if you remember....

If you remember, please say a prayer for me. I had a very difficult day and have a very frustrating, tiring road ahead of me this summer. This verse is what is getting me through my questions, confusion, heartache, and frustration.....

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

This has been my life verse and I always go back to it when God suddenly changes my plans. :) They are not my plans, they are His plans and He knows exactly what he is doing.

Please pray.

in 3 days...

In three short days, a piece of my soul will be missing when these precious babies leave me.....


It has just hit me this weekend. I got sad last week but this weekend it hit me. I took off Friday for my little sister's graduation in Atlanta and alllll day all I could think about was that I was missing something at school. Missing a smile, missing a laugh, missing a "moment", missing something. Then I had a dream last night that I missed Monday (tomorrow) and missed their Awards Day and End of the Year Party. I woke up so upset until I realized it was just a dream. All I could think about today on the 3 1/2 hour drive back to Tuscaloosa was that they are a piece of me. A piece of my heart, my soul. And they have to leave me on Wednesday. This year has taught me more about myself and life than any other time in my life. I think they taught me more than I taught them. They taught me how to love, how to care, how to put other people before myself at all times. They taught me that money and material things do not matter, as long as there is love in your life, that's all that matters. They taught me how to laugh when all I wanted to do was run out of the school screaming. They taught me to always smile because sometimes that's all they need and that might be the only smile they see all day. They have pushed my buttons as far as they possibly could, but they are MY babies. And now they have to go be someone else's babies. Our professors in college told us we would never forget our first class. Boy were they right. They are a part of me, and that will never change. Please pray for me these next couple of days....as trying as this year has been for me, those kids mean the world to me. They always greeted me with a smile, a hug, an "I love you Ms. Alfano" every single day. They always knew the exact right time I needed a laugh or a hug.

They are deep in my heart and in 3 short days, a piece of my heart will be gone. I know alot of you are thinking "hello...you get a new class next year!" and yes, I know that, and I know I will love them too, but its just something about this being my first year and everything I have been through this year, I just can't believe it is over and I can't believe how deep they have dug into my heart.

Wedding Bliss & a Birthday!

This past weekend, my cousin John got married to his love Melissa. They got married in Trussville so Ty and I went for the whole weekend. The wedding was absolutely beautiful. As soon as she walked down the isle and I saw her, I turn to my mom and told her she looked just like a princess. Her dress came straight from Cinderella I think. :) Anyways, I hope I look that much like a princess on my wedding day! She looked so gorgeous!!!!!!! Anyways, we had a blast at the reception....but who doesn't at a big italian wedding??? :) Here are a few pictures from the wedding. The first one is of the new married couple! Melissa, I don't know if you read this, but if you do...Welcome to the family! You and John are perfect for each other and I could not be happier for yall! :)

Their first sweet dance.

Before the wedding

The gals! :)

Ty and I before the wedding!

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Pictures of the puppy coming soon! he is such a mess!!!! Stay tuned :)


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Today is one of my best friend's birthdays! Happy 23rd Birthday Jessica! I hope you are having a great day and I soooo wish I could be there to celebrate with you! Jessica and I have been friends since 8th grade (thats 10 years of friendship, fyi!) and she is such a blessing in my life. I would not be who I am today if it wasn't for her. I thank God everyday for her and our sweet friendship. We don't get to see each other alot since she lives in Atlanta but everytime we see each other, we pick up right where we left off! We have had some amazing times throughout the years and I know we will have many more to come. Jess, I can't wait to see you Friday and celebrate with you!! I love you!!!!

stop me!!!

I have a new sickness. Its called shopping online. Someone has got to stop me. Just this month I have bought these three things:

target.com - brown sandals. I have been looking for some JUST LIKE THESE for like year. then, i look online and find them in 5 minutes. that's what I love about online shopping. oh-they were only 12 bucks too. :)

victoriasecret.com - a new zabra bathing suit!!!!!!! :) remember, I'm going to Daytona in 3 weeks! yay!

And finally, can't have a new bathing suit without a new cover-up right? target.com agian. :) love it.

The cover-up is a little big - the ONLY downside to shopping online...can't try stuff on. If you know me, then you KNOW I HATE, HATE, HATE (did I say HATE?) shopping. So, pulling up my computer and buying stuff while being lazy on the couch is my perfect match. THEN, someone brings it to my door??? ahh, its my kinda shoppin! :)

I know I have been MIA - our apartment has a new friend - his name is Lennon and he is a Golden-Doodle....pictures to come tomorrow!!!

My cousin also got married this weekend and the wedding was absolutely beautiful! Congrats John and Melissa!!!!!!!! (again, pictures to come soon)

Happy Monday!
7 more days of school!!!!!!!!! :)

catch up and giveaway!

Sorry I have been MIA- Its been busy here since the end of the school year is drawing near. We have 16 more days. I cannot believe it. Where did you go first year of teaching? It mind-boggles me that its almost over. I feel like I just got the job. Now I'm praying to my sweet Jesus that I still have my job next year. I really can't believe my kids are about to leave me. Its weird to think I'll have another group next year. I keep thinking I'll have the same one. It's weird to think about. And also weird to think that they will all have a new teacher next year. Can any 1st year teachers relate to this odd feeling?

Anyways, I had an amazing weekend with Ty, just being lazy. I also went to see The Last Song with Lauren. It was a great movie! Surprising since it was a Miley Cyrus movie and I'm not her biggest fan.

I have also been catching up on my paintings. I am so far behind. I have about 6 to do. If I promised you one, I PROMISE I am getting to it! My Scentsy orders are also keeping me busy (which I am NOT complaining about). I can't believe how good I have done without having a party. I was supposed to have a party today but I canceled this one too because hardly no1 could come. I don't know what the deal is with these parties...they don't like me. oh well, I guess I'll keep bouncing around selling the products without having a party! Works for me. I am still planning on trying to have another Birmingham one! Hopefully that one will work out.

Well, on to the 2nd part of my post....over at A Love Worth Waiting For, Lyndsie is giving a Hana 1" flat iron from Misikko! I have always bought cheap flat irons so I sure could use a nice $200 one! :) Head over to Lyndsie's blog for more information! Also, check out http://www.misikko.com/ for more information on their products.

Here is a picture of the flat iron:
Looks like a good one!

Hope everyone is having a great week!