What's Goin On

So, I guess I've been a little MIA lately.  We've had a lot going on and it's taken some time adjusting to our new schedules.  My blogging time was always after Patrick went to work in the evenings.  I've been trying to not stay on my computer as much, I waste so much time on here so I'm trying to limit myself.   I finally feel like we are settling into our new normal and I love it.  Patrick started his fourth week at his new job today and he's had one day off.  It's been exhausting for him but we still see each other more than we did when we was working 5 night shifts a week, so we're trying not to complain.  We've gotten to actually do some things together and that has been so nice. 

I've been reading some too.  I read the Hunger Games a couple weeks ago.  I didn't think I was going to like it much.  It seemed so morbid but once I started reading I couldn't stop. I read all three in about a week.  Now I'm patiently waiting for the movie to come out.

Now for some random photos...I actually beat my little brother at WordFeud so I had to take a screen shot cause it might never happen again!
Patrick's brother had a birthday last week.  I missed the party but Patrick brought me this cupcake and it was delicious.

This sweet girl is loving her new room.  She goes right down the stairs and climbs in every night.  Sometimes she goes down there just to get away from us, we've found her down there more than once.  Makes it a little easier on my heart that she seems to like her new space.

I'm heading to the beach this weekend with some friends from high school and I got this really cute sun hat and I can't wait to wear it. 
Sunday morning I wanted something good for breakfast.  So I made my own apple turnovers.  I just used apple pie filling and crescent rolls. Yes, I put ice cream on top. I can't express to y'all enough how much happier our home is these days.  Patrick is like a completely different person.  Yes, he's still exhausted and he's still working hard but he seems to really enjoy what he's doing now.  Hopefully, now that we're more settled I'll be back to regular posting.  I'm not making any promises though ;)

Mardi Gras Party

Last Friday was the 16th Annual Mardi Gras Party at our church.  You can check out last years HERE.  We had a ball.  Patrick actually got to go with me, he had head home early but I was still glad he got to be there.

Hope & John, Patrick & Me, Ryan & Natalie and Mark. I'm so excited for Ryan & Natalie's wedding in April.

Grown-ups :)

Some of our table.

Love this guy.

Babo & Papa and Me & Mark.  Mark's taking a Social Dance class at Alabama, so we were trying to be all "Dancing with the Stars".  I felt like Cheryl Burke when I'm pretty sure I looked more like Kate Gosslin. Mark was definitely channeling Maks. It was fun none the less.

Ryan showing off his signature move, the broken ankle.

John & Hope.  It was their first Mard Gras party.  I'm pretty sure they had fun!

John's friend Zac, Mark and John.  These boys are so funny.  I can't believe how grown up they are.  Seems like just yesterday they were terrorizing the neighborhood on golf carts. {Sigh}

It was a fun night spent with some of my favorite people.  I missed the girls (Kristen, Liz and Amy) but seeing the guys break out some moves like jagger was pretty priceless.

Game Night

We had a nice Valentine's night at home.  We ordered pizza from Bucks and had a game night.  It was fun!  

Source: thedatingdivas.com via Maggie on Pinterest

First, we played "The Newlywed Game".  I found this and thought it'd be so fun.  It was, we did pretty good too!
 

We played dominoes and checkers.  I won dominoes and  Patrick kicked my tail at checkers. 
I think Ally helped him win! It was such a nice night in.  Hopefully, we can make it a more regular event. 

Happy Heart Day

I'm in love with the RedStamp app! Hope you all have a wonderful day.I've got a fun little date night planned for tonight, that I'm really looking forward to!  Hopefully, Patrick enjoys it!

Photo Challenge Catch-up

I've been keeping up with the challenge on Instagram, but I wanted to keep it here too.    I've enjoyed having a prompt each day.  It's made this project a bit easier. 



My front door.  Yes, this is still my Christmas wreath but it's just a gold bow so I figured it could stay till spring.Day 9


Self-portrait.  I didn't actually take a picture of myself.  I meant to with my margarita but I forgot. These are some outtakes from a Christmas party.  I thought these three faces best represented me.Day 10


What makes you happy.Last night Patrick and I were able to go out to dinner together.  We had to take some things back to the mall.  Patrick wanted to get some jeans.  Why oh why does he insist on not trying things on.  I don't really understand it. But anyways, we decided to go to dinner.  I don't know if y'all heard or not but Valentines Day is Tuesday meaning everywhere had a wait of an hour or longer.  We went to Carraba's and once we smelled the food we knew we had to stay.  We stood in the bar area had a drink and watched basketball then two seats opened up at the bar so we just ate there.  This is where we were when we heard the news that Whitney Houston had passed away.  So sad.  Patrick said it's all Bobby Brown's fault, not that he actually killed her but her life was never the same after him.  I felt like we needed to go home and watch The Bodyguard, but we didn't.Day 11

Sun{set}

I missed the sun today.  So I had to settle for the sunset.

Day 8

Button

I'm so happy I haven't had to give up control of these buttons yet! I figure it's only a matter of time before Patrick gets tired of watching the crap I watch!

Day 7

Dinner

(Lets just pretend I didn't skip Days 4&5, mm k.)

I couldn't have planned this better if I tried.  I was so excited about my crockpot dinner that I prepared this morning.  I'd found the recipe on pinterest.

Source: chef-in-training.com via Maggie on Pinterest

This is what it was supposed look like.

I was so excited to come home.  One of my favorite things about using the crockpot is coming home to a yummy smelling house.  Well when I got home I immediately knew my meal didn't go as planned.  I just didn't know how bad it was...

This is what I came home to.  Yummy right.  I mean is Patrick a lucky guy or what.Day 6 Today was Patrick's first day at his new job.  He was so excited.  I can already see a difference in his attitude.  He's so much happier.  I knew the night shift was taking a toll on him but I didn't realize how bad it had gotten.  Seeing him this week has just made my heart smile.

Hands

Day 3
Hands
My hands are looking a little wrinkly these days, not really sure why! But I did get my nails done today! Also I'm without my engagement ring, it's got to be worked on and I'm scared to wear it until I get it fixed! I miss it!

Words

Day 2

Words.

The words on this paper probably don't mean anything to you but to Patrick and I it's the answer to some long time prayers.  Patrick has been taking this test for years and he finally passed it.  God has really been showing out to us lately and I'm not sure what we did to deserve it.  We're so thankful!

My View

I kinda miss posting my photos everyday so I thought jumping on this February Challenge would help fill the void!

Source: staffordmoments.blogspot.com via Mary Catherine on Pinterest

2/1/2012
My View

This was the view from my desk at work.  It's been a cool, dreary day here.

Times are a Changin

Patrick worked his last night/weekend shift for a while this weekend and I couldn't be more excited about it!  He starts his new job next Monday but tonight is his last night shift.  It's going to be an adjustment but one I am looking forward to.  He's going to be on day shift for a while, he'll probably have to work some nights eventually but we're not complaining.
Since Patrick is going to be home every night now, Ally needed to find a new bed to sleep in.  Our bed just isn't big enough for the three of us.  Plus we're trying to work on the separation anxiety.  Hopefully this helps.  She has a nice "room" in the den downstairs.  She wasn't happy about the move but she doesn't cry or anything when I put her down there, she just looks at me with a pitiful look that makes your heart sink!  I think it's going to be good for all of us! 

Here she is in her new "room"

See what I mean...pitiful.  At this point she wouldn't even look at me.  Broke my heart. 

On Sunday I had 3 teas to attend.  I only made it to two of them.  This was the gift for my cousin's shower.  I thought it turned out so cute.  I made two personalized casserole dishes. I loved the basket with the feather piece as a bow.  It's the little things.

This is a project I've been wanting to to for about 3.5 years now.  I saved all the cards from our wedding showers, I wanted to do something with them I just wasn't sure what.  I saw these "Blessing Rings" and knew that's what I should do.  I used black and white because those were the main colors and I added the green because I liked the look of it. 
I just punched holes in each of the cards and added ribbon.  I love how it turned out.  We did one for the baby shower I attended yesterday, the momma was in the hospital so she didn't get to come to the shower so I hope she enjoys reading everyone's advice and well wishes
After all the teas my sister, Ava and I headed to the movies to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D.  I was so excited.  I will watch Beauty and the Beast in any capacity.  It was so good.  I just love that movie.  Amy and her roommate Shannon joined us.  It was a fun evening for sure. 
I'm a dork and made them take a picture with the display!  I was my first 3D movie and I wanted to document it! I'm so excited for Patrick's job change.  It is such a blessing and we are so thankful.  It will be an adjustment like any change but one we are looking forward to.  Patrick is so excited too.  It's refreshing to see him excited about work again. 

Sweet Surprise

First of all, thank you for your prayers on my last post.  We attended the visitation and funeral all Sunday afternoon.  It was a beautiful service honoring an amazing man. It's one of those things we'll never understand, all I could think Sunday was how unfair all of this was.  Just another cold hearted reminder life isn't fair. 

Then, as if we needed yet another reminder of how unfair life is, I was jolted out of bed around 3:00am Monday morning to my weather radio app and the tornado siren.  We'd been warned all day Sunday that there was a risk for severe weather so before bed I packed a little bag to take to the basement with me.  (I didn't want to actually get dressed unless I knew it was headed for us and I didn't want to be caught in a storm without a bra and tennis shoes)  I also take my wallet (id and insurance cards) camera and I put Ally's leash in the bag.  Call me crazy but for some reason I feel like if I'm prepared nothing will happen.  I know it's completely irrational but it's how my mind works. 

Luckily, we were never in the path but for a while we were in the polygon.  Areas not far from us suffered tremendous damage.  There were two deaths and hundreds of homes damaged or completely lost.  I just kept thinking how can this be happening again right here.  I will say this we have amazing weather teams.  We were warned all day on Sunday to be "Weather Alert" they were on the air all night long.  Where I am had a 30-40 minute window to get to our safe place.  They were predicting the path right down to street names. 

Needless to say, I was worthless come Monday morning.  I was drained from Sunday, is it just me or are funerals exhausting?  Then being up way to long with the weather but I am so thankful that we were spared and safe.  My heart breaks for those affected.  (There was a story on the local news here about a couple that lost everything April 27th, they moved to another part of town and they were hit again this time. So sad)

Tonight I got a call from Lorie and she needed a babysitter for a few hours.  It was just what my soul needed.  Ellie was so happy when she got here, we were talking to Patrick while he was getting ready for work and she just laughed and laughed at him.  It was the cutest thing.  After he left she napped for a bit.  Ally was not a happy camper.  She was so jealous.  I know I need to start setting some boundaries (okay I realize I should have started this about 3 years ago but I didn't, better late than never right?).  She is so sweet and not aggressive at all, its the barking a licking I can't stand.  She wants to lick everyone and everything.  When you don't give her the attention she thinks she deserves she barks and whines until you do.  I don't know how to fix it.  Any suggestions are welcome.  Anyways back to the baby..I loved getting to keep the little angel for a little while, isn't it amazing how a little baby smile and giggle can make you instantly feel better!

(If you've made it this far here's a couple pictures for your reward.)

Can you see Ally's evil eye? Bless her heart.

Lets Lift them Up...

If you get a chance today please say a prayer for this sweet family.  These three beautiful women are having to say their final goodbyes to that precious man.  Mr. Kirk was killed in a terrible industrial accident at his shop on Thursday night.  It was so sudden and so tragic.  He was the nicest man and would do anything for these girls.  He loved them more than anything in this world and everyone knew it.  He and his wife were high school sweethearts and they still loved and enjoyed each other so much.  So if you think about it or have a chance please say a little prayer for them.  My heart is broken for them and I can't imagine what they are going through.

I'm so happy tomorrow is Friday.  I have a couple little projects I need to get done around the house this weekend so hopefully I can get those done.  I can't seem to get anything done during the week.  I hate that I haven't posted since Sunday but as you can see I don't have much to talk about.  So, I'll just leave you with this picture I took of the sky this afternoon.  I thought it looked so neat with the blue showing through. 

 

Weekend Recap

We've enjoyed a pretty relaxing weekend.  Friday night I finally got all the Christmas decorations down and put away.  I also had a gift card to Hobby Lobby from Christmas so I ran in there to see what I could find.  They had so much stuff.  It was hard to choose. 
Saturday was spent watching football and Miss America.  I wanted the Saints to win. They didn't.  After that let down I settled in to watch the pageant.  My dad and I have watched Miss America together for as long as I can remember.  In true southern fashion we were flipping back and forth between the Broncos game and the pageant.  I used to not be a Tebow fan.  It was really hard to like the guy after he chose Florida over Bama, but now that he's playing for the NFL I really like him.  Back to Miss America... I don't care what you say Southern girls are some of the prettiest girls around.  It was fun this year because Ava and Harper were there to watch with us.  I'm not going to lie I was a bit disappointed with the winner, she was obviously shocked too since the poor girl didn't wear waterproof mascara. 



Ally loves the fireplace at mom and dads.  I have to watch her because sometimes I'm afraid she's just going to crawl right into the fire. 
Today I went to church then had lunch at my parents.  After I left there I was on the hunt for a new vacuum cleaner.  Not a purchase I was really excited to make but we needed one desperately.  I ended up just getting a Dyson.  I didn't want to spend the money but I also didn't want to be in the same situation this time next year.  I got it home and cranked her up to see what she'd do.  Lets just say I'm glad no one was here to see what that thing sucked up.
All in all it was a pretty good weekend. We're watching the end of the Packers/Giants game and E!'s Live from the Red Carpet for the Golden Globes.  Glad to have a relaxing weekend because things are about to get busy around here!

Heart to Heart

I always have a hard time getting back into the groove of things after the holidays. This year I think it was worse simply due to the fact that I had two 4 day weekends in a row.  It was wonderful and I'm very thankful for the time off but it's about time to get back to my routine.

 I've been thinking about things I want to accomplish in 2012 and it's pretty much overwhelmed me. I have a hard time living my life for me. It's hard for me to be content when I see what others are doing and think I should be in the same place.  I feel like I'm simply passing through.  I get asked all the time when I'm going to have a baby.  I understand it's a natural question but when I tell people I don't know probably not anytime soon, I feel like I have to give them an explanation.  I shouldn't have to explain anything but the people pleaser in me feels like they deserve a reason.  Honestly, dressing a baby in cute smocked outfits isn't enough of a reason to bring a child into this world and right now it's the only one I've got.

January is always a dreary month for me.  I feel sad that the joy of the holiday season is all but over, college football is offically over and it's usually cold and rainy.  I've jsut now started taking down my Christmas decorations.  I just didn't want to give it up.  I love how cozy my house is at Christmas and I wasn't ready to pack it away just yet.  I rally enjoyed the holidays this year.  I didn't get as stressed as I usually do.  I think after 4 years of being married I'm finally getting the hang of gift buying and just the stress of two Christmases.

Anyways, enough of that crap...what have we been up to lately?



We celebrated my cousin Frank's 21st birthday at "The Old House" on Friday night.  It was a fun night.  Frank was surprised and his parents had tracked him down a ticket to the BCS National Championship game in New Orleans.  I'm not going to lie, I was pretty jealous.

Monday night some of the tailgate crew gathered at Matt's house to watch the big game.  (We also watched the 2009 Championship game at Matt's so I guess we're going to have to watch any other ones there too!)  It was a great game.  I couldn't have been more proud of my school. I was still very jealous of everyone that got to go to New Orleans and the game.

This is my Babo and Papa.  They were in Tuscaloosa staying with my cousin. After the big win they headed to the strip with all the students to celebrate.  Aren't they cute!

It's been a pretty good week.  I can't believe we won again.  It's a surreal feeling after the football I had to endure while I was a student.  I'm so excited and proud!  Roll Tide!

Day 365

I'm so happy this is the last day of my Project 365.  I've enjoyed it.  I wish I had a profound shot for today.  I don't.

I've never been a Stephen King fan but when I saw him on the Today show talking about this book I knew I wanted to read it.  My Patrick's sister and brother-in-law got it for me for Christmas and I was so excited.  I stayed up till almost 2:00 this morning reading.  It's so good!

Day 365I'm hoping to make a book of this little project.  I think it'll be neat to have.

Happy New Year!

Patrick was actually off work for the night!  Since he didn't know he'd be off until Wednesday I'd already made plans with Kristen to go to her boss's party.  So she and I made a quick apparence at her there then headed to one of Patrick's buddy's houses to ring in the new year.  It was less than exciting but it was better than Patrick being at work.Day 364 I'm still working on my Christmas and end of the year posts.  Hopefully I'll finish them up tomorrow!

While we are waiting to ring in the New Year I did some cuddling with this cute kitty.  He was so sweet!Day 363