A year ago, today...

This time last year I was about to walk down the aisle and officially and FINALLY become Mrs. Austin Aldrich. My wedding day was the most special day of my life. I had so many wonderful people around me who loved and cherished the day as much as I did. I was finally getting my dream, Christmas wedding and it was everything I had envisioned, and more, and to top it all off - the husband I had always dreamed about! As I think about how much has happened in a year - it blows my mind! We loved our duplex in Dallas, but we needed something more practical and closer to our jobs and families. We bought our first home in July and I couldn't have been blessed with a better one. We love it here, and are back close to our friends and family. I went through my wedding pictures and picked out the ones that captured my wedding day so perfectly. I have been so fortunate and blessed in this last year. I have the most amazing husband anyone could ask for. The day I became Mrs. Austin Aldrich changed my life forever. I look back on that day with such nostalgia and fondness. I could relive it over and over and over, and never get tired of it. I leave you with some pictures that captured the love that we/I felt on that day. It's crazy that it has already been a year, but if every year is as wonderful as this...I can't wait to see what else God has in store for us. I love you, Babe. Happy Anniversary!

"Mrs. Aldrich, why are you a princess today?"

There are two events in my life, up until today, that have profoundly changed my life and made me feel completely 100% changed. The first, when I accepted Christ at the age of 8. The second, the day I became Mrs. Aldrich, and the third happened today....I received one of the greatest honors and privileges that a teacher can receive. I was nominated as Teacher of the Year for my campus. I was completed shocked and dumbfounded the second I found out. Me? Why me? I work in a school FULL of AMAZING teachers. I thought for a split second, "Maybe she miscounted." Whatever the reason, I went home, showered, changed, met my principal back at school and headed off to a "Surprise" Teacher of the Year luncheon. As I walked in the door, my Superintendent greeted me and pointed to the sign that said, "Welcome WYLIE ISD Teacher of the Year." Was this seriously happening? As I walked down the line of school board members, shaking their hands, the last one I came to was holding flowers. I looked up, and there was my hubby smiling at me, holding a bouquet of flowers. He had known for three weeks! He can really keep a secret. What an awesome luncheon it was. We headed back to Groves and as if the luncheon wasn't enough, I was greeted at the door with a cape, tiara and wand and the entire school was there clapping for me as I walked down the hallway - so surreal. As I walk all the way down the hallway and back, I turn the corner and the entire Kindergarten is chanting my name, my class runs up and gives me huge hugs, nearly knocking me over - so worth it. Then, one of my kiddos looks at me and says, "Mrs. Aldrich, how come you're a princess today?" I have to admit...it did feel like royalty. ;0)

My Principal, introducing me at the luncheon....we were both teary-eyed.

2008-2009 Wylie ISD Teachers of the Year
My Assitant Principal, greeting me with my garb!

The first thing I see when I come in - amazing.

My class on the left!

The walk of fame.

This picture is so meaningful to me. That's Kate, she's on my team. She's been my mentor, my friend, and last year's Teacher of the Year.

A hug from my kiddos.Getting mobbed!

The best Husband EVER!

Me and my Kelly.

The best Mother-in-law EVER.

This is Elva, our school's secretary! LOVE HER!

Our awesome Librarian!

Annu - couldn't do without her either!

My amazing boss.

Blessed,

Jennifer :0)

The many definitions of "Green."

Myself and some other teachers at school are heading up a recycling program at my school this year. So, I'm trying to educate my five year olds on what it means to be "green." We've been recyling for a few weeks now, and we've talked about it, but I wanted to make sure that they realized the importance of it all. So, I read this really great book called My Class is Going Green. It was actually written by a Kindergarten class, which made it even better because my kids could relate and see that even at their age, they can make a difference. So, ANYWAY, before I read the book I asked, "Who can tell me what it means to be green?" I got some silly answers, but the BEST response was, "That's the color you get before you barf!" I had to laugh at that one! I appreciated the honesty, and I'm hoping that after the book and the lesson, that my kids can tell you the REAL definition of green! :0)

Just another day in the life of a Kindergarten teacher.

Jennifer :0)

1, 2, 3, 4....

Yesterday morning Kelly's class came in for an hour while she observed a lesson. Seeing as that teaching a math lesson to 42 five year olds in one room would be next to impossible, I went to put on a Magic School Bus instead. Well, as luck would have it, United Streaming wasn't working. I was forced to turn it on PBS Kids, even though "watching TV" at school goes against everything I stand for. Luckily, Sesame Street was on...at least it's educational. This segment for introducing the number four came on. I LOVE this song and I LOVE it even more that Feist did a remake for Sesame Street. It made me smile.




I'm now encouraged to search YouTube for all the songs that Sesame Street did for 1-10 to intro. these numbers for next year. What can I say? I'm a fan of Sesame Street.

Jennifer :0)

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.