If you knew me you would know that ...

1. I LOVE oatmeal. The old fashioned kind.
2. I am a mini version of my dad
3. Laying in the sun is one of my favorite things to do
4. I go to Chick-fil-a atleast 3 times a week. Chargrilled Chicken Sandwhich with no pickle pleaseeeee
5. I like to run. I ran a marathon once. But now I only run a couple times a week.
6. I am oober organized and have a color coded calendar. Andy is red. I am purple. Birthdays/Events are Green. Things we do together are Orange :). Yup.
7. I am a morning person. I love mornings. There are few things better than sitting drinking a cup of coffee, having a quiet time, and then watching the Today Show. Ahhhhh
8. I started dating Andy when I was 13 years old. He knows me better than anyone on this earth, and I am so blessed to have him as my husband.
9. I was a cheerleader. Looking back I had fun but I wish I would have done a more athletic sport (no offense to anyone who was/is a cheerleader).
10. Runaway Bride is my all time FAV movie! I have watched it atleast 25 times. Maggie Carpenter: "I am profoundly and irreversibly screwed up."
11. I like to Scrapbook. I have a scrapbook for every year of my life. Starting with 9th grade.
12. One time I cut my hair for locks of love and I looked like a boy. It was bad.
13. Froyo is my guilty pleasure.
14. I am a dog lover. All kinds. Big. Medium. Small. Extra Small.
15. I could spend my entire pay check at Jcrew if my husband would let me.
16. I have lived in Knoxville all my life.
17. I want to go to Italy. (side note ... Andy is part Italian. Cool right?!)
18. When I get cold my legs develop purple splotches
19. I like to invest in people. I am a people person
20. I know every word to Zippity Do Da. My dad and I used to sing it every morning on the way to school.

It's the freakin weekend

Well our weekend started out with me working and Andy going to a braves game. Boo me working. Two good family friends offered us tickets to the game. I couldn't get off work so Andy and his Mom went. I wish I could have gone just to see Andy's face as he walked up to Turner field. He glows walking form the car to the stadium ... that is how much he loves Braves baseball. The braves lost but he still had a lot of fun!

I spend my Friday night cheering on the Vols. It was fun to watch them win. I am really looking forward to the home game this Saturday. T.E.NN.E.SS.EE!

My Saturday consisted of walking with my sister, laying in the sun :), driving around Knoxville, and most importantly catching up on housework. My weeks are so full I always get behind on keeping everything straight. Andy helps me out a lot during the week which is super great. Andy does laundry for us one week day and on Saturdays I always do laundry (because he usually works). The first thing I do when I wake up is take the sheets off the bed and start a load of whites. I've been told it is weird that I wash our sheets every Saturday ... but I'm a clean freak. Colbie helps me do laundry. Aka she sits on the clean clothes I have folded.

Saturday is one of the only days our bed gets made because I am always the last one out of it. Andy doens't see the point in making the bed ... he says, "We are just going to  get right back in it in a couple hours." But I like for the bed to be made, so when I'm the last one out I make it!

Saturday night one of our best family friends got engaged. We celebrated by all going to lunch on Sunday after church. I love people getting engaged. It is so much fun! Mom took videos instead of pictures ... so this is the best I could do on capturing the moment...

Sunday night Andy and I had shrimp pasta. It was delicious ... and super easy!

I spent Sunday afternoon preparing food for the week to come. I usually cook some meals ahead of time and freeze them. I cooked beans (beans beans they are good for your heart ... you konw the rest :). I had to soak them overnight and then simmer them for a couple hours the next day. I'm going to take them in my lunch this week. Yum.

We also went to a friends house on the lake to celebrate labor day. It was a beautiful house! The boys watched golf and hit golf balls into the lake. 

Like I mentioned earlier ... some of our weekend was spent driving around Knoxville. Andy and I are in the process of "house hunting." And oh my ... I didn't realize what a process it is. We had fun driving around and looking at different areas though. It is exciting to even be thinking about owning a home!

My Current Obsessions

I have come to terms with the fact that I go through periods of time where I get really obsessed with something :). Some of my obsessions last for a really long time (such as oatmeal) and others come and go. I thought I would share some of the things I looooove right now ...

1. The newspaper.

This is new for me. In the past I haven't really kept up with current events ... by haven't really I mean NEVER. Now because of my job I read the newspaper daily. Fox News is also constantly playing in the office I work in, so I am really "in the know" on what is going on around the world. Robin you would be really proud. 

2. Chick-fil-a diet lemonade.

YUM! I love this stuff. It is addictive. I crave it pretty much on the daily.

3. OPI "Minnie" Collection.
I have always loved red nailpolish. It is very classic and classy. I recently got my toes done and picked this Minnie Red color. It is a bright red with a hint of shimmer in it. If you like reds try it out.  

4. Bare Minerals.

Need I say more? The name says it all. I love how natural and fresh it looks. It isn't caked on like alot of makeups, and it stays on all day.

5. White Iodine.

You could be familiar with White Iodine ... but you if you aren't I am about to enlighten you! It is a toxic substance that is only sold in drug stores. My great-grandmother got my entire family hooked on this stuff. Put it on any bump/blemish/pimple and it will be gone in a matter of days! Warning: It smells really strong and it turns your skin yellow. I usually put it on at night and wash it off in the morning.

6. Tory Burch Shoes.

Obsessed with the shoe. Not the price.

7. Trader Joe's.

Or TJ's as I like to call it. Obsession doesn't do justice for how I feel about this new grocery store in Knoxville. They have great prices and really fresh produce.

8. Fondue.

I love Fondue! Andy and I do it atleast twice a month. It is just so great ... and easy. We usually do a red wine based broth and cook beef, chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, potatoes, and broccoli.

9. Hair Ties.

If you haven't jumped on the bandwagon yet you should. These things are amazing. I can leave one in my hair all day and when I take my hair down it is perfectly straight.

10. Containers.

Yes containers. About a month ago I went to the container store in Nashville. This was very dangerous because I love to organize ... so I wanted to buy everything in the store. I got all different size containers to pack my lunch in. I have loved them. This picture is one of the smallest containers I got. Almost on the daily I pack it to the top full of nuts for my mid-morning snack.

Creamed Chicken

Last night Andy and I ate creamed chicken. Creamed Chicken and my Mimi go hand in hand. When Calli and I were younger and my parents would go out of town we would always stay with Mimi and Grandaddy (my moms parents). EVERY SINGLE TIME we stayed with her she would let us pick what she would make for dinner and EVERY SINGLE TIME we asked her to make creamed chicken. I don't know why we always picked it because Mimi could make just about anything. She is a fantastic cook.

Mimi's Creamed Chicken

The good stuff:

-Chicken (I use boneless skinless chicken tenders ... but anything will work)

-Hard Boiled Eggs

-Frozen Peas

-1 Jar Pimentos

-Cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, and cream of celery soup (1 can each)

-Mushrooms and celery (optional)

-Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Cook the chicken ahead of time. I usually boil it because it is easiest. Then combine cooked chicken with all the other ingredients in a saucepan. Heat on low until all the flavors mix.

Serve on rice or a piece of toast with cranberry sauce (yes like what you eat at Thanksgiving). What you serve it on is key. It is what makes it yummy!

The only hard part about this recipe is that Mimi doesn't measure anything. She just eyeballs everything. So you just have to guess/make do. No matter what it will turn out yummy. You can't mess up creamed chicken :)!

Our weekend ...

This weekend was very eventful. Friday night some friends and I went to Chick-fil-a to visit Andy at work. I don't think I will ever get sick of their food. It was fun to spend time with friends ... and I always love watching Andy in action. He loves what he does. It is so evident from watching him that he LOVES his job. He always has a big grin on his face, and he never gets sick of saying "My pleasure" or "Can I refresh your beverage?" I'm so grateful for all his hard work, and I respect him for pursuing what he feels the Lord is calling him to do. Gooooo Andy. Eat More Chikin.

Saturday I had the opportunity to walk with one of my very best friends, Sarah Hope. She is getting hitched August 3, 2013. It was fun to hear all about wedding plans! I am very excited for this season in her life. After walking I dedicated the entire day to laying in the sun. I have decided that this is my spiritual gift. I am Grrrreat at laying in the sun :). Saturday night my family played putt-putt and got ice cream. It was so much fun! I love spending time with them. Andy won ... but I got first place out of the girls!

Sunday morning we had pancakes as usual. I woke up Andy to breakfast in bed! He would be mortified if he knew I took this picture and/or that it is on my blog. This is what he looks like in the morning. Girls ... try not to lust after him ok? I know he is a hottie.

After church on Sunday we went to the lake. It was a much needed day away form reality. We anchored the boat and floated in the water all afternoon. Colbie even got in the water with us! You wouldn't think it but she is a really good swimmer. Part dog. Part fish.

Well that's all I've got! It is a great day to be alive.

My Dad

My dads 51st birthday was on Monday. Like I said we celebrated by doing fondue on Sunday night. It was very fun. We have a tradition of going around at dinner and everyone taking a turn saying something they like or admire about the birthday boy/girl. If you know me well you know that I am a daddys girl. We are buddies, and I love him very much. In every family I feel like you have one parent you are more similar to (or atleast that is how it is in my fam). My sister is an exact replica of my mom, and I am a mini version of my dad. I think growing up I was the son he never had. He coached my softball teams, let me ride on the lawn mower, and taught me how to fish. All that to say that when it came my turn to say something nice about my dad immediate tears filled my eyes (side note: this crying thing is something new to me. Before getting married I NEVER cried and now I do all the time. Weird). I told him that I liked him as a friend, and that I really cherish our relationship. I also told him that I admire the way he does everything with his whole heart. If you know my dad you know that he is intentional, caring, and sincere. Basically he is superdad. He is a wonderful husband, father, and friend. So here is to my dad ... for loving and serving others well.

The whereabouts of my weekend:

Friday night I was a grandma! I had good intentions and was going to go downtown to the concert in market square, but when it came time to go I was pooped. My social life is taking a downfall from this working world stuff. So instead of being social Andy and I put on our pj’s around 9:00!

We made up for our grandma and grandpa selves on Saturday. Saturday night was such a joyful time. Andy and I had the opportunity to spend time with all of our best friends from highschool and it was an absolute blast. The boys played wiffle ball (no surprise there) and then we had a cookout. It was so refreshing to all be back together again. It is crazy how we all still click and get along so well … it was like we were 16 years old again.

Calli and I met at mom and dads house to walk early Saturday morning and to our surprise the entire back yard had been destroyed. Well … mom and dad are building a pool. Yup a pool. Too bad they are doing it now and not while we were in our prime sun years. I think it is kinda silly because they never stay at their house anymore, but oh well! After we walked we went to Trader Joe’s. I think I am in love. It is the coolest little grocery store.

Andy and I house/dog sat this past weekend for Milly Miller. Meet Milly …

She was the sweetest dog. We introduced Colbie to Milly. Milly really liked Colbie and was curious about

her, but Colbie was not having it!

Sunday morning has somehow become pancake day! We make pancakes before church. This past Sunday we made a GIANT pancake!It has become a fun little ritual

Sunday night we celebrated my dads birthday. He is 51 as of yesterday! We did fondue for dinner. We had two different broths to cook the meat in. One was a wine based broth and the other was a tropical blend broth. They were both delicious! If you have a fondue pot you should use it, and if you don’t you should get one! Andy and I do fondue for dinner all the time. It is a great way to cook and visit, and it is just really fun.

Here is the birthday boy in action ...

Here is the birthday boy eating on his "special" plate ...

The love birds ...

My diploma had been mailed to my parents house and they delivered it to me Sunday night! YAY! It was so great to get it. I didn't walk ... so getting my diploma was closure for me. After my last class I kept getting nervous that I was missing something, or that somehow I wouldn't graduate. I think I checked dars like 1,000,000 times.

We took a couple family pictures. Here is our little family...

Well. That's all folks! Have a great day