Though time may part us...

A month has passed and I'm regretful that I've not posted in that time. Life has whisked me up and drifted me through.  I'm not particularly sure which directions I'm facing, I'm headed, or I've come from...

However much it pains me to say, I get wrapped up in the daily grind and lose track of ME.  I know that I need this time, but I'm not sure how to take care of that most days.  I want so badly to be there for others in my life that I tend to put myself on the back burner.  I'm sure you're saying, "And she doesn't even have kids!"  Agreed!  I'm SO with you!  However, I actually do have 21 friends in my care daily.  

I'm supposed to guide, support, and release them daily.  I find it intriguing to create new anchors for them with which to expand their learning from each day.  I absolutely love the thinking that takes place within my captivating carnival classroom!  They're so brilliant and so often they don't even realize it.  We all have learning that takes place each day, but I have the opportunity to learn "from the mouths of babes."  It's truly amazing to see the thinking and learning that goes on inside a classroom!

From the awe of children and a top-performing school teacher workload, I go home to a football coach/grad student/hands-on hardworking man, a devoted-to-me and spoiled rotten canine, and an obviously lived-in home.  With that, comes a large close-knit family with which to spread my time and tending to the TLC of friendships.  Atop it all, I have a Savior that graces my life with his goodness and mercy and encourages me to shine my light so others may see.

Life has blessed us all with such fantastic treasures.  Some of life's treasures need tidying up every once in a while.  As I sit and reflect on my self-endeavors, I'm realizing the need I'm having of tidying up my ability to "get it all in" in conjunction with allowing my light to shine eternally.

May I leave you with this...

~ #5:  To life's treasures and the ability to shine for them all. ~

FYI...It's our 3 year wedding anniversary!

And we've been together 10 years!

Thought I may share...

After posting a sneak peak to an amazing zoo visit we had a few weeks ago with a terrific couple and really great friends, L & D, I've decided to guide you through my zoo walk.  Although taking the photos was a huge positive to the day, editing and "playing with" them was just as enjoyable!

Without further ado...

Enjoy!

Holy Moly!...

So, I've completely slacked in the blogging area of my life the past month.  I'm hugely sorry to all who have patiently awaited my next blessing count.  I can say that my hiatus is due to great cause!  (Check out my last post and you'll understand.)  However, NO EXCUSES!  (I've said that a few times lately...it's starting to ring a bell.)  Now, to myself...

"Self...get it in gear!"

Regardless...I'm back and ready to continue to shine!

I have to admit that my other favorite season is upon us!  Spring is still my absolute fave, but Fall is so gorgeous too and it holds a very special date for me...our anniversary!  However, I'm such a sucker for caramel apples, football, pumpkins, mums, family...!!!

I suppose that brings me my next blessing...the changing of seasons (Except Winter!...Well, okay, it's nice when it starts...I wish it were MUCH shorter though!)

A recent zoo visit... captured scene.

~ #4:  To seasons that change and guide us through life's blessings. ~

Powerful endings...

I sat through hours of workshop this week to professionally develop myself.  I pondered how I might utilize this learning to shine for my students in the upcoming days.  School starts this Wednesday and I could not be more motivated to shine brighter than ever for my kiddos and their lifelong learning.  

All because of a quote that was displayed and read aloud to our group...

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

-Nelson Mandela 

I'm working to face my fears of the unknown and my sense of control (which I believe is instilled in every educator known to man).  I will be liberated from those fears so that I may shine my light for my students now and forevermore.

It truly is an unbelievable blessing to be a teacher!  My calling is in the classroom.  My heart belongs there and that is my home.  It will be filled with 24 learners next week and I'm ecstatic for the opportunity to be a part of that number!

~ #3... A learner filled classroom to call my home. ~

Stop by room 301 and use your (now) schema to connect...