Dear Friday

It's Friday you guys! And I'm linking up with The Sweet Season for a Friday Letters post! 

Dear Friday, Thank you so much for showing up. It freaking took you long enough, but I still love and appreciate you.

Dear Friends, I miss you. Hopefully my phone will be fixed this weekend and I will again be connected to you.

Dear Boss, I'm sorry that I didn't do very much work today once we got out of our meeting... I was a little distracted by the fact that it's (finally) Friday!

Dear People that have not RSVPed to my wedding, you are annoying. That's all. 

Dear Blog Everyday In May Bloggers, You are great. I quit 3 days out. Embarrassing. 

Dear 5:45 AM, It was nice getting to know you better this week but I wish to not see you again for a long time. 

Love,

WILW

I actually think it would be easier for me to do a post about things I am NOT loving today with all of the work and stress I have right now. But this should be a positive place, maybe posting about these things will remind me how blessed I am.

5 Things I'm Loving This Week!

1. I'm actually loving not having a phone right now (It's broken... just showing me the apple and then black over and over again!). If it was going to happen to me, this is a good week for it to happen. It keeps me from procrastinating and playing Candy Crush Saga, and focused on my work instead, for the most part. 

2. I'm loving that it is the 29th and my wedding is officially 1 MONTH away! I just can't wait to marry this guy!

3. I'm loving my precious Doodle. I came home from work today (after putting in 11 solid hours), and was not in a very good mood, but this guy always is so excited to see me, it put a smile back on my face!

4. I'm loving that there are only 7 days of school left! Hallelujah. 

5. I'm loving that my sister is living with me and she made lasagna last night. And that I have leftovers tonight. 

Memorial Day Crafts!

You guys! There are few things I like more than a day off from work, and full of crafting! And that is exactly what I did today!

First, I Memorial Day readied my house! Thank you so much to all of the service men and women who have given up so much for us to be free, and to live the lives we do. I appreciate you all so much!!

Confession: I actually made this last year, not today. But I absolutely love it and couldn't wait to get it out! 

I Seriously love this wreath you guys!! I'm sure you've seen it on Pinterest before. I followed this tutorial when I made mine, and it was super easy. 

I made this today too! So so so simple. The inspiration came from here.  Super easy, and it turned out so well! This will be the centerpiece of our table!

Lastly, I put some flags in a bucket. So easy but I love the way it looks by my front door!

I love decorating my house for holidays. I was excited to get these decorations up today so I could leave them up through the 4th!

I also did A BUNCH of wedding crafting today too.... but I don't want to show you guys all my stuff just yet! Stay posted! Happy Memorial Day you all! 

Day 27: Dear Reader

Dear Reader,
First of all, thank you very much for stopping by. Being so new to the blogging world, I often get a title self conscious about this little space of mine. Kind of like the new kid in school. But I'm so glad that I decided to take part in this challenge. I've gained a few new readers and I'm hopeful that someone is looking forward to reading about my little life. Love you and thank you!!

Day 25: God Doesn't Make Junk

Todays blog challenge is: Something someone told you about yourself that you'll never forget

I've been putting off writing this post all day because I keep thinking I'm going to be hit with something great... but I've got nothing.

Instead I'll go with this...

Justin and I are in the process of going through our premarital counseling (I guess you could call it) with our priest in preperation for our wedding day. (Which is 35 days away, in case you are wondering!) A few weeks ago the topic for our meeting was God doesn't make junk. Simple enough right? We talked about how we needed to remember that God created us and that he didn't mess anything up. We are who we are on purpose and the sooner we can accept that and love ourselves completely, the sooner our partners will be able to love us completely.

This really stuck with me. I don't think that I have a super negative self image, but I have doubts about myself and insecurities. Like we all do (right?!). But now when I think about those things, I try to remember that God created me perfectly, and God doesn't make junk. I think it's a pretty great self esteem booster! =)

Day 24: The worst things about me...

Ok you guys... this one makes me a little nervous! I feel like I could tell you my worst traits... which really aren't that bad (hopefully) but then those of you out there that know me, could be reading this shaking your heads going, "No, thats not it at all. She's clueless." So I'm going to share hat I think my worst traits are... and then I'll share what Justin thinks my worst traits are... This should be interesting! =)

1. I'm quite messy. I like to call it organized chaos. To the untrained eye it may look messy but really I know where everything is so it's still organized. =) My college roommates, my parents, my siblings, Justin, even people I work with would all probably go with messy... I say organized chaos. We'll agree to disagree. Justin is a huge, huge, huge neat freak though. It's bad you guys. So I am being forced to try to change my ways. I don't know if he would agree that I'm getting better, but I think I am!

2. I am overly emotional. I can sometimes get my feelings hurt pretty easily. I cry at silly things. The other day I saw that Target commercial with all of those kids opening their college acceptance letters... I cried. I cried watching Say Yes To The Dress the other day! I didn't even cry when I found my own wedding dress... but watching a stranger find hers... Geesh! I didn't used to be this bad, I mean it was always a problem, but it's gotten pretty bad recently. And add alcohol into the mix... not good. Justin will consider the night a success if we go out together and I make it through the whole night without shedding a tear about something! How embarrassing.

3. I'm usually running late. Not much of an explanation needed here... I'm just always running late. Not hugely late, but usually in the 2-6 minute range. I hate when people are late for appointments and meetings so this is probably the one that I try to avoid or try to work on the most, but unfortunately it's still a problem.


Justin's thoughts (without even a second of hesitation):
1. You're messy
2. You get beer tears
3. Bills

I asked for clarification on that last one and he said I don't pay them as quickly as he'd like. That kind of goes along with being late though, right? So I was pretty dead on! Go me!

Hope you all have a fabulous long weekend friends!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I've been loving that the Blog Every Day in May Challenge has been giving me something to blog about everyday! Hopefully What I'm Loving Wednesday will help me to stay on top of my blogging once June comes along! 

5 Things I'm loving right now (besides blogging):

1. These pretty new running shoes I got this week. No excuses now!

2. I have Friday AND Monday off! Hello 4 day weekend! This could not come at a better time!

3. Spin Pins! So easy and so great! I love them!

4. My sister. How ridiculous great is this?!

5. The fact that Justin chose to go grocery shopping and was ok with me staying at home tonight! What a great guy I have!

Day 22: A rant

Day 22 for the Blog Every Day in May challenge is to rant about something. If you know me you might know where this is going.... I promise I do not mean to offend anyone by going off on this little rant. This pet peeve of mine is a big one... it honestly makes me cringe just thinking about it.

One of my biggest pet peeves is children who run wild or have fits in public. It drives me absolutely nuts. As a teacher I get a first hand look into how many people there are out there that don't (in my opinion) discipline their children. And there are way. too. many. But really the big thing that gets me... when kids are crying in public. What do I mean exactly, you ask?

Ok, I'm at a restaurant having dinner and a child starts having a giant fit and screaming. Really people?! Just because your child cant control an outing at a restaurant does not mean that I should not be able to enjoy my night! Please get a baby sitter. Please. You would probably enjoy your night a whole lot more without a screaming child as well.

Here's another great example: The other day I was at the grocery store and there is a small child crying, no not crying, screaming bloody murder in the seat of the cart. What is the mother doing? Looking around mortified at how their child is acting? Trying to sooth them? Getting them the flip out of that store? Nope. Just talking on the phone, finishing up her shopping. Are you kidding me?! What in the heck are you thinking?! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE kids. Seriously I do. I just do not enjoy them when they are screaming in public.

My family always teases me about this. They say I'll feel differently once I have kids of my own. They say you cant control when your kid is going to have a meltdown, you just have to deal with it sometimes. But I'm sure as heck going to try my best. And if I end up having a child that has meltdowns in public often, I promise I will issue a public apology. And be very embarrassed. OK... thats the end. Rant over.

Day 21: The bests

I dont think I've really been blogging long enough to have an archive of amazing posts. But here are three that I think are pretty great!!

2012: What A Year: A recap of 2012. One of the first posts I did that made me feel like a real blogger!

A Not So Awful Monday: A wonderful wonderful day when I blog about getting to meet my sweet baby nephew, and also how great my life is! I kid, I kid. =)

Mom's Weekend 2013: Just a somewhat recent post about a fun weekend I got to spend in Moscow with my lovely mother, brother, and sister!

Just a small sneak peek into my small little blog! Hope you all enjoy!

Day 20: Hard Things

Things I'm struggling with:

• Eating healthy and exercising
• Work. It's May, and everything is real crazy right now.
• Missing my friends... Good thing my wedding is only 40 days away!
• Staying on top of all of the wedding craziness. 
• The Blogging Every Day in May Challenge

Thats all for now. I try not to be a complainer. Overall my life is amazing. I am very blesses and thankful, even for my struggles. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger!

Day 19: My faves!

The blog challenge for Day 19: 5 Blogs I love! Here are some of the best! 

1. Say No To Cosmo

This is actually Ashley Spivey's blog. She was on Brad's season of the Bachelor. This is the first blog I started reading on a regular basis. She does hilarious recaps of The Bachelor. If you watch the show regularly you should head on over there and check her out. She hasn't blogged in a little while, but I'm hoping she'll pick it up again when the new season starts soon! 

2. The Start of the Shaws 

This is my friend Karissa's bog. She is seriously the hottest up and coming blogger you guys. You need to follow her. She is a little fashionista who blogs about her life with her adorable family. She is the one who got me in to this blogging every day challenge! I love her blog! It gives me a chance to stay caught up with her when we live far away from each other. 

3. Maskcara

So this is a super famous blogger. If you like makeup and have a Pinterest I'm sure you've seen something of hers flying around the web. I am obsessed. I decided to be brave and attempt to do my own wedding makeup. This blog has been my go to. She has so many good tutorials and does amazing make overs. 

This is a makeover she did recently. So great right?

4. Cassidy Miller Photography

This is another pretty big time blogger. She is a photographer who blogs about her family, photography, beauty and fashion, and life. The day I found her blog I instantly fell in love with her writing. She writes in such a real way, you feel like you know her. I always look forward to reading her posts, and they always have such beautiful pictures. 

5. Happy Is A Choice

This is Brittany. And I actually don't know here, she's the friend of a friend. So I hope she doesn't find it creepy that I'm blogging about her. I found her blog through my friend Karissa (Blog I love #2). I love Brittany's love for God and the inspiring things she posts about on her blog. 

Day 18: A memory

This is kind of a combination of a memory from my childhood, and just a few years ago, but it's a great story so its worth it.

My entire life for as far back as I can remember my Ama (grandma) wore this beautiful single pearl necklace. It's different, and one of a kind, and I love it. She would wear it on a beautiful long chain and it was kind of like her trademark. She was never not wearing it.

So when I was a cute little child I told my Ama that I wanted it. And she told me that I could have it when I graduated college, which seemed like a million years away when I was a small little tike. She would refer to it as my necklace, and if I was a good little girl I would be allowed to wear it around the house for awhile. Which was the best.

So fast forward 20 ish years to Easter my senior year in college. (We're still about a month and a half away from graduation.) My brother and I came up from Moscow to have Easter dinner with my grandparents and we brought two friends with us. Dinner at my grandparents house is always a big deal. There's cocktail hour, and appetizers, everything is super formal and great and wonderful. And my Ama is an amazing cook! So a holiday is even greater.

So about halfway through dinner I look over and I realize my Ama is not wearing her necklace. I ask her wear it is. She smiles and says its wrapped up waiting for me. She goes and gets it and give it to me there at the table. Cue the water works. It was such a special moment for me. It was something I had wanted for so long and it was already so important and special to me. It is something I will never forget, and will cherish forever.

Day 17: A photo of me!

Yes, I skipped Day 16. I didn't like the topic and I had a busy day celebrating Justin's birthday so I'm just moving past it.

I might be a little conceited because there are a lot of photos of myself that I love.

But this is one of my faves.

I am so lucky that I got such an amazing part of my life photographed! Seeing this picture takes me right back to that day and makes me so incredibly happy! I just love it!!

Day 15: A Day In the Life.... and Justin's Birthday!

The blog challenge for today in the Blog Every Day in May Challenge is "A Day in the Life." Today is an extra special day as well because it is Justin's birthday!

Birthdays are a big deal around here. When Justin and I first started dating I told him about how my friend Karissa's family does a whole birthday week, and how great I thought that was. We decided that we would start doing that too, and it's been a tradition ever since. Karissa's family has this super great excitement building way to do it where their table gets more and more festive as the week progresses, with cards and presents piling up on the table. I would love to (slash will) do that when I have children, but for now Justin and I celebrate birthday week by doing a little something special each day leading up to your birthday. Pretty great.

Justin is also in the process of going to school part time. Unfortunately for him he also had finals this evening. Bummer. This means that his birthday was not able to be the rip roaring celebration that birthdays should always be. Especially because he turned 26 today! I took every chance I could to remind him that he is now in his LATE 20's. =)

Anyway... Justin's birthday celebrations will pick up again tomorrow when finals are over and carry on through the weekend, but here's some pictures of today.

Veronica and I were up early to make Justin breakfast. Doodle took this opportunity to cuddle up with Veronica's pillow. Isn't he the cutest?!

He said he got honked at all day. Love. 

Some of his birthday cards. He's very loved. 

I got him this t-shirt today. I didn't get a picture of him wearing it yet but I'll be sharing that just as soon as possible! =) 

So then Justin and I had to go to work. Veronica and Doodle got to stay at home and play. Jealous.

After work Justin studied and Veronica and I made tuna melts for dinner. Yum. 

While Justin went off to take his test, the rest of us stayed home to watch Big Miracle and cuddle on the couch. I thought it was a great movie too. Those "based on a true story" movies always get me.

I've been working on this bad boy for awhile now. I thought I was going to have enough corks for sure when I started but I'm not quite there. So I added a few more corks on while waiting for the Birthday Boy to get home.

So there's my Justin's day! More festivities to come! Stay posted! 

Day 14: Happy Things!

10 things that make me really happy:

1. Spending time with my family and friends

2. Justin

3. Doodle

4. Coffee

5. Country music. Actually most music, but especially country.

6. Weddings

7. Babies, human or animal.

8. When my students who are struggling start to show progress. 

9. Flowers

10. When Justin and I both have a day off.

Really I could go on and on but this will do for now. Easiest Blog Every Day in May Challenge so far!! 

Day 13: I'm Sorry...

Ok but actually....

Justin, I'm sorry that I am messy and usually do not keep our house up to the standard of cleanliness that you would like.

Doodle, I'm sorry I work all day and you have to stay in your kennel.

Everyone that has ever gotten hurt in front of me, I'm sorry for laughing at you. 

All of my friends, I'm sorry for not being better at communicating and staying in touch. 

Justin and Veronica or anyone else that I have lived with, I'm sorry for being mean when I'm hungry or sleepy. 

Day 12: Things I Miss

I miss:

*living in the same house/room/town as my friends
*nap time
*tan lines
*my family
*my dad
*my mom
*my siblings
*living in the same town as my siblings
*my grandparents
*my grandpa
*swimming every single day as a kid
*chasing after the ice cream truck
*gas being under 3 dollars
*Kappa
*drinking without hangovers
*getting tucked in
*not worrying
*being able to run on little to no sleep

Day 11: Sell yourself in 10 words or less...

Happy, hard working teacher who runs on coffee and love.


 I don't know if that is "selling myself," but it's a pretty good description at least!

Day 10: Most Embarrassing Moment

There's a ton of embarrassing things that have happened to me. I'll share a few gems with you.

Once a friend overheard me say under my breath that I think I look really great in yellow when the rest of the table had been talking about how everyone looks awful in yellow. She called me out in front of all of my friends which was quite embarrassing.

Once I wore a thong under a dress. Great start to this story right? I was at my sorority, during a formal dinner, and my sorority does a special toast where we stand on our chairs. After the toast I was carefully getting down off of my chair and the skirt of my dress got caught on the top of the chair and I mooned about 65 people. Very embarrassing.

And just this weekend... I was at my brother's house in the front yard with my dog and two other dogs. I was crouched down petting my (adorable) poodle, Doodle, when some random walks down the street and smiles at me and says, "That's a beautiful dog." I'm looking at Doodle and rubbing his ears and I reply, "Oh thank you, I think he's pretty cute too." And the guy's all, "I was talking about that one." Pointing to my brother's dog. I was so embarrassed.

That's just scratching the surface... but that'll do for now!

Day 9: A part of my day!

This week is teacher appreciation week! Shout out to all the fab teachers I know. All week long our PTA has been doing all sorts of nice little things for us. This was my surprise today:

How precious is that? If you have a special teacher in your life, you should go give them a special squeeze this week!