Out with the old and in with the new...

I knew the time when I would no longer be driving the 626 was approaching, given it's 135k miles and deteriorating condition...I just didn't realize how sad I would actually be when that day came. We listed my car on Craigs List on a Saturday afternoon on a whim. All the while Ben was thinking we were never going to be able to sell it and therefore never make money on this ------- (fill in the blank). Much to our surprise, we had a serious buyer call within 20 minutes of having it listed. We arranged a time to meet with this potential buyer on Monday. They offered us exactly what we were asking and, therefore, at 6:00 on Monday I was officially carless...

Getting in the 626 for the very last time! Thanks for the past 8 years of memories!

So, in between these 2 pictures consisted of lots of carpooling, quality husband & wife time, and lots of researching SUVs on the internet. Who knew looking at new cars could be so time consuming and stressful!?! We finally compromised agreed on an SUV -- Volvo XC90 -- so now it was all about finding the right deal and the right color combo.  

So, this past weekend we took a little trip {500 miles one way to be exact} to Wilmington, NC to pick up this...

Just forgive the crazy hair......it was so windy in Wilmington! And although I originally thought it was our compromise vehicle, after 3 days of driving it....I am in love! So, here is to the next 8 years of memories :)

Girls' Spa Getaway

I'm just now getting around to posting about my weekend at the Spa with 2 of my best friends from college and bridesmaids, Lindsey and Keri. We have been talking about doing a girls' trip for a while now but planning proves to be difficult with everyones bustling social calendars. I am so glad we were finally able to make it happen. It. Was. Amazing. We relaxed, laughed, drank way too much vino....but most importantly were just able to be in the same place!  It's hard to believe we met 9 years ago when we were pledging the same sorority, yet it feels like we've been friends our whole life!

Did I mention that we laughed a lot?

Thanks for being such great friends! I'm looking forward to many more girls' trips!

Weekend at the Country Club...

Ben played in a golf tournament this past weekend with one of his good friends from college and groomsmen, Charlie. They had events all weekend (including ones for the wives/significant others). It was a win-win situation if you ask me!

All of the festivities occurred at the beautiful Birmingham Country Club...not a bad place to have to spend your weekend

The boys were in Flight 2....so proud of them!

Friday night there was dinner and dancing...

Hollie and I had so much fun...love hanging out with her!

So, the boys spent their time doing lots of this....as in 63 holes of golf were played over 3 days

While the girls worked equally as hard doing things like this...

And guess what? All of our support paid off 

The guys won 2nd place in their flight....such a proud wife!

We had such a great weekend! Thanks again Charlie & Hollie for inviting us!

Summer Fun

We had a very relaxing 4 day weekend which was much needed! We spent the weekend at home so we were able to visit with some friends and get some things done around the house. Not to mention the following things (in no particular order)...

We did lots of this...

Enjoyed way too much of this...

And celebrated by watching this...

I hope you enjoyed your holiday weekend!

Captain Ocoee

Last weekend, Ben and I went whitewater rafting with 2 of my good friends from college and their husbands. After receiving the invite to go, I was terrified really excited when Ben agreed that we should participate in this very dangerous exhilerating activity. After signing my rights away (including my right to live) I was pretty much convinced that I would have at least 1 bodily injury and/or emotional injury to hold over my husband's head report. The pre-rafting safety course only confirmed this when the instructor mentioned things like what to do if you get caught in a hydraulic. I mean talk about a comforting mental image. And while I was very jealous that the other groups had very athletic looking guides skeptical of our old, crusty guide, Dickie (aka Captain Ocoee), he quite possibly saved my life. There was a point early on in our trip where I was headed straight into the gushing rapid and he reached over and grabbed me by my life jacket and pulled me back into our raft. Thanks again Dickie for keeping us all safe! Since I am alive and able to write this post, I can now say that the trip was a lot of fun!

Pre-rafting picture of the group

Me, Lindsey, & Raney

Some pictures to prove that I actually went action shots

Sigh of relief, we survived!

Thanks again Raney & Keith for inviting us!

What Did You Expect?

Ben and I are starting this marriage conference at our church, What did you expect? Redeeming the realities of your marriage. I can honestly say that marriage has been better than I expected. I thank God often for blessing me with Ben. Other than my relationship with the Lord, he is most important to me. I can't imagine what a different person I would be today had it not been for him in my life. The Lord has used him to lead and guide, challenge and grow me. He is an amazing leader of our home...and as a wife, such peace comes from knowing that your husband is seeking the Lord in everything!

The Queen City

I have been dying to go to Charlotte and visit my good friend Amanda, so when the opportunity presented itself I immediately booked my flight. I went for a quick weekend trip and cannot even put into words how much fun it was! First off, Charlotte. Is. Amazing. It reminded me of a mix of Atlanta (good shopping/restaurants) and Nashville (pretty southern estates). Amanda is one of those friends regardless of how much time passes between seeing each other or talking, we immediately pick back up where we left off. Apparently we were having so much fun talking and catching up, we didn't have time to take a picture of us! We had a full day on Saturday of eating, shopping, more shopping, going to the movies, and last but not least more eating. What more could a girl want?

One of the many places we went shopping at....I mean seriously?

Dean and Deluca :)

Thanks for having me Amanda & Joe-- I can't wait to come back and visit-- maybe next time it will be to move there :)