Daddy/Daughter Project

School's almost here and I have already logged many hours in the classroom. Goodbye summer break :(. I have completely changed my room around and in doing so, I realized that one of my tables had to go. It is just too big for my teeny room. Problem is, I need something to replace it. I looked into buying something new, but the type I wanted would have been minimum $200 from my own pocket. Yikes. Here is my solution:
Step 1: find old highschool science table on craigslist and score a free piece of laminate from a local cabinet refurbishing store

Step 2: enlist Dad to "help" or do most everything

Step 3: spray paint table
Step 4: chop off legs to fit little bodies comfortably (legs are already chopped on first picture)
Step 5: a little more off the bottom

Step 6: Glue laminate onto table top
Step 7: shoo off 100 lb dog who insists on climbing onto it
(tease Dad about cut off jeans and duct taped shoes)

Step 8: router the edges and give 'em a little paint
Step 9: realize this just got way too nice for markers and Elmer's glue.
Step 10: thank the best papa in the whole world

$20 table
Free laminate
$6 spray paint
Glue, edge paint, power tools from Dad
Under $30 and I love it more for the piece of Dad in it than for the fact that it truly looks fantastic!

Leather and Lace

I can't quite figure out my style these days. I feel so torn between my love for all things vintage inspired and new, clean, simple things. My house is a mix, my jewelry is a mix, my brain is a mix.

Our new "leather" sectional which just so happens to be super comfy! I love its straight lines and slick look, but I must admit that I am a little anxious for it to look slightly more weathered, inviting, lived on : )

Reworked frames holding hand drawn and tea-died flowers. Love them!3rd hand china cabinet turned pantry, love love it!

Big screen tv, media center, xbox with kinect, ipad, laptop, love love them! (Notice big, fluffy dog enjoying the new couch)

My new necklace that I am waiting not so patiently for! So vintage and cute!

BOOTS are my favie

I think I have found the root of my boot addiction! (Although, I'd think this should have created a phobia instead)

Jeans tucked into boots! PJ's tucked into boots :)

Bowling in boots!

And SO. MUCH. MORE!!! : )

BAM!!

Today it hit me...

like a brick wall.

Noticing that praying for the things that I want to happen RIGHT NOW isn't working, I came to the conclusion that I need to be praying for patience and understanding in His timing. So, this past month became a trial run with this new prayer-time attitude and let me tell you.... what a difference! This time last month, I was crushed....see here. This month, facing the same dissappointments, I am content... happy even! Waiting for the future is much more barable when I am waiting with faith, rather than waiting with anxiety.

In case I forget, I have this little reminder.

"When you can't see God's hand, trust His heart" I got this saying, along with most of the crosses, at Hobby Lobby! Grab a coupon and go! Find it here

PHEW!

So much to do, so little time! Up late working on stuff for work, up early for work.... vicious cycle! Must.sleep.

A brief snippet of the last few days:

One of my bestest friends from highschool got engaged to her college sweetheart. They truly are a dream couple. I mean really, really adorable, right?!I got to surprise her in Toledo at her engagement party.... so fun! Her face looked something like this : O and then turned to this : ) and then this :' )

I started school Monday. I had an entire day to work in my classroom with my aide and we accomplished a TON, but every time I turned around, someone was handing me something else that needed to be done before school. I wanted to lock my door.

Today I got to meet 3 of my students and their parents at conferences and the rest follow tomorrow and Thursday. I absolutely fell in love with the kids I met today! Here's what I can get from them so far:
- Mackenzie is a twin and turned 3 on the 1st. She's adorable and so tiny that her 1 year old brother weighs one lb. less than her. She's a stage 5 mommy clinger. I asked her about her baby doll and she instantly unhooked and showed her to me. SCORE one for Mrs. Hoying! She then proceeded to brighten up the room with her "if you're happy and you know it, clap your hands" rendition. By the end of the visit, she was congratulating her twin sister on her "big poopie". Haha! I know she'll be tough to separate from her mom for the first week or so, but I can already tell that she is going to bloom this year.
- Picture summer tanned skin, big brown eyes, and brown wavy hair put together in the cutest combination possible and you have Kendall. She turns 4 near Christmas and had the manners that most adults are missing. The look on her face when I handed her a name badge necklace to wear on the first day of school was priceless and I knew right then that she's going to be a joy every day. When I asked her who her best friend was, she said "Daddy" and gave him a big squeeze on the arm. Pretty sure he got glossy eyed. So touching. Then I was lucky enough to be introduced to every toy she has received in the past 3 years of her life.
- I was told my 1:00 appointment was waiting in the hall so I went to find them. As I walked down the hall, I saw a little boy scramble to fit under his mom's chair. Oh boy. Damien is adorable. There's something about big brown eyes that gets me every time... not sure what it is ; ) If Mackenzie was stage 5, Damien is stage 55. He didn't leave Mom's lap and refused to talk. I mentioned how much I love Thomas the Train, but he must have seen through that and covered the character up on his shirt. I told him I loved his big brown eyes, so he closed them. His mom made me aware of the fact that he has taken to going to the bathroom outside....#1 and #2.... interesting. I finally got a grin and half giggle when I threatened to tickle and found his tickle spot. BREAKTHROUGH!... or not. He grunted until Mom finally decided it was time to leave.

Those were my todays. Who knows what the next 2 days will bring?!

Updated pictures to come when I'm fully functional.
Night.

Chopped 'er again!

As much as I love the ease of shorter hair....

pictures like this one make me miss my long locks.

Chop, chop, chop!!

I'm thinking I need some color improvement.

This is my natural color.

This is NOT!

Neither is this!

Sooo... Darker or Lighter?? That is the question!

Ugh

My life can be sooo full of blessing and happiness, yet I get hit with this crippling sadness every 30th day. Tonight's a cuddle with my puppy night. Sorry, TMI, but it feels better to write that out instead of swirl it in my brain all day.