Summer Projects!

The great thing about summer break is actually having some free time to check some things off your to-do list! Doug and I moved into our new home several months ago and I devoted most of my time and effort into our main rooms {living, dining, kitchen, etc.} so I knew two projects that I wanted to tackle this summer were our master bathroom and master bedroom. I first attempted the bathroom and with the help of my mother, successfully painted and hung wallpaper. That was the easy part! The accents have been the hardest...and after finally finding decor that I liked, I realized one thing: home accents are expensive! When it was time to move on to the bedroom, it was time to say "Hello, Pinterest" and connect with my inner crafty and resourceful side!
                                                                   
                                                                      Bathroom

Our master bedroom has neutral walls, so no paint needed there...but the walls were BARE and were desperately seeking some love and attention! My lovely teacher friends bought me the cutest photo booth props when I was getting married and I turned those in to framed decor! For two Mr. and Mrs. pictures I made, I used some framed prints I already had and gave them a face lift! I also developed a love for scrapbook paper and used it as a background for a lovebirds print as well as the famous Pinterest "I Love You Because..." frame. If you haven't made the "I Love You Because...." frame, it is a MUST! Doug and I have so much fun with it! :)

My favorite piece of wall art came from a 1.00 piece of thick cardboard from the Dollar Tree, some paint, chipboard letters from Hobby Lobby, a little ribbon, and a glue stick. TA-DA!!

Although summer is a slow time for me, it is one of Doug's busiest times of year! One of my favorite things to do this summer while he has been working late or working on a weekend is put on some music, grab a cold beverage, and head upstairs to our office to get a head start on my classroom for next year! There has been something so relaxing about getting things organized and decorated a little at a time instead of rushing and stressing! I wish I could take the credit for the classroom projects I've completed...but the credit goes to Pinterest!!

Thrift Store stool, some black and blue paint, a glue-stick, and some ribbon

I bought a Scotch at-home laminator and I've become an addict! The top picture is laminated Learning Outcome sheets and the bottom picture is a mail-box for things students need to give me. The Dr. Seuss foam stickers on both the sheets and the mailbox are courtesy of Michael's fabulous clearance isle!

Teacher Binder (cover courtesy of a blog freebie I found on Pinterest) & Number of the Day poster

Happy Father's Day, Mom!

Donald Miller is one of my favorite authors, possibly because I agree with almost everything he says or writes. Due to my ample free time on summer break, I've been doing a lot of reading. Currently I'm reading Miller's Father Fiction: "Chapters for a Fatherless Generation". At the beginning of the book, Miller opens up with how he used to hate talking about father issues, not only because of the emotional challenges, but because he hated the self-pity tone it seemed to take. I know exactly how he feels and with the ever-looming father's day approaching, it only seemed fitting that this is the book on my nightstand.

As I read the last pages, I could hardly contain my emotions. Miller writes of a book by Antjie Krog that detailed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa formed by Nelson Mandela after the apartheid. Before the commision came to be, Bishop Desmond Tutu was asked who he thought should sit in position of the TRC. Tutu responded by asking for "wounded healers" which he said were "people who have the authority of awful experiences, experiences that educated them toward empathy and yet have withing themselves hearts willing to forgive." He credited this ability to a deep spiritual life and I knew where Donald Miller was heading with this. Throughout the entire book the question of "why" is ever present but it is summed up in the final paragraph of the book. As I read this, my heart almost seemed to stop and I could barely catch my breath because I knew that God was speaking to not only me, but anyone in this world who did not luck out in the dad department. Miller wrote: "I knew as I read this that if these people {wounded healers} who had suffered unconscionable wrongs could rise in dignity, God would expect nothing less from you and me, having encountered lesser pain. And I think Bishop Tutu's insight is a fitting thought with which to close this book. If I have a prayer for you and for the millions who were abandoned by fathers, it is that we would not be arrogant victims but wounded healers. I can only perceive this as a dignified calling."

When my dad left our family, I never felt like a victim, mainly because I had a mother who refused to be victimized. She showed me what it meant to be strong and carry on no matter what unexpected hurdles life throws you. Although there were many things she could have said to my sisters and I, never a bad word was spoken of my father in front of us, and because of that, she was a true example and role model of a wounded healer for myself and my sisters. Grounded in our faith and love of God, she led me to know that no matter my Earthly circumstances, I had a Heavenly father who would never leave me or abandon me. I am so thankful that God created my mother to be strong enough and Godly enough to lead two roles in my life, both mother and father. For that reason alone, I'll never feel as though I was shorted a father because I wasn't. I was given a mother who could "rise in dignity" no matter the wrongs she faced. And with that I say, Happy Father's Day, Mom! God sure knew what He was doing when He made you my mother and father!

Summer Freedom

The best thing about summer so far has been the freedom to stay up as late as I want, sleep in as late as I want (which, let's face it, is still not very late), and basically feel like every day is a Saturday. I've been able to get a few projects done around the house and I've even had the time to work on fun stuff for my classroom next year! I was hired late in the summer last year and so part of my felt like I spent all year just trying to keep up; it is nice to have the summer to make some plans on what I want my classroom to be like next year. So far, I have decided on my color scheme and theme {that's the most important, right?}. I'm going for red and turquoise blue and Dr. Seuss. The inspiration of course came from Pinterest, thanks to a combination of circus themed (red and blue) birthday parties and many Dr. Seuss quote printables. 2nd grade is a such an in-between age and group...they're not "little" like 1st graders but they're not quite "older" like 3rd graders. I want a classroom that can grow with them throughout the year and in my opinion, Dr. Seuss is the perfect man for the job! Where else can you find a quote that is just as suitable for a 5 year old as a 45 year old? Coming into the school year, the cutesy will be appropriate but by the end of the year, the meaning of his words will hopefully have much more of an effect. You can find one of my favorite Dr. Seuss printables here!



I Love a Man in Uniform

Doug's been out of town since Thursday. He'll be back tonight. He's been with his squad in Washington, D.C. for National Police Memorial Week. They're not there for the fun or to get out of town for a few days...they're there to escort families of fallen officers. With every escort, there is a reminder of the risks they took when they chose to protect and serve. Two years ago a fellow Lexington police officer was killed in the line of duty, so their time there is not only professional, it is also personal. Last year, Bryan Durman was honored during Police Memorial Week...they got to pay their respects to him before leaving today.

4.29.10

A few times since Doug left on Thursday, I found myself selfishly missing him...but then I remembered the families who would be missing their loved ones much longer than I had to miss Doug. I'm remembering those families tonight as I wait for him to return...knowing that he is going to walk through the door; I'm remembering those families who wait for the door to open everyday, to see the familiar smile on the other side, when deep down they know they'll be waiting until eternity. I've always loved a man in uniform and I'll admit it has been mainly for shallow reasons. Tonight, I love a man in uniform for reasons only a wife of a police officer can understand.

Sentimental

As the days of school left reach the single digits, my excitement for my first summer break can almost be contained. I'm excited to start some projects at home. I'm excited to maybe find out what it feels like to be bored. I'm most excited for my best friend Megan's new baby girl who should be arriving right as the summer is kicking off! We had her baby shower last weekend, which really made everything seem so real! I'm so excited for her and her husband Jeremy as they start this new chapter together. 

With all the changes coming as a new season is beginning, I can't help but look at this picture above. I took this picture on my first day of being in my very own classroom. I had NO idea what I was doing...all I knew was everything I had worked for was finally at my fingertips. I spent weeks working on getting my classroom just right, wanting it to be perfect for the kiddos that were about to arrive. I think back to the first day of school-the kids seemed just as scared as I was. When I think about the growth that has been made this year, I am not only looking at my kiddos, but also myself. I'll never forget this group for many reasons. As our days together become limited, it is finally starting to set in that my time to be an influence in their life is coming to an end. It really makes you stop and think, "did I do my best?", "did I do all I could?"....I sure hope so.

Sunday Traditions

I feel like I've already put on the "marriage 15," which is like the freshman 15, but occurs during your first year of marriage instead of first year of college. I know why it happens-as the bride, you spend MONTHS dieting so you'll be able to fit in your dress. Once I slipped it on and heard it zip on my wedding day, I had one thought in my mind {besides the one about being in awe of marrying my best friend that day}: I CAN EAT ANYTHING I WANT!

There are many things my hubby and I have in common-we love Jesus, we love sports {mostly the KY Wildcats}, we love music, and we love food. Towards the end of February, we began one of our first traditions by picking up Jet's pizza on Sunday afternoons on our way home from church as we prepared to watch our beloved Wildcats. You see, Jet's pizza is closer to our church than it is to our house, so we justify it by the "well, since we're already over here" mentality. Now basketball season is over {WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS} but our need for a large deep dish pepperoni pizza has yet to fade. This cannot be good. Not only is swim suit season upon us, but I'll soon be getting to put my wedding dress back on for a "trash the dress" session with our fab photographers {more to come on that later}. Something has to give, besides our waist size so we've designated Sunday as our cheat day and we're getting back to eating healthier throughout the week.

Speaking of our love of Jesus {rough transition, I know}, we just began a new series at our church called "Shaped," focusing on 1 Corinithians 12 and our spiritual gifts. Last week our senior pastor, Jon Weece, spoke about finding your sweet spot. It has really stuck with me this past week. Take a look: http://www.southlandchristian.org/series/shaped/use-your-you-niqueness/

Have a blessed week.
-B.S.

It's Officially Official

Who knew getting married could be so hard? Don't get me wrong, I am LOVING the married part....but the changing names, documents, addresses, not so much. I would forget my head if it wasn't attached so remembering to get everything changed, not to mention bringing all the appropriate documents to do so has not been my strong suit. Case in point: I rushed out of school on Friday to get to the DMV before it closed so that I could change my name and address on my driver's license. My first fail: not bringing cash with me {who accepts cash anymore, anyways?}. I politely left, ran to the ATM, grabbed some cash, and made it back to the DMV only to find out they needed my original marriage certificate...my newly updated Social Security Card was not enough, so back to the DMV I went today. IT WAS A SUCCESS! I had all my documents-the lovely man at the counter kept asking do you have this? do you have that? etc. and to everything I was able to say YES! I almost felt like he was trying to find the one document I left behind. Boo-Yah! So, now it is officially official. My new name is Bethany {Bargo} Smith, keeping my maiden name as my middle name. Now, to change all the things I could only update after I changed my Social Security card and driver's license.

I hope you had a lovely weekend. I sure did. My mom, hubby, and I did some landscaping and outside decorating. It is one of my favorite things to do. Enjoy the picture of the finished project!

Much love-

B.S.

Monday After Spring Break Blues

This is a year of many firsts for me....teaching, being a wife, owning a home, throwing a baby shower for my first close friend to have a baby. You know, all the things that really make you feel old.

I just experienced my first Spring Break as a teacher and I must say it was all that I hoped for and more! In fact, it was just the little glimpse into Summer Break I needed to get through the next 31 days of school {but who's counting?}. Tonight my husband {still weird to say} and I spent the last few minutes of daylight playing in our freshly mowed backyard with our beloved Molly {a black lab} and that was just the glimpse I needed into our future as a family to make my heart almost explode and thus get me over the Monday after Spring Break blues.

Little moments. I love those little moments.