Lately , Links, etc

HELLO darlings,

It's been a crazy last couple of weeks.

-Finished a two year contract with FOX 34

-Went to NC to watch my younger brother Jeff graduate

Lil Jeff Jeff graduated from North Carolina State University and will be heading to medical school in Blacksburg, VA in the fall. He left today for a month in EUROPE. Lucky little booger. 

-Went to Atlantic Beach with best friend & family to celebrate.

-Brian graduated law school with a 3.9 GPA

-I moved to Dallas for good.

That is Brian's office building that is outlined in green. Hope he doesn't have a problem with heights. 

This next week or so should be pretty crazy as the decorating and organizing with consume my life, however, I am going to try to take my time hanging things this time around so that everything has a place that makes sense.

I do not know exactly what I will be doing as far as the job search goes. Obviously my passion is sports communication so I am hoping that something will out for me in that area, however, I am trying to remind myself that GOD has a plan for me. It is super hard for me to LET GO and just see what happens. It is what makes me a successful person, however, it also it what literally can drive me crazy.

Here are some awesome links to make you laugh/cry/etc tonight:

1. I wish baby Paisley had moves like this. 
2. Such a blessing in the midst of extreme tragedy.
3. Since RYAN STEPHENS is the only boy who reads my blog .. I was wondering if you would mind if I performed this dance at your wedding next week-ish?

... AND for those of you who love the VOICE .. I have been obsessing over this song for weeks.

LET IT RIDE 

Just  a little post to let you know that I am alive and kickin' in my new casa.

START booking flights to see me boys and girls!

Special prayers lifted up to OKLAHOMA tonight.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Earlier this morning, I was sitting at my desk and could barely concentrate because it was one of my last days at my very first job. My husband is graduating from law school, and I am applying for multiple jobs in our new city. I am excited for what is next in my life even though I have no idea what that will be. It was there, sitting giddy at my desk, that the wise words of my 12^th grade English teacher popped into my mind. Little did I know while I was sitting in her class on my very last day of high school how often her words would sneak into my thoughts.

“My wish for you guys is that you will *NOT* look back on these high schools days as the best days of your life,” Mrs. Foster said. “I hope that you guys live a life that is so spectacular that each phase you find yourself in is, in your mind, the best yet.”

I loved what she said then, and I love what she said now. I have been out of high school for six years, and I have thought of those words on my college graduation day, on the day I moved to Texas, and I thought of it today. Thank you Mrs. Foster for inspiring us to make today more fabulous than yesterday. 

My thoughts then drifted to Teachers Appreciation Week. When we were little we loved our teachers because they were older, smarter and our temporary caretakers. I feel it isn’t until we are adults ourselves, however, that we really begin to realize the valuable lessons that were taught to us by our teachers as children. I think a person’s appreciation for their teachers is like a fine wine that appreciates with time.

I love who I am and who I came from. Chicod Elementary/Middle School, although I might be biased, was the greatest possible place for me to grow into the person that I am today. The teachers were amazing, the community was small yet not sheltered, and I went into high school as a confident, smart kiddo because of that wonderful place wayyyyy out there on Highway 43. It was there that I was taught by some of the best in the business. 

I think I was crying because of how my hair looks. I really was excited for my first day of school.

I have to start with someone who taught me something that wasn’t in a book yet turned out to be far more important than any vocabulary word or science experiment. Mrs. Dixon, I thank you for teaching all of us that it was, in fact, cool to be smart. I thank you for taking us outside of Pitt County to explore the country and by doing so showing us that the keys to this world were ours if we just applied ourselves and let our bright lights shine for all to see.

There was one thing about school that I hated. When I say hated, I mean it. The mere mention of this word could send chills down my spine. MATH … THERE … I said it. Math and I did not get along. I did well enough to get by in the advanced math classes, but without some mighty patient teachers helping me along the way, I am convinced that I would still be in pre algebra with Ms. Natividad begging for extra credit. It was not until I got my own “big girl” job that I really understood the true sacrifice that teachers took to help me succeed in Math. 

When I get home from work, I am tired and all I want to do is turn on the television and eat pizza rolls. When I get home from my job, the last thing that I want to do is go to another one. The last thing I want to do is work overtime. 

Mrs. Allen, I thank you. I thank you for not only helping me tirelessly during the actual school day but for taking the time to help me at your second job. I knew you were a life savor back then, but I never truly understood how selfless and amazing of a woman and teacher you were until it was my turn to work in the real world. Thank you for letting me come to you at your second job and order a big Dr. Pepper and do math problems in the corner booth until I understood the concepts. I thank you for being the hardworking woman that I can honestly say I do not know if I am…yet.

Same goes for you Mrs. Riddick. Thank you for letting me come to your house at all hours of the night when I was literally freaking out (tears and all) about an upcoming pre cal exam. Being that I am not a teacher, I can only compare it to having an over the top intern at my kitchen counter when I am trying to have dinner with my husband and relax. Thank you for not telling me that it was not your job to be my tutor and that what I learned at school would have to be enough. Thank you for giving me more than I deserved.

Speaking of Mrs. Riddick, she was also our assistant volleyball couch. She worked alongside of Coach Gillikin all four years that I played volleyball. Coach Gillikin was never my teacher in the classroom, but she taught me so much about life. I am not yet a mother, however, I cannot even imagine becoming a temporary “mom” to 20 girls a year during the season, especially when she had her own son at home to love, teach and guide through his OWN life. Coach gave up her free time for us and her passion for our success was contagious. Coach Gillikin, thanks for not handing us anything. Thank you for making each one of us earn every starting spot on the court. Thank you for not accepting any bull and most importantly thanks for teaching me to fight for the things that I really wanted.

My thoughts then turned to my own friends who have since entered into teaching. Dani, I thank you for still being my friend even if I asked you for help on math problems every single day. You were a teacher to me way back then far before the degree made it official. I also thought of my childhood best friend Tara, who has wanted to be a teacher since we were five years old. She has such a wonderful heart, and I smile when I think of her in front of a classroom of students. 

Graduation { Mrs. Myersy and I }

And of course, I think of my best friend, Myers, who I enjoy doing anything and everything with. We are the kind of friends who can sit in our pajamas and watch tv and not say a word and consider it a day well spent. She is a straight shooter, and I think that is why we get along so well. She reminds me of a great teacher I had in 9th grade. Mrs. Williams always made science fun and didn't mind treating you like an adult, but do not think for a second that meant that you could cut up. I loved Mrs. Williams like I know Myers' students love her.

Spiri Week { w/ Tara }

Thinking of Dani, Tara and Myers made me wonder if their students know how lucky they are to have them or will they only realize their teachers’ true value when they are 24 years old, typing away at their desks on the last full week of their very first job.  

Graduation cookout with Dani

Cheers to you teachers! You do a job I could never do and you do it so very well. 

XOXO,

Getting Through My Workouts

I would be lying if I said that I loved working out. Yes, I do love the feeling I get after I finish, however, there are a lot of other things that I would rather be doing than working out. That said, I do really enjoy my Saturday morning workouts. I usually cycle, take Body Pump or both if I am feeling extra lard like. I like my Saturday work outs because I do not have to wake up at the crack of dawn to get a morning workout in and after I am done. I also can run by TJ Maxx and search for treasures when I am done because hey, I deserve it. Today I picked up a couple of toys for Paisley, some cook books as I am in need of some new recipes and an awesome smelling candle. Love that place.

THE POINT of this blog post is to tell you how I get through my workouts. Music does not do it for me, although it does help. Television does not do it for me. Nope, I have to rely on my own thoughts. Some funny. Some deep. Some unable to be categorized.

Thought I would share.

TEN THOUGHTS FROM THIS MORNINGS SPIN CLASS ... 

1. How do boys spin? Seriously. CAN'T DEAL WITH THE SPIN SEATS and I don't have marbles.

2. How is my spinning instructor drinking coffee? I would have to get off mid spin to go potty.

3. What should I order at Zio's tonight? Will Brian and I be good and share or be terrible and get our own meals plus downing 3 loafs of bread. Will there be a wait? What time should we go?

4. Why do instructors say that you should put the bar on the meaty part of your back when doing squats? I swear I have been squatting for two years and have not found that spot on my back yet.

5. I hate Nickelback. Like .. really, really loathe the band.

6. I wonder what flight prices look like today. Who will visit me first? Lauren .. Myers .. Allison .. Aunt Di & Joe?

7. I wonder if my new lamp shades are going to get dirty during the move? Should I move them or get the movers to move them? Will I be going to Dallas anymore before I move? Why haven't the people i interviewed with emailed me this week? They emailed me last week? Will I be working this summer or will I be pool side?

8. I am going to get really skinny and in shape before I decide that we decide to have a baby.

9.  Speaking of skinny people ... my spin teacher just said "Get low in the seat... tighten those cheeks.. pretend you are walking away from a pool full of all the mean people from your  high school .. unless you were the mean person from your high school in which case you are probably already skinny because you are too mean to eat" .. BAHAHAH love her. Hate mean people.

10. I told Brian yesterday when we were watching the news that they would find the terrorist in a boat. I was thinking more along the lines of in a boat in the water....but hey ... I guess that makes me half correct. Either way, what kind of a dumbie thinks they can hide from the U S of A.

And then it was over .. bam .. now I can lay on the couch for the rest of the day and not feel guilty.

What do you guys do to get through your workouts?

LAST RANDOM THOUGHT ... One of my best friends as of late told me yesterday that she was "craving vegetables." That has never happened to me.

XOXO,

Maxi State of Mind

I don't know about you, but I could live in a maxi dress. When the temp bug hits around 70-75 degrees, my wardrobe is easy breezy because it's all about the maxi dress baby.

Here are some of my favorites ...

From Left To Right

1. Tie Dye Cutout Back Tiered Maxi Dress {Nordstrom}
2. Zuma Maxi Dress {ShopBop}
3. Santorini Pleated Maxi Dress {Piperlime}
4. Tye Dye Knit Maxi {Piperlime}
5. Painted Herringbone Maxi Dress {Ann Taylor}
6. Halter Print Chiffon Maxi Dress {Nordstrom}

Let me know if you buy any of these ... I have my eye on a couple to purchase in the next couple of days.

THE WEEKEND

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

I have to share with all of my readers that today after work I am leaving for Dallas for a couple of reasons.

1. I have an interview. Keep your fingers crossed.
2. It is my Father-In-Law's birthday!
3. We are getting the keys to our new place.

So excited.

We are bringing Paisley and she is going to be staying with our friends who have two doggies until we get the keys to Betty Brownstone on Saturday. We will see how this goes because little baby PAY is used to being the center of attention.

I am super excited to get started decorating this place once I get settled in May.

This weekend we are having our new big boy/girl king sized bed delivered in addition to our Temper-Pedic mattress. We are pumped, Brian more so than I, but still I am excited as I have heard it will change the way that you sleep. 

It will be so weird spending the night in our new place on Saturday night because we will literally only have a bed...o and all of our winter clothes that I insisted we pack and bring with us in hopes of that willing this awful, cold weather OUT of Lubbock.

What do you guys have going on this weekend?

BIG THINGS POPPPPPPPPIN, 




PS) Check out my presh new " ABOUT ME " section. I am kinda obsessed with it. 

graphic design via a dose of pretty
images via Pinterest

Practical Wedding Gifts That ROCK THE HOUSE

Okay, so I will be the first to admit {okay fine, maybe my husband would be the first} that I am not the most practical person in the world. I try, however, I usually want what I want and refuse to give justification. When I registered for my wedding, I went through the doors like a crazed desperate housewife scanning everything in sight. Now there is a positive to this. I have an amazing collection of wedding gifts. I can honestly say I love everything I asked for and will use my gifts for years to come and think of the sweet people that gave them to us. There are, however, gifts that I find myself using every single day or most days.

So with that being said, I wanted to share with you the wedding gifts that I use the most. Even if you are not getting married and are just transitioning into grown up mode, these are so essential to our household. Love LOVE love them all.

1. Emma Dinnerware in White 16 pc Set- This is simple and adds classic, laid back elegance to your kitchen. We have used it for over a year now and they keep their pretty off-white color as well as hold up without cracking or chipping. I am a huge fan. We got two sets.

2. J.A. Henckels International Fine Edge Pro Cutlery, 18 pc Set- A nice knife set is so clutch when you start to cook. It helps more than you can imagine.

3. Cuisinart PSC-400 Slow Cooker, 4 QT.- I am a huge crock pot lady. I use it as much as I can because it not only is easy, but it also cooks chicken so much better, in my opinion, than how I am able to grill it. Make sure to get one that has an automatic shut off or an automatic start time.

4. Pottery Barn Morgan 400-Thread Count Sheets- Holy sheets!!!!!!! I never realized the power of wonderful sheets until I got these amazing sheets from my aunt and uncle. They are so comfy and do not show any wear. You can add a monogram like we did to make them seem a little extra luxurious.

5. Dyson DC24AN Animal Vac- If you have an animal, get this. This vac is so awesome that I sometimes use it just when I am bored to see if I can fill up the little compartment with stuff {aka hair and dust}. I am such a neat freak and it keeps me madly in love with my doggy. If it weren't for the Dyson, I do not know if I would love my little baby girl as much because dang it if she isn't hairy.