Summer Time!

Hello!

Shawn and I are back from vacation in Hilton Head with my Dads family-we had a great time:) I am hoping to get some pictures uploaded from the trip soon!

Now that we are back in Kansas, we have started to get back into the summer routine. We have a very busy summer ahead of us! The biggest thing is that we are moving into our first home this summer! We have already started packing for it. This last weekend, we went through all of our clothes. I of course went through all of my clothes, shoes and purses. I donated two bags of shoes ALONE to Goodwill:) It felt good to get rid of stuff though-I love getting rid of stuff, it just makes you feel better (and it justifies buying new-haha:))

So, summer is already taking off and while its going to be busy, its going to be a great one. I hope to get a lot done this summer, but also take some time to do some things that we have not had time for in the past. I also want to get on track with a few things-especially when it comes to being healthier. Its been a busy, exciting by stressful past year with planning a wedding, finishing school, starting teaching and being newlyweds, and although we have loved it, we still want to welcome more and more calm and settlement into our lives:) I am hoping this summer is that start of all that!

In teaching, we are told that helping our students set goals work towards them is one of the most effective ways to teach them. I write goals for my students all of the time, so I need to write some for myself for this summer! I won't write them like IEP goals (for any of you who have read an IEP goal, it usually takes three or four times reading it to understand them:)), but I do have some that I want to set for myself. These are goals that will be ongoing beyond summer, but are things I really want to get going this summer:

Start becoming a true homemaker
For years I have moved from place to place each year, and while I have lived in some great places with some great roommates, I am very excited at the prospect of settling into one place for several years. I really want to take my time and make it a clean, organized and welcoming home. I also want to continue to learn how to cook:) Over the years, while I still think that eating out is fabulous (and would consider it a favorable hobby) I have decided that cooking is so much more healthier than eating out. So, I am going to try and make one new recipe a week- I am going to make family recipes, recipes of things I find, and try to make as much healthier things as possible. I usually try something new over the weekend, so I have a few hours to burn it, make it again, and go get pizza if all else fails:)

Get Healthy
Over the past few years, I think I have underestimated the power of prioritizing health. Even though I don't consider myself an unhealthy person, I need to make both eating healthy and exercising a priority. I am going to start by giving up pop and eating more fruits and veggies. Yep, that's right you heard me-no more pop, starting today. I have decided I can have one when we go out to eat once a week, or when we go out for drinks (since I usually want a Coke over an alcoholic beverage anyways-I know weird right?) Its gonna suck, but I need to do it. There is just no need for that junk in my body!

Plan for the school year
Individuals who believe teachers have the summer off are frankly stupid. Maybe some teachers are able to abandon their rooms in May and not think about them until August, must be nice. I am going to be teaching summer school this summer and working in my room, both on planning for next year and moving rooms (which I am excited about-my room now is the size of a fitting room at Target...and my new room has Windows and a projector!!! yeah)

Read, read, read and read some more
I have always loved to read, but sometimes its just much easier to watch that episode of The Housewives of Orange County that I have already seen eight times:) Not that I am going to give up my lovely TV, but I am going to try and read as much stuff this summer-fiction, non-fiction, classics, books for work, self-help books (yes I do love to read these-haha clearly I need a lot of help:)).
Not to mention, my goal to read is now going to be even easier now that I have a Nook Color:)) That's right-I start reading more once they make it electronic:)

Really I just want to have a great summer-doesn't everyone? I am so excited about things coming up for Shawn and I - and hopefully I stop to take pictures and document it-you only have your first home once:)

Have a great first week of summer everyone!!:)

"I used to be someone who couldn't wait for the next thing to happen. I would count the days until the next big event, whatever it was, ignoring the now. Lately I never count the days, because each day is so full and precious. That's one way I've truly changed."
-Bethenny Frankel (A Place of Yes)