Summertime & the living's easy

Summer is here and I'm loving every second of it! It's been great going to dinner with friends, relaxing on the deck with my parents, and spending days out in the sun. For the last couple of weeks I have been nannying for four adorable children Monday-Friday. There is little miss Caroline- a 9 year-old girl, 7 year-old Joseph (JoJo), and the sweetest 3 year-old twin girls, Catie and Avery. They are the cutest kids in the world and definitely have been keeping me busy. 

Besides nannying, I have finally moved some things into my classroom to clear up everything that was cluttering our guest room. However, it is still looking pretty empty. I will start decorating and really getting things ready about mid-July! :) I cannot wait! Those that know me, know I LOVE crafting, organizing, and designing anything from a Barbie house to a real-life bedroom (I spent hours as a child playing "The Sims" but we won't go there...) Anyways it will be fun and I will be sure to post pics!

I just got home yesterday from my family's annual summer trip to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and it was AMAZING!

Every year since my mom was 18, her family has gone to HHI for summer vacation. It is my favorite tradition that has grown from 7 people, to our expanding family of 21. It is my favorite week and one that I anticipate all year long. During our week in paradise, we enjoy laying out in the gorgeous sun, playing water volleyball and competitive games of four-square on the beach, grilling out, shopping at Coliginy Plaza, getting drinks at the Frosty Frog, and eating out at Skull Creek and Scott's Fish Market. Every year I feel like it just keeps getting better and better! Since I have to wake up early tomorrow to return to the nanny life, I will post pictures later with more details on our wonderful week in paradise! Good night! :)

Summer has begun!

Summer has officially started! I kicked it off with UD's annual "Dayton to Daytona" trip to Daytona Beach, Florida. It was a fun week with great weather and great friends. 

After I got back, my family celebrated mother's day at my brother's house. We grilled out and had a wonderful afternoon, relaxing on the deck and soaking up the beautiful sunshine. 

Since then I have enjoyed catching up with high school friends, spending time with Scott, and relaxing with my family.  I start nannying on Friday and have been taking advantage of the time I have off right now -- making various pinterest-inspired crafts! My latest is below:

I am SO very excited to be back home in Louisville and can't wait to see what the rest of summer has in store!

So many reasons to celebrate!

The last couple of weeks have been extremely bittersweet! I've experienced a lot of "lasts" and the realization that I am indeed graduating and moving on to the next chapter of my life. 

One of my first lasts was my last day of student teaching. These kids have taught me so much and helped me to become the best teacher I can possibly be. I love each and every one of them and miss them so much already!

my farewell note to my students...

...and the many notes I received back in return :)

This was our last day of seminar with one of my favorite professors. I still can't believe I'm finished!

As if everything wasn't already exciting enough, I went home last week during finals week (since I didn't have any) and was surprised with this little beauty! This is my graduation present from my mom & dad and I couldn't be more in love!

Graduation weekend begins...

 my loving and supportive family

 so blessed to have ALL four grandparents celebrate with me during this special weekend

 my very best friends the morning before graduation

 Scott & I

forever a flyer!

University of Dayton, Class of 2013

Such an amazing last couple of weeks it has been. I am officially a graduate of UD and couldn't be more happy with the decision I made four years ago in deciding where to attend college. Dayton has truly become my second home and has been a place that has shaped the young woman I am today. I have made lifelong friends, had the most amazing experiences, and received an education so that I can fulfill my dream of becoming a teacher. I feel confident that I am ready for this next chapter in my life, but will never forget the wonderful memories I made these last four years. Thanks to my friends and family and especially my parents for their unconditional love and support. Next step: one last Daytona trip to celebrate! :) 

Spring Break Recap

So a couple weeks ago was my spring break and my parents, aunt and uncle, and I all went to our condo in Hilton Head, South Carolina. We enjoyed a week of sunshine, laying out by the pool, LOTS of delicious dinners, bike rides, and my favorite: shopping! :) 

Below are pictures from our wonderful week at our home away from home...

my wonderful mom & dad

dinner at the harbor 

toasting to my brother and future sister-in-law on their engagement! such exciting news we found out while on vacation! couldn't be more excited for them :) 

the gorgeous harbor

aunt Sandy & uncle Kendal

sunset

momma & me

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect spring break. It was just what I needed to relax after such a busy semester of student teaching. Now that I am well-rested I can get through these last couple of weeks and enjoy them! I dread the day I have to say good-bye to my cooperating teachers and my students! :(

Exciting News for Ms. Mitchell!

I am so extremely excited to announce that I was offered a teaching position last Monday and I ACCEPTED! I will officially be teaching 6th and 7th grade language arts next year at St. Agnes Parish School, a Catholic school at home.  Teaching has been a dream of mine ever since I can remember and it's an amazing feeling knowing that my dream is so close to finally becoming a reality.

I am filled with a mixture of emotions at this monumental time in my life. I couldn't be more happy about my job and the school in which I will be teaching next year, but at the same time I am beginning to realize my four years at UD are quickly coming to an end.  Knowing that graduation is only three weeks away is mind-blowing.  I feel like I should still be a freshman, experiencing college for the first time, living in dorms, and eating in the cafeteria.  The past four years have flown by (just like everyone warned they would) and it all just feels so bittersweet. I am so unbelievably grateful for my wonderful college experience and couldn't have asked for a better school, better teachers, or better friends.  My time at the University of Dayton has been amazing and I feel so blessed that my parents made it possible for me to attend this great institution.

Twenty-two Things I've Learned at 22

Happy birthday to me! :) 

Since today is the big 2-2, I decided to list twenty-two things I have learned in my 22 years of life. Here it goes...

1. Cherish each day because we are not promised tomorrow
2. Little children have the best outlook on life
3. Momma really does know best
4. Believe in your dreams with all your heart
5. When in doubt, just say a little prayer
6. No matter who comes and goes in your life, family is always there
7. Serving others feels good
8. No one is perfect
9. Life is too short to hold grudges
10. Ice cream can solve any and all problems
11. No matter how horrible a situation is, it will pass
12. Take lots of pictures
13. Complaining and negativity will get you nowhere
14. Treat everyone as you would want to be treated
15. "Don't put God on the back burner" - Grandpa Jack
16. You can't compare yourself to others; everyone is unique and different in their own special way
17. Sometimes you just need a good cry
18. Always be sweet, kind, and loving
19. You can't worry about the things you can't change
20. Surround yourself with friends that are going to lift you higher
21. Pursue a career you are passionate about and give it your all
22. Do what makes you happy :)

Life Update!

Life has been crazy busy lately, as usual! But it has been fantastic. I have absolutely LOVED student teaching this semester and can't believe my last day is only five weeks away! :(

My cooperating teachings have been phenomenal and have taught me so much. One of my favorite things that I implemented was this quick and easy version of an "exit slip":

I put post-its on the students' desks in the morning and at the end of class I have them write down what stuck with them from that day's lesson. It is such a cute and easy way to see how much students actually comprehended. 

Aside from student teaching, I have also been on the job hunt! Being a teacher it's somewhat difficult finding a job because schools don't post openings until late spring.  I have been fortunate enough to have been in contact with some schools from home that already know open positions for next school year. I even have a job interview next Friday at one of the Catholic schools in Louisville! :) AND we had a career fair today at UD where I interviewed with two school districts from Louisville. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and trying to stay proactive about completing on-line applications and keeping in contact with schools. I can't believe the real world is quickly approaching but I couldn't be more excited about it!

A couple of weekends ago my two best friends, Liz and Morgan, came to visit! I can't wait until we are all living in the same city again!

And of course with senior year coming to a close, the roomies and I are trying to enjoy every second of our last year at Dayton. I have been so blessed living with these 6 amazing girls and know that we will keep in touch long after graduation. 

The wonderful St. Patty's day was last Sunday and campus was a sea of green as usual! 

Now I'm just trying to get through this last week and a half before SPRING BREAK! I cannot wait for next Friday because my mom, dad, aunt, uncle, and I are all going to Hilton Head!! I am so unbelievably excited for this much-needed vacation and quality time spent with family. 

Happy Belated Valentine's Day

My life has been a little crazy since the start of this semester. The first weekend back I went on a retreat with 10 other UD students to prepare to lead one of our school's retreats called Metanoia.  The weekend after that my sorority had our recruitment and added 52 new beautiful ladies to our wonderful chapter.

Last weekend was finally the retreat that the team and I had been preparing for since November. We had an excellent turnout and everyone had a great time. It was a nice opportunity to get away from campus and connect with others on a deeper level. It helped me to put my life in perspective and realize what really is important to me.

With all of these events keeping me busy on the weekends, I have also been extremely busy during the week with student teaching. I started soloing two weeks ago which means that I have fully taken over teaching. I teach both math and language arts to my sixth grade students. It has definitely been an adjustment learning how to plan and stay organized and on top of things but I think I am starting to get the hang of it. Each day has it's ups and downs but I really am enjoying it and couldn't be happier with my placement. Even on the days the kids make me want to pull my hair out, I know that they really are a great class. And my cooperating teachers could not be more supportive- they have been so helpful and have really welcomed me as a part of their teaching team.

And as we all know this past week was Valentine's Day. I was able to celebrate with my adorable little munchkins on Wednesday where we made some crafty cards for their mom and dad and for Scott.

Then on Thursday my lovely boyfriend came to visit and stayed for the weekend. We enjoyed going on a couple of dinner dates and seeing the new Nicholas Sparks movie "Safe Haven" (yep, that's right- I convinced him to go).  I love all of his books but sometimes his movies don't always impress me; this one however was really good and even Scott approved. We had a great weekend together and it was another reminder of how blessed I am to have someone so special in my life.

Happy SIX Year Anniversary Babe!

Scott,
Six years ago today we started dating and I could not have imagined back then all that would be in store for us. These last six years have been the best years of my life. We have shared so many wonderful memories and I have enjoyed every second of being your girlfriend. We have had our share of ups and downs but we always manage to come out on top. You have taught me so much and you push me to be the best person I can be every single day. I absolutely adore you and feel so lucky to have found you. I am so blessed God put you in my life and I can't wait to see what our future holds. As long as I have you by my side, I know it is going to be amazing.
Love you forever & Always,
Lisa