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}

Moments Captured in December

Wow, it's the last day of 2013 can you believe it?

This year for me has been one of the best years in my 21 years of life.  I've had to do the most growing up and have learned lessons I have never thought I would need to learn.  From these lessons, I learned just how strong I am and what all I am capable of.  God is SO good, y'all!

I'm so excited to see what this new year brings, I know great things for sure! But first, a look back at the moments I captured in December.  You can read about these moments here. 

Freshly fallen snow: It was such a pretty snow and all we in Nebraska saw this December, unfortunately.

Driving around to look at lights: Okay so my brother and I weren't driving around, but downtown Omaha always has millions of lights on all the trees.  It's so beautiful!!

A favorite Christmas tradition: Each year my mom gives my brother and I an ornament of something we're interested in that year.  While this one wasn't this year's ornament, its always been my favorite. 

A favorite Christmas decoration in the home: I bought this picture this year and fell in love with it instantly. It sums up what I think winter perfection looks like!

Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate: I enjoyed many cups of hot chocolate this December! 

Christmas season treats: I made these white chocolate snicker-doodle pudding cookies and they were SO good.  Recipe soon!

Iceskating: So no picture for this, but I actually did go, they just wouldn't let us take a picture on the ice. Boo. 

Making homemade Christmas cards: I think I'm going to do this every year now! I sent these to all my friends this year along with a homemade ornament.

Watch Christmas movies: I did this a lot this season, probably a little too much.  The Grinch was on a lot this year, this is one of my favorite scenes from the movie!!!

Christmas morning/ A fire crackling in the fireplace: Sometimes I think my dog should be a dog model. She's the cutest. This is right after we opened presents :)

So I didn't capture all the moments I was wanting to but I got a good amount of memories! I'm so excited for 2014, and I hope y'all have the best time ringing in the new year! Be safe and don't forget to wear something sparkly tonight :) 

{Katie}