Gas Prices

I'm always on a hunt to save money, so I was extremely happy when I found this website. If you live in the Memphis area, this may come in handy.

http://www.memphisgasprices.com/

I've mentioned this several times before. My siblings and I were much cooler than your average kids. In fact, we redefined the word "cool" as children. There's really no way to define the coolness that encompassed our home. It was a combination of the clothes, the hair, the wit, and just the plain "coolness." See here for more examples.

My sister tells me that I conveniently put "cute" pictures of myself online when posting old pictures of the family. I tend to argue with her, and I think today will prove that. I came across this picture while digging for some old files this week.

Yes, that's right. Complete coolness. This is the result of a 10-year-old makeover birthday party at a salon. And if you're asking yourself, "Is that arm hair?"

Yes, my friends... it is.

Zach and Sydney

A couple of weekends, ago, Zach went to Missouri to see Sydney. I had a couple of appointments I couldn't get out of, so I wasn't able to go with him. Selfishly, I was disappointed I couldn't be there- but I think it was nice for them to have some quality daddy/daughter time.

The only requirement I had before Zach left was to take the camera and get some GOOD pictures of their day together. Not too shabby if I say so myself. You make me proud, honey. :)

I think this is my favorite picture of the day!!

Sydney wanted to go Christmas Shopping for Bear and Bryant, so here are some of the things she picked up for them.

Random Things

I've been a terrible blogger lately- mainly because I've been too busy to think straight.

But, here are a few brief, random things I thought I'd share.

1. I purchased my first Christmas gift this week AND I bought my first half gallon of egg nog last night- so I guess that means I'm officially in the Christmas spirit.
2. I stopped by this random hole-in-the-wall convenience store today, to find the most wonderful, Memphis-spirited store I've ever been to. It's called Gary's market (near the intersection of Holmes and Getwell). They sell authentic, freshly made soul food (jumbo turkey legs, roasted chicken, fresh cabbage... the list goes on...) AND have a marketplace- similar to that of Charlie's Meat Market. They sell fresh vegetables and produce, along with all kinds of meat. While I was walking around, the store manager (Marvin) came over and introduced himself saying "I have never seen you in here before. Please, make yourself at home." SO NICE. Oh yeah- and I filled my car up at Gary's for $1.75 a gallon.
3. I'm having a coffee date with my husband in about an hour before heading to small group tonight. VERY EXCITED about that!
4. I had a nice, long talk with my sister this week about life and love- a HUGE highlight of my week. I'm so happy God decided to give me her 24 years ago!
5. I threw away an old bowl of chili in my office garbage can, and now all I can smell is some sort of sour, moldy concoction (I know that's disgusting and completely inappropriate, but it's sort of all I can think about right now).
6. We went Downtown to Rio Loco on Friday night to celebrate Katie's birthday. Here are a few pictures from the night.

My list...

SO- I saw this on someone elses blog today and thought it looked like fun. The idea is to put in bold everything you've done. It looks like I still have quite a bit left!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band ....at school
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland /world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma- I've tried SEVERAL times- but they won't ever let me due to my iron count.
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt-a "VERY" small quilt- when my greatgrandmother was trying to teach me when I was about 10 years old.
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London (**Dan- Did we actually see this??)
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

The Countdown is On...

ONLY 90 DAYS left until we get to see these crazy kids!!

Our tickets are booked and we're in the process of getting our passports.

We love you guys and can't wait to see you!!!!

A Clean House...

I did a photo shoot for my friends, Heather and Paul, yesterday. When I showed up, Heather had a belated birthday gift for me. It is quite possibly my new favorite possession.

Thank you guys!

Weekend in Paris

On Sunday morning, I woke up in Paris, TN, where I had been spending a perfect weekend with my brother, sister-in-law and nephews. I was eager to hear my brother preach a sermon at his church, Springhill Baptist Church.

It was 8:00 and church didn't start until 11:00. I decided to get back into bed to do some work on the laptop before leaving. When I finally got out of bed around 9:45, one of my legs had apparently fallen asleep and I didn't know it. The second I put my feet on the ground and stood up, my leg collapsed and I crashed to the ground. Smooth. Zach ran in, panicked, (he's so sweet).. of course, I was laughing so hard I was crying. Not my best moment.

My leg finally recovered its feeling and I got into the shower and began packing up. Once we got all our stuff packed, we loaded everything into the car, since our plan was to head back to Memphis shortly after church. We double-checked the house, locked the house door and got into the car- ready to head to church. Seconds later, we realized we were missing the keys to our car. Turns out- the keys were in my brother's van- at the church, and we had already locked ourselves out of the house.

Even smoother.

Eventually, Zach broke into the house and we were able to wait for Fred and Jennifer at the home, but we never made it to church. A frustrating morning to say the least.

Despite our clumsy morning, we had a wonderful time. Zach and I were talking- and I believe that is the first lengthy period of time we've been able to spend with my brother, his wife and the boys without any other family there. It was really nice, quality time. I'm so grateful for the relationships I have with all my siblings and their spouses. It's like I have 6 best friends!

My favorite things of the weekend:

1. Jack and Clayton's wake-up calls that include early morning hugs and kisses and cuddling in our bed.

2. Discussing politics and biblical responsibility with my brother.

3. Watching Zach play with the boys

4. Long conversations about parenting and womanhood with Jennifer.

5. When Jack announces out loud that "he's stinky" after he has soiled his diaper.

Thank you guys! We had a great time!!

I did several photoshoots for some great families in Paris (including one for Fred and Jennifer), which I will posting on my photography blog soon... but until then.. Here are a couple of pictures from our weekend with Fred and Jennifer.

Fred volunteered to do a mini-photoshoot for Zach and me.

Thank you again! We enjoyed it more than you know.

Today, I was having a sort of bad day at work, which resulted in me scrubbing bathroom toilets for about three hours. In the midst of my frustration, I received a phone call from my friend, J.R. It went a little something like this.

Me: Hello?
JR: Hey. What size pants do you wear?
Me: What?
JR: What size pants do you wear?
Me: Why?
JR: What size pants do you wear?
Me: Umm, generally a 4 or 6- depending on where you shop. Oh, and they have to be a long.
JR: What about a 5, sort of long?
Me: Sure- what's going on?
JR: Kyle and I are at a thrift store and found these really cool farmer pants, but they're a size 5 and are pretty long. We're going to get you a cool farmer short and straw hat too. The outfit will be awesome.
Me: Well, I've had a pretty crappy day, so I'm thinking a good farmer outfit just might help make it better.

Turns out- I was right. JR was throwing a party at his apartment to help some of the international kids at the University of Memphis experience some classic, American culture. We all dressed up, and did the traditional Halloween things- like bobbing for apples and trick or treating. They gave us a little of their culture as well, by bringing some homeade, international dishes.

We had such a good time!! Zach and I left the party and are now in Paris, TN- where I've got 6 photo shoots scheduled for the weekend. I am SOOO excited about seeing my nephews in just a few hours and meeting some more amazing families.