One Lovely Blog Award!!

Oh my goodness friends!!! 

I was beyond excited and honored to find out (as I was doing my daily weekly blog reading/stalking) that I was nominated for the One Lovely Blog award by the amazing Carol at Mrs. B's Classroom Adventures. Imagine this 34 year old squealing like she was a 10 year old at a One Direction concert- yea, the look from the hubs was priceless!

I've had a blog for a while and it definitely wasn't the cutest blog out there so I have to give major love to Megan at A Bird in Hand Designs. It's absolutely adorable now and I am over the moon for it. She's designed this blog and my personal family blog & she's beyond amazing!!! 

I'm excited to pass this cool award on, but I can't forget to share some little facts about me before passing it on. 

1. I'm the child of a teacher, spent my summers in classrooms helping my mom decorate, hours upon hours in a teacher store before the school year started, days cutting out lamination, years calling my mom's teacher friends Ms. "so and so" even at the age of 34 and years of knowing them, and many days of helping put together treats for her kids- so it was inevitable. I almost didn't go into teaching towards the end of college, but here I am teaching and following in her footsteps. I wouldn't change it for the world.

2. I'm married to a fighter. Not like "oh he's fought his way through life" kinda fighter, but the knock them out, put them in a choke hold while fighting in an octagon kind of fighter. Yea! Crazy!!! My husband not only coaches, but he trains as a pro-MMA fighter. He's had fights in Vegas and different states and few here in Texas. It's not always easy to watch him fight, but he loves it and he's pretty darn good at it. 

3. I have a a 6 year old daughter going into 1st grade, a just turned 2 year old son, and a soon to be 1 year old sweet baby girl. It's truly an army of my husband's mini-mes running around ruling the nest. How is it that I carried them for 9 months and they all came out little versions of the hubs is beyond me!! 

4. I have one amazing sister. She is 6 years younger than me and lives in LA. Aside from the hubs and my kids- she's my heart! Not only is she just cool in general, but she has a cool job- she works for the Bravo show Vanderpump Rules as an assistant editor. I'm going to be honest and say - it's totally the craziest show, but it's my guilty pleasure and I'm obsessed. How cool is that?

5. I used to be a cheerleader growing up- if you couldn't already tell. :) I started cheering at the age of 5 and did it all the up to college. I'm was picture posing pro, back-flipping, smiling ear to ear, loud as they can get  cheerleader. It was my life and that spunky-ness definitely helps when you teach kinder! 

6. I am the daughter of a parent with colon cancer. We found out last January that my daddy has Stage IV colon cancer that had spread to his liver as well. I would never wish this kind of news on my worst enemy- it's definitely life changing for all involved. I am blessed to say that while it will never go away, with chemotherapy and tumor removal he is now in remission after battling for a year. They are currently maintaining it with monthly treatments of chemo and while I would rather be able to say that my daddy is cancer-free and perfectly healthy- I can say that he's strong, fighting, and living each day with love, hope, and faith. He's amazing!

7. I worked as a bartender at Chili's for my 5 years of college. It definitely was the best time of my life and I was pretty darn good at it. I am able to make all sorts of drinks and shots to this day.  Let's just say it definitely comes in handy now that I'm teaching. {wink, wink}

Thanks for reading and a BIG thank you to Carol for nominating me for the One Lovely Blog Award. I can not wait to connect with more of you amazing teachers through blogging. 

I would like to nominate: 

Kristen from Moore to Learn

Amanda from The Teaching Thief

Stacy from Made with Love

Thanks for stopping by ya'll and make sure to check out these amazing ladies!!

Happy Sunday Scoop

It's time for another week!! You guys- I can't believe how fast July is going!!! It makes me kind of sad and excited at the same time with so much coming up and going on, but I'm not ready for summer to be over. Don't mind me as I silently cry. 

With July going by so fast, it's always fun to link up with Teaching Trio and the Sunday Scoop. It's been so neat connecting with so many amazing teachers. Absolutely over the moon happy to read and share with all of you! 

So here's what my week looks like: 

Have to: 

1. This week is the hubs' birthday and while he's not a fan of birthdays and getting older- I'm a huge fan of celebrating birthdays of those I love. So it's a must that I find a good gift for him from the kids. Shopping time!!

2. I took on the job of throwing a bridal shower for my sister in law all by myself. A little stressful, but so much fun. I just need to finish making shopping list for food items and confirm the cake. Did I mention I get to craft? Yea...there's lots of glitter on my floor ya'll. Looks like the Tooth Fairy exploded up in here. You'll have to see my post tomorrow about what I've made. 

3. Oh Wells Fargo....it's been one stressful week with Wells Fargo withdrawing money out of my account that was not supposed to be taken out and them adding money in without telling me as a credit. So I NEED to go to the bank and close my account with them. After 5 errors on their part- I think it might a good idea to switch. {SIGH}

Hope to: 

1. I'm sure some of you remember me mentioning the boxes I brought home from school to organize. Yea....those are still there. I know ya'll- total slacker over here! I need to get on that. 

2. Oh how I miss one of my most amazing friends. She's my sanity during the school year since we teach on the same team so it's always a plus that our littles are around the same age and adore each other. Definitely needing some adult conversation and play date time. 

Happy to: 

During the school year- I dread Sundays, but oh my word friends- during the summer I LOVE them! Sundays have always been our family days that we spend at my in laws house down the road. It's like total amazing-ness with lunch is made for us, the kids have grandparents entertaining them, we get to chill out and end our afternoon swimming in the pool. It's like total Sunday heaven. Ahhhh...I can't wait. 

Here's to a new week! I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!!   Thanks for stopping by and reading my Sunday Scoop.  Be sure to check out Teaching Trio to learn what other bloggers have, hope, and are happy to do this Sunday!

Five for Friday

I have yet to join up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday and I've got the blogging itch. I always loved this linky because you could be totally random and talk about whatever 5 things about your week that you want to. And seeing how I'm always random it's perfect.

Oh my goodness friends!!! Shark Week is huge in my house. Like we mark on the calendar, count down to the day it starts and everything. Ever since she was little-Cammy has been in love with sharks and now it's not only Cammy who is in love with sharks- Grayson is love with sharks. I absolutely LOVE shark week!!! SO for 1 week my TV does not have to be on Wally Kazaam or Paw Patrol!!! Yay for small victories!

Speaking of those who love Shark Week!! I have to tell you that it's not a teacher's dream to have to wake up early right out of school ending when you are on Summer break, but this smile makes it worth it. Believe me when that alarm goes off ya'll- this girl typing is not feeling it. Thankfully, it's to take this sweet face to swim team practice so with that I'm okay with not being able to sleep in on Summer break. Who am I kidding? We all know that when you are a mom- there really is no such thing as sleeping in. 

Let's be honest....I could totally spare a few pounds after baby #3. {Shhh...don't remind me that it's been almost a year since she's been born} So this summer I have started the Tone It Up Bikini Series!!! I've been doing it for 2 weeks because I got off track from when it originally started. I love the workouts and the fact that I can do them at home instead of looking like a little chunky mess at the gym in front of all sorts of peeps. No thanks! Maybe later when I've dropped a few. 

Along with trying to lose my chunky girl, I've discovered a new  love to salads with chicken and every once in a while a little avocado thrown in. I know I know! The hubs with his kinesiology major always reminds me that it isn't always best for you to add to your salad, but I can't help it....I LOVE IT! So delicious ya'll!!! 

This week my sweet boy has been all about snuggles and you will not hear any complaints from this momma. He's usually so busy running around and tearing up the place so moments like this are rare. Being home for the summer has definitely made him a Momma's boy- I hate to think what will happen when I go back to work. :( Sad tears already. 

So what has your week been like so far? Link on up and share your 5!!! Happy weekend!!! 

Tell All Tuesday: Top 10

Oh Tuesday! How I love you! It might sound nerdy, but I love Tuesdays because they are not Mondays, but also because of Tell all Tuesday with Diana at My Day in K and Teach, Talk, Inspire! I absolutely love being able to connect with amazing teachers and share your thoughts, ideas, life and get advice.

This week we get a chance to talk about the top 10 things that we have learned from teaching. There was so much to choose from so I’m taking a few from this year and some from just all of my teaching experience.

9 years of teaching will teach you more than you expected. Wow! Did I just say 9 years? Out of all my 9 years it has to be said that this year has been my hardest and was my most educational year. 

Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Ask for help: There is nothing wrong with asking for help. It took me a few weeks to learn this one. I’ve never been scared to ask for help, but I always worried what will others think if I’m always asking questions. Let’s be honest……WHO CARES!!! 

2. Never give up! There will be lots of times that a lesson doesn’t go as planned, or your kids do not understand what you are trying to teach them. There might be that one kid who you have worked with over and over again on behavior and just when you think he might get it- he goes back to his old ways. You have that “want to bang your head against the table” moment and think “why do I keep doing this?” Then out of nowhere that one kid who had no idea “a” was a letter and it made a sounds reads all of his popcorn words or the little boy who always ended up on “Parent Contact” now gets to outstanding once a week. These moments are the reason you never give up- it will happen, but you have to keep going.

3. Honesty: I learned this one so well this year. There is a huge difference between real honest (like with friends and family) and professional honest!!! When one of your admin who makes it seem like you can always be honest says “please be honest” they don’t really mean honest. You will have to sugar coat things and might not want to say that you thought it was a dumb idea for a move to be made.. It’s a fine line between honest and professional honest in the education world.

4. Be prepared: every day it’s important to be ready for each day because let me tell you- it was those moments where I was searching for a book or looking for a file on my laptop that my kids knew it was crazy time. It never fails- they read you, they know you’re at a weak point and they always take advantage of it when you’re unprepared. Never fails!

5. It never ends: It’s summer ya’ll and I’m still thinking of work-ALWAYS!!!! I come home, say hi to my family, cook dinner while typing a lesson up, do all my family stuff while thinking of what I can do to help the child who is struggling, and toss and turn in bed because I’m still thinking of work. It never ends.

6. Every child has a story: This goes for those children with the ideal family situation and those who have a completely different life. Each child has a reason for certain things in their life and certain behaviors. It might be the fact that their parents are going through a divorce and they are confused, it might be that sweet boy # 1 was born premature and struggled their 1^st 2 years of life, Sweet boy # 2 could not hear until he was 3. Regardless of what it is, it can affect their day, their mood and sometimes how they are learning. Take the time to learn what makes them tick and work with it.

7. Spending- DOLLAR SPOT AT TARGET! need I say more? I’m teacher poor ya’ll not because I don’t make enough, but because I’m always spending $ on my class. Sigh!

8. Value: We all know it- not everyone thinks what we do is important. You will have that moment where a parent or any person for that matter makes that know to you. Ignore it- your student value you and that’s what matters.

9. Remember # 6? Just like every kid has a story. That story might make you realize that you are the only happy a child has in their life. They love being at school because you are there and you take them away from what might be going on in their life.

10. We all know that it’s not just rainbows and lollipops. This job is hard. It ask more of you than most people know or realize. It pulls at your heart, makes you cry sometimes, and can consume your life. It’s hard ya’ll!! But it’s worth it!!

And there’s my novel- it could be longer, but this is what stuck out to me. Thanks for reading this novel! Don’t forget to link up!!! See ya’ll next Tuesday!!! 

An InLinkz Link-up

Ta-da!!!

Hey ya'll!! If you haven't noticed yet- we have a NEW DESIGN!!!! I'm over the moon for it and as always Megan from Bird in Hand Designs and I Teach. What's your super power? worked her magic and it's AMAZING!!! You all have to visit her blogs especially if you are need for a blog design!!! Don't mind me as I swoon over here for a while!

Sunday Scoop!

I don't know about you, but it's been a crazy weekend with the holiday so it's nice to check out what I need to do for the upcoming week and see what all of my blogging friends are up to. I'm linking up with Teaching Trio and their Sunday Scoop!!

Have: I have to get on track with planning my sister in law's bridal shower. I'm super stoked about it and just need a day to shop for it all. So being hopeful, I brought my files home from school to organize and clean them out- let it be known that the files have been in their boxes in my garage since the last day and have gone untouched. (Don't judge) I need to get back on track with my Tone It Up program and running again- after little guys birthday party I fell of the wagon. I have to lose this baby weight almost a year later. Whomp Whomp! 

Hope: So much I hope to do. I hope to get the kids' rooms organize and start purging. Love to purge- the kids....not so much! I've finally decided to take the jump and start my own TPT store. I hope I can have some time this week to get it up and running. We will see.

Happy: I have to say that like all momma's I love my babies, but often take time with them for granted. I can't wait to spend this week with my oldest at playdates, watch her at her swim team meet and hang out with my two littles. Love them! 

What are you up to this week? Link up with Teaching Trio and the Sunday Scoop!!! Have a great week ya'll!!! 

Currently- July

JULY?!? Already? I say this every year when we hit July, but I can't believe it's here already. It's just crazy and sad at the same time. Let's hope it slows down. Oh Summer I love you! 

Today I'm so excited to be linking up with Farley from Oh' Boy 4th Grade for the July Currently. 

LISTENING: Oh Cammy and her crazy shows. For some reason she likes watching Barbie- Life in the Dream house. Hey if it keeps her busy right? 

LOVING: I don't know how it happened and it doesn't happen everyday, but my sweet 2 year old and 10 month old still take 2 naps a day. It's crazy, but I love it. I use the first nap to do things around the house and second nap to guess what ya'll....lay around. haha shocking I know! I do nothing for an hour or two. Crazy!! Obviously right now I'm using it to blog.

THINKING:  I'll be honest and say I'm a mascara lover.....always have been - like put on 3 different types of mascara a day to get my lashes perfect. So it was no surprise when I joined Younique just to get 3D mascara for free or cheaper. They just announced that they are introducing a new and better mascara called 3D+. For the mascara loving girl- I'M EXCITED!!! LIKE JUMP AND SCREAM EXCITED. I'm lame ya'll....LAME! 

WANTING: For the longest time I have had teammates tell me- "Oh Marisa you need to start your own TPT store. I would so buy from you." and I laugh and say, "Oh yea that would be great, but I don't have the time or money." But I really want to do it you guys!!! I just am scared that 1. no one will want to buy anything. 2. I won't be creative enough. and 3. it will be a HUGE flop. It's a dream, but I don't know if I'm brave enough to do it. 

NEEDING: need I say more? I need the beach. 

ALL-STAR: Oh my friends....if you want it straight and without sugar come on over and ask me. I'll tell you like it is and I don't mind being the total "B" friend who doesn't BS you. I don't say it to hurt your feelings- I say it because I care. You want to know if your boyfriend is a loser- I'll tell you. Does that outfit look cute? I'll let you know it might not match. I'm that friend. It has its ups and downs, but it's who I am. 

Thanks for checking out my Currently July.  Make sure to stop by Farley's Blog Oh' Boy 4th Grade to read about other bloggers and what they are currently thinking about. 

Happy Summer!