Sorry 'bout It

You know times in life where things happen and all you can say is, "really?". (no facial expression necessary).
My blog has started to grow cobwebs around it as I haven't been writing much lately.  My computer battery decided to take its one last breath of life and completely die on me, (while I was writing my resume for my LAST semester of college might I add), and I was not about to type out blog posts on my iPad! Hello, no thank you.
A couple hundred dollars later my computer is up and running again! Let's hope it stays this way.

So, what's happening in life lately?

• School, school and more school.  I love, love, love teaching my precious kindergarten babies.  Their bluntness just gets me! I am now teaching every subject and have taken over the entire day.  I love having some freedom to do my own thing in the classroom.  It gives me a glimpse as to what my future classroom will be like.  These last two months are going to fly by.  Between applying for jobs and grad school and working on my capstone project, I have a lot to focus on.  Any tips on applying for teaching jobs??

• My boyfriend is the sweetest guy around.  Not like I didn't already know this, but I've been reminded of this fact lately.  He can see my stresses of finishing school and how much work teachers actually have to do.  He always seems to turn my day right around if finishing up school is getting to be too overwhelming.  

• I've been crossing a few things off my fall bucket list, which as I'm typing now, I realize I haven't even shared that with y'all yet. Oops.  Sharing with you all soon!

• I recently got the iPhone 6 and am loving it so far! I had been sporting the iPhone 4 since that came out, so I thought it was time for an upgrade.

Life is happening fast, but I'm so loving it! Stay sweet, lovelies.

{Katie}

Summer Bucket List: (Almost) Complete

I consider summer to be over when I start school again in August, because really, summer as we know it is over.  School is now in session and I can tell this year will be a great one!

Anyways, do any of you remember the bucket list I created for those (short) summer months? Yeah, me either, really.  Oops.  It's not like I didn't try to complete most of the list but summer just got away from me.

So let's review, shall we? (teacher mode: on)

This summer I wanted to:
1. (Have a bonfire with s'mores) Did not happen. Not once. Why this didn't happen I couldn't tell you. I love bonfires.  And s'mores.
2. (Go boating on a lake) Did this multiple times! Loved my few trips to the Ozarks.

3. (Go to an outdoor concert) Did this! There was recently an outdoor concert festival complete with a ferris wheel that of course I went on!
4. (Watch the sunset) Did this.  I'm biased but Nebraska has the best.
5. (Go to an outdoor movie) Sadly, I never went to an outdoor movie.  The outdoor theaters were even playing disney movies- which I love!
6. (Go to the state park water park) Did this! The wave pool is my fav but seriously, why do people decide to go the same place I'm going to?? It was majorly over-crowded but a good time.
7. (Go fishing) No...unfortunately no.
8. (Do a DIY furniture project) I bought the supplies for a project, does that count?
9. (Take pictures of a family/couple) I didn't take any pictures of anyone but pictures were taken of me this summer- cue emoji of girl flipping her hair.

10. (Create a budget and stick to it) I started and was really sticking to a budget, then fun and shopping got in the way.

I did so many fun things this summer that weren't on my bucket list but I'm glad I made one and completed a fair number of them! Anyone do anything that I should be adding to next years bucket list?? Also, look out for a fall bucket list completed by me and the boyfriend.  Can't wait for my favorite time of year!

{Katie}

The Final Countdown

Holy smokes.
Tuesday I start the last semester of my college career.  Having two majors has been difficult at times, but I'm so close to graduation it was completely worth it! Time to start the final countdown.  This semester I will be teaching little Kindergarten babies in the school district that I went to school in and I couldn't be more excited!

Picture from here

Does anyone have any tips for student teaching? If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know I taught preschool last semester but Kindergarten in the public school system will be a completely different ball game.

I'm nervous but I'm so ready for their absorbent minds, peanut butter and jelly faces, and funny mannerisms.  Well, wish me luck!

{Katie}

It's A Good Day When... {A Link Up}

Hello lovelies!

I always like linking up with other bloggers and today I'm linking up with Brittany from Happy Is A Choice. I love the idea of this link up.  It gives me a chance to think about the little things that make my day great!

It's A Good Day When...

{one} I score a good deal shopping

{two} My boyfriend makes me laugh so hard I cry

{three} I wake up feeling rested

{four} I have a night to myself to watch Netflix (Any recommendations??)

{five} I can sit on my deck and watch the sun go down

{six} I come home from work and my mom has baked chocolate chip cookies

{seven} My boyfriend says or does something sweet that is unexpected 

{eight} I can catch up with a good friend

{nine} I teach a lesson and it goes smoothly

{ten} My favorite song comes on the radio (currently it's Keep Them Kisses Comin' by Craig Campbell)

{eleven} I accomplish a hard workout

{twelve} I learn a new song on the guitar

What would you add to your "It's A Good Day When..." list? 

{Katie}

Recipe {Norma's Brownies}

Hi lovelies!
For those that know me know I love chocolate.  Like really love chocolate.  These brownies are right up my alley: definitely rich, chocolatey, and moist.  The frosting is solid but it instantly melts in your mouth once you take a bite.  We just made these brownies yesterday and they're already gone.  Either my family are a bunch of pigs or these brownies are really good.  It's probably a little bit of both. :)  

I got this recipe from, who my grandpa refers to, as his lady friend.  She has recently passed away but she always made my brother and I these brownies.  I think one reason I like cooking and baking so much is because I get to re-create recipes from family members and people close to me.  It allows me to be able to carry on the memories of that person.

To make these very chocolatey brownies, start by making your favorite brownie recipe (don't tell anyone but I just buy boxed brownies).  Let the brownies cool and make the frosting as follows:

Melt in a saucepan:
1/3 c butter
1/3 c milk
1 c sugar
Once sugar is melted add 6 oz chocolate chips and stir till melted. Pour over brownies while frosting is hot.

That's all there is to it! Easy, right? These taste so good it's hard to believe there's not more to it.  

These are definitely my go-to sweets recipe. Now, go on and try them!

{Katie}

Summer Bucket List

source

Yikes. Has it really been over a month since I blogged last? I think I've had what some would call writers block. I try to write and words start not making sense to me and I can't think of a single thing to say. Please tell me y'all can relate?


Anyways, every summer I always have so many things I want to do, but normally I start making these to-do lists too late in the summer and it doesn't leave me enough time to get everything done. So hopefully by starting in June and not in August I'll be able to finish all of my "to-do's!

Summer Bucket List

1. Have a bonfire with s'mores

2. Go boating on a lake

3. Go to an outdoor concert

4. Watch the sunset (multiple times, of course)

5. Go to an outdoor movie

6. Go to the state park water park

7. Go fishing

8. Do a DIY furniture project

9. Take pictures of a family/couple

10. Create a budget (and stick to it..)

And, I've actually already completed #2. I started writing this post a few weeks ago (dang writers block) and a friend invited me for an impromptu weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri this past weekend! So, #2, check! (This may be easier than I thought...) 

Any things I should add to this list? What are some things you want to accomplish this summer?

{Katie}

A Little Spring Recap!

15 weeks down 1 more to go! I can't even believe how fast this semester has gone.  In a week I'll be moving back home for good to student teach again in the fall.  I'll be teaching little Kindergarten babies! Weeeee can't wait!

These last few weeks have been wonderful. When there's a lot that's been going on, pictures tend to be on overload, so I'm sorry for that in advance! My brother and his girlfriend made it back home for Easter this year, so I got some quality brother time in.  My boyfriend, Chad, and myself, the brother, and his girlfriend went to a Husker baseball game. I love baseball season. Like, really love it. 

Easter was spent with my family, going to church, eating delicious food, and (still) receiving Easter baskets full of candy. (Yes, I'm 22 and still get an Easter basket!) 

And just look at him! Seriously, how lucky am I that I get him for a boyfriend?! He's a cutie. 

The next weekend was Kappa Delta's spring formal, which was also my last formal.  Kappa Delta has filled my college years with so many great memories.  This night was filled with good friends, good food, and lots of crazy fun dancing.    

photocred to the friend on the right!

 Saturday night was Rascal Flatts concert- it was SO fun! This marks 4 country concerts with this year with this girl.  She is my concert-goin' friend! 

What a great (and busy) last few weeks at school this as been! Have a great Monday, lovelies!

{Katie}

What's Been Going On in Pre-K?

Y'all, my preschoolers keep it real. Never do they hesitate to tell me that I'm having a crazy hair day, or that I look silly because I accidentally smeared marker all over my face, or that they love an activity I created.  Normally I love to just hear the last one, but hey, you win some, you lose some.

As I start to finish up head teaching, I reflect on how I want to improve.  I really reflect on not letting myself get too caught up in "this is what we have to do" and "this is how I have to teach it" and just LET THE LEARNING HAPPEN.


I wanted to share some of the activities and the "goings on" that have happened the past few weeks with my kiddos.  The child development lab where I'm student teaching currently focuses a lot on child-led learning and less teacher-led.  They also focus a lot on exploring and discovering and gross motor activities.

For literacy, I've read Hot Rod Hamster by Cynthia Lord
This was a great book for getting the children engaged in what they were reading.  The story goes through building a race car for a hamster and the hamster chooses what parts he wants to add to his car.  The kids loved picking out how they would have their car and making the noises their car would make (which, let me tell you, they can make a mean engine revving sound!) After we read the story, we went out into the hallway and had races with scooters.  Some kids raced, some said GO!, and some ran the stopwatch.  This activity was a huge hit!

source

My kids have been loving to learn with boxes.  We've done everything from exploring boxes, making them into cars, boats, bobsleds (thank you winter olympics), and painting boxes.  We've watched the book on Youtube "Not A Box".  It shows how many different things you can make from a box.  We've had scooter races, planted flowers in boxes, made patterns with boxes, went around campus with the kids and collected boxes, and have even done a sink/float activity in the pool with boxes.  I'm telling you, there's nothing better than a box to play with.  This has definitely brought back the childhood mems.

The kiddos have LOVED (and that is even an understatement) the movie Frozen and they, of course, all know the Let It Go song AND the actions that Elsa does while singing.  I've also had to braid hair a countless number of times. Goodness.  I'm in love with the movie as much as the next, but I don't know how much longer I can stand to hear that song.  Between that and the Everything is Awesome song from the Lego movie, I'm losing it.

I can't believe I only have a month left with the little ones!

Any ideas you've done in your classroom that were a big hit??

{Katie}

I Have A Confession...

If you were to look at my Pinterest boards you would find out everything about my hopes and dreams, sappy wedding videos that I've literally spent time crying over, sweets I'm going to make, along with workouts I'm going to do after eating those sweets (ha!).
So, I have a confession.  I have recently just hit the 10,000 pins mark on Pinterest.  I think I may have a problem.  For real.  But then at the same time I feel like it's some sort of huge accomplishment.  10,000 pins? That is a lot of dedicated hours and organizational skills to keep up 10,000 pins.  But okay, this is getting embarrassing.  Over my "time well spent" hours of pinning, I've accumulated some favorite pins! Like....

         {one}

Source

One of my favorite wedding dresses.  I will have this dress. Swoon!

        {two}

Source

These are SO good! I've made them once but I need to make them again.  Graham Cracker, fudge, chocolate chip cookie bars.

             {three}

Source

From Pier 1- Burlap and rustic.

        {four}

Source

I could have just copy pasted my whole engagement photography board because I love them all, but this one is a favorite. 

        {five}

Source

Homemade I Spy bag!

         {six}

Source

I will make a farmhouse table one day.  But if I'm being real, the boyfriend will probably be the one making it. (not that crafty!!)

       {seven}

Source

Peanut butter chocolate milkshake.  Perfect combination.

      {eight}

Source

Loving this spring outfit!

      {nine}

Source

If you've followed me for any amount of time you know my obsession with mason jars. Mason jar recipe cards!

          {ten}

Source

This actually is a really good list of products.  I was impressed. 

Whew. I wonder how long it's going to take me to get to 20,000 pins.  Then in actuality I should be saying I hope I never get to 20,000 pins. That would mean I would spend an even more crazy amount of time on Pinterest.  ;) 

{Katie} 

What I've Learned Student Teaching (So Far)

Source

Ahhh spring break.  You were so good to me! Now, it's back to reality and reality was started by teaching my little ones first thing this morning! As much as I was not ready to go back to school, I was extremely happy to see their little faces.  I received lots of hugs and stories about their week long break.  Only one month of school left...where did the semester go?? I'm definitely counting down the days until school ends but as long as I'm still student teaching, I thought I'd share some of what I've learned (so far) this semester teaching preschool.  I know there's still so much left to learn, but I have gained some knowledge!

Sing EVERYTHING.
Okay- maybe not everything, but I find that the children respond much better if you are "talking" to them in a singing voice.  I'm known as the student teacher who can literally make up any song off the top of my head and the kids immediately listen. This is gold, I'm telling you.

When settling a problem with a child, always start off by reflecting to the child what they are doing. 
 For example, if a child is continuing to interrupt during circle or literacy time, start off by saying, "You are really excited to tell me what happened to you over the weekend..."<-- by starting with you, this lets them know you get what they are wanting and you understand them.  Then finish with, "I'd love to talk to you about it when the story is over."

It's ok to mess up!
I can't tell you how many times I've had a "blonde" moment or simply just messed something up.  Just roll with what ever you're doing and adapt quickly and you will be fine.  Or, you could tell the students that "Teacher Katie made a mistake"...and then continue to hear about it for the rest of the day from the kiddos (lesson learned on that one ;))

Don't get so caught up in doing everything "right".  
The kids will sense your nervous or uptight energy and feed off of that.  Relax and focus on creating those meaningful relationships and intentional teachings, and not so much on if you sang the words in a song correctly or set out all necessary materials for a lesson.


I hope my tips can help all you teachers or (soon to be teachers) out! I'd love to hear some of your words of wisdom! I'm definitely still learning how to manage a room full of 3-5 year olds, but I'm completely loving this experience!

Happy Tuesday, friends!

{Katie}

Five On Friday: Life Lately

Have I really not blogged for a month?? Yikes! Remember on an earlier post I said school should be slowing down, so I should have time to blog.  Yeah, good joke, Katie, good joke.  On the upside, only one more week until MUCH NEEDED spring break! One week and counting......

I'd thought I'd update y'all on my life because it's painfully obvious I haven't been doing the best job at that.  Here to link up with the gals who host Five on Friday!

{one}
Preschool student teaching has been such a blessing to my life.  The days where I'm really not feeling up for school, which happens most days I'll be honest-- senior-itis coming in strong-- then I see the precious babes and I totally change my mind! Having the kids come running up to me as soon as I walk in the door, needing "teacher Katie" hugs because waking up from nap is hard, or having them tell me exciting things happening to them in their life make all the other "stuff" completely worth it! These little ones are 3 going on 30, I'm telling you!

{two}
Kappa Delta hosts an annual philanthropy, sending funds to Prevent Child Abuse American and a local organization in my college town.  Being a senior, it's my "lasts" of everything in college, including last philanthropy!

{three}
Baseball season is here! Which is a sign of spring, which makes me very happy. I need the sun and warm weather!!

{four}
The fam and I are looking for places to go on a vacation this summer.  We're thinking somewhere warm on a beach (or at least I am ;)) Some ideas that have been thrown around: Florida, Gulf Coast, Bahamas.  Any recommendations?? Any places that you all have been to that I should visit???

{five}
Okay- have you all seen this video??? Embarrassingly enough, I'm going to be one of these parents.

Have a wonderful weekend!

{Katie}

I'm Feeling #22 {A Weekend of Celebrations}

What a whirlwind of a week it has been! My heart is so filled with joy and happiness and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world that I got to celebrate my birthday and Valentine's Day with some of the greatest people I know.

I was head teacher in the classroom, which went really smoothly.  I found out it was a lot less intimidating than I thought being in complete control of the classroom, it was actually a lot of fun! And what better week to start head teaching than the week of my birthday and Valentine's day!  On my birthday, I handed out mini cupcakes to my kids and when they heard they were getting a special treat because it was my birthday, their eyes lit up in awe, like it was crazy to them that someone else was allowed to have birthdays, too! They proceeded to sing me happy birthday and the mini celebration ended with lots of hugs!

I also received a special delivery on my birthday from the greatest guy in my life.  The boyfriend had night class on my birthday and since I was student teaching all day we weren't able to see each other.  He thought these were an "okay substitute"- just okay?! I just about screamed with excitement when I saw these babies were for me at the front door! BEAUTIFUL.

Birthday dinner was spent with some of my closest friends with fun drinks and sushi.

On Saturday, I went back home and celebrated my birthday with my family and we went to my favorite Mexican restaurant.  Pina Coladas and chips and salsa.  I literally could drink and eat those alllllll day.

My birthday celebrations were so wonderful! Can we keep celebrating?
Cheers!

{Katie}

Hello, February {Goals}

Source

Back to the grind, y'all.  School's in full force again after what seemed like the shortest weekend.  I'm writing this post when I should be doing my math homework.  Procrastinating math homework happens on the reg, so this is nothing new.  I start head teaching, which just means I'll be running the classroom by myself, next week! Yay!! I'm so excited! If I could major in behavior management I would.  I don't know why but I seriously love all the little tricks to get kids to listen and have "good" behavior.  (I'll share some with you all, don't you worry).

For February, I wanted to stick with some of my same goals as January because I didn't do so well on working out and eating healthy...oops.  Any words of wisdom for this girl to stick to a "better eating/working out lifestyle"??

February Goals

{one} Eat less sugar! (2-3 treats a week)

{two} Workout at least 3 times a week (I have a fitness and yoga pass for my gym at school so this should be the easy one!)

{three} Keep up on my bible study with my fellow bloggers.  We're reading A Modern Girl's Guide to Bible Study (which I loveeee by the way) but I am already behind.  It needs to be something that I invest time into and not something to check off my to-do list

{four} Turn in my Elementary student teaching application.  --I'm making this a goal simply because I keep pushing it off.  It has sat in the same place on my desk for two weeks now.  Not okay. 

{five} Celebrate my 22nd birthday with lots of laughs and good company :) 

What are your February goals? And how can I stay motivated to work out and eat healthy??? The struggle is real.

{Katie}

In January...

Move over January- and welcome February- aka my birthday month! T-minus 10 days until I'll be feeling 22!
January seriously flew by.  But at the same time, I feel like it was the slowest month ever.  When I think about it, I haven't even been back in school for an entire month yet but it feels like it's been literally forever.  Usually January doesn't have much for "exciting things that happen" but this January has treated me pretty well!
In January, I started dating the sweetest guy I know. I'm pretty lucky to say the least.

In January, I was able to see my brother not one, but two times! Treasuring any time I get with him.

In January, I started student teaching the most adorable 3-5 year old kiddos.  It's been a month of crazy with them, but they never fail to make me laugh.

Not so bad for a January, am I right??

As for my January goals I made- (you can view the post here)- I tried really hard to stick to them, sort of.  Many times my laziness or "but today I just really need chocolate" excuses got the best of me.

Goals for January of 2014:

{one} Be intentional about thinking positive/turning a negative into a positive

I did really well with this one.  Many times my "negative" was about school so I would try to turn that around real fast.  I'd like to say I kept a pretty positive attitude this month!

{two} Spend more time in the Word and in prayer

I'll admit, I started out really well with this one, reading my Jesus Calling devotional daily, but life got in the way.  Terrible excuse, I know, but it happens.  

{three} go to the gym AT LEAST 3 times a week (this will be tough...)

So I didn't go 3 times a week every week, but it did happen some.  I want to try and stick to this goal for February as well.

{four} limit my sugar intake (only eat dessert 2-3 times a week) (again...another tough one..)

Yeah...my bad.  Definitely did NOT happen.  Even my roommate and I tried to make a pact to eat healthier, but I'm pretty sure we broke it the first day. 

{five} write encouraging notes to friends who need it!

Accomplished this goal! I wasn't the only one with stresses from school, so writing encouraging notes to friends was a must.  

Enjoy the start to your week! 

{Katie}

Summer, Where Are You?

Okay, so I'm pretty sure that if there were an award for the worst blogger ever, it would go to me.  These past few weeks have been filled with crazy, and it's still only the start of the semester so yay for extreme busyness until May!

When I tell my mom I haven't had time to take my daily afternoon nap because school is literally taking over my life, she thinks she will make me feel better by telling me "no naps" is just preparing me for "real life".  Great.  One thing I'm majorly going to miss about college. Naps.  But thanks for the pep talk, Mom.
Is this really what "real life"..."after college life" is going to be like?? Where waking up early never gets easier and I have to write in my planner to make sure I paint my nails for the weekend or else it won't get done? Can I just be a kid again?

If I take away just how busy my life currently is, it really is so wonderful! I've had some good times with great friends and a teensy bit of downtime (got to get my Pinterest fix in, y'all)  But also, if I were being completely honest (and I am), student teaching can be super overwhelming, but then one of the kids says the cutest, most hilarious thing I've ever heard in my life and I forget that overwhelmed feeling.. for just a second.

I'll (hopefully) have posts on how student teaching is going and some activities we've done in the classroom.  I won't be able to post pictures of the kiddos, but if you can imagine what the cutest kids look like, it's them.

And because a blog post just wouldn't be a blog post without a picture, here's something I am continually reminding myself of.  Grace not perfection.

Source

Happy Tuesday, lovelies!

{Katie}

Day 1 of Student Teaching!

Today is the day.  Ever since I was a little freshy signing up for my first semester of classes I have been dreaming of the day I would start student teaching.  Today marks that day.  I'll be working with preschoolers all semester.  I know it's not always going to be easy and I know there will be days I will be completely overwhelmed, but I'm SO excited!

Me (and my brother) on my first day of preschool! 

Please pray for me today as I nervously/excitedly walk into the classroom filled with wide-eyed 3-5 year olds who have accepted me to be their teacher this semester.

I am so grateful.

I am so blessed.

I am so ready.

Praying this prayer today,

"Lord, let me be just what they need. If they need someone to trust, let me be trustworthy. If they need sympathy, let me sympathize. If they need love, and they do need love, let me love in full measure.

Let me not anger easily, Lord, but let me be just.  Permit my justice to be tempered in your mercy.

When I stand before them, Lord, let me look strong and good and honest and loving and let me be as strong and good and honest and loving as I look to them. Help me counsel the anxious, crack the covering of the shy, temper the rambunctious with a gentle attitude.

Permit me to teach only the truth.  Help me to inspire them so that learning will not cease at the classroom door.

Let the lessons they learn make their lives fruitful and happy, and Lord, let me bring them to you.  Teach them through me to love you.

Finally, permit me to learn the lessons they teach."

(source) 

Any teachers out there have advice for me?
{Katie}

Five on Friday: Bests of Christmas Break

Oh how I look forward and countdown to the breaks in school and then how quickly they are over.  Only a few more days until I'm back to school and officially starting my first semester of student teaching (wish me luck!!)
Linking up with the gals who host Five on Friday to share the "bests" of Christmas break.

{one}
Spending time with my family, especially the few days I got to spend with my baby brother were the best.  Also, seeing Frozen on Christmas Eve (for the second time, might I add) was definitely a highlight of break.

{two}
Seeing my friend I hardly ever get to see because of going to different schools makes my heart happy. A good friend, good wine, and the Great Gatsby is how we spent a Christmas break night.

{three}
There were many quiet nights cuddled up in a blanket for me over break, which is exactly what I needed.  This is what break is all about, am I right??

Also, how cute is this penguin candle?? I'm obsessed.

{four}
I was able to drive up to my college town and visit friends I've been missing so much over the few weeks home from school.  Just made me want to be with them even more!

{five}
I had student teaching orientation to prepare me for my first semester of student teaching on Monday! It was pretty overwhelming to say the least, but I know I'll learn and take away so much from this experience.

Enjoy your weekend! I'm living up my last few days of break by sleeping in and watching endless amounts of movies on Netflix! :)

{Katie}

New Year, New Goals

Happy New Year loves!

I hope you kicked off the new year with sparkles, pops, and fizz.  This year is already off to a great start and I know many more wonderful things are soon to happen! In 2014 I will turn 22 years old, student teach for two semesters, and finally graduate with a degree in Early Childhood/ Elementary Education!!!

  

Goals for January of 2014:

{one} Be intentional about thinking positive/turning a negative into a positive

{two} Spend more time in the Word and in prayer

{three} go to the gym AT LEAST 3 times a week (this will be tough...)

{four} limit my sugar intake (only eat dessert 2-3 times a week) (again...another tough one..)

{five} write encouraging notes to friends who need it!

I'm so ready for this year.  Bring it, 2014!   

{Katie}