Testimony of Balance

I have never been very good at balancing. Not on one leg or two. ;) But really, I have always struggled to find a good balance in my life between family and fun and rest and stress. I love to be busy and doing a lot of different things. I really do. I hate being bored and sitting around and feeling as though I'm wasting time I should be devoting to something awesome.

I have been teaching school 'officially' for about 8 days now. 8 school days, that is. And it is rough. I love it more than just about anything I've ever done, but it is so draining. I would not have survived this long without taking a break and spending time with Daniel.

Yes. I have been taking breaks. At 5 pm, I put down my plan book and turn off the district email and don't look at it again until 8 am the next day. I have never been so diligent about something like that in my whole life. I suck at turning off Facebook or YouTube or a movie. But turning off school has been almost too easy. Sometimes I feel bad, like maybe I'm just pretending like I am doing something good and healthy when really I'm just procrastinating. But if I was procrastinating, I don't think I would feel as though I'm on top of everything.

Right now I am planned for next week. Yes, there are still a few kinks to work out, details to finalize, and extra lesson write-ups to be made (I have a sub on Thursday - ahhhh), but I know what my week will look like. I know on every day what the students will be doing. It's the most incredible feeling of satisfaction and hard work and being happy with myself. I love it.

I also love the extra attention it has enabled me to give to Daniel. One thing I was worried about this year was that we wouldn't have the quality time together that we so desparately need. Yes. Need. In a year of marriage I have learned that we need that quality time. But because of my determination to get things done at school and not bring it home, we are doing great. It's kind of weird, because we are both so exhausted at the end of the day, but we love being together more now than we did before. It's wonderful.

Plus, I am taking a dance class. It's an evening class and it's very beginner ballet, but it's just what I need two times a week for exercise and relaxation. It is perfect. And low-stress enough that it doesn't interfere with school or husband-time.

Basically what I'm saying is that in a week, I have developed a new testimony - one of balance. I can finally see the effects of a well (or at least better) balanced life and how much happier we both are. There is always more to do and always things that can take up time, but I am so grateful for all the people who told me that just because I'm a teacher now doesn't mean I stop being a wife, friend, and forever-learner. Balancing life is going to be what gets me through the year, I know it won't happen any other way. So thank you to all of you who have helped me realize that and continue to help me practice my new balancing skills. You're the best. And I feel like I'm at my best.

Which of course is awesome. :)

Here we are

both of us on our way to school. Aww. You can't tell me this isn't precious.

{other than the fact that I look exhausted...which I am...but that's how it goes and anyway, 

Husband more than makes up for it with his mad bike-fixin' and ridin' skills. srsly.}

(yeah. that just happened. I typed 'srsly'. on purpose. oh dear.)

Beginning Week Two

You guys. I cannot tell you how excited I am for this week. After the first day of school, I was able to eliminate all my nerves. At least in regards to being there and meeting the kids and stuff. Now I just hope I'll be able to teach them everything they need to know. But so far it's been good. They are excellent readers and writers and math-doers. They are all excited for P.E. because they get to play games, and they are also excited to do science experiments (I showed them a youtube video of Steve Spangler changing the color of milk - they loved it). I am excited to watch them grow and learn. It will be a marvelous week. As long as I stay on top of everything (aka planning), then it's going to be just fine.

This week Daniel goes back to school. He only has two semesters left. WAHOO! I am going to be taking a dance class two days a week that I am hoping will be a good reminder to balance life as well as de-stress. Because I love dancing.

In other news, we are planning a trip to Vernal this weekend for my sister's birthday. We are going to go pick her up from school in Ephraim and drive our new car. That's right. I'll post some pics of it later. But we love love love it.

Happy Monday!!!

P.S. Don't forget to check out the aprons I'm selling! I've already sold about half of them, so if you want one, be sure to email me! :)

Thoughts on being a teacher on a Saturday afternoon

This week was exhaustnig. Beyond exhuasting. Being a teacher is really hard work. It is draining physically and emotionally. It is stressful and wonderful. I mean... it's insane. And I love it.

I love my 20 students more than I thought possible. Even my naughty ones.

I love my classroom and that it is mine and that I get to use it the way I want to and it's organized for my OCD-ness and I don't have to ask to get into any of the cupboards.

I love my school. It's so nice and clean and beautiful with awesome resources and awesome people.

I love reading books to the kids and watching their eyes light up at something funny.

I love teaching math with little counting cubes.

I love that my students write in half-sentences. It's so endearing.

I love recess.

I love the wonderful advice that I have been given from family, friends, and mentors. Especially the advice about balancing time and energy. I also love that I have been able to take that advice and do good things. Hopefully things continue to work out the way they need to.

I love this incredible opportunity to be able to touch the lives of these students and I can only pray that I do a good job and don't scar them too much. ;)

I love that my students love me too. At least most of them. Most of the time.

Today I went to the school with Daniel and after three hours was completely caught up on everything that I needed to do. Only three hours! Isn't that something?? I'm ready for the next week and it's challenges. I'm looking forward to being more organized and to get some planning time (and a short break). I am loving everything about teaching. Even lesson planning. I know, it's hard to believe, but it helps me so much during the week. I have seen the light. Crazy as it seems.

And then, I just have to say 'Thank you' to my awesome husband. Teaching is hard and draining and I come home so so tired and not wanting to do anything - including cook or clean. Husband has been awesome at getting things done and helping me out and being incredibly supportive. I don't think I would be in the incredible place I am if I didn't have him. He's the absolute best.

I can't wait for Monday. :)

The First Day of Second Grade

Oh my goodness. I cannot even describe how much I have loved these first two days of teaching second grade. It has been truly incredible. The kids are darling and they make me feel so important and excited. They are fantastic.

Apparently they like me too, because one of my moms told me after the first day of school that her little girl told her that she thought I was just like Miss Honey from Matilda. Which basically made me feel like a million bucks and like maybe this whole 9-hour day thing is going to be super worth it. And, let's be honest, what elementary school teacher doesn't want to be just like Miss Honey??? It was wonderful.

Day one was easier than day two. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say that, but it's true. Day one the kids were angels and worked so hard and didn't do anything wrong and it was praise praise praise praise praise for them. I loved it! We got everything done that we needed and stayed 'on schedule'. I loved it! Day two was a little bit harder because they felt more comfortable and so were a little more wiggly than I expected, and so it was harder for me to get on them for it and keep praising because I hadn't started stronger in the morning. That's ok. Today I will be prepared.

I'm still a little overwhelmed with all of the different things that I have to teach them, and all of the things I want them to learn - like loving school and learning and being nice people. So, we'll see. But right now, I'm on cloud nine. Exhausted beyond anything else, but super happy.

Also, I decided to take a dance class this semester. It's two nights a week, and while I don't love that it's more time away from Daniel, I know that we will both love it because it will help me keep my sanity. For sure. :)

And... Since that was kind of random, I don't know a good way to end this post and tie it all together, so I'll just say, 'So long, folks!' (you can imagine a Porky Pig voice in there if you desire, though I can't honestly do one. ha.)

Book Review: PAIGE

Sometimes, we need to fall in order to be reminded how strong we truly are. But this can be hard to remember when we feel we have done everything we can to be our best, and we still end up hurt.

Paige finds herself trying to adjust to a new life in a new town with her two young boys after her husband leaves her for his mistress. Amidst the heartbreak and bitterness, she joins a book club where she makes life-long friends and starts a new job where she meets Derryl, a man who actually treats her right.

As Paige struggles to hold her life and family together, she becomes involved in the lives of those women from the book club and is reminded of the joy that comes in living a wonderful life. She is able to see change happen, both for those women and for herself, and begins to trust and hope again.

PAIGE, authored by Annette Lyon, beautifully illustrates the pain of starting new coupled with the glory of freedom and the realization of truth. Despite all of her hard work and dedication, Paige’s life is turned upside-down - as ours so often is. However, she clings to her belief that God would not leave her alone and that He must have a plan for her. So, she carries on, mostly for the sake of her sons, and begins her journey into her new life as a single mom.

This book is simple in essence, but draws the reader in as a side-line cheerleader for Paige and her family. The story is heart-felt and readers will connect with the characters and follow Paige as she pulls herself up and becomes a better woman and mom for it.


Want to learn more about the series? Check out the Newport Ladies Book Club Blog.

Forgot how the series works (and why it's so freaking awesome)? That's okay, just click HERE.

You can purchase PAIGE, as well as any of the Newport Ladies Book Club Series Books, at any of the following sites:

Amazon (paperback)

Amazon (kindle)

Goodreads

Deseret Book

Seagull Book

Barnes and Noble

What other books are in the series? Check out my reviews of OLIVIA and DAISY. Meanwhile, ATHENA comes out in November! And remember, it doesn't matter what order you read the books in -- just start reading!

when you take a two-day road trip

   

 

We went to St. George and Tuacahn over Friday and Saturday. It was incredible. So much fun.

We first sat through and endured a long long car ride, complete with sudden rain storm, enjoyed the gorgeous sunset from our hotel, saw Aladdin (it was great - complete with real camels), stayed up late looking at Pinterest, swam in the morning after breakfast cuz it was the perfect temperature, did a lot of shopping, then drove to Ephraim and dropped off sister #1 at school.

*phew* that's a lot.

But I loved it. Love my family & my Larissa & my Daniel & my weekends. :)

Time to get to school to finish getting stuff ready!!

P.S. Today I am hostess-ing a School Open House for my second graders! Ahh! I know! And school starts tomorrow! So, tomorrow I will be posting my review about the third book in the Newport Ladies Book Club Series (for the record it was great). For a refresher, you can read my reviews about the first two books in the series by clicking HERE for Olivia or HERE for Daisy. Then on Wednesday I will share with you my thoughts on the open house and my first day as a teacher. Woot!

Weekend Plans

This weekend we are hitting the road - Pearson style.

It is my last weekend of freedom before school starts and I come down with a severe case of stay-at-home-and-wallow-in-ice-cream-syndrome. Which I'm actually looking forward to in a weird sort of way.

So, husband and I are leaving town & heading with my family to go to Tuacahn for the weekend. We plan on swimming, seeing Aladdin, and eating out a couple of times. Oh my goodness I'm thrilled. True story.

The only bummer is that one of my best friends is getting married on Friday and I won't be there to see it. Man. I'm seriously still not ok with this. But hopefully I will see her the day of or after and get to talk to her. Because, really, someone should have invented a teleporter by now so I could do both. I mean, seriously, right?

Anyway. Happy weekend to ya'll and don't forget to check out the fabulous aprons I'm selling.

Loves. Signing out.
Me.

a little sale...

These aprons have all been made by me and they are for sale to you!
Each apron is unique - no two are exactly the same. Each has a pocket, and some are double-sided.

There are two sizes - child and adult.

Prices and pictures of the aprons are included below.

All purchases will have a $2.00 shipping fee added to the total price.

If you are interested in purchasing an apron (or two or three), please email me at:

nashellejackson @ gmail.com

*check out updates on the page 'a little sale' on the bar above to see which aprons have been sold*

*** adult two-sided: $10 ***

 

[jill apron]

 

[claire apron]

[molly apron]

[rose apron]

*** adult one-sided: $7 ***

 [megan apron]

 [parker apron]

 [larissa apron]

 [eva apron]

 [ellen apron]

[marinn apron]

[maylee apron]

[emily apron]

*** child two-sided: $7 ***

[sadie apron]

[maryellen apron]

*** child one-sided: $5 ***

[blake apron]

[karilynne apron]

[ariana apron]

[mary apron]

[karen apron]

It's a.... NEW (to him) BIKE!

This bike belongs to Daniel.

Before it belonged to him, it belonged to me.

Before it belonged to me, it belonged to my aunt.

It's a pretty old bike. But hey, it's new to Daniel!

I was hoping to get a picture of him riding it. After all, he has done a LOT of work on this bike to get it up and into good condition again so that he can ride it around. Super cool. I've been very impressed. Unfortunately, he thought it was ready enough to ride to school the other day, but I guess the breaks don't work as well as he thought they did....? And he almost crashed.

Don't worry. I sufficiently freaked out when I found out.

So, the bike is now back in storage until such time that my dear husband has time to fix the breaks. Hopefully it's before he goes back to school so he can ride it when I take the car to work.

Until then, he gets to be dropped off and picked up by me. Lucky guy. ;)

My Mommy

Today is my lovely mother's birthday. I love her very much.

I mean, let's be honest, she is pretty much the best thing ever.

She must be, because when I was little, I wanted to grow up to be just like her.

Heck, I still want to grow up to be just like her.

She taught me all sorts of important things and is always there to support me in everything I do.

I love my mommy. And I hope she knows it.

Happy Birthday, Mom!