Growing as Garrigan's

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T10:25:00.001-06:00

I hope that 2012 is full of many new adventures!!

Hideaway in the Highlands

2011-12-20T19:15:00.002-06:00

TJ and I just got back from the most relaxing vacation. We went to Highlands, NC for the first time and stayed at Old Edwards Inn. The inn was just featured in the January issue of Southern Living. I would highly recommend this trip if anyone is going on a vacation any time soon. We also drove over to Ashville one day and toured the Biltmore mansion and grounds. The house was unbelievable for one that was built in the 1800's. It was the most extravagant thing we had ever seen. It was beautifully, no I should say magically decorated for Christmas. It was breathtaking! The last day we did a mini tour of the waterfalls...very cool! Here are some pictures from our trip. I hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas season.

We went to our first winery and wine tasting...not TJ's favorite thing. We aren't really wine drinkers I must say but it was a fun experience. This picture doesn't really do it justice...it kind of looks like a Ryan's Steakhouse. ha ha! Guess you had to be there...

In front of the Biltmore

This was called the Bass Pond on the Biltmore Estate. TJ made me HIKE like 2 miles to it and of course then we just turned around. I was sweating and of course didn't have on hiking shoes. I mean what was he thinking...it wasn't like he was going to go fishing or anything. Just had to see it I guess.

This waterfall was only about 2 miles from downtown Highlands and you could actually drive under it.

Cave near the waterfall...no telling what lives in here!!!

We took this on the way to the second waterfall. It was a much bigger waterfall and required some hiking...again I wore the wrong shoes.

This was the second waterfall. We actually walked all the way down to it and under it as well. This picture doesn't do it justice...it was so loud and much bigger than this pictures shows.

Not quite the effect we were going for but I bet you can imagine why he wanted to take this picture!

Christmas Cards are on there way!!

2011-12-06T22:01:00.001-06:00

I finally got all of our cards addressed and they are going in the mail tomorrow! I love sending Christmas cards. I especially love going to the mailbox every day this time of year!! It's such a fun tradition and one that makes you sit down and actually send mail...a long lost pastime if you ask me! I hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas season. I will post the photos from our annual photo session after everyone has had a chance to get the card. Merry Christmas!

It got even better!!!

2011-11-30T17:39:00.001-06:00

So....I didn't get to post our end to the hunt because we were busy looking for the deer that TJ shot! It was almost dark and to my right I hear footsteps and movement. I slowly look and what do you know, an 8 point! I excitedly nudge TJ and then we see another one come out. It was a cull (ugly duckling) 7 point. TJ wanted to kill that one. The 8 point wasn't big enough and he didn't want the cull to reproduce. So judgmental!!! Ha! Anyway, he got him! We looked for almost an hour and finally found him. Here is a picture! Hope everyone had a blessed thanksgiving,

A good end to a rough day...

2011-11-24T16:31:00.001-06:00

For 29 years I have been at the same house for Thanksgiving but today was my last time. My grandmothers favorite day of the year was today! She went to Heaven this year in August and it's been a busy and very sad couple of months. I will say my aunt came through and learned how to make my grandmothers cornbread dressing pretty good. It wasn't the same but it was nice closure. I even got to sit at the grown ups table in the dinning room. That was a first and last all in the same day! After lunch we went home, changed clothes, and grabbed Ally. We headed down to the farm and are sitting in a beautiful field hunting right now. What a beautiful afternoon. I am very thankful for this.

Homecoming...

2011-11-22T20:37:00.001-06:00

My mom and I spent last Saturday in Auburn for the homecoming game. It was fun taking my mom and I can't remember the last time we have been in Auburn together much less at a football game! We had a great time. David and Jackie were great hosts as always. My mom and I took a picture in front of my Freshman dorm. We have the same picture from 11 years ago...yes I said 11 years!!! That is so hard to believe. My mom was pretty emotional. It was a huge accomplishment for her to send me to school. I am as proud of her as I hope she is of me! Here are some pictures from the weekend...War Eagle!

Lets go for a hayride!!

2011-11-03T18:05:00.001-05:00

TJ and I took my two cousins, Kaylin and Braylen, to the country a couple of weekends ago. It was a fun filled day! We went on a hayride and saw a Sasquatch! We also picked pecans, cotton, and peanuts. They carved pumpkins and rode The golf cart and four wheelers too! They even shot some cans with TJ's 22, I think that was their favorite. It was so fun to see these city kids out in the country. I love these youngins so much! Here are some pictures from our day.

Fall is in the air!

2011-10-08T08:02:00.000-05:00

Being in Montgomery, AL sometimes we're lucky if we actually have a fall season. I am so loving this one! My Grandmother has property in Macon county that we call "The Country" and since her passing in August it has become my Dad's and his siblings. I have grown up in "the country" and love being down there. It's the most beautiful property with an old house that my Dad and his buddies use as a hunting club lodge. Of course years ago TJ was welcomed with open arms and these days he's down there more than I am, practically running the show! He takes care of everything and I'm so proud of him for taking responsibility of the place. My dad and his buddies are not getting any younger and the place requires a lot of work. TJ loves riding the tractor and "working". Him and a couple of the younger guys plant green fields, cut trees, burn things (apparently that creates growth), and work on the house among many other things. "The country" was host to many parties when we were in college and even now keeping those old guys out of trouble is a chore. ha! It's a beautiful fun place and one day TJ and I plan to build our dream home there. I have already started saving photos of rooms in magazines that I love and maybe one day it will be a reality! I put some pictures below of the fields. We lease the farming rights and the farmer has been in there latley rolling up the hay. He harvested peanuts and is getting ready to harvest the cotton. Hunting season will be here next weekend. TJ will be there bright and early next Saturday to watch the sun come up and hopefully get his first deer of the season. There is nothing like having a freezer full of meat! Of course after his hunt I'm dragging him to Auburn for one of the most exciting games of the year...Auburn vs. Florida!!! Another reason to love fall, football season! I also love decorating the house for fall. I have the most beautiful mum on my front poarch and a big ole' pumpkin! I decorated my mantle with lots of little pumpkins and goards (I stole the idea out of my newest Southern Living but it doesn't look quite that good). Here are some pictures! I hope you are all enjoying your fall!

I think this picture was like 3 years ago...look how young TJ looks!

This one was this year at the first "work day". They were fixing the tree stand.

This is the field across from the hosue. The one pecan tree in the middle of the field is so beautiful.

The farmer miscalculated on his rows and due to the farming equipment and

how it picks the peanuts he had to leave one row!

This is my favorite tree. It's a Red Oak and my dad swears we could register it as one of the largest in the state. My first dog is buried under this tree and TJ and I have hunted out of it many times.

The farmer loaded up his hay! He says he gets like $35 for each bail!

That's a lot of money for some grass...

College Roomies

2011-10-02T21:58:00.001-05:00

What a great weekend...went to Birmingham on Saturday to a lingerie shower for Whitney! Alison and I rode up and met everyone at Laura's for the shower and then headed out for dinner and drinks. I miss those girls so much and love any opportunity to get together...which lately means a wedding or baby is about to happen! I guess that comes with my age but I do hope that we make excuses to hang out when we no longer have these reasons. I imagine us taking beach trips when we're 40! Ha!!! Anyway...I'm so excited for Whitney and Judd and wish them all the happiness in the world. I wish I had a picture from our sophomore year at Auburn when the 4 of us lived together...we haven't changed THAT much!!

Annual Beach Trip with the Klima's

2011-09-29T06:30:00.001-05:00

I'm testing out the blogger app I just discovered...
Here are some pictures from our recent trip.

It's been too long...

2011-09-28T21:07:00.001-05:00

Wow it's been forever since I've posted! I have really missed it. It's sort of theraputic. I don't have facebook so I don't get to express myself very often on the WWW. At least this way there aren't a million people reading...at least I hope not. Well there is no way to possibly catch up since last December and believe me I'm not interesting enough to make it worth your while. ha! Here goes...

Christmas came and went...
Auburn won a National Championship!!! War Eagle...
We stayed at our first Ritz Carlton...
TJ had knee surgery...
I turned 29...
TJ and I met Randy Owen from the band Alabama!...
Spent a lot of time at the lake...
Got a new couch...
Took a few beach trips...
Lost someone we loved but never got to know...
Went Kayaking...
We both served on Jury Duty...
Went to the PGA Championship in Atlanta...
Lost my first Grandmother...
Installed a door in our den that goes into our new fenced in back yard...

And here we are. I told you it wasn't much but as you can see there were some very difficult times. Every new year I pray that the upcoming year will be a great one but after my accident in 2010 and now the death of my Grandmother in 2011 I sure hope God has a great 2012 in store for TJ and I. I know, I know... one event can't ruin the whole year.

Well I'm going to try to do better with posting. I wonder if I can post from my iPhone??? If so I could almost guarantee a post daily!! I should have added that in my update because the iPhone has totally changed my life! Sad I know but I'm addicited.

Christmas...Wait!!!!!

2010-12-15T20:23:00.000-06:00

I feel like Christmas is flying by this year. Our vacation really put me behind. We finally got our tree last week and got it all decorated last weekend. I got the inside of the house finished too and decorated but I still haven't finished the outside. All we normally do outside is wreaths on the windows but my suction cups broke and home depot is out so they still aren't up! UGH! Oh well. Here are some of the pics from our Christmas card this year. I absolutly love getting the mail this time of year! Everyone puts so much time and effort into their cards and I just love getting them. Our kitchen is full of great friends...it's so nice to see all of your beautiful smiling faces every day!

Thank you to Kelli Alfreds for our Christmas card photo session. You did a great job with Ally and we had a great time. Hope everyone is having a great Holiday season.

The Big Apple...

2010-12-11T21:52:00.000-06:00

The week after Thanksgiving TJ, my Mom, Jeff, and I headed to New York City for a big city Christmas Vacation. We had a great time but were so ready to come home after a long week of sightseeing. We got to see some amazing things. It really got me in the Christmas spirit and decorating the house when I got back was even more exciting. Here are some pictures from our trip. Hope everyone is having a great Holiday season!

Rockafeller Center

The Tree at Rockafeller Center

Skating Rink...we had lunch at that cafe you see. It was great.

There were skaters skating while we ate...very cool.

We never made it up early enough to get on the Today show but we did do the NBC tour.

Rockafeller Center...I think this building, the main building is called the GE Building. I really don't know though. That's sad isn't it...

Amazing view from the Top of the Rock

TJ, Me, Mom, and Jeff

We walked all day along 5th Avenue

St. Patricks Cathedral

Times Square

The Bull near Wall Street

The New York Stock Exchange

Mom and I had a great time in Tiffany's...what a fun Christmas!

The tragic yet facinating site of Ground Zero

Grand Central Station

Oh just me and Carrie Underwood hanging out at the Wax Museum

TJ taking on Muhammad Ali

Reality...

The famous Macy's

I wish I could say this was our hotel, The Plaza...but that would be a lie. It was beautiful but our home away from home was the Hampton Inn Madison Square Garden. It was great and all we needed!

Central Park

Us at the Museum of Natural History...on the last day.

People I am Thankful for...

2010-11-25T09:05:00.001-06:00

I couldn't think of a better way to say thanks other than post pictures of people I love! It's kind of like a favorite things post but better! I am so thankful that God has blessed me with these amazing people in my life. I can honestly say that these people make me a better woman and make life worth living!

My sweet Ally and amazing husband TJ

My best friend Kari and her husband Chase

The best roomates and life long friends; Alison, Laura, and Whitney

An amazing couple Joe and Boles...my best friend from college

My Bunko Group...the funnest girls ever who keep me sain one night a month!

Will and Rhett...people TJ and I can always count on!

TJ's lifelong friend and his wife Whitney

My one of kind Maw Maw and all my little second cousins!

The best boss/friend ever...Caroline

The best neighbors and friends; Jeff and Courtney

My grandmother and Dad!

The coolest girls in Auburn...my Delta Zeta Pledge Class!

Of Course our amazing parents...and my step dad Jeff

My "other" dad...David

Life wouldn't be the same without Jeff and Karen.

My "other" mom Jackie

Weekend with Sisters on the Plains!

2010-11-18T19:54:00.000-06:00

WAR EAGLE!!! Last Saturday I got the pleasure of spending all day with some of my favorite Sorority Sisters! It's so rare that we get to see each other so I really love when football season comes around. It's the one place where we can all meet up and catch up. Boles came for the weekend and so did her BFF from high school, Laura. We had a great time cheering on our tigers even though we were surrounded by Georgia fans high in the upper deck. We didn't mind one bit considering Boles got the tickets for us for FREE!!! We hung out a great tailgate that was put on by our SS Casey's Boyfriends family. He had this big truck with a trailor that was actually a big grill. It was crazy...this thing had a cooler, grill, satalite, etc all in one! The news even interviewed him while we were tailgating. It was pretty awesome. All of us girls then walked to the paid tents where my company, Blairs company and some others had spots. It was a pretty cool set up and we may even do it next year as a pledge class. When you buy a spot they actually give you a drop off hour, get the stuff out of your car, set it up, and even watch it all for you while your in the game. It's great! If you pay a bit extra they will even set up a flat screen and satalite so you can watch other games before or after the AU game. Very cool! Well I'll quit rambling...here are some pics of the weekend. Thank you Boles for a great time!!!

Casey, Boles, and myself

Laura, Boles, Me, Blair, Tiffany, and Casey

The Heisman!!!! Good Luck Cam!!!

Casey, Me, Tiffany

Laura, Boles, and Myself...WAR EAGLE!!!

Last beach trip of the year...

2010-11-03T20:35:00.000-05:00

Well this trip was mid-October so I'm a little late...it's been a busy month! My new job is going great and thank goodness Holiday Market ~~(is over)~~ was successful. TJ and I did get to go see Boles and Joe for one last beach trip and an awesome fishing trip! Joe is a true Floridian and has really turned my Boles into one too. They showed us an amazing time, fed us great, and even sent us home with some fish for the freezer! Here are some pics from our trip. Thanks Boles and Joe for a great time! I am praying TJ will take me to the Georgia game so we can see yall again soon.

Joe telling TJ all about the boat!

View of the Bay

TJ's fishing face...

Boles was the first to catch a fish!

All our Snapper!!!

The Fishing Rodeo was going on and all these boats kept pulling up to the dock at AJ's for weigh-ins. A group of guys caught this 200lb hammerhead SHARK!

On our way in from a quick succesfull fishing trip

Dinner!!!

Who would have thought these two Auburn girls would be professional fisherwoman...this is mine and Boles' second saltwater fishing trip together!

Friends forever!

Annual Family Photos

2010-09-24T18:07:00.000-05:00

This morning we went to Hampsted and had our annual family photos for the Christmas Card. Kelli Alfreds took them again and I just have to give her major kudos!!! She is so patient and amazing with our bulldog, Ally. If you have ever been around Ally you know how stubborn she can be. She did great after she wore herself out! I absolutely can't wait to see the images when Kelli gets done with them!!! We had a beautiful morning and the setting was picture perfect!! Thank you Kelli!!!

The year of Cotton...

2010-09-20T17:16:00.000-05:00

TJ and I went to Pensacola for our anniversary trip last weekend. I was able to take advantage of my fabulous hotel rates one last time! We had a great room right on the beach. It was a quick trip but it was well worth it. Neither of us had been to the beach all year so we were well over due. Here are some pictures from the weekend...

View from the cafe where we had breakfast Saturday morning. Pensacola has some of the coolest places to eat. It so easy to get down there (practically all interstate) and it's not a very crowded place...it's literally a small little island.

We sat here, ate, and watched a group of ladies paddle boarding. That is the coolest new sport and let me tell you; they have some awesome bodies.

The of course we headed to the beach where we lounged all day! It was awesome. Not too hot and enough of a breeze to keep you comfortable. I actually got to read some and take a nap in the sunshine. TJ on the other hand stayed under the umbrella. It's okay...he loved it. We even saw a nice size shark too close for comfort. Pretty cool.

This is the view from the balcony of our room. Man; I'm going to miss those awesome hotel rates!

We ate at Hemmingways just across the street from our hotel. We went early enough and were able to request a table directly in front of a nice TV...you know Alabama played Penn State that night. We TJ couldn't miss that!

When decided to wait until we got home to exchange gifts since our anniversary wasn't until Monday. We do the traditional anniversary presents and for your 2nd year the gift is cotton. Here is what we got...

TJ got a gift certificate for one round of Golf at "Cottonwood" Golf Course and a Cotton hat from there also. I am so creative...what can I say! ha ha!

I got a beautiful Cotton bathrobe! Its so soft and its pink...my favorite color!

We had a great anniversary and I can't wait for many more!

A new adventure and another year of marriage...

2010-09-10T18:12:00.000-05:00

I am so excited to report I have a new Job!! I have accepted a job with Merrill Lynch here in Montgomery and start on September 20th. I used to be a Financial Advisor (2006-2009) but this volatile ~~crashing~~ economy got the best of me and I was stuck changing jobs just last year. I found an amazing job with Embassy Suites downtown and over the last year have been planning meetings and events. I have met some of the coolest people and worked with some of the most amazing organizations. I have truly enjoyed myself but can't fight the urge to keep my brokerage license active. {It can only be active if I am employed with a firm.} I worked so hard for it...it took 6 months of studying and lots of hard work! Not to mention the benefits are pretty great too! Wish me luck!

On another note; I am sitting ~~pacing~~ at home right now waiting on TJ to get here. We are off to the beach tonight for the weekend. We are celebrating our 2nd Wedding Anniversary on Monday! Time flies when your having fun. I am so excited about the trip. We haven't been to the beach all year because of my leg injury. I'm still not 100% but I'm getting around well enough to enjoy a wonderful weekend at the beach. I think the salt water, sand, and relaxation is just what I need to get ready for a new job, another year of marriage, and to say goodbye to Summer. What a Summer it's been...

I am not one to post only positive things and make people think that TJ and I have one of those perfect lives...you know what I'm talking about. Those blogs and social sites where people only tell you how awesome their lives are and how amazing their husbands are...please let's get real! You know life sucks sometimes; let's face it! ha ha! After all my sulky post this Summer I am going to dedicate this next paragraph to my Husband considering the special occasion this weekend...I've ~~He's~~ earned that!

Things I love about my Husband:

He goes with the flow

He says I Love You all the time

He takes care of our bulldog Ally like she's a sweet baby girl

He cuddles with me on the couch everyday

He let's me take thousands of pictures of him without complaining

He doesn't care when I blow money on shoes

He tells me how great of a cook I am

He doesn't snore

He makes time for me even though he'd rather be golfing sometimes ~~most of the time~~

He watches the Bachelorette, Bachelor, and Bachelor Pad, etc with me

He is a hard worker

He's pretty darn HOT

and I get to kiss him whenever I want!!!

TJ thank you for marrying me...I am sure having fun being married to you!

A star struck Auburn fan...

2010-08-19T20:18:00.000-05:00

Even though I am a true Auburn fan I will admit I got to meet a pretty cool man today!

Gene Stallings the former Alabama football coach. He came to the hotel and I had a chance to meet him and take my picture with him. (It so pays to keep your camera in your purse...you never know when you'll need it!)

He was in Montgomery speaking to a few football teams...I really enjoyed meeting him and hope some of the Auburn coaches are just as classy as he was. War Eagle!!!

Coach Gene Stallings and me...

Am I cheezing or what! ha ha!

New York Wedding...in Alabama

2010-08-19T20:14:00.000-05:00

TJ and I went to Ross Bridge last weekend for one of my Sorority Sisters' wedding. She is a sweet southern girl from Alex City and had a crazy notion of moving to New York after college. She met a crazy fun guy named Andy and the rest is history!

They were married Saturday at Ross Bridge. TJ and I had a great time seeing some of my friends from college and just really relaxing at a beautiful property! The hotel was amazing. TJ had a tee time but weather didn't permit. It did clear up and I got some time before the wedding to lay out by the pool with my girlfriends.

Here are some of our pictures from the weekend!

The Beautiful Hotel

All the rooms had balconies which was so nice.

TJ and I at the reception

Some of my Sorority Sisters!!

Shrimp Boil...

2010-08-08T11:11:00.000-05:00

A relaxing weekend with friends started on Friday night. My friend Kari and her husband Chase came over for mine and Kari's favorite meal...a shrimp boil. It was so nice to relax and visit with Kari and Chase. I don't see them often enough. They are expecting a baby this winter and it awesome to hear how their journey through pregnancy is progressing. Here are some pictures of the yummy food...beware it will make you hungry!!

Our feast!

Me and Kari (that's TJ behind us checking out the food on the table)

Our silly husbands (they would starve without us)

A few random updates...

2010-07-14T16:17:00.000-05:00

Well the last couple of weeks have been much better than expected. I am still in my walking boot but go back to the Doctor on July 21st. I hope he tells me I can take it off! I still don't know if I'll be able to be wear a normal shoe b/c the bottom of my foot is still very sensitive and a bit swollen but I will for sure try.

If you read my last post you know I was a whinning about all the things going on with TJ and I in the last month...well things turned out great for his birthday. He didn't have to work and we were able to go to the lake. We had a blast with the Normans and the Corley's. Karen's parents have a beautiful home on Lake Martin and it's large enough for their entire family which is like 12 so TJ and I squeezed in just fine! ha ha! We fished, went on a boat ride, ate good all weekend, and of course did a lot of swimming and sunning! I surprised TJ with an Ice Cream Cake (his favorite) and of course it was golf themed. The kids and everyone enjoyed it considering the heat! I will post actual pictures of our stay at casa de Norman later...

I started back at work on June 28th. I was welcomed back with extremly open arms and it felt so wonderful to be missed so much. I missed working and feeling the sense of normalcy my job brings to my life. I love working. I love what I do. I have so much fun planning things for my clients and for the hotel. I had planned a big return party on June 1st that I missed because of my injury and I was so upset. I am looking forward to working with the University of Arkansas and LSU later on this fall when they come to town to play Auburn! You wouldn't believe what those boys eat during a meal. It's amazing.

I am looking forward to my 10 year class reunion and will admit I can't wait to party like is 2000!!!! We are getting a DJ and I sure hope my boot is off so I can dance the night away. I am still shocked at how many tickets we sold. We have over 200 people coming and some traveling a long way. Its really great though becasue considering the good turn out we have plenty of money for a great party. I can't wait to see my old friends and hear what all they are up to these days. I don't want to go back to high school for anything but it sure was a fun time in my life and I still have some amazing friends to this day that I met during those years.

This was such a random post it kind of made me want to do a favorite things post...never done one of those before...maybe next time! Sorry it was so long and random.

Please let us celebrate something...

2010-06-24T18:30:00.000-05:00

TJ is turning 30 on Saturday...that seems so old to me. Even though I am the one that seriously couldn't remember if I was 27 or 28 the other day when asked. It's hard to keep up anymore.
We have been in a rough place this month with so much going on concerning my injury, job, lack of income, etc. As you know from my previous post we had to cancel our big vacation to Disney and Orlando. Well I also had to cancel TJ's surprise party for this weekend. I had Arrowhead Country Club booked with 8 tee times for TJ and his friends to play golf and then we were going to have lunch with family and friends. I just couldn't do it b/c of our expenses this month and everything else going on. Now TJ may even have to work on his birthday.
I know that God has good reason for all that is going on in our lives right now but I must say it's hard to understand...you know how everyone says when it rains it pours. I feel like we're in a hurricane. We made plans to go to the lake for the weekend so I am hoping these too don't get cancelled. If so I will feel so horrible for TJ not to mention how depressed I'll be. I am ready to have some fun and get out of this house!
Ok I'll stop. It's not that bad. We have a million and one reasons to be the happiest people in the world...Love, Jobs, Family, Friends, Home, New Furniture, and so much more! I continue to thank God everyday for them and for what he has in store for TJ and I next. WE WILL OVERCOME THIS! Thank you to all of you who have been supportive during this difficult time. I can't wait until things get back to normal!!!! I miss laughing all the time and seeing all my co-workers, friends, and DRIVING!
Happier post to come...I promise! :)

Sad but Swimming...

2010-06-18T10:53:00.000-05:00

There are many things about my recent injury that have been miserable but Wednesday I went to the Doctor for my weekly update and got a great report and a great prescription! The doctor said that all was looking good and for me to start trying to put some weight on my leg/foot. He said that I needed to get in a pool up to about my chest and walk laps. It's harder than it sounds espically because my foot has been in one position for 3 weeks without movement or weight put on it. I am such a lover of the sun and summer. It has been killing me to be inside laid up but now I am FREE!!!! I made TJ take me that very afternoon to the pool and I tried out the walking. After about 30 minutes I was exhausted. I was like a kid though; I didn't want to get out. He had to make me!!! ha ha!

I can tell that it's getting better day by day and hope to be back to normal very soon. I still don't know why God gave me this injury and will admit I'm still bitter. TJ and I would be packing today and headed to Disney World and Universal Studios tomorrow. We had a Deep Sea Fishing trip lined up also for tomorrow morning. I am just sick about it. No matter how much better I feel I can't help but be sad that TJ and I didn't get to take this vacation. TJ will turn 30 on Saturday the 26th and I just don't know what to do to make it up to him. He says that he doesn't care and he probably doesn't but I do! We will still get to go eventually but it just won't be the same without a reason to celebrate.

I will look forward to our trip to New York in December and hope with all my heart that God will allow us to take that trip! TJ and I have never been and are looking forward to seeing the big apple during Christmas time. I guess one thing good came out of us not taking our vacation this summer...we'll have more money for New York!!!

Good Report...

2010-06-10T12:15:00.000-05:00

Well things are progressing! I went to the doctor yesterday and got my cast off and staples taken out. I now have a very fashionable big black boot as part of my summer wardrobe.

I was instructed to treat it as a cast and only take it off to bathe...yes I can submerge my foot under water and take a bath like a normal person!! God answers prayers. I asked the doc what the difference in a regular cast and the boot was and he said that it was a simple trust issue. He is trusting that I will keep it on and continue to favor my leg. No pressure on it and I must still elevate. You don't know how frustrating elevating is but to constantly have your foot above your heart is harder than you imagine. I have mastered many new positions other than just laying on my back. ha ha! I hope to go back to work soon and for my mother and TJ's sake I pray that I will back to normal in a few weeks. TJ has learned so much about cooking and taking care of things. I think he has a little bit of a new found appreciation for his wife. He still wouldn't admit it though. Gotta love manly men!!! They are the best!

ouch!!!!

2010-05-31T16:52:00.000-05:00

Well I have broken my ankle...

I am determined not to let it ruin my summer but it's very frustrating. I wanted to go the golf course with TJ last week b/c the weather was beautiful and it wasn't so humid. Of course I don't play so I was wearing flip flops. I walked off the tee-box and the wet grass caused my flip flops to just come right out from under me. TJ and I heard the loudest sound ever and I knew it was broke. They got me a cart and off to the Emergency Room we went. They took x-rays and yes it was broke in 3 places!
That was the worst night b/c all they could do was give me some pain meds and schedule me an appt with the orthopedic the next day. TJ and I didn't sleep one wink that night and couldn't wait to get to the doctor the next morning.
I got to the doctors office and after his first glance of the x-ray he immediatly scheduled the surgery for that afternoon. I had never been put to sleep before or had any kind of surgery so I was so nervous. After he told me about the surgery I cried for the first time!
After the surgery I slept like a baby that night. My leg was still completly numb and it was great! The next day it started hurting again b/c I could feel the screws and plate that was put into my leg along with the cut and stiches. Not the way I wanted to spend Memorial Day weekend for sure.

Don't know what I would have done without these special people...oh and Ally up above. She stayed right by my side the whole time!!!

Every day the pain is less and less. I am tired of elevating and using crutches already though. I go back to the doctor on Wednesday of this week and will get the details of my recovery plan.
Oh and did I mention that TJ and I are supposed to be headed to Disney World and Universal Studios in 3 weeks...please pray that I'll have a walking cast by then. I would be so upset if we had to cancel our plans.

I have enjoyed catching up on all the news, shows, and blogs that I have missed latley. I know God has a plan and I am trying to see the positive that will come from this...still a bit unsure of it at this point! ha!

Sick Day...

2010-05-07T08:04:00.000-05:00

The one thing about a sick day is that I can get caught up on my blogging. I am stuck at home with my new king size bed, an always sleepy bulldog, and computer. I am on so much medication typing is slow but sure (I feel drunk). I have strep throat. I haven't had this in forever and it's not as bad as I thought but highly contagious. I am ready for the antibiotics to start working so I can get back to enjoying Summer!!

A few weeks ago I was in one of my best friends wedding in Birmingham. It was the day of tornados but don't worry all was planned indoors and everything went off without a hitch. I swear I am the bad-luck-bridesmaid. Kari got married during hurricane Fay and now Boles in the Birmingham Tornados. Maybe the old saying "rain is good luck on youy wedding day" is true. Here are some pictures from the big day. It was so great to see some of my great friends from college.

Chat, Allison, Jennifer, Boles, Laura, Me, and Keri

Me and my sweet hubby TJ

My Fabulous Delta Zeta's!

Friends Forever

Catching up...

2010-04-17T10:58:00.000-05:00

Well I have put off writing this post simply b/c I have to admit TJ and I are NOT doing P90x anymore! It was so hard you wouldn't believe. I hope some of you have tried it before in order to understand but man that was tough. I think I'm just going to stick to riding the bike I got for Christmas now that the weather is beautiful. TJ gets plenty of excercise b/c of golf so its up to me! Ok now that I've admitted that lets move on to more fun things...

Easter came and went and was the best Easter ever. TJ was home. I know yall are probably sick of hearing how happy I am that he's home but we have had a lot of first this spring considering. My Mom and Jeff have been going to church with us and that has been amazing. We all went to church together and just love our new pastor. Dr. Tim is great. Jeff and TJ just love his stories and his simplistic message. After church we spent the Easter afternoon with Jeff's immediate family. They are great and in all the years that Mom and Jeff have been together I haven't spent as much time with them as I would like but now that Mom and Jeff are married things have just become so comfortable with them. They have really welcomed TJ and I into their family and we couldn't be more excited.

Jeff, Mom, Me, and TJ Easter Morning

TJ and I with Mom and Jeff's dog (Ally's Boyfriend) "B"

TJ started softball on Wednesday nights and we had his first games this past week. They are playing double headers on Wednesdays and man staying out until about 10 on a weekday is going to take some getting used too. I will say being at the ballpark reminds me of some wonderful summers. It's going to be fun.

I found out our furniture is on backorder and have been so disappointed. The walls have been painted and the old furniture moved out...we are sitting with a practically empty master and are getting very impatient. They say by the end of April we should have it. Considering we ordered it on Feb. 8th this has the be the biggest test of my patience in a while.

My birthday is...today! I am 28 years old. Not really a monumental birthday but again TJ is home. First birthday I have been able to share with him here in Montgomery with me. We can't even decide what we are going to do today...maybe go to the lake or Auburn to the A-Day game. Who knows!! He did get me an Ipod Touch and it is so cool!!! I have never had one and am having a great time downloading all my cds and pictures to it. My mom took us to LaJolla last night and it was delicious. No telling what all we will get into today...

Well this post has been long enough but I'm sitting here waiting on all my cd's to download in my itunes library. I could be here all day...

P90x...please God give me strength!

2010-03-22T07:51:00.000-05:00

Ok it's official...TJ and I have started P90x. Its a workout that TJ finally agreed to do with me. He will not ride bikes, walk around the block, but this he has agreed to! Poor poor me!!! Ha Ha! It's really kind of fun because we can do it at home in the living room but it's also very hard for me considering I have no athletic ability at all. I am sure most of you have heard of the program...it's 6 days a week for 90 days and supposedly at the end you are to be in the best shape of your life. We'll see about that. We did take before pictures but I won't dare show those until I have proven to myself that I am actually committed and that I won't quit. I know that sounds crazy but I haven't stuck to anything like this before so I am hoping that TJ will really push me to finish. He is trying to gain weight and tone and I am trying to loose weight and strengthen/tone. We really did have fun last night...I hate to sit on the couch and am always up pittling so this is really perfect. We are working out and moving around. I hope this turns out really great for the both of us!!! Bathing suit body here I come (still a one-piece but whatever!) I'll keep you all posted on our progress. Last night was chest, back, and abs. Tonight is something called plyometrics.

What a Bummer...

2010-03-12T08:25:00.000-06:00

TJ and I painted the Master Bedroom and Master Bath last weekend getting ready for the new Furniture that was supposed to arrive around March 1st. I hadn't heard anything so I called the furniture place and they said, "Oh it should be here by April 2nd...it got delayed in shipping." You could say that...I call one month behind schedule pretty delayed! UGH. I know I am impatient but I just can't wait. My bedroom is now painted Grenn with a Blue and Brown Comforter. Pretty huh? ha! Our new Comforter is Cream and Black and the new furniture is black so until we get the new furniture our Master Bedroom is going to look horrible. Oh well!

On another note TJ and I have been having the most fun lately hanging out together. As a young newly married couple (those of you who are married know) you have times when you get along great and times when you argue more than ususal. This has been one of those fun amazing times as husband and wife. TJ is now home for good and not traveling with work. We are enjoying the start of spring, working on the house, going to things that we haven't been able to go to together in 4 years...like the Auburn vs. Alabama baseball game that is always here in March, Rodeo (tonight I can't wait!), and also the LeFete ball coming up in April. Oh and of course weddings...we have two already on the calendar. I have been going to spring weddings solo for years. I finally have a date again! I can't wait until the first of Summer when we can go to the lake and beach and actually get to spend Birthdays together too! TJ will be the big 30 this year!!!

What can I say it's Friday and I am loving life! God is good!

Nashville Nights

2010-03-02T08:21:00.000-06:00

Last weekend I went with my best friend from College, Boles, to Nashville with some of our Sorority Sisters. Boles is getting married in April and we decided to do a little celebrating as she takes on a new last name! I told her no matter what she will always be Boles to me, her last name is Boles and her first name is Ashley...I have never called her Ashley. None of my friends from home even know Ashley but they all know and love some Boles!!! Laura, Boles' friend from High School, drove us and Chat and Keri met us there. We did some shopping and enjoyed a few nights out on the town. Nashville is an awesome place with tons to do. I love country music and the people watching was incredible. ha! Here are a few pics from our trip.

Keri, me, Boles, Chat, and Laura down front

Me and Boles

My new Authentic Cowboy Boots!!!

Snow Day!!

2010-02-20T07:43:00.000-06:00

I think TJ and I were the only ones in Montgomery that had to work last Friday. I was stuck there until about 3pm. I was so distracted my boss finally kicked me out. ha! TJ got home about noon and finally after I got there we were able to play in it! If you know me at all I tend to have Chevy Chase or Steve Martin sendrom. I build things up so much that when they finally happen my expectations are so high I get disappointed. Well last Friday was no exception. In my mind all I could think about were the pictures and what all we would do...I never just realxed and enjoyed it. TJ was so mad at me...we couldn't play in it for me trying to set up the camera. I finally put it down and we were able to enjoy our first time in the snow together. I know you fellow camera lovers understand, right???? ha! We rode out to the Country because we knew it would be absolutley georgous...the trees, the old house, the creek...oh it was breath taking. Ally had a blast! She kept trying to eat the snow. We tried the snow man thing in our yard at home but everytime we would roll up the snow we would get a little brown surprise...I hate when it's winter and the dog poo doesn't get mulched back in the grass. ha ha!!! That is really gross I know. Well it was over all an amazing day and I did get the pics to remember it by...by the skin of my teeth! I have enjoyed looking at everyones pictures too; espically all the babies that experienced it for the first time. What an amazing gift from God!

Here are the pictures from my families land in the Country.

The Master Bedroom is coming together...

2010-02-19T09:30:00.000-06:00

Well we purchased a comforter and the Furniture should arrive by March 1st. I hope it isn't late but the guy at the funiture store said they have been so slow due to the economy and that all deliveries have been pretty much on time. Yay!!! I absolutley can not wait. I have never had a king size bed and haven't had a FULL set of matching furniture since I was 13. All we have left to do now is paint. I went with a black and cream comforter so that we could be creative with the wall color. After we painted the kitchen and the great room I was able to see just what a splash of color could do to a room! It was amazing how it transformed our small space. After we are done with this maybe we can get some new carpet...it will probably be a while.

Of course the picture won't save so you'll have to come over to see it!!!!!

I am so greatful!

2010-02-12T06:49:00.000-06:00

For the first time in 5 years I get to spend Spring with my Husband! I know he wasn't my husband until 2008 but whatever, he still left me every spring to go to work. His former job was in Kentucky and he left every year in February and didn't return until July. It was awful! I was so lonely and not to mention I was left to take care of all the yard work. ha! You don't realize how much happens in the spring; the flowers start to grow, the sun comes out and warms everything, wedding season begins, Valentines day and both of our Birthday's happen! It is was such a lonely time by myself and not to mention a lonely time for TJ. This past Monday would have been the day TJ left. I sat down last night and took it all in. With all the talks of Snow and Valentines day I couldn't have been more thankful that God allowed TJ to find such a wonderful job here in Montgomery...our HOME! He works 5 minutes from the house and loves what he does. God have given us many curve balls this past year and we both have been praying very hard about our job situations and God delivered! I am going to enjoy today...even though I do think TJ and I are the only people in the entire state that are working today! Maybe we will have snow left when we get home and we'll get the weekend off with a little play time outside. I hope TJ has a special Valentines day planned for this weekend as well...I am long over due for some Vday Romance!!!!

New Bedroom Furntiure...

2010-02-01T08:22:00.000-06:00

As some of you know TJ and I have been remodeling the house...somewhat. We have painted the Kitchen and Great Room as well as tiled the Kitchen and both bathrooms. We are now getting ready to paint the bathrooms and Master Bedroom. Once the Master is painted we are getting new furniture (proably next month). Just wanted to give a preview of our new furntire...

I can't wait until it's complete. We are painting it sort of an apple green/avocado green...color isn't decided on just yet. All I know is that TJ and Ally can't wait for the King Size Bed!!! We are sleeping on a FULL size bed and poor TJ's feet hit the footboard and there is absolutley NO room for Miss Ally. I can't wait until we are one big happy family sleeping in peace!

Wedding Expo in Auburn

2010-01-25T11:24:00.000-06:00

Instead of being curled up at home watching movies and enjoying the rain I was working a bridal show in Auburn. The loading and unloading was miserable but the show was fantastic. I did enjoy preparing and setting up my booth but it was such a yucky day! I think it hurt our traffic some but I still think we made a great impression and I hope to get some wedding business out of it! If you know of anyone getting married here in Montgomery please send them my way; I can handle room blocks for their guests or even do the wedding in our beautiful ballroom or atrium. Here is a picture from our booth!

Frustration...and some Pancakes!

2010-01-13T21:46:00.001-06:00

Ok so I have been blogging for about 2 months...I still can't figure out how to customize my page more than just the regular stuff...how do you get those cute headers? how do you get the pictures in the headers? how do you get the customized dividers? Well I found this site that had all that I wanted for a package price...$5.49. I bought it and was so excited. Well then I get this email with nothing but codes ands some very hard instructions. UGH!

So I will just stick with my same ole' boring blog...for now anyway. For you professional bloggers out there I do love your designs. Maybe you can share the blog love. ha ha!

On another note if anyone is hungry for some pancakes this weekend my 10 Year Class Reunion Committee is trying to raise money for our reunion by hosting a Pancake Breakfast. It's this Saturday the 16th of January from 8am - 10am at Applebee's on Taylor Road here in Montgomery. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door. We would love to have you there!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Yum Yum!!!

New Years Project

2010-01-03T15:53:00.001-06:00

I don't know what possessed me to do this other than its the only time I have had enough time off to tackle it but TJ and I rang in the New Year painting. We have been in our house over 3 years now and over the last few months we have slowly been remodeling. We built a "spec" house so it was all your basic stuff like linoleum (how ever you spell that word), all the paint on the walls was all one color in EVERY room, and the carpet must be industrial grade or either its the cheapest the builder could possibly have used. So we put in tile in the kitchen and both bathrooms, painted the kitchen, and now have painted the den. I got some inexpensive new curtains and Mom gave us some art work. The painting was much easier in the den then the kitchen...a lot less to move and not so many nooks and crannies...basically 4 big walls. We had a good time and it really looks great! Our next project is the laminate flooring...I can't wait to get this carpet out of here. Here are some pictures.

The picture on the left was our wall above the couch and the picture of the group just shows you the other side where our entertainment center is. We had two deer heads (those are not returning) and then you can see the old mantle decor...and now...

After all that hard work they had to rest!!! I am so thankful for such a wonderful husband and the sweetest dog ever! Happy New Year!

What a wonderful Christmas...

2009-12-27T22:07:00.000-06:00

I hope you all had as blessed a Christmas as I did! I enjoyed my family so much this year...I know that sounds crazy but you know how stressful it can be around the holidays when you are around all of your family and I mean ALL of your family so much in a two day span. ha ha! Well I really loved it this year. Christmas Eve we started with my Dad's side of the family down in the Country. It's my favorite tradition at Christmas. We go down for an early lunch and it's just so beautiful there. Its the one time of year it's not filled with all Dad's hunting buddies, whom I love very much and really enjoy hanging out with, but sometimes it's nice to enjoy the place with family. Its such an amazing place. It belonged to my Granddad's Father and has everything a winter Alabama Christmas day should have...old fireplace, creeky floors that are real hardwood, old furniture, mismatch dishes and glasses, surrounded by pecan trees, no neighbors, and so many generations of history. After our lunch we headed back to town and went to our candlelight service at Church with TJ's parents and Grandmother who came in from Jasper. It was so great to see her. We sang good ole fashioned Christmas songs and at the end took communion and all sang by candlelight. It was beautiful. It helps put into perspective our real reason for celebration...Our Christ Jesus! How thankful I am for his grace and mercy. After that we headed to TJ's parents house in Bellehurst. Another beautiful neighborhood to drive through during the Holidays...lots of fun decoration and my favorite part is you see so many cars in everyones driveways. It's like all the older people live there so the familys come to them and it's just so cool to me...you know everyone is sitting around doing the same thing you are with people they love! After we left TJ's parents house we had one more stop...my Mom and Jeff's. We didn't even get there until about 9pm. We had to go home and get Ally so she could come with us and so we put on our pajamas. It was great to get comfortable. When we got to my Mom's Ally got the biggest present of all...a radio flyer wagon! She is still scared of it but I am sure she'll be riding in it before we know it. ha ha! We finally made it home...Christmas morning we woke up and TJ and I had our Christmas just the two of us and then headed to Karen's parents house for Christmas with Mom's side of the family. Kay and Karen have 6 kids between them so the fun has passed form Kay, Karen , and Myself to all their kids. It's wonderful seeing the excitment on their faces and getting to watch them celebrate Christmas together. We had an amazing brunch and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and TJ and I came home. We played with our new Blue Ray Player, watched 3 movies and were couch potatoes ALL day! Thank you Jesus for all your blessings! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and get 2010 off to a great start!

O Christmas Tree...

2009-12-14T21:56:00.000-06:00

Finally some pictures of our Christmas tree...I have been meaning to post them since the second post where TJ was putting it up. I have just been too busy. I love our house at Christmas. It's one of the only times of the year where I feel it looks complete. I think my living room was made to have a tree in it. ha! I do...it fits perfectly and is so beautiful. Every year when I take it down it appears as something is missing. I hope one day when TJ and I build a house in the country we can have trees everywhere...a tree lined driveway and a yard full of pecan trees! For now I will settle for a fraser fir in the living room...oh and the only tree on our street practically, our maple in the front yard.

Here is a family picture in front of the tree. Ally wouldn't cooperate...she would look at the camera and turn her head right before it snapped. ha!

Bunko Queens!

2009-12-13T12:10:00.000-06:00

Last year I joined a bunko group and it has been so fun! I will admit we rarly play bunko but I really enjoy getting together with these girls. They have been in this bunko group for many years and some have come and gone but it's a nice way to keep up with good friends. We meet once a month and usually play bunko or go to dinner. Last week we had our Christmas party. There was so much food...everyone brought something yummy and we played dirty santa. Dirty santa is so funny! Everyone had a great time.
Merry Christmas Bunko Queens!!

Shopping with Friends

2009-12-13T12:02:00.000-06:00

I had the most wonderful day of shopping yesterday with my favorite friends! Alison and I went to Birmingham to see Laura and Whitney for some holiday shopping and lunch at Tavern on the Summit. It was a cold rainy winter day but it didn't matter. We found some great unique christmas gifts and spent most of the day catchin' up. Laura told us some exciting news...but I can't tell just yet!!!! I love getting together with these girls. We all lived together in Auburn during our sophmore year. It was a very fun house and something was always going on. With all of our personalities it was amazing we made it through but we did and came out truly great friends. I know these girls will be around until I'm old and gray! Knowing us we'll still be taking trips and having great annual get togethers. We've been to Nashville, Atlanta, Many Beaches, and I can't wait to see what's next!

Amazing day for On-line Shopping!

2009-12-11T14:17:00.000-06:00

I am so excited!!! I have had such good luck with Shopping on-line today. There are some quirky little things that I love about the holidays and as a newly married girl I have been on the look out for Christmas stockings that suit TJ and I just perfeclty and let me tell you it has been a task! I remember my stocking as a little girl and it was so perfect for me. It was a little blonde headed girl sleeping and dreaming of sugar plums and cute little Christmas stuff. Well there were some stockings that I found for TJ and I but they were like $135 each or some others that were $48 each...both very expensive and I feel a little too much for something that will hang in our house one month out of each year! Pottery Barn Kids however came through!! They have reindeer stockings that are precious and today when I went on-line they were on-sale frome $19.00 each to a wonderful price of $9.99 each! Needless to day I bought the whole collection...you know we have to have some for our hypothetical children and Ally!!! Here they are!!!

As well as Stockings I love Christmas China!!! I love to entertain and can't wait for the day that Christmas morning all of our family will be at our house...Me, TJ, all of our kiddy's, his parents, my parents...just a house full! When we got married instead of regular China I registered for Christmas China. I got some but the month or so after the wedding my pattern was not only discontinued the manufacturer was going out of business. My pattern is Yuletide by Gail Pittman. Anyway I joined the email list and have found out recently that the outlet store in Destin has announced they are closing their doors. I called and they were out of what I needed but referred me to the only remaining outlet store in Mississippi. They had what I needed, gave me 20% off to complete my collection and also shipped it to me for FREE!!! Saved me over $200 and now I have a set of 14!!! I am super excited.

Christmas is such a fun time of year and even though these little material possessions are not what Christmas is all about they give me the warm and fuzzies!! I have also been spending time today shopping for the family that we are providing Christmas for in our LifeGroup at Church. Let me tell you shopping for a 7 year old is tough! I have to get a toy chest (not cheap by the way) and a book and some shoes. I can't wait to hear how much he enjoys it. I know it will make a huge difference for this family to have Christmas provide for the kids. There are twins that are 5 and a little boy that is 7. What a merry Christmas this is turning out to be!

Auburn vs. Alabama...such a close one!

2009-11-28T11:27:00.001-06:00

Well I thought we would pull this one off. It was so close! With TJ being an Alabama fan and me being an Auburn fun the annual Iron Bowl is a day where we agree to disagree. We are very good sports about it and enjoy the banter. This year we started out the day by getting our Christmas tree. The game was moved to the day after Thanksgiving which is always the day we get our tree. TJ stayed home from hunting and we got up extra early to get it all done before the game started and friends showed up!

Once the tree was up and all the other decorations were out we got ready for our football get together. We decided after all the veggies we had all had the day before we would do steaks and twice baked potatos. Very easy and very delicious! Our good friends Jordan, Whitney, Will, and Rhett came over. Its funny but all the girls were Auburn fans and all the guys were Alabama fans. ha! Lets just say it made for interesting rivalry!

Cool site for Black Friday Info

2009-11-19T11:29:00.000-06:00

This is the greatest website and I have to share it with you! You can go on this site and get a preview of all the sales for Black Fridyay...the day after Thanksgiving. You can even create your own shopping list! This way you can really compare prices and narrow down the places you want to go! This used to be a big tradition for my mom and I but lately we havne't stuck too it as much. We used to take a trip up to Birmingham and shop til we dropped! We did go last year and waited outside of Target at 5am. It was crazy. People were wrapped around the building and getting so mad when the doors opened if someone went in front of them. It was kind of comical to see grown men and women get upset about shopping! Well hope you find some good deals. http://www.blackfriday.info/

Our First Blog

2009-11-16T21:08:00.001-06:00

Well I don't know how good at this I am going to be but I think it will be a good outlet for me and not to mention everyone's doing it! ha! I tried the Myspace site and as soon as I got on it everyone jumped over to Facebook. I haven't made a Facebook page yet and don't plan on it. I know it would be another addiction for me. This way on our blog I can just type out my random thoughts and also share some stuff about mine and TJ's life together with family and friends. Who knows maybe I can get TJ to do a post sometime!

TJ and I are so thankful of how far we have come as newlyweds. We have learned so much more about marriage than we ever imagined we would. Just a year ago we were both in different careers and just knew where our life was headed. Well lets just say God had other plans. We have both changed career paths and started brand new jobs. We are also working very hard on our Christian faith and learning more and more about how God is working in us every day. We are happy, healthy, and loving life! I am ready to add to the household but know that too will come when God is ready. If you know me at all you know that is all I have ever wanted...babies!!!

Well I will post things as I can and hope that you enjoy this as much as I am going to enjoy putting it together. I think it will be fun to look back and see what all has happened in our second year of marriage!