Where did it go?

Summer....what's that? I don't even want to think what would come out of my mouth if someone said, "Oh, you are a teacher. Must be nice to have summers off." 1. No summer off here. 2. Teaching is a demanding job and teachers need summers to revamp and get ready for a whole new group of "precious" kiddos. :)

Well, my two-week summer has just begun! I just wrapped up my last reading class and working with a group of sweet college girls. I am so excited about working with them this year at AU. I've been hard at work on their syllabus and trying to make their learning experiences "true" to the classroom. All the while hard at working on reading research papers, tutoring students, and anything reading related. :)

Having my classes over, I've been able to enjoy some summer fun activities. I went to the pool with this sweetie, Ellie Gray, and her momma, my bestie. I had a great time swimming her around and catching up with Lindsey.

Tomorrow, I will be spending the day with my sweet friend Alison and her daughter Ryn in Atlanta for the day shopping. So. Excited.

Wedding planning is going great! It has kind of slowed down...but exciting news....We. Found. The. Dress!!! After three cities, three stores, and about 30 dresses, we found the one! Oh it's beautiful! It is going to be even more beautiful with something we are adding to it, but I can't tell! Hint: my mother hand sewn this piece that we will add!!  Praise the Lord that my mother was there to witness the event, IV and all, and my friend Emilee. She helped keep mom calm and cool while I tried on dresses. It is a Maggie Sottero, my favorite designer!! :)

Well, that's its for now. Even though, I haven't been on an extravagant vacation this summer, I am thankful for every day that God allows me to live and I pray that my focus is around him. I will be thinking about all my Opelika teacher friends that go back to school either this week or next week. I miss you all so much, but I'm not going to lie, I am enjoying my extra two weeks. :)

Southern Love,
Tricia

First Engagement Gift from my bestie, Lindsey:

Bittersweet Packing

A coupe of weeks ago, I finally had to move all my boxes and school stuff to storage. Even though I am so excited and blessed to have this new and amazing adventure ahead of me, I am going to miss working with children on a daily basis. I enjoyed teaching both third and first grade but first has my heart! Those little kiddos blessed my heart in so many ways and wore my brain out in other ways. Every year, I am blessed more and more with the students and parents I work with and the other teachers and staff that surround me. I am only taking a leave of absence but I continue to pray for God's guidance. He has big plans for me, whether it will be to return to the classroom or to move on to something else. Here is just a glimpse of what is now in my parents' storage unit. The last picture is blurry but includes everything! Ah! It took a moving truck but only one trip and the storage unit is now filled. :)

I have been doing private tutoring this summer so that I can still work with kiddos. It has been wonderful working one to one. I will miss having my own classroom to decorate and organize. I will pay many visits to my kiddos. Here is a sweet journal entry Tiny Tim wrote on the last day of school.

Southern Love, 

Tricia 

A "Quality" Friendship

One of my dear friends just got married this past weekend. She was a beautiful bride! She had a beautiful wedding! Our friendship was unique and it had the biggest roadblock. We learned the "truth" behind that roadblock and overcame it. I am so glad we came to the truth and realized just how important our friendship means to each other. This girl means the world to me and I am so happy for her!

But I will miss her something dreadful as she begins her new life in Georgia! Her husband is truly a blessed man and I pray that she finds a teaching job so that she can touch those kids with her passion.

I will never forget our weekly lunch dates and shopping! Our conversations always brightened my week and I know our friendship will always be unique. I am so grateful that she has the heart that she does.

Thanks for always being there for me! I know that you are only a text or a phone call away when I need you. I am even more excited about football season because you will be in town!!

Never forget, Heather, I am always here for you!! I don't mind floating down the Flint River to get to you!  I love you girl bunches!

Note to Self: I need to learn to take my camera with me! 

Second Note to Self: Buy camera! :) 

Southern Love,

Tricia