CHURCH HILL AND SNEAK PEEK:ENGAGEMENT PIC

Tuesday, Dave and I took engagement pics in his hometown of Church Hill (or community, really, its not a town)  The weather was perfect-- it was raining the weekend before and it rained the day after, but it was warm and lovely for our pictures. We are having an urban wedding at a warehouse -- so most of our pics will be fairly urban and indoors, so I really wanted our engagement photos and bridal portriats/etc to be outside.

I don't think I have ever showed pics of Church Hill on my blog so I wanted to show yall this pretty place!  (I didn't take these, I pulled them offline, but you get the idea...)  It really is cute and old school and historic.  I love the church on the hill (Christ Church) from which the community gets its name.  Church Hill also has a few large old plantations/homes because it is 15 minutes from Natchez (former wealthiest city in the South and America and still full of southern charm and Antebellum houses)

Here is a sneak peek of our engagement pics. The photographer just took this one on instagram, so its not edited, etc, BUT you get the idea... beautiful scenery, perfect weather, cute boy. I can't wait to see the real pictures!

I wanna rock 'n roll all night....

This past weekend, Dave and I went to the Coast for a Rock Festival where we heard several bands including his favorite, Evenescence.

We spent the night at a friends house then went to brunch and on the water Sunday.  It was a fun weekend to end his summer. School starts next week so I'm glad he got to do something fun.  I'm certainly not a rocker, but I enjoyed the show.  However, standing all day (after a long run) was exhausting....next time, I will plan ahead and bring a blanket for the earlier shows and save my energy for the later performers!! Also, a happy discovery from the weekend: adult juice boxes (well, I am calling them that) -- prepackeged margs with straws!!

Recent Photos....

A few pictures from the past few weeks......

2 weekends ago, I went to the Neshoba County Fair. It is one of the last political fairs in America where Ronald Reagan started his campaign years ago.  But its more than just political speeches, its concerts (mostly country artists or course!), traditional fair activities like rides, games and livestock shows, art sales, horse races, a triathlon, etc. 

Even more unique is that the fairgrounds have cabins all around the fairgrounds where people literally move for a week or two. Cabins have bottom floors of kitchens, porches, family areas, and second and sometimes third floors full of beds where 10, 15, 20, more people spend sleep.

There's lots of music, lots of cabin hopping, lots of food and drinks, lots of good times., late nights and late mornings, fun kid activities, etc. Its so much fun.  Here is a pic of roomie and me before the U.S. concert (U.S. is a fun cover band that is popular in the South) Saturday night.

Here's their family's cabin. Its still in original condition so its smaller than some of the newer cabins, but I think its charming because its just like her relatives built it years ago! The fair has a mixture of newer and older cabins!

Last weekend, Dave surprised me with roses....so sweet. Did I mention he moves in 2 days? I'm so excited. Someone asked me if he was coming to town this weekend or if I was traveling to see him...and I responded neither, he will live in Jackson as of Friday :)

Also, Jack Attack started his new daycare. He already has a girlfriend...she's older (18 months) and an Auburn fan.  Hmmm, I guess he likes two older AU fans :) The boy has good taste, what can I say? Anyways I miss the booger but am planning a Baton Rouge trip next weekend to snuggle with him (or more like chase him around since he is such a busy body now!) Here he is for the first day of "school".

Vacay- 10 things

A small recap of my vacation...once I get my life back in order, I will write more and catch up on life.  Boca Grande would have been great without tropical storm debbie (an unwelcome visitor) -- I spent half a day laying out. only half a day.  I do not like tanning beds (sure I went through my occasional use phase in high school, college and early law school) but for 2-3 years now, I have been a spray tan only girl.  But, i think I may go buy 5 trips to the bed -- I feel if I spent five days NOT billing to get a tan, then dang it, I want a tan. 5 sessions can't kill you right? anyways, back on topic... here's a 10 things I learned/have to share from the week.

(1) I love my family. My whole family went to the beach, cousins, aunts, uncles, and it was fun to see everyone. I have some sweet relatives that I never get to see. I enjoyed spending time in the pool and riding waves during the storm (yes I know this is dangerous) with them.

(2) I am dating the most likable guy every. He fit right in...I received several votes of affirmation, was told that 'your aunt and I voted and we give him two thumbs up" and had a few references to keeping him around. And, I agree with all of them, he gets two thumbs up from me and I plan on keeping him around for awhile.  I've dated men before that seemed insecure or like they had to try really hard. This is difficult for me because I am very outgoing and make friends easilly, so I don't understand how they don't roll with the punches.  Current BF did, and I like him even more because of it.  Seriously, I think some of my relatives may like him better than me, and thats ok!

(3) I may be outgoing, but I need alone time.  I realized that even more this wkd.  I shared a room with 5 other people (bunk room/singles room) and shared a bathroom.  If I needed a moment to think or time to talk my BF- or the one spat we had, I had to find a place to do it.  Vacations are wonderful- and I'm an extrovert, but it always makes me grateful for a day to curl up and read or watch tv when I get home.

(4) I probably gained a lot of weight. like 50 pounds. The food was delicious.  I eat 1000-1200 cals a day at home and work out tons, but this week, did not happen. I was fine with eating more at the beginning of the week because I biked and ran a lot then it got too rainy to do that.  SO, hello gym, starting tonight, we are BFF.

(5) My nephew is officially one years old and officially the most adorable toddler there is!

(6) I love my life.  As I said, I enjoyed my time away, but it was good to get back. I have plans to see several friends this wkd, canue, run, eat sushi, see a movie.  I have fabulous friends, a great church home, good family, and a wonderful bf.  I have plenty of stress in my life too, but as a whole, I have a life that its good to get home to.   That hasn't always been the case. I can remember times when reality was a frustrating thing to return to, but not now, and for that, I am extremely grateful.

(7) I love Mississippi. I have one cousin who hates MS and had a few comments about MS, conservatives, etc etc.  I love my state. I love how progressive its becoming. I love that we hold on to the good traditions and southern history and move away from the negative. I love my home and being around someone who doesn't made me even more aware how much I love the south.

(8) Fifth year of architecture school is going to be really hard.  My BF is about to start his hardest year of school. My uncle is an architect and both my uncle and my aunt (his wife) told BF and I how hard this next year will be.  I'm torn. I'm grateful 5th year is in JXN so he will live in the same city, but I am dreading the time constraints this will put on us and especially on him.  Luckilly, I have endured law school so I have some idea what this will be like, although law school is a little more organized than architecture school (no last minute projects etc)  My solution? Live the next 2 months to its fullest - and be supportive next year.  And although everyone means well when they warn him about their experiances, BF always says we will figure it out in August. How he finds time to balance school, family, me, job search, etc may be different than other people's.  Though, one piece of advice I am taking from my aunt: When you don't see him bc of projects, show up at studio with a plate of cookies :) 

(9) Boogie boarding in a tropical storm/depression -- probably not safe, but is fun!

(10) Rock of Ages was a fun movie -- I suggest going to see it!! 80s rock and a musical...whats not to love???

*** this goes without saying: sometimes life goes differently than you want, but you have to regroup and deal....that being said, I will either be laying out, going to a tanning bed or getting a spray tan this wkd !! ***

Dallas/ 10k

This weekend i went to Dallas with my BF and some of his family.  His aunt is in charge of a race called Heels and Hills (mainly women, although some men run too -- thats why they now call it Heels and Hills and Him)

It was a fun BUSY weekend.  We stayed in Irving, TX (a dallas suburb).  I wish we were in Dallas so I could have met up with some of my Dallas friends, but in a way I am glad we stayed in Irving because it gave me time to just enjoy the race and being with the people I came with and not striving to see everyone.

Friday night, when we got there, we went to Saltgrass Steakhouse, a tasty steakhouse they have in Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas, and Colorado.  Apparently they like to go every time they visit their family in Irving, so we went to dinner there. It was very good, and so so much food (everything is bigger in Texas right??) so I couldn't finish it!

Saturday, we got our race packets and toured the Cowboys Stadium which was pretty cool. I have been for the Cottonbowl...when Ole Miss played Oklahoma State, but the tour took you onto the field and into the locker room.  BF is an architect so he wanted to tour it because its the biggest pro stadium and has some cool features like retractable glass walls (not just a retractable roof) and an arch running through the stadium that is 35 feet tall and twice the length of the St Louis arch.

We then had to hurry back to the hotel for the guys to help with loading up race stuff. So we picked up a quick lunch of wings (can you tell the men decided where we ate?? haha).  At the hotel, I laid out by the pool then spent a few hours helping put race packets together for people who picked up packets on raceday.

We then all decided to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at a local Tex Mex restaurant, Pappasitos.  One thing I love about Texas (and there are only a few things I love about Texas due to the fact that my two years living there made me realize how much more I prefer the South) is TEX MEX, a little more upscale than mexican.  Unfortunately, despite this place being famous for their margs, I could not have one since I was running the next morning....  Also, apparently Cinco de Mayo is the prime time to have a bachelorette party, seeing as 3 parties were going on in the restaurant, including one party where lingerie was being opened right next to us...awkward yet quite humorous!

Sunday was race day. The boys helped run/manage the race so they were there at 5.  Us girls were running in the race so we arrived closer to 7-- but things didnt go as planned, it took 15 minutes to park, then once we parked finally, we waited in line for bathroom, and I hadn't even made it to the front of the line when they were counting down to start the race so I jumped out of the line to run.  In all that hurry and stress, I forgot my whole "pray for people" while I run plan.  I didn't remember til 2/3's of the way through which is frustrating because I had planned on several people to pray for!! I prayed some but didn't spend the time I had planned. I also prayed some afterwards. I was dissapointed that the hurry/stress of the morning caused me to forget my plan til the end....then I realized I am training, I have tons more miles to logg and pray for my sweet friends. So if I didn't spend the proper amount of time this wkd, I will next weekend on my long run or the next or in a few wks when I run another 10k.

My time was ok, nothing amazing.  I have been training, but not training as hard as I need to be. I ran the first 2 miles, or actually a little more than the first 2.  and ran the last half.  The time in between, I did intervals.  I was proud of myself for running almost 3 miles and happy to be midpack.   Plus this gives me a goal for the memorial day wkd race.  BF's sister did the half and she improved her time from her last half so that was exciting.  Her dad wanted me to do the half with her but I knew I would not be ready for it.  Considering the fact that I am a little sore from the 10k, I think that was a wise decision. I will be ready for the half this fall. It will be my second half, and hopefully this time without injury so I hope to improve.

All in all, It was a really good weekend.  I've spent time with my guy's family plenty of times, but I think its always good to see how someone interacts and acts with those he or she is closest too. I enjoyed watching his willingness to help his aunt out.  Also, I got to take one more step towards my goal of another half (and maybe full!)  Such a good weekend, although very very tired.  Looking forward to a laundry night this Monday.

Ashley and Brian's Wedding

You may remember me telling you last week that my friend ashley was getting married, if you don't, check out this blog post!

It was a BEAUTIFUL wedding weekend . I so enjoyed celebrating with my friend Ashley and her husband Brian. 

Both families weren't from birmingham.....so it was a smaller more intimate wedding.  It was great because I felt everyone who was there really loved these two.  Everyone danced and the food was wonderful. (pet peeve: weddings where no one will dance!)

The day was wonderful and the bride was radiant! As you can tell by these photos......

What I loved seeing was all of their "stolen moments" alone.  Here they are enjoying being with eachother while taking pics with 30 other people (although it seems they didn't realize we were there)  Brian makes Ashley better, he makes her more fun and more relaxed! (I'm sorry, ash, but you know its true....and I loved you before so I for sure love the even better version!) In fact, I was irritated (not really irritated...) when I found out she went out with the groomsmen for drinks after the rehearsal dinner. My BF and I just went back to the hotel to watch tv because we didn't think she and the bridesmaids were going....turns out she stopped by, stayed out for awhile with them, enjoyed herself and even had a drink.  Not a wild night, but a relaxed fun night.  When we heard this story, one of the other bridesmaids, Laura Ann, and I were like 'I wish we had known, we would have gone out!!"

But, despite missing out on the fun, this made me happy. He has loosened her up and I am sure she has changed him for better too.  Wedding planning stresses any bride out yet the night before her wedding, she was not worrying, but enjoying being with him and his friends (although I still maintain it would have been more fun if Laura Ann and I had come too!) 

Here is a picture of the Bride and me...dont you love her sweetheart neckline??

 Also, a sorority picture. Funny story, we sang our sorority song in a circle at the reception. Its been so long since I sang it. Laura Ann had to reteach me the lyrics. Luckilly after reading my handwritten lyrics a couple times, it came back to me!

The lovely cake...

 I loved her bridal portriat. It was taken at the perfect time of day and her dress doesn't look just white, but irridescent maybe or rainbow colored (in a good way obviously) because of the light coming through the window which falls all the way down her viel and dress.

A tiger clash grooms cake....Auburn v. Clemson. (Mrs. Pat, ashley's mom and diehard SC fan and alum) is still not over the fact that ashley married a clemson grad....but I guess, since he loves Jesus and her daughter, she has accepted it.  :) One saturday a year might be rough in the Bodie/Thompson family....I personally think they should start a yearly bet...loser does chores for the winner? or loser wears winning teams tshirt in the family christmas card?? this could be fun....

Sweet father daughter dance. :)

By the way, let me brag on my BF/wedding date.  Its usually fun to be someone's wedding date when its in town and there will be food, alcohol and dancing.  Its not nearly as fun when you have to give up your whole wkd and go to a rehearsal dinner (which was delicious and at the botantical gardens restaurant in mountain brook), entertain yourself saturday while your date is doing wedding stuff, sit by yourself at the wedding AND keep getting left alone at the wedding while your date takes pics.  I owe him a few wedding/event dates and probably some fishing. And despite the awkward moments, I think he had fun meeting people and dancing.

Also, I was extremely impressed at how well he did with meeting people.  He let my friends him a little on Friday night (Ashley flat out quizzed him) and after he realized that these were the type of girls he could tease, he teased Ashley back on Saturday.  He also danced with ashley's niece and nephew.  Words of advice to men-- 3 of the things that impress a lady: (1) interacting well with her friends; (2) being good with children, old ladies, anyone who needs extra care; and (3) being a good date to events/gatherings/weddings.  I left that wedding very proud he was my date. I haven't always felt that way after taking guy as dates for things.  So thats my dating advice to share with the men :)

Wedding weekend

This weekend, my friend Ashley is getting married.  I am super excited for her and honored to be a part of her day.

Ashley and me at the AU UGA game in 2010, the year we won the NC!!

I met ashley in my sorority at Auburn. We didn't get close til Senior year which is one of my biggest regrets. We hit it off due to our love for college football, theology and the fact that she was a pharmacy student and I was writing my honors thesis....so we both had to study a lot and would take study breaks together.

 at a ballgame with another friend, senior year

Bid Day senior year

I love all my friends, but there are 3 girls who got me through the hardest time in my life during my engagement ending (well 3 plus my 2 sisters) -- and these 3 girls have a special spot it my heart.  Ashley is one of those girls..... I was heartbroken, and she was busy with pharmacy school yet took time to  talk to me and distract me with dinners out and movie nights (we both love pride and prejudice, emma, little women and narnia!) She didn't let me dwell but she also was one of those people that were wise enough to know I wouldn't be over everything in a month or two....I'm blessed she let me balance talking and forgetting/distracting.

 Some game in 2010 

a 2009 game with ashley and alexandria, one of the other 2 girls that have such a special place in my heart for helping me through that time....but I will tell you all about Alexandria another time!

I also had agreed to take my sister to her cheer competition in florida. This turned out to be about 3 weeks after the you know what hit the fan. I had just gone through the worst and was functioning, but making it through life as a robot, and Ashley volunteered to come with me to Florida. She even drove so I wouldn't have to.  She was my first football date the fall after my engagement fell apart, and I still remember that game as my favorite game ever (well except the NC). Auburn beat Florida in exciting fashion. I told her I felt like Auburn's win was a gift from God ( I had a hard time coming back that year and had begged God for a fun day and a victory!)-- it helped me start replacing my AU football memories from the past two years with new memories, ex-free. Ever since then, we have gone to games each season together. She became my new and improved football date!! (Dear Auburn Team of 2006, you are welcome for my prayers. I am sure thats part of why you won that game :) !!! )

Auburn Florida 2006

Since then, we have been there for all the downs...the breakups, stressful law school and pharm school days, lonely single days, family drama, figuring out our 20s, starting jobs and just surviving life and all it throws at us. 

Ashley, Laura Ann and me in 2010

But don't think we were always sad. We've had great times too! She has been my best football date, my travel buddy, and my late night catch up friend (Ashley has a 3 br house yet I always sleep in her bed when I visit -- I just realized the other day ha.  I guess we just like catching up!)  We've been friends during new jobs, an undefeated season, and her meeting her soon to be hubby. I was able to rejoice with her when she got engaged and she has celebrated my big moments as well.

 This year we traveled to SC for the AU SC game

AU Southern Miss game with Laura Ann and Ashley

Ashley is generally quieter and less outgoing than me, but I always forget that, because she and I can talk about life for a long time. Despite our personalities being way different, there are several things about us that are a lot alike and I think thats what brings us together. Also, despite being quieter, she is really intense about football....and she was kind enough to let me go to her bachelorette weekend with pink eye (that she couldve caught!)

 6 wins in a row over bama....the last in our streak. Such a fun game.

Rolling toomers: Alexandria, Ashley and me

All this to say, Ashley is pretty amazing. Her one big flaw is she will read your texts over your shoulder if you don't watch her :) Her husband lucked out.  But, Brian, I was and always will be her #1 football date. :) My only hope is that my future husband likes this couple a lot because I know we will be friends for a long time to come!


And here are a couple pics of the lovebirds...

Disclaimer: I became very aware in making this post that all but 3-4 of my pics with ashley are at football games. We are pathetically singleminded in our favorite pastime I guess.


Note to Ashley: We will remedy that football themed picture problem this weekend. How about we both wear long dresses and pose??? :)

25 things to do in the big J

25 things to do in Jackson......hmmm this article may inspire my own list???

Holiday Pics

I don't want y'all the past few weeks of my life have only been talk of advent, life verses, Tim Keller Books, etc. I also managed to squeeze in a little fun.... The first Christmas with Jack was so much fun for all.  He, like most babies, had more fun with the paper than the gifts, but he humored us and wore many costumes and outfits....I'm sorry kid, neither your mommy nor I would look good in a smocked outfit or reindeer pj's so you have to humor us :)

Also there were several parties like the Singing Christmas Tree Party (my roomies and I throw that one...)

and the Mistletoga party.....

I went to Dallas for New Years and wore "big texas hair" and sequins...

I spent lots of time with family.....

I saw one of my small group girls in the Nutcracker....

And I wore plenty of costumes...including tacky Christmas sweaters, togas, and finger tatoos (so maybe thats where Jack gets it from....)

I am enjoying a slower January (although its not staying slow for long with the National Championship game Monday, the Inaugural Ball next week, Jackson's Bread Pudding Throwdown, and a Birthday Weekend in Nola all coming up!) -- but even while enjoying the quiet and a day to fold clothes and clean, I appreciated December in all its craziness...just glad December only comes one month a year!

Hope everyone is having a restful holiday recovery weekend!!

A week in pictures

This week I went to see my sister, brother in law and favorite (only) nephew Jack in Vermont. My friend Paige came along too. 

Paige, Jack and I in the snow.

 First taste of ice cream on the Ben and Jerrys tour.

 Snuggling on the couch while it snows outside...

 at the von trapp lodge by his first fire.

 First ornament

vermont views. 

 Aunt KK brought him a reindeer outfit

 Jack's first snow

in front of the von trapp lodge....