I remember in 4th grade this sassy girl came to North Pontotoc and from that day forward we were friends. She was a bossy thing and we all listened to what she said. I remember a "said" birthday party where she was being her bossy self and we went to bath and body works for my "MALL" party. She got sprayed with 13 different perfumes because that was our way of being mean.

Sorry brit. I really am.

9 years of High school + 2 years of college+ 1 year of being roomates= Friends for life!

We've had some fun times. 

The ICC times. Yes, I was a deviled egg for Halloween. 

I just love this picture.

Well see, she met this boy after some time, and he was the one she wanted to spend her life with. His name was John and she started planning a wedding when she got this pretty rock on her finger. 

She had a wonderful day where we all had fun getting ready, eating lunch together, and taking tons of pics. Her photographer was wonderful and let us show our own personalities through her work! Some of my favorite pics to document the day!

I said the prayer before we left for the ceremony and this is the sweetest pic of Merle and I holding hands in the circle. Love my sweet friends!

God brought these sweet friends into my life. I'm very thankful!

How we truly felt about the day!

Because we are both teachers. :)

As if you can't tell these were not the originals. sorry for the blurriness. 

Her photographer can be found at  Amber's Photography on Facebook! Check her out!

Brittany,

the Lord has blessed you with your man. We are forever grateful that you chose your soulmate and you will be the help mate that he needs. I can't wait to share in all of your big moments in life. God bless you and John as you live your lives to serve his kingdom. 

love you much,

Lauren :)

It's a Wednesday Party. :)

It's Wednesday! I'm loving that for sure. :)

{It's Almost Summer} I am tooo excited that my first year as a 1st Grade teacher is almost over. Not being ugly, but truthful. It's been wonderful, stressful, and crazy all in one breath! My firsties are precious beyond measure but they drain my all day, every day!

{The beach} oh, I can't wait for the blue skies, and sand between my toes. This will be my first REAL beach experience. What??? You can't believe that. i know. I'm from Mississippi, I've been to the Gulf Coast.. does that count? Absolutely not. :)

Source: Uploaded by user via Lauren on Pinterest

{Double Decker} 2 weeks, but who's counting? Oxford is my happy place. The place I have grown up 15 minutes away from, the place where I first heard Hotty Toddy and told my mama that those were "bad words" and the place that my mama has instilled in me since day 1. That's Ox. I love going back and the minute I get off of 55 and head that way, my heart skips a beat. I can't wait to get there, see the square packed for the FUN, and take tons of pictures with friends. Be still my heart.

Source: jkwakefield.wordpress.com via Blair on Pinterest

{styles on pinterest} by the way. What did we ever do without this website. I adore it. teaching, decorating, gift ideas, the works. I love it!

I pulled this outfit off Sunday. I loved it. So comfortable! :)

                                                 

                                          

Source: shopbop.com via Lauren on Pinterest

    

Source: thefabricofsweetrepose.blogspot.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Life is good! I'm so excited for all the good things that are happening. Praying for all my friends who are struggling to find answers to some hard questions. Be THANKFUL for everything that the Lord has put in your path.

love y'all. 

Talk to me. What would you like to see on the blog?? 

Dear Monday.

Linking up with Megan

Dear School Year, How many more Mondays do I have with you, seriously.

Dear Summer, I'm ready for your arrival. It's time! :)

Dear teaching, You've been exhausting, excited, funny, and interesting this year. I don't know if I can deal with you for 30 years but for now, I really feel like we can be friends!

Dear Future Husband, Where are you? I'm ready. Hoping Jesus sees fit to bring us together this year! I'm ready for that!

Dear 4-runner, You will be mine, hopefully by next summer. I'm working on saving up and purchasing you. No worries. 

Dear LeBonheur Children's Hospital, Thank you for taking care of little Mary-Michael. She's feeling better and for that I'm thankful! :)

Can't wait to hear your Dear Mondays! 

love my door decor. Wouldn't it be cool if my last name started with an L. Maybe not, forget that. :)

This animation sums up our rivalry. Bittersweet. :)

My sweet Maddie having floor time. She's such a doll! :)

Guess who? The Simba shirt with the cartoon... I had too! Hahaha! Been with this girl for 23 years. We've had some good times.

Summer Craft Project. I think it's too cute. I need one for my mantle!

I know this has been totally random. welcome to the life of lauren. 

How is your Monday going? Link up and let me see those pictures!

When I grow up..

Oh, wait. I'm there! :)

Sometimes when I'm looking at my class full of 27 firsties, it hits me that I am a grown-up doing what I have always wanted dreamed of doing! It's a scary thought to know that all these kiddos depend on me to get them through this season of their life. :)

So, thankful that God loves me and gives me grace every day to face the situations that I have to face. The Lord is good, let me tell ya. 

Some days, teaching is NOTHING like what I thought it would be and some days I absolutely couldn't see myself doing anything else.  I'm working on the "loving it" part. 

Source: forums.atozteacherstuff.com via Lauren on Pinterest

love. this. I talk to my kids about doing better so that they can go farther in life. How much better can you show this, than by this door?

Source: etsy.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Amen!

She'll be a MRS.

Emily is getting married!!

Can I please just tell you how excited I am about this lady getting a rock on that left hand??

She had absolutely no clue and that made it even more fun! :)

(emily, sorry I avoided you for an entire week! Let's face it, I'm not a good liar.)

Let's start from the beginning, shall we?

I worked with Josh in the Chancellors Office at Ole Miss and we became fast friends. He kept talking about his gf Emily Gasson who I supposedly was in the School of Education with.  I had never met her but I knew that one day I would. Well, wouldn't you know, the next year we were living together in Building 8 at The Exchange. :)

This girl loved Jesus, KD, and her Josh! We became friends overnight and after that it's all uphill. We were kinda inseparable our Senior year because we had just about every class together plus coming home and being together all the time. 

Haley, Emily, Alicia, and I loved to do random ice cream runs, walking at the apartment, or playing in the snow when those days came.  FUN, fun times.

Back to the bling.. Josh has been filling me in for a couple of months on what he is planning to do and I knew that it would be perfect for the two lovebirds. :)

So, on Thursday April 5, Josh and Emily were engaged!  Haley and I met Josh to set up on the 50 yard line of our beloved VAUGHT HEMINGWAY STADIUM. 

Man, this place holds memories for us all. We set up a picnic filled with things that they had on their very first day. McAlister's sweet tea and a cookie. Plus he had made a book of memories for her and of course flowers and the ring. BLING BLING!

We hid in one of the tunnels in the stadium after receiving the message that they were on their way. Oh, my heart was racing. I wanted it to be perfect. (you too, haley!)

They came in, set down, and looked through the book. Then, he walked her to the Ole Miss on the 50 and got down on one knee. Emily gasped, we cried, and she said YES!

stole this from Haley. an engagement photo shoot of sorts. 

I love this couple to pieces. Can't wait to see what their future has in store. :)

It. was. splendid. 

Hotty Toddy! 

Top 5 Tuesday.

Today's topic. 5 Beauty Products that I love/can't live without.

This is not my niche.  I love makeup but I don't ENJOY playing with it and experimenting new trends. Here's my simple, southern take on it.

1.) Foundation- We get this for a great price at our local flea market. Goes on smooth and I love how I don't feel like I have lots of goop on my face. :)

See why I'm not a makeup entrepreneur???

2.) Mascara- I love mascara. Probably my favorite accessory! I love the way I can layer mascara and make those lashies supa black and long! What I use the most of, below.

3.) Primer with Sunscreen for this white child. 




4.)  Eyeliner. My 2nd favorite thing! I love the way it makes my eyes stand out! 
Really doesn't matter the brand. I like them all. Usually what's on sale.




5.) My pinterest-inspired makeup brush holder. I love this because it's easy to find all my brushes in one place! Coffee beans an added prize. Love the smell in those early mornings!

Whew! I made it through! Makeup is wonderful, I just need to get better about loving it!

Source: thedecorista.tumblr.com via Lindzey on Pinterest

iPhone Monday. :)

I love this! Showing you details of my life. 

Love my new Easter Decoration, Miranda! Anything festival and I want it. :)

It's funny when one of your best friends walks in to church and you're wearing the same thing! great minds think alike.

Hotty Toddy brings old friends together! :)

love linen pants. My comfort staple.

my Easter door! Love it! :)

I confess.. this was my supper one night last week! 

Easter board in our hallway. 

I'm loving this week. Short week at school, Easter, and Family time. Now if this sore throat will go away, I'll be set.

Dear sore throat- You suck! Go away and don't come back soon.

Dear life as I know it- You are wonderful and I know one day I'll look back and envy you but I wish that marriage, children, and a "new life" would come soon!

Dear bomb threat at my Alma Mater- Not cool. You should be ashamed of yourself. This is crazy business.

Dear family- Thank you for loving me ALL the time. I couldn't ask for a better family.

Dear June and July- I'm so proud that my career allows us so much time together! Be nice to me and take your time.