It's a DIY Christmas

So, this year, since I'm living on a teaching salary, I'm finding ways to be smart with my money and I wanted to give my students treats on Friday before we are off on Christmas Break. So, thank you Pinterest (once again) for this awesome idea that I know the kiddos will love!!

Hot Cocoa Rudolf

Cute right?!

Things you will need:
1. Hot cocoa (I used Swiss miss)
2. Mini Marshmallows
3. Decorating Bags - holds it all together
4. Twisty ties
5. Brown pipe cleaners - antlers
6. Wiggly eyes
7. Poms - his nose
8. Hot glue gun & glue
9. Scoop to measure out cocoa

Once you've gathered all of your items, you're ready to get started! I used a 1/4 cup measuring cup to make sure that each Rudolf ended up with the same amount of cocoa. After the cocoa was in the decorating bag, I got about a handful of mini marshmallows to go on top. Then you twist the bag to ensure that nothing can fall out and secure that with a twisty tie. On top of the twisty tie you place the brown pipe cleaner. Now you've completed the most time consuming part of the project. Go you!

To curl the pipe cleaner, I just wrapped it around my finger and stretched :)

Also, I cut the extra top of the decorating bags off so that they wouldn't get it the way.

Now for the fun part - gluing!

Get your hot glue gun all warmed up and ready! It's time to give Rudolf some eyes and a nose!! Not only was this the fun part, but it was also quick. I couldn't believe how fast I was done! I sure do the kiddos love their treats! :) 

24 little Rudolfs ready to be given away!

 
I love making little things like this and to me, it means so much more when you put time and effort into making something for someone than it does just picking something out from the store (sadly with work, it's hard to do that all the time).

But, I will never say no to anything from the store ;) *wink wink*

HAPPY CRAFTING!

Ornament Wreath DIY

This was an idea I got from Pinterest and since this year has been about change and new traditions, I figured I would make my first Christmas wreath!

This is what you will need:
1. Styrofoam circle
2. Ornaments (any color-I went traditional)
3. Hot glue gun & glue
4. Bow (optional)

Silver ornaments not pictured

The ornaments will have silver tips on them that you connect a hook to - just take them off, you won't need them. After you've done that, you're ready! First you have to make sure you have all of your items ready before you can start gluing. 

 

This is why I love him :P ;)

 Since the picture I had found on pinterest didn't really explain how they had glued the ornaments on, I used a method that worked well and hopefully it will help you as well! I decided that before I was going to glue the ornaments down, I twisted them into the styrofoam circle to make a hole and then proceeded to glue. There was no particular order in which I glued, so how you decide to go about, I say power to ya! I had a lot of fun putting it all together and plan on doing it again, soon! HAPPY CRAFTING!

Finished Product (and my feet)

MERRY CHRISTMAS

HUGE Life Changing Chapter!

It's been forever since I've written, but I was shocked at myself when I noticed that I hadn't shared the big news!! 

It all started over a year ago when a girl and a guy bonded over a certain doctor (more info on that here and here) and that guy made a very big decision that was going to change both of their lives.

On July 19, 2013 that guy made this girl the happiest one in the world. Just watch:

This man is a gift from God and I'm so lucky that he was made just for me. He is my missing piece. We've been engaged a little over 4 months and I'm still in the clouds. I'm the luckiest woman in the world that I get to call him my husband next March :)

Also, he went to Jared ;) 

And, yes, he picked it out himself! Got me a keeper ;)

Wedding plans have been in the works for a while now and things are coming together perfectly! Of course I'm rushing things because we really only get the weekends to get anything done, but hey, what can I say? I'm excited :)

We are so blessed and give all praise to God for this amazing chapter in our lives. He is the only one that has made all of this possible. :) He is the center of all we do and we can't wait to see what He has in store for us. :)

Come on March 29th!!

Officially a Graduate

I can't believe it!  

It still hasn't fully hit...I've graduated...I'm no longer a student...I'm done...when did all of this happen??? Where did the time go??

Four years of my college life....and *poof* it's all over...

 It was like any other Saturday...but at the same time it wasn't...today was the day. Today was the day that I walked across a stage and was handed my diploma cover and it was over. 

Leading up to that day was stressful. Trying to find the right dress, the right shoes, have my nails all ready, and all that other "girly" stuff. Let's just say, I was anxious. I don't think it all became real to me until I picked up my cap and gown that Wednesday. I realized then that it was actually all coming to a close. 

This chapter of my life was ending while the next one was being written and prepared for me.

That morning I got up, bright and early so that I could get an early start and get a good parking spot...thankfully we got lucky! Walked to the Thad Cochran building with my fellow Education classmates and took pictures, talked, laughed, and waited. 

Then around 9am the precession to the Grove started. The time had actually come...well sort of...this was just the convocation...my ceremony was to start at 11 and that was still a couple of hours away. 

After the, what seemed like forever, convocation, it was mass chaos to get to the entrance of the Walk of Champions and lined up for our final walk as undergraduates. 

I won't bore you with small details...but the whole time I sat there, I had flashbacks of my first years here...it was weird to see that this time had finally come. And as if I had just opened my eyes, I was handing the reader my card and walking across the stage to the Dean who shook my hand and handed me my diploma cover. It was all a blur. I still can't believe it. 

Here I sit, 3 days later, and it feels as if nothing happened that Saturday. It's weird. 

Even though it feels as if nothing happened, I know it has. I'm now and official graduate of The University of Mississippi. 

Crazy, right?!

Have you ever had that type of feeling after something big has happened??