What a Year! (or two)

I am here again but this time with a whole new outlook on life! I came to the realization that I hadn't blogged in over a year and wondered why?! A lot has happened in the past year (mostly amazing) but I am ready to get back to the keyboard and start up this blog again....Enjoy!

So you may be wondering what I have been up to this past year? The latest and greatest thing has happened to me...I became a mom! I am the mother to a beautiful baby girl named Kiley who just turned 4 months yesterday. She has been a dream come true and I couldn't imagine life without her. She is a happy and healthy little one. Here is her sweet face....

In addition to giving birth to a beautiful baby, I was fortunate enough to have a dream pregnancy as well. I had no "sick" symptoms and I felt better than ever! I lost weight instead of gaining and I have managed to keep most of it off. Being pregnant was an experience I thought I would hate and dread but I actually felt more beautiful than ever. I had it documented by a wonderful photographer named Kelsey Shirley. If you are looking for a photographer in general, Kelsey is fantastic! Here is a link to her website Kelsey Shirley Photography. She is amazing at what she does and I appreciate her capturing my pregnant self and making me feel like a million bucks. She took so many good ones I picked a few that I loved!

Some other (not as important) things that have happened is: I finished my Master's degree, rode my very first (hopefully not last) bike riding event, traveled a whole bunch, lost our dog "Snuggles" in a tragic accident and adopted a new pup named "Roo".


That is what has happened in the past year (or two)....it is my hope I can update this blog as my child sleeps. I love blogging and in a sense it is a way to relive the happy (and sometimes frustrating) times in life.


Clarissa

It's been a crazy year but I'm alive!

Hello again!

It is officially the first week of summer for me and what better way to start it off than updating my blog! This year has been a great and crazy one! After my back to school sales episode I started last year, my husband and I had a traumatic experience happen to us. Our dear dog "Snuggles" was bitten by a rattlesnake in our backyard right before bedtime. It happened so quickly and we have thought what we could have done but time has healed some of the wounds. In late October, we adopted "Roo" after I saw her and her eyes, I couldn't resist and she has given us a new closure.
I also changed schools and am teaching in the same district. I love it! I can't tell you how much I love my team (Kinder and a school), my principal/mentor, and the kids. It was one of the best decisions I made and I have no regrets. Not only did I change schools but I also did my internship for my masters degree this year. My principal was my mentor and he kept me busy! I learned so much and hope to continue to grow next year. I am now officially done with my Masters degree! I have a ceremony on Thursday which my parents, family and friends will attend.

That pretty much sums up the year......now on to the now!

I have taken up a new hobby besides crafting.....cycling. Not hardcore but its a hobby and a way to get myself moving this summer. I have actually had a bike for a year now but it was a mountain bike and IT IS HEAVY!!! Of course my criteria for buying a bike a year ago was it had to have pink. (Note to self- color should not be a selling point if you are serious about riding! LOL!)

I am getting ready for a ride in Lake Tahoe coming up this Sunday! My husband, two friends and I will be making the trek up to Tahoe later in the week to do the ride. While riding with my friends this past week, I was having trouble with my gears and was told it would be best to tune the bike up before I go. We took it to the local bike shop and checked in the bike. While doing so, my friend locked his keys in the car and we were "stuck" looking at the neat stuff in the shop. I was just looking at road bikes and other ones and I see this one with PINK! I asked questions about the bike and noticed the price was decent and it seemed like a good bike. I took it for a test ride in the back and I could immediately tell the difference! I was sold but my other friend told me to consult my husband. I texted him and he said "do whatever you want" so I took it as a yes. I bought it and I am so happy I actually enjoy riding a little LIGHTER bike AND it even has PINK!

I have taken my bike out for the past 4 days and I have conquered three big hills! The ride is 35 miles and the most I have done in a ride is 33. I know I can do it! Tomorrow's blog will talk about my new pup.

(NOTE: I usually do pictures but my husband was too kind and bought me a MacBook Air for Christmas so I am still trying to learn. )

All for now,

Clarissa

Back to School Sale Season 2013 WEEK 1

Good Sunday Morning to you all!

Today is the start of my Back to School weekly sale searches. If you are not familiar with my madness, I go through all of the major ads that would sell back to school supplies. I select what I feel are the best deals of the week and put them here for you to get. It's as simple as that! This year I want to ask my readers to make recommendations of what they want to see (furniture, storage, USB flash drives, etc.) I can then go off of those recommendations and look up what the best prices are. I guess we are ready to start so lets go!

Tip of the week: As my mom and dad tells me "Don't put all your eggs in one basket". The same rule applies to shopping this week. Don't buy everything you see this week because chances are that most of the deals I post will come along again or it may be cheaper!

Office Max
10 cents for 8pk yellow pencils (limit 3)
25 cents for Office Max brand 4pk glue sticks (limit 3)
1 cent spiral notebook (couldn't locate the limit BUT you have to have a $5 minimum purchase)
NOTE: I asked the manager at my local Office Max and was told teachers could double the limit as long as you have your school ID. (example: limit 3, teachers can get 6)

Office Depot
25 cents for filler paper (limit 3)
$9.99 Scandisk 16GB USB cruzer

Michaels
Buy 2 get 1 free on ENTIRE stock of teacher classroom decor and storage
NOTE: Teachers get a 15% discount with your teacher ID.
NOTE: Make sure to download the Michael's APP on your smartphone, you can get electronic coupons you can use. This week there is a 25% off your entire purchase including sale items. (You cannot double your discount with the coupon though.)

Staples
25 cents for white glue (limit 2)
25 cents for RoseArt 24pk crayons (limit 2)




Target
$10 3 bin plastic storage organizer
$15 mini tower fan (for those of you who may need a fan in your room)
Buy 1 get 1 for $1 8GB ScanDisk USB cruzer (The intital is $10)

Wal-Mart

17 cents for spiral notebooks
92 cents for value 1" binder
50 cents for Crayola 24pk crayons
97 cents for Crayola 10pk markers or 12pk colored pencils
50 cents for Elmers white glue
NOTE: I LOVE this store! They price match almost anything! Here is the link to their website to see exactly how you can get the better prices from other stores. Ad Match Guarantee
NOTE: These prices will not change and will stay this way throughout Back to school season. This is from the years I have tracked them. :)

STEAL OF THE WEEK: With technology being pushed into classrooms, the uprising need to have storage for all of those crazy cool lessons you teachers design, the best deal is Target's USB. This way you have ways of organizing your files for a subject or school year, or by anything you can think of. I have at least 6 USB sticks because of the years I have accumulated lessons. They always seem to come in handy.

I guess I have given you some motivation to start thinking about school. I am loving vacation still and am not ready to go shopping yet but I may pick up a few flash drives this week. Happy shopping and I will see you with new deals next week!

Clarissa

Summertime and my life isn't so easy!

I am in summer mode which means I have lots of time to think. When I think, I get I trouble. Since Ben and I are not going anywhere this summer, we have decided to make some improvements to the house. Our big project this summer is put laminate wood flooring in our hallway and home office/craft room. Well I had to move all the stuff out which gave me inspiration to redo my craft room for the third time. Of course I want new furniture, new ways to organize all thanks to Pinterest. Ben isn't so happy about this but I am certain if he trusts me. He will love it. 

Thanks to my good friends Amy and Rik for helping me out by taking all that junk out and getting the old carpet out. 

I did already finish a project which was to make curtains for my kitchen/ dining room area. Here it is: 

Ben isn't fond of the fabric but I think it adds color to the boring yellow wall.

So now onto the list for my summer projects;

1. Redo craft room

2. Create a new classroom (big project) that will be my next entry.

3. Fabric crayon holders

4. Deep clean the house

5. Work with a landscaper to design a new backyard with jacuzzi! This is Ben's vision but I will do all of the decision making. 

I think I have enough to keep me busy. I may be crazy but I love doing things like this in summer!

Crazy by the heat,

Clarissa

I'm still alive......barely!

Hello World! 

I have resurfaced once again after a whirlwind of a year! Summer is rapidly approaching and I have been going non-stop with Grad school. It's this time of the year where I start to reflect on the blessings that have occurred and the upcoming events that will change my life. 

1. Graduate school- It has taken me a three semesters and a summer to complete all of my classes! I can officially say I have only my internship left which I will complete in the upcoming school year with an awesome principal! It has been a crazy but fun ride. I have learned a great deal about myself as a leader and I have grown in a great way. I can only imagine what my internship will look like and how I will develop more as a leader. I AM EXCITED! I would not be here without my family and friends support. Thank you for keeping me on my toes and bugging me about getting my papers done. I am dedicated but sometimes I needed that extra nudge. :)

2. Kindergarten- This is a change. After contemplating where I want my career to take me and how I want to grow as a teacher, I have decided to change schools within my district and become a Hendrick's Hawk. This decision comes with many positives and I am excited for what is in store for me next fall. I will be doing my internship with the principal who hired me in the district. I will also be working with a smaller team who have great ideas on where to take kids and to evolve with the Common Core. We have already been bonding and working closely. I know I have made the right decision BUT I will miss my Bulldogs terribly! I have nothing but admiration for the school I call home and I only hope to keep in close contact with all of the friends I have made. 


3. Parents- This is another change. My parents who have lived in the same house for 43 years have decided to make a change of their own............move to Tucson! This has been a change in the making for the past several months and I am super excited that they will be in the same city as me. I have my aunt and uncle to thank for taking the time and patience to help them look for a place. I will say it is only 2 miles away from my house. Yeah..........I am happy about that but they are under the impression I will not stay in my home forever. LOL! I will miss my childhood home but I can only imagine what joy they will have decorating a new house. It has already been an adventure. They will be making the big move at the end of May. Best wishes that the move goes smoothly.

4. Friends- ALL of my friends are a true blessing! I am so happy that I have a group of friends that I can rely on to talk to, hang out with, and just know they are friends. I would not know what to do with myself if I didn't have friends. Speaking of friends....they also help me make my Kindergarten scrapbooks. LOL!

5. Husband- He has not changed and he knows he is my blessing. He is Ben. He is 30! (That's about all that has changed, his age!) He supports every decision I make. He accepts my faults (my Coach addiction). He runs my errands (drops off my Grad school work when he is available). He takes care of the dog (NOT.... j/k). He is Ben and he will always be my husband and best friend. 


Well I guess that is all for tonight.....I hope to update this blog at least once more before chaos erupts (aka end of the school year). Otherwise, I will post more this summer! I can see the light at the end of the school year tunnel! Happy reading!

Clarissa

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Two words say it all "Merry Christmas"! I have been truly blessed with many things this year. For one, I was given the honor of being named a Rodel Exemplary Teacher finalist out of 6 teachers in Pima County. I have been with a loving a caring man, my husband Ben for 12 years. He is my rock and I don't know what I would do without him. We are both blessed with loving and supportive families. We are expecting a baby niece quite soon if not by the end of January. It is amazing to watch a child grow and turn into a wonderful human being. I absolutely love our nephew Maddex! He is now 2 and he isn't terrible at all. He is a sweet and curious little guy and he is in love with our dog "Snuggles". It's the little things in life that are important and I cherish every moment we have with our loved ones. I wish you all Merry Christmas and hope you are enjoying this joyous day with your loved ones.

Merry Christmas!

I am the luckiest person ever!

Happy Sunday everyone! I am finally on a well deserved 3 day vacation! I will be spending the weekend with my wonderful husband and loving parents at our family cabin in northern Arizona. I love Labor day and spend this week teaching my students the importance of understanding holidays and their meanings instead of it being "just a day off". I feel like life has caught up with me and now I am barely treading water. I spent 12 hours at work prepping my room, cleaning my room, and just trying to organize it. You wouldn't think that 3 weeks of school would disorganize someone but it happened to me. I had to organize it Friday otherwise I would have never gotten it done. I brought home my dog and work on yet again more stuff and do the laundry in preparation for our trip. Well I walked into the house and this is what I saw....

BEN WAS CLEANING THE HOUSE ON A FRIDAY EVENING! This is not unusual to see him cleaning but it was just Friday and we were getting ready to leave and he knows how much I love to come home to a clean house. He not only cleaned but earlier in the day he graciously came down to my school to be "Rocket Man". We as a grade level did the mentos and diet coke experiment. He dropped the mentos into the bottle, wore a lab coat and a got a little messy. Needless to say he also inherited 102 excited and happy Kindergartners. LOL! My kids were in love with him. Ben is fascinated by how curious and young my kiddos are. Let's just say my class will be treated to his "P" shaped pancakes in a few weeks. THEY LOVE THAT!That is why I named my entry today "LUCKIEST PERSON EVER!" I truly am blessed to have such a wonderful husband who is understanding of my life and personality. LOL!

We are in my birthplace this weekend in beautiful Prescott, AZ! Ben decided to take advantage of the cooler 70 degree weather and take his bike out on a ride this morning. I drove him to his starting point and here are a few pics I snapped when he started his "adventure".

Here he is getting ready to ride. I drove him to the base of our cabin since there wasn't a "bike path" and I was being overly cautious. LOL!

He's all ready. I had to snap a "last shot" just in case it was his actual last shot. LOL!

Bye Ben! Have fun! See you at Starbucks!

My definition of "breakfast of champions"! My dad's homemade menudo! YUM!

So I guess that is all for now. I hope everyone is having a wonderful and relaxing weekend! I know I am.

Bye!
Clarissa