a bed's best friend

this is just a quick little post to show you one of the greatest joys in my daily life: my sweet puppy, emmy! check out who was in my bed when i came home today-- and she even weasled her way under the covers! no kidding folks, emmy did this on her own. and continues to do so on a regular occasion. i guess the rainy weather had everyone curled up in their beds :)

here are a few more that i snapped before i made her get out so i could snuggle for a little on this dreary day!

bold colors, bright futures

so today i decided to take a few shots of the kindergarten classroom where i student teach. i had to take these when the kids left for electives, so no cute faces in these snappys. :(
[i'm afraid to post any pictures with actual children because of liability laws nowadays!]
but take my word for it: they are adorable in every sense of the word

recognize that flag mom?! :) i made sure to get it in this picture just for you!

sidenote: today i got to pick up my custom-made, eliza b, hokie flip flops! just in time for the game this weekend. i am sooo excited! :)

out of hiding

so the summer has come and gone all too quickly, and now i am back at vt once again for another school year. i love the beginning of the school year, for multiple reasons. not only do i look forward to school starting but i also love the refreshment that comes with new beginnings. the chance to start anew. the chance to rebuild relationships and create new ones. the chance to express oneself in a new, creative way. most importantly, the opportunity to grow.

my new beginnings include:
- a new bible study (which is going really well, by the way!) with amazing new sisters in christ
- following my dream of becoming a teacher and student teaching kindergarten at gilbert linkous elementary this fall
- moving in with two girls and another dog that i don't know from adam into a new townhouse (also going well!)

just a few opportunities to start anew, don't you think?! the summer was a great time of spiritual growth for me as the Lord taught me what it means to truly be at peace. i'm learning daily that i am a part of a bigger and better plan than even i had panned out. as i was reading last night i wrote down in my journal, "don't tell God to get in on your plan-- get atune to His plan for you!" this is still one of the hardest things for me to do; but i have a faith that is growing daily and am at peace with the path He's directed for me.

"if you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will find it."
[matthew 10:39, nlt]

year five at virginia tech? let's do it. :)