Going, going... gone.

I'm creeping up quickly on the end of my summer. And although it is back-loaded with an abundance of exciting activities, I'm still appalled and slightly saddened by how fast it went. Surprise, surprise... I say that every year- and I have a feeling that will be the soundtrack of my every mid-August for the rest of my days.

As my classroom gets more and more put together I become increasingly excited about it, and ready to take on a load of kids. The walls are painted, signs are hung, desks are placed (including my own), and only minor details need to be hatched out before kids arrive- although each of those minor details tend to take 5 hours a shot- I think I can do it.  It has been quite the adventure already, and school hasn't even begun. I can't imagine the things I'm going to have to say about teaching once you throw 15 little ones into the mix, but all-in-all I'm so excited to be Ms. Henne, and to embark on that adventure with my students.

Less than two weeks left of nannying. Two weeks? What? How in the world did that happen? It's been a busy and splendid summer with the kids, and I am always so grateful that I get to be a part of their lives and watch them grow and change daily. It's a tough job at times, but so rewarding always. Little Lexi informed me the other day that "Amber, I know that if you and Rob had to be our parents, Rob would marry you really fast." In reference to a conversation about God-parents, who they were and what their purpose was. She was convinced that Rob and I are her God parents, because we're the parents that God gave her. My heart certainly did swell in that moment. 

Sun setting on the lake, wine, grilled perfection, warm weather, no bugs- Deciding to head out to the lake on Saturday for an evening together was the exact quality time that I needed this weekend with Rob. We had such a great time just enjoying each other's company, listening to the radio, eating dinner and watching the sun set on the lake. On Sunday we both even got a little bit of work done, while hanging out- what a way to do it!

And... tonight, TRAIN. I have never been a huge Train fan, although, as I looked at their playlist, I wondered why I haven't been more of one. They have an abundance of wonderful songs. Recently, my all-time favorite song is sung by them. And tonight I get to experience it all- live. So. Excited.

That teaching blog is still at the back of my mind. Now that I have before and after classroom pictures, I'm getting more and more anxious to get it rolling- but I still can't pull the trigger quite yet. It'll come soon.

Thanks for all your love.

Fly By Summers

The 4th of July has come and gone. Actually, the 4th of July flew by like a fence post out the window while driving down the interstate. It was here and gone that fast. It's hard to believe that summer is already half over. Where does time go, how does it go so fast? I just can't seem to ever wrap my mind around that concept of the 3 months between the end of May and the end of August seemingly taking a great deal longer than the three between Christmas and my birthday.

This summer has been a wonderful ride of memory making, and has graced me with several different emotions. Approaching the end of the summer I will begin my first real grown-up job, and I absolutely can't wait to see where that takes me. But with that excitement comes a great sense of anxiety- the room's not ready, I'm not ready, I have so much to do, so much to get in order- overwhelming to say the least. 

I know it will all work out wonderfully, and I'm trying to enjoy the last few weeks of off-the-hook freedom before I really have to buckle down and actually start stressing, but let's get real- I've been stressing since the day I signed my contract. Excited and nervous.

This weekend was another out-of-the-park, home run weekend of fun, adventure and excitement.Saturday was a beautiful 90 degree day, and I got to spend it at Pelican lake literally surrounded by people I love. What a blessing. There was a moment during the day when my Dad, my brother, Rob and his Dad were in the water swimming in the middle of the lake, and I stopped and said to myself "What a lucky, lucky girl I am."

I've been saying that a lot this summer- how blessed and lucky I am. Longtime friends, new friends, birth family, gained family (although not yet, technically), a boyfriend who is a best friend, a job, financial stability, and a whole lot of love in my life and in my heart. 

Switching gears completely- I'm finally going to bite the bullet and start my teaching blog. I think I have enough to say on the teaching front, enough to share, enough happening in my life that it is worth of a blog. But I need a name. I want a fun, creative, interesting, memorable name for my teaching blog. One that I can keep for a long, long while and not feel like I outgrow it. I need your help. What do you think?

Although not completely finished, I've made a lot of headway on my classroom. The walls all have at least one coat of fresh paint, and many are on their way to two fresh coats. I'm excited about how it's going to look when it's all said and done, and really thankful that I have amazing parents, a really, really great friend, and a boyfriend who have spent hours willing to help me out.