Pray for Kate!

There are a few blogs that I read everyday...ones that I've grown to love over the past year. Sometimes there are prayer requests posted and stories that will just break your heart in pieces. Kelly posted a prayer request for "Kate" a few weeks ago - soon after they discovered that Kate has a brain tumor. She and her parents have been on my heart since then and I check her Caring Bridge site everyday. Please pray for the McRae family as they fight the battle of their lives.

How precious is this little girl???

Conciertos y Bambinos!

No, I am not fluent in Spanish - although it would be helpful at work if I was. I took my 2-years worth in high school and only because it was required. I don't remember learning much in either class. My freshman year teacher was blind (Ms. Cliett) and although she was a real sweet lady, she had NO clue what was going on in the classroom. She had an assistant who spent more time arguing with her than helping. It was my 7th period class and it was a zoo. My sophomore year teacher (Mrs. Smith) was much more interested in flirting with the then 16-year old boys and wearing entirely too short skirts to be concerned with providing us with a formal, Spanish education. I digress.
As anyone from the South can attest, it has been HOT! I went to Jackson for Father's Day and was convinced I would melt before I made it back to Atlanta. I'm going back this weekend for the 4th of July and am excited to report that it's only supposed to get up to 98 and 99 degrees while I'm there. Throw humidity in the mix and you're looking at at least 162! The humidity is just not as bad in Atlanta. We might die of smog inhilation but at least it won't be from a heat stroke. :)

The past few weeks have been busy! Work has been busier in the past month than in the past 2 years that I've worked here. Aside from that I have been concert-ing it up. First, my Mom came to ATL and we went to see Al Green and Etta James. It was so neat to hear "At Last" in person! I love that song and plan on dancing to it at my wedding one day. Al Green is a performer and it was an overall great concert! I didn't get any pictures, but if you could have seen Carla you would have no doubts that she had a great time.

A couple of weeks ago Taylor Swift and Keith Urban were in town. I didn't even know it until the day of - Kate and I had been out running errands when we heard an advertisement for the concert over the radio. We looked at each other with the "you wanna go?" look and agreed it would be fun. I'm not a huge Taylor fan - mainly because I feel 100 knowing that a 19-year old can sing like that. On the other hand, I am a fan of Keith's. Dude is SMOKIN HOT! And the best part? After he sang a few songs, he ran through the crowd and climbed up on a smaller stage that was set up right in front of us!

Last weekend some friends and I went to see Dane Cook. I've never been to a comedy show like that before, but it was hilarious! L-R - Charleston, me, and Kelsey and our futile attempt at a self-portrait.

For those of you who live in and around Jackson - all 2 of you - please be advised that there is something in the water! I'll give you a little hint...it takes 9 months to bake! Oh my goodness at the babies who have just been born and those still "baking"! My friend, Jenna, had a baby boy named Foster on May 28th. My friend, Amy, had sweet little Annelise on June 16th. Another Amy is due with Mary Morgan on September 4th - but we're convinced she's coming early because she's measuring 2 weeks ahead of schedule. My friend, Lexie, is due January 8th - and we won't know until D-Day what that baby is (I say GIRL). Lee is due January 17th (which happens to be Big Sister, Ella's 2nd Birthday - how about THAT for timing??). And, Saundra, is due around January 21st! 3 babies in 2 weeks = Auntie being BROKE! But, I am SO very thankful for the precious blessing that each one will be and am praying for healthy babies, healthy mommas, and quick deliveries! I'm so excited!!

May we all remember the sacrifices that have been made as we celebrate our freedom with friends and family this weekend! Happy 4th!!

30 Day Shred

I'm a big fan of Jillian's. Actually, I'm a "Biggest Loser" fan in general, but between her and Bob she is my favorite. I've often wondered what it would be like if she were my trainer. Ladies (because I'm certain there are no Gentlemen who read this), we are about to find out. I'm a sucker for Target. I heart Target. I know the store closest to my house like the back of my hand - which is good and bad. Yesterday afternoon, I made a Target run with my friend Charleston - and I guess I should go ahead and admit that that was my 2nd trip for the day because I went right after church to get "a few things". Charleston and her husband are going camping this weekend so we stopped in the "Sporting Goods" section. I'll admit this is not one of my usual hot spots. I'm generally much more concerned with picking out new shades of OPI finger/toenail polish, browsing the clothes, or sniffing new shampoo options. When your priorities are in order, sporting goods just aren't at the top of the list.

To my surprise, I ran across this DVD in and decided it was fate. I had actually looked for it last week - during another Target run - but looked in the Electronics department next to all of the other DVD's and didn't see it. Silly me. I decided that in order to get great results, I also needed a yoga mat and 5-lb weights. My Momma always said, "if you're going to do something, do it right" - and I'd hate to disappoint Carla.

No worries, I will NOT be posting "before" pictures...but if my stomach is that flat in 30 days, I might start wearing a sports bra to work! :)

White Water Rafting

Michael has decided that he's slowly going to ease me into dangerous, outdoor activities and the first one was this past weekend...white water rafting on the Ocoee. I had heard from several people that it was a lot of fun but this was my first experience. I was a little nervous about signing the waiver that acknowledges in the event of an accident no one would be "at fault", but I figured after we drove (well, he drove) almost 2 hours to get there I couldn't back out. I'm so glad we went - it was so much fun and I would definitely do it again!
We had a fun group on our raft. One couple was from Laurel, MS and the other was from Mobile, AL. I thought that was kind of neat since I'm from MS and Michael is from AL. The guide asked if anyone wanted to "ride the bull" (sit in the front) as we were approaching some big waves. Michael volunteered. You couldn't have pushed me to the front of that boat but he is a dare-devil. It was like slow motion for me: I see the waves; we go up in the air; Michael flies to the sky; all I see is his feet; and then he's nowhere to be found. My heart stopped for a second because he didn't pop up immediately. We were all looking around trying to figure out where he was and finally he was on the left side next to me and two other people. We all just grabbed him and pulled him back in the raft. He was okay - no scrapes or bruises but he got stuck under our raft which is why he didn't pop up immediately. I suddenly remembered why I didn't volunteer...
Here are a few pics from the "bull ride":

Group shot - he's getting ready...










Hang on...









Okay, so maybe he didn't fly all the way to the sky...










Nothing but feet...










WHERE IS HE???










It was a great "first" for me - and I definitely would recommend it! We had so much fun!!

As Promised...

I have lots of pictures to post today, so bear with me as I try to get them spaced correctly. It's hard to get them exactly where you want them on here - or it is for me anyway - and I'm slightly OCD about them being spaced evenly. The past couple of weeks have been busy and I've been out of town both weekends. Both trips were great and I have a feeling this is just the beginning of a busy schedule with summer right around the corner.

The first few pictures are from a Fleetwood Mac (4/28/2009) concert that I went to with my friends, Charleston and Calvin and the "new boy" I mentioned in my last post, Michael. Calvin works for UPS and UPS has a box at Phillips Arena so we had excellent seats!

Group Shot

Our very own - Stevie Nix and Lindsey Buckingham

Michael and Me

Mother's Day - 5/10/2009

Me & my Momma after church - and stuffing ourselves at Fannin Mart...Mmmm!

Mom and Bart

Mom and Dad - I can't remember what was so funny - they are goobers!

This past weekend (5/14-17/2009) I took a trip to the beach with some of my favorite girls - Kate, and "the Amy's". We had the BEST time and got to go see Sugarland Friday night. It was by far one of the best concerts I've ever been too - and I think it's because I knew all the words. They put on a great show and Billy Currington opened for them. I would go see them again in a heartbeat!

Me, Kate, and Amy T at Live Bait before the concert

Me and Amy S - who's carrying Mary Morgan - expected arrival September 4th! Can't wait!!!

Me, Kate, and Amy T in the water - Amy S was our photographer!

It was so fun to get away and be lazy beach bums - we're already planning the next trip! Hope you enjoy the pics and have a great week!

Catching Up

Update: I started this on Sunday, but finished Tuesday, May 5th. Happy Cinco De Mayo!!!

I know, I know - I haven't posted lately. I've got to do better because I really want to keep the blog as up to date as possible so I can read back over it months from now and remember things that happened at this time in my life. So, what has been going on???

Well, I'm not going to drop any names or post pictures yet (although I do have some) but I have been seeing a new boy for the past week and he is SO nice and SO cute! I haven't been this excited about a new boy in a L-O-N-G time! It was a blind setup that I was not expecting and certainly not real excited about. More details to come soon - if he keeps me around for another week or so! :)

Work has been keeping me busier than usual, which is a welcomed change. With the economy being so rough right now and with so many people out of a job, I feel very blessed to have a good job and to work with some wonderful people. I know that not everyone is so lucky. It was a rough day today because I had to sit in on a termination. That is, hands down, the worst part about my job - and being in management in general. It never gets easier and it always makes me feel like an awful person. Thank goodness, tomorrow is a new day!

I'm headed to Jackson this weekend for Mother's Day. I can't wait to see my Mom and let her know how much I love and appreciate her. I've talked about her before, but she really is one of the wisest people I know. I would be fortunate to know her, much less to be able to call her "Mom". Bart and I are so blessed! My heart hurts for those who will be spending Mother's Day without their Mom this year. I truly cannot imagine my life without Carla - part of me would be missing.

Next weekend I'm going to the BEACH! I cannot wait!!! 3 of my friends and I are meeting in Orange Beach and we're going to see Sugarland while we're there. I love Sugarland and know most of their songs word-for-word. Gimme a break, it's a long trip back and forth to Jackson - I might as well jam out to some Sugarland along the way. I haven't been to the beach in a couple of years and it will be such a welcomed change of scenery.

I promise to post some new pics soon! Ya'll have a great week!

Alive!

It's been a few weeks since my last post, so I wanted to let all of my readers (that I talk to everyday) know that I'm still alive. I wish I could say I've been on a 3-week Caribbean vacation and too busy laying in the sun and sipping margaritas to post, but I assure you that's not the case. And, if it were, I would have totally posted just to tell you how jealous you should be!

Here's a quick re-cap of the last three weeks:

Two weekends ago was the half marathon that I had planned to run, but once I got up to 7 miles or so in my training my knee started killing me. I tend to be irrational in certain situations (those of you who agree, please keep your mouths shut) but having endured one ACL Reconstruction, common sense kicked in and I realized it was more important to be able to walk than run a race. Momma didn't raise no fool! And, what sick-o thinks it's fun to go run 13 miles? Oh wait, that was me. Several of my friends ran and they did great! Hopefully, next year my knee will cooperate and I can resume my sick-o status. :)

Last weekend, Kate's parents, God-parents, and brother were in town. Her mom's birthday was the week before so she flew her God-parents in from St. Louis as a surprise...and boy, was she! Here is a group shot minus Mr. Mike (Kate's dad) because he was taking the picture - try not to look too closely at the (dust-covered) gold "chandelier" that hangs over the dining room table. I promise the rest of the house is this dusty.

One of just us girls -

This past weekend was Easter and I headed to Jackson Thursday afternoon after work. I love going home because I get to see my family and friends, but it's just that - it's home. In anticipation of Easter weekend and what it symbolizes, my heart was just heavy all week. I could not get this song out of my head. To say that I fail and fall short every. single. day. would be a HUGE understatement, but I don't have to live in fear of my failures because Jesus bore my sin and shame...in love He came...and gave amazing grace! He's ALIVE...thank you Lord!