a special month

I can not believe that October is already here! This year has FLOWN by and it's not slowing down either. I have so many happenings this month it may be hard to keep up. Let's start with October in general. October is breast cancer awareness and Down Syndrome awareness month. These two are completely different and both have two huge spaces in my heart. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999. I was in the 9th grade. I can remember what exactly what I was doing and where I was when she told me. Everything after that a blur. All I can remember from that day was me and mom hugging. Looking back I don't think I quite understood what cancer was and what it does to your body.   The doctor explained a few different options and my mom chose the best one for her. She kind of kept me out of the loop on the decision making and I am glad she did. She chose the chemo route and so it began. My mom was tough but she knew would need more help than what my grand parents could do. Our cousin, Linda, came to stay with us. I loved Linda, so it was a treat for me. My mom's chemo was pretty intense, as most chemo I am sure. Her rounds of chemo went like this: Day 1. Feeling ok, just kind of cold. Day 2. Extremely tired. Day 3. The bed was her best friend. I knew on the 3rd day I wouldn't be seeing her so it was always kind of sad because I always called my mom and told her how my day was when I would get home from school. After chemo was done and some surgery my mom was on the road to recovery. And as of today, she is 13 years cancer free. I am blessed to say my mom is a survivor.

October is also down syndrome awareness month. Another thing very close to my heart. I actually went to day care with a little boy who had DS and he just always had an impact on me. I also have a family member with DS. Not to mention I work 3 DS kiddos every day. They are awesome. I am in training with another teacher to be a down syndrome specialist for my school, we had our first meeting in September. It was great! I am looking forward to more. 

More October happenings:

One of my best girls is getting married! 20 days and counting!

This weekend is also her bachelorette party! Woo hoo! 

Fall break is next week. I love being a teacher! Who is 27 and still gets fall break, ME!

We also start after school practice for soccer. I am expecting great things out these girls!

Did I mention we have a soccer tournament too?? 

A good friend of mine has her baby's 1 year old birthday party, I can't believe he is one!

It's also a gender reveal party too...YAY!  I can't wait to see what the next baby will be :)

October, please be easy on me. This is going be quite a month. I might get some wedding planning done too.. :)

my happy place

This weekend I got to go to one my happy places. I consider a "happy place" to be a place that brings back memories and my makes my heart happy. Saturday I was lucky enough to go one of the best places in the US. STARKVILLE, MS! Home of the Mississippi State Bulldogs, who are presently 4-0 and ranked 21 in the nation. I love college football and fall. The weather was perfect. I love summer time but true fall weather is something that can't be beat. I rode with my good friends Emily & Brent. The happily married couple is also a house divided. Emily is a bulldog. Brent is a black bear rebel. He was a good sport and wore white to help the "white out" theme that STATE had going. As soon we got close I got giddy and couldn't wait to be in the Junction. The Junction is the spot where tailgate tents go up and grills get to grillin'. It's something everyone should experience. I saw some old friends and made some new ones.

I loved getting to visit one of my favorite places but I forgot how much it takes to keep up with such a fast pace environment, other than the SPED environment. I guess the drive ride down there and back it what wore me out. I went to sleep hearing the sounds of cowbells dancing in my head. I love that place. But I am glad that it's only a happy place and not an all the time place for me. Here are some pictures from our trip! 

Love this sign. It means we have arrived. 

Our seats. Thanks to the great Harlow's. 

My Marie, I love her! 

My new state tank. LOVE. Sorry for the silly face.

Me & Emily headed to the Junction. 

Finally, the Nissan got some personalization. 

Never say never...

Wedding update: In a very short post I announced the "official" wedding date. I have dress and a venue, we are slowly but surely boarding the wedding train!! All aboard!

College football is back and in full force. My bulldogs are 2-0! First time the Mississippi State Bulldogs have been 2-0 in a decade. You are probably thinking, that is just terrible. Most of the time we start having SEC play early in our schedule. For as long as I can remember Auburn is always our number two game. Well I am proud to say that we, the bulldogs beat the Auburn Tigers. It was a glorious day in college football! Did I mention that Adrian is an Auburn fan?? He was NOT happy! I was and I let him know it, hey it's college football!

Ok, so the reason for this post to be called "never say never." You know you've said it...I will never spend 30 dollars on a pair of running shorts. Well I did, and have like 6 pair of those shorts. Best shorts ever! I also said I would NEVER wear skinny jeans either.....I tried a few pair on and I LOVED them! I haven't bought a pair yet though. It's kind of silly to say "I will never....." Because you NEVER know what will happen. You will see the skinny jeans soon. Maybe in some engagement pictures? I will keep ya'll posted.

HAIL STATE!!!!

The sweetest day

Well folks, we finally picked a date and reserved a place.

May 19th, 2013

It will be the sweetest day of our lives. I can't wait to start everything. I can finally start planning and get things going! Time to get my pinterest on!

just a girl with a dress & a vision.

I have been engaged for 16 days. 

The most wonderful 16 days at that!

I said YES to the dress! 

The dress screams me, it is gorgeous!

The date has NOT been set. 

We are thinking March, or May, or June.

We are going for the rustic look. 

Mason jars. Burlap. Lace. Simple.

This is what I am going for. I love it! 

Just another burlap idea. Not sure how appropriate the pumpkin would be in the summer time. 

This is about all we have right now. I have my dream dress and my vision. 

two weeks down

We just finished the second week of school and the only thing I have to say is...WOW. Do you know how much can happen in span of 10 school days? Well, I am here to tell you, a lot can and will happen. I am absolutely  in love with my job. I love my kiddos, my coworkers, my classroom, my administration, and I love going to work just about everyday. It’s almost like once I clock in, I become a different person. Something that I have no control over just takes me into “Ms. Scotti mode.” I was an assitant in this class for a semester and then became an inclusion teacher for the remainder of the school year. Looking back on my “inclusion stint” I am glad that I did it. My kids were great and kept me entertained but I belong in a self contained class. I know that this job is why I the good Lord put me on this earth. I found my niche in life. It is very satisfying to know that.

Did I mention that I work with some of the most awesome people ever? Because I do. We have each other backs and I know if I need help that they will be there for me. We read each other well and that always helps. We are the “dream team.” We just click. Back to the first two weeks of school. I feel like I have made life long friends doing this job and I have to give all thanks to God. He put me in that school for a reason. Maybe my time at NP was over and I didn’t realize it. I miss and think about those kids often but I feel for right now, I am right where I need to be. 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever. -- 1 Chronicles 16:34 

another new chapter!

Well, school is back in session and I have been busy trying to get the finishing touches up on my room and lessons. My birthday was last week and it was THE BEST day I have ever had. I meant to post this much sooner but after getting ENGAGED!!! Time flew by then, on Monday, kiddos came back and I have been going non stop. By 8:30 I am struggling to stay awake but some how I never make into bed before 10. Here is "the story." 

August 2nd was a busy day at work. It was a day full of meetings and it was my 27th birthday! Later in the day, Adrian called to see when I what time I would be home. I told him a time and he said okay, see you then. He also made sure I would text him when I was getting close to my house. Which isn't normal but it was my birthday... I finally left the school about 4ish and I call my mom. She answers the phone with a weird tone in her voice. Like she was waiting on me to tell her something, anyway we chatted about the day and hung up. I text A. when I was getting closer and he said "k." I go in the house and its very quiet, I was thinking is he here? I walked in the bed room and he is sitting on the bed and Pancho jumps to greet me! I heard a jingle from collar which is odd because she doesn't jingle. I sat on the bed to see  what was making the noise and I found this....

While reading this A. got down on one knee and popped the question!

When he got down one knee I started yelling YES!! YES!!! He had to stop me and so he could finish asking the question. 

Wearing her new jingle! 

I called my mom and she answered cautiously and said I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!! She knew it was coming all day. A. asked her permission two weeks ago. What a secret to keep for 2 weeks! 

First picture as an engaged couple! 

After making a few more phone calls, we went to my grandparents house in person, I just couldn't tell them on phone. We hugged, cried, and laughed. 

My beautiful ring. This ring has more value and meaning then any ring has in the store. 

We went to eat sushi, my favorite. Right before dinner, we made the "facebook announcement." Both our phones were buzzing with notifications of congratulations and well wishes from our family and friends.  I am in love with the best man on earth. I can't wait to begin this new chapter in our lives!

My sweet basket of "bride" goodies from the best girls at work. Bridal magazines, ring pops, sugar babies, a ribbon and a sweet card I treasure forever.