Let me just say, YESSSSS! For my teacher friends, specifically my upper grade teacher friends you know what I'm referring to. The dreaded STAAR test is done! Well, for Math and Reading that is. I am relieved. It was really awesome to see those kids just take a breath of relief (um, and myself) when it was all over. Even though we won't know the results for a while it's still nice to know that we can relax for a minute after all our hard work getting (hopefully) where we needed to be! Being my first year in a testing grade AND the first year of the STAAR it really was a challenge to get these kids prepared. Before the year started being told, "Ask more higher level questions." and "They need to learn to think!" and, "It's going to be more rigorous!" Really freaks a girl out especially when your just learning the curriculum! I just pray they took something from all the hard work they have put into this year. Here's our YouTube video our school made for test motivation. It's so cute! I'm a proud teacher. (don't worry, their parents ok'd it for them to be on film :))
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Let the Hallelujah chorus begin...almost...
Let me just say, YESSSSS! For my teacher friends, specifically my upper grade teacher friends you know what I'm referring to. The dreaded STAAR test is done! Well, for Math and Reading that is. I am relieved. It was really awesome to see those kids just take a breath of relief (um, and myself) when it was all over. Even though we won't know the results for a while it's still nice to know that we can relax for a minute after all our hard work getting (hopefully) where we needed to be! Being my first year in a testing grade AND the first year of the STAAR it really was a challenge to get these kids prepared. Before the year started being told, "Ask more higher level questions." and "They need to learn to think!" and, "It's going to be more rigorous!" Really freaks a girl out especially when your just learning the curriculum! I just pray they took something from all the hard work they have put into this year. Here's our YouTube video our school made for test motivation. It's so cute! I'm a proud teacher. (don't worry, their parents ok'd it for them to be on film :))
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Spring (too early for a) blog-break?!?!
Well, I'm back. I took an unintentional break (too early?).
Spring break was great, relaxing and honestly I just couldn't think of anything interesting worth blogging about! So here I am...
I read all 3 Hunger Games books (instantly obsessed) and my husband was over my obsession about 2 days in. When I was finishing the last book I even got a "Now I can have my wife back!" OOPS! I really enjoyed the books, the story line, everything about it! We are going to see the first movie tomorrow (already bought the tickets, oh yeah!) If you haven't read them, they are definitely worth your time.
Here's some pictures of my spring break:
Okay, okay..enough.
So onto my project, I helped my uncle move and while I was moving things out of one of his closets I found this beauty:
So, I asked him if I could buy it from him and he said "Please, take it!" So, naturally, I did. That began my redo adventure. I bought some Chalk Paint a while back in Fresh Linen that I've been DYING to paint something with. So this was the PERFECT choice. Here's how I did it:
Have a great weekend!
Spring break was great, relaxing and honestly I just couldn't think of anything interesting worth blogging about! So here I am...
I read all 3 Hunger Games books (instantly obsessed) and my husband was over my obsession about 2 days in. When I was finishing the last book I even got a "Now I can have my wife back!" OOPS! I really enjoyed the books, the story line, everything about it! We are going to see the first movie tomorrow (already bought the tickets, oh yeah!) If you haven't read them, they are definitely worth your time.
Here's some pictures of my spring break:
Desi and his sweet niece while we were visiting the fam
Happy 50th Anniversary to my sweet GP's
Relaxing a Teddy Bear Park
A walk through the Fort Worth Stockyards
Visiting the Fort Worth Modern Art Museum
Okay, okay..enough.
So onto my project, I helped my uncle move and while I was moving things out of one of his closets I found this beauty:
I started by getting together something to cover the mirror with, a drop cloth, and obviously brushes and paint (and a finisher which is totally optional)
If you don't know about this paint, you are missing out. You don't have to prime at all! Just a couple coats and you're good to go with a matte finish. For this project though I chose to finish with a spray finisher.
So I started by taping up the mirror
Then, the first coat went on
Here it is with the second coat on, I just waited a few hours so it wouldn't streak
Here's the final result hung on the (empty) dining room wall! The spray finisher left it looking antiqued (not on purpose, but still turned out looking awesome) but if you didn't like it you could always put another coat on.
I was really happy with the results..now, I just need to get my dining room table and finish that room! Hopefully soon :)
Friday, March 9, 2012
Yearn
One of my favorite songs, my prayer this morning. Hope it blesses you!!!
HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
So close I can taste it!
There are a few things in a teacher's life that are definite perks:
1) seeing your kids succeed/that "light bulb moment"
2) when that one child tells you "You're the best teacher."
aaanddddd...
3) TIME OFF!
If you know me, you know how much I L.O.V.E my job, there just comes a time in every teacher's life when you just get to the point where you think "I NEED A BREAK!" (Yes, I even said it in all caps in my head) This lovely perk on the horizon is Spring Break. Spring Break comes at the perfect time of year. The weather is (most of the time) getting warmer, the kids (and teachers) are getting antsy, and it's just what you need to finish out the rest of the year strong. My teacher friends understand. :)
Now, I don't quite have the same view of Spring Break as I did when I was in school. Spring break was something I LIVED for to hang out with friends, have slumber parties, watch all the TV I wanted and snacked to my hearts content. These days, not so much. No, you will not find me by a pool (especially not with this winter blast that blew in today). No, you will not find me on a luxurious vacay, seeing all the sights (but if you have one available, I'll take it off your hands). No, you will not find me elbow deep in cheezits. For me, the one thing I look forward to on this break is SLEEP! Can't a sista get some zzz's? Now my sweet husband is quite the night owl, undiagnosed insomniac, who loves a good talk at night. I LOVE those talks LIVE for those talks, but when that alarm starts chiming at 5:30 (then again at 5:45, I'm a snooze buttoner) I literally have to coax myself out of bed. So, sleeping in will be just what the doctor ordered.
However, we are taking one short trip over break. Tomorrow we will be leaving to go to my husband's hometown. It's not just your average trip to the in-laws (who are amazing, by the way), no, Desi's brother is in town. His brother is in the Army and has been over seas for almost 6 months and thankfully gets a short 15 day leave to come home. So we're taking advantage of the short 4 hour drive and going for a visit. We have skyped with him a little while he's been gone, but there's really going to be nothing like seeing him home and safe. We are all thrilled! I know my sweet Mother-in-love is just beside herself. I tell you what, I have a totally new appreciation for our service men and women. God bless them!
Casidy
Another awesome thing about this break is my grandparents are having their 50th anniversary party Sunday. Wow, 50 years! Can you imagine? That's quite the accomplishment these days. Seeing my Grandad still make my Mimi giggle uncontrollably is so sweet. They may seem like the typically "old married couple"from the outside. But, being the people watcher I am, I have noticed so much love that they still share. It's truly so amazing to me. How they still kiss each other good-bye and finish each others sentences. I can't wait to see them share their big day on Sunday!
My GP's
I mentioned in my last post about buying the Hunger Games books (love me a good easy read teen novel haha), they should be delivered within the next couple of days. I heard about these books a while back from the same person who got me started with the Twilight books, but I'm pretty stubborn sometimes and won't do it until I'm ready. SO, when the movie trailer came out I was hooked! I thought about it and over analyzed buying them for weeks then one day I just did it and they should be here soon. I'm pretty excited! Ready to prop my feet up and read, something I don't get to enjoy too much during the school year. Has anyone read them? What do you think?
That's all, I hope everyone has a Fabulous Friday tomorrow!!! Happy Spring Break! YES!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Here goes nothin'!
Hello blog world!
This is something I've been thinking about/wanting to do for a while now, I just never got around to it. Such is life..so, here I am!
A little about me:
Life-
I enjoy reading when I have time (just bought all 3 Hunger Games to read over spring break! Yes, I am behind) pinning, instagraming, shopping (ok, browsing..I turned my impulse buying into over-analyzing), finding new fun places to go eat with my husby, trying new recipes/learning housewifery (real word? sure why not) and traveling (when there's time). I got married last June to my best friend in the world, Desi. He is an amazing godly man who challenges me and makes me want to be a better me. We just bought a house this past December and we have two dogs Sadie (aka Saders, a 90 lb. German Shepherd lap dog) and Missy (aka Missers, the sweetest most pitiful Boxer you ever met). We are THAT couple that talks about our dogs as if they are our children. Yeah, I know.
My pursuit is really to be a great teacher, I have a long way to go. This is only my second year of teaching and my first year in 5th grade, I teach reading and it has been SUCH a learning experience especially since my first year was spent with Kindergartners. Needless to say, I will be continuing with 5th grade until they make me leave :). Teaching really is the best job in the world; it's challenging, fun and very rewarding at the end of the day (well, most days that is...).
Love-
Last, but most importantly, something very dear to me is my relationship with Christ. I was a believer growing up and lived the typically story, saved/baptized when I was 8 or 9 went to church on Sundays/Wednesdays/Youth camp, the whole bit. When I was in high school, I really wanted to be "cool" and did the typical high school thing. Which takes me to college, where I continued to try to please everyone and just did what college freshman/sophmores do, yes it was fun, but I didn't realize the effects it would have on me later. Then I turned 21 and that's when my self-esteem really hit an all time low. I LIVED for and searched for acceptance in all the wrong places. By God's grace, that stage didn't last very long, but it did a lot of damage. I attended the Porch at Watermark and they had began a series on "The Seven Deadly Sins of Dallas Young Adults". The first night was 'Drinking'. Disclaimer: I did not have a drinking problem by any means BUT that did add to the self-esteem issues that I was facing and it was taking me down a dark road that I didn't share with anyone or even realize myself at that point. That night at the Porch, the pastor challenged us to not take a drink for a week and pray about it and see what the Lord does. That night, I would say, is when God really took hold of me and I felt that I had to stop and realize what I was doing and where it was leading me. It has been a long road and God has really pulled me through and helped me grow into who I am today. I am by no means perfect, nor do I or will I ever claim to be. I rely on His strength DAILY but now, I can finally truthfully say that I am striving to live my life for Christ and with His grace I can walk through each day. I am so thankful that His mercies are new EVERY morning!
The reason I want to blog is because I have been inspired in so many ways by people's blogs, either people I know and even some total strangers, and now I want to be that inspiration to someone. I have some big shoes to fill, but if I can inspire, brighten someone's day, or make someone smile then I've done what I came here to do. I plan to post teaching ideas, recipe finds, pinterest inspirations, random thoughts, great devotional that I've found or something that I may attempt to write myself, personal experience and such. This will just be a creative outlet for me, hopefully you will like it. Having said that, I have so many blog inspirations, which I hope I can live up to. Here are only a few of my favorites that I've been checking out/obsessing over lately (the secret's out!):
Check them out and join in my obsessions..
College roommate/sweet friend, turned amazing inspirational blogger. Everything from working out, to decorating ideas, to outfit inspirations, this girl has it all! Think Pretty Thoughts
My amazing wedding photographer, who makes you feel like you're the prettiest girl on earth (yes, she's that sweet AND talented). She truly is so blessed with her talent and every photo tells a story. You'll love her as much as I do! Jennefer Wilson Photography
A friend from college, who is a Kinder teacher and is SO creative/crafty. everydaywiththejays
A complete stranger who has challenged me as a teacher and inspired some great ideas. msnoren
Another complete stranger who has great ideas for saving money and teaching inspirations as well. pennypinchingteacher
A blog I found through Pinterest, this girl has S.T.Y.L.E. She has a sophisticated/classic twist on modern looks. Makes me want to get a summer job just to buy pretty clothes. atlantic-pacific.
Another Pinterest find, that is permanently stuck in my bookmark toolbar, is this little blog. Amazing hair tutorials and great fashion on a budget ideas. itsthesmallthingsblog
Those are just a few, I have a lot of friends that have great blogs. Also, there are PLENTY of recipe blogs that I peruse as well and have gotten great ideas and easy (healthy/sometimes not so healthy) recipes from that have pleased my husband and my tastebuds. Ask me and I'll send the links!
Don't worry, not every post will be this wordy. I had to start somewhere! Be warned: I will overuse commas, I will make corny jokes, and I will probably talk about my husband and dogs a fair share (they're just so loveable!!). But hopefully you can overlook some of these things and enjoy. :)
My hope for this blog is to entertain and/or inspire. Let's find out if I'm cut out for it. Wish me luck!
God bless,
Mychal
This is something I've been thinking about/wanting to do for a while now, I just never got around to it. Such is life..so, here I am!
A little about me:
Life-
I enjoy reading when I have time (just bought all 3 Hunger Games to read over spring break! Yes, I am behind) pinning, instagraming, shopping (ok, browsing..I turned my impulse buying into over-analyzing), finding new fun places to go eat with my husby, trying new recipes/learning housewifery (real word? sure why not) and traveling (when there's time). I got married last June to my best friend in the world, Desi. He is an amazing godly man who challenges me and makes me want to be a better me. We just bought a house this past December and we have two dogs Sadie (aka Saders, a 90 lb. German Shepherd lap dog) and Missy (aka Missers, the sweetest most pitiful Boxer you ever met). We are THAT couple that talks about our dogs as if they are our children. Yeah, I know.
My love and I on our wedding day
My Saders
My Missers - Pi-ti-ful!
Pursuit of teaching-
My Saders
My pursuit is really to be a great teacher, I have a long way to go. This is only my second year of teaching and my first year in 5th grade, I teach reading and it has been SUCH a learning experience especially since my first year was spent with Kindergartners. Needless to say, I will be continuing with 5th grade until they make me leave :). Teaching really is the best job in the world; it's challenging, fun and very rewarding at the end of the day (well, most days that is...).
Love-
Last, but most importantly, something very dear to me is my relationship with Christ. I was a believer growing up and lived the typically story, saved/baptized when I was 8 or 9 went to church on Sundays/Wednesdays/Youth camp, the whole bit. When I was in high school, I really wanted to be "cool" and did the typical high school thing. Which takes me to college, where I continued to try to please everyone and just did what college freshman/sophmores do, yes it was fun, but I didn't realize the effects it would have on me later. Then I turned 21 and that's when my self-esteem really hit an all time low. I LIVED for and searched for acceptance in all the wrong places. By God's grace, that stage didn't last very long, but it did a lot of damage. I attended the Porch at Watermark and they had began a series on "The Seven Deadly Sins of Dallas Young Adults". The first night was 'Drinking'. Disclaimer: I did not have a drinking problem by any means BUT that did add to the self-esteem issues that I was facing and it was taking me down a dark road that I didn't share with anyone or even realize myself at that point. That night at the Porch, the pastor challenged us to not take a drink for a week and pray about it and see what the Lord does. That night, I would say, is when God really took hold of me and I felt that I had to stop and realize what I was doing and where it was leading me. It has been a long road and God has really pulled me through and helped me grow into who I am today. I am by no means perfect, nor do I or will I ever claim to be. I rely on His strength DAILY but now, I can finally truthfully say that I am striving to live my life for Christ and with His grace I can walk through each day. I am so thankful that His mercies are new EVERY morning!
The reason I want to blog is because I have been inspired in so many ways by people's blogs, either people I know and even some total strangers, and now I want to be that inspiration to someone. I have some big shoes to fill, but if I can inspire, brighten someone's day, or make someone smile then I've done what I came here to do. I plan to post teaching ideas, recipe finds, pinterest inspirations, random thoughts, great devotional that I've found or something that I may attempt to write myself, personal experience and such. This will just be a creative outlet for me, hopefully you will like it. Having said that, I have so many blog inspirations, which I hope I can live up to. Here are only a few of my favorites that I've been checking out/obsessing over lately (the secret's out!):
Check them out and join in my obsessions..
College roommate/sweet friend, turned amazing inspirational blogger. Everything from working out, to decorating ideas, to outfit inspirations, this girl has it all! Think Pretty Thoughts
My amazing wedding photographer, who makes you feel like you're the prettiest girl on earth (yes, she's that sweet AND talented). She truly is so blessed with her talent and every photo tells a story. You'll love her as much as I do! Jennefer Wilson Photography
A friend from college, who is a Kinder teacher and is SO creative/crafty. everydaywiththejays
A complete stranger who has challenged me as a teacher and inspired some great ideas. msnoren
Another complete stranger who has great ideas for saving money and teaching inspirations as well. pennypinchingteacher
A blog I found through Pinterest, this girl has S.T.Y.L.E. She has a sophisticated/classic twist on modern looks. Makes me want to get a summer job just to buy pretty clothes. atlantic-pacific.
Another Pinterest find, that is permanently stuck in my bookmark toolbar, is this little blog. Amazing hair tutorials and great fashion on a budget ideas. itsthesmallthingsblog
Those are just a few, I have a lot of friends that have great blogs. Also, there are PLENTY of recipe blogs that I peruse as well and have gotten great ideas and easy (healthy/sometimes not so healthy) recipes from that have pleased my husband and my tastebuds. Ask me and I'll send the links!
Don't worry, not every post will be this wordy. I had to start somewhere! Be warned: I will overuse commas, I will make corny jokes, and I will probably talk about my husband and dogs a fair share (they're just so loveable!!). But hopefully you can overlook some of these things and enjoy. :)
My hope for this blog is to entertain and/or inspire. Let's find out if I'm cut out for it. Wish me luck!
God bless,
Mychal
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