Out with the Old...In with the New!

Tomorrow is the first day of 2012.  I remember 4 years ago thinking how far away that was.  In reality, it came soooo fast! 2011 has been a great year. 

*2011 Recap:
-Finished student teaching, met so many great people while doing it.
-BECAME A COLLEGE GRADUATE!
-Brad stayed super busy at work.
-Bought my beautiful Tahoe, which had wheels within 24 hours! ha!
-Discovered Pinterest, and suddenly thought I could be crafty!
-Woke up with an achy back...as a joke told Brad, " I think I have kidney stones." Boy did I stick my foot in my mouth.  After a trip to the hospital, I did have kidney stones....which led to surgery later in the week and a new yearly appointment to the Urologist.
-Looked at what seemed like a million houses, didn't buy one, felt very thankful for a beautiful house to come home to.
-Traveled to Las Vegas and Destin.
-My sweet Kally dog turned 2.
-Considered career options...get my master's, not get my master's? I believe I have decided to try to find a teaching position.  Then pursue my master's in administration.  That's today's verdict, anyway :)
-Spent time with our wonderful family and friends.
-Looking back, 2011 was very good to us!

*With a new year on its way, I have some "goals."
-Spend more time with the people I love, doing things we love.
-Spend less time worrying over things I can't control and worrying ,period!
-Land my 1st "big girl" job!
-Lose weight and get in shape (for real!)
-Get organized.
-Get better at managing my time...(this may include spending less time reading blogs and browsing pinterest)
-Spend more time with God.
-Read more books!
-Put others before myself, more often. 
-Most of all, ENJOY life...ENJOY each day I am blessed with....

I know God has great plans for Brad and I in 2012!
Happy New Year!

“love the life you live.

live the life you love.”

― Bob Marley

Torn...

Hi!

Before starting college, I considered going into the field of Speech Pathology.  C of O doesn't offer a program, so I pursued teaching.  I loved my classes and my student teaching.  Now that all of that is wrapped up....my heart is torn.  I know I want to work with kids, for sure, but Speech Pathology is still on my mind.  Honestly, it has always been at the back of mind that I would earn my degree for $0 at C of O, then go to grad school for Speech. I still think my reasoning was pretty good! Free undergrad vs. student loans for undergrad and grad school! Thankfully one of my very good friends is a Speech Path., so my plans for the next few months include a lot of observation and subbing (need to make some cash ha!) Anyway, it would take me 3 years to complete the program.  I have been praying for God's direction and am trusting him to lead me to make the right decision.  Say a little prayer that I will make a decision :) if I don't soon I think Brad may strangle me! haha!

Tonight was my last night of Boot Camp.  I never thought I would be so sad for it to be over.  It was so fun.  I feel so much better when I work out, and I seriously enjoy it.  The teacher was such an inspiration and made every class a blast.  Thanks Tracy! I lost 5 inches! YAY!

                                   This picture is so old...but it makes me smile!

Have a great day!

Teacher..."He looked at me!" ...

Good morning,

Since I am done with college, I decided it might be wise to make some money ha! I have started subbing.  It is so fun, and I am so thankful for the experience.  I am getting so many great ideas for my own classroom.  I have been subbing for the past 2 week in Kindergarten! Oh my goodness...it is crazy, but so fun.  My title describes the conversation I have had about 100 times each day! It makes me laugh!

I have been doing Boot Camp at New Fitness.  I love it! I feel so much better after I work out.  I even went out on a limb this week and tried Zumba.  Let's just say I tried to keep my feet moving and got a good ab workout from laughing! The funny thing is I think i will really like it once I know the steps.  I have no dance skills so I'm sure people around me had a good laugh too. 

And finally...Christmas is right around the corner! I love it.  I love coming home, plugging in the tree, and sitting by the fire (even though I HATE filling it with wood.) Let's talk about our "fire", we have a wood stove in our house.  This means we fill it every morning, afternoon, and night with wood.  It heats our house...pros: electric bill is reasonable. cons: sometimes you freeze, sometimes you sweat. I am not so good at containing the fire...Brad thinks it is so funny.  I put the smallest pieces of wood I can find in it, because they are easier to carry! ha! Anyway, I'm so thankful to be warm! I am aquiring more Christmas decor every year.  Brad seems to think you only need a Christmas tree if you have kids, but I ignore this comment every year and put the tree up! lol!

I went "Black Friday" Shopping for the first time this year! It was an experience.  I actually had a great time and the people were very nice.  I got a few Christmas gifts, but got several things I had on my list.  I got a Cricut Imagine! I LOVE it! So fun! I also got a sewing machine.  My Gran is teaching my how to sew, so I can't wait to use it. My Christmas shopping is almost done! I now have to start wrapping!!

Ok...here comes picture overload....

                                            I have used this since I was a little girl

                                                      Christmas Tree 2011

                                                                  Cozy

                                                      Christmas Cricut Creation

                                               More Christmas Cricut Creations

                              My Mom...She is classy...funny thing is she hates Starbucks ha!

Have a fab day!

Ummm...What do I do now?

This is my last week of student teaching.  In 3 days, I will be done with college.  I handed in my portfolio today, and I would be lying if I didn't shed a few tears when I got in my car.  They were in no way tears of sadness! I worked hard on that thing...I want to get a good grade ha! I have been so overwhelmed for the past 3 years, and I am finally seeing that all my hardwork has paid off.  I am a little scared, but so excited for what my future holds! Since I'm graduating in December (not the best time to graduate as a teacher) I am going to sub this spring. 

On another note, I started Bootcamp this week at New Fitness! We did our first workout yesterday....and let's just say today I have moved a little slower.  I don't know that I have been this sore since working out in high school, but I LOVE it! If i'm sore, I know it's working!

Have a great day!
Allyson

New New New

This week is a start of several new things....

*Spending my days with 7th and 8th graders!
*Weight Watchers (again....oops!)
*Couch to 5K (K-Dog participated today....she is wore slap out and is now on the couch, of course I'm not sitting beside her!)

*Reading my Bible....I struggle with this and I know I shouldn't.  I am making a goal to read my devotion and Bible daily, either in the morning or at night.  I feel so much better when I do.  Mom bought the sister and I a new Bible this weekend! I love it!

*Taking some new vitamins. (This girl needs to get healthy)

*Spray Tan....I got a spray tan on Friday from my beautiful friend, KP! So far, I like!

*Time Management: I am going to be more productive! I love to surf pinterest and all that stuff, but it is consuming too much of my time! I am not letting myself do those things until my "must-do's" are done!


ok...funny story! Last night, we were at my parent's watching the Cards game.  We left around the 3rd innning to go home.  Brad left before I did, so I called him on my way home.  He finally answers and says, "I just got hit!" I reply, "Whatever! Where are you?" If you know Brad, you know that he loves to tell me things that are not true just to see if I will believe him.  He thinks it is sooo funny! Anyway, this time....HE WASN'T LYING! A lady pulled out of a gas station, never slowing down! He saw her coming so he sped up and got in the other lane.  She slammed into the trailer he was pulling....thankfully not hitting him or his truck! Everyone was ok, but I am pretty sure the lady might have got a free ride to the pokey.  Never a dull moment with Brad! ha!

Have a great day!

My Plans

Today was a big day for me.  I had an important observation at school.  I wanted to do my best, really show my stuff....but I just couldn't get it together.  I left my house this morning...already feeling defeated (and running 20 minutes late)! I had planned my lesson and knew what I wanted to do, but it just wasn't coming together.  I just felt overwhelmed, which is not me!
Anyway, I survived the observation and it went better than I could have ever expected! I just had to laugh, because he even when the bottom completely falls out of my plans....Someone has great plans for me! Let's just say I was thanking God for pulling me through my fog! I am learning more and more to let go.  I do my best to be prepared, then trust that I am not alone. This verse came to mind on my way home.  Even when I am down and out, He has great plans for me!

via Pininterest

Have a great day!

Kally---Our Sweet Goldendoodle

Today, I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner! I'm a first-timer, so I am super excited!

I have a sweet Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever /Poodle Mix) named Kally. I wanted a big, friendly dog! She is exactly that.  I looked for a while for a place that sold them close to me.  I finally found her in Missouri.  We bought her from the sweetest family! She will be 2 years old in December.  She is very much a member of our family.  In her spare time, she enjoys: stealing socks, begging for food, and playing frisbee.

 Christmas 2010

Snow 2011---socks, she wasn't a fan!

My BFF ha!

Napping...

What couch needs cushions?

Bad Haircut! :(

Lap dog?

Doing a little yard work!

 Kally loves people and kids.  We love her very much and look forward to having her for many more years! :)

Have a great day!

Easy Come...Not so Easy Go!

Right now...I am struggling with being consistent.  As you can tell, by how consistantly I blog.  :) It is a great struggle though...I have that  many great things going on in my life, that I can't keep them all straight. 

Next week will start my last week of my student teaching in 2nd grade.  It is so bittersweet.  It has been such a great experience.  I have learned so much from the kids and the other teachers.  I am 6 weeks away from having a college degree! SERIOUSLY?! I have 4 weeks to student teach in a 7th and 8th grade English class.  I am so excited for that. 


This week marked a milestone in my life.  I stayed home, all night, by myself! I need a medal, trophy, or a little shopping trip ;) Brad had to go out of town this week, so usually I would have stayed with my parents.  However, I decided rather than dragging my huge dog, her belongings, and all of my stuff that I would grow up and tough it out!  I have been scared of my own shadow for the majority of my life, so this is a major step for me! Kally and I made it just fine on our own, but we sure were glad when B got home. 

Kally did this most of our time alone:

In my last blog, I mentioned cutting my hair! Well I lost my mind for a few minutes last Sunday....and we cut it! I have thick, crazy, curly hair.  We put a straightener on it and cut it short! Now that I have came to my senses, I have been in shock...but I think it was a good change!

Please ignore my face in this picture.  I am contributing the "chubby" look to the dessert I made this weekend (recipe found on pinterest).

Ok now on to the dessert I made this weekend. I also just remembered that I know how to spell dessert, because you always want 2 helpings...meaning 2 s's! ha! I found this fabulous recipe on pinterest.  It involves: brownies, chocolate chip cookies, oreos, and hot fudge.  It also happens to be calorie free...NOT, but it is so good!

We have so many things to look forward to in the few months.  Have a great day!

Give me some slack....

I have failed at my attempt to "journal" day to day on my blog.  It seems like I have been running around like crazy for the past several weeks!

I am spending my days teaching, but learning so much more! My student teaching is truly a great experience.  I am learning so many effective tools and things I know I will use for many years to come. 

Brad has been sick this week, so we have been out of routine.  This really means, he has been home alone all week ....so the house looks like a wreck! He is feeling better, so things are looking up!

Here is pics from my iPhone from the last few weeks:

                                   This was during the first week of school haha!...excuse my face

                                     I want my hair cut like this...haven't decide if I am brave enough?

                                                 Brad trimmed the tree with his knife? haha!

                                                       My sister won Miss Carroll County!

                                                 I am really going to graduate college!!

                                                   I made this wreath! Simple, but festive!

                                              I am going to restore this table! More pics to come!


If you will notice in the wreath picture, the wreath is hanging on my treadmill! haha! I am setting a goal to become healthier! I have set this goal more times than I can count, but this time I am setting goals that I can reach!

The best is yet to come!

I had a fabulous first week of school! It is hard getting back into a routine, but I love school.  It is going to be a year full of fun and learning.  I'm just soaking up as much as I can.  I am so blessed to be in an environment with encouraging people who have a passion for kids.  And I get to carry a super cute "teacher bag" :) I am so excited to have my own classroom and be a "real" teacher.


On another note, I do not find myself crafty at all! But...along with my Pinterest obsession, I think I can do all these neat things. Last weekend, I was waiting on Brad to unload something (story of my life ha!) in the shop.  I was just browsing around looking at all the stuff. I found a table that is so pretty! I have decided to paint it! Brad bet me $100 that I would never do it...can you say motivation?! The table is now at a friend's getting fixed (a few of the legs were a little loose and it needs a few other things.) Then, I am going to sand and paint it! For real! ha! Pictures to come. 

Finally, I thought I would introduce the best dog in the world....
                                                                             Kally

Kally is my one year old Goldendoodle! She is the sweetest dog in the world! Sweet but sneaky, she loves to eat wash cloths, socks, and about anything she can swallow.  We love her very much and she is like a family member!

Have a great week!

Back to Reality

We had a great time on the beach this past week, but it is always nice to get home! We drove all day Friday...I do not make a good car rider! I would much rather fly! Anyway, it is about to be picture overload.  Here are some of my fav pics from the week....

After a week of relaxing, tomorrow is time to go BACK TO SCHOOL...but this time, I will be the one teaching! I start my student teaching tomorrow and in 12 weeks I will be a real teacher and college graduate.  I'm doing my student teaching in a 2nd grade classroom.  I am soooo nervous, but soooo excited.  I am looking forward to learning from my teacher, and I am secretly looking forward to not having so much homework ha!

Have a fabulous day!

Beach Bum

I have spent a wonderful week on the beach with my family! I love days that consist of getting up around 9, eating breakfast, heading to the beach until about 2, sitting by the pool until 4...then getting ready and going out for dinner! We found a new favorite restaurant tonight... Harry T's! It was fabulous! I feel like I ate every crab and fish in the ocean ha!
The boys have spent most of their free time on the golf course! They love it!
Today, it rained so we did a little shopping.  I bought several things for my student teaching, which starts on Monday (will post about later.)
One of my favorite things about vacation is reading...Brad thinks this is soooo cheesy, but I never have time to read at  home! So far I have read:
 
I love these books and movies ha!

Loved Something Borrowed and Something Blue!

And I am currently reading:

So far...I LOVE IT!

I am so thankful for a week off after a crazy busy summer! I am enjoying my last few days off before it is time to go back to school...this time I get to be the teacher tho :)

                                   Brad and I at dinner tonight.  Many more pictures to come!

Celebrate!

I am celebrating right now, because I just finished my summer class! It was awful! I am just praying I passsed!

On Saturday, I celebrated my sweet nieces 1st birthday party.  It was such a cute party...zebra and pink! I forgot my camera for the birthday party :(

On Sunday, I celebrated my Grandparents 50th Wedding Anniversary and my Grandma's 80th birthday.  I am so blessed to know them.  They are the 2 best people in the world!

                                                                        Gran and Papa

                                                                     Mom, Sister, and Me

                                                             Lindsay, Papa, Me, and Katelyn

                                                          My favorite lady in the whole world!
Today has been filled with writing a paper about Hitler...just how I like to spend my summer days! NOT! Thank goodness I'm done with that class!

Have a great Wednesday!

3 Years!

Brad and I have been married for 3 years today! This picture makes me smile...it is "us!" I can easily say that there is never a dull moment at my house! I am so blessed to have a great husband, and I look forward to spending many more years laughing with him. :) We celebrated Saturday night with dinner in Branson.  It was a good thing we did because I worked all day today and Brad spent the day at home with the stomach flu...just our luck ha!

I am taking a summer class that is kicking my rear! I have taken classes every summer for 3 years, but this one, oh this one...may get the best of me! I just have to survive one more week, but that week involves 3 tests, 2 essays, and a big paper for the final that must be completed in the evening after work :( It is my last undergraduate class, so I am saying that over and over while doing my work!

Have a great Tuesday!

Hold Your Horses...

I have decided to start a blog...after I opened my mouth and told a friend, "if you do, I will." Please don't expect much...I am trying to figure out how to "dress it up" and make it "me!" So if you were expecting something fabulous...just Hold Your Horses :)

I am actually looking forward to blogging! I love to write, but since I'm a student...I never get to write anything I actually want to write about.  I am looking forward to documenting our life on day to day basis! It seems like such a neat thing to have 50 years from now.  By the way, my grandparents just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! What a milestone! More to come on that, we are celebrating their anniversary with a party next weekend!

Our Sunday was spent on the lake with friends! It was fun! After getting some sun and watching the guys have some major jet ski crashes, we came home for a BBQ.  It was a great day! Although tomorrow is Monday, I am looking forward to a new week! I am looking forward to whatever work has to throw at me, but not looking forward to the mounds of homework that I must tackle this week!