Blog Browsin'

A little tagging fun y'all! This gave me something to do on this chilly NC Saturday!

The Rules:
1. You must post the rules.

2. Post eleven facts about yourself on the blog post.

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post,
and then create eleven new questions for the people you’ve tagged.

4. Tag eleven people and link them on your post.

5. Let them know you’ve tagged them

Details about Me!
1. I LOVE celebrating birthdays. It's fun to party, hang out with family and friends but most importantly, it's such an awesome time to thank God for the daily bread that He provides to me. This year I will be celebrating my golden birthday, 25 on the 25th! Yay!

These are my cousins from a family birthday party two years ago! Wow, how time flies!

2. You will find me singing the shower, in the car, while cleaning, to my puppy, while on jogs, in my classroom, etc. I LOVE to sing. And in college, I was in the Christian a capella singing group. How I miss it!

3. I love living in Raleigh but I certainly miss the saltwater. I spent many Saturdays as a little girl playing the sound, on the boat, or heading to the beach to play along the shore. I pray that Grant and I can one day have a small cottage in Morehead where my family lives so we can bring our children to visit the grandparents/family and experience the beach like I did. For now, we are so gracious that my parents have us stay with them -- it's like having standing reservations at a b&b!

4. I don't go anywhere without sunglasses. Otherwise, I'll be that awkward girl who has tears in her eyes because the sun is so bright. I hate squinting! My wonderful husband always has an extra pair for me. He knows me well!

5. My family and I love celebrating our Scottish heritage -- Henderson Clan, hurrah!

Daddy and I at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Game -- July 2010

6. Like Kim, I can fit in odd, small places. The funny part, is that for some odd reason, I'm always curious to see about whether I can fit. And sadly, I'm claustrophobic so I usually don't learn my lesson and end up FREAKING out once I get slightly stuck. I know, I'm weird.

7. I could spend an hour blowing bubbles at babies and watching them chase them. Could do that with puppies too.

8. Not a bikini fan. 'Nough said!

But doesn't Cam look awesome in her two-piece?!

9. I have two wonderful grandmothers and I spent my entire childhood living less than fifteen minutes from both of them. What a blessing! I love their dedication to their church and faith.

10. Smiling is my favorite thing to do. Ever. I'll probably have crows feet before I'm 30...oh well! It's worth it!

11. I married a huge Tar Heel. I bleed Wolfpack Red. It makes for an interesting marriage. I had this picture done to show my "love" for my husband... hahaha!

Kim's Question's for Me!
1. What is your favorite game to play?
My favorite game to play is Apples to Apples -- I'm not very good at it but it's still fun!

2. What is something you do in your spare time just for yourself?
I LOVE painting my nails. My MIL just got me a Shellac kit for Christmas (she knows me well!). While living in our sorority house, my roommate and I did a lot of self-manicures...everyone joked that when you walked in our room (read: closet), you would smell either acetone or polish!

3. What is the most important trait to have in a marriage or relationship?
Patience. Grant, my husband, is the most patient man I know. I'm working on more patience...

4. Where is your favorite vacation spot?
I'd have to say Australia -- that entire continent is fabulous.

5. What is your favorite meal?
Shrimp and Grits! Easy!

6. What is your favorite Bible verse?
James 1: 2-4 -- Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

7. If you could visit one state/city in the USA what would it be?
The next place on my list is New York City -- I have been twice already and I can't wait to go back! Theater, shopping, fashion, Central Park, and the list goes on!

8. What is the best surprise you ever received?
My engagement ring! I was very ready to be engaged but Grant still surprised the heck out of me!

9. What is your favorite weekend activity?
Going on long walks with Grant and Sawyer, looking at beautiful homes and then grabbing coffee and a sweet treat before heading home.

10. What are you afraid of?
I'm afraid of being infertile. If that is God's plan, I know He will carry me through it.

11. What do you hope 2012 has in store?
Grant and I have started the process of joining a wonderful church in Raleigh -- I'd like to create stronger friendships within the community group. The friends we have made so far are solid, intentional Christians who love life. So great.

My Questions For Y'all
1. What is your favorite candy and why?
2. Who has influenced your faith the most?
3. Are you a shower at night person or shower in the morning?
4. What is your favorite meal to cook?
5. What do you like to do in your spare time?
6. What is the best gift that you've ever received?
7. If you could vacation with anyone, who would it be?
8. What's the best book you've ever read?
9. Where would your dream house be located?
10. Who was your favorite teacher?
11. What's your dream job?

Who wants to play?
Emily at Living our own fairytale
Caroline at Polka Dots and Protein Bars
Regina at Stately Lady
Hopsy at Monograms and Manicures
Katie at According to Katie
Sarah at the zesty baker
Kelley at The Eanes Family
Annie at Classic Annie
MJ at Teaching in Heels
Natalie at Sweet Carolina Girl
Jordan at Classy from North to South


Have fun everyone!

Christmas Vacation

So my wonderfully extended Christmas vacation was delightful...to put it mildly!

I shopped, wrapped presents, entertained, read (a LOT!), baked, played, lunched, brunched, gifted, crafted, and best of all, spent quality time with friends and family.My vacation comes to a close in less than 24 hours and I will greet my second graders with big smiles on Wednesday morning. I'm also excited to get back to school to see my good friends at work and get into a solid routine for 2012. So speaking of the new year, I think I've decided upon two goals. Here we go!

Resolution 1: make healthy choices (pretty open ended, right? but I really stink at sticking to a "resolution") -- I'm excited about a new ballet fitness class at the Y and Mom gave me a new headband to keep my ears warm so no excuses on those cold winter days for a good, long run! Grant and I have been staying away from processed foods, dairy, fat and sugar for several weeks now so I'd like to continue that. We'll see!

Resolution 2: be more patient while driving. I really need to just say Scripture out loud instead of raising my voice at the cars that can't hear me! They can't help it if they're ignorant to their left-lane-go-slow-obsession...right?

And since photo posts are more exciting and than just rambling, here are a few phone snapshots from our low-key holiday....

Sawyer on Christmas morning...I promise, we don't always mommick him in such ways. Just on special occasions!

On Christmas evening, Grant went to get some shots of the sunset with the AB bridge in the background. Sawyer had to join in on the fun! I captured this shot from the warm car with my phone. It was such a sweet moment.

Found some time to peruse the racks at Talbots before joining Grant for lunch last week. I had taken this photo in the dressing room (not a notable pastime for me...hah!) and he immediately convinced me to get this 70% off steal of a blazer! What do y'all think? I can't wait to layer with this during the cool/cold months in Raleigh.

On New Year's Eve, at Smith Mountain Lake. We loved spending time at the Linderman lake house! I think that sunset is taste of how beautiful heaven will be!

What are your resolutions for Twenty-Twelve?

Guitar

Big news!

Grant is teaching me how to play the guitar. Now, I haven't shared this with many friends so I'm telling you all to keep me accountable. Instead of watching one Design Inc on HGTV (shout out to Sarah Richardson...she is amazing) in the evenings, I'm going to challenge myself to learn another chord...or practice the ones that need it! So far, I've attempted A, E, and B. I can play-ish a good old worship song from middle school: Light the Fire! Who remembers it?!




Speaking of music, my dear friend, Caroline, who is equally obsessed with Amy Grant as much as I am, is ENGAGED! Best wishes to a beautiful bride!

Celebration

Much like the day we were married, the summer temperatures soared into the low 100's. Ridiculous! Grant and I made a unanimous decision to stay indoors! We spent a week celebrating with friends and family and enjoyed several concerts together. I dubbed this week Music Mania -- it was awesome!

So I had typed all the details, added the links, videos, pictures...and then it just all disappeared. Oh, technology. Boo!

Here's the breakdown:

Friday - The Craig Thompson Band and Blue Dogs at Lincoln Theatre

Wednesday - Josh Ritter at Cat's Cradle

Thursday - Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith at Koka Booth Amphitheatre

I'm heading back out to school to get everything ready for the beginning of another great year!

Quick shout out to our wonderful family and friends who helped us celebrate with concerts, pampering, and my wonderful husband who treats me a like a queen!

Guest room!

We have finally put together our guest room! Grant and I have enjoyed finding thrift store or great deals and making them work for our house. It was GREAT to have a break from school to use days to search for deals and plan out our room and guest bath. I cannot wait for more friends to visit!




Brittany and Andrew stayed with us, as our first overnight guests!

Summer?

Today I dressed for the weather...

Shorts. V neck tee. Sperry's. I threw on a pashmina for a seasonal touch...

Wait. It is fall right? I later removed the scarf.

Because it was definately 82 degrees, sunny, and humid today...with a touch of "balmy"...

It is almost November! And happy birthday to the bride to be, Stately Lady!

Vacuum.

I have to say I don't mind having to vacuum the sand out of my car almost daily. I love the beach. I love the sun. Life is good.


And praying for my dear friend Line.

The truth comes out...

Such an eventful week: new jeans from my lovely sunrise sale experience (a blog post in itself...be patient with me), a new president, two snow days, field trip tomorrow and rush cocktail tomorrow evening. whew! The clever and beautiful cBr sent me a teeny award a few days ago and I'm just getting around to it...so here it goes!



Soooo I've chosen a few blogs that I think are simply sweet as pie :)

With Love from New Orleans
Mrs. Bliss
Monogrammed Teacher

You get to play!

-Choose a few blogs that you find brilliant in content or design.

-Show the winners names and links on your blog, and leave a comment informing them that they were prized with "Honest Scrap." Well, there's no prize, but you can keep the nifty icon :)

-List at least 10 honest things about yourself.

1) I'm obsessed with Special K cereal. Fruit and yogurt. Vanilla almond. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sometimes I have it for dessert. Makes me feel like I'm eating healthy...?

2) When my alarm goes off, you can usually find me leaping out of bed. I'm not one to press the snooze.

3) I always make my bed before leaving mi casa.


{Wish my bed was adorned in such a classic way. I've got one monogrammed pillow. Note to self: I need to work on that.}

4) I have a strange obsession with pretty paper. Stationery and I are pretty much bff.

5) I love everything single thing about a wedding. Anyone who knows me well...already knows this. What's not to love?
“Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. Love still stands when all else has fallen.” -1 Corinthians 13:7

6) I'm a sucker for a bow ties...'nough said.



7) the Boy says that I'm "ridiculous", "absurd", and "legit". And I like that. It suits me.

8) I was a ballet dancer for a grand total of eleven years. Saut de chat anyone?

9) Throughout high school and the first three semesters of college, I was dead set on being a pediatrician. Then Organic Chemistry and I met and sealed my fate to become a teacher. I could not be happier in Elementary Education.

10) Even though Organic Chemistry kicked my tail and I decided that majoring in Biology was not my cup of tea, I truly believe that it was the Lord working in my life as I found my calling to be a teacher. I was had been so focused on the wordly needs in life instead of living a life that brings glory to God. So...play dough, dry erase markers, band aids, journal writing, IEPs, profile cards...ta da! And I'm immersed in Elementary Education. Even though there are stressful days, I honestly love being a light in the classroom and the children make my day! I want my students (and the world!) to know that my heart is sold out for Christ by the way I walk, talk, and breathe for my Lord. And well...since I'm being honest...it's a hard thing to do! But who doesn't like a challenge?!


Well kiddos, there you have it. Southern Sunshine at her finest. hah.

Kindergarten Love

Some of you may already now but FYI I'm currently student teaching in Kindergarten at a legit public school in Raleigh. Today was our first day back after the holidays.

Five year olds today were not ready for such a HUGE day of Kindergarten. Apparently.
They whined about missing their Wii, Spiderman paraphernalia, PlayStation 3, and new Princess dolls. Lots of waiting in line for the potty, not knowing how to walk in the hallway, or how keep their voices below a dull roar. However, the girls were donning their manicured nails (loved it) and the boys had new haircuts (except one poor kid whose mother apparently thinks it's "cool" to have a rat tail...)

It was a good day.
1 kid puked on the playground.
1 kid told me he loved me.
1 kid spit on another girl.
1 kid kept asking me what I got for Christmas.

As for the kiddo who professed his love for me (which he does often), it breaks my heart because I know that he comes from a broken home where he is always competing for attention and to be loved. Today he said, "Do you know that I love you?" I said, "Yes, _________, you tell me almost every day!" He responds, "Don't you LOVE that I love you?"...... I just laughed. And nodded my head.

On another note, my good friend, bragged about here, has finally started a super legit blog! yay! Everyone go visit Polka Dots and Protein Bars :)

One more thing...

Just a note to say that I love my roommates. I'm so blessed to have these ladies in my life every day...and I love their fashion sense. classic. full of sass. and sexy in a simple way.



We love watching John and Kate Plus 8, Say Yes to the Dress and Grey's together. And now that it's getting colder in NC, we are ready to enjoy our favorite movies with a cozy fire in our living room :) Not to mention they've helped me learn a few things in the kitchen...

Our fourth roommate is on the Meredith College soccer team (Go Angels!) so we are ready for her to season to end so we can all hang out more...

I'm going to miss them next year! eek!


EDIT: So I guess I should have re-read this post before putting it out there for you all to see...Our fourth roommate goes to Meredith...and the rest of us go to NC State. Go Pack! Sorry if that confused you all!