Classroom FaceLift

To say I am excited about getting into my classroom this year would be an understatement.

Last year, I literally interviewed on Monday, got the job Monday evening, went to training from Tuesday every weekday for two weeks, saw my classroom, had four days to prep for open house, and one more day before kids arrived.  This year, I have more than enough time to prepare!  And -- since my husband is away, I can fully dedicate my time (and our house) to classroom facelift the next three weeks (with exception to three days this week due to a conference I have to attend).

My classroom last year now feels like it was an explosion of everything thought to be "elementary".  This year I am taking the "less is more" approach and making things more meaningful to myself and my students.  Our school is older, and in need of the ultimate paint job, so I've gotta make the most of the chipped paint cabinet! Last year's photos (I will update with NEW classroom pics in about 3 weeks):

 From my deskBack of the classroom

Front board

Outside our door

Reading center

Projects that are still in the works are just organizational projects (organizing my planning book, planning lessons, actually getting into my classroom and putting things where they belong), as well as my teacher "stool" I'm working on designing and painting.  It is based in a gray paint, and I'm hoping to just add a lil flair to it with some pink melon color paint, as well as a black initial on the top seat.

So far, I have created my Substitute Binder, as well as my teacher binder, which I've decided will store all my information.  Just seems more practical and functional, rather than having everything in different spots.  I found the Teacher Binder idea/organization through this awesome teacher's blog:  http://beyondthegrades.blogspot.com/2011/10/teacher-binder.html.  I have plenty more to work on according to my Pinterest boards.  Good thing they are boards, and not to-do lists!

I've also made...

Our Job Board

I'm planning on displaying this on the side of my awesome new mailbox system (made of Formica cabinet materials).  I'm super excited about the job board, AND the free mailbox system.  The Job Board is just made of construction paper (or bright colored paper), library card pockets (from the local teaching store), and circle labels (keep reading for more on them).

Our Locator Board

At our school, we are required to display where students are at all times.  This is my new locator board, where each student will be given a magnet or number to "represent" them.  They will be responsible for moving it to wherever they have to go throughout the day.  This was super fun and easy to make.  I got the two large cookie sheets at Ollie's for $6.  The duct tape is from 5Below, and again, I used the circular labels.  I may change where I put "Absent/Present" into their lunch choices (therefore, automatically seeing who is/isn't in class).

As you can tell, I am starting to become obsessed with circle labels.  They are SO easy to use, as well as so easy to print and stick.  They are a lil more expensive than I'd really like to spend, but I used the one packet and don't think i will need anymore.  You get 5 sheets of 12 (so 60 stickers total), so I think that's all I'd really need for the year.  I also used a couple for our home office are to help organize.  At WalMart they are about $6.69 I think...

Welcome Sign

This used to be an old frame without the glass to protect the pictures in the front -- now, it's my new "WELCOME" sign to display outside my classroom.  We have "bulletin board strips" outside of our classrooms, so I'm hoping to display this on top of the strip (with something to bond it to the wall too).  The letters are just printed on bright paper, and then I lined the back of the frame with the same duct tape as the cookie sheet locator board to create some continuity.  I plan on putting the same designer duct tape on some other displays in my room.

My FAVORITE project (and possibly the most "brainless" of them all) are my DIY posters for my classroom.  Last year my kids were dying to see our pup, Nutmeg, so I'd just show them pictures from time to time.  Today, I got to think how cool it would be to create posters from some of her pictures I've taken over the past year.  I decided adding some fun quotes would help spice them up as well.  I remembered used "Picnik" years ago, and today when I went searching, I discovered Google had closed it down.  I did find another awesome photo editor called Lunapic.  It allowed me to change my image in various ways, as well as add text.  That, of course, got me excited!  I, then, remembered something I had seen on Pinterest (I know, imagine that)!  It was a post about "Engineering Prints" for $4.99 or so at Staples.  Of course, I logged into my Staples Copy Center as soon as I could, only to discover you can only do the Engineer Prints black and white.  So, I called Staples (yes, can't you tell how determined I was), and I ran up there (literally two minutes from our house).  The amazing copy lady was able to produce my three "poster size" prints for $6.39!  WOWZER!!!  Those of you teachers are thinking, "Heck yeah - steal of a deal"!  As you know, the classroom can become a money monster if you aren't careful.  I have to say, I am STOKED about how they turned out, and cannot wait for my pup to debut in my classroom!  I just have to trim and laminate them - and put them up!  Here are the results:

This one will be at the mirror!

This one will be in our creation station!

And my fav...

This will be in our reading nook, or above our welcome sign in the hallway.

I have a feeling I will be making more of these posters, and will be continuing to make pics of my pup. I love that the kids love her just because she's so darn adorable -- and if she can "encourage" them with her line of motivational posters -- I see that as a win win.  Who knew she would be such a superstar? :)

What do you think the caption should be for this picture?

I'm thinking of displaying this near our technology/computer table!

Leave a comment with your suggestion!

XOXO,

H and Nutmeg

The Beginning of the End

Hello, long last bloggers!


I have returned from the whirlwind of R&R!  After about a week of traveling, my husband arrived finally, after seven months of deployment.  I was, to say the least, SO overwhelmed with excitement and anxiety -- it is so funny how it feels like another "first impression" after being apart for seven months!  He and I were all smiles, and shared a long embrace and sweet kiss when we finally were in each other's arms.  His first request, of course, was a change of clothes (he had been wearing the same uniform all seven days of travel), keys to the Audi, and Japanese food!  We cruised to Kanki and actually got a grill table with our own personal chef and a table for just the two of us!  It was an awesome "first" date.

Over his two weeks at home, we were pretty busy!  We did our best to try to carve out time for just the two of us, as well as "downtime" to just relax in our home with the pup in between all the hustle and bustle.  While he was home, we...

• went to the DC area for his job interview.
• celebrated our anniversary with shopping and Ruth's Chris!

• spent time with both our families!
• grilled out with friends at our home (first gathering we've ever had at our home)
• celebrated his 16 year old brother's birthday!
• went to WaterCountryUSA with his 16 and 11 year old brothers!
• took the pup swimming!
• slid down a gigantic blow-up slide at my little cousins' birthday party :)
• went to the gun range!

Settling back into having him home was a bit easier than I imagined!  I had nightmares of all his habits driving me batty -- but we ended up just getting back into our "groove" and communicating through it all.  Of course, it did make my OCD tick stronger as I stepped onto the bathroom rug which was soaked after his shower, but it only made me laugh and thank the Lord my husband was back home! :)

All in all, we had an amazing two weeks together -- one that we both definitely needed.  He returned to the "sandbox" fully rejuvenated (well, that is, if you forget the cold I may have accidentally given to him), and ready to take on the next couple months.  I am thrilled we will be reunited soon and cannot wait for that reunion as well! We are looking forward to spending time just the three of us (counting pup) when he comes home for good!  I suppose we are at the beginning of the end of our deployment journey.  It is so hard to believe a year ago we were just finding out about his deployment, in our third week of marriage, and I had just gotten my first teaching job.  I am thankful that the year has gone by as it has, and so thankful for the memories we have made together (and individually).  We have both grown stronger individually, as well as stronger together as a married couple (and team!)!

Updating you soon on my classroom projects!!!!!

XOXO,

H

Light at the End of the Tunnel

With my husband a day away from being back in my arms, to say I'm excited is an understatement.  It is hard to balance the excitement and the anticipation -- not to mention that everyone wants to see him in these two weeks home.  I am so excited everyone is excited about seeing him, but I am also thankful that we are being a little selfish and having some time just for us.  It is really crazy how sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own lives, we forget the people around us.  There have been many people (whom I love) that said at the beginning of the deployment that they would keep me busy -- but as time went on (and their lives continued as normal), their invites did not arrive.  I completely get it, and I love all of them for being so loving and wanting to involve me and "keep me busy", but the reality is -- if you aren't living through this deployment and you're not "on the frontline" of the deployment's crazy roller coaster ride of events and emotions, you tend to forget the spouse is here.  I put no guilt or blame on anyone -- but it is a hard thing to balance after 6 months of people keeping to themselves and then coming out with excitement and eagerness to see him when he is home for his two weeks.  I am thankful for all the support of all our friends and family -- and just knowing they had my back during this time if I needed it.  I know I could've called so many of them (you) and you would've held me up when I was down.  I'm looking forward to him being all mine the first few days. :)  I'm looking forward to actually having my best friend, in the flesh, back.  I'm looking forward to kissing his lips, having a hug, playing with our daughter pup together, making memories, and sharing a meal together.  I haven't had a daily hug in over six months, all his knowledge of pup's growth has been via emailed pictures, I am ready to burn calories kissing, and I'm so ready to share my kitchen with my most favorite chef of all.  It is crazy to understand and fathom what military spouses go through during deployments (and even harder to fathom what their soldiers go through), but we have earned and deserve our time.  So, starting tomorrow through Thursday, I'll have a "Do Not Disturb" sign on my door. Thank you for all your support, and now for your understanding. 

We are looking forward to celebrating with his family, my family, and our sweet friends very soon!  I think he is most excited about "American" food, time with our little pup, seeing how tall his brothers have grown, swimming with his pup, a golf day with his boys, and spending time with everyone who has supported and loves us.  We are looking forward to cooking again together, taking a fun adventure with his brothers, homemade pizza with his mom and family, grilling out with friends, date nights, overnight stay in VA/job interview, pool days, and just being together (and being able to look into each other's eyes, hold hands, kiss, etc, etc, etc, etc. :))

This little pup of a girl is ready to see her daddy!

XOXO,

H

Amazing People

Living in this military base town during my husband's deployment has really been a blessing!  At first I was a bit annoyed to be moving "back home" to this town I know as well as I know myself, but I am thankful to be so close to most of my family and the base.  I have enjoyed heading grocery shopping at the commissary, and shopping at the "lemon lot" like NJ and I used to for fun.  Sometimes it has been hard to live in this town because it reminds me of all our memories we have together throughout different areas of town.  However, being in a military town also reminds me of my husband, due to all the military members and their families that occupy the town.  I am thankful to be reminded and surrounded by so many amazing people, because it reminds me that I am not alone in this deployment.

NJ should be coming home soon for his R&R and I am beyond ready.  I cannot wait to be in his arms, surrounded and safe -- and completely lost in his blue eyes. I am so thankful this deployment has brought us stronger, closer, and even more in love.  Deployments are and can be extremely scary, because you never know what to expect.  And you, honestly, never can replay that feeling of loss you feel when they leave from their port/base each time.  As I think back to his leaving, I remember dropping him off at his station and just feeling completely lost.  I bawled my eyes out and didn't want to let go of him.  He didn't have to walk away from me (he was where he had to stay), but I had to drive away from him.  Imagine leaving the most precious thing in the world to you -- and you have to leave.  It's a feeling of loss and heartbreak that I cannot describe any parallel of it to anything in life.  Now that he is coming home soon, I am wondering how amazing that feeling will feel - when I see his face the first time, run into his arms, hug his neck, kiss his lips, hold his hand, ride beside him in the passenger seat, seeing our puppy jump in his arms after over six months, having him beside me at night (and every morning I wake up), and stealing a kiss whenever I want.  I hope that moment of seeing him "for the first time" is an incredibly surreal, emotional, and extraordinary as that goodbye was six months ago.  Until then, I will remain forever his -- waiting, wishing, and loving him all the more.

XOXO,

H 

I have reached a couple of my workout goals and am so excited to keep pushing forward. I have managed to workout every day of the week, as well as eat healthy!  I even worked out twice yesterday, which makes me thrilled (not to mention, exhausted).  I am learning that really eating to live healthy, rather than just eating to eat (or when I'm bored, or sad, or lonely, or overwhelmed, or thirsty, or mad).  It's also making me realize how important and essential presentation is to food.  Not only does it MAKE me take my time to really make my food look delicious, but it makes me take my time when eating it.  When you eat alone (come on, everyone has eaten alone at least once in their lives), you learn to enjoy and savor the bites.  I've learned to have a book in my car or purse in case I eat out by myself, because it makes me eat slower and not feel like people are staring at my loneliness. :)  Reading with a book also gets me "into" the book, rather than rushing through eating. The only drawback to reading or watching tv while you eat is watching your portions.  I always make a conscious effort to really create my proportions on my plate before I sit down to eat (this eliminates the whole I'll just eat chips out of the bag until I finish this chapter).  Portion control, not giving in to little wants (instead of needs), and working out are essential to making a life change!

Crazy to believe we are almost celebrating the fourth of July!  I was talking with my hairstylist at FRINGE SALON (check them out!) about how weird it is that the 4th is on a Wednesday!  I am so used to associating this holiday with the weekends, that it feels absurd it is on Wednesday.  This is our (hubs and my) third 4th of July without us celebrating together -- but I think this 4th is even more celebratory because we are getting so close to his return.  It is crazy to think I am part of the military family, after growing up in a military town for all my life.  I am so proud of my husband, and all he has done to chase his dreams, accomplish his goals, and provide for us as a little family.

As you celebrate the 4th, keep in mind it is the celebration of the great U.S. of A -- and we would not be the country we are without the faith of our forefathers, the bravery of strong leaders, the sacrifice of courageous soldiers, and the passion of loving citizens.

XOXO,

H

Deployment Woes

We have now come to the six months' mark of this deployment, and are finding ourselves begging and ready for some time together.  NJ's time home will be shortly, and I cannot wait until that day arrives.  I have learned a lot through this deployment, and I can attest that we have grown much stronger as a couple.  There have been some things that have been harder than the things I thought would be the hardest, but it's only made me stronger.  So many times I have to change subjects, or just walk away from conversations where people are trying to relate to a very unrelateable event in life.  I find it funny when people express their concern for living alone, sleeping alone, or just not knowing "how you do it".  The bottom line is - military spouses/families learn to "just do it", and in a sense, we don't even have the time to fathom "how" we do it, but just that it (along with so many other things) needs to be done.

I've learned a lot about myself.......

• I am stronger than I ever really realized.
• I am able to push myself beyond my own boundaries to accomplish things I want to accomplish (i.e. squashing bugs, taking out stinky trash, running more than from here to the mailbox, cooking and enjoying a delicious dinner by myself, hauling a grocery trip worth of groceries up three flights of stairs in one trip, taking out the dog at 11:30 at night when the boogey man is out, responding to scary noises in the house in my pjs, etc.).
• I am capable of running over two miles by myself, and with our puppy, and feeling completely confident in my stride, safety, and abilities.
• I am capable of teaching a dog, becoming pack leader, and balancing the whole good cop/bad cop routine with doggy discipline.
• I have been learning that, although my husband is phenomenal and my best friend, I am so happy to know myself and be confident in the woman I am (with or without him physically by my side).
• I've learned sometimes we have just to grin and bear when people try to shed light/wisdom on things they have no clue about - they are only trying to love on us a little.  Breathing exercises help in these situations as well. :)
• I am learning the process of really eating to live, and not living to eat.
• I've learned that eating by yourself isn't a bad thing.  I've sharpened my people watching skills, and have even learned to laugh out loud by myself and feel completely ok with that.
• I've discovered that I have a knack for cooking and baking, and have fully embraced this as a fun pasttime.
• I've become more open to allowing people into my life, and striking up conversation with completely strangers (at the gym, grocery store, etc.).
• I've learned to laugh even when I feel like crying (and let the pup lick all my tears away).
• I have no allowed myself any pity parties - just reminded myself it could be worse. I could be in the middle of nowhere with no one I know in a scary place where the food sucks and the air stinks.
• I've learned that although I'm functional on my own, I feel the most blossomed when my husband is around.
• The sound of my husband's voice still puts butterflies in my stomach and heart, as well as makes me relax with a sigh of relief.
• I've learned deployed husbands have bad days...they just don't tell you until after the fact. :)

Our relationship has grown in leaps and bounds....I feel we are both more confident and trusting, as well as finding our own individual two feet after being together for over six years.  We are still "us", but we are a stronger "us".

This deployment has made me immensely thankful for...

• my husband - he is truly an amazing person; strong; compassionate; has continued to pursue me throughout these 6 months; my best friend; and the one thing I can't wait to get back into my arms.
• a loving God. enough said.
• my family (blood and married into) - they have been my refuge during this deployment, whether it be meals, puppy sitting, celebrating birthdays, flowers, cards - they have helped me keep it together.
• our puppy - she's been a joy to light up my days, as well as a great topic for conversation with my husband after 6 months of our lives not overlapping much to produce a ton of conversation topics
• friends -- they've given me space to adjust in the beginning, called me when I was down, surprised me with little gifts in the mail, and reminded me that I'm not alone
• work - it's kept me busy, and allowed me to focus on something other than deployment for 8hrs a day
• summer break -- has reminded me to smell the roses, take everything in stride, and enjoy being a lil housewife

I won't say deployments are not hard.  I won't pretend that I haven't spent a few nights crying myself to sleep.  I won't pretend the dog didn't sleep at the door for the first month waiting for her papa goose to come home.  I won't lie and say that seeing his face on Skype doesn't make me miss him even more.  I will not say that the military life is just for anyone.  I will say that military spouses are some of the strongest people I know, and I have been so mindful that I have a million other warrior wives who have/will have/are in my same spot in life -- SO thankful to be part of the legacy, life, and love of our great country. I am no full time military wife, I am no soldier - but, I love our country, and I could not be happier to be the woman my sailor comes home to very soon.

xoxo,

H

SUMMER 2012 has arrived -- AND I survived my first year of teaching - halleujah!  I am so happy for summer to be here, and really looking forward to spending time with family, good friends, and my husband for two weeks!  He'll be home soon from his deployment for some R&R time, and I'm very excited about that!

I've been accomplishing a lot in the two whole days I've been finished with work!  Pups and I have reorganized cabinets, closets, cleaned, rearranged the living room, and ordered bar stools!  I'm looking forward to picking them up today!  I will be posting more this summer with all my summer adventures, projects, and, of course, the husband's arrival! :)

I was digging through some old drawers in our guest room (aka supply/junk room), and came across some writings I had done in college the summer NJ was at basic training.  It really got me thinking how much I love writing (and reading for that matter), and I have made it my goal this summer to 1) share my writings with my blogging friends, 2) write more, 3) read more, 4) take in everything around me!

I'll start by sharing one of my favorites from that creative writing class in my next post this afternoon -- it's a lil comedic relief for the start to summer!

Love and Joy,

H