live what you love

photo

I came across avery inspiring blog post yesterday on Melissa's blog: the pleated polka dot. It started with the picture above. Which got my mind started.......Am I living what I love?  and further down in the post she asks...what if you were just the best YOU you could be in the place you are now? So I sat and took some time to reflect...........

Reflection: I am living what I love in my professional life? As a teacher, I have highs and lows. Someday I have a love hate relationship with my job. And lately I am not sure I am being the best I can be. I am worn out, behavior is off the chain, concentration is low. But none-the-less I am unconditionally giving my kids my attention, love, and care. I am tweeking my lessons to keep them engaged, while still keeping my focus on curriculum and content. So YES I am being the best me I can be in my place right now, I go home after the kids leave, and I am tired, but I don't mind. I really like helping children, seeing a spark go off in their mind, watching them inquire. So it's all worth it. But can I get a huge, gigantic AMEN that next week is Spring Break! A-M-E-N! I am living what I love professionally.

Reflection: I am living what I love in my personal life? Being a wife, and momma, sister,daughter,and a friend is fun, fulling, and best part of my life and day! I pour out grace, attention, patience, kindness,  honesty, patience, passion, diligence...ok ok you get it I will stop, to my Mr., son, siblings, parents, and friends on a daily basis. I do this all with love. It i snot always easy, but I feel blessed and honored to have them in my lives, and they deserve the best of me! So in my personal life, I am living what I love!

Because I Live What I love, I am happy. You must always have happiness. So smile, be happy, and

 Live What You Love

At the end of Melissa's post she left this quote, which is only fitting:

    "we cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love."

-mother teresa

 

p.s. I ordered that little 'Live What You Love' number as a reminder everyday to do just that.

Life Lesson # 244 {affection}

Children are so giving of affection. My own son, and the 24 children in my classroom family everyday.  In Ian's case some days more than others, but never-the-less always giving. I know Mr. and I both relish at the the moments Ian meets us at the door with hugs and kisses. I also relish at the moments my students hug me, ask for a hug, high five, and tell me, "your the best".  Ian's words, "luv you" are music to my ears. After the realization of this, I  have paid a little more attention.


I was amazed at how many times a day Ian showed some sort of affection to me, without my initiating it. From crawling up on my lap, to walking over and planting a slobbery kiss on my face.

I even recognized how Mr. and I use affection to help him feel better when he is upset, or to reinforce a particular rule.   We also use it when giving praise. I do this in both my personal life, and my professional life.

So I learned...

1. It is important to give affection to our kids. They thrive on it, and it helps them feel secure. It also teaches them to show affection.

2. After watching how Ian can so easily show affection to other people outside our immediate family. Most importantly how he gives it so freely. It reminded me of how I should be doing that in my own life. Kids don’t think before they hug someone. I, on the other hand question myself. Should I hug my dear friend, should I not. Is it okay to pat them on the back for a job well done?
 
After taking cues from Ian, and my loving students, I realized how important it is to show more affection.  Not only to my immediate family, but to other loved ones as well. I hope Ian continues to carry affection with him throughout his life, and I hope I instill in my class a sense of affection.
 

Have you shown affection today?

 

Y'aLL KnOw WhAt?

It's Sunday again, which means.......Y'aLL KnOw WhAt?

• This is my last week at school prepping my little kiddos for the state exam before Spring Break!
• I cut a significant amount of my hair off- and I am lovin' the change.

• Saturday I got to spend the whole day with e-man! He got 2 new pairs of shoes, his feet grew a lot! And are different sizes, go figure. So a size and a half and 60 bucks later, we got sneakers, and sandals. Buy 1 get 1 50% at striderite!
• Ian and I shared cookies and milk at the mall after shoe shopping.

• 3 months until my best friend's wedding! Can't wait...Cozumel here we come!
• My parents bought tickets for Ian and I to go home in May for my sisters graduation from college! Super excited to see family and friends!
• Mr. currently is serving me up a peanut butter brownie, which really I do not need, but do want.
• I did count points this week for Weight Watchers, and squeezed in 3 runs. Up a pound. I have decided after spring break, I go back into STRICT MODE, I'd like to sport a bikini the 3 days were crusin' in the gulf.

• I ate the most delicious mango sorbet with granola from Smoothie King this week...so yum that I could eat it everyday!

Have a great week!



he's an {all-star}

It's no joke, my son loves balls. His first word was actually 'ball'! Soccerballs, Footballs, Tennis Balls, Basketballs, Golf Balls, Kick Balls, all of them! He is growing so fast, and soon I think the green/brown/bunny rabbit gender neutral nursery we created for him just won't do. So I have been looking around for inspiration and of course Pottery Barn has it:

Love them! love the chalkboard headbaord, with the basketball hoop, and net full of balls, all of Ian's favorite balls. I love th red and blue, the roman shades, the black and white photo of the basball player ( I would like to get a photos of Mr. and Grandpa Murphy in uniform, print in black and white, and add.)

I think Ian would love it, don't you?

Heart Banner Giveaway {lisa leonard}

I know you are all aware of how much I heart lisa leonard designs, so I am breaking my wordless wednesday rule! I am so excited she has launch a new decor line...and it is soo precious! Everyday this week she is indroducing something new, and giving it away!!! Today is the the new pewter heart banner, hand-stamped with her extra large letters and strung with cotton ribbon. each heart is hand-molded and is hand-cast for an organic handmade feel. You can choose your own ribbon colors, and pick up to any 6 letters you want if you win the giveaway!

I am wishing, and praying, and hoping, I win today, but you can too! She is giving away two!

            Head on over to her blog, and all you have to do is leave a commnet of what word you would have made if you win! I choose happy...Happy sums up all my feelings lately: happy to be in love with my best friend, happy to have the perfect little man, happy to be launching my photography business, happy to be happy!

It would also be insanely cute in a nursery, as a photo prop, hangning in your entry way.......so what you have to loose....go comment!



Wordless Wednesday...

Dance for a Cure

Ever since I started teaching, every school I have been at has had a Relay for Life Team. And in case you are wondering what is relay for life, I have your answer. The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length. When I found out about this event I knew I wanted to participate for more than reason. First I completely agree that cancer never sleeps, and love the idea of an overnight 24 hour event to symbolize that. Next, I had lost both grandfathers, and my aunt to cancer. I was young when these losses occurred, but still impacted, and thought if I could raise awareness, hope, and money for research, so that family and friends all across the world maybe have to deal with loss, then sign me up!

So this year is like all the rest, and my team has decided that our theme/booth is "Dancing for a Cure". We will have a Big Screen TV set up with Dance, dance Revolution on the outside of the track. Every team also creates a team shirt. I am always giving my friend Kara who happens to be the Front Office Clerk, and Relay Team captain,  subway art to put in the office for different holidays. One day she said to me, "Wouldn't it be cool to have subway art for our shirt." I took the idea and ran with it...ran all the way to my computer and started searching etsy and found..........

From the moment I emailed her with our ideas, she was more than willing to help in any way she could, and full of excitement. I sent her words, colors, the relay logo, our school mascot, ect. And she got to work. I think we emailed back and forth about 10 times. She wanted it just perfect, which I love her for. After the second email she told me after much thought she wanted to do it for free since it was for Relay for Life! Awesomeness..yea she rocks! So she worked her magic.......

And we L-O-V-E, love it!!!!

Go check out Jacinda's Shop Periwinklepixies, she has all sorts of subway art, and she may just be the girl your looking for to create your unique design! For the whole month of March you can recieve 10% off your order using the code: MARCH11

Thanks again Jacinda! Your shirt will be arriving soon!

If you would like to contribute to the cause please donate to our Team: Ferguson Elementary, no donation is too small or too large, make a difference!



Y'all KnOw WhAt?

Y'aLL KnOw WhAt?

I have been a horrible blogger over the past few weeks, however I have been super busy, and have photos to show it!

• E-man is growing up way TOO fast.

                                                          

• I started this blog along time ago to vent about life, the life where I was just starting out and finding myself, then it turned into my "baby book" for Ian, and lately has been much about me. I am going to try harder to keep the focus on highlights on Ian, but the truth is although Ian is the light of my life, lots of others things go on as well.....
• 2 weeks that is 10 week days until spring break...break I am not sure Ian and I will be tackling Potty Training.
• Ian is now saying, "Bless you" when you sneeze, cutest thing ever:)
• I have been a major slacker over the past 2 weeks with P90X, and Journals for Weight Watchers...this week, I am back at it.
• I have the best Mr. in the whole world. Honestly, I never imagined my husband would be so amazing...to me and our son!

And as I promised here are a few sneaks as to where I have been, and why I have been busy.....

Yes...that also means Melissa Ann Murphy Photography...

Y'all KnOw WhAt?....what?}

Every morning I start my day off with my 24, 3rd graders in a circle at the front of the room. Everyone gets a turn and no one can pass. It goes like this..."y'all know what?" (student  or teacher sharing), "WHAT?" (everyone replies)...and then they share one thing! I am going to bend the rules just a smige for this post, and every Sunday post from now on...and share little updates from the week, I would love for you to join in, and check back next week to link up!

Y'all know what?.......{"wHaT?"}

1. It's Sunday and that makes me sad. I hate when the weekends are over.

2. One of my childhood bestfriends is currenlty in labor and delivery and I could not be more excited for her, and to find out her new son's name.

3. I had a great weekend with Mr. and Ian. We spent all Saturday hangin' at home playing, cuddling, laughing, eatting, and being straight up goofs. Sunday we made delicious cinnamon french toast and loaded it with whip cream! We also celebrated Bailey's 5th birthday at Chucky Cheese:)

4. I love spending time with family and Saturday night I got to hangout with my neice and nephew. They are so much fun!

5. I lost 2 pounds this week, despite the fact that I only worked out 3 times instead of six.

6. I realized that I am not super women and cannot do everything I have dished myself on my plate. I will do my best to do it all but if I don't in one day I will not beat myself up over it. Motto of the week: Do your best-forget the rest!

7. I have made the final decison on a name for my aspiring photography business: Yes M'AM Photography. Southern, Fun, and M"AM are my intials. Significance all wraped into it!

8.I am going to stop at eight simply becauseit's my favorite number!

As always a few pictures from the weekend:

Mr. Face himself:

Snap Shots of my Neice and Nephew:

                                                         

Bedtime Routine.....

Bedtime at our house is such a blast....it's bitter sweet. We get to spend quality time with Ian, and then we get to spend quality time together, well sometimes. We start with a bubble bath, always bubbles, but mild bubbles, then brush our teeth, try to potty, apply lotion, read with daddy, cry because we have to put cloths on, and then pass out. I know it includes lots of "na-key" time, Ian loves it.

See for yourself :



Stylish....Blogger...{me}

Thanks Amanda for nominating me! Everyone should head over and check out her blog. She included me with some awesome company for the Stylish Blogger Awards.

Here is how it works:

First: Write a post linking back to the person who gave you the award

Second: Share 7 random things about yourself

Third: Award 15 recently-discovered bloggers this award

Then: Contact these bloggers and tell them they’ve won

7 Random Things About Me

1. Anyone who can play acoustic guitar rocks my world… as long as they sing, too.
2. I hate learning history. Mr. love sit, and so I always act intrested but always could careless. I know it's kinda horrible but it just doesn't intrest me.
3. I don’t understand how any woman can be seen in stockings and sneakers, even if it is a commute. There is absolutely no excuse for this.
4. I love warm laundry.
5. I like summer: lemon water, eating under awnings, dog runs, jam jars filled with wildflowers.
6. I google search everyone.
7. I appreciate black & white movies (my first was March of the Wooden Soldiers).


And here are 15 bloggers that I think deserve this award way more than I do!

Andrea from Mommy Diaries
Carly from The Baby Place
Michele from Imperfectly Wonderful World
Kari from Whirligig Bug
Aubrey from Aubrey Plays
Ashley from Little Miss Momma
Nicky from Momma Gets Real
Kristin from A Boy and His Dogs
Kristin from And Blubeberry makes Three
Amy from Motherhood Imperfected
Jacinda from The Periwinkle Pixies
Kara from Tizzi Lish
Erin S. from The Mom Code
Caz from A Little Learning For Two....my new favorite site! Ian is going to be so happy!!!!

I hope you enjoy their blogs as much as I do and tag, you're it ladies!