First week in the books ;)

I have survived my first week of student teaching!

It is definitely an adjustment, but one I love so much.

My mentor teacher is amazing! We actually have a lot in common. She is an organized person, likes the little details, and IS A CHRISTIAN.

This is such a blessing in my life and a long time praying about. I am so thankful that setting up the classroom there was Christian music playing and we could talk about Jesus. It has just been an encouraging week on top of all the busy stuff because God is our friend and we both adore him!

Day 1 lessons learned:

-- OKAY OVERDRESSED.

--for meetings, tone it down a bit. dress to impress but don't go over the top.

-- first day= meetings.

-- new principal= double meetings.

-- my 1st grade team is AWESOME

-- apparently 8:30 is my new bed time.

Day 2 lessons learned:

-- straight hair lasts longer than curly.

-- a muffin from the Target bakery kept me full into 12:30

-- chugging water results in going to the bathroom at inconvenient times.

-- setting up the classroom is the best thing ever.

-- let it slide if you tape something on crooked. (OCD probz)

-- asleep by 9? This is going well for me!

Day 3 lessons learned:

--Apparently- if you wake up and your hair looks awful you can just rely on your best buddy sock bun! This stayed in my hair all day and I was thankful I could work with my messy hair.

-- You have no idea what your schedule looks like and what you have to get done, but you know you are gonna love your time.

-  If you have a 2 scoop protein shake for breakfast your tummy is growling at 10.

This is my selfie to my fiance with my classroom :)

Apparently by day 4 I got tired of taking pictures of my outfit! which is so lame because this was the first day of school!

Day 4 lessons learned:

--at least get a pic of your outfit on the first day! pooey (it was a sleeveless red dress with a black belt and black pointy flats) 

-- Keep your sunglasses in your car! my sunglasses have been a huge help on the way to school while driving right into the sun. this was the first day I remembered to leave them in my car so I had them!

-- Laugh so you don't cry. 

-- Be ready to repeat yourself A LOT. 

--Just enjoy the ride. 

Day 5 lessons learned:

-- A full week will lead you to take this picture in the morning and send it to your man. 

-- A lace shirt with black skinnies and Toms is the perfect teaching outfit. comfy and cute. 

-- You now repeat in your head that students are safe, respectful, and responsible. No more using a sheet needed. 

This book is what I am reading during quiet time in the mornings. It is so encouraging and a perfect start to my days with a coffee (or two) by my side.

---this week has been INCREDIBLE. I cannot even describe how much I love it. Walking out of school today I took a deep breath and let it out and soaked it all in. I felt at peace and I know I am meant to be a teacher and have this lifestyle. It fills my heart up so much. I love the students, the staff, and the planning and preparation that is involved. It is right up my alley! 

(sorry about picture sizes. they're big when I upload from my phone) 

JULY!

July Favorites:

• Illinois trip to visit best friends
• Season of growth spiritually. (personally and as a couple.)
• Survived my first meet the teacher night and first weeks of school!
• Got to spend some good time with my best friends Emo, Emily, Lynn, and Macie. It was so refreshing and just an awesome reminder of how great the people in my life are. 
• One of the sweetest people in my life got engaged. :) So excited for Jack and Brianna!
• It's been a good and reassurig month. I feel like I am in the right career path and just am enjoy student teaching so much! Ill have to give you all an update on all the craziness soon:) 

See ya July, hello August- okay wedding month is quickly approaching. Student teaching and a wedding to do list? Yeah right. 

When God shifts gears

There has been new and exciting things going on in the Future Schottel family this week! 

For those of you who don't know, The Lord has really called Conrad and I to Illinois. It was a really tough decision and a lot of prayer and consideration went into it and we were ready to pack up and head to Illinois right after our honeymoon! 

Where were we living? We didn't know. 

Where was I working? We didn't know. 

There were unanswered questions but we knew one thing, God was going to provide. We have been so excited for this! He was leading Conrad to begin a non-profit with his business partner Jack and it is going to be in Illinois. 

We were ready and we were excited to go to Illinois until God served us up something else. Something that really caught our hearts and something that has been pulling us in a little bit of a different direction. 

Conrad has been offered a job in Missouri. 

Okay you might say, but you're called to Illinois. That's correct, just hang with me for a little bit. 

Conrad's job offer is not only offering him a job, but a business opportunity and this personal training facility wants to partner with Alliance (their non profit). The catch is, we have to move to Kirksville, Missouri and Conrad will work for them for a designated amount of time. 

 I have peace about it, and he has peace about it. After praying non stop and discussing with our best friends, through some tears and laughs we decided to take this offer. We know that God has really presented us with an opportunity for our marriage and Alliance to blossom. 

We still feel extremely called to Illinois, and those feelings were only increased through this past week, but we feel like the timing is not quite here. 

All I know is following Gods plan and praying and discussing things with my future husband is going to lead to a life filled with love. So off to an adventure, a little closer to home, with a whole bunch of hope, and an extreme amount of love to give and share. 

Illinois trip

Conrad and I both agree that these days we spent in Illinois is definitely high up there on our list of best times ever. We had great time together, with a sweet couple, and really growing closer to The Lord.

^I spent the majority of my trip with this beauty! I am so blessed with how God has worked in this friendship. We have become such great friends and really quick. We talk everyday and we just have so much in common and it was so nice to dedicate a few days to our friendship and just get good quality time in. We have already been talking about when we can see each other next.

^We got free slushies with my favorite little family. :)

 

^We crafted out hearts out! I made the frame on the left, that will eventually have handles and be a tray! Bri made those awesome flower balls out of wiffle balls and fake flowers.  It was so easy and turned out beautifully. Notice the branches? Yep they're real, we really don't want to talk about how many bugs are hanging out in her room right now. 

^I am not okay with how I didn't get a picture with my best friend Emo. I am so thankful I got to see her and spend a few hours with her! She took me to Ikea and we drooled over future housing stuff that we 'need'.

^She also made me these! They are chalkboard wine bottles and I can write whatever I want on them. Definitely gonna be using these in our future home/apartment/box under the bridge.

^ I spent a day with Bri and this sweet little man at the water park and just hanging out.

^We got ready for an awesome date night!

^Bri found a groupon for this awesome sushi restaurant where we got our food 50% off and it was amazing! We then went to starbucks, home goods, and finished our night at the theater watching EPIC. It is an animated movie, but basically the gospel. It was incredible and we all loved it. And who doesn't love looking at this handsome man dressed up all night. ;)

^Best friends :)

 

^Some of my favorite time was spent in the car with this man. We danced, sang, prayed, laugh, slept, and stopped for too many bathroom breaks. 

  

^We ended the trip back home celebrating my cousin and her new husband! I had so much fun dancing and hanging out with my family. It is so nice and refreshing to see them and catch up with them!

TESS

This is The Martens Five

How beautiful are they?! You should get to know their personalities, which are so contagious. They are the most loving family I have been around and I consider them my second family. 

I have yet to introduce you all to the sweetest girl I have ever met. She is the in the front row all the way to the right. I have known this little honey since she was in her mommas tummy and have had the pleasure of watching her grow up. It makes me cry how old and big she is getting, but the plus side to that is Tess gets to be one of my bridesmaids!!!!

I was so excited to go over to their house and ask these three girls to be a part of my wedding day, but most importantly I wanted Tess to know how much she means to me and how she just has to be one of my bridesmaids! She instantly squealed, said yes, and called dibs on a green dress, which works perfectly!!

Tess is one of the smartest kids I know. I love the way she loves. Her laugh is contagious. She is not afraid to be herself. She loves the Lord! She is so sweet to her little sisters and works hard at being a big sis, which is a hard job! She is a spitting image of her mother, and what a lucky girl for that. She is a hard worker and I can't wait to see where life takes her. She is not only beautiful on the outside, but even more on the inside. I am constantly learning from her and am forever thankful she is in my life. 

Okay done with the tears, but really. get to know this girl, she will have a lasting impact on your life.  You can find her January 11th glowing in a beautiful green dress. :) 

Tatted up and dressed to impress.

Well.  Its about time I brave an uncomfortable subject. One that I feel very passionate about and one that I have already been scrutinized about, before I even got engaged.

Tattoos.

BUT most importantly-- Tattoos in a wedding dress.

Yes I have a tattoo- actually I have 2! 

I got my first one in high school with my brother and my sister. It is on my ribs and it represents my sweet Mema that passed away from breast cancer. This tattoo is a constant reminder of the strength that my grandma had, and how amazing she is. I can't wait to be reunited with her in heaven. This tattoo will not show my in wedding dress, so that's not really what this post is about.

But my second tattoo will. It is on my arm.

It says Jeremiah 29:11 which says:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I see my tattoo every day and every day it reminds me how awesome God's plan for me is. I got it the day before Conrad proposed, and have not regretted it since. and when I am 90 and its wrinkly, I still won't regret it. 

My views:

I think of tattoos as a form of art and style. If you choose to wear certain clothes and that is how you express yourself then so be it. I chose a permanent form on my ribs and on my arm to always be around. It is part of me and part of my life. I got these tattoos knowing they were permanent and with no indication of covering them up for my wedding. I will proudly flaunt the verse that is forever on my arm, wedding dress or not. 

I have already had multiple people comment on how it's going to look in a wedding dress- and not in a positive way.

I think it's going to look AWESOME, but more importantly. It's me. It is who I am and no way am I hiding that on such a special day in my life.