Family and Nintendo 64

My saved post from yesterday...
Last Thursday, my brother came home for the first time since Christmas break! Needless to say, I was super excited to see him. He wrestles for a college 6 hours away from here and since Christmas, I had only seen him twice, all while wrestling. It was nice to have him here for almost four whole days.

His second night back we stayed up all night (literally) talking and playing Mario Kart on the old school Nintendo 64<<<I am shocked the Nintendo 64 still works after how much we played it as kids. Real chill, but it was definitely quality time well spent and I for one enjoyed every second of it! C.J. and I grew up doing so much together side by side. I hate that he is so far away and we are not able to see each other as much as we are used to. I had been on a field trip all day on Monday and he surprised me by waiting until the bus got back to tell me bye before he left. It's those little things...

Excuse my appearance, it had been a long day outside with 2nd and 3rd graders at a carnival type place with rides.

He has always been my best friends and we can count on each other for anything. Although, like any sibilings, we fight. Oh man does he get on my nerves, haha, but I wouldn't trade a minute of it. I can't wait to see him again soon, hopefully!

Then and now. Skating while on a family vacation in Colorado (Kindergarten) and then celebrating Logan's high school graduation last May!

---Also, following up on yesterday's post about Moore, Oklahoma...
My 5th grade English teacher, Robin Dziedzic, is now a teacher at Briarbrook, one of the two schools destroyed, in Moore, Oklahoma on Monday. Her and her children were okay, but the family did loose their car. She is a single parent of two with only liability insurance on her car and would appreciate some help. If you are interested, here is the link. Raising a family on a teacher's income is not easy, especially when unexpected financial issues like this arise. Please, anything is better than nothing.
Continue to keep her and the community in your thoughts and prayers!

This is Ms. Dziedzic comforting a student after the tornado.

xo
Miss Mal

Psalm 46:1-3, 7

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. ...The Lord Almighty is within us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Today's post was originally going to be about something else, but with what is weighing on my heart, I will save it for tomorrow.

My eyes were glued to the television last night, as I am sure many of yours were too, to hear of the devastating tornado that took a path through Oklahoma. What I saw brought tears to my eyes and memories of all too recent events to mind (more on the story here). Almost two years ago (May 22, 2011), the deadliest tornado to ever hit the United States hit Joplin, Missouri. Joplin is about 30 minutes away from where I live and we commute to the town weekly, if not daily at times. Having family and many friends live in the area, I saw the damage first hand and it is a vision etched in my memory for a lifetime. After living through May 22nd, my feelings toward the footage and pictures of Moore, Oklahoma were a little more heartbreaking. What really made my heartbreak was hearing about the schools.

Photo: Sue Ogrocki

From my teacher perspective, many things have went through my mind throughout the day. As I laid in bed this morning before work, I thanked God for waking me up to be on this earth another day. As for all those that were not able to or effected by the storms, my heart goes out to you and you are in my prayers. I walked the elementary halls with joy today and was proud to be a teacher. I know that no matter what the outcome was for the students in the Moore schools, the teachers did everything in their power to protect the sweet children from any danger. For that, no amount of pay will ever compensate. I could rant and rave how I think we should be paid more, but that is not why any of us teach. We teach because we have compassionate hearts and we want to enrich children's lives in all aspects no matter the circumstances and to us, that is worth more then any paycheck. Seeing a smile on a child's face melts my heart, in which no paycheck could ever do.

Some may consider Moore, Oklahoma teachers hero's after the way they protected the students in their care, but really, they were just doing what has always been asked of them in their job description. Therefore, I think this calls for them being called a hero everyday, although I doubt that any of them would accept the title.

xo
Miss Mal

If the Shoe Fits

Lately, I have been hearing from more and more people about a store called The Run Around and I decided that I should check it out. I have been needing a new pair of tennis shoes to get back into running again. The store helps you find the perfect shoe for your individual foot. When I walked in they asked me to step on a scale (no worries, nothing that weighs you!) that recorded things such as the pressure points on your feet, shoe size, and other things I probably know nothing about. After they look at what the computer records, they watch you walk on a treadmill for a bit so another computer system can record how you walk and the movement in your feet. I was amazed at all of the technology they used. When both procedures were completed, they told me a little about what they saw and noted and then showed me proper shoes for my feet.

>>Fun fact: I am not a size 6.5 or 7 like the MANY shoes I own are. I am a size 8!<<

When they told me I needed a size 8 shoe, I about laughed in their face (rude, I know, so I chose not to). I carried on with trying the insane size 8 shoe while "humoring" them. I was shocked! Instantly I felt all sorts of support all around my foot and a shoe had never felt so comfortable. I always thought I had a really high arch in my foot so I wouldn't ever have support there. Come to find out, my arch isn't that much higher than average and it was just that my shoes were too small to fit my arch. My shoes have never been uncomfortable and so I just assumed they were the right size, also, when I would buy tennis shoes at a normal sporting store, they always told me the shoe fit fine. Little did I know, I was almost an entire size and a half bigger in size!

After showing me three different options of shoes, I chose these Mizuno ones. I wore them all day yesterday and am going to be wearing them all day today at the elementary track meet. I do not think my feet have ever been happier! My friend who went along with me bought two pairs of shoes. One for running and the other for work (she is a nurse). After she worked the night shift, she texted me to tell me how amazing they were. So no matter your cause, if you are needed a new pair of tennies or would just like a comfortable shoe, I would check this place out. I am happy I did!

xo
Miss Mal

So Many Things with Such Little Time

This past week I have loaned my computer to my mom, so I have missed out on a lot of blogging. A date with Lily monster, Mother's Day, softball season ending (heartbreaking), and a frustrating/stressful week pretty much sums it all up.

Since I have been crazy busy for me with student teaching, graduating, working, and coaching softball this past year, I have not had nearly enough time with my family as I would like–especially with Lily. It is her first year of Preschool! Lily is my cousin that I have helped take care of since she was born. Although I love all of my family more than anything, Lily and I have always had that special connection. Friday night we had a much needed date night and sleepover. One five-year-old can wear you out!!! We went out to eat at a local loved Italian restaurant, Josie's, went bowling, and then she conned Ryan into taking her for ice cream at Cherry Berry's, even though it was 10:00p.m.--wayyy past her bedtime!  Lily may or may not be spoiled at times.

My mom has been my #1 fan my entire life. She has cheered me on every step of the way. Although I claim to be a "Daddy's Girl," my mother has became my best friend over the years. Because she has always been my fan, she is always behind the camera taking photos instead of being in them with me. For Mother's Day this year, I decided to have Classic Portraits sneak a picture of the both of us while we were helping them work an event. She was thrilled when I gave her the photo and was so surprised!

We may not look a lot alike, but I hope I take after her heart. My mom is the most compasionate, loving, understanding, forgiving, God loving person in my life. I am forever grateful that God chose her to take on the challenging task of raising me for a child. [[This is not the actual quality of the photo...much better in person.]]

Isn't that the truth?! My mom always knows what is best and where to find everything when I have lost misplaced something.

Well, just five more working days left for me then it is summer time! Wahoo!!!! Tomorrow I will put up one other post about one of my favorite things that has happened this past week.
Hint: It is about something that girls never have enough of ;)

Week recap of my favorite Instagram photos.

The last morning softball practice of the season results in putting my makeup on at work. Oh, the life of a teacher/coach.

Beautiful Kansas sunrise on my way to work.

--No caption needed. It has been one of those weeks and it isn't even Friday yet.--

xo
Miss Mal

New Chapter: Big Kid Status

I told you I would hopefully have some great news to share soon. Well, yesterday I found out that the decision was made official. I am pleased to announce that the school board accepted my employment and I am now a 4th grade teacher for the upcoming school year.

This is where the color blue came into play as the hint. The school colors are blue and gold, which happen to be my favorite colors and the colors I look best in. :)

Elementary education is not the easiest career to get into. It can be discouraging when hearing statistics such as, in New York, about 6,500 childhood education specialists were trained in 2010 to fill the projected demand of 2,800 in 2011, according to the state's education department and labor bureau. In my local area there could be up to 200 applicants for 1 position. I had finally came to peace with the idea of being a substitute teacher for next year because I knew securing a teaching job would be so difficult. This was the 2nd job I applied for and my first, and only, real interview. Everything fell into perfect place and was such a blessing. The moment I hung up the phone after verbally accepting this position, I instantly fell to my knees and began crying. I can not thank God enough for the opportunities and blessings he has placed in my life.

Looking back on my 3.5 years of college, everything I have endured now makes sense in God's plan. I never imagined myself teaching in a 4th grade classroom...the year after graduation! Teaching is all I have ever wanted to do. Taylor Mali has a wonderful outlook on teaching about what teachers make and it is exactly why I want to teach. I do not want to teach for the typical benefits people look at, but for the unseen benefits. I want to make a difference.

Sorry for the overload, but it is also to great not to share. Taylor Mali states here that teachers are, in fact, miracle workers.

It just so happens that it is Teacher Appreciation Week. Make sure you thank a "Miracle Worker" in your life!! :)

xo
Miss Mal  

Jewel Filled Treasure Box

It has almost been a week since a post and so I thought I should come back with something amazing to share. This lead me to jewels. Which could be a close runner up to a girls best friend in my opinion.

For my birthday two weeks ago I received an amazing jewelry armoire, which I was in desperate need of. I may or may not be guilty of having 50+ necklaces... :) I have tried everything to store it in, I even bought a jewelry armoire similar to this from Target. Nothing ever worked. My necklaces were too long for the side doors to shut so it looked tacky with the doors left open and the armoire still never held all my jewelry so I still had random pieces laying throughout my room. It was annoying and so I went away with it all together and settled for having all my jewelry hang on dresser nobs and other handles in my room. Not the best way to care for jewelry that you spent so much money on.

My new treasure box full of jewels can be found here at HSN.

It holds over 200 pieces of jewelry! Also, when you shut the door, it is a full length mirror. Double awesome! This past week I organized it to my liking and would already recommend it to anyone! I am not the only one who would recommend it either. The armoire on HSN has over 2,000 reviews with 1,100 of them being 5 star (4.1 star rating)!
   PROS 

1. Has enough space for my longer necklaces and can still shut the door.
2. Easy earring storage where you do not have to take off the backs because they slide right into a slot and hang for an easy visual, even my stud earrings.
3. The small inside mirror is great for looking at a necklace or earrings instead of shutting the door every time just to see if the pieces look okay with the outfit.
4. Every piece has its place. Once you open the armoire up, everything can be seen and easy to find without digging through it all.
5. Full length mirror on the outside of the door.
6. Although it is heavy after it is loaded, it still hangs easily over a door.

   CONS

1. Chunky statement necklaces are in style right now, but they are a bit thick for the space and can make it difficult to shut the door. 

With that being said, I would give it a 5 star rating.

Alright, my earring collections is just starting to grow. This past year I have really been craving them. The earrings slid right into their spot, with the exception of two because they were hooped earrings. There is also a neat stopper at the bottom of this section to catch any earring backs that fall off so they do not get lost!

Right under my earrings are where I hang any loose bracelets or real short necklaces like my pearls and the cross to the left of them and the colorful necklace to the right of the pearls.

I love the room it gives me for my long necklaces. My feather necklace was still a bit long, but it was not a big deal to double up hooks for it to make it shorter to fit.

Feel free to laugh. My ring section is pretty sad. It has not been until recently that I could wear rings because I have always been a nail biter. It is growing though guys! Work with me here!

The small mirror is right above this section and underneath the rings. These are my main necklaces I wear on a day to day basis and consist mostly of my collared short necklaces. There were a few that I triple hooked but only for the simple fact that they are wider and would ruin the necklace if I had only used one hook. So far this has not created a problem and I do not mind it.

Bracelets and watches are my favorite accessories right now! I wish I had many more. This is on the bottom underneath my collared necklaces. There are three cups on each of the four rows to hold my bangles, wrap, and cuff bracelets, as well as a watch and loose extra links from other jewelry pieces.

Well, this is my treasure box full of my jewels. If you are going to invest in the jewelry, you need a proper place to store it, just like you would your clothes, shoes, and everything else. How do you store your jewelry? Any other spectacular jewelry storage that I should know about?!

Hopefully I will have another post soon. I am expecting to receive great news tonight and can not wait to share the surprise with everyone!!!
Spoiler alert: I have accepted a job.
Hint: Blue

xo
Miss Mal