Hey y'all! It's been a minute. Summer time means more time to spend on my computer and "catch up".

So, here we go. What has 2018 looked like so far? It's been FULL of fun and exciting things! 

Let's recap:

Family: 

My sweet family added TWO because my BROTHER got married! We are so excited that Cassidy and Rhodes joined our crazy bunch! I can't wait to make more memories as a family! 

Friends

Summer began with Michelle, Clayton and I going to Hoover and watching our Rebs play! We all know that didn't lead to our dream season but there's always next year! 

Claire and Jordan got married and had such a beautiful wedding! It was fun celebrating the day with them and tons of friends and my precious Mama. 

Summer has been great with friends. Lots of dinners, walks around The Square and some long chats on the phone. (Which I never do!) 

School Year:

This year was a tough one to say the least. I will not go into details but I learned lots of lessons and how to deal with certain behaviors. I am going to thank my stars that its over and I'm grateful for what I learned because of it. So thankful to have taught each and every kiddo that has been in my classroom. Now... I'm beginning to pray for my students that are to come! 

I can't believe that it's almost JULY! Let's do this! 

Here's to hopefully some new blog posts before Christmas! 

#NashBachBash

A couple of months ago I got a phone call that I'll never forget. My friend, Meagan, who we call "Merle" said that she had found the one and would be getting married soon. Now, I was shocked because they hadn't been dating long but what Meagan says, you listen to.

Fast forward to Memorial Day weekend. We traveled to Nashville, Tennessee to celebrate her Bachelorette trip! We left early Saturday morning and took our time traveling. Once we got there, parking was our nemesis (ha) and we finally just decided to go with Valet parking because it seems to be our cheapest option. 

We get to our room on the 25th Floor and settle in for having fun that night. Around 8:00 we go downtown, which was right outside our hotel, and start out night of fun. We walked down Broadway and went in many different places. We danced, sang, and ultimately had fun being together! 

We stayed out until around 1:30, and decided that the Taco Shop downtown was our best option for the night. We all ate and then retired back to the room. Y'all.. we may be fun but we are getting older. As I looked at all the early 20 somethings around me, I wanted to yell, "Enjoy it. You'll be tired like me soon enough!" But seriously...

Merle.. Your big day is coming up SOON and I can't wait to be standing by your side! Wishing you and Jackson the happiest of days! 

Gulf Shores 2015

I just LOVE the beach! 

Going to the beach each year is one of our favorite things to do! It's all girls and all fun! We hang out, relax and enjoy all the delicious food that the Gulf Coast brings!

This year was so fun because it was the first year in a while that I haven't had the worry of grad school work hanging over my head! 

The weather was PERFECT this year and we had a blast! We beached, we shopped, we ate, and we conquered Gulf Shores! Already planning for next year...

Caitlyn met us around the middle of the week and it was fun having someone there my own age. One of the last nights we were there, we ventured out to FloraBama. I give it a 6 out of 10 because the night that we were there, we were the youngest people by far. I'm sure it we had went during the weekend it would have been different but it wasn't what it's hyped up to be! 

I'm glad we experienced it though and got to see what it's all about. 

What are some of your favorite places and things to see/eat/or do when you are in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area? Please share!

See you next year, Beach! 

My Circles.

How true is this? 

I have seen that throughout my life, my friends have changed depending on which season of life I was currently in. This has been an amazing transition because now I truly feel that I have some of the best friends in the entire world!

Before you are born, friends:

     Yes, our families were friends even before we were born. Michelle has been that girl that has memories of our childhood birthday parties, almost dying in a Tornado stories, and we always catch up right where we left off. Even though our lives have taken us to different cities and jobs, we still keep in touch. Our families still go to church together and we are practically family. Love you, Shell!

High School Friends:

     These ladies are just a FEW of the sweet friends from my high school days. North Pontotoc High School was a wonderful place for me to grow up and learn how to have friends but most of all, how to be a friend. Most of my classmates went through our 13 years of "schooling" together and I'm forever thankful for that. We had a few come and go and that just made our 2007 graduating class so awesome. I'm proud of the accomplishments that all of these ladies have accomplished and I honestly CAN'T WAIT for our 10 year reunion. (We missed our 5 year, oops!)

Junior College Friends:

     The good ole' ICC days were the best! I will remember the fun I had for my entire lifetime. I took a million pictures and I have about that many memories. College was a great time in my life because I got to love on people and share the joy that I had with them. I was involved in the Baptist Student Union and it literally became my apartment. I lived there more than in my dorm and those memories are always the best! Amy Simmons was a huge blessing in my life during these two years! We ended up rooming together in the next chapter of our lives and I'm thankful that our paths crossed. These are just a few of the friends that I met at ICC and I'm thankful to have met my sweet, Claire Mattox who passed away last Summer. Her laughter and contagious love of life will always be in my heart. 

              

Ole Miss Friends:

     These two above, Emily and Haley, were my biggest two blessings at Ole Miss. Haley and I grew up in the same small town and became friends while at Ole Miss. Doesn't God have a sense of humor? LOVE it! Emily is from Brandon, Mississippi and it was awesome rooming with these ladies. I've stood by both of their sides as they walked down the isle and I can't wait for them to do the same for me one day! :) Ole Miss friends are the best friends! I made so many new friends and I'm so glad we still keep in touch. 

Sweet Landon was another blessing that I met through Emily at Ole Miss. She has been a blessing through Ole Miss Sporting Events, Emily's wedding and moving to D.C. and just being her sweet self. I'm coming to Nashville soon, Landon!

Southaven Friends:

     Once again, not everyone is pictured but so many of these people had a part of my story. I followed my dream of teaching to Horn Lake, Mississippi and lived in Southaven for three years. I loved it but knew that I wouldn't be there forever. 1,3, and 6 are all pictures of sweet Teacher friends who I shared life with each day at school. They all mean more to me than they know. Picture 2 is Jenny and Cory who were my parents away from home. Love these two! They took me in and loved on me along with their sweet baby, Maddie! Forever thankful! Leslie and Jenna (4&5) were my teacher/speech pathologist friends who I ate dinner with at least once a week! Loved their inspiration and their encouragement. God had a plan for Southaven and I'm so grateful that I got to share it with these treasures! There were so many others that I wouldn't have made it without.. (Marla.. I couldn't find our picture! :(

Oxford Friends:

     This season has been extra sweet! Moving back was one of the easiest things I had ever done. I knew that being closer to "home" and just being back in Oxford would be the best and it has been. Making new friends and getting started in my new norm has been a blast with these friends! I can't wait to add to this and see what new memories 2015 brings! 

This girl has been there through it all. Since meeting in Middle School, we've been tight! (Did I just use that word, really?) She's the best (literally) and has my back no matter what. Thankful for her!

Gone too soon.

25.

That's my age and I feel like I'm in the prime of my life. Not too young, not too old. 

I was working in my classroom at 5:30 on Monday afternoon when I got a text message that my good friend, Claire had passed away. I can't describe to you the feeling that came over me. I was breathless, speechless, and didn't know what to do. I automatically cut my lights off in my room and drove home. 

I walked inside and told my mama what happened and just broke down. How am I supposed to grasp that one of my close friends is gone and is never coming back? Y'all.. it's a SCARY thought! 

Claire was the epitome of fun! She was always ready for an adventure. She loved traveling and seeing the world and what it had to offer. She was a Summer Missionary most summers of our college years and LOVED telling people about her Jesus. I will always remember how excited she would get about spending her summer with people that she could love on.

Claire and I met at Itawamba Community College in 2007. We were in the same Co-Ed Bible study together and that's where our friendship took off. I loved how funny and sarcastic she always was! She always spoke her mind and told you just like it was. The picture above was taken our last year at ICC during our BSU end of the year party. Claire was always our picture taker and loved documenting every. single. memory.

**I'm so thankful for this now.

After we left ICC, Claire went to Starkville and I went to Oxford. We promised that we wouldn't lose touch and I'm so thankful that we didn't. She came to on our first football games as Ole Miss students and this picture happened! I'm so thankful that we had our rivalry fights and talks about why each of us chose the school that we did. She always told me my husband was at state! :)

This was the last time that I saw my sweet, Claire! Amy and Evan had their surprise wedding on top of the Madison Hotel and we celebrated together. I can't believe that this will be the last picture that I will ever take with her. 

From the first time that I met her, I knew that Claire was something special. I just hope she realizes what an impact she has made on all of our lives. Tonight as we gather at the church for her visitation, I know that many memories will be shared and her family will be loved on. I still can't believe that my friend is gone but I know for sure where she IS. 

God needed his smiling Claire much more than we did.

RIP, sweet Claire. 

Graceland Too Tragedy.

I know that some of you are local, Mississippi readers but for those of you that aren't let me share with you what I am talking about!

Paul McLeod, a man living in Holly Springs, Mississippi was an OBSESSED Elvis enthusiast. He spent his life decorating his home with nothing but Elvis memorabilia, hence the name Graceland Too. He opened his home to people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most of his traffic were college students from Ole Miss who HAD to see what this Graceland Too business was about. Plus, it was tons more fun to go late at night instead of during the day!

I was a lifetime member (you only had to go 3 times to earn this) at this lovely place and it was always SO much fun to gather up a group of friends and give Ole' Paul a visit.  You got to put on the black jacket and play the guitar.. this man knew exactly what he was doing! :)

His house was decorated from floor to ceiling in the most eccentric decor you've ever seen. He could tell you a story about everything in his house and that to me, says that he LOVED everything in his home. He loved Coke, as in the soft drink and that was another story for another day!

google

On Wednesday, Paul was taken to jail for shooting and killing a man that supposedly broke into his home. He was released, so I am assuming that it was self defense and charges were not made. This morning, Paul was found dead on his front porch. This breaks my heart because I don't know the situation and I'm not sure if someone killed him or what happened?

google

If you want to keep up with this news story, go here. This is our local news that will be covering the story!

RIP, PAUL! You will be missed you crazy thing!

Franks Wedding// Haley and Braxton

May 31, 2014 was a beautiful day for a wedding! 

After a night of eating the bride's favorite foods, a fun "lingerie shower", and staying up WAY too late, it was time for a fun day of getting hitched. Before I go on.. That cop up there was not really what you think it was. :) We had all teased Haley that we were going to "have fun" and she was totally against it. We called in our local policeman but nothing happened except for Haley being super embarrassed! 

One of my favorite things about wedding weekends is all the people that you get to catch up with. Emily flew in from D.C. and it was a reunion between Haley, Emily and I. Having all of these girls together and getting to know each other is so much fun in my opinion! Weddings just make me happy, happy, happy!

All the bridesmaids spent the night together and all woke up and ate cinnamon roles from Anna Beth's and spent some time together. We all went to the salon together and got our hair done for the wedding. Then, Haley had a sweet makeup artist come to the Ecru House and do all of our makeup for the big day. I walked in and immediately recognized this lady.  

I think it is so neat to "know" people when you see them because of the blogging community. She did a great job with our make-up and was so sweet to Haley! 

All week there had been a chance of rain that we all prayed for over and over again would go away! All day we watched the weather and it was looking promising for us! It was sunny and beautiful and HOT! We took pictures outside and it was just a perfect day so far. I think we all went and sat in front of the fan until time for the wedding to start. 

About an hour before the 6:00 wedding, we toasted our "sparkling cider" to the bride and had a prayer time circling her and wishing her and Braxton a beautiful wedding and also to ask once again to hold the rain off for Haley's big moment! 

The wedding was beautiful went off without a hitch and just as all of the bridal party was walking inside the Ecru House for the reception, the rain came! It poured and poured but everyone was inside and life was good! Isn't our GOD a great God to let Haley's big moment happen just the way she wanted. It was a beautiful reception and Haley and Braxton had tons of friends and family there to celebrate with them!

I LOVED this setup in the reception! Gift table was gorgeous! 

 This girl, Erica was the Maid of Honor and she did a fabulous job planning the special weekend. Thanks for opening up your home for us, Erica. I can't wait to hang out soon! 

The Three Amigos were back together! It was so fun having Emily HOME from D.C. and I love doing life with these girls. I am so thankful for our time together at Ole Miss and I'm super excited to be closer to Haley now with my new job! Emily, I'm gonna need you to tell that boy you married to move you home! :)

(Trent's Portrait Design)-- He's the best! :)

Hotty Toddy! 

Haley,

Thank you so much for letting me share in your special day! It was beautiful and so were you!  I still remember us sitting in Mi Pueblo that night and you telling me that you were going to marry him! I'm so glad that you found that boy whom your soul has always longed for and I can't wait to see where your lives take you! Love you long time.

My happy place.

Do you have one of those places that just makes your heart happy? That's OXFORD for me! Every time I drive in, my heart skips a beat! This weekend=Double Decker 2014.  Best and I drove in for a little while and braved the thousands of people and the HEAT.. I won't live this summer!

It's always so good to see friends and family along the way and to enjoy Oxford for what is has! It's such a pretty town and all the people that you know and love are in one place. What could be better than that?  Next year, come join won't you?

That cookie (Double Doozie) was totally worth the wait. Kelli's Cakery is a friend of mine who has just started her own bakery and it is amazing! Her cookies/cupcakes/cakes, etc. are awesome and totally worth every calorie. Check them out if you are ever in Oxford.

Which... DUH! This post is going to make you go ASAP!

After Double Decker, my 2nd brother married the love of his life, Holly. Their wedding was very laid back and a fun time was had.

And just for fun.. Who is this that showed up from the Hangover?! 

Hope you all are having a great week!

Engagement Party=Surprise!

It's time for a weekend wrap up this close to another fun filled weekend. Let's go!

Last weekend, my friends Claire and Caitlyn came into town for an "Engagement Party" in downtown Memphis. We all met at my apartment and headed downtown in our fancy dresses and were ready for a good time! We parked downtown and started walking towards the Madison Hotel.. Oh my.. The sights were awesome. We were on the rooftop and I felt fancier than I ever have! 

We immediately started our ritual of taking pictures and hanging out with one another. Many of us had not seen each other since the last wedding (isn't that our season of life..) Let me share these jewels..

Caitlyn, Myself, and Claire. 

makes me miss those precious ICC days!

The engaged couple, and the friends!

The Madison was beautiful! The scenery was relaxing and the party was fun! I just love being near the river and seeing the bridge in the background. 

We were just standing around talking and catching up when the "party people" said that the couple had a video that they wanted us to watch. It was precious starting at the beginning of their relationship and then eventually getting to pictures recently in their relationship. I did notice that Amy and Evan were no-where to be found and I even mentioned "what if they are getting married tonight" but that thought was REAL until it happened.

This is when we all started laughing, saying "shut up!" and hitting each other! It was a perfect surprise and totally fit the couple to a tee. 

The ceremony was sweet, quick and to the point and then they were Mr. and Mrs. Goudy!

It was a precious, intimate wedding and I can't believe that they pulled off this surprise. I am so thankful that I was invited and was able to attend. They surprise a lot of people that night and it made our crazy time of trying to get to our car at the end of the party totally worth it.

Let's just say.. Parking Garages are not my forte. 

So happy for this sweet couple! 

Amy, We've come a long way since the ICC/Ole Miss days! I'm so thankful for your friendship and I can't wait to see how your life unfolds from here on out!

Enjoy married life, Friend!