Wednesday, October 27, 2010

babies, babies everywhere

A couple of my good friends had babies in the last 24 hours (Congrats, Jordan & Marissa and Russ & Lindsey on your new additions), and I am expecting my fourth niece in just a few weeks.  It seems this is the season of my life where many of my friends and siblings will be having babies.  I'm mostly just excited for them, but part of me it a bit jealous as I have recently felt a growing desire for children. I'm told that is simply biological and that I'm really not crazy.

My husband has pleaded with me to wait a while to make this a priority as there are a few preparations we would both like to make before we begin building our own family, such as finding a stable job for him and paying off student loan debt, which we've kicked butt at by the way! We're making progress there. I know that God's timing is perfect, so whatever preparations he allows us the patience and time to make before children enter our lives (if He decides to bless us with them), will be the ones that He thought were needed.

In the meantime, I can enjoy playing with other people's children while striving to be a good friend, aunt and most importantly, a good wife!
 

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Jackson's Orchard - Pumpkin Festival

We stopped by Jackson's Orchard today. I don't think I've ever seen so many people there before. They had pony rides, sand art, a small petting zoo, food, a monstrous slide and the list goes on. Though we had to wait in line for 30 minutes to get some peach ice cream and a caramel apple, it was well worth the trip.









These reminded me of the pumpkins from our wedding.

The one we brought home.


Enchiladas at the Carters

I've had a fun couple of days. We got to entertain Nick and Dara Bacon last night. They are a couple of my favorite people. It's always a treat to hang out with them. We made enchiladas, which are now one of my favorite dishes. Thank you, Chris for teaching me your culture. He always jokes that I married him because I love Mexican food. It's not true. It's just an added bonus.

Anyway, back to Nick and Dara. This is the couple that introduced Chris and I. Dara and I were roommates. Nick and Chris were roommates. Nick and Dara got married. Chris and I started hanging out, and the rest is history. It's nice to have that connection. I think we'll stay close with them for a long time as a result. They just recently moved to Nashville from Tuscaloosa, AL. Nick is working as an assistant professor at Belmont. We got to meet their new puppy, an airedale terrier named Watson. He's pretty sweet. It kind of made me want a puppy. They say it's good to get one before you have kids. I guess it's good practice for taking care of something.  Oh well...it's something to think about. I just wish they weren't so expensive...and so much work....hummm...maybe this is should be telling me something.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

2 sleepy people

Yesterday I awoke to a gift from my husband, a dozen red roses and a sweet card in which he explained just how much he loves being married to me. Mornings don't really start any better than that.


We went our separate ways for work and celebrated our anniversary with dinner out (Olive Garden, one of my favorite restaurants) and dessert at Starbucks.  We both enjoyed a Pumpkin Spice Latte, something that we make a point to treat ourselves to each Fall. Actually, I think Chris cheated earlier this season (probably the first day they offered this latte) and got one after one of his first days of subbing. I don't blame him. It's a nice way to unwind. I wish we could afford to splurge on things like this more frequently, but I'll settle for at least once a year. That's probably healthier, but honestly, it's amazing. It's Fall in a cup.

Anyway, as the evening ended I think we both realized that we were each fighting sleep out of excitement (or possibly caffeine overdose) as people sometimes do on holidays and special occasions. I am not sure who started humming the song that we danced to at our wedding first, but the other joined in momentarily. Two Sleepy People.  It was humorously fitting.


Click on the link below to hear Art Garfunkel sing this sweet song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSrvtFUn8Y8

Lyrics to - Two Sleepy People
(Frank Loesser, Hoagy Carmichael)

Here we are, out of cigarettes
Holding hands and yawning
Look how late it gets.
Two Sleepy People
By dawn's early light,
And too much in love
To say, "Good night."
Here we are, in the cozy chair
Pickin' on a wishbone
From the Frigidaire,
Two Sleepy People
With nothing to say,
And too much in love to break away.
Do you remember
The nights we used to linger in the hall?
Your father didn't like me at all.
Do you remember
The reason why we married in the fall?
To rent this little nest
And get a bit of rest, well.
Here we are
Just about the same
Foggy little fella,
Drowsy little dame.
Two Sleepy People
With nothing to say
And too much in love to break away.
Two Sleepy People
By dawn's early light,
And too much in love
To say, "Good night."
Two Sleepy People
With nothing to say
And too much in love to break away.
Do you remember
The nights we used to linger in the hall?
Your father didn't like me at all.
Do you remember
The reasons why we married in the fall?
To rent this little nest
And get a bit of rest, well.
Here we are
Just about the same
Foggy little fella,
Drowsy little dame.
Two Sleepy People
By dawn's early light,
And too much in love
To say, "Good night."

Monday, October 11, 2010

2 happy years

Today is our anniversary! I am so grateful to be blessed with such a wonderfully caring husband.  I can't believe that we are celebrating two years! It seems like just a few days ago I was preparing for my new life with Chris. I honestly don't know where the time has gone.

Year two has certainly had it's trials: several months of unemployment for him and a tough decision on a job transition for me, but we have relied on God's grace to pull us through. Though many times we fail, Chris and I have made a commitment to put Christ in the center of our marriage. With His help, we've been able to love each other even during stressful times, when the choice to do so is not an easy one.

I am honored to be his wife, and I think we make a pretty good team.

Our first photo together. CRU Halloween "Rock Show" October 2007. The night our relationship became "official."

At a family wedding in February 2008.

After our engagement party March 29, 2008.



On our honeymoon in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Goofiness. Sometime in 2008.

Christmas Eve night, 2009

October 11, 2009 Happy First Anniversary!


 Family wedding, May 2010.

Bored at home, August 2010.





Saturday, October 9, 2010

i love weddings

In addition to the chili cook-off and birthday party, we also attended my cousin's wedding. Jimmy married his lovely bride, Tiffany last Saturday, October 2.  I love weddings. I guess it's the beauty of marriage, the symbolism of Christ's love for the church that gets to me.  Not to mention that you could tell that this was the happiest day of their lives. I have only had the pleasure of hanging out with Tiffany a few short times, but I already know that I really like her.

The fall decorations reminded me of my own October wedding. They were also blessed with some cool fall weather to go with it! For anyone who doesn't know or remember, our wedding day was a little later in October, and it was 80+ degrees outside.

Below are some pictures from their wedding and reception. Congratulations to the Boyds!













chili cook-off

Last weekend my family got together for a chili-cook off and birthday party. Both my dad and stepmother had birthdays in September, so we thought we would all try to get together for a little party.  The chili cook-off started off as kind of a joke last year. My dad likes to think that he's the chili king, so my siblings and I thought it would be fun to challenge him in a chili cook off. We've been talking about it for a year, so we thought we'd finally put our chili where our mouths are. Or something like that. Unfortunately, my parents are on a special diet, which must be working because they've both seen some good results.  To supplement, they entered a special "healthy" chili. The first weekend of October proved to be a perfect time to have a chili cook-off. The weather was perfect. Fall was certainly present.

Chris and I must make some good chili. We finished in a tie with Jamie for "best overall."  However, there is no doubt in my mind that my dad or stepmother could have blown us both away if they weren't restricted to healthy ingredients. Since there was a tie for the win, (and we didn't exactly win my a landslide) Dad will remain the chili king for now. Jamie's facebook status that night summarized the day well: Five types of chili, crackers, cornbread, and chocolate cupcakes. Our chili cook-off was great! Can't wait to do it again.

Next challenge: Mexican dish- at the Carter's in February. I think we may have the advantage on this one.


Some highlights from the day: