Color Me Rad 2013

I participated in my first color run last weekend. SO fun! The pictures speak for themselves!

Thursday's Top Five - Classroom Decor

So I am revamping my classroom this year. I'm officially staying in third grade, and I am TIRED of my five year old decor. It has ran it's course. So here are five things I've made or purchased for my new classroom for next year! 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

http://www.sweetsewnstitches.com/2011/08/thursday-threads-subway-art-printable.html?m=1

5. 

I'm excited!

Little Man

My little man has been blowing me away lately! He's so stinking smart!!

I love that he understands SO much of what is being said to him now. For example, when it is nap time, I tell him it's time to go night night, and he just gets up and goes to his room. And when I ask if he needs a diaper change, if he does, he walks back to his room. Tonight I told him to let's go get his pajamas on, and again, he walked back to his room. He also goes to the kitchen when he is hungry or thirsty, and he tosses his cup in the sink when he is finished. He will even throw our trash away. Ahhhhh.... Life is much easier in that respect. In other aspects though, it's much more difficult. Griffin has a very strong will. Although he can be easy going and is easy to redirect, there are times he wants what he wants when he wants it. I think part of it is because he cannot communicate his needs. 

Even though Griffin is right on track with other kiddos his age, I like to think he's super smart! 

And I must say, I am LOVING summer break!!!

Five Miles

One of these days, I will be able to run five miles. Today was not the day...

Before.... Scared

After: relieved

I ran the first mile, ran/walked the next three miles, and walked almost the whole last mile. It was tough. My friend Laura and her friend, who happens to be a personal trainer, came with us. They both run marathons and five miles is not a big deal to them. They run it daily. My legs felt like they were going to fall off by mile four. However I'm glad I did it, and it made me take a look at those two and set some goals for myself. 

First, I still want to lose 25 more pounds. Well actually, it's down to 23 now. I've lost 12 lbs in the last four months since I started running. I would like to accomplish this goal by the beginning of September. That's just two lbs a week. Very doable!

Second, I want to run five miles without stopping while being able to carry on a conversation. 

Third, I want to begin lifting weights to tone my squishy post-baby body. I know this will give me a much better shape! I am joining a gym right after payday! I'm super excited to get back into Zumba, yoga, and learn how to lift weights. I'm pretty clueless about that!

Fourth, I want to run a half marathon. There is Soaring Wings in October, but if I don't feel ready by then, there is another one in my hometown next year in April. 

So those are some pretty lofty goals. I never thought they would be mine!!! 

God is SO Good!

So many updates to give….

Brandon and I celebrated our fifth anniversary on the last day of the school year, May 31. We have grown so much in these last five years. I’ve learned so much about him, love, and marriage. I’m tremendously thankful he chose me!!

Look at how young (and skinny) we were!

We dropped G off with Nana and Papa and headed to Branson. We checked in at Chateau on the Lake, which is a BEAUTIFUL resort. My parents “gifted” us dinner, so we headed to our favorite restaurant, Olive Garden. It was so yummy! Once we got back to the resort, we found chocolate covered strawberries and sparkling white grape juice waiting on us. We found out later that my precious momma set that up! It reminded us of our honeymoon and vacation in Hawaii. In the morning, we ordered room service, and ate a delicious breakfast. It stormed all night long, but it finally cleared off by 11:00 when we checked out of the hotel. We headed to Silver Dollar City with our season passes and rode all the big coasters. We LOVE their new coaster Outlaw Run. It is top notch! We spent just a few hours at SDC, then headed to Tanger to buy my momma’s bday present which I totally screwed up. So sad! All in all, we had a terrific time. It’s always nice to be able to get some alone time with my man!

Moving on…

Summer break is now in full swing!

Mom, Kayla, Megan, and I all went for a run last Saturday evening. I think it’s pretty awesome that we have started to get in shape and be more healthy!

We had our first girls’ night of the summer at my house Tuesday. I work with some of the BEST people. I love that most of us have kids about the same age too. We get together about once a month during school and once a  week in the summers. I don’t know where I would be without those wonderful women!

Unfortunately, Tuesday I also received some horrible news. My grade level team had to choose someone to move to a different team. We were heartbroken. My team is everything to me at school. We have worked together seamlessly for the last five years. Of course, we’ve had our ups and downs, but I don’t want to work with anyone else! We had a meeting with our new principal, and today we received notice that we are NOT being split up!!! I was in SHOCK! I am so very grateful to her and feel VERY blessed!

I also received an email from my former principal earlier this week about my Benchmark scores. My grade level did pretty well! We were at 96% proficient or advanced in Math, and 90% proficient or advanced in Literacy! This is why we don’t need to be split up! ha! I was pretty pleased with my scores. In Math, I had one student score basic, one scored proficient, and the rest were advanced! (I had 19 kiddos this year.) In Literacy, I had one student score below basic, one student score basic, one scored proficient, and the rest were advanced! I was pleased because I was not expecting so many to score advanced. This year was also an incredibly hard year for me. I had a lot going on with a new grade level, new curriculum, new baby, and a difficult mixture of kiddos. I’m glad that I didn’t give up despite wanting to several times. I’m ready for a new school year and fresh start in August!

Griffin and I went to the park today and had a little picnic. Thankfully we were the only ones there because he walked around yelling and acting like he owned the place. It was too cute. He likes to swing now, and I even went down the big slide with him. He thought that was pretty awesome.

So now I’m off to begin writing my grant so I can begin working on National Boards next year. EEK! I think I’m crazy!