Friday, February 12, 2010

Good Morning...I think I will take a SNOW DAY


Yes that is right!! Auburn actually got 3 inches of snow today. I could not be happier! Growing up, I would spend all of my Christmas' in Port Clinton, Ohio. For those of you who don't know where that is, it is on Lake Erie in Northern Ohio. My parents were born and raised in Port Clinton. Both sets of grandparents, my aunt and uncle, and cousins all lived up there when I was going up. We would spend Christmas playing in the snow. Since my grandmother died in October of 2008, we have not been back to Port Clinton. I miss it so much. I realized now that I'm a "grown up" the memories of being there and the feeling you get when you see something like snow. It takes me back to being that 10 year old taking late night walks through that tiny lake front town.

Matthew and I both worked for a few hours today and came home before it got too cold and icy. We got out for a few minutes to "play" in the wet stuff and enjoyed hot chocolate and french onion soup.





I could not find my gloves, so building a Snowman was OUT...Our short lived play time....



Yes, I'm thinking I need botox...

Happy Valentines Day!!





Our FIRST Anniversary

This past weekend Matthew and I celebrated our first anniversary. Last year on February 7, the weather was absolutely beautiful with highs in the mid 70's. This year.....not so much.
We spent the weekend in one of our favorite places...New Orleans. As many of you already know, Hurricane Katrina actually did some good. It brought the two of us together. Matthew was living and working in New Orleans before Katrina in 2005. He actaully was an "evacuee" of one of the nation's greatest disasters. After Katrina, Matthew came back to New Orleans and began work of a different maginude. Before August 29, 2005, he was a civil engineer doing work for Weston. After Katrina, he was part of the team contracted by the EPA doing emergency response, living in tents and motor homes. Basically, salvaging what was left of the city. In April of 2006, I went to New Orleans to join in the emergency response. I know I have said this a million times, but that time in my life changed me in so many ways. Not only did I meet my future husband, I was able to see first hand, on the front lines, the ninth ward, the levees, the desperation of the evacuees, everything. I walked the levees and watched crews pull what was left of peoples lives and homes. Nothing will ever make you feel God's hand more than watch people go to the darkest places and come back stronger. There are images in my mind that will stay there for a life time. I was absolutely honored to be a part of that history. Luckily, Matthew's apartment was on the westside of New Orleans in River Ridge. He had very minor water damage. I think the worst part was the electricity being turned off for weeks and the refridgerator was beyond disgusting (that was thrown away before he came back to live in the apartment). After six monthes of him working bascially seven days a week well over 12 hours a day, he returned home to Alex City to prepare to take his P.E. (professional engineering exam). I traveled back and forth to New Orleans doing many different projects up to July of 2009. I could go on and on with stories...Anyway, New Orleans always holds a very special place in our hearts.

Matthew planned this surprise trip long before we knew the Saints were going to the Super Bowl, nor did either of us realize Mardi Gras was beginning. We traveled down on Friday afernoon and stayed at the Marriott downtown (were I stayed a long portion of my time). The city was buzzing and everyone was beyond excited to be celebrating the many events New Orleans was experiencing. We enjoyed our weekend playing at Harrahs, walking around the French Quarter, and watching the parades (on another note; the float people were really mean this year hurling beads as fast and hard as they could at peoples heads...). Unfortunately, the weather was about 40 degress with winds up to 30 mph. My hair had a rough weekend.

Views from our hotel room




One of the KREWE parades on Canal St right in front of our hotel



When returned home to Auburn on Sunday afternoon just in time to watch the Saints beat the Colts (which is a good thing, cause I am pretty sure the Saints fans would have torched the city if they would have lost). We enjoyed some yummy Rotel and our cake topper from our wedding...

It looks sad one year later, but actually tasted very yummy!!

Happy Anniversary to my husband! I love you!




Sunday, January 24, 2010

My College Roommates Wedding...(A tribute to Brooke)

This weekend my wonderful college roommate got married. When I say college roommate, she is far more than a college roommate to me. Brooke came to Auburn in the fall of 2000. She tried that other school (Alabama) and decided she wanted to join the cool kids. (just kidding to all my Alabama graduates out there...) She affiliated with my sorority (Delta Zeta) and we lived on the hall as suite mates. Brooke and I quickly became inseparable. After the fall semester, we decided to move in together, and as they say...the rest is history. I cannot say enough wonderful things about Brooke. She is a true treasure of a person. She was (and still is) always incredibly organized and very tidy. She even got me to make my bed every morning just by her example. I wanted to be a good roommate to her as well, so I made it a goal to make my bed everyday like she did! I know my mom is screaming AMEN right now. We ended up living together until graduation in May 2003. After graduation, Brooke moved to Birmingham and then Huntsville while I stayed in God's country. I cannot think of a single college memory with Brooke not in it. Even after college, we spent many, many fun weekends vacationing- Miami, Destin, Pensacola, Virginia Beach, Richmond, and one of my favorites Cabo San Lucas Mexico. We have been through so much together- loss of boyfriends, school stress, loss of grandparents, friend drama, and the list goes on... I think back of the late nights on the phone crying over some boy and us thinking we will never get married..I can only think of a handful of people in my life who I can count on and she is one of them. Well, times have changed and we have managed to become adults in the blink of on eye. I was so happy to have her stand with me last February 7th and I was so honored to stand with her this weekend. It is true- you can have a "happily ever after Brooke" (if you are reading this..)
I walked into the bridal room yesterday morning and saw her and my heart just melted. God put Brooke into my life at the right time eight years ago. He had a purpose for her and bless me beyond what she will ever know. Our past eight years of friendship came to that one moment when my Brooke was the bride- and a beautiful bride at that! Corey is a very lucky man. He will get the joy of sharing his life with Brooke. As I stood at the altar while the pastor was reading the vows, the tears began rolling down my face as I realized the girl that stuck by me through those eight (sometimes long and painful) years was getting her dream come true. No more wondering if that guy likes me, or if he is gonna call...No more PRAYING to pass that test (or class for that matter). It is so fun to watch Brooke be "giddy" with love. The ceremony was beautiful and Corey is precious. I could never have picked a more perfect mate for Brooke than Corey. The pastor is right, God has your mate picked out for you long before you were even conceived. I never realized that before I met Matthew. Everyday, I realize more and more why Matthew is in my life and why God chose him to stick with me the rest of my life. Brooke, I love you. You will never know how much I treasure your friendship and being a part of moulding me into who I am. Congratulations to you and Corey and I am thrilled to be a part of watching the two of you grow for the rest of your lives!

Our Cabo San Lucas Days....



Hanging Out...

My Wedding Day February 7, 2009....

Brooke's Wedding Day January 23, 2010



and a picture of me and my groom...almost a year later..




Saturday, January 2, 2010

Christmas 2009

Well, this was our first Christmas together. Although things were crazy with the house, we had a very enjoyable holiday. We started out Wednesday night going to Athens to visit my parents. This year was a bit different since Jessie and Matt were in Canada skiing for the holiday. Ms Heather came to visit us Christmas Eve night and received her MONOGRAMMED SNUGGIE!!



Like my scarf??? Ms Green knitted that all by herself!! I know it pained her to knit an Auburn orange scarf, but she did it anyway!! Love her!




We were beyond excited to be reunited with Maddox since he has been with my parents while house construction is going on. Santa did not disappoint and paid us a visit Christmas morning.



The bassets were excited Santa came as well...



Our little Family Photo OP before we headed to the Sharman Christmas!



I forgot my camera in the car when we got to the Sharman's so I didn't get any pictures, but we had a wonderful Christmas lunch and great time visiting with everyone!

I hope everyone else had a fantastic Christmas and New Year. God has blessed my family and I beyond words in 2009 and I can't wait to see what he has in store for 2010!


I

Friday, January 1, 2010

It's been a while

Ok, Ok so I haven't been phenomenal on this whole blogging thing, but hopefully 2010 will bring many more post. Well, what has been going on in our lives you ask? Well, lets just say WATER DAMAGE!

Yes that's right. The Saturday before Thanksgiving I was cleaning the kitchen and noticed a bunch of ants I could not get rid of. After Matthew pulled back the stove, this is what we found...



Have you ever tried to cook Thanksgiving dinner with no dishwasher? Not a lot of fun! In fact, we had to plug the stove back in just to cook. We had dehumidifiers, fans, and drying systems everywhere!

Our sub floors were soaked and hardwood ruined! Needless to say we are in the process of major kitchen remodel. We (when I say we, I mean us and ALFA) have to replace the cabinets, refinish hardwood in the living room, foyer, and kitchen, replace carpet in hallway....and the list goes on....

What caused this leak??


This is a crack in our four month old dishwasher. Thank you Maytag. Apparently, our dishwasher did not make to the quality control department.

So needless to say, Matthew and I spent our first Christmas at the Holiday Inn Express! The floors are finished now, we are waiting on the cabinets and countertops hopefully next week!



Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Try This Tuesday: Olive Spread Recipe

I told you I received my Southern Living Magazine last week. Why is that so exciting you ask? Well, I let my subscription run out so I have been without for a couple of months. Not only did I get my first magazine since the hiatus, it was the Thanksgiving addition. A girl could not be happier! I was flipping through on Saturday morning before I went to work for a bit and noticed this Olive Cheese Ball that look FABULOUS! Well, I tried it out on Monday night and it is to DIE FOR!! So, so good! Here is the recipe:

1- 8oz Cream Cheese (I used reduced fat and it still tasted great)
1 tablespoon of mayo
1/2 cup of diced green olives with pimentos
1/4 cup fresh green onions, diced
1 cup diced pecan pieces

Combine softened cream cheese, mayo, olives, and green onions in a bowl. Roll mixture into a ball or two logs. Cover with crushed pecans and serve. I used the Townhouse "Flip" crackers. One side is cracker the other is pretzel. You could serve with any vegetables, etc..

My new fav!!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Thanksgiving Plans....

I am getting so excited for Thanksgiving even though it is a few weeks away!! This year we are going to the Sharman's for lunch and then my parents are coming down for dinner. Yup, that means I am cooking. Don't get too excited, I just ordered the turkey breast from Honey Ham Company, but i do plan on making some sides. I have enjoyed learning how to cook and making new things lately. I love my mom, but she was never one to enjoy cooking...I got the new November Southern Living in the mail and have already tried out one of the recipes!
Since the IRON BOWL falls on a Friday this year, my parents are coming to town. Of course, I will not be present for the IRON BOWL Festivities. Anyone who knows me at all knows Black Friday is like the mother ship calling me home. I will be trucking it up to the ATL and participating in a little retail therapy. Things will be different this year than years past. The girls normally go to Nashville for Black Friday. I'm hope Atlanta will be so much fun! I plan on scoping out the scenes a week earlier. I have to work in Atlanta the week before so during my down time, I will scoping out the scene.
On another note, we are having nasty rainy downpours today! The backyard is already flooded and it's not even 9 am! Maddox is absolutely petrified of thunder. Even he knows today is an ugly, no-good day...