these are a few of my favorite things...

One of my favorite movies is the Sound of Music- I just love it.
So, in honor of my favorite movie I'll tell you some of my favorite things. (in no particular order)
1. A good sale. Now I'm not talking 30% off. 50 or more and you've got a deal. The best is Hobby Lobby after the holidays, pretty sure I scored some halloween decoratiosn at 90% off!
2. Traveling. I would love to just travel once a month. I have a list of places I want to see before I die and the list keeps getting longer.
3. Christmas time. I just love the way the air smells outside when it's Christmas, it's magical!
4. Cheese, excluding swiss- other than that, I'm game.
5. Going to bed early, which I happen to do on a regular basis. Which leads me to number 6...
6. Taking a bath and going to bed with clean sheets. I LOVE clean sheets!
7. A good book. If I like it, it's possible to finish in one sitting- done that many a times.
8. Smell of tennis balls in a can when you first open them. Weird I know, but I love it. Actually, I have pretty particular nose.
9. Beach, minus the sand in your bathing suit.
10. Fall time. I am getting a copyright on those words, you have summer time, spring time, and winter time, but just fall.... comon'. But I love fall, the smell of leaves buring outside.
11. A good glass of wine. White and cold, please.
12. My hubby's pillow after he has gotten up in the morning. It smells like him.
13. Massages. Thank you.
14. Fresh fruit. Pineapple, watermellon, strawberries, peaches, I love it all.
15. Wallabe Darn from outback. Hands down the best drink on the planet.
16. A clean house, when I am not the one who cleaned it.
17. Surprises. I am not good at being surprised, though, I'll have to warn you.
18. Honesty. Sheer honesty.
19. Scrapbooking.
20. DVR. This is the best thing ever invented. I watch way less tv now and NO MORE COMMERICALS!!!
21. Funfetti cookies. Oh yum!
22. White water rafting. Oh so fun. It was also fun to get to experience it with Nick his first time.
23. Photography. This is a new "favorite" thing for me. But I am really really liking it.
24. Shaved ice. There is a shaved ice stand in the summers in the Target parking lot, already been there 3 times. I'm a regular.
25. Disney world, hello, the happiest place on earth!

Ok, I'll end with 25. I might have to add more later, I have lots of favorites.

Happy Anniversary

Tomorrow, May 27th, my parents will celebrate 30 years of marriage. Way to go mom and dad, you make me proud!
My parents are incredible people, parents, and friends. They have done a fantastic job in raising 4 kids (although, they aren't finished with William yet.) Our parents somehow managed to raise 4 completely different kids, and all in all, we turned out alright. I know we were difficult at times, so here are some highlights:
1. Robert. I can say that he wasn't a easy child. My brother is a very strong willed person, which would test my parents as a teenager. Let's see, he ran the van through the garage into the laundry room, he used me as target practice in the backyard, and if you look closely at the walls in his old room, you will still see the little holes from his throwing stars.
2. Me- I was an absolute angel and an easy child to raise. :o) Actually, let's just say I went through this little "sassy" phase about 13 that lasted well until I was 16.
3. Anna Marie. If you didn't get to experience jean shopping with a 13 year old Anna Marie, you haven't lived. We can laugh about it now, but 7 years ago, it wasn't funny. You've come a long way since then, thank God!
4. William. He is the sweetest little boy but he can really try my parents sometime- I mean he is a 13 year old boy about to start high school.... enough said.

The four of us owe more than we can every express to our parents. For 30 years, they have been the rock of our family. They love us unconditionally and were always in our corner. They would go to bat for us when needed but taught us how to fight our own battles. They set a fantastic example for us of what a family means and how to make a family of your own. They are the best role models anyone could ask for.

I heard this song on the radio not too long ago and it reminded me of my parents. Their love did give us roots and helped us find our wings.

It's only for a moment you are mine to hold
The plans that heaven has for you
Will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I'll pray
For all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to know
You're walking in the truth
And If I never told you
I want you to know
As I watch you grow

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

May passion be the wind
That leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong
Guide you on your way
May there be many moments
That make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly

So happy anniversary mom and dad and congratulations on a job well done!

my green thumb

Nick and I have been working over the last four or so weeks and weekends to get our flower beds done. We had to raise the bed like 6 inches, which required 3 truckloads of dirt. Then we had to dig up all the plants in the bed and replant them all. Then a trip to Lowes to buy stuff to replace the things that died last summer. So all in all, we have been very busy. We are down to the finally leg- one more plant, some annuals, then mulch.
Here's how it's shaping up.

Red Geraniums. These are a tradition in my family, started with my great grandmother, Ninny. She had these on her front porch every year. I remember them from playing in her yard as a little girl. My grandmother, MawMaw has them now too, although I think hers are on her back porch, but that's ok. Mom has them on her front porch in a pot. I now I have my very own pot of red geraniums in memory of my Ninny.








Stella de Ora (check the spelling on that) day lillies. Absolutely one of my favorite flowers to have in a flowerbed. They just SCREAM summertime! Not to mention, they are super hardy and grow pretty fast.




New for me this go around. Knock out rose bush. Apparently these are the "new" thing. They kinda grow like an azaela bush but with hardy roses. We'll see how this goes....



I love love love love love these little calalillies I found at Lowe's. I have always loved the flower, but when I saw these cute little ones in a pot- I knew they had to go home with me and live in my flowerbed. Again, never tried my hand at these, so we will see how this goes.

I'll post more pictures of the finished product.

Hi MawMaw

I know I have at least one faithful reader out there- my grandmother, MawMaw. She emailed me yesterday and told me it's time for another update. So this is for you, MawMaw!

housework

So, for those of you who don't know, cleaning isn't my speciality. I like a picked up house, but as far as dusting baseboards go, I'm not your girl. Luckily I married a man who likes, well, at least is good at cleaning. (It was on my list of qualities to look for- I knew Nick was the one when he would do my laundry and help me clean my apartment in college)
So anyways, I am off every Wednesday throughout the summer. Which, by the way, the pool opens in 3 weeks! Today I decided I would pull my own weight around the house and tackle our bathroom. Now, we have a fairly large bathroom and I have been using the "wipe down the counters cause people are coming" techinique for awhile now, but as far as deep cleaning goes, probably been a couple of months.
So, one entire roll of paper towels, an empty bottle of "the workx" and 45 minutes later- I'm done! (except the shower, cause you have to get IN it to clean it)
So, yeah me! Now it's off to lunch with Marty!

Weekend review

Before we start another weekend, here are the pictures from last weekend.
We went to my parents house to celebrate Mother's Day, Anna Marie's 21st birthday (whohooo- who won money at the Casino- ME!), Robert's going away party, and a surprise engagement!
Everyone, even William, was in on the surprise! I'm so excited for my little sis, but dang, when did she get old enough to get married?

stop or I'll shoot

I've been home alone all week while Nick has been in Chattanooga for business. Well, technically, I haven't been alone, since my brother Robert has moved in. But tonight I am ALL ALONE! Now don't get me wrong I LOVE being home alone, eating pizza, watching tv, taking baths, etc. Since we have been married I would say I have been home alone a couple dozen times. So tonight on my way home when I tell Nick Robert is gone and I'll be alone with the doggies tonight he goes into this:
Well, you know where the stuff is if you need it. ("stuff" being the gun in his nightstand)
Me: Um, I am a big girl, I won't be needing a gun.
Nick: Well, you know where it is if you need it.
Um, does anyone else find this funny! I mean hello, we live in MURFREESBORO in the middle of the Bible belt, pretty sure it's not a high crime area. Secondly, if someone breaks in my house in the middle of the night, doubt I'll have my whits about me to get the gun out of the drawer and get it loaded - in the dark!
So, say a little prayer for me, or the burglar who tries to break in my house tonight.

why when we grow up...

I set this blog up a few months ago and then never did anything with it. I was inspired by a few of my friends and decided to jump on the bandwagon.
So, why "when we grow up..." I don't know, I just don't feel like a grown up. I mean, I live in a grown up house, drive a grown up car, have a grown up job (well, not really), and have grown up responsibilities- but I don't really feel like a grown up. I don't feel like my parents.... if that makes sense. So I have plenty of plans for us, me and Nick, when we grow up...