Dear new teacher, you're awesome.

Being a new teacher is really hard, y'all. and intimidating. and stressful. and slightly terrifying. There have been many days when I leave school in a complete daze - my husband wants to know how my day went, and typically all I can muster is a few mumbles about accommodations and data collection. Again, IT'S HARD. 

What is incredibly easy, however, is to dwell on all the things you don't understand, all your short comings, or how you weren't able to get through to that kid in your third period. Today, I'm choosing to focus on the good. Here are some positive things that have happened to me in my first month of teaching:

1. I'm working with some incredible people who have welcomed me into their circle from the moment I met them. Morale is HIGH at my school; how many teachers can say that?

2. Some kids like me enough to high five me in the hallways. BAM.

3. I got through my first walk through without passing out, and even better, was rated proficient!

4. I've been able to "get through" to kids who are sometimes unreachable, both academically and emotionally.

5. THE KIDS ARE GETTING SO CLOSE TO SAYING MY LAST NAME RIGHT. Yes, all caps was necessary.

6. I've strengthened my ability to work and communicate with others. I'm an introvert through and through, so this is big for me!

7. I have learned something new every single day.

8. I have successfully taught math lessons (the 12 year old version of myself is in awe at this turn of events).

9. I am learning to put the needs of others before my own.

10. As a teacher, I am serving an invaluable purpose in these kids' lives!


If I could give any advice to all the new teachers out there, it would be this: focus on the little victories. You are doing better than you think! 

Vegas Recap

Blogger? Is that you?

I haven't posted anything in forever it seems! I've been preparing for the upcoming school year, and that, among other things, has gotten in the way of my writing. I'm back now! :)

A few weeks ago, I went to Vegas with my husband and his family. Kyle's parents (who are incredibly generous) offered to pay for our entire trip: food, flights, hotel, EVERYTHING. They're awesome. It was such an interesting place! I'm not much of a gambler, but I still had a great time. Lucky for us (slightly sarcastic), we were there during the Electric Daisy Carnival, so we were pretty much constantly surrounded by craziness. It made the trip more memorable, though! ;) Here are some photos...

Mandalay Bay

All our pools!

While we were there, we saw Criss Angel's "BeLIEve" show. My husband and his brother are definitely lovers of magic, so this performance was right down their alley. Not gonna lie, it was pretty impressive! I wanted some shots of the actual show, but the security guards were looming down the aisles and threatening to kick people out for taking pictures, so I figured it wasn't worth the risk. What can I say? I'm a rule follower, haha!

Anyone out there ever been to Vegas? What did you think?!

L'Oreal Paris Ultimate Straight Review

Happy Thursday!


So the best website EVER, Influenster, sent me a full line of haircare products from L'Oreal to review. For those who don't know, Influenster is a website that sends you products based on your influence on social media. You don't have to have a blog to get products; simply being active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, etc will absolutely suffice! Feel free to sign up here.

Anyway, back to the good stuff.

Here are the products I received:

1. Smooth Intense Ultimate Straight Shampoo (Full Size) Retails for $4.99
2. Smooth Intense Ultimate Straight Boosting Pre-Conditioner (Full Size) Retails for $6.99
3. Smooth Intense Ultimate Straight Conditioner (Full Size) Retails for $4.99
4. Smooth Intense Ultimate Straight Perfecting Balm (Full Size) Retails for $6.99
5. Samples of Shampoo, Pre-conditioner, and conditioner

Total Retail Cost: $23.96 (before tax)

And Influenster gave them to me FOR FREE. What?!

Typically, my hair is very fine and wavy. If I blow dry it immediately after showering, it comes out slightly wavy, slightly straight, and flips out at the ends. Cute, I know. L'Oreal Ultimate Straight claims that their products "start straightening strands in the shower--so you'll spend less time with damaging styling tools." So let's put these products to the test! Will they really make my hair straighter? Check out the pics below:

P.S. Excuse the lack of make up. It's summertime and I just don't care.

Overall, I did see an improvement in my hair from using these products. My hair definitely came out straighter than it usually does. Is this a miracle product that allows me to avoid my straightener? Not really. HOWEVER, it did make my morning routine a little easier than usual!


I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Exciting news!

Hey everyone!

So I have some awesome news that I've been waiting for the perfect moment to share with the world, and the time has finally arrived!

(and no, it's not a baby).


Drum roll, please...



After 18 months of confusion, frustration, and lots of prayer, I am thrilled to announce that I have accepted my very first teaching job! I'm going to be an inclusive special ed teacher for a group of precious 7th graders, and I could not be more excited to take this next step in my teaching journey.

The road to this point hasn't always been easy, and I regularly found myself questioning what God's purpose was for my life. After a few months of going back and forth about what I was meant to do and getting absolutely no where, I gave in completely. Instead, I chose to trust that God would put me precisely where I was meant to be; worrying would do nothing to change that fate. People would ask me what my plans were for the following school year, and I would simply respond, "I'm waiting for God to tell me!" And he did. He is so faithful.

I could not be more excited for this next adventure. 

Top 10 signs you're obsessed with your dog

Admit it, guys. You're in love with your furry bestie. You may be a tad obsessed with your pup if...

1. You've caught yourself having full length conversations with your dog. In public. with onlookers.

 

2. You regularly leave social events three hours early because you "don't want him/her to be alone for too long."

So...you about ready to come home?

3. You buy your dog the most expensive food you can get your hands on yet are still munching on fast food for every meal you eat. 

4.  You get a little offended when you're not allowed to bring your dog with you to a family function. Example - "What do you mean I can't bring my dog to the birth of your baby?!"

5.  You always value your personal space, except when it comes to your dog. Then come on over, precious!

6. When your dog greets you with a big smile on her face and you melt every.single.time.

7. Your Instagram account is basically dedicated to your dog.

 

8. You feel legitimately guilty for leaving them home alone while you're at work.

She's very upset, obviously.

9. You're basically a volunteer paparazzi for every cute thing your dog does. 

10. You consider them a part of your family!

"And this is my doghter, Raleigh!"

Feminine Floral

Happy Wednesday! or is it Thursday? Sorry, totally can't remember because I'm on SUMMER VACATION!!! (And yes, I am 100% rubbing it in).

I've been pretty MIA on this blog here of late; I actually had these pictures taken at least two weeks ago! The past few weeks have been a total whirlwind for me - lots of new BIG changes happening in my life that I can't wait to share with everyone!

Anyway, on to the good stuff...

Floral Vest - Brooklynn's - Similar here
Peasant Tank - Branches - Similar here
Dark Denim - Old Navy - Check it out here
Gold Sandals - Rue 21 - Similar here
Statement earrings - Charming Charlie - Similar here

Honestly, my favorite thing about this outfit is the comfort factor. I've always preferred flowy, feminine looks over extra structured pieces, so this look really embodied my style! When I saw this floral vest hanging up at one of my favorite boutiques, I knew it had to be mine. I may or may not feel like I belong at Woodstock...or I guess Coachella would be more time appropriate ;) Add a colorful accessory or two, and you've got an easy bohemian look for an affordable price! I've linked all brands on this post.


Hope you all are having a beautiful week!

A "farewell" to the old me

When my alarm went off this morning, I didn't hit snooze four times. I shut off the noisy contraption, checked social media/emails for a few minutes, and got out of bed. As I sit here writing this blog post, I am monitoring a classroom and sipping on Starbucks (that I got up early enough to purchase before work). My hair is dry and styled, my outfit wrinkle free, my make up on.

When I get home from work this afternoon, I'll feed and play with my dog, work out to one of my Zumba videos, and begin dinner for Kyle and I. We will eat around 5:15, take the puppy on a walk, and I will spend the rest of the evening talking with my husband, studying for my upcoming GACE exam, and probably watching a little Netflix. Chances are I'll be in bed by 9:15.

This is who I am today, and it's a far cry from who I was. Anyone who knew me growing up can tell you that I was notorious for being late, sleeping through the afternoon, eating Mcdonalds every other meal, and showing up to social events with my hair still soaking wet from a last minute shower. That was the old me.

But that's the beauty of being a living breathing human being, isn't it? We change, evolve, and grow every single day. To define a person by who they were 10, 7, or even 2 years ago would simply be misinformed. Sure, there are certain traits that I'll carry with me no matter what changes: a little shy/awkward depending on my mood, addicted to sushi, sarcastic to the core, oddly in love with animals, etc. But the things about myself that could use improvement, well, I work on those as often as I can. That's what has led me to this point.

When I run into old friends (and sometimes even family) and tell them about what I've been up to, their eyes widen, they let out a chuckle and say something along the lines of, "Yeah right. You would never do that."


I politely smile and laugh along with them - not because they're right, but because I've just been given the opportunity to prove them wrong.


And I take advantage of it every single time.