Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! 

Favorite Song: Good to Be Alive 

I am obsessed with this song. I play it in almost every class period and then switch to Andy Grammar radio, it's been a great station. Very upbeat and fun! 

Favorite quote:

I'm struggling this week with not feeling appreciated and I'm trying to use that as a motivator for me to show the people that I care about how much I appreciate them. 

Favorite Show Week: Dancing with the Stars 

I am a sucker for reality TV and this is one show that I love. I think it's super entertaining and always something new each week. This season Bindi and Derek are my favorite. She did a tribute dance to her dad last week and I cried like a baby. Feel free to watch if you need a good cry. 

Favorite thing about this week: Homecoming Spirit Week! 

 I got to have fun and dress casual all week, PINK out on Monday, Tye-Dye Tuesday, PJ day on Wednesday, Decade day on Thursday, and Spirit on Friday. Loved being comfy all week. 

Favorite Book: In A Dark, Dark, Wood

My book club picked this book for this month and it was so good. I read it in two days because I couldn't stop! It kept me guessing right until the end. I would highly recommend it. 

Linking up with Amanda!

Have a great weekend, everyone! 

Wedding Wednesday: 66 days!

Happy Wednesday! My wedding is in 66 days, ahhh! 

There's some exciting news, our invitations are going out this week! I can't believe it's finally that time. It is getting so real, but I am so excited! Here's a sneak peek!

We are meeting with our Pastor tonight. This has been a long time coming, mostly because of our craz schedules. I am eager so nail down the plan for our ceremony since that is a pretty important part of the day. Also that means that then I can order my programs! We are thinking of doing something like the memory box below.

We are meeting with our DJ next week! I haven't come much closer to any of the music decisions but I guess I need to start making some decisions this weekend.

I'm starting to feel the stress, but I also am feeling really excited. Everything is coming together slowly and I can't wait to see how it all turns out!

Linking up with Meg!

Wedding Wednesday: Music

We are getting closer to our wedding and one area that we are struggling in which I didn't expect was picking music. C and I are both music people, we met in marching band after all. He is very opinionated and I have been dreaming of our wedding for far too long to not have any opinions. Let's start with some of the things I have figured out. 

Processional

C and I watched Shrek probably 100 times during our first years together in college. I think it's fitting that this song is in one of the movies and I like how it sounds. I think we might do the instrumental version because some of the lyrics are a little weird. 

Walking down the aisle

I am going to be traditional and use Canon in D. I just love it, I tear up when I hear it. I think I found this version from another blogger (thank you!) and it's so beautiful. 

Father Daughter Dance 

I am going to ask my dad for his opinion but I am pretty sure that we are going to dance to Tim McGraw. We have seen him in concert together and this song is just so good. 

First Dance

This is where we are struggling. I can't even decide what my favorite is, but I am really loving Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud even though I know it's going to be the wedding song of the year. It's just so beautiful. I also like Train's Marry Me but my fiance doesn't love it as much. 

Anyone have some good first dance suggestions? 

Linking up! 

___________________________________________________________________________

 Check out my other Wedding Wednesday posts:

I'm Engaged!

The Proposal

Venue Dilemma

The End of the Venue Search

Wedding Expo

Bridesmaids

Dress Shopping

Engagement Photos

Pin-Spiration

Pre-Wedding Events

Recent Purchases
Honeymoon Plans
The Registry
Bridesmaid Dress Shopping
Save the Dates
200 days!
DIY Bachelorette Tutus!
Accessories
Flowers
Hair Trial

Weekending: busy, busy!

You know those weekends that are packed with fun, but leave no time to relax? That's what this weekend was. It was a blast, but when I finally got home Sunday afternoon I was wishing that i had more time to unwind before another busy week of work.

Friday night one of my friends organized a last minute dinner for our group of friends. Six of us headed to the Rock which is an awesome pizza place. I decided to have a drink because, why not! It was friday and I knew my fiance could drive and this drink isn't just a drink...its a bucket. So I had delicious garlic mozz bread, a bbq chicken salad, and this drink.I'm such a lightweight I defineltly couldn't have driven home. We invited our friends back to our apartment and played Rummikub and Sorry for a few hours.

Saturday morning I went to my best friends house to scrapbook my engagement pictures! She was scrapbooking her bachelorette party when we went to Vegas in April, oh the memories. It was a fun, relaxing morning catching up and talking about wedding stuff. :)

I went straight from my friend's house to my moms to go to a birthday party for some family friends. This family has 11 kids, it's wild, but they are the sweetest things ever. We were celebrating the 4 year old and 8 year old. The mom also just had a baby and so I loved getting baby snuggles from the adorably 6 week old.

Saturday night ended with one of my friends and I going to Winter Jam. It's a huge christian concert and it was a blast. Talk about feeling good and recharged by Jesus, that's what we got that night. Hillsong was the closing act and the sang 'Oceans'...with 20,000 people worshipping together and singing that song, it was quite the moment.

Sunday I went to church && then shopping with my mom! The goal was christmas shopping but I wasn't to successful. Thankfully I got a lot of ideas and came home and made some online purchases. I really need to get organized and on track shopping because I want to enjoy the holiday season and not be all stressed about needing to find presents. I'll keep working on it.

Then it was 5pm and I got home and my fiance was back (he went away sat/sun) and we just relaxed and watched Sunday Night Football and Once Upon a Time.

It makes me tired just thinking about everything I did this weekend...and now I'm off to school!

Happy Monday!

Linking up with Meghan!

#1989

Is anyone else as obsessed with this cd as I am?

I went out and bought it the day that it came out. I'm not usually a big CD person or even someone who freaks out about music but her marketing plan was on point and all of the teasers on instagram/twitter/facebook had me anxious to hear it.

It didn't disappoint. Since I was away and driving in a car at least 3 hours a day I had plenty of time to listen to the music and my students who were with me on the trip now have all of the songs memorized and we blasted them in the car repeatedly.

I love her new sound and I love her catchy lyrics.

My favorite is 'I wish you would' and second favorite is 'wildest dreams', but shake it off is my new mantra. :)

If you haven't listened yet, get to it! You're missing out.

Friday Favorites

We have reached another Friday, yay! Sadly this is really the last friday of summer with school beginning on Wednesday, where has the time gone? We've had a long week of teacher meetings and professional development and I'm definitely ready to see all of my kids on the first day. Here are some favorites from this week!

Favorite Verse

At my school we practice agape love and the 8 essentials which are very much derived from this bible verse (even though we are a public school). It's a huge part of our school climate and so while we spend quite a bit of time during professional development this week talking about the 8 essentials I couldn't not reflect on this verse.

Favorite Song 

I am a country music lover and I like this song because I feel like there is always a 'Mama's house' in your mind that you want to return to. It will never be quite as good as it was when you were a kid but it's fun to remember. Plus, Time McGraw is so talented. 

Favorite Picture 

Last night was our first college football game and we happened to be playing my mom's alma mater, Rutgers! I ended up getting free tickets to the game and had enough to take my mom too. It was a really good time, sadly we lost, but my team went through quite the low point when I was in college so I'm used to that. It was so great to be back in the atmosphere and cheering for my Cougs! :)

Favorite Decor 

I'm a little embarrassed to admit it but I already started decorating for fall. I blame peer pressure, my best friend did it first, but I really like it and am enjoying the little fall ensemble on my mantle. 

Enjoy the long weekend! 

Friday favorites

It was my last official week of summer but I spent most of it at school working with my FFA students. I got a lot of my classroom prep done (pictures to come next week) so I feel good about that. Next week during all of our professional development I plan on getting my content all figured out. Anyways, here are some favs from this week.

Favorite Song 

Taylor's new song did not disappoint. I'm in love with it, so catchy! && is she not so adorable in this video?

Favorite Verse

Favorite Purchase 

I've finally started my back to school shopping and these are two of my favorite things I got this week. First, a simple pair of dark jeans from Gap. They are bootcut and super comfy, also long enough for me which sometimes it's a struggle. The shirt is long and a little flowy. I love the crimson color and gold accents, best of all it was only $12, score! 

Favorite Thing that Happened This Week
One of my best friends from 5th grade got married two weeks ago and we don't see each other nearly enough (like maybe twice a year?). At her wedding she was like, let's hang out before you start school again. I wanted to but we all know how life gets and it doesn't always work out. Well this time we made it happen, she came over last night and had dinner with me and C (sadly her new husband was working) and we chatted for hours. It was SO NICE to just sit and catch up. There is nothing like old friends who you can pick up with from right where you left off.

Favorite New TV Show

Does anyone else watch this show? I've watched it for many seasons and I still enjoy it. I think half of the time I am just mesmerized at how talented and beautiful the girls are. I wish I had hair like that!

HAPPY FRIDAY! :) 

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! This is my last weekend before school training begins, I'm planning a day trip to the mountains with the fiance && maybe some bowling tonight. I'll be here on Monday to share all about it.

Here are a few of my favorites this week:

Favorite Song

I think this is such a sweet song. Its different from the typical country love songs and I really like his voice. :) 

Favorite Verse

I was looking up verses to be read at our wedding and this one was one of my favorites. It's sweet and incorporates the bigger picture, that we are making a bond with God and that needs to be at the front of our marriage. 

Favorite Summer TV Show 

I've been watching this show for years and even though it's pretty stupid and probably fake, I can't resist. 

Favorite App

I joined fantasy football with my fiance && his friends this year, I'm hoping this app will help me to stay organized and do well. I want to show those boys that I know a little something about football too! 

Favorite thing about friday?

It's a blue friday! No need to pick out an outfit, just wear some Seahawks gear. Go Hawks! 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! 

Old Navy Steals

Usually when I go shopping and stores ask for my email I just decline because I already get way too much junk email. I read on a blog once that they get super awesome Old Navy emails so last time I was there I decided that I would sign up. Today that decision definitely paid off! I got an email last night that would give me 50% of any one item && it said that i could use it with my super cash. Sweet! I knew that i needed a new black cardigan so i got that and a pair of my favorite yoga capris for a grand total of $20! I was stoked. that's a bargain to me!

I haven't been shopping in a while because I'm broke but I'm already making lists of the things that I want to buy when I get my first paycheck at the end of this month. I absolutely cannot wait!

I mentioned before that I was going to a Carrie Underwood concert and my friend and I went and it was AMAZINGGGG. She is just so sweet, beautiful, and talented! Her voice is so wonderful and she is super adorable on stage. She was talking about love songs and then got all shy and awkward and just laughed and it cracked me up. My friends dad got us the best seats, it was a great night. I love concerts but I tend to be too cheap to ever want to buy  tickets myself. I love when I benefit and other people buy them for me.

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend! The rest of mine will be filled with football and lesson planning.

Weekend Shenanigans

I'm linking up with Sami's Shenanigans to talk about my weekend!

I had the pleasure of experience Drum Corps for the first time this weekend. My boyfriend is super involved in it and has been for many, many, years. Music is his passion and seeing him in this environment makes my heart swell. I spent the day helping out wherever they needed me and then we got to go to a performance. For those of you who dont know, Drum Corps is, it's basically professional marching band. These kids (they have to be under 21) practice for weeks and then tour all summer spending most of their time sleeping on busses and gym floors when they aren't outside marching for hours in the summer heat. The shows that they produce are of such high quality. It was a blast to be a part of it, even though it was only a couple days, and to see what it's really like.

On Sunday my family went to the horse races. This is one of my favorite family activities because it is always a lot of fun. We bring a big picnic lunch, get a table, and snack all day in between betting on the races. The last two times that I've gone I have lost all of the money that I gave myself to bet with. This time...I got lucky! I won almost $100 on a $2 bet. For some people that might not be all that exciting, but I was stoked! I never win, and especially not win that big, so it was pretty neat. 

It was a pretty fabulous weekend and start to my summer! 

Song in my head

I am a music lover. I was in band for 11 years (5th grade straight through college) and even was in a band service fraternity. So, it would be an understatement to say that music had an influence in my life. As a result I feel like I have a constant soundtrack in my head that is impossible to turn off. There are always lyrics scrolling through my mind and I find myself singing to myself when I think none of my students are paying attention. I try to be careful with the type of music that I listen to because I want the thoughts that are in my head to be ones that are positive and upbeat. 

'Christ is risen from the dead

Trampling over death by death

Come awake, come awake!

Come and rise up from the grave!'

A couple months ago I challenged myself to try and listen to only Christian music for a month. I didn't really keep track of it but I left my radio tuned to the local Christian station and put my favorite Christian cd (Tricia Brock) in my car. I found that I loved the music and it put me in such a great mood on my way to work! I love being able to praise the Lord every morning and thank him for giving me another day on this great Earth. No matter my mood, there is a song that fits, and I love that. 

I lean not on my understanding, my life is in the hands of the Maker of Heaven 

I give it all to you, Lord, trusting that you'll make something beautiful out of me

I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open.

There is nothing I hold onto.  Nothing I hold onto.  Nothing I hold onto.

This is my favorite song lately and I have had it on repeat since I discovered it. It speaks to me because right now I am trying to figure out some important things in my life and I want to give it all to the Lord. When I feel overwhelmed or worried about something I remember that the Lord is doing something beautiful with me and I need to open my hand and be ready for whatever comes my way. I find so much comfort in knowing that I am not necessarily in control of my destiny, and knowing that someone who loves me more than I could ever know, is. 

What songs are always running in your head?

-J 

Inspiration.

I've been thinking about making a blog for a long time and I wasn't sure when I was going to do it. Finally I thought, there is no time like the present, so here it is.

When it came to thinking of a name I decided that I would pick a lyric from a song that I liked since music is such a great way to express yourself. I found a song that I have been listening to and googled the lyrics. As I read through it I picked the line that I thought really expresses me. I am looking for joy in all areas of my life and trying to focus on joy. This title reminds me that even though not all of the times in life are perfect, no matter what in the morning there is always joy.

You stay the same through the ages

Your love never changes

There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning

And when the oceans rage

I don't have to be afraid

Because I know that You love me

Your love never fails

I have so much to be thankful for and I never want to forget that. His love never fails.

- J