Dollar Store Upcycle // "Spooky" Cat

Dan + I are definitely cat people.  Even though we don't currently have one, we both grew up with pet cats around & I know Dan would love to have one one day {I tell him we have to be out of debt first & in our own home, 'cause I'm not adding a pet fee to our monthly apt. payment, that's for sure #sheworkshardsavingmoney}.  Anywho, I saw this adorable wooden cat at the dollar section at Target this year & thought it should come home with us, 'cause it was only a buck, people!  The wooden cat came unpainted with 3 little mini paints + a paintbrush.  I was able to make use of all the black paint that it came with to cover the cat + it's little stand front & back.

Next, I took a strand of battery powered orange maple leaf twinkle lights from the Dollar Tree & a bit of washi tape & secured two of the leaves behind the cat's eyes so they would give off a spooky cat-like glow.  It's the perfect addition to our home for October!

It's Officially Fall, Y'all!

Fall is hands down my favorite season.  Why?  'Cause it's got all my favorites in it, of course!  There's cooler-ish weather {#southernlife}, colors transforming the landscape all bright + bold, pumpkin everything, crisp mornings, boots + sweaters, my birthday, & the heralding in of all things holiday!  I can't get enough of it!  What do you love about fall?

Year 2 in 100 Pictures

2 Years of Love

Two years ago to the very day we said our "I do's" & our lives forever changed.  It hasn't always been easy, but through Jesus' strength we have always chosen love over each & every struggle.  

I still do, Dan, & I always will.

Monthly Recap // August 2018

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➵ Busy, busy, busy with 21 four-year-olds!  I'm teaching pre-k this year, & it was totally not in my plans.  I applied on a whim in late July & surprisingly got it {I honestly think I was the only one who applied}.  And did I mention school started for teachers on August 1st in my county?!  So, it's been a whirlwind to say the least.  I've never taught pre-k, in fact, I taught 5th grade when I lived in my hometown.  So, yeah, it's a learning curve.  "Teacher, he said 'poo-poo head'" is something I get on the regular.  I'm so thankful we have nap time.

➵ My school also hasn't had pre-k in years & years & years + the administration + over half the staff are all brand new, which just adds to the crazy.  So, my classroom had not been a pre-k room last year & was full of junk {+ a few gems} from the previous grade.  They shipped everything from another pre-k that was closing at another school to my school, so my room was literally full of junk & a ton of boxes.  It was the most overwhelming thing!  I had about 3 days to get it ready for Meet the Teacher night.  It was horrible & I came home crying most of those days, but through Jesus {& Jesus alone}, I got it done.  Thank you, too, to Dan who came & helped on a Saturday!  Love you!

➵ We had Meet the Teacher night early on before school even started, as well as a Pre-K Orientation not too long ago, & during the orientation the vice principal asked myself & the other pre-k teacher to introduce ourselves, & during mine one of my kiddos hops up from where he's sitting with his mom & runs to hug me & then stays by my side until the very end.

➵ We had a super yummy bubble waffle cone date.  These are legit actual waffle cones, people!

➵ Took a date night trip to the arcade to play some games together!  Dan beat me in most everything, except my little victory in Connect Four.  Boo-yah! 😉