Just Around the Corner

Well I s'pose it's time I write in here again...

Life is so busy these days, I don't even have time to breathe...

I think I may have said that exact phrase in my last.

Oh well...

Life has been peachy. 

But more than peachy, it's been invigorating.

Challenging.

Fulfilling.

Exhausting.

Liberating.

Eye-opening.

And so much more.

I'm growing up so fast!

Ah!

I'm a grownup.

I'm a married woman.

I pay bills.

I have two jobs.

(Okay, I technically only have Target, but I count student teaching as a job.)

And tonight I'm spending the night filling out so many applications for teaching positions, that I'm beginning to forget who all I'm applying for, which ones I've got completed, and all that jazz...

Ooofda.

I'm a grownup. 

It's a little surreal.

In less than two weeks I'll be walking at my university's graduation ceremony...although technically I don't "graduate" until I'm finished student teaching in June. 

Then I apply for my teaching license.

Then I go on my honeymoon...eeeek!

Teaching's been going really well.

I definitely miss the Middle Schoolers.

Soooo much.

I've realized I am best suited for middle school.

I have the energy & personality for it.

I love the high schoolers, don't get me wrong, and I think they even get a kick out of my dorkiness, but I get frustrated with them very easily.

They are lazy, whiny, and it's so hard to get them interested & excited about what we're learning about. 

But, I am still loving my time at Blaine High School.

I'm growing frustrated with mine & Tom's schedule. 

I'm sooo tired of this opposite schedule thing.

I can't wait for the summer when we'll be able to see each other more than twice a week. 

SO excited.

It's hitting me how much of an adult I'm becoming.

We're starting to look for homes.

Keeping our eyes out for foreclosures.

Crossing our fingers I'll get a job & we can get our own place.

And start making a family.

And getting a puppy!

This is real.

I'm really, finally, growing up.

I turn 24 in about 3 months.

Weird.

I'm like, [in] my 20s now.

The middle.

Weird.

24 sounds so much older than 23.

I cried when I turned 20.

Did you know that?
True fact.

I was devastated to be half-way to 40.

And no longer a teenager.

But now?
Well, now I'm excited to be 24.

I'm excited to grow up.

I am excited for the future.

I spend all day dreaming about it.

My favorite is to daydream about our kids.

I dream about holding a new baby close to my chest.

I dream about listening to the squeals of laughter & delight my toddler gives at the sight of bubbles, or a butterfly, or any of those simple pleasures in life. 

I dream of Thomas playing t-ball in the backyard with our little boy or girl.

Or teaching them how to ride a bike.

Or sneaking them a treat when they get in trouble by mom.

Or tucking them into bed.

I dream of Thomas with the kids more than I dream of myself.

He's going to be such a wonderful father.

I do feel bad for any of our future daughters' future boyfriends - they're going to have a hard time with Thomas! He's going to be so protective!

Life has been beautifully wonderful.

I'm working harder than I've ever worked before, and I'm exhausted, but the rewards are amazing.

Okay, I don't technically know the rewards yet, 

But they're right around the corner.

And they'll be amazing.

Because the future has so many amazing things in store.

And I'm excited to see what it is.

A Favor

Hey everyone,

Sorry, no time to write a full out blog

Just wanted to ask a favor!

My hubby needs as many people as possible to fill out this survey for his sociology class at school. 

It literally takes 3 minutes.

If you could fill it out for him, that'd be awesome!

It's completely anonymous,

but the catch?
You can't be Mormon to answer the questions.

Please & Thank you!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dEIxdUpGa2Y2dGNLQzYtMWJsSTEya0E6MQ 

Hodgepodge

Holy moly, life here lately has been so incredibly crazy.

I feel as if I haven't even had time to breathe, let alone write a blog.

So out of character for me to go weeks without writing.

Meh, I'm sure you didn't miss me. 

SO! What's new with Katie Jo?

Welp, I started my high school placement at Blaine High School a couple weeks ago.

I really love it there. 

The kids are wonderful.

-Haven't had a single behavior issue yet!-

(Knock on wood!)

And the other day I had my first "Hey Mrs. Macmillan" in the hallway.

Always an exciting moment! :)

The staff (particularly the S.S. department) is incredibly nice, helpful, and welcoming. From day one, I felt a part of the team.

I had my supervisor from the University come and supervise me for the for the first time this past week. 

At Skyview, Bruce was my supervisor. 

Now I have Roger. 

Bruce & Roger are buddies.

Apparently, Bruce raved about me to Roger, and when I met Roger the first time, he told me he was going to hold me to high expectations.

So I was nervous for my first visit.

...Roger comes in and observes third hour Thursday.

Four hour, we sit and hash it out, talk it over.

The first thing he says to me?
"Bruce didn't do you justice."

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, I'm not (usually) one to brag, 

but OH. EM. GEE.

Biggest compliment ever.

He proceeded to go on and say that if he wasn't required by the university, he wouldn't have to keep coming in and observing me - I've got it down like a natural; I've got skills it takes most teachers years to develop.

I just about had a heart attack.

I am {SO} stinking excited to be a teacher.

Every day is just reassurance to me that I chose the right career path.

GAH! So. Excited.

Let's see, what else...

had Easter with the fam bam.

It was really nice. 

We usually do a big Easter dinner with the extended family, but this year we kept it minimal and did it with just our immediate family.

I think I liked it better that way.

Sorry to any Barthel's reading this.

It was just nice & intimate.

We had a big dinner, opened baskets & ate candy & pie, and watched some old school family home videos. It was a wonderful time. 

I've been enhancing my cooking skills!

Shabam!

The other day I made this delicious chicken crescent roll things.

Shredded chicken & cream cheese wrapped in a Pillsbury crescent roll, rolled in croutons & butter, baked, and served with creamy chicken gravy on top.

It was pretty dang good.

I was pretty dang pleased with myself!

I will try & get the recipe on here, cuz ya'll need to try it!

Also on news to update??

Today is a special day.

Today is mine & Thomas' six year anniversary - dating, obviously.

Six years ago today he asked me to be his girlfriend.

It's so crazy how fast time goes.

I remember the night vividly.

Maybe I'll recap it on here for you guys some other time.

This post is already long enough.

Our plans to celebrate??

We both took the day off work, which is {wonderful} since we basically see each other for sleeping these days, and even then, I'm usually in bed hours before he's even home.

First plan for the day? Sleep in.

Well, I can't do that, no matter how late I'm up the night before, so here I am, laying in bed on my laptop, while my hunnie sleeps next to me for the both of us. :)

We're going to do something outside.

Maybe the Walker Art Center, or this flower/bird garden place.

Then hitting up TGIFriday's for some {amazing} dinner.

Nothing too over-the-top, just spending time together.

We don't get enough of that these days!

Well, I think Thomas has slept long enough now, and I'm getting antsy to get our day started, so I think it's time to wrap up this blog and wake up my husband. 

Toodles everyone.

I promise my next post will be more exciting.

And it won't be so long away. 

;)