Christmas 2014

It came rushing in like never before at whirlwind speeds.......


What might I be describing you might ask?   oh Just Christmas 2014


To say that it arrived overnight is an understatement.  I contribute the rush of Christmas this year to Thanksgiving being so late.  Normally, I have a lull week in November to get my brain wrapped around what is going on before BANG December is upon us.

OH NO! 2014 did not offer that luxury.  It was Turkey day and then BAM December hit with full force.  I did get all my Christmas shopping done relatively early and without the craziness of dealing with the chaos of shopping centers.  Thank the good Lord for online shopping!


So despite its quick arrival.  Christmas was a huge success.  The lights, decorations, and family time is just one of my favorite things.  I love to curl up on the couch at night and stare at the glow of the Christmas tree while drinking hot chocolate watching a Hallmark movie.  AHHH doesn't that just sound perfect???

So we celebrated our Hay Christmas first.  It also happened to fall on Rob's birthday. So it was like a double celebration except Rob had to work so he missed out on part of his own party (yes, it was sad).  On a happy note, we did get to enjoy great snack food including my aunts amazing seafood puffs (not sure of the exact name). Let's just say they are to die for delicious.

The next celebration was Christmas Eve with my parents.  That consists of opening presents in a circle one person at a time. Yes it takes awhile but its tradition.  Then we head off to candlelight service.  This year we went to the church Rob and I attend in Arcadia.  This is my absolute MOST favorite thing I do during Christmas.  There is just magic, awe and an indescribable feeling that comes over me as I sit in a pew and listen to the story of Jesus's birth.  If you have never been to a candlelight service, I HIGHLY recommend attending one.  It will change your life for the better.

So after the service I headed back to my parents house to stay the night.  Rob had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas night (bummer right?!?)  So we all go to bed and then the worse case scenario happens! What might that be you ask??? Oh you know just throwing up all night Christmas Eve.  Yes, it happened.  I'm just saying it was a blessing in disguise because I never stay at my parents house and I would have been home alone, so if I was going to be sick that was the night for it happen. I'm pretty sure it was caused by the strong antibiotics that I have been taking for a sinus infection. I am much better thanks to the TLC of my dear mother and sister and father!

So Christmas day was kind of low key after the eventful night we had.  We woke up and Santa had delivered presents to the living room.  (Yes Santa still and forever will deliver to the Hill house!)  Then we headed to my grandmother Hill's house to eat breakfast and open presents.  After that we went to my other grandmother Hay's house and gave her presents.  Then we went back to my grandmother Hill's house and ate lunch.  Afterwards I drove home to my house and Rob was awake from working the night before.  We opened presents and then I napped like I have never napped before! After I woke up I felt a MILLION times better. It never seizes to amaze me what the power of sleep can do.

After waking up I started packing for Dallas where Rob and I along with my family attended the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl to cheer on our LA Tech Dawgs on for a WIN!!!


Whew! No wonder I slept until 10:30 today.  I'm still recovering from my whirlwind weekend and busy Monday.  Hoping the rest of break will be SLOW.  


Can't wait to see what 2015 brings!!!!

Recap

I find myself with barely anytime during the week so with that being said here's a brief recap of what going on in the McGill Casa.

The cutest dog on the planet sleeps in the most uncomfortable  positions ever (and yet I take pictures of it bc it's so dang adorable and I'm obessed!)

We are safety experts in 2nd grade after visiting good old Safety Town!

We were lazy this past weekend! The lazy bum bug hit us and hard! 

This sassy lady joined the best sorority ever~Kappa Delta! Sisters forever!

And lastly I joined a teacher sorority~Delta Kappa Gamma! Thanks to this gem of a lady Mrs Ellen Butler for nominating and mentoring me. 

Within the week we are going to start on our painting expedition! Kitchen and bathroom redo coming soon with pics!

A

Labor Day Weekend

I had such a great Labor Day weekend! I feel so rested despite the busy start to the weekend.

Friday my grandmother turned 80 years old. So after school I drove to pick her up for dinner at Longhorns. Rob was working so it was just the 2 of us. We had such a great time and I was so thankful I got to spend some quality time with her on her special day!

Saturday morning I got up and went to Kappa Delta mock recruitment. It was so good to see the slide show and oz skit. I was able to see a few familar faces but it was great to see a whole new group of enthuastic girls.  I'm so excited for rush this year as my sis Lori Allie Kay is going through this week starting Thursday! 

Saturday night was the big surprise party for my grandmother. It was so much fun and she was completely unaware about what was happening. It was so good to have all the people who love her in one place. 

Sunday and Monday was a day of rest! I picked up the house and yard. Rob and I picked up and burned the MASSIVE amount of sticks/pine cones that overtook our yard this past wknd with the wind and rain. 

I also got to hang out with this precious little10 month old and her family. She's the most precious little girl on the planet and is growing up WAY to quickly. I feel like she was just born. 

                   We love to read!

Tomorrow is our field trip to Sheriff Safety Town. Prayers needed! I'll have to blog an update on how that goes!  

Happy Labor Day bloggers and readers!

-A

What a week!

Well it has been an eventful week! Monday,  I started my 5th year teaching! I just can't believe I've been teaching for that long!

Wednesday, we celebrated my little brother's (by another mother and father) birthday!

This is another life memento that makes me feel OLD! I remember this little kid being born! 

Thursday I got to meet my sweet kiddos for the year! I can already tell it's going to be an awesome, magnificent, fabulous, (insert other adjectives that describe greatness here) year! 

Saturday, mom and I went to see a dinner play at Northwestern State University! It was titled, A PROM TO DIE FOR!!!  Spooky huh?!?! We had a blast trying to catch the killer and enjoying dinner. 

This week has started off great! Now just trying to get everything in order for a couples shower I'm throwing with a friend this Friday!! 

Off to plan, clean, relax! 

-A

P.S. I have never missed a gas station as much as I missed Clayborn's this summer! I'm SOOOOOOO thankful it's opened back up! It's the little things in life that make me happy :) 

P.S.S.  If you see me rocking these shoes, I have an obsession! They are cute and oh so comfy!!! Get you a pair at Twisted Sisters Boutique! Find them in Zwolle or like them on Facebook-twisted sisters boutique, LLC

Dressing up the desk

So today's post is a short but sweet one!

I decided at the end of last school year that I didn't want a desk in my room. So the best custodian on the planet drug it out of my room in May and I was so excited.......I had tons of space! 

 So a month or so goes by and I attend a math confernce. As I'm sitting there talking to some teachers I discuss having all tables in my room. I email the worlds greatest principal and.......now my students are all sitting at tables (insert super excited/happy face!!!!) 

So then the mini-dilemma of where would I put my stuff came up. So I solved the problem via the world tiniest desk! 

My great aunt had this desk, and when she passed away my grandmother inherited it. It's been in my craft room, but I thought this will be the perfect size to fit in my room! So I decided to give it a mini makeover.

I got red paint and new white door knobs and went to town! I chose red bc next year I'm changing up my classroom theme and it's going to be...........NAUTICAL!

So I decided to get a jump start on the redecorating and I LOVE the results!

See for yourself and let me know what you think?!? 

~A

Before:

(Zulu decided he wanted to get in the pic too! He's such a cutie)

(Old antique knobs)

(Top view)

After:

(Tada!!! My end result!!) 

Candyland Classroom

Well, my mother is going back in the classroom. It may come as a surprise to few, but what the REAL surprise for me is that she's going to be teaching 2nd grade!

I always knew she loved that grade and growing up she would always comment, "Second grade is the best grade. That's my favorite grade to teach."  I on the other hand thought, "OK, yeah right mom! You've been teaching Junior high for so long, that must be your real love." 

BUT low and behold her dreams/prayers have finally come true and she is back in the wonderful land of lower elementary teaching 2nd grade. :) 

So with this new found teaching opportunity, we have had to work our "Hill/McGill" teacher magic and come up with an outstanding classroom that's decorated top notch! 

Now all the theme credit goes to my fabulous sis, Abby! (and Pinterest of course). She couldn't have picked a better theme to get those 2nd graders ready to walk in a room and learn-CANDYLAND! 

I'll take full credit for the manual labor part of this project along with Abby! Mom, well I love you, but I think the decorating was just too much for ya and socializing up and down the hall didn't help, SO Abby and I get all the glory for this job! LOL

At last I present to you: Candyland

Now there are a few things left to do, but overall I think it's coming together very "sug-cessfully!"

Now, on to enjoy my last few hours of summer before the 2014-2015 school year begins in the A.M........Ready to score a touchdown year with my RES teachers! 

Summer Update

I have said this before, but I am the worse blogger ever! Consistency is so hard for me. Probably because I stay BEYOND busy most days.  So here is a little recap of my summer fun!


The day after I got out of school my family went to the Nassau.  It was a blast and so much fun.  We have already been before so this trip was less touristy and more relaxing.  We spent 9 days soaking up the sun and enjoying family time.  We even got to bring along my honorary sister Lori.

 Group Photo

 conch, conch, and more conch

 cave exploring

 My 2nd home...The Bahamas

Once we got back from vacation on Friday, I started work on Monday (YES IN THE SUMMER!). I taught the 2nd grade class for the 21st century summer program.  We had so much fun doing a Piper Reed Navy Brat story study.  We learned all about life in the Navy.  So after 2 weeks of teaching, Rob and I went to Montana.


In Montana, we spent a week with my mother-in-law Barbara.  We enjoyed seeing nature at its finest.  We visited Yellowstone, rafted the Grand Tetons, and just enjoyed each others company.

 Yellowstone

 Hidden Valley

 Sightseeing

After enjoying the oh so hot  freezing temperatures of Montana and Wyoming, I came back to teach 21st Century for another week.  This was my last week to teach that program.


Then Rob and I left to go to Ocho Rios.  We ABSOLUTELY enjoyed this vacay the most.  We didn't leave our Sandals resort the whole week.  When I think of being lazy and enjoying vacation, this comes to mind.  Every single day I slept in, laid on the beach, came back and napped, ate dinner, and went to bed. Multiple that by 7 and you have my all time most relaxing lazy vacation ever. It was heaven and much needed.

 Ok....so this is also my 2nd home! haha

So then I come back on a Monday and started teaching a 3 week Reading remediation summer program.  I throughly enjoyed spending time helping 1st and 2nd grade kids bring up their reading and math fluency.

This past week I attended a 2 day workshop on Eureka common core math.  Oh my dear teacher friends! I ask BEG you to start the new school year with an OPEN OPEN OPEN mind.  Please be accepting of change and willing to try something new even if it's not the easiest, simplest way to do something.


I have come to realize that, yes common core brings HUGE changes in the curriculum, BUT I can't change the fact that I have to teach common core. So therefore, I have decided to change my attitude towards common core and embrace it.  I think my teaching life will be a lot easier.  I challenge you to accept CC and make the most of it.

Get a head start.....you can access your grade modules for free here: http://commoncore.org/maps/math/home

On to other things that have been happening this week.  We had Bible School one day (SO MUCH FUN),  I sold my Fleur-de-Lis and Stella & Dot jewelry at Christmas in July this weekend.  I met so many great people from my new hometown. I think that was the highlight of my weekend.

I bought Rob tickets to see a Rangers Game, so he spent the weekend in Dallas with his other girlfriend, man bestie Tusch.  I was so happy they could enjoy the game and I was able to stay home in the AC.


I also got to visit this summer with my old B-13 roomies! Oh how I love them, and miss them! They are the best, and I'm SO lucky that we have stayed friends even though we don't live in the same apartment anymore.

 we missed our Abbs!

On a last note, Ro and I celebrated our 1 year on June 15th! OH YEAH!! We are super blessed to have found each other.  He's such an amazing husband and one of my best friends.  I don't know what I did to get him, but I hit the jackpot!

 celebrating our one year in Montana

Until next time, have a great week! I'm hoping to take it easy, as its my last non-working week of the summer! Back to the grind on Aug. 4th! I feel like year round school would be easier than this!


-A


P.S. My donors choose project runs out SOON. If you have a few extra dollars and want to help a great cause check out my website.  It would be greatly appreciated.  http://www.donorschoose.org/Amy.hill.mcgill 




P.S.S  I am now selling Stella & Dot jewelry.  It oh so fabulous, so stylish, and amazing quality.  Try it out, fall in love yourself.  I can do home/online parties so you can earn free jewelry, or you can order ANYTIME at my website  www.stelladot.com/amymcgill