Summer is here!!

So I finally finished the school year today...almost. I spent all day yesterday and today packing up my classroom, cleaning, organizing, filing, etc. It was horrible! I kept looking out my huge window to see the warm sun shining and I was stuck inside. I kept thinking I was getting close to being done, but the list kept growing and growing. It sucked writing report cards too...ugh. I only have 16 kids and it took me 2 hours...I had to take a break in the middle so I wouldn't throw the computer out the window and all the grades with it. I was just so ready to be done. I am glad I survived my first full year of teaching and I am looking forward to next year.

Obsessed...

In the last few years, I have found a new love- reading. I wasn't a big reader in school, but as soon as I got out of school, I fell in love with reading. I love reading children's fantasy books, but also loving all types of adult novels. When I started teaching in September, I did not have any time to read books for pleasure, but also had no energy to even open a book. Over winter break, I picked up a book and have read 4 since. I forgot how much I loved to read. It sounds silly, but when I'm at work, I can't wait to get home and read more of my book. I love getting lost in a good book, but also curling up on the couch, under a blanket, with my nose in a book. Part of my excitement of finishing a book, is picking out the next one I am going to read. So for those of you who also love to read, here are my latest recommendations:

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

This is the time of year where new teachers worry about where they will be next year. I know I have a spot where I am now, but I question whether I should stay. I am beginning to love my job...it's rewarding, my kids are (most of the time) great, the staff is great. The pay, however, is measly. I have to design my own curriculum and I do whatever I want with my lessons. I don't have to listen to what other teachers tell me to teach...I also have my room all set up. I hate moving, especially all my teaching stuff. I waited so long to make a classroom my own. I had all the materials, and have made my classroom my own. It's perfect....well, I could make some changes. But I love it! Here are some pics of my home away from home...

Family Comes First!!

It's funny how when you graduate from college, and emerge from your "party" stage, you'd rather spend time with your family on a Friday night than hang out with friends. I've spent the last couple Fridays with my family. Chad and I celebrated my dad's birthday with him and my mom at the Timberwolves game. We spent this last Friday playing 500 at my Grandma and Grandpa Preiner's with the rest of my dad's siblings and spouses. Here are some pictures from our fun nights...

Trip down the stairs...

Some of you heard, but as my back aches, I feel about writing about it. A week and a half ago, I left the house to go to work. After walking out to my car, I thought about washing my car while I was out...so I carried the box of books that was in my backseat into the house. I was going to bring that box right down stairs...but with my wet shoes, I slipped on the first painted-cement step and "floated" all the way down the stairs. I landed with a thud and a little twisted...the fell knocked the wind out of me, so I was making that horrible noise...(http://youtube.com/watch?v=HyFapbZuMGU). In between gasps, I called out Chad's name. He came running down screaming and asking what was wrong...He carried me upstairs and laid me on my bed. I was crying and screaming because I was in so much pain. He got me advil, ice and laid me on the couch. I calmed down for awhile, and attempted to get up to go to the bathroom...unfortunately, I couldn't move. I decided to go to Urgent Care...and had to have Chad bear hug me to lift me from the couch...After 3 hours at Urgent Care and 3 xrays of my elbow, I left with a prescription for Vicadin and no breaks or fractures. So I have been recovering since...I still have a sore back and my elbow is black and blue...hopefully I will be recovered soon. I hate being in pain....

Regarding "Can It Last?"

I have had a lot of conversations with friends/family about my blog about marriage. I think some got the wrong idea about my views. I do believe that love can last...and I believe my love with my better half will last. I also believe that many of my friends/families love will last. I think marriage is such a sacred, special, difficult thing that needs to be entered with an open mind. I never saw my parents fight when I grew up, so I never thought married couples fight. I have since "woken up" and embraced reality that couples do fight...even the best, most in-love couples fight. And that's ok. It's taken me a long time to realize that just because I fight with my better half, it doesn't mean we shouldn't be together. I have also realized that the honeymoon period doesn't last forever...but it comes and goes :) We are in another honeymoon stage now...:) So I applaud those of you who have made love last and who are in loving, committed relationships. I cannot wait to become a member of the married crew...

Happy Love Day!

Valentine's Day is a much different day as a teacher. I was actually dreading the day. I knew it would be a difficult day...what with crafts, paper everywhere, glitter everywhere, and so much candy! My kids were crazy all day...and the day wasn't over once the kids left at 3:00. We had Family Night that night...the kids came back at 5:00. So I had a piece of pizza, smiled and mingled with parents, and went home.

I came home to a wonderful surprise. I told Chad to come out to the car so we could get to our dinner reservation...he said I should come in...I knew he had something up his sleeve. So I avoided the closed bedroom so he had to give me a hint. So I went into the bedroom to find a darkened room with my favorite John Mayer song playing on his laptop. There was a vase with a beautiful bouquet of roses and lillies...my favorite. There were also two boxes of my favorite chocolates...even though I told him I gave up candy for Lent...:) On the bed were two bags...Christmas bags...what a perfect setting :)

I got a hand mixer and 4 stemless wine glasses...perfect presents! Then we went to dinner at Mission and had great steaks and drinks. Our third Valentine's Day was just as good and romantic as the first...I'm a lucky girl :)