Tuesday Thoughts.

 Today I am missing my girl more than most days. Maybe it's b/c the realization has hit that I have a 2 year old, and I have no idea how quickly we got here. While I am here at work she is growing up. I'm missing it.

 Maybe it's the devastating footage of the the tornadoes in Oklahoma. Heart wrenching. Not being able to reach out & grab your child or spouse to ensure that they're safe. The chaos. Watching your home & everything you've worked so hard for being ripped away from you. Helplessness. We know God is present, but we wouldn't be human if we didn't ask "why?". We are praying for you Oklahoma. God will bring beauty from your pain. 

Tonight I will pick up carry out for supper. I will skip the gym. I will spend my extra time soaking up my beautiful family. I will thank God for every second I have them...because so quickly it can change.

Austen: Year 2

It's almost midnight & I am just crawling into bed. I've been doing food prep for Aussie's big birthday weekend. My girl will be TWO tomorrow. It's so hard to believe. I feel like I was just writing her first birthday update & now it's time to fill you in on year 2. Austen's story was a little difficult to find on Facebook so I published it to my blog. I know some are curious, but feel awkward asking questions about Austen. Please know that I don't mind the questions at all. It gives us a chance to give you a tiny glimpse of how amazing our God is. That's another reason for these updates. I feel like God sent us on this challenging journey for a reason. I don't know why, but I do know that he uses us for his glory. I don't share Austen's story for pity, self-glorification, or to beat a dead horse ;). I share it because if I can reach one person I feel like it's worth it.

This past year has been much more normal for us. We've encountered a few scares, but there have been no hospital stays. Thank. God.
Aus is still having her episode/seizure activity, but we have learned a few things. Over-stimulation obviously makes them more frequent so we monitor TV, busy atmospheres, flashing lights, & so on. Fever & pain make them worsen as well. These things are all very normal for seizure patients... Except no one can actually diagnose Austen as having seizures. Our doctor calls them "electrical discharges" & they aren't really sure what she's dealing with. Characteristically they're seizures...& that's the best way I can explain it. We've learned when we see an increase in activity that Austen has something going on. So far this year it's been stomach virus, teeth pain, & ear infections. It's her body's way of telling us things are off. As soon as we get her pain or infection under control things return to normal. We are so blessed that we typically only see a few seizures a day. In the neurology clinic we see so much stuff & it literally wants to make me drop to my knees then & there to thank God for our "problems"! About a month ago we went a whole week without a seizure!! We don't really know why..but I do know (even though it didn't last) I will praise God for that amazing, stress free week!

We've also learned some details about how Austen's condition (ACC) effects her specifically. It's different with every patient. Most not being nearly as blessed as she has been. In HER case she is cognitively on target. Just spend some time with the little whipper snapper. She's got it together ;) Her motor skills are where we see a delay. She is progressing beautifully... Just a little slower than most. Imagine trying to walk when the two sides of your brain aren't connected & they aren't working together to tell your body what to do. That's what Austen is overcoming. Thanks to therapy, practice with family, & many trying sessions with Mae Mae ;).. Austen is spoon feeding herself, transitioning from laying down to sitting up, attempting to pull up into standing, & taking steps. I know this may surprise some people because if you've seen Austen you never would've realized she couldn't do these things. She's so normal, and you really have to pay attention to see it. Austen doesn't talk much either. She has a few words that she'll say, and has pre-speech characteristics so we don't worry too much. Her motor skill delay contributes to that as well. Communicating has been a huge frustration! Remember that her logic is there. The sassy little 2-year old knows what she wants! She just can't tell you. That's when we turned to "signing". LIFE-SAVER! We still get mad at each other..sometimes I wanna pull my hair out..., but for the most part we've learned how to use signs to communicate. Our big goal this year is to WALK. Say a prayer for Aus! The 27 pound youngin is killing my back!
I often reference Austen as our miracle.   If you don't know the beginning of Austen's story then you don't know this...We weren't given any hope for a normal life with her. She wasn't "supposed" to be able to do anything according to her MRI & neurologists. Her doctor still can't believe how she "continues to amaze". I love hearing that.

When I was pregnant we were building our house. One afternoon as we were burning a big trash pile the wind picked up a bit. It began blowing the flames up into our huge Magnolia tree. The Magnolia has been on the homestead property for years, and I was devastated at the though of losing it. I heard the crackling of the leaves & I just knew it wouldn't survive. That spring there weren't any blooms. The tree was still green but no flowers appeared. It was green though, and I was holding onto that. Austen was born that May, and the Magnolia tree was the least of my worries. The following spring I was at the homestead property preparing for Austen's first birthday party. Our house wasn't complete, but we were close. I was rushing around trying to set-up party tables when I spotted the bloom. I almost cried I was so happy. The Magnolia was back & the first new bloom was on Austen's first birthday. I have had a strong bond with that silly tree ever since. I know it sounds crazy, but I can identify. When we were told the news about Austen I felt like I had been "burned". As a new mom you have visions of how you think things are supposed to be. When it wasn't my idea of perfect I was crushed. Then I held my baby. She was perfect...God gave me a "Magnolia" after I had been "burned".
This is the second year of blooms since the fire...how fitting that we are celebrating Austen's second birthday.
I don't care how silly it may be. That tree & my little "Magnolia" will have my heart for eternity.

Soli Deo Gloria

Austen: Year 1

This is the update from Austen's 1st birthday (May 2012)


I can barely say this out loud without crying, but....We made it a year!

So many people have emailed & messaged me over the past year out of concern for Austen.

Some of you are family, many are friends, & there have even been those occasional messages where we may barely know each other ...and still you cared.

You all know who you are :)

Austen will be ONE next week! We have had so much going on with our house & our baby girl that the year flew by. SO many people constantly ask how Austen is doing. I haven't really sat down & sent updates so i'm doing that now. For those of you that are interested in the "first chapter" of Austen's story you can find it under the "notes" section of my Facebook. It's titled "Austen Avery Davis".

For the first 6 months of Austen's life everything was perfect...or as perfect as it could be with a newborn ;) Of course there were many sleepless nights and so on, but we were thankful for the normalcy. At almost 6 months exactly...Austen began having some mild seizure activity. We were admitted into the hospital in early December 2011 & she was diagnosed with infantile spasms. She underwent treatment for that in the form of a steroid injection...which I hated!! As did those who actually administered the injection lol. The seizures/spasms seemed to improve, but didn't stop completely. After a few frustrations with everything we decided to see a new neurologist at Nemours. Austen has had several EEG's (tests her brain activity), and over time they have improved. She still has mild activity, but she is doing amazing! She will still have EEG's from time to time, and no one knows what the future holds. I honestly feel that she is gonna make it through everything fine & I have a peace about it. The "episodes" as we call them...haven't seemed to effect her at all. She still seems to be progressing and learning new things....and is the sweetest, snuggliest, happiest little thing ever!

Over the past year I have learned not to tell God what you can or can't handle. He will decide that. From the day we found out about Austen's brain abnormalities I said out loud to people "I'll be good as long as she doesn't have seizures! I don't know anything about seizures, and I don't think I could deal with that." WRONG. I CAN deal with that. We ARE dealing with that, and I think we're doing awesome.

I have learned to FULLY trust God....and there's a big difference in trusting God and FULLY trusting God! I'm sure everyone has been in a completely helpless situation. I was earnestly praying constantly for things I felt I wasn't getting. Brad & I sit at night and hold Austen through a seizure and it's hard. We can do nothing to help her. We are taking our child to doctors, and just trusting what they say...& they all say something different! Everyone has their own opinion as to what we should do, but none of them were in our shoes. It's stressful & we were being pulled a million different ways, and the last thing we wanted was to be pulled apart. We are in this together & fighting for the same thing. One person might think one thing & someone else may disagree, but all you have to do is step back and consider that even though everyone isn't in agreement....we all want the same outcome! All of us just want is what's best for Aus. At one point over the past year I was completely broken & helpless. I wasn't ever making light over anyone else's problems. I'm aware things could always be worse & I ache for those with bigger troubles...but this was our "worse"!! If something didn't change I was going to just give up on everything..The very first day of 2012 I was sitting in church holding Austen listening to Phillip preach. I will NEVER forget that sermon on trusting GOD. I've heard people say before that they felt God tug on their heart & I thought it was an expression. I mean i've been in church forever, and had never experienced that.That day he didn't "tug" he snatched....I was literally breathless and I knew immediately that I hadn't given it all to him as I said I would so many times.God hears my prayers & it's his decision to answer them how he sees fit. I finally gave it all to him.

When I look back on the day we sat down with the Doctors and recieved the news about Austen....and also the several months that followed...there is one thing that stands out to me. I was so concerned with what it meant for ME. What am I going to do? Why did God do this to US? How am I going to care for a baby with potential problems? How is MY life going to change?.....How sickening & selfish!!! I'm embarrassed to have behaved that way! The only excuse I can muster up is....hormones?! That doesn't even seem good enough. God has changed my whole perspective over this trying year! I'm so excited for everyone to see that He still works miracles. I HAVE ONE. Every single day my feet hit the floor & I wrap my arms around this little girl who isn't "supposed" to be doing the things she's doing. I can't wrap my mind around this fact.... Austen is missing the part of her brain that connects the left & right sides together. The two sides of her brain aren't "supposed" to be able to communicate. Can you fathom that? Have you seen Austen?! My baby uses the right and left sides of her body to work with each other, and she isn't "supposed" to. There are sometimes that I let myself get down b/c she may not be doing exactly the same things that other kids her age are doing. I immediately recover with this....She is doing FAR beyond what any doctor ever gave us hope for. Our geneticist looked at Aus several months ago and said she is "DEFYING HER ODDS"! In my prayers I have given Austen to God over & over again...i've prayed that He would do amazing things through her...and the truth is....He already has.

Thank you to those who continue to pray faithfully for us.

Thank you to our families. Through the struggles you have all been there for us & we know you all only want what's best for Aus.

To my besties (the Jennifers, Hannah, Jess, Keri, Haley, & Tamra)...You girls may not know it but you keep me going. You constantly check on Aus & me. You've been through all of this right with me! You've listened to my struggles & put up with my vent sessions. I love you girls like my sisters. xoxo.

To the girls at work...We hear 8 hours worth of each others dramatic lives every day...and we give advice as needed. Thank you all for listening & giving :) P.S. I need to apologize for my sparatic crying episodes at work...I have my days, but i've gotten A LOT better!!

To those who I only know as aquaintances, but you have showed concern & given us encouraging words.....Thank you. It's amazing to know that in today's society people still genuinely care for others!

Austen's Beginning

So after a 2 year sabbatical from this blog...I'm back. SOOOO much has happened since I wrote last. Obviously our baby girl was born, we got our new house built, & our life is beautiful.

My girl turns 2 tomorrow, and I wanted to post the letter I wrote shortly after she was born. This is part of the reason for the long blog break....besides just being a busy Mama. I want to be able to write. It's therapy for me, but it's also hard at times. So for those that want to know where Austen's story begins...this is it.

*******************
Austen's Birth (2011)

First of all Brad and I would like to thank all of you from the bottom
of our hearts.

You have prayed, you have visited, you have facebooked, you have
called & texted, we have been in your thoughts....and when we needed
it, you gave us our privacy.
We have haven't confided in many besides our immediate family. The
reason for this is not because we are trying to be secretive or hide
anything. It is simply because we didn't, and still don't know all the
details or aspects of the news we were given.

 Last Sunday I was officially 41 weeks pregnant and had been begging to
be induced. Not because I was miserable, but simply because we were
ready to meet our sweet sweet Austen. Dr. Werner (who has been amazing
through all of this) agreed and my induction was scheduled for that
Sunday night. I called and called and called and there were no
rooms...everything was full. Dr. Werner advised me to just go into the
office on the following day (Monday) at 2...she said we would do an
ultrasound on Austen to make sure she was still good (as she had been
throughout my whole pregnancy) and then try to induce later that week.
So the ultrasound was done & we met with Dr, Werner. She expressed a
concern from the ultrsound. Austen had what appeared to be an enlarged
ventricle on the top of her head. Dr. Werner said that she wanted to
go ahead and induce me so we could get Austen out and run some tests
on her. After consulting with Shands it was decided that in order to
save Austen some stress I would have a c-section at shands so that we
would not have to be separated from her once she was born and sent for
further testing. I was immediately transferred. After several hours, I
was discharged....because again there were no beds! We stayed with
friends in Gainesville and I went back the next morning for a
scheduled c-section. Finally around 6:30pm I was taken in for my
surgery. Austen was born a healthy 8lbs 11oz. She is beautiful!! After
several pictures, Brad & Austen were taken down to the nursery. From
there Austen was taken in for an MRI of her brain. I was taken to
recovery and around 11pm I was finally able to put my hands on my
little girl & we were taken to our room. 2 hours after that radiology
staff showed up and said that Austen would need to be transferred to
NICU to be monitored. The MRI had come back abnormal. The resident
doctor didn't know details he basically knew that Austen had to be
monitored. I asked if we could have a minute alone with her. Shortly
after, Brad took Austen down to NICU, and we didn't sleep....We prayed
and we cried.

The next few days were basically a whirlwind of doctors....we met with
neurology staff, radiology staff, & geneticists, along with all the
usual staff you encounter during a hospital stay.....Brad & I have
decided to share what we know through this mass letter. Some of you we
are very close to, some of you we know casually, & some of you may get
this and we barely know you. That doesn't matter to us. What matters
is that everyone gets the whole story and everyone gets the same
information.

Here is what we know....
Austen's primary problem is that her brain was formed without a corpus
callosum. I don't really expect that many of you know exactly what
that is...We aren't even sure exactly what that is. We do know that in
some cases people are missing that part of their brain, and they may
not even know it. They may function normally, get in a car accident at
30 years old, go in to have a brain scan and discover they don't have
a corpus callosum. In other cases it can affect the brain in many
different ways. None of which can be foreseen.

Austen also has a cyst in her brain that is filled with fluid. The
cyst hasn't changed in size & isn't affecting anything as of now. It
will probably be one of those things that will be monitored.
Austen's third and final abnormality is that she has a extra layer of
grey brain matter. This is another one of those things...no one knows
how it may effect Austen...if at all.

Now you should understand why we havn't shared much. We have no idea
how these abnormalities might effect our baby. The doctors say that
Austen still had so much good brain that no one really knows. We are
basically living day to day...and honestly aren't we all living day to
day anyways??

 As of now Austen is amazing. She was in NICU but no one could figure
out why....she is functioning exactly how any baby should be...Her
hearing is normal, her eyesight is normal...her vitals are perfect.
She is beautiful!!

In fact....if I hadn't gone over my due date, or if I had been induced
Sunday night I wouldn't have had that last ultrasound that showed up
abnormal & we wouldn't even know Austen had any problems. We would've
brought home what we knew to be a completely normal baby. So even
though there's a part of me that wants to be angry with God....clearly
he was watching out for us....and we also know that we can't get
through this without HIM.

Brad & I are also doing well. We are in this together, and we keeping
each other strong. I won't lie...I usually make fun of those people
who get all mushy about their husbands on facebook...but
seriously....Brad has been beyond amazing through all of this, and I
couldn't do it without him. We know that this baby couldn't have been
given to a better family....and when I say family...I mean that Austen
has an incredible  support system. Grandparents, aunts, uncles
included. She is dearly loved.

A nurse approached me in NICU and told me how "sorry" she was. I know
that people don't know what to say in these situations..and everyone
means well, but we are not sorry. We love our little angel baby with
all of our hearts. She is the best thing that has ever happened to us.

We appreciate your concern for us & we covet your prayers! Austen is
already a little miracle.

Feel free to share this with anyone who may be interested in the
beginning of our baby girls amazing story!

With all of our love,
Brad, Beth, & Austen

Sugar & Spice!

It's a girl!!! She cooperated perfectly :)

She weighs 8oz & the doctor says she is very healthy.

It was sooo good to hear that!

Austen Avery Davis

Welcome to my Crazy Life!

The past three months have been crazy! Moving, adjusting, and planning have consumed all of our time...well...the time that we haven't been at work! This little bit should bring you up to speed. The day before we left for Amelia Island (Sept. 8th) I found out that I was pregnant! We had to keep our mouths shut for 3 weeks until I could get in to see my doctor. It almost KILLED us. Brad slipped up 3 times that I remember, and I did once....Everyone still acted surprised when we told our news so at least we were amused ;) Our due date is May 8th and we are so excited. The week after we got home from Amelia Island we recieved a phone call & someone wanted to rent our townhouse! Brad was a little hesitant, but I jumped right on it and he eventually came around. So we packed up our life and moved into a single wide in what I like to call the "trailerhood". It is TINY!......Trust me...I've heard all of you people that say "Ohhhhh I lived in a one room shack with 10 kids and we got along just fine". Guess what? I DON'T CARE!! We moved from "fitting" in our house to "squeeeeeezing" in our trailer. I know we'll survive, but it doesn't mean it's not a huge adjustment!! Here's the good news....As we speak we are finalizing our house plans, and should be able to start building by the beginning of the year. Baby's gonna have a bedroom after all :)

Thanksgiving weekend was busy as usual. Brad worked & I had lunch with my family. Mom got a new dining room table, and could not wait to have everyone sit at the table TOGETHER. So that's exactly what we did, and she couldn't have been more proud! When Brad got off we headed over to have dinner with his family...and ate even more. Things haven't slowed down much since Thanksgiving. We've spent the last couple weeks trying to get ready for Christmas. I love the holidays, but I miss experiencing them as a kid sometimes. It was so easy then & seemed like time stood still. Now it's a mad rush to get everything done at Thanksgiving, and then move right on to Christmas. The one good thing about time flying by is that baby will be here in the blink of an eye. That....I am ready for!

There are 13 days until Christmas, and I am exactly 4 months & 3 weeks pregnant...almost halfway there!! Wednesday we go for another ultrasound, and if baby cooperates we'll get to find out if it's sugar & spice or snips & snails! We have some names picked out, and we've agreed on them surprisingly enough. Beka has everyone calling baby "Tweeter" & Jonas' 2 year old mind has somewhat grasped the concept that there's a baby in my tummy. After Wednesday we can call "Tweeter" by it's real name. I'll keep everyone posted :)

First Picture :) 11 weeks & 3 days

Exactly 4 months...& 5 lbs heavier...for now! lol

Jona-bear is 2!

Here are some birthday pictures from Jonas' second birthday. Because of his food allergies he's never had any type of cake, cupcake, ice cream....nothing. I almost cry everytime I look at these pictures because Juanuary found a recipe for cupcakes that he could actually eat, and he literally carried around a picture of a cupcake for a week! You can see the excitement ALL over his face.

Steinhatchee & Island Life

Yes i'm still alive!! We have been so busy traveling, moving, and with our everyday responsibilities!! I haven't had time to post a thing....but i'm back for now :)

I'm gonna try to do all of the catching up in order...

Labor Day weekend Brad & I went to spend the weekend in Steinhatchee with all of our friends. Our friend Keri has a family owned home there on the water. I love Steinhatchee. Brad & I were married there, and both of our families have spent lots of time there. Tons of good memories. We pretty much relaxed all weekend. We ate a lot as usual ;), we went out on the boat, we watched a live band play, had lots of laughs, and then it was time to head home. It was a quick trip, but one of the best trips ever. That Monday (which was actually Labor Day) Brad had to work so I went and hung out at our river house with the family.

When Steinhatchee weekend was over....we opened our suitcases, added more clothing, and re-packed the truck for Amelia Island. We try to plan one vacation a year with our close friends. We all stay so busy with life in general, but it's important to us to keep in touch. We decided on Amelia Island this year. We arrived at our house and it was amazing. There are pictures :) We spent the whole weekend being lazy! The weather was beautiful! Most of our time was split between the pool and the beach, and of course several delicious restaurants! Details coming up next :)

Favorite Things - My Havi's

Since we live in the "Sunshine State" you will seldom find me in any shoes other than flops. I love that there's a pair of shoes that require no effort whatsoever! Slip on - slip off! Even in the winter you can find all of the Live Oak girls around a fire warming our toes because we wanted to wear our flip flops just one more time....Over the years I've owned a millions pairs of flops. I've always been a pretty big fan of American Eagle flops, but then my mother went to Cozumel. When she came home she'd purchased a pair of "Haviana" flip flops for me. I thought "Yay!! I love new flops!!"...at that point I had no idea i'd want to sleep in the dadgum things. I wear them anytime i'm not at work! Brad gets so irritated because I have 15 pairs of flip flops and still run around the house yelling

"Brad, have you seen my Havi's?"

....to which he responds "No, wear one of the other 15 pairs!"

....to which I respond "Do you get embarrased by bare feet?"

Then he proceeds to help me find them. They are soooo comfy! My other flops miss me, but I just can't help it! I heart them!

Policemen's Ball

Saturday night Brad & I attended the Policeman's Ball :) It's always so much fun! The band was amazing, and it's always good to catch up with friends we don't see a lot. Here are some pictures January took of us all dressed up. She did such a good job!

My Momma is soooo HOT

Momma's birthday was August 23rd. I'm not gonna give away an age, but i'll just tell you that her oldest child is 30....and she didn't have children in her "teens"! Here are a couple pictures! She's lookin' good as always! I'm so glad I have her genes!! Love you Momma! Happy Birthday!

We had an amazing salad that January made with scallops and crab dip! So good!

For dessert is was ice cream cake from Dairy Queen!

Favorite Things - Spring Water is for Swimming!

Over the next several weeks i'll be posting about "my favorite things". If you are like me you are always interested in anything new & different. It keeps life interesting. I love to soak in other people's opinions on products, and then try it out to see what I think. So check back because you never know....some of these things might become your new favorites!!

First up is Smartwater.

I don't like drinking water. I hate it actually. Why would you drink water when there's sweet tea? It just seems ridiculous! However, there comes a time where your midsection doesn't take too kindly to all the sugar in the tea you're addicted to! :( The one thing I hate worse than water is UN-sweet tea....so water would have to be my replacement.

I live in the city limits, and our tap water is just awful so we always get bottled water. I would run into Publix, grab the cheapest case of water, and didn't think twice about it. Then one afternoon I was talking to my Mom, and she started telling me how they had been drinking Smartwater. I'm sure she listed several reasons why (like it's vapor distilled), but what really grabbed my attention was that Smartwater had electrolytes in it. This was important to me! I can't tell you how many times i've been at the gym working out and my fingertips would tingle and go numb. Another afternoon I almost passed out. Each time someone always said...."you need something with electrolytes in it"...then they would grab a Gatorade and bring it to me. That was fine. I like Gatorade, but once again...my midsection had a discussion with my taste buds & and they didn't agree on the sugar. It just seemed crazy to work out to lose weight, and consume a sugary drink at the same time. Smartwater was my answer.

I started drinking it when I worked out. Then I started grabbing a bottle while getting ready in the mornings. Since then it's become a habit. I have a bottle with me most of the time!

Another thing I love about Smartwater is the label! Inside every bottle there's a picture of an animal with a "tip" next to it.

Today my bottle has a picture of a frog. It says "going green is toadally sexy"...Another had a picture of an otter and said "let's drink responsibly and recylce...you know you really otter". How can you not love that? I get all excited to see what my next bottle will say. LOL!

If that wasn't convincing enough....this should help.....

10 Beauty Products I Die For...

Because it's the weekend, and mainly because i'm bored out of my mind, i've decided to share my top 10 beauty favorites with you. Not that i'm really in any position to be giving beauty advice, but i've already clarified the fact that i'm insanely bored.....So sit back and enjoy ;)

1. Arbonne RE9 Advanced - Unbelievable skin care line. It's pricey, but totally worth it. I mean, you're gonna have your skin with you forever!! Make a good investment, and Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!

2. Big Sexy Hair products - BIG. SEXY. HAIR. Enough said ;)

3. Lollia Hand Cream - I crave Lollia products in general, but I constantly use the hand cream. I keep a tube of it everywhere...purse, desk, makeup table, etc...

4. Lancome Foundation Brush = Secret weapon. I use it to apply my liquid foundation. Flawless finish every time.

5. Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 - We don't run out of this at home..EVER! Works on blemishes overnight. Miracle worker!

6. C.O. Bigelow Mentha Organics Sheer Lip Tint in "Barely There" (Bath & Body Works)

Love this stuff. I'm not a big lipstick wearer. I loathe lipstick. I have tried the cheap stuff in Walmart, and the $16 Juicy Tubes from Lancome. Nothing satisfied. Then I came across the C.O. Bigelow brand and loved it. It's glossy without being sticky, and in the "Barely There" shade it's the perfect nude shimmer.

7. Arbonne Makeup Primer - It seriously gives your face a silky canvas to apply your makeup. Get it.

8. OPI Nail Lacquer - Favorite Shades - "Bubble Bath" (thanks Katie!) & "The Color to Watch".

9. Venus Embrace Disposable Razors - I hate razor burn, and I despise trying to remember which razor I have so I can buy refill cartridges. These razors eliminate both problems.

10. Old Spice Deodorant - I know it sounds odd, but seriously..I will never use anything else. I have tried the baby powder stuff, the clear gel kind, and everything in between. I'm all girl, but admit it...We sweat too! I have to have something that is still working after my job, zumba fitness classes, and standing over a hot stove cooking dinner. Old Spice works. I know it smells kind of manly, but just spritz some girly body spray over it. Works like a charm.

28

August 3rd was my 28th Birthday! I can't really identify with those people that hate birthdays, and hate turning another year older. I am the exact opposite. I love my birthday, and to me...age is just a number. My day went like this...

~ Woke up at 4;15am to make dear husband's lunch. Dear husband wishes me a Happy Birthday, and calls me a cougar (i'm 2 years older than him). I say thanks & smile because on the inside I know that everyone thinks i'm younger than he is ;)

~ Woke up again at 7:00am to get ready for work. Hair actually cooperated! I'm loving 28 year old hair!!

~ Get to work and recieve Birthday wishes from co-workers! Jill brought me breakfast from Java Jax!!

~ Around 9am dear sisters (J & Bex) surprise me with red velvet chocolate chip cupcakes, and wish me a fat birthday ;)

~ Check email. Dear parents sent me a gift card to Cloud 9 Spa!!!!!!!

~ Thanked Dear parents & scheduled spa day.

~ 10:30-ish a local florist shows up with 4 deliveries! Pictures contain details :)

From Bradley

From Momma & Daddy

From Mr. Bo & Mrs. Alicia

From Skip (Jenn Johnson)

~ Had lunch with the family at Sub Shop.



~ At 3:00pm, dear co-workers throw a birthday party for me! Chips & dip, chocolate cake (by Linda mmm mmm), drinks, and gifts :)



~ Linda gave me "Twilight Woods" products which are on my top 15 list of faves. Cathy gave me my tag renewal LOL! She doesn't want me to get arrested...otherwise I still wouldn't have it, and she knows it. Sheila surprised me with Arbonne Bath salts which I adore, and Mrs. Frances gave me the cutest notepad and pen. Love you girls!

~ More gifts :) ....Brad's parents gave me a digital photo frame. LOVE! Johnny & Chels gave me a Brown Lantern gift card....which i've already used!

~ After work Brad & I went to the Texas Roadhouse with Johnny & Chelsea. I heart Texas Roadhouse. It has such sentimental meaning....first date with Bradley, dinner there after we got engaged. and it's where I fell in love with.....rolls & cinnamon butter ;)

~ I Loved this Birthday!!! 28 has been good to me so far.

The next night we had a birthday party for Daddy (his b-day was Aug 5th) & I at Patrick and January's house. We ate shrimp & grits, and had a chocolate masterpiece that Beka made for dessert. J & P gave me a bracelet from Hawaii that I love. Thanks guys!

Wearing my Hawaii Bracelet :)

Kole & Kale - July 16, 2010

You may remember Fain & Hannah from earlier posts. They have been some of our best friends for years. I posted about their wedding, about Hannah being pregnant with twins, and on July 16th Kole & Kale made their grand entrance. Hannah had a c-section, and everything from beginning to end played out beautifully. They boys were perfectly healthy, and only had to stay in the hospital for a week. Now they are home and doing great. Hannah is a little trooper. She & Fain are such good parents! Kole & Kale are two blessed little boys :) PICTURE!!

Boogity, Boogity, Boogity!

We spent July 4th weekend in Daytona with Brad's family & some friends. So basically as soon as I got home I unpacked, re-packed, and left again. We wasted a little time on the beach, ate some good seafood, played putt putt golf, and went to the Coke Zero 400 :) It rained on us for a while, but thank goodness we had ponchos. We stayed completely dry & right before the race the weather cleared up. My favorite part is when the jets fly over...it gives me chills every time. I love it! The race was thrilling as always except that Kevin Harvick won. He always wins when we go, and to be quite honest...I don't care much for him. I was always a Dale Earnhardt girl so you know I gotta pull for Junebug ;) I can't lie though....my money was on Kyle Busch. He isn't my favorite person, but that boy can drive a race car. Here are a couple pictures...

Day 15 - Bex is 21!

This morning we got up and started getting ready. Mrs. Donna made the best cinnamon raisin toast ever. After breakfast we said our goodbyes, loaded up the truck again, & took off. We did a little browsing in a few shops to waste some time. Check-in at our hotel wasn't until 3:00pm so we grabbed some lunch, browsed a little more, & then punched Hotel Palomar into the GPS. The Hotel was beautiful!

When we checked in there was a surprise for Beka at the front desk....Did I mention she has 2 amazing sisters? ;)

Then it was time to make ourselves beautiful for dinner and dancing....We also had a short photo session....

Katie & January arrived....late....as expected....and whisked us off to dinner. We had reservations at "Shout". They have any kind of food you could possibly want...sushi, seafood, steaks, and brick oven pizza. It was delicious, but weird. Our waiter..tress called everyone "Boo" which was entertaining, some huge manly looking guy told Katie her shorts were "presh" (which i'm assuming means precious), and some girl told us if we came back later it would be more "crowded-er". We decided we didn't want to be there when it got "crowded-er" so we left.

Later we went to Havana...which January kept calling "Havana Nights". She convinced me that was the name of the place, so when I said it to the front desk guy i'm sure he thought I was really dumb. Thanks for that January. Havana is a latin dance club, but they play regular music too. We danced until January & Jennifer thought their feet were gonna fall off, and then called it a night. It was an amazing weekend & the perfect end to our Wild West Tour!!

Days 12,13, & 14 - Hollywood with a Touch of Twang!

I left a piece of my heart in Nashville. I absolutely loved that town! I wanted to go home, get Brad, and immediately take another vacay back to Nashville! When we pulled into town I could hardly contain my excitement. Bek & Jenn aren't quite as "southern" as I am so of course I caught some crap ;), but i'm ok with that. We went down to Jack's BBQ to get some lunch....I've read some southern chick lit that talks about Jack's so I just had to go! It wasn't quite what I expected, but oh my word was it ever delicious!!

After lunch we went to hunt our campground. I loved our cabin in Nashville. It had a bathroom in it, and we didn't have to trudge to a bathhouse for every little thing. We checked in, and decided to be lazy :) We ordered out pizza for dinner, and then got our beauty sleep. There was a whole "country" town waiting for me so I had to rest up. The next morning we got up and found a Cracker Barrel. There's not a breakfast on this earth that beats their "Eggs-in-a-basket". It's heaven! Soooo it was breakfast then shopping. I picked up a few gifts for some friends, tried on insanely expensive cowboy boots, bought a little black dress, and then had an ice cream cone..What? It was really hot outside! After shopping we went back to the cabin to get ready for dinner. I was so excited :)

We had dinner at the Wildhorse Saloon. Beka & I shared fried pickles & BBQ..mmm...mmm...good! The Wildhorse has this HUGE wood dance floor, and if you know anything about me, you know I LOVE to dance. I had been teasing Beka all night about how if they play "Giddy on Up" (our clogging recital dance) I was dragging her up there. Secretly I had a pretty good idea that an all male band wouldn't play anything by Laura Bell Bundy ;) ....However,...when the band took a break, and they crunk up the juke box wouldn't you know the first song to come on was none other that "Giddy on Up"! Beka and I cleared the dance floor when we started puttin' on our little clogging show...It was so much fun!! After dinner it was bedtime.

Friday was Beka's birthday! We found the most amazing little artisan restaurant so we decided thats where birthday breakfast would take place. The name of it is Marche, and it was divine. i had croissant frech toast with bacon, and a blackberry panicotti. Beka had a breakfast sandwich that came with a salad....which was weird, but she said it was yummy. Jenn had french toast as well and loved it :) ...I can hardly wait to go back to Nashville!!

Aftter Nashville we were headed to Atlanta for Beka's 21st Birthday weekend. We arrived a little earlier than expected so we wasted some time at the mall, and then met Katie's parents (Darryl & Donna) at Marietta Square. I'll have to put Darryl & Donna in a post of their own because they deserve it :) Marietta Square was out of a movie! There was a band in the park, little shops all around, people dancing, pizza,...I loved it. After the park we went back to Darryl & Donna's house and met J, P, Jona-bear, & Melba! It was so good to see all of them, but there was a fluffy pillow calling my name ;)