Staying Alive

{Please tell me you are now singing that wonderful song by the Bee Gees}

No worries...I'm still alive.

It's been almost a month since I posted!!

Slacker slacker.

Anyways, I'm just stopping in to say hello.

I have been so lazy over this break.

Enjoying time with my family, crocheting, reading

Just relaxing.

I'm trying to get all the rest I can before I start student teaching.

Because I just know those first graders are going to wear me out.

I can't wait!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.

Enjoy this time with family!

Go Dawgs!!

This week has been crazy busy!

It was my last day of teaching for the semester yesterday.

Annnnd it was my birthday!!!!

But today.

Oh today is important.

It's the SEC Championship game.

Between my beloved Bulldawgs and Alabama.

At the end of the day I'm hoping for another win and to be able to say

Dawgs on Top!

Go dawgs!! Give me a win for my birthday!!

{my cute roommates and me}

A Little Burton Fun

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

I know I sure did.

Lots of good food and fun times with family.

The day before Thanksgiving

{Thanksgiving Eve, if you will}

I got together with some of my cousins to make a little video.

We made one about a year ago

to a little song called "Call Me Maybe."

Maybe you've heard of it?

Here's that video:

We went with a One Direction song this time.

I think this one is my favorite.

Hope your holiday was fun-filled like mine!

Happy Holidays from the Burtons!

Hey y'all!

So I'm guest posting today for Ady on

When In Doubt. Just Add Glitter.

I'm talking about my favorite little holiday traditions.

Go check it out and leave her some love!

Happy Monday!

Perks of Being a Teacher

So on Friday, we had a special guest: Kirk Cousins!

He was the quarterback for Michigan State in college and they played UGA last year in the Outback Bowl.
{sadly we lost}

He is now the back-up quarterback for the Washington Redskins.

He was in our school all week and came to talk to fourth grade yesterday morning.

I may have enjoyed it more than my kids.

It was pretty cool to hear about his life.

He is very well spoken and related life lessons to academic life.

For example, he talked about being coachable. He told the kids they needed to listen to their teachers and learn from their mistakes if they wanted to succeed.

I was definitely impressed.

Of course we had to get a picture with him after it was over.

The girls in my class were so jealous.

They even told me we were going to get married.

{Ha! I take a picture and they jump to us getting married. Perfect example of fourth grade minds for you right there.}

My kids asked him for an autograph at the end of the day. He signed his name and put "Proverbs 3:5-6" on each one. One of my girls came up and asked me what that meant. I was able to share the verse with her and explain it a little bit.

Such a perfect ending to my day.

Love it!

Pictures with NFL players is definitely a perk to being a teacher.

Success!

So I mentioned earlier that I have a student who has a major anger problem. 

She gets upset realllllly easily. Like for no reason at all.

I've been trying to get to know her personally and build a connection beyond the school walls.

During my full week of teaching (which I still haven't posted about...sorry) I made a breakthrough.

We both like One Direction!!

{Judge me. I give you permission.}

I was so excited to have something in common with her. And she was excited, too.

She brings it up almost every day.

It's amazing that something so small makes such a huge difference.

Who would have thought a boy band would unite us.

Crazy stuff.

We went on a field trip yesterday and she practically begged to sit beside me.

It was so fun talking to her outside of the classroom.

She really is such a sweet girl.

I've learned a lot this semester so far.

And I only have two weeks left (holla!!!!).

But my absolute favorite thing has been winning this girl over.

Hope y'all are having a wonderful week. It's almost the weekend!!

Today is the Day

All I have to say today is...

VOTE!!!

Remember, you can't complain about who wins unless you participate!

Go exercise your right to vote.

A lot of people in this world don't have that opportunity.

Don't take it for granted!

I'm so thankful to live in this free country where my voice is heard.

Don't let the weather stop you from getting out.

It's raining and cold here but standing in line is so worth it!

Happy Election Day!

#goamerica

Gimme those clothes

Wow it has been quite the week! I have a lot of catch-up to do over here.

But for today, I'm being super lazy.

Meaning I'm watching One Tree Hill

Coloring (yes, i'm five.)

Crafting

And online shopping.

By now you probably know that I'm teaching.

Which means I need a lot of cute, appropriate clothes to wear to school.

{even though i would rather just wear sweats}

I haven't looked at Shabby Apple in a while, but since I'm doing nothing today, I decided to look again.

Oh.my.word y'all. They have such great stuff.

Especially for teachers.

I'm loving the retro looks.

These are some of my current faves:

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Clearly I have an obsession with red and black.

Product of my lifelong love for Georgia Bulldogs.

I wouldn't mind having any of these in my closet.

Hope you all had a wonderful week!

My semester is slowly dying down so hopefully I can catch up soon!

Happy weekend folks!

Making It Worthwhile

As I mentioned on Wednesday, this semester has been a challenge. I'm in a fourth grade class at a very poor school. The school itself is new and wonderful, but the most of the children live below the poverty line.

The stories I hear from these children sometimes break my heart. I see kids who are told they're ugly and some who have unsupportive parents.

Some of them are so angry. I wonder how awful their situations must be for them to harbor such anger at only nine years old.

I have never seen such disrespect towards teachers and peers. It is shocking to me that they talk back so rudely and call each other such hurtful names.

They surprise me every day. Not in good ways.

Throwing desks, ripping up papers in my face, blatantly refusing to obey.

If I did these things when I was in school, I can't imagine what would have happened.

I would never imagine talking to teachers the way they talk to us. Shocking is the only way I can describe it.

Yet even in these rough conditions, the children have a hold on my heart.

I am so grateful I get a chance to love on them each day and tell them how special I think they are.

I know that on some days, I may be the only one to tell them that.

This year has shown me that this is what I'm supposed to do. I know the Lord has called me to this profession.

While I am often frustrated, at the end of the day, I still love the kids. And I love that I have a chance to make a difference.

 They grow up in situations so different from the loving one I grew up with.

I have called my parents multiple times this semester to just thank them.

For loving me, telling me how special I am, being my biggest fan, disciplining me, and supporting me through everything.

My prayer is that I encourage them to be something. To know that they can overcome their challenges and do something great with their lives.

At the end of the day, if I help just one child, it will all be worth it.

A Week of Fourth Grade

This week has been pretty crazy for me. We are in the schools all week.

{Usually we are only there on Thursdays and Fridays.}

I'm enjoying being in the classroom everyday because it gives me a chance to see what they do each day of the week. Usually I come in at the end of a unit so I'm not able to see how they started.

I'm also teaching a lot this week. We had to plan a unit for three subjects.

I chose reading, writing, and social studies with a focus on the explorers.

I think I'm having more fun than my kids.

I absolutely love making posters, creating brochures, making up booklets, and all the other cute stuff that goes along with teaching.

{If I had to pick my dream job, it would be doing all the things teachers do without the actual teaching part. I love grading papers, decorating classrooms, making worksheets, etc. So if you're looking for someone to do that stuff, hit me up! Seriously. I'm not kidding.}

I'll share some pictures once the week is over.

The end result is *hopefully* a brochure telling about their explorer.

Will it turn out like I hope? Who knows. But I have faith!

Here's a little snapshot of an example brochure I made:

While this semester has been hard (more to come on that later this week), it has definitely confirmed to me that teaching is what I'm meant to do.

Good thing, right?

That would be horrible to decide I didn't want to teach as a senior in college.

Hope y'all are having a wonderful Wednesday!

Fall is Here!

It's fall, y'all!

I love saying that. 

Makes me sound so Southern.

It was a chilly 55-60ish degrees today in Georgia.

That's cold for us!

I pulled out the boots because they make me oh so happy.

*hopefully summer doesn't decide to make a reappearance*

My day got even better when I remembered it was a government holiday.

Because I work for the Forest Service, I didn't have to go in to work!

Party for me!

Except I really sat at home writing lesson plans all afternoon.

Good news is I'm finally finished.

Which means I can now relax, catch up on blogs, and maybe watch a little TV.

Oh and the final season of Gossip Girl starts tonight!

Here's hoping it's better than last season.

Have a wonderful night!!

Be Thankful and Rejoice

I was reading Jessica's latest post earlier today. Something she said really stuck out to me: 

Always remember that your circumstances do not determine who God is, and you must be thankful and rejoice no matter what goes on in your life.

There are a lot of people who think less of God depending on their circumstances. I'm sure I have even fallen into that trap at some point.

But I know that our God is greater than anything life throws at us.

When my mom had cancer, I am so thankful I knew this truth.

My circumstances do not define God.

He is so much higher than that.

Knowing He was going to see me through to the end gave me such comfort.

I hope this encourages you today.

Don't forget that God knows your situation and that He is worthy of our praise.

God is good, all the time!

PS check out Jessica's blog. She's such an encourager!

Proud Sister Moment

I just need to take a second a brag on my little brother. Callaway has officially been moved to the varsity football team. He has been playing JV and some varsity, but as of this week, no more JV!!

Which means Zeb and I don't have to drive home on Thursdays!

It was getting a little tiresome going home both Thursday and Friday nights to watch him play. So now it's just Fridays!

If you want to see a shot of him in action, click here. And here.

I love high school football. Really I love all football.

High school football just has a special place in my heart. I think it has something to do with the feel of a whole town rallying behind a team. There's just something so great about that.

It wouldn't surprise you then to know that Friday Night Lights is one of my favorite shows. If you haven't seen it, go to Netflix immediately and start watching. Tim Riggins is the man.

But I digress. Congrats, Cal! I'm so proud of you. Can't wait to watch you finish the season! Love you, bud!

Mental Health Days

I need a mental health day, y'all. Real bad.

I have been going non-stop for what feels like years.

This is what I wish would happen:

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Do you ever take mental health days? I have grown up with this idea. My mom used to let us skip school every once in a while when we were kids. Once a month or so, she would let us stay home. We would play games all day, go outside, have a picnic, pick apples or grapes, or run errands with her. Those days were the best.

 I was talking with my small group last week about how tired I felt. I told them I was going to take a mental health day soon and they had no idea what I was talking about! They thought I was crazy. I didn't think it was that foreign of a concept. 

In the off-chance that you haven't ever taken one, I highly recommend it. It's such a great chance to step outside your normal routine and relax. I am not able to take them but once a semester because of the education school's rules. But the day I take off? So glorious.

What do you do to step back and relax? I'd love to hear suggestions that don't involve taking a whole day off.

Hope you all are having a stress-free week...because those are the best kind!

I'm alive!

Well I did it. I survived my first day as a substitute teacher!

There were definitely some bumps. Like when my trouble-maker decided to throw a crate of library books. Or when said trouble-maker disappeared for 15 minutes. 

{I'm convinced she was trying to give me a heart attack.}

But other than that, I'd say it was a pretty good day.

Thank y'all so much for the sweet comments, tweets, and emails yesterday. And for those of you who prayed, oh my word I could feel it. So thanks!

At the end of the day, I was still alive and smiling. Really that's all that matters. It just confirmed that I'm in the right profession. Love it when that happens.

Hope y'all are having a wonderful week so far!

Am I Old Enough For This?!

Y'all. I have some big news. As of last Friday, I am officially trained to be a substitute teacher! It's crazy to think I am old enough to be in charge of a class.

I also found out last Tuesday that I will be subbing for my fourth grade class. Tomorrow. All by myself. Alone. With 20 kids.

Can you tell I'm a little nervous???

{honestly I'm freaking out inside}

The class that I'm placed in is one of the worst classes I've ever been in, behaviorally speaking. They never quit talking, even during tests. I have a few students who will refuse to do work, even going so far as to throw their books.

I am hoping that my students will be so well-behaved considering I am a new face. They see me every Thursday and Friday, but I have yet to teach an entire lesson. So far, I have just been walking around during activities and helping small groups with work. Being in charge of the class for the entire day will be a new experience for them.

I'll let y'all know how it goes. Prayers would be greatly appreciated!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

{i hope y'all sang that title as you read it}

Anyways...You may notice a little change over here on this little ol' blog.

Thanks to the wonderful Miss Annie from what she saw, I got a bloggie facelift!

She did such an amazing job. This was my first real blog design so I was a little nervous. But she was so great to work with and did everything I wanted.

It was like she's known me for so long; the design incorporated everything that I like.

If you're in need of a new look, definitely check her out. Her prices are great and she is so easy to work with. She's the best!

Thanks, Annie!

Cruise

Have y'all heard of the band Florida Georgia Line?

You should check them out.

Specifically their song Cruise. The chorus is really catchy.

Oh look! I put it on here for you!

You're welcome.

Tyler, the one with long hair, actually grew up going to my church and I used to babysit his sister.

Crazy to think that a kid who used to lead worship for youth is now a recorded country singer. Way to go, Tyler!

Never Forget

It's hard to believe it has been 11 years. In some ways it seems like it was just yesterday that I was in my fifth grade class, watching the t.v. with horror as the Twin Towers fell. Our administration told teachers not to let us see the news, but my teacher felt it was important. I'm so glad she let us watch history happening. That day changed America forever. I'll never forget how everyone bonded together after that tragedy.

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Today, I'm praying for those families affected by that day. I'm praying for our country that we'll be united and that God will continue to bless us. And I'm extremely grateful for those who fight for our freedom everyday.

Where were you on September 11, 2001?

Just dropping in...

Y'all. Today felt like fall. 

It. Was. Awesome.

Minus the few hours in the afternoon when it was kinda hot, I could almost believe the weather was cooling off.

It was a driving-with-the-windows-down kind of day.

I love those days.

They make my heart happy.

Soon I'll have to go get me a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks.

Eeek!!!!

Hope everyone is enjoying their week so far!

To say I've been busy this past week and a half would be a huge understatement. For some reason, getting back in the swing of things has been especially difficult this semester.

So far today, three people have told me I look tired. I sure felt tired but I didn't think I looked tired. Guess I really do need some more sleep!

Anyways...I really just came to tell you I'm sorry for not being around. I haven't been getting online practically at all these past few days. I just have too much to do!

For those of you who haven't started school yet, I'm sooooooo incredibly jealous.

For those of you who have, I hope everything is going well for you!

And for those of you not in school, I'm also incredibly jealous. But the good news is this is my last year of school!

{until i start teaching. then i'll be in school for life!}

Cheers to the almost weekend!

New Favorite

New favorite song, thanks to Nicole at La Mia Vita:

The Weepies-I Was Made For Sunny Days

The irony is that it's down pouring here in Athens.

Oh well. I'm still enjoying the heck out of this song.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

Life Lately

This is my last week of summer vacation. And sadly I'm working every day. But I've managed to sneak in some fun in the afternoons.

On Wednesday, I had a little brother/sister date with Wyatt.

Chick-fil-A and the pool. Perfect day in my book.

I started reading this book yesterday and I can't put it down.

Wyatt was not too happy about taking pictures.

And here are a few pictures from the week. Find me on instagram! sarahecburton

Maggie!

farm life

Wyatt decided to get in Maggie's crate. So Zeb decided to lock him in.

Had to wait for these guys to cross the street...twice.

Hope y'all are enjoying your week!

Farm Life

My mom grew up on a farm in the middle of nowhere in South Carolina.

It's only about an hour from Savannah so my mom and I stayed there when I went to the wedding.

I love going to the farm. It's so secluded and peaceful. And it's always fun to explore the property. No matter how many times I go, it never gets old.

Here's a little glimpse into the past visit:

First Beach Wedding

Fun fact about me: I've never been to a beach wedding. Until this past weekend! One of my good friends got married on Tybee Island and it was so beautiful.

Small, secluded (until the pictures), just perfect.

I'm so glad I got to be there for their special day. So blessed to call them friends!

Andddd I parallel parked (in Savannah I might add) for the first time since my driving test...almost six years ago.

Got it on the first try! Obviously I had to take a picture.

Introducing...

Magnolia Lilian Rae Burton

{Maggie for short}

Zeb got a puppy this past weekend and she is so precious!

This is a super blurry phone picture but I just had to share. Puppies are just the cutest!

You may be wondering, "Why is her name so stinkin' long?!"

Well let me tell you. We have a tradition in our family of two middle names. So of course we had to do the same for the pup.

I'll share more pictures later. Hope y'all are having a great start to your week!

End of an Era

Well today is the day. 

It's the day I leave my apartment.

It's the last day of living with my brother.

It's the day I say goodbye to my junior year of college.

And it's the day I say hello to my senior year.

This year has been full of ups and downs; more ups than downs. Living with my brother has been incredible. If I had any doubts as to how close we were, they are now put away. I am so blessed to have him as not only a brother, but a best friend. Thanks for all the memories, Zeb! Love you!

New friends, new challenges, new experiences.

It's been a great year, Apartment 724.

so many memories

Tuscany-Hike and Homemade Meal

Welcome back to part two of my day in Tuscany.

Before we left for Italy, we had to pick the activities we wanted to do in Venice and Florence. For Florence, our options were either a hike through Tuscany or a cooking lesson. Either way, we got to eat the meal after it was made. I originally signed up for cooking because who doesn't want to learn how to cook from an Italian?!
Once we got to the site, however, I changed my mind. Fortunately Mila was excited to have another hiker (there were only five of us, including me). I am soooooo glad I made this decision because the views were absolutely incredible.

One of the first stops on the hike was a Catholic Cemetery. Standing in the entrance, you could see a white house on one of the neighboring hills. Einstein's cousin, Roberto, lived in this house with his wife and two children.  He married a Catholic woman so neither the Catholics nor the Jews would accept their children during WWII (Children are Jewish by their mother or Catholic by their father). Roberto hid in Mila's grandfather's house (which she happens to live in now) to escape from the Nazis. His wife decided to stay with the children in their home because she thought they were safe as Catholics. Someone planted weapons in their farm house in order to have a reason to kill them. Mila's grandfather had to tell Robeto that his family was dead, and Roberto committed suicide a year later. Roberto is the only Jewish man buried in the cemetery. Not only was he Jewish, he also committed suicide, which can kick even Catholic people out of cemeteries. He was buried in the cemetery beside his wife and there is a huge memorial for him. They also recently changed the cross on his tombstone to the Star of David. The rocks on the grave are a Jewish way of showing respect.

It was such a moving and incredible story. Mila got emotional while telling it to us; it was all so fresh to her. Her grandfather kept a war journal and wrote that telling Roberto about his family was the hardest thing he had ever done.

The rest of our hike took us over hills, through vineyards (yes...through vineyards), to a castle, to a count's house (now used as an exclusive bed and breakfast), and through people's backyards (Italians are just so friendly).
*cue the massive amount of pictures*

We had definitely worked up an appetite by the time we made it back to Mila's house. The rest of our group had been making pasta for our meal. Mila's husband also made appetizers and dessert. Italians sure know how to eat. I'm not sure how I managed it, but I ate every single bite. Along with over 10 cups of water (the hike made me thirsty).

The food was all so delicious, as usual. It was a perfect day exploring such a beautiful country. Fun fact: Mila actually lets people rent her house when they are traveling. Her home is quite large. Because there are so many rooms and hallways, it was a perfect spot for hiding Jews in World War II. Just being in a place so full of history was exciting all on its own. My goal is to go back one day and stay with Mila and her family. If any of you are traveling and want to check it out, email me and I will give you the details!