2017, Here's to you.

2017 was a really great year for Jason and I. 

If I had to come up with a word that reflected 2017 for us it would have to be excitement. 

January:

We took a girls trip to New Orleans and saw the Lion King at the Saenger. 

It was amazing! 

February:

I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Rosaria Butterfield spoke at First Pres in Jackson. She was an outstanding speaker with a testimony like no other. 

Jason & I made a day trip to Memphis to celebrate Whitney, Max, and Little Baby Ava that was coming soon! 

Mary Claire and I participated in the Full Armor 5K to benefit Child Evangelism. The first 5K I've done in YEARS. 

March:

Ava was born and couldn't have been any more precious!

We had a weekend full of family, food, and great times celebrating Ellis & Jasmine

 My Uncle Edd, Dad's oldest brother, sadly passed away after a long battle with cancer.

I got my FINAL, FOREVER, AWESOME, PERMANENT crowns put on my tooth implants

The Cat in the Hat came and read to my classroom.

April:

This Easter was extra special with the addition of me being asked to be the narrator for our church's Easter Cantata--this was so special because my Uncle Eddie had been the narrator for our church's cantatas for many years past. It was an honor to be asked to do the very thing he loved doing. 

Not the best picture, but, one of the best moments! Mary Claire & Grant found out they were pregnant on the 18th and they came and told Jason and I just 3 days later. 

Mom and I were able to see Ellie Holcomb & Sally Lloyd Jones and it was a treat. 

We participated in the Walk for Multiple Sclerosis in support of one of our church members. 

Jillian Edwards was the entertainment the night of our Crawfish Boil at LPC and she was fantastic. Such a beautiful voice. 

May:

We celebrated Mother's Day on the Coast with our Cat, Jason's Mom. 

I completed and submitted 2 of the 4 components in working towards my National Board Teaching Certification (found out in December that I passed those 2 components--2 more to go!)

June:

I chaperoned our youth's trip to RYM Colorado and it was a week full of great teaching and breath-taking scenery. 

Hosted Melissa's baby shower for little Russell and afterwards took a few pictures for the soon-to-be parents

July:

Mary Claire and Grant found out they were having a GIRL--come on Ann Hatten!

 Our Annual Griswold Family Beach Trip

And while we were on that very trip, Russell decided to make entrance into the world.

After 5 years of having "my big girl job" I paid off my car!

Celebrated my 28th birthday

August:

This year marked the start of my 6th year of teaching and Jason's 7th--I can't believe it's been that long already!

One of the best bits of news school related this year is that another self-contained Special Eduction Teacher was hired and she has been fantastic! It's been so nice going back to have only 6 students in the classroom. 

Jason showed off his inner Chip Gaines and gave our garage closet a make over. I was so impressed & so proud! 

Showered this Mom-to-be! 

Enjoyed a night of wonderful music with another concert at LPC--Andy Gullahorn & his wife,  Jill Phillips

Started a book/Bible study with a group of girls and thoroughly enjoyed that. First, we went through "The Meaning of Marriage" by Tim Keller and now, we are about to start "Seamless".

I started taking guitar lessons from my Dad! This has been so much fun. Not only am I increasing my respect (and love) for music, but it's a special time set aside each week to just hang out with my Dad. I know I will cherish these lessons for many years to come!

September:

Mom & I took a trip to Auburn and got to meet my sweet, little, newest cousin, Logan.

Hosted a baby shower for Cayla and Baby Sawyer

Celebrated FIVE YEARS since Jason and I had our first "unofficial", official date at Papitos

October:

Celebrated Jason's 39th birthday (with one of the most delicious cakes, ever)

Little Miss Sawyer was born

We had the best time at the Lakeland Fall Ladies Conference

Russell was baptized

We had our annual BYOP -- this year at Ian & Melissa's new house!

Baby Myles was born and was cute as could be. 

November:

We had two baby showers to celebrate Ann Hatten's upcoming arrival!

Celebrated Whitey & Josh--I always love when weddings are the week before Thanksgiving Break because it reminds me of Jason & I preparing for our own wedding. 

We celebrated FOUR YEARS of marriage by taking a day trip to New Orleans--we ate, we walked, we shopped, and ate, and walked some more ;)

Celebrated Thanksgiving (which fell on our actual anniversary day) on the Coast with all of Jason's family

December:

Jason and I both got Fifths--yes, I want to remember this because it's almost funny (looking back now) how pitiful we were. Who knew Fifths Disease was so crippling for adults?! Here's to hoping you never find out!

The Pearl Pirates won the High School Football State Championship! First time, ever!

We had THE MOST beautiful Snow Day in Mississippi that you've ever seen

Celebrated Anna Miles & Matt

Had a farewell/going away dinner for one of our close friends

Celebrated Skyler and Chris 

 (im)patiently awaited Ann Hatten's arrival

I promise y'all that she's getting her own post, soon! Very soon! 

Had the most fun at an ornament & wine swap with the girls--and ended up with THE COOLEST wine that I've ever seen (19 Crimes--definitely look it up).

 And lastly, rang in the New Year with some of my all-time, favorite people. 

I think it's safe to say that this was the year for babies, weddings, and celebrations. 

Praise God for years full of new life, new beginnings, and many things to be thankful for!

2018, I am looking forward to what you have to bring!

Holiday Happenings

We've been out of school a little over a week now and I'm basking in the lack of schedule that I have!

Our last week of school and our first holiday week have been jam packed (with some pretty amazing things, might I add)

For my Advent reading this year, I followed Sally Lloyd-Jones plan using her Jesus Storybook Bible. 

After reading her assigned story, I would follow up by reading it in my bible. 

It was so easy to follow along with and the stories were so, so sweet. I highly suggest using her plan for your advent reading next year. 

We had such a fun time celebrating Anna-Miles & Matt getting married. This sweet couple has been together for years so this one was a long time coming. I love December weddings!

I finally gave in and subscribed to the Magnolia Record Club. 

If you want an easy, hassle-free way to grow your record collection, this is the way to go!

The website explains it all, very clearly. Give it a try and be sure to use my referral code if you sign up--6w2q9j

One of our long-time friends has taken a new job and is moving to Memphis.
We couldn't let her go without a congrats/farewell dinner.
We went to a new restaurant called Fine & Dandy--and it was just that.
It was a really neat atmosphere, really cool/unique drinks, and super tasty food.
Check out their website: here.

Another wedding weekend in December and this one was beautiful!

Congrats to Skylar and Chris!

I was given the fun opportunity to photograph the surprise engagement for this sweet couple!
I think it's obvious that she said yes ;)

Our beautiful, little niece, Ann Hatten was born--don't worry, she's getting a post all to herself--coming soon!

We had a super fun ornament & wine swap

I ended up with the COOLEST wine from 19 Crimes--if you ever see it, buy a bottle and get the app--you won't be disappointed! It's also a super tasty wine--I got the red blend. 

We made a day trip to the coast to see Cat & Coco and we had the best day!
We had a yummy lunch and went to the Walter Anderson museum

Christmas Eve this year fell on a Sunday

We went to church that morning and had our annual Christmas Eve Communion service that evening. 

It was the perfect way to prepare our hearts for Christmas Day. 

We made the annual road trip to Auburn for Christmas with Mom's family. 

I didn't get many pictures other than one of my favorite pizza & wine duo.

 Our last holiday hoorah was celebrating New Years Eve with Mom & Dad
I wanted Jason & them to try Fine & Dandy
It was just as tasty as the last time and we enjoyed a fun evening ringing in 2018!

Reads for 2017

365 days, 17 books.

Each book title will take you to the link on Amazon where you can purchase the book if you so wish.

Also, to see all of my previous posts with my "reads" for past years, you can follow this link and it will take you to any of my posts that I've labeled with "book recommendations".

"Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (and Everything in Between)" Lauren Graham--After binge watching Gilmore Girls over Christmas Break last year, it only made sense to read Lauren Graham's (Lorelai) book. It reads the same way that she talks. It was fun to read and I so enjoyed following along with how her life has been and the steps she took to make it where she is today. I really enjoyed it!

"12th of Never" James Patterson--If you like mystery/thrillers and you've never read a James Patterson book, do yourself a HUGE favor and get one (once you're done reading this post ;) I love his books. They are so easy to read, 1-4 page chapters so you can literally fly through them. They are so interesting and there's always, ALWAYS a huge twist that you aren't expecting. I started reading the Women's Murder Club books back in 2008. One summer, I read 2-8 in about a 3 week span. They are that good! 12th of Never was still as amazing as I remember them all being. I was draw in, immediately and couldn't put it down. Great book.

I also realized while I was looking back over my reading lists that I had never read books 9 and 10 in the series! I somehow skipped right to 11--my OCD tendencies can't believe it. So, naturally, you know what's coming next. I'm not going to give my thoughts on each of these. I will just say that if mystery/thrillers are your thing...read these books.

"9th Judgement" James Patterson

"10th Anniversary" James Patterson

"Unlucky 13" James Patterson

"The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert" Rosaria Butterfield--Earlier this year, I went to hear Dr. Butterfield speak and she was so captivating. Not only is she a phenomenal speaker, so eloquent and brilliant, but she also has a testimony that is so moving. Her book was just as great. I definitely recommend it.

"A Little Princess" Frances Hodgson Burnett--I had never read this book. I had only ever seen the movie and it's one of my favorite movies. It's so sweet and touching. I can remember watching it as a little girl and I recently re-watched it and still loved it just as much. The book was just as great! I thought it was wonderful. Not to mention, I got this beautiful leather-bound one from Barnes & Noble (here). It's so pretty with a few illustrated pictures scattered throughout! I really enjoyed reading this book.

"The Beauty and the Beast" Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot De Villeneuve--I got this book soon after seeing the live-action Beauty and the Beast that was released this year. This book is STUNNING. It's so cool. It's "lavishly illustrated with interactive elements"--yes it is! It's so neat. It's definitely a collectors item. I didn't want it to just sit on my bookshelf so of course, I read it. From what I understand this book is the original story and it's actually pretty different than the movie that we know and love. I personally liked the movie better (the original one) but, the book was good and definitely worth reading--especially one this beautiful and different.

"14th Deadly Sin" James Patterson

"15th Affair" James Patterson

"16th Seduction" James Patterson--The latest book from James Patterson's Women's Murder Club series. I was pumped to get my hands on this one! It did not disappoint. Again, this series is really good if you enjoy mystery/thriller books. You can't go wrong with James Patterson.

"Inkheart" Cornelia Funke--This trilogy was recommended to me quite sometime ago and I finally got around to ordering the books and just after book 1, I am not disappointed! This book was great. It was an easy read with short(ish) chapters. You fall in love with (most) of the characters upfront and the story itself is so creative! I am heading to the beach next week and will be reading books 2 and 3 of the series! Book one definitely set the pace and made you want to read more.

"Inkspell" Cornelia Funke

"Inkdeath" Cornelia Funke--After finishing this series I would definitely recommend it! The story itself is such a neat concept and I really liked how they ended the series. Definitely worth the read!

"The Meaning of Marriage" Tim Keller--I haven't read this book since before Jason and I got married and my goodness--it was great to read again, now 4 years married. It was funny, at times, to look at what I underlined and was interested in before being married and had not a clue of what marriage would be like. This book is full of good, good truths about marriage as it relates to the bible and is a must-read for everyone.

"Fish In A Tree" Lynda Mullaly Hunt--This book was given to me as a recommendation and I am so glad it was. It was such a great book--especially for teachers or students/families that have children struggling with dyslexia (or other learning exceptionalities). This book follows Ally Nickerson and shares with us her troubles with school (reading especially). That is, until a new teacher comes into the mix and things change for Ally. I was crying through the last 10 pages--it's a quick read and it's a great read. Definitely pick this one up!

"The Snow Queen" Hans Christian Andersen--For the past 2 years, I've made it a point to read a Christmas book over my winter break. This year, Snow Queen was my choice. I got this beautiful version from amazon (click the title) and it was a quick, easy read. Mom and I saw The Snow Queen ballet a few years ago and I just never realized it was a book! It's definitely worth the read.

What were your favorite reads for 2017?

Snow Day & All The Christmas Things

Give me a Snow Day and you guys get a post!

It is absolutely breathtaking outside.
 Jason & I woke up this morning and it was completely white outside with snow still falling.
It was magical.

 I had to drive around the neighborhood and take a few pictures.

These were all taken on the golf course pathway

We braved the snow and got coffee and breakfast this morning--we were already up and dressed for work so, why not?
While we were out I had to stop by the church and snap a picture--tell me our church wasn't made for snow days--it's so dreamy!

For the remainder of the day, I will be watching TV, enjoying our Christmas decor, and drinking warm beverages!

Oh! I almost forgot to tell y'all--
We started our snow day with a BIRD flying INTO the house at 6:00 this morning
I opened the door to walk out and watch the snow falling and SWOOSH—in flies the bird.
Was I any help to Jason? Nope. Not a single bit. I just hid, ducked, and let out a little scream every time it flew near “my side”. I am not a fan of birds anywhere close to me.
I am happy to report that after a solid 5 minutes of the little thing flying in circles, perching on our fan, Christmas tree, and light fixtures, it finally found the wide open door and flew out.
I will NEVER, ever open that glass door again without looking for hidden little birdies first.