It's All Wright

verse for the day

2012-02-09T15:50:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday nights, I'm part of a wonderful Bible study with some amazing women. We are studying the book of James using Beth Moore's Mercy Triumphs. Every time I spend time in the study or watching the video, I feel the Lord speaking directly to me. It's been very uplifting, especially during a rough time. Last night, we watched a video, which moved me to tears. Our God is an AWESOME God who knows exactly what we need and uses people, His word, and various other things to provide comfort, peace, strength, and healing. Thank you Lord!

Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, BUT your grief will turn to joy. John 16:20

meet my new friend

2012-02-06T19:42:00.000-08:00

Isn't she precious?

On Tuesday, my dear friend, Melissa, gave birth to this bundle of joy! I couldn't wait to meet her, to hold her, and to snuggle, so Craig and I made a quick trip to Florence. Melissa and I have been friends since Kindergarten. She took me under her wing and watched out for me. I was scared about school, and she was brave enough for the both of us. From that day on, we could not be separated. She has always looked out for our group of friends and has played the role of our Mother Hen for years. I know she's going to be an amazing Mommy to Molly. Molly, you are a lucky girl, and you are blessed with wonderful parents. Congrats Melissa and Eric! I am so happy for your little family. She's beautiful, and I can't wait to watch her grow.

beautiful baby girl

Two of my other dear friends also gave birth to baby girls in January. Congrats to Mary Brook and Graig on the birth of Maggie and Meaghan and Brandon on the birth of Madelyn. I can't wait to meet these little girls!

Happy Birthday!!

2012-01-31T10:41:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday to my Mother-in-Law, Carolyn Wright!!

I won't tell you how old she is, because you should never tell a woman's age. However, I will let you know today is a special day for her! I am so thankful to have a sweet, caring, and thoughtful mother-in-law. She loves to help others in need and would do anything for anyone in her family. She goes to great lengths to make holidays special and vacations fun. She puts a lot of time and energy into her family, and we are all so appreciative. Most of all, I am thankful for the amazing son (well, actually sons, but right now I'm only talking about Craig) she raised. He is thoughtful, sweet, loving, caring, supportive, encouraging, helpful, and so much more. He always puts me first and serves with the heart of Christ. Thank you for raising Craig to love me with all of his heart. We are blessed to have you in our lives! We love you!! Happy Birthday!!

Roll Tide!

2012-01-10T18:33:00.000-08:00

Well, in case you didn't know, my team played last night in the National Championship. I wore my houndstooth jacket and red scarf to work. My students made predictions about who would win and the final score. We went over to Chris and Britney's and watched the game with some friends. I was very excited, but I was a little nervous all day. I believed the game would be a higher scoring game than the previous one, and I had a feeling we would come out on top. However, I had no idea we would dominate! Our defense was amazing, and I was so proud of the team for never giving up. All I can say is, "Roll Tide!"

Christmas

2012-01-02T10:21:00.000-08:00

This year we made lots of trips back and forth between Nashville and Florence, which made us very thankful that the drive is only two hours. We were able to spend time with family and friends. Here is a glimpse through pictures of Christmas 2011...

We love spending time with our nephew!
This year we kept him for a day, which is something
we hope to do each year. I think we were more tired than
Gentry at the end of the day.

Christmas in Florence
So thankful we had a few days to spend with
my entire family. Next year, Adam and Cathy's little boy
will be the center of attention. Looking forward to another nephew!

Scarves from Grandma
What an amazing woman!

Bethany wrapped all of our presents in items from
her costume bucket. Hats, goggles, Batman, etc.
Never a dull moment with my sister!

Painting with my Spivey cousins
This year we had a painting project with my
little cousins. Lucy, Sophie, Elsie, and Lola with
their beautiful handprint Christmas trees.

Birthday balloon from my BFF
Gentry gave me this balloon for my birthday.
I love this little boy!!

Christmas in Franklin
We always enjoy spending time with Craig's family
on Christmas Eve.

5 Years

2011-12-30T09:06:00.001-08:00

Five years ago today, I married my best friend. Wow, that's hard to believe!

Craig is an amazing husband, and my life would not be the same without him. He is always willing to help around the house and finds jobs to do without being asked. He follows the example Christ set of a humble servant. What a blessing to be able to share every day with him! Happy Anniversary Craig!! I love you more and more each day!!

My wonderful friends who stood by my side
Rebekah, Codi, Bethany, Emily, Melissa, Betsy, Elizabeth, and Mary Brook

First Anniversary: Islamorada
We spent a few days (including our anniversary) in the Keys with Craig's family.

Second Anniversary: Florence
We were in Florence still celebrating the holidays with my family.

Third Anniversary: Gatlinburg
We went to Gatlinburg with Craig's family to celebrate New Year's.

Fourth Anniversary: Florence
We were in Florence celebrating the holidays with my family.

Fifth Anniversary: Jackson
We celebrated our fifth anniversary early with a trip to Asheville.
Tonight we have dinner reservations and a movie planned in Jackson.
(This will be our first anniversary spent just the two of us.)

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
I Peter 4:8

Happy Birthday...

2011-12-07T18:33:00.000-08:00

Mom!!

Well, it seems lately I don't have anything to write about except for birthdays. As promised before, I will update on other events soon. (If anyone out there is still reading.) Oh well, now for today's special person.

Today is my mom's birthday. She is one amazing woman, and I'm so thankful to have her as my mom and my friend. She is constantly putting others first and making sacrifices for the ones she loves. She is always there and is willing to drop everything when I need her. What a blessing to have her in my life!! I love you Mom and hope you have a wonderful day!!

Happy Birthday Sissy!!

2011-12-04T20:39:00.001-08:00

I know I am behind on my blogging. November passed without one entry. We enjoyed a wonderful 5 year anniversary trip to Asheville as well as fun time with the families over Thanksgiving. I will blog about those events on another day.

Today is a special day for my Beautiful, Extraordinary, Talented, Humorous, Adventurous, Nice, and Young sister. Happy 26th Birthday Bethany!! You make my life more fun.You are full of life and energy. There is never a dull moment when you are around. I am so thankful for the close bond we share and for your constant support.You have always been there for me and know more about me than most people. You know what to say as just the right moment. I know I can count on you for anything. Thank you for always making me laugh. I only wish we lived closer so we could have celebrated tonight. I hope your birthday has been amazing, because that is what you deserve. I love you so much Sissy!! I am so proud to call you my younger sister. You make me smile.

Happy Birthday Luke!

2011-10-26T14:26:00.000-07:00

Last week my brother, Luke, celebrated his 30th birthday!! Laura planned a wonderful birthday party for him on Friday night. Craig and I were able to go, and we had so much fun! Luke and Laura planned games for everyone to play with a partner (putt-putt, corn hole, football throw, basketball, airplane, base bowling, soccer, and tennis). The games were very creative, and everyone had a blast!!

Craig and I won the competition

Birthday Breakfast at Cracker Barrel

In honor of Luke turning 30, here are 30 words to describe him:
adventurous, brave, charming, clever, confident, courageous, daring, dependable, easygoing, encouraging, energetic, faithful, friendly, funny, giving, happy, helpful, imaginative, kind, loving, peaceful, pleasant, polite, popular, positive, religious, skillful, talented, thankful, and trustworthy

Birthday Wishes

2011-10-18T21:04:00.001-07:00

Happy 29th Birthday Craig!

Just wanted to wish my wonderful husband a Happy Birthday!! God truly blessed my life with Craig, and I am so thankful for him. He is patient, compassionate, thoughtful, humble, and dedicated. He spends long hours at work and comes home willing to help in any way. He doesn't wait to be asked. He sees the need and chooses to serve. He is constantly putting others first. Thank you Craig for showing me the servant heart of Christ on a daily basis. You are amazing, and I love you so much! I hope you have an incredible birthday!!

Sissy

2011-10-10T18:08:00.000-07:00

I.LOVE.MY.SISTER.

On Wednesday, I drove to Nashville to catch my flight to Fort Lauderdale. I was thankful that Luke was able to take me to the airport, which allowed us a little time to catch up. I love my family! After a short delay, I boarded the plane, played some games on my iPad, and arrived in Fort Lauderdale. Bethany picked me up, and we began catching up.

On Thursday, I spent the day relaxing at the house. Bethany had to work. I worked on some school things, read a book, took a nap, and played some games on the iPad. That night Bethany had a work event, which she had planned. It was great to see her in action and to meet some of her co-workers. They all had wonderful things to say about her, which were things I already knew. I was so proud of my sissy!!

Bethany took Friday off. She picked up our rental car (the cool blue Mustang), and we spent the day at South Beach. The weather was perfect. The only problem was the wind pelted us with sand. Friday night we went shopping and stayed up late watching Friends. On Saturday, we planned to spend the day at the Everglades. However, it rained all day. We drove around Miami, colored our hair, watched football, and hung out with some of her friends. I had to leave early Sunday morning, which made me sad. The trip was great but just a little too short.

I am so thankful for my amazing sister! I wish we lived closer, so we could hang out more. I miss seeing her whenever I want. However, I am so proud of her. She loves her job and works hard. She is committed and dedicated to City Year, and she is a blessing to this organization. She is independent and out going. She has a great sense of humor and makes others smile. She is supportive and loving. She is my encourager and supporter. She knows what to say when I'm down, and she knows exactly how to cheer me up. I am thankful for my best friend.

Our ride for the weekend

Bethany's CasaRelaxing at the BeachOn my Miami tour
(We are both supporting our teams)

Fall Break

2011-10-04T19:02:00.001-07:00

I have been counting down the days until Fall Break. Tomorrow I have a half day of school, and then I am off the rest of the week. I love my job and my students, but I am so excited about the break!! This year Craig was not able to take the time off with me. (He's studying for a big test in a few weeks). Well, I decided I wanted to go somewhere and relax. So, Miami...here I come!! I can't wait to see my sister and hang out for a few days!! I miss her so much, and I'm looking forward to our time together. I will post more about the trip when I return.

The secret's out...

2011-09-18T14:02:00.001-07:00

This summer Grandma asked Santa for an early Christmas present. She asked that one of the Copelands would have a baby, so she could be a Great-Grandma again. (This request was also made to make her daughter and son-in-law extremely happy.)

When Bethany and I (as well as the rest of the family) learned the news, we were thrilled. We jumped for joy at the thought of being Aunts. We can't wait to spoil this little child!!

Well, congrats to the lovely couple...

Adam and Cathy, we are so excited for both of you!! We can't wait to welcome baby Copeland in April. We love you!! Aunt Anna, Uncle Craig, and cousin Tucker Bear

College Football

2011-09-10T12:13:00.000-07:00

College Football means

lazy Saturdays on the couch

weekly RTR texts from the family

fun arguments with Craig about which team is best

sporting my team's colors as much as possible

yelling at the t.v. and pacing around the room

I love spending my Saturdays decked out in Alabama paraphernalia and watching numerous games with Craig. This is the only sport that I could watch all day. There's just something special about College Football. Here's to a great season!

30 Years Ago...

2011-09-06T17:40:00.000-07:00

My parents, along with four other couples and four small children, left for Brasil. Their mission was to spread the love of Jesus and to teach the people about the grace of God. Mission: Accomplished. The work still continues in Brasil, and many lives have been changed.

I have always admired my parents for the sacrifices they made and for their commitment to the Lord. This past weekend we gathered in Fayetteville, Arkansas for a reunion. Four of the five couples on the team made the trip, and six of the fourteen kids were present. As a Brasil family, we have gathered to celebrate reunions at 5 years, 10 years, and 20 years. During the previous trips, I spent most of my time playing with the other children. However, this year I enjoyed sitting around and hearing the stories. We laughed. We had fun. We shared memories of God's provision and his love.What a wonderful weekend!! Thank you Dad, Mom, Rod, Tina, DJ, Deb, Terry, Jenny, Joe, and Jennifer for making a difference in the lives of so many. Thank you for teaching by your example and for allowing God to use you. I pray that I will always listen for God's voice and that I will be willing to go where he leads.

Deb, Mom, Jenny, & Tina

The American with 2 of his Brasilian siblings.
We missed you, Bethany!

On my heart

2011-08-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

Brian and Cortney May

Brian works with Craig, so we have become friends with this sweet couple since we moved to Jackson. Brian is a fun guy to be around and always has a joke. Cortney is the type of person who would do anything to help you. They have a precious one year old son, named Jackson. Jackson is such a laid back baby, and he looks just like his daddy. This family's world was turned upside down on Monday.

Early Sunday morning, Jackson went for a walk with his grandparents in his wagon. While on the walk, a dead tree branch fell on him. He was rushed to the hospital and passed away yesterday afternoon. Shock. I just can't wrap my brain around this. I just don't understand. A precious little baby and a tragic accident.

Please pray for this entire family. Also, pray for the families of the children who will receive Jackson's organs. May he save the lives of many.

"Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall." Psalm 55:22

Blessings

2011-07-31T18:46:00.000-07:00

Hope you enjoy this song. It's one of my favorites right now.

This is the story behind the song.

Believe me, the words of this song speak volumes.

Thank you God for giving us what we need instead of what we want.

Everything's Better Deep Fried

2011-07-29T08:35:00.000-07:00

I thought our house was the state fair on Tuesday night.

Our dear friends, James and Elizabeth, and their sweet little boy, Andrew, came to visit. We spent the day hanging out, catching up, and playing with Andrew. It was a great day. However, the boys will tell you the fun did not begin until later that evening. After dinner, James and Craig decided to deep fry everything in the house. Snickers, Oreos, Reeses, Zingers, Almond Joys...I think you get the picture. The boys had a blast, while Elizabeth and I were a little disgusted by all of their creations. Don't worry, Memphis family, they have decided this will be done again at our next reunion. I will leave you with pictures from the deep frying fun...

James & Craig preparing the batter

The frying begins

A closer lookAll the fried goodiesThis picture is priceless

On a side note: I made a new dessert while James and Elizabeth were in town. It was amazing!! I found it on pinterest, which is my new addiction. Buy a brownie mix and add the eggs and oil, like the directions say. However, do not add the water. Instead, add 1/2 cup of cookies n cream ice cream as well as 1/4 cup of hot fudge topping. Layer half of the batter on the bottom of a 8x8 pan. Then place oreos on top. Last, layer the rest of the brownie batter. The result was amazing!!

Hard to resist

Mary Brook gets Married

2011-07-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

Last week, I spent the entire week in Florence celebrating with my very special friend, Mary Brook. Mary Brook and I have been friends since 7th grade. We have shared lots of fun times together, and I'm so thankful for her friendship. For the past three years, she has been living in Seattle, so we have not seen each other too often. I was so excited to spend the week with her!

Well, the week was very busy with wedding activities...

Tuesday: Bridal Shower at Melissa's
Thursday: BBQ dinner at Brad & Myra's
Friday: Bridesmaid Lunch, Rehearsal & Rehearsal Dinner, Lingerie Shower
Saturday: Wedding!!

Here are some pictures from the week...

Bridal ShowerMelissa, Me, Mary Brook, Codi, & Jackson
(We were missing Elizabeth)Me, Mary Brook, & Melissa
at Brad & Myra'sBridesmaids Lunch
Finally, together again!
Melissa, Codi, Mary Brook, Elizabeth, and Me

Melissa, Me, Mary Brook, & ElizabethThe wonderful coupleGlad the Hubby was able to make itYou probably want to ask someone else to cut the cake.

The wedding was beautiful! Congrats Mary Brook and Graig!! I am so happy for the two of you.

Gatlinburg Pictures

2011-07-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are some pictures from our Copeland Family Vacation...

the shady pit stop

our cabin for the weekendgirls win game 1bowling at the community centerbreakfast at the apple barnmy amazing siblingsthe out-lawsthe whole family on the porch

Gatlinburg Part II

2011-07-18T09:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I can't get my pictures to upload, so visit my sister-in-law's blog for pictures from the trip. Although she is an outlaw (ha! ha!), I think she did a better job of recapping the trip. So forget my previous post and read Laura's. When my camera decides to work with my computer, I will have another post from our wonderful weekend trip. Until then...

Gatlinburg

2011-07-17T20:17:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a long weekend trip to Gatlinburg with my family, and we had a blast! It all started on Thursday when we dropped Tucker Bear off at his boarding home. Then, Craig and I drove to Nashville to pick up two of our favorites (Luke and Laura) for the remainder of the trip.

On a side note...
Outside of Knoxville, we decided to make a stop for the restroom. Well, let's just say, that I don't think we will ever forget the hole in the wall where we stopped. It looked like a little shack. There was no air conditioner inside, which we noticed mainly because we had to wait in line for the potty. Laura was lucky enough to go first. When she came out with a terrified look, I knew I was in trouble. The toilet was full and would not flush. Once inside, I noticed several things. The bathroom was not clean. The toilet had several papers taped to the lid, and the top was hanging off the side. However, I really had to pee, so I held my nose and prayed the contents would not overflow. I survived. As I was washing my hands (thoroughly), I heard the toilet flush. How was that possible? Remember, I was at the sink. I walked back to the toilet to find EVERYTHING gone. I mean, there was hardly even any water in the toilet. A mystery. A funny story. A laugh shared by many for numerous days. A story we will never forget.

Back to the real story...
Anyways, we arrived in Gatlinburg in time for dinner. Dad grilled burgers and hot dogs. After dinner, we played Five Crowns until Adam and Cathy arrived. Then, we hung out and played more games. Friday morning we (Dad, Adam, Luke, and I) drove to Knoxville to pick up Bethany from the airport. We spent the rest of the day hanging out at the cabin, bowling at the community center, playing games, eating Adam and Cathy's yummy dinner, and playing putt-putt.

Saturday morning we went to The Apple Bard for breakfast, which was so yummy! Luke, Laura, Adam, Cathy, and Bethany went for an afternoon hike while Mom, Dad, Grandma, Craig, and I relaxed at the cabin. For dinner, we all contributed to an Italian feast. I organized a special trivia game for us to play, which was a lot of fun. The rest of the night was spent, yes you guessed it, playing games and hanging out.

Today we had a devotional before leaving. It was a great time to reflect on the love we have through Jesus and the love we share as a family. Adam and Cathy headed back to Harrisonburg, and the rest of us went to Nashville to watch the USA play Japan in the Women's World Cup finals. Although we were heartbroken with the final outcome, we enjoyed watching the sport we all love so much.

It was a great trip spent with 9 of my favorite people!! I am blessed with a wonderful family, and I am so thankful for the time we have to be together. Thanks to Mom and Dad for a long weekend vacation!!

Holiday Weekend

2011-07-05T19:37:00.000-07:00

Craig and I went to Nashville for the long weekend. We were excited to see lots of friends and take it easy. Friday night we went to dinner and played several games of Ticket to Ride on the iPad, which is our latest obsession.

I met Betsy, Emily, and Jenny in downtown Franklin on Saturday for lunch and a little shopping. It was so good to catch up with these awesome friends. I don't get to see them as often as I would like, but time doesn't seem to hurt our friendship. I always look forward to any time we can get together! Saturday night Craig and I went to J.Alexander's. YUM! We watched Black Swan after dinner. Natalie Portman deserved to win the Oscar, because she did a wonderful job. However, it was a little disturbing, and I was pretty tense the majority of the movie.

On Sunday, we met Luke and Laura and went to church with them. It was a wonderful service, and everyone was so nice. (If you want a funny story, let Craig tell you about how friendly one lady was to me.) After church, we went to a great pizza place and then back to their apartment to hang out. I love spending time with my family, so it was a fabulous morning! Sunday night we met the Parnells and the Clendenins at Chili's for dinner. (I know it sounds like all we do is eat!) Well, you know how special those couples are, so of course, we were thrilled to hang out! After dinner, we got an ice cream pizza from Maggie Moo's and then went to the Clendenins new house. Craig and I watched 127 Hours once we got to his parents' house. Another good movie, but I did cover my eyes during some of the scenes.

Last night we celebrated the Fourth with some of the residents and enjoyed Medina's fireworks. We had a wonderful weekend and were so thankful to spend time with so many friends. What a blessing to live in America with all our freedoms!!

Beauty and the Beast

2011-07-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite Disney movies, so of course I was excited to see the Broadway production at the Orpheum. We invited my parents and Grandma to join us, but Grandma had been sick and was not able to come. Unfortunately for my Dad, we went on Father's Day. I don't think this would have been his top pick for his special day, but I do think he had fun. They met us in Jackson for church. Then, we drove to Memphis, had lunch at Central (yum!), enjoyed the show, ate yogurt, and finally back home. The show was wonderful, and I loved the performance of "Be Our Guest."

texas farewell

2011-06-20T18:10:00.000-07:00

Friday morning we headed to San Marcos (45 minutes from San Antonio) for shopping, and I was really excited. They probably have the best outlets, and we found lots of bargains. Craig had really good luck and may have spent more than me, which is rare. We ate lunch at Freebirds (TX trying to be Baja Burrito) and then returned to the outlets for a few more hours of shopping.

After shopping, we drove to Austin (30 minutes from San Marcos). Our first stop was the University of Texas. This may have been one of Craig's highlights, but we were not able to stay long. We met his high school friend, Nathan and his wife Melissa, for dinner at Kerbey Lane. It was a wonderful place, and we had fun catching up. Then, we went to see a play with them. We had a fabulous Friday in San Marcos and Austin.

We slept late on Saturday due to our late night in Austin. We met Georgia Ockerman, her daughter Emily, and Shirley (her son Jacob's girlfriend) at The Cove. The Cove was featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. It is part laundromat, part restaurant, part car wash. Great experience. Amazing food. Definitely a place you should try.

The Ockermans are a very special family. I met Georgia and her daughter Katie on a mission trip to Brazil in 2000. In November of that same year, Katie was killed in a car accident. Adam and I flew to San Antonio for the funeral. I saw Georgia again in 2002 and 2004 on two week campaigns to Brazil. Our friendship continued to grow. When I interned, I spent a lot of time at the Ockerman house with Georgia, Jacob, Joel, and Emily. I considered them my second family and lots of people thought I looked like them. Georgia was always so friendly and made me feel at home the moment I arrived in San Antonio. She was always there to listen and willing to help in any way. I am so thankful for the friendship I have with her and her kids. I was sad that Jacob and Joel were not there.

Craig and I spent the rest of Saturday on the River Walk. We went to the MAX and saw a film about the Alamo. Then, we toured the Alamo. We walked around the River Walk, ate dinner at Casa Rio, and walked some more. It's such a beautiful place, and we really enjoyed it.

On Sunday, we went to Northside, and I was so excited to see so many old friends. It was great to see some of the kids who were in the youth group when I interned (Stacey, Taylor, Kyle, Tyler, Emily, Katelyn, Renee), lots of parents of kids (Andersons, Turners, Whartons, Haney, Tuckers, Vasquez, Clyde, Pippert, Frolichstein, Huddleston), and friends from the Brazil campaigns (Perdues, Royses, Coopers, Joe). Northside is a very special place, and I am so thankful for the summers I spent there.

We flew back home on Sunday. It was a wonderful trip, and we can't wait to go back

everything's BIGGER in texas...

2011-06-15T18:51:00.000-07:00

Thursday morning we went to Lulu's for breakfast. Craig had seen this place on one of the shows on The Food Network. We went for the 3 lb cinnamon roll. Yes, you read correctly...3 lbs!! We were not the only ones to see the show. I think everyone in the restaurant came for the famous cinnamon roll.

Just in case you needed a close up

After breakfast, we went to Sea World. We had great luck and did not have to wait in line for any of the rides. After the rides, we went to several shows. We were also able to pet some of the dolphins, which was really neat. Another highlight was seeing the baby sea lion. We were very disappointed that Shamu was scheduled for only one performance at the end of the day. We had plans for dinner, so we could not stay. We went back to the hotel, rested, and cleaned up before meeting Maynard and D.D. for dinner.

Maynard and D.D. are also known as my summer parents. They were kind enough to let me live with them both summers I interned. They are so much fun, and I am so thankful for the friendship we share. They are so kind, caring, thoughtful, and loving. They have always treated me like a daughter. My summers in San Antonio would not have been the same without them.

I was so glad we were able to have dinner with them and hang out for several hours. We talked, laughed, and shared memories of our summers together. Day 2 was another wonderful day.

deep in the heart of texas

2011-06-13T14:51:00.000-07:00

For two summers, I worked as a Youth Intern at Northside Church of Christ in San Antonio, Texas. It was the best summer job!! Well, I fell in LOVE with San Antonio. Craig was born in Houston and inherited the Texas attitude, even though he lived there for only three months. We made a quick trip last week to visit the great state of Texas (San Antonio to be exact), and we had a wonderful time!!

We left Nashville on Wednesday. We boarded the plane early, but we were delayed before take off. Someone boarded the plan without scanning the ticket. The flight attendant started at the front of the plane and checked every one's name off the flight list. The person was on the very last roll. The flight was a little bumpy, so I was happy when we finally landed. After what seemed like forever, we got our rental car and made our first stop at my favorite Mexican restaurant.Alamo Cafe, I have missed you!! While I lived in San Antonio, I visited this place very often. They have a tortilla factory in the restaurant, so they always bring you fresh, hot, yummy tortillas. We enjoyed salsa, queso, tortillas, and fajitas. The atmosphere is also wonderful!

After lunch, we headed downtown to the River Walk. We went to our hotel, but our room was not ready. So, we went exploring. When the hotel called, we returned to our room and took a nap.

We stayed in the Omni hotel on the River Walk. It's a beautiful hotel with a very friendly and helpful staff.

After our LONG nap, we enjoyed a peaceful stroll along the River Walk. We decided to take a river cruise, which was fun and entertaining. Our guide did a great job of telling us the history of the River Walk, the hotels, and the restaurants as well as make funny jokes along the way. That is a recap of Day One. More to come...
Our view from the balcony
Our room at the Omni

Omni La Mansion del Rio

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

2011-06-06T21:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to the greatest Dad in the world!!Where do I begin?
Thanks for coaching my softball, basketball, and soccer teams. You didn't care if you were coaching Adam, Luke, and Bethany also, you always had the time to do anything for us. Thank you for always encouraging me to do my best and to never give up on my dreams.

Thanks for working multiple jobs and for putting your dreams on hold just so you could always be around and be available. I knew I could always count on you to be there. Thank you for the sacrifices you made for our happiness.

Thanks for laughing uncontrollably and for enjoying life. I love watching your favorite comedy series with you. You know how to make others smile and laugh.

Thanks for setting a godly example and for living out your faith. I am thankful for the mission trips we took together as a family, but I also enjoyed the trips to Brazil without you and mom. I was brought to tears on many occasions when the people spoke of the two of you. I am always proud to be your daughter, but those were some of my proudest moments.

Thanks for being you and for making us all feel like we are the favorite (I won't tell them the truth). We are blessed to have a father like you!! We love you so much!!
Craig, Anna, & Tucker Bear

1400 miles (give or take)

2011-06-04T18:34:00.000-07:00

I thought the summer was going to be calm and relaxing. Well, I am quickly realizing that I was wrong. Since school dismissed, we have traveled at least 1400 miles. Believe me, I am not complaining. I love the freedom I have during the summer. I enjoy being able to make quick trips to see friends and family as well as taking multiple vacations. I guess you can say, we like to travel.

Since we returned from Destin, we have spent lots of time with some very special people. On Thursday, I made a trip to Memphis to see my friend, Rebekah. Rebekah and I have been friends for a LONG time. Our friendship developed on the soccer field. We both have older brothers, and at a young age, we felt like we could do anything they did. So, of course, we wanted to play soccer (even if we were the only girls). We became closer when she came to Mars Hill in middle school, and I guess the rest is history. We went to Lipscomb together, roomed together, and continue to share many memories together. Back to the trip...

Rebekah and Chris welcomed their second daughter, Kailey, into the world while we were in Destin. I couldn't wait to meet her! She is precious, and I am in love with her crazy hair. Congrats to Rebekah, Chris, and big sister, Rylan!! As you can imagine, a trip to Memphis is not complete unless you make a stop at Muddy's. Oh, Muddy's Bake Shop I love and miss you!!

After Craig finished work on Friday, we loaded the car for a quick trip to Nashville. When I say quick, I mean less than 24 hours quick. Friday night we met my brother, Luke, and his lovely wife, Laura, for dinner at Baja Burrito. YUM! We went to Krispy Kreme for free doughnuts and continued our visit. As you know, I am very close to my siblings, so anytime we can get together I am thrilled. Thanks boo for meeting us!!

This morning we met our Memphis family at Cracker Barrel. These friends are very special, and we LOVE spending time with them. Baby Andrew turned a year old, which is hard to believe. He is such a sweet baby and gives the best hugs. We were so thankful to spend a few hours with James, Elizabeth, Andrew, Brandon, Meaghan, and Russ. Heather, we missed you and hope you are feeling better!! We look forward to the next reunion with this gang.

We drove back to Jackson after breakfast. Don't worry, the fun did not end. We met Emily and Ryan for dinner at Chili's. Emily and Ryan had been to Memphis to meet baby Kailey and stopped on their way home to Nashville. Emily's sister and my brother, Adam, set us up as suite mates our freshman year at Lipscomb. We are very thankful they insisted that we live together. Emily and I shared lots of funny moments while at Lipscomb, and I could not imagine my life without her. It was great to catch up with her and Ryan.

As you can see, we have been very busy, but we have LOVED these wonderful visits with friends. We are so thankful for amazing friends and family!! I leave early in the morning for Florence to surprise my dad with a visit for his birthday. Later in the week, we are on the road again. More vacation stories to come...

BFF

2011-05-30T16:21:00.000-07:00

Craig and I just returned from a ten day vacation in Destin with his family, which means we spent LOTS of time with our favorite little nephew. Gentry is full of energy, and we had so much fun playing and dancing. He remembers everything, so you have to be careful what you say in front of him. One day I said, "Gentry, you're my B-F-F." Now, when asked, "Who is your B-F-F?" Gentry replies, "Anna!" We also danced and sang to the song "Why Don't We Just Dance." We had so much fun with Gentry and will miss him.
The weather was perfect. It was sunny every day with a nice breeze. The beach wasn't too crowded, which made it more enjoyable. Gentry had a blast playing in the sand and even buried Craig one day. Of course, I did a little shopping and found some great deals. We dined on some yummy food but ate way too much. Thanks to Meme and Papa for the wonderful trip!! Thanks to my parents (who do not have Grandparent names yet, even though they have two grand dogs) for keeping Tucker Bear!!

Sorry, we don't have more pictures from the trip, but Charlie took most of the pictures with his camera. Just enjoy the sweet pictures of Gentry. We have a couple of more trips planned for the summer, so be on the lookout for more trip posts. Hope you have a great summer!!

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T18:59:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!!

This year we invited my family to Jackson to celebrate Mother's Day. Dad, Mom, and Grandma arrived Saturday afternoon. We visited for a little while before meeting Craig's parents and Granny for dinner. Then, we came back to the house for dessert and for a game of Ticket to Ride. Mom won her very first game, and she was very excited!! Today, we went to church at Campbell Street and then came home for lunch. I told Mom and Grandma that I would cook for them. Mom did make the rolls and help with some last minute preparations, but other than that, I think they enjoyed not cooking for once. They are both wonderful cooks, so I hope to follow in their footsteps (not only in cooking but in the way they live, too). We had a great visit, and we were so thankful they chose to spend Mother's Day with the favorite child!! (ha! ha!)the table decor

the banner I made with my cricutmy amazing Grandmamy incredible Mom

Craig and I are blessed with wonderful Moms and Grandmas who have influenced our lives in many ways. We are who we are due to their love, support, encouragement, and faithful examples. Thank you for your servant hearts and for always putting your families first. Our lives are richly blessed because of you!! We hope you have enjoyed Mother's Day. More than anything, we hope you realize how much we appreciate you, not only today, but every day of the year. We love you so much! May God continue to use you to bless the lives of others!!

"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
Proverbs 31:29-30

Happy 2nd Birthday!!

2011-04-15T21:46:00.000-07:00

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Gentry, this is a day we will never forget! For 9 months, we prayed for you and waited patiently for your arrival. Your parents decided not to find out if your Aunt & Uncle would have a niece or a nephew. (Can you believe them?) Well, the waiting and guessing was finally over on April 16, and we were thrilled to get the news that we had a nephew!
Melting my Heart
Don't worry...it wasn't the last time
1st Beach Trip: Lovin on my sweet nephewGentry's First ChristmasGentry is 1!!
Wow, your first year went by so fast!
Memphis ZooIsn't he precious??
Destin October 2010
Christmas 2010

Gentry, Uncle Craig and Aunt Anna love you so much!! You are precious! Our hearts melt when you run to us with your arms open wide or when you call us by name over and over and over again. You are a blessing, and we thank God for you every day!! We can't wait to celebrate!! Happy 2nd Birthday Gentry!!

Great Movie

2011-04-04T19:51:00.000-07:00

Last night, we had a fun night with Matt, Liz, Chris, and Britney. We met for dinner at the Underwood's, and then we went to see the movie The Grace Card. I have been wanting to see this movie since the director spoke at church a couple of months ago. The movie is set in Memphis, which is another reason why I was interested. Now, the acting is not the best, but the message is incredible. Please visit this website http://www.thegracecardmovie.com/ to learn more about the movie and to find a theater near you.

Friends

2011-04-02T19:50:00.000-07:00

Well, let me take a minute to introduce you to some of the most wonderful, amazing, supportive, loving, beautiful, caring friends in the world!! We have been through everything together, and somehow we have managed to come out stronger. I do not know what I would do without these friends! I am so thankful God placed them in my life, and I am even more grateful for the close friendship we share!! I love you girls!!

Codi, Mary Brook, me, Melissa, and Elizabeth
They kidnapped me a few nights before my wedding,
so we could have one last sleepover as 5 single ladies.

Melissa, me, Codi, Mary Brook, and Elizabeth
Yes, we are wearing the same dress!
Actually, Mary Brook and I showed up to Codi's lingerie
shower wearing the dress, and everyone else decided to buy
the dress as a joke. Lots of laughter with these girls!!

me, Mary Brook, Codi, Melissa, and Elizabeth
One of my all time favorite pictures of the five of us!

Codi, Elizabeth, Melissa, me, and Mary Brook
This picture was taken the night before Melissa's wedding.
We were using the self-timer and anything we could find.

Today is a special day for all of us. First, I want to wish a very special 27th birthday to Elizabeth. Hope your day has been wonderful, because that is what you deserve. Thanks for being an incredible friend since the 1st Grade. You are amazing, and I love you so much!!

I received a wonderful surprise this morning when Mary Brook called to tell me... she is engaged!! Congrats Mary Brook and Graig!! I am so excited for you, and can't wait for all the wedding fun.

What a blessing to have wonderful friends!! I love you girls, more than you know!!

Happy Birthday

2011-03-29T19:41:00.000-07:00

Today is my father-in-law's 60th Birthday!! I wanted to share a picture of one of his favorite places. Yes, this family has traveled all over the U.S., but the boys would agree there is nothing like Augusta, Georgia. This picture was taken last year at the Masters (also known as "A tradition unlike any other"). We hope you've had a wonderful day, because that is what you deserve!! Thanks for all your hard work and for the sacrifices you make for all of us. Thank you for your generous heart and for your constant love. We appreciate everything you do for us!! We love you!! Happy 60th Birthday!!

Here's to You

2011-03-28T16:01:00.000-07:00

GRANDMA...

I have been sitting at the computer for over 20 minutes, and I keep erasing my thoughts. I do not have the words to describe this amazing woman! If you know my Grandma, you understand the dilemma I face. For 86 years, she has blessed the lives of the people around her. She has a servant heart and loves to help others. She never misses a birthday or anniversary of any of her family members and loves to send cards to celebrate these special occasions. She is a hard worker and still finds things to do: crocheting, sewing, cooking, etc. She has taught me many things in life...the importance of family, the love of God, the joy of serving others, the way to cook. However, some of my favorite memories are the times we have spent sewing and talking. Just a couple of years ago I had the joy of learning to crochet and sew from the great teacher, Grandma. She was so patient with me! God has blessed me with a talented, family oriented, God fearing woman that I like to call Grandma!! I love you Grandma!!

On Friday, we celebrated her 86th Birthday in Nashville. We had dinner at my cousin's house, and then 16 (Grandma, Mom, Dad, Dewayne, Jane, Randy, Robbie, Elsie, Paul, Aimee, Lucy, Sophie, Luke, Laura, Craig, and I) of us went to the Grand Ole Opry. It was so much fun!! Grandma you are so special, and I love you so much!! Hope you have a great birthday!!

"A woman of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies."
Proverbs 31: 10

Prayer Request

2011-03-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

This weekend we were in Nashville celebrating Grandma's 86th Birthday and my father-in-law's 60th birthday (more posts on those events to come). This morning we worshiped at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ with Craig's parents, Charlie, Ashley, and Gentry. As I read through the bulletin, I noticed an upcoming 5k for the Walker family. After church, I asked Craig if he knew the family or what was going on. He did not. At lunch, the family was mentioned again, so I asked Ashley for more details. She had told me about a woman at their church (whose brother Craig and I knew at Lipscomb) who delivered her daughter stillborn two weeks before her due date. A couple of weeks later, this same woman was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. WOW! Ashley told me about Sara's caring bridge site and how powerful her testimony has been. I stumbled upon the site tonight and have been reading all of her entries. God is an amazing Father, and HE is working through Sara. PLEASE read her story and pray for this family. I would encourage you to go back to her very first entry and read all of her thoughts in order. May God continue to use Sara to touch the lives of so many!! May we choose to wake up each day and savor all of the moments God gives us each day!!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sarawalker

Vacation

2011-03-27T15:41:00.000-07:00

Well, we just returned from a week at the beach, and I must say I'm ready to go back. After having temperatures in the upper 70s and lots of sunshine, I do not like the winter weather that greeted me. Craig was able to get off last week during my Spring Break, so we left for Destin on Friday as soon as school was out. We arrived a little after midnight, and we spent the entire week relaxing! Like I said, the weather was perfect, and the beach wasn't too crowded, which made me happy. I loved sitting in my beach chair with a good book on the beautiful days we had!! We spent our days at the beach, and our evenings at our favorite restaurants. It was so nice to stay up late, sleep in, and not have anything to do. Although it was hard to leave, we look forward to going back this summer!!

Paint Me a Birmingham

2011-03-09T18:35:00.000-08:00

We spent a wonderful weekend in Birmingham with our amazing Memphis family. God truly blessed our lives with the Bootons, Clendenins, Lokeys, and Parnells. Without a doubt, our experiences in Memphis would have been completely different without these friends. They truly love at all times! It's hard to believe that in the past three months we have ALL been able to get together on two separate weekends. Well, here is a recap of the weekend using Tracy Lawrence's "Paint Me a Birmingham." It's always fun to hang out with these special friends.

Well, could you paint me a Birmingham?

Just the way the Lokeys and Bootons planned.

Put all these wonderful people in town.

Fun and games all the way around.

Put the dogs in the backyard please.

Lots of food, no one would disagree.

For a while, it's like living in Memphis again.
Thank you for the weekend in Birmingham!!

Winter Break

2011-02-28T16:06:00.000-08:00

Although we have missed 7, yes, I repeat 7, days for school this winter, my wonderful school still granted us our promised two day winter break over President's Day. After work on Friday, we drove to Nashville. We ate yummy food at some of our favorite places (J.Alexander's, Loveless Cafe, Satco, and Le Peep). We spent Saturday afternoon in downtown Franklin, which was fun! We met up with our friends James, Elizabeth, and baby Andrew. We went to a Predators game, and I enjoyed watching Carrie Underwood.We spent time with my in-laws. It was a wonderful trip, and we look forward to more trips this Spring!!

On Sunday night, I drove to Florence to spend the rest of my Winter Break. On Monday, I hung out with my Grandma and my parents. We ate lunch at Trowbridge's, which is always tasty. We did a little shopping after lunch. Then, I went to meet baby Jackson. One of my best friends from elementary school had a baby on February 1. Melissa and I spent a couple of hours with sweet Jackson and Codi. It was so nice to spend a couple of hours with these amazing friends, and I loved meeting precious Jackson. For dinner, we went to Ricatoni's, which is another Florence favorite. The rest of the time was spent hanging out and playing cards.

Oh, how I love family and friends (and I guess food, if you read this blog carefully)!

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T19:28:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Today, I'm thankful for all the LOVE I have received in my life. Thank you Craig for loving me and for making each day a blessing to be your wife. Thank you Mom & Dad for the countless sacrifices you made for me and for your example of love. Thank you Adam, Luke, and Bethany for your constant support, laughter, and love. Thank you Cathy and Laura for entering a crazy family and loving us just the way we are. Thank you to my in-laws (Mr. & Mrs. Wright, Charlie, Ashley, and everyone else) for accepting me as a member of your family. Thank you to my nephew, Gentry, for melting my heart each time you call my name. Thank you Grandma, Grandpa, Grandmama, and Granddaddy for the love you taught your children and the love you showed me. Thank you to my extended family members for the love you poured into my life. Thank you to all my wonderful friends who have loved me like I was part of your own family. Most of all, thank you God for showing me the best example of love when you sent your Son to die for me, a sinner. Thank you for your love and your grace that you richly give every day!

I am also so thankful for the love I receive from my job. I LOVE teaching, but even more, I love my students. They make me laugh. They make me go crazy at times. They make me smile. We experience a lot of moments throughout the year. Teaching 4th Grade has been more amazing than I ever thought. I want to share this poem I received today. It brought a huge smile to my face. This little girl has a special place in my heart (like all my students), and I am constantly impressed by her creative mind. I thank God every day for the opportunity I have to work with these students, and I pray that HE speaks through me as I teach. Enjoy the words of one of my students:

"Roses are red, Violets are blue,
Who's the best teacher, Mrs. Wright that's who.
We learn by her words, We learn by her games.
She's not a boring teacher: on and on they drain.
It's fun to hear her talent. We love when she sings.
Lots of memories and creative ideas she is known to bring.
In Mrs. Wright's class, you're never glum,
You're always having bunches of fun!
Thanks Mrs. Wright for being a great teacher,
your good at being a Bible preacher.
So today I'm wishing you lots of love,
and so is the Lord from Heaven above!"

I pray that you know or will come to know the love of our Lord from Heaven above.

Guess What??

2011-02-09T12:32:00.000-08:00

It's SNOWING again!

So far, I have been at school a total of one hour and 45 minutes this week. C-R-A-Z-Y!! All I know is that I am officially ready for Spring. It's been a very cold winter with lots of snow, so I am looking forward to warmer days full of sunshine. Is that too much to ask for?? Oh well, for now I will stay in my sweatpants and enjoy my lazy days! Hope you're having a great week!!

Family

2011-02-07T14:28:00.000-08:00

My siblings and I have always been super close. Yes, we have had our share of disagreements, but for the most part, we have always loved spending time together. Sometimes, we can be a bit overwhelming when we all get together. When Craig asked my parents for their blessing, Mom made reference to this. She said that some people did not know how to handle the four of us, but he was fine just sitting back and watching. We are crazy and LOVE to reminisce, but we have strong bonds that are rare in some families.

I know if I need anything I could call Adam, Luke, or Bethany at any moment, and they would drop everything to help. As we were growing up, so many people asked my parents what they did to make us act that way. I always thought our close bonds developed over our LONG car trips to Virginia (and everywhere else), having one television in our entire house, sharing bedrooms, eating dinner together at the table every night, and many more things we did. However, what I realize more and more now is that our close bonds run much deeper. I believe the closeness we share has more to do with family history than the day to day happenings in my house.

Over the weekend, I attended the funeral of my great uncle. Uncle Tock was my grandmother's brother. Grandma was one of ten children. From the time I was little, I can remember driving down my grandmother's road and learning of a different family member who lived in almost every house along the road. It was crazy!! Grandma and her siblings share very close bonds. I think my mom and my aunt witnessed those bonds and passed them down to their families. Now, I can see what rich family history we have.

My uncle's health started failing. After his wife's death, everyone soon realized he could not live alone. So, his brother and sister-in-law moved in his house and became his caretakers. I think most people would overlook their sacrifice, but I have been amazed by their example of love. I am so blessed to have grown up with this great example of love and service to others. I am blessed to share bonds with my siblings that many people do not have. Thank you Grandma for showing us how to love and serve others. Thank you Mom for seeing this wonderful gift and sharing it with your children. Thank you Adam, Luke, and Bethany for continuing in this history!

Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It does not dishonor others. It is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Looking Forward To...

2011-02-02T18:53:00.000-08:00

Dinner Tomorrow Night!! One of my New Year's resolutions was to be more organized with our dinners. I try to plan the meals in advance and cook at least one new recipe each week. So far, things have been going well. Last week, Craig said to leave Thursday night to him. He's on call tonight, so I'm looking forward to our dinner (that he is taking care of) tomorrow night!
Meeting Baby Jackson!! My friend, Codi, had her baby yesterday, and I can't wait to meet him. I really wish I could have been there, but thankfully I received lots of text messages. I can't wait to see his sweet little face and see his beautiful mommy!!
Spending Time with my Family!! We're making a quick trip to Florence this weekend to spend some time with my Grandma and my parents. We haven't seen them since New Year's, so I am excited!
Wednesday Nights!! I am starting a new Bible study with some wonderful women. It's Beth Moore's "Stepping Up: A Journey through the Psalms of Ascent." We watched the introductory video tonight, and I can't wait to learn more with this study!

Happy Birthday to You...

2011-01-31T19:22:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday to my Mother-in-Law!!
Today is Mrs. Carolyn Wright's birthday, and we just wanted to take a minute to wish her a very happy birthday. She is a blessing in all of our lives, and we are so thankful for her. She is so thoughtful and loves to give to others!! She LOVES to host parties and decorate for all occasions. We hope you had a wonderful day, because that is what you deserve!! Happy Birthday!! We love you!!

Snow Days

2011-01-26T08:48:00.001-08:00

January has been a crazy month at school.

Week 1: Students came Tuesday-Friday.
Teachers reported Monday for in-service.
Week 2: Students came Tuesday-Friday.
We were out on Monday for SNOW!
Week 3: Students came Tuesday-Thursday.
We were out on Monday for MLK holiday,
and on Friday, we had more SNOW!
(I enjoyed staying in my pajamas all day and finishing "Safe Haven" by Nicholas Sparks. Craig was post-call, so it was fun to be home together. We watched "The Social Network," which we both really enjoyed. I think we could both get used to days like this!)
Week 4: As of now, students came Monday & Tuesday.
We were out today for more SNOW!!

I am enjoying my Snow Days, but I am still waiting for that REALLY good one. You know the kind where it won't melt after a few hours. The kind where we could be out for a couple of days straight. The kind that provides great snowball fights, big snowmen, and lots of sledding!! Oh well, I will be content with the beauty we have received so far.

I am also needing some stability in my classroom. It has been very hard to get back into routine. Every time my students hear or see snow, they automatically think school is out. It has been hard to keep them focused. Even when we are at school there are numerous interruptions- field trip, Spelling Bee, vision & hearing testing, group pictures, etc. What a crazy month!!

Today I plan to relax and enjoy my Snow Day. After all, we have only been given today!!

Hot Springs

2011-01-19T15:58:00.000-08:00

Another trip for the record books.

On the past Turkey trips, we have flown to our destinations. This year we decided a Road Trip would be fun. Let's just say...next year we will probably fly again!

Our ride for the weekend.
Thanks Mr. Jablonski!!YUM!! Chick-fil-A breakfast...a great way to start our trip!Rebekah and Rylan met us for breakfast on Saturday. It was so good to see them!!

In Memphis, we were delayed 30 minutes due to road construction. However, that was not the end of our road troubles. In Arkansas, we were lucky to find another route to avoid this back-up. The interstate was completely stopped for at least ten miles. After a few more stops (one where we witnessed a drug deal on the side of the road), we FINALLY arrived in Hot Springs. After grabbing lunch and finding out that the bath house was closed, we headed to our cabin. This was the cabin we reserved for the weekend. It was nice for the three hours we were there. Before dinner, we noticed the shower was not working. We made some calls and were told the problem was fixed. We picked up some ice cream and movies after dinner and headed back to the cabin.
Let's just say when we returned the problem was not any better. On top of the shower not working, the toilet decided it needed a break, too. We took some funny pictures in the cabin before saying good-bye. It was a crazy night, but we had a lot of laughs!Our upgrade: A 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Condo on the Lake.On Sunday, we found a cute little spot for breakfast. The restaurant will be featured in Southern Living in the Spring. We walked around and shopped a little before returning to the condo for pizza and movies.
Another amazing trip with some amazing friends!!

Weekend Trip

2011-01-13T19:27:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year for my annual Turkey Trip. Two years ago, seven us boarded a plane and headed to Chicago. Last year, four of us flew to Kansas City to spend the weekend with Kristen.
Tomorrow five of my besties will arrive, and then we'll leave on Saturday for Hot Springs!!

Me, Sarah, Jenny, Meaghan, Emily, Betsy, and Kristen
Chicago 2009Kristen, Emily, Me, Jenny, and Betsy
Kansas City 2010
a.k.a The City of Statues

This is one of my favorite weekends of the year. I love these girls and always look forward to the time we get to spend together. I'm also looking forward to using my new camera (thanks Mom & Dad), so be on the lookout for an update on our trip as well as new (and hopefully better) pictures.

Snow Day!!

2011-01-11T18:59:00.000-08:00

The rumor: 3-5 inches of snow on Monday
The dilemma: I did not want to get my hopes up, only to be disappointed Monday morning.

Sunday night around 9 Bethany called to chat. She bragged about the warm weather and her trip to the beach. I gave her the prediction from our local weather channel. I was jealous of her warm weather. After we hung up, Tucker decided he needed to go out. When we opened the door to let him back in, the snow was coming down! A few minutes later I received the news from school that we would be closed the following day!! Suddenly, I was not tired and felt like staying up late to read. I was also no longer jealous of Bethany's warm weather!!
This was the beautiful sight I woke up to on Monday morning. Craig left early for work while I continued to snooze in the warm bed. A couple of hours later he called to say that he would be off the rest of the day, which made my day. When he got home, he took Tucker for a morning walk and cooked me breakfast. I could get use to days like this!! We spent the rest of the day relaxing and catching up on projects around the house. The snow was beautiful. I just wish it would have stayed a little longer. Until our next snow day...

Gingerbread Houses

2011-01-10T08:13:00.001-08:00

In memory of my Aunt Cathy, we try to do something special with her granddaughters over Christmas. Aunt Cathy LOVED Christmas, but I know she adored her grandchildren even more. Last year, we had a Tea Party with Grandma. Elsie, Lucy, Sophie, and Naomi were all able to attend. We all had so much fun! This year we decided to make gingerbread houses at Grandma's. We were glad Elsie, Lucy, and Sophie could come, but we missed Naomi, Lola, and TJ. This is a great tradition that I look forward to every year. My little cousins are precious, and I love every minute I get to spend with them. They make me laugh and smile. They remind me of their Gran...her big smile, the fun she had with family. I wish they could have had more time with their Gran. Although no one can ever take her place, there are plenty of people who have part of Gran in them and will share it freely with these precious children.

Waiting for the fun to begin...The decorations (and snacks)

Elsie working on her masterpiece.Lucy hard at work.
Mom helping Sophie put sprinkles on her house.Elsie's houseGrandma's houseLucy's house
Sophie's houseAfter we made gingerbread houses, we went for a walk. Bethany & Sophie stop for a picture. How Sweet!Aunt Cathy started a tradition with Bethany and me. She would give us a Christmas ornament every year for our birthdays. We decided we would continue the tradition with the little girls at Christmas. This year we gave them a gingerbread house ornament.
One of my favorite pictures from the day

Copeland Christmas

2011-01-10T07:24:00.000-08:00

We left Nashville on the 30th (our anniversary) and headed to Flo-town. All of my siblings were home this time, so it was great to all be together. For the past two years, we have drawn names between the siblings since there are so many of us. I had Bethany, which was pretty easy. Laura drew my name and gave me some houndstooth gloves. (Houndstooth was a theme for me this year!) We also play a Regift Dirty Santa. It's always funny, and sometimes people walk away with good gifts. The rest of our time in Florence was spent hanging out and playing numerous games. If you know my family at all, you know we LOVE games. We played Ticket to Ride, 5 crowns, Balderdash, Loaded Questions, and a Hershey kiss game Mom created. (Check out Laura's pictures on Facebook for the craziness.) It was a great trip, and we had so much fun! We are blessed with amazing families, and I'm so thankful we are all so close!loved all the time we had together!

my wonderful parentsLaura, Luke, Adam, & CathyEating Homemade Pizza...YUM!!She gets a little CrAzY when we play games!

Home for the Holidays

2011-01-05T16:35:00.000-08:00

For the past three years, we have taken a trip around the holidays with Craig's family. This year we decided that since our time was limited we would prefer just hanging out at his parents' house. Charlie, Ashley, and Gentry came over for the staycation. We arrived in Franklin on the 27th. That night we went to Murfreesboro to have Christmas with the Wright side of the family. It was a fun evening with family that we don't see very often. The next morning Craig and I ran some last minute errands. We spent the next two days locked in the house. We enjoyed yummy food, fun games, movies, laughter, and time just spent hanging out. Of course, we loved every minute spent with Gentry too! We had a great holiday in Franklin!Christmas night at our house

Wright Family Christmas

Playing with Gentry's new toysOur favorite little elf!Can't get enough of this little guy!!

Twas a few days before Christmas...

2011-01-03T18:05:00.000-08:00

Christmas was a little different for us this year. Craig was on call on Christmas Eve and on the 26th. Tucker and I went to Florence for a few days before Christmas, so we did not have to be home alone. We arrived in Florence on the 23rd in time for lunch with some of my best friends. Melissa, Elizabeth, Codi, and I have been friends f-o-r-e-v-e-r! I love these girls so much and only wish we saw each other more. (Mary Brook, you were missed. Please come home soon!!) Melissa hosted our lunch, and we enjoyed hanging out like the old days. We also showered Codi with some gifts for baby Jackson. I can't wait to meet this little guy in just a few weeks!! I was so glad we were able to have lunch and catch up for a couple of hours. These girls are very special to me, and I am so blessed for the friendships we have shared for so many years!!Codi with Jackson's Diaper Cake I made

The bag I made for JacksonAmazing Friends

After lunch, I met my sister and my dad at the mall for a little Christmas shopping. Bethany and I always help Dad with his shopping for Mom. It's always so much fun, and a Christmas tradition I enjoy. That night we went to Grandma's to have Christmas with Mom's side of the family. Although many members were missing, it was still an enjoyable evening with Dewayne, Jane, Paul, Aimee, Lucy, Sophie, Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Bethany. Dewayne still continues my Aunt Cathy's tradition of giving Bethany and me ornaments. Bethany and I have started the tradition with our little cousins (my aunt's granddaughters). We have also started having a special day with the little girls and Grandma. Last year, we had a Tea Party, which was wonderful. This year we decorated gingerbread houses after Christmas (look for another post on this fun day).
Enjoying time with Bethany
Lucy & Sophie opening presents at Grandma's

Paul, Aimee, Sophie, Lucy, and Grandma came over to Mom and Dad's on Christmas Eve for breakfast. It was a relaxing morning, and I enjoyed all of us hanging out. Dad, Bethany, and I did a little more shopping for Mom before meeting Mom for an afternoon movie. The rest of the evening was spent relaxing, watching movies, and playing games. On Christmas morning, we woke up to a surprise...SNOW!! We had a White Christmas, well at least, for a few hours. Tucker and I left Florence around noon and headed back to Jackson. Craig was awake by the time we got home. We started working on our Christmas dinner. His parents, Granny, Uncle Charlie, and Aunt Mary came over since we missed the Christmas Eve celebration. It was a fun evening! Craig went back to work on the 26th. Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Bethany came to Jackson to keep me company. We ate lunch at Panera, played cards, watched a couple of movies, played Ticket to Ride, and more. I was really glad they were able to come see our house decorated for Christmas and hang out. Well, that's how we spent the days leading up to Christmas. I will post about the week after Christmas soon. Hope you enjoyed your holiday!!Christmas Morning Surprise

Memphis Reunion: Part 2

2010-12-22T14:45:00.000-08:00

While we lived in Memphis, we had potlucks on a weekly basis. Oh, how I miss our potlucks! The host would decide on the dinner theme, and everyone else would make a dish to go along with the main course. Luckily, before we all moved away, we had a recipe swap, so we could take all of yummy recipes with us. Saturday night we had a Christmas potluck. We had ham, dressing, rolls, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, and squash casserole. The food was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! We also wore tacky Christmas sweaters. It was a fun night and made me miss all the wonderful food cooked by my dear friends.The Feast

Memphis Reunion: Part One

2010-12-20T16:01:00.000-08:00

The first weekend in December our Memphis Family came to visit.We started planning the reunion in September and were thrilled we could all be together again.Everyone (4 couples, a baby, and a dog) came to Jackson and stayed at our place.One blog post would not serve justice to the weekend.

Here is a recap of all the fun games we played:

Classic Game...Winner: Nertz
Of course, we played lots of Nertz.
I think the girls won most of the games!!
However, the boys had improved and put up a good fight. New Favorite Game...Winner: Rock Band
Thanks to the Clendenins and the Lokeys
for providing the instruments and over 10 versions of the game.
This gave the boys a break from all the losing!!

Best Acting Game...Winner: Guesstures
We played Guesstures for the first time.
It was fun, and provided some more competition
between the girls and the boys.
We always play that way, and it usually gets very intense.
Boys Only Game...Winner: Football
The boys played football in the front yard
while the girls prepared a feast.Funniest Game...Winner: Quelf
This is a new game my parents got at Thanksgiving.
There is really no objective, but it's hilarious.
If you want a good laugh, this is your game.
You must follow the rules on the card,
which will leave everyone else laughing so hard.
For example, Elizabeth could not bend her arms or legs
unless it was her turn during the entire game.
We had so much fun and laughed so hard!!
Be on the lookout for Memphis Reunion: Part Two.

Happy Belated Birthday...

2010-12-08T19:17:00.000-08:00

Sissy and Mom!December is full of family birthdays. Bethany turned 25 on the 4th. Mom celebrated her birthday (don't worry, I won't reveal your age) yesterday. My sister-in-law, Ashley, has a birthday next week, and of course my birthday is in 17 days! December is SUPER busy, and I know that sometimes December babies get overlooked. Just wanted to take a minute to wish a very, special, belated birthday to Bethany and Mom!

Where do I start with my sister? I just smile when I think about her. Bethany can brighten any one's day with her fun personality and with the silly things she does. I LOVE spending time with her and can't wait for her to be closer. She wants to make a difference in the world, and she seeks to live out this dream. She is a hard worker and gives more of her time, energy, and efforts than most people I know. I am so proud of the woman she has become. I am blessed to call her my sister and my friend. I love you, Sissy!!My Mom is truly an amazing woman of God. As a child, I knew she was wonderful, but as I have grown older, I realize more and more every day how blessed I am. When we were younger, she cooked every night, cleaned up after four busy kids, cheered us on in EVERY sport, ran us from one place to the next, as well as many other things. I don't know how she did it. But I do know, she served with a positive attitude. I never heard her complain, and I know we gave her many reasons to scream. She is always there for me and listens to everything I have to say. I am thankful for her support, encouragement, and love. Thanks for being incredible!!

Sorry the posts are late. Just wanted you both to know how special you are!! You are a blessing to me as well as many others!! I love you so much!!

Counting down the days...

2010-11-30T20:01:00.000-08:00

Until our Memphis Family arrives!!

I'm sure you remember these lovely faces.
While living in Memphis, these friends became our family.
It's been a while since we have all been together, so we planned a reunion.
Everyone arrives in Jackson on Friday night, and I'm so excited!!
YEA for great friends and fun times!!

A week off, and SEW much to do...

2010-11-23T11:13:00.000-08:00

A couple of the projects I have been working on this week.
I must start sewing again!! I have missed my time of crafting and creating. Over the summer, I sewed almost every day, which was wonderful. Since I got a job (and an amazing one, might I add), time has not allowed for me to sew. However, this week I have been out of school, which created the perfect opportunity for me and my dear friend "Brother 1250D" to reconnect. Let me just say that several of you will be receiving an early Christmas present due to my spare time. I am still learning, but I'm having so much fun with my projects.

We will be leaving Jackson tomorrow to spend the rest of the week with family in Nashville and Florence. Can't wait for all the great food and wonderful family time!! Hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!! I'm thankful to God for all my wonderful blessings!!

Christmas Cards

2010-11-17T19:17:00.000-08:00

Well, it's that time of year...

As you can tell, I'm really in the Christmas spirit this year. I have always been one to wait until after Thanksgiving, but this year is different for some reason. I changed the look of the blog already. We decorated the house last weekend. The next thing is to order our Christmas cards. I was stuck until I read on a friend's blog about FREE cards. Well, I couldn't resist.

Shutterfly is running a promotion for the blogging world, and I'm so excited!! It's really simple, and you can learn more by going here http://bit.ly/sfly2010 . In the past, I have used their cute cards to send my holiday greetings and have been pleased every time. Last year was probably my favorite card. I loved the design!! We were so excited about the Alabama/Texas game that we focused our card on "Our House Divided." We were also thrilled to welcome Tucker Bear to our family. You won't believe how little he was!! Go here to see the template from last year's card.

I feel like a lot has happened this past year, and I really would like to write a letter. However, I LOVE sending picture cards from Shutterfly. Lucky for me, Shutterfly has a card that will meet both of my needs. This is one option that I am thinking about, so go here to see one of the cards you might be receiving in the mail. This was a card I almost used last year and still really like it. It's another possibility, so check it out here. Well, there are lots of cards to choose from, so check out all the selections here.

Happy Christmas Card Making!!

Family Time

2010-11-06T19:09:00.000-07:00

Last night, we met my parents and my Grandma at Catfish Cabin for dinner. I was so excited to have them in Jackson!! Family is very important to us, and it had been TOO long since we had seen them. After dinner, they came back to the house, and we just sat around talking. That's one thing I love about my family. We don't have to do anything fancy to have a good time. This morning Mom, Grandma, and I went to Paris, because Mom was speaking at a Ladies' Day. We had a little delay outside of McKenizie due to a flat tire. However, we met some of the nicest people who were willing to drop everything to help us. It was a nice reminder that people do still care about others. Once the flat was fixed, thanks to Brandon and Justin, we were on our way. I was glad I could spend the day with Mom and Grandma. I was also very excited to hear Mom speak. She has a special gift, and I don't get the chance to hear her speak often. We made it home in time to watch the Alabama game with Dad. It was very disappointing, but it was fun to watch it with Mom and Dad. Unfortunately, they had to leave this evening, but I am looking forward to seeing Mom again on Monday, and everyone else at Thanksgiving!! I'm so thankful for wonderful, supportive, loving families!!

I LOVE Surprises

2010-11-04T19:52:00.001-07:00

My husband is the sweetest!! Last week, he stopped by Kroger on the way home to pick up a few things I needed for dinner. He also added a few things to my list. Sneaky, sneaky. First, he walked in carrying these BEAUTIFUL flowers!! I love when he surprises me with flowers. It's just a sweet gesture that makes me (as well as most other girls) smile. My other surprise was one of my favorite snacks. I LOVE Little Debbie Christmas Tree cakes. Needless to say, the box is already empty. I tried to get more at the grocery this week, but they were out. I guess I'm not the only one who craves these sweet goodies all year. I might keep a tally this year of how many boxes we eat. I know it will be depressing, but I am interested to learn how many I consume in two months. Anyways, I am so thankful for my sweet hubby who always thinks of others!! Thanks Craig for making my day even more special last week with my surprises!! You are the best!!

I CAN'T WAIT!!

2010-10-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

I am counting down the days until I see this AMAZING show again!! I first saw Wicked in Chicago on our first Girls Trip. I fell in LOVE!! Since I returned from the trip, I have talked nonstop about this show to Craig. I have tried not to reveal too much, because I did not want to ruin anything for him. Needless to say, I am pumped that two years later, he will finally see it. The show is Saturday night. Yes, I know it's during the Alabama/Tennessee game. However, I am confident my team will not disappoint me and will win easily while I enjoy Wicked. You can rest assure, I will check the score at intermission. I may not tell Craig, because I wouldn't want the score to ruin the second half of the show for him. Anyways, I am also VERY excited about stopping at Muddy's Bake Shop for some much needed yummy cupcakes and cookies!! A trip to Memphis is not complete unless you stop for some lovin from the oven!! Can't wait for this wonderful weekend...

A Birthday Wish

2010-10-19T15:25:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday to you...
Happy Birthday to you...
Happy Birthday to CRAIG...
Happy Birthday to you!

Today is Craig's 28th Birthday, which is making me feel old (30 is getting closer and closer). I called him this afternoon, and my class sang to him. Although he had to be at the hospital very early this morning, he was able to get off work early, which was nice. Tucker Bear surprised him with Disk Golf. After playing with Luke last week, Craig has been dying to get some disks of his own. Tonight we are going to dinner with his parents, Granny, Uncle Charlie, and Aunt Mary. This weekend the two of us are going to Memphis to celebrate his birthday. We are going to see Wicked, which makes me SUPER excited!! Happy Birthday to my best friend and to the most amazing husband in the world!! I love you so much!!

We also want to make an early shout out to Luke...Happy Birthday tomorrow!!

Prayer Request

2010-10-16T19:16:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, Russell Cook, a close friend of my parents, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He had surgery on Tuesday in Knoxville and is at home recovering. The cancer is very aggressive, and the doctors have not offered much hope for the family. Please keep the Cook family in your prayers. Please pray for comfort, healing, and peace. We serve a mighty and powerful God!!

Fall Break

2010-10-11T18:13:00.000-07:00

See this cute face??

I was so excited to spend my Fall Break with my nephew and the rest of Craig's family in Destin. Craig was off the whole week, so he arrived in Destin on Sunday night and spent a few days with his mom before the rest of us arrived. His dad and I flew down on Tuesday, when I got off work. Charlie, Ashley, and Gentry flew down on Wednesday afternoon. After the quick flight from Nashville to Panama City, I am spoiled and never want to drive to the beach again. The weather was perfect, and the temperatures felt great!! I really enjoyed laying on the beach and reading my book. Ashley and I had our nails done one day while the boys played golf. We also did a little shopping. The trip was very relaxing!! We enjoyed great food, nice weather, and fun times with family. I am so thankful Craig was able to have a week off and that we were able to spend a week together with his family. Thanks to his parents for the great trip!! Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures (except for the one of Gentry playing), so just imagine the beautiful beach, nice weather, and our happy faces.

Gobble til you Wobble

2010-10-04T20:19:00.000-07:00

All my sweet friends who came to visit

Top: Rebekah, Rylan, Emily, Betsy, Jenny, and Mayzie
Bottom: Me, Meaghan, Sarah, and Allison
We missed you Kristen!!

Cupcakes I made (feathers didn't last too long)

Mayzie enjoyed being with all of her AuntsRylan, a proud little turkeyEnjoying the beautiful weather and great friendsIt's never too early to start shopping with the girls!
We spent most of the weekend at the house talking and hanging out.Mayzie: "Hey, I think our Moms want us to be best friends."
Rylan: "Let's just smile, so they will stop taking our pictures."Aunt Betsy gave Rylan and Mayzie outfits that said, "Just one of the Girls."Tucker cuddled with Betsy during the movie.
Thanks for coming to visit Jackson!!
I had so much fun talking, laughing,
sharing old memories, and being together.
Can't wait until our trip to Hot Springs in January!!
Love ya girls!!

Background Information

2010-10-03T14:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I just spent the weekend with 7 of my closest friends...

But, before I blog about the weekend I want to share some history on our friendship.

I met these amazing women my freshman year at Lipscomb. If you remember, I was not fond of LU at first. However, these girls helped me survive and put up with my bad attitude. They also changed my opinion on Lipscomb. I am forever grateful and in debt to these wonderful friends.

You could always find us together in college. We traveled in a pack. Sometime during our sophomore year, someone made reference to how we looked like a bunch of turkeys together. The name stuck. To this day, although it's a little odd, we still call ourselves the turkeys. We have shared many laughs, many tears, many funny moments, joys as well as sorrows. Through it all, I know these girls will ALWAYS be there for me. Here are a few pictures from the past two years (oh, we have so many more, but this will capture some of the highlights):First Turkey Trip: Chicago 2009

Sarah's Lingerie Shower
Rebekah's Baby ShowerSt. Jude 5kTacky Christmas Sweater Party
Second Turkey Trip: Kansas City 2010 Jenny's Baby Shower

Coming Soon: Blog Post about our SUPER FUN Girls Weekend

Weekend News

2010-09-26T19:14:00.000-07:00

On Friday, I only had to work half a day, and Craig was post call. So, we left Jackson around 1 and headed to Memphis. We enjoyed some yummy BBQ at Germantown Commissary and delicious sweets at Muddy's Bake Shop. Oh, how we miss Muddy's!! We loaded up a box and will have plenty of sweets to enjoy this week. On Saturday, we woke early to head to the Natchez Trace State Park for a Marriage Retreat with church. We had so much fun hanging out with new friends and strengthening our marriage. We have been so blessed by the friendships we have made at Campbell Street.

Don't expect another blog entry from me this week. Some of my best friends, seven to be exact (along with two little ones), will be visiting this weekend. I have a lot of cleaning and preparing to do as well as school work. Craig's vacation starts on Saturday, so he is off to Dallas with his dad before we head to the beach next week. I will be sure to blog after the fun weekend with the girls!! Hope everyone has a wonderful week!!

Let me leave you with these verses that we discussed at the retreat:

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who being in the very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a SERVANT,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he HUMBLED himself and
became obedient to death- even death on a cross!

Tomorrow...Tomorrow...

2010-09-23T16:07:00.000-07:00

I'll love you, tomorrow.
You're only a DAY away!!

Can't wait to enjoy some goodies tomorrow at Muddy's Bake Shop!!
That box looks so delicious. Maybe I should go now...
I'll wait patiently for tomorrow!!

Some more of my favorites: Florence edition

2010-09-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

Friday night we stayed in Jackson, so we could go to Homecoming at JCS. It was a blow out! We only stayed for the first half and felt very sorry for the other team. However, we were happy for the Eagles!! Saturday morning we headed to Florence to spend some time with my family. First, we made a stop at Chick-fil-A for some breakfast. YUM!! I think I could eat at Chick-fil-A every day!! Once we arrived in Florence, we went to the hospital to see Grandma. She has been there since Monday and hopes to be home in the next couple of days. I love my Grandma!! She makes me smile and laugh every time I see her. After our visit, Mom, Dad, Craig, and I went to a favorite lunch spot...Trowbridge's. After lunch, we went home to watch the Alabama game. I LOVE watching Alabama football with my family, since Craig is not a fan. Well, it wasn't much of a game, but it was still fun to watch!! ROLL TIDE!! Mom cooked a wonderful dinner, another one of my favorite things about being in Florence. Maybe she could move to Jackson and me our cook. Mom, we could work out a plan if you're interested. Later that night, Craig and I went over to Melissa and Eric's house. Melissa is one of my best friends, and I love catching up with her. I also love that our husbands get along and entertain themselves while we talk nonstop. I really wish we lived in the same city!! This morning we went back to see Grandma before going to church at Stony Point. Mom and Dad picked up Zaxby's so we could eat and watch the Titans game. What a disappointment!! I always enjoy being at home, spending time with the family, eating delicious meals by Mom, and catching up with good friends!! Another great weekend!! Hope everyone has an amazing week!!

These are a few of my favorite things (and people): Nashville

2010-09-17T19:48:00.000-07:00

Two weekends ago, I went to Austin with Grandma. We had a great trip, and I will always treasure our adventure. When we returned to Nashville, I met Betsy at her place. Then, we were off, so I could meet sweet Mayzie McClain. Mayzie was born at the end of July, but I was so busy preparing for school that I could not make it when she was born. Luckily, her Mommy, Jenny (college buddy and old roomie), was a teacher, so she understands. Anyways, I was so excited to FINALLY meet Mayzie and to see Jenny!! Mayzie is precious, and I enjoyed holding her while catching up with Jenny and Betsy. Congrats Jenny and Owen on your beautiful little girl!!Last weekend, Craig and I went to Nashville. On Friday night, we met some of our closest friends, James, Elizabeth, and baby Andrew, for dinner at Satco. We miss James and Elizabeth and the rest of our Memphis gang, so we enjoyed catching up. We also miss the yummy food from Satco!!(This is where I stopped taking pictures. However, I know someone else in the fam took some.)

Saturday morning, we woke early to eat breakfast at Pancake Pantry!! SO DELICIOUS!! After breakfast, we went back to Craig's parents' house to watch football and relax. I went to meet my cousin, Krista, before lunch. She just got a job teaching 1st Grade in Metro, so I wanted to share some of my old books. It's always great seeing her!! Good luck Krista...I know you'll do great!!

Charlie, Ashley, and Gentry came over for lunch, and we spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out with them. Charlie and Ashely went to a concert Saturday night, so we were able to keep Gentry longer and play with him. He's always on the go, but he's so much fun!! While Gentry was having his bath, Craig and I snuck away, so we could see Luke and Laura. (I told you Nashville was full of our favorite people.) We watched some more football and visited with them for a little while. I love having so much family in Nashville, but it sure keeps us busy!!

After church on Sunday, we dressed in our navy and baby blue for the first Titans game of the season. Ashley's parents kept Gentry, so all 6 of us were able to go to the game. Titans games are always fun, so we had a good time with Craig's family!! They played great, and hopefully, will keep up the hard work all season. Go TITANS Go!!

Well, I think that about covers some of our favorite things (and people) Nashville edition. Be on the look out for more of our favorite lists...

1st Birthday

2010-09-16T20:58:00.000-07:00

Remember me??

Can't believe this cute, little puppy celebrated his 1st birthday on Friday. No, we did not throw a big birthday party. However, if we were still living in Memphis, he would have celebrated with his best friends (Trek and Bailey). He has had a rough transition to Jackson without his friends and has not been able to meet too many new buddies. Hopefully, his next year of life will bring more close friends and fun times. Just thought you might enjoy seeing some pictures of our sweet puppy over the past year!! We love you, Tucker Bear!!
I was so little!! Mommy still wishes I was this size at times, but she loves me!!

Living with these two from September-January can be a little tough. They like to dress me in crimson or burnt orange and give me lots of red and orange toys. I don't really understand, but I like the toys!!

Sometimes I miss living in Memphis and playing with my best friends, Trek and Bailey, every day. We had so much fun on the tennis courts!! However, I do like all the new space and the big green area at the new place.Playing outside and laying in the grass, what could be better?? Hmm...Digging in the dirt, eating grass, mulch, or anything else, and running away from my parents!!Happy 1st Birthday Tucker Bear!!
P.S. Happy Belated Birthday Great Granny!! So glad we share the same birthday. Don't worry, I won't tell them how old you are!! I enjoyed celebrating with you at your house.

Highlights from Austin

2010-09-07T17:16:00.000-07:00

We were a little nervous I might miss the flight due to a car accident. Luckily, I made it to the airport in plenty of time (and then our flight was delayed). Grandma and I were excited for our adventure!! Look out Austin...here we come!
Meet TJ!!
Grandma was thrilled to meet her first great-grandson.
Naomi LOVES her little brother, and she is a great big sister!

Look at that precious smile!!My buddy for the weekend.
She is full of energy and is very creative.
She LOVES Toy Story, the Beatles, and her family.
Naomi sitting in her "Zacchaeus" tree acting like a monkey.Feeding the goatsWalking with GrandmaNaomi and TimTJ and Grandma

Thanks Tim & Jackie for a great weekend!! I appreciate your hospitality and kindness. We had a great trip!! Sorry Jackie that I do not have any pictures of you. What a wonderful family I have!!

a little of this, a little of that

2010-08-30T19:20:00.000-07:00

Hasn't the weather been so much better lately?? I have loved the cool breezes on my morning walks with Tucker and the lower temperatures throughout the day. The nicer weather is REALLY making me excited for football season!! On Friday night, we had our first taste of football. Craig and I went to the JCS game. We started slow but ended up playing well and winning. It was fun, and I'm looking forward to having a high school team to watch. This is a new experience for me. I have never been at a school (in 20+years) with a football team. Crazy, I know. I'm even more excited for college football to start and for my defending National Champions to have another amazing season. ROLL TIDE!!

Saturday was a busy day at JCS. We had our Back to School Rodeo Saturday night but spent a couple of hours setting up before the big event. It was great evening, and I was glad Craig was able to go to meet some of my students, their families, and my wonderful co-workers. After the rodeo, Craig and I both talked about how blessed I am to be a part of an incredible school with so many great people.
On Sunday morning, I left Craig in Jackson and went to Nashville for a few hours. WHY?? I had to see my sister, even if it was only for 5 hours. I try to take advantage of every chance I get since she is living in Miami now. :( Hopefully, with the help of some of her friends, our plan will work to get her back in Nashville by next August. I enjoyed spending the day with Bethany, my parents, Luke, Laura, and so many cousins!! For lunch, some of my cousins (Krista, Paige, and Katie) on my dad's side of the family joined us. I always enjoy catching up with them!! I'm glad they are at Lipscomb and that we get to hang out on some of my visits. After lunch, we went to Luke and Laura's condo for a little while before meeting my cousins on my mom's side of the family. It was great to see all of them, and I always enjoy seeing Elsie, Lucy, Sophie, and Lola. They always make me laugh with their funny stories and sweet smiles. It was another great weekend!!
This weekend, I have a special trip planned with my Grandma while Craig is on call Friday and Sunday. I will be sure to blog about our trip next week. Hope you all have a wonderful week and a safe Labor Day!!

More Visitors...Yes, Please

2010-08-22T20:02:00.000-07:00

Craig and I had a relaxing weekend in Jackson. On Friday, we had a nice surprise visit from my aunt, uncle, and two of my cousins from California. I was so glad they went a little out of their way to see us. We don't see them that often, so it was nice to catch up with them. They came over to our house after touring Freed's campus and stayed for an hour. Hopefully, we will be seeing them more since their oldest daughter is at Lipscomb. After their visit, we grabbed a quick dinner before going to the ballpark. Yes, you're right, I don't like baseball. However, I was very excited about the game on Friday night.

Jackson has a minor league team, the Diamond Jaxx. Craig has been begging me to go to a game with him all summer. As you guessed, I was not very interested in attending. My attitude changed a couple of weeks ago. Adam sent me a text one day informing me that a guy from San Antonio had been called up to Jackson. Anthony, was in the youth group at Northside, where I interned for two summers. I was very close to his sister and really enjoyed getting to know his family. I immediately sent him a message on Facebook letting him know we lived in Jackson and would love to watch him pitch if he would give us his schedule. Well, he started on Friday night, so we went to the game. It was so fun to see him play and to talk with him after the game. He came over for dinner tonight, and we were able to catch up a little more. He's a great guy, and I know the Lord will continue to use him for HIS kingdom. Hopefully, we'll get to see him pitch again before the season is over.

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend!! Hope you have a great week!!

Back to School

2010-08-09T18:01:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, August 4: My first day as a 4th Grade Teacher

I was very nervous prior to Wednesday. I was so excited about being at JCS and about my co-workers, but I was still unsure about teaching 4th Grade. However,the day was great!! After meeting my amazing 19 students, my fears were calmed. I have a wonderful group of children, and I'm so pumped about the year. I still LOVE teaching Kindergarten, but I am learning to LOVE a lot about 4th Grade. I love the independence of the students. I love being able to go deeper and challenge their minds with our lessons. I love their ability to sit quietly and work without being told 5000 times what to do. I'm sure the year will hold a variety of emotions, but as of now, I am so happy and excited about teaching 4th Grade at JCS. Thanks for all your prayers and support!!

Visitors

2010-07-26T18:52:00.000-07:00

Over the past week, lots of people have come to visit us in Jackson. From Sunday until Thursday of last week, my cousins, David, Beth, and two month old Lola, stayed with us while David had work in Jackson. We enjoyed spending time with them! Mom brought Grandma and Charlotte to Jackson on Thursday night to see the house as well as David, Beth, and Lola. Charlotte brought lots of fresh corn and a huge watermelon from her garden. YUM!! On Saturday night, Craig's parents, Granny, Uncle Charlie, and Aunt Mary came over for a cook out. It was fun to hang out with all of them. Craig was on call last night, so my sister came to keep me company. I had a scare late Thursday night (passed out, terrible pains, etc.). I did not want to be alone last night, so I was glad Sissy was here. We had a typical girls night: eating lots of food, watching movies, catching up, running errands, staying up late. I was sad to see her leave today (and so was Tucker). Later this week, my sister-in-law, Ashley, my nephew, Gentry, and my mother-in-law are coming to visit. It's been so much fun entertaining in our new house and having lots of company. We would love to have more visitors, so come see us!!

Oh, how we've missed you...

2010-07-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

Muddy's Bake Shop

Craig says my face lights up when I talk about this place. I am like a little kid on Christmas morning, when I enter the bakery. I love the smell of fresh baked cookies, cupcakes, and pies. When we lived in Memphis, we visited Muddy's at least twice a week and usually more times. Oh, how we miss that wonderful place!! Well, to celebrate my new job, of course, we drove to Memphis to savor some amazing goodies by Kat Gordon. Thanks to Craig for the wonderful idea and for driving!! Luckily, we brought some Muddy's home to hold us over until our next visit.

The Job Search is Over

2010-07-13T16:19:00.000-07:00

I got a job. I got a job. I got a job. Hey! Hey! Hey!

Last night, I told Craig that I would not be teaching this year and needed to start applying for other jobs. I have been praying a lot about a new job and for God's plan to be evident. I applied with two county systems and sent resumes to every school. Over the past month, my interviews were minimal. However, my spirits were not down. I fully trusted that God was in control and would provide the perfect job. I interviewed at Jackson Christian on July 2 after hearing about an opening only two days before. Everyone was out of town last week, so I did not think I would hear anything until yesterday at the earliest. Well, this morning, I received the call from the principal offering me the 4th Grade position. Yes, you heard me right. 4th Grade. It's a big jump from Kindergarten. I am taking a BIG leap of faith and trusting that God will lead me throughout this year. I have heard wonderful things about the school, and everyone has been so nice. I am very excited about this opportunity. Thanks for all the prayers, and please keep lifting them up.

Summer Reading

2010-07-12T18:35:00.000-07:00

Finally, I finished. I know I am several years behind, but I just finished the last Harry Potter book. I was against these books and was not interested. My mom, sister, brother, and several friends tried to get me hooked, but I refused. Last summer, I needed a good read at the beach. Craig convinced me to give Harry Potter a try. So, I read the first four books last summer. However, during the school year, I was so busy, that I did not keep reading. In May, I read book 5 at the beach. I read book 6 while at the Keys and started book 7 last week. I have stayed up REALLY late reading, because I could not put these books down. If you have not read them, you must. I promise you will not be disappointed. They are very easy reads but are so well written. Now, I need another good book to read...

SEW many Projects

2010-06-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

I am still looking for a job, but luckily I have been busy with projects for the house. There is still much work to be done, but it's starting to look more like a home. We can't wait to have visitors, so come see us in Jackson!! Here are some pictures of the house...

Curtains in the Guest Bedroom My new desk and favorite toy
Curtains in the StudyGuest Bathroom
A closer look at the pillowsCurtains in the Master BedroomA pillow to match

That is just a taste of our place. If you want to see more, you will have to come visit!!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

2010-06-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

I am not a Baseball fan. My parents, brothers, and especially Craig are very disappointed in me. They have tried, over and over, to get me interested in the sport. The fact remains that I just don't like baseball. However, I spent one of the best days yesterday at the ball park. I drove to Florence yesterday morning only to get back in the car with my parents and my Grandma for the road trip to Atlanta. My parents and my Grandma are HUGE Braves fans, so we went to the Braves/Nationals game last night. Luke and Laura joined us at the park. The family was thrilled to be at the game. I went to be with the family and to watch Josh Willingham.

We arrived in plenty of time to watch the Nationals take batting practice. We then found our seats in the All You Can Seat Section. We enjoyed hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries, nachos, peanuts, ice cream, and soft drinks for 7 innings (or at least some of us did). Our seats were three rows up in center field, which was a nice view. I sat next to Grandma. She amazes me! At 85 years young, she agreed to ride in the car for 5 hours, to sit through nine innings of her favorite sport, and to get back in the car for 5 more hours, which meant we arrived home at 2 a.m. She was a trooper, yet, she would not have missed a moment of the fun!! That's why yesterday was so special! I will never forget my day at the ball park with Grandma, Mom, Dad, Luke, and Laura.

Take me out to the ball game, Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack. I don't care if I never get back.
For it's root, root, root for the home team. If they don't win, it's a shame.For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out, at the old ball game.

A short visit with Bethany

2010-06-25T09:02:00.000-07:00

Sisters, sisters
There were never such devoted sisters
All kinds of weather, we stick together
The same in the rain or sun
Two different faces, but in tight places
We think and we act as one
Those who've seen us
Know that not a thing could come between us

My sister and I love that song!! We are very close, and I was so excited to see her after our trip to the Keys. It had been 3 months since our last visit, which is way too long! She lives and works in Miami, so it's been hard to see each other as much as we would like. Craig and I went to her apartment and then to dinner before we flew back to Nashville. Although our visit wasn't long, it was just what I needed. Time with my Sissie!! We talked. We laughed. We caught up on life. Thanks Bethany for being a great host and for taking time out of your busy schedule to see us. We are so proud of your hard work and for your dedication to City Year. I can't wait to see you again in July and August when you come home for weddings. YEA!!

Vacation with the Hubby

2010-06-17T07:39:00.000-07:00

Destination: Hawks Cay Resort- Duck, Key, FL

Dates: Wednesday, June 2- Wednesday, June 9

Desire: RELAX, RELAX, RELAX

Highlights

Enjoying Beautiful Sunsets

Laying by the Lagoon every day for 6+ hours

Eating AMAZING food
Favorite Seafood Restaurant: Islamorada Fish Company
Favorite Italian Restaurant: Mangia Mangia
Favorite Dessert: Blond Giraffe
(Pie on a Stick: frozen Key Lime Pie dipped in chocolate)Spending time with Craig

Hawks Cay is a great resort with lots of things to do for everyone in the family. The weather was perfect with no rain the entire trip. If you have never been to the Keys, I would highly recommend the trip. It's a very laid back atmosphere. It's not a tourist destination (unless you go to Key West). We did make the day trip to Key West, which was fun. Other than that, we stayed at our resort every day and drove to Marathon or Islamorada each night for dinner. We are ready to go back!!

Remember I teach Kindergarten

2010-05-20T16:39:00.001-07:00

Our time in Memphis is coming to an end.

We have been busy spending lots of time with friends.

Side By Side Party and Fiesta Dinner in just a couple of days.
Then off to Destin for a family beach get-a-way.

Mother's Day with our Moms and then back to work.
Being back in Memphis at Muddy's Bake Shop was a nice perk.

Family Weddings, Graduations, and road trips to be made.
So much to do. The week will quickly fade.

This chapter is almost over. Reality is setting in.
God is calling us on. A new journey to begin.

Side By Side Bible Study End of the Year Party
The Graduates and the Wives
Mother's Day in FlorenceMeet Dr. Elizabeth Irons!!The gang with Kat, owner of Muddy's
Brandon, Craig, James, and Jason...
So Proud of you guys!!
Brittney, Elizabeth, and Meaghan...Love you!!

Falling Behind

2010-05-18T19:35:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a while since my last post. Needless to say, we have been very busy. I will do a quick recap of the month of April and will try to blog more frequently during the remainder of this month. Here goes...

We went to Nashville over Easter weekend. I enjoyed seeing college friends at Phi Sigma's alumni breakfast, Jenny's baby shower, and Singarama. The weekend was very busy, but I enjoyed spending so much time with some of my best friends. I spent Easter with my Aunt Charlene and her family. I loved having lunch with all of them and spending some time with my cousins.Jenny's gift: a diaper bag I made for Mayzie
Craig enjoyed a trip to Augusta, GA during the beginning of April. Yes, you guessed it. He was at the Masters with his parents and his brother. Maybe one day it will work out for me to go. Craig LOVED his trip and took lots of pictures with his new camera.
2010 Masters Champion: Phil Mickelson

We closed on our house and moved the majority of our belongings. If you have not seen the pictures of our new place, check the older blog entries. We are so excited but still have so much more work to do. I hope to blog more about the move and plan to update with more pictures of the house with things in it.

Our sweet nephew, Gentry, turned one, so of course we went to Nashville to celebrate!! My sister-in-law, Ashley, worked really hard and had everything looking fabulous for the party. He loved opening his presents, playing with his new toys, and eating his cake.
The Hat and Bib I made for the party.He loved the cake!Ashley, Gentry, and Charlie

We also found plenty of time to hang out with our friends in Memphis and enjoy cupcakes at Muddy's. I had several baby and wedding showers to attend, which gave me a great excuse to sew!! I'm loving my new embroidery/sewing machine and can't wait for more projects. April was a very busy month. Thanks for being patient with the updates. We are blessed with wonderful families and friends to enjoy life with!!

Our NEW House

2010-04-14T19:01:00.000-07:00

On Monday, we went to Jackson to close on our house. After signing lots of papers, we were handed the keys to our first place!! We are so excited and can't wait to move everything in. Here are a few pictures. I will post more once things are decorated (don't expect that post any time soon).
This picture was taken in the Great Room looking at the Entry Hall and the Dining Room. The house has beautiful hardwood floors in the Great Room and Dining Room. We had the Dining Room painted Red. I was very pleased with the way it turned out!!
Our Chocolate Master Bedroom with a Mint Green Master Bath. I can't wait to decorate this room!! It was hard to take pictures in the bathroom. Trust me, it's amazing!!The B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L Kitchen!! I am in love!!

These are just a few pictures since so many have been wanting to see the place. We are so happy with our first home and hope you will come visit us soon!!

Grandma's 85!!

2010-03-28T15:22:00.000-07:00

Today is my Grandma's 85th birthday!! Happy Birthday Grandma!! We were so excited to be at your birthday brunch yesterday and so glad we could spend the day with you. Here are some of my favorite Grandma pictures over the years...Let me tell you a little bit about this amazing woman...
As a child, she made numerous costumes, dresses, and outfits for me, and over the past year, she has taught me her sewing skills. She came to countless basketball, soccer, and softball games to cheer me on, although at the time, she did not love sports. She puts others first and is always brightening the days of others with her smile, cards, phone calls, visits, and goodies. She is the best cook but rarely follows a recipe. She loves her family and takes pride in sharing our accomplishments with anyone who will listen. She loves the Lord and trusts Him even when times are difficult. She has taught me how to love and how to serve by her example.

Words could never truly describe my Grandma. She has a heart of gold. She would do anything for anyone. I admire her love and devotion to her family and to our Lord. When I think about her and all she has done, I am reminded of the Virtuous Woman described in Proverbs 31...

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many woman do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Grandma, you are to be praised for your love and your faithful spirit. You are a blessing in my life, and I am so thankful to call you Grandma. I love you so much!!

Adam's Wedding Weekend

2010-03-25T19:51:00.000-07:00

Friday morning we woke at 4 a.m., so we could catch our taxi at 4:45 for the airport. Destination: Virginia for my oldest brother, Adam's wedding. We flew on some REALLY tiny airplanes, which made me a little nervous. My dad picked us up at the airport, and we drove to Harrisonburg. I was taken to the nail salon immediately for manicures and pedicures with the Bridal party. I was so excited to see everyone!! We rushed to pick up lunch and meet at the hotel before going to Adam's apartment for a surprise birthday party. We had not celebrated the big 3-0 with Adam, so we had a little party. Then, it was time for the rehearsal and the dinner.
Saturday morning was spent getting ready for the wedding. We arrived at Cross Keys Vineyard a little before noon. The rest of the day was spent taking pictures, hanging out with the family, and enjoying a beautiful wedding. The weather was perfect!! I am blessed with an amazing family!! Thanks to my wonderful parents for teaching us how to love. Congrats to Adam and Cathy!!

The Big Day is Here...

2010-03-18T15:14:00.001-07:00

This blog was started several months ago to highlight the BIG events of Craig's 4th and final year of Medical School. Today, is the day we have been anticipating. Match Day. The event was held at The Pink Palace, and we enjoyed spending time with all our friends. Around noon, Craig and I went to get the envelope with the BIG news. Craig and several of his friends gathered together to open their letters. Drum Roll Please....

We are going to Jackson!!

We are so excited, especially since Craig received his first choice. Jackson has a wonderful Family Medicine Program, and we are thrilled for this next chapter in our lives. We will miss all our wonderful friends but are happy for all of them as well. Thanks for all the prayers and the support over the past four years. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we move, as I look for a job, as we adjust, and as we seek God's will for us in Jackson.

Remember When...

2010-03-17T06:55:00.000-07:00

Tucker Bear is now 6 months old, and I have been a bad parent. I have not updated about how big he is. I wanted to start with a couple of pictures of when he was just a few weeks old. Then, you will realize how much he has grown!! He's a great puppy, and we are having so much fun with him!! He weighs 40 lbs and loves to play with his best friends Trek and Bailey.I can't believe he was this small!! The next pictures were taken in the past weeks. Be prepared...This picture was taken after his first hair cut. He looked much better 2 days later.

Good Times

2010-03-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

Once I make one blog post, it is usually followed by several more in a short time. That will probably be the case this week. Like I said, we have been very busy lately, but this week is my Spring Break!! YEA! So, hopefully, I will catch up on a lot things.

Last weekend was a lot of fun!! Friday night we went to dinner with Brandon, Meaghan, Jason, and Brittney. We went to Blue Coast after learning the Happy Mexican had an hour wait. I love Blue Coast, so I was very happy! We enjoyed our dinner and talked until the restaurant closed. The Bootons had to go home, but the rest of us went to our favorite place. Can you guess where?? Yes, you are right...Muddy's Bake Shop!! I don't know what I will do without this place. If you are ever in Memphis, you must visit this bakery. Believe me, you will not be disappointed.

Saturday morning I met some friends from Side By Side at Cracker Barrel. Sarah, a former SBS member, was in town, so several of us met for some good food and great fellowship. After breakfast, I met Craig, so we could do a little furniture shopping. We will be moving and will need some new pieces for our house. We found a beautiful dining room table, and I'm so excited!!

Saturday afternoon we had some more special visitors. My best friend, since Kindergarten, and her husband came to Memphis for a Grizzlies game and stayed the night with us. I was so excited to have Melissa and Eric visit. We went to Gus's for dinner and enjoyed some of the best fried chicken. They went to the Grizzlies game, while Craig and I watched a movie. After the game, we took them to Muddy's. Yes, we went two days in a row, but it's that good!! Sunday, we went to church and then to Central BBQ for lunch. We had so much fun hanging out and showing them around Memphis. I have been so blessed to have Melissa as a friend, and I was so thrilled to visit with her over the weekend.

Yesterday, we received some good news...CRAIG MATCHED!! I was not worried. Now, we just wait until Thursday to find out where we will be moving. Another post is in the near future. Until the next post...

Girls=Winners

2010-03-15T19:08:00.000-07:00

Well, once again, I have fallen behind on my posts. We have been busy and have enjoyed some special guests in Memphis the past two weekends. I will start with a recap from the first weekend in March...

This weekend was spent with some of our dearest friends in Memphis. The weekend was designed to be a repeat of our trip to Knoxville over Labor Day. However, a lot of things were different. We did not play Nertz, not even one game. That was a shocker and a little disappointing. Instead, we played Rock Band. On Friday night, Brandon, Meaghan, James, Elizabeth, Craig and I went to dinner, to a thrift store, to Muddy's (of course), and to the Lokeys for games. James and Jennifer met us at the Lokeys, where we played Buzzword until Russ arrived from Knoxville. Now, for the record, the girls are TERRIBLE at Buzzword. Actually, for almost 2 years, the girls never won any game we played on Game nights. However, we did not get frustrated or give up. Friday night we dominated, which was very sweet. We were excited when Russ arrived but very sad that Heather was not able to make the trip. Russ brought Rock Band, which quickly became a hit. On Saturday, Elizabeth and I went to a 30th Birthday Party for our friend Katie. It was an 80s themed party, which is why we are dressed so cute! The boys had "Maximum Bro" time and then met the girls at Jerry's Snow Cones. It was my first visit and a wonderful treat on a beautiful day. Saturday night we went over to the Parnells for dinner and more games. Once again, the girls won at Buzzword, and we all enjoyed more Rock Band. We had a great weekend!! We are going to miss these special friends very much when we move. :(

the BIG 3-0!!

2010-02-22T15:36:00.000-08:00

Happy Belated Birthday Adam!!

My oldest brother, Adam, celebrated his birthday on Saturday and turned 30!! He is an amazing older brother. As you know, I believe I have the best siblings in the world. We are very close, which can be intimidating (I'm told) to outsiders. Sorry to those who have spent any lengthy amount of time with the four of us. Anyways, back to Adam...

Adam is someone I look to for guidance and wisdom in so many areas of life. He has a deep and strong relationship with our Lord, which I admire. He can talk to anyone and make them feel special. He loves with all he has and is devoted to serving others. Some of my favorite memories include the two summers I worked for him. He was serving as a Youth Minister in San Antonio, and I was his intern. I loved watching him with the kids, the parents, and the whole congregation. He is very passionate, and I witnessed his love for his work being poured into those kids. He has always looked out for me and been my by side. Thanks Adam for your support, encouragement, kind spirit, and faithful heart. I love you and can't wait to see you in March!!

Weekend Report

2010-02-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

Craig is in Nashville this month on a rotation, which leaves me in Memphis all alone. Well, this week, Tucker Bear is staying with me, so he will keep me company. Craig, his parents, and Tucker came to visit over the weekend. I joked with Craig that the weekend was all about him, because we ate at his favorite places and did what he wanted to do. Friday night we ate BBQ at Rendezvous followed by cupcakes at Muddy's (my one request of the weekend). Saturday we went to Gus's for lunch and then to the Civil Rights Museum. Craig and I have a list of things to do before we leave Memphis, and the Museum was at the top of the list. It is a great museum! Saturday night we had dinner at the Capriccio Grill before seeing "Jersey Boys" at the Orpheum. The Orpheum is beautiful, and I'm so glad we went. I loved the music in "Jersey Boys." Craig and his parents left on Sunday leaving me and Tucker Bear alone. We had a great weekend with Craig's parents and enjoyed some of our favorite places in Memphis.

What I will miss about Memphis...

2010-01-30T11:55:00.000-08:00

In less than 4 months, Craig will be graduating from Med School, and we will be moving out of Memphis. He interviewed at 5 different programs: Chattanooga, Jackson, Tuscaloosa, Daytona Beach, and Asheville. March 18 is Match Day, which is when we find out where we are going next. We have enjoyed our time in Memphis and will miss certain things about this city. Some things we will miss more than others. Like...

Our Friends and Muddy's Bake Shop. These are our top 2 things we will miss about Memphis. Our Friends have been our family during these four years of school. We have shared numerous memories and have supported one another through it all. I would not have survived without the friendships. It's going to be so sad when we all move to different cities. I don't know what I will do without them. :( Muddy's is our favorite bakery with the best cupcakes, cookies, and other sweet treats. We visit the store regularly and will probably lose a few pounds after we move. Over the next four months, we plan to take advantage of time with our friends and cupcakes at Muddy's. We will miss you both so much...

Girls Weekend

2010-01-20T18:55:00.000-08:00

For the second year in a row, my friends from college and I went on a trip over MLK weekend. It is a nice tradition, and I hope it continues for many years. Last year, we traveled to Chicago for the inaugural trip with lots of shopping and Wicked. This year we decided on something a little less intense. Our friend, Kristen, moved home to Kansas after several years in Nashville. She is the most thoughtful friend I know. All through college she visited our homes and families, so we were excited to travel to her home and meet her family. Betsy, Emily, Jenny and I left Nashville at 6 on Friday night and flew to Kansas City. (For those on the trip last year, we made it through security without any excitement). Kristen picked us up at the airport. It was very foggy, so we were not able to see much of the city. However, one of the first things we noticed was some interesting art leaving the airport. As the trip continued, we learned Kansas City has some very strange art. We stayed at the Sheraton Suites on the Plaza. Friday night we enjoyed hanging out at the hotel.

Saturday morning we went to Panera for breakfast! YUM!! I love their Cinnamon Crunch bagels. After breakfast, we walked through the Plaza and went in several shops. None of us spent as much money as we did last year. The weather was very nice and bearable. We went to lunch at Winstead's, a local diner. We enjoyed burgers, fries, and onion rings. Next, we traveled to the Crown Center. Hallmark's headquarters are in Kansas City, located next to the Crown Center. The rest of the day was spent driving and enjoying the sights of Kansas City. The city is known as "The City of Fountains." With the fountains being turned off, we decided the city was better named "The City of Statues." We enjoyed taking MANY pictures with statues. Saturday night we had dinner with Kristen's family. They bought BBQ for us, and we had fun spending time with her nephews and the rest of the family.

On Sunday, we went to church at Overland Park Church of Christ and watched Kristen teach. After worship, we had lunch at a local pizza joint. Then back to the Plaza for more pictures with statues and shopping. We saw the movie "Leap Year." It was such a cute movie and a fun one to see with a bunch of my girlfriends. We went back to the hotel and relived our college years. It was fun to reminisce and laugh about things we had not thought about in several years. Later that night, we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner.

We left early Monday morning. It was a great, relaxing weekend spent with some of my closest friends. Thanks girls for all the fun!! I can't wait for our trip next year...Hot Springs here we come!!

the BIG game

2010-01-10T16:14:00.000-08:00

Craig and I (as well as our families) enjoyed a LOT of trash talk over the past month. We pointed out all the flaws of the other team as well as all the reasons why our team would win. My family loves the Crimson Tide while Craig's family supports the Longhorns. Craig and I debated going to Pasadena even if we couldn't get tickets. We thought it would be an experience to be there as our teams battled. However, with our schedules, the trip was impossible (not to mention our budget). Since we could not be at the game, we decided to host a party, in hopes that our friends come help keep our marriage in tact. We pulled out all our Alabama and Texas gear to decorate our apartment. Every time one of us put something out, the other would find something else to counter. The BIG night finally arrived. Most of the people in attendance cheered for Texas. The game started off bad for Alabama, but Texas was hurt worse when McCoy was injured. In the end, Alabama WON and I was thrilled!! Some people think Texas would have won with McCoy. I am not saying they would or would not have, but I do know the game would have been different. Alabama played a different game after McCoy's injury. Craig was a good sport, and I have tried not to be a pain to live with. All I can say is ROLL TIDE ROLL!!

Tucker cheered for Alabama and wore his favorite scarf!

Christmas Vacation

2010-01-10T14:49:00.000-08:00

Well, I know I'm a little late with this blog, but we were a LITTLE busy over Christmas. We left on Friday, December 18th when I got off work. First stop: Nashville. We arrived in time to catch the end of the dinner party with Chris, Pat, and Ann Wood (family friends of the Wrights). It was fun to see them and to visit for a little while. Saturday we enjoyed another Christmas party at the Wright house, this time with the Gillilands. Since we have lived in Memphis, Craig and I have never made this party, so we were excited to be there. We met baby Connor and enjoyed spending time with all of the Gillilands. On Sunday, Craig and his dad went to the Titans game. I decided to do some last minute shopping since it was so cold. Sunday night Charlie, Ashley, and Gentry came over for dinner. It was fun to spend some time with Craig's family.

On Monday, we left Nashville and headed to Florence. We were having Christmas with my mom's side of the family that night. It was the first year without my Aunt Cathy, which was hard. She always gave my sister and I a Christmas ornament for our birthdays, so we decided to start a new tradition of giving her granddaughters an ornament. Christmas was her favorite holiday!! One of the most touching moments (for me) was that my uncle remembered my aunt's tradition and gave me an ornament. I was not expecting it, and I appreciated his thoughtfulness. It was a fun night with my Spivey cousins. On Tuesday, we had a Tea Party with my Grandma and her great-granddaughters. The little girls had so much fun at the party and dressing up like princesses. I was glad I could be a part of the special day.

On Wednesday, we went back to Nashville. Things start to get a little blurry here because of all the travels back and forth. I can't remember all the details but I will share the highlights. Christmas Eve was spent in Nashville with Craig's family. We were very blessed that Charlie did not get paged and were able to all enjoy Christmas together. It was Gentry's first Christmas, and he loved opening his presents!! He is so cute and such a sweet baby!!

We left Nashville Christmas morning to go back to Florence to spend the day with my family. As many of you know, my birthday is on Christmas. Although I haven't always enjoyed this, I am thankful that I am able to spend time with my WHOLE family on my birthday. They always make it special and try to separate the two. We enjoyed a great day with my Grandma, Mom, Dad, Adam, Luke, Laura, and Bethany.

Saturday we went back to Nashville for Christmas with the Wrights (Craig's dad's side of the fam). We usually make it to Thanksgiving or Christmas each year, so we were glad to see most everyone this year. We went back to Florence that night to spend a few more days with my family.

Sunday-Wednesday was spent in Florence. We enjoyed hanging out with my family and playing plenty of games. Monday night I went to dinner with some of the bestest friends in the world. I have been blessed with amazing friends and each year we get together for a Christmas dinner. Melissa, Codi, Elizabeth, and I have been friends forever. We don't get to see each other as much as we would like but we always pick up like it was yesterday. Mary Brook, we missed you and hope you will be home next year!!

The rest of the break was spent in Gatlinburg with Craig's family. It was very relaxing. We stayed in our pajamas pretty much everyday. That is my kind of trip!! We had fun playing the arcade games, watching movies in the movie room, and hanging out.

I know that was a very LONG post, but I wanted to share what we did for the holidays. We were very blessed with safety, with time spent with family and friends, and with generous gifts. Thank you to everyone who made our holiday special!!

MeRrY ChRiStMaS!!

2009-12-24T07:07:00.000-08:00

From our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! We are so excited to spend time with our families and friends, and hope you are blessed with time with your loved ones.

May you have the spirit of Christmas which is peace, the gladness of Christmas which is hope, and the heart of Christmas which is love.
With love,
Craig, Anna and Tucker