Sunday, July 28, 2013

Sunday Smorgasbord

I am linking up with Fabulous In First for her Sunday Smorgasbord linky party! Here are some of my favorite random things from this week :)


{one}
My sister (left), Me, and my sister-in-law (Son in the stroller :) )
My sister and my sister-in-law came to visit our new house in Georgia this week! It was so so great to have them here! I have not made many friends here yet so it was fun getting to do lots of fun things with them! They were so sweet and drove so far to get here! I miss them already! Here in this picture we are standing in front of the National Infantry Museum which is here on base. Its a really neat place that shows how the Infantry helped in all the wars. It was really cool to see because my husband is a 4th generation Infantry officer so to see what the uniforms and guns looked like when his great-grandfather, grandfather, and father served was amazing!

{two}

LOVING getting to spend so much time with my little man. Cant believe he will be 2 soon AH!

{three}
Do your students need help with learning to form letters correctly and practice printing their letters? I made a pack to help with just that! I remember last year at the beginning of the year so many of my students needing help with this! Hope it helps your kiddos too! 
 


 You can grab it HERE

Leave a comment below with your email and I will randomly choose someone either tonight or tomorrow morning and will send you this pack! 

Julia

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Quick Freebie

Hey guys! Here is a quick Freebie for you to brighten up your kiddos desks! Hope you enjoy!






Julia

Life After The Military: How to Tackle Your Job Search

My new blogging friend Emma from Smiles As It Happens wrote an amazing piece for my blog that I cant wait to share with you! As yall know I am an Army Wife. I really love taking any chance I can get to shed some light on things about military life in addition to my posts about teaching! I realized when I became an Army Wife how much I did not know or understand about the military and the life that comes with it! And I know I still have a lot of learning to do! Emma wrote this about trying to find job after you are finished with your time in the military!

On Leaving the Military: How to Tackle Your Job Search
 
You’ve served your country well, and whether you are retiring after a long career or leaving the military following a minimum commitment, the transition to civilian life might seem overwhelming. Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in the self-defeating myths surrounding your search for a civilian job. Your future is bright, and it will be much brighter if you follow your dreams toward a new job that excites and motivates you. Let’s look at the truth behind some of today’s most common job myths.


Myth #1: Due to your time in active duty military, companies will be hesitant to hire you.
Truth: Companies are required by law not to discriminate based on military service. In addition to the laws that exist to protect veterans searching for employment, the government has also adopted laws and established incentive programs that give military veterans preference over other job seekers. If anything your military background should serve to give you an advantage over other applicants.


Myth #2: Applying for jobs takes too much time.
Truth: You aren’t likely to find your dream job without putting in some serious effort, but today’s employers do understand the many demands on your time. Many companies now offer applicants the opportunity to easily upload resumes via mobile recruiting platforms, like JIBE. This makes the job application process quick and simple, allowing you to have a more productive job search.


Myth #3: If you now have a service-related disability, no one will hire you.
Truth: Plenty of disabled veterans have successfully found gainful employment, and programs exist to help you through the process of finding a job. The U.S. Department of Veterans has several services focused on assisting disabled veterans with on-the-job-training, job coaching, occupational therapy and other things that can help you find an ideal work situation.


Myth #4: To get a job, you have to apply to as many positions as possible.
Truth: Actually, blindly applying to as many jobs as possible could work against you. A better use of your time is to carefully research the type of job you really want and then apply to a handful of them. Take the time to research each company before you apply. Be sure this company is the type of place where you can excel, learn and grow.

Embrace the excitement that comes with your transition out of military life. Rather than believing every naysayer who predicts gloom and doom, learn the truth behind common job myths and success will follow.

 
I thought what Emma wrote was so uplifting! A lot of people hear so much about the lack of jobs for military men and women after they have served! I loved that Emma was so positive and gave the facts and shot down those silly myths! Thanks so much Emma for writing this for my blog! Yall go check her out :) 

Friday, July 26, 2013

I sware I am alive...Favorite Pins Friday!

Hi!! I am sorry I have been so MIA. I have been so busy with the hubs at work trying to get the house put together and every time I sit down to blog it seems like I have something else to organize in the house. BUT its coming together and I promise I will get back on my regular blogging schedule! I have a special post in the works for tomorrow about Military Life from a new blogging friend so be sure to check back tomorrow for that!

Oh and look what we got...this is really whats taking up all my time :) But he sure is cute! His name is JEB!

On to Favorite Pin Friday! Here are some of my favorite pins from this week!! Link up with The First Grade Parade to join in on the fun! I love checking out yalls pins!

SCHOOL

I love this idea from Jason's Online Classroom! It gives a new meaning to the "treasure box!" I even like some of the ideas for home rewards with my son!


I love this next idea from Pottery Barn Kids to hang big paintings of the covers of childrens books! I would love to make some for my son's bedroom! Love the bright colors and the inspiration they give!


I got this idea from Imagination Soup's Blog - Word Jars! Simply cut out words from magazines, newspapers, the internet and the kids have to pink out whatever number of words you assign and make sentences, a paragraph, a story etc! The ideas are endless!


I love the blog Kindergarten Smiles ! I love all of Kaitlin's ideas she is so creative! She gave me a great idea for what to do with all those old beanie babies I have :)


HOME

So I have been trying to figure out how I can get storage for Connor's toys plus more seating in our family room in the new house...but for not a lot of money! I have been obsessed with this idea and finally took the leap and orders the shelves from IKEA! I cant wait till they are in (I see a Monday Made it in my future! ha) I Heart Organizing  you are SO SMART!!!


FOOD
I could not find the post for this one but it is so darn cute! 


MOTIVATION

Going to try this one out from Blond Ponytail today! 


Hope you enjoyed these pins! I would LOVE if you followed me on Pinterest! 

Link up with Cara! Cant wait to see your pins!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

New House

Well!! We are in! (by "in" I mean we have the keys...by no means are we unpacked :) ) We are stationed for the next 7 or 8 months at Ft. Benning in Georgia! It is awkward timing because I cant sign a year contract at a school because we will not be here for an entire school year! BUT although I am sad I wont be teaching full time I will hopefully find some kiddos to tutor and I cant wait to be with my son full time! I am excited to see all the awesome things Hubs accomplishes down here!

Ft. Benning, GA 2013

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Liebster Award

Well I woke up this morning to such a sweet email from my friend Mrs. Monroe at School is a Happy Place . She emailed me telling me I am one of her nominations for the Liebster Award! What is the Liebster Award you ask?? Well its an award for new blogs! How sweet of you Mrs. Monroe thank you so much for such an honor it made my day :)


To accept the award I must:

1. Link back to the blog that nominated me
2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers
3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator
4. Share 11 random facts about yourself
5. Create 11 questions for your nominees
6. Contact your nominees and let them know you nominated them

MY NOMINEES
Miss. King @ Miss Kings Echanted Kingdom 

Ms.Cranfill @ Ms. Cranfills Class 

Dana @ Polka Dots, Checks and Stripes 

MRS.MONROE'S QUESTIONS FOR ME
1.  Why did you start blogging?
2.  If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
3.  What story does your family always tell about you?
4.  What is your favorite song?
5.  What is your favorite outdoor activity?
6.  You have a ten minute speech to give at a high school, what is it about?
7.  Where do you like to vacation?
8.  What is one goal you have made for yourself this year?
9.  Do you have a pet(s)?  If so, what type do you have?
10.  Are you married?  Do you have children?
11.  What do you "know now" that you wish you "knew then"?
MY ANSWERS
1. Why did you start blogging?
I started blogging because I wanted to document my teaching experience with everyone in the hopes that it might stick with someone and they could relate or gain something from it! Its also really fun for me to look back and see my own journey!
2. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
SOW!! I wish I could sow and I am sure I could learn if I actually bought a sowing machine and took the time to learn...maybe some day
3. What story does your family always tell about you?
When I was 4 my little sister was 2. We were outside in the backyard and I pulled her off the ladder up to our play house and she fell and busted up her lip (sorry Christina). My mom of course not happy with me sent me to my room. It was the first time I had really been sent there for being in trouble. Mom says I sat at the edge of where the carpet in my room hit the hardwood in the hallway and cried that "I just wanted to see the Earth one more time"...guess I was a bit dramatic and thought I was going to never get out of my room :)
4. What is your favorite song?
Caroline by Old Crow Medicine Show-Me and the Hubs song :)
5. What is your favorite outdoor activity??
Well we LOVE the outdoors...do pretty much all our activities outside but I would probably say my favorite is either hiking or running. 
6. You have a ten minute speech to give at a high school, what is it about?
I would probably tell the high schoolers to never ever give up on their goal for themselves. If they have a goal to become a doctor or a mechanic (etc) do anything they have to to get there to that goal and finish!
7. Where do you like to vacation?
Our grandparents lake house in Wedowee, Alabama or our family beach trip spot at Folly Beach in Charleston, SC. 
8.  What is one goal you have made for yourself this year?
My goal in Georgia this year is to meet some other moms and create a play group for Connor so that he can play with only kids his age :) I also want to start a bible study there for the time we will be there. 
9.  Do you have a pet(s)?  If so, what type do you have?
Well...I grew up with horses and have riden my whole life. I still feel like they are my pets even though I do not live at my parents anymore :) We are about to adopt our first puppy...a bloodhound named Jeb. Pictures to come :)
10. Are you married? Do you have children?
Yes and Yes. I am married to my wonderful husband Sean. He is an officer in the United States Army and I could not be more proud of him. We have one son Connor who will be 2 in October. 
11. What do you "know now" that you wish you "knew then"?
I wish I knew that it would be so fun blogging!! I should have started sooner :)
 11 RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME

1. I went to the University of Tennessee for Undergrad-Go VOLS. I got my Masters in Elementary Education from Shenandoah University!
2. I am the oldest of 4. My sister Christina is 2 years younger and goes to Univ of Tennessee and will be a senior (she wants to be a vet :)!). My brother Jacob is 4 years younger and is a Marine! My youngest brother Caleb is 6 years younger and will be a senior in high school this year. He wants to go to the Air Force Academy...I am thinking he needs to go to UT :)
3. 45 members of my extended family (including all of my grandparents) went to UT :)
 4. I worked on a ranch in Colorado during my summers in college!
5. Sean graduated from West Point. We met though my friend from high school that played lacrosse with Sean there!
6. I want to live in a small town when Sean is out of the Army. They are the best!
7. I love click flicks. Sweet Home Alabama is probably my favorite
8. I love the South and am so glad I am living back there. I love college football!
9. I wish I could dance...like seriously dance like the people on So You Think You Can Dance.
10. I love to teach math! 
11. I actually dont really like to read (SHHHHH....grownup books that is) but I LOVE to teach reading (its probably my second favorite thing to teach) and I LOVE children's books SO MUCH!!! I also love to read blogs and to read teaching books! My new favorite is The Next Step in Guided Reading by Jan Richardson it is so helpful!

QUESTIONS FOR MY NOMINEES
1. What is your favorite subject to teach?
2. Why did you start blogging?
3. What is your favorite part about blogging?
4. What do you hope for the future of your blogging?
5. What is your dream vacatioin?
6. What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends?
7. Where did you go to school?
8. What is your favorite children's book?
9. What is your favorite blog to follow?
10. What accomplishment are you most proud of in your life?
11. Are you married? Do you have kids?

Thank you again so much Mrs. Monroe for nominating me!! So fun :) Nominees-I emailed you if you did not get it please let me know!!