Baby Sprinkle for Ivy Lynne 1/18

Another sweet baby coming to join the fun! 

We showered Melissa and Ivy Lynne this past weekend and we had so much fun loving on them.

The rocking chair above belonged to Ian's Mom and made for the sweetest decor piece for our tables--it was a special touch. That, paired with the baby clothing pictured below, which were Melissa's when she was an infant, were so much fun to incorporate. 

The most delicious cake from Amber Binkely--it was divine. 

I would say y'all are ready to go with all the pinks and baby girl clothing you could want!

We have been friends for almost 20 years now (can you believe that?) and we've walked through so much of life side-by-side. I am thankful for your steadfast friendship and for the many blessings I've had in my life that I've gotten to share with you and NOW, I get to be "Aunt Ellen" to both Russell and Ivy Lynne--I can't wait!

This was my gift to Ivy Lynne--a piece with her initials on her Grandmother's fabric--what a sweet way to honor her namesake and bring a little piece of her into her nursery. 

What I'm Loving Right Now (15)

It's been a hot minute since I've done one of these posts!

Here's are a few things that I'm loving right now

This piece of furniture is from Jason's Nana. 

It's a print drawer--it has shallow drawers and it will be perfect for my cross-stitchng supplies and Jason's sewing supplies. 

Mom and I took an afternoon and gave it a little face lift to match the rest of the furniture in the office and I am so, so happy with how it turned out! 

 It looks fantastic in our office and...it fit perfectly in literally, the only spot it could have fit! 

It was meant to be. 

To top it all off--I found the sunflower artwork at our Cups and the sweet little "love never fails" from Hobby Lobby and I love how they look with the piece. Our office is getting so close to being complete!

This isn't the best before & after of these chairs but, while Mom and I were painting the print drawer we also sanded down these chairs and restrained them and it gave them new life. They look so great!

This view too--whew! We added our pergola this summer and it just makes the backyard so much prettier! Bring on the cooler Fall nights so I can enjoy this  backyard even more. 

We started our 7th and 8th years of teaching this year. It has been a fast and furious start for me. This is definitely going to be a year of growth for me as a teacher! 

Another thing I am LOVING are these new sensory items I got for my classroom through DonorsChoose. They have been so amazing and my kids love them. I am going to devote a post solely to these products and how I'm using them in my classroom. 

If you've been following along for any amount of time then you know that I love to cross stitch and most of the time, I do my floral letters. But, within the past year I've had a few people ask about custom pieces. I was nervous at first to stray away from what I'm so comfortable with but, I'm so happy I did! I love these two pieces and they were such meaningful projects for the people who I did them for. 

I have been a member of Magnolia Record Company since December and I absolutely love it. I have grown my record collection and discovered so many artists I wouldn't have known about had it not been for MRC. If you love music, vinyl, and good music, you should definitely consider this monthly record subscription. 

Another thing I'm loving right now is my Master's Program. I started Monday and it's been such good information already! I'm excited to learn and add more to my skill set in the classroom. Here's a quote from one of my textbooks: “We must light the candles we can, even though we know that it doesn’t dispel all the darkness in our student’s lives.” I mean, come on, I can get excited about reading textbooks like that!

Another thing I'm loving..another thing I always love...Game Nights! 

Game nights have become a little more sparse but, when we have them, they are always just what we all needed. 

 I love these people. 

 And lastly...who doesn't love a day off of work?

We had a fun Labor Day--had lunch at my parents and took it easy the rest of the day. 

Happy Labor Day, everyone! 

"A Bun in the Oven & Burgers on the Grill"

Baby season is ever present within my friend group right now! 

1 friend just had a baby and 3 are coming soon!

It has been so much fun celebrating my friends and their growing little families.

Saturday, I had the privilege of helping to host Cayla's baby shower and it was so sweet. 

There was a beautiful dessert table, full of pink and plenty of sprinkles

 and yes, those cookies were absolutely as delicious as they look!

The hostess with Baby Mama

How precious is that little elephant? 

 Look at this little family--doesn't Charley look excited to be a big sister?

 This girl and I have been friends for almost 20 years now and we have been through many walks of life together. I am so very thankful to The Lord and the steadfastness He has shown me through our friendship over the years. It has been so sweet watching you become a wife and mother and seeing your little family continue to grow!

 With that being said,  it was sweet to make this cross stitch for little miss Sawyer!

What I'm Loving Right Now (12)

It's been quite some time since I've done one of these and there's quite a lot of goodness going on right now that I want to share with you all!

First and foremost, Jason and I celebrated our 5 year "first-date-aversary"!
5 years ago, my first year of teaching, I had a very challenging student and it had been one of those days--the most "one of those days" I had had since I started teaching.

My handsome coworker was checking in on me because he knew the kind of day I had and he decided to remedy that by asking me to dinner and drinks. I guess you could say the dinner was successful because a mere 1 month later we were officially dating, 5 months after that we were engaged and add another 8 months and we were married. Things were fast and furious and it's so fun to look back and reminisce on the beginning of our relationship.

Over Labor Day weekend Mom and I made a trip to Auburn to visit our newest little family member, Logan. He's the sweetest little guy and Mom and I had the best time spending time with family.

Watermelon Perrier--we love some sparkling water and this one tops the charts. It is SO GOOD and our fridge is currently stocked. 

 My new class--I have the sweetest, best class this year. Each of them are funny, they are willing to work, we are seeing small successes already, they are wonderful. Having a smaller class size has been so amazing and I feel like this year will continue to be awesome!

In relation to my students and the new school year, I am officially under $1,000 needed for my EdMark Reading DonorsChoose Project! Take a minute, click on this link (here) and read about my project. I am so thankful to each of the 25 donors that have given thus far, those that have shared my Facebook status to get the word out, and those that have asked me for updates. I am hopeful that it will get fully funded and we will have this awesome program to use for many, many years to come! 

Big Bang--Jason and I LOVE THIS SHOW. We flew through it (all 10 seasons) and are so excited for Monday and the start of season 11! I feel like Sheldon and I could be best friends, seriously. 

Noonday--I love this stuff! They sell all types of jewelry and accessories. Mom and I hosted a show in August and it was so much fun and we earned all kinds of goodies! Take a look at my friend Lisa's site (here) and see what all the fuss is about! You won't regret it. Not only is everything super cool and unique, they say "To make a difference in some of the world's most vulnerable communities, we partner with Artisan Businesses that share our passion for building a flourishing world. We develop these businesses through fair trade, empowering them to grow sustainably and to create dignified jobs for people who need them."

 Unexpected visits from life-long friends--Hurricane Irma brought some welcomed visitors our way! Always love seeing & catching up with the Jernigan crew. Thankful you guys are safe and that all is well!

These crazy-beautiful skies I've been seeing--both dusk and dawn. I love this time of year!

This cross stitch that I did for my Mom! 

I was more than happy to help her complete their newly renovated bathroom with one of these letters. 

Until next time!

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.