After the storm...

I am part of a group on flickr.com that challenges you daily in photography. Every day the group presents a topic and you are asked to photograph something relating to that category. Yesterday's topic was "fort." This wasn't exactly the fort I had intended to make, but Zach and I decided this was necessary when we heard a tornado was headed straight for our small town.

In situations like this, I've learned all you can do is praise God for what he has given and pray for those affected by the things he has taken away. This morning, Zach and I are praising God for sparing our lives and home for at least one more day. We praise God for keeping everyone alive on the campus of Union University. We praise God for what is still standing after this tragic storm. Meanwhile, we're praying hard for those who are suffering. This morning, our hearts go out to the families of those killed here in Memphis, in Jackson and other parts of the south. We also pray for our friends and family at Union University. This school and its people have played a crucial role in shaping our lives. This morning, I can assure you our hearts are heavy.

You can click here for updates on Union's emergency.

Waiting out the storm

Warehouse destroyed in Memphis, courtesy: Commercial Appeal

Hickory Ridge Mall in Memphis, courtesy: Commercial Appeal

Union University, courtesy: The Jackson Sun

Union University, courtesy: The Jackson Sun

Union University, courtesy: The Jackson Sun

Union University, courtesy: The Jackson Sun

Superbowl and Scrapbooking

Ok, I caved. My friend, Anne-Camille is pretty much a professional scrapbooker. She takes wonderful photographs of her family and friends and then preserves them creatively in scrapbooks. I've NEVER scrapbooked in my life, but after reading her persuasive notes, I've decided it would be a wonderful way to capture all of Sydney's moments with her dad. Right now, I'm a little overwhelmed. Zach and I took a trip to Archivers and there is SOOOO much scrapbooking stuff- it's insane! Not to mention- all the stuff I have to scrapbook. This is what my living room floor looked like when I got home. The second picture is my first (and only- so far) scrapbook page.

After a Sunday of scrapbooking, Zach and I headed to Tori and Lee's for a Superbowl party. This is pretty much the position the guys stayed in all night long... except, of course, when they were jumping up and down screaming at the end of the game. But seriously- a great night with a great game.

We got double the excitement during our visit with Syd on Saturday. When we arrived that morning, there were still inches of snow on the ground from the snowstorm earlier this week. We threw a couple of snowballs, but then headed inside. We ate lunch, and then spent a few hours at the bookstore. We read countless numbers of Berenstein Bears and Barbie books. The girl LOVES her books. We already miss her!!

While at the bookstore, I stopped by to see if the Karen Kingsbury's newest book in the Sunrise Series was out (it wasn't). While I was standing in the aisle, I met a woman who swore to me that this book was one of the best she'd ever read. Needless to say, I'm pretty excited about it! Can't wait to get started!

Ruby Slippers (and Sequin Pumps)

Over the past few weeks, a group of girls from my church and I have been doing some serious soul searching as we take a journey through this book, Ruby Slippers by Jonalyn Fincher. I love being a woman. I love everything about it. But this book challenges us to strip everything away that society has deemed "feminine" and look at the naked soul. It's amazing how we sometimes define ourselves by what the world (any many times, the church) tells us femininity is supposed to be. This is a line from the book and it has stuck with me ever since I read it.

"I am not a wife, a daughter, a niece, a sister... I am not a philosopher... I am not a writer... I am not fun, enthusiastic, motivated, organized, disciplined, creative... I am not bossy, demanding, impatient, stubborn, judgmental... I am none of these. I am a naked soul clothed in the righteousness of Christ. "

Speaking of all things glittery and girly, I feel it important to mention that I LOVE shoes! For the first 20 years of my life, I purposely avoided anything that remotely resembled a heel due to insecurity issues over the fact that I've been about 5'10'' ever since I was 13. But now, I've learned to embrace my height, and I love wearing heels. I purposely bought these shoes for the Emmy Awards on Saturday.. but they didn't show up in any of the pictures, so I wanted to give them their moment of glory. These are my fabulous, sequined, zebra print shoes from Victoria's Secret. So fun!!

I heard this quote today.. and loved it! "Be crazy, be stupid, be wild, be silly, because life is too short to be cool."
Speaking of crazy and wild, this crazy kid was in town last night. So much fun! A.B. has been Zach's best friend since junior high. They're actually more like brothers than friends. When the two of them get together, I usually can't stop laughing. They're hilarious together. I love me some A.B!! Anyway, A.B. was in town for business and spent the night at our house last night. We ate, drank, watched some basketball, and caught up. Good times!

So Excited!!

My brother, Fred, and his wife, Jennifer, have a new blog!! You can check it out here. Tori and Lee- you're the only ones left :)!!

It feels like Zach and I practically spend our lives on the road. Next to the wonderful conversations, this is my favorite part of our road trips!

After the Emmy's Saturday night, Zach and I got up early Saturday and left Nashville headed for Missouri. Sydney was in her first, and quite possibly her last, pageant ever. We all agreed we don't like supporting events that rate children on their appearances, but Sydney really wanted to get dressed up and be able to feel like a princess for a day. Well, in the end Sydney won "most beautiful" in the pageant. She was quite adorable! We'll get to spend the whole day with her this coming Saturday. Can't wait!!
Syd with her cousins, Lexie and Tori.

Syd with her mom and O.J.
Silly Girls!
So Precious!

The Emmy's

This weekend I had the honor of being able to attend the Regional Emmy Awards for WMC's region. One of the newscasts I produced last year was nominated for best daytime newscast. I, along with about 6 of my colleagues, were nominated in that category. I didn't win, but there was a very exciting moment for WMC. Megan Pope won the Emmy for Best Weekend Newscast. We were all SOOO excited for her. She is a diligent worker and a great person. I'm still so happy for her! Here are a few pictures (and a few more I stole from Krista) from the weekend.

So Funny!

Ok, I found this on my friend Steven's blog this morning and of course, I couldn't resist. It's a website where you can combine pictures of yourself with celebrities. I literally spent about an hour laughing hysterically after I got started.

So here's what happens when you put Liz with Beyonce. Too Funny! Here's the link if anyone else wants to play.

Go Tigers Go!

Seeing as how most of my family bleeds blue, you can understand why this is very exciting!

4 years...

Four years ago yesterday-- Zach and I had our first date (well- sort've first date). Zach and I had talked back and forth a few times leading up to that Monday night. We were both recently out of semi-serious relationships and weren't looking for anything too intense. We had a lot of the same friends, so we just wanted to get to know each other better. He had asked me to hang out with him several times, but it never seemed to happen until that night. I was working as a producer at WBBJ and got off work at 11:00. Zach wanted to take me out, but since it was so late, he came by my apartment and hung out with my roommates and me for awhile. We expected to hang out for about an hour, but once we started talking, we couldn't stop. We had so much more in common than we ever expected. We ended up talking and shooting pool until 5:00 in the morning. After that, we couldn't stay away from each other. It's been a lot of ups and downs, but four years later, we're married and happier than ever. I can truly say this man is one of the most amazing people I've ever met. I'm so grateful for each day God allows me to share with him. These are a couple of photographs taken during our first month together. So fun!

What a fun Saturday! My college roommate, Heather, is having another baby. Heather and Blake Allen have a little girl named Hallie, who will be two in just a few months. I went to Humboldt yesterday for Heather's shower. While I was there I got to spend some much-needed time with Heather and Hallie. They are so cute together. Heather's next baby is due in February and will be a boy. So excited for Cade to get here!

Wonderful Husband

Yesterday was a very exciting day in the Wiggs household, but instead of putting all the attention on our new addition, I have to recognize my wonderful husband first. I have been sick all week long with some throat and sinus problems... which came at a very bad time since we were getting Bryant yesterday. But last night, Zach gave me the whole night off. He went and picked up Bryant and then spent most of the night keeping an eye on the two dogs, taking them outside, and feeding them. At one point, our cat got sick and threw up all over the floor and Zach took care of that too. I started to feel really bad, so I gave Bryant a much-needed bath... but the entire time Zach stood there telling me to relax and get some rest. I have a wonderfully compassionate husband and am SO blessed to have him by my side every day. He's a wonderful partner and teammate. He's also my best friend. Thanks, honey. I love you!

Ok.. to the dog. Bryant is a six-week-old golden retriever. He's absolutely adorable. He's a LOT more independent than Bear. Bear still doesn't feel comfortable leaving our side, but Bryant was running, playing, and inspecting the whole house by himself. He looked as if he felt completely at home. Bear was obviously really excited to have a new friend. He spent all night jumping on Bryant and trying to play with him-- probably a little too aggressively. Bryant didn't seem to like it too much, so Zach spent most of the night playing referee. But hopefully, as Bryant gets older, he'll get more used to Bear's hyper behavior. Of course, we took plenty of pictures.

Bryant trying to get some rest

Daddy with his two boys

Bryant after his first bath