HEGS!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEGS!I promise this will be my last post of the day, but I absolutely couldn't go without giving my dear friend Heather a huge happy birthday shout out! I have yet to complete an ABC list of this girl, so allow me to do so now:

Reasons A-Z why I am glad to be friends with this girl!

Aunt! She loves her "Abi J" and "Baby D"!
Beautiful. On the inside AND out.
Countdowns. She counts down to every event. I love her for that.
Desserts. This girl has the biggest sweet tooth of anybody I've ever known! (See above pic)
Everybody loves her.
FRIDAYS. We live for them.
Girly girl.
HEGS---her beloved nickname (her initials obviously).
IDOL! We share a love for American Idol.
Job...thankfully it's the same as mine!
Kids. She loves them. They love her.
Libby Story. Heather keeps them in business.
Multi-talented. She can pretty much do it all.
Not selfish at all.
Orange Beach. Her favorite place on the earth.
PINK! Her fave color!
Quiet.
Reese. Her beloved yorkie.
Sugarland concert. Such a fun memory!
Teacher friend! I'm so glad we're in it together!
Understanding.
Vacations. We teachers LOVE our vacations!
Wife to Tom. Great guy!
X-tra creative. She even started her own painting business!
Younger than me unfortunately.

Zero (Cherry Coke Zero that is).

The Best of '09

Feel free to copy and answer for yourself!

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? ran a half marathon!

2. Did you keep your New Year’s Resolutions in '09, and have you made some for '10? I was proud of what I accomplished this year. While I didn't take a plane trip this year, I did put a nice dent in my resolutions of '09!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?Yes! My dear friend Candy had Charlie Lawson on November 30! Precious child.

4. Did anyone close to you die? thankfully, no.

5. What countries did you visit? NONE. I've NEVER been out of the U.S.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? more patience.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? the day I found out I was going to be an aunt again!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? completing a half marathon!

9. What was your biggest failure? fortunately, nothing comes to mind...

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? no...thank goodness!

11. What was the best thing you bought? a new computer.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? I could make a list of people who demonstrated heroic behaviors this year...

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? I have an opinion here, but I'm choosing to keep it to myself...

14. Where did most of your money go? Rent. 2010 may be the year for me to become a home owner!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? seeing my friends and family! When I know that I'm about to see someone I haven't seen in a long time, I act like a child waiting for Santa. I got to see a couple of dear friends this year who live way too far away.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009? Beyonce "Single Ladies" of course

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? I'm content. Is that a good answer? (b) thinner or fatter? About the same.c) richer or poorer? same...

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? reading

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? complaining

20. How did you spend Christmas? my family!

21. Did you fall in love in 2009? My answer, like last year, is NO. Here's to hoping this time next year, my answer will be a big fat YES!

22. What was your favorite TV program? The Office, Desperate Housewives, and American Idol. I also love real-life mystery shows: 48 Hours Mystery, Dateline, etc.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? I don't "hate" anybody!

24. What was the best book you read? "Marley and Me"... "The Dead Don't Dance" was good too!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? negative.

26. What did you want and get? a new phone

27. What did you want and not get? to get married.

28. What was your favorite film of this year? I really liked "Julie and Julia"

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? My 28th was spent with my friends and family! Nothing too wild and crazy...

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?to become a homeowner

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? Ann Taylor Loft.

32. What kept you sane? Jogging, Blogging, family, friends, Mexican food and margaritas! :)

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Sarah Palin.

34. What political issue stirred you the most? Again...no comment.

35. Who did you miss? I always miss my Dada.

36. Who was the best new person you met? The best people I know are people I've known longer than a year.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009. Life isn't always about what I WANT, WHEN I want it. I've also learned that I'm no where near as patient as I used to think I was.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. My favorite Bible verse:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "palns to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

Ironically, several of my answers from last year remained the same!

Welcome, 2010!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Confession: I did NOT make it until midnight to ring in the new year (I am going to blame it on the fact that I was with my pregnant sister). I did, however, enjoy time out with Heather and Trey and some other friends at The Veranda!

(In pics above: Me, Heather, Trey, Laura Mims, and Kate Flanagan)

Adios, 2009!

I suppose this will be my final post of 2009! It's been a pretty good one, I must say...

Here's a photo collage from pictures of fun events of 2009! Enjoy and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Of course, my year ended with a short, but fabulous visit from 2 of my best... I couldn't have asked for more!

The end of another year!

Is anybody else sad that Christmas has once again come and gone?

There's so much leading up to Christmas and then it's over in a flash! I will say, however, that this was one of my favorite Christmases to date. I think I say that every year, but this one was just perfect. Kristen, Rob, Henry, Heather, and Trey were ALL able to be here Christmas Day, which made me super happy. On top of that, I was also able to see several of my BFFs prior to Christmas, which made the week even better.

Henry is 3 now and he got entirely too many gifts this year, but he's still the most fun ever. He has a way of making everyone think that their gift was his favorite. I love him and I'm already looking forward to NEXT Christmas when Jones will be here! God is good!

Kristen, Rob, and Henry had to leave today, but Heather and Trey will be here until this weekend. I've been staying at my parents' house during most of my break, which explains my lack of blogging over the past week. I'm also way behind on blog-reading and I hope to catch up in the next few days. Apologies.

Anyway, here are some ever-so-exciting Christmas pics!

Starkville pics:

Mom's pretty mantel!

...and beautifully decorated table

Me and the sisters...

...the chefs at work...

Henry opening a present waaay bigger than he is...

Henry and his Lita putting together a new puzzle!

sleepy Henry...

Henry and the Stansbury boys: Isaac, Noah, and Luke. Complete chaos.


Collinsville pics:

Henry and my sweet Mamaw

Cooper and Henry...Go State!

Sweet Mamaw and Trey

several of my cousins!

putting together more fun puzzles!

While I'm sad to see 2009 come to an end, it's exciting to anticipate the new year. I'm unsure whether or not I'll be making resolutions for the new year. I'll just have to get back to you on that...

On a sad note, I want to ask that you pray for the family members of victims who lost their lives at the horrific apartment fire that occurred here in Starkville yesterday morning. 9 lives were lost. Among those who died were 2 children who attended the school where I work. I didn't know any of victims, but my heart is broken by it all. This story has actually made national news. It really is just so so sad.

I hope you and yours had a very Merry Christmas and here's to hoping for a fun New Year for you!

P.S. I have just changed the settings on my blog so that no anonymous comments are allowed. I was starting to get comments that were junk or even in another language. I'm just not interested in that, folks. Please continue commenting, only now it may take one extra step for you to do so...thank you much and keep the comments coming!

THE Christmas Story.

Luke 2:1-20 (NIV)

The Birth of Jesus

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

My you feel God's love and presence this Christmas!

Love, LT and Max

my girls.

"I get by with a little help from my friends."- John Lennon

My life according to facebook...

So...this was kinda fun...Want to make one? Click here.

Mandy!

I apologize for the lack of posts lately. Not too much to report other than the fact that I'm out of school for 2 weeks and loving every minute of it! If there was a way to freeze time, I'd be doing just that. It's fabulous.
Now, on to today's post topic...

Today is my dear friend Mandy's 29th birthday! Mandy's not new to the blog, as she's been discussed numerous times throughout.

I've said this before, but I have lots of best friends. Lots of them. I am not really sure what I've done to deserve such amazing friends, but I know that as I've gotten older, I've learned to appreciate them more and more. I tell people all of the time that even if I'm 50 when I get married, I will still have about a dozen bridesmaids. People may judge me for that, but I can't help it. I won't have it any other way. I have been blessed--that's all I can say.

I truly believe that God places certain people in our lives at just the right time. A few years ago I experienced something that was very painful. I remember thinking that I didn't know if I could go on. Looking back now, as a much stronger person, I realize that truly don't know if I could have made it through without my family and amazing friends.

When I think about those important people who stand out in my life as being there when I need them most, or one of those special friends who I know is going to be a friend for life, I think of my dear friend Mandy.

I rent a duplex, and Mandy lives upstairs from me. We moved in this house at the same time in 2006, but we'd never met. We became instant friends. We are so very different, but I think it only makes our friendship more fun!

Mandy and I have been with each other through extreme ups and downs, and even though we've only been friends for a little over 3 years, we've made so many fun memories together.

Bottom line--Mandy is fabulous, and I think on this special day, she deserves an A-Z list....don't you agree?

So, here you go, Mandy.

Here are reasons A-Z why I think you're the best!

Actress. And a pretty dang good one.
B&B. Mandy knows exactly what that means.
Cat lover.
Desperate Housewives.
Entertainer. "She can sing. She can act. She can dance. And only one other person in the world can do that and THAT is Barbra Streisand".
Fellow teacher.
Great gift giver!
Hallmark cards.
Internet sharer.
Jelly bellies. (Be sure to save the watermelon and buttered popcorn for me!)
Kids...and their names are "Maizey" and "Bear"
Lists. She makes more to-do lists than anybody I know.
Michigan...her home state.
Neighbor/roommate...whatever you want to call it.
Organized.
Purple.
Quesadilla lover. We love Tipico!
Red VW Bug.
Smart. Waaaaay smarter than me.
Talented.
Understanding. She totally gets me.
Vent. We are good at doing this to each other. What are friends for?

Wine and cheese.
X-boyfriends.... ugh.
Years old: 29!
Zzzzz. This girl enjoys sleeping as much as I do!

Happy birthday Mandy! You're loved!

my new favorite thing.

I know, I know...this is my 3rd post of the day, but I couldn't go without expressing my excitement about my new purchase, the new HTC Hero phone. My previous phone (may it R.I.P.) officially kicked the bucket in Memphis this weekend and I was talked into buying this fabulous gadget. While I'm still trying to figure it out, I'm already having fun with it.

Do I really need internet access on my phone? Absolutely not, but seriously, it was a really good deal and is only costing me a few more dollars more than what I was paying before! Totally worth it.

Enough of this. You should definitely continue reading the posts below for things slightly more exciting than a new phone!

fabulous wedding weekend!

ALEXA'S MARRIED!!!! One of my dearest and oldest friends, Alexa got married in Memphis this past weekend. It was absolutely one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever attended. She was a stunning bride and I was so honored to be a part of her fun wedding weekend! me and the beautiful bride at the rehearsal...

the bridesmaids...

Alexa and her sis, Cynthia...

A few pics from the rehearsal dinner....

...at the lingerie party...

...and the bridesmaid brunch...

...ALMOST TIME!

RECEPTION TIME!

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Begonia!!!

Oh yeah...and did I mention who caught the bouquet???