[christmas came early]

Guys? When I say that I have met some of the most amazing ladies and friends via the blogging community? I mean it. Guillermo and I came home to SEVERAL gifts this week. I can't begin to explain how absolutely blown away by the kindness of these lovely ladies I am surrounded with!

FIRST of all, Marie Bee from The Blue Balloon sent me one of her beautifully crafted handmade lovelies, which I cannot go into detail about here because it is a Christmas present! She claimed it was damaged and not fit for sale, and was up to the first person who claimed it. I happened to be that person, and WOW. Hardly damaged (as in, you can't tell at all) and absolutely beautiful! I can't wait to show it later :)

THEN... Remember Kate? From Suburban Sweetheart? She saw that Christmas Wishlist I posted last week, and granted a wish, right off the bat. See those amazing red TOMS at the very bottom of my wish list? I have been coveting them for months, but since they are so expensive and because of Guillermo's surgery, I put off buying them. Kate just so happened to have a red pair of TOMS in size 9 (how convenient) lying around (brand-freakin'-new) that she was ready to give to a new and loving home. HELLO? (Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, Kate!!) I love, love, love them. For being my first pair of TOMS, I am totally not complaining. [p.s. they fit perfectly]

Also, do you know Danielle? From Fancy Biscuit? (If you don't, you will on Tuesday! Check back for her Bloggin' Ladies feature on 12/7!)She is doing a little lovely giveaway of awesome Polaroids to the first people who asked. I immediately signed up because, who doesn't love getting snail mail? This is what I got: 

Those little cards came in the envelope, as well. Side one says: "what is round on the end and high in the middle?" Side two says: "ohio." The script under the picture says: "stephanie - marvelous things await." This lady is seriously talented. Thank you, Danielle, for making my night that much more awesome!! 

And FINALLY: My amazing sister-in-law animated me as a sneak peak to my future (probably spring) blog makeover. Isn't Guillermo the CUTEST??? (Thanks, Lynz!!)

I am so thankful for all of you awesome ladies. I truly, truly appreciate you!! Happy early Christmas!! <3

Bloggin' Ladies: Fill my heart up.

Name: Jamie

Age: Twenty-two

Blog: fillmyheartup.blogspot.com "Fill my heart up."

What is something interesting about you?: I love to read memoirs, and I can't wait to write my own one day. I'm honestly going to write one and have it published, so keep an eye out for it within the next 10 years or so. I'm currently a broke college student living in a little one bedroom apartment with my amazing boyfriend, Evan, and my adorable West Highland Terrier, Luca. I have never had the chicken pox, I refuse to write with black ink pens, I have been to 46 of the United States, I'm extremely empathetic, and collecting TV shows on DVD is one of my obsessions. <3

Why did you begin blogging?: I began my current blog on Blogger because I forgot how much I love to write, and blogging is such an easy outlet for it! Plus, it's so fun to make new friends online and read other people's blogs too! 

How long have you been blogging?: I started a blog on Xanga when I was fifteen. I switched to Myspace blogging when I was seventeen and I blogged religiously there for about 3 years. I used blogging back then as an outlet to help me get through some extremely hard struggles in my life. I'm a blog newbie to Blogger, though. I just started in September, but I plan to keep up with it for a long, long time. It's so addictive! =]

What is your inspiration for writing?: Day to day life inspires me. I just want to write about what is going on with me. I love the thought of being able to go back to any random day and remembering what my life was like "back then". I love having a place to go to get my thoughts out of my head. I also love the fact that I have an "audience". Any person can stumble upon my blog and decide whether or not they want to read it. Maybe something that I write will inspire them or make them smile. And because this is life, and things aren't always happy and perfect, maybe during a hard time my writing can help them with a personal struggle of their own.

Do you have any advice that you want to share with fellow lady bloggers?: Be honest and be yourself. Write whatever you want, without worrying what anyone else will think, because ultimately...your blog is for you.

What is something you look forward to most in the future (blog or otherwise?): Because I just recently started my new blog, I look forward to having more posts!  I also would love to have more followers. It makes me happy knowing that someone else is enjoying my blog, other than me. As far as otherwise goes, my boyfriend and I are moving into a new house in a couple months, and I'm sooo looking forward to that!! 

Thanks for reading! <3<3Jamie.

Thanks for stopping by to check Jamie out everyone :) I will be back later with an update about tonight and also Sunday Letters!! xoxo

Class rules!

Hello, all!! Thank you, everyone for your amazing amounts of support the last couple of days! Hello to new readers and followers!!

image via weheartit

Today at school was trying. As was yesterday. Kids are pushing it to the limit each and every day, and more and more I hear the famous "YOU aren't even my real teacher, so I DON'T have to listen to you." It's one of the most frustrating things to hear from a student, and there is almost no way to combat it, other than to tell them they are being disrespectful. One student asked when Christmas break was today, I replied "December 17th." She said: "Is that when you're leaving?" and I nodded my head. She said: "YESSSS!!" It kinda hurt my feelings a little.

After my class on Tuesday night at UC, I have had a lot of great ideas. I have a meeting planned with my principal next week, just to get to know her a little, and I also am planning to go to the homecoming game on Saturday night to make myself visible outside of class, and to introduce Nick to some of the kids. It will be nice for them to see me outside of class.

Also, one of the girls in my cohort spoke about her "three battles" that she has chosen for her class. These are a set of three rules that she absolutely does not bend on. I think this is a great idea, and I plan to implement it in my classroom. I think that after school tomorrow, I am going to change the room around so that it's like a brand new place when the kids come to school on Monday. I plan to put these rules in place, and hopefully see a change in behavior. The two I have chosen so far are:

• No eating. (The kids have been allowed since day one to eat in the classroom. Holly keeps a microwave and small fridge in her room, and they completely take advantage of this. It causes SOMUCH disruption.)
• No standing, walking, getting up AT ALL unless you have permission. (The kids pretty much do whatever they want, because there is little structure in our room. This is one of the MOST disruptive things.)
• I haven't figured out the third thing yet. Do you all have any suggestions/opinions?

I just have to keep reminding myself that it won't be like this forever. I am ready to be a "real" teacher with a license and a classroom and a salary. I cannot wait. 

Tomorrow we have a pep rally, and Holly volunteered herself to stay behind with the kids in the school who are not allowed to attend. This means that I have to take fourth bell (our worst bunch) to the assembly on my own. I am TERRIFIED. Please cross your fingers that this goes okay. I really, really hope it does. 

On a more positive note, my advanced kids turned in SOMANY of those Catcher in the Rye literary analysis papers today! Most of the ones I got were rushed and not very good, but they still have a chance to revise. I am a happy teacher! [for that bell...]

Check back later tonight to see Morgan's first Bloggin' Ladies feature for Blackbird Fly!! I am excited to post this one :) 

Thanks, again, everyone for stopping by! Gonna kick back with my little Chihuahua son for a bit! 

Bloggin' Ladies: She Breathes Deeply

I am SOEXCITED to start this new feature on my blog: Every Tuesday I will post/feature a blogging lady who inspires me to keep doing what I do! I can't wait to share where I get all of my great ideas from, and more importantly, the blogs I love to read on a daily basis. First up is Mandy from She Breathes Deeply! 

Name:  Mandy

Age: 24

Blog: www.mandysuzannereid.blogspot.com "She Breathes Deeply"

 

When did you begin blogging? I started blogging WAY back in the Xanga days and have been a blogger ever since.  

How long have you been blogging? I have been currently blogging "She Breathes Deeply" for a year and a half or so.  Formerly, my blog was called "And yet still.." in latin… And it was mostly just poetry and musings.   I entered a new season in my life… so it was time to change it up to "She Breathes Deeply."

What is your inspiration for writing?  I think that the best writing advice I ever received was, "write what you know."  My blogs revolve around what is happening in my life in that season.  Blogs kind of evolve in a sense.  I used to write really sad poetry, and that was fine for that season… But now I am an adult, happily married, and with child- so naturally I write about the things nearest and dearest to my heart.  

Where do you get your ideas? Confession:  I think in blogger.  Example… If something even semi interesting happens to me during the day, I think of how I would write out my experience in my blog.  I have heard how people who speak two different languages sometimes "think" in their second language.  I think in "blogging."  I blog, therefore I am.  : ) 

Tell us something interesting about yourself! I am a tattooed momma-to-be… I am a wife and best friend to the most AMAZING man in the world.  I am saved by grace and in love with Jesus.  I wear scarves even in the summer.  I used to be a fashion design student.  I run 5k's (when not pregnant.)  I am a Christian Yoga instructor.  I have a hard time saying "no" to chocolate.  And as much as I would not like to admit it... I think I am a southern girl.

 

Do you have any advice that you want to share with fellow lady bloggers? Yes!  Write what you know.  Don't try to be like any other blogger.  People will love you and follow you for your originality.  

Also, be personable!  I try hard to always stay active talking to other bloggers, and people who comment me.  No one wants to comment over and over and never be answered!  Granted- it is harder to keep up with everybody once your blog grows.  There are definitely some weeks life is just too busy to reply to every comment.  (And I feel TERRIBLE when I don't reply to people!)  I think it is such a honor when someone takes the time to e-mail or comment me on my blog!  I definitely want to return the favor.  Besides just being personable and polite- I have met SO many wonderful blogging friends!  I feel like I know these ladies.  Blogging is such a great community!  Stay active!

What is one thing you are looking forward to most in your future?

I am looking forward to my first baby being born!  I know I will have so much more to talk about-- gabbing about my sweet baby!  Oh, and all the pictures to post of those cute little fingers and toes!  Hehe.

Thank you so much, Mandy! <3

I hope you all liked this first edition of Bloggin' Ladies! If you have any suggestions, questions, or comments, please leave them below! xoxo Stephanie