The infamous first Friday

We had quite the adventure last Friday! It was our first Friday together as big first graders and the morning was trucking along. We were sharing our homework and some of our boys started pointing at the window saying "snake"! Allison and I thought they were being dramatic and kept telling them to stop and listen to the child reading her homework. Just to be safe, I peeked my eyes through the blinds and there it was slithering down our window (on the outside)! 

Yikes!!!!

I tried to keep my composure but knew it was HUGE because its big body was in my face when I peeked out the blinds. I told Allison it indeed was a snake and I buzzed the office an told them to tell our  maintenance guy to come to our room ASAP! Yes, I said ASAP. 

By this time 39 1st graders had lost all control and it took over 30 minutes and a trip to PE and back to compose ourselves again. That didn't stop them from talking about it all day and telling everyone in sight all day, including all of their bus drivers. 

Funny thing is, Allison was telling kids that it went to the zoo and I was telling kids that we chopped his head off (which we {or should i say our maintenance guy} did!). Now you know who the sensitive teacher is and the blunt teacher is. Hilarious. Especially if you know Allison and I personally!

Here's the big guy again...

Scared us to death! He was HUGE!

Catch-Up!

I can't believe it's been over 2 weeks since I last posted! All my teacher friends can relate to why I have been MIA - the beginning of school! Since I last posted, I have been to the lake 3 times, enjoyed my last few days of summer, paid off my first student loan (YAY!!!), had a week of teacher workdays/professional development and survived my 1st week of my 5th year of teaching with 39 first graders!!! 

Yes, I said 39. :) 

My sweet friend, Allison and I are team teaching this year! I'm not going to lie, I had several nightmares about this but we talked about this all last year and had the opportunity to observe 2 team teaching classrooms last year at another school & fell in love with the idea. 

Anyone who comes in contact with us may think we are crazy but this week was probably the best 1st week of school I have had in 5 years. Our students have meshed so well together and I am giddy with excitement at the thought of how fabulous this year is going to be. I am so blessed that God placed me in the school I am in. He sure does know how to answer prayers! 

Here are some pictures of my last few weeks! 

Graham (the sweet boy I babysat all summer) and Levi playing at the splash pad! 

S'mores cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory! My date night reward for paying off my first student loan!!

Sunset paddle board ride at the lake with my love! Ty got this paddle board for his birthday and we have LOVED riding around on it. It is a fabulous workout :)

This is what we did on our first teacher workday. Seriously love my school and these gals. 

My sweet 1st grade team before Meet the Teacher!

Our last glimpse of summer - enjoying Popsicles from the ice cream man (on a boat)!

This girl loves to eat. I seriously don't know how she's so tiny! What a cutie!

Pool fun :)

Stunting with Aunt Kafween!!!!

I get to see this precious boy next weekend! It's been TOO long since I've kissed those sweet cheeks!

Stay tuned for the story of our eventful first Friday at school! :)

Charlie Grace

My best friend from Boston, Molly, had a sweet baby girl last week! It is absolutely killing me that I can't get my hands on her until September. Molly has been doing good sending me pictures of her though. She is just so precious! She has the cutest cheeks that make me want to jump through the iPhone screen and squeeze them! 

I haven't seen Molly since her wedding a year and a half ago and it has been so hard. If only money grew on trees & we could fly to see each other regularly! Wouldn't that be nice? Ever since sweet Charlie was born, it has been even harder!!! I so wish I was there during this special time in her family's life but I will get to see them all soon. I can't wait to rock that sweet baby and kiss those big cheeks! 

I'm coming for you Charlie...save some kisses for "Aunt Kat"!!! 

Whispers from The Lord

As I sat on the dock at the lake on Sunday afternoon with the sun setting in front of me & it's rays reflecting in the water, I was in awe of God's beauty. 

It happens everytime I'm at the lake at the exact same time. It looks something like this...

I am totally speechless as I'm watching God paint the sunset and suddenly all is right in the world. 

The past couple months have been hard. God is teaching me the ultimate lesson on patience and its just plain hard considering I am the most impatient person ever (just ask anyone who knows me). I lay in bed most nights praying for God to hold my hand until He is ready for the next step in my life and I know for a fact I could have never gotten through the past year without Him but it doesn't make waiting any easier. 

Watching Him paint the sunset each time I'm at the lake makes me feel like He is whispering in my ear "I'm here, just wait for my timing"; and I somehow feel that I am ok. 

I had another whisper last monday when I was at my friend, Tyler's house for girls night. I have the most precious group of friends here in Birmingham and last week as we made coffee at 9pm and laughed at ourselves getting older, I heard God whispering, "I'm here, look how blessed you are!".  

I know God is in control of my life, I know I'm living in this cute 1 bedroom apartment by myself right now for a reason, I know this is only a season in my life and one day I will want it back, I know I have my health, a roof over my head, and food to eat; but it doesn't make waiting for the next stage any easier. I rest each night knowing for a fact God's plan is better than mine.

As always, I resort back to my favorite verse: 

"For I know the plans I have for you declares The Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

-Jeremiah 29:11

Just because she's cute ;)

Birthday boy! (A few days ago) ;)

Happy birthday to the boy who stole my heart 5 years ago, the one who fixes everything for me, the one who waited forever to kiss me, the one that teaches me patience everyday, the one who is my biggest fan & pushes me everyday to be a better person, the one who puts up with me, gets me, and still loves me!!! 

Love you babe!