Spiller the Great.

I'm sure if you're not part of the elite, us TIGER fans, you're tired of hearing about the "GREAT CJ Spiller."

Well......get used to it.

Because this kid is going places and quite frankly, he's going to do great things. You're going to see a lot of him. He's one of the best players to ever play in Death Valley. Even if you're not a TIGER, you'd be crazy to deny that he's one of the greatest players of our time, and possibly, the greatest player in college football this season (despite what any Heisman vote said).

I say all of this to say that I just felt like CJ deserved a "shot-out" on my blog. 

He had some incredible moments during his career, broke lots of records and created some new ones, took us to victory and got us the W many times, and more than anything, he was a *TEAM* player with a heart of gold. He always contributed his success to the team and the fans. He was always humble, and he gave credit to the One who deserved all the glory. 

CJ, you will forever be #28 in TIGER hearts, everywhere. 

"Because I love Clemson too much. I've told them you'd have to literally shoot me to get me off the field!" -CJ Spiller in his post-game interview after winning the 2009 Music City Bowl. 

We love you CJ!!! 

Will it come??

Will it show up?? 

Those little white flakes that we long for so?? 

Only time and temperature will tell. 

Now, I know there was a big snow for you folks here in the states last winter, but I was in about 3 times as much snow in Europe and come the end of winter there, I had had my fill for the time being. 

But, the last time it snowed in the states for me was almost exactly two years ago, in the winter of 2008, January 16th to be exact. I was not yet a married woman, living at home in Pelzer with my parents, teaching 1st grade at the 'houn. 

I remember the "talk" that went on all day prior to the falling of the white powder, and how anxious I was for it to come. I remember chiming in with my teacher friends, "Yeah, I agree.....let's hope for just that 2 hour delay so we're not making up the snow day when it's warm and sunny come June....." but secretly, I hoped the snow would fall for an entire snow day. That evening I kept my eye on the TV and repeatedly asked my parents (like one of my students), "do ya'll think it's gonna happen??" 

Well, about 10:00PM that night, it came. I went nuts. I just happened to be on Facebook with two of my dearest friends, JTurner and sweet Mere, when it all went down (literally). We then began what turned into a 2 hour or so constant messaging of giddiness and excitement over the beautiful snow. It was pretty much like we were having an all out giggling, all girls slumber/snow party together, just over the computer. We also all 3 simultaneously took pictures of the snow, and posted them on Facebook for each other to see. 

It was one of the best snow "nights" EVER. Period. 

I wonder what this snow will bring?? Another giddy, giggling girl fest with some of my favorite friends?? Will it even come???

I guess only time and temperature will tell :) 

Pictures from our 2008 Snow Adventures!! 

(I could not get access to JTurner's pics, but they were the ones that inspired them all!!) 

The snow in Pelzer.

Letting the snow fall on my face!! 

The snow at Meredith's apartment in Anderson.

Meredith enjoying the snow!!! 

Already???

Is it time?? REALLY??? Time to head back to work ALREADY?!??!

Oh man.

Time to get back to the ole' grind, back to reality.

Do not get me wrong; I LOVE my job, I am very thankful to have it considering our economic times, and I have missed my sweet babies like crazy......but this has been the most relaxing, fun break ever. I have really enjoyed every last minute of it, to the fullest!!

Christmas 2009 :)

Last year, Jonathan and I really didn't have the opportunity to experience our "first" Christmas as a married couple as it should be; we weren't "settled" anywhere, and spent most of the break stressing/preparing for our trip to Italy. It was a good Christmas, just busy, busy, busy. 

And it was a lot of work, and we just weren't able to truly enjoy the holidays.

Christmas 2008 :) 

And it also still really blows my mind that this time last year, we were a mere 3 days from beginning the European journey of a liftetime!! Such wonderful memories :)

Genoa, Spring Semester 2009 

We spent all day today taking down EVERYTHING and cleaning from top to bottom. Now, I had intended on doing this LONG before today, so that I could fully enjoy my last day of break. Of course, that didn't happen. I did manage to spend one day this past week doing some laundry/mild cleaning, but ended up being completely lazy the rest of the week. And of course, on my last day, I would be consumed with a migraine most of the day (which if you know anything about migraines, they pretty much enable you from getting anything done).

And with that being said, I have to say that I am incredibly thankful for a husband who helps out around the house so much. I could NOT have gotten everything on my list accomplished without him today. He worked so hard and football was on ALL day!!

We still have some major bathroom cleaning to get done, but for the most part, we were little cleaning fairies today!!

So the Christmas cleaning begins. Oh my.

I am just so thankful for the opportunities we were given to spend with each other, family, and friends this holiday season. We took full advantage of every day we had. We ate good (I have GOT to jump in full speed with my workout schedule first thing tomorrow), did a lot of fun things (including house/dog sitting for President Barker....I just can't let that one go yet), and got some amazing, very much needed gifts.

I guess all those joys are what makes it SO hard to go back to work. Tomorrow will be unbelievably hard, and I will probably be beyond exhausted when I finally get home, but, there's nothing like getting back into the routine!! Once I do, hopefully life won't be too hard ;)

Good luck to all my fellow teachers out there.....we WILL survive!!!

......And if you need motivation, spring break is just 64 or so days away!! Hehe ;)

Goodbye Oh-9, Hello Twenty-Ten!!!

Whew!! It's been awhile.....things have just gotten so busy that I neglected my poor, little blog. To me, that's just a reflection of how truly amazing this year has turned out to be!!

2009 might just go down in the history books as one of the best years yet. So much has happened, and Jonathan and I have been blessed in so many ways this year. When I think back to everything, I am amazed at not only how merciful God is, but how much He loves his children and pours His grace on us daily.

In honor of 2009, I've decided to end the year's blog posts with a list of the 10 best moments/happenings for 2009.

The Top Ten in Oh-9:

10. House/dog sitting for President Barker and meeting him and his wife in person.

9. Being at every home game to watch the greatness and talent of CJ Spiller in his final year as a Tiger. That boy is going to do great things.

8. Seeing the Tigers play for the ACC Championship for the first time in 18 years. We will tell our children about this one for sure.

7. Seeing historical landmarks in person that I had previously only read about in history books.

6. The countless first time experiences and many different people we met during our travels. Europe has afforded us some very special lifelong friendships.

5. Traveling all over Europe with my best friend.

4. Signing a lease that was longer than 5 months so that we could finally have a somewhat place of our "own."

3. Getting my job back at Calhoun and the many blessings that continue to follow this.

2. Celebrating our 1st wedding anniversary with the love of my life.

1. Finally joining our church, alongside my parents.

          

The President's house, THE best running back in the country, and an ACC Championship game. 

      

Stonehenge, the Parthenon, and the Roman Coliseum. 

       

Luca, the Italian boys, and my #1 traveling buddy! 

            

A place to call home, the amazing Calhoun Kindergarten crew, and leftover wedding cake for our 1 year anniversary.

As you can see, 2009 was nothing short of a landmark year for the Edens and we have nothing to do but to give all the glory to God. He has given us all that we have needed and much more.

2010 will no doubt have its ups and downs, but I pray that no matter what, we will lead a life pleasing to our Father.

I leave you with my favorite New Year's song by Regina Spektor. Hope 2010 brings you and yours lots of happiness!! 

Happy New Year!!! 

Tune-in Thursday

Listen of the Week: Wait and See, Brandon Heath 

This song is so amazing. The first line of the chorus is what made me truly fall in love with it; "There is hope, for me yet, because God won't forget, all the plans he's made for me..." 

I heard it on the way to work Tuesday morning, and being that my drive is so long (35-40 minutes there and back each day) I have a lot of time to think about things, whatever they may be. 

Being in a new grade level (kindergarten), as well as coming on board a bit later than when everyone else started, I have many days where I become very discouraged about how I'm doing in this new environment. I haven't gotten the confidence quite yet where I feel comfortable in this new curriculum, setting, and set of responsibilities. Everyone thinks, "Oh, kindergarten and first grade are not that different;" oh.....but yes they are!! 

I'm truly loving EVERY minute of my new kindergarten life, but It's taking some time to become adjusted to this change. I know that eventually the self confidence will come because, He's not finished with me yet!!!! :) :) :) 

Tune-in Thursday

Listen of the Week: TIGER RAG, Clemson Tiger Band

In true fashion, with my Tigers season opener against MTSU this Saturday at 6:30PM in THE Death Valley, what better song for this week's Tune-in Thursday.......I LOVE MY TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot tell you how unbelievably, amazingly, off the wall PUMPED I am for Tiger Football to be here!!! We missed out last fall because we were in Charleston, and Jonathan's rigorous school schedule did not allow us to do any traveling to the upstate. 

I WILL be wearing my orange at work tomorrow (and it's color week this week, and the 2 colors for Friday are black and white.....well, I'll be wearing orange, hehe!!) and I will be shouting to the top of my lungs and jumping up and down with 80,000+ of my friends on Saturday evening in Death Valley!!! 

GO TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Speaking of friends.....

In relation to my choice for this week's Tune-in Thursday, something amazing happened to one of our friends on Tuesday. I wanted to share that day, but of course, the school week got the better of me.

One of our dearest and bestest friends, Brad, became a father.
This was huge because Jonathan and Brad have literally grown up together and lived some of life's greatest moments together. Their friendship is so awesome!!

Isaac James Dalton was born on Tuesday, August 25th, coming in at 8lbs, 2oz, and 21 inches long. I don't know that I have ever been more excited for a baby to arrive!!! He is beautiful. And I cannot wait to hold him in my arms and love all over him.

Brad and his wife, Amanda, live in Columbia so we were not able to be there for the birth like we really wanted to. :( We hope to plan a day to drive down to meet Isaac very soon. And I have insisted that I be called "aunt Lu-Lu...." so we'll see. :) :)

Congrats to mom and dad!!! We love you both, and precious Isaac, more than we could ever express!!!

Baby Isaac!!

Okay. This one just melts my heart. Seriously.