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Adoption


My heart is breaking over the ban of Americans adopting from Russia. (If you are not familiar with the story, please visit http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/28/world/europe/putin-to-sign-ban-on-us-adoptions-of-russian-children.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1& .) There are roughly 250 Russian children that have been matched with American families. Many of these children have already met who they thought would be their forever families because Russia requires a visitation trip before the actual trip to adopt. Also, 46 American families were in the final stages of adoption. That means 46 families are either in Russia preparing to depart with their child or were preparing to travel to Russia soon. Since the ban becomes effective Tuesday, there is little hope for these families. Even the families that are in Russia now may leave there with broken hearts and empty arms, depending on where they are in final stage of their adoptions. All I can think about is the 46 bedrooms that are decorated and have closets full of clothes for a child that may never come home. Many of these parents have spent $50,000 or more in adoption and travel expenses.  

The driving force behind my passion is I’ve had the heart of adoption as long as I can remember. People often ask me why I want to adopt at all. There are currently 143 million orphans in the world. More importantly God commanded us to take care of the orphans. If only 6% of Christians adopted, 143 million orphans would be reduced to zero. I have a deep desire to be included in that 6%. Another question I get when I tell people I want to adopt is where and why. God has not revealed to us when, where or why but I do feel like it will be outside of the United States. Many people are appalled when I say that. (It’s not like a product that was manufactured outside of the United States.) They say there are thousands of children that need your help here. And yes, that is true but the reason I feel so compelled to adopt outside of the United States is because there are resources here set up by our great government to meet the basic needs of our children while in other countries children are dying due to the lack of proper nutrition and basic medical care.

Please join with me and praying for these families, the 120,000 orphans in Russia and the 143 million orphans around the world.

Dear 2012



Dear 2012,

 

I know you have a few days left but I wanted to take some time to let you know that you have been a good year. You brought a promotion to G, a new niece, two great trips to the beach, strengthened friendships, growth, good health and our first home. You’ve been so good in fact that it makes me a little apprehensive to ring in 2013. I hope and pray 2013 will surpass you, 2012. I wouldn’t define myself as superstitious but for some reason year 13 scares me. I am sure 2013 will be just as nice as you but I am a little nervous. Although I am not superstitious, I can be the type of person that “waits for the other shoe to fall.”  I know many of our friends will welcome 2013 with open arms. 2012, you haven’t been so nice to many of our friends and family. They’ve endured major life changes, illness and loss of loved ones.

New Years is one of my favorite holidays of the year. I feel like New Years Eve sets the stage for the upcoming year. I know I wrote about this before but the same group of friends have welcomed the New Year since 2006. I am thrilled the tradition is continuing. We will be sure to send you out in style, 2012. I am so thankful that no matter the changes that have occurred in our lives that this 8 year tradition is kept alive. (GASP, I just realized that we are getting old. This has added to my anxiety about 2013.) I am blessed to have these friendships. I also appreciate that a conscious effort is made among us all to stay focused on each other and what really matters.

What will 2013 bring? Will we decide when we want to start a family? (PLEASE NOTE: I said “decide when to start a family” and not start a family.) Will you bring career changes like this year? Will you bring more happiness than heartache? As I voice my concerns about what your successor will bring, I remind myself that my Almighty is the same yesterday, today and the days and years to come. The date may change but the One in control has not. I need to let go of my controlling issues because let’s face it; the control does not lie in my hands. There’s a reason Jeremiah 29:11 is my favorite verse. It is because it is the one I have to quote the most. I would make it my New Year’s resolution to let go of my controlling tendencies but resolutions for the New Year are one of my ultimate pet peeves. I can’t stand the rah rah of how we are going to do better in the New Year. Let’s face it, most of us don’t even remember our resolutions let alone try by Valentine’s Day. If you are going to make a resolution, make one daily. We are human; we need grace and motivation daily. Besides, this e-card sums up me.


I digress….

So thanks again 2012 for such a great year but the thanks really isn’t owed to you.  Thank you Lord for your blessings in 2012. I praise you for the plans you have for me in 2013. And let me make it a daily resolution to surrender my need to be in control to you.... oh yeah, let me be a little more optimistic too.

 
            Sincerely,
             Amy

Merry Christmas

My family has made a true effort to focus on what Christmas is all about and not to get so worked up about all the other stuff. One side of our family is not exchanging gifts because we felt we are blessed in abundance and do not need any more "stuff." Many people call me a Scrooge because this was all my idea. But honestly, I cannot tell you how much more enjoyable this season has been. I've been able to enjoy time with my friends and family instead of standing in long lines and fretting about finding the perfect gifts. Seriously, I shared a meal with friends every day last week. I'm not saying this to toot my own horn because it has been a conscious effort not to loose focus. And I still could have done a better job. I do hope that Greyson and I are laying the foundation for our future children.
The other morning while I was getting ready, I heard "How Many Kings" for the first time. I was putting on my mascara and my eyes started tearing up. I was overwhelmed with God's love for me. I was reminded once again what the season is about and what we should be celebrating.
I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas.

How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only one did that for me

The Story of Us

Seven years ago today, I was hosting a going away party for one of my sorority sisters and roommate along with some other friends. It was near the end of my fall semester as a sophomore. We had just got to know our neighbors at our apartment complex across what we called the courtyard. Before the party started I invited our neighbors to come over who were having a party of their own. They had several friends in town to watch their former high school football team compete in the TSSAA State Championship Games. (Little did I know about TSSAA at the time and how I would later work with them at both of my first jobs. )
I was getting over a bad breakup from the start of the semester. I was ready to meet someone else. I know my sorority sisters where thrilled I was finally moving on. They had heard enough whining and crying from me to probably last them a lifetime. How they remained my friends during that time, I will never know.
Once our party proved to be bigger and better than our neighbors, their party joined ours. Across the room I saw one of my sorority sisters talking to what I thought was the cutest guy ever. I walked right up behind her and whispered in her ear dibs. I can be bold at times but I think this was the boldest I've ever been. She left the party mad and didn't speak to me for two days.
I started talking to that cute blue eyed guy who talked with a country twain and was dressed in a Polo Oxford. I have to add I was wearing a baby blue halter top that still hangs in my closet to this day. Before I knew it the party was winding down and we were still talking. We exchanged numbers and became Facebook friends that evening. (MTSU had just had Facebook about 9 months. This is when it was limited to college students. And your university could only receive its on network after numerous requests to Facebook. Photo albums had just become the latest new application. When we met I only had two albums.)
Three days later he finally called. He still laughs to this day about how he strategically waited three days to call. We exchanged a few phone calls, Facebook messages and texts on and off for two weeks. Then he called and asked to take me on a date. I had just finished my final exams for the semester and I was staying in town a little longer to be here for my best friend's birthday. I was very skeptical of this. The reason being he went to school over an hour away from me. I was afraid he would come to town and expect to stay the night. That turned out not to be the case at all. He was nothing but a gentleman. He picked me up and took me to Logan's. That was a big deal for us college kids. When it came time to pay, he pulled out a $100 bill. He later told me he had found it that afternoon at the car wash, haha. After dinner, we went over to one of my friend's apartment because she was leaving for basic training. He hung out with us for a while then left when it was getting late. Two weeks later he came in town for New Years Eve. This was the start of our annual New Years Eve Party with my college friends that continues to this day.
After New Years, I left to go to Orlando for week with my neighbors from Florence. Greyson had to get a new phone after that week. He says all of our texting that week caused his old phone to die. When spring semester started, he began coming in town on a regular basis to take me out. Things progresses pretty slowly. We didn't even become in a relationship with one another on Facebook until spring break, ha ha! We also didn't meet each others' parents until that summer. I was the first and only girl he ever took home. The rest was history.
I am so thankful that seven years ago today my future husband walked in to my living room. I couldn't imagine my life with anyone else. I think it is special to be married to my college sweetheart. We both have grown so much over these past seven years. It is hard to believe we were both so young when we met. We were just 19 and 20. But the reasons we fell in love with one another still remains. Those things haven't changed. I am still the strong willed girl and he is still the calmest and most patient boy. Here's to seven years and many more to come. Happy Anniversary, Greyson.

Day 30: 30 Days of Thankfulness

November has come to an end. That means my thankfulness posts have come to an end. However, I hope to continue to find something new each day to be thankful for. Today I am thankful for the time I've taken each day to write these posts. I'm thankful for the times I've spent in prayer this month praising God. I'm thankful I've spent more time giving God gratitude than ever.
My blessings and the things I'm thankful for are actually countless. In no could i ever count all the ways God has blessed me. I've truly been blessed beyond measure. Please don't think I'm trying to act like I have it all together and that I've got it all figured out because I don't. But I do serve a God that blesses me with His mercy and grace daily. For that I am most thankful for. I'm thankful that I'm forgiven. I'm saved from all my shortcomings and faults.
And thanks to those of you who journeyed on this 30 days of thanks with me.

Day 29: 30 Days of Thanks

I'm thankful for my love for reading. What I use to hate the most, I now can't have enough books on my to read list. I'm thankful to have had a mother that read to me. I'm thankful for this love that brings me closer to God.

Day 28: 30 Days of Thanks

Today I'm thankful for the little boy who made me a great aunt at the age of 19 and the special place he holds in my heart.

Day 27: 30 Days of Thanks

I'm thankful that this guy does the dishes. That's right folks. Every single night whether I cook or if he does, he always does the dishes. My mom has told me not to tell people. She thinks other women will be mean to me because they're jealous but how can I not brag on him.

Thanks hubby for a wonderful dinner tonight and for always doing the dishes.

Day 26: 30 Days of Thanks

Today I am thankful for two dependable vehicles that get us from point A to point B. There are several people that I work with that do not have this luxury. Sometimes what we really think is a necessity is in fact a luxury. Thank you tanner and whitey for being dependable. You make our lives much easier.

Day 25: 30 Days of Thanks

I'm thankful that Greyson and I both have jobs to go to in the morning. I'm thankful that we have the means to pay for all our bills and live comfortably. I'm thankful for the sense of purpose our jobs provide us.

Day 24: 30 Days of Thanks

I'm thankful to be back home and in my own bed tonight. I'm thankful that I've never had to worry about finding a warm place to sleep at night. I'm thankful to God for always providing.

Day 23: 30 Days of Thanks

Today was packed full of blessings. I am simply thankful for today. I spent the day at my in-laws and got to sleep in. Greyson and his dad went fishing in Kentucky. I hung out with my mother-in-law and we did the most fabulous thing..... we didn't go anywhere. I spent three hours picking out my Christmas card. Yep, you read that right. I may not fret over finding the right gift but I do fret over my Christmas card. Tonight we had our Thanksgiving meal. I think my mother-in-law worked all day yesterday because I didn't see her do much prep today. We had a feast! She is so thoughtful. She made everyone's favorites. She made me broccoli casserole and her angel biscuits. I've never had a better biscuit in my life. And I got to spend about two more hours holding Ruby (after I held her an hour last night). Sorry guys, I cannot get enough. To finish off the day, my mother-in-law made my Christmas tree a new topper. Thank you God for this family and this wonderful day!








Day 22: 30 Days of Thanks

I am so thankful I got to see each one of my dad's siblings today. I believe the last time that happened, I was in middle school. My Aunt Margaret was unable to come to our Thanksgiving lunch due to her health but we were able to see her afterwards. The look on her face when I walked in her house was priceless. I'm so thankful for that moment. And my uncle lit up too. He's always said looking at me is like looking at his wife 50 years ago. (My Aunt Margaret was 50 when I was born.) I'm thankful for all the special people in my life both my friends and family. I am blessed beyond measure.

Day 21: 30 Days of Thanks


Today I am thankful for the city in which we live, Murfreesboro. I came here over eight years ago to attend college. I saw myself moving to Nashville after college but my internship at the Chamber change my course. I am so grateful it did. I was one of four people in my graduating class with a degree in public relations to have a job waiting on me the Monday after graduation. My job at the Chamber made me realize just how great this city really is. My love for the Boro grows deeper and deeper. In true David Letterman fashion, I have decided to give my top ten reasons of why I love Murfreesboro.

10. The deep history.

9.  Great schools!

8. Everything you need is inside the city limits. I can’t remember the last time I had to drive outside of the Boro (or even my side of town for that matter) to get something.

7. Great neighborhoods!

6. City wide events!

5.  The square!

4.  Great friends here!

3. MTSU- largest undergraduate in the state of Tennessee!

2. Economic growth! Rutherford County is currently ranked NUMBER THREE IN THE US FOR JOB GROWTH.

1.  The leadership here is God loving and innovative which makes it such a great place to be.

Day 20: 30 Days of Thanks


I was doing so well with blogging everyday and then Mr. Sinus Infection decided to pay me a visit. Which leads me to what I was thankful for yesterday. I am thankful for the access to medicine in our country. We are privilege in America to have medical facilities that do not turn anyone way. We have access to medicine at pharmacies. How often do we take this for granted? We have a sore throat, go to a walk-in clinic and then leave there with a prescription. Within an hour (if the wait is not too long) we are at home in bed with our medicine. We are so blessed! Let’s never forget it.

Day 19: 30 Days of Thanks

Today I am thankful for my awesome co-workers. In the past three years, they've become like family. I am so appreciative of the laughs and support. I know I can always count on those two things from them. I saw this e-card the other day and it made me think of them.

The countdown is on to turkey time. I can't wait! Gobble gobble!

Day 18: 30 Days of Thanks

Again, sometimes it is the little things in life. Today I'm thankful for my new Christmas tree. I'm also thankful that G went with me to 3 different stores to find the right one. My 6ft skinny tree from my single days is off to the Habitat for Humanity Re-store. It just looked so tiny with our 12 foot ceilings. I am also thankful that all of my Christmas shopping is done except for some gift cards. I can just sit back now enjoy the season without all the crazy nonsense that gets in the way.

Day 17: 30 Days of Thanks

I'm thankful for my in-laws. They always put family first. My mother-in-law is the most thoughtful lady I've ever met. She is always happily doing for others. Each one of them has made me feel special and welcome since day one. I'm so grateful to have gained such a loving family when I married Greyson.

Day 16: 30 Days of Thanks

Today I'm thankful it is Friday. Sometimes it is the little things in life. TGIF!!!

Day 15: 30 Days of Thanks

I am so thankful for these six friends. I am thankful for the way each one of them has supported me through the years. I am thankful for all the memories I have with them and the memories to come. I am overwhelmed with how great my friends really are.

Day 14: 30 Days of Thanks

Corrie Ten Boom's "The Hiding Place" was one of my required readings in middle school. I will never forget when I read about Corrie and her sister praising God for fleas in the concentration camps because they remembered the verses in 1 Thessalonians 5:16- 18 which says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I often think about them praising God for fleas. I can't imagine what a terrifying time that was and how much harder is was to thank God for fleas. The book later reveals that the fleas were actually a blessing. The guards of the camp raped many of the women but they did not ever touch the sisters because of their fleas.
I thought about this tonight as I was reading down my prayer list. As I have mentioned, I know so many people right now going through a lot. I honestly can't remember when my list was ever this long. But tonight I want to do just as Corrie and her sister did. I want to praise God for these circumstances. Personally for me, things are stressful at work with changes but instead of worrying, I am going to praise God. If God can use fleas then He can use these circumstances as well. And though I'm not the one dealing with death of loved ones, cancer and sick children, I am going to thank God on the behalf of those I do know who are. I want God to use each of these circumstances for His glory to shine through. I am thankful for each and every trial and tribulation. I never thought I would say that but I doubt Corrie ever thought she would thank God for fleas.

Day 13: 30 Days of Thanks

Today I am thankful for the past four days I've had off of work. I don't think I realized just how much I needed it. I feel like I've been going nonstop since August.... Oh wait, I have.

I also got to spend the day with my two nieces. We cuddled up on the couch and watched Cinderella. I was able to give my sister-in-law a much needed break.

And I am also thankful the surgery of my friend's mom went well. She still has another hurdle so please keep her in your prayers.

Day 12: 30 Days of Thanks

Today, I'm thankful for this sweet baby girl who will be a year old next week. She's one of my best friend's little girls so I'm her Aunt Amy. She is the happiest and laid back baby you will ever meet. I got to keep Alexis for a little bit tonight. Please pray for her family. Her grandmother is having surgery tomorrow to remove a tumor from her face. I know she is in great hands though.

Day 11: 30 Day of Thanks

Today I'm thankful for our home. We purchased our first home in January. We love the location and our neighbors. We couldn't be more pleased with our first home. We are thankful for God's provision in providing for us.

Day 10: 30 Days of Thanks

Today (and each and every day) I'm thankful for the best parents this girl could ever dream of having. For those of you who know me well, you know I adore my parents. Their dedication to each other, myself and G is remarkable. They provided me with the strongest foundation to the person I am today. I owe it all to them. Their devotion to God, hard work, compassion for others and values was demonstrated daily. I just hope they know how much I love and appreciate
them and the home I was raised in.
I'm also thankful for the friends they are to me now as an adult. They are my sounding boards for everything. I love spending time with them. I'm so thankful our strong bonds.

Day 9: 30 Days of Thanks

I'm thankful to be a member of Murfreesboro Young Professionals. I've been active with this organization since day one. I'm so thankful for the friends and leadership experiences it has brought me.

Day 8: 30 Days of Thanks

I'm thankful today for the power of prayer and the privilege to call on my Savior at any moment. I know so many people right now who are dealing with sickness and the death of loved ones. I find great comfort in knowing none of these things are too big for my God. Not brain tumors, children with diseases or the loss of a parent or even a child because He can cary us through each and every circumstance. I'm thankful for the work of His hands in each of these circumstances and each thing He has already carried me through.

Day 7: 30 Days of Thanks

This is somewhat of a duplicate of yesterday's. But how could I not be thankful for this special evening of meeting my niece, Ruby? I also got to see her meet her brother and sister for the first time.

(For some reason this didn't publish yesterday.)

Day 6: 30 Days of Thanks

Most people today are thankful for democracy. I'm thankful for that too but I'm devoting my day 6 of thankfulness to the birth of my healthy niece that was born tonight. Happy Birthday, Ruby Jane Towns! Uncle Greyson and I can't wait to meet you and watch you grow.

Day 5: 30 Days of Thanks

I'm thankful for our sweet lil pup that has been in our lives for 4 years. She's our baby. She's the perfect fit in our little family. She loves sleep like her momma and golf balls like her dad. I know it may seem trivial to some but we are very thankful for our Libby.

Day 4: 30 Days of Thanks

After a crazy and busy month, I am thankful things are slowing down for a bit. I am also thankful for each and every opportunity I've had over the last several weeks. God has carried me through this madness and allowed me to soak it all in and enjoy each opportunity. I'm feel incredible blessed to be able to serve my community through various leadership roles.

Day 3: 30 Days of Thanks

I'm thankful today for my friendship with my oldest friend, Andrea. We've been best friends since we were 15. We will be happy to fill you in on the last 12 years if you would like. Our stories and memories are hilarious or at least for us they are. We can always pick up with each other no matter how much time has passed. We've been there for each other through the thick and the thin. I'll always be thankful for that.

Day 2: 30 Days of Thanks

I'm thankful for my true partner in life, my husband. He's always there for me even when I need help working bridal shows. That my friends is a true partner. I'm so thankful he walked into my college apartment living room on December 2, 2005. I love him more each day.

His Message to Me Tonight

Tonight when I was praying my thoughts kept wandering. Today was so exciting. The adrenalin is still flowing through my body with mad speed. I felt ashamed when I said amen. How can I not keep my focus on God! I just got through saying how thankful I am for today and yet my mind won't stop going in a million directions.

As I've said many times before, God speaks to me in countless ways and His messages are often times very clear. I opened up my Kindle after saying amen and I grabbed my heart. My devotion for today from Jesus Calling was this....

Day 1: 30 Days of Thanks

It's not hard to come up with 30 things I am thankful for the next 30 days. I could easily come up with 30 things that God blessed me with today alone.

Today was the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce's Women's Conference titled Learn, Grow, Connect. I'm honored to serve on the planning committee for this conference. I feel privileged to have this opportunity for going on 5 years. I've gained incredible experiences and leadership opportunities from this event. And more importantly I've gained another support system and friends on this amazing council.

I don't have it all or have it all together but my cup runneth over!

To the Man that Shaped the Person I am Today

Happy 73rd birthday to the man who taught me to be a doer and not a sayer, a hard days work means working until the job is done, never ask an employee to do anything you wouldn't do, love others more than yourself, each person is responsible for their own future, and money doesn't buy happiness. He also provided me the greatest example of how a husband is a true partner in life and a father is always there for his kids. Happy Birthday, Dad!

These are just a few of the countless lessons I have learned from the University of Billy. I'm so thankful for each lesson that was not only told to me but shown to me. I'm blessed to have such a great dad and best friend.

Dad's Chili Recipe

I can remember the first time I made my dad's chili. I was two and a half hours away from home as a freshman in college. It was the first cold snap of the fall and I could think of nothing else in the world that sounded better. I called my dad at work and he talked to me while I was at the grocery store as I purchased all the ingredients making sure I got the right stuff. Then he talked me through each step as I prepared it. My freshman roommate and I were not the best of friends. I can only remember us sharing a couple of meals together. There was no way I was going to share my chili with her. I ate on that one pot of chili for 4 days straight. My dad's chili was the first of the many things he has taught me to cook over the phone. People ask all the time how or when I learned to cook and I always start with this story. It's one of my dad's favorite stories as well. And since today was the first cold day of the season, I had to make my dad's chili.


Chili
Ingredients

1 lb lean hamburger meat

1 package of McCormick Mild Chili seasoning

1 can Rotel (with juice, do not drain)

1 can diced tomatoes (with juice, do not drain)

2 cans of chili beans (drain and rinse)

3 cans of kidney beans (drain and rinse)

1 cup water

 

Directions

Brown hamburger meat and drain grease. Add the all ingredients to large pot and bring to a boil and simmer for 1 hour.

Tips:

It is best to drain and rinse both type of beans. Do not drain and rinse the tomatoes.

Garnish with shredded cheese and sour cream. Serve with Saltine crackers, Fritos, or tortilla chips.

 

Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie
Recipe makes two pies


2 frozen pie crusts (bottom of pies)
2 refrigerated pie crust dough (top of pies)
16 oz of mixed vegetables (frozen, fresh or canned) *if you use frozen then microwave for 5 minutes before mixing with other ingredients
2 cans of cream of chicken soup
1 cup lite sour cream
1 lb shredded chicken
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Boil chicken and shred to pieces
2. Bake frozen pie crust (bottom) by itself for 7 min at 375 degrees
3. Mix all other ingredients together (expect for the refrigerated pie crusts) and fill in partially baked pie crusts and top each pie with one refrigerated pie crust
4. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes
5. Coat top crusts with margarine 10 minutes before baking is completed
6. Enjoy!

Fall Bucket List

I enjoyed my summer bucket list so much, I decided to make one for the fall. It is short and sweet. This fall is going to be insanely busy for me. I know you are tired of me saying how busy I am. I know because I am tired of saying it. But seriously, I have two bridal shows and I am on planning committees for two large conferences, plus my normal job duties. And if you haven't heard fall is the new wedding season.
So here is my short and sweet fall bucket list. But one I know I check off everything on the list.... or at least I hope so!

Revisiting the Warm Weather Bucket List

In March, I made a Warm Weather Bucket List of all the things I hoped to accomplish this spring and summer. Since Monday was Labor Day, I decided it was time to revisit the list and see how I did.
1. Go to the beach more than once. We just checked this one off our list this week. We went to Pawleys Island, SC in June with Greyson’s family and we just returned from five days in Saint Simons, GA.
2. Have friends over to cook out as often as possible. Well, summer was busier than we planned. This happened once. Chris and Emily, you should feel special (ha, ha). We did host a Surprise 30th Anniversary Party for Ashley's parents. We just didn't cook out that night.
3. Get a tan. Well in June, I was probably the tannest I have been since my College Grove pool days with Ashley but after my tanning package expired (or truth be known I think I went eight times) and we got back from our June beach trip it all went downhill from there. My body didn’t see much sun in July and August.
4. Grill at least twice a week. We did ok in this department. I think we did it so much the first couple of months that we got burnt out. I will say though that G has perfected his hamburger.

5. Take advantage of the neighborhood pool every opportunity possible. Let’s see…. I had two pool days with friends, one afternoon swim with John, and a few weekend afternoons by myself or with G. Again, I did ok in this department. I definitely didn’t take advantage of it as much as I would like. I did use it more than I ever used my apartment pools.
6. Go to the river more than once. Ha ha, ha ha! This happened one time. COMPLETE FAILURE! Thank you though to Susie for one great afternoon on the river.
7. Watch G play golf once. Well I watched 15 holes out of 18 but who is really counting. I took a long bathroom break. It was 100 degrees people. I did have a great time doing this though. It was at a memorial tournament for G’s college golf coach. We reminisced in Cookeville the entire weekend. We both realized those were truly the good ole days.
8. Girls trip! THIS HAPPENED TOO! I am so proud that we made this happen. Surprisingly we did it in between two moves and one house getting destroyed by a sewage flood. We enjoyed every second of it. We went to Birmingham because it was equal distance for all three. We acted like we were 19 again and had a blast ever minute of it.
9. Eat as many fresh veggies as possible. I think we got a little burnt out of this too. I am proud to say we are eating fresh veggies this week though.

10. Wear nothing but sun dresses. Check mark but an easy one.

11. Take advantage of Arrington Vineyards being 12 miles away. Umm, this happened once but at least it did happen!
12. Hang out with our niece and nephews as much as possible while they are out of school. We had John at our house a couple of times. We also spent Memorial Day, vacation and 4th of July with Isaiah and Evelyn.
Overall, I would say I did pretty well. I didn't do things as often as I would have liked to but at least I did do every item. I don't think I took into consideration when I made this list that I still had to work and continue volunteering my time with the organiazations I am a part of. I am actually looking forward to fall and I don't have my September Blues like I normally do. I think I might even make a fall bucket list.

Just the Two of Us

We are on our way back home from a wonderful vacation in Saint Simons Island, GA. We visited here last summer and it became a new favorite for us. The island is so quaint and beautiful. We had amazing food and weather. It never rained a drop on us. I am so glad we planned this trip. It was a much needed break.