A year can change so much...

It's amazing how much a little one changes in a year! Check out these pictures of AC (my little cousin) and MT (my niece).

AC

12/16/0712/25/08

MT

12/24/07


12/28/08



Amazing, huh?

Cute faces...and a handsome one too!

Here are some sweet smiles I caught at Cart Christmas this year...Sweet AC

The new face AC made at Rachel everytime she pointed the camera at her!




Too sweet!

This little man informed me that he was not cute (at all)

Me: Thanks, that was a really cute picture of you

Little man: No, not at all. (In the most serious tone of voice.)

Haha- gotta love children!

Hoodies and toys!

Tonight, Travis and I took Christmas presents over to our nephews and niece. We weren't able to see them on Christmas Day. Each one got an Old Navy fleece or hoodie and of course a toy.

William and Calvin unwrapping fun games!

GQ Triston sportin' the ON Hoodie

Is this not the cutest little momma you have ever seen?

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

Tonight, Travis and I put up our Christmas tree! It is always so much fun getting ready for Christmas! Cookies are in the oven now and Purity Boiled Custard is chilling in the refrigerator. We watched this movie while decorating:

It's our tradition, even if this is only the second year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you all have a great one!

Under the weather...

I've been sick with the flu for almost two weeks now. I am FINALLY getting over it and have about 50% of my energy back. I promise to update the blog as soon as I get my house back in order. Hope everyone has a GREAT weekend!

One Question...

How about those Titans?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

10-0

Didn't happen...

I'm sorry, I am having some major issues getting my pictures to load- there are over 2,400 pictures on the memory card that I used this summer. I tried last night over and over and couldn't get it to work. But- I am working on it. As soon as I get my pictures loaded- I will blog away! Have a great Friday!

I am attempting to do some major updating...

I am going to try to update all the way back to June by the end of the day today! I am having a hard time getting my pictures to upload. (I guess that's because there are 2400 pictures on one memory card!) Any way, bare with me, I am trying. I PROMISE to keep it current if I can get it updated!! Have a good day!

A glimpse of what's to come...

June:

Travis' grandfather turned 90!

Girl's night out

Kari's Wedding

Cruise #2- New Orleans, Cozumel, and the Yucatan

Somebody's 50!

July:

Cookies with the kids

July 4th

August:

Another girl party

A vow renewal

Travis' birthday

Cruise #3- Miami, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel

And I know there will be others. Check later!

A few of my favorite things...

I love this...it is our vase from the sand ceremony in our wedding. I poured gel wax on top of it so that it would always stay the way it was made during the wedding.


I love this painting by Kim Wheeler. Thanks Rachel (and family) we LOVE it! I finally got a frame that I like for it ($12.49 half price at Michael's!!) and I have a BEAUTIFUL new shelf to display it on! The frame is black but there is some brown showing thru in some areas, I'm not sure if you can see it in this picture.

I love this picture of my Grandpa that Kyndall gave me for Christmas. I get to see him daily just as I remember him. Though it doesn't make up for him not being here- I love that this picture sits in my living room as a constant reminder of him.

Kashi bars...how I love thee... These bars are my new secret addiction..although it's not so secret anymore!

Home Project

Look what Travis built this weekend. I L-O-V-E it! I can finally display things neatly! Thank you Travis!!

Elbie

What kind of updating would I be doing if I didn't post about Elbie? Here is a cute picture of her doing what she loves to do after a long day of playing...

Laying on the back of the couch in her spot.

You would never know by looking at her sweet face that she is the same dog that destroyed a paint brush soaked in black furniture stain and coated herself in black and painted our living room floor black...more on that later. I want this post to be sweet.

This is what is keeping me away...

It seems lately that I have been so out of routine. Always busy, always tired, messy house, laudry piling up, dinner at 8 p.m, not enough sleep, unfinished projects, 534 unread emails, paid bills to be filed(atleast I am getting still getting them paid on time), calls to be returned....

Here's the reason:

WORK!

That's right, this is where I spend every weekday and sometimes evenings. I hate to blame- but it's only the truth! This is where I have been hiding since July.

Dear Blog,

I promise not to let things get so behind anymore. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my new job. It was just hard to adjust to the new stress load, busier schedule and longer days. I wouldn't change a thing though! I am finally adjusting to a new schedule and I promise to no longer neglect you!

-me

Since April

I bought three of these sticker type things at a home party in April. I FINALLY got around to making one of them! I still have a cross and another saying to put on something. They are made for walls, but I didn't want mine to be permanent! Here it is...

I put it on the front of a picture frame ($14.49 at Michael's!!) and I put some light brown fabric in the background! I must say, I really like it! Stay tuned for the next two...

A day at the circus!

Today my mom, Lauren and I went to the circus. I don't know who had the most fun!

2nd row seats for 3= $60

Elephant ride= $10 each

Popcorn, lemonade, and cotton candy= $20

Spending a day with a happy six year old= PRICELESS!

We're back!

We had a FABULOUS time. It had to be the BEST vacation we've ever been on! The weather was absolutely PERFECT. The sea was calm the whole time. It was sunny every single day! We took over 1,300 pictures while we were gone! I just can't say enough about how great this vacation was. I will post some pictures soon- obviously not all 1,300!

Have a great day, I know I won't now that vacation is over!

Birthday Cruise

So, we are flying to Miami this Friday to go on a cruise for Travis' birthday. What a nice birthday gift!This vacation is much needed as we have both been so busy with work lately that it is INSANE!

So, Saturday morning we are boarding this:

And going to Cozumel, Grand Cayman Island and Jamaica.

Pray that there are no more storms!!! We will be back on Saturday the 6th!

I promise-I am going to go back and update before we leave!

Tagged....6 Random Facts About Me

Okay, Rachel tagged me...so here we go with 6 random facts about me...

1. I plan to go to law school one day.

2. I love my job! ( Iknow- weird, right?)

3. I have been out of high school for 5 years, out of college for 1 year, married 14 months and the proud puppy-mommy to an adorable toy pom for 11 months!

4. I am 5 foot 3 inches tall

5. I have one the best memories ever created (seriously, i'm not trying to brag at all) and sometimes it annoys me.

6. This is one of my favorite quotes: "We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot."- Eleanor Roosevelt

That's it, hope you enjoy!! Thanks Rachel for tagging me, it was fun!!!

Catching Up...

I have got to get caught up!!! I have been crazy busy lately and have not had a single moment to blog! Let's see....here is a recap of some things that have happened this summer...we have celebrated our one year anniversary, gone on a cruise, I have started yet another new position at the bank (and I love it!), planned a cruise for Travis' birthday, moved Travis' sister in with us, and the list keeps going! It's been busy, but it has been great!

I promise to get my act together and get this blog updated soon!!!!

P.S. : If anyone is interested in buying any Arbonne products, I will be placing an order this week and I will pay shipping! If you need a catalog let me know, or you can check out our products at www.arbonne.com - I promise they are good products- trust me- I have some serious skin allergies and I have not had a single issue with these truly pure products!

Have a great day!

2 weeks in the making....

That's right- you all know us- we LOVE to start projects and drag them out for as long as possible!!! (NOT) That's just life I guess!

I bought this tile for CHEAP- it was 2.98 a piece and I got it for $1 a piece...2 YEARS AGO!!! Well- after contemplating where to put this tile...we finally decided that it should go in the half bathroom....2 weeks after removing the toilet and placing it on the back patio for the WHOLE WORLD TO SEE.....we have this....

This picture was taken before the floor was cleaned...I will update later when it is completely finished! Our house is coming together!

Little Pieces around the house...

I thought it would be neat to share with you some of the things that decorate our house...Since things are finally starting to come together!

(Painting by Kim Wheeler....The ribbon and wrapping has been removed since this picture!)

These pictures are hanging on the wall behind our couch...We actually took the pictures on the last night of our cruise and printed them in sepia as 8x10's...They are even prettier upclose!

Elbie Update...

We took Elbie in for a haircut.....

Before

After

She is such a small dog! She will be a year old soon- so we don't see her getting any bigger...she is so funny- if I am at home- she doesn't want anything to do with Travis...it's hilarious! But if I'm not there- she will follow him everywhere and sit in his lap! She won't even take a treat from him unless I am there to witness it! It's great!!!

Devastating News

Yesterday, Steven Curtis Chapman- a christian music artist and Middle Tennessee resident- lost his daughter. She was struck by a vehicle driven by her older brother in the family's driveway. Maria was 5 years old, and the youngest of the Chapman's 6 children. She was one of the three little girls adopted from China. This is devastating. My heart goes out to their family. I can't even imagine their pain, and the suffering that her brother must be enduring. Please keep this family in your prayers.

I will end with a new song of his...it's heartbreaking to hear now...

She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,

Without a care in the world.

And I'm sittin' here wearin'

the weight of the world on my shoulders.

It's been a long day and there's still work to do,

She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!

There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited

and I need to practice my dancin'"

"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms'

Cause I know something the prince never knew

Oh I will dance with Cinderella

I don't wanna miss even one song,

Cuz all to soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed

She wants to know if I'd approve of a dress

She says "Dad, the prom is just one week away,

And I need to practice my dancin'"

"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms'

Cause I know something the prince never knew

Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella

I don't wanna miss even one song,

Cuz all to soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone

She will be gone.

Well, she came home today

With a ring on her hand

Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned

She says "Dad, the wedding's due six months away

And I need to practice my dancin'"

"Oh please, daddy please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella

While she is here in my arms

'Cause I know something the prince never knew

Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella

I don't wanna miss even one song, (even one song)

Cuz all to soon the clock will strike midnight

And she'll be gone

Arbonne

I had a lunch meeting today with Liesa. She has cut/colored my hair forever now. She is very passionate about Arbonne products. Travis and I have been praying about whether or not this is something that I should get in to. After several months of discussing it, praying about it, and contemplating it, I have finally decided to pursue it. I love the products, and the results on the weight loss system are amazing. I have always wanted to be my own boss- but more importantly- I want to help make a difference in the lives of other people.

I know that by taking on something like this, I am going to receive all kinds of ridicule- it's already begun. But I have to stick to a quote that I know is true:

"Everyone is born into the world to do something unique and something distinctive and if he or she does not do it, it will never be done."

I can't be scared anymore to take a chance at something. I see this business as being very rewarding. It will take hard work, but I am ready for the challenge!

So, if you are interested in hosting a presentation, or viewing a catalog, please let me know.

I think that this will be the start of something great!

10 months today...

Since we got married... seems a lot longer (I don't know if that's good or bad?) but at the same time, it's hard to believe that it's been that long since we got married...all that hard work and time put into planning that day and now it's been 10 months?? It's crazy!

Today is also 2 months until the cruise leaves! I cannot wait!!! 61 days and counting!! And trust me- I am literally counting- I've got a calendar made with a picture of the ship and all! Of course I just printed it off the computer- nothing too spectacular!

Down 30...

This is my lunch everyday...I am beginning to look foward to it...isn't that WEIRD? But hey- it's working...that and a lot of hard work and a very restricted diet...I've lost 30 since the end of February. I'm excited! Of course Travis has lost about double what I have (men!!)- but that's okay, I'm gong to get there!! Now, off to drink my "shake", that's what I keep telling myself!

Have a great day!

Little project- COMPLETED!

Well, I got this piece of furniture from my Dad. It was my great grandmothers- Granny Ligon- Travis brought it home- not knowing exactly why I had to have it...See, I had this pathetic desk- the kind that you buy for like nothing- we got it for like $2 at CVS. Well- it was "pathetic" because I put it together myself- so the poles were completely crooked. It was hilarious. I will try to find a picture and post it later. We were using the desk to house our DVD player, DVR, and DVD's. It was bulky and very sloppy! Now we feel very organized...for now!

Anyway, Travis brought home the very-old-but-new-to-me-shelf and sanded it (because it had my sister Jessi's name carved all over it!!) and painted it black. It does have some dents and dings- but we both just LOVE it in our living room. I will put some better pictures on here later on- but for now- here are some to give you an idea. (They are very small because I took these with my cell phone)

As some of you know, we like to start projects and then we never finish them- this was like a 3 day project- that's it! Can you believe it?!? 3 days- that's it! I will take some pictures of some of the other started-but-not-yet-completed projects we have going on and share them with you next time!!

$200.98

Travis and I have recently been starting jogging pretty much daily. After a couple of weeks of aching legs and feet, we decided that we needed to buy some good running shoes. I, being the queen of cheap, knew that I wasn't going to spend much on my shoes. I just wanted something more comfortable. Well, Travis decided to go and get these shoes himself. (probably so he wouldn't have to spend forever going store to store looking for the best deal.) He walks right in the store, studies his options and makes the purchase. And of course, what would new shoes be without brand new socks to go with them. So he gets his and mine- without my foot present- and the socks for both of us. So when I check the bank account to see how much he spent, I about fell out of my chair. $200.98. His response was "It's not that much."I would have never spent that on running shoes. But I bet my feet feel good this afternoon. Crazy boy!

Oh, and the shoes do fit!

Carnival Fantasy....here we come.....again!!

We've planned a trip for our first anniversary....we are going on the same cruise we went on for our honeymoon...it does make a different stop one day. So we'll be going to Progresso, Yucatan and back to beautiful Cozumel!

(Carnival Fantasy docked in New Orleans)

It is cheaper to fly than it is to drive...$399 round trip for both of us total! So, we have booked the flight....June 22, 2008 at 7:40 AM to New Orleans and our cruise leaves the 23rd at 4:00....so we will have a day and a half in New Orleans....anyone know of anything fun to do there? We visited an aquarium last time and saw a 3D movie there....but we want something different to do.




We were able to get the same room we had last time- perfect location- on the main floor, big picture window, first room in the hall! All that's left to do now is find a hotel in New Orleans that doesn't cost a ton! Last time we were able to stay at the JW Marriott- it was an extremely nice hotel- found it on a 24 hour sale on hotels.com for only $65 a night! Very comfortable and had a great view!!! Now it's $169 a night...I'm holding out for a sale...if anyone sees anything nice and cheap....let me know!! Or if you know where I can book a nice and cheap hotel room- please let me know!!



We can't wait!!! If you ever get the chance....you should definately go on a cruise...it is amazing...and cheap when you consider everything is practically paid for before you leave! So if you know of fun things to do in New Orleans....let us know!!

94 more days!!!

Updated a little...

Okay, I just updated a little all the way back to December 1st! FINALLY!! I will try to continue posting...Have a great Friday!!

New hair...

I've been going to get my hair highlighted every six weeks for years now. At my last appointment, the lady that does my hair said that we should go in and put some dark in- to match my roots....SCARY!! Yesterday I was nervous all day long! I know it shouldn't be such a big deal, but to me it was...I'm used to being very blonde! I do like the change, I miss the blonde- but this will be easier to keep up with and better on my hair! Here's a sneak peak...I'm not brave enough to post another picture where you can really see the change!

Where have I been?

Oh my! We have been so busy lately!! I have tons of pictures to post- but no time!! Since Travis has become self-employeed and the recent change of job for me (same place different responsibilites) we have been absoultely CRAZY!! I do need to go back to atleast Christmas and update! I promise to do so in the near future- maybe tonight?

Hope everyone has a great day!!