School's out for the summer!

Today was the last day with my sweet class. I can't believe this year is up! Honestly, it hasn't been easy at all. Lots of changes have happened in my little life this year and while they were all great- growing up and moving on is never easy. New place, new house, new job, new co-workers, grad school, lots of transitions! However, I can say I really really love where I am now and am so grateful. I was very apprehensive at first and missed my old "life" and job from before. Now, I can honestly say I am happier than I was before! Who knew?!

Next year will be a lot less stressful and I'm looking forward to having some extra time to enjoy my work. This summer I am looking forward to taking a couple of vacations, being crafty, finishing up school, and organizing my new home. I can't wait!

Lots of personality here! 

Julie's BIG Day!

Julie Still is now Julie Jeffreys!!! Julie and Andrew had just the perfect wedding weekend. It was such a beautiful day with lots of love surrounding each and every detail. After all the planning, everything came together perfectly. We started the weekend with the rehearsal dinner:

The Bride and Groom @ Tunica National for the Rehearsal Dinner. 

The pretty pretty head table! 

Ginny, Frannie, and Jordan

With my Parents! Jim would be in this picture but he was lost in transit with Brandon. haha! 

And on to the wedding day. We started the day with a lovely brunch @ Mrs. Marcia Little's house. I wish I had pictures. However none of us had make-up on, so no pictures is probably a good thing:) 

Andrew wrote Julie a secret note for her to read while she was getting ready pre-makeup of course. 

The most beautiful bride ever. Julie has been my best friend for over ten years and I have never seen her so happy!! I was just thrilled for her! 

This is our sweet hair queen, Emily. She has so patiently done our hair since about 6th grade. We would sit in her salon for hours before every dance and beauty revue getting our hair done and playing with make-up. There will never be another Emily:) 

Best Friends! These girls have been in my life since elementary school. They are pretty special:)! 

This is Julie's bouquet, gorgeous! Ellen did a beautiful job with EVERYTHING! 

JUST MARRIED!!! 

First Dance as Husband and Wife

I love this picture! Each one of these girls are so special to me. They have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. More importantly, they continue to be such huge part of my life today. True friendships!! Love them so much. 

Julie sharing a special dance with one of her nephews, so sweet. 

I can't believe it's all over. I feel like we've been looking forward to this wedding for such a long time. I hope it was everything they dreamed it would be. We all had such a wonderful time, and I'm so honored to have been a part of it. The Bride and Groom were so fun, which made everyone enjoy themselves that much more. Perfect, perfect wedding! 

Julie- I hope you are having a wonderful time, I'll be waiting for my phone call next weekend. However as I sit here to write this post, I have already picked up my phone to call you twice this afternoon! It's going to be a long week. Please wear sunscreen!

Spring Updates!

The past two weeks have been so busy. I feel like I have been starting every entry this way for this whole semester (I still live my life in semesters since I'm on school calenders.) Some updates of things that have happened since I last blogged!

Jim's parents came to visit the last weekend in April. It was a lovely visit. They all ran a race in Flowood to benefit Mississippi Blood Services! I was at home with Annie in my pj's. I know I felt guilty too!

We are enjoying our deck because we finally bought patio furniture! This is Jim eating our first dinner outside. As you can see, it's take-out. Don't judge, I really do cook most of the time.

On Cinco De Mayo- I took my comps! I am so glad that they're finally over. Now just one more big project and I'm really done. It just so happened we were invited to go to the make-a-wish banquet here in Jackson that evening. It was a great celebration of all the wishes granted to honor the sponsors! There was even a silent auction. We tried to win several things but we lost, of course!

                                                           Jim's Company- Tyson.

                                                          @ The Banquet

..And finally this week we took the MCT2 test. Well I didn't, but I might as well have been! I felt like I had studied for that test more than the kids, ha! It went really well and we're hoping for great results come the end of June! It's a relief to just enjoy the last few days of school with my class minus all the testing pressure.

This weekend is of course Mother's Day. We debated on whether or not we should head to tobie because we'll be coming for Jules' wedding next weekend. However with BOTH of our mother's being there, we just couldn't imagine not being there with them. So we're headed home tomorrow for about the 20th time this semester, haha. I love going home, but I so hate the drive. Anyways I have to vote for Eleanor on Saturday at the Mayfair because she's in the cutest cat contest! Thanks to Mrs. Pam, Meme, and her sunday school ladies, we have raised some great money for the shelter!!

Annie is sure excited about staying with "NeNe" aka Denise! She was ready to leave tonight.

ChiO+Oprah

I read this article earlier today and it seriously brought tears to my eyes. Being a part of ChiO, I had heard this story many times, but this tells it in a powerful way. Having experienced the sadness of losing someone in our pledge class, I can't imagine how difficult this was for all the girls in the chapter. Take a minute to read this. It's worth your time!

http://www.oprah.com/relationships/Women-of-Chi-Omega-Accident-Paige-Williams/1

Makes me appreciate times like these! Some of my pledge class our senior year. 

Whew- Three blog posts in one day. I'm tired!!

Countdown

There are so many countdowns going on in my life: comps, MCT2, summer vacation, Julie's wedding, and the list goes on. Let's just say these next 3 weeks can't go by fast enough! I'm going to try to make the best of them though! This Saturday, we had a wedding marathon. First, we started in Senatobia at Abby and Blake's afternoon wedding. It was such a sweet ceremony. They had a backyard reception which was adorable. I'm glad the weather straightened up!

After the wedding, we changed clothes and headed to Hernando for Julie's last wedding party. It was a fiesta and lots of fun! The final countdown is on. Less than one month until the big day. Some pictures from the night:

Ginny and I eating yummy mexican food. I went back for seconds on the cheese dip. No suprise there! 

Lelia, Me, Julie, Lauran, and Betsy! 

Ginny and I with the Bride. And to quote her for the night, "You know, I like having all the attention" Haha. 

Puppy Training

I told Annie the other day if she didn't start behaving I would be sending her to Hburg to stay with Aunt Jordan and Uncle Jim to be trained. Annie is such a sweet dog and she loves to cuddle (once all the energy is out of her system for the day.) However, she hasn't been the easiest dog to house train. For example, Jim came home to this catastophe last Tuesday while I was in class: 

This is my Chi Straightener (Actually it's Denise's but she let me borrow it because mine died around Christmas time.) We usually leave Annie in the master bathroom while we are at work. We make a little puppy fort with all her toys, bed, puppy pads, etc. She is enclosed with a child gate so she won't roam and destroy the house. Well, not anymore. After rushing to Target following class to buy another 100.00 straightener, she will be in the kennel from now on. I was so hesitant to do this, but Jim Wood, aka my personal vet, said she will be a much better inside dog. We will see! 

On the other hand, Annie stayed with her grandparents this weekend and played with her friend Lucy. 

She didn't understand why I had to study Saturday morning instead of play with her: 

Let's hope Princess Annie has a better week! :) 

Light at the end of the tunnel

Annie and I have been solo this weekend since Jim went to run a 5k. I had a ton of grad school work to do, so we stayed here! I have to say I was thrilled to have a weekend at home. We have been on the road so much lately, I just wanted some time to get caught up on everything!

This has not been the easiest school year! I love love teaching, but it's not the easiest job! ..And grad school on top of that has not been too fun either. My friend Kelli (my good friend that has kept me sane this year, I wouldn't have made it without her) keeps reminding me you can see the light at the end of the tunnel! In about a month, I'll have most everything behind me. Whew!

Last night, I did something so crazy. I went to sonic for dinner, and wouldn't you know that apparantly it's not just the hangout in Senatobia-it's like a world wide thing. They (teenagers) even take up the right side, you know the one that's not connected just like Tobie. I think pipes were "reved" up at me. I guess that's how you spell reved?! ..And I went to Target and bought 2 mats for the house. I told you it was crazy! Today, I piddled which I'm an expert at and completed one of my last big grad school projects. Tell me this, How was I to get anything done with this little one??

In addition to working on grad school, cleaning, and doing laundry- I watched 2 Hallmark movies. I loved loved both of them. They're so cheesy-It's like Facing the Giants kind of thing. But these are the best movies! I mean good, clean, family, movies! Even Annie enjoyed them! 

She really does LOVE watching T.V. It's the funniest thing. 

We took a break and played outside since it was such a beautiful day! We really had such a great Saturday! Even though, I had lots of work today. It was pretty relaxing. And there is light at the end of the tunnel! I'm not sure when, but I know I'll be glad I finished my Masters. I'll have to say I'm already thinking ahead to next school year- when I will actually be able to just enjoy my work :) 

Tomorrow, we are going to baby Jack's baptism so it's off to bed Annie and I go! 

One last thing- CONGRATS to my bff, Margaret Britt Baker on passing the BAR! We are so proud of our little smarty pants. Although we all knew she would pass, I know she is glad all her hard work paid off. We love you!