catching up…

Since it is Thanksgiving Break and I have a second to catch my breath, I thought I would catch up on my blogging before the Christmas Chaos!

Before football season even started, Christy and I decided that we would tailgate during the LSU/Alabama game. As the season progressed, we came to realize that this would be THE game of the season. We braved the crowds and the traffic and had the best time tailgating. Although the day ended in a loss for the Tide, it was a fun day with good friends! Here are a few pictures from the day… and from the next weeks game which we watched at Morgan’s new house!

Since my last post, I have been super busy in the classroom. We made a turkey out of everything you could imagine – from a coffee filter to a paper bag! The kids had fun and we really learned a lot but whew – this is one tired teacher. I am pretty sure I dreamed about paper bag turkeys one night!

I also finally got moved into my new old bedroom. Quick story… when we moved in this house, I was three. I was also the only girl and baby – those things combined = spoiled rotten. Anyways, I got the bedroom upstairs that had a walk in closet, private bath, and more square footage than any other room. The boys had almost identical rooms at the other end of the hall where they shared a bathroom. When Morgan graduated high school and moved out and moved back in, he somehow convinced me to trade rooms with him. I should mention here that I thought Morgan hung the moon at age 13 and he probably could have told me to sleep outside and I would have :/ I was certain he wouldn’t be here many more years and I would be right back in my big room! WRONG – ten years later, I am finally back in my room. It is so nice to have my own space. It was also sad to pack up and try to throw away ten years worth of things. I tried to say that if I wasn’t taking it to Daniel’s when we got married that I wasn’t taking it to the new room. Some things were hard to part with so I am holding on to them for at least 6 more months.

WHOA – did I say SIX months? Yes, that’s right. In a little over six months, I get to marry my best friend. While I am super excited and happy, I am also nervous about all the little things that need to be done. Momma and I went for the first dress fitting last week. We go back December 19 and if all is well, we can finally bring my dress home. At least it will be sitting in a closet at our house so I can peek at it any time I want.

After five years of collecting dust, I was finally able to find someone to make a t-shirt quilt from all my high school, college, and special shirts. Long story short, Mary Reeves was one of my students at the Campus School and her momma and daddy (Meaghan and Wes) are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia. They have an amazing story which you can read here.

While reading their blog a few months back, Meaghan posted a picture of a quilt her mom made. I got in touch with Ms. Mitsy and she whipped me up a quilt. I got it this morning and I *love* it. All of the shirts bring back so many GOOD memories. I know this will be something I will treasure for years to come.

The yellow sea-n-suds shirt is the one that I was wearing the night Cole was born eleven years ago!

I feel like I am babbling…. but I got my first *school* teacher pictures since I was in high school. I must say, these are some of the better pictures I have taken. Such a dork… I am still wondering what I will do with two 5x7s of myself!?!?

Last Friday, I watched the final episode of Live with Regis and Kelly and I cried. See, they are my people – the ones who are sure to make me laugh. I have spent numerous summer mornings laughing, staring at Kelly’s arms, and loving their silly banter. I will miss Regis but I still love my girl Kelly and I know she will do great on her own!

Sweet Belle is getting HUGE and spotted. She has always had spots underneath but now they are showing through her coat and she is even more beautiful!! Belle also got a new home away from home. Uncle Ty was kind enough to let us Daniel build Belle a pen in his backyard. Daddy and Daniel worked on this and then Daddy built the house and completed it with a personalized name plate. As Tyler put it… pretty swanky for a home away from home!

Speaking of Daniel, his birthday is Thursday and he will be the BIG 3-0. I don’t know that he is really excited or even cares. I am excited about giving him his present and celebrating him! Daniel is so giving to me all the time and I love the one day a year that we get to celebrate Daniel – and of course, Thanksgiving this year!!

I think that is it for now. I feel like I just exploded all of this on here in no order whatsoever. I will be back soon to post Thanksgiving/Birthday pictures! I know that we all have so much to be thankful for so Happy Thanksgiving.