Doug and Chelsea RoCo's Wedding

Wedding season for the RoCo's has begun! 

Doug and Chelsea said "I Do" and officially became Mr. and Mrs. Connor this past Saturday. It was definitely a weekend full of all kinds of emotions, but everything turned out just perfect, or as perfect as it could have minus some very special angels that had to attend from Heaven. 

I was thrilled when Doug and Chelsea asked me to be a part of their day.  What an honor!  Standing up there on Saturday, I couldn't help but think "that should've been me officially becoming Mrs. Connor exactly 1 year and 1 week ago" .. but I couldn't be more excited for Doug and Chelsea to have their dream come true.

Here's some pictures:

Special SIL time with the flower girl

Walking down the aisle...

I've always heard that angels can appear in pictures through "circles" or "spots" seen in them. I couldn't help but notice this picture that Robert's Aunt captured of me down the aisle with two special angels on either side.  One by my head and the other by my arm.  I knew Robert was right there with me ... and this picture just comes to prove that point. 

Ceremony pictures

The previous flower girl, Addison, handled her job just perfectly. She was a little nervous when she started down the aisle, and may have forgot to throw any leaves until the very end, but she made it down the aisle and right next to me. She was so entertaining while she talked during the wedding. Here's some points to remember:
~Right after she made it up the stairs and next to me ... before Chelsea made it all the way down the aisle she said "Is it over yet?"
~She noticed one of the photographers in the balcony and had her hand over her eyes pointing saying, "Do you see him? I do!!"
~In the middle of the ceremony she looked at me and said, "Did you know Doug has a brother named Crazy Jake ... he's right there." (as she points across the alter)
~And when the minister asked us to pray she informed me that she "prays at her school all the time."

The photographer captured a simply precious picture of her when we were asked to bow our head in prayer.

Don't let this fool you ... this was the only time that she wasn't talking. 

Reception Pics

It was a great weekend full of some much needed time with many family and friends! 

What a beautiful wedding! Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Connor!

One Year

I wish this post was being written to reflect on Robo and I's first year of marriage.  It could discuss the highs, the lows, and everything in between. I wish I was looking back at the pictures that reflected all of those plans put into place to make my dream come true of becoming Robert's wife.

Instead, I think of the day exactly 17 months and 6 days ago that made all those plans come crashing down.I can't help but think of:
-the wedding dress that I only tried on 3 times that's in a box
-the engagement ring that I wear on my right hand, reminding me daily of the love of a truly special man
-the wedding band that sits in a ring box on my dresser....that I sometimes try on just to remember how beautiful it is
-our first house together that is all packed up in boxes and stored ....
and all of the memories that Robert and I made together.  Those short years with him felt like a lifetime of love and happiness. 

"It's better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all"

I was sharing my story with a co-worker this week and she said "Look at you. All you've been through and you still come to work smiling each day and loving on all these kids." It's definitely those kids that keep me going. I'm so thankful to love my job!


Spending Saturday with Robert's family and friends this weekend was definitely where I needed to be. Memories kept coming back to me discussing this wonderful man who was taken from his earthly home way to soon. 

The drive home tonight was bittersweet. Tears were flowing. Tears of sadness for missing the one man that brought so much joy to my life .. and tears of happiness for all of the wonderful people I have to pick  me up at times like this. 

I'm looking forward to the gathering of the RoCo's at Doug and Chelsea's wedding this coming weekend. It'll be sad to be experiencing it without Robert, but I know he'll be watching over all of us! 

Robert, I miss you and love you more than words can even begin to describe. I thank you for all you've given to me and would just like to say Happy Anniversary! It will always be our anniversary to me. 

Here's some pictures to share with you from our engagement session almost 2 years ago. 

Amy's Bridal Shower

Yesterday turned out just perfect! 

Lots of planning and prepping came together for a day to celebrate Amy and her upcoming wedding! 

We started early leaving home about 7 to head to STL to start the festivities. My SIL's mom and sister road with my mom and I down there. We met Amy and my SIL at Costco to buy all the fruit and pick up the cake. We returned to Amy's to cut and skewer fruit, gobble down some lunch, and pack everything to head to the shower!  We were able to throw the decorations up in about 15 minutes thanks to the help of everyone!!  Mom and my Aunt also made a run back to Amy's for a few items that we forgot. 

The shower began with introductions and people grabbing food.  Don't worry .. there were NO games .. since Amy and I are not game lovers.  We talked, ate, opened presents, and left.  Lots of quality time with special people from near and far. It's so nice for everyone to get together and to see people that we don't get to see as much as possible.  

Here's some pictures from the day.  Be sure to check Amy and K's blogs for more pictures to come! 

Amy and her soon to be MIL!

Amy and both of her Moms

Very Proud Grandma

Mullink Sisters

3 Generations

Everything turned out great!  I'm so thankful for the 35ish people who came to shower Amy with love! Looking forward to celebrating together again at the wedding!! 

Such a Sweet Moment

I know I've said it before, but I love watching my nephew play football.  It's a "Proud Aunt" moment to watch him play a sport he loves and to see how much skill and confidence he's gained since starting last year. This fall is so busy that I won't get to make it to as many of the games that I'd like, so my Mom and I plan to go to as many as we can to cheer on #56! 

I have to share a story from his game today.  

Dylan's team was having a great game and playing well.  In the 4th quarter, they were up 37-0.  There was an "official's time out" called.  Next thing I knew, they had moved onto the next play.  The other team was in possession, and from the looks of it, I thought I was watching a play in sloowwwwww motion.  One of the players on the other team had the ball and was running towards the end zone. Most of the players on Dylan's team weren't moving too fast, and there were a couple chasing after the runner.  They kept diving and missing him.  While he was running, my SIL informed me that this player on the other team had autism. The coaches agreed to allow him to score a touchdown if they were winning or losing by quite a bit towards the end of the game.  

What came next was almost a tear jerker (unless you're Kathy Roe ... because she was already crying...).  The player made it all the way to the end zone.  He dropped the ball and made his celebratory stance.  Other players were coming up and hugging him and both of the teams and crowds were applauding.  The player ran off the field and jumped into the coaches arms hugging him.  It was such a proud moment for him and a time for him to *shine*! 

This moment brought me back to reality.  It was amazing to see two teams of young players allowing this player his own chance to score.  

The teacher in me pointed out that this was such a "teachable moment" for the players on both teams. How wonderful for them to see two coaches come together to allow a star to shine. Seeing my nephew's team clapping and cheering melted my heart.  

It's so good to see that there are still great people in this world, and sometimes it's the little things in life that lead to big lessons learned! 

What a special day, and I'm sure this player was elated.  I'm so glad I was able to witness this play! 

Hope you have a great week! 

Next up .... tobejonesy bridal shower!!! 

I'm Still Here

Don't you worry, I'm still here and breathing ... just been busy and can I just tell you that kindergarten is simply exhausting!

I keep telling people this year that we could make some money if we just had a reality tv show of the students of Hope Academy.  There's certain ones that you just have to turn your head and laugh!  Parks, Burns, and I sure do have quite the interesting group of kinders this year.  

We've have one student refuse to come in from the playground... not just once, but TWICE ... The second time the assistant principal went out to get her.  Her reason for not coming in .. "well ... I just wanted to play" 
This same student one day threw herself back in a chair exclaiming, "Mrs. Burns .... there's something wrong with me ... I really need to go to Ms. Pets room ... I just can't learn"  ... if only you knew this girl. 

My class this year consists of very busy busy BUSY children.  I have one that screams almost daily that I "can't talk to him that way ... I don't even know what DFS means!"  I actually got screamed at twice today.  He came over to apologize for the first time ... and when he got mad again he made sure to scream "AND NOW ... I'M NOT EVEN SORRY!"  Good thing I just turn my head and laugh.  

Today, my principal informed me that I just need to "get them straightened out" ... I'm trying my best.  

Then I come across things such as this ... 

.... and I'm brought back to reality.  My heart hurts for so many of  my students because they've been through more in their short 5 years .. than I have in my life.  (and let me just say that I've been through quite a bit ... but I'm also soooo blessed).  Many of these students just need someone to love and care about them.  Now, if you ask my Mom and sis ... they say I'm mean.  It's called "tough love", and at the end of the day ... I hope my kiddos know just how much I love them.  Even my kid that screams at me tells me almost every day that he loves me.  Makes my heart melt .... 

Besides work, I've been quite busy soaking up some time with the family!  

This past weekend, my Mom and I headed to STL to help with some Tobejonesy day details.  I was a little worried at first because I'm not quite as crafty as my dear sis ... and sometimes I have a heard time picturing the visions in her head.  After WAYYY too long at Hobby Lobby and even a trip to JoAnn's, we got all the supplies needed for a craft.  It turned out so well, and I'm pretty sure we accomplished the Amy Roe vision ... unless she just said that to make me feel better. 

Here's one choice of fabric we picked out ... the ONLY thing we could find in this "teal but not quite teal" blue that Amy dreamed up ...

I know it's kind of tablecloth/curtain fabric ... but I promise you'll be surprised with how it turned out!  

This week, I also able to attend my nephew's JFL game.  I really enjoy watching him play and he's definitely gained some confidence since last year.  Here's some action shots ...

 One of the many reasons I love fall.  Watching football is so fun ...especially when you're a proud aunt!  Love my #56! 

It's definitely been a busy, busy couple of weeks!  Each day seems to get better at school, and I know I'll look back on these beginning days and feel like my kinders have come such a long way. BUT at the end of the day ... I feel like this...

Looking forward to a 3 day weekend that will include some family time!  There's nothing better than time with family!

Back to School

This week was the official back to school week for DPS61!  It's hard to believe that we've started the 13-14 school year.

Monday was a work day for teachers.  This was the day to put the last minute touches on the classroom, get lesson plans made out for at least this week, and help Mrs. Burns, the new kinder teacher who was JUST hired, get her room sorted out and ready.  Here's a glimpse of my classroom ready and waiting for my kiddos!

Our new "Under the Sea" behavior chart

OCD Paradise!  Books organized by topic with bins and books labeled by number

Tuesday, my birthday, was the annual rally (which was enjoyable), meetings with the staff in our building (that included the Hope staff singing "Happy Birthday" to me, and the K teachers working like crazy to get this new and improved kinder classroom ready for these kiddos!  Mindy and I helped Chierstan get all of her curriculum out of boxes and sorted, her room somewhat organized (by stealing borrowing shelves), and much, much more to get her room ready.  Open house was this evening and the room needed to be ready!

Open house treat - "You're o'fish'ally in Kindergarten!

Open house was so enjoyable.  I had 7(of 24) students come ... many excited but some scared.  I was able to talk to them and their parents to help ease some fears of starting kindergarten.  It was SO wonderful seeing some precious faces that would be joining my classroom.  With all the stress of getting the room ready and helping set up a new classroom, these precious faces brought me back to what I LOVE about my job.  Not everyone gets to hang out with Kinders all day .. and boy are they FUN!

After pulling almost a 12 hour day on my birthday, I was like a kid on Christmas Eve! I was anticipating the meeting of all my new kinder faces!

Wednesday was it!  The first full day with students, and man, was it CRAZY!  I seem to always forget just how hard the beginning of the school year is! These poor kiddos come in after having never been to school all day before, and some haven't even been to school at all.  It's all about teaching them to raise their hand to talk, stay in their seats when asked, and all of the school-wide expectations.  The first experience at lunch was NUTS!  It's not easy to get 72 kinders through a lunch line for the first time in a timely manner.

We made a ca-yoot "1st Day of Kindergarten" sign to get all the kiddos pictures with this day.

Jill - an AMAZING teaching assitant

Myself

The Lovely Chierstan

The Lovely Mindy!

Thursday seemed to be a bit better than Wednesday.  My kiddos were beginning to catch on a little bit to the expectations and we seemed to make it through the day a little easier. I did add a new student who has never been to school before ... I began teaching him all about school expectations...

Friday was extra crazy!  One kinder student tried to run away because she wasn't allowed to play during recess. We came to the rescue to find help for that. Then, Chierstan had a severe allergic reaction and ended up leaving in an ambulance.  Thank goodness she is doing just fine now!!  This meant I was taking 20+ kinders out to get on 19 buses .... and I didn't know all of their names ... talk about a MESS!

I'm glad the first week was short ... I'm not sure I could've done more than 3 days.  I put in lots of hours this week .. not getting home before 7 any night but Friday.  Needless to say, I was completely exhausted!!  I was heading to bed around 8:30 or 9 each night ...

I'm ready to bring on week 2!  Every day should get just a little bit better in this crazy Kinder class, but I wouldn't trade it for the world!  I really do LOVE my job ... there's nothing better than spending my days with precious kiddos ... even if they exhaust all my energy!

A special shout out to my SIL (and bro) who got me an AMAZING book for my birthday. That book was my "get away" every evening this week.  I spent a little time each night reading... It's nice to have some "me" time this week! :) 

The Last Supper

which is actually a weekend recap; however, this is the last weekend before beginning the 2013-2014 school year!

Last week was full of prepping my classroom for a new year!  I spent hours getting posters out and up, labeling items, putting up the bulletin board, and organizing the majority of my classroom books. Organizing books = OCD nightmare but it now looks wonderful with labeled bins by topic and books in the bin are numbered.  Let's hope these kinders understand my craziness OCD and are capable of keeping these books organized. 

I knew I had to get lots of work done because I had a full weekend planned!

Friday morning consisted of getting on a big yellow school bus and walking some streets in Decatur to welcome some new students to Hope Academy!  I wasn't looking forward to going, but it was a good time.  Tip for next year = wear comfortable shoes!

Friday afternoon, we were on the fast track to finding a new kindergarten teacher.  It was decided last week that we would open a new classroom due to the 60 kinders registered. Nothing like waiting until the last minute to get this done ...  We chose one .. and I'm SUPER excited to add her to our K team!  Looking forward to a good year! 

Friday evening consisted of a much needed mani and pedi with Chrissy and heading out for a bit with some co-workers to ring in the new year.  Good time! 

Saturday started by heading to my nephews first JFL jamboree!  It was very hot sitting in the bleachers, and he didn't get to play .. but it got me ready for football season.  It makes me proud to see my nephew out there playing ball!  Of course, after we left, my SIL called me and they had put Dyl in!  Grrr!  Next time, I will see him play! 

Saturday afternoon, we packed up and headed to the Illinois State Fair.  We used to visit the fair every year, but have slacked off a bit.  We hunted for the chickens (my Mom REALLY wanted to find them) and were very unsuccessful.  Needless to say, the Roe's aren't familiar with the livestock barns ... who is shocked? 
We walked around and visited some normal stops while at the fair - the hypnotist, high dive show, butter cow, and ice cream. It was fun to spend some time together, but I felt like the fair was kind of a let down.  We didn't get to meet up with my cousins because of lack of phone service.  Sad  news ... 

Sunday brought a wonderful gathering of most of the family!  Having almost 20 of the most special people in your life all together in one place is just simply amazing. We were able to gather the RoCo's together as well as my Grandma and Aunt.  We were celebrating my SIL and I's birthdays. It was such a fun time together.  

Do you think I took pictures?  ... No... I was too busy talking.  Use your imagination and check Amy and K's blogs for pictures. I'm sure they'll have some shortly!

Here's the only two pictures I took this weekend ...

I am not proud of this precious girl at all ... can you tell? 

Tomorrow is D-day!  Happy School year!

P is already practicing what he will do when I head back to work ....

Next up, a Back to School post!