I dreamed my whole house was clean...

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So here’s a little piece of my heart. Everyone knows that I’m an open book and I don’t hide much.

I've been feeling down lately because I can’t be “the perfect wife.”

Mike and I are both teachers. That means that our feet hit the floor before the sun comes up. We work hard all day and make it home just as the sun is making its “farewell”. I try to cook something mildly edible and plan lessons and activities for the next day.

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 Don’t miss-read my post. I’m not complaining about work. I love my job and it’s my passion. I wouldn't be happy if I wasn't pouring my heart into preschool.

But I don’t think that I was prepared for the adjustment marriage was going to take.  Again, don’t miss-read me. Mike and I are doing fantastic as far as relationships go. He’s my best friend and I’m so happy to be with him! What I wasn't prepared for was the whole responsibility of running a home.

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I know that all of the veteran moms are reading this and thinking “yeah, just deal with it” but how in the world do I juggle meal planning, cooking, cleaning, working, socializing, blogging, and crafting? Please! Give me some wisdom!

I feel like I can’t do everything I want or need to

 so I have to let things go here and there. Before I know it, the dishes have piled way high or I haven’t picked up a crochet hook in a month. Our bed has just been made after several days of looking like a hamster attack.

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Where is Martha Stewart when I need her?

I made pompoms

Come on. Admit it.

Like me,  you've pinned countless pins on Pintrest saying to yourself "I WILL make this!"

I have made an honest effort to actually go back to my boards and use the ideas I've pinned. 

I mean, what's the use of brilliant ideas all organized and available at my fingers tips if I don't use them?

So this past weekend, when I was asked to help decorate for a baby shower, I flew to some of my old boards and found these beauties. 

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I made 20 pompom flowers and I can't tell you how easy this project was. All you do is follow this easy pompom diy I made a few months ago, and hot glue the pompoms onto sticks.

So simple, so pretty.

Anyone going pompom crazy yet?

Antique Adventures: Red

So if you guys remember a few weeks ago, I found an original Dream Pet on one of my antique adventures. 

Well, I was lucky enough to not only find another original...but this one was in a free box!

I'm naming him Red. I know...not totally original, but I really think it fits.

He's a little red dog with a slightly bobbly head. His ear had wires on the inside so I can perk them up in a surprised expression or down for a more natural look.

I think he's really cute and he fits so well in the smallest spaces.

Have a happy Saturday!

Hands on Learning

My teacher tip today is a quote from one of the best elementary teachers ever...Miss Frizzle.

"Take chances, make mistakes, get messy. "

Get messy

One of the scariest things a mother can hear. Most kid's can't get messy and dirty at home. They don't really get chances to tear apart daisies to see how those petals are attached. They don't get build with those mini pumpkins bought during October. 

"You'll break it"

"That's a decoration"

"Don't get your clothes dirty"

Well...at preschool... we have what I call "Controlled Chaos".

If you would have walked into my classroom last Friday, you would have become overwhelmed by the sweet smell of daisies. Then you would hear the happy chatter of children making "flower soup". 

It was so exciting to see what the kids were doing with the daisies.

I thought that they would just peel them apart, get bored, and walk away.

Before I knew it, I had little ones bringing toys from different stations to the flower table.

My kids were soon playing "house" and "chef" and learning science all at the same time! They play went on for an hour. 

 I had a nice vacuuming job at the end of the day, but it was totally worth it!

Tuesday Will Change My Life

It’s been a while since I've shared anything about my dad’s cancer. 

Maybe it’s because giving the situation up to God has put my soul at rest. I've placed my father’s health in my God’s hands and walked away in full trust. I know God will do what is best, and I’m okay with whatever that is.

Well…treatments have stopped and we've been placed in a waiting period for the last 6 weeks. I’m human in admitting that I've been fidgety once or twice while waiting for test results. These results will determine if all the treatments worked, what the next step is…all that cancer stuff.

A few days ago, I was sitting in the car while Mike drove us home. I looked at the gorgeous fall leaves and took in my favorite season when I realized something. I had a choice to make.

 Tuesday’s test results were going to change my life. 

I would either hear “The treatments have worked. You’re father is in good health!” or “I’m sorry, we’ll try and come up in another plan to battle this cancer.”

 I have no control over what the doctor tells us, that’s God’s plan. But I do have a choice in how I will react.

I have decided with whatever news comes my way, I will rejoice in my God.

He loves me, and he loves my dad more than I ever could. I know that I can trust him now and always because of that love.

So…if Dad is cancer free, I will praise my God.

If  Dad isn't getting any better, I will praise my God.

Tuesday will bring news that will change the rest of my life…but that news can’t break my relationship with my God.

Dad, if you’re reading this…I love you.

On my day off...

A preschool teacher, housewife, amateur photographer, and blogger needs a day off every now and then.

Here are some photos from mine.

I picked up some flowers and finally had a chance to recreate this Pintrest find!

Pintrest Version

And my version...

So what do you do when you need a day off?

Field Trip Snaps

So not only is being a preschool teacher totally awesome and fulfilling every day... I also get to tag along on field trips for free!

I love the outdoor classroom and teaching my students on the go. Someone picks up an acorn? We start talking about what it looks like, feels like, and how it grows into a tree if planted.

Someone notices a dried up sunflower? We get the chance to feed a cow? The school bus left tracks in the mud? 

All of these every day things can be turned into a short lesson if you know how.

Anyways, because of some nasty people out there I can't post pictures of my little ones online. Instead, I'll share with you some of the cool photos I been able to snap.

I wish I could have gotten more, and believe me...I often "herd" my group onto the next activity while looking  over my shoulder thinking "Now that would make a cool photo!"

I had to keep my legs on the pumpkins to keep them from rolling onto the kids. 

The wagon ride was quite bumpy and we had a mini pumpkin avalanche while going up a hill.

This photo of the dried sunflower makes me so happy, and it just happens to be my desktop background.

Bite your lip!

Good Evening dear readers,

I'm sorry that I don't have a lot of time to write a proper summary of this article.

I honestly miss my blogging time but I'm enjoying teaching so much that I've thrown most of myself into my work. 

My kids are great and they need my very best effort every day. I'll post crafts and things when I can, but for now check out this awesome article written about how to talk to little girls.

Bite your lip and skip the "oh you're so cute" or "I really like those sparkle shoes!". Get down to what really matters and show them that looks aren't everything.

How To Talk to Little Girls 

by Lisa Bloom

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Teacher Tips

Keep those toddler crayons organized!

No more "He took my red crayon!"

or "No Mrs.Girr, that's not my pencil on the floor."

Use these handy dandy labels to keep things running smoothly. 

Just print out enough name-tags for each crayon and use any clear tape to stick em in place.

Here's a second tip.

Stick name-tags on the glue stick and the glue cap. It will save you a whole lot of trouble when little Suzy's cap rolls across the table next to little Johnny's cap. 

No arguments, and teaches responsibility to those little guys.

Labeling 150 crayons and 6 glue sticks did take about an hour out of my day, but it was totally worth it and has saved my sanity over and over again.

Antique Toys

"So, where do you want to go?" 

A simple question Mike has quickly learned the answer to.

He always sighs when I tell him, but then smiles and starts the car.

Off we go to the antique shop!

One of the cool things I found was an original Dream Pet. 

The Japanese used to sell the sawdust filled animals in the 50s. 

Cracker Barrel sometimes brings back classic designs every so often...but it was really cool to hold and original  with the tags still attached! 

By the way, I'm still on the hunt for a vintage 70's style dress for my latest antique purchase. 

She's a 15" antique doll from the 1970's.

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She's currently wearing a gypsy holloween costume and I would love to fine something a little more... vintage/classic looking.

Any tips would be appreciated!

fall is near

and I can't wait for...

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...the first chance I'll get to make festive garland from natural sources...

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...the sweet taste of hot chocolate mixed with heavy cream...

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...that first heavy sweater...

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...those warm pumpkin spiced pancakes...

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...rosy cheeks and Eskimo kisses in the cool weather...

but most of all...

...I can't wait so share my favorite season, with all it's joys and wonders, with my new husband...

Happy Fall Everyone.