Ms. Kaylee

 My class has taken to calling me, "Ms. Kaylee."  At first it was just one little boy who couldn't exactly pronounce his "T"s and now...it's caught on with all of my little munchkins.  Sometimes it's endearing and other times I forget their talking to me!  Needless to say, my new batch of threes are 10 times MORE curious, MORE talkative, and MORE challenging.




It was a very rough first week of school.  A majority of my class are young threes and it is most definitely apparent.  It's not a bad thing! I was just so use to working with the older threes and fours during the summer months, that I forgot how different it was working with the younger threes.  But, let me tell you...these kids are progressing so fast.  Within three weeks my class has: learned their colors (they were pretty much solid on that) shapes (I'm talking octagons AND hexagons. It's so cute to watch them count the sides) memorized the days of the week, conquered letter recognition, and memorized their months of the year.  I am beyond proud of them.  This is going to be a good year, I can feel it.




43 days until the wedding! My heart literally just started racing.  There is still so so much to do.  We got approved for our apartment! We move October 15th and I cannot wait.  Chris will live in the apartment with Cooper until the wedding.  I still feel guilty about moving Coop into a much smaller space. I mean, he's a chill dog and adapts to almost any new situation with ease but I just hope he doesn't become sad and cooped up.  I remember the day Chris and I got Cooper.  He was 4 months old and couldn't walk straight on a leash.  80 pounds and 4 years later...not much has changed. :)


I've entered the "freak-out" phase.  My mind is consumed with all things wedding!  If I wasn't surrounded my such great family and friends I don't know what I'd do! They keep me calm and focused.  Especially my amazing maid of honor, who threw me the most BEAUITFUL wedding shower ever. That day was filled with so much love.  :)

I'm pretty sure my car needs a new transmission. (awesome, riiight?)  One thing led to another and now my car won't shift out of park.  It couldn't have happened at a better time...not. I had pink eye yesterday and I'm stuck in glasses until my eye is completely back to normal. Life goes on! I'm so grateful for this upcoming weekend.  Hooray for sleeping in!


Fearlessly, 


                  Kay
 

Beach Week.

We just finished up Beach Week and I am still enjoying my kids.  They wear me out but I love seeing their faces each day.  This past week my love for "The Rainbow Fish" series was rekindled.  We spent two days on that book.  We had them tear up multi colored tissue paper and paste the torn pieces on their pre drawn  fishes.  Thus, making their very own Rainbow Fish.  I think it's my favorite craft that we've done to date.  :) SO adorable.  

My co-worker  recommended a book called, "Heaven is for Real" to me the other day.  She brought her copy in today for me to read and by the end of my lunch break I had finished it.  I couldn't put it down!  It's about a three year old boy who went to Heaven for three minutes.  In those three minutes he met Jesus, his unborn sister, John the Baptist, his grandfather and countless angels.  His account is so compelling and gripping.  I'm usually very skeptical about stories like this.  Especially with the boy being that young, I was very apprehensive as I began to read it.  But, as I read I realized that there is no way that this kid made this stuff up.  I work with three year olds and I know how vast and wild their imaginations are...and this surpasses it all.  From this little boy describing Jesus' markers (what he called His scars on His hands and feet) to him recalling watching himself getting operated on while sitting in Jesus' lap.  It's incredible.  It's a quick read and I highly encourage you to read it.

As for the mandatory wedding update: ( ! )

- let me just say...I LOVE Living Social. You'll have to wait until November 5th to understand what I'm talking about. :)

- a woman at our church has a TON of leftover items from her daughters wedding a couple a months ago.  Hurricane vases, tulle, an archway, luminary bags...It's SUCH a blessing.  We are so excited and grateful because we are on a pretty tight budget. GOD IS GOOD!

- we meet with our caterer on Tuesday!

I have a couple of new music obsessions...

Easton Corbin: He's about as country as they come.  He was one of the opening acts for The Rascal Flatts concert & I've been listening to him ever since.  No shame.  Favorite Song: "The Way Love Looks." 

 Jesus Culture:  Chris introduced me to them about a month ago.  I'm a huge Hillsongs fan, I love worship music.  But, I think I may like Jesus Culture more.  Favorite Song(s): "Come Away." & "One Thing Remains."

Chris August: I have been stuck on this guy for more than a year.  He's brilliant. Favorite song: "Canyons."

I think that's about it for now.  It's nearing my bedtime, ha.  It's 8:55. When did I get so old?!  Tomorrow is Friday & payday! Aaaamen.  4 day weekend! So excited. I have no idea what Chris and I are going to do for the fourth.  Happy Weekend!

Fearlessly,

                      Kay

Bug Week.

Who knew that three year olds loved bugs?! I'm pretty sure that when I was three I avoided them at all costs.  But my kids?  Ah, they adore them.  In fact they love them so much that they pick up spiders and beetles and lovingly give them "homes."  During nap time I discovered that their new "homes" were actually in the pockets of my curious three year olds.  Kind of cute and kind of horrifying. Because when my precious three year olds were handing me the bugs (one of the girls named hers Shorty. No, I didn't laugh...on the outside anyway) they were handing me lifeless insects.  Explaining death right before nap time isn't the greatest way to send them off into dreamland.  


I love this room.  I love how when I ask, "What is your favorite bug?"  I get responses like, "really purple butterflies with high heels."  With all of that being said, this week is bug Week.  And, I survived my first day with the threes.


I went to my first country concert last night.  It was almost like a culture shock.  As soon as we got to the venue, I walked into a different world.  I heard awful karaoke in the distance, smelled alcohol and deep fried something, and cowboy hats and cowboy boots as far as the eye can see.  I felt like a fish out of water donning a dress and flip flops.  The crazy thing was that by the end of the night, I loved it all.  


My friend's husband is deployed and thoughtfully bought her Rascal Flatts tickets to keep her busy while he is gone.  She invited me to go with her and I reluctantly said yes.  I just recently got into country music and by country music I mean Taylor Swift and  Carrie Underwood.  All I knew about Rascal Flatts was that they sang the title track on the "Cars" soundtrack.  And, let me tell you...that song annoyed me to no end.  ...until yesterday.  Do you know that I sang my lil' heart out to "Life is a Highway" like there was no tomorrow?  I mean, belted that song at the top of my l u n g s.  They put on such an amazing show and I am so surprised that I had a voice when I woke up this morning.  I had such great time and it was so nice to be exposed to a whole different kind of music.  Don't worry I'm not going to go all hillbilly on you.  Although, a pair of cowboy boots could be really cute...


Fearlessly,
                    Kay

Following Through.

"You need to learn how to follow through." That's what I was always told growing up.  Especially when I was in trouble.  I wouldn't finish things. I would start a million little projects and leave them unfinished.  I just like to refer to myself as a creative tornado. :) In this instance, Mom was right.  I started this blog in January and this is my third post.  I guess I'm still not "following through" on certain things.  I'm going to change that.


It's June. I'm excited and nervous about this fact. I'm excivous! The wedding is 5 months away and I'm starting a new position at work on Monday.  I'll tackle the job first...


SO.  I've been getting really bored at work lately. To the point where I just want to pull my hair out.  I work with babies and they are beyond precious.  They light up my day when they giggle and coo. However, babies can't talk back...and I was getting stir crazy.  I love a challenge and I wasn't feeling challenged anymore.  I wanted something new.  As a result, I did something insane.  I volunteered to be the lead teacher in the three year old classroom.  You see, the three year old classroom is not exactly a "coveted" room.  People walk by and peek through the window and shudder at what they see.  And, I willingly offered to take that class.  I'll definitely be getting that challenge that I wanted, that's for sure.  You know what, though? I'm stoked.  I think I can really turn this room around. I'm not trying to come off as arrogant, I just truly think that I can make a positive impact on these kids and on that classroom in general.  We have tons of fun summer activities planned and I have a feeling that it's going to be a great experience.  Here's to new challenges!


The Wedding.
Ahh, the wedding.  I cannot wait to become Mrs. Katie Ackerman.  I love Chris so much and I cannot wait to begin our lives together.  Wedding plans are falling into place! Ceremony site: booked.  Reception Venue: booked. DJ: booked. Photographer: booked.  Caterer: We're sealing the deal in July!  Bridesmaids dresses: ordered! Flowers: done! Registry: done! Honeymoon: booked! Save the dates: sent! I'm pretty happy with how everything is going.  I have THE best Maid of Honor and she has been staying on top of everything. :)  


I'm learning that I can't please everyone.  That's so hard for me because I am a people pleaser.  I want everyone to agree with my decisions and approve of what I am doing in life.  But, you know what?  I should not be aiming to please man.  I should always aim to please God.  And, if I know that I am following His will that's all that matters.  


Fearlessly,
                     Kay

Why, hello there 2011...

Well. I've gotten off to a horrible start, haven't I? Haha, I really need to be better about this blog. Hm. Where to begin?

We got crazy amounts of snow. I mean, insane amounts! Over a foot, I believe. Cooper (my dog) was in Heaven. He was literally leaping through the snow with his tongue hanging out the entire time. I attempted to film him and take pictures but alas, my new camera has a chargeable battery & well...I didn't know that. Needless to say, it wasn't charged.  So, I took plenty of mental pictures.  I enjoyed the snow buuut not as much as Coop.  I appreciated the day off work and the two days of delays but I was ready for the sunshine back.      
 
For the first time in five years, I went to the family's New Years get together. It was really nice to share that moment with my extended family AND my husband-to-be. :) Speaking of New Year's...I've decided to not make any resolutions for this upcoming year. Why? Because frankly, I never keep them. So, I have words for 2011. My words are : Boldness & Gratefulness.  This year is going to be a life-changing one for me. I don't want to be fearful of what's to come. I want to encounter the challenges and obstacles head on. I want to be bold. I also don't want to take anything for granted. I want to appreciate both the little and big things in life. The seen and the unseen. I want to be grateful. 
 Speaking of 2011...I'm getting married this year!  It feels SO good to say finally say that. We are so excited, it's ridiculous. We have officially set a date! No, I am not going to reveal it yet. That's what the save-the-dates are for, silly. We've picked the colors and the theme and we can't wait to share our special day with our family and friends.  

 I'm sorry that this was short. I'll try and work on that in the posts to come. 


                          Fearlessly,
                                                Kay