Swimming Upstream

So, as you know from my last post that Michael and I started packing up the house. I had forgotten how much trouble it was to move the last time, but I am convinced we have more junk this time. It leaves me wondering...where does it all come from? We did clean out closets, and we have about 8 bags of clothes we are donating. Yeah!!! But..I do feel like we are "swimming up stream." We started packing the kitchen and attic up. The entertainment center is completely packed/emptied. Boxes have officially taken over the place. We live in a small space anyways, but now we have little walkways in between boxes. Hopefully we can sell or get rid of your dining room table with chairs, entertainment center, and green couches. If those things were gone...I would have places for the boxes. In the meantime....we have to extra careful not to trip!

boxes, boxes, and boxes

I am very glad to say that Michael and I are going to be having a peaceful weekend at home. We are going to start some major packing, because the days are getting few from now and until the time we move. Hopefully, we will make lots of progress. Thanks to my school and the local liquor store we have lots of boxes to fill:) Plus, the weather is supposed to be rainy ALL weekend, so we won't be tempted to play outside. Let me back-track a second... I made us sound like alcholics. We just get the boxes...already empty. I am also looking forward to getting to spend time with my wonderful husband. It has been too long since we have gotten to chill out together. Love you sweetpea! Let the packing BEGIN!

The Fighting Okra

I got accepted into graduate school! I will be working on my Master's of Education Degree. Delta State has an online program where I never have to go to class, and I can still earn my degree! I am so pumped and nervous all at the same time. I will probably only take one class a semester while I am teaching and load up on classes in the summer time while I am off. Lots I new things and changes are going on in our lives, but they are all exciting. I will be moving, starting a new job, and furthering my education. Prayer will be a necessity!

We Love Our Mommas

Michael and I are both very close to our moms, so our weekend was filled with making them each feel important. Last Thursday, we spent a long time picking our gifts for each one. The cards had already been mailed, which also took a lot of time to choose. So, as soon as we got the gifts home, I of course wrapped them to make sure they would be ready. Saturday morning, Michael and I woke up early to make the drive to Jackson. It was a stormy morning, but it quickly passed over. We were very thankful. It stinks to drive in the rain. So, we finally make it there. We made a quick stop for me to sign the lease to our new apartment and then heading to Case's house. When we got there we found out Mrs. Karon had to work that night. Someone had called in sick, and she was picking up their shift. So, her hair was in rollers, and I was informed to not post any of those pictures. Which of course I wouldn't! Yes I would. I think Mrs. Karon is beautiful no matter whether she has rollers in her hair or not. But, I did make a promise, which I am keeping. I have to say, I really got lucky with my mother-in-law. She is the most sincere sweetest person. She always listens to me whether I am right or wrong. She gangs up with me on Michael. hehe! only when he needs it. I can honestly say I love my mother-in-law! We had a great visit, and I think she liked her gifts. She loves to read, so we gave her two devotional books! After we got all caught up on life, Michael and I drove back to Tupelo. We won't have too many more of the back in forths! Sunday, we went to church with my mom in the morning. Afterwards, we let her open her gift at home. Then, we took out to eat at O'Charley's. I took her shopping all afternoon ending with a 2 mile walk. It was good to have a day with my mom. Eventhough we live two minutes from each other we never really get to spend that much time together. So, it was my joy to monopolize her time. My mom is not just a mom. She is also my best friend. It is going to be hard to live far away from each other. I am not looking forward to that. Luke came to visit that night! It was great to see my big brother! We all got to eat dinner together and enjoy each others company.

picture of us at the Case's to prove we did go:)

Momma with her present: Willow Tree figurine of a brother and sister.

Me and Momma

Teachers Out on the Town

Last weekend, my friends from work...Saltillo Elementary...took me out for a night on the town. I don't want to call it a good-bye party, but a see you later party. I will still be back up here to visit even after we move. Either way, we started out at Las Margaritas to eat dinner. I love to eat here. It is one of my favorites :) But we made the mistake of eating in the town we worked in. We were constantly looking to see if any students or parents of students walked in the restaurant. Not that we do not all love our little students, but sometimes you need to be a woman and not Mrs. Teacher...if you know what I mean. You need to let your hair down sometimes, and we definetely did. We had lots of laughs and good times. My wonderful friends gave me some gorgeous pottery, and I can not wait to put it up in our new home. It is absolutely perfect. Well, after we ate dinner, some went home and the rest of us headed to Vanelli's to sit on "the porch" and listen to some live music. We were hoping for some karoke (I can't spell), but no such luck. There was a man playing and singing some of the greats of country music: Garth Brooks, George Strait, and etc. We heard that the Spunk Monkeys were playing at Woody's, so we load up and head there. We get there, and yes I got IDed. The bouncer man looked at my liscense and looked back at me two times. I had to inform him that I chopped off my hair after the picture. Seriously, does he know who he is talking to? Mrs. Good-Two-Shoes in person. So, I got in with the rest of the gang, and we listened for a little while. It was extremely loud. We had to scream to even hear each other. Needless to say, we didn't stay very long. Remember, we are all teachers. We have to be around loud little ones all day....who needs that at the night too? At this point things are winding down, so we drive to Barnes and Noble for some coffee. We sat outside and chit-chatted. It felt so good sitting outside in the breeze. All around it was an absolutely fabulous night. I work with the best ladies ever! No one can ever replace them. Okay, I can't think about anymore or I will cry. But, I love you all!

The beautiful pottery my friends gave me.

One side of the table: Monica, Me, and Rhonda

The other side of the table: Cindy, Sarah, and Courtney

Me and Courtney

Me and Cindy

Spring Wedding Showers

I am so excited my friends are getting married! Wedding showers are so fun to go to. You get to watch the bride-to-be open all her goodies and visit with friends. Marriage is such a wonderful thing to celebrate. Spring wedding showers mean summer weddings! I will post wedding pictures and write about the events as soon as I can!

This picture of my lil'Chi-Omega sis, Katherine or the future Mrs. Dendy, and me at her

Home and Garden Shower on April 11, 2009.

The wedding date is June 13, 2009

This is a picture at Claire Finn's church wedding shower on May 3, 2009.

The future Mrs. Mitchell is in the middle of me and Katherine B.

The wedding date is June 6, 2009.

Dad.... through my eyes

My dad is a man that wears many hats. He is a father, husband, son, brother, uncle,musician, antique car mechanic/remodeler, banker, and most recently became a grandfather.
Lots of people told me growing up that I looked like my mom until they saw my dad. You can tell from the picture below that we have an uncanny resemblance to each other. I did get my eyes and mannerisms from my mom, but everything else is Larry Q. In other words, I couldn't deny him being my dad even if I wanted to, but forturnately I don't want to.
I have always been "daddy's little girl." That is something you never escape or grow out of. I found this to be true through experience.
One of my favorite pictures growing up, which I wish I had, is of me and my dad in true form. He is underneath an antique car working on something down there, and I am laying there right beside him with both of our feet hanging out. All you can see in the picture is the car and our legs and feet sticking out. It's a great photo. I believed my dad could rope the moon and hang the stars.
Somehow growing up my dad let me stop aging at 12 years old. I was 12 for a good 3 three years at least. I think I did stop growing to him, or he just didn't want me to become a teenager. I can't blame him, because he knew the next thing to come was dating and boys. This meant for the first time in my life there might be another boy or man in my life. I can't imagine how scary that can be for dad or any parent. But, it didn't matter what boy walked through the door, because I would always be his little girl. I think I picked a good one in the end. My husband treats me like queen.
My dad has taught me many things over the years. He taught me never to give up on something I wanted. He taught me how to be a hardworker in school and outside of school. Many people do not know how hard school is for me. My dad and I could really relate on that subject, because he had a hard time in school too. He taught me the meaning of true forgiveness. The kind where you let go of something and don't keep bringing it back up. He taught me to be my own person and have my own mind. When I grew up that became a problem, because we disagree sometimes. But never the less, he taught me to be that way.
We don't get to pick our parents. God picks them for us. God picks the ones HE needs us to have to mold and shape us to who HE wants us to be later in life. Are parents perfect? Of course they aren't. They are humans and make mistakes like everyone else, but love will they have will always remain. So, in closing, I know my dad has help shape and mold me into who I have become, and that I am thankful.

See! Even at 24 years old... I am still my dad's little girl.