Welcome to Our New Home!

It's been a long road getting here, but I am so excited to share our new home!  It's located in Golden Valley, MN which so close to Minneapolis our address sometimes comes up as Minneapolis depending on how you search it.  A quick 15 minutes drive to work for me with no highways, but close enough for every highway Patrick would need to jump on to get to his different schools.  I would love for everyone to visit in person...we even have a room for you now!!  But for now, here are some pictures (please keep in mind we just moved yesterday so there are a few things we're still working on).

The Entrance

The front of our townhouse!  To the right is a little patio area, Mom and I were already coming up ideas for this space in the summer!

Standing at the door.  To the right is our living room, ahead is a wonderful coat closet, and then the stairs to our second level.

Main Level

Living Room

Probably one of my favorite parts of the house.  All this blue makes my kitchen pop!

Off the kitchen.  Closest door on left is a utility closet, farthest on the left is the door to the stairs that lead to the garage, right door is another coat closet and the space left leads to a door which is the downstairs bathroom.

Downstairs Bathroom

Stairs down to the underground garage

Let's Go Upstairs!

Loft area at the top of the stairs

Follow the loft around the corner and you get to the laundry closet on the right, second bedroom straight ahead, and to the right is the master bedroom and upstairs bathroom.

Second Bedroom

Master Bedroom

Walk-in closet

Upstairs Bathroom

I hope you enjoyed your tour!  Can't wait to have to visit! Also a huge shout out to all our family who helped make this fast move possible!

Cute kids, pretty goodies, and how I survived

I won't let the title lie....First some very overdue pictures of two of the cutest kids I know.  I'm so excited to be back in Minnesota for so many reasons, but for sure one of them is so I can soak up precious moments with these little ones.

Putting in donation change for the visit

Staying just close enough

These kids are beautiful!!!!!!!

Checking out the animal prints

Feeding the goats some grass.

Two seconds  before this he was having a melt down...ahh the joys of being 2!

So second on the list was pretty goodies.  Although many people couldn't make it to mom and my's Noonday Collection party, we still decorated and had a whole bunch of fun.  I snapped a few pictures of our special goodies.

Make your own drink station

Gold glitter caramel kettle corn...homemade and very addicting!

Pink raspberry rice krispy treats

Now for number three...how I survived.  I have officially made it through my very first week of teaching.  This school is like nothing I have ever seen before.  I feel blessed to have been considered a teacher that can help this school.  On top of being the very first year it's opened, it is filled with students who's parents moved them because they weren't making it at their old school.  My good days are the terrible days at any other school.  Most of these students are living in shelters or even on the streets.  They have seen, heard, and been a part of way more than any child ever should.  Students tell you "I'm not a good kid" because that's all they've heard.  The students in my grade are one, two, and even three grade levels behind.  I have one student on target, the rest being below.  I had to physically restrain a child two days this week so she didn't beat up another student in our class.  All of this being said, this is EXACTLY where I want to be.  When you can connect with a child that comes from all of this, it is worth so much more than I have ever experienced.  Will this class be able to get caught back up to grade level?  I hope so, but most likely not.  My goal though is for them to grow as a person and get to a point where they can finally believe in themselves.  I have a very long year ahead of me.  But as I spend this year helping these students grow, they are helping me to grow as well.  Thank you Third Grade Cityview Superstars. I can't wait to get to know you even more.

Meet our little girl

Okay so maybe if I ever have a real daughter she might be a little offended but for now she's our baby girl. 

This is Sapphire.  

We ventured to Iowa Saturday to go pick her up. We knew she was the one when she came up to me and started licking my fingers. She's quiet yet adventurous and very curious.  She is still working on letting her bravery catch up to her curiosity though. She is quiet all day long....nighttime is another story.  I think she is preparing us for parenthood in that area.  She thinks Lady (my parents' dog) is her best friend and always wants to play, however Lady does not think the same.  Although she was not so sure of the grass the first time her paws touched, she now bounces through it with joy.

Long story short...I love her!

On our way to pick her up!

She found that mulch was just her size...this was her first piece though.  She kept getting braver and found bigger pieces.

Her favorite spot is under mom's coffee table

Family photo

She posed for me...I had to grab the camera

I put the black sharpie to work...teacher's best friend!

The bow...too much!

So some may say I'm over the top, but I've waited so long for a sweetie like her and she is just too perfect.  Even her crying and baby howls at night doesn't make me love her any less.

I'm so glad you are now in your forever home baby girl!