My heart is in the classroom.

A little hard to read, but I’m so thankful for encouraging professors…”I tell ya Sam, kids who are assigned to your classroom are going to be very blessed indeed!”

If you’ve been around me for any short time it will be easy to see that my heart is to be in the classroom. I have a passion for teaching that continues to grow and gets me fired up. Ever since I first spent time with a class of second graders, education has buried itself deep in my heart. But here’s the thing about pursuing elementary education...it’s so much more than what people think. I’m not going into teaching because it’s easy and I get to “play with kids all day, I’m going into teaching because it’s going to be one of the hardest things I ever do and hopefully I’ll positively impact one of those kids’ lives that I’m with day after day.

I’m convinced that I’m meant to be a teacher and I’ll continue to pursue that wholeheartedly. I’ll be faithful to the calling that wedged itself in my heart.

P.S. To any teachers out there, you have my highest respect. Your job is the farthest thing from being easy, but you continue to pour yourself into your kids. In a society where teachers are generally undervalued, know that there are many others who do value you! I appreciate the example that you set for me and other future teachers. Thank you for walking into your classrooms day after day with passion and purpose!

Music for the soul… {Ben Howard}

I wanted to share with you one of my absolute favorite artists this morning, Ben Howard. I could (and often do) listen to him on repeat because he is so captivatingly talented. If you haven’t bought his album, Every Kingdom, you are missing out…

Two of my favorites:

Oh so good.

Are you hooked yet? Maybe one more for this Tuesday morning…

Sweetest of Tuesdays to you!

Weekend & Sunshine

Good morning, sweet ladies! It was absolute gloriousness in Tennessee this weekend. Sunshine. Blue skies. 70 degrees. Warmth. Can you say hello spring?! On Saturday, I spent quality time with two friends and then enjoyed a girls’ night in with one of them. It was perfect to bake cookies, eat popcorn, talk, and watch The Hunger Games. Then on Sunday afternoon I took a blanket over to the park and just basked in the sunshine. It couldn’t have been more relaxing. I’m thankful for sunshine and weekends on this Monday morning.

Mexican dinner and frozen yogurt date.

Sunday afternoon at the park. Perfection.

The clouds hid the sun away so I took a short nap. Love these afternoons.

Go out and choose joy this week, friends!

Five For Friday

Happy weekend! I’m linking up with Doodle Bugs to share a whole lot of randomness from my week. Woohoo!

{one}

I was finally able to break out some cutesy sandals today due to the spring like weather. Sandals, sunshine, and spring…does it get any better?! LOVE that I can start driving with the windows down again.

{two}

My preschoolers had me laughing out loud today with some of their sayings…

“What you talkin’ about Willis!” (One of my girls said this in response to me...it definitely brought a smile to my face!)

“Miss Samantha, I like your purse…Miss Samantha, your shoes are so cute.” (I have a little fashionista in the making!)

“Hold on someone is calling ME! I’ll be right back.” (The toy phone started ringing and one of my little guys was so convinced it was for him. Too cute!)

{three}

I’ll be catching up on this week’s episodes of Duck Dynasty tonight. Please oh please tell me you’re “obsessed” with this family too?! It’s a little embarrassing how much they make me laugh.

{four}

If you didn’t notice already, I’m the biggest (future) teacher nerd. I could sit and talk with you for hours about teaching and all the excitement I have stirred up inside of me. Anyway, I signed up to attend a conference with a few fellow education majors that’s all about Common Core. It will be geared toward future educators (that’s me!) which will be SO helpful as Common Core will be very much the standard curriculum when I enter the classroom. Wooh!

{five}

These cookies are seriously delicious! Extra yummy on this Friday night. :)

How’s that for random? Wishing you the sweetest of weekends!

I’m still here!

Hello long lost blog friends! I know it has been rather quite around here lately as I took an unplanned blogging break. I apologize for just “disappearing” for the past two weeks, but the little break was much needed. But I’m back now from spring break feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. :)

I went home for spring break and just enjoyed the break with my parents. There were plenty of cold days so most of the time was spent bundled up inside. I’m always so so thankful for the times at home…it truly is one of my favorite places to be. Here’s a small glimpse into the past week…

I had a snowy start to spring break…perfect days for drinking coffee, watching movies, and wearing comfy clothes.

It’s also perfect for sweet puppies to play in.

Only in the country is it completely normal to have to herd goats back into their pen because they were blocking the entire road. It was a funny sight to see my dad doing so!

Cuddling with this love bug on a rainy afternoon.

I always love seeing the different thoughts that I've written in the sides of my Bible in the past. This morning I was reminded again just how faithful He is..."He came. He fulfills His promises." There's so much sweetness in that simple truth and I'm entirely grateful.

If you want to see what I’m up to on a more regular basis then head on over and follow me on Instagram (samantha_grey)!