Teaching

Day 22 - Rant About Something - Get on Your Soapbox and Tell How You Really Feel

I have my undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education.

Both of my parents are teachers.

We have many friends who are teachers as well.

Teaching is a WONDERFUL occupation.

You get to educate as well as touch and help to mold people's lives.

However...

I believe teachers tend to be under appreciated.

Some people don't realize how hard it truly is to be a teacher.

The idea of paying teachers based on test scores is mind boggling to me.

In districts I'm familiar with:

Kids come to school hungry

Kids come to school tired due to unfortunate circumstances at home

There is not a support system at home

The list goes on...

All of these things make it harder for children to behave, concentrate, and learn.

I despise when people say - "Are you going to do your ABCs and count to ten today? Must be rough."

I could go on and on about how wonderful teachers are and how much behind the scenes work they do.

Trying to keep this short and sweet, though. :)

Favorite Post

Day 21 - Link to Your Favorite Post From Your Archives

It would have to be my Happy List

Just reading it makes me smile :)

Also, check out my sister's Road to the Crown 2013 video!!

Thanks for the shout out!

Don't forget you can vote Miss Ohio USA as fan favorite.

Vote OHIO!

If my sister is fan favorite, then she will have a spot reserved for her in the semifinals as Miss USA!

(You can vote 10 times a day per e-mail through June 15.)

Thanks for your support! I know she appreciates it. :) 

Today

I need to catch up on blogging every day in May!!

It's been a crazy past few days..

Exciting news though!

Today, voting for Miss USA fan favorite begins

You can vote 10 times daily per e-mail through June 15 at the link below

VOTE FOR MISS OHIO HERE

The winner of fan favorite becomes an automatic semifinalist - woo hoo!!

You can read below for my sister's story :)

Kristin Becomes Miss Ohio USA 2013

So today, I will spend time voting for this girl ;)

Grin and "Bear" It

Day 10: Most Embarrassing Moment

I must have a selective memory when it comes to embarrassing moments..

Although I know I've had PLENTY.

Can't seem to think of anything overly embarrassing. Hmm...

I do know that having something in my teeth drives me wild.

So if I'm talking to others or smiling a lot and then find out food was in my teeth, I want to fall over right there.

Okay, I might have something.
I'd say it's something that makes me laugh more than it embarrasses me, but..
when there was not a volunteer available during my internship,
I got to dress up as the one and only B. Safe Bear

Dressing up as a character is no joke!

You can't breathe or see (it's like the vision of a fly) and it's SO hot inside.

I would have been a little embarrassed if I took that head off and somebody saw the sweaty mess I was..in a bear suit no less ;)

A Moment

Day 9 - A Moment In Your Day

I enjoyed the nice weather with these guys..

Bailey, Henry, and Toby

Advice

Day 8 - A Piece of Advice You Have for Others

Listen to your mom!

She is always right!!

Even the times when I thought she had no idea what I was feeling or going through...

The things she would tell me would always turn out to be true.

I appreciate how wise she is and recognize that she knows what she's talking about :)

Fears

Day 7: What are you most afraid of?

Not living the life of my dreams

My family living far away from me when I have a family of my own

Needles. The words immunization and vaccination make me cringe.

Loss

Hair getting in my mouth. I know, I'm weird.

What Do You Do?

Day 6 - If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question..

"What do you do?"

..Dream things up.. a lot..

..Plan "imaginary" parties/get togethers for fun..

..Try to make everyone around me comfortable/happy..

..Keep an open mind..

..Cook and bake..

..Love..

..Think (too much at times)..

..Try to soak up all the little moments that make me smile..

..Love food too much..

..Look for a reason to celebrate..

..Dance alone in the kitchen..
..Do my best to be healthy..

..Enjoy sunshine..

..Try to change the world..

Cinco de Mayo

I cannot resist celebrating!

So Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!

Tonight we had:
Chicken Stacks
Chipotle Steak Quesadillas
Mexican Sour Cream Rice

..and I am still stuffed!

Preparation for the rice

Ole!

If interested, I can provide you with the recipes :)

XO

Another Blog

Day 5 - Blog I Enjoy

Little Baby Garvin

I discovered Little Baby Garvin when I came across her chalkboards on Pinterest

I share the same love for holidays/celebrations/festiveness as Jessica does.

She has a fun, sassy personality, which makes reading her blog enjoyable.

We share similar tastes in things, so this blog is a daily read for me!

Quote It

Day 4 - Favorite Quote and Why You Love It

This is tough.

For two reasons..

-I have a hard time choosing favorite anythings

-I'm a quote junkie.  I used to have a 30 page Word document filled with quotes I liked (thank goodness Pinterest came along)

I'm going to bend the rules a bit and share a few..

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.

Why: My mom loves it and it's just plain true.

WHY: The times when you have nothing and when you have everything can shine the light on who you are. 

WHY: Success is wonderful, but you have to help others.

WHY: We need to recognize and enjoy the simple things more. 

WHY: As long as you're helping one person, you are making a difference.  Do what you can.

WHY: Because it's true.

What Makes You Uncomfortable?

Day 3 - Things That Make Me Uncomfortable

wearing wet clothing..especially pants

when people do things that make me feel embarrassed for them

couples arguing in public

saying no to people..sometimes

when I feel a stranger staring at me

people who think their opinion is the only opinion

Baking Secret

Day 2

Educate on something you know a lot about or are good at

Baking.

I've been told I'm good at baking.
I've made some pretty tasty treats if I do say so myself.

I'll educate you on baking by giving away my "secret".
I like to make everything from scratch. It just seems to make it more special and that's how my momma has always done it.
Made with love, anyone? ;)
Add extra of nearly all ingredients
..the yummy things at least (don't need to add extra flour, eggs, etc.)
I always add extra until it "feels right" - sounds weird, but I somehow know when to stop

Here are a few sweet treats that I was able to find on my phone!

Fourth of July pretzels and Oreo balls 

Homemade sugar cookies and buttercream frosting

Homemade sugar cookies and buttercream frosting

Lemon cookies

Not going to lie, probably the best cookies I've ever made :)
Cinnamon, white chocolate chips, chocolate chips

Happy May!

Starting the month off with the "Blog Every Day in May Challenge"

Story of My Life in a Paragraph:

I am a born and raised Ohio girl.. Daytonian to be exact.

I have always had wonderful, supportive family and friends by my side.

I continue to aspire to "make a difference".

Education, health, party planning, organizing, love, travel, and anything cute are of high interest to me.

I always thought I was going to be famous.

I went to Miami University and received a BS in Early Childhood Education and a MS in Health Promotion.

I continue to have big dreams :)
My life is good!