I'm a 4th grade teacher?

For those of you who have been asking for pictures of my classroom thus far, they are finally here! Again, the room is still not completely finished, but I'm 95% finished! Enjoy!

From the hallway. 

From the hallway. Desks will be in groups. 

Rewards, helpers, and leveled reader books. All books aren't placed yet. In the off squares, there will be gators. 

Math, Integrated, Spelling and Vocab. chart, and filing. Mom is making three cabinet covers for the cabinets below. The fabric is green and blue and wonderful. 

Reading and Writing

Classroom library with included pillows!

Center station 

Calendar (I now have a calendar haha) 

My gators will have plenty of work to show off! 

Birthday center. I now have a birthday calendar and will hopefully find a fun, birthday hat for the kids to wear in Puerto Vallarta. 

I'm tired of tangled wires. Simple, huge, push-pins fixed this problem. 

My desk! The left bookshelf will have all my kids' textbooks. 

Still part of my desk. The inside of the right cabinets. 

Well, there ya go! I still have some more work, but it's looking pretty good! 

Grown Up Adventures

Remember my "Adventure List" that I made a few months ago? I went through it about a day ago and was able to erase almost everything. Now, there's only a column left of things to do...things that cost a butt-load of money...aka, things that I will have to do in the future. Anyway, the realization that I have accomplished many of my adventures was really surprising because I have recently felt like I haven't been able to do anything on my list because bigger, more grown-up adventures were taking over. Adventures like decorating my classroom, looking/signing a lease on my own apartment (with no roommate for the first time), finding an electric company, renter's insurance, cable/internet, making wall decor and finding good deals on furniture, and making a budget. I think I wrote about this last time, but I've found myself in a weird limbo of transitioning into adulthood. Everything has happened so incredibly fast, but one thing has remained: God's provision. You see, God knows me very well. He knows what I need and when I need... He even knows how I need it. Because of Him, I was able to find an apartment on such short notice and go to family members that I trust to help me create a budget/financial plan that would honor Him. Because of Him, I was given a job shortly after graduation (a HUGE weight lifted off my shoulders) and was able to finish my classroom in 2 days...before the AC was shut off. Not only that, 97% of my classroom was given to me from teachers and friends who graciously saw a need and reached out...97%!! And if that wasn't enough, I am at a school where I know the staff and how wonderful they are and have been given an amazing mentor. During this whole whirl wind, I have grown closer to old and new friends and have felt so much love and support from my family. Yes, there are some things in my life that don't seem to be moving out of the frustration, confusion, etc. that it's been trapped in, but in the bigger scheme of things, how am I not blessed?

The next two weeks are going to be crazy. I'm going to start packing up my things and will be moving into my new apartment right after I get back from my trip to Puerto Vallarta. Marcos and Papi were kind enough to rent movers to move my heavy furniture into my apartment while I'm in Mexico. It's weird to think that when I come back, I won't be going home.

Growing up is scary and there's a lot more thinking you have to do (ha), but I have no doubt God will continue to guide me. I feel overwhelmingly blessed to have a God who is so reliable, lovable, and trustworthy.

Moving at 100 mph

This week has been a surreal whirlwind. I have been crazy busy going back and forth between packing for my apartment to packing and fixing up my new classroom. Lots of exciting moving this summer that brings much joy, anticipation, and financial planning.

My classroom pictures (which will hopefully be finished tomorrow) are on Facebook, but I thought I would go ahead and share with you some pictures from the Rough Riders game. Mom and Papi were kind enough to invite me and it was great to spend some time just with the parents. I am blessed by them.

Ha, Mom. :)

This upcoming week will be just as crazy busy as this week. I'll be "finishing" (there's no such thing as a finished classroom), going through and packing for my upcoming move to the new apartment and trip to Puerto Vallarta! Life is moving quickly and I can't believe how merciful God has blessed me. And how timely His blessings have been? God really does know what you need and when you need it! 

Oh and did I mention the lovely Natalie Frederick's birthday is Thursday? Yes yes yes yes!!