year seven, check

Year seven has officially come to a close.  This year I consider myself to be one of the lucky teachers. This year I did not get pink slipped, this year I am not moving schools, or classrooms, or grades. This year I have been able to teach a lesson and reflect daily on how I will do it better next year. This year I got to enjoy my last days of school with my students I worked so hard to get ready for seventh grade, and they've put the work in too. This year I said goodbye to my students for two months, knowing I will see them again in August. This year my students said goodbye knowing where to find me in the future, even after I'm no longer their teacher. This year, taking down the projects from the walls did not make me sad, because this year, it didn't mean the end of another job, with no idea of what's next.  This year I challenged myself to teach gifted students, and this year my successes were clear. This year I worked longer hours than I hoped, but I can say I'm proud of the hours I put in. This year I learned a little more of balancing teaching, and mothering, and wifing (if we can make up words for artistic reasons). This year I found a home that I can see myself being in for the long haul. This year I started to settle into room four, a room I hope to see my kids come back to years down the road to share with me their successes and joys in life.

Last week I had two high school girls walk right past me as they entered my classroom after school, coming to visit the teacher who had been there before me. They stood in the middle of my room asking themselves where their former teacher was.  I explained the room was mine now, they looked surprised, and very sad to not see their former teacher. And so, this is the year I realized I'm starting the next little legacy at this school. And I couldn't be any luckier. 

This year was pretty amazing for so many reasons.  Here are just a few moments that made me smile in my seventh year of teaching.

I look forward to two entire months of freedom.  Two months of recharging and spending every minute with that little girl of mine.  And best of all, when I think of next year, I have so many exciting ventures to look forward to.  Year eight will also be great, and that makes me the luckiest.

Come see what I've been doing outside of the classroom over at Olive Everly Blog!

instant gratification

Weddings these days are attacked by technology every which way.  I am so conflicted, because yes, you have hired an amazing professional to document the day, but I just can't seem to put my phone down.  Yes, just five years ago when the Mr. and I were married, the iPhone was not what it is today.  It was the time before social media took over the world, and in some ways, that is pretty great.  But today, I'm going to share one part of social media & weddings that I love, personalized hash tags.  Yes, the good ole' hash tag has made its way into even the world of weddings, and I'm very okay with it.  Last weekend [was that just last weekend, it already feels like it was a month ago, at least] our awesome friends got married, and had an equally awesome wedding celebration.  And I'm not just saying it because we love the couple, their wedding rocked.  When I saw the little instagram hash tag cards Jaymee designed in the boxes we were packing up for the reception I literally squealed with delight.

So, suggestions for rocking a personalized hash tag at your wedding, here you go:

-Check in advance for just the right hash tag that will not be shared by others.  If you have a unique spelling to your name as our Jaymee does, then, you will have an easy time with this one.
-Make sure to share with your guests the hash tag to use.  Even though Jaymee did this, some guests still weren't sure which hash tag to use, so they made up their own variations, which was pretty entertaining in itself.
-If you are participating in the hash tagging, STAY OUT OF THE WAY of the professional photographer.  Thankfully, we happened to know the photographer at this wedding, because she has also shot every important moment of our lives.  So when we were being obnoxious with our phones at the end of the night, we could all have a good laugh about it, but I wouldn't suggest this with a professional you do not know.  Thanks Sarah for not punching me in the face when I smacked your oh so expensive camera with my iPhone!

I think the reason why I love this idea so much is the instant gratification that comes with it. Every person who took a shot of your wedding can share it immediately where you the bride, and all your family, can enjoy them together.  I loved when Jaymee and I were enjoying some quiet time at the "after party" skimming through their hash tag, because at that point, that was all the energy we had left!  Back when I was married I remember I had only one picture taken of my wedding ceremony that I got to see before our professional ones were ready, and that one just wasn't enough.  I also love that you can catch the moments that your professional photographer may not be present for.  For example, who knew the lighting in the stark white waiting room with funky botanical prints hanging on the walls at the venue was going to yield some of my favorite photos of Everly and I?!?  I also love that you can instantly see parts of the wedding you weren't physically a part of, because who can be everywhere all at once?  Not this mama!  Oh, and sometimes you get a photo like this one that instantly becomes the lock screen on your phone...

Thanks to the following wedding guests for sharing your photos with my via #drewandjaymee - 

@megacatz  @carriekeyes   @jsrp     @qwelli   

chewbeads [mommy approved]

I'm not a designer purse girl, or into name brand clothing.  But guess what?  This girl likes her some mommy goods.  With that being said, my jewelry has survived pretty well the first nine months of being a mom, but let's just say the beads have hit the floor lately, literally.  My babe is strong, and teething, and playful, and I needed to find a better option, because my super old forever 21 necklaces just weren't cutting it anymore.  I had seen some of the teething necklaces before in those yuppie mommy boutiques, and never really paid too much attention to them.  However, last week I decided to do a little online search, stumbled onto Chewbeads, and made an order.  The Mr. and I still had some Amazon gift card money from our Easter egg change loot, so I made the big purchase.  The necklace isn't a bargain, but manageable, and when it came in the mail today, I was pretty excited.  And guess who else is pretty happy with this purchase...

Everly and I were having fun with these beads today.  They are great for gnawing on and they have a really pleasant scent to them [the scent I wish our Sophie giraffe had!].  I really loved when I would start chewing on a bead with Everly and she would give me the silliest look, and take the beads from me, like, mom, these are for me.  So, bottom line, I totally recommend this necklace.  It comes in a ton of colors, and a couple of styles, and I kind of want another one.  [See, mom product obsessed, guilty as charged].  

getting all techy in the classroom

Well, not really, but kind of.  This week I began doing an online based assessment system with my students to replace our outdated, not useful, benchmark tests we have been using for far too many years.  Our district is ramping up for our state standardized testing that will be computer based here in the near future, and wanting to make sure our students were becoming "digitally literate" when it comes to assessment.  I have always been the youngest person on staff, at every single school I've worked at.  Not always the newest, but always the youngest.  And guess what, being born in the 80's means when there is an opening on a tech based committee at school, you are probably going to be asked to take charge.  Besides having to be out of my class one day this week for the training, I had no problem getting on board.  And after today's successful staff training that I led with another teacher, it feels good to be getting back into the swing of being a teacher.  Last year was a blur.  I swear no one even knew I existed, so today, getting to teach teachers felt pretty great.

However, the past two days I've been using the fancy new Chrome Books we got for this testing, and I hurt my back.  No, it wasn't the ounce that these slim little devices weigh, but I clearly twisted and jumped around my classroom trying to help students with connection issues one too many times.  Oh, and I wasn't wearing orthopedic shoes.  This morning I woke up feeling like an old lady, which I find ironic, because tomorrow I turn twenty-nine.  Not old.  In fact, I get to celebrate the last year of my twenties.  The decade that anything goes and you don't have to act too grown up.  Well, clearly I'm ready for thirty, when the time comes, because I technically fit all of the adult criteria, even though I don't quite feel like I do.  I think I'll milk this back issue of mine for one more day so I can get another ride to work in the morning [even though I am really enjoying my bike rides, it does a nightmare to my hair, and I would like to not look like a hot mess on my birthday, just saying].  And for one more year, I'll pretend to be young and crazy, because next year, I'll just be young, and a little less crazy.

oh hey, I'm 41 weeks old today

life lately has included working on two more teeth

pretty soon I'll have eight

which is craziness, because many babies my age have none

so there you go

I do find them oh so useful when eating

since I've written last I've enjoyed a few new foods

including yellow squash, peach yogurt, and pears

I've mastered picking up anything little

even the squishy things like avocado

I'm officially turning into a blueberry from the amount of them I eat daily

I also love corn and colby jack cheese

no longer am I eating a bite or two

and throwing the rest on the floor

no sir, in a day I'll eat a whole yogurt

whole cheese stick, many fruits and veggies

and some purees my mom is trying out too

not to mention boobie snacks

so let's just say mom is expecting some weight gain at my next doctor appointment

I'm not walking yet, but I am standing from time to time for a few seconds

and cruising all around the house as long as I have something to hold on to

and I can crawl crazy fast [and loud]

lately I'm wearing 6 & 9 month clothing

but most of my newborn onesies still fit

[those things are SO roomy]

I'm talking up a storm still

lots of dadadada sounds and an array of hi-yahs

my newest game is throwing all of my toy's out of my crib

and the best part is when someone throws them back at me

dad also lowered my crib all the way down 

because I'm such a big girl

[and mom didn't want me to fall out]

speaking of mom, she's now back to work at school

and I'm having a hard time adjusting to the early wake-up calls

I've also starting my newest trick of tongue clicking

and kissy faces

and a combination of the two

this past week I also took my first trip to donner lake

for my grammie's company picnic

the weather was beautiful

the lake literally shimmered with gold [fool's gold particles?]

and it was overall a great way to spend the day

except mom wouldn't let me jump into the lake like I really wanted to

but I got over it

until next week...

-everly mae

ten on ten [august - 2013]

ten photos over ten hours on the tenth of each month

hosted by Rebekah of A Bit of Sunshine

^my happy way to start the day^

^we'll get around to re-painting the door, but for now, enjoy the rustic country thing we've got going^

^hanging succulents, the newest addition to the family^

^lunch at jack's with four generations, we do this every week^

^afternoon snack in great gram's backyard^

^did a little makeover on some of my grandma's outdated mix-mash of frames^

^found this little guy, my dad and his first car^

^tidying up & putting away my farmer's market haul, babe in one hand, produce in the other^

^late night porch snack, and no, my baby doesn't get her tan from her mama^

 ^good night^

the afternoon still

the light is gleaming through heavily angled blinds

the temperature in the house is comfortably cool in this unseasonable

july weather

and the house is still

no air conditioner needed

no humming fans distracting the moment

luna and daddy are napping

daddy after three very early shifts in a row

and luna, well, she's a cat, it comes with the territory

especially when being chased by a crazed baby most of the day

there is no t.v. in the background

no outside noises

the house is still

and after some very busy days lately

I am soaking up these few moments of silence

 everly and I are enjoying an afternoon snack together

we started with some watermelon chunks leftover from

yesterday's party

and a few chilled pasta noodles

then I decided to try a puree fruit and veggie pouch

the ones I've tried many times on the go

only to find my daughter not eating much

and wearing all of it

but today is different

we grab a rubber coated spoon

and give it all another whirl

everly just smiled

and opened that adorable little mouth of hers

and ate

bite after bite we giggled and smiled

the moment was perfect

and sweet

and no one was there to see it

and I think that made it even better

because it was just ours

and it really wasn't anything but the sweetest little moment

and I loved it

pretty great days, according to my phone

we've been soaking up every moment of the summer

and loving every minute of it

the park, lots of eating, baby wearing, and so many lap naps

no complaints here

ten on ten [june 2013]

I am on the home stretch of finishing my masters

and this week we are writing our thesis

so I really wasn't feeling too creative today

but I'm glad I made sure to still capture today

even though it was only with my iPhone

ten pictures over ten hours on the tenth of each month

^^^everly's new happy things^^^

^^^these flowers are amazing, but must live on the front porch, or my luna will eat them^^^

^^^thesis writing time, and a room remodel made for the perfect picture^^^

^^^this really could have been at least five pictures of my day today^^^

^^^someone rode in the shopping cart for the first time today^^^

^^^love this little corner of our house^^^

^^^these naps are the best^^^

^^^someone woke up a tad grumpy, so we tried to swing it out^^^

^^^making progress on bridal shower goodness^^^

^^^thanks target, you brighten up my shower once again^^^

^^^we found an apple everly sized, and no, we didn't eat it^^^

 happy ten on ten!

summer is in full swing around here

today felt like my first official day of summer

I "checked out" of school this morning and got to tell everyone

I would see them next year, and that was a pretty nice feeling

after that we took full advantage of living right around the corner from

our grandparents who also happen to have a pretty nice pool

and everly got to have her very first, "real", swim

I think she liked it...

and even now, we've been home for an hour and she's still passed out

just like this, but on her daddy's chest

this mama got a little break for blogging ;)

and yes, clearly my daughter gets too many kisses, at least that's the look on her face

happy summer folks, happy summer

[photos edited with afterlight]