How did I get here?

I vividly remember a hot summer day last year at the kid's soccer practice.  I was talking to a friend that teaches Special Ed and she suggested I get certified to teach it as well.  I also remember laughing and saying "I'll never teach Special Ed".  A few weeks later, I was sitting in a high school principal's office discussing a job to teach special education.  [Never say never].  That was 1 year ago today.  I was hired at the board meeting that night, had a few minutes to look around that Friday, then started in-service on Monday.  Whew...talk about being thrown to the wolves...

This past year I've realized more than once that I am so not in Kansas anymore.  Special Education is a whole new realm that I never really knew existed.  I feel like I've adapted fairly well though.  I've learned the paperwork (thank Timbra) and struggled over what to teach in my math course.

This year I was determined to start the year with a plan.  I've spent all summer working on the Learning Support Math class I teach.  I've poured over research, read blogs, searched Pinterest, made calls to textbook publishers, emailed the state, and made lots of cute classroom decor!  (Did I mention I get my own room this year?)  I have yet to find any resource that specifically addresses the 2 courses I teach.  So, I've decided to try and blog about things I do in the classroom to maybe help someone else that is struggling like I am.

I basically teach 2 courses this year:
1.  Resource - it's a "study hall" type setting that offers additional support for special ed and struggling students.  I am really hoping to make some changes this year to make it more beneficial for the students.
2.  LS Math - this is a math class for special ed students who are not capable or ready to be in the regular education math setting.  I teach a lot of remedial skills such as money management, making change, measurement, telling time, etc.  This year I've also developed a way to really teach the state standards in a way that my students can still make progress.  (I'll save that for another post).

I'm still not sure how I ended up in Special Ed, but I definitely know that's where I am now.  I love my students, LOVE my co-workers, and I am super excited about the upcoming year!  This whole Special Education thing is growing on me...here's to a new year!  May I be less crazy than last year....

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!

Mother’s Day – it’s a day to be thankful for our mama’s and grateful for the kids that make us one!  I take great joy and excitement in this day every year, but it’s not always been that way!

1st Mother's Day

I vividly recall, nine years ago today, sitting at church on the wooden pew, listening to the Pastor talk about Motherhood.  I had just experienced a very [physically] painful miscarriage just months after having become a wife.  I remember trying to hold back tears as I thought about the many miscarriages my Nana had and wondering if I would suffer the same.  I cringed as I saw mothers being recognized and honored.  It was not a day of rejoicing and gratefulness for me, but a day of mourning.  Little did I know, God had already begun working in me…literally.  We found out just weeks later that I was pregnant. 

Just before learning we were pregnant!!!!

I had some of the worst morning day sickness I could have imagined.  It lasted most of my pregnancy.  All the pain, sickness, exhaustion and extra weight was worth it when I saw my little man for the first time.  It was only moments later that life would be forever changed for me.  There were several complications after Josh’s delivery and ultimately the doctors had to do a hysterectomy to stop the bleeding and save my life.  I was devastated when I was told the horrible news.  What 21 year old who has been married just a year wants to be told they can never have children again???  This began a long journey with the Lord!

 

Three years after this amazing and yet tragic day, we were given one of the most beautiful little girls I have ever seen!  We knew she may not be ours forever, but for the moment, she was my little girl.

 

Right after we got Ellie!!!!

What a roller coaster ride being a foster-mom was.  The visits with her tummy mommy whom I often resented, with trying to reunite her with her family when I didn’t want to give her up, or helping her tummy mommy learn how to be a mom when I just wanted to run away with my lil princess.  Ultimately, her birth mom terminated her rights and the adoption process was started.  That was another hard day.  I was overjoyed that she would finally be ours!  At the same time my heart broke for her tummy mommy and could only imagine what she was experiencing.  Months later we received the call that she was officially a Henderson.

 

The day we got THE CALL

Now here we are, almost 5 years later, waiting…hoping…praying…for the girl we hope to call ours.  I am beyond blessed with my two amazing kids, but my heart still aches for the one that’s not home yet!

I pray for you women who are still waiting…praying for a miracle…trying to trust in the Lord when you feel like He’s let you down.  I understand.  I’ve been there.  It’s not easy.  It’s hard.  BUT, God is in control.  His timing is PERFECT.  His ways are HIGHER.  And He is mighty.  Let me leave you with the lyrics to one of my FAVORITE songs right now….

“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders…”

Raccoons, Squirrels and Opposums

We have lived in our home for two years.  In that time, we have seen our neighborhood raccoon checking out our trashcan, captured several flying squirrels who thought they could make their home in our attic, and this fall, an opossum in our trap on the front porch.  Welcome to country living!

We love living on the mountain...adventuring in the woods behind our home...making campfires...hiking...and seeing the beautiful hummingbirds, wild turkeys (which we saw 4 of today while getting the kids ready for school), cardinals and bunnies.  The raccoon and squirrels, although pests, were absolutely adorable....but the opossum...gross.  Their beady eyes...rat like tails...nastiness.  I had to explain to my 5 year old why we couldn't keep him!

What wildlife visit your home?

Laughs, Connections and Good Samaritans

This weekend one of my friends and I attended a craft fair in Belleville.  I spent almost every moment of the past 2 weeks making items, creating displays, and designing signs.  I was true to Southern form….go BIG or GO HOME!   I wanted everything to look professional and, well, perfect! 

There was next to no traffic through the show and I didn’t make much moola, BUT my friend and I had a blast together!  We laughed, told stories, made some more stuff and enjoyed having a morning without kiddos.

I had several people ask where the name Southern Belle Frills came from and as soon as I started talking they figured it out!  People are funny…we want to make some kind of connection with people – find some common ground.  When I tell people I’m from the South, I get a story about an uncle in Florida, a friend in Kentucky or a movie with a bad accent!  I’ve heard some interesting connections, but none as hilarious as this one lady who came through.  She asked where I was from and when I told her originally from Tennessee she said, “Do you know Tara from Tennessee??”  I wasn’t sure how to respond!!!  What do you say to that?  My friend and I did get to make a lot of connections with other vendors though which was a lot of fun!

My favorite part of the show was this morning…a lady was talking to my friend about jewelry and I noticed her purse…it was super cute and I had been looking for one similar to it for a LONG time!  I asked her where she got it and she said it was a 31 bag…surprise surprise…cute bag from 31!  J  Anyways, she told me she hated the bag…she liked bigger ones and this one wasn’t doing the trick.  Then she asked if I wanted it…I told her I had not made enough money to spend money…then she said “You can just have it!  I really don’t like this purse!  I’ll put my stuff in a bag and you can have it right now!”  Again, I was speechless…twice in one day…that doesn’t happen often.  So I handed her a paper bag, she emptied the purse and gave it to me.  I was able to talk her into taking a key fob/wristlet which she did.   She walked off and my friends and I started dying laughing…who does that?  Who walks up to a stranger and gives them something like that?  As silly as it sounds, it truly made my day!  She was a crazy good Samaritan!

 

I hope to do many more shows…and hopefully actually make some money next time!  

Announcements, Shirts & Organizing

I’ve been busy in my “office” getting to know my new machine and having so much fun with it!  I’ve even started getting orders!!!!  I’ve made a few custom key fobs.  This one is for my Nana who is turning 80 this week!!!  Although you’d NEVER know from looking at her!

I just finished personalizing a purse for a friend and making more key fobs for teacher appreciation week!  On top of it all I’ve been slowly working through my designs and trying them out on shirts.  There are pictures below of some I finished today.

Finally, the big announcement….drum roll……..I’m going to be at a craft fair next weekend!!!!!!  A good friend of mine owns “Pretties”…an incredibly cute jewelry line and we’ve talked all winter about doing a craft fair together.  Finally we took the leap!  I’ve been frantically trying to get inventory made, preparing displays and getting all my other ducks in a row.  PLEASE come visit us at Belleville Community Hall on April 24th 5-8pm, April 25th 8am-2pm!!!!

How cute are those brother shirts????  I've also been organizing my craft room/office and am loving what I've come up with.  I'm hoping to do a whole post on my new favorite room in the house!  

Enjoy your weekend!!!!!

Summer, T-shirts and Monogramming

I’ve mentioned before that I’m a Southern Gal through and through.  One thing most Southern girls can’t get enough of is Monogrammed EVERYTHING!  Whether it’s a shirt, bag, pillow, scarf or tote, we love it monogrammed!  And add a few kiddos and the mix and EVERYONE knows who they belong to!

I’ve always wanted an embroidery machine so I could personalize items.  I love a good appliquéd shirt on a kiddo or a beautiful tote bag with an elegant monogram.  In February I walked graduated from college and received some monetary gifts!  I was finally able to get a machine!  I’m totally loving all the good things it can do.  

I’m still learning the ropes… what colors, patterns, and fabrics work best together…how to do the perfect appliqué…and which fonts I like the best!  And I’m loving every minute of it!!!!

This week I've made a few shirts for my kiddos and some really cool key fob wristlets that I just LOVE!  We even had a giveaway this week and three of my friends received FREE ones!  I'll be giving away another one soon when we reach 100 likes on our Facebook page!

I am now officially open for orders!!!!!  For the next month or so, all embroidery products will be HALF-OFF to account for the learning curve and reflect any imperfection of still learning..  I will be posting the current patterns I have soon, but I can do custom projects too with just about anything you want!  Pricing is based on stitch count, what you want embroidered, and how many appliqués you desire.  If you have a design you'd like me to do, please message me on Facebook or email me at southernbellefrills@outlook.com and I'd be happy to work up a quote for you!

I'm so excited about this new component of Southern Belle Frills and I hope you are too!

For now, here are some of the projects I’ve done this week…enjoy!

Key Fob 

Reg $5.00

50% OFF Sale $2.50

Personalized Key Fob 

Reg $8.25

50% OFF Sale $4.25

Anchor Shirt

Reg $19.75

50% OFF Sale $10.00

Crab Shirt 

Reg $20.00

50% OFF Sale $10.00

Hoppy Easter Peep Hand Towel 

Reg $21.00

50% OFF Sale $10.50

"My Peeps"

Reg $21.75

50% OFF Sale $11.00

Jelly, Apple Butter and Machines

Last weekend my husband's parents were in town and we visited a local orchard and purchased a whole bushel of apples!  Half of those they took with them, but the other half I'm using to make apple butter and apple jelly for Christmas.  It's been two years since I've made them because last time it took me hours to peel, core and slice the apples.  

Progressive Apple Machine

Last year I purchased one of these lovely apple machines from www.zullily.com with some of my referral cash (you can purchase them from Walmart here).  This thing is the bomb!!!  I was able to peel, core and spiral slice 20 apples in less than 10 minutes!!!

I still haven't found the time to finish my jelly, but I thought I would share the delicious apple butter recipe with you.  I found it on Pintrest...where all good things come from.  Getting Freedom from Debt originally posted the recipe.  You can find it here.

Crockpot Apple Butter

• I start by peeling, coring and slicing about 20 apples (1/4 bushel).  I have a huge crockpot that holds a ton.  You may have to adjust the number of apples to fit yours.  
• To the pot of apples I added:
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2-3 teaspoons of cinnamon (maybe more - I love that stuff)
• 2 teaspoons nutmeg
• 1-2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (you can use vanilla extract as well, but I had just enough paste left to finish off the bottle...plus it has flecks of vanilla bean caviar which is oh so pretty!)
• Cook on high for about 4-5 hours.  (Mine was still very watery this time and I forgot to take the lid off and let it cook down some more before putting it in the food processor.  I did put it in a saucepan and cook it down a bit though afterwards.)
• Blend in a food processor until nice and smooth.  

This will keep in the fridge for up to two months, or you can can it in a waterbath style.

To Can

• Wash jars, tops and lids in warm soapy water and let dry.  
• Bring a large pot or dutch oven of water to a boil.  Reduce heat just a smidge.  
• Place a few jars (4-5) in the water bath along with the lids for about 5 minutes to warm them up.  
• Bring jars out one at a time and fill with the yummy apple butter.
• Carefully place the hot lid on the jar and gently screw on the top.  Be careful not to overtighten the top.  Just use your hands to make it secure.
• Place filled jars in waterbath for 10-15 minutes.
• Remove from water bath and let cool.
• Listen for cool *POP* sound signaling the cans are sealed.
• Wrap up in a cute bow and give to friends for Christmas!