Bitter Sweet Summer

As I sit here looking back on the summer. I am remembering the sweet moments I have shared with my little boy and baby girl. Planting flowers, pulling the heavy wagon all over our property while my kids giggled, riding bikes, going for runs, forgetting our jogging stroller at the park (luckily not forgetting to get the baby), these are all bitter sweet memories.

These summer months that we teachers are blessed to have really do spoil me. We've spent long hours working for these summers off with our schooling and our overtime put in. It's always a well deserved break. What do you do on your summers off? I spend my days of summer pretending to be the best stay-at-home-mommy ever and I really get into it! I clean, do laundry, play baby, teach my little boy in ABCs, play trains, tag and cars.

Life is so much more relaxing when you are able to make your own schedule and plan activities with your own children. I think back on my decision to become a teacher and I realize that I must've had a love for children. What I didn't realize twelve years ago when I made that decision as a freshman in college, was that I would rather be home with my very own children instead of with other peoples children. I spend so much time as a teacher planning for other peoples kids that I sometimes feel overwhelmed and that I don't have time for my own children when I get home. I don't know if anyone else out there feels this way, but I have just began to realize this.

I love to teach and I love to be around children, but I sure do miss my own when I'm spending so much time with others. That's just part of it. I will continue to secretly hold my breath that I will be a stay-at-home-mommy, home school my kids and throw my six years of college away in the process. It would be worth it I do believe.

For now, I will go.

Coffee Table shaped like Kentucky!!!!

Those of you out there that are UK fans that just so happen to live in Kentucky or outside of Kentucky need to check out this coffee table! I just love it so much that I put one in my own living room! My talented and crafty husband created this table from the ground up for Kentucky fans across the nation to show their love right in their homes.

$30,000 Business Success

I've just hit the $30,000 mark for earnings with my online teacher shop!!! I'm so excited, I just couldn't wait to let the world know!! I sell on Teachers Pay Teachers and I know there are a lot of teachers out there ready to make a change in their own lives! I saved my earnings and was able to purchase a new car with it! The sky is the limit here! I just want to let others know that you can do it, you can make a difference in your life by just giving it a shot!

I can't wait to hear your stories!!

Barnett's School House

Make your Shop Stand out!!

Do you want to increase your TpT shop sales? If so, read along. I've come up with so many items to make my shop seem full and my sales stay pretty steady. I have recently decided to do a makeover for the products inside and out. As of now, I've been working on the outside of my products which includes the cover pages. Once I finish this part, I will go to the inside of some of my items and make them even better. We have to admit that items from 3 years ago do need a facelift. It's just going to have to happen. Now, look at these cover page images, which ones do you like best? I have to say, what was I thinking back then? You live and learn and you get a lot of practice!!!

I have had my TpT store for about 3 years now so they were due. I've been working on this for a few days and it does take a lot of time. I am really loving the turn out of these cover pages, though and it's so worth it. They are making my shop stand out when I click it and just seeing the before and after makes me smile really big.  I can't wait to see if my sales increase for the upcoming month! This makeover isn't finished yet, please do visit my shop to see what I've been doing to make it "pop"!

Teacher Blogger Design Template

Ever wondered how all these teachers get that teacher looking blog design? I used to so I spent a lot of time conquering blogger and I have finally succeeded. I was determined to find a way to make my blog look all teacher like without the heavy price tag of say 100 plus bucks and I did just that. The design below is pretty close to how my blog looks now if you haven't noticed. You can get your blog design like mine by visiting my shop and it's only $15.99 for everything! I've got many more designs coming soon and I can't wait to offer them to you and your colleagues!