10 Year Class Reunion

Gabe and I before the reunion...


Last night was my 10 year class reunion, which was creatively & wonderfully organized by Nicole Samuelson & Tara Miller. Although I was super nervous before I got there, I ended up having so much fun with some awesome friends that I haven't seen in years! It was good to laugh with the girls...meet all the guys' wives...and just reminisce!! I think we are all pretty hip and cool for being THAT OLD:) ha ha!! But seriously - I can't even believe we graduated 10 years ago! Here are some pictures from a really great night:

Me with some of my BFF's from high school - Beth (Phillips) Mallon & Lori (Cornelius) Webb:

Jessica (Salmon)Miller & Tara (Osmon) Miller

Roger Callahan & his fiance, Adriene Beasley (our tablemates:)!!

One silly, and one serious photo of the Class of 1999!

I'm so glad I ended up going (even though I was nervous) because all of those people were a big part of my life when I was growing up...some crucial to the person that I am today. I had so much fun, guys, thanks for the amazing memories:)!!

FINALLY...

It's over...I mean officially, completely, legally over...my house is SOLD!! It has taken 9 mo. or so, but tonight I signed the papers to hand it over to someone else. You can't even imagine the pressure this took off my shoulders...I'm gonna sleep good tonight:) After I signed the papers - it was PARTY TIME:) Here is how we celebrated: 3 ingredients for a perfect "party": family, caffine, and PIZZA:) After we all stuffed ourselves silly, we headed out to the porch to watch the rain move across the bean field and pour down upon us:

My prayers were answered (maybe not on my timeline, but I know it was God's perfect timing)!! Hope everyone has an AMAZING weekend:)

Lyrics

I heard this song today (you've probably heard it before) by Nickelback - I looked up the lyrics tonight because they were really powerful. I picked out my favorite parts, I hope they speak to you like they did to me:

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day’s a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day
And tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
If today was your last day...

Cancelled

The closing for the house was cancelled for today...but thank you to all who were praying for me!! It's been put off until Friday :( I know it's not the end of the world...but it's starting to feel that way...

Holiday World

Thanks to my amazing, smart, beautiful, and insanely organized cousin, Chasity, we had free tickets to Holiday World and we ended up going on Sunday!! Chas gave me the tickets for watching her kids a few times this summer...even though I had alot of fun watching the kids:) Anyway - Me, Max, and Gabe headed to Holiday World - weather was perfect (not too hot), it wasn't crowded at all, and we had the most perfect day!! Our day in pictures:

We also went to the water park - but we were having too much fun for me to take time for pictures! We got in the lazy river and hung on to each other's floats so we stayed together...that was my favorite part of the day! I ended up with a sunburn on my face...but it was sooooo worth it:) On the way home we grabbed Applebees, and by the time we pulled in the driveway we were all yawning and exhausted - what a great day!!

If you think about it - say a quick prayer for me tomorrow cause we are FINALLY closing on our Washington house at 4 p.m. I've been trying to sell this house for 8 months...paying the mortgage for an empty house - praying daily that the perfect person would come along to buy it. It will be such a load off my shoulders once it's all over with tomorrow - I just hope everything goes well, G shows up, he has his half of the $, all the papers get signed, etc...

Ok - gotta go, but this weekend is my 10 year high school reunion...so I'll have lots pictures and updates for you then:)!! I'm excited...but nervous, too!!

I love Friday nights!

I couldn't love Friday nights any more then I do right this second...I'm all curled up with my little man on an oversized, comfy recliner, covered in our warmest blanket...bellies full from the AMAZING homemade pizza that Gabe and I created... watching Scooby Doo like it's goin' out of style.

Life doesn't get much better than this!!!!

Hope you are having an equally WONDERFUL Friday night:)

Time flies...

School has started and everything has been super hectic...time has flown by and I can't even tell you what's been going on! I go to school each day and work hard with the kids, Max goes to Trinia's (and comes home covered from head to toe with dirt), then we come home, make and eat supper, take our baths, get ready for bed...then fall into bed exhausted at 9 or so.

My baby brother, Clay, had his 1st official day at school as a 6th grade teacher at ND. He makes me super proud - and is such an amazing role model!!! I can't wait to see how this year unfolds for him - I feel like there are some wonderful things in his future:) I got him a little frame that has a quote in it to put in his classroom. It says "Be who you are and say what you feel...Those who mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind." by Dr. Suess - I thought this was really cute:)

Last weekend I took some pictures of Kenzlye, which is Zo's sister (who I took pictures of a few weeks back)! Here are some of my favorites:
She's a cutie-patootie:) Wish I had a few of Max to share with you, but we have just been so busy I haven't had time to snap any pictures! But I promise...I'll make time soon:)

More photos!

Last weekend I got the chance to photograph two adorable kids - their mom, Sarah, is one of my best friends! I have photographed them several times now, but it just seems like it gets better everytime - they are so darn adorable!! I just wanted to show you my favorites:

I had such a blast with them...and even got to hang out with them later that night at a cookout their parents threw:) Thanks guys - I had so much fun and you have the most precious little family! I love you:)!!

Sophia Nicole Toy

Meet Max's newest cousin: Sophia Nicole ToyMy sister-in-law, Jaymie (I mentioned her in an earlier post) had this sweet little girl on Tuesday! She has two little cuties already, and now Sophia is joining this amazing family! Jaymie is Mrs. Super-Mom, and I know she will enjoy having 3 kiddos running around. I am just so excited for their whole family - Sophia will be such special addition:)!! She is dark complected with black hair - and as soon as I saw her it blew me away how much she resembles her big brother!! Sorry - I just had to brag a little on my new niece:)!!
I feel so blessed to hold the title of "Aunt Abbie!"

To my little man:

Maxwell Carter,

I just wanted to tell you how PROUD I am of you - each day I wake up thinking I could never love you any more than I already do, but as the day goes on I seem to fall more in love with your tender heart and sweet smile. Here are some of the ways you make me a super, super proud mama:

• you greet the morning with open arms and a huge smile (Mommy is not that way AT ALL!)


• you run faster then any other boy I know (especially with the help of your yellow Nike shocks:)


• you brush your teeth all by yourself - even the very, very back ones


• you love to "read," and I can't seem to quench your thirst for books (you got that honest from Mommy & Dad)


• you give me a run for my money when we play the memory game


• your blue floaties carry you anywhere you want to go in the water...you are so brave in the water, learning how to swim and jumping off the steps. There is nothing you have loved more this summer then swimming.


• the back -and-forth visits between home and your daddys have went surprisingly well - you have adjusted to this new life of ours so quickly.
  
• you always tell me your honest opinion on my outfits...you don't hold anything back:)


• you wear your heart on your sleeve - your deep love for family shows in your dark eyes!


• you manage to pull me out of any mood I'm stuck in, make me laugh until I cry, and fill my heart with so much love that sometimes I think it's about to explode.

I love you, sweet boy...and you make me sooooo PROUD!!

xoxoxoxo, Mommy

Big "O" Music Fest

We spent all weekend in Owensboro, KY with my parents, brothers, and some of their friends - for the Big "O" Music Festival! It was a short drive (2 hrs.), we ate some GREAT food (BBQ), listened to some good ole' country music (Jason Aldean & others), soaked up some sun, swam at the hotel pool - it was a great weekend with family and friends! Here are some pictures from our fun weekend in Kentucky: Me, Brittany and Shay waiting to eat at Moonlite BBQ

My dad with this funny statue at the restaurant

Eating at Texas Roadhouse...I think we all gained 10 lbs. this weekend!

Max at the outdoor concert:)
My mom and dad enjoying the concert! My handsome little cowboy!!

Yesterday when we came home, Max jumped on the 4-wheeler with his Papa - so Gabe and I decided to take a walk...we ended up enjoying this little creek between my house and my Grandma & Grandpas:We took off our shoes & socks to put our hot, tired feet in the water. I can honestly say that Gabe has taught me to slow down and enjoy the little things...like feeling the sand beneath my feet, looking thru rocks to find interesting shapes & colors, and cupping your hands to catch water for a cold, refreshing drink. As we walked back to the house, I took a deep breath and thanked God for the place He has lead me - this small town, this beautiful country, my not-so-perfect life, and all the happiness in the world.