~Job Status~

So, I can't help but keep thinking about this. I'll just come out and say it.

I am probably going to get RIF'd AGAIN this year. With the budget crisis and the ridiculous cuts that are facing our schools they are going to have to cut some first and second year teachers.

I thought I was safe this year. I thought wrong.

The state legislator passed a law that did away with tenure. As a teacher who is young I was okay with this. It actually helps young teacher to not get cut just because they are young. Because of this new law I thought I was safe and wouldn't have to go through the RIF process again this year. I thought wrong.

My school district, along with many others I am sure, have decided not to do away with the tenure this year because it wasn't put into place at the beginning of the contract year. Basically, they don't want to rock the boat for fear of being sued.

So, it looks like I will be once again fall victim to our state's ridiculousness. What are we 50th now? But I digress.

Full day Kindergarten is a thing of the past. There will only be 1/2 day with a possible option to pay for full day. This is BAD new for me because that means there will be too many Kindergarten teachers. First and second year teachers with the district (me) will get RIF'd and they will have to put those Kindergarten teachers into other positions. At our school we have 4 full day and 1 half day Kinder teachers. Next year if we only do 1/2 day we will only need 2. This is ESPECIALLY bad news for me because it isn't a big jump to put a Kindergarten teacher in a first grade position if need be.

Needless to say I am feeling a little shell shocked and very bummed. I love my school. Most of the time I love first grade. I don't want to move schools which would be a possibility if they RIF'd me and then re-hired me. I don't want to move grade levels. If you have never taught you can't imagine the stress and time it takes to move a classroom, let alone to another grade level. :(

I am trying to stay positive. This happened last year and it all turned out for the best. I guess I can only pray and have faith that God has a plan for my life and I just don't know it yet.

~enduring love~

Last Tuesday was our 3 year wedding anniversary. I can't believe I have been married to my wonderful husband for 3 whole years! Time really flies when you are young and having fun apparently. Here are some of my favorite photos from the last year.

~Christmas~

~ New House~

~Date Night~

~ASU baseball~


~at a wedding~


~Halloween~

Happy Anniversary Bunny!

~You still make me this happy~

Gorgeous

Yippee! Hooray! Yay! Woo Hoo!

The day Jake and I have both been waiting for since we got married has finally come. Last weekend during the President's Day sales we went out and spent a day picking furniture out for the house! Soon gone will be the days when we only invite family over because we don't mind making them sit on the floor. :) We are so excited. This is something we have been talking and dreaming about for years.

We bought two sets:

Our Family Room

The Sofa

The Loveseat

The Chaise Lounger

The Chair

For our downstairs we are going to go for a very old world look and feel. I can't wait to do the tile and backsplash in the kitchen as well as paint on the wall! We also are going to do wood flooring to get the look.

The Master Bedroom

The King Bed and Nightstands

The Bench

The Chest of Drawers
The Dresser and Mirror
We are going to do a white/cream, green and brown color scheme in the room with some yellow and lavender accents like flowers and pillows. We also want to do a shiny cream or goldish bed set. We are still hunting that down but think we are getting closer. It is so fun to do this stuff with your husband. He is totally the best when it comes to this. :)

We got some paint samples for our bedroom this weekend and are going to be painting parts of walls to see the colors tonight. I am so excited!

Thanks everyone for reading my ramblings. Probably not as exciting for you but we are really thrilled.

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is the Valentine I am giving to my first graders tomorrow at our Valentine Exchange. It's an old picture but I think it is pretty cute. Chloe is a celebrity in my class so I thought they would like it. It will be cheaper to print it out than to buy a box of Valentines!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Yes, I actually did it. Remember in this post when I said I just might leave my tree up for Valentine's Day?! Well, I did. I used a lot of ornaments that I already had and have been accumulating Valentine's themed things as well. I made 2 of my own ornaments. A read heart backround with a smaller chocolate chip heart layered overtop with the word "Love" across in diagonal. Who doesn't love chocolate right?!


I picked these cuties up at Pier 1.




And these I got from WalMart believe it or not. :)



I'm having so much fun with it! I also put a picture of Jake and I that I have had since we were first dating.


Some old cards I saved from dating days also have found their way to my Valentine tree.


Now, I must say I intended to make many more of my own ornaments with my beloved Cricut, but alas as usual haven't found the time. :/ I think it looks pretty cute for the first year. I plan to make this a tradition so I will keep on the look out for more things for my tree. My mom suggested I just leave it up and do an Easter theme after this, but eventually I will have to take it down or the allure of the original Christmas tree will be lessened I think. So, can anyone beat me? Anyone still have their tree up?

Here is my Valentine's Tree in all its glory.

I Love My Crockpot

Here is one of my all time (and by all time I mean the almost 3 years I have been married and making my own meals) favorite crockpot recipes. Crockpot Cream Cheese Chicken (yum, Cream Cheese makes anything better!)

Ali, for some reason this makes me think of you. Not sure why. Maybe I just miss you. Or associate you with the crockpot. Either one. :)

Ingredients

3 lbs boneless skinless chicken pieces (I got chicken breast and cut them into smaller pieces.. they cook faster that way)

1 and 2/3 package Italian salad dressing mix (my foodie husband probably wouldn't like it if he new I was using a mix but oh well!)

4 tablespoons melted butter divided

1 small onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, chopped

1(10.5 ounce) can cream on chicken soup

8 ounces cream cheese 1/2 cup chicken broth

1. Place chicken pieces in crock pot and sprinkle with Italian seasoning over chicken. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons melted butter.

(Yes, I know you aren't supposed to open the lid but how else was I going to get a picture?!)

2. Cook on low for 4-6 hours ( I didn't start mine until I got home from work so I am going to cook it on high for 3 hours so we can eat before Monday becomes Tuesday. Seems to work fine with the temperature change)

3. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a sauce pan and saute with onion and garlic. Add Cream of Chicken Soup, cream cheese, and chicken broth. Stir until smooth




4. Add this mixture to crock pot and cook on low for an additional hour ( I keep it on high for about 25 minutes)


5. Enjoy! I am going to serve it with grilled asparagus and rice. I have also served it over a bed of baby spinach.

I Want to be Annie

So, I came upon this blog while I was messing around on the computer on this lazy Sunday. Let me just say that I want to be Annie!

Holy cow how did this woman have time to cook all this magnificent food?! Yowsers is all I can say. We are so excited for the hopefully near future when our house is worthy of parties and get togethers. I hope I can entertain as well as Ms. Annie! Go check out her blog!

Beware: if you are hungry this blog will be painful!