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I normally post a lot more during the summer, but I have to be honest- I've been savoring every drop of this summer break (and keeping quite busy!). I'm normally a project-a-holic and have tackled a few things, but the theme of my summer thus far has been soaking up quality time with people I care about. And I would not change a thing about that! 

I find myself thinking I must be dreaming when I stop to think about all the blessings around me. I have a beautiful home that keeps me safe and welcomes friendly laughter over meals, tea, coffee, and even video games; I have a job that is hard- but the good kind of hard that makes you smile at the end of the day- and I am so very passionate about; I have in me the capability to nurse puppies back to health and return them to be adopted to forever homes; I have loving, funny, supportive family all around me cheering on the life Josh and I have established and are maintaining; I have a comfortable, dependable vehicle with features that make me feel sheepishly spoiled as an American; we have a variety of friends that keep our glasses filled and our eyes bright with laughter; and I have him. The man who knows how to push every button at once, yet when fear begins to crowd my thoughts wraps me up in two very strong, tender arms. He is home to me and I adore him. I can barely believe I get to keep him my whole life as my husband. I would rather live in a cardboard box fighting every day with him than be catered to in a mansion with anyone else.

This summer, I am enjoying home.

-A

The Rocket Summer

A band called The Rocket Summer stumbled into my life 4 years ago around this time when I was on my way to my very first job interview. I was so nervous and was spending the drive praying with my fingers trembling on the steering wheel. Then this song came on the radio randomly.

God reassuring me from above that He had me in the palm of His hand and all I needed to do was be brave. I got that job. And later I had to be brave again. He came through again.

This afternoon working in my classroom I had forgotten all about this band and after a long hard (but still very fun) week I looked up this song that started it all for me. After it was over, another one played. And I stopped in my tracks at the lyrics, moved deeply for the first time in a very long time. A perfect reminder-

"And greatness isn't what you think it's not being up on that silver screen.
It's not convincing people you don't fall apart.
It's just loving and serving and being who you are.

You were made in an image of greatness.
Just for a moment start to forget about the scars and forget who you think you are. Don't say another word. You're meant for greatness.
Just for a moment start to forget about the scars and forget who you think you are. All the fear within your world, you can take it... "

Have a listen. Be moved. And have an awesome weekend!

-A

Space Jam

I remember the soundtrack to Space Jam- and jamming to it in Ashley W.'s basement with all our friends like we were hot stuff.

Watch this video. He's got it right. I needed this- and I know some of you do too. Watch it once, twice, a hundred times. Whatever will make you stop being boring and go find your Space Jam.

Have a great week!
-A

A Very Special Gift

I love surprises. I love to be surprised. However, (and our family knows this) Josh and I are horrible at keeping surprises from each other. We get so excited that we end up either spilling the beans or handing over the surprise early... (e.g. my new camera and Josh's iPhone).

So you can imagine that when my stepmom told me on THANKSGIVING she had connections to Chad Morris of the Clemson Tigers and that my husband (one of the most devoted Clemson fans I've ever met) would be receiving a football for Christmas autographed by Mr. Morris and Dabo and some of the popular players (Tajh, Sammy, Ford, Ellington to name a few... I hope I spelled all those right) I had to try my absolute.hardest. to keep this secret. I was so dang excited for him. I knew it was something that he would cherish and I just wanted to blurt it out so many times (especially while watching the games) but I am very proud of myself- I kept the secret! I did and his reaction was so worth it.

My husband works so very hard. And he loves even harder. If I mention that I want something (within reason) he will do whatever he can to get it for me. It's how I got my Young House Love book, how I convinced him to help me repaint the living room the weekend before hosting my sister's bachelorette, how I got my amazing teacher bag, and how I am able to do all my fun projects. He would move Heaven and Earth to make me happy, so when it came to keeping my lips sealed about this treasure I was happy to hold the secret because I knew just how happy this gift would make my sweet Josh.

Need proof? No? Well here it is anyway:

Sneaky, sneaky JoAnn. And sneaky, sneaky me. :)

Looking forward to sharing photos of our Christmas with you later today!

Until then,
-A

Mushy Gushy

So all that remains of my bubonic plague from last week is an annoying drainage problem; of the sinus variety. It's all good though.

I'm in the middle of enjoying a quiet, relaxing evening before the PASS testing commences tomorrow morning. I heard this song on my iHeart Radio Train station (haha, still makes me chuckle... train station), which plays songs from a band I love called Train- but it also throws similar songs in there.

I don't know if you love your spouse as much as I love mine. He annoys the bejeebus out of me some days, but he's my other half. A part of me; joined as husband and wife by God. Daawwwwh. Our schedules have been so hectic since he went back to working every other Saturday that when I heard this song I absolutely melted. It's very sweet and romantic. Enjoy.

Until I appear out from the carnage of testing week,

Tunes

Man. Is it really already Thursday?! Where in the world has my Spring Break gone? :( Oh well. It feels amazing to look around my house and see so many things that for months I kept saying "I really need to get on that" and "Boy I need to do that" got on and done!!

I really couldn't have gotten it all done without some awesome tunage! Is that a word? I just made it up? Works for me!

The majority of my painting involved the iHeartRadio app and my "Train" station. Haha... train station. I kill myself. But for real- Train is amazing and jamming to their new hits as well as those of a similar flavor was pretty awesome. Songs are like time machines to me; they take me back to the places and times during which I most enjoyed them. I can't help but smile when I hear this little ditty; it was kinda 'our' song when we were dating-

I also have rediscovered a love for a 90's song I couldn't truly appreciate as a tween- "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman. It's slow enough to be relaxing, but upbeat and happy enough to tap your foot to; not to mention the lyrics make you wanna be more carefree and take life a little less seriously. At least it does so for me! Give it a listen if you have no idea what I'm talking about, or if you just wanna escape for a few minutes-

Happy Friday Eve!!

Jammin' Mahn!

I hope my phonetic spelling was correct! Anyways, I've been LOVING this song this week and thought I would share some chill, head bopping tunes with you. :)

Jack Johnson is one of my favorite musicians to listen to; keeps me relaxed and smiling and I can often times pretend I'm laying in a hammock somewhere tropical while tapping my foot to his melodies. Enjoy!

Blessings

If you have kept up with me lately, you may have noticed I have gone from an incredibly joyful and happy person to someone jaded and embittered by some very discouraging circumstances.

Basically, due to reasons that even I am still unclear about, my principal feels my skills in the area of planning and using assessments to guide my instruction are deficient enough that I have not been offered a job again next year.  My skills in the classroom have no weakness at all and I am a very strong teacher. Yeah, something about that is just not right.

This news has been incredibly upsetting for me. I'm supposed to be having the most exciting, joyful time of my life right now as I prepare to be a wife and spend time with Josh fixing up "our" new home! However, I find myself emotionally unstable as I consistently put on my bravest face, fix my smile, and go into my classroom each day, knowing they are numbered, and give my all to those precious faces that I spend so much time with each day. It's hard. It is so hard.

BUT!

I found a song the other day. The lyrics of this song brought me to my knees, sobbing. After a particularly tough day today, I heard it on my way home and can't help but to share it with everyone. Please have a listen, if for no other reason than just to satisfy your curiosity. It's powerful.

I would appreciate your prayers- to cling to truth rather than my emotions and that I pay attention as God reveals the next steps. Josh is behind me 100% and we are hand in hand, clinging to our Savior.

As He leads, we follow.

God bless, everyone! Happy Friday Eve!

-A