"Every Little Thing Is Gonna Be Alright"

Lately, I've spent some time reflecting on my life's journey to this point. Not unintentional reflection...more reflection due to assignments in school, personal struggles and outside circumstances, but any how...it still has allowed me to think of some experiences in a different light. 

Last year, I had the pleasure of teaching a delightful student. She was that "little ray of sunshine" (pardon the cliche) no matter what day of the week I saw her. Throughout the year, I learned that aside from previous health issues she dealt with, she and I had quite a bit in common. She loved to go the beach and surf and swim, she plays the flute, loves to be outside and play sports, but was also 100% girl! I was always intrigued by her spirit...never negative...never upset...never weak! 

Throughout last year, I began to notice that she was missing quite a bit of school due to health issues...headaches, stomach pain etc. I grew increasingly more concerned based on her previous illness. At the end of the last year, my sweet, strong, positive little student was re-diagnosed with neuroblastoma (a form of cancer that affects nerve cells).

Throughout the summer months, I followed a blog written by her parents about their journeys across the country to see doctors, but most importantly to have FUN! I was encouraged all summer long by how ALIVE she was...how HAPPY she was...how STRONG she was! 

On the first day of school, I was able to say hello, ask her some questions about her summer and play catch up, but it wasn't but a few weeks into the year, that she became increasingly more symptomatic of the cancer AND the treatment (GAH...CANCER SUCKS). She wasn't able to come to school for sometime due to high temperatures, sickness, weakness and the treatments she was undergoing. As a part of the treatment, her hair began to fall out. They decided to cut her hair to her chin...It was ADORABLE! 

On Monday, I was able to see her at school again! I got to give her a big hug...tell her how beautiful she is! and catch up a little bit!

That night I began thinking about her situation. How exhausted she must be trying to "save face"? How scary it must be to know how sick you are? But, I was also reminded of how STRONG she is! How BRAVE she is! and how POSITIVE she is! Even in light of all the darkness...she sees the light! 

It is really convicting honestly...how challenged I felt! Here I am, worried about things (yes important things) but still....nothing in comparison. I was once again reminding that each day is a blessing from above and more importantly....each day MATTERS...each day COUNTS...each day WE CHOSE how we will face the day. 

I hate that this precious, innocent, determined young lady has to face this challenge at all, but I am reminded that if a 13 year old can fight for her life with such grace as she does, than I can face the challenges in my life with the same grace, dignity and positivity. 

For all of you who read this...please say a prayer for my dear student! Pray for strength, peace and healing! 

Without a doubt, I am reminded daily to Live In Grace! 

                                                                           ~ G 

Wishin' I was 21

September is the month of birthdays for so many people in my life! My hubs, both of my sisters' boyfriends, my own and my baby sister, Amelia's birthday! This weekend we went down to Orlando to help celebrate her 21st birthday! It was an awesome time with family and friends....and wishing we were 21 again!

Before we headed to Orlando, we drove to Gainesville to watch Amelia run a meet. She is a cross country runner for the University of Central Florida. I'm always fascinated by watching her (and all the college runners) race! They are FAASSSSTTTTT! And I can't help but be a little inspired by how disciplined they are!! I don't get to see her run very often, so it was a real treat!!

 

 

 

 

 

Driving to Orlando was a NIGHTMARE! We tried to take I-75 to the TurnPike, but there was an awful wreck, so we ended up taking these small country roads all the way to Otown! It would have been great...except there were traffic lights every 100 yards (quite literally)! Once we FINALLY made it, we were fortunate enough to spend some time with our dear friends Ashley and Neil! They hosted us for the rest of the weekend.

We took Amelia out for her birthday in Downtown Orlando. Neil served as our host and really did a great job showing Amelia the ropes! I think we all had a great time! Lots of great drinks, great music and great company!
 

Isn't she gorgeous?

 

Its a family affair!

  

 

 

It's really crazy to think about how much has changed in my life since I turned 21! But as I think back on those 6 years ago...I realize what a FUN, exciting and fulfilling chapter it opened! I'm hoping that Amelia enjoys this new phase in her life...soaks up the memories...and toasts to all things new!

 

Happy Birthday Sister!

 ~ G

 

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

It really is the most wonderful time of the year! I love everything About football
Season... Tailgating, football, auburn, cooler weather( well in a couple of months) , something to do every weekend... I could go on and on.

Sometimes it's a little bitter sweet... We LOVE Auburn so much and would
Go to All the games if we lived closer, but being 5 hours away makes it a little tough to do! We make up for it (well not totally) by going to Gainesville to watch the gators play! It's the second best thing ... I just love College football!






Today is just the kick off of several months of fun.... Just hoping Auburn pulls out a better season than last year!

Sorry to be so short...but I'm off to see the Gators play!

                                               War Eagle!!!!
                                                     ~G

Back to School

Whewwwww...that's the sound of my deep breath as I finally relax after the first day of school. It is exhausting trying to stay organized amongst all the chaos...but in the end, it was exciting to meet so many new faces.

Today marked the beginning of my third year teaching...each year brings new experiences, new challenges and new triumphs; however, sometimes, it is really hard to 'see the forest through the trees' when you feel so out of it...today was one of those days. I was SO anxious! My mind was running 100 miles/minute and I never felt like I "got into the groove".

Today began many changes at our school and some of them really take getting used too. One major changes is the use of "block" scheduling. I have my students for double the amount of time, but only see them every other day. I'm exciting for this once we start labs and in depth content, but today was well...just different.
Fortunately, I know exactly where I need to change the way I plan and think about my classes.....and eventually, I know it will click.

On a positive note, I LOVE meeting new students!!! It is probably one of my favorite things as a teacher! Some students put their best foot forward, are eager and anxious! Other students like to show that they need to be heard and like that special attention. I personally feel like you can tell so much about students by their first impression. This year, I am going to have some many different stories than in years past, as I teach gifted/accelerated students...but I can promise you one thing...they will not lack excitement.

Regardless of all the chaos and anxiety, I am so thrilled to work with students! I know that I am supposed to be teaching...and middle school is just icing on the cake. I hope and pray that God uses me in a special way this year and that I can make a difference in a few of my students' lives!

                                                                       Happy Teaching!
                                                                               ~ G

Life Begins at the End of your Comfort Zone

If you know me at all, then you know that I come from a long line of runners. Actually, come to think of it, if you aren't runner in my family... Well, then you better start running! I think B learned that very quickly. I grew up going to races on Saturday mornings, learned how to see my family at different points of the race and even managed to get my siblings and I around Washington DC to watch mom and dad finish the marathon  (that's its own blog post some day).  Needless to say, for me to start running was partially my choice, but partially the pressure of being "that person" who didn't run.

I didn't really start running seriously(the word seriously is a relative statement) until I was in college. Yes, I ran some 5Ks in high school and even ran the River Run (15K), but never trained that much. In my years of running though, I've never really had much coaching or assistance with how I run. I just do it....no pun intended!

Lately, I've been running with a local high school cross country team a couple times a week. Let me tell you, they are FASSSTTTT! So to even act like I run "with" them is a flat lie, but I do go to the place where they meet and begin the run with them! :)) On Wednesdays, they run cross country trails in town, usually muddy, wet and humid. A normal run out there is around 5-7 miles (sometimes more sometimes less).

Tonight before we set out on our run, Coach encouraged the girls that tonight is about "being outside your comfort zone". He went on to explain what that meant in running terms but also in terms of conversation level. In other words, if you can have a convo while your running (hey thats me!!) then you're running too slow. Once we started the workout and got into our pace, of course, I ended up toward the back with a few other girls. However, during this time, I really started to think consciously about what Coach said...."Be outside your comfort zone!". This is harder than you think. It's really easy to stay in that place thats comfortable, managable, doable! It's not easy AT ALL to push your self to a place that's painful....uncomfortable....tiresome!

As I was running and thinking...because God knows I couldn't talk... I thought about how this lesson applies to our daily lives. How many times do we live in that bubble of comfort...where things are maybe not easy per se, but are just fine! No major challenge! I know I do this. As Coach expressed in his talk to the girls, if you don't get out of your comfort zone now, you will not get faster and stronger later in the season. This is the truth for life. Being challenged makes us grow...makes us learn more about ourselves and the world around us.

So, whether you are a runner, cyclist, whether this applies to your social life, professional life, whether this is spiritual or emotional...remember, that we grow by pushing beyond our boundaries! Get out there and challenge yourself!!!!

                                                                         Just Do It!
                                                                                                                 ~ G

Say Cheese~ Wedding Wednesday

If I've said this once, I've said it a million times, but a great photographer is worth every cent of a wedding budget. However, there is more to a great photographer than just being organized, taking good photos, being a voice of experience... you want someone who thinks outside the box...someone who can capture a magical moment, without any plan....or someone who can think of ideas that we all "oooo and ahhhhh" over on Pinterest. Something that I would suggest (if you've found your photographer) is to print off pictures that you LOVE! Maybe something you've seen before, or maybe you've thought of something that is different and uniquely you. In one of the pre-wedding meetings with your photographer, make sure to share these photos with him/her. This way...they know what "moments" they are looking for. I'm loving all these precious photo ops lately....check 'em out!

 

 

 

 This picture is one of my favorites from my wedding...JennHopkins... at it again!!

 

Remember, when everything fades and your wedding is simply a blurr in your mind, your photos are all you have left....so Go Big or Go Home!!!

 

                              Happy Planning!

                            ~ G

#Dostiewedding

Lately, B & I have been on a circuit of weddings. We spent a weekend in Houston, this past weekend in Greenville and next weekend in Biloxi, Mississippi (post to come later). I LOVE weddings and seeing your friends find that "someone special" leaves you feeling joyful and recommitted to your own wedding vows!

 

This past weekend we traveled to Greenville, SC to see our dear friend Michael Dostie get married!!! Dostie married a precious girl from Atlanta named Laura. They met while living in Greenville (they both went to Furman) and now live in Atlanta. Because of their connection to Furman, they chose to get married at the chapel on campus....stunning!

 

Dostie and I go WAY back...middle school...awkward...embarrassing to think about! He and I were in the band together and spent each day getting to know each other. Our friendship has grown and matured over the years, from middle school to high school, from day camp to weddings, our lives have really changed. However, amongst all the change, Dostie has always been a great friend...not only to me, but to B too! Actually, what alot of people don't know, is that Dostie actually takes credit for setting B and I up...he was always a voice of reason :))  He and his family mean so much to me...and I feel grateful to call them friends!  

 

I couldn't be happier to see Dostie find the love of his life! I know that Laura is perfect for him! I just hope (and pray) that maybe....just maybe...they will move here ONEDAY! I'm grateful to have such an awesome friend and can't wait to see where life's journey takes us all!

 

So happy I captured this moment!!! So cute!

 

 Leighton and Nell, the most precious flower girls ever!

 

 

 

 

Best Father-Daughter Dance ever! Caught me off guard for sure!

 

Mother~Son Dance...Love these two!

 

They are CUTE!

 

 

 

Dostie loves to fish...so it's no suprise his cake was fishing and SC themed!

 

 

 

I love my groom!!!!

Thankful to be a part of The Dostie's special day!!!!!

 

 

         To many years of love and happiness!!!!

                 ~  G 

 

I will always think of Dost when I hear this song...here's to you!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MdeSLxz5TTE