12 Goal Updates

Once again... my blog has been neglected. Thanks to all of my readers who still take the time to check to see if I post! I'd like to say I will get better, but summer just seems to be running away.

Here is a quick update on my goals from the beginning of the year... I just wanted to see how I was doing and what I need to work harder on!

12 Goals for 2012

1. Graduate from college… (should be easy… right?) Still working on it... but I have made a lot of progress by passing ALL of my teaching certification exams! Now all I have to do is complete 60 days of student teaching! WHOOP!
2. Get a job teaching … (this one is kind of a duh! but with the way jobs in the teaching field are going this one could be tough) See #1... I went to a career fair! Thats a start! AND I made a resume! I begin the application process SOON!
3. Eat healthier… (avoid fast food, sodas, and fried foods) Suprisingly... I have done REALLY well in this area! Occasionally I eat fast food or have a soda... but I am much more cautious about it! I went all of lent only drinking water, which was a huge accomplishment for me! Summer has been killer because I have access to sodas and fast food much more often, but I am trying my best to stay away!
4. Begin a regular exercise schedule… (occasionally I go for a run, but I want to be more consistent) I have done okay so far on this. I am not totally consistent, but I have gotten better. I still want to get better at this before the end of the year! Crossfit has definitely helped me be more consistent!
5. Run a 5K, 10K, and a half marathon … (eek. This may be hard because of how busy I am going to be this year, but there is no excuse not to get this done! This was one of my goals for last year… I ran a 5K but never made it to the 10K or the half.) So far I have ran three 5Ks! WHOOP! I even placed third in my age group in the 5k I ran on July 4th in Arkansas! However, I need to keep running (see #4) to be able to do the 10K and the half. I still have 6 months! I CAN do it!
6. Be positive ALL of the time! … (this is something I harp on a lot because I think it is one of the most important qualities of being happy… but sometimes I struggle with being positive in stressful situations.) Again... I have done surprisingly well in this area. Of course I am not perfect... not even close, but I try to think of things from different perspectives when I am being negative! That really helps! 
7. Be patient … (this includes all areas of my life… school, family, friends, and faith) Oh, patience. I'm working on it. But overall I think I have been very patient... and, more importantly, very grateful for what I have at this moment. 
8. Be spontaneous … (or maybe even plan-taneous) I would say I have been somewhat spontaneous. Random trips here and there... but we STILL HAVEN'T GONE TO KRISPY KREME! (you know who you are!) 
9. Go on fun dates … (this kind of goes along with spontaneous) I have definitely been on some fun dates (Dallas, movie nights, snow cones, Ring Dance, circus, etc)... but it never hurts to have more ;)
10. Do my hair and make up more … (aka don’t look like a zombie when I go to class) I definitely failed at this for my A&M classes. However, I have done my hair and make up more overall! I had to do it in the fall on Wednesday and Thursday for my field experience, but I also did it on nights and weekends! I am not looking forward to having to do my hair every morning next semester... but I better get used to it. I don't know why I dread fixing my hair so much... it's kind of dumb now that I think about it.
11. Communicate more with my friends that don’t live near me … (this is so hard but it is something I HAVE to get better at!) FAIL! I have been a complete and total failure in this area! I MUST MUST MUST get better at this, ESPECIALLY since I am living at home now! I don't know why this seems to be so hard for me!
12. Strive to live and love like the Lord has taught us to. This, of course, is something we can ALWAYS get better at! I hope that over the past six months I have grown closer to the Lord and I pray that as the year goes on that special relationship continues to grow.

I still have a lot of things that I need to do before the end of the year! I am glad that I went back and looked at the goals that I set for myself at the beginning of the year! I can see improvements I have made and I know what I need to work on! Thanks for sticking with me and for the encouragement you provide! (I should add a new goal... post on my blog more! I will be working on that as well!)

lovescraplife

Accidental Blog Hiatus

Oops. It has been an entire month since my last post! So much for at least one post a week during the summer! Why have I been on a blog hiatus, you ask? Because of summer... and let me tell you... it has been GREAT! I'll catch you up!

I got a summer job at Ann Taylor LOFT... while working kind of stinks (because it is work) the discount on clothes is amazing! I can't wait for mid-August gets here so I can buy some new clothes for teaching! LOFT loves teachers! I am also going to be doing some tutoring with Success Learning Center like I have for the last few summers! I love working with the kiddos and seeing them grow and learn!

Maycation in WaterColor was AMAZING! This has definitely been the best part about my summer so far! From perfectly blue water to delicious snow cones and cruiser bikes to sunburnt feet (and I mean BURNT)... I couldn't have asked for a better week with my family! I love the beach life... wake up as early as possible, go to the beach, soak up the sun, float on the waves, toss the football(just for you, Matt), go back to the house only when you absolutely have to, eat a great dinner with your family, go to sleep, and repeat for as long as possible. The countdown begins for next summer ;)

Our beautiful house for the week! 

Evening on the beach!

(Photo credits to Wes Hargrove)

Water was PERFECT! 

Enjoying Frost Bites in Seaside! 

The whole gang enjoying appetizers at happy hour!

Ah... just looking at the pictures makes me want to go back!

CROSSFIT! Yes, I am doing Crossfit! Don't know what crossfit is? Look it up, better yet... try it! Colleen and Mollie got me hooked. I have been trying to go to the class at least 3 times a week. It is a great workout (sometimes not so great when you are actually doing it) and I feel so refreshed (AND SORE) when I am done! I am doing this to stay healthy and to help me to be more fit! So far, so good! 

Now do you see why I haven't been blogging?... Don't worry there is more!

I haven't gotten to spend much time with Matt so far this summer except for in Florida. He is living in College Station, working and taking classes. After a fiasco with TJC and Blinn, Matt decided to take his class in the second half of the summer so this last weekend I got to go visit him in College Station. Now let me remind you, I moved home from College Station a little over a month ago. It was WEIRD visiting... especially visiting Matt. My freshman year he would come visit me. Now it is swapped! BUT it was SO GOOD! I had the best weekend just being able to spend time with him. We got snow cones (yep... we love snow cones), watched a couple of movies, cooked a few meals, hung out with a good friend, and went to the CIRCUS (for free thanks to a sweet lady who had two extra tickets! Definitely our lucky day!) I wish I didn't have to leave. Luckily it is only a three hour separation instead of all the way on the other side of the world. Weekends like that one make me smile! 

And FINALLY... Today! Mollie and I went to Six Flags!! We had SO much fun! I don't  know if you have ever been to Six Flags in the summer, but your skin can boil and you stand in line for 3 hours at a time. NOPE! Not today! Mollie and I got to the park when it opened at 10:30 and successfully rode every thrill ride in the park without waiting in a line for more than 15 minutes AND it was mostly cloudy in the upper 80s (a cold day in June in Texas)! We walked up to Batman and rode in the first row! We were actually on the ride longer than we 'waited' in line... That is RARE! We rode a couple of the rides twice! It was fantastic! If you are planning on going to Six Flags, go on a random weekday when there is a 40% chance of rain! Definitely a fun day, but now I am exhausted! I still think power walking through the park was totally worth it... We were a little excited!

Now that brings me to right now. I am sitting in my parent's beautiful new kitchen, blogging away. The summer is going fast, but it is going so good! My mind is running crazy with things I should be doing, things I want to do, and a million other things, but I leave you with this piece of wisdom from one of my new favorite movies, We Bought a Zoo. (RENT/BUY it if you haven't seen it! You will love it!)

gatherlove

P.S. I take my last teaching certification exam June 28! Yikes, it is coming up... I am almost done! 

Mom's Day

leslieannjones.com

When I hear the word mom, several things come to mind.

Dependable

Best Friend

Brilliant

Patient

Loving

Creative

The list could go on forever.

My mom is amazing. She is the greatest woman I know. 

Basically, I am here to say thanks for everything Mom. You have no idea what you have given me as my mom... confidence, strength, and even humility. You have showed me how to love... you have showed me how to laugh... you have showed me how to live. The memories we share are endless and continue to build every single day. I think back on all of the precious moments and cherish what we have, but more importantly, I look forward to what we will do together in the future! Thanks for sticking with me through thick and thin. Thanks for being my best friend. Thanks for always loving me and our family.

Thanks for everything. 

I love you.

Happy Mother's Day 2012

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mom's out there... Especially mine! 

The Camp Cake!

If you typically read my blog then you have probably heard of The Camp Cake! It is a terribly delicious cake! I'm not exactly sure how to explain it, but it is a chocolate bundt cake with a twist. Katherine got the recipe from a family that she worked with at her camp (hence the name) last summer. She shared it with Jillian and I at the beginning of the semester and it was AMAZING! I love it so much, I thought I'd share the recipe with you!

The Camp Cake!

Chocolate Chip Pound Cake… A Gilmore Family Favorite!

Ingredients:

1 box of yellow cake mix (pudding in the mix works well)

1 small box of instant chocolate pudding

3/4 c. of sugar

3/4 c. of oil

3/4 c. of water

4 eggs

8 oz. of sour cream

Small bag of regular semi-sweet chocolate chips (mini chips are okay too)

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Combine cake mix, pudding, and sugar and mix well.

Add oil and water and mix well.

Add eggs and mix.

Add sour cream and mix.

Add chocolate chips and mix.

  

Grease a Bundt pan well with Pam and bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes or until a knife comes out clean. Freezes well. 

ENJOY!

Here are a couple examples of the finished product... :)

On a side note, the entire thing was eaten EVERY time! In fact... I want to make the cake right now... but unfortunately my mom's kitchen is going through a serious remodel! 

And That's a Wrap

A LOT of things have happened in the last two weeks!

• Banqueted out of Aggie Sisters for Christ

This wonderful organization literally changed my life. I don't know what I would have done without all  of the girls that I met through ASC in my 4 years at A&M! Michaela, Michelle, Heather, and I all banqueted out this semester and are moving on the the next parts of our lives! I will miss these girls and all of my other sisters in ASC dearly.

This is a cake I made for our last WIL group. 

This is the Camp Cake that I have talked about before... most delicious cake in the entire world!

*I made the banner from shish kabob sticks, card stock, rickrack, and buttons. I thought it was a cute finishing touch to the cake!

• Visited the brand new MSC

My first view of the new building!

I can't believe how similar it is to the original MSC!

Click HERE to see before and after photos!

The new Congressional Medal of Honor displays!

This is quite and improvement from what they used to be!

The Flag Room

Rudder Fountain! 

This is one of my favorite fountains on campus! I am sad I only got to spend about a week with it.

I love my school.

Everything about the new MSC is AMAZING! I really feel like the campus has been reconnected through the MSC! 

• Went to Aggie Muster
• Finished my undergraduate classes at A&M!
• PASSED MY ESL EXAM! WHOOP! (only one test to go!)
• Visited Matt's dad and mom (+sisters) in Dallas before their trip to Mexico! 
• Had lunch with Bryan in Waco!
• Stopped and took pictures at the Aggie Barn! I have wanted to do this for SO long!

• Watched the Aggies BeatTheHellOutta t.u.! WHOOP!

• Attended the first Ring Dance in the new MSC! (pictures to come later... I left my camera in CS)
• Packed up my room!
• DROVE a Uhaul to Tyler all by myself (longest drive of my life)
• Unpacked my room... a daunting task. 
• AND... Applied for several jobs for the summer

I still technically have a room in College Station, but there is no longer anything in it. When I go back to College Station... I will be visiting... which is really weird. I tried to do everything I wanted to before I left CS and moved back to Tyler. I am glad to be home, but what I miss most is the people. Don't worry though, it's just a good excuse to go back :)!

The last couple of weeks seem like a whirlwind, but I must say... I am VERY glad it is summer! 15 days until I leave for Watercolor, FL with my very favorite people! I can't wait!

Good luck to all of my friends with finals! Study hard... you are almost done!! Congratulations to all of my friends, especially Katherine, who are graduating!!! All of your hard work has paid off!! 

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Will someone please tell me how it is already April 18!

Last week I had my last day in my first grade class! :( It makes me sad that I probably won't see those kids again. They taught me way more than I could have possibly taught them and I will always remember their sweet faces! On my last day, the class gave me a book with letters from each student and a class picture on the front. I will cherish the memories that book holds for the years to come. I would like to share one of my favorite quotes from one of the letters that made me laugh out loud.

"here a poem: your favite your favite teacher I love you more den a buch of pechs."

It was mostly hilarious because when this student read her letter to me in front of the class she got to that line, stopped mid-sentence and said she didn't want to read the rest. I laughed out loud when I read it later because I realized she didn't want to be embarrassed! It was so sweet! Another student told me he hopes I become a second grade teacher because he wanted to have me next year. Reading all of the letters from my first graders reminded me why I am going to be a teacher! Children are so brilliant and they need someone to facilitate their learning to help them become the best they can be!

I wanted to do something for my teacher and the class to thank them for letting me be a part of their class. I didn't want to do something that would get thrown to the side or lost under a stack of papers, so I decided to make bathroom passes. Lame... I know... but the class was in desperate need of new ones. I got two small wood plaques from Hobby Lobby and painted them pink and blue. I painted the letters and then hot glued the animals and ribbons to the passes. I keep on meaning to take pictures of my crafts throughout making them, but I just get so excited about finishing them that I always forget. I am giong to try and do that from now on! Anyways, here is how they turned out...

I had such an amazing experience this semester and can't wait to see what next semester holds...

Speaking of next semester... TODAY I got my field placement for student teaching!!!!!!!! I am SO excited! It is official! I will be student teaching in Whitehouse at Brown Elementary in a 3rd grade classroom! I literally cannot wait to meet my mentor teacher! 3rd grade was my first choice and I can't wait to experience yet another grade level that I may be teaching in! So far I have been in grades K, 1, and 5 so I think 3rd will be the perfect balance! I loved every single one of my elementary school teachers, but my third grade teacher, Mrs. Cannon, will always hold a special place in my heart! I loved third grade and I can't wait to experience it from the viewpoint of a teacher! If my mentor teacher is anything like Mrs. Cannon I will be 100% thrilled!

On the down side... even though I knew this was coming... it is now official that I am in my last 3 weeks of living in College Station. I literally feel like I got here last week and moved into my dorm. Who knows, maybe I'll be back living here at some point in the future, but for now it's adios. I will definitely be down to visit, especially next semester with football season, but it won't be the same. For the first time ever, over Easter weekend, I called College Station home... and now I am moving away. It is crazy to think how fast the last four years flew by! I look back and wouldn't change much of anything (except maybe being a little more decisive on my major :P ). After being a member for 4 full years, I banqueted out of Aggie Sisters for Christ this last Monday. I have been to almost every single home football game (I think I have missed 2 games). I have read more books that I have read in my entire life. I have made friends that I will have forever. I have grown immensely. I will be moving back home a completely different person than what I left it. Yes, it is sad... Yes, it is weird... But it is such a good thing! It is part of growing up and I am just one step closer to achieving the goal that I have been working on for the last four years. I love what is going on right now... at this very moment. It is all perfect, and it is all in His plan!

I am so excited for student teaching next semester and I can't wait to see how it all goes!

Next Tuesday, the 24th, will be my last class on Texas A&M campus! I will probably spend extra time on campus, probably in the BRAND NEW MSC, because I just won't want it to end. Actually I probably will want it to end because that means SUMMER! I don't know, it is a whole bunch of mixed feelings. I really can see the light at the end of the tunnel... but am I ready?... I think I am!... we will see :)!

On a side note... Right now I should be studying for my ESL exam... But I decided to take a break and blog. My exam is on Saturday at noon. If you think of me at that time say a quick prayer that I can focus and recall the information that I need to pass this test! Thanks for your support!

Here is an encouraging verse that my wonderful roommate gave me just before my EC-6 exam that I have kept in mind for my test on Saturday.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Aggie Rings, Bluebonnets, and Colorful Eggs

Aggie Ring Day was a blast! Matt's mom and sister came into College Station and his brother, Sam, and his girlfriend Kellie joined us to pick up Matt's ring. Even Bryan came into to town to experience this great aggie tradition... as we all know, Bryan wishes he was an aggie :P. After getting Matt's ring, we had crawfish... Matt's FAVORITE! (I had a hot dog) Here are a few pictures from Ring Day!

Before his ring... Not much longer!

Signing for his ring!

Matt's mom presenting him with his ring!

Does it fit?!

WHOOP!

Little ring made of gold! 

 

Gig 'em!

So proud of him! 

Matt and his wonderful mom!

Evan and Matt... It's a bromance

Pretty Aggie Rings!

Next thing I knew... It was Easter weekend! 

My family went to Dallas to have dinner with Wes and Laura on Saturday night. We stopped to see the bluebonnets in Mesquite! I have wanted to do this all season and luckily we did that day because I think they are all dead now. 

On Sunday we went to church and then had lunch. It was a very small quiet Easter this year. I made deviled egss (like always), but this time I dyed the egg white Easter colors! This is how they turned out!

Thanks Foodjimoto for the idea!

We had a delicious Easter lunch that included pork roast, scalloped potatoes, broccoli, and much more!

Then I went to Matt's and we had crawfish... again ;). Oh ya, and we watched the Masters! Way to go Bubba!

The best part about Easter... Jesus! He died for our sins and rose from the dead! What could be more amazing than that?! 

Love THIS song! 

Christ is Risen by Matt Maher

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave!

Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave!

Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
The glory of God has defeated the night!

Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
Our God is not dead, he's alive! he's alive!

So powerful!

Now I am back in College Station. This is my LAST WEEK in my first grade class! I am glad to be done and moving onto the next step... but I am really going to miss my kiddos! 

I find out April 18 what grade and which school I will be student teaching at! I can't wait!

I take my ESL Certification Exam on April 21st. I have started studying.. but I need to get on top of that! I can't wait for this test to be over!

A little more than a month until I am in paradise again!! Watercolor, FL... Literally cannot wait!! 

Love this quote to get me ready for summer!