Almost finished.

Today I turned in my BIGGEST project of the school year.
My "Big Block" Unit. :)
We've been talking about this Unit since January, and it was such a great feeling to finally turn it in.
This morning in class you could tell it was a huge relief after turning it in.
Also, NO more lesson plans this semester. :) I can officially say after writing well over 200 lesson plans that I can officially write one. (haha) That's such a wonderful feeling. Ahh.

Then, we had a heart to heart, if you will, in class. It was good. We all talked about how this semester (supposedly, the hardest, busiest semester of school for SPED majors) has been wild and crazy, but how's it prepared us to be teachers. We were all so thankful to our AMAZING teacher Dr. Coffey for pushing us and having super high expectations. Dr. Coffey is the best teacher. He sets the standards from Day 1, and he doesn't slack. I am so thankful that he's been my teacher for several classes. He is passionate about what he teaches, and his love for Special Education has flooded into our minds, hearts, and souls.

If you don't know, I'm a Special Education major. It's something that I am so passionate about too. There is just such a peace about doing something you love. I love going to school everyday to see my students. I love teaching them a concept and it "clicking." I love their sweet smiles. I love knowing that I am making a difference.

During our class discussion today we had to tell the positives and negatives about our "Big Block" semester. Everyone has had such a positive experience, and we all feel like we are better prepared to be teachers after this semester. When it was my turn, I just told Dr. Coffey that "This semester has confirmed my calling in life, I know this is what God wants me to do." He responded with, "Me too, I was put on Earth for this."

I can't describe to you that peace. It's simply wonderful. I am so honored that God has chosen me to share in the life and teaching of those precious children.



Until next time.
Love God. Love people.

April 8

Happy 1 year to my sweet Paul.
April 8 last year I was SO nervous about our 1st date. :)
We went to eat @ Ichiban (a Japanese restaurant)...and I just knew I wouldn't like anything. But, I did..and you even got me to try sushi. After supper we walked out to your truck and you had a BEAUTIFUL bouquet of flowers waiting for me...(talk about my heart melting)

Here we are a whole year later and I love you more today than ever. You waited a whole summer, patiently, so that I might go share Jesus with tons of kids in Tahoe City, CA. You'll never know how much that meant to me. I have enjoyed and cherished every second with you this past year. From my birthday, to Thanksgiving and Christmas, your birthday, Valentine's day, Easter, and everyday in between...You've made me the happiest girl in the world, and you make me laugh all the time. :)
Thank you for praying for me and being the sweetest boyfriend in the world. You are an answered prayer. I can't wait to see what our future holds!

So Happy 1 Year :) I love you so very much!












Until next time.
Love God. Love people.

Beautiful weather.

Today was absolutely beautiful in Starkville.
And from what I hear it was a pretty day for lots of folks too.

I love Spring so much. I love the new time with longer daylight.
I love the sunshine and flowers. I love the newness of life @ Spring time.
It just makes me happy.

Spring time is always a reminder of being grateful for the little things in life. :)
Not only to be grateful, but to reflect.

Easter is coming up this weekend, and for me, I am able to rejoice in the fact that my sweet Savior died upon a cross for my sins, (and they are MANY) and rose again on the third day. Oh praise Him! I am so unworthy, but so grateful.

Sidenote due to my excitement: School is OUT Friday...that always makes for a GREAT week! :) I'm also out Monday too. (Hallelujah!)

I hope y'all are having a wonderful week!

Until next time.
Love God. Love people.

I'm a terrible blogger.

What in the world is wrong with me?
I haven't blogged since February...
and I was complaining then how time was flying by...
and March is half way over now.

(I will try to do better.)

So, what's been happening in my world you might ask?

Paul and I got to hang out with several friends one night a few weekends ago. We went to eat at Kyoto's, and then we went back to their house to hang out. We had a lot of fun, and always enjoy getting to spend time with good friends.


I got to keep sweet little Payton one Saturday. He's growing like a little weed. He'll be walking before we know it. :)

We rode the 4wheeler and Payton just laid his little head on Paul the whole time. It was so sweet.


Whitney, my roomie tied the knot to her new hubby Nathan. She's now Mrs. Russell and I'm so excited for her. Congrats Whit and Nate! Thanks for letting me be apart of your big day!




And lastly, Paul and I went camping with some friends this past weekend in Alabama. I had so much fun. Paul and I got there Friday morning early, and we totally got lost trying to find the campsite. We walked a good extra 5 or 6 miles before we found the actual trail. (We made our own trail those 5-6 miles) Once we got back on track we ran into Cory and Cassie. It was so good to see them after being lost. We then went back to the campsite and got settled. We hiked 5 miles the next day to see the 2nd biggest tree in Alabama. (Saw 3 snakes along the way)
Later Friday afternoon we decided to beat the rain and hike out. (another 3 miles) Needless to say, we were pretty exhausted. We ate @ Jack's on the way out and all got some much needed caffeine. All in all it was a great weekend! :)


I'm so thankful that we have such wonderful friends.

So, that's pretty much been my March thus far in a nutshell. I've also been super busy with school and church stuff. Life is pretty great, and I have so much to be thankful for. :)

Until next time.
Love God. Love people.

Who do you love the least?

Seriously, who do you love the least?

Think about it.

If you could chose ONE person, and just say.."Yeah, that's definitely the person I love the least. Who would it be?

Think about it.

I mean we're called to love everybody as Christians. But there are some people we just love less than others, right?

Think about it.


Is it your mom? Your dad? A sibling? A relative? A friend from high school? A friend from college? A person in the BSU? A church member? A person in your youth group? Your college class? Your teacher? Your next door neighbor? A person in the community?

Have you thought about your person?


That's how much you love Jesus.


Matthew 25:40 says "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'

At my church we have been talking a lot about this concept. I don't want to love Jesus like that, ever. He loves me unconditionally on a daily basis, all day everyday...my mind is too small to grasp that concept. Even when I am unfaithful and not paying Him any attention He's still working in my life. Who am I to deserve that kind of grace?

Work on loving the person you love least today.

Until next time.
Love God. Love people.

Time is flying.

February where did you go?!
I can't believe this month is almost over.
I mean it seriously seems like yesterday was February 1st.
Despite all the busyness and running around, it's been a very good month.

1. We celebrated my sweet Mama's birthday.
2. Finished our CD for our fundraiser at church. (finally, whooo!)
*If you would like one, they're $10 and all $ goes to our mission trip to Maine.
3. Celebrated my first Valentine's day with my first boyfriend, ever. :)
4. Turned in 72 lesson plans, 2 midterms, 3 tests, an interactive bulletin board, 48 hours of practicum.
5. Threw Whitney a lingerie shower. (too much fun)
6. Bridesmaid dress fitting (# 3 for the year...3 of my sweet friends are getting hitched this year) :)

I'm sure there will be plenty more to happen in the next few days of February but for now I'm soaking up the days with my roomie. Whit's getting married in 16 days..........yo time, slow down a little.

Until next time.
Love God. Love people.

Happy Birthday Mama.

Today is my Mama's birthday! :)
And I seriously can't say enough about her.

-She's the one who carried me for 9 months, and I can tell you from the pictures she had to be one miserable woman.

-She's the one who rocked, vacuumed, ran the washing machine, drove me around, etc. all so I'd go to sleep. (I had the colic and I cried nonstop...poor mama and daddy!)

-She's the one who dressed me in all the pretty dresses and all the pretty bows.

-She's the one who kissed my boo-boos when I fell off the swing set or fell off my bike.

-She's the one who taught me things like the difference between hot and cold, day and night, right and wrong.

-She's the one who tells me I'm beautiful and laughs at my jokes.

-She's the one who consoled me through the teenage "heartbreaks" and told me I'd be stronger because of them.

-She's the one who took me to get my driver's license.

-She's the one who spends money on her kids before herself.

-She's the one who has prayed for me every single day of my life.

-She's the one who would do anything in the world for me.

-She's the one I look up to.




Mama, I hope I can be half the woman and mother you are. You are such a great role model and I love you so very much. Thank you for all you do!

Happy Birthday!! :)

Until next time.
Love God. Love people.