Movie Review!

Karate Kid: I didn't think this movie was going to be all that good... but I was unexpectedly surprised. Jaden Smith is such a CUTE kid and Jackie Chan is a classic! Putting the two together in this movie was absolutely genius. I can't wait to keep an eye on this kids film future and look forward to seeing him in other projects.

It was nice to see both his parents names on the producer list as well - I like knowing that they have a hand in his career as a young actor and that there were there coaching him and on set with him. It's nice to know they are interested in helping him succeed in Hollywood.

Jackie Chan was the highlight of the movie, and although his storyline didn't completely open up until almost the end, it was a movie story that actually brought me to tears. I'm not a fan of watching kids this age fight like they do in the movie and I absolutely hated that other teacher and his mean ways of wanting to break Dre's leg... but I guess that's life.

I don't think the movie could compare to the original Karate Kid - they should have named it "Kung Fu Kid" but I recommend this movie for all ages. It's well worth it - but note there are a few curse words.

Advice for New Wives/Moms - Grocery Stockpile

Hello friends - I have figured out a way to help save myself money in the long run when it comes to grocery shopping! :) I have literally cut our weekly bill almost in half!! I only spend less than $75 once a month to re-fill the stock pile.

Here is what I do!

First, I made a list of all the non-perishable items that I buy all the time - cereal, beans, canned goods, pasta and sauce, and dairy products that last longer. Also add to the list all the toiletries that you buy often as well. After that I found and clipped all the coupons I could find for these items. I used room in my pantry to keep this stash!

Second, Assembly. Don't buy items that AREN'T on sale! (Publix does BOGO) - wait for markdowns and apply coupons! Track sales and aim for more than 70% off the original price. The initial cash you use will be more than normal if you buy 3 or more of each item but you won't have to buy it again for a few weeks, so by the next time you need it, is should be on sale again. It took me a couple of months to build it, but in the end, the time and money has been worth it.



Third, Restock. Keep up with expiration dates, and before you go shop, make sure to not what you're running low on. At this point, I really only spend between $50-$75 a week on perishable items (milk, meat, etc.)

Let me know if you have any questions or have anything to add. I wanted to share this to help out other wives I know that might have the same issue of spending too much on groceries!

Team Jacob!

My water bottle came in! I absolutely love it! :)



Can't wait for the movie next week!

Summer has Officially Began!

Monday was the first official day of SUMMER! :)



I'm so glad it's officially here! :) Time for pool days and cooking out! (Although we have been doing that since may anyways). I have many things planned so far for the summer... and am looking forward to them! This weekend we are going to celebrate a belated Father's Day with my Daddy... and who knows what else we will end up doing!

Next weekend is the 4th of July holiday weekend and we have some fun things planned. The party at the Worthan house, and maybe Stone Mountain on Sunday for some fireworks and a laser show! Monday, I plan on going to see the new Eclipse movie with my Mom and Sisters! :)

July 10th I am going to see 'Phantom of the Opera' at the Fox Theater downtown and spend the day with friends. Later in July is Cullen's birthday - so I get to help my best friend get ready for that party too! :) Not to mention her birthday is that month as well... I see a girls night out in her future!

At the end of July, we are supposed to go up to the lake in North Ga for Nathan's birthday and to the N. Ga Fair. Should make for a fun weekend that's for sure! I hope we all get to go, and I want to get Nate out behind the boat on a tube! :)

New Book!! :)

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella by Stephanie Meyer

I decided to pick this one up on Saturday when the hubs and I ventured into Books-a-Million. I had gone in to get the newest Women's Murder Club book by James Patterson. I was glad to see this one on the shelf - bought it, brought it home and started it. Unfortunately I am not quite done with it yet, but I will be today, hopefully. So far I am loving it!

I never thought we would get to see into the world that these newborn vampires had to live through while waiting on Victoria to make her move on Bella. It's been so interesting to read something by SM that isn't in Bella's POV. I am very much enjoying the story and can't wait to finish it. I will edit post with more throughts later.

Here is some praise for SM.

"Meyer has, like one of her vampires, turned into something rare and more than merely human.... People do not want to just read Meyer's books; they want to climb inside them and live there." -Time

"Piles on the suspense and romance." -USA Today

"A literary phenomenon." -The New York Times

"[Stephenie Meyer is] the world's most popular vampire novelist since Anne Rice." -Entertainment Weekly

Thoughts:

This little novella was AMAZING! I finally got a chance to finish it and was glad to be able to see Bree's side of the story that ends in the clearing with the Cullen's and the Volturi! Now I'm totally ready to see Eclipse on the big screen! :)

Movie Reviews!

Toy Story 3: (Don't read if you don't want some spoilers)!

This movie was in my opinion better than #2, and written well! I loved all the toys and was glad they all had their original voices for the most part! I was excited to see how things went down in the day care... what a crazy way to run things, but Lotsa was a mean, bitter old bear! LOL

I enjoyed every moment of this movie and teared up at the end when all they toys stuck together about to meet their end...until the aliens saved the day! Thank you to all the little green guys! My favorite NEW characters were Trixie and the Peas in a Pod! So freaking cute!

I recommend this movie to people of all ages! It was funny, heartwarming, and loveable! Disney/Pixar made another masterpiece to put on the shelf!

Happy Birthday Popsie!

Saturday afternoon Wesley and I joined some of my Dad's family in Hampton, GA to celebrate Popsie's 90th Birthday! For those of you who don't know who that is, he's my Aunt Kim's Grandfather and he's been in my life for as long as I can remember. Back to the days of Christmas Eve parties at Aunt Kim & Uncle Mark's house...

He's such a sweet man, and it was an amazing milestone in his life that was celebrated with tons of guests and tons of fish. Yes, it was a fish fry party. Although I don't eat fish and neither does my husband - we went for a while to visit the famliy and celebrate that wonderful man's life! He lost his wife in 2009 and that broke all of our hearts, but he still lives on with the dream of one day meeting up with her in heaven. So beautiful.

Will post some pics from the party later.

I'm all geared up for the 3rd Season of "True Blood" on HBO! We had a premier & Taco night last Monday and I can't wait for more to happen! I love the show, but of course, if you really know me, I love the books better! :)

For a long time I was really disappointed in the differences between the books and the television show - I'm am currently learning to deal with this disappointment.

One of my favorite characters on the show is Sam Merlotte - the bar owner, and Bon Temps resident shape shifter! He makes my heart smile but not as much as Eric. There are many things in Sam's storyline that don't transfer to the show... but I still love his character and can't wait to see what comes of this adoption story!

My most favorite character of course if Eric Northman - and the actor chosen to play his part is PERFECT except for the short hair! He's just like the explanation in the book. The books say he's “handsome, in fact, radiant; blond and blue-eyed, tall and broad shouldered. He was wearing boots, jeans, and a vest. Period. Kind of like the guys on the cover of romance books.” So gorgeous! :) I'm not liking his plot with the Queen and the selling of V, but I guess that keeps people watching the show... makes me interested to keep watching to see what happens!

I don't really like how they are making Jason a killer in the show - but I LOVED the scene last week when in bed with both girls and all he could see was the bullet holes in their foreheads! Priceless! I loved it! I also like how loyal Andy is being - trying to help cover for Jason! :)

Also, I adore Jessica and her newness to the vampire world! I wasn't surprised she screwed up on trying to kill that guy and turn him. Too funny! I can't wait to see where her thing with Hoyt goes... and with Bill missing, things are going to get interesting!

I already know some of the actors who are supposed to play the werewolves... and I am so looking forward to all of those plot lines to come out with Alcide & Sookie! So exciting! I can't wait for the next episode... come Monday night I will be watching on the couch with two of my best-est friends ever! :)

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Pages: 292
Genre: Fantasy/Vampires
Description: Sookie Stackhouse is just a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. Until the vampire of her dreams walks into her life-and one of her coworkers checks out....Maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn't such a bright idea.

Plot Summary: In Dead Until Dark, Sookie Stackhouse is a telepath who lives in a world where vampires have come out to the public and become legal citizens since the Japanese developed a synthetic blood. "True Blood" makes it possible for vampires to live in the open without the need to hunt humans for sustenance. Sookie lives with her grandmother, Adele Stackhouse, and has an older brother, Jason.

Sookie falls in love with a vampire, a Civil War veteran named Bill Compton. Bill's mind is 'silent' to Sookie. In his company, she is free from the constant strain of blocking or ignoring the thoughts of the humans around her. In his first visit, Sookie saves him from the Rattrays (vampire drainers), and Bill returns the favor the next day when the Rattrays attack Sookie.

In the meantime, there are several murders in Bon Temps, and people believe that Bill is behind the murders because many of the bodies have fang marks. The Bon Temps police suspect Sookie's brother Jason and arrest him because he has been romantically linked to two of the victims. Sookie wants to help her brother and asks Bill to take her to a vampire bar called Fangtasia in nearby Shreveport.

Fangtasia is owned by Eric Northman, a vampire sheriff who is much older and more powerful than Bill. Eric soon discovers that Sookie can be useful and orders Bill to have her use her telepathic ability to determine the identity of the person who has been stealing from his bar. Sookie finds out that Eric's partner, Long Shadow (vampire), has been stealing the money and she almost gets killed in the process. Eric saves Sookie's life by staking Long Shadow when he attacks her.

Back in Bon Temps, Sookie finds her grandmother Adele slaughtered in the kitchen.

Bill, concerned with Eric's power over him and Sookie, decides to improve his own position within their vampire hierarchy. He asks Bubba, a dim-witted vampire, to protect Sookie while he is gone.

Sookie discovers that her boss Sam is a shape-shifter when she lets a stray dog sleep beside her and finds a naked Sam in the morning.

While Bill is gone, Sookie discovers that the murderer is her brother's friend Rene Lenier. He almost kills her, but she fights back. Badly injured, Sookie wakes up in the hospital and finds Bill by her side. Bill tells Sookie that he has become his area's investigator, working under Eric.

Thoughts: I absolutely LOVE this series and it means a lot to me to be able to watch True Blood on television as well! (Another post coming talking about that particular discussion!) Anyways... I started reading these books LONG before the Twilight Saga hit the shelves. The first one came out in 2001 but I haven't been reading them that long. Started them a few months before Twilight came into my life. I love both book series, but this one is easier for me to personally relate to!

Sookie is a totally back country girl from a small town in Lousiana. I adore her passion for life and just trying to let each day pass - until friends start dying and the vampires come out of the dark - and Bill comes into the bar. Her life changes forever.

It's not that these books are written so eloquently or anything - just the world that Charlaine Harris creates in today's modern society - I just love it. The vampires, werewolves, were-tigers, were-panthers, faeries, witches and shifters! It's an amazing world with some very fascinating characters. If you haven't given it a chance - please do! :) You won't be sorry!

Ham, Cheese, and Fruit Wedges

ingredients

* 3/4 cup mixed dried fruit bits (about 1/2 of a 6-ounce package)
* 1/2 cup finely chopped cooked ham
* 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
* 1/2 cup shredded fontina cheese (2 ounces)
* 1 15-ounce package folded refrigerated pie crust (2 crusts)
* Milk
* 1/4 teaspoon poppy seeds

directions

1. For filling, stir together fruit bits, ham, walnuts, and cheese in a mixing bowl.
2. Unfold pie crusts on a lightly floured surface according to package directions. Transfer one crust to a large unerased cookie sheet. Sprinkle filling evenly over crust to about 1 inch of the edge. Brush edge with milk; top with second crust. Flute edge of pastry or press with fork to seal. Cut slits or make small cutouts in top pastry to allow steam to escape. Brush top with milk; sprinkle with poppy seeds.
3. Bake in a 425 degree F oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. Cool slightly on a wire rack. Cut into wedges, and serve warm. Makes 16 servings.

Dinner with The Parentals!

Last night Wesley and I went to dinner with my parents at Chow Baby up on Howell Mill Road in Atlanta! We had such a good time! On Wednesday nights, they have date night - $28 for two to have an appetizer, entree, and dessert! It was so good! :)

Chow Baby has become my #2 favorite place to eat downtown. At Chow Baby, you are completely in charge of what you eat - you choose rice or noodles, veggies, sauces, powders and meats all into one bowl! Then the Chef's take your concoction and stir fry it up for you! They have pork, chicken, steak, salmon, shrimp, calamari, and tilapia! For dessert, we got a cheesecake with chocolate on it - and Mom and Dad got a chocolate torte with chocolate drizzled on it... they were both very yummy!

I would recommend this restaurant to anyone that likes stir fry or is at least open the to food and experience.

Back to my childhood...

These silly bandz bring be back to the days of my childhood and all the other things I used to collect - slap bracelets, pogs, barbies, and jelly bracelets. I think I should be twelve years old again!

These are some of the coolest bracelets I have ever seen though - they go on your arm, but then when you take them off, they still hold their original shape! So cute!




Here is what they look like NOT on my arm...



Fun! Love these things! I just ordered some more!

California-Style Chicken Pizza

ingredients

* 1 16-ounce loaf frozen bread dough, thawed
* 1/4 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 tablespoon margarine or butter, melted
* 3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breast halves
* 1/4 cup finely snipped dried tomatoes
* Parmesan Pizza Sauce (see Recipe Center)
* 2 fresh medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
* 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (4 ounces)

directions

1. On a lightly floured surface, roll bread dough into a 14-inch circle. Transfer dough to a greased 13-inch pizza pan. Build up edges slightly. Prick generously with a fork. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until light brown.
2. In a small mixing bowl stir together lemon peel, lemon juice, and margarine or butter.
3. Rinse chicken breast halves; pat dry. Grill chicken directly over medium coals for 12 to 15 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink, turning once halfway through grilling and brushing occasionally with lemon mixture the last 10 minutes of grilling. Cut chicken into cubes.
4. Meanwhile, pour enough boiling water over dried tomatoes to cover; let stand for 2 minutes. Drain well.
5. Spread Parmesan Pizza Sauce over hot crust. Top with chicken cubes, sliced fresh tomatoes, and dried tomatoes. Sprinkle with Monterey Jack cheese.
6. Bake about 12 minutes more or until cheese melts and sauce is bubbly. Makes 6 servings.

"Weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless. "

Last weekend was so WONDERFUL and lazy! Friday night was for just the girls and guys - Wesley and Patrick went to Friday Night Magic and Marlena and I stayed at the Bell Apt to watch a movie!! We watched 'Stay Alive', one of my very favorite creepy movies! I was so glad to watch it again, and Marlena enjoyed it. :) I have such a good time with her - and that beautiful baby boy, Cullen!

Saturday morning was quite lazy... I made strawberry cheesecake muffins for breakfast and we watched an episode of Bones while relaxing on the couch. Around lunch time Chip came over and we all went to see the A-Team movie! Gabe even met up with us, while Summer took the kids to see Marmaduke. The A-Team movie was AWESOME! I love Bradley Cooper and Liam Neeson - I was glad to see it, but didn't expect to like the movie as much as I did. Murdock was my favorite character in the whole movie.

After the movie, Wesley and I went home for a little bit before we got ready to head over to Jay and Erica's engagement party! It was at a coworker of Jay's house... and on a beautiful piece of property in Milner. We had a great time with friends, drinks, and karaoke! My husband is one of the best singer's I have ever met!! There were some other good ones too - my second favorite being Jay and Bill's 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. The commentary mid-song was priceless! :)

We had a great night - Sunday was a totally relaxing day! We ended up having pancakes for breakfast and then met up with the Bell's at the Worthan household for an afternoon swim! We had a great time and can't wait to spend more time with both families! That night, we went to Summer's house to spend time with the kiddie's while Summer and Gabe had a date...

Last night was 'Taco's and True Blood' night! OMG I loved the episode, but I seriously I wish they would keep things closer to the book series! I get so mad and disappointed when they don't follow one or the other... but I can't help it. I like that book series so much! Charlaine Harris is a terrific writer - not for the language in the books, but for the world that she has created, set up in a modern society! I just love reading all about and the characters are some of my favorites EVER!

Looking forward to next weekend that looks to be almost as relaxing as the last one - and then dinner at Summer's for Father's Day on Sunday.

Eclipse Water Bottles!

There are Team Jacob, Team Edward & Team Bella

http://eclipsebottles.com/

New Book: Private by James Patterson

The police can't help you

Former CIA agent Jack Morgan runs Private, a renowned investigation company with branches around the globe. It is where you go when you need maximum force and maximum discretion. The secrets of the most influential men and women on the planet come to Jack daily—and his staff of investigators use the world's most advanced forensic tools to make and break their cases.

The press will destroy you

Jack is already deep into the investigation of a multimillion-dollar NFL gambling scandal and the unsolved slayings of eighteen schoolgirls when he learns of a horrific murder close to home: his best friend's wife, Jack's former lover, has been killed. It nearly pushes him over the edge. Instead, Jack pushes back and devotes all of Private's resources to tracking down her killer.

Only one place to turn: Private

But Jack doesn't have to play by the rules. As he closes in on the killer and chooses between revenge and justice, Jack has to navigate a workplace love affair that threatens to blow the roof off his plans. With a plot that moves at death-defying speeds, Private is James Patterson's sleekest, most exciting thriller ever.

Today is Flag Day!

I pledge allegiance to
the flag of the United
States of America and
to the Republic for
which it stands, one
nation under God,
indivisible, with
liberty and justice
for all.

In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14.

The American national flag has come through an eventful course of changes. The flag which we see these days has been effective since July 4, 1960. This was following the inclusion of Hawaii in the United States of America. However, this flag featuring 50 stars on a canton against the background of 13 stripes - 7 red and 6 white - has been evolved through a long course of time.

From 14, 1777, the day the Stars and Stripes, had received the approval of the Continental Congress till the June 14, 1960, there had been some 27 changes in the face of the flag. Out of these 25 were due to the difference in the number of stars alone. In fact, with each state being annexed to the Union, the number of stars in the flag had to be changed.

From June 14, 1877, the day when the Congress observed the centennial of the birth of the national flag, till August 3, 1949, when President Truman designated the National Flag Day. There has been a sustained effort by individuals as well as organizations to promote the observance of the Day.

Movie Reviews!

Valentine's Day: I recently watched this one with my friend Marlena. It was a cute movie and a fun and full cast! There were a ton of cris-crossing story lines much like in "He's Just Not That into You"... but it wasn't hard to follow at all. All the story lines were funny, cute, quirky and a little romantic too. I would recommend this movie to anyone that likes a little romantic comedy - but doesn't have any issues with cheaters and teen sex pacts. (Those are the two most controversial topics in the movie).

Houndog: Last night I sat down to watch this horrifyingly depressing movie... don't get me wrong Dakota Fanning was AMAZING as a backwoods, white trash girl. She was fantastic, but they storyline was a little depressing and predictable. I knew about the rape long before it happened. Basically LouEllen (D. Fanning) uses Elvis's music to help heath her problems with abuse from her Daddy and the local boys. She befriends a local snake charmer/slave, and learns to sing again. It was a touching movie, but very graphic and not a movie for little kids.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cakes!!

Prep: 50 min.
Bake: 15 min.


Ingredients

* 1/2 cup butter
* 1 cup sugar
* 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup milk
* 1/4 cup strawberry jam
* Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache
* 12 medium strawberries
* 3 ounces bittersweet and/or milk chocolate curls

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour or line with paper bake cups twelve 2-1/2-inch muffin cups; set aside.

2. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Remove from heat. Let cool for 5 minutes. Stir in sugar and cocoa powder until combined. Add egg and vanilla. Using a wooden spoon, beat lightly just until combined.

3. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to chocolate mixture, beating by hand after each addition. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each two-thirds full.

4. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the centers comes out clean. Cool in muffin cups on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Using a knife, loosen the edges; carefully remove cupcakes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

5. If cupcakes don't have paper liners, trim a thin slice from top of each cupcake so they will sit flat. Turn bottom side up. Place cupcakes 2 inches apart on wire rack set over waxed paper. (For cupcakes in liners, peel liners down but do not remove.) Spread 1 teaspoon of the strawberry jam over each cupcake.

6. Prepare Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache. (below) Spoon ganache over cupcakes, making sure to coat all sides. Place a strawberry on top of each cake. Drizzle each strawberry lightly with ganache, letting the strawberry show through. Top cupcakes with chocolate curls.

7. Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache: In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup whipping cream just to boiling over medium-high heat. Remove from heat. Add 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (do not stir). Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Whisk in 3 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking until ganache is smooth.

8. Makes: 12 cupcakes

9. To Bake Ahead: Prepare as directed through step 4. Place cooled cupcakes in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw cupcakes, if frozen. Continue as directed in step 5.

Melissa Marr Giveaway!

Melissa Marr grew up believing in faeries, ghosts, and various other creatures. After teaching college literature for a decade, she applied her fascination with folklore to writing. Wicked Lovely was her first novel. Currently, Marr lives in the Washington, D.C., area, writes full-time, and still believes in faeries and ghosts.

The Wicked Lovely Series: Wicked Lovely, Ink Exchange, Fragile Eternity, and Radiant Shadows.


For more detailed information about Melissa or any of her books, check out her website: http://www.melissa-marr.com/




1. The Radiant Shadows Prize Pack: One lucky winner will recieve a prize pack consisting of a hardcover copy of Melissa Marr's newest book in the series, Radiant Shadows, a signed bookplate to go inside the book, a signed Radiant Shadows bookmark, and a Shadows Court and Solitary court band!

2, The Wicked Lovely Prize Pack: One lucky winner will recieve a prize pack consisting of a signed paperback copy of Wicked Lovely, a signed Radiant Shadows bookmark, and a Summer Court court band!

3. Radiant Shadows Book Marks: Five lucky winners will recieve a signed Radiant Shadows bookmark!

4. Book Cards and Court Bands: Three lucky winners will recieve one signed book card and corresponding court band!


Excited yet? Good! You should be! Now, here's how to enter for these faulous prizes: (Things are a little different than the last contest, so please make sure to read criteria very carefully!)


Ways to enter to win the Prizes Packs:

1. By joining the community if you are not a member already! That counts for one entry!
2. By pimping this community on your LiveJournal! Post a description of the community and/or the contest and a link to the community and invite all of your friends to join as well! You will get one entry for your post.
3. By posting a book recommendation! We all love books, so use this opportunity to share one of your favorites! Each new recommendation post is worth one entry! However, you MUST use the book recommendation format that is outlined on our profile and the recommendation must be new, created for the purpose of this contest. Entries that are copied from other book recs sites, such as goodreads, will not be counted.
4. By posting a link to this contest on your blog, or Facebook/Twitter accounts. This counts as one entry.

***Please note that you must comment back to THIS post with your entires/links to any postings you have made. Remember, I MUST be able to see the posts in order for them to count. If your FB, Twitter, of LJ is private and we are not friends, I will accept screenshots of your entries! :) ***

Winners will be picked by a random number generator. The more entries you have, the more opportunities you have to win! :)


How to enter to win the bookmarks and book cards/bands: (Idea taken from Melissa Marr herself!)

Tell me 3 sentences about something, anything. It can be odd, beautiful, enlightening, or horrific (keep it PG 13). Don't apologize saying you're not sure your thing is interesting! I am easily amused, so no worries! :)

You may enter up to three times--in 3 different posts, please! Winners will be chosen by your friendly Mods!

EDIT/CLARIFICATION: You may enter three times TOTAL. Not daily or weekly, but three times throughout the entire contest. Hope that clarifies things! :)


DEADLINE: This contest will run until Midnight (EST) on Friday, July the 2nd!

Thanks for all the Prayers!

On Friday, my Mother-in-law went into the hospital in Griffin to have a routine test done, one that she had done just a year ago. She failed the test - and her doctor admitted her to the hospital for the weekend. He wanted to do an EKG & heart catheter on Monday.

When Monday rolled around, the test was done and they found two blockages. One was at 95% and the other was a little less. They decided to transfer her to Crawford Long in Atlanta to have some stents put in. Wesley and I took off for the rest of the day, met up with Summer and beat the ambulance to the hospital, we got there around 12:30. While we were waiting we went to the gift store to get her something to help cheer her up when we saw her.

Gail and Ray got to the hospital around 3:15 - they put her in a room and after about 45 minutes they decided to take her on back for the stent procedure. When the doc came back he said she did well, she pulled through and would be going to a room. The nurse came and got us soon after to go and follow her to her room. She would have to stay all night and as long as things went well she would get to come home today.

We talked to Summer this morning, and they were waiting on the Doc to come and sign release papers so she can come home.

I want to thank every one of our friends and family that kept Gail in their prayers! I;m sure she's thankful as well! I hope that she has a full recovery!

“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”

The Best Made Plans...

This past week I made plans for a surprise party for my sister-in-law Summer. Her husband got in touch with me early in the week to talk about plans - she wanted to get people together to play volleyball on Saturday with the new net that she and Gabe set up in the yard!

We all took Summer to dinner for her birthday on Wednesday at Broadway Diner in Fayetteville. We had a good time with the family - Wes & I, Summer, Gabe and the kids, and Ray & Gail! It started to storm during dinner, so we ended up sitting there for a while just talking and having a good time.

Finally, Saturday rolled around and Gabe and I tried to finalize the plans - but Summer was being a little hard-headed about it (because she didn't know what we had already planned). Gabe was taking her out that afternoon - and I was going to watch the kids. I told her that I had plans at 4pm, so they needed to be home. She tried to get Ray to plan to watch them, but he wouldn't commit. They ended up going to the movies, and got home soon after going to visit Gail in the hospital.

They got home to find friends and family at their house - geared up for volleyball and pizza, cake and ice cream! It seemed that she was happy and had a good time! I was so glad to have the chance to do something for her, she always does things and cooks for all the holidays. It was nice to be able to do something for her!

The rest of the night was spent browsing netflix on the XBOX and playing rockband with friends! :)

On Sunday, my family came down to visit. Dad and Wesley installed my pot rack over the island in my kitchen. We had a surprise guest - Karen came to see me, and the house! I was so glad to see her! We played the Great Dalmuti game - and Wesley won of course! He's so good at that game! :) The rest of the night was spent lazily at home - cleaning and doing laundry. Then I cooked chicken and fried rice for dinner! Yum!

Here is a picture of my new pot rack!

Summer Time!

So far, this summer has been great! We have had a BLAST with friends and family so far and I am looking forward to two more months of it!!

May: We celebrated Stu & Liz's wedding - there was some small drama, but nothing that couldn't be handled. I got to spend an evening with the sweetest and handsomest baby in Milner - Cullen Bell. We celebrated my Father-in-law's Birthday! We went to the Renaissance Festival and had a blast! We attended a Braves game (Thanks Catherine). Larson got a hair cut! Babies were born - Baby Lucas, Baby Ripley. We had a volleyball night at the Worthan's house. We celebrated Mother's Day @ Summer's house! I spent hours with my SOUL MATE and new best friend, Marlena Bell! We saw Iron Man 2! The best weekend of the month - we went camping with my family at Lake Sinclair! :)

Here is the view of the lake from the campsite:



Here is Larson - he is now a well-trained camper!!



More pictures to be posted soon on Facebook! :)

June looks to be a very promising month as well! We have already celebrated Summer's birthday and next weekend we are going to an engagement party for our best friends, Jay and Erica! :) More updates to come soon!

Glad to be home, but I miss my family....

This weekend, for the holiday of Memorial Day, my family planned a camping trip. Wesley and I decided to tag along! It brought back so many memories from my childhood from camping at the lake, tubing on the water behind Dad's boat, and family that used to go camping with us. It made me miss those days when family was so close and I didn't have a life of my own.

Although I'm glad to be married and out of my parents house, I still miss being able to just step across the hall and have a sister to sister talk with Stephanie and Renee. I miss sitting around the table and talking about my day with my Mom and Dad. I miss watching television with them and Dad making fun of all the girls crying over Extreme Makeover Home Edition! I know it sounds a little pathetic, but I miss my home.

Wesley and I made some new memories this weekend, it was our second "vacation" as a couple and we had a lot of fun! We slept in a tent and played card games with my family. Larson had a good time too, although his barking tended to get a little annoying! :)

This trip was one to mark in the scrapbook I'm working on and I can't wait for more to come! But this weekend was not without thoughts of those fighting for my country, in honor of Memorial Day. I thank those who have fought in the past and are currently fighting in our armed forces for my freedom!

Especially: Jim Chance, Chuck Donathan, Scott Furlong, John C. Beale, Jim Smith, Ken Couch, Charles Smith, and others that are close to me and my family! I thank you all and hope that you know how much it all means to me!

All gave some and some gave all!

This is especially in memory of John C. Beale who died June 5, 2009 - just one year ago while serving over seas! He was a friend to my family and he is missed. Please keep his family in your prayers this week as we all deal with the anniversary of his death!