So long sweet summer.

I'm back! My blogging got put on hold while I took my way-too-short summer vacation. It was super short, by ever so sweet. I am all settled into my new place and finally have transportation. You never realize how much a car means to you until you don't have one. Although, there was something enjoyable about walking to the grocery store. It was a nice workout and felt like an accomplishment.

My one week summer was such an amazing time. My family was able to be here with me which made Arizona feel like home. My mom, dad, grandma, and sweet brother drove all the way from Indiana to help me get settled in an unfamiliar place. I am so grateful for them and genuinely feel like I have the best family in the whole world. There is something about the bond between my family that is unreal. They are truly my best friends and my favorite people on this earth. We were able to go to Dave and Busters to celebrate my little brother's birthday, see the beauty of the Grand Canyon, eat cupcakes at the delicious Sprinkles, see the Diamondback's Field, and face the heat to see the animals at the Phoenix Zoo. I may be biased, but the giraffes there were extra special! As for the Grand Canyon, it was so beautiful! I couldn't get over the fact of how small it made me feel. During our time there, there was a quick rain, followed by a rainbow. It couldn't have been more picturesque and I was so happy to enjoy God's creation with my family.


Now that summer is officially over, I have a lot on my plate. I am spending every second making mental lists of everything I want to do in the classroom. I am typing pages of procedures that will need to be followed and researching every place I can to find the best field trip for my kids. They live in a city with a lot of opportunities that they may never have, and I want to change that. I want to give them opportunities and their parents as well. I am hopeful that my relationships with these parents will be so positive and that we will make a perfect team. I am hoping to start a family reading night where parents and children can bond while learning, and I will get to know them on a different level. Without their support, my teaching will not be as effective, and there is so much I can learn from them. There are so many ideas I have flying through my mind, now it's time to tackle them. I can't wait to take you on my journey with my sweet first graders.

Enjoy a few pictures of my mini-summer vacation!

All my love from Arizona,

Miss Abney