although its been said many times, many ways

Merry Christmas to you!

away in a manger

"Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2: 10-11

i believe in auburn

...i just don't love it!

Christmas came early for John! He's headed to Atlanta to cheer on his team! Boda Getta??

five

Our fifth anniversary was October 15th. To celebrate, we went to one of my VERY favorite places...the beach.

Lucky for us, a cottage in Seaside was available which made for the PERFECT weekend get a way. Fall is my absolute fav-or-ite time to go to the beach, and the weather our anniversary weekend could not be beat.

                           

Thank you "self timer" for kindly documenting our dinner date! You can see the precious little spiral staircase in the background. The cottage was teeny tiny and I adored it! Downstairs was literally wide enough for a bed and us to stand at the end of it for this picture...upstairs was the cutest little kitchen and living room.

Each day started with John's favorite thing...coffee...and my favorite thing...coffee dates with John!

We made up lots of excuses to have to stop by the Market. It is just too cute to pass up and happens to have the most delicious cinnamon rolls.

I honestly don't know if I've ever seen the beach more beautiful. Perfect weather, perfect water, just PERFECT.

I set up shop here....

put my toes in this...

and listened to this...

while John was more focused on things like this...

I came inside to tell him Aubie was outside. He didn't believe me, and DID NOT lose his concentration in the game.

TOLD you Aubie was outside!

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.

Mignon Mclaughlin, Atlantic (July 1965)

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas

35 years

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! What an example of hardwork, dedication and teamwork. 

I love you both.

the morning after the iron bowl

november 19th 2000

I was eighteen years old. A freshman at the University of Alabama. We hosted Auburn for the very first time (in 99 years) in our stadium, and cheered our hearts out despite our loss...and the freezing rain. My roommate, Ashley and I woke up exhausted. I had a call from Trai, a friend we met while visiting our dorm neighbors' hometown. He asked if I might meet him for lunch...and most importantly if I might bring Ashley.  Not the first lunch date for this "wingman girl". I rolled out of bed with a bad attitude, threw on a t-shirt and baseball hat without knowing that I was on my way to meet my husband. 

I met the man of my dreams at McAlister's. Maybe it was the wooden bead necklace, maybe the gelled hair but whatever it was I was hooked! ...and ten years later I'm still hooked. I can not remember who wanted to take this picture, or if we just stopped someone in the Tutwiler parking lot and asked them to take a picture of the four of us after meeting just hours before, but I am thankful for this picture. A tangible look at day ONE. We had no idea that was the beginning. The very beginning...of this love story I'm living.

I am thankful for the details God orchestrated that day. Again, thankful for a god who specializes in details.