We celebrated the marriage of my sweet sister and new brother-in-law on Saturday of this past weekend. It was a beautiful ceremony! Pink and green were her colors, with the ceremony taking place on the beach and included their closest friends and family.
I had the priviliege of being the matron of honor, and it was such a great honor! I was able to be with her for showers, throw her bachelorette party and most importantly, stand beside her on her wedding day. My son was the ring bearer, the groom's father was the best man and the groom's precious niece was the flower girl. Both our parents walked my sister down the aisle.
The wedding reception took place inside, with tons of delicious food, music and a delicious wedding cake! I was able to make a toast and during the toast was the first time I teared up. I smiled the entire wedding. Why? I'll share my toast and then you'll understand my happiness.
Most of you know that I am Rachel's big sister and what some of you may not know is that I am very protective of her. There have been times when I knew what was best for her even when she didn't. From the moment she met her now-husband, I found myself worrying less about her and becoming more happy for her. I knew from the moment my son took to his future uncle that he was the one and that they would be happy forever. Congratulations baby sister and welcome little brother! Cheers to the happy couple!
Their wedding was the most beautiful I have ever seen. Filled with love, laughter and some of the best friends and family you could ever imagine.
Stay tuned for pics!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
For the Mothers
Happy Mother's Day!
I am sure you have all seen the emails going around about what it means to be a wonderful mom: you've been puked/peed/pooped on; you don't have any sleep; your hair is a mess; blah, blah, blah. Those are definitely merit badges for the Mom Scouts, but is that really what being a mom is all about?
I can only tell you what I think being a mom is all about is from the relationship with my wonderful mom, and the mother I am to my son.
My mom is the most forgiving, understanding, and kind-speaking woman you will ever meet. She understands giving my little family the space we need even though she and my dad would really love to see my son every weekend. She forgives me for my faults and flaws, and never ever holds them against me. If I am having a bad day, I can call her to vent and she says something positive that helps me refocus and get through it.
Having a son is probably the best thing that ever happened to me. The first time my husband and I got pregnant, everything seemed to be going well. At our 12 week appointment (you know, when you are supposed to be out of the woods), we learned that our baby didn't have a heartbeat. It was devastating. It was a pain and loss that I had never felt before. I went between being numb and crying. I had to have surgery to remove the pregnancy and it was the worst day of my life.
People who had good intentions told me there was probably something wrong with the baby and that is why the baby didn't make it, or that it was God's will, or that it just wasn't our time. Here's a tip: those things, no matter how comforting you think they are, just don't help. Please don't ever say those things to a friend who loses a baby. Just say you are sorry.
Later on that year, while getting ready to go tailgate at an Alabama game, I had a feeling that I should take a pregnancy test. Well, I took it and the rest is history - our little guy was born the following summer.
When I was pregnant my Aunt Brig told me something I still have not forgotten. She said to me, "he will be your salvation." I didn't quite understand what she meant at the time, but I think I am getting there now.
My child is my salvation in that I want to be a better person for him. I try harder to have patience, watch what I say and how act so that he has a good example. We sacrifice so that he can everything have he needs, if it means I bring my lunch to work, or don't go shopping whenever I want. And you know what? It is just fine with me. Sure, there are times I wish I could go buy whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, but then what would that teach my son?
My son loves sports (especially Alabama football) and he loves me. Unconditionally. He will try whip anyone who he thinks is being disrespectful to his mommy. We were driving through snow and ice, trying to get home last winter, when a jerk swerved over into our lane without any notice. I just kind of yelled a noise, no actual words. My son said, "MOMMY! WHAT HAPPENED?!" I told him a bad driver almost hit us, and he said "MOMMY! I GONNA GET DAT BAD DRIVER!! HE NOT HURT MY MOMMY!" He will come up to me for no reason at all and say, "Mommy, hold me." I try to stop whatever I am doing and hold him because I know it won't be long before he is too big or too cool for mom.
Happy Mother's Day. I wish all of the moms lots patience, lots of love and some sleep.
I am sure you have all seen the emails going around about what it means to be a wonderful mom: you've been puked/peed/pooped on; you don't have any sleep; your hair is a mess; blah, blah, blah. Those are definitely merit badges for the Mom Scouts, but is that really what being a mom is all about?
I can only tell you what I think being a mom is all about is from the relationship with my wonderful mom, and the mother I am to my son.
My mom is the most forgiving, understanding, and kind-speaking woman you will ever meet. She understands giving my little family the space we need even though she and my dad would really love to see my son every weekend. She forgives me for my faults and flaws, and never ever holds them against me. If I am having a bad day, I can call her to vent and she says something positive that helps me refocus and get through it.
Having a son is probably the best thing that ever happened to me. The first time my husband and I got pregnant, everything seemed to be going well. At our 12 week appointment (you know, when you are supposed to be out of the woods), we learned that our baby didn't have a heartbeat. It was devastating. It was a pain and loss that I had never felt before. I went between being numb and crying. I had to have surgery to remove the pregnancy and it was the worst day of my life.
People who had good intentions told me there was probably something wrong with the baby and that is why the baby didn't make it, or that it was God's will, or that it just wasn't our time. Here's a tip: those things, no matter how comforting you think they are, just don't help. Please don't ever say those things to a friend who loses a baby. Just say you are sorry.
Later on that year, while getting ready to go tailgate at an Alabama game, I had a feeling that I should take a pregnancy test. Well, I took it and the rest is history - our little guy was born the following summer.
When I was pregnant my Aunt Brig told me something I still have not forgotten. She said to me, "he will be your salvation." I didn't quite understand what she meant at the time, but I think I am getting there now.
My child is my salvation in that I want to be a better person for him. I try harder to have patience, watch what I say and how act so that he has a good example. We sacrifice so that he can everything have he needs, if it means I bring my lunch to work, or don't go shopping whenever I want. And you know what? It is just fine with me. Sure, there are times I wish I could go buy whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, but then what would that teach my son?
My son loves sports (especially Alabama football) and he loves me. Unconditionally. He will try whip anyone who he thinks is being disrespectful to his mommy. We were driving through snow and ice, trying to get home last winter, when a jerk swerved over into our lane without any notice. I just kind of yelled a noise, no actual words. My son said, "MOMMY! WHAT HAPPENED?!" I told him a bad driver almost hit us, and he said "MOMMY! I GONNA GET DAT BAD DRIVER!! HE NOT HURT MY MOMMY!" He will come up to me for no reason at all and say, "Mommy, hold me." I try to stop whatever I am doing and hold him because I know it won't be long before he is too big or too cool for mom.
Happy Mother's Day. I wish all of the moms lots patience, lots of love and some sleep.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Sweet Home Alabama
In light of the recent and very tragic happenings in my home state, I thought it was only appropriate to give a little shout out to the state I know and love, Sweet Home Alabama.
I was born in Tusaloosa and lived there until I was three years old. I attribute my die-hard love for the Alabama Crimson Tide to being born in Tuscaloosa. I think it is in my blood. Literally.
When I was three, we moved to Hamilton, where my dad's family is from. Hamilton is a little town of about 6,000 people. Everyone knew what you were doing before you did it. Growing up in a small town is an experience like no other. I grew up running around barefoot outside, swimming in creeks and ponds, eating fruit straight from the mulberry tree or blackberry bush without worrying about pesticides. I would keep and take care of stray dogs, probably sometimes to the chagrin of my parents. I had a horse growing up, helped my dad with feeding and taking care of the cows, helped my mom with cooking and laundry.
My sister and played outside all the time. We rode our bikes, played with our Barbies and Cabbage Patch dolls, and dug in our sandbox. I sometimes look back and think of those times - it was so simple. We did not want for anything; our parents worked so hard to make sure we had everything we needed and more.
When I left for college, I returned to Tuscaloosa and loved every minute of living there. I have family and friends in Tuscaloosa so it has always felt like home to me. Even when I was a child and went to Tuscaloosa to visit family and friends, I loved it. I still love and miss Tuscaloosa - it is a beautiful city with so much history and charm.
We have somewhat of a family history with the University of Alabama - my mom, dad, husband and I all graduated from the University. We are huge Alabama fans.
Being born and raised in Alabama helped shape who I am today. I hope to see my children attending the University of Alabama one day. Some of my son's first words were "Roll Tide!"
I write this post to honor my Alabama roots and to let everyone know how much Alabama means to me and my family. Even though we aren't there with our friends and family to help with the aftermath of the storms, we think about you every day. We pray for you every day. We continue to send donations from our friends here and we know that you will recover with a force like no other.
ROLL TIDE!
I was born in Tusaloosa and lived there until I was three years old. I attribute my die-hard love for the Alabama Crimson Tide to being born in Tuscaloosa. I think it is in my blood. Literally.
When I was three, we moved to Hamilton, where my dad's family is from. Hamilton is a little town of about 6,000 people. Everyone knew what you were doing before you did it. Growing up in a small town is an experience like no other. I grew up running around barefoot outside, swimming in creeks and ponds, eating fruit straight from the mulberry tree or blackberry bush without worrying about pesticides. I would keep and take care of stray dogs, probably sometimes to the chagrin of my parents. I had a horse growing up, helped my dad with feeding and taking care of the cows, helped my mom with cooking and laundry.
My sister and played outside all the time. We rode our bikes, played with our Barbies and Cabbage Patch dolls, and dug in our sandbox. I sometimes look back and think of those times - it was so simple. We did not want for anything; our parents worked so hard to make sure we had everything we needed and more.
When I left for college, I returned to Tuscaloosa and loved every minute of living there. I have family and friends in Tuscaloosa so it has always felt like home to me. Even when I was a child and went to Tuscaloosa to visit family and friends, I loved it. I still love and miss Tuscaloosa - it is a beautiful city with so much history and charm.
We have somewhat of a family history with the University of Alabama - my mom, dad, husband and I all graduated from the University. We are huge Alabama fans.
Being born and raised in Alabama helped shape who I am today. I hope to see my children attending the University of Alabama one day. Some of my son's first words were "Roll Tide!"
I write this post to honor my Alabama roots and to let everyone know how much Alabama means to me and my family. Even though we aren't there with our friends and family to help with the aftermath of the storms, we think about you every day. We pray for you every day. We continue to send donations from our friends here and we know that you will recover with a force like no other.
ROLL TIDE!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Another 30 x 30 Update
My 30 x 30 checklist is very slowly being updated. I have crossed out the things that I have already done. I am hoping to finish the flower beds this spring and I have determined that decorating the house will be a never-ending project!
1. Go to Vegas. . . with the girls.
2. Get my gun carry permit.
3.Meet Bret Michaels.
4. Be a bar tender for a night.
5. Drive a race car. On a track or on a drag strip. Either works for me.
6. Finish decorating the house.
7. Cook a gourmet meal for friends.
8. Take a photography class - or at least learn more about photography.
9.Start a vitamin regimin.
10. Learn how to swim better.
11. Have all my girlfriends to my house one weekend with no husbands, kids, boyfriends, work or any other distractions. Just fun!
12. Drive a Mercedes McLaren.
13.Get my eyes checked. Boring. I know.
14.Buy a really nice handbag.
15. Bring a good volunteer project to my church.
16. Have Sunday brunch at the Peabody.
17. Do the Diabetes 5K for the 3rd year in a row! For my dad and grandad. 18. Have a romantic dinner on the patio of Jarrett’s.
19. Go paintballing.
20. Go to Key West to see the sunrise and sunset.
21.Have dinner at Itta Beena at BB Kings.
22.Start a blog and keep it updated.
23. Cook more Sunday lunches for my family.
24. See the duck march at the Peabody (there are a lot of cool things in Memphis that I haven’t done).
25. Get dressed up and attend a show at the Orpheum.
26. Invite more friends to church.
27. Finish designing and planting the flower beds at the house.
28. Learn how to can vegetables and make jellies/preserves.
29. Go see the Velcro Pygmies one last time.
30. Learn to water ski.
1. Go to Vegas. . . with the girls.
2. Get my gun carry permit.
3.
4. Be a bar tender for a night.
5. Drive a race car. On a track or on a drag strip. Either works for me.
6. Finish decorating the house.
7. Cook a gourmet meal for friends.
8. Take a photography class - or at least learn more about photography.
9.
10. Learn how to swim better.
11. Have all my girlfriends to my house one weekend with no husbands, kids, boyfriends, work or any other distractions. Just fun!
12. Drive a Mercedes McLaren.
13.
14.
16. Have Sunday brunch at the Peabody.
17. Do the Diabetes 5K for the 3rd year in a row! For my dad and grandad. 18. Have a romantic dinner on the patio of Jarrett’s.
19. Go paintballing.
20. Go to Key West to see the sunrise and sunset.
21.
22.
23. Cook more Sunday lunches for my family.
24. See the duck march at the Peabody (there are a lot of cool things in Memphis that I haven’t done).
25. Get dressed up and attend a show at the Orpheum.
26. Invite more friends to church.
27. Finish designing and planting the flower beds at the house.
28. Learn how to can vegetables and make jellies/preserves.
29. Go see the Velcro Pygmies one last time.
30. Learn to water ski.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Connections
There aren't that many things I will claim as something I am good at, but one thing I have discovered is my joy and ability in connecting people. Whether it is helping my sister find the perfect photographer for her wedding day, or helping a former intern find a job, I love helping people with my resources.
I wanted to share some amazing connections I have made along the way. I have included links to their blogs or Facebook page. I hope you become friends, fans or followers of these folks and share your connections with them.
Whiskersnaps Photography www.whiskersnaps.com or www.whiskersnapsblog.com
I am Memphis Pretty http://www.facebook.com/iammemphispretty
Atomic Graphics (Printer) www.atomicgraphics.biz
The Growth Coach http://businesscoachmemphis.com/
I wanted to share some amazing connections I have made along the way. I have included links to their blogs or Facebook page. I hope you become friends, fans or followers of these folks and share your connections with them.
Whiskersnaps Photography www.whiskersnaps.com or www.whiskersnapsblog.com
I am Memphis Pretty http://www.facebook.com/iammemphispretty
Atomic Graphics (Printer) www.atomicgraphics.biz
The Growth Coach http://businesscoachmemphis.com/
Friday, March 25, 2011
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
I really enjoy cooking and eating food made from scratch, but I just don't have that much time to do it as often as I would like. So, I have started trying to find recipes that have the homemade taste and feel, but don't keep me in the kitchen for hours at a time.
This receipe is from one of my cookbooks (the name of the cookbook escapes me at the momemnt) and it is delicious!
Ingredients:
12 oz box of macaroni shell pasta
1 bag of shredded cheese
5 cups of 2% milk (you can use skim if you prefer)
1/2 cup of water
2 tablespoons of butter
salt and pepper
Start with a 9 x 13 pan and use the butter to grease the bottom of the pan; melt the remaining butter to be mixed in later. Layer the macaroni shells across the bottom of the pan. Mix the shredded cheese, milk and remaining melted butter together and pour over the macaroni shells. Salt and pepper to taste then give everything a good stir.
Bake at 350 for an hour or until the liquid is soaked up by the pasta.
This makes a large portion, so I take half of it and put it in the freezer. When we are ready for mac-and-cheese I pull it out of the freezer and heat at 350 until it is warm and bubbly.
Enjoy!
This receipe is from one of my cookbooks (the name of the cookbook escapes me at the momemnt) and it is delicious!
Ingredients:
12 oz box of macaroni shell pasta
1 bag of shredded cheese
5 cups of 2% milk (you can use skim if you prefer)
1/2 cup of water
2 tablespoons of butter
salt and pepper
Start with a 9 x 13 pan and use the butter to grease the bottom of the pan; melt the remaining butter to be mixed in later. Layer the macaroni shells across the bottom of the pan. Mix the shredded cheese, milk and remaining melted butter together and pour over the macaroni shells. Salt and pepper to taste then give everything a good stir.
Bake at 350 for an hour or until the liquid is soaked up by the pasta.
This makes a large portion, so I take half of it and put it in the freezer. When we are ready for mac-and-cheese I pull it out of the freezer and heat at 350 until it is warm and bubbly.
Enjoy!
Wedding Stuff
I know I have mentioned that my beautiful sister is getting married in May and I couldn't be more excited! She is marrying a wonderful man who we all adore.
Her wedding made me start thinking about my wedding, my husband and where we are now. My blog is titled, "Just Past Main Street," primarily because we actually live past Main Street in our city and because we have always been a little off the beaten path. Here's a glimpse as to why. . .
I met my husband the night I graduated from high school. I went to school with his baby brother and as high schoolers sometimes do, we had a little get together to celebrate the end of high school and all the crazy, wonderful things to come. My husband stopped by that night to wish his brother well, but he met me at the front door instead. I asked him who he was there to see, he named his brother and then I informed him that our gathering was not for old people. See, my husband is 8 years older than I.
Anyhow, I let him and his friends into our celebration. They hung out, everyone was talking and laughing, celebrating our big step into the real world. After spending some time with him, I was really surprised at how much we had in common despite the age difference.
A few weeks later I called him and asked him out. Yep, I called information (we didn't have yellowpages.com then), got his phone number and called him at his apartment where he was in college. I wish you could hear the surprise in his voice when he answered the phone and heard me on the other end.
The short version is we dated off and on while I was in college and when he moved to another city to start his career after he graduated college. When it came time for me to graduate, we decided that I would move to where he was living and take things from there.
Months later we were engaged (that is another story) and then married. We decided to do an unofficial elopement. Yep, we took off to a Caribbean Island, just the two of us and got married on my mom's birthday. It was wonderful! We had the best time and still look back on our wedding as one of the greatest times of our lives.
Fast forward a few years and here we are with our sweet little boy, rescued dog and to borrow a phrase from my friend H, we are "livin the dream." It really is a dream - meeting my husband at a high school party and surviving a long distance relationship, growing up, getting married and becoming parents.
We still have a long way to go, but we still like being a little unconventional at times. It is what works for us and our lives, Just Past Main Street.
Her wedding made me start thinking about my wedding, my husband and where we are now. My blog is titled, "Just Past Main Street," primarily because we actually live past Main Street in our city and because we have always been a little off the beaten path. Here's a glimpse as to why. . .
I met my husband the night I graduated from high school. I went to school with his baby brother and as high schoolers sometimes do, we had a little get together to celebrate the end of high school and all the crazy, wonderful things to come. My husband stopped by that night to wish his brother well, but he met me at the front door instead. I asked him who he was there to see, he named his brother and then I informed him that our gathering was not for old people. See, my husband is 8 years older than I.
Anyhow, I let him and his friends into our celebration. They hung out, everyone was talking and laughing, celebrating our big step into the real world. After spending some time with him, I was really surprised at how much we had in common despite the age difference.
A few weeks later I called him and asked him out. Yep, I called information (we didn't have yellowpages.com then), got his phone number and called him at his apartment where he was in college. I wish you could hear the surprise in his voice when he answered the phone and heard me on the other end.
The short version is we dated off and on while I was in college and when he moved to another city to start his career after he graduated college. When it came time for me to graduate, we decided that I would move to where he was living and take things from there.
Months later we were engaged (that is another story) and then married. We decided to do an unofficial elopement. Yep, we took off to a Caribbean Island, just the two of us and got married on my mom's birthday. It was wonderful! We had the best time and still look back on our wedding as one of the greatest times of our lives.
Fast forward a few years and here we are with our sweet little boy, rescued dog and to borrow a phrase from my friend H, we are "livin the dream." It really is a dream - meeting my husband at a high school party and surviving a long distance relationship, growing up, getting married and becoming parents.
We still have a long way to go, but we still like being a little unconventional at times. It is what works for us and our lives, Just Past Main Street.
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