Dear Starbucks- I will be seeing you in the morning with my $1.oo off coupon and I couldn't be happier that it's time for my Friday skinny Caramel Frappe. :) Thanks mama for the email! You da best!

Dear Classroom- All your brightness and spunk shows a little of my inward personality. I have to have myself reflected in that room to be the teacher I need to be. Hoping for a great next 4 months. Let's do this...

Dear Luke Bryan- You are beautiful, cute, have the perfect Southern draw and would make the cutest babies. WAIT! That's not where I meant to go. I'll see you Saturday night. Get ready! We'll be the girls singing every song and yelling loudly.

Source: Uploaded by user via Debbie on Pinterest

Dear 3-day weekend- Please take your time and don't hurry away. Even though we got a day off this week for ice, I will always take a day off. Please!

and finally....

Dear Lord and Savior-Why have you blessed me so, so much? I was thinking on my drive home today from school how much I have. Material wise, spiritual wise, friend and family wise, oh.. How I am blessed. God sure knew what he was doing in my life and I'll always trust his ways. Please take time to reflect and thank God for all he has given you.
Very thankful tonight.

love y'all. Comment away!

Southern Quirks.

Let me be straight. 

I'm a Southern Belle from way back. 

I think it's the guys responsibility to pursue his lady, love a good social gathering, and can watch Football with the best boys out there!

I have 24 years experience with "the South"  and I couldn't love a place anymore. We have some of the most genuine, selfless people and some that make me want to absolutely pull my own hair out. Movies have been made about events/people from our abode and some tv shows aim to make us all look like cousin-loving rednecks.

if you don't hear anything else in this post, hear this. 

(we are normal people who wear shoes and have electricity. We have college degrees and are making big advances in this world). 

Soapbox over!

Now, I've decided to show some things that I believe all Southern Belle's (and maybe some of you other ladies too) love, say, need, and want.

{monograms} I love having my initials plastered over everything that I own. I think this love of seeing our letters on our belongings began when our Mama's monogram our smocks and dresses when we babies. Or, was that just mine?

{diamonds and a wedding} Now, as a Southern lady, I've had my wedding planned since I was 12. Call me crazy? that's okay!  Most of my friends love looking at Bridal Magazines and how many of you have wanted to be in Mississippi Bridal Magazine when you "grow up". ME!

Weddings are social events in the South and you want your groom, your family, and all your friends to remember you day with all the fun memories you have made. 

i'll take this one.

{y'all} Most people think that our drawls are cute or either super annoying. I personally love a simple, (not redneck-ish, think Honey Boo Boo drawl} and I feel like there is so much history and life in those voices. Some of the things that I happen to say most often are: 

Bless your heart: (anything bad can be said and if you say this, it makes it right.)

Good Gracious: when I'm stunned or have nothing else to say.

Can you add any to this list??

These are just a few of my opinions of what makes Southern Women unique. Have any other ideas of what makes us like no other? I'm all ears.

I absolutely love being from the South. 

Where are you from and why do you love it?

Happy Tuesday! Hoping for a snow day!

the time my birthday lasted a week.

I feel like my birthday is one. whole.week.

I am one blessed girl and I can't thank everyone enough for the sweet, encouraging words that were spoken to me on turning 24.

Wow. 24. I really can't believe I'm that old already.

So, I've got lots of snippets to share with you so here goes.

(i apologize for the amount of pics that are coming.) 

thrift finds- Mama and I went to a yard sale Saturday morning and I scored some wonderful items. My favorite would probably be those shoes up there. Badgley Mischka, y'all. I love them.

sweet friends- I love when my friends take time to show that they care. Thank you girls for investing in my life. Love you, both! 

I've known both of these girls most of my life and they have been there through all of the different seasons of life. Here's to a few more! :)

Puppy child- Harper wanted a pic with her mama. Love that sweet girl.

my friends know how much i text and drive- I love when they call me out. Yes, I know that this is dangerous and I need to quit. 

Where's Waldo?-- My friend Michelle and I send each other pics and play this game. Anyone know where this pretty sight is?

Better watch out, you better not hide- My Friend Marla and I went to the Range USA for my first time the other night. I am addicted! It was so fun. I've always felt that guns were something, when used correctly, that are crucial for people to have. My daddy and brother have always had guns in the house and I know that if you are brought up in the right way and careful that guns are not bad things. 

I'm interested in learning more about shooting and be sure I'll keep you up to date!

truth- Broken, angry, hurt, desperate messes that we are, and yet HE chooses us to be HIS light in a world of darkness. That's some good stuff.  I can't believe that God trusts me enough to be a part of him in our world. I love this Bible study that I am doing. Memorizing Scripture is an awesome thing that I need to do as much as possible. 

Enjoy your Monday!

Hey y'all. It's My birthday!

January 8, 1989.

twas a good, good day.

Elvis was born, I was born. Choose who your favorite was/is.

I love birthdays! I think of them as a time for reflection on what I have and what I'm going to do with that year.

 

Source: propertopper.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Started off this morning with my FREE Starbucks drink. Is there any better way to start off your celebration? i.think.not.

I had a Common Core Math conference today during school and that was a nice break away from the classroom. We had lunch at Lenny's and that was fun too. :)

Then, over 120 Facebook messages, 17 text messages, 3 shout outs on Twitter, and 1 phone call from my sweet grandmother. Obviously she doesn't do all the social media.  

I'm blessed y'all. Thank you to each and every one who has played a part in my birthday celebration.

I'm one of those people who has a birthday "week". Why just do one day instead of lots of days of celebrating?

Tonight, my family away from home took me out for Mexican food. They had a Mariachi band and dancers! Maddie loved watching them and I had a blast. Thanks friends for a birthday celebration! We ate leftover cake after. 

I got some precious cards, a beautiful manger scene pottery piece from mama and daddy and money from the family! I'm so excited and thankful for each Happy Birthday and the ways that people show that they care! 

Hope you all feel just as loved as I have on this birthday!

Love you all!

Here to age 24. 

how i love weekends.

Hello ladies!

this weekend was relaxed and low key, just the way I like it. It's been a while since I've had a weekend like this and I enjoyed every moment of it.

Ole Miss won the Compass Bowl- The rebs beat Pittsburgh 38-17 in the bowl game. We have had a really good season (after all) and I am so thankful to be a Rebel fan. :) Love Hugh Freeze as our coach and even better as a person. He is on fire for God and is coaching this team in more than just football. 

Early Birthday Supper @ The Sizzler- My family has eaten at this restaurant forever and I couldn't think of anywhere I would rather eat for my family birthday supper. We saw some friends and had a great meal. Now for those pictures. My brother can never be serious. Ever...

So thankful for a family who celebrates birthdays BIG. Thank you mother and daddy for the love and support you've given me for almost 24 years! 

Love my birthday cake- Familia knows I love some chevron, so naturally I would want it on a birthday cake. I love how it turned out. Every year, birthday cake designs are my favorite. Plus, it has to taste good, DUH!

Baby Shower- Chloe Elizabeth, my not yet born cousin's baby shower was today. Can't wait to meet this precious one. 

Hope you've had a great weekend. What did you do?

      

This and That.

Joining Jena and Katie for today's link-up. Let's get busy.

{one} It was great seeing my babies today. Of course we had many talks about Santa and how he had given them exactly what they wanted. Oh, I love little kids. :) then, we had some melt downs. 

{two} I loved THAT one of our Kindergarten students asked me today when i was going to Goodwill! Ha.. Is it bad when they know your obsessions. And I happily told her I was going this afternoon! :)

Found these gems will I was there. How could they only be .59 cents. 

{three} Michelle, whom I have known my ENTIRE life is starting an Art Business. I've helped her on her blog and she would love to paint you something awesome or show you what she has already done. Her blog is www.michellepickensart.wordpress.com 

Happy Friday Eve. I'm ready y'all!

Happy 2013!

It's a NEW year, gals!

Christmas has come and gone and I just feel silly for writing a Holiday post, so I'll just skip that this year and tell you about NYE.

Emily's Bachelorette trip was so. much.fun.

We drove to Biloxi, had a little fun shower, ate some delicious food and then saw The Molly Ringwalds. 

 

80's cover band and so good! We danced and laughed so much. These girls are quickly becoming some of my closest friends!

We drove home the next day because yours truly had work today so I was exhausted but so glad that I had such a fun time for NYE. If you ever have a chance to see this band, do it!

Now for my recap of 2013. 

because i've slacked and not blogged about Christmas or anything, I chose a collage instead of month by month. So, here you go. One picture that represents a good memory of that month.

January- My 23rd Birthday February-Sweet Maddie was born and I got to love on her on Valentine's Day. March- Stanfield got married and is now Mrs. McGreger. April- Josh and Emily got engaged on the Ole Miss Football field and we got to be a BIG part of the proposal. May- I successfully completed my 1st year of teaching.  June- Beach Trip to Gulf Shores with the Cousins! :) July- Double Decker Festival in Oxford with some great friends! August- Started my 2nd year in First Grade. September- Football Games, galore! Hotty Toddy! October- Pumpkin Patch Shopping with Mama. November- Thanksgiving with family, Ole Miss winning the Egg Bowl, and some good Black Friday Shopping. December- Great memories with family and Emily's Bachelorette on NYE. 

2013.. it's going to be my year. I'm entirely too blessed and can't wait to see how my sweet savior is going to prove himself again this coming year.

Bible Study #1 last night. Good stuff!

What's your good things from last year? Please share.