Bran and I had a pretty relaxing weekend. We went to our Financial Peace class Friday night. When we got home, we gave Mase a bath. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... I hate giving our dog a bath. He acts fairly well while we shampoo him, but trying to dry him off, that's a completely different story. We actually have to choke him with a towel. Otherwise he trys to eat the towels, and usually ends up biting us. His teeth are incredibly sharp!
Saturday, we took Mase to the vet to get him weighed. He is always the life of the party there. He weighs 106 lbs!! His new favorite activity is riding in the truck. One of these days I am going to video his flabby skin flapping in the wind. It is hysterical. He always gets tons of attention when he rides in the back. The other day, an older woman rolled down the window and actually started barking at him. bahahaha! I couldn't believe it! I wish I would've had that on tape.
Sunday was a typical day, except for the dreaded time change. We actually missed our Sunday School class. Church was so good though! Afterwards, Bran went to work out, and I went to school. Then, we went to the in-laws to eat some delicious BBQ. It was great!
This morning, Bran woke me up at 7:23. I leave for work at 7:30. I had only seven minutes to get ready!!! Oh it was bad. Very bad. But I ended up having a great day! Praise the Lord!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Reflecting
Today our school district had panel interviews. I gave (or tried to anyways) advice to the interns at my school. It made me stop and reflect on that part of my life. Oh... How crazy was I to student teach, plan my wedding, graduate from college, and move permanently to a different town in the same semester! Bran and I signed a lease on our first apartment, which we could not afford. He was working with a roofing company, and I was jobless. What in the world were we thinking???
Looking back though, and even in that moment, I knew we were in God's perfect will. Everything seemed to just fall into place. I was hired shortly after spring break. That was such a relief, and allowed me to concentrate on the biggest day of my life. We were blessed financially with gifts from our wedding and my graduation. We made it through that first summer on that money before I started teaching. I still cannot believe I was hired out of the 90ish teachers who interviewed for the same job. I am still in awe of how prayer can truly work miracles! The advice I gave to those hopeful teachers.... pray!
On a different note, I have another observer this semester. Hopefully this girl will be better than the last two people who have been in my classroom. I seem to get the know-it-all or the I-don't-really-want-to-be-here people. Please local university... send me someone good!
AND... I could not believe what someone brought up in our bible study tonight..... DAVE RAMSEY! hahahahaha I went on and on and on. They probably don't want me to come back. I guess I am still so excited over my last post!
Looking back though, and even in that moment, I knew we were in God's perfect will. Everything seemed to just fall into place. I was hired shortly after spring break. That was such a relief, and allowed me to concentrate on the biggest day of my life. We were blessed financially with gifts from our wedding and my graduation. We made it through that first summer on that money before I started teaching. I still cannot believe I was hired out of the 90ish teachers who interviewed for the same job. I am still in awe of how prayer can truly work miracles! The advice I gave to those hopeful teachers.... pray!
On a different note, I have another observer this semester. Hopefully this girl will be better than the last two people who have been in my classroom. I seem to get the know-it-all or the I-don't-really-want-to-be-here people. Please local university... send me someone good!
AND... I could not believe what someone brought up in our bible study tonight..... DAVE RAMSEY! hahahahaha I went on and on and on. They probably don't want me to come back. I guess I am still so excited over my last post!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Dave Ramsey
Brandon and I have been attending Financial Peace University at a local church. The program was created by Dave Ramsey (author of The Total Money Makeover - highly recommend it!) I was working on our budget for next month, and I was getting EXCITED! Bran is working late tonight... so I had to tell someone! This probably isn't the smartest thing to post on the internet... If you are a stalker, please don't read this. ha!
We have around $17,000 in debt - two student loans and his truck payment. Of course, that does not include our house. We are spending 30% of our monthly income towards paying this off. That's over $1000! We are def determined to get rid of it. Well, we paid our credit card off this month, and we will pay off one student loan this upcoming month. With all of that money free, we are applying that to his truck payment. That means, the $5,200 we owe on his truck will be paid off in...... SEPTEMBER! woohoo! Go us!
Next, we will take that money and apply it to one of our student loans. That will be paid off in March of 2011. Then, we will take that money and apply it to our last debt. It will be paid off in September of 2011!!!!! We are going to call in to the Dave Ramsey radio show and yell "WE'RE DEBT FREE!!" I can't wait!
However, I will hopefully get a part time job this summer, and Bran might start a second job. If that happens, we could be debt free A LOT sooner. And maybe, just maybe, we will actually get a tax return next year. I can just see it now!
It will be such a good feeling when we will be able to take that 30% of our income and save/invest it. Dave is teaching us where to invest our money. He shows you how to become a millionaire by the time you retire (no get rich quick schemes though). Since Bran and I are still young, it is within reach for us. I cannot wait to take my dream trip to Europe... and pay for it with cash! What an amazing thought! Or how about building our dream house?? We might not be able to pay cash for that, but I bet we could save up a sizable down payment!
It feels amazing to be on the same page financial-wise with my husband. There is no way I could do this alone. He has been my rock. I feel like we are in the Lord's will. We are trying to be obey His commands. I know He will richly bless our lives. It feels good to think about our future and our future family. I can't wait to see what is in store for us!
We have around $17,000 in debt - two student loans and his truck payment. Of course, that does not include our house. We are spending 30% of our monthly income towards paying this off. That's over $1000! We are def determined to get rid of it. Well, we paid our credit card off this month, and we will pay off one student loan this upcoming month. With all of that money free, we are applying that to his truck payment. That means, the $5,200 we owe on his truck will be paid off in...... SEPTEMBER! woohoo! Go us!
Next, we will take that money and apply it to one of our student loans. That will be paid off in March of 2011. Then, we will take that money and apply it to our last debt. It will be paid off in September of 2011!!!!! We are going to call in to the Dave Ramsey radio show and yell "WE'RE DEBT FREE!!" I can't wait!
However, I will hopefully get a part time job this summer, and Bran might start a second job. If that happens, we could be debt free A LOT sooner. And maybe, just maybe, we will actually get a tax return next year. I can just see it now!
It will be such a good feeling when we will be able to take that 30% of our income and save/invest it. Dave is teaching us where to invest our money. He shows you how to become a millionaire by the time you retire (no get rich quick schemes though). Since Bran and I are still young, it is within reach for us. I cannot wait to take my dream trip to Europe... and pay for it with cash! What an amazing thought! Or how about building our dream house?? We might not be able to pay cash for that, but I bet we could save up a sizable down payment!
It feels amazing to be on the same page financial-wise with my husband. There is no way I could do this alone. He has been my rock. I feel like we are in the Lord's will. We are trying to be obey His commands. I know He will richly bless our lives. It feels good to think about our future and our future family. I can't wait to see what is in store for us!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
A Day in the Life of a Fourth Grade Teacher
This is my first time to participate in Show Us Your Life over at Kelly's Korner. So here it goes! My daily schedule:
6:00 - My alarm goes off.
6:30 - I finally decide to get up after hitting the snooze button for 30 minutes! ha!
6:30 - 7:30 - shower, eat breakfast, and get ready to go to school
7:30 - 7:45 - visit with my fellow teachers, check email, prepare for writing
7:45 - 8:05 - visit with my kiddos, take roll and the lunch count, sharpen pencils, etc
8:05 - 8:45 - teach Writing
8:45 - 9:45 - Prep time while my students are at specials. If I'm good, I will use this time to actually grade papers or prepare some lessons. But I really like to talk with my friends!
9:45 - 10:15 - teach Language
10:15 - 11:30 - teach Reading
11:30 - 12:30 - lunch/recess (aka LOTS of DUTY!)
12:30 - 2:00 - teach Math
2:00 - 2:15 - read a chapter book to my kids. This is one of my favorite times!
2:15 - 2:45 - Word Study
2:45 - 3:15 - Intervention/Enrichment
3:20 - car riders leave
3:30 - bus riders leave
4:00 - I leave!
When I get home, I try to relax with my husband for a few hours. I cook dinner, and watch TV with him. Mondays, however, we like to go to Dos Rios because it's free cheese dip night! On Tuesdays and Thursdays, he is at the gym all night. I have bible study on Wednesdays, and on Fridays, we attend our Financial Peace class. I try to be in bed around 10:00, so the next morning I can do it all again!
Here are some photos of where I spend the majority of my time:
6:00 - My alarm goes off.
6:30 - I finally decide to get up after hitting the snooze button for 30 minutes! ha!
6:30 - 7:30 - shower, eat breakfast, and get ready to go to school
7:30 - 7:45 - visit with my fellow teachers, check email, prepare for writing
7:45 - 8:05 - visit with my kiddos, take roll and the lunch count, sharpen pencils, etc
8:05 - 8:45 - teach Writing
8:45 - 9:45 - Prep time while my students are at specials. If I'm good, I will use this time to actually grade papers or prepare some lessons. But I really like to talk with my friends!
9:45 - 10:15 - teach Language
10:15 - 11:30 - teach Reading
11:30 - 12:30 - lunch/recess (aka LOTS of DUTY!)
12:30 - 2:00 - teach Math
2:00 - 2:15 - read a chapter book to my kids. This is one of my favorite times!
2:15 - 2:45 - Word Study
2:45 - 3:15 - Intervention/Enrichment
3:20 - car riders leave
3:30 - bus riders leave
4:00 - I leave!
When I get home, I try to relax with my husband for a few hours. I cook dinner, and watch TV with him. Mondays, however, we like to go to Dos Rios because it's free cheese dip night! On Tuesdays and Thursdays, he is at the gym all night. I have bible study on Wednesdays, and on Fridays, we attend our Financial Peace class. I try to be in bed around 10:00, so the next morning I can do it all again!
Here are some photos of where I spend the majority of my time:
my door
library
reading table
Monday, February 8, 2010
Here Lately
Brandon and I are watching Turner and Hootch. hahahaha It is a lot more entertaining when you have a dog JUST LIKE Hootch. We see the same mannerisms in Mason. Lord help us!
Anyways, Jillian has been put on the back burner here lately. I have got to get back to the 30 Day Shred. I haven't done it in about a week or so. Bran did however buy a gym membership for me. I have been going and running on the ellipitical. Hopefully I can find some sort of balance between work, home, and all the extra activities.
Speaking of work, God is doing some great things lately. I received an email from our co-op a week ago, completely unexpected! Turns out, our superintendent brought up my name to the head of their technology department. The lady then emails me asking to come and watch me teach!! I feel so honored! Then, to top it all off, she asks if I would be interested in teaching a class over the summer. That is such a God thing. Bran and I were brainstorming ways we could bring in some more money and this is an ideal situation for me! Too cool! I have another opportunity this Friday to make a little extra cash. The principal of a nearby school asked me to help with some professional development. WOW! God is so good!
I was off of work today - snow day. I'm off tomorrow as well - snow day. We've had around 7-8 inches. This is the most snow our town has seen in a loooooooooooong time! It's nice, but tomorrow was supposed
to be parent/teacher conferences. It is going to be a headache trying to reschedule those... We will be going to school until June!
So, I'll try not to wait a whole month until my next post. Coming up next, Dave Ramsey!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Oh Happy Day
So, Jillian has been kicking my butt. After the first two days, I took a three day hiatus from her tortuous workout. I know, that's not wise, but I seriously thought my calves were going to burst. This morning, I returned to the level one workout, and completed the whole thing! No stopping to gasp for breath for this girl! I was really surprised that my endurance was so much better.
Now for the really great news: the Wii did not groan when I stepped on it this morning!! I can hear the angel chorus now! I have had the Wii fit since June. I have used it on and off to work out with, but I never felt like I got a great workout with it. Since I have been doing the 30 Day Shred, I have lost a couple of pounds. My goal is to lose at least twenty. That would be amazing! According to the Wii, I have been overweight. As of today, I am NORMAL!! WOOHOO! I was soooooo happy to see my little Mii character shrink a little!
Now for the really great news: the Wii did not groan when I stepped on it this morning!! I can hear the angel chorus now! I have had the Wii fit since June. I have used it on and off to work out with, but I never felt like I got a great workout with it. Since I have been doing the 30 Day Shred, I have lost a couple of pounds. My goal is to lose at least twenty. That would be amazing! According to the Wii, I have been overweight. As of today, I am NORMAL!! WOOHOO! I was soooooo happy to see my little Mii character shrink a little!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
New Year
So Christmas has come and gone. I am another year older as well. And now, it is 2010: the start of a new decade! How exciting! I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us this year.
Now, it's time to put in print some goals I have for 2010. I hope that if I have them in writing, I might be able to stick with them a little better. haha!
1.) Read my Bible more often and get involved in a Wednesday night group.
2.) Pay off Brandon's truck (so in 2011, I can get a new car!)
3.) Of course, one of my "resolutions" has to be to lose weight! It's so orginal, I know!
I am a planner, so I already know how I will achieve all three of these. Tonight, my wonderful hubby bought me the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels to help me out with number three. Jillian is a trainer from the biggest loser. I am not a fan of that TV show, but I hear she treats people with a lot of tough love. I, of course, researched the video before I spent the money on it (only $9 at Wal-Mart - CHEAP!). It has thousands of rave reviews on multiple websites! It is so inspiring to read other peoples' success stories. Maybe, I will have one of my own. She claims that if you follow her workouts, you can lose 20 pounds in 30 days. That's my kind of program! We'll see how it goes. I have a shelf full of jeans I would really like to be able to wear... Maybe she can help me with that. Of course, I have been watching with I eat as well. Brandon is helping with that. I think he is trying to tell me something...
Now, it's time to put in print some goals I have for 2010. I hope that if I have them in writing, I might be able to stick with them a little better. haha!
1.) Read my Bible more often and get involved in a Wednesday night group.
2.) Pay off Brandon's truck (so in 2011, I can get a new car!)
3.) Of course, one of my "resolutions" has to be to lose weight! It's so orginal, I know!
I am a planner, so I already know how I will achieve all three of these. Tonight, my wonderful hubby bought me the 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels to help me out with number three. Jillian is a trainer from the biggest loser. I am not a fan of that TV show, but I hear she treats people with a lot of tough love. I, of course, researched the video before I spent the money on it (only $9 at Wal-Mart - CHEAP!). It has thousands of rave reviews on multiple websites! It is so inspiring to read other peoples' success stories. Maybe, I will have one of my own. She claims that if you follow her workouts, you can lose 20 pounds in 30 days. That's my kind of program! We'll see how it goes. I have a shelf full of jeans I would really like to be able to wear... Maybe she can help me with that. Of course, I have been watching with I eat as well. Brandon is helping with that. I think he is trying to tell me something...
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