Thankful Thursday

 "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I am thankful for many things today.  

{Thankful}

I am thankful for my rice cooker.  While I am kind of ashamed to admit that I have never made rice without a rice cooker before, I can make a pot of rice like no other - ha!  On nights when we are tired (tonight), running late with dinner (tonight, thanks to that twenty minute power nap turned two hour nap!), or are in need of a shopping trip, this little guy saves the day!

{Thankful}

I stopped by my new school this afternoon after work to pick up some curriculum so I can begin planning.   I hadn't yet been given a tour of the school, so I asked today if the secretary had a moment to show me my classroom.  She ended up showing me around the entire school.  First stop, Room 503.  That's me!  I am in love with my classroom.  It is so clean - I will have no other teacher's things to sort through when I start setting up.  One entire wall is windows, more than half the height of the wall (I would love to get some fabric and get valances made for them!).  I am connected via a bathroom to the other first grade teacher's classroom (we are both new to the school this year).  I have a whiteboard!  I couldn't stop smiling the entire time I was in there.  I cannot wait to get in and start making it my own.  Now that I have something to picture, my obsessive mental planning and setting up will begin.  I became even more excited as she showed me more and more of the school -  it felt so cozy, and I felt so at home there.  I am beginning to get excited about the school year starting.  I was hoping that feeling would come soon!

{Thankful}

A book was delivered from the library today.  It has come highly recommended by several friends, and I couldn't wait for it to come.

I am hoping to be challenged by this book.  One of my friends said that it changed her complete mindset - needless to say, I am excited to begin reading and learning!

What are you thankful for today?

Coconut Cake and Treadmills

For the last few days, I have not been able to stop daydreaming about coconut cake.  I'm not sure why.  I've never made one... I don't think I've ever even tasted one.  But, nonetheless, I am craving one.  

I mean...

Doesn't this look heavenly?

Something about the absolute whiteness of it makes it look so perfect.

Does anyone have a good coconut cake recipe?  I have found several recipes online, but many of them are quite different from one another.  Never having even tasted a coconut cake, I'm not sure where to go with it.  

In other news, I ran for 3.1 miles today without taking a walking break.  I have only done that once before, during the Watermelon 5K.  I haven't been able to do it since, so I thought it was just a fluke.  But I did it today, despite the pain from yesterday's workout (I can't sit, stand, bend, walk, etc. without moaning.)  It's getting easier and easier, and I can tell I am really building up endurance.  According to the treadmill, I ran it in about 38 and a half minutes. Slower than my 5K time, even though I felt like I was running a lot faster.  I wonder how accurate treadmills really are.

Well, I am off to watch Monday night's DVRed The Bachelorette.  One of my reality TV guilty pleasures...

Strength Training

We pulled out the bench and weights today.  I haven't done any strength training in years, but this flab has just got to go.  So out it came!

In high school, I had a routine that I would follow.  I remember being so proud when I had defined triceps.  I named them.  If I ever get to that point again, I will probably do the same.  I figure if I make them feel important, they might stay around.

Unfortunately, since it had been so long, I really forgot everything about lifting weights so Jon and I did it together.  We did bench presses, squats, shoulder presses, deadlifts, push ups, and sit-ups.  It felt good, but I know that I will hurt tomorrow.  Worth it, though.  My goal is to wave and not have my arms wave back at me!  (Jon says enough push-ups will do the trick!)  

Today's photo is brought to you by my artsy-fartsy side.

After work, I undid all the good by going to P.F. Changs for dinner with some friends from work.  I love Chinese food.  I wish I didn't.

Why I'm Loving Monday

I'm not a huge fan of Mondays.  I have to set my alarm again, I have to pack a lunch again, I have to go to work again... and so on.  I often wish we could skip Monday and go straight to Tuesday.  But, we can't, so instead I thought I would think about the good that each Monday brings.

Why I'm Loving Monday

I'm loving it because... I ate a mini-cucumber for the first time, and it was delicious.  I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since then.  Better than their larger counterpart, ya'll!  I can't wait to throw one in my lunchbox tomorrow.

I'm loving it because... I got to spend a few hours lying at the pool with Jon.  Even though I sweated my body weight in liquid out there, the sun relaxes me.  

I'm loving it because... Jon showed me how to watch a movie on my iPad while running on the treadmill today.  Three miles fly by when you can mindlessly watch stupid movies!

I'm loving it because... I shaved my legs without cutting myself for the first time in a month.  Let me back up... I have been using Venus razors for as long as I can remember.  I didn't know it at the time, but they are apparently amazing because I never cut myself and I apparently don't know how to shave.  Last month I was in need of some new razors, and, trying to save a little money, I bought some Bics.  I must have been spoiled, tearing those razors along my legs and never getting cut, because every time I shave now I cut my legs at least three times.  Even when I'm being careful.  Especially on my knees, right below my knees, and my ankles.  Want to see the scars?

I'm loving it because... We had tacos for dinner.  I love tacos!

I hope you were able to find some bright spots in your Monday!

"A merry heart does good, like medicine..." - Psalm 17:22

10 Awesome Things

I apparently decided to take a mini-blog vacation!  When the school year ended, my routine got all out of whack.  And if you know me well, you know that I thrive on routine.  When my routine changes, a lot of things change.  Thus, my absence.  But don't worry.  For your reading pleasure, a list of 

10  9 awesome things

from my life while I've been gone:

{One}

I said goodbye to my classroom.  It was a sad day because I am nostalgic and sentimental.  I wonder if my new classroom will have wood paneling as well?  That, I wouldn't miss!

{Two}

To celebrate the end of the school year, we took a weekend trip to Tampa.  Actually, it wasn't really a celebration for that.  It just so happened that a big soccer match coincided with the weekend after the last day of school.  We stayed in a cute hotel with a blue bathroom.  Oh, and USA lost.

{Three}

I started working as a assistant summer camp counselor at the preschool where I worked for two years before being hired by the county.  Although my dream would be to do whatever I want this summer, working here is definitely my second choice.  It's been great seeing everyone again, and it's about as un-stressful as a job can be.

{Four}

We have several parks with lakes around us, and we seem to navigate toward running around lakes.  On one of our training days, we found a lot of cute ducks.  This made my list of 10 9 awesome things because I have a picture of them.

{Five}

One day, I made a snack of toast, peanut butter, and a banana.  Jon made a snack of toast and jelly. 

As you can see, my summer has just been so exciting.

{Six}

My mom had taught me to knit several years ago.  I practiced by making a few scarves, and then kind of forgot how.  Lately I have been wanting to try my hand at it again, so mom re-taught me.  I am working on a dishcloth.  I have visions of sweaters, hats, dolls, etc.  But rectangles are all I can handle right now.  

{Seven}

Jon, my sister Sarah, Dad and I ran the Watermelon 5K on July 4th.  This is what we have been training for since May!  Jon and I stuck together, and we finished with a time of 36:25 - a little longer than our original goal, but we ran the whole 3.1 miles for the first time and are incredibly pleased with ourselves.    I loved the free shirt, and I already have another 5K picked out for the end of July.  I think I may become addicted - I had an absolute blast! 

{Eight}

We have watched all of the Harry Potter movies that are out up to this point, in anticipation of the "second half of the seventh book" movie coming out this coming week.  I have to confess, I'm still in the second book.  I obviously took a long break, but the other day I picked it back up again and am nearly finished.  To be honest, I never thought I would enjoy them as much as I am.  They suck you in.  And they have made me cry.

{Nine}

Sarah's birthday was at the end of June, but due to some of the kiddos being sick, we didn't celebrate as a family until just last Friday.  We went over to their house for a delicious ice cream cake and presents.  The girls really react strongly to sugar, and they put on a show for us for quite some time after they finished their cake.  Jon thinks that the person who invented the TV must not have children - with them to watch, there is just no need for further entertainment!  Jon (kind of) calmed them down by singing and reading to them.  

{The End}

I thought long and hard, but just couldn't come up with a ten.  

Thanks for catching up with me!  Next time, it won't be so long in between.  Pinky promise.

Philippians 4:19

What has two thumbs and a new job?

THIS GIRL!

I had my first interview a week and two days after sending out about 50 resumes to various schools in the area.  It went well, and the principal let me know that they were very interested in me, but were not yet able to offer anything until a week later.  Within that week I had another interview that also went very well.  I got the call from the principal last Thursday evening offering me the job from my first interview, and I happily accepted.  I signed my contract today.

Next year, I will be teaching first grade at a school that is only ten minutes away from home, as opposed to twenty-five minutes.  With the money I will save daily on gas, it will be like a raise!  Many things about this new school seem similar to the one I am coming from, but there are some differences, such as size (the new school is approximately a fourth of the size) and curriculum.  I am also going to be in a grade level that is new to me, but I just remind myself that it will be like having my kids again, just starting where we are leaving off now.

God is so good.  He provided, just like I had trusted He would.  I only had to endure a few weeks of uncertainty, and I am thankful for that.  I am so thankful for His promises to us.

"And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19 

♥

Canisters

We love to buy a lot of our food items in bulk, but have gotten tired of having up to 10 plastic bags in the pantry at a time.  Solution?  CANISTERS!  We have been talking about buying them for a few weeks now, but hadn't gotten around to it (story of my life, it sometimes seems!)  Thanks to Bed, Bath and Beyond's amazing coupon policy (the never-expiring coupons) we bought eight canisters and filled them today.

Starting in the back with the tallest, we have our quinoa and lentils, then next to the lentils are our raisins.  Then in the middle row we have couscous, salt and granola.  In the front row we have our chia seeds and flax seeds.  Someday I would love to buy huge ones for all of my baking supplies.  I love them.  I think I feel a canister obsession coming on...