First and Last

The words "first" and "last" can make or break it in a first grade classroom.  Being first in line is way better than any amount of ice cream or sugar-filled cupcake could have to offer, while being last in line is not just the end of the world but the end that has come with a large explosion.  Being the first one done shows "heck yes I'm the smartest one here and beat all of you no matter what answers I got," while being the last one done shows "I'm lazy or I have no clue what to do and I know if I sit here long enough one of my friends will come tell me the answers."  Being the first to put one's hand up says, "I the fastest at putting my hand up whether I have an answer in my head ready or not," while being the last (or not at all) one to put your hand up says, "I have not a clue, but look cool because I have my hand up like everyone else."  


This is my life in the classroom and out right now.  My world is FILLED with firsts and lasts.  It is the last time I will...

• Pack my suitcase and drive alone back up to the cities after a wonderful weekend with family and friends.
• Live in a different place than my husband-to-be. (As far as I know)
• Go to college (I'm not counting a graduate degree eventually in my future)
• week of being a student teacher

With all of these lasts comes a list full of firsts.  It is the first time I will...

• Be done with a year of school and not have to go back in the fall.
• Graduate from college
• not really know what is next

I get my students this week.  I get how firsts and lasts can make it or break it.  Thankfully there is a lot of me making it this week.  In just 5 sweet days I'll be walking across a very big stage in front of many many people and saying "I DID IT" to myself with each step.  Did I feel like I would get to this point during each and every math final...HECK NO! But here I am.  As scary as it is, it is also exciting.  As my students and I have talked about this week, it's a celebration of a lot of hard word.  I'm so thankful for the opportunity of college that was given to me. So, what would one see if they walk into room #103 this week?  Many happy faces (no tears) and many fun things as we celebrate 4 years of hard work...and many of my parents' dollars. :)  THANKS MOM AND DAD!!!

The new, the old, and God

I have spent so many posts informing you all of my many many countdowns.  Well this post might surprise you in a few different ways...


Patrick spent Sunday evening and Monday exploring all that the Chicago University program has to offer him.  He called me to start telling me all about it.  I have never heard my husband-to-be so inspired and excited.  I have never been more proud of him in these few minutes of talking.  His dreams are coming true right before his eyes.  He's going to be working with the #2 film scholar who is currently traveling the world due to his greatness.  This new adventure for him (and myself) sounds almost too good to be true.


I have 3 more days to finish my 10 consecutive days and just 13 more days of student teaching before I'm walking across a stage in front of hundreds of people to receive my fake diploma.  College is soon going to become an old thing of the past for me.  It's weird.  This whole year I have been soo anxious to graduate, but the closer I get to graduation the more I have this feeling of "great now what?"  Patrick had described this feeling last year and now I am finally able to understand.  Kids turn 5 and go to kindergarten.  Kids get older and go to middle school.  They grow even more and enter into high school.  For kids like myself you simply know your next path will be college.  All these steps have been set in place for me.  And now...the path is not so "set in stone" so to speak.  I hope I can still find this anxious excitement of graduating once again on May 5th.


As Patrick and I continue to get so so close to life together (just 95 days...okay maybe I'm still counting)  we are seeing how God has had a hand over everything starting so long ago.  For some crazy crazy reason I knew I was suppose to be doing this Urban Block in Minneapolis.  So completely out of the box for this small town girl.  Now I am able to see this Urban Block was a necessity to move to Chicago.  I now have confidence that I can move to the inner city and get a job and BE GOOD AT IT!  I had my final observation today...#12.  My supervisor was pretty much in awe of how perfect the lesson went.  She was impressed to say the least.  God gave me this gift and I'm trying to not take it for granted.  Another God thing. Although the disappointment of Patrick not getting into a grad school last year was very large and real, he would not be about to start an amazing program at the University of Chicago with amazing people.  If Patrick got offered money at Iowa, we would have gone!  God gave him one choice and that was Chicago.  If our pastor in St. Cloud would have been available,  we would not be getting the most AMAZING premarital counseling that feels like it was designed just for us.  God is making all our choices clear and right.  Although I'm scared and stressed a little (okay maybe kinda a lot) about what the future holds.  I'm confident that God is in control and guiding us step by step.  He has not given us any more than we can handle (and trust me right now that isn't a lot! haha).  


Thanks for reading and for following me along on this amazing adventure in my life.  I started this blog right before my first day of student teaching.  I can't believe that I am where I am now.  Any prayers that have been sent up for me or my loved ones on this journey have not only been appreciated but felt. I simply ask for continued prayers as I seriously start to look and start to apply (as of tonight) for jobs.  All this school has led to this moment...no pressure though ;)  
Have a great night!!

Big thoughts from a small girl

You would have to think I'm the one sharing the big thoughts, but then why would I say from a small girl you might ask.  Well let's just say my first graders are growing...a lot...and I'm not.  It's pretty sad when I start to notice that I don't have to look down to look into the eyes of my little first graders nearly as much as I did at the beginning of the year.  There are a few of them in my class that scares me to think about what little difference there is in our heights.  Dang I'm short...oh well I know it's part of me that Patrick loves :)

So the big thoughts...

I realized tonight that I ask from the best and to go above and beyond from my students all day long...so therefore I should follow my own directions.  Tonight I decided to do this by writing a thorough note on a writing sample we did today on each one of their papers. I wrote something they did well and something I thought they could improve on.  This made for 22 very long pink colored (obviously) notes...and one very cramped up teacher's hand. I hope they can appreciate it!!

I have not shared on here yet, but Patrick's grandma (on his mom's side) passed away Saturday. This was the grandma I had asked prayers for before.  Tuesday afternoon, his family began the long drive out to Michigan.  It broke my heart not be there.  The end of our student teaching makes it extremely hard it leave on a whim.  The funeral will be tomorrow.   She was a wonderful woman who was the source for many funny stories within the family.  I appreciate that she gave her all to my future mother-in-law growing up, even though she had nothing and many other children, and I appreciate all the love she poured into my husband-to-be as a sweet grandmother.  I am thankful to have met such a strong woman.  If you could please send up prayers for Patrick's large family that will be gathered together to celebrate her life tomorrow, it would be appreciated.  

Thanks for taking the time to read tonight!

New Countdowns

Although my spring break felt fast and too soon to be over, life goes on and eventually teachers enjoying their spring breaks have to come to terms with this reality.  As spring break wrapped up Sunday evening for many teachers like myself, a new batch of countdowns in my world began. 


The largest countdown at the moment...my 10 consecutive days.  The largest requirement of our last block/semester of student teaching is that you plan, teach, and do all the duties for 10 consecutive days.  Today I marked the start of mine.  It was a very smooth day considering the students did not get 9 days to "enjoy with family" but instead 9 days to forget EVERYTHING we have taught up to this point.  I was impressed with my kiddos to say the least.  I only had one student who forgot everything, but he didn't really know it all before leaving for break in the first place anyway. Who knows maybe I'll get this teacher thing down after all.  


Countdown list: (Counting today, because it's not quite yet over)


Consecutive Days left: 9 days (today is done)
Graduation: 26 days
Next bridal shower: 40 days
Camp Starts again: 63 days...fyi I just got hired as a new preschool lead teacher if you didn't hear, pretty cool :)
Mrs. Amanda Sullivan: 103 days...heck yes that is right, we are almost to double digits.  When you start at 499 that doesn't seem like it can be possible already.  But invites are already being put through the Amanda assembly line and getting ready to arrive at your front door in just about a month!

Hope these countdowns get you even half as excited as they do me!!! Obviously I count days now instead of sheep to help me fall alseep!
Counting days away,
Amanda