Grad School Grad!

I'm done, I'm done! Finally! I started my Masters in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Furman University in the spring of 2010, taking night classes and summer school while I was teaching full time! It feels like it took a while, but it actually went pretty fast! and I loved my time at Furman. Loved.

I finished all of my classes in the summer of 2012...except for 1 - the Master's in Seminar class. If we hadn't moved, I would have graduated in Dec. of 2012. Buuuut, we did move. At first, we thought I would have to fly back to South Carolina this summer and take my final class in person - 4 weeks away from the hubs and pups. I was NOT looking forward to it. However, being home would have been nice! Thankfully, I worked it out with my adviser and professor to take the class "online" while I was also taking classes for my 2nd BA here!!

So, after lots of work and writing my final paper, as of August 10th - I am officially a Grad School Grad!! Woot! And now, here comes the nice pay raise! (just an added bonus!)

That's right...final GPA of 3.918. Yep.

 I was a little sad I had to miss the commencement ceremony, 1) but the school year was starting, 2) it would be a "leave Fri night, fly back Sun night" quick trip, and3) plane tickets are sky high! It's all good ~ my awesome family threw me a surprise Graduation party while we were in Connecticut!

Furman's campus is not only where I received my Master's, it's also where we got married! The chapel on campus is be-a-u-ti-ful!! I fell in love as soon as I saw it and knew I would say my "I do's" there. The campus is gorgeous and was the most perfect place for our wedding. (Click here for some photos of our wedding and the gorgeous chapel and campus!)

Now let's see...what Masters shall I go for next? As soon as I finish my 2nd BA here in Iowa (in Early Childhood), I plan to start my 2nd Masters at Iowa State University in Curriculum and Instruction! I'm excited! and yes, I love school. Totally a nerd.

Start of School Wreath DIY

I've been meaning to make a new wreath for our front door through July, but somehow I always had something else to do! So right before school started, I finally got the time to put together a new wreath! I've been meaning to post this for a while, but again...start of school = busy busy me.

I sure do love Pinterest (do you know me??). This was my inspiration. I mean...look at that chevron, burlap bow?!? Love love love.

I went to Hobby Lobby, got my supplies, and got to work.

I wanted a pop of color. Something that was bright and summery. Love me some green! I do love the white in the original though. The white would be a good winter wreath. Everything about burlap and twine make me happy. Another DIY in the books!

InstaLately

August 12 - 25, 2013

 Top: 1 year Anniversary love / 8.18.12 / fun things in the mail!

Bottom: Final Masters GPA! woop! / notes from my kiddos / early birthday love from my best!

Birthday Celebrations!

It's that time of year again...time to get one year older! and wiser?!?

My Best Kate and I both have birthdays in August. See...bests. She's at the beginning of the month (6th) and I'm at the end of the month (31st). Since we like to celebrate our birthdays all month long (this tradition was started by the boys), we decided a joint birthday dinner and night out would be the way to go! Some of our friends were out of town, so 4 of us couples went to dinner at Montage. Love this place and their fabulous rooftop!! Gorgeous. When we were almost done, someone from the tourism bureau of Cedar Falls asked us if we could move to one of the center tables so that he could video tape us for the new tourism video! (One of the waitresses told us it was because "we were pretty." Ha! Thanks!) So, we did!

 

After dinner, we walked to the cars. Then our night was braked to a halt when a drunk driver (it was 9:30 pm) slammed into our friends car. Kate and I were at her car exchanging presents and the rest of the group was standing next to the car that was hit. Thank God they were not standing behind the car! The drunk driver tried to spin out and get away, but he was blocked in and Jeff caught up with him. 

Needless to say, we called the cops, he (the offending driver) had to take a field sobriety test, and blow (he blew a 1.97!!), and then was arrested. Awkward. We all stood there and watched the whole thing! Brad and I had never seen someone take a field sobriety test OR be arrested before. It was very informative and I'd be lying if I said we didn't take a little happiness in the fact that the jerk got arrested. God was definitely looking out for us! 1) We were outside at the time of the accident, 2) no one was standing behind the car, so no one was injured, 3) we were able to call the cops and the guy was arrested, and 4) although the car was pretty damaged, none of us were hurt. Thank you Jesus! 

Our night was kind of over at that point. We did all go get ice cream, but the "going out" part was put on hold for a later date. We figured that would be best! It was definitely an eventful night!!

Happy Birthday to Kate and ME! Here's to another year of getting older!

One Year! Happily Married...

We've been married for ~ One year. 365 days. One year ago, August 18, 2012 we were here...

...celebrating our marriage with our family and closest friends. What a day! One that we'll never forget and that we'll always cherish. Our wedding was absolutely perfect. I wouldn't change a thing!

Although this year has held more changes than we ever could have imagined, we've experienced more wonderful things than we ever thought possible. Moving, building a house, new jobs, new friends, joining a new church, a new pup, and the list goes on. God is so good and He has blessed us so much. We are so thankful!

Brad and I celebrated our One Year Anniversary by heading out of town. We traveled about 3 hours to Minneapolis, Minnesota. We drove up Saturday morning and came back Sunday night. We saw the sights, shopped, ate a delicious dinner, and enjoyed celebrating our happily ever after. It was wonderful and so relaxing. I'm so glad we were able to get away and celebrate us!

The only picture we took! with all our goodies.

I can't believe one year has flown by so quickly! Happy 1 year anniversary bear. I love you more than anything in this world! I'm so glad God blessed me by placing you in my life. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me. Here's to 1 year...and many many more!

One Year Ago Today...

One year ago today we said, "I do." One year ago today we started our forever. Some of my favorite memories...

The Start of a New School Year

August 5th...I was back in Cedar Falls and sitting in meetings...for a whole week. Time for a new school year!! After 3 days (Mon, Tues, and Fri) of meetings and 2 free days of unpacking, organizing and decorating my room, I was ecstatic to get back in the swing of the school year. I did spend about 3 hours on Saturday and 3 more on Sunday in my classroom getting it ready. It's not the easiest to set up in an empty classroom! but it is also fabulous because everything is mine and my way.

The official first day of school was this Wednesday, August 14th. I am at Lincoln Elementary in Cedar Falls in 2nd Grade! There are 4 of us on the 2nd grade team and our team is #1! "We're number 2, but we're #1!"~ What I hear every day. My team is HUHlarious! Love them so much!! One of them happens to be a good friend of mine...AND she just happens to also be my "mentor" this year. Perfect!! (A little politics that was just made easier.)

My team is fabulous, buuuut my class is just perfect! I am in a smaller classroom, so I can only have 18 kids!! Which is exactly how many I have in my room. Perfect. Simply perfect. My kids are so precious and they are so cuteeee! Adorable. I know, I know. It's only been 3 days, but they really are just a sweet group of kids. Good families. Good kids. I am LOVING it! I took a few pictures of my classroom, so I am posting those today but I am also planning on taking some more and writing a post that tours my classroom. Until then family and friends, know that I am beyond happy to have my own classroom and am loving every second of it more than I can explain! Teaching is definitely what I am supposed to be doing with my life.

Before

After

More to come soon!

InstaLately

It's been a while...a random compilation from August 7 - 16, 2013

Top: our neighborhood was the cutest / sweet pups / Chocolate Chip Fudge Cookies for Brad's team!

Middle: back to school trim / loving their fence! / laminating for days...

Bottom: sparkly clutch for dinner / coolest place ever - spray painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel - Paco de Galleria (see more here)

Off to see the Family!...in Connecticut!

My mom's entire side of the family lives in Connecticut. My stars do I love them! Especially the most adorable Papa in all the world!! Brad and I haven't seen them since the wedding, so we flew out there to visit! We stayed with my cousin Jenna, who lives a few houses over from her mom (my aunt) and Papa. We got to spend Wednesday night through Sunday afternoon with my family. I missed them so much! We went to the beach, slept in, relaxed, played a million games, and ate some delicious Italian food. Boy am I thankful that I come from some Italian heritage...#yummo.

Thursday ~ We slept in, relaxed and enjoyed a peaceful day. It felt amazing to just relax and pretty much do nothing. It's been too long since we've had one of those days!

Every morning...DD coffee and these little faces!

 That night we all met at my Aunt Diane's house for Pizza Frites...my favorite!! Later on that night my fam surprised me with a little Master's graduation party! How sweet :) ...complete with cards and a Cannoli cake!!!! I love being in an Italian family! Wine, cannoli cake and lots of laughs. Perfect.

Friday~ We slept in (yeeees) and then went to the beach! Even though it's not a southern beach, it still felt great to see the ocean! After the beach, we cleaned up and went to our favorite Italian restaurants. Delish!

little cousin Hailey and I / the beach / love

Brad and I / Papa and Momma / Brad, me, and cousin Hailey

Saturday~ We spent the day with the fam and then went out to eat! We like to eat...a lot. Annnnd we got CANNOLIS!!!

Mom, Jaimie, Stan, Dana, Hailey, me, Brad, Diane, Papa, and Jenna

Sunday~ We spent the morning with our family. I love them and it's so hard to say goodbye! We are so blessed and thankful that we were able to visit though!! We love you guys!!

Papa and I / my "little" sister and I / me, Papa, Brad / me, Brad, Jaimie, and Jenna!