My First Jobs & New Design!!

Tuesday was my first day of teaching and it was incredibly successful! 1st graders are totally different than 2nd graders (which is what I'm used to) - that's for sure! You know immediately when you see the kids walk in who are the talkers, the helpers, the need-reminding-ers. To see the smiles on faces of students as well as get a few, "You're the best teacher ever!"'s - even though they have NO idea who I am - makes you feel so happy and love what you do even more. There will NEVER be another job where you get hugs by students you have just met but that are affectionate towards you because they trust you. I love what I do, even if it's just to sub for a day. Teachers have the BEST job in the world :)

Yesterday (Wednesday) was my second day of teaching and it was fantastic. This was my first time experiencing 5th grade, but these kids were absolutely delightful. The teacher I subbed for did only Language Arts... now let me tell you, Language Arts is not my strong point. I've always struggled with grammar and so forth, especially in the younger grades. But, this was a simple day as it was only half day, and the lesson, well, I repeated it twice so I got the hang of it after the first one was done. We worked on vocabulary words (moocher, hospitable, and delectable), and then did some free writing. I was AMAZED at the topics that some of them were writing about. There were things from their trips to Key West to when their Grandmas got cancer to being excited because their parents just got engaged. The length of writing for some of them could have improved, but it was a free write so there were really no expectations. I was very impressed with this class and really enjoyed having the opportunity to teach them. Maybe I will again?!

What I am, though, really, really touched by is how fast some students are forced to grow up due to situations in their lives outside of school. I am impressed that some students have gone through hell and back, yet are still the hardest working students I have ever seen in my life. I've heard of students going through 3 years of cancer, battling it until it was gone, and then continuing on. I've heard of students being abused by their mother or father for years, yet still continuing on. These students are the strongest students I've ever seen, and although they were forced to grow up quicker, it only makes them stronger in the long run. I thought I was being forced to grow up when I had to make the quick decision about my father when he was dying, but man, these children around us are growing up faster than I would ever dream of them to. Kudos to those children for taking their situations and making the best of them.

On a more happy note, I GOT A NEW BLOG LAYOUT!!!! I absolutely adore the way it turned out. Megan, over at I Teach. What's Your Super Power?, has a design blog that she's been working with various people from - it's called A Bird in Hand Blog Design. She has been one of the most patient, hard working people I have ever met, especially after dealing with all my requests. She's diligent and quick in her work, all the time making sure that I enjoyed what she was making. I absolutely LOVED working with Megan and I think if you're in the market for a new design, she's your girl.

I'm on my way out the door to go to North Carolina to see Cody for the weekend! I'll likely not post for a few days... BUT, when I get home... you won't want to miss out on what I'll be posting!! :)

Have a good and safe Labor Day weekend, y'all!

Fall Bracelet Swap

Quick post about a Fall Bracelet Swap!

My BPIC (Moe) and her friend are hosting a Fall Bracelet Swap. I chose to join because I'm into all these swaps recently - getting something from someone that has no idea who you are, yet made something for you, is a lot of fun (Especially when they've put their all into making something special for you)! I think you all should join, too! If you'd like to, click here. Tia & Moe would looove to have you.

Have a good night y'all!

Sunday Social: Internet & Demolition Derby

I'm linking up with Ashley & Neely at their blogs for the Sunday Social! This week, it's all about the Internet :)

1. What is the first website you log onto each day?
Phone - Gmail and Yahoo
Computer - Blogger or Facebook or Pinterest

2. Give us some funny websites that you visit that we need to know about.
People of Walmart
When Parents Text
Text From Dog

3. Pinterest or Facebook? Why?
Pinterest. There's SO many things on there and I love to eat and craft and dress myself SO Pinterest is an inspiration tool.

4. Twitter or Instagram? Why?
Twitter - I have no idea what the fascination with Instagram is so I choose Twitter.

5. Favorite YouTube video. Post it!




6. Biggest online pet peeve.
Grammar. I dislike things being speller wrong, said in the wrong way, and so forth. Grammar police, I know!

Go link up with Neely & Ashley for Sunday Social!

Yesterday, we went to the Darke County Fair! What we really went for was the demolition derby. This is probably one of the most redneck activities you could do, but it's a blast to watch. It's literally just cars crashing into each other... but it's really entertaining! Here's some pictures :)

The first round was tractors. I'd never seen this before, but it was definitely different. Kind of boring... BUT that's okay because after that was the modified cars. These guys are crazy!

Then it was a few rounds of the compact cars. These guys are cool because they ride up on top of each other and push each other around and all sorts of other stuff!

I also shot tons of videos, so here's one as a snippet if you've never been to a demo derby before!

I hope you all had a great weekend. Have a good day, y'all!

High Five For Friday

Linking up for #H54F with Lauren @ From My Grey Desk!

Below are the five things that I am absolutely LOVING this week (and next week).

1. I am still SO excited about receiving my two calls yesterday. I'm so excited, nervous, anxious, happy, and every other emotion about next week that I just cannot wait!

2. My Maybooks came in the mail! I absolutely LOVE them. If you've never checked out Maybooks, click here. And if you decide that you want your own, click here. You'll be taken to my bloggy friend Megan's blog to enter her 400 follower giveaway (where you can win your own Maybook)!

 One says Sara Ann & the other says Unroe for boyfriend :)

This is what the inside of the Houndstooth one looks like - an undated weekly agenda so I can write it in it some weeks and not so much on other weeks!

3. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I have met some of the most AMAZING women (and mentors) that I've ever  in my life through this journey called blogging. Not only are these women amazing, but they're also inspiring, nice, caring, funny, honest, brave, and strong. Each one has their own story to tell and I absolutely enjoy being able to be part of their lives.. even if it's just a little involvement!

4. I wish that I could do what this girl does. I won the giveaway over at Jade's blog, An Organized Mess, and one of the prizes was a gift from Alyssa. What kind of gift? An embroidery hoop! I had no clue what to put on it at first... but then I just knew. Coast Guard. DUH. Boyfriend is involved in Coast Guard so I've got definite pride for that branch of military. Alyssa was SUPER sweet about it and made me this.

Let's just say... I'm IN LOVE. Thank you so very much, Alyssa!! :)

5. I'm going to be in North Carolina in less than a week with babe. I am SO excited for this and cannot wait - we're not staying in a hotel, but instead, at a Bed & Breakfast. It's absolutely BEAUTIFUL and they offer so much for us. I cannot wait to be able to lay outside, read, swim, eat, drink, and just be with babe!

Have a good night, y'all!

I'VE GOT JOBS!

Hey y'all! It's a happy day where I'm at! I received a call from a local school... where my 7th grade math teacher is now the principal... asking if I wanted to sub! Wahooo! I am so excited that this is where I'll be doing my FIRST subbing jobs!

One will be in first grade and the other in fifth grade. I absolutely HAD to take a picture of the calendars where they're scheduled because I hadn't seen anything on this calendar until now! I am so, so happy and I absolutely LOVE the way things are turning out.

My name is Sara Ventrella and I am now officially a big girl! ;)

I've also won a TOOOON of giveaways that I am excited about... some gift cards, ad spaces, birthday party packs, and so forth. But not only am I happy about winning, I'm happy I'm meeting some AMAZING women. These women are all sincere, funny, honest, and real. They don't care what other people think of them, or of what they write, and I admire them all for that. You all know who you are :) I'm super happy I ventured out into the blogging world beyond education blogs (not that I don't love all my teacher friends I've met on here) and I cannot wait to meet more people as time goes on!

I'm going to leave you with some quotes that describe how I'm feeling <3

BINGO tonight! Have a good day, y'all :)

Craft Swap & Guest Blogging???

I'm participating in a craft swap called I Made It For You (Handmade Craft Swap)! I think you should go join, too :) you'll love it as much as me! I also added a Guest Blogging page above ^^ fill out the form if you'd like to guest blog... I'd absolutely LOOOOOVE to have you :)
Have a good day, y'all!