BIG WOW!

Today, I was supposed to have the day off to get my braces off and have impressions done for an upcoming surgery.  That appointment was abruptly rescheduled yesterday, and I didn't know why.  This was devastating to me.  Absolutely heartbreaking!   If you're my friend in real life or you've been following for a while, you know that I despise my braces.  They have been my Achilles heel for two years, and I honestly could not WAIT to get them off of my face.  Today was going to be the day... until it wasn't.  

I was feeling pretty bummed when I woke up for school.  I started to get ready, and my husband said, "Amanda, why don't you wear something cute today?!  That will make you feel better and take your mind off of your braces."  I pouted dramatically, and I put on sad-looking brown clothing.  I let my naturally curly hair stay curly.  I said, "I don't FEEL like dressing cute today.  Today is a brown day."  Looking back, I DO realize how ridiculous I was being.  I admit it!  I just didn't want to put on a fake happy face.  I felt like I had been waiting for Christmas to come... and then it got cancelled!  Ha!  

So, after putting on my sad-looking brown clothing, I headed to school.  Today started like any other day... except for the fact that I was not as cheerful as normal.  ;)  I chatted with my sweet partner, I got ready for my day, the kiddos did morning work, and I took them to specials.  I worked in my room and made a few copies before going to pick them up from art.  Then we did our routine restroom break, and we headed back to class.  One of the sweet ladies from our district office came into my room from my partner's room through an adjoining door and started to snap pictures of my room.  I didn't think anything of it.  I thought she was taking pictures of everyone's classrooms for the school website or something.  I thought that until a TON of administrators started to walk into my room with my husband and a few other people.   They were carrying balloons, flowers, a present, and cake.  Immediately, I thought, "Well, this is interesting."  My birthday is tomorrow, but I KNEW that my 29th birthday was not a big deal to anyone else, so I had NO idea why they were all in my classroom, but I immediately knew how my dental appointment got the axe.  

To make a very long story short, I was presented with an award from NEA for my contributions online... Pinterest in particular.  I was literally floored.  I am still completely flabbergasted.  Apparently they scoured Pinterest for teachers, and after a screening/voting process, I was chosen as one of five national award winners.  I am not sure what made an impression.  There are SO many wonderful teachers out there.  There are so many other bloggers who are just as deserving... even more deserving than me.  I am completely honored, humbled, and grateful.  It's just crazy.  If you're interested in reading the article, you can check it out HERE.  You can see a video of the hullaballoo HERE.   I LOVE hearing how my students reacted to everything!  Happy Monday!