Halloween = good times!

One of the other reasons I LOVE my job so much:

I love these ladies - what an amazing team! We dress up as crayons every year, and I love it and the kids get a big kick out of it. Being a pink crayon isn't easy, though. Yes, I may get to walk around all day in comfy slippers, but wearing the long, fake eyelashes, and cone and yarn for hair can get a little bothersome. So, when Austin and I were contemplating what we were going to be tonight...I wanted to have as little hassel as possible. So, this is what I came up with!

What's a crayon without her coloring book? (Front View)

Back View.

Here is a close-up - "Jennifer's Big Coloring Book of Fun!"

"Hours of Coloring Fun!"

What a good sport - he wore it just for me...not very long...but he still wore it! :0)

Jennifer :0)

Why I love my job...

One of the best things about teaching, is how often these little people say or do something that puts me into stitches!! For example, the other day I sat down to read them one of my favorite books of all time, and that is how I introduced the book. I told them I've been reading it since I was a little girl and it's so sweet, etc. Many of you may know it...

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Ok, so I was going on and on about how it is one of my favorites, and I was clenching it to me (like a hug) to show my affection for the story, and also so they couldn't see the cover. Well, so as I'm (overly) gushing about the story, I hear one of my sweet little girls sitting in front of me whisper (in complete adoration), "It's Jesus!"..........

Haha!! I forgot that this huge picture of Shel Silverstein's face is on the back of the book. I can say that I can SORT OF see how she can see the resemblance, but I have never thought Shel Silverstein was that striking of a man! :0) Haha...I was trying not to laugh when I heard that, but she probably thought I was about to read her a book that Jesus had written himself! Lol! Oh, the things these kids say. I thought it was too cute not to share.

Jennifer :0)

"Celebrate Your Journey"

As Austin and I approach our one year anniversary, I become nostalgic and sentimental about this time of year. This time last year......I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to finish up last minute preparations for the biggest day of my life. Although it was the most exciting time of my life, it was very chaotic. I remember two weeks before my wedding I had run myself ragged. I was so busy trying to make sure everything was in place, I forgot to take care of one thing, my health. I came down with something that was yucky and put me on my back. I had a shower at work that I was looking so forward to, I made it...but barely. I remember being in that room with all my co-workers and thinking, "Wow. I'm lucky." I had so many people who cared about me and made the time to celebrate my marriage with me. Anyway, I'm going off in a different direction, but just a little bit ago I was goofing around on the computer and an ad caught my eye, "Celebrate your journey..." That made me think about not only the last year, but the last nine. Yes, NINE! Austin and I have been together almost nine years. We have been through major ups, and major downs. I'm not going to lie, there were times I didn't think that December 15, 2007 would ever happen. I know, though, if it wasn't for those down times, it wouldn't have happened. I am so thankful for that journey. I know that every single event that took place led us to where we are. I have God to thank for that. I can't help but reflect on the last nine months of marriage, and the last nine years of our life together. We did a lot of growing...and growing up. Seeing the word "journey" really made me think about our relationship and how everything works out exactly how it's supposed to. It really has been a wonderful journey. I'm so proud to (finally) be Mrs. Austin Aldrich, and I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world.







This is all....





Jennifer ;0)

From then....

To Now

Love you.

Drum Roll Please....Our New House (just a couple of months late!) :0)

Finally found my camera chord. However, this very expensive camera that Austin and I bought with wedding money came with some very sorry software. So, finding my camera chord has done me no good, seeing as that the software won't "connect" with the camera. So anyway, I've been having to upload my pictures to my sister-in-law's computer and copy them to a disk - quite the pain! So here they are, the pictures of the day that Austin and I became all
"growed up" . :0)

July 10th - In front of our old house on Martel, right after we signed our life away!

VERY exciting stuff!

In front of our new home!

I'm holding the key...if you're wondering

I had to capture the first time we walked into the house as the homeowners!

Austin, standing in front of my favorite thing in the house - the fireplace!

July 11th - Moving day...me, unpacking.

Nicole surprised me by being in town and coming over on the big day! Funny thing, we didn't know she was pregnant when this picture was taken...aww!

Aww...moms and daughters...two generations of BFFS. :0)

I heart these two.

The Happy Homeowners.It's been a very exciting last couple of months. I spend A LOT of time at Kirklands and Hobby Lobby. The kitchen has been our biggest project and we tackled that over Labor Day weekend. I'm so mad at myself for not getting a "before" picture, but at least the "after" turned out to be a good thing. Lovin' it.

More to come....

-Jennifer :0)

First Day of School Symptoms

I woke up this morning and got out of bed, and nearly fell - my legs and thighs ached. I have blisters on my toes and feet from standing, running, and going non-stop all day the day before. I slept like a rock - an earthquake couldn't have woken me. I keep hearing my (new) name over and over in my head. I keep referring to myself in third person to everyone around me. Yes, it's official - school has started, and I'm totally consumed!



More funny five year old stories to follow, I'm sure!



Hope all you teachers out there are loving it!!



-Jennifer :0)

What is your true color?

This week is back to school for the teachers. I usually dread the in-service part, but today was actually really fun and interactive. Our new Assistant Principal and amazing Instructional Specialist planned the whole day and based it off a really neat concept. They started off the morning by having us take the True Colors Quiz. I took it and found out I am a TRUE BLUE with a touch of Orange. I was blown away by the characteristics that described blue - totally me!! I also found I am teaching on a team of mostly Gold people (which is pretty much the opposite of blue!:0). The rest of the day was left to us to make a power point, skit, or book about our team and the different colors and traits that represent us. It was a wonderful idea and we were able to take time to talk about our different personalities and how even though we all were different, what was it that made us click (which we do!). Anyway, if you get a free minute or two...take it! You'll be amazed at the results.

Have a good one,

Jennifer :0)

It's that time of year...

This is the time of year that I start getting that surge of excitement in my stomach and fresh, new ideas pop into my head and I can't wait to start school, again! There isn't much that can tear me away from my beautiful new home except for the love of teaching. My classroom is my sanctuary and I could spend hours upon hours there. In fact, I did spend hours upon hours there last night, and my poor husband had dinner waiting for me for quite a while before I decided to come home! Luckily, I have a wonderful hubby who understands my love and, sometimes, obsession for my job. My first year of teaching I saw the movie " The Freedom Writers" (everyone, not just teachers, but everyone should see it!). The week we moved into our house it was on every night on one of the movie channels. It has been my inspiration for every school year. Even though I don't teach high school and I'm not faced with the same issues that she was in the movie it still makes me feel like I can make a difference, and if I can do that for at least one student, I've done my job. It totally gets me pumped for school and inspires me to give it my all. Anyway, it's just an exciting time of year!

On another note, I still can't find my camera chord and I am unable to post pics of my new house and the fun day that we signed our life away. It's been such an exciting month, and as soon as I can share that, I sure will.

- Jennifer :0)