Heart Happy.

After wrapping up our summer weddings this past weekend in Charleston (post coming soon on that fabulous wedding), we came home to this special treat. *insert major squeal and cue jumping up and down* As we sat on the couch and relived our happy day, my heart was so full of joy. Two months in and we are continuing to learn more and more about each other... we are experiencing God's grace in more ways than imaginable and learning to trust Him every step of the way. Thank you to Kelley from Illuminated Videos for being such an amazing person to work with and capturing all of our little moments. 

My Second Home.

"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one."

- Dr. Seuss

 Pencils have been sharpened. Crayons and markers replenished. Toys tucked in their place. Copies made and notebooks assembled. Furniture was arranged and re-arranged, and then arranged some more. All leading up to the first day of school and the seven little ones that walked through our classroom door. 

 This is the first blog post I have done about my actual physical classroom space... as I start my 4th year at Jackson, this set-up is probably my favorite. I have had time to figure out spacing issues, practiced my labeling skills and perfected placing some of my posters back in the same spot year after year. 

 While some people might dread their work space, my "office" is full of student masterpieces, colorful visuals, treasured toys, and comfy corners.  I am a nester by nature and my classroom is no different... it has quickly become my second home. 

And thanks to Pinterest, my classroom is even more organized, color-coded, and labeled in every way possible. 

 Teaching children with autism has its ups and downs. Its funny moments and its heart breaking moments. There are earth shattering break throughs... moments of total clarity. There are times when the world seems so simple and then others when the complexity of it all can be extremely frustrating. We have hours of organized chaos... comedy and humor in the most unlikely ways... and seven little ones that prove no matter our differences... 

"I like nonsense. It wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living. It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do and that enables you to laugh at life's realities."

- Dr. Seuss

So long summer.

After a week of pre-planning, re-arranging my classroom, finding lots of creepy crawlies that called my classroom home for the summer, making Pinterest projects come to life, and mentally preparing for the first day of school, a weekend getaway was a much needed break from reality. On Friday, we headed up to Lake Keowee for a couple friends weekend full of yummy Italian food, even yummier cuppycakes and pies, an eventful trip to the grocery store, and conversations about where life is quickly taking us. Watching two groups of friends mesh in the most fabulous way is such a sweet reminder that we have been blessed with amazing friends.

Summer of Birthdays.

The month of July was full of summer birthdays... from celebrating America's birthday to turning 26 with one of my bestests. Our little 4th of July tradition has quickly become one of my favorite holidays and the fact that we got to share it with the Fotias this summer made it even better.

A few days later, we celebrated Kam's 30th birthday... with yummy cake, my favorite twinnies, and the realization that time goes by WAY to fast.

 Wrapping up July, Cara and I got to celebrate our birthdays together once again. Thank goodness for such a sweet friend and the promise that our 30th birthday will involve tutus. 

The next night, we spent my almost birthday with my parents eating the most amazing sushi and remembering that one short year ago we were hours away from being engaged. So thankful for an amazing year and so looking forward to this next year as a wifey.