Thanks to Rachel I Now Have...

My first EVER blog award!

First off, I started this blog for myself and to have some place of my own to write. So, when other people comment on my blog about things that I've written that interest more than just me, I get super duper excited! 

Well, this morning Rachel left me a comment saying she nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award! This is my first ever blog award and I'm more than excited! Thanks Rachel!! I love her blog and all the random things she posts about. Go over and check her out! She is one of the blogs that I read daily!! 

The Rules:

1.Thank the blogger who nominated you (check)

2.Include a link to their site (check)

3.Include the award image in your post (check)

4.Give 7 random facts about yourself (check)

5.Nominate 15 other blogger for the award (check)

6.When nominating, include a link to their site (check)

and

7.Let the bloggers know they have been nominated (check)

7 Random Facts about me

1. I decided to up and leave my hometown (Chicago) for a teaching job in Tennessee!

2. I hate Pepsi, but LOVE a little too much diet coke.

Source: lifeinitsordinaryform.blogspot.com via Kristen on Pinterest

3. I cannot sleep with socks on, but I HAVE to wear socks around the house everyday, all day.

4. If I could be anything in the world and money not matter, I would open up a dog rescue (similar to Ceasar Milian aka Dog Whisperer) and dog therapy center. 

(These were 2 of the 4 puggle pups that I fostered last summer)

5. I always have to have 2 hair ties around my wrist at all times.

6. I just finished my first 1/2 marathon in May with my sister and Dad up in Wisconsin.

7. My Grandpa was a P.O.W for 3 1/2 years in WWII over in the Philippines. He lived a long, happy, 94 years of life. Love you and miss you Grandpa. RIP.

7 1/2. (shhh...don't tell) But, I wish blogger had an application that would categorize the blogs I read into different subjects (ex: Fashion blogs, family blogs, food blogs, baby blogs, teacher blogs, etc.) 

My life would be so much easier if this was the case. :)

15 other blogs that I want to nominate

(ps. All of these blogs I read on a daily basis---they're THAT good! Please go look for yourself, they are all so different, but that's because I enjoy reading what everyone else is up to in this world) 

1- Shannon @ From Match to Marriage

2- Megan @ In This Wonderful Life

3- Anne @ Hell on Heels

4- Erin @ Life As It Is

5- Kati @ Incorporating Color

6- Jacki @ Wine Down

7- Jessica @ Fantastically Average

8- Rachel @ Simple Little Joys

9- Hanna @ Bouffe e bambini

10- Kellie @ Another Day Stronger

11- Anna @ A Pair of Kings

12- Caitlin @ The Teacher Box

13- Erin & Leslie @ First Grade Fanatics

14- Erin @ Fleur de lis and football

15- Mrs. Bear Think Happy Thoughts

Again, please go cruise around and take a look at all of these for yourself.  Some of them I have read for years now. I've been reading Shannon's blog even before she and her husband were expecting lil Hunter and same with Anna who now has newborn Kaden, as of a couple days ago!

Don't you just love blogging?!?!? I DO! (and so do my pups!)

In 1 month...

I'll be moving into my new place in Tennessee!

I have so much going on right now, I'm trying to keep my head on straight.

So much to do in only a month that I get stressed thinking about it. I haven't found an apartment yet, but I'm going down next weekend to check out 2 and then sign one.

I did go there last week with my mom to tour the school and the town and I loved it! The school was amazing, with great big rooms and so many resources.

(This is one of the primary rooms!)

I started packing up loose odd and ends around my house and my designated spot is in there garage. This is where everything will be put until moving day! This is what it looks like right now.

Before I Move List: (we all know how much I love a list)
-Finish packing my room
-Go get a dining room table from a family friend
-Find a couch
-Get book boxes (like these)

Source: reallygoodstuff.com via Rochelle on Pinterest

-Hang out with my girlfriends
-Find and make a teacher binder with a template that I like!

Source: ateachersplan.blogspot.com via Kelly on Pinterest

-Get even MORE books for my classroom library!

I think that's it for now. I'm sure I'll add more later. I'm also tutoring this summer to make some extra income so that's been fun so far.

There are a few bloggy peeps I want to share just so they can be in your thoughts the next few days.

*Kellie lost her daughter over a year ago to SIDS. She recently gave birth to a handsome little guy, Jackson. Well, yesterday his breathing monitor went off and stopped breathing for approximately 20 seconds. His fine, but Mom and Dad are scared and asking for prayers and thoughts! Mine are with you guys and I hope it was just a fluzzy.

*I have been following Anna for awhile now and she and her husband are expecting their first son tomorrow!! Send them well wishes and for a safe delivery and well recovery!

*And Kate and her daughter Lucy, who have been through more than ANY child should ever have to go through. Cancer. The journey is still a long one. I'm keeping you all in my thoughts these next few days!

Blog Star...

I'm joining Mrs. Monologues for the Blog Star link up. What a great idea.

If you are a (somewhat) new follower, you are joining my lil' part of bloggy land at a very pivotal moment in my life. You see, before this life changing decision, I was a 20-something, recent graduate, living in the suburbs of Chicago with my parents, trying to find a teaching job...ANYWHERE.

The Boy and I after DePaul's graduation

Here are some other posts that describe who I am---before I let you in on this big life decision.

10 things you might now know about me

My first 1/2 marathon

2011 Bucket List

2012 Bucket List

I know it's a lot, but they let you know a little bit about myself.

CONFESSION---

I'm accepted a job in Clarksville, TN teaching 1st grade for this upcoming school year. I'm super excited and very nervous. I actually leave today to attend the new teacher conference and my mom is coming with me. School starts August 6th! So, I have to move down there into my new apartment, set up my apartment, and set up and organize my first ever classroom of my very own!

I've been pinning like crazy all stuff school, classroom set up and 1st grade stuff galore! If you won't get sick of all my pins and repines please 

Join me on this new adventure as I will be blogging about everything from; decorating my first ever apartment by myself, to setting up my first classroom, and as to whether or not The Boy will be coming with (that's for another post) and moving in with me.

Confession Monday...

I GOT A JOB...If you remember this post, I had played WILW 'theme edition'.

Well, Caitlin got it right!! I'm moving to Tennessee to teacher 1st grade and I couldn't be more excited!!!

I was offered the job last Wednesday and with a little bit of 'last minute' thinking...I called back Thursday and accepted it. Now, not to say I'm not freaking out or nervous, because I AM, but I'm also ecstatic!

My own classroom...HERE I COME! 

Source: love2sisters.blogspot.com via Lisa on Pinterest

One of the fellow teachers at the school I'm at now is pregnant and not coming back next year, so Saturday morning I helped her move the majority of her stuff out of her classroom. She was TOO  very, generous and gave me like 75% of her teaching stuff. It was so much stuff I had to rent a storage unit just to put everything in.

So, my first day is August 6th, approximately 2 months away. Now, in 2 months I need to:

-Find a place to live
-Set up my first (ever!) classroom
-Move and furnish an apartment
-Figure out Convince/beg if The Boy is coming with me
-If so, find him a job ASAP
-Say goodbye to my family and friends :(

Well, tomorrow is my last day of work and I'm sad to leave MJ. It was my 'first' school I taught in and worked at. I'll miss them, but I'm ready to embark on this new journey and start another chapter in my life.