life: school has taken over...

I've been very busy. It's crazy!

But I am so happy to have a job.

Too tired to really type, but lots coming next week!

Just two things:

1. I posted this Daily Lesson Planner in my TpT store.

2. Get in on the Back to School sale going on in my etsy store!

Enjoy and God Bless!

life: new job...

We moved to Maryland in the middle of June. I had applied for teaching jobs as early as March, since I  had already submitted my paperwork for my Maryland Certification. It took FOREVER to get my certification, but it finally came at the end of July. 

But, I still didn't have a job or had any interviews. In Maryland, the districts are divided by counties. So I applied for a job in my county and the surrounding counties. Still nothing. My father-in-law (a former principal), my mother-in-law (teacher/presenter extraordinaire), my parents (just plain ol' smart), AND my hubby (brilliant and raised by educators) all suggested that I stop by the nearby elementary schools to meet the principals and drop off my resume.

I went to the district website and looked up the schools in my neighborhood. There is only one elementary school. I got all pretty and drove over there. I asked to see the principal and WAHLA, there she was, nice as can be, and very impressed that I took the initiative to come by the school and drop off my resume (thanks Y'ALL)! She said they didn't have any positions at the time, but she would keep my resume just in case. 

I left and got in my car, and as I was leaving I noticed a school across the street. I drove over there and it was ANOTHER elementary school. Apparently the district is divided into smaller districts and this one wasn't "in" my neighborhood on the map. The principal wasn't there, but I left my resume anyway. This all happened two Mondays ago.

Last Monday I get a call. 

It's the principal from the first school.

A teacher had to leave because of a family emergency.

Can I come in for an interview?

Why yes, I can!

The interview was great. Probably the least nervous I've ever been. 

30 minutes after arriving I'm being asked to join the team as a 3rd grade teacher!

Yes PLEASE!

For the next few days afterwards I was at inservices and signing paperwork.

But today, I am at the school for my first day! The kiddos come in on August 19th so I need to get my room all ready!

I plan on posting before and after classroom pics as soon as I get my key!

I am a little nervous to be teaching 3rd grade (since I've only taught 1st and 2nd), but know that I learn fast and am very flexible.

God is great and is truly looking out for the hubby and I during our Air Force adventure. 

I miss my last school and colleagues so much! I learned so much from those two years and will forever be grateful for all they did for me!

Have a FANTASTIC day and God Bless!

Life: Pant suits and apps...

Yesterday, the hubby and I were waiting around for dinnertime so we went into my favorite thrift shop.  I was just "looking", of course, when whatdoyaknow I find a cuter than cute pant suit. In the coming months I foresee many job interviews and we thought it would be a good idea for me to get a nice pant suit. Say hello to my new used Ann Taylor pant suit that I got for just $20! Say what!? That's right; be jealous!

Once we were home I started surfing Instagram and stumbled upon multiple people using this new app called A Beautiful Mess and I fell in love! So, of course, I bought it! So cute!

Look at how cute this photo looks after using the app!!

As you can see I had a fantastic day {except for the day long inservice I sat through, ugh}!

God Bless!

Life: Now that the hubby is home...

As you know my sweet hubby surprised me by coming home two weeks early. He got me good. It's been a week and a half now and we have done SO much in that short time it's friggen amazing. I have yet to be bored. 

1. Right after he surprised me we went to see our sweet friends in The Little Mermaid. It was adorable and they were both so good! 

2. Hubby took me to buy a computer. Love that man!

3. I've been sick and still am. Ugh!

4. CSTs started last week and ended TODAY! Praise Jesus!

5. Hubby and I have been walking. A lot. Thankfully the walk is beautiful. 

6. Tried the margarita at Chipotle and it was yummy. I suggest you go out and get one. NOW!

7. This happened...

8. Then THIS happened.

I think we like it. Ha!

We've been quite busy. Jeepers. Sorry to overload you with pictures. More writing next time.

Don't forget that this weekend is the Carmel Etsy Mother's Day Sale. Read about it here!

AND you can get 15% off until May 10th in my etsy shop by using coupon code SPRING2013 at checkout!

God Bless!

Teaching: Weekly Lesson Planner that I Found!

I just love organization. I don't care what we're organizing, I'm there! My house at this moment doesn't reflect that skill, but I'm using the excuse that we're moving. 

When it comes to teaching I am SUPER organized. I must have everything in the right spot and in a cute binder/case/box/etc.

In a few weeks I am going to be out of the classroom all week long. Thankfully I'll have the same sub all week, but I wanted to make the plans better than what I have done before and where I wouldn't want to throw my computer against a wall after typing them out for hours.

I went searching on TeachersPayTeachers for a free weekly lesson planner. I stumbled upon THIS beauty and fell in love! I downloaded it, made it into 2 documents (one for each page), and then set them as backgrounds in PowerPoint. 

Now, you may be asking, "Why PowerPoint?" Well let me tell ya! I have used Word for all my document making needs since middle school and I have had such trouble, but dealt with it because I didn't know any better. Then one day I'm surfing the web and come across this tutorial for making a document using PowerPoint. I was forever changed! PowerPoint allows you to move text boxes, objects, etc around in the document without everything moving and getting messed up. 

Here is my final product. 

I used Kevin and Amanda's font Pea Natalie for the text. Just download the font and install it on your computer. If you have any questions on how to use PowerPoint for your document, how to install the font, or just want to chat please leave a comment or email me!

Oh, and don't forget to use coupon code SPRING2013 to get 15% off in my etsy shop until May 10th!

Enjoy & God Bless!

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Teaching: I opened my very own TpT Store...

Long time no post!

Well, I finally did it. I opened my very own TpT Store! Now, I've only posted a freebie that I actually posted on here a few months back. BUT, I plan on making many more once I learn all the fancy rules and techniques to making great products for the elementary classroom.

Go ahead, check it out!! AND let me know what you think!



God Bless!

Life: 1st day of school, graduation, ninja...

Hello, my name is Charlotte and I am an awful blogger. :[

So, to get you up to speed on what's been happening I'm going to make a list:

1. The first day/week of school has come and gone. The principal and 1st grade team decided to make me the 1st/2nd combo class. I was a bit sad at first, but quickly got over it. I love my kiddos and can't wait for this year. I have some of my 1st graders from last year in my 2nd grade. They are such angels. The cute 1st graders are so smart and are transitioning well into learning 1st grade things.



2. On the second day of school I was absent. I'm such a bad teacher, but it was for a good reason. Timmy was graduating from his Chinese class. I HAD to be there! He and another classmate gave the speech in Chinese and English. They did so good and it was funny, which is totally Timmy. I'm so proud of him and can't wait to see where this language takes us over the years. God is so good!



3. For funsies we love going to Target. It's like hanging out at Wal-Mart in the south. :] While we were there the other day I found these cute "fake" glasses in the kids section. I had to try them on and almost bought them. I've always wanted to wear glasses, but I have pretty good vision. Ha!! I know I'm weird!



4. Timmy came home one day with this little ninja. I don't know where he gets these things. At least he isn't bringing home stray animals. :] Anyways, he has been putting it everywhere. I found it on my purse one morning when I was ready to leave. What a crazy boy!



5. Finally, I updated my etsy business cards and just love them. Can't wait to send them with someones purchases. Oh, and I just got some great jewelry making goodies in the mail this week. When I have a free moment from school stuff and life stuff I will TOTALLY be making new stuff! :]



Have a fab week and God Bless