It's my Blogiversary!

Sort of. I started my blog in June 08, but really didn't post consistently until January 09. So this weekend is actually my 1 year blogiversary! Blogging has become a very fun hobby of mine and helps me remember everything (exciting and boring) about our lives!

It is funny because somehow I got hooked on reading a few blogs last January and kept on seeing the buttons, "Praying for Harper" everywhere, so I clicked and Harper had just been born. I think I first went to Kelly's page a day or two after she was born...so I began praying and got sucked into Kelly's Korner. Since then, I have a lot of blogs that I love to read! My first year of blogging has flown by! It is really fun to look back on the past year!

In other news, we had a great Saturday and Sunday. I checked out a lot of new books.
These are my current reads.


I finally got around to taking pictures of some of our winter decorations. I have a set of snowmen dishes that my mama got me a few years ago, along with a cookie jar, and I have some set around the house on plate stands, but I have yet to get a picture of those! Coming soon. Our winter decor is pretty boring compared to fall/Christmas. I do have some new ideas, but I'll save them and decorate with them next year!



We also went to Valdosta Saturday night to go to JoS. A. Bank because Matt needed a few new dress shirts for his suits, we also stopped at Hobby Lobby, and TJ Maxx! I got two new pairs of shoes for a steal! They are awesome brands...and oh so comfy!


We were going to eat dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings, but the wait was too long, so we decided on Outback. I got a really spicy shrimp and green bean dish that was DELISH!

We took a lot of silly pictures on our "date" and they seriously make me laugh!






We spent Sunday evening organizing the office. It is starting to come together. I'm in need of a large, chunky, woodsy, looking frame for the golden retriever print that I got Matt a while back. I love my hubby and fixin' up his office for him!


2 final pictures...

Matty looking super cute in his Dawg pajamas with Blakely girl....


Us bundled up before our nightly walk!

We had on triple layers, gloves, ear muffs...Brr!

Well, it is Bachelor time again! I will probably post while I am watching. I have a few favorites already, but I want to watch a little more to see if my initial favs are correct!

I called, You answered!

Thank you, Jesus!

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure, because You will not abandon me...
Psalm 16:9-10

2009 Survey (reflecting)

I am cleaning the office and every few minutes I get on the computer and post something else..I need to go clean another room in the house!

1.What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? Several firsts. Bought a house!

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I dont really ever do New Year's resolutions I just try to change things when I feel like it. I have some priority issue goals though. I am really trying to live a life of balance.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? I think about 8 friends of mine gave birth in 2009---so many babies!

4. Did anyone close to you die? No..so thankful.

5. What places did you visit? Florida for vacation and Thanksgiving, Missouri for Christmas, (Matty also went to Texas for a Sales Meeting).

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? A little bit more free time (hence, balanced priorities).

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? July: Nanny Jane Falling, August: Graduation, September: Buying our first house.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Graduating with my Master's and just all that I give to my job.

9. What was your biggest failure? Everythings a lesson right?!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? A lot of sickness this year...probably more than ever, but nothing major THANKFULLY. We had a scare this year at the dentist, and I had to see an oral surgeon.

11. What was the best thing you bought? I don't know, Our house and car for different reasons.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Matts...he is such an amazing husband, really!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? I'm not saying :)

14. Where did most of your money go? Classroom A-8!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Moving after lots and lots of looking, offers, and meetings with builders!!!

16. What song will always remind you of 2009? Lots! Need you Now by Lady Antebellum, Revelation Song by Kari Jobe, and Mighty to Save by Hillsong.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Cooked and spoiled Matty.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Stressed and worried.

20. How did you spend Christmas in 2009? Snowed in at Matts Grannys house in Missouri!

21. Did you fall in love in 2009? I am already in love with my little family, but I fall in love about each October with my new babies at school (it takes me a few months to get over my old class and stop comparing)!

22. What was your favorite TV program? TV is my favorite. Desperate Housewives, Private Practice, Tori and Deen, Rachel Zoe Project, The Biggest Loser, The Secret Life, Make it or Break it, The Bachelor, Regis and Kelly, The View, ALL HGTV and GAC. I just started to like Brothers and Sisters this year too.

23. What did you do for your birthday in 2009? Matt took me shopping and out for dinner! It was in the midst of the Christmas season so things were crazy. My wing had a breakfast for me!

24. What was the best book you read? Oh too many to name or remember. My favorite authors this year were Kristin Hannah, James Patternson, Karen Kingsbury (of course), Mary Kay Andrews, and Jodi Piccoult.

25. What did you want and get? Lot of things! I really NEEDED a new car!

26. What did you want and not get? Nothing.

27. What was your favorite film of this year? The Blind Side...hands down.

28. Did you make some new friends this year? Yes lots! Im so thankful for all of my old and new friends!

29.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I can't really say. I think I'm learning to be content.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? I love trouser jeans and a solid colored top. I've always liked ruffles, bows, and texture too. The nautical look is another favorite of mine. I lean towards bold prints sometimes too. I love to mix it up with lots of scarves, jewelry, jackets, bags, nail polish, and bright shoes.

31. What kept you sane? Prayer!

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I love Rachel Zoe and Sandra Bullock!

33. What political issue stirred you the most? Several...

34. Who did you miss? All of my friends and family that don't live near me.

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009. I learned not to give up, even when you want to. To press on, you are in that situation for a reason, hold you head high, pray, worship God, ask for the strength you need, and you'll make it. Somehow! Even if it feels like you never will.

I love my Mama (Daddy, Ginger, and Billy too)!

I just uploaded these cute pictures of me and mama from the last time I saw her! We were on our way to the movies and I snapped a few pics. She liked them and I know she'll read this...so I just wanted to say that I love you Mama! I wish you were in Thomasville today, and we were going to get coffee and shopping downtown or organizing Matt's office :)

I would give anything for my parents to buy a lot right here in our neighborhood and live next door to me! Or at least down the street! Keep trying to talk Daddy into it :) I love you!


Oh yeah, I also have some pics of her kitchen. She is about to get all new hardware for her cabinets and get rid of some wallpaper (although I LOVE her kitchen). Mama says just because it reminds me of growing up...either way, I love it and want the exact same layout one day. We did kind of rearrange some of the new decorations that she got for Christmas. What do you think? (Pictures of the sideboard/hutch, desk, and entrace to the laundry room coming soon)

Sleepy...not snowy Friday!

Y'all we must have been really tired last night. We did have school...I have a hilarious e-mail to share at the end of this post that a friend emailed to me at school yesterday. It is completely true. If you are a teacher you will laugh so hard!

Anyway, I stayed at school late getting ready for the week, and then went to Publix to buy all of our groceries. We made fajitas for supper, watched the end of the Bachelor, and woke up this morning to every light on in the house, work clothes still on...how boring is that? I don't remember falling asleep and neither does Matt. Even our under cabinet lighting was on! Oh well, we feel rested today and have a lot on our agenda!

Happy Weekend!

Here's the e-mail!...

7 Stages of Snow for Teachers
Stage One: What?....Possibility of Snow?....Really!
The initial rumor of snow ignites a momentary glee that cannot be contained within the soul of a teacher. Much like the feeling you get when you win a raffle, you are excited and can't believe that it could actually happen to you. You smile, skip around, and begin thinking of what chores and sleep and errands you will catch up on if you are so lucky.

Stage Two: The Decline
In stage two the educator, still excited about the possibility, thinks back on all the times forecasters in Georgia have been wrong. This begins to make him or her ask more questions about the report. How much are they calling for? What's the anticipated high and low temperature? How warm will the ground be? This is immediately followed by the checking of various long range weather reports on-line and speaking with other teachers to see, "What have you heard?"

Stage Three: The Professional Emerges
Somewhere after stage two, reality sets in, and the old school marm that lives in the depths of every teacher begins to show her face. The fact that they have a very serious job to do comes to mind, and they are reminded that there are state tests quickly approaching for which their students are not yet ready. It is during this stage that teachers lie to their co-workers and families and tell them that it would be better if they had school. This way they won't fall behind schedule or have to redo plans. Please note that this is purely a self-preservation stage just in case school is not cancelled.

Stage Four: Excitement sneaks back in.
It could not be suppressed for long. You are now closer to the anticipated wintry mix, and the forecast still looks promising.

Stage Five: Anger
This is a very common stage. Once again the enthusiasm has been snuffed out and replaced with the thoughts that there is no way we're getting out of school. You are then reminded of the 10 built-in snow days that we don't get paid for and lose if we don't take them. You begin to get angry at the transportation director for being willing to risk the safety of our students, the school board for not being willing to compensate us for unused snow days, and that blankety-blank weatherman for getting our hopes up to begin with. I am warning you to stay clear of any educator you may believe is in this stage.

Stage Six: Cautious Optimism
You are preparing for bed the night before what could be a day off. To the common observer everything looks normal. Lunches have been packed, clothes laid out, and alarms set. You avoid discussing it with your spouse, and you tell your children to go to bed at their normal time. Everyone knows that the slightest bit of hope could jinx the whole thing and you will wake up to sunny skies with a high well above freezing. You slip in your bed say a last silent prayer. Being prepared for the worst, you very quietly to yourself hope for the best.

Stage Seven: Uncontrollable Disappointment along with slight Freaking out!
You spring from your bed and race to the T.V. You find the first local news channel then you click on WALB 10 and see that it is actually 36 degrees outside and you then realize you slept till 7:00 in hopes of the long-awaited DCBOE phone call…..now you are freaking out because there is NO WAY you can get everyone up and out in time to report for duty at 7:30! Then you make it to school screeching in the parking lot run inside. About 11:00 the sun starts shining and you realize that once again The Weather Channel got your hopes up just to be dashed yet again. The real irony is that “duh, we live in South Georgia” so why do we cause ourselves this emotional turmoil in the first place!

Hoping for snow...again!

Because I don't want to go to school tomorrow! Ha! If it even gets cold enough...we might have flurries for an hour or two around 6am-8am. On one hand, I would love to enjoy the experience with my kids, but on the other hand, I would love to watch it from my bedroom window and get some rest!

All this snow talk, and I never did post the rest of my Missouri pictures. I have got some cute ones of Matt and Blakely in the snow! I will have to add them soon.


We are watching the National Championship tonight. Hubby is pulling for both teams, so he says... and I have been shouting, "ROLL TIDE ROLL" all day! My principal is a serious BAMA fan, and was decked out today hollering Roll Tide at me since like 6:30am. I wore some houndstooth for her today. I seriously feel like we live in Alabama...can't explain it. I guess because we shop there often and live so close. Anyway, I just really want the SEC to continue to dominate...it is the best conference in my opinion!

Comfy Casual Wednesday!

One great thing about living in SGA is that when the temperature does drop below freezing...you bascially get to wear what you want to work. Anything to stay warm...as long as you are neat with it :)

Braving the low temps at 6:30 this morning in my freezing Tahoe...I was happy about two things...

My sweatshirt.


My tennis shoes.


And it is not even Friday!