Chandler's Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day 2008 was a weekend full of fun for both Adam and I. Unfortunately, we didn't get to spend the weekend together but we were able to go to the places we both love. I spent my time with some friends from Orlando. Saturday night we drove to Tampa and had the chance to see the John Mayer concert. As hurricane Gustav made its way into the gulf, it produce feeder bands that made one wet adventure. On the drive to Tampa it rained off and on and of course we were in the uncovered grass area. My shoes are mud stained. I am thankful that when the concert began the rained stopped and it was an enjoyable night. 

This is the whole gang! 

Chandler, Hannah (in the middle used to be my roommate), 

& Scarlett

John Mayer 

Liz, me, Josh, & Chris 

When the concert was over we drove 2 hours south to Bonita Springs, FL. I think we got there around 2 am and I went to sleep at 4! I have not had a late night like that since college. We all had a lazy morning and headed to the beach just in time for Gustav to hit us with more feeder bands. Unable to spend time soaking up the rays, we decided to head back the beautiful house! We went swimming, read books, watched movies and had an amazing dinner. I was surrounded by great cooks! On Monday we woke up and it was beautiful so we spent the afternoon at the beach. It was a great trip! Here are more pictures...

The name of the neighborhood

My beautiful room 

Feeder Bands

Swimming Pool

Sunset 

Dinner! So delicious. 

The group heading to the beach. 

Me & Scarlett in the ocean! 

A Weekend of Fun!

This past weekend was a busy one for Adam and I. On Friday, my friend Kelly (we went to college together) and her husband Nate came in town from Birmingham. Our church is in the process of finding someone to lead worship and Nate came for an interview. It is exciting to think that this might work out.  I know a lot would need to happen but with God all things are possible!! 

Kelly and I 

 

Nate & Kelly 

On Saturday we all went to Tavern Opa for dinner to celebrate my neighbor, friend, fellow teacher, etc Devin's 30th Birthday. Yes it is a Greek restaurant but it is also like a dance club. Who know that you could dance like crazy one minute and then eat a full course Greek meal the next. The following pictures will give you an idea...

Devin "the birthday girl"  and me

 

Friends from Bible Study 

Dave making hummus

Adam dancing on the table. Yep that's right! 

OPA! 

On Sunday we had a baby shower for our friend Lindsay. She is having a boy at the end of September.  We decorated with a lot of blue and had a yummy spread of food. I made a massive amount of cheese grits, which were delicious. I had enough left overs to feed an army. I guess people around here aren't as crazy about them as us southerners. 

Our delicious spread

Lindsay and her sister Jenn

My beautiful niece Avery 

The hostesses 

Nothing but Trouble

Many of you know our dog Bentley can be a trouble maker! So this afternoon Adam was in our office building bookcases and I was out running errands. He heard Bentley whining but didn't think much about it because he whines all the time. After a few shouts of, "Hush Bentley" Adam decided to investigate the problem and this is what he found...

He was trying to get the kettle corn and got stuck in the sink. 

What a trouble maker!! 

Tropical Storm Fay

Hunker Down!!! 

As of 4:15 this is what the local news was reporting for T.S. Fay. As of now this is like any other rainy day in Florida with a few gusts of wind. I am always amazed at how dramatic the news anchors can make things appear so I included a picture they show of some trees blowing in winter park and then my neighborhood so you could see the real story. 

news picture

vs

my picture 

It is pretty calm. 

The neighborhood is quiet and no one is outside.

I found Bentley curled up on the couch with his feet in the air. 

I wonder if this has anything to do with the weather? 

It looks like we are going to have a rainy night and rainy morning with a chance of tornados. I keep you posted if anything happens. I am sure nothing will but you never know! 

A fun weekend on St. Simon's Island

Last weekend my friend from high school, Christina, married Rick Kingsley in St. Simon's GA. It was a beautiful and probably the most relaxing wedding I have ever been a part of. My mom flew in from Alabama and went with us. I always love each and every opportunity to be with my friends from college. The weekend was filled with many celebrations to honor the couple. I am so happy for the newlyweds. They will be living about 10 minutes away from Adam and I for a few months. Christina and I haven't lived in the same town since college and I am looking forward to many more memories with the two of them. I know you would rather see pictures then a bunch of writing so here's a snapshot of the weekend. 

Dinner Thursday night at The Crab Trap! 

Eating yummy crab legs. 

Bridesmaid Luncheon 

Christina and the bridesmaids 

Christina and Rick at the rehearsal dinner. 

Bama friends at the rehearsal dinner. 

Jamie and I with Rick and Christina. 

Mother-Daughter fun! 

Christina's uncle owns this restaurant in St. Simon's. 

They had the reception here! 

The beautiful bride! 

Cutting the cake!

Our favorite! A Georgia Peach! 

Adam and I! 

Mom had a great time too! 

Jamie and Ashley are my close friends from college.

We always seem to act this way around each other! 

Jamie catching the bouquet! She got some air! 

The wedding was at 11:00 and over by 2:30. 

So Christina's parents had a beach party after the wedding. 

The bride and groom made an appearance! 

New Beginnings

As we begin the fall Adam and I made a massive "to do" list of all the things we are hoping to complete before the end of the year. This weekend was the beginning of attempting to tackle the list. We stormed our house! Adam pressure washed the front porch and I finally went through all my teacher files. They had consumed our office and I couldn't stand the clutter. We also went through the closet downstairs so I would have a place to put all of my things. Now we finally have our office back and all my accumulation of stuff is stored away. As we were cleaning we realized we have a of books so we decided to go to visit IKEA. I never dreamed it would be a zoo of people and stuff.  We were searching for bookcases and we were in luck. We found some at a reasonable price! All we have to do now is put them together. 

Last week I helped a former co-worker for a couple of days in her classroom.  The first day I was a little sad and missed my room but by the second day I realized that I truly loved my time as a teacher but I have such a peace in my heart about my decision not to return. It is hard to believe that they start school tomorrow and I won't be there. 

So what am I doing? 

Maddie

I tried to get her to smile but she was focused on my phone. 

I will be taking care of this precious little girl Madison (Maddie). She just turned 1 and I am taking care of her for a few hours everyday.  The family is so nice and I am thankful for the change. 

Remembering

 

Beautiful flowers from mom! 

Adam also sent me gorgeous flowers! 

The card said "Remembering and trusting in His timing." 

I guess it is safe to say that summer is over since I haven't had much time to update our blog. Last week and this week have  been difficult for me. Our due date was set to be August 6th. The reality of our loss was once again real to me. Mom sent Adam and I a beautiful bouquet of flowers with a verse from Matthew "Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted." Even though the hurt doesn't just go away just because I want it to, the Lord sends his mercies each and everyday. I am reminded of a song that was written about a woman's  miscarriages and there is a part that says, "You'll just have heaven before we do." What more could a parent want for his/her child? To have heaven and never have to experience anything but Jesus. This is my hope and my joy. I guess the part that is most difficult at this point is that we are not pregnant by now. I just assumed that since we were pregnant before it wouldn't take this long. It appears that the Lord has a different plan. So we would appreciate any prayers for us to be content in the waiting and wisdom as we move forward in the process. To remember Adam and I went to dinner at the same restaurant where we celebrated our pregnancy and we are going to attempt to paint a picture to hang in our nursery one day. Once I have the finished product I will post a picture.