Gone Fishing

It was such a beautiful day yesterday, Sunday, that Michael could not stand to be inside. Michael came up with the idea to go fishing. As many of you may know my husband absolutely loves to fish. He would do it every day for hours if he could. Anyways, he asked me if I wanted to go fishing with him, and it is rare thing for me to have time to go fishing with him. I really do enjoy fishing, which is a good thing. He loaded the car with the tackle box and rods. I wanted a chair, because today I just wanted to sit in the and read. We went to Wal-Mart and bought 50 crickets. We both go fishing liscenses. I have never gotten one before, and I was really excited about it. We drove on the Natchez Trace about 15 minutes to this fishing spot Michael had discovered on our way to visit his grandparents. We parked, walked, and set up in our spot. It was such an enjoyable afternoon. We just relaxed! Michael didn't catch anything :( but, we still had fun.

A Precious Baby Girl

I have waited all week for this weekend, and now it is finally here! I made sure that most all of my school work was completed or at least what I thought I had to do before the next week. We went to bed early on Friday, so we could wake up and go and visit our neice. We had a short little road trip to Byhalia, MS filled with good conversation. We got to talk a some about the future and what type of furniture we like etc. Then, we arrived at the Cantrell house! It was mine and Michael's very first time to get to hold her! She is such a good baby! It felt so wonderful to get to hold her. She is an excellent snuggler. There is something about holding a baby. It makes everything in the world seem right.

I enjoyed every minute I got to hold her. She slept most of the time we were there. She did open her eyes after her long nap. She has some big eyes with a very expressive little face too. Michael and I got to catch up with my Luke and Amanda. Mom got there a little after we did. So, we just basically visited the entire day. This has been the best Saturday in a while. We are very blessed!

Making a BIG Decision.....

Michael and I have been thinking a lot about the idea of moving back to the Jackson, MS area. We have loved living in Tupelo. It is where we got married. We started our life together here. This town has been wonderful to us. I love the ladies I work with at Saltillo Elementary. Michael has enjoyed doing trim carpentry. But, it is time for a change. Michael wants to go into law enforcement for his career. I support his decision fully. It is not going to be easy to be a wife to a policeman, but it is something I can handle with God's help. He is working on filling out all the applications to turn in to get into the Police Academy, which is located in Jackson. Once he goes, he will have to stay there for 10 weeks of training, but he does get to come home on the weekends. Yeah! I have applied for a teaching jobs in the Jackson area as well. Please pray that we will both get jobs. We are looking to move sometime during the summer. We are excited about the decision to move, but we are also feeling nervous and anxious. It is not an easy thing to not know what your future holds. It definetely is testing our faith and strengthening it all at the same time. In a way, it is like moving back home. We grew up in Jackson, so we know the area well. But it is scary too, because we were kids then. Now, we are the adults! Oh well! Here we go!

Katherine Tally Cantrell

Cantrell Family

Sweet baby girl!

Momma and Baby

Hello World! I am here!

This is my favorite

Luke and Amanda

All the people who came for Kate's birth

Grandparents with the new Mom and Dad

Luke, Momma, Amanda, Kate, and Dad

Nina, Dad, Amanda, Kate, and Luke

Baby Kate is HERE!

We could not be more excited about our precious niece's birth. Michael and I were asleep

when we got the phone call from my brother at 5:30 a.m. saying that Amanda was in labor. They were on their way to the hospital. Michael and I got out of bed and got ready to head out.
We arrived to the hospital about 10:30 in the morning.

The room was filled with family and friends to surround Luke, Amanda, and baby Kate with love. This is a list of all the people I can remember:Uncle Michael, Aunt Katie, Grammy (my mom), Papa Q and Nina (my dad and his wife), Aunt Meme and Uncle Jake (Amanda's sister and brother). Uncle Blake was at the beach. He didn't think the baby could be born before her due date. haha :) We did get him on the phone to give him all the updates. KK and Pawpaw (Amanda's parents) Granny T, Daddy Doc, Dale, Ned, Mr. and Mrs. Bousson. (Amanda's grandparents), Travis, Bubba, Uncle Buckey, Will, and Jonathan N. (family friends). Needless to say it was a packed out room. Amanda had made cookies for everyone the day before, so considerate! She had also made the grandparents, aunts, and uncles pink T-shirts that said, "Kate's Fan Club March 2009" along with our title, such as "Aunt Katie and Uncle Michael" We wore them all proudly in the waiting room. Speaking of the nurses made everyone leave Amanda's room around 11:30. We did not hear anything again until 2:30! They let the grandparents go in first then the rest of us. It was such a wonderful day. Kate is so beautiful. Not that I am biase or anything. She weighed 7 pounds-13 ounces and 21 1/2 inches long. She has the biggest dark eyes and brown hair. She had her eyes WIDE open when we all came in the room. She just looked and looked around. We are all truly blessed. She is already a bright sunshine in our world. I will post more photos when I get them. My mom's camera is jam packed. We love you Luke, Amanda, and Kate!!!!

Happy Birthday Momma!!!!!

Momma turned 60 years old. I would probably get in trouble for saying how old she turned, but it is written on the cake. It was a fun-filled birthday weekend! Started with Friday night going out to eat the the girls at Outback Steakhouse. Saturday going out with Luke, Amanda, Momma, Michael, and me to Bonefish Grill, which was amazing food. We will definetely be going back there again. We gave Momma her present, an antique phone, she has been wanting a LONG time. I really wish everybody I know could hear Bandit and Luke singing the happy birthday song. I know it is hard to believe that a dog can sing, but I have heard it with my own ears. Besides, Bandit is not your typical dog. On Sunday, the family came over to eat cake and ice cream and of course, watch the State vs. Tennessee game. Go Dawgs!

Happy 60th birthday Momma!

Birthday Girl!

Uncle Jeff, Aunty Hilda, Momma, and Aunt Jennifer
brother and sisters

Me, Momma, and Luke

the cake

Antique phone!!!!

Luke and Bandit singing "Happy Birthday"

Momma with all the decorations

at Luke and Amanda's

Luke, Momma, Amanda, and Kate

Me, Momma, and Michael

Luke, Momma, and Me

My Wonderful Husband

Michael has been having to work in Jackson lately. So, he sent me roses to work. He missed me! It was so sweet. My students went crazy over them. They were such beautiful roses. What a romantic!

Baby Showers for Amanda

I can't wait until our little neice, Katherine Tally Cantrell, is here! Amanda is going to be an absolutely wonderful mother. She is so kind and sincere with the sweetest heart. Luke is going to be a fabulous father! He is protective (learned from experience), provides, and can always make anyone laugh. Of course his little girl is going to have him wrapped around her itty-bitty finger!

In the meantime, I have had an complete blast going to all the baby showers that I can!

Tennessee Shower

Me and Momma

The wreath we made for Baby Kate to go on the hospital

door when she arrives.

Me and Amanda

Me, Momma, Amanda, Mrs. Kathy, and Megan

Tupelo Shower

handmade gown by Aunt Hilda

Our gift-baby monitors

Can't you see her glowing? How beautiful!!!

Mrs. Kathy, Amanda, and Momma

Amanda's first baby was at the Silver Caboose in TN. It seemed like yesterday her bridemaids' luncheon was there. Here we are today with a baby on the way!

"Daddy on Duty" apron...that Luke will actually wear!

Cookies!

Table decorations that are beautiful.

Me with Amanda and Momma

Me and Momma at Amanda's first baby shower!

All the Aunts, Grandmothers, and Mommy to be