Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to you all! I'm excited because today will be a fun filled day with Halloween stories and making Witches Brew! I also cannot wait to have our first year of trick or treaters!

Corinthians

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than the man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than the man's strength."
(1 Corinthians 1:25)

Our God is mighty and powerful. So mighty that man's strength is no measure to God's power.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."
(1 Corinthians 2:9)

Remember this week that this too shall pass and our future with the Lord is far better than anything in this world.

Oh where, oh where did Mrs. Brown go?

Oh where, oh where can she be? Monday I had to miss school for a literacy meeting and I left this prompt for my students to write in their journals first thing when they arrived at school. The responses were so great they made me laugh out loud, and I wanted to share!

Mrs. Brown is missing today. Where do you think she is? What do you think she is doing?

 

- "She is sick, because if she wasn't she would of told us she
was going to be absent."

- "She is at a meeting learning how to teach us."


- "Mrs. Brown is out buying us a big surprise."


- "She is at Gulf Shores laying on the beach with her hubby."


- "She is playing with her dog." (I talk about Annabelle a lot!)


- "She is at home reading a book and drinking tea and eating leftovers."

 

- "She is in Little Rock at the book store buying books for our classroom."

   

- "She is at a secret spy meeting because she is a super agent spy. She is also bungie jumping!"

 

- "She is at a meeting giving a very very important speech."

 

- "She is at home baking a pie for our class."

 

I love my kids so much! They keep me laughing everyday. I am in such a rewarding field!

Creativity meets Campfire!

Last week in second grade we had Cowboy/Cowgirl day.  It was a blast and the kids totally dressed and played the part! They arrived to the dim-lit classroom where western music was playing in the background and a campfire set-up ready for stories.

We started the morning by writing our Wild Wild West narratives, and trust me the stories were WILD! Their imaginations amaze me.  After working, we danced to the western hokey pokey and made Cowboy "Trail" mix.  The students brought a variety of snacks and we combined them together to make a recipe.  Many students used their imaginations and took their pretzel stick and put a marshmallow at the end and "roasted" their marshmallows. 

We took turns around the campfire telling our stories as if we were real cowboys and cowgirls sitting around the fire.  It was a long and entertaining day.  We ended it by singing "Home on the Range."

 Now, I "built" this campfire twenty minutes before school and next year I know what to do better. I ended up getting a small battery powered fan and taped yellow, gold, and orange tissue paper to the top side. I covered the surrounding area with craft paper.  I told my GT students I was trying to think outside the box!

Cheesy- I know! Thankfully they

knew what it was and went along with it!

Proud Owner of a Scentsy

I am a proud own of a scentsy....FINALLY! I have been wanting one for a long time and after walking the halls at school and smelling the wonderfulness of their scentsy machines I had to break down and buy one! I need help deciding on more scents to order, so leave me a comment of your favorite scentsy smells. Right now, I have sweet pea and vanilla filling my room and I love it! I am wanting some fall and Christmas scents...any suggestions? I am going to order again soon! Let me know if your interested and I can get you hooked up with a scentsy rep!

Southern Hospitality

This weekend was spent in Starkville, MS with my family. We started the Saturday off with shopping around downtown and lunch at Strombolli's. I am just amazed at how nice everyone is down there. I mean at home everyone is nice, but down here it's a little different. For instance, through out the day we met another mom who's daughter goes to school here. She and mom talked forever, and by the time their conversation was over mom felt like she knew the woman! When shopping, I tried on some dresses for fall and in the dressing room area there were a few college girls just complimenting everyone in the dressing room. It defiantly made me feel good, because I hate shopping for clothes and especially trying them on.

We went to find Jenny at the game and on our way to the tailgate spot people that we didn't know where offering us food and drinks. At the game we sat by a group of men of all ages and every time there was a touchdown scored they, along with. Drew, would jump on the concrete wall and cheer like crazy! They were very sweet and kept Drew and myself entertained.

The game was the best college game I have ever been to. Everyone was pumped about playing Tennessee. Before the game started coach Mullen said a few words to pump up the crowd and the players went all around the field to get the crowd involved. I have never seen the fans so in to the game like they were yesterday. I hardly sat down the whole game! My arm was even sore from ringing my cowbell! It was all worth it- we beat Tennessee! I always think about the blind side movie and the term "God-awful orange" that Sandra Bullock uses about Tennessee.

The spirit squads hosted a cheer clinic for future cheerleaders and performed an adorable performance to "you dropped the bomb on me." It is so neat to see little girls come up to Jenny during and after the game because they want their picture taken with a bulldog cheerleader! My mom almost starts crying every time!

In a town that is not my home, but I come to often, I feel very welcomed. There's something about that southern sweet charm of southern hospitality.  If you ever visit Starkville, MS you will feel like you fit right in!

 

Siblings! Love you two with all my heart!

Miss seeing you everyday Jen!

 

Mom and I split this YUMMY veggie pizza from Stromboli's!

Best place ever!

 

 

My date to the game! Love you Drewby!

 

 

All girl squad with ESPN guys!

Currently- October

I am using this idea from another blog. Every month I will start posting "Currently," where I tell things about me/us this month.

Currently- October

Listening/Watching: Chicago Fire- My new favorite show on Wednesday nights! I am not a big tv girl. I honestly could go on without one, but the hubby has ESPN pretty much on 24/7. Chicago Fire has gorgeous guys haha, and there is some drama involved as well! I recommend it!

Loving: this wonderful weather where I am able to walk to school without sweating, sitting outside on the deck, drinking coffee, and reading later in the day.

Thinking: there is so much to do, so many house projects to finish, so many things to post on my new tpt store, time is running out to apply for graduate school, and I want to just take a nap all at the same time!

Wanting: a massage! My body is aching from my new workout.

Needing: I don't know if I like this section because there is nothing I "need" right now. I am so blessed with a wonderful husband, family, friends, a job where I am not going to "work" everyday, and a roof over my head. I guess this section this month could be I am needing more Jesus! I am currently working on reading the new testament and trying to live every day as a strong Christian.

Reading: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew. I have an ongoing book bucket list that contains anywhere from Christian Inspirational to children's chapter books! Most of the time I am reading multiple books and they are stationed all around the house. Seth laughs because I am reading a different book for each area of the house! I am defiantly an elementary school teacher because I love the books just as much as they do. I love when I read a book and think oh! So and so would love this book! I need to remember to post my book bucket list so I can get some recommendations from you all!

Have a wonderful week.
Live, Laugh, Love.

Philippians 4:8

"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things."
Philippians 4:8

Have a lovely Saturday. Relax and think positive, happy thoughts!

Starring in First Grade: Finally a 50 Follower Giveaway

Starring in First Grade: Finally a 50 Follower Giveaway

One of the teaching blogs I follow is www.starringinfirstgrade.blogspot.com 

This is one of my co-workers at school who is an awesome first grade teacher! She has reached 50 followers and is giving away a Container Store gift card! Go check it out!

Also, I have started a Teachers Pay Teachers shop. I only have a few items, but will be adding more items in the next few days! Search for Ally Brown! 

Special Feature

My cousin Jade's wedding was featured on Arkansas Bridal for their July wedding! It was so much fun spending the day with her and helping her get ready to marry the man of her dreams! I wanted to share the link with you all:

http://www.arkansasbridalcommunity.com/july-wedding-feature/

I am so excited to say that they have a baby girl on the way! I cannot wait to be a distant aunt/cousin whatever you would call it. I am already planning and looking forward to her shower in December! Party planning is so fun!

The Cowboys are in town...Classroom Update!

Howdy Partner! The Wild Wild West is in full swing in Mrs. Brown's second grade class! I have to admit, I LOVE this common core unit and so far my students do too! We started the unit off with many nonfiction activities learning about cowboys, their lingo, and what wanted posters were for! I greeted the students on Monday with their wanted picture in the hall by our room! They thought it was so funny! We read the book Armadillo Rodeo where Mrs. Brown read in a deep southern cowgirl accent! Hehe! After that they all decided to talk like cowboys and cowgirls! I cannot wait for Friday- it's cowboy/cowgirl day complete with "Trail" Mix and story telling by the classroom "campfire." The "Wanted" pictures now have the students pictures...I cannot post their faces on here!

 

Cowboy/Cowgirl Day pictures soon to be tacked up!

 

My treat for my co-workers!

 

"Reading Round-Up" based off the book Armadillo Rodeo by: Jan Brett

The New Testament in 8 months

I am finishing up my spiritual walk/bible study with the book Made to Crave, which I highly recommend to any woman that loves to eat! My goal now is to read the new testament in 8 months. Now, I know I could read it in a shorter amount of time, but the goal here is to read for understanding and learning and growing closer to
God through the new testament. I want to take time to absorb and let scripture enter my daily routines and walk of life. I am posting this to keep myself accountable and for anyone else who wants to join me on this journey. Here is my schedule, the books are not in order from John to Revelation, so you know...

October:
Philippians, 1 & 2 Corinthians

November:
Romans, Matthew

December:
Mark, Luke

January:
John, Acts

February:
Galatians, Ephesians, and Colossians

March:
Titus, 1 & 2 Thessalonians,
1 & 2 Timothy,

April:
Titus, Philemon, Hebrew, and James

May:
1 & 2 Peter, 1 2 & 3 John,
Jude, and Revelation

"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.". Philippians 1:4-6


P. S. I would love recommendations for awesome independent and group bible study books! Have a wonderful Sunday.

Extra, Extra, Read all about it...

I no longer spend hours keeping up with everyone on Facebook. Instead I am constantly stalking Pinterest and these blogs. Most are home decor inspiration but they also have many organization ideas which are right up my "Ally."

Here are the blogs I read:

http://newhousetohome.blogspot.com

http://eatsleepdecorate.blogspot.com

http://honeywerehome.blogspot.com

http://athoughtfulplace.blogspot.com

http://nestlingdesigns.blogspot.com

http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com

http://decoratingcents.blogspot.com

http://abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com

http://diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com

http://themustardceiling.blogspot.com

http://mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com

http://twotwentyone.blogspot.com

http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com

Check them out! I'm obsessed, I know...Now for some apple cider and reading!

What blogs do you follow?