Back to School!

People, can you believe it?  Summer is gone and school starts one week from today.  I'm so excited to meet my new students, but I am having serious withdrawals from the little ones I had last year.  I'm just praying that Christ's kindness and love will flow through me each day to be a safe place for these kids.  I want to practice patience everyday, even when I want to pull my hair out.  I am so thankful for my first year that taught me so much and has made me more prepared for this year! 

Speaking of prepared, my classroom is done... 

This is my computer area, supplies for word building, bucket-filler board, and ideas for when students complete work early.

This is my word wall with shapes and money signs above it.

This is my calendar area and my classroom rules.  The purple board is a focus wall where I will display weekly phonics words, math skills, and comprehension skills.

This is my classroom library, which was a BIG summer project.  Each bucket is a genre and the buckets nearly cover all the shelves on that side of the room.

The book nook--one of my favorite spots! The writer's corner is on the board above it where I will display information about the traits and other helpful writing stuff.

The top pocket chart is my class schedule that I will change, based on specials classes.  The bottom pocket chart displays my expectations (M- movement, A-activity, C-conversation) for different activities during the day. 


Since I last blogged, we had an amazing summer conference with the youth group.  Afterwards, I got to baptize two beautiful  girls from my d-group, awesome privilege.

Last weekend I turned 24.  I know, old.  My mom left me a message the other day that said, "I'm so happy you're 24, but part of me wishes you were just 4."  I'm with her on that one.  I did, however, get a fabulous new owl dress from Francesca's, something I would not have had at the age of four. The hubs got me this super cute owl vase and flowers--what a dreamboat. 

Oh, and I am now addicted to pizza and cannolis from Il Vicino. 

I'm so blessed to be where I am at, with the friends I have, with the husband I LOVE so much, and serving an incredible God.

Pencils and Notebooks,
Mrs. Wilde

media-fasting, soapboxes, and love

This week marked the start of our two week media fast prior to going to camp.  It has been incredible to spend more time in God's word, doing puzzles, reading books, spending time with the hubs and just being silent.  It is a rare thing in my world that I sit in silence, or at least without food network on in the background.  It is healthy for me to focus on what is really important and detox from all the messages that are so constantly engrained in me in my daily life.
-----
Seriously...
I'm not one to talk about politics much.  Frankly, it is not something I have ever been passionate about.  Something I am passionate about, however, is showing Christ's love.  It drives me nuts to see all these degrading and hateful posts about our President.  No one says that you have to agree with everything a president says or does, by any means, but it seriously grinds my gears when people are malicious.  You will not win people to Christ this way-- people need to see genuine love and care for others, and respect for ALL people to want to be apart of the life Jesus is calling them to.  I have close friends who are completely turned off from the church because of the political crap that people say. I know I'm not the most informed person in the political world, but I do know that we are called to love God and love people.  Have your opinions, desire to make changes for the better, but stop turning people away.  The world notices hateful attitudes-- and it often sends them the opposite direction. 
-----
In other news, the Mr. and I are celebrating two years of marriage this coming week.  I am so blessed to have such a patient, loving, and sacrificial husband.  I love love love him!

Love,
Mrs. Wilde

refresh

Why?  Why do I that?  I constantly convince myself that I'm fine on my own.  I subconsciously don't put my relationship first, which consequently puts it low on the list of priorities.  It is a daily battle with the flesh.  

I don't care what the world says, it does not satisfy.  I love my job, my friends, my family.  Nothing compares and none of it matters without Christ at the center, without recognizing it all comes from the Lord in the first place.  It might be politically incorrect.  It might be strange.  It might be the opposite of what I hear the world saying, but it is.  

He is the reason we live, move, and breathe.  

He is the reason to rejoice.  

He is true life.  He is all we need.  

I want to reflect His light and love others well.  

Tonight, it was just me and the Word.  No one around.  No distractions.  It's all I need.  This is me saying I want to live with reckless abandon to the life I was created for.  The life my dad lived.  

Reality Check:  Time passes.  This life is short. 

He is all we need.

James 1:16-18

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁶ So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. ¹⁸ He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

love, peace, and conviction,
Mrs. Wilde

the moon--

I'm listening to a song on repeat today.  
Over and over it plays-- 

If you are the sun, then I want to be the moon. 
I want to reflect the light that shines from you.  
If this is war, then I'm going to draw my sword.  
This time I know what I'm fighting for.  
God I want to let you know, 
I want everything you are. 
I'm waiting for the morning light 
to show a fire in the dark.  
Shine your light, I want to feel you now.  
God, I need a miracle.  Take my heart, make it glow.

Words cannot describe my heart.  
All I know is that this world is full of injustice.  
All I know is that He is faithful.  
All I know is that He is just.  
All I know is that He has given me a heart for these twenty-two precious souls.  
All I know is that He calls me love them.  
All I know is that He calls me to defend the helpless and bring hope and peace in His name.  


I didn't know what I was getting into. I had only heard the stories. I want to be a source of peace and safety for them.  My broken heart has gained perspective today.  I never knew I could feel so much.  Eyes are dry, heart is heavy. 

Whatever it takes, I give it all away.  
I want to show my love in a thousand ways.  

That's why we are here after all: 
love God, love people.  


I want to be the moon.

patience, patience, patience

It is something I want more of in every area of my life.  In my wants, dreams, the way I think, everything.  I feel super convicted about my lack of it at times.  I continue to replay scenarios of when I could have been more patient with some of my sweet first graders (usually the ones who tend to push my buttons).  I am realizing (on a daily basis) how much I need the Lord to guide me, in everything.  I cannot truly be patient on my own; I desperately need him to work through me in this way.  I'm totally not trying to be depressing, just honest and letting out something I want and NEED to work on.

Ecclesiastes 7:8
Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.

In other news, I am nearly done Christmas shopping, you bet.  I love having presents wrapped under the tree and ready for family and friends.  I am also super excited for break.  Of course, there will be 8,000 things I want to get done, but it will be wonderful nonetheless.  

I've been asked lately where my love for owls came from.  I truly don't know, but I continue to find them on aprons, ornaments, name tags, and nearly everything in my classroom. I'm sure there are a ton of  owl things on pintrest; hence, my fear of getting to involved in the site.

loving life. loving friends. loving the hub.


Love, Patience, and Owls,

Mrs. Wilde

Jesus and Cheez-its

Oh, I forgot about blogging.  Actually I forgot about everything except sight words, lesson plans, math games, and lining up.   That was only slightly serious.  The last few weeks have been great, overwhelming, laughable, terrifying, etc.  There have been so many times I have seen God using my position to love others and bring glory to Him. Praise God.  There have also been times that I have said, "Self, what the heck are you doing here?"  All in all, I'm so grateful.  

Story time...

I was walking with a boy down the hallway who was very upset about something that happened earlier that day.  We were trying to calm down and I asked him if he felt any better after walking around.  He said (what I thought was), "I just need Jesus to calm me down."  I proceeded to get the warm fuzzies thinking of a child in my class who knew the Lord.  I said, "That's right.  You just think about that in your heart right now, I know it will help."  Then he says, "They are just so delicious, I know they will calm me down."  I thought about it a little more, and then heard him repeat, "Cheez-its.  I just love cheez-its."  Best story of my new first grade life so far. 

To all who have been seriously wondering how the skating party has been, it was a hit.  I definitely strengthened my arm muscles by carrying around children who had no idea how to skate or possibly just wanted to skate with their super-cool teacher.  

I'm slowly, but surely learning how to do this whole teaching thing.  I keep thinking, where is my supervisor?  I need to ask for permission to do this... It's my classroom though, my first group of amazing children who are a blessing each and every day (even then days I want to pull my hair out).  I have no complaints about the incredible opportunity I have to influence a life for the better.  It is just that, an opportunity.  I just keep praying that I can reflect love, compassion, and belief in each of these six year-olds.  I just love 'em.  

I will be enjoying this labor day weekend of organizing, planning, relaxing, and possibly a pedicure.

Peace and Crayons,

Mrs. Wilde

beautiful things

The last few months have flown by.  It is hard to believe that summer is almost over and school is starting in less than a month.  I can't wait to meet the beautiful first grade faces I will have the privilege to teach and love this next school year.  Bulletin boards and decor is nearly complete.  (Thanks to many accomplices like my mom, mother-in-law, Aunt Carol, and others). Now to work on the curriculum... (aka the important stuff). 

Brian and I got to celebrate our one year anniversary a few weeks ago.  It was perfect.  Full of family, sunburns, delicious food, and tons of laughter.  I love that man more everyday.  He brightens my life with endless joy, encouragement, and leadership.  I am constantly reminded of how much he loves me and that he would do anything for me.  He is an amazing example of Christ and I am so grateful.  I pray for many more years to come...

I have been on two youth trips in the last few weeks.  I think I somewhat took advantage of these experiences during my high school and middle school years.  I learn so much more now and am able to take more in.  Perhaps it is because I am no longer concerned with potentially cute boys and straightening my hair at such events.  It is beyond inspiring to watch the students in our youth group love God and others.  They minister to me in so many ways and I am humbled by the opportunity to be there for them and lead them to Christ.  It amazes me how God has continued to be faithful in using my story to minister to others and to show them who He is.  

I'm loving "Beautiful Things" by Gungor right now. 

you make beautiful things, 
you make beautiful things out of the dust.

you make beautiful things, 
you make beautiful things out of us.

I have two beautiful friends getting married this weekend.  I couldn't be happier for the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. MacGill.  Then off to Tennessee on a sister-ly adventure with two of my faves.  I can't wait to spend time with them! It will be good for the soul.  I must have forgotten that I moved away from all of my closest friends.  In the business, I neglected to acknowledge this new change that hit me like a ton of bricks today.  I am so thankful for the wonderful friends I have made here, don't get me wrong.  Everything is just a little different.  Praise God for who He is, how He loves, and how He uses it all.

Mrs. Wilde