New House and a whole lot more Gratitude.

As I sit here in my new house drinking my mug of hot chocolate, I look around and realize how blessed we really are. We are blessed with amazing parents who helped us move or cheered from afar telling us that we could make it beautiful with tricks of the trade. We are blessed with amazing friends who helped us pack, moved all of the heavy stuff that my 5'0 frame couldn't. Trust me, I did try. However, we are blessed with so much more. We are blessed with amazing jobs, our health, and a cute puppy who loves the new house more than we do. He constantly runs to the front door greeting us with a "Hey Momma, you're home!" That in itself is by far the best part of my day, knowing he finally has a backyard to play in. While I may not be the best blogger, this new year in our lives, I'm gonna try for Sweet Carolina's on my Mind. Here are just a few things I plan to do before I turn 30:

• Create a Teacher Pay Teachers Store and try to sell a few products
• Become crafty! 
• Make our new house a home.
• Go sky-diving with my soon-to-be husband. That's on his list :)
• GET MARRIED :) Oh, I can't wait!
• Go somewhere tropical, internationally. Travel to at least 2 places.

I'm sure there will be a lot more that gets added; however, right now, I'm pretty content. Life is good.

Technology, oh my!

So blogging isn't my thing. I've realized I'm not a blogger. I'm not a perfectionist or a writer. I'm not unique or creative on my own. I start projects and stop halfway. I beat to my own drummer. However, I'm realizing through this process I do things well. I can "pin pins" like none other. I can create things I see on my own to save money. I don't stop a project once it gets tough or doesn't turn out right, I keep going. I have endurance; just not for running. I don't like to share what I write, but maybe this will help another teacher with an iPad. 

Today, while I was working like every other teacher trying to get ready for the beginning of the year, I found a really cool app. Like so cool, I had to tell everyone about it! I rushed to my phone and immediately texted a few of my teacher friends to tell them too. I searched Pinterest, and immediately found this unique teacher blog by Kate called, "Purely Paperless". She wrote this INCREDIBLE article about a really cool teacher app called "Reflector". Reflector is just like Apple TV and she goes on to explain how to stream what's on your iPad onto your Mac for your kids to see. I'm realizing this would be really cool to showcase student work or showcase different Apps or even read a fun class read-aloud. 

Here's Kate's article :) I suggest you read it. Maybe she'll even inspire me to go paperless soon! At least maybe I'll try :) 

http://www.purelypaperless.com/2013/04/mirror-your-ipad-to-your-computer.html

"You are the bread to my butter, you are the breath to my life." -Paul Child to wife Julia

After watching one of my favorite books become a movie, Julie & Julia, I got inspired. Inspired to write a daily blog. I'm not sure on what, or about whom, but one thing rings true to my life now, I'm becoming Mrs. Dollard. It also had the nice ring of "Becoming Mrs. Darcy" and well, every girl I know loves the wonderful tale of Pride & Prejudice. This year will be one of the most exciting years yet, however, instead of getting bogged down by the crazy ramblings, the minute details, or the stress of wedding-planning, I want to focus on the fun. Yeah, you read it right, the fun. Too many times have I been told "it will go by so fast, if you blink, you'll miss it." We are already 8 months until our big day, and I simply cannot fathom how close this is! 

So, this is a blog for just that: becoming Mrs. Dollard and the life it prevails. As I begin to start this journey of becoming his wife, we are also going through a lot more. We are currently building the house of our dreams and I am beginning a new chapter as a fourth grade teacher in Clover, SC. With this is a lot of bittersweet memories of selling my first house and moving schools again; however, I know that I am right where I'm suppose to be. I cannot wait for what this journey holds, and this new adventure called life. So check us out, stop by, and just see what life has in store for us. Hopefully, I will be adding more about teaching too!