and see for yourself.(click here)  I am THANKFUL for today and that I have a job.  I am THANKFUL I get to do something I love every day, even the difficult days.  I am THANKFUL to have a challenging student.  I know God has placed them in my care and I have much to learn from them.  I am THANKFUL I'm a teacher!

I do feel better when I train my brain to think this way!  The next time you have a bad day or feel yourself being pulled in by negativity, jump over to the Cornerstone Devotion for Teachers.

Amazing Giveaway!

Love Thistlegirl Designs?  Love adorable digital clip art?  Then head on over to Fabulous in First for a graphic giveaway to die for!  Thistlegirl Designs and Digital Doodles are cream of the crop in my book!  Best of luck!

On a separate note, I've been slackin' in the regular bloggin' department.  Chalk it up to the first weeks of school.  I'll get crack-a-lackin' next week! (I hope!)

Keep Calm-O-Matic Poster Generator

I just found the neatest site where you can generate your very own "Keep Calm" poster. You can choose the color, the picture, and the wording.I thought it would be cute to print this one and hang in the teacher restroom that my team and I share.

You could buy cool frames and give them as gifts. The possibilities are endless!

My second creation is this one:

It will be framed and sit near my computer. (For whenever I have time to blog, now that school is starting!?
 ; - /)
What poster would you create?

Keep Calm-o-matic poster generation

Three for Thursday AND Free For All Friday

I should have seen it coming!  Open House was last night and I came home with every intention of taking a walk before sunset and enjoying these last little bits of summer. Then, I wanted to log on to my BFF (my laptop) and soak my brain in blogland,  BUT... I made the mistake of sitting down on the couch and the next thing I knew, my husband is saying, "hon, time to go to bed" .  I fell asleep sitting up!!!!  So, without further adieu, I'm linking up for the last two topics with "I'm Blog Hoppin'" for Teacher Week.

Three for Thursday

Favorite Font (Are ya kiddin' me?  I can't just pick one!)  Kevin and Amanda's fonts are THE best, hands down!  No question about it!

Favorite Blog ( Again, just one?!)  OOoooo, well, currently, I'd have to say a tie between:

         

I have been loving browsing both these for their creativity and inspiring ideas.  I do have several adoption blogs I also "stalk" daily too, Brantley and Richard is my ultimate fav though!

Favorite Online Resource

Now... onto today's topic:  Free For All Friday

For all you Daily 5/CAFE lovers out there, I created a CAFE menu with an ocean/beach theme.  This is what I use in my nautical themed classroom.  

CAFE Headings (Ocean Theme)Alt Set

Where It All Goes Down Wednesday - Classroom Pics

I'm continuing with Teacher Week at "I'm Blog Hoppin' " with classroom pictures.  I did show before and after pics way back at the beginning of August, but I'll just share some of my favorites.  I have a nautical theme, with a little ocean/beach sprinkled in as well.

 Beth Newingham was my inspiration with her nautical theme.  This is the entrance to my classroom.  I have since added little sailboats with student names to the left of my door in the netting.  The kids make their lunch choice on the door (it's magnetic).  I have also added little fish with their names on them and a magnet on the back.

 As soon as you walk in and look left, you'll see my Fundations board, dry erase board, Smart Board, and Math area.  I've added a few things for math as well.

 Rules and Clip Chart, mailboxes made by my hubby.

 Small group area back corner, CAFE menu, word wall, student desks, the door the right leads into a mini computer labette.  It holds 10 computers that I share with the teacher next door.

Book boxes, classroom library, displays for student work.

The sea canopy is always a favorite reading nook for Daily 5 time!

One more day of In-service tomorrow, followed by Open House/Meet the Teacher night.  It will be along one, but I am looking forward to meeting my new crew!  Now... off to see other classrooms on I'm Blog Hoppin'!