Fall Fun!

This is a random post but I figured I would share anyways :)

I love fall!  One of my favorite things about fall is the tree that stands in front of our house...I hate to brag, but it is pretty much the most gorgeous tree in the neighborhood!  The other day I walked out on my way to work and the sun was shining through the tree so perfectly and all the colors were so beautiful!  I took a few pics (although they dont do it justice) but I thought I would try and capture the moment.

Earlier this week, we put Vandy outside and then heard him barking like crazy--and this is rather odd because he is not a barker.  So we let him back in but eventually he kept nudging the door so much that we put him back out and he started doing in again.  I went to the door and tried to get him in but he was frozen in the middle of the yard.  Finally I looked up and saw a POSSUM standing on the fence.  After freaking out a bit and getting Vandy back in I, of course, had to get a picture.  Here he is...the creepy possum.  Just as I went to snap the picture, he slowly turned his head towards me and looked at me....ugh, so CREEPY!

Friday night we participated in "Secret Church," which is something put on by the church I used to go to in Birmingham--The Church at Brook Hills.  It is a 6 hour, intense bible study that started a few years ago to represent all the nations that have to actually meet in secret in order to study and worship.  It makes me so thankful to live in a country where I can worship freely and shout out loud that "I love Jesus!"  Since the first secret church a few years ago, they have started doing them every 6 months or so.  This years topic was "Family, Marriage, Sex, and the Gospel" and boy was it PACKED with good stuff.  David Platt spoke on everything from marriage, singleness, parenting, divorce, homosexuality, polygamy, and yes, even sex.  It was so good and I am excited to dive back in all the notes we have and dig a little deeper--the study guide was 161 pages--we made it through (most) of it and it took about 6.5 hours.  Good thing David is a fast talker or it would have taken 10!  Here are some pics from the night...

 All the study guides waiting to be opened

 Victoria snacking on a cucumber :)

 A view of the "thick" study guide

The whole group--cant wait to participate again next time!

Fall Party 2011

Yesterday was our cell groups annual party!  There was lots of excitement and anticipation to see what kind of costumes everyone would have this year.  Trevor and I decided to be Little Orphan Annie and Daddy Warbucks, and it was quite a success!  I made my dress, which was quite an accomplishment for me I must say :)  The night was tons of fun--it is always one of my most anticipated events! Here are the pics from our fun night!

I made caramel apples...YUM!

Pumpkin cheesecake truffle eyeballs--thanks Pinterest!

Oreo eyeballs

Mummy's in a blanket :)

Justin and Brent hanging out at the par-tay

 The Willis Clan--Becca and Jeremy were Tron, and the kiddos all disney characters :)

The Cudd Pirates

Annie, Daddy Warbucks, and "Sandy" aka Vandy :)

Thing 1 & 2 and the cutest care bears ever!

The cradle-robber and his gal

So sweet...Claire and Trev were digging each other last night!

The Browns :)

The Willis Chillins'--watch out, dont make Abby made or she will get you!

The German couple--with authentic German garb

A little pirate love

The Fontaines

Annie and Daddy W once again :)

Emma enjoying the trampoline

the Fontaines and the Castles

 Me and Beth--man, between the two of us we have some CRAZY hair!

Officer Fontaine will arrest you if you are bad :)

The whole gang--another awesome Fall Party!

Now to start thinking about next years costume :)

Life Lately

Well, its been (almost) 3 months since my last post....can you tell its summertime? Things have been crazy and blogging has been neglected. Summer has flown by and I can't believe that school has started again (for Trev at least). Pretty soon it will be Christmas!!

I havent been a very good picture taker this summer but here are a couple of sewing projects that I have done....

Burp Cloth

A sweet sleep-sack (this one is my fav!)

A personalized "nap mat" cover for a friend at work's kiddo

The nap mat cover folder up...I love the fun print of this fabric!

My next project is a tutu and so far its turning out nicely! Thanks Becca for the inspiration :)

Also this summer I passed my nurse practitioner boards--woo hoo! And I start a new job on Monday! I am really excited to be starting a new journey, but also really sad to leave the comfort and familiarity of my job at Vandy. I will also hate leaving my co-workers....but, its time to move on!

Another happening of the summer is that my awesome momma turned the big 6-0!! In honor of her, I threw her a little get together and it was so much fun! It was nice to celebrate her and let her know how much we love and appreciate her!






Lastly, I have had some pretty fun girls nights with some great friends!! Last night we went to Margaritaville and we had so much fun! I am looking forward to many more!!





Well, thats all for now....but I wont wait 3 months to post again next time! :)

Wedded Bliss

Three years ago today I married my best friend...

...and I can honestly say that it truly has been "wedded bliss." The past three years have been wonderful and I cant wait to see where the Lord leads us in the future!!!

Ready to RUN!

This weekend I ran my first 5K! I have been wanting to do something to get into better shape for a while but haven't really been motivated. About a month ago one of my best friends, Brittany, and I talked about wanting to do a half marathon--so we decided we would try to train. So we picked out a 5K and signed up!!! We had about 3 weeks to train but with a week of rain and no gym membership I only ended up running several (about 4) times before the race. I figured the adrenaline of running a race and running with someone else would get me through.....boy was I WRONG! This race was alot harder that I was expecting....it was a cross country race so we ran on grass and it was really hilly in some parts. I learned a good lesson that you cant just do anything because you put your mind to it....you have to train and work hard first so you are prepared! Dont get me wrong, it was fun, but next race I will train harder and be better prepared! Overall though I was proud because I finished....and I ran (mostly) all of it! Here are some pics from the day....

Before the race

Starting the race--we were super excited here...believe me about 5 minutes in the excitement had dwindled :)

Britt and I finishing the race...she was an AWESOME race buddy. I had to stop after about a mile or so and take a potty break (believe me it could NOT wait) so she went on and ran ahead. But after she finished she met me near the end and finished the last few tenths of a mile with me--I would not have made it without her!

SOOOOOOO glad it was over!

All of us after the race!

Trev and I are planning on running another race in June so hopefully the next run will go better for me!

P.S.--The person behind all the pics was my awesome hubby :) He was so supportive and woke up at 5am to come with me....he's AWESOME!!!!

Party Time!!!!

Last Saturday I got to celebrate graduation by having a GRADUATION PARTY!!!! My sweet in laws were gracious enough to host it! It was so nice seeing and celebrating with all my closest family and friends! Thanks to everyone for all your love, support, and friendship!!!

My MIL fell and hurt her knee before the party so she was on couch arrest...and let me tell you she did NOT like that! :)

Sweet Avery and Callum loved each other--Cal kept hugging and kissing her...it was so cute!

Me and my girls :) (I would have gotten a pic with mine and all of their hubbies too but they were pre-occupied playing frisbee golf!)

Me and some of the fam

Cell group girls....of course Emma and Lily could not be bothered to look at the camera--they were too busy playing with each other!

Me, Becca, and Laurie--some more of my dear friends!

My friend Dawn and I

Little Avery--she was so good for the whole party!