Exquisite Alabama

Alabama has been getting bad press lately, but I had the most lovely, refreshing time there these past few days. Smith Lake did not disappoint, nor did the beautiful countryside on the trip down and back.

That picture speaks for itself, and it was just one of many breath taking sights as we glanced out from the cozy porch or delicious meals we were enjoying at The Crane's Nest.

Along with the beauty of the place, I had plenty of fun with two of my best friends, Emily and Bizzell. With the busyness of school in full swing and the stress of a new job, I was wavering on whether or not I needed to be taking a weekend trip. But I cannot express how grateful I was to have spent the weekend relaxing with these friends!

As for laughter and exercise, this activity filled my quota for both.

Just some simple three person paddle boarding…

With a few natural spills off the board...

And one good, old belly flop!

It truly was a luxurious, rejuvenating, Alabama weekend!

xoxo

The Working Life

I hate that I am turning into one of those people that lives for the weekend. Its not that I do not enjoy my job, it is just heavy and busy and taxing. I have fifth graders that cannot read the simplest sentences. I have seventh grade refugees that sit in school for 8 hours a day not understanding a single word. I have ninth graders that cannot spell the word "rape", but they know that they have been victims of it.

  And its not all bad. I walk in every morning to adorable smiling faces. I love seeing the English Language Learners light up when I speak to them in Spanish. I have read incredibly insightful poems written by my freshman this week. 

But all that to say, it does feel like I am just "powering through" the weeks to catch up on sleep, rejuvenate, and squeeze in some social interactions when the weekends roll around. I hope that will ease as time goes on.

Meanwhile, I am clinging to this truth.

xoxo