SHE'S HERE!!!!

I am so excited to announce that Mary Morgan Stewart arrived Sunday, August 23, 2009, at 10:20 PM! She weighed 8.2 lbs and was 21.5 in long. It's no surprise that she is BEAUTIFUL and has immediately melted the hearts of her Mommy and Daddy! This was the picture Morgan sent me from his phone - how precious is that baby??!!

I won't share all of the details of Amy's labor and delivery but I will tell you this...the girl is a TROOPER!!! I knew when I walked in her in-law's house on Sunday and saw her pacing in the dark that she was in pain. She was scheduled to be induced Monday morning, but baby girl had other plans. When it comes time for me to have kids, I'm just going to get Amy to have mine. She did so great - 7 cm's without an epidural - great! More sweet pictures of my BFF's little family...

New Stages of Life

I know there aren't many people who read this, but I wanted to post a prayer request for my Maw-Maw. She was put into the nursing home on Monday (8/10). It was a difficult decision for my mom and her sister and brother. Mom took it the hardest, maybe because she's the baby. Maw-Maw will be 88 in October and although she hasn't been officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's, she has severe dimentia. It's hard to watch someone you love slip away right before your eyes.

Monday was a rough day. I got a phonecall from my cousin, Missy, who had been by the nursing home to see how Maw-Maw's first day was going. When she got there, Maw-Maw was sitting in her chair with her robe on and her clothes in her hand. When she saw Missy she started sobbing. She wanted to know when she was going to be discharged and she couldn't figure out where she was or why she was there. Missy cried with her, prayed with her, and tried to reassure her that everything would be okay.

Yesterday was a much better day - PTL! When Missy got there, Maw-Maw was laughing and joking. She had gotten her nails "done", played bingo, been to an ice cream social, and made some new friends. She even talked about going on a manhunt for available men! She is hilarious!

I know there will be good days and bad days, but please pray that the good days outnumber the bad. I feel so helpless being in Atlanta (she is in Baton Rouge). I wish I was closer so that I could go check on her more often. This is a picture of Maw Maw with my cousin Laina (how cute is she??) at our family Christmas last year.

Sunday was my 28th Birthday! I know that's not "old" but it's amazing to me how fast time has passed. I stayed in Atlanta and some of my sweet friends planned a party for me. I didn't know where we were going until we were on our way, but they had a typed agenda and everything. They even hired a driver! My friend Tasha flew in Friday afternoon from Hattiesburg, MS to help celebrate my big day/weekend. Kate, Kelsey, and Charleston planned a great evening and I felt like such a special birthday girl! I mentioned this in my last post, but I am so blessed with great friends. These girls are part of the blessing! I should also note that we are so "old" we were yawning at 11:15 but told each other we had to stay out until midnight because Kelsey (the baby of the group) would be mad. We were home by 12:15 - ha!!

**I'll add pictures soon - I saved them to my computer at home and once again I'm blogging instead of working. :)

Blessed

It's late so this post will be short and sweet. The week did not start out on a good note. I wasn't (at all) prepared for it but life is life and things change. People change. Situations change. And, in the midst of some of the darkest days I find that God has surrounded me with the best friends I could have ever asked for. In three days, I've reconnected with friends that I haven't talked to in months and it's like no time has passed in our friendship - we just pick right back up. Others I talk to everyday (or almost). I am so blessed with so many good girlfriends. I love each of them dearly and can't imagine "me" without them. :)

It's Over Already?

It seems like July just got here...and it's almost over already! It's been a busy month but I've enjoyed every minute! I'll give you a brief recap:

4th - I was in MS. We were off work on the 3rd since the holiday fell on Saturday, so I left Thursday night after work. I love a 3-day weekend and wish they happened more often. I met Michael and his family at their fair cabin in Philly and we hung out all day and his dad grilled chicken and ribs...yummy! This was my first time meeting them so I was a little nervous, but everyone was so nice. We had a great day!

11th - I stayed here in Atlanta. Michael made dinner reservations at this great buffet-style bed and breakfast and Big Girl did not shy away from the food! They had everything you could think of - it reminded me a lot of Paula Deen's restaurant in Savannah (Mother and Sons). Southern-style meat and veggies with lots of desserts...right up my ally! That night we went to see the Hangover which is hilarious!

18th - I went to MS because I helped host a baby shower for my BFF Amy. Saturday was the family shower but I've kind of been adopted into their family, so I got to go too. Oh my gosh at presents for baby girl, Mary Morgan. She is due on or before September 4th and this little one is going to be dressed to the 9's. Seriously, if I have a little girl one day her name might have to start with "M" just so I can use some of her hand-me-downs. Here are a few pictures from the shower on Saturday:

Sunday was the shower I helped host at my parent's house. We forgot to take pictures until the very end...whoops!

25th - Back to MS for the Neshoba County Fair. I haven't been to the fair in years and I've never spent the night there. I met Michael in Tuscaloosa on Friday and then followed him to the cabin (because anyone that knows me and my sense of direction...). The cabin was full of people the whole time, but we had a blast. My parents and Bart came up on Saturday and got to meet Michael for the first time. They were very impressed although somehow I knew they would be. :) I stayed until Monday and came back that afternoon because I had to be back at work for Tuesday. These are a few pictures from the fair...how CUTE is he???

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! :)