I love anything, everything Ole Miss FALL! (All you OM fans, think Rebel Rags commercial). I have my house all decorated with pumpkins, mums, and all things that make me smile. I can't believe it is almost November but I can't say that I am sad about it. Fall is just the best time of year to reflect on what I've been through and the fun times that we have ahead.

So much has happened since the Summer and I'm thankful that life is continuing to surprise me. My kiddos at school are precious and loud :), my Rebs are playing some awesome football and last but certainly not least, God is blessing in many areas of my life. I am SO blessed and I have to remind myself often that I need to be the blessing he wants me to be, back into this world. 

Our church had our annual Fall Fest on Saturday night. We have a sweet couple at church who shares their home every year and it's always the best fun! This year we had trunk or treat and I helped my mother get all the pumpkins ready to decorate with. I thought her trunk looks pretty cute myself!

Our kiddos dress up and have an inflatable that entertains them for the night. This year I thought the inflatable was rather fitting... (too bad our Rebs lost Saturday night).  The highlight of the night besides enjoying all of the company was the outside TV set up! I think my hint was taken ;) and it made my night to be able to see my Rebs play while having fun! Thanks Erik and Alison! 

I can't wait to see what else is up this Fall's sleeve. The weather is bipolar but times are still good. I can't wait for another weekend of football, family and friends! Hope you are all doing well! Stay away from Ebola. 

All WE do is WIN!

Hey Y'all! I'm BACKKKK! I've missed writing SO much and I'm stoked to be back and have lots to talk about. Let's start, shall we?

By the way.. Did y'all know our team was 6-0??

There has been A LOT of this going on! The Grove has been visited and lots of yelling has happened. I'm so thankful to be from a University that calls me back time and time again. Caitlyn and I love running into people that we know and love and one of those girls we just love is Rachel! We seriously have to have a date soon! 

So, two weeks ago Ole Miss had a special remembrance day for Chucky Mullins. It was full of memories, videos, people that were a part of his life and made us all realize what an inspiration he was. They passed out #38 pins at the game and made the whole day about him. If you have no clue what/who I am talking about, please read this! He was awesome and took what happened to him in stride. So, the picture up there? How does that go with this story! ;) I was having my weekly McAlisters date and this was the number that I was given.. Coincidence? NOT!

Alabama Football Weekend: 

This was BY FAR one of the best game weekends I've ever had! GameDay paid The Grove a visit and I'm pretty sure they were in heaven! Rumors are.. they are coming back! I sure hope so! We got to the Grove around 8:30 and made a day of it! It was electric and people were full of hope and excitement. 

There they are! Come back soon! 

HUGH! We love this guy! He's an all around great Coach!

In case you've been living under a rock, WE BEAT ALABAMA! And yes.. we tore the goal post down. But, don't judge us because we paid the fines (because we can) and got it taken care of. 

The State of Mississippi is rocking it in the polls and we are 6-0! What is this? I am such a proud Rebel fan! Keep it going, REBS!

Adam got to work the game and was even on the sidelines! I'm VERY jealous!

HOTTY TODDY!

I own a HOUSE!

Y'all.. it happened!  I bought a house! When I found out that I had gotten the Kindergarten teaching job at Lafayette, I started looking for somewhere to live. Now, in Oxford this is no small feat. 

I searched high and low for an affordable house that I would love for years to come. Every time I came to town I would drive around and see if there was anything out there for me. After all the months of looking, I had a couple of leads and made even made an offer on a house that I thought I LOVED. It all happened so quickly and then it fell apart. (Let's just say the house wasn't for me and would have been a disaster if it should have happened.)

I'm so thankful that my Sweet Savior always has his hands on my every decision. After the house incident, my mother heard about another house that was about to be put on the market and told me that I should look into it.  I went and looked at the house and loved it! I'm so thankful that I found it when I did.

                                  

I never realized what a process buying a house truly is. Through the making offers, negotiating and closing, it has been crazy but fun! I'm happy to say that on this past Thursday, this beaut became MINE!

I'm grateful to my Mother and Daddy who had to do most of the "non-fun" work throughout the process. Being a teacher and closing on a house is not easy and they had to make a lot of the decisions because I wasn't available during the day. I will never be able to re-pay them for all of their help!

Soon and very soon, I will have an update on the decorating and finishing touches of the house. We are moving Tuesday and I know I'll go full-force to get a lot of the decorating done! I am SO excited about having a place in my favorite town to call home!

 Now I'm on the hunt for a dining room table and other accessories for my new abode. If you have any suggestions or see anything that I can't live without, hit me up on Social Media!

Oh hey Friday!

Happy Friday, friends! I can't believe that its my last day of "freedom".  Bright and early Monday morning I will be returning to the classroom. I am EXTREMELY blessed to be able to be back closer to home and I'm excited about what is to come. 

1.) I'm so thankful for friends who all come together when good/bad things happen to each other. This week has been full of sorrow and joy. One of my great friends, Claire died suddenly on Monday. I have had three friends have sweet babies these past two weeks and that my friends, is a sweet blessing. God knows exactly what he is doing when he puts all of these happenings in our lives. He also knows best when he places people that lift us up in both of those times!  I'm blessed with friends!

2.) Social media is a great, great thing.  I know that many people are not fans of social media and think that it is the devil. While I do know that I spend way too much time on it, I am thankful for it. I have been able to talk to and keep up with many friends that are far away and no accessible anymore and that is a sweet deal. Instagram and Facebook are my favorites to help me see how people are doing and what is special in their lives at certain times.

3.) Ole Miss Football is coming up.- I can't wait. This is one of my most favorite times of the year. Get ready to hear a lot of Hotty Toddy's! 

4.) Prayers and Bible Study- This summer has been slack for me on this issue and I've got to get back on track. I'm going to plan a time and place for my Bible study each day and STICK TO IT. This is so important and I'm so blessed so this time should be a priority for me to accomplish. Have any tips on making this work?

5.) I'm officially a Commodore.- This is exciting stuff. It's official.. Here we go! 

Hope you enjoy your Friday and the weekend! I know I'm going to live it up! 

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. 

// The right here and Now.//

This idea has been all over the internet and I'm just itching to try it out and see how it works for my blog. I love telling you and whoever will listen what's happening in my life and hopefully this will help do that! 

**I know that the label above needs to be changed and it will be eventually. It'll have to do for now. 

Currently I am...:

Listening: 

                                                       

This CD is amazing. Be sure and check it out on iTunes. I heard this group during Secret Church and the song, "Man of Sorrows" has been on my replay. Let me know what you think!

Watching:

I'm on a Jimmy Fallon kick! He is such a great late night show host. He has awesome celebrities and always holds my attention. I miss some Jay Leno but I'm glad he took his place. 

Reading:

                                                                  

This book has been eye opening so far. It is amazing to see the sacrifices and choices that Jen makes in her life to show her love for Christ. She takes her life and turns it around to make him more known. I find myself highlighting and turning back pages on ideas that I love and would love to implement into my daily life. I think her words are powerful and need to be heard. I found the book on Amazon for cheap and I think everyone should at least read it to see what her ideas are about.

Craving:

Thank goodness I'm not hungry at the moment but I could at any moment of the day eat chicken/french fries and plenty of Abners sauce from none-other, Abners. I think this meal would be my last if I were on death-row! 

Carrying:

My handy-dandy MK. I've been carrying all summer and it's time that I swapped. It's so easy to throw everything in and GO! I love the brown color too because it goes with any outfit. Am I a walking advertisement or what!?

Wearing:

I'm currently in the bed with a big t-shirt on. I don't think you want to see an elegant picture of that. 

Obsessed With:  

Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, House hunting and furnishing a house, making my classroom look put together and ready for my sweet Kinders. Lots and Lots of things these days!

Currently.. I am very sad and heartbroken. 

My sweet friend, Claire went to be with Jesus today. She died suddenly and totally unexpected. Please pray for her family and the days ahead. She has many friends and family that are heartbroken. I can't wait to do a recap soon of all the fun memories that we shared. RIP Claire! 

Tell your friends and family that you love them any chance that you get!

iPhone Dump.

Hey friends! This month has been a WILD one so this blog of mine has gotten the back burner. I promise that I've been following along on your lives and reading blogs daily but I haven't had time or energy to blog. That changes.. today! 

My sweet friend, Rachel has inspired me with these "post labels" if you will and I'm hoping to get back on the ball. I love her blog and use her for inspiration all the time! Thanks, Rachel! :)

Today, I'm doing an iPhone dump and hopefully this will become a one or every two week post because I find my iPhone getting full of pictures that I just CAN'T delete! Feel free to steal the label above and do an iPhone dump post yourself. 

Two of my girls and I went to eat at a new restaurant last weekend, The Nautical Whimsy in Tupelo, MS. It was so good and we had a great time catching up. Brittany was expecting Miss Cora Jo (she is here now!) and we had a great time hearing all about their excitement with the new baby. Meagan and I went to Hobby Lobby and had fun taking selfies in all the pretty mirrors there. Y'all.. Hobby Lobby is my FAVORITE store! I just love that you can go in and find pretty much anything that you could want.

So, shopping is one of my best hobbies and I love sharing that hobby with other people. Meagan and I went to a couple of stores on Saturday and this is what we found that I thought was worth sharing. Who remembers those awesome Timberline boots? Oh boy! I couldn't believe that those were still for sale? Those baby Steve Madden sandals have my heart. How adorable are those?? And.. last but not least.. an amazing book store that I could have stayed in for days! I can't remember the name of it but I can find out if you are interested. I love finding new places that I didn't even know existed.

Just a few pictures that included the shopping adventures of Lauren... and while I would love to be shopping, this is currently taking up all my time. 

Sneak Peak of my classroom.

Pictures to come soon! :)