The Sunshine File....

I've been teaching in my own classroom for 5 years. Before that I completed an internship, worked in a childcare center and took part in numerous field experiences. I can confidently say Winthrop did a great job of exposing me to lots of classrooms throughout my education there. 

I was also a member of the Palmetto State Teachers Association. At one of our meetings I remember getting a flyer with a poem about a sunshine file- see picture below

I found a yellow folder and started putting various things in it over the years. 

My sunshine file followed me back home where I started teaching. Today, I was adding to my file when I really took notice of how explosive it was. I took it out and shared its meaning with my assistant. She quickly responded, "that looks like a great snow day activity. You should take that with you!"  

So earlier tonight I opened it up to start to peek through. I made it through the file tonight and was excited and surprised at the things I found and discovered. 

Not only were there years of memories from students but also thank you notes from former parents of kids I had worked with. I found drawings from 2008; astonished that even then I was an Mrs. Oh kids!

I laughed, I cried and enjoyed reading them all. 

There were heartfelt thanks from students; notes that said "you rock" and the never ending "I love yous!" There were kind words from my co-workers, partner teachers, instructional coach and principal. 

Seriously going through those was a complete joy! Here's just a small sneak peek of what I found. 

I never doubted my childhood dream of being a teacher. I don't want any career that doesn't involve children and making a difference in their lives. 

I was talking with my trainer today about how you aren't always sure that you really make a difference in someone's life but when you know it's a great feeling...

That sunshine file really brightened my day, made me thankful for the memories, students and families who I've had the joy to be a part of their lives and the many more to come. 

I encourage you to start a sunshine file. Maybe you don't teach or have random sticky notes that say "I like your new shirt" but there's something that means a lot to you and brightens your day when you're having a hard time. 

Try finding those things and remembering them when times get hard. We aren't promised an easy life; but a life full of God's promises... One worth living!

Love Stories are my favorite.....

I seriously am sorry for my lack of consistency with this blog.  It's one of my goals to try to update at least once a week for the next month in order to help keep myself accountable and help others who might be reading this.

Since the last day of 2013, many awesome things have happened. After celebrating a new year with some friends and family I got the special joy of being a part of one of my best friend's wedding day! I truly consider it a treasure to have such awesome friends like Leigh and Brandi, among others, who have been around for a long, long time.. consisting of good and bad but the truth of the matter is... they're still here!

Leigh and Kevin had a beautiful wedding- Friday night at rehearsal I was the stand-in bride and got to marry Kevin a few times and cut up with Mr. Howard along the way too! It was way less stressful than being the real bride! Saturday I spent most of the day chilling and hanging out with Nathan while the girls go ready, took care of a special covert mission and got ready for my duties of programs/guest book! The wedding was beautiful, everything was perfect and the party after was THE BOMB! (Yes, I know I'm old)
Check out some pretty sweet pics from this event!

Jessica, Me & Brandi at rehearsal

Sweet groom's cake!

The "brides" haha

My "fake groom"

All the girls

Kristen (Kevin's sister), Me, Kevin and Brandi

Love these girls to the moon!

Winthrop girls reunited!

My love for these two travels the seas-- literally!

Party time!

Covert mission complete!

Love love love!

Can't forget Mitchell!

Let's just say- this was an epic weekend full of fun that may or may not be disclosed! Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Bradfield! Love you both!

School started right after this weekend.  It was hard to get back into the swing of things, but I quickly learned that schedule and routine is what keeps me going and happy.  

Monday, the 13th my bestie AkA sister Heather was set to get the gender info sealed up in an envelope about her precious bundle of joy.  I met up with her that night to capture the news and was forced to keep it a secret until Saturday, yesterday... Of course I had to get some help with a few things and had to let a few individuals in on the secret.. but no one at the party knew what the gender was going to be.. except for me! It was truly a joy to spoil my best friend and her hubby and the babes with the party and to get to see the genuine look on their faces when the balloons flew out! Def. one of the most favorite things I've done for someone else!  Doesn't hurt that I love these two so much!  

Stay tuned tomorrow for the gender reveal party update plus more..

Feel free to comment on here or on FB about any particular subjects or posts you want to read about.

January 4th- Leigh's wedding day was my one year marker of this life change... Coming up--- see how my life has changed and what I'm up to!

Love you guys!