Laurel Girls...and Guys

I had such an awesome friend-filled weekend! It started Thursday night. Daniel and Joey, two of our best guy friends from high school, were in town. High school would not have been the same without these boys! Even though Daniel beat me every single year for class president, we were all so close. I haven't seen either one in a very long time so it was so great to catch up. Allyson, Alicia and I met them at Brownstones for dinner and then headed to 206 Front for Cary Hudson. It was an awesome evening...we had great conversation and Cary Hudson played my favorites, "Free State of Jones" and "Rye Whiskey"!

These two guys are awesome, and have done some really great things with their lives. I am so proud of them and their accomplishments! I cannot wait to see you again, Daniel and Joey!

Friday night, we had our monthly "Laurel Girls Night Out". Technically, I guess it should be "West Jones Girls" but we've always said Laurel girls. We all met at my house, went to Crescent City for dinner, then headed back to my house for a slumber party.

I definitely feel lucky to have some amazing friends. Our group has been strong since high school, and some of us have even been close since elementary. Even though many have moved, married, and started families, we all do a great job of staying in touch.
After staying up all night talking, we got up early and went bridesmaid dress shopping with Allyson. I'm so happy that my best friend has found the love of her life. It's such an exciting time! I can't give any hints, but just know that Allyson's dress is amazing and she is going to be a stunning bride! She isn't sure about the bridesmaid dress yet so Jessica, Michelle, Alicia and I were there to play dress up! Stay tuned until after the wedding to see pictures!

My precious grandmother was staying with my parents this weekend so I visited with her Saturday afternoon through Sunday. On Sunday, she made her first visit to my house! I was very excited that she finally got to see our home.
It was such a packed, but wonderful weekend. The older I get, the more I realize the importance of true friends and family. I mean I've always valued my family and friends, but I've become very emotional about these relationships over the last few years. My 10 year high school reunion is in October, so maybe that's causing some of the emotion I've been experiencing too.
As you guessed, Robert worked all weekend so he missed out on the fun. He is doing really great in school this semester though. It's almost over, and we'll just have one more to go! Little Sugar loved all the company we had this weekend. She is always a little unsure at first, but then gives all our visitors her signature "sugars"!

Happy Birthday America & Happy Birthday Sugar!

Robert had clinicals every day last weekend, so we didn't do much celebrating for the 4th. I am very proud to be an American though, and will celebrate extra next year! While Robert was at the hospital, I spent the weekend as the perfect housewife. I cleaned the whole house, cut the grass, washed all the clothes, made a trip to Lowe's for flowerbed mulch, and had dinner ready every night. Whew! I hope he doesn't start expecting that! I actually really enjoyed it...I felt very productive.

One of our yummy meals - Robert likes to make the plates look restaurant quality! :)
One thing I love about the 4th of July (and New Years) is fireworks! My big, bad puppy dog, on the other hand, is absolutely terrified. As soon as she heard fireworks in our neighborhood, she made a beeline for our closet. That's her "safe place". It's so funny to me that so many people think Sugar is mean because of the way she looks, but really she is a big sweet scaredy cat.

July is going to be absolutely awful for Robert. He has clinicals or work pretty much every day this month. Actually, this weekend was his only time off but he had to spend both days on the computer doing homework. He did take time to grill me a fabulous ribeye last night though. Anyone who has had Robert's steaks knows that was a real treat! My husband makes the best steaks ever. Hands down, better than any restaurant. Please keep him and us in your prayers as he works his booty off to make it to December. I hope he knows how proud of him I am!

I can't believe our first child turns 1 tomorrow! She is such a big girl! I know she doesn't understand that's its her birthday but we spoiled her anyway! I took her to Pet Smart today to let her pick out a toy and a treat. She was just like her dad and picked the most expensive items in the place! She only turns 1 once though, so she got what she wanted! Here are a couple pictures of our celebration.



She loved her Nylabone. Yes, I gave in and gave it to her today. She still has another present for tomorrow though!

Oh another note, what am I going to do without The Hills?! I've been following since the Laguna Beach beginning. It's my only must watch show! I never watched Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, or any of the other shows that many of my friends love. My only tv commitment is to The Hills, and MTV is taking it away from me!

I guess this is Goodbye, girls!

Meet Sugar Magnolia Lee

I married a "dog" guy, and I didn't like dogs. Sure, I had a puppy (Precious the Peek-a-Poo) when I was a couple years old, but I don't remember her. When I was 5, my dad's German Shorthair jumped up on me and scared me to death! Duke was just playing with me, but after that day, I officially did not like dogs. So fast forward almost 20 years and I meet Daisy, the crazy Golden Retriever. Daisy is Robert's parents dog, and Mr. Perry got her for his birthday after Robert and I had been dating for 2 years or so. I absolutely did not know how to handle this crazy puppy. I didn't learn this until years later, but there was a very serious Lee Family Meeting about me and my "dog skills" or lack there of! Literally every Lee is a "dog" person. Good thing they had faith I would come around! After Robert and I got married, he kept talking about getting a dog but I didn't want one until we had a fenced in back yard. I couldn't even think of having a big dog living inside. Well, do men ever listen? Of course not! So on August 29, within the first year of marriage and without a fenced in back yard, I became a Mom! Robert was really interested in American Bulldogs, and a breeder was selling them right down the road. I really didn't have a choice when I saw how excited Robert was about them! Sugar was 1 of 13 puppies, and they were all adorable! She was the runt of the litter, and was solid white with one black ear and one polka dotted ear.



Although, it took me a little while to adjust to "mommyhood", I can honestly say that I couldn't imagine my life without her. She is always excited to see me, always makes me feel better on a bad day, and always gives me very good sugars! To top it off, she is super smart. So, basically, Robert was right (he has it in writing now), and now I am a "dog" person too! Our little Sugar Magnolia will be 1 years old on July 12. Knowing how much I love this sweet puppy, I can only imagine how much I will love our children one day!