Dear Summer Break: All those months that I adore my babies, teach them to my best ability and yet still complain about it, forgive me. This time makes it ALL worth the hard work. For those of you who don't agree with me, ALL TEACHERS earn there two months "off".  My Pinterest boards beg to differ.Dear Masters Degree: Come soon, please. These summer classes are doable but not as much fun as laying by the pool. Dear apartment: You are getting some good attention this week. I've started re-decorating rooms, de-cluttering my possessions and fixing my balcony to where it is welcoming. What do ya think?

Dear every store imaginable: You are sending me all these fancy emails with these items that I can't live without. STOP IT. I will be broke in NO time! Please and thank you!  Dear friends: Why must we all be grown ups now and have jobs all summer where we used to hang out and play? This makes me happy because I'm getting a paycheck but sad that we are full-out ADULTS now. Can y'all believe it?

So many fun things have happened this week! People getting awesome jobs, going on fun trips and many great memories were made.  

Hope y'all have an amazing weekend! 

See you next week with a weekend shenanigans post and some fun stuff too. 
                           

Weekend Shenanigans.

Oh, how I love a long weekend. Let's start shall we...

{one.}Saturday night @ Old Venice. Oxford has my heart.
{two.}Caitlyn and I were riding down the road and I see this chevron board with my name ALL over it. We stop and quickly see that it isn't going in her Altima. So, what's a girl to do? Call Daddy and tell him to get the truck ready! I'm coming home with some loot. {three.} Memorial Day, small town style. We.don't.play. 
{four.} A little Amish excursion with my girls. We had an educational field trip and lots of questions. 
{five.} After seeing the idea on twitter, I've found a cooler and it will be painted with some chevron, some ole miss love and maybe some initials. Can't wait to show you the end result. 
{six.} I cooked out with the Pickens'. Best part= HOMEMADE ICE CREAM! 
{seven.} picked up the new schedule for 2013 Football. 93 days! :) 
{eight.} My mama taught me early on in life that the beginning of summer=pedicure time, y'all. Best 30 minutes spent. 
{nine.} Love this Colonel Reb. I need this for my future house! 

Tomorrow is the 1st day of Grad school classes for the summer- Joy, joy.

Can't wait to see how you spent your Memorial Day Weekend. So thankful for those who died for our freedom. 

the flood of 2013.

This is what I call the flood.

I got off work yesterday and went to the Goodwill for a random shopping trip. As soon as I pulled back up to my apartment, the gates opened and the Lord gave us rain. I sat in my car for a good 15 minutes and waited until I was sick of sitting there. I got out and ran into my apartment SOAKED! 

Then, around 5:00 I noticed that it was STILL raining and there was some flooding on the back side of our apartment complex but I wasn't concerned. Then.. around 5:45 I could hear people outside and they sounded really concerned. I opened my door and I then saw what they were talking about.

(put this on vine)

My friend and her mom happened to be outside while I pulled my car up on the sidewalk like everyone else and from here on out, it was mass chaos. I'm talking water passed my ankles, cars at least half way under water and crazy people out playing in it! :)

I called my daddy and he offered to bring the boat but I passed... It's crazy to think that in about 4 hrs it was all gone and today you would have never known our complex was flooded. Lane, her mom and I took a picture because honestly.. what else could you do but do a rain dance and laugh.

Goodness..

Until next time...

blessing of the day: cable and internet is back on and God's grace is good.

Useful.

 So, I'm currently sitting at school with absolutely no kids and figured.. why not blog? Maybe I shouldn't be admitting that but here goes. Other kiddos are packing up to go home and it's got me thinking about my circumstances. This time last year.. I was preparing for another year in 1st grade with my sweet firsties and dwelling on the possibility of a new assistant, new ideas, new students.

 Then, in November my world was rocked. And thank the good Lord above it was. I was called in to the office, given the news that I was the new K-SPED teacher and that was that. New adventure, new kids, new opportunity. 

Here I sit at the end of this crazy ride and I couldn't be happier. I was starting Graduate school in January and was planning on getting  my Masters in Special Education. God had other plans and luckily his grace is abundant in my life. He took me from my comfort zone and put me in the middle of the ocean and led me into the path that I am on now. 

I am now in Elementary Education for my Masters Degree and can't imagine being any where else. Isn't it wonderful that God uses circumstances to show us what's best for US.

I've enjoyed my year with my sweet babies and getting to love on them and I will NEVER regret getting my SPED endorsement. But, in the moment, Regular Education with some inclusion children trickled in is where my heart is at.

God's grace makes me happy and I love telling people that God has a plan throughout my whole changing process. Man. that's some good stuff.

With that being said, I am EXCITED to say that I am a new General Ed Kindergarten teacher for next year and with that comes a brand new excitement. :)

I am so excited to be with the same group of teachers (most of them) and can't wait to see who ends up in my class for me to love and teach. 

“Well and good if all things change, O Lord God, provided I am rooted in You.”
― Juan de la Cruz

Weekend Shenanies {last one before summer break}

Here we go again, Monday. I'm secretly not dreading you though because it means I'm one more day closer to SUMMER break! 

if you aren't a teacher, I'm sorry. 

of course this was the first GIF that came to mind. Oh, how I loved Saved By The Bell.

Anywho.. let's take a look at the weekend. It was a fun weekend that turned into being pretty relaxing. I can't wait to read what you got into!

{one.} love my iPhone background from Aubrey. Kate Spade inspired.

{two.} I'm already the owner of a FEED bag but I'm loving this new bag. This project is much like TOMS shoes in that you get merchandise and you get to help children and adults around the world who need someone to care. Check them out!

{three.} I was driving around Pontotoc Saturday night and noticed that on the square the fire hydrants were pink. Of course, I loved them!

{four.} I got lots of cuddles in with my sweet Harper this weekend. Isn't she precious? (yes mama, I know she needs a haircut!)

{five.} I just love snapchat. This girl is getting married, SOON!

{six.} Going to eat at 41 Fish and Steak with Merle made my night. I am so glad that we got to catch up on life and spend time together. I haven't seen her in forever and love when we get together. 

Loving my Mason Jar tumbler I made this weekend. Err.. My daddy made. I got the idea from Mrs. Katie

What did your weekend look like? Can't wait to hear!

hello, Friday letters.

Dear immune system- What's your problem? I'm sick of having headaches, sore throats, and drainage. Please heal yourself because with my teachers' salary, I can't deal. Please and thank you.  Dear teacher friends-Can you believe that we only have around 5 days until sunshine, pool time and grad school! Which one doesn't fit? Dear Oxford- I'm coming to visit on Saturday night. be ready! Dear Grey's Anatomy- I did the ugly cry last night for you. You amaze me every Thursday night. Hurry up and come back!

Hope your weekend is all this and more! 

God, Forgive me if I don't thank you enough.

I'm sitting here thinking of what I can write about and I was stuck. So, I thought that I should tell you ten things I am thankful for. I just read this article and thought it was so right on- with how I feel about things. 

http://pinterest.com/pin/151574343681642770/

The Lord has been so good to me and I strive everyday to pay back his love by thanking him and being an example to others. I really hope that one day when I meet him in the sky that he says, " Well done, good and faithful servant". 

{blessing #1}- My family
 God knew that when he made this hard-headed lady that she would need a big brother to fight with, a mama who would give her the shirt off her back and a daddy who could fix ANYTHING! I adore my family and absolutely love every memory that we have together. 

{blessing #2}- Being a Child of God
Don't think I don't know that this blessing is the top thing in my life. I'm so very thankful that I had parents who started at an early age telling me about Jesus and expecting us to be in church when the doors were open. I'm so glad Jesus forgives and loves a sinner like me.

{blessing #3}- the Teacher life.
I know I am the world's worst about complaining about our salaries, work hours, responsibilities and anything else I can come up with but I seriously LOVE my job. It's what I've wanted to do since I was a babe and I will never regret majoring in Education. Now there are days that I'm wanting to get away and those days I need to be reminded. :)

made with my new #mybeautifulmess APP! :)

{blessing #4}- My Mama's Job.

Sounds silly? Well, my mother has worked at Ole Miss ever since I was born and that led to a full paid Scholarship to OLE MISS. Now, that means that I have NO student loans and for someone my age that is a HUGE accomplishment. I owe every bit of that to her. Now, if I can just make it through grad school without any. 

{blessing #5}- Warm Water

I know this is a shocker but I can't stand the thought of people, especially children, having to take baths with cold water. I can't stand to do that unless it's in the middle of Summer and even then it's barely tolerable. I'm so grateful for all of my worldly amenities.

{blessing #6}- Circle of Friends 

I love the variety of friends that I have. Best friends, friends that I see occasionally, blog friends, acquaintances and church friends. I especially love when some of these friends blend together. I love keeping in touch with people and knowing details about their life. Friends, in my opinion, were gifts from God to help us journey through life. I have laughed, cried, fought with and encouraged so many friends in my 24 years and I couldn't imagine them not being in my life.

{blessing #7}- Music

I have such a wide range of music loves and I think that music is therapeutic, at least in my life. It seems like no matter what mood I am in, music can calm me down and allow my to clear my head. So thankful for cheap therapy. 

{blessing #7}- Being Flexible.

and I don't mean physically.

ha! When I was a summer missionary in Montana this was a theme that was put forth for our team. We were on a new journey each week and we had to be flexible and easy to work with. I really believe that since Day 1 of my life, I've been this way. I go with the flow and do my best no matter what is put in front of me. With my new job this year, I had to be this way and figure out the ropes quickly. God sure knows what he's doing when he forms us.

{blessing #8}- Ole Miss.

Now I love the football, The Grove, Oxford Square, all that jazz but the spirit of Ole Miss is what I love. I've grown up with red and blue blood but it's HOME now. I adore the atmosphere, love game day, and by the way, I also have a pretty little degree from that place and working on the 2nd. It's def. a little piece of heaven on Earth for me. 

Hotty Toddy!

{blessing #9}- Blogging.

I started blogging while at Junior College but decided that I needed to get serious with it while at Ole Miss. I LOVE having this place to journal about my life and share with my family, friends and YOU! Comments make me happy but knowing that one day I can look back at all the documented times and see how my life has been blessed. :)

{blessing #10}- Harper.

Oh, this furbaby makes me smile. Her fuzzy white self had me from the first time I saw her. She winked and I melted. She's about to be 4 years old and I can't believe we've been through so many changes(moves) together. We are partners! 

Only 3 more FULL days of school left. 

Summer.. You are almost mine! 

I'm Thankful! :)

What makes you thankful?

Weekend Shenanies.

Ladies.. this weekend has been jammed packed and I couldn't have packed anything else into it. It was full of memories, lies, fun times and lots of pictures. 

{1,2,3 &4.} I had every good intention of wearing my precious, mint converse to Relay for Life Friday night and yet I am so glad that I chose against that. We had a team from HLES that walked in honor of our family members who have passed away or are dealing with cancer presently. Our table was decorated as a Cinco de Mayo theme and we had some wonderful mexican food.  The luminaries ceremony and the survivor lap was very touching! I'm so glad I was a part of Relay for Life. 4:00 is not a friend of mine anymore though! :) 

{5.} After catching a few hours of shut-eye, I drove to Oxford to see Emily super fast before they left graduation. I know it wasn't a long visit but we enjoyed it just the same. 

Oh how I miss this lady! 

{6&7} Then... my sweet mama and I drove to Tupelo, shopped, and then we had a little surprise up our sleeves.

Caitlyn had been lied to by me ALL week/weekend and she thought that I wasn't going to be able to celebrate her graduating from College.. HELLO! I wouldn't MISS that!

Mama and I met her family at Fairpark Grille and we had a fun, fun time. :)  You may recognize these men from "Swamp People". They were eating two tables from us at dinner. So neat!

{8.} My sweet mama and grandmother after our Church's Mother's Day Recognition service. I owe so much to these ladies and I hope that one day I am a Mother just like they both are!

{9} Sweet Lynlee took a pretty great picture. Love this baby!

So.. I'm exhausted and think it's time for bed. I adore weekends like this one and can't wait for summer so that they will come around more and more.

oh, I'm joining the masses...

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What have you gotten in to?

These are my confessions...

I'm so happy to be linking back up with Leslie who is with child and cute as ever. Seriously, check out her blog and tell me you aren't smiling!

one. I'm working on a 30 before 30 list and I can't wait to share with you some of the goals and wishes that I have to complete before then. It is extremely crazy to think that I will be 25 this January but that just means I need to get busy. If you have any ideas that YOU did or something that you think would be amazing, comment away! I would love some inspiration from the ladies who I talk to on a daily basis. :)

two. I confess that when I watch Grey's Anatomy, it really makes me want to go back to school and become a doctor. 
now.. before I get some nasty comments.. I'm sure that it's not quite like the show and not near as interesting/easy as they make it look.

three. I confess that I love my job, believe me I do.. but I am MORE than ready for the summer break. My babies are sniffly, restless, and ready for a break.
I kinda think they know their teacher is too! 
Hopefully I'll have some exciting news for you in the coming weeks but I'm thankful for having a job and for co-workers who help de-stress each other when all we want to do is pull our hair out!

four. the best, Caitlyn, is graduating from "The W" on Saturday and this friend couldn't be happier for her! I'm so proud of all that you have accomplished. You go girl! Not sure what God has up his sleeves for you, but I know that he has something fun! I must say that I am very jealous that you are graduating. I want to walk across a stage, dang it. 

Saturday it'll be you with the diploma, best! Can't wait to celebrate with you and give you your PRESENT! So, so proud of you!

Love you, Mean it. 

by the way: You look nothing like that anymore and that is a compliment in itself. 

Happy Friday!!

What can I do?

So, I'm going in a different direction today. I often think about our world and what is happening in it on a current basis. There are so many horrible, scary  and disturbing things happening in this world but believe me, So MANY great things too! I love that I am a part of a blog community that lifts each other up and shares hurts when there are those.

I found Chelsee's blog and saw that she was doing a program where you could write letters to our soldiers.  Now listen, I am a HUGE supporter of our armed forces and the soldiers who are protecting us. I think as Americans we need to stand behind them and thank them every chance we get. My grandaddy, Howard was a WWII Veteran and I have so much respect for all soldiers because of him. My Mom (grandmother-- for those who haven't been around long) said that he was very sheltered while talking about the war but she wrote letters to him and I think that is just precious! :)

I know that if I was across the world, fighting for my country, that I would love to get a little piece of home on paper. Come on girls, let's do something for these brave souls.

link

So, I signed up for her program to write letters to the men/women who serve our country an each and every day. I LOVE to get mail so I know these people must love to know that people back home are praying and thinking of them. 

It was so easy getting signed up and started in this program. All I had to do was fill out this form. If you have any questions, check out Chelsee's Blog or you can e-mail me and I will be glad to answer them.

If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out online: 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dHNSZjNSaEd1NFp1ZTBYTGRqdFVhLXc6MA

show God's love to someone who is fighting for your freedom.

Weekend Shenanigans.

Happy Monday, friends!

If you must know.. my weekend consisted of coughing, sore throat, and feeling yucky. 

'twas no fun BUT I didn't let that hold me back. 

1.) Oh, Hazelnut Frappe' you rocked my world! It was seriously one of the best drinks that I've ever had from the bucks. 2.) So, even though it looks like just a yard sale pile of shoes, this has a meaning. We had our Women's Banquet at church on Saturday and the speaker had us take off one shoe and pick another to find and encourage other women in our church. One guess on which one in the pile is mine??? 3.) My big brother, Adam thought it was cute to take a picture of me feeding our labs. Isn't he creative? 4.) I found this sign and I think it's going to be a part of my want ad for a husband. Anyone down for designing this for me!? :) 5.) This sour cream package was a picture of Glacier National Park in Montana and reminded me of my Summer Missions days. Naturally, I group messaged our entire team and told them. 

I can't wait to read about your weekends.

Now get to guessing which shoe is mine. :)