Days Gone By....

(pre-school graduation 2010)

It seems just like yesterday that I was posting this and this. I cannot believe that Addison graduated from Kindergarten this morning. The statement, "you've come a long way baby" does not even begin to describe where she came from to where she is today. God has something amazing planned for her life and granted me the most amazing gift ever when He chose me to be her Mom! I love you more than words can express Addison Faith - you are the sunshine that lights my world each and every day!!

Addison and her friend Anna Grace.

I am so glad that God led us to Bartlett Baptist Kindergarten, Addison made some wonderful friends and so did I!!

Mrs. Susan, Addison and Mrs. Lisa

Thanks to these amazing ladies for everything they did for Addison! She will never forget her year with you two!!

It's the Small Things...

I do not know if I can express in words the joy I have had in being a Mom these past two weeks. When Addison was two years old, I went back to work and was blessed to have my Mom keep Addison for me. Since I graduated in May and school does not start back until August, I have some free time this summer. I have told myself that if a part time job were to open up then I would go back to work but, if one did not then I would enjoy my summer with my family.

Just this week she and I have spent afternoons at the park, went on walks, and even went with a group of her school friends to the play area at McDonald's for a couple of hours. I was a bad blogger and did not snap ONE picture on any of these outings!! I have cherished these days with her and just realized how much I have really missed doing "Momma" things. She will only be 6 once and I have decided that it is worth being on a strict budget to have this time with her.

Speaking of a strict budget, I have started clipping coupons and will be attending a class about extreme couponing on the 31st. I am excited to see and learn from someone who uses coupons to save tons of money for their family.

And speaking of saving look at these fabulous teacher finds from Dollar Tree!! You cannot BEAT the teacher section - I cannot wait to get these laminated and ready for use in my future classroom!!

Please continue to pray that I will be placed at the school God sees fit for me and my future students in August.

Here is a shot of doodlebug on her bike before our ride/walk yesterday afternoon

No Boys Allowed...

So, I was in the writing mood a few nights ago and well, Blogger was down and out. I actually thought about writing my posts in Word and then copying them here when the site was back online. I am kicking myself now that I did not do that; I can assure you that what I had to say was so profound that you will be sorry I forgot it all!!

I had a wonderful Mother's Day and was able to enjoy it with my Mom and Mother In Law. My gift was a graduation/Mother's Day gift all rolled in one and I ADORE it...

I am the proud owner of a new iPad 2!!

I have to tell you that Addison has actually used this new gadget more than I have! I told her that I was going to have to start calling her the iPad hog if she did not start sharing with me!

At church, Addison made a cute little "Mom's Day Off" sign but then she felt the need to add this sign as well...

Shawn told her that he was not a "boy" he was a man, so she went in her room and wrote this on her easel...

That is my handwriting in red, she needed help spelling words on her first sign but the blue writing/drawing is all her. "No Boys and mun (men) allowed" That is a man with a X on him and then a door that says OUT!! She is one hilarious little girl, you cannot be around her without smiling!

With Honors...

I have had 3 days in my life that I will never ever forget. The first was the day I stood on the beach and said, "I do" to my amazing husband. The second was be the day that my Addison was born and the third was on May 6th, 2011.

In 2007, I made the decision to go back to school and complete my degree in Elementary Education. I can honestly tell you that it was the best decision I ever made. I do have several regrets about not graduating from college after high school when my amazing parents were paying my tuition; however, I mentally was not ready to buckle down and study! So, for the past three years I have worked during the day and attended classes twice a week, and on May 6th, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education! Not only did I graduate but I graduated Summa Cum Laude!!!

My teacher education girls - no doubt God knew what a strong bond we would all have!! If any of you are reading this, I love you all very much!! XOXO

(The gold cord is for my Summa Cum Laude honor)

Getting ready to walk that stage - just a head shot for this gal, as graduation gowns are hideous!! Can I get an "AMEN"??

Closing yet another door...

I am sure many of you remember that in January I said good bye to the real estate world to start my student teaching. Well, this past Friday was the day that I closed the door on student teaching. I have said several times how wonderful my cooperating teachers were for this placement, and it was extremely hard to leave them and the students. I was strong though and held my tears until I was in my car driving away from the school. I met some amazing teachers and students that have impacted my future career as an educator more than they will ever know! Friday was such bittersweet day, my cooperating teacher had doughnuts for the class and all the students brought supplies and made this fabulous basket for me! I should have shot the basket from above because it is packed from the top to the bottom with school supplies!! Such a sweet thing for all the kids and their parents to do for me!!

Here is another little basket of goodies that came from a student as well - I will never forget my days with these kids!!

Now how CUTE is this door sign?? My cooperating teachers had this made for me and I cannot wait to see it hanging on my future classroom door! It makes me smile every time I look at it! (Thanks so much Mills and Barbee!!)

Friday night I went to a Girl's Night Out with my Connection Class at church and my good friend Karen had this little graduation gift for me. I love cute note cards and cute personalized note cards are even better!! Thanks for the sweet surprise Karen!!

Eggstra Special Good Friday

WOW!! It has been a month since I have posted!! I have been so busy with school BUT the countdown has started, graduation is ONLY two weeks away!! I have been blessed with a fabulous cooperating teacher this time and will be so sad to leave her and the class. I have learned more than I EVER thought that I possibly could, and cannot wait to use some of these tips and strategies with my own students one day.

Our Good Friday started off with a trip to the movies. My mom and Addison always go and see the Disney Earth Day movie and since I was off this year I was able to join them.

This years movie was NOT kid friendly, we actually got up and left before it was over. Matter of fact another good friend of mine called me tonight to give me the heads up that she took her niece and walked out too! It was very, very violent and too much for an animal lover like my Addison!!

We came home and dyed a few Easter eggs - here are a few pics!! I actually have some pics from the past 3 Easters to post.

2009

2010

2011

Hope you all have a blessed Easter weekend!!

You Ought To Be In Pictures....

Our spring break was wicked busy, as are my upcoming weeks of student teaching. I wanted to share just a few smilebox slideshows I put together of our spring break/birthday week events.

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