Kate Middleton's Engagement Dress

via Net-A-Porter.com

Kate Middleton's engagement dress could be YOURS for a mere $535.  Any takers?

Okay, in all seriousness now, I have a prayer request.  There is a family at our church I've gotten pretty close with that has a 16 year old nephew, Justin, who has been battling leukemia for the past several months.  I've tried keeping up with his progress because my brother had leukemia as a child and it is something very near to my heart.  I just now received an email from church and Justin passed away this morning due to respiratory complications.  I can't imagine how hard it is to lose a child, especially just before a holiday.  It's amazing how quickly life can be put into perspective.  Please pray for the family as they suffer this loss.

Stella & Dot Coupon - Today Only!

Stella & Dot is offering 25% off of any item today!  

(Click on the picture to go to my Stella & Dot site - www.stelladot.com/elizabethlassiter)

Target 2 Day Sale

First, I wanted to start off and say thank you so much to all of you that left sweet comments and sent emails about my grandmother's passing.  Your words were so encouraging and I appreciate all of your sweet support and prayers.  The funeral is scheduled for next Thursday, something I hate that we even have to drag out.  My family is spending a lot of time together and I know my mom has enjoyed all of her children being together these past several days. 

On a brighter note, I simply can't (CAN'T) get enough of the Target 2 Day Sale commercials.  The crazy Target lady is the funniest thing I've ever seen.  Her name in real-life, not kooky Target Christmas land,  is Maria Bamford and she is a comedian.  So hysterical!  Every.single.commercial. cracks me up.  I really enjoyed them last year and this year is not to disappoint.  Here are some of my absolute favorites!

This is one of my personal favorites because this was me in the midst of my sugar cookie blitz.

I hope that everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving!  Will you be going out on Black Friday to shop?  We will get up bright and early and go out for some super savings...but not sure on what yet.  We don't actually have a big plan when we leave the house, but it always ends up being such a fun day.  And, Chick-Fil-A breakfast doesn't hurt either!

With Great Sorrow

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

We knew it was a possibility, but we didn't know it would happen this soon.  My grandmother passed away on Sunday at the age of 71.  If you remember from earlier this year through my blog, she had quadruple bypass surgery in March.  Who knew a little lady that stood at 5 feet tall and weighed 90 pounds could have had such a damaged heart?  She recovered from her surgery and was driving again within weeks but we could tell she wasn't quite the same person.  We knew her heart was very weakened from the damage, but we carried on with life.  

Two weeks ago we did a weekend Christmas shop-a-thon.  She pre-ordered a Vera Bradley purse for herself and I went back to the store and ordered her the wallet to match for Christmas.  They're still not even in yet.  She came to my Stella & Dot open house last weekend and ordered Christmas presents.  She never got to open the box.  I called her on Friday night to share the good news that one of my best friends was expecting.  She was terribly excited for her and asked me one hundred questions about the pregnancy.  She wished me luck on my Stella & Dot party for the following day and we said our goodbyes.  That was the last time that we ever spoke.   

My parents called several times on Sunday and she never answered.  Worried by dark, they drove to her house to check on her and when she didn't come to the door, they feared the worst.  Once they stepped inside they found her dead in her recliner.  Always the organizer, her Christmas list was by her side and was dated, so we knew it must have happened on Sunday.  My parents were devastated by what they found.  Her heart was so weak, it must have just given out on her.  Four days before Thanksgiving. 

The funeral won't be until after the Thanksgiving holiday so that family in Washington state can arrive in time.  I've taken a few days from school to be with my family.  We are just in shock by what has happened and we miss her tremendously.  I ask for your prayers for our family to get through the holiday season without her.  I also ask you to pray for my parents.  They are having a hard time dealing with finding her body.  I can't imagine.  With the strength and peace of our Lord, we will get through this hard time.  I keep singing "It Is Well" in my head and know that truly, it is.  

I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving with your families.

One Very Lucky Princess To Be

HE DID IT!!!

Prince William and Kate Middleton are officially to be wed.  I just got home from school (on my way to class...ug) and saw this on People's website and couldn't help but post.  William proposed with his mother's engagement ring.  Wow.  Wow.  Wow.  According to People they got engaged in October while vacationing in Kenya.  They both look absolutely amazing, and that blue dress?  Gorg.  

Do you think they will play the wedding on TV like they did Diana and Charles?  I really hope so!  My mom remembers waking up very early in the morning here to watch the broadcast of Lady Di's wedding.  Maybe our generation will be able to do the same!  I just love a royal wedding and I positively cannot wait to see her dress.  

Here's my main question...  Will she be a princess?  I know the royal family has rules for this sort of thing, but I can't wait to find out.  So exciting!

Dream House. Sigh.

While blog hopping tonight HERE, I ran across a post about this beautiful house, Blue River Cottage, in Chesapeake, Virginia (built by Stephen Alexander Homes).  I immediately went to the builder's website and oh ladies, I.am.in.love.  These houses have the works:  custom everything, chunky white woodwork and trim, a beautiful color palette and the most gorgeous kitchen I've ever seen.  I've really had the itch to move into a brand, new home lately after touring some nice new homes in our area.  My dream used to be to move into an old home and fix it up, but after living in our home I want new construction!  I wish that this builder would come to Richmond and that I would win the lottery to be able to afford one!  Enjoy!

All photos via Stephen Alexander Homes Facebook

Stress? What Stress?

I thought that this cartoon just about sums up my mindset right now.  The beginning of student teaching was unicorns and glitter compared to my life right now.  First grade seemed to be a breeze but now fifth grade, that's work.  I almost feel guilty stressing about school right now because we have an absolutely amazing class of kids.  A lot of girls I've talked with from my program are in schools with a low, low, low population and my class is all on level or above.  No Special Ed kids, no IEP's, no behavior problems, nothing.  It's just that I have a hard time explaining how ocean currents move to a class of 23 fifth graders when I'm not sure of the way they work myself or what spring and neap times are, or even why we use a comma here but not there.  And next week I start place value and decimals.  Like in the words of the Casting Crowns song, "If I've ever needed you, Lord it's now!"  Me and math = NOT friends.  So basically if I survive the next 3.5 weeks, I can survive anything!  Heck, maybe I'll get back to some sort of regular, non-boring blogging!  It's been quite a ride.

On a more positive note, I have been offered two long term sub positions in the spring.  The awesome thing is that they are back to back.  I love the school that I was placed in, and feel so fortunate to have a future job where I can try to get my foot in the door.  

Only 3.5 more weeks until I am all finished with school and and will be licensed to teach.  I cannot wait!

P.S. - My husband is super pumped that I actually cooked dinner twice this week.  Baby steps people!

Engaged!

I'm kinda happy for these two!  They make an adorable couple.  I wonder how Jessica feels...

These guys are too.  I am not advocating this one.  Sheesh.  

Ramblings of the Week

1.  I have less than 5 weeks left until my student teaching is over!  It is flying by and I'm happy about it but sad about it at the same time.  I feel so welcome in my school and don't even feel like a student teacher, it's a great feeling.  I've met so many awesome women and feel so fortunate to have been placed where I am.  I'm not even going to stress out about getting a job anymore.  I believe God has a plan for me, so why should I be worried when He is in control?  It's a good feeling to let go and let God do the work!  

2.  I caved.  I bought the new Taylor Swift CD.  I love it.  

3.  I also love the fact that we rocked the vote yesterday!  There is something fascinating to me about election night and watching the polls come in.  The fact that most of the House went RED makes me down right giddy.  And the fact that I won't have to see Nancy Pelosi's face on TV anymore...priceless!  I'm so excited that so many people are really wanting to change things in this country, and not just that Obama kind of change!  

4.  Have you checked your blog "stats" yet?  It's so neat to see where people are viewing your blog from all over the world, what posts are read most and what time of day you get the most hits.  Nerd much?  

5.  Christmas is right around the corner.  I've started burning Christmas candles and also bought some ornaments for my glitter tree.  I'm so looking forward to it this year!  The food, the lights, the smells!  

6.  I think The Middle might just be my new favorite TV show.  It's hilarious and reminds me of my sister and I and how silly we were when we were younger.  A definite must-see!  

7.  My ten year high school reunion is at the end of the month.  Gulp.  I definitely didn't lose those 20 pounds like I wanted to.  Oh well!  Did you go to your ten year reunion?  

Okay, that's all I've got.  I'm having such a hard time finding things to write about when all I'm doing is teaching, eating and sleeping!

New Found Blogs I Love

I don't have much to report these days as a fifth grade student teacher has consumed my brain with other things, however I've recently found some blogs that I just love and you might too!  Enjoy!

Virginia Vines - I won't say that this is a "new" blog to me as I've been reading for a while, however I recently got to meet the author Katy and she's a great girl!  She hosted a Stella & Dot party and it was so much fun to meet and hang out with her!  You may just love her too!  

33 Shades of Green - I just love this blog!  Her house is beautiful and she takes amazing pictures of her design skills!  Go check her out!

Ben and Katie - I've never been so humbled by a blog.  When I start to "sweat the small stuff", I just think about Ben and Katie.  They were injured in a car accident 14 months ago and although Katie has recovered, Ben is still rehabilitating.  Katie is one amazing wife and woman!

A SoCal Story - Ash and Matt are the cutest darn couple I have ever seen.

Fairy Tales are True - A couple that moved to Switzerland after their nuptials.  The pictures Sarah takes are amazing!  

From Portland to Peonies - Liz put together the most beautiful wedding I've ever seen.  Her details were utterly amazing.  And her wedding day style...gorgeous.

P.S. - I love fifth grade!  Somehow, beyond all amazement, I tried my luck at an archery lesson with my students and hit all three of my arrows on the target.  The boys almost died on the spot.  They kept chanting..."Mrs. Lassiter, Mrs. Lassiter is the MVP!"  It was so cute!  I love my kids!