September 11, 2001

I remember being in the 8th grade. That morning I had an orthodontist's appointment.

 It was like it was yesterday. I rounded the corner to tell mom I was all good to go that I looked at the small TV in the lobby area and saw the second plane hit. I thought it was movie. I didn't know that something so horrific could happen in real life. Especially not in America where everything is so perfect.

I think that is the moment that I understood the realization that this world is full of evil.

Mom took me on to school and picked me up like normal that day. I really don't remember the stuff that went on at school that day. I guess maybe I was still young and naive. What I do remember is on the way home mom stopping to get a paper from the gas station and seeing it front page, already. Just a few short hours later. I remember not being able to find anything on the radio that was not covering the attack, so we listened to a CD. I remember my dad being home from work early that day and us gathered as a family to see the attacks over and over TV because there was nothing else on, I think we eventually watched a movie. I remember that night we all went to church. The church was packed and many tears were being shed. For weeks and months after I thought how awesome it was that America had grew together (Let me clarify, I did not think what had happened was awesome, but it was awesome to see American stand united in such a trying time in our nation) and the church was full. Then, I sit in church this morning and think where are all of those people now? Why is the church not crowded like it was the months following the attack?

In May of 2009 my mom and I traveled to NYC for a few days, just us girls. (Sidenote- one of the most wonderful trips I have ever been on, such a special time- just my momma and me) I remember walking through the church right there at Ground Zero. Then going to Ground Zero. It was hard to see everything because a giant fence bordered the area. But, it was such an amazing place to stand and just remember what had happen there a few years previous.

Through the small opening that we were allowed to look through at Ground Zero.



I am so proud to be an American. I am so thankful for those people who so unselfishly and unwillingly gave their lives that day. I am also so grateful for our military men and women that give their lives with their families to protect me. I pray for my troops, and I hope that you do the same daily.

 On Friday, I tried my hardest to explain to my students the impact of that day. They looked at me like I was making this story up. We watched Channel One (Student News Channel) from September 12, 2001 and I believe it might have been the first time some of my 8th graders had ever seen the footage. They were in disbelief.

This is my favorite picture from that day. I think that it is a true representation of America.

 I am proud to be an American. God Bless the USA!

I will never forget.

love-

A Few Signs....

I am a summer girl! I love the hot weather, weekend trips to the lake, Pawley's Island, the clothes,

everything single thing about summer I love!

Starting last year I was ready for fall when it finally rolled around but wasn't quiet ready for summer to completely disappear. Well this year I am SO over summer! I do not know what has got into me this year, but I am anxiously awaiting fall!

Fall officially started at the Gillespie house today! I bought a new fall Yankee Candle that smells divine! It is one of their new fall candles, Nature's Paintbrush. I am going to go back soon and smell some more and get another one for my kitchen! I love candles!

Another reason I know fall is getting here is the TV has only been showing football all day long. John Thomas got up this morning before I did and Gameday was already on when I finally got up! I did run out and do a few errands with my momma but made sure I was home in time to watch Georgia/Carolina! Georgia lost but put up a great fight! It was a nail biting game!

I have all of my fall decorations out and we have even put up some windows this evening to let the fresh air in the house! I love it! This design I found on Pinterest and I am going to try and make one similar using fall color ribbon and flowers! I will post whenever I finish!

The biggest sign that fall is right around the corner....

I reached to the top of my closet tonight and pulled out my most favorite old Citadel sweatpants of JTs! I do not plan on putting them up until March or April of 2012! I live in these things all fall and winter! They are so comfy and baggy which makes them ideal!

I hope that you all are having a wonderful September Saturday!!

Love-

House Divided

This is the time of year where the Gillespie house becomes a divided house: Georgia vs. Clemson!

I was born and raised to love the Georgia Bulldogs and that is what I do! Now, I do go to Clemson games and root for the Tigers but Georgia will always have my heart!

Growing up my Papa Fleming had UGA Season Tickets and we would always go, and always stopped by Zebs to get a bite of the BEST BBQ and Brunswick Stew!

My Brother and I with our sweet Papa walking into Sanford Stadium

John Thomas is so excited about the football season finally being here and I am really excited about it, too!

Gooooooooooo Dawgs, Sic' em, Woof Woof Woof!!!!

Corny, but True

Lately, John Thomas and I have been so busy that we are lucky to spend ONE evening together at home a week! And they are normally Sunday nights, and we should be going to church. During the fall John Thomas is on a softball team that plays every Monday and Wednesday night. They either play at 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30. With these times he is home by 8 at the earliest, then we still have to eat. Tuesday nights I have Bible Study with a fantastic group of ladies! (Sidenote: I cherish my Tuesday nights with them. A coworker who I have became great friends with invited me at the beginning of summer and I have been since!) This leaves me Thursday-Saturday night, where you would think that I would be spending time with John Thomas. And majority of the time we are together but we are either A-having stuff that has to be done asap since the house is For Sale or B- doing something with family and/or friends! Please don't get me wrong, I LOVE being with my friends and family but I sure do miss John Thomas and I cooking dinner, eating, and hanging out together.

I heard Blake Shelton's new song, God Gave Me You the other day going down the road and I wanted to burst into tears. We have been so caught up with work (he seems to be as busy as I am) and other things that we haven't spent much time together and I know that I haven't truly appreciated him like I should have. I have a deep respect for those of you who husband's travel constantly (My mom being first! My dad is gone every week and home about every 4 or 5 weeks for a week at a time! I would HATE that!), or even work third shift. I just don't know how I would do that.

So no matter how cheesy I am being by posting this video, it is how I am feeling and my new favorite song to crank up and listen to while driving. A good reminder of how fortunate I am to have a wonderful husband if nothing else.

love-

Year One

I can't believe that I already have two weeks under my belt! I am off to a great start with my first year of teaching! I currently have 72 students, but that can change anyday with kids still transferring in or switching out of Honors ELA to 8th grade ELA. I really have nothing to complain about except that I am completly exhausted! :) However, I already had geared myself up for that! Thank you to all who said a prayer the first day! I had so many sweet and encourging text that helped make the first few days bearable!

I can not even explain how much I love and appreciate my team! This team has a special place in my heart anyways because it is the team I did my student teaching with! During that time I grew really close to one of the two math teachers on the hall and now we are great friends! They have all bent over backwards to help me! I thank God that he placed me with such great people to work with! Not only on my team but school and even district!

I will take some pictures to share later on! I hope that you are having a great weekend! I had a class for school this morning and now I am getting ready for couple's night. However, I am going single since John Thomas has gone to Bristol for the race tonight. That is okay though, I probably wouldn't have even talked to him that much there anyways, haha! Have a great Saturday night!

Love-

Facelift

I am trying to design a new background and header so that explains the dullness of my blog! I don't like the uglyness that it has going on right now but until tomorrow night it is just going to have to do! I am hoping to have a new facelift of Gillespie's Gatherings tomorrow, along with an update about how awesome school and life is going! Love to all!

Back to a Routine!

I must admit I am routine type girl! So starting school today was good! Although I did not love hearing my alarm go off at 5:45AM, I did love seeing all the people that I work with! Made a 7:45 faculty meeting very bearable! I feel so blessed to begin my first year teaching at such a wonderful school where the support system is awesome! I still have a lot and I mean A LOT of planning this week, but I am ready for the kids to come and get the school year rolling!

Back in February I started a gym called 9 Round Gym. It is a a kickboxing/boxing 30 minute circuit. At first I was super dedicated going Monday-Friday and when I missed a day I felt like crap. Spring Break came and I only went two days that week and from then on it has been not so good. I never could get back going and so I went on to loose all the muscle and endurance that I had built up. I thought to myself over the weekend that today would be the perfect day to get back started since I am kicking off a new school year. Loved being back, do not love the way I am feeling. I know that it takes about two or three weeks to get back into it strong so I am making myself become dedicated to it and going at least five times a week! I am hopeful that it will work! I loved the feeling I had when I went!

Tuesday nights is when I typically go to my awesome Bible Study that I love so much but tomorrow I am going with two of my close friends to see Hillsong! I would recommend them to anyone! You should go check them out on youtube if you have never listened to their music. Such an inspiring group!

That is about all I have tonight! I am ready for bed and it is 8:45, ha! I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Love-