Saturday, July 27, 2013

[teach] It's Gettin' Crazy Here...

Y'all. School starts in 3 weeks and 2 days. Where did summer even go?!

One of my summer projects was to organize my Pinterest "School Days" board, the board where I "pin" all of the school ideas I find. As I went through this... wow. I realized I had a bajillion categories to fill! It was a bit tedious/time consuming, but it is so much easier finding what I need/want to make/want to implement in my classroom!

Here's an example... Instead of searching through ONE "School Days" board for that cool art project I want to make with my kiddos, I can go to my "School Days: Art" board and find it in a jif!

If you are interested in getting specific pins, here are the links to my forty-billion School Days boards: enjoy!

School Days: Reading/Phonics

 School Days: Math

School Days: Science

School Days: Social Studies

 School Days: Writing

School Days: Videos and Brain Breaks [my kiddos LOVE these!]

School Days: Classroom Organization, Helpful Tips, and Decor/Set Up [my favorite section!]

School Days: Documentation/Assessments

School Days: Art

School Days: Centers/Fast Finishers

School Days: Technology

School Days: Holidays and Themes

School Days: Behavior Management

Whew! I know, OVERWHELMING. But isn't it better to identify the specific thing you're looking for instead of having ALL of these ideas in one place?! Yikes. My heart likes organization, thank you very much.

Hope this helps, fellow teachers! And if you're not a teacher, maybe you'll find a fun idea to implement with your kiddies at home? No kids? Maybe your nieces, nephews, or even for you at your own workplace! You never know what you will find on Pinterest :)

Have a good weekend! Sorry for the lack of posting... we have been out of town, and then I have been prepping for our Vacation Bible School (I'm the director) and working in my classroom. Very very VERY busy week! Hopefully I'll have more to share soon, but in the meantime... have fun perusing my Pinterest boards!

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Ecclesiastes 3:1



Tuesday, July 9, 2013

[life] 4th of July Recap

If you follow me on Instagram (chrissydj), you have already seen these pictures :) Get ready!

As many of you know, Nate and I celebrated the 4th with my family in Dallas. Loved spending time with them doing fun things! My brother had to work on the actual 4th of July, so we had a family cook out on the 3rd of July. It's how we roll :)


We had red/white/blue everything! Mom and I went a bit crazy, but everyone loved the little touches and showing of patriotic pride throughout our food and decor... Is that a thing? Okay, okay... our showing of USA love. How about that?

On the actual 4th of July, my mom, Nate, and I headed to the Ballpark in Arlington to watch our beloved Texas Rangers (Major League Baseball, for those of you unaware). We had a BLAST, had awesome seats, the Rangers WON, and there were awesome fireworks afterwards!

Then on Friday, July 5th, my dad, brother, and sister-in-law joined us at ANOTHER Rangers game! This time, they were playing the Astros (also known as the Enemy-ha!). Another great night because the Rangers won again and there were more fireworks!!!

It was a wonderful time with family and celebrating the good ol' US of A. And what a perfect coincidence that the Rangers' colors are red/white/blue. How fitting!

How did you and your family celebrate the 4th? Food? Swimming? Ballpark visits like us? Do tell.

Happy Tuesday!

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:0


Saturday, July 6, 2013

[make] Guest Bathroom Inspiration

I am back at home and ready to get back to regularly scheduled posting! I know, you're all on the edge of your seats :)

This week's project inspiration has come from Jesse Kate Designs. Unfortunately, the blog has been removed, so if you know where it was relocated to (or anything about its whereabouts), just let me know in the comments so I can give proper credit to the photo below! 

With all of our traveling this summer, we have acquired quite the tiny toiletry collection. You know, the small shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, bar soap, etc. that hotels leave for you in your room. I actually saw this pin before our trips, so I made a point to collect any and all tiny toiletry items for our guest bath. This is a small upgrade, but it really adds some impact for your guests and their time at your home (I think, anyways)!
[image taken from Pinterest via www.jessekatedesigns.blogspot.com]
This week, I plan to add this plus a couple of other fun touches to our guest bath before, you guessed it, we go out of town again this coming weekend. I just have to remind myself... "Live it up, it's summer!"

Stay tuned! Have a great week!

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

Thursday, July 4, 2013

[celebrate] Happy 4th of July!

We are a blessed nation to have the freedoms we have daily :) Thank you to all who are serving to protect those freedoms: we know that freedom is not free, and you all are a blessing to our country! May God continue to bless our country, our leaders, and our communities!

A few snippets from our 4th of July celebration, which started yesterday on the 3rd! The celebration will continue today as well!

*paper straws from World Market
*red/white/blue action within our silverware
*pretzel sticks and peanuts coated in white chocolate and red/white/blue sprinkles
*red/white/blue daisies from Walmart
*red vines wrapped in red/white/blue ribbon

Have a wonderful day celebrating our country! Remember that TRUE freedom comes through Christ, and it is through Him that we are able to have access to God, our Father in Heaven! Thank you Lord for Your wonderful mercy, love, and grace!

"Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence." Ephesians 3:12