Linking Up With Love

Hi there, friends! I hope you all have had a fantastic weekend! It's crazy how quickly they zoom by, but there was no case of the usual Monday blues for this girl today! I for one was SO excited to go to school this morning! After being sick and quaratined for the greater part of last week, and taking care of a now sick husband all weekend, I was so ready to put make up on, actually fix my hair, and put on an outfit that does not involve sweat pants or a hood. {I know, what has gotten into me??} Further more, I am ready for a great week with my sweeties, and am so excited to share some of the new stuff I've been working on! This week is also Catholic Schools Week, which most teachers at my school tend to get put out with during all the schedule changes and hyperactivity-promoting activities we do, but I for one LOVE Catholic Schools Week! Yes, I will agree it gets a little agrivating to feel like you've gotten nothing accomplished and to have your students pumped up from all the excitement which once again causes you to get nothing accomplished, but honestly it's one week, the kids LOVE it, and it's a great week to celebrate our school and be thankful for their parents for sending them there! So don't get used to this, but I was actually EXCITED...on a MONDAY morning, to go back to WORK! Crazy, right??

Moving on, I am linking up with Tessa from Tales From Outside the Classroom for her Linking Up With Love Linky Party!

 

With all of the craziness of life, sometimes we forget to really sit down and appreciate God's blessings, both big and little. I don't know if it's the fact that it's almost Valentine's Day, being a newlywed, recent tragedies, or just plain old growing up, but I have spent the past few weeks REALLY thinking of and thanking God for how lucky I am. I have so much to be thankful for, and it's so easy to get caught up in all the "poor pitiful me" moments in life that I don't take enough time to really cherish all of the blessings in my life...until now! So just as a little disclaimer: this post may be a little on the mushy side, and with that, maybe a little long! :)

 

Here are just a few of MANY things that I love about my life and am so thankful for!

 

 

1. My crazy, silly, wonderfully beautiful family.

I would be absolutely nothing without the love and support of these amazing people. Since we're all growing up, spreading out, and moving on, large family pictures are hard to come by, so I will just share a few random smaller group shots! {Keep in mind, not all pictures are recent, so excuse any bad hair or tragic outfits!}

My sister Becca, Mom, Me, My Brother Stephen, and my sweeeet baby nephew and Godson Tanner!

Dad, Mom. Stephen, Becca, Me

Me, Becca, Sister-In-Law- Nicole, and Stephen

 

Stephen, Becca, Me

My baby sister's senior prom!

 

My college graduation! Had to add sweet little Papaw in there..Rest His Soul <3

 

The single most inspirational people in the entire world. I have the best parents anyone could ever ask for. They have loved and supported me through everything I have done, making so many sacrifices along the way. Nothing I have accomplished in my life would be possible without these two incredible role models!

 

 

 

 

 

 

1B. My High School Sweetheart/Love of My Life...A.K.A.- My FABULOUS Husband!

There are no words to describe my feelings for this man! We started dating when we were 15 years old, freshmen in HIGH SCHOOL! {10 years ago!!} Never in a million years as a hormonal lovesick teenager would I ever imagine to get so lucky. We have been through so much together: 4 years of high school, {filled with all your typical teenage romance horror stories which would usually end in, "And THAT'S why no one ever ends up with the person they dated in high school"}, 4 years at two separate colleges 3 hours apart {DEFINITELY wasn't easy, but so worth it!}, and so much more inbetween! After two years of being out of college while he was in nursing school, we finally got engaged in October of 2011, and married this past October 13! Let me tell you, absolute BEST day of my life!! I got to marry my absolute best friend, with all my friends and family, and the most PERFECT wedding I could ever ask for! I cannot tell you guys how happy I am and blessed I feel. We have grown up together, learned so much, and he continues to take care of me everyday, no matter what! I truly feel like the luckiest girl in the world!

"Tool" Couples Shower this summer

End of the night- lookin a little rough, but one of the only non-professional picture of the two of us I have on my computer!!!

 

2. My Female Soulmates, My sisters, My BEST FRIENDS!

These girls are literally the answer to all of my prayers. Have you ever heard the saying "You'll Never Find Anyone As Weird As You Are" ? Well, I have been blessed enough to have found 7 of them that are. My best friends from college, who I have also been through so much with, and will support and defend until the day I day. Our sisterhood bond is something that is undescribable and can never be broken. I love these girls with my whole heart, and am so blessed to have found such a strong bond with such incredible women.

Yes, they brought a cardboard cutout of Zac Efr...Ahem...I mean Troy Bolton to my wedding. He lived with us four two years in both our college apartment and house, so it was only appropriate for him to come dance with us. See what I mean about that whole weird thing? LOVE IT!!!

Can't forget my high school girls! I have known these girls since the beginning of time and no matter how much time goes by or distance gets between us, things will never change!! :)

 

 

 

3. Ok, so I've already had a family post, but I HAVE to mention my inseperable bond with my sister, my best friend!

{Disclaimer: When you are shopping with your sister, and you both buy the same shirt because you will "never wear it at the same place", don't wear it to meet her on Black Friday when you are spending the night out of town and only bring one shirt...she WILL be wearing it too!! :)

 

 

4. BEING MARRIED!! (See number 1B, for shortening's sake!)

 

5. BLOGS!

I seriously do not know WHAT I would do if I hadn't discovered teaching blogs. This has been the single most incredible thing to happen to me. I know I am just now getting around to spreading the wealth and actually posting my products, but I have fallen in love with teaching all over again through all of your spectacular ideas and creative lessons! I would like to thank each and every one of you for that! :)

 

6. Teachers Pay Teachers

For the same reason, this site has made me fall in love with teaching all over again! I have found so many cool ways to do so many things! I can't wait to start posting my items and returning the favor.

 

Now normally I would continue on with some of my more vain loves like TV Shows, movies, actors, clothes, etc...and there will be plenty of time for all that, but today, I'm in such a loving and thankful mood, I'm gonna keep it strictly mushy and ridiculously cheesy!

 

But ya know what? I encourage you to do the very same! Go link up with Tessa and tell us who/what you love! <3 Tis the Season!!! 

Whew, ok told ya that might be long! I am going to hit the hay though, it is WAY past my bed time! I hope you all had a decent if not wonderful Monday! Check back later this week for more products and a giveaway!!

 

Much Love,