Sayonara, 2016.

Guys, I know we all (somewhat) joke now at how difficult 2016 has been...but seriously, I am ready to see it go! As I look back on 2016, I realize that it truly has been one of the toughest years for me, personally. It was full of many highs (now that I'm looking back through all of my pictures and journals) and some really, really lows for me. All of that being said not because I want to focus on these negative things, but I want to work through them and walk through the healing that comes with talking about them. I do want to say that regardless as to how this year has been, my hope is that I will look back on 2016 and see how The Lord used these various events to shape and mold me--to draw me closer to Him in all that I do.

Per usual fashion, here are the highlights (and lowlights (fairly certain that's not a 'true' word, but it works for this space) of this past year.

January:

My brother celebrated the big 3-0 birthday this year.

I had the opportunity to spend an evening hearing John Donvan & Caren Zucker speak about their new book. I was also able to meet Don Triplett, the first man ever actually diagnosed with Autism. He is over 80 years old. I have not read the book yet, still. But, that will have to be on my list for the next year.

February:

After 16 weeks of having our first dog, little Mia passed away unexpectedly--even now, almost 11 months later I feel so much sadness over losing her.

March:

We got Luna I and Lucy--and 1 week later, Luna I passed away.

We celebrated 3 years since our amazing engagement in New Orleans--still one of my favorite days, ever.

April:

We got Luna II, who was unknowingly sick when we purchased her and 18 days later, passed away. As you can now imagine, and for those of you who walked alongside us during all of our "puppy sadness", this is, in large, why 2016 was so difficult for us. So much sadness, shock, and confusion in less than 3 months time.

Miss Shelbe's Bachelorette Trip in Orange Beach

May:

Our family's sweet 18 year old cat, B.K. passed away.

June:

June marked 20 years that my Dad has been preaching at Lakeland Presbyterian

My 3rd Ship Island Father's Day trip with Jason's family
Mary Claire and Grant bought a house

I had my tooth implant surgery--something we have known would have to be done for years now--the time was just finally right. That day included getting my braces off, heading to the periodontist, getting my 3 "rootless" teeth removed, adding in another implant, and then back to the orthodontist (very drugged up, might I add) to get my retainer that had my temporary "teeth" on it.

July:

Fulfilled my TEACH Grant requirements--meaning school is all "paid" for! This was a biggie.

Had my 27th birthday.

Jason's parents moved to The Coast

Shelbe & Todd got married

Jason's 3rd Griswold Family Beach Trip

August:

My 5th and Jason's 6th year of teaching.

 Andrew Peterson, a musician and the author to one of my favorite book series came to Lakeland for a performance.

September:

Went on one of the most fun bachelorette trips, ever.

Jason and I celebrated 4 years since our first "officially unofficial" date at Papito's.

Mary Claire and Grant got my precious fur-nephew, Moses--who is over 50 pounds now.

October:

We celebrated my honey's birthday

We met Lauren Daigle at her AMAZING concert.  

We had the best time at Sarah & Andrew's wedding!

 I was chosen as Teacher of the Year for my school, Northside Elementary.

These sweet friends found out they are having a baby GIRL--coming March 2017

November:

It being an election year--my first since college. 

 We found out this lady is having a baby GIRL come May.

 We celebrated our 3 year anniversary in New Orleans--our place. 

We saw Broadway's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

We had our first coastal Thanksgiving with Jason's family 

My Mississippi State Bulldogs took home the win from the Egg Bowl.

December:

We had a 1/2 of work because the Pearl Pirates made it to the State Championship for football

For all of 2016, I did 27 different cross stitch letters for people. Let's hope to have as many in 2017!

 I got my temporary (almost final) teeth! No more retainer with my front 4 teeth attached with denture gum! I never thought I would be 27 saying "All I want for Christmas is my four front teeth." Santa, aka Dr. Langston delivered on my Christmas wish.

 (almost) all of the family together for the Griswold family Christmas.

As you can see, the beginning of 2016 was just, bleh. I told my Mom that I almost didn't want to include some of the events on this post. But, that's life. That's what life has been like for us over the past year and I can say with certainty, that I've learned a heap-load and I am sure there will be even more to come from these happenings. This is part of the healing, being honest and sharing the rough patches because we all know that life isn't always "blog worthy". I am thankful to end the year with many sweet and good memories. Thank you Jesus for your grace and mercy in our life, even when we haven't deserved it.

I want to end by sharing with you Scotty Smith's prayer for New Years Eve:

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:8-10 (NIV)

Heavenly Father, on the last day of 2016, our hearts are filled with many thoughts and multiple emotions. What a complex, confusing, concerned-filled year it’s been—globally and locally.

But as much as we pray 2017 will be significantly different, the primary resolution we’ll make tonight is to abandon ourselves to Jesus—who is our “righteousness, sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30), “the ruler of the kings of the earth” (Rev. 1:5), and the Lord who is actively making “all things new” (Rev. 21:5).

Jesus is our only boast and riches, confidence and joy, sanity and peace. Some trust in horses and chariots, and some rely on resolutions and rededications; but our hope is built on nothing less, more, or other than Jesus, and his finished work on our behalf. The good work of salvation you began in us, you will complete for us. For so great and grace-full a salvation, we praise, bless, and adore you, Father.

During the past year, you were always faithful and loving, even when we questioned your ways and, at times, felt distant from your heart. You are always at work in all things, for your glory and for our good, even when we worry and whine. As we begin 2017, help us discern the good works you’ve prepared for us to walk in, for the benefit of our neighbors and community (Eph. 2:10).

Help us discern between the good and the best, the essential and the non-essential. What relationships would you have us invest more in more fully? What things and people must we simply release to you? In all things, make Jesus bigger and more beautiful in our gaze. Oh, that 2017 would be the year you would send him back. 
So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ reigning and righteous name.

Reads for 2016

It's safe to say that my reading list struggled this year. 

It took me over 4 months to read just one book! 

But, so is life. We had a heck of a year and it just did not permit much leisure time for reading. But, the books I did manage to squeeze in were really, really good ones
(thankful for teacher summers so I could actually read).
Remember, you can click on each title and it will take you to Amazon where you can purchase the book if I've happened to peek your interest.

(Not pictured is "Hope Heals" because that one is on loan!)

"Pilgrim's Progress" John Bunyan--this is it. This is the one that took me over 4 months to read. It was definitely circumstantial that it took that long because it WAS a really good book. Looking back now, I see how fitting it was that this was the book that I was reading during all of Jason and I's puppy sadness that we endured for those 3 months. I started this book about 1 month before our first little puppy, Mia, passed away. Through the months that it took me to read this book, we endured more trials in relation to puppies. I feel like after all of that, I could relate to Christian, the main character and it's as if I've been on my own journey and oh! How I can't wait to make it to the Celestial City as Christian did--what a glorious day that will be. I really liked this book. I've never read anything like it before. It's full of truth in wisdom but in a very "story-like" way. Here are two of my favorite excerpts of the book: "Now I saw in my dream Christian walking briskly up a highway fenced on both sides with a high wall. He began to run, though he could not run fast because of the load on his back. On top of the hill, he came to a cross. Just as he got to the cross, his burden came loose, dropped from his shoulders, and went tumbling down the hill. It fell into an open grave and he saw it no more. Now, Christian's heart was light. He had found relief from his burden. He said to himself, "He has given me rest by His sorrows, and life by His death." He stood gazing at the cross, wondering how the sight of the cross could so relieve one of guilt and shame. He no longer felt guilty of anything. His conscience told him that all sins were forgiven. He now felt innocent, clean, happy, and free. He knew his sins had all been paid for by the death of the One who died on the cross. They were gone, buried in the Savior's tomb, and God would remember them against him no more, forever. He was so thankful and so full of joy that the tears began to flow."
"Good works are the aim and result of grace, and not the cause." 
Those are the only two I will share because I want you to actually read the book!
It's neat because this also comes in "The Little Pilgrim's Progress"--"Fifty-five years ago, Helen L. Taylor took John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and simplified the vocabulary and concepts for young readers while keeping the storyline intact. The result was a classic in itself, which has now sold over 600,000 copies. It's both a simple adventure story and a profound allegory of the Christian journey through life, a delightful read with a message kids ages 6 to 12 can understand and remember. A new look and fresh illustrations for today's children enlivens the journey to the Celestial City."
Love it. I will eventually get the Little Pilgrim's Progress to add to my collection! 

"Hope Heals" Katherine and Jay Wolfe--This was a phenomenal book. It has now become one of my official "book reccomendations" for people. It is the true story of Katherine and how a life threatening medical event happened that changed her, her husband and their son's lives forever.
My favorite excerpts from the book: "I have come to realize that believing in God is not possible without also believing God. He says He is my hope and strength, and I am taking Him at His word." and "I believe we were all put here for purposes beyond ourselves and beyond our comprehension. We were born to know and to manifest the God who heals our souls and calls us into the kind of life that doesn't end with death."

"What's true in the light is true in the dark"

"One day, we will see. One day, the arc of our stories will all make perfect sense. One day, we will trace the lines of our scars and find them to have fallen in the most pleasant of places, to see in them our greatest inheritance. One day, we won't need to hope, nor will we need to be healed because we will be face-to-fact with the source of both, the source of everything...Jesus. And in the glory of His face, the darkest suffering and loss we have endured will fade like shadows at daybreak. Until then, the moments of releasing our lives into the hands of a God we can not see are the closest to wholeness we will come on this side of eternity. This is our truest healing--the healing of our souls--and it sustains us when we wake up tomorrow to an unknown but hopeful new day."
You will NOT regret it if you read this book!

"Four" Veronica Roth--In 2013-2014 I read the Divergent Trilogy and thought it was great. I really enjoyed those books. My "book series loving nature" naturally led me to read this book written by the same Mrs. Veronica Roth that tells bits of the story from Four's perspective along with his back story. It was a quick read and I now feel like I've truly completed the series ;)

"Living in the Storm" Sara Littlejohn--Okay, so I bought this book because Sara and her family were in our church for a few years and then I've followed her blog and enjoyed her writing so much. She truly has an amazing gift for writing. But this book blew me away. I don't think I stopped crying from page 98 until the end and not just because of the apparent sadness of the situation but because of Sara's biblical, spiritual insight that she shares in relation to grief. With all of our puppy sadness that we endured this year, in less than 3 short months, some of these words were like a healing balm to my aching soul. Pain, loss, grief, those are hard things--to read about, to endure, to overcome and this book hits the nail on the head. Not only to support my friend but to have a great read to begin the healing process of your heart--get this book!

"Catch-22" Joseph Heller--It took me over a month to read this book. I even took a little break and read another book in the middle of trying to finish this one up. I really don't know what to say about it all. I found myself laughing at some parts of it while others confused me a bit--which I think was kinda the point. I read a few reviews on it after finishing up and it made more sense to me after that. All in all, not my favorite read for the year.

"Wonder" R.J. Palacio--Wow. This was a wonderful book. It was very powerful and had such a great story. I can't think of a better book for elementary age-young adults to read. I can't say enough good things about it. It was a quick & easy read and had me crying (happy tears) by the end of it. So much of it resounded with me, being a special education teacher, because I've encountered many of these situations and feelings within the school system over the past 4 years. Great, great, great read!

"Quidditch Through the Ages" Kennilworthy Whisp--With "Harry Potter and The Cursed Child" coming out this year I wanted to read these to get myself psyched for another HP book! This book along with the following 2 that are listed came in a little set entitled "The Hogwarts Library" that I purchased to keep my HP collection going ;) They were fun and simple to read. They read as "textbooks" that the crew used at Hogwarts and they provide back story of many of the people, events, or creatures that are mentioned throughout the series.

"The Tales of Beedle the Bard" J.K. Rowling--part of "The Hogwarts Library" (see above)

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" J.K. Rowling--part of "The Hogwarts Library" (see above). There's another book coming out that's the original screenplay for this, written by J.K. Rowling. This book will be released on November 19th and is the basis for the movie that is coming out November 18th (see the trailer here--I am excited!) I will definitely be adding the screenplay/story to my collection!

"Lessons from A Sheep Dog" Phillip Keller--If you know anything about the kind of year that I had, then you know that Jason and I sadly lost 3 puppies in less than 3 months time. Each one, a true freak accident, that people couldn't believe actually happened. During that time of deep sadness and grief, my sweet parents bought me this book. It was a really sweet read about a man who took in a Border Collie who had been mistreated in it's previous home. It's a short book where he explains the 7 lessons her learned through owning, training, and loving Lass, his dog. Each of the lessons he learned, also related to him (and us) and how we are with our "Master", our Heavenly Father. It was a really good book for any animal lover. At the very beginning of the book, he says: "Some of us are slow to grasp the basic truths of divine design.  We cannot always clearly comprehend Christ's call to us in simple service. For that reason His gracious Spirit often uses the common experiences of life to shed the intense light of supernatural truth upon our path." and that's what he shows us with his stories and lessons learned with and through Lass.

"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" J.K. Rowling & Jack Thorne--I really liked this book. Was it as good as the first 7 Harry Potters? No, but let's be honest...what is?! It was really fun to get a glimpse into the lives that J.K. Rowling had for Harry and the gang many years later. I thought it was easy to read even though it was in a play form and it was a really enjoyable read. Maybe there will be MORE!

"The Magnolia Story" Chip & Joanna Gaines--I love Chip and Jo and this book was so great. It was entertaining and very easy to read.  I so enjoyed reading about how everything got started and how life has been for this fun couple.

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" Barbara Robinson--I try to always read a Christmas book during my Christmas break. This was my choice for this year. I really, really liked this book. I remember reading it when I was much younger. Those Herdmans are something else and I found myself tearing up by the end of the book. Great, quick read for the Christmas season.

"Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering" Tim Keller--I started this book on our annual family beach trip--just a few days after the 3 officers in Baton Rouge, LA were killed. I thought to myself, what a perfect time to read this book. As it has taken me almost 5 months to finish this book, even more has happened. Things that have happened to me personally, people who are close to me, our nation, our city, all varying degrees of suffering. I believe The Lord knew I would need this book as these things happened during this year. I found so much insight and spiritual goodness throughout the pages of this book. This is a wonderful read for anyone who has endured any type of suffering.
I will share two-three quotes from the book that I really loved:
"And yet one of the main teachings of the Bible is that almost no one grows into greatness or finds God without suffering, without pain coming into our lives like smelling salts to wake us up to all sorts of facts about life and our own hearts to which we were blind. For reasons past our finding out, even Christ did not bring salvation and grace to us apart from infinite suffering on the cross. As he loved us enough to face the suffering with patience and courage, so we must learn to trust in Him enough to do the same. And as His weakness and suffering, thus faced, led to resurrection and power, so can ours."

"At the most practical level, we have the crucial assurance that even wickedness and tragedy, which we know was not part of God's original design, is nonetheless being woven into a wise plan."

"See what this means? Yes, we do not know the reason God allows evil and suffering to continue, or why is is so random, but now at least we know what the reason IS NOT. It cannot be that he does not love us. It cannot be be that he does not care. He is so committed to our ultimate happiness that he was willing to plunge into the greatest depths of suffering himself. He understands us, he has been there, and he assures us that he has a plan to eventually wipe away every tear. Someone might say, "But that's only half an answer to the question 'why?'" Yes, but it's the half we need"

There were a lot of great reads for 2016, quite the variety I would say.
I am really hoping to have more time to read in 2017!
Let me know what you think if you decide to read any of these books.
Oh, and as always...I would love to hear your recommendations/your favorite books. 

Griswold Family Christmas

Jason and I just returned from our annual trip to Auburn for Christmas with Mom's side of the family. 

I so love the tradition of this trip. I love getting to see everyone, spending time catching up, so much laughing, and a lot of good food and fun. 

 My cousins, Alex & Clay, are expecting their first baby. They found out the gender right before Christmas and if you know my Mom, you know she likes to make things fun. She put together this simple, fun, family gender reveal for all the family members to find out what they were having. We can't wait for Baby R to join us for next year's Griswold Family Christmas!

We have had the best few days. 

On Christmas Eve, we were able to attend the Christmas Eve Communion Service at church. 

Then, we went back to my parent's house to have an amazing dinner with them, Aaron & Blair. 

Early the next morning, we headed back to their house to spend Christmas morning with them, Mary Claire, and Grant too. We had a beautiful, delicious breakfast and spent time giving gifts to one another. Something special about this Christmas was that it fell on a Sunday. It was so neat being at church on this special day. 

I also want to share with you all some of the pictures from school leading up to Christmas break. It is so much fun being a teacher during the holidays. The excitement the children have is contagious and everyone just seems, happier. It really is a privilege. 

Some other favorite things from this season include:

Christmas decorations, my favorite.  

 Christmas cards. 

I love sending out our Christmas card, but I love even more receiving everyone else's. 

Thank you to everyone who took the time to include Jason and I in your sweet families Christmas wishes. We cherish each and every one of them!

 Christmas cookies.

I helped one Saturday with our church's youth group. 

We spent the afternoon decorating cookies for those members in our church who cannot leave their homes. We also made cinnamon ornaments, ate some yummy snacks, and shared in some great fellowship. It was a successful & festive afternoon. 

Another thing that was special about this season is that Jason decided to sell his amazing cheesecakes. He ended up selling 6 of them! It was so much fun knowing that we were a tiny part of 6 different families Christmas holiday. Let me know if you ever need a cheesecake for any occasion! I promise, they are as delicious as they are beautiful. 

Praying that you all have a wonderful last few days in this year. 

May you each enjoy the rest of your Christmas Holidays and have a very Happy New Year!

Coming soon...my "Reads for 2016" post!

Until then, check out my previous reads from 2013, 2014, and 2015.