Low Key New Year

Wes and I had plans to have a big New Year's Eve with some friends, but those plans fell through. Honestly, I was secretly happy! For the past few years we have always spent New Year's at an Ole Miss bowl game. This year, that wasn't an option. Instead, we decided to grill out with my dad and his fiancé. It was low key and pretty great! As I have gotten older, the whole "going out" thing has lost it's appeal. My college-aged self is cringing at my upper-20s self at this very moment! Speaking of upper-20s....tomorrow officially begins my birthday month--my 28th birthday month to be exact. Whoa, I am really "getting on up there"! However, most people still think I look 18. I'm sure that'll be a blessing in the coming years.

Hope y'all had a great New Year's Eve whether you spent it out on the town or at home like me!

2010-The Year in Review

2010 proved to be a pretty awesome year for me!  Here are a few highlights:

Started the year off in Dallas to watch Ole Miss defeat OSU in the Cotton Bowl at the new Cowboys' Stadium.  Incredible!

I laugh every time I see this picture.  Wes had just gotten a TERRIBLE haircut and has a 'shroom head!

Wes and I got engaged on February 14 in Gatlinburg. 

Sorry this is sideways...But I got my PERFECT wedding dress in March!

Had the privilege of working with some amazing ladies...and had fun doing it! This is at an academic pep rally where the "cheerleaders" pumped up the kids! 

 

 

Planned my dream wedding with the help of the best planner on earth-My Mom!

I was honored to have some amazing showers thrown for me by so many family and friends.  This is my school shower.  My best friend was so helpful in getting this all together.  Have I mentioned how much I heart this girl and how much I miss her????

LuLu and I moved to Mississippi and became a family of three!

"Enjoyed" Ole Miss football season.  Hard to do with how pitiful the team did!

I married the best guy I could ever dream of! 

We enjoyed a wonderful Mexican Honeymoon!

Celebrated my first Christmas as a Mrs. 

 

I hope y'all have an awesome new year!  It's gonna be hard to top this one, though!

Christmas 2010...It's a wrap!

I hope everyone had a spectacular Christmas!  I know I enjoyed my first married Christmas. 
Here's a brief recap of how Wes and I spent our holiday:
Dec. 23--met Wes in Petal.  He came up from work in Louisiana and I came down from Oxford to do Christmas with his mom's side of the family-his sisters and their kids, his mom's brother and sister and their kids.  They always have gumbo and Wes had the honor of making it.  It was delicious and much need break from the normal holiday food I'm used to having.

Dec. 24--Christmas with Wes's dad's side of the family at his MaMaw's house.  His MaMaw practically raised him (long story) so he's super close to her.  It was a short but sweet lunch with his aunts, uncles, and cousins.

*I should probably insert here that I have a relatively SMALL family.  I'm a only child and one of only 4 grandchildren on my mom's side and one of 5 on my dad's side.  His family is HUGE!  And they are all really close, so everyone comes.  It was overwhelming to say the least and very different from what I am used to.*

After MaMaw's, we drove back up to Oxford to spend Christmas Eve night at our house.  It was great to have it just be the two of us, because we don't get to see each other often and when we do, there are usually others around.  We exchanged gifts with one another.  I got an iPad!!!  He got a grill along with a few other small things. 

Dec. 25--My mom came over to our house and we exchanged gifts with her.  She's a great gift-giver and always gets the perfect things. 

Newest additions to my TB collection!

Wes cooked us a great steak for lunch/supper on the grill.  Then, we went to go see Meet the Fockers.  So funny!  It's a really cute movie.  I had forgotten how long it had been since I'd been to a movie.

Wes is home from work until January 6!!!  I am so excited to get to spend so much time with him. 

My camera cord is still MIA.  These pictures are from my phone.  Once I locate my cord, I'll share my other goodies! 

Only in Mississippi...

Tonight I am going to what is called the "Redneck Christmas Parade" in a town called Big Creek. 

I can only imagine what I am going to see.  Hopefully it'll be something along the lines of this:

Sorry PETA people, but living in MS, you get used to seeing stuff like this. 

Stay tuned tomorrow because I am sure I'll have lots of interesting pictures!

My Dog is TOO Stinkin' Cute!

Nothing much excting has been going on the last week.  My husband came home from work for a few days so I just enjoyed spending some much needed quality time with him.  I miss him so much when he's gone, but with me not teaching this year I am so thankful that he has such a good job. 

So, I decided to blog about LuLu today!  LuLu is a terrier mix rescue dog that I have had for 5 years.  She is my baby!  If I spoil my real child anything like I do LuLu, it's going to be bad! 

She didn't love her Snuggie.

On top of Mt. Cheaha

She loves to sun on the porch!

I won't bore y'all with any more pictures, but I could post pictures of that sweet baby girl all day long!
Are y'all as attached to your dogs as I am??

Christmas is in the air...

I addressed and stuffed our Christmas cards today.  I feel so grown-up!  It's like sending out Christmas cards is the ultimate symbol of being an adult.  It was alot harder than I was expecting to pick out the photo and design for our cards.  Shutterfly has so many great options.  I am happy with my decision. We went with a wedding picture since Wes and I didn't have a chance to take a "Christmasy" picture. 

So today, I sat at my work table (TV tray) and got to stuffing. 

That's one more thing I am glad to have crossed off my to-do list.  I didn't put them in the mail yet, though.  When do y'all usually send your's out?  I have already gotten a couple in the mail, but I don't want to be too early.  

I also have bought presents for most of the people on our list.  And saved tons thanks to Ebates and cash back at some stores through my bank.

I always have such a hard time buying for my dad.  He doesn't really have any hobbies so to say other than Ole Miss sports and he already owns everything he wants.  I am having a hard time buying for Wes's parents also.  And he is  no help!  

Does anyone else love riding around looking at Christmas lights like I do?  It is quite possibly one of my favorite things to do this time of year.  

The town next to where my mom lives has one family who have turned their house into a Winter Wonderland!  WOW!!!  This is over-the-top!  

St. Bernards and Palm Trees...why not??

I wonder what their neighbors think!

They even have a holographic Santa that appears in the window!

The had to build a storage building on the lot next door to store all this stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please tell me this is not just a Mississippi/Alabama thing...Do people all over go all out like this? 
Guess they have to make up for those of us simpletons with only a tree and some garland!

Today I miss...

These lovely ladies:

They are the wonderful women I was honored to work with for 4 great years at my old school.  This was when they threw me a lingerie shower before my wedding.  It is so great to work with people who you actually like and enjoy spending time with outside of school.


Add to that, getting to work everyday with your best friend...

 

Now, I am not going to lie...most days I love not having the responsibility of eighteen 7-year olds.  But, then I think about how much they taught me in the 4 years I was a teacher.  I am so ready to get back in the classroom next year. If nothing else, this year off has proven to me that I am supposed to be a teacher.  Because there were days that I definitely questioned it.

SO EXCITED!  I am going back to Anniston this weekend and am going to get to visit school on Friday!  I am so ready to see everyone.  I just hope I don't let my emotions take over and become a blubbering mess!