Things I know to be true...

I've been in a rut you guys. I've been letting a lot of things get to me. I feel myself shifting in reverse, back into the person I was at my old school. A person that doesn't feel like she's good at her job. A person who gossips. A person who isn't happy.

Those feelings are seeping into other areas of my life. So I decided to tell them to STOP! And make a list of things that are true that are POSITIVE:

Here goes:

• I'm a strong teacher. My students are growing into readers and lovers of learning. I've taken a student from another class and everyone is surprised to see his bright and sweet side. I've done this for a few years now and need to stop letting people make me doubt myself. 
• My family is awesome. It's completely dorky, but I'm super excited that they are who I am watching the Super Bowl with. It's going to be a blast. 
• J is wonderful. I need to show him I appreciate him more, because when I think of my life before him, I can't even remember that person. 
• I have great friends. Not that many, but the ones that I have are the best. I'm definitely going to plan time with them every week. 

I need to remember this quote:

Source: piccsy.com via Nilda on Pinterest

So true. Any advice out there, blog friends? Have a wonderful Sunday!

Hello, weekend

This week flew. Seriously, today's Friday? I was go go go every single day. Probably due to the amount of conferences I had. Yay for supportive parents.

So on to the five best things that happened this week:

1. Happy hour with a new friend from work on Tuesday was wonderful! Hit up Cheesecake Factory for a yummy drink and yummy apps. Plus hanging out with Katie is always a plus!

2. My new principal came in and was so impressed with how well my firsties were working. He said he didn't have to watch my actual teaching because it shined through my kids. SCORE!

3. My engagement photos came in! Here are a few of my favorites:

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If you want to see more, check out Fox Fotography's blog. 

4. Grabbed sushi yesterday with my BFF and MOH. I've missed her! Love spending time with friends. 

5. It's Super Bowl weekend! Still have no idea who I'm cheering for but I can't wait to chow down on some nachos and hang with the family!

Have a wonderful Friday everyone! As always, linking with Lauren at From My Grey Desk Blog. 

Keeping up with the resolutions...

Last month, I participated in Kaitlyn's Carabox project. It's this awesome swap where you really try and get to know other bloggers and send them a box of goodies.

This month's Carabox theme was RESOLUTIONS. We were to send our partner items that would help them with their resolutions. I got to know the awesome Heather over at Lawless Life. Head over there to check out the goodies I picked out for her!

My person in charge of sending to me was Brenda at Totally Brenda. Brenda is one of the sweetest bloggers I have ever met, and it was so much fun getting to know her. She sent me some wonderful and thoughtful items.


I opened up the package to find everything wrapped up so pretty! In my favorite color too!

Sorry it's blurry! My cat ran into me as I took the picture!

Brenda knows that I am getting married in July so she sent me a cute little jar labeled ER kit and a sewing kit. The ER kit has bandages and some mints. I will definitely keep these babies close by on my wedding day!

I'm trying to stay more organized, so she sent me fun post-it notes. I can never have too many post it notes!

I also told her I want to try working out more. She sent me a fun jingly sash to wear while I Zumba. Also in my favorite color!

Finally (and I don't have a picture because I've been using it so much!) she sent me a super cute teal water bottle. It's slim enough to fit in my work bag and sturdy enough that it doesn't leak. I've received a lot of compliments on it!

So thanks Brenda! And thanks Kaitlyn for hosting such an amazing swap. Click on the button below to learn more about it!

Why hello Friday!

Didn't I just see you a few days ago? Four day weeks FLY by when you have a Monday off. Overall, while this was a mad busy week (hello two different family nights!) it was a pretty great one too. Let's get to it!

1. I completed my kiddos' mid year reading assessment and they ALL grew! My little one that knows no English, knew all his letter names and most of the sounds and TWO sight words. AMAZING! SO proud of them.

2. I received my Carabox from the fabulous Brenda, over at Totally Brenda. I can't wait to share the contents with all of you!

3. Stuck to my eating healthy lunch goal by making these fun but simple DIY lunchables. Got the inspiration off of Pinterest!

Best part? Combined with my yogurt, it kept me full until my snack on the ride home. SCORE!

4. My wedding photographer posted the pictures of the engagement session that she did the night before mine which means.... my engagement session photos should be ready ANY day now. So ready to see how they turned out!

5. Thanks to having to stay for a family night, I finished my lesson plans for next week. Which means a weekend of being completely LAZY. Yes!!!

See? I get to do all of that without feeling guilty. 

Hope all you have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend. Hello to any new followers stopping by from Lipgloss and Crayons!

Linking up with Lauren for High Five for Friday!

Things always happen for a reason...

Now I never ever post about my faith on here. It's something that has always been so up and down for me. Plus I find it to be an extremely personal thing. But yesterday was such an interesting day, I felt the need to record it.

J has been trying to get me to go to Mass for weeks now. I've always come up with an excuse as to why I can't. Even though, I know I SHOULD go, since you know I'm getting married in the Catholic Church and all.

Finally this morning, J convinced me to go. I don't really know how or why, but I got out of bed and got ready and waited for him to come and get me. In a way, I was excited because we were going to Mass at the parish we are getting married in, and he had never seen the inside of my church. Which I think is absolutely beautiful (but really what church isn't?)

I always preview the day's readings, just to get a feel for the morning. I gasped when I realized that the Gospel that day was going to be the story of  how Jesus turned the water into wine at the wedding in Cana. I thought to myself "WEIRD! Out of all the days to come to Mass, we come on the day when the reading is the wedding story. What a coincidence." I didn't think much of it after that.

As the Mass went on, other things occurred  The Psalm readings were all about giving yourself to the Lord and not worrying if you've made mistakes. My priest's sermon was all about how it's never too late to change your thoughts and to allow the Lord a place in your life. That the Cana story teaches us about Jesus's flexibility and how things can always change for the better if you believe. One of the songs we sang was asking the Lord to help us open our eyes, ears, and hearts.

It's the most touched I've ever been at Mass. I felt at peace when I left, something I haven't felt all week. I've always fought my faith (if that makes any sense) and today I didn't feel like I had to.

So I don't think it was a coincidence that this was the first Mass I chose to go to in a long while. And it just cements my belief that everything always happens for a reason.

Funny how that happens isn't it?

Linking up with Carly and Molly for YOLOMondays. 

Deciding to be more positive...

It's been a rough few days at work. My new principal seems great, but being through this before, I'm having a hard time accepting that it's truly his intent and not a show.That makes me feel AWFUL, because he doesn't deserve that.

I'm also having a hard time being nice to the people at work that are causing drama. Causing my VP to be upset. She's a great person and I hate seeing her that way.

In my year end wrap up post, I wrote that I hope 2013 is as great as 2012 was for me. I can't let that goal go to waste. I let things get to me and that's not right or fair.

So starting today, I'm going to begin my positive journal again. It's helped in the past, and I hope it will help now.

The steps for my positive journal are pretty simple:

• buy a super cute journal or even make one. I feel it makes it more fun!
• think of three good things that happened that day. They can be little or big, superficial or deep, it doesn't matter. Just as long as they were good!
• Write them down! It's neat to look back and see what made me smile. 

It's a challenge some days, but it's really worth it. Can't wait to share what positive things this helps me discover!

Source: thingsmakemehappy.tumblr.com via Nilda on Pinterest

Amazing quote right? So much harder to do than say, but still completely true. Happy Saturday to all!

I'm happy but sad at the same time

Guys, I'm happy. My life is going really well. But at the same time I'm sad. Why? Because my new school that I love has become this pool of drama.

I don't get it. I mean, wait a second I do. Teachers are predominately female and we ladies tend to be a wee bit dramatic at times.

It just bugs me when I see people purposely causing drama. I just don't see how you can find joy in that. Joy in other people's pain. It makes me sad when I see my bubbly assistant principal not be bubbly or be warned not to tell people something because they may use it against you.

It's all making me really sad right now. But then I think of the good things in my life and I perk up. It's a roller coaster ride and I hate it.