Marriage Retreat

This past weekend we went to Pigeon Forge, TN for a marriage retreat.  We went with our Sunday School Class.  There were about 22 couples there in total.  We had an absolute blast.  We left out on Thursday around lunch.  Mom and Dad came up from Brandon to keep Haley while we were gone.

It was a long drive, but the trip was worth it.  We all stayed in this one massive cabin up in the Smokey Mountains.  It was beautiful.  We “almost” got to see a waterfall on a hike while we were there.  I say “almost” because we ran out of time about 5 minutes before we got to the waterfall and had to turn back.  So sad.

All in all the trip was a huge success.  Laura and I got a chance to really get to know some of the other couples in the class.  That part was really great.  Our teacher, Scott, was great as well.  He brought up a lot of topics that are already helping Laura and I grow closer together.  I can’t wait until next year’s retreat!

Gallaher-Schmidt Wedding

Laura and I had a great time this past weekend.  We went to Starkville for the wedding of Alison Gallaher and Richard Schmidt.  It was really an awesome time.  It was a pretty small wedding.  The guests were family and really close friends.  It was a very cool atmosphere because everyone either knew each other before arriving or got to know each other quickly.  After all, if someone you didn’t know was close enough to Richard and Alison to be asked to attend, they must be good people!

I had the honor of taking photos at the wedding.  I had a great time doing it.  The lighting inside the Chapel of Memories left a little to be desired.  But, how cool was it to be able to say that the wedding was in the Chapel of Memories?  Awesome.  We were actually able to get out onto Scott Field for a little bit to take some pictures as well.

It was raining for most of the weekend, but we did have a break in the weather from about 3 hours before the wedding until about 3 hours after the wedding.  Couldn’t have asked for any better.  Alison and Richard, your pictures are here.

The Princess is Two

Princesses live in fairy tales…or so they say.  For me, it’s my Princess that makes me feel like I’m living in a fairy tale. 

This weekend we celebrated Haley’s 2nd Birthday.  Well, I say weekend but it was more like a full week of celebration.  I know you are thinking…a whole week for a two year old??  And yes, we went WAY over board but what’s more fun than spoiling a toddler to pieces??!! 

Wednesday we hosted the Bellevue Moms and their kids for an Elmo Birthday Party.  We had cookie decorating, a gold fish toss, and pin the nose on Elmo.  The kids all played wonderfully together and we all ate cookies and cupcakes to our heart’s content.  Sprinkles make everything better!  We sang, blew out the candles, and opened presents before everyone left too.  The girls helped me clean up, which was VERY much appreciated!  Haley and I were both ready to lay down after such a fun and exciting time with all our friends. 

Thursday we got to spend the day with Grandma Dee and Aunt Peggy after they flew in from St. Louis.  I had the chance to run some errands and get a pedicure…which was much needed since the ability to reach my toes is now only a memory!  Now I’m officially ready for Spring!

Friday, Haley’s actual birthday, started out great with Jesse and Teja taking a walk with us to the fire station.  We love our Lakeland Firemen and they are awesome about making the kids feel comfortable and showing them around the fire trucks.  We even got to see them leave on a call so they flashed the lights and honked the horn for us as they left.  Hayden’s family all came in for the weekend that afternoon.  We had a great time catching up with them and playing in the beautiful weather.  Hayden, Ryan, and his Dad got straight to work on the new deck we are adding on.  They got a ton of work done in just two days!  Hayden and I already love the deck and have spent time enjoying the beautiful weather as we sit outside.  That night we sang and blew out candles again, then gave Haley her birthday presents from us.  We got her a Wiggles Guitar (she calls all people who play guitar, Elvis) and some baby doll furniture.  We put the new baby doll crib and high chair in her room.  It’s been a little more challenging getting her to fall asleep because she is having such a ball mothering her babies.  She’s going to make an AWESOME big sister!  It was so much fun seeing her so excited.

Saturday was the day of the family party.  Hayden’s parents, Nana Clack, Laura, Ryan, Seth, my parents, Grandma Dee, Aunt Peggy, Kathleen and Jason were all there.  We had so much fun visiting, eating and honoring Haley on her birthday.  Haley had an Elmo cake and it was the hardest thing waiting till after dinner to eat it!  My favorite part was watching her open all the incredible gifts she got.  She was so excited about each one.  Joy was exuding from her and it was fun being caught in the overflow.  She got a new baby that talks, which she opened first and it was hard getting her attention set on opening the rest of the gifts…she’s all about babies.  She got several adorable outfits, playdoh, markers, and a rocking horse.  Two other great gifts were a Mississippi State tricycle and a Snow White dress up “princess dress”.  That’s when I realized it was actually me living the fairy tale, watching my baby grow up into such a beautiful little girl with such a bright light shining from her that it’s impossible not to be happy around her.  I am obviously overcome with emotion and pride!

Hello, Baby

Old video, but just recently uploaded.

Feburary’s Nearly Gone

February has flown by.  These past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind.  Haley is developing so much lately.  We’ve got her repeating “God is great” before we eat.  It is so cute.  She’s nearly got it down where we don’t have to say the lines.  I guess that is to be expected when shes nearly two!  Next week is her birthday.  Laura’s got an Elmo themed party planned and we’ve got more decorations than the actual set of Sesame Street.  It should be a blast.

I went to Bellevue Loves Memphis again last Saturday.  This time, we did some fixer-up projects for The Neighborhood School.  Our Sunday school class sponsored it and we had about 50 or so people show up.  We painted about half the walls, replaced ceiling tiles, replaced lightbulbs, built shelves, laid mulch, fixed the roof and a host of other things.  It is really neat to work with that school.  Our class got involved with the school about 9 months ago and according to the principal, we’ve saved them about $50k so far.  Its awesome what can happen when everyone is pitching in.

The weather has been nice lately, but here and there we get a cold snap again.  In fact, it is snowing outside right now.  I took Haley out today and to my surprise, she didn’t like the snow very much.  Odd, since one of her favorite things right now is snowmen.

Laura has been getting along fine with the pregnancy.  3 months to go.  We’re getting excited about welcoming Trey into the world.

I’ve been spending a good bit of time lately at rehearsals for the Passion Play at church.  I’m playing James, the brother of Jesus.  We’ve got practice two nights a week, so that is keeping me pretty busy.  I’m also “trying” to get back into shape.  It is getting much easier to get up in the mornings in run with the sun coming up earlier and the weather being warmer.