a treasure.

My latest gem from a student. 

Apparently I should give birth to a bright pink monster with one eye and no nose.

If only I could be so lucky.

mrs. kussee portraits and "hoggie" buns.

Have I told you lately that I love my job?  I mean, I REALLY love my job.  I have 26 adorable eight-year-olds that love me and respond to what I do and say.  They say the funniest things, they do the funniest things, and they are the most adorable kids on the planet.

No joke.

I could eat these kiddos of mine up.  To tell you the truth, right now I feel more like their mom than I do Baby Girl's mom.  Sometimes I lament to Tyler how I wish Baby Girl could come out and be 7 years old from the very start.  He points out that that will obviously not happen.

I do adore their portraits they draw of me.  At least once a week, one of them writes about me and what I'm wearing that day in their journals.  I tend to love it and smile every time.

On a random note, it's our turn to cook Sunday dinner for the fam this Sunday.  We decided French Dip Sandwiches sounded the best and easiest for a 12-person meal.  Fresh Hoagie Buns are our favorite, so we have to pick them up on Saturday.  I asked T to write me a reminder note and stick it on my laptop so I'd remember.

I love how he spelled, "Hoagie."

Usually, he's a decent speller.  Apparently most people don't have to spell "hoagie" in their everyday usage.  Nonetheless, this cute little sticky-note makes my day every time I look down at it when I'm at work.  Mostly because it reminds me of T and how he looks when he smiles and laughs.  I kinda sorta love him.  A lot.

My husband rocks.  

a golden apple.

 I've been harboring a secret for a little over a month now.  

The lovely Laurie who is in the PTA and over the Golden Apple Award told me back in January that I'd been nominated for the Golden Apple Award by my students, their parents, the community, and the PTA.  

After she told me in the principal's office and I was sworn to secrecy, I walked down to my classroom and cried.  It's something that I didn't expect and certainly did not think was possible being a new teacher.  Sometimes it's nice to be recognized for your hard work.  Especially when you're doing something you love.

I can't think of a more amazing award to receive than from the people that I admire and love in the community of Rock Canyon Elementary.

They announced the lucky recipient [me!] today at our Spirit Week Assembly that was held in the Scera Theater.  My kids have been crossing their fingers, toes, and everything else all week to make sure I won.  I told them that there was no way that the PTA would give the award to a teacher who hasn't even finished her 2nd year teaching [*wink wink*].

[Although I was completely ecstatic when I walked down the aisle, I was completely embarrassed too.  I'm so glad this picture doesn't show how red I was.]

My bunch of 32 students were responsibly crazy (is that even possible) when Laurie called my name as the Golden Apple Award recipient today.  I think they were more excited than I was (which is hard!). 

[Laurie and myself... with the principal's shadow on the side.  Laurie is a wonderful lady and has become a good friend.  I adore her and her children.]

Laurie shared a sweet story with the school about a day last year that I visited her son (who was in my class) who had his tonsils removed and missed school for a couple of weeks.  I didn't realize she remembered the day I dropped by their house to give him some simple letters from our class and stop and chat with him to see how he was doing. 

It was a tender moment for me.

Tyler, my parents, and my grandma came to experience the moment with me (and the rest of the 645 students at Rock Canyon). 

My mom cried.  No worries though, she cries whenever her kids do something she's proud of.

Just when I thought my cheeks couldn't get any brighter, the principal then said I'd give a prepared 15-minute speech.  

Yeah, right.  I was off that stage pretty quick after that!

The PTA was incredibly generous in their gifts (Laurie even called Tyler to see what color of roses I'd like!).  They definitely made this little teacher feel completely and utterly grateful.

 [Beautiful orange flowers!]

Along with flowers and a framed award, they gave me a gift card to a certain wonderful bookstore that I adore and a couple of coupons to Marley's Gourmet Sliders restaurant (Tyler can't wait to use them!).

[from the best PTA in the world]

Honestly?!  My cup overfloweth with love and gratitude for the wonderful people in my life.  I really couldn't ask for more than what I have right now.

my students love me. thank goodness.

Even my old students from last year still love me.

It makes me happy.

One was gone for a couple months to visit family she has in Peru and brought me back the neatest shirt along with some yummy Peruvian candy.

I missed her while she was gone.  She always come to my classroom after school to give me a hug and tell me about her life.  

Her mom is so cute and told my student said that they got me this shirt because I'd commented on a picture they'd brought in for a presentation and said I wished I had a shirt like their family was wearing the picture.  So now it's like I'm part of their family.

So cool.

I'm just glad she's back and that we get to wear our matching shirts together on Friday!

I love the relationships that I get to form during my teaching career.  I love my students, their parents, and my coworkers. 

 I'm loving my life.  

Is it hard?  Of course.

Is it worth it?  Of course!