i heart weekends

This weekend was lots of fun! Friday night, Robert and I had a nice romantic steak dinner at home. Robert's sister, Lauren, and her boyfriend, Chris, were in town for a wedding and stayed with us. Sunday, we enjoyed a nice lunch with them and spent the afternoon catching up.

Saturday night was Allyson and Dave's engagement dinner in Laurel. Everything was so nice and we had lots of fun! I'm so happy for them. They make a beautiful couple. Here are some pictures from the party.

Sugar wanted to make an appearance so I will leave you with a quick "hello" from her! :)

Hope everyone has a great week!

My Girls

Robert and I only have 2 more months of official newlywediness! I will devote a post to him a little closer to our anniversary. Right now, I want to talk about my beautiful bridesmaids. I tried to thank them during a toast at my rehearsal dinner, but I was too emotional to get it out. So almost 2 years later, I am giving these ladies the "toast" they deserve.

Each of you have, in some way, inspired me to be the person I am today. I know 20 years from now you will still be a special part of my life. Thank you for everything.

ALLYSON
Allyson was my MOH, and is my BFF. She knows me like no other. We can complete each others sentences and thoughts. We are very much alike, yet so very different. I have so many memories with her from eating watermelon at her parent's house in high school to finishing our first 5k together with many in between. Our wedding date was actually planned around Allyson. See, she was in her last year of vet school and was only allowed 2 weeks away from campus. One of the weeks was in October, thus our October wedding date. Even though Allyson was extremely busy with school, she made time to come to a shower and plan my entire bachelorette party. She was also my rock for the two days before the wedding. She actually drove me around while I crazily handled all the last minute errands. Thank you, Ally Wally!

JESSICA

Jessica and I have known each other since kindergarten. I guess we became really close beginning in 5th grade. I cannot even begin to name all the memories Jess and I have made together. High school would definitely not have been the same without her. I wish I could relive all of the fun things we did together. We can go a month without talking and when we get on the phone, its like we never missed a day. Jessica is such a strong person, a wonderful mom, and an awesome friend. She is always so supportive and she hosted me a wonderful wedding shower. Thank you, Jess!

KRISTEN

Kristen is my oldest friend. My grandmother actually babysat us together when we were 5. Growing up, we were inseparable. We stayed together every weekend, went on every vacation together, and even dressed alike. Her parents are like my 2nd parents. They were the scripture readers at our wedding. I couldn't imagine them not having a part in my special day. I have so many memories with Kristen. I could write a book! I know no matter where like takes us, we will remain best friends. There is no question that she will always be there for me. Kristen made me an amazing scrapbook and gave it to me at the rehearsal dinner. I will always treasure it. Thank you, Kristen!

MICHELLE

Although Michelle and I were good friends in high school, we didn't get super close until college. Michelle is the friend who likes to have lots of fun, yet she is also the friend I call when I have a grown up question. We have lots of amazing memories together. I know she will always be there for me if I ever need anything. She was so super supportive during my wedding planning (especially when I had a million questions), and gave we a wonderful bridal shower. Thank you, Michelle!

CHRISSY

Chrissy and I met when I became a Phi Mu. I was honestly a little intimidated by her at first. Then we became close, and even lived together. While living with a good friends can sometimes hurt a friendship, it only made our friendship stronger. She is my super fun friend, and my good music loving friend. Chrissy is also the friend that puts me in my place. She has a huge heart and will always be there if I need anything. Chrissy gave us a really fun Southern Miss themed couple shower, planned mani/pedis (complete with "light cocktails") for the bridesmaids, and wrote a funny poem for us for the rehearsal dinner. Thank you, Chrissy Linn!

MONICA

Monica and I were in the same hall during sorority recruitment, and we instantly became friends. The next year, we lived together in the dorms. Living together in such a small place creates a level of closeness like no other! Monica and I have been there for each other during some of the hardest times of our lives, and celebrated some of the greatest times in our life together. While we are alike in a lot of ways, we are very different. We can go a while without seeing each other yet our closeness remains. Monica gave us a Southern Miss themed couple shower that we enjoyed so much! Thank you, Moni!

ELIZABETH

Elizabeth is Robert's oldest sister. When I had a crush on Robert in college, everyone told me that Elizabeth would have to like me before Robert would! Well, luckily she realized how much Robert and I cared about one other and she was actually the one that helped us tell each other. She is super fun, and we could literally talk for hours and hours. I love having you as a sister, lil Lilly!

LAUREN

Lauren is Robert's baby sister. I still remember the first time I met her before Robert and I ever dated. She came up to Hattiesburg to visit him while she was still in high school and we hung out all night. I thought she was so precious. Lauren has now graduated college and grown into beautiful young woman. She has the kindest heart of anyone I know. I love having you as a sister, Lauren!

Thank you all for being the best friends ever! I love you girls!

She is Human!

My friend Chrissy always says this about Sugar! I love it!! It is so true...sometimes I do think she is human! Weekend before last, Robert had to work so Sugar and I had the whole weekend to play. My friend Molly told me about a "Dogs Days of Summer" special at a local photography studio, C Studio. They were offering a 15 minute session with a free 5x7 of your pet in exchange for donations of toys, treats and/or cleaning supplies for Southern Pines Animal Shelter. Sugar was all clean so I couldn't resist! She was Miss Personality at the photography studio, and I am pretty sure they all loved her! She even made their facebook page! Mom and Mrs. Gayle, close your eyes for a second - I even ordered some pictures for her grandparents' Christmas gifts!

Sugar is SO funny and so very sneaky. She is not allowed on the furniture, and she knows that. Well, when we would tell her good night and close our bedroom door, we would hear the sound of little paws on the wood floor. As soon as we opened the door, she would run back to her bedroom, aka the laundry room. One morning I opened the bedroom door and heard her jumping off the couch. She thought she had tricked us, and apparently it works most of the time! Some mornings I catch her and some mornings she makes it back to her bedroom before I wake up. Either way, I think it's so cute how darn sneaky she is!

Last weekend Robert was off! It was his first weekend off in 3 weeks. Friday night, Robert's work crew had a Couples Cornhole Tournament. If you have never played cornhole, you should try it! It may sound strange but it is so much fun! Saturday was an extremely lazy day...but sometimes you just need that. We finally got to go to church together on Sunday, and that night I hosted a Phi Mu Alumnae event at our house. It was a nice little weekend!

Speaking of church, we feel so blessed to be a part of Parkway Heights UMC. When we first started dating back in 2005, we decided we wanted to find a church home. Robert grew up Methodist while I grew up Baptist so we agreed to visit a different one each Sunday until we found were we belonged. PHUMC was the first one we visited. It was so warm and welcoming and just felt like home. We never visited another church, joined Parkway in March of 2008, and were married there in October 2008. We have met some really great friends through a couples class, have awesome Sunday School teachers, and always receive an uplifting message from Eddie. I cannot wait for Robert to have more free time so we can become more active at Parkway, but until then, it is good to know that we have so many people praying for us during this stressful time.

Hope everyone has a fabulous week!