A Sad Day

I'm laying on the couch today, somewhat sick, and watching a much needed rain.... But, I can't seem get this out of my head....


Six months ago was Christmas Day, 2006. Jim, Emery, and I were coming from my parents house back to ours to change clothes and head to the next family function. We turned onto Hogan Road, which many of you are familiar with, and noticed that Interstate 65 up above was trafficy and there were police and ambulances. As we got closer to going under the tunnels, we noticed that a car was stopped underneath the bridge too. The closer we got, I realized what was going on.... There in the middle of the road, laid a lifeless body. The lady's name was Christy Vernon. Her husband was driving on the interstate and somehow he lost control and she was thrown from the car and fell to her death.

I had never in my life seen or felt what we did that day. We kind of blocked the road so that traffic would use a different route and the other man was calling the police and we were able to help him help the police find the woman's location. The news reported that those up above on the interstate couldn't find the body. There never would have thought she would have been thrown over the bridge. It's such a small spot on the interstate.

I pass this spot almost daily and I can't say that I've driven by once in the last six months without thinking of the Vernon family. I've wondered if she was a mother? I've wondered if she was a Chrisitan? We know she was someone's wife, daughter, friend, and I'm sure she had many other roles. I've wondered how her husband is doing? He survived, and I'm sure he doesn't go a second without thinking about that day.


All this to say... DON'T TAKE ANYTHING FORGRANTED!

I have some new pictures from this weekend to post, so this won't be up long!

Breaking the rules... and my 73rd!

Okay, so I ran into someone this morning, and I have to break the blogging rules this one time. I had already tagged a couple of people, but since they all probably won't do it.... Erin, you are tagged too... You BETTER do it! And a challenge... since my list took you sooooo long to read, you better make yours shorter!


And last night I thought of something hilarious and I just had to share..... The 73rd thing about me is this.... I cleaned bathrooms in Elam for a semester! That was by far, the hardest and grossest thing I have ever done! I still remember calling my Dad and saying, "I just can't do it another day!"

50-100 Things about me

So, I was tagged by Chris Anne... Here goes....





1. I have a birth mark on my neck that I like.
2. I have a little girl that makes me want to be a better mommy, wife, christian, etc.
3. I teach sunday school, and the kids know more than I do!
4. My skin has been worse the last two years than all through middle & high school. Thanks hormones!
5. I try to floss every night
6. I eat more cookie dough than actual cookies
7. I never make our bed, and my kids won't have to either! Unless of course, company's coming!
8. I use oil of olay and comet... Just like my mother!
9. My mother is one of my greatest friends and examples
10. I worked full time, was pregnant, and we paid for my MBA. I'm proud of that! And that my husband supported me doing that.
11. I have an aunt that's 30, who's really like my sister.
12. I have 3 friends that I could tell anything too..... that's plenty for me!
13. I absolutely treasure my bunko group, but have never told them that!
14. I'm not good about giving hugs!
15. I'm self-conscious about my body, but I'm so thankful that my husband thinks I'm beautiful no matter what.
16. I sometimes can't sing in church because the songs remind me of my grandfather who died several years ago
17. I'm teaching my 2 year old to say, "I'm a special, smart, and a beautiful girl." I want her to be so confident!
18. I love to eat anywhere but home
19. I have a sewing machine. It's made one outfit and I haven't looked at the machine in over a year.
20. I love smocked dresses ,big bows, and monograms!!
21. I don't like to be outside in the summer, unless there's a pool. Pregnant or not...
22. I have great inlaws
23. There is really no one else I would rather be with than my immediate and extended family.
24. I like getting dressed up
25. I've only been away from Emery for 2 nights. I think its time for a trip....
26. My grandpa had skin cancer, and I still sometimes forget to put sunscreen on
27. I love that some of my best friends are high school buddies, and that they live so close!
28. Sometimes I feel so blessed that I start to tear up
29. On any given day, my house is a wreck.
30. I have a husband that wants to spoil me. He has a wife that says thats not good for anybody!
31. I use entirely too much soap and shampoo in the shower- its wasteful!
32. I love the country we live in. I love hearing our anthem.
33. I think its funny when I sing the ABC's to Emery and halfway through she might say something like, "toot,toot!" Oh to be a kid!
34. I love that my husband never takes his wedding ring off.
35. I love that my husband works so hard for this family. I try to thank him regularly.
36. Manners of all kind are really important to me. I want my children to have great manners. Bad table manners are a major pet peeve!!!
37. I enjoy laughing. It's hard sometimes for me to be serious.
38. I balance my checkbook to the penny.
39. I love Christmas so much, that Christmas night I struggle with a bit of depression. I hate the thought that it doesn't come around again for another year.
40. I have really bad hearing. I was told that a hearing aid would be an option.
41. I think the world of those that serve in the armed forces, PD, and FD.
42. I just sent all my "skinny" clothes to goodwill. It hurt really bad!
43. I've already thought about this years christmas card.
44. I don't like being late for church.
45. Dumb and dumber and Sweet Home Alabama are two of my favorite movies.
46. I don't like talking about money.
47. I love doing our taxes!
48. I will never wear a bikini again.
49. I love making lists!
50. I've always wanted Jenny's (Church) teeth!
51. Motherhood has definetly mellowed me out. I'm definetly not as hard core as I thought I would be. It's just too fun being a mom, to be too strict!
52. I like the feeling of being prepared, but yet rarely am.
53. I got 2 speeding tickets within 3 months last year. I deserved them- I needed to slow down.
54. I'm easily scared.
55. A full tank of gas makes me feel good.
56. I love bulk. We go to Sams and Costco, but yet have a house with no storage.
57. I still rock my "baby"
58. I enjoy having people over.
59. I wish my legs were longer
60. I only "fix" my hair on Sundays. All other days... It's up!
61. I have a hard time sitting still, that's why this has taken me forever!
62. I love people.com
63. I treat my dogs like children. I've worried before about whether they are happy or not! Jim reminds me that they are just dogs!
64. I spend a lot of time worrying that I might annoy or have annoyed someone. I think you could say I'm paranoid.
65. I wash my hands alot. I mean alot.
66. I love j. crew flip flops
67. I love to read
68. I love Lightning 100 music
69. I love hearing Emery say "Mommy"
70. Blogging has made me a better picture taker! I now remember to take my camera places...
71. I am always losing something!
72. I like to be busy!





Okay, I'm tired of listing...... I tag (if they haven't already been tagged) Christine, Natalie, Misty, Jennifer, and Ashley N.

Some New Pics

So, in our house, there's a long standing debate over what to watch on tv. If I have my way, its some sort of reality tv show or something on TLC or HGTV. But, with Jim its either COPS or CMT. I say no thank you to both, as he does to mine. (It's not that I don't care for any country music, but songs like "I want to check you for ticks", really, really bother me!) But, Jim and Emery really enjoy watching music videos together. Jim is teaching her the names of some singers. The only one that has stuck is Kenny Chesney, which happens to be Jim's favorite! So, for father's day I thought I would surprise hime with tickets to his concert. Easier said then done!!! Everything close was sold out. But, I ended up getting the tickets, and Jim acted like he was surprised I was able too. Supposedly, his shows sell out really fast.The concert isn't until September and its in Atlanta! He was really excited!

We went to a "drive-in" movie the other night at church. It was really fun.... and muggy too! We watched the movie, "Cars," which none of us had seen. It was soooo cute!! If you haven't seen it, you need to! I laughed the whole time... except for the two times I teared up! How's that for hormonal!

Jim got this picture of Emery and I relaxing after a long day! We've spent many a hours reading and watching movies/cartoons on the bed lately! I feel bad, but hopefully my energy level is slowly getting back to normal!

Happy Father's Day, Jim!

I wanted to wish Jim a happy Father's Day! While he doesn't read my blog that often, it is set as our homepage, so I know at some point he'll get to see this. I'll keep it short!

Here are 5 reasons he's a great Daddy!

1. He's thinks Emery is the greatest thing, and misses her while he's at work!
2. He sings "kid songs" with her, and hums them even when she's in bed or not around!
3. He changes ALL kinds of diapers!
4. He wants nothing more than for her to be provided for and taken care of in every other area!
5. He wants Emery to live with us until she's 40! (not sure about this one!)

I can't wait to give him his gift.... I'll have to post some pictures! He's going to be so excited!

Confession

Okay, I ate so badly today, that I have to confess to make myself feel better. It all started with Bunko last night....

Emily M. sent me home with about a 1/4 cup of "pecan pie flavored" pecans! They were on the salad last night, and very yummy. So I started with those first thing this morning. Then I had a cinamon bagel with some light cream cheese. Not too bad, right? Just wait.....

So, I had my hair done today, and about an hour into it, all I could think about was how hungry I was. So after I was finished with the hair, I went to McDonalds. I was planning on doing a chix snack wrap. But, for some reason when they asked to take my order, I blurted out, a #11 please with a diet coke. Okay, so what's a #11? (It was either #10 or #11) It 's 10, I repeat 10 chicken nuggets. So gross! I mean its okay to feed them to a kid, but for an adult! Anyhow, I managed to eat all 10! Fortunately, I had no room for the fries!!!! Okay, so make note to self, to just eat healthier tomorrow, right? Just wait....

So, I pick Emery up from MDO. We then go to the pool. Around 4:45 it hit me, I'm starved!!! So, I run by the store, to pick up a few things. Of course, I just had to remember what Mashea said at Bunko last night. "Publix has a really good cold spinach dip, the kind you eat with Hawaiin bread." I thought, I'll just have a few bites of that while Jim is grilling. I mean to tell you that after 30 minutes... I had eaten half of that loaf of bread! No joke! Is that not disgusting? By the time the burgers were ready, I managed to only eat half of my burger patty!

Tomorrow is a new day...... I feel better after telling on myself. Have you ever had a day of eating that bad? So gross!! I guess I should consider what my sweet husband keeps telling me... eat 5 small meals and don't let myself get that hungry!

Swimming, Swimming, and More Swimming

Okay, so really boring picture, but I'm so excited... My hydrangea finally grew!

Baby Bennett is one week old!

Emery & Hayden... Big buds!

Nat. will probably kill me for posting this picture, but Tori is never unhappy! She'd had enough of swimming that day!

How cute is this picture? We went swimming and cousin Jessie was babysitting Luke!(hope that was okay to post, Casey?!)

Pool at SuSu's

A big smile after mommy and daddy agree to letting her eat a bowl of ice cream!

Well, we've done a lot of swimming this week! It's been so hot, that the pool is the only place we both want to be!

Not much else going on. I had a routine doctor's visit this week and we had a fun shower for my sister. The whole family is gearing up for the wedding! It will be here so soon!