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I’m joining the one-and-only, super fab, Stephanie Stewart from Falling into First for the “Meet the Teacher Blogger” linky party! First off, let me tell you how wonderful Stephanie is in person. Amidst 700 other crazed teachers in Vegas, she was beyond kind, patient, and friendly when I asked if I could take a photo with her (swoon!). Not only that, but she doesn’t take herself too seriously….and was even willing to take a goofy photo with me (and the amazingly fabulous Cara Carroll from First Grade Parade….who is also unbelievable in person). Take a peek below from our meet-up in Vegas!

I grew up in a small rural town in Southern Illinois, spending my days making mud pies in the back yard and telling my parents “I wanted to sweat” doing work out in the back yard (NOT kidding–What was I thinking?!?!). I loved volleyball, cheerleading, and track and student council was my favorite club in high school. I graduated from the University of Illinois, and got my first teaching job at the school I student taught in, as a full day Kindergarten teacher and high school cheerleading coach. Since then, I’ve taught EVERY GRADE Kg. through 4th and have loved them all. Sandwiched in between some of those years, I worked as an educational coach and consultant for ETA/Cuisenaire and created custom wedding invitations for two years. Currently, I teach 4th grade at an amazing school in a northern suburb of Chicago. I love my teammates, colleagues, principal, students, and their families and feel very blessed to be here!

I met my husband, Frank at U of I, and he is my best friend and teacher-husband extraordinaire (meaning, he puts up with my teacher craziness, countless trips to Dollar Tree & Hobby Lobby, and helps out relentlessly!!). We will have our 10 year wedding anniversary, and celebrated with a trip to Mexico this summer (photos above taken there).

Meet Grayson! Two and a half years ago we lovingly adopted Gray at birth. We were so blessed to have been chosen by his birthmother and are forever grateful for being given the gift of becoming parents. This sweet little buddy has changed our lives forever for the better and we enjoy every moment (even the crazy ones–haha). Gray is curious, funny, athletic, sweet, and loving. We can’t wait to see what the future holds with this little man!

Take a peek at the things that make me swoon and squeal with delight! The list is too long to show them all to you, but here’s a few of my faves:

// photography // calligraphy // Boden USA // statement necklaces // Pinterest // Flair felt tip pens //// Starbucks shaken iced green tea – no H20, no sweetener // cupcakes & glitter {‘nuf said} // travel//

// Hobby Lobby // Target // Dollar Tree // bargain hunting // teacher bloggers // yoga & fitness //

1) Headmistress of Hogwarts 2) Graphic Designer 3) Party Planner 4) Photographer

creative // driven // down-to-earth (counts as 1 word…right??)

I would choose FLYING, of course! Who doesn’t want to fly?
Those are THE BEST dreams!!

I am TOTALLY and completely a night owl. It’s not that I’m grumpy in the morning or anything like that, I just get sudden bursts of energy, creative thoughts, and the need to do a million things when I really should be going to bed! I’m going to call it genius…
…but maybe it’s just a bad habit?!?!

Hmmmm….That’s a tough one, because I’m pretty much WYSIWIG (what you see is what you get). Close friends & colleagues know this, but others may not:
I have a STANGE aversion to most candy, but ESPECIALLY to ANY candy with some sort of crunchy outer shell. {CRINGE} I don’t know what it is…the way the shell sticks in your teeth…the way the crunchiness reminds me of bug shells….who knows!?!?!

I LOVE these from Someecards: