Powerful.

Be Still.

This is a much needed reminder this week.

Be Still by The Fray

Life's a Beach in 3rd Grade!

     Hello! School has begun, and it already feels like summer was forever ago! So, I thought if I decorated my classroom to look like the beach then maybe I wouldn't be so sad that summer is over. I moved from 4th Grade to 3rd Grade this year, and I couldn't be more excited! Below are some pictures from my classroom. 

 This is my information board. In the middle is a cookie sheet that I put a copy of the weekly newsletter on. I also have a bucket that we use for bucket fillers for the "Star Fish of the Week". 

       This is my helper chart. I am loving all things chevron right now!

This is our computer area. I love to make things look homey, so I add lamps and picture frames here and there. I also love my headphone bucket from Hobby Lobby. The grass skirt around it is so much fun! :)

Here are my rules. They were Pinterest inspired. I found the rules on Pinterest, but made them my own using frames and paint pens on the glass. Such and easy and fun project!

I feel every classroom needs a dull/sharp spot for pencils! That pencil sharpener can be awfully annoying without them!

This is my AR board. It is magnetic which helps to move the kids around when they get more points.

Storage! I love tubs and bins. It keeps all of the clutter hidden and organized. It is also nicer to look at!

Here is my "Reader's Resort, or, as I like to call it - The BEACH! The kids love to hang out and read at the beach when they are done with their work.

Another Pinterest-inspired project. Here are my dollar store frames that I painted and put scrapbook paper in. They make for a nice objective spot!

I hate chalk, so I try to cover it up as much as possible! HA!

Here is my desk area. Keep in mind that these were taken the first week of school. Normally my desk is way more organized. I'm pretty OCD about it! My favorite part is my chevron lamp and my teacher toolbox!

Here is a close-up shot of my toolbox. It is so nice to have a spot for all of this stuff!

This is my burlap covered bulletin board. Another summer craft! I'm pretty proud of it because it was actually a lot harder to make than you'd think.

I love my birthdays because it looks like a police line-up. HA!

Here is my small group area. Again, usually it is a lot more organized!

And, our Sweet Points - or compliments board. When it fills up, they get a sweet treat!

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoyed your time at the "beach"!

Beach Read

          It has been a month since I went to the beach, but I can't stop thinking about this book I read. It is called Winning Balance by Shawn Johnson. I literally read it in two days while sitting in my beach chair soaking up the rays. I could not put it down. I'm not usually a biography reader, but this one was fantastic. I loved all of her stories, and she was so easy to relate to. I also loved how honest she was about her faith through good times and bad. I highly recommend this book if you need a quick read that will really lift your spirits! Thanks, Shawn for being such an inspiring public figure. I'm such a fan now!

London. 2012.

    I mean, really. Could my summer have ended on a more perfect note?! Not only were the Summer Olympics on, but they were in LONDON!! Only my absolute favorite place in the entire world!! Since, I couldn't actually attend, I lost myself in the coverage on NBC. I can't imagine what the athletes go through, because I was in tears with every event and team! I am so proud of Team USA!! Here are some of my favorite moments from the 2012 Olympics:

     I absolutely loved watching beach volleyball! Not only because I think Walsh and Jennings are an amazing duo and so fun to watch, but I loved the venue! Check out that view. You are in front of the Horse Guards house, to the right you have Big Ben, and to the left you have the London Eye. What  perfect scenery and a great landscape of old and new London! Oh to have been there in person!!

      I think this photo is so neat! The moon is perfectly attached to the rest of the Olympic Rings. I bet this photographer was in awe. I know I would have been. I also just love Tower Bridge - it's my favorite bridge on the Thames.

       Did anyone else fall in love with these girls?!? Obsessed! This was a moment when I was balling like a baby! HA! I loved how these girls rallied around each other and showed true sportsmanship! They are all so talented and such wonderful inspirations to young girls. Way to go Fab Five! They so deserved that gold medal! Also, is it too late to become a gymnast? I mean, I'm only 24...

     How funny were Aly Raisman's parents! Bless them. I'm sure they have been through just as much helping Aly get ready for the her dream!

      I will admit, I'm more of a Ryan Lochte fan if made to choose; however, Michael freaking Phelps... I mean, the kid seriously has gills. I really liked his attitude during the games. He was such a team player and so supportive of all of the younger, new swimmers like Allison Schmidt and Missy Franklin. I also LOVE watching his mother while he races. She starts crying, and then, yep...I'm a goner! Congratulations to him on winning 22 medals and becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time! What an accomplishment, and so well deserved!

       Did you really think I would have a post about London and NOT mention my favorite family? You must not know me very well! My favorite thing to do during the Olympics (besides actually watch them) was to get on the NBC Olympics website and check out their photo album titled "Where are the Royals Today?". I needed to know what they were up to. I'm glad that they let down their guard and showed some serious emotion during the games. Good to know their human! I may have a shot with Prince Harry after all. HA! ;)

        My life is complete. The Spice Girls performed at the closing ceremony, and, quite frankly, they could have performed the entire time and it would have been the best closing ceremony ever. It definitely took me back a good 12 years!! It also made me want to watch Spice World! Who was your favorite Spice Girl? Mine was Posh (Victoria Beckham), and I'm still obsessed with her....and her husband.

     This is my absolute FAVORITE picture from the Olympics. They are precious! That is all.

   And...Here's why: ;)

Bless the Lord, O my soul...

I always love it when a song from church gets stuck in my head all week. I always assume God is trying to tell me something. This week it is the song "10,000 Reasons" by Matt Redman. Enjoy! :)

Go Tigers, Go!

Love me some D.J. :)

     Yes, I know. We lost. The season is done. However, I can't help but celebrate. This is my favorite time of year - the time of year when I thoroughly enjoy my favorite team. I was born a Memphis fan, and I was raised a Memphis fan. But, I don't know exactly at which point in my life, that I truly became a Memphis fan. Maybe it was when I went away to college and the absence made my heart grow fonder. Maybe it was the fact that when my grandmother died, I felt the need to carry on her love for this team, and her precious "bow-ees". Looking back over the last few years of Memphis Basketball, I found the top three reasons why I love this team. (in no particular order)

1.
     I love this team. I love the emotional roller-coaster that occurs with each season. All the hype begins in October with Memphis Madness. You get excited because after seven long months you finally get a glimpse of the team. You see their potential and chemistry with each other. You can't help but feel a part of it. Then the season starts, and by December, you are stressed to the max because you don't know exactly when those boys will get their act together. Then about February, they become your dream team. Everything falls in to place - they play together, they make shots, they defend, etc. You can't help but fall in love with Memphis Basketball.

2.
     I love this coach. Josh Pastner is probably one of the most impressive individuals I have ever known. He has brought so much class to the program. He is a great family man, and he works harder than most everyone. It kills me when people shoot him down. He is a young coach, and it is only his third year as a head coach. I tend to relate to him. As a second year teacher, it's hard. Do I know more than I did my first year? Heck yes! But do I know everything there is to know about teaching, and every trick in the book when working with kids? Heck no! I imagine that it is the same for him. Then, in come every "Joe Blow" off the street to criticize his every move. He has no control, he can't coach, he can't beat ranked teams, etc. Well, you know what "Joe", neither can you. Because chances are, you've never even played basketball. It takes time to learn these things. It doesn't mean that he isn't a good coach. It means that with every year, he gets better. I truly appreciate everything that he has done for the program and the city of Memphis. Thanks, Josh! :)

3.
    I love my boys! It is so funny to me that I actually think I know them - I'm sure we're all best friends. As each season comes and goes, you develop this appreciation for each individual player and what they bring to the court. Some become love-hate relationships. Some, are love-at-first-sight. I hate to say it, but for the most part, they are all love-hate. You meet a player their freshman year, and with all the hype that surrounds them, you love 'em. Then frustration sets in because they don't seem to be living up to their potential, or their behavior is totally ridiculous. Then, finally, you accept them for the player that they have become, and by Senior Night, you're in tears. Yes, I do cry at every senior night. Then, there are the rare love-at-first-sight kind of players, those that you can't take your eyes off when they are on the floor. It doesn't even have to be because they have this explosive talent, or because they can do crazy tricks. Often times, for me, it has more to do with their demeanor on the court, or what they do for the city off the court. There are only four players in my time as a Tiger fan that I truly consider a love-at-first-sight player. The first is Anfernee Hardaway. He was one of the first players I remember as being a true ambassador for this city. The second is Robert Dozier. I could watch him play all day long. He kept things so calm on the court, and he made everything look so easy. The third is Roburt Sallie. I know. Most people laugh about this, but he was another who was just so smooth on the court. Plus, he was always very personable when you talked to him. The fourth, but not the least, is D.J. Stephens. He actually might become my all-time fave. And, I'm sure that at his senior night next season, I will ball like a baby. He is one who not only does what the coach tells him to do, but he also has this explosive talent. He brings so much energy to the game by providing crazy dunks. He is a rubberband going all over the floor to make plays. He is an ambassador for this city, always putting others before himself. He truly is a remarkable young man. I'm not opposed to my list of favorite players growing. I'm almost positive that it will.

     So, here's to another GREAT season! Congratulations, boys. Thank you for all that you do for this city. And, thank you for all of the memories. My countdown to Memphis Madness is on!!! #GoTigersGo