Weekend Fun Run/Walk

This past weekend I had the privilege of participating in The Blair E. Batson 5K, in honor of this sweet little guy. While I don't know this family personally, I've kept up with their story through my friends Saranne and Haley. This angel has had a rough journey into the world, but by looking at those big blue eyes you would never know it. Thank you Ashley for letting me be a part of it!

My sweet cutie patootie AP came along for the ride and to support her friend Sawyer, so of course I couldn't resist taking pictures of her. I love this kid!! I enjoyed doing the walk, but I've challenged myself to do better and run the next one. Here are a few pictures from the day.

Aunt J, AP, Saranne, and Aunt Haley

Team Sawyer

How can you not LOVE this face??

Too cool for school, AP!

George "Peyton" Woods

Our sweet friends, Chris and Susan Woods gave birth (well, more Susan than Chris) to this precious, bundle of joy yesterday. I've known Chris since the 5th grade and I've known Susan since my first year of college (we were roomies). Needless to say their love story took place by me introducing them to each other and the rest is history. It's amazing to see both of my sweet friends fall in love with one another, but it's even more amazing to watch them become parents for the first time. They will be great parents and I can't wait to watch Peyton grow up!

Proud Wife

My first post in a few months might as well be a good one! I'm beyond lucky that I get to call the guy in the above photo my HUSBAND! He just called to tell me that he was #2 in sales out of the whole country for SPACESAVER (a company that he's a rep for) this past year!! This is such a huge achievement and I could not be more proud of him. I've never doubted his ability and I'm extremely blessed because of him. My heart just smiles when I think of him and how far he has come. Way to go honey!!! Daisy and I love you so much!

D-Day is finally here

 

This picture makes me very, very sad! We knew this day was coming and I kept pretending as if it wouldn't. Now, it's here staring us right in the face and I can't help but feel so many different emotions. Let me first say, Jonathan and I are NOT moving. Our BF's are! We've grown so close to Matt and Jessica over the last 5 years and I honestly can't imagine our life if we had never met them. Before Jonathan and I were married, Hurricane Katrina up-rooted me from New Orleans and brought me to Jackson. I decided to buy a house instead of rent an apartment because it was time that I become a "real" adult. I had been living in my house for about a month when Darrell told me a new guy was starting work with him and was buying the house next door to me. Jonathan, Matt, and Darrell instantly became friends. Matt then started dating a girl named Jessica who we didn't get to see much of when they first started dating because she lived in Mobile. Then as their relationship became more serious we got to know more about her, spend more time with her, and grow to LOVE her! Saranne and I became very fond of Jessica and before we knew it, the 6 of us became best of friends. We've seen each other get married, get puppies, build houses, and now Jonathan and I get to watch them become wonderful parents! Our three dogs are even BFFs! We have so many great memories from our standing Sunday night Mexican night, weekly cookouts, sharing closets, to our weight lose challenge which together we lost over 60 pounds!

We knew that Matt and Jessica's time in Jackson would be short lived once they decided to become parents. Matt's parents live in Orange Beach and Jess's live in Moss Point, so they wanted to eventually be closer to the grandparents and back to their roots. While it breaks my heart to see them go, I know that God has a great plan in store for them. We are excited for them on their new venture in life and they will be the most adorable parents. It is rare when you find a friendship so real, honest, and loving, so when you do those are the friendships that will last forever. We aren't saying good-bye because they are only moving 3 hours away and it's not good-bye! Plus, Foster will be Anne Presley's future husband so we will be seeing alot of each other. We love you Quinn's and you will be missed dearly!! 

Here are few pictures of us throughout the years, enjoy!

Funny to see how we've all changed over the years!

The Best $2.49 I've ever spent and my new BF!

OK, I realize this post is a little sad and confirms my craziness with cleaning, but when I find a product this good, I must share it with my friends. I've spent a good bit of time cleaning windows, mirrors, etc. only to find that my cleaning leads to streaks or a haze. They never seem to turn out sparkly clean like most window cleaners claim to produce. Since building the house I have tried every name brand, off brand, ammonia, ammonia-free, etc. glass cleaner that is made only to come up disappointed. Every time I go down the isle at Target, I would pass by this one can because it read "The Worlds Best Cleaner." I would think to myself "no way, that's just a gimmick and I'm not falling for it." Well, this past Saturday I walked down the isle for something else and I glanced over and there it sat, so I thought what the heck, I've tried everything else. So, I bought it and now... I'm in LOVE with this product. I started out cleaning the bathroom mirrors and then I became obsessed. Jonathan came home from deer camp Sunday to find me cleaning all the windows and doors at our house! I'm pretty sure he thought I had lost my mind when he saw me doing the happy dance, smiling and enthusiastically telling him about my love for this new product!
I am aware that all of my friends with kids are reading this and saying, "that will all change when she has kids!" But until then, I'm pretty excited about my new friend and I love using it! So if you ask nicely, I will come clean windows for you!

This post confirms I need a new hobby!

Summer Happenings...

I'm aware that I've already failed miserably at keeping this thing up-to-date. For those who check it out from time to time, you should be use to it. This summer flew by and I can't believe a new school year has already started. Jonathan and I were just talking about how busy we've been this summer working, traveling, entertaining, and getting settled into the house. Here are just a few things that have kept us busy this summer.

Jonathan's first experience at the Choctaw Indian Fair!
He escorted Elizabeth and I so we could
listen to Sarah Evans for her birthday.
He was such a good sport for such 
a huge culture shock!

Sarah Evans

Next up for us... THE Neshoba County Fair!
(Yes, they are in the same small town but the 2 Fairs 
are vastly different and you can't even try to compare the 2)

Much more our speed!

I can actually say that I remember back in the
day when there was no cell serviceat the 
fairgrounds and cell phones were unheard of. 
Wow, I'm old!

Elizabeth getting ready for the in-famous chair races.

Betting on the horse races, come on #6!

Cute cabins at night!
(This is where we all sleep in the same room! 
You may have up to 20 people sleeping in 1 room)

 This little cutie gets lots of Uncle Jon, Aunt Jen time. 
Presley was born on July 1st and is changing daily. 
She is already over 9lbs and has completely 
stolen our hearts! Now, we are sitting back waiting on 
her future husband, Foster to make his debut into the world 
(only 5 more weeks to go)!

Anne Presley Smith

She's here!!! Darrell and Saranne's little bundle of joy made her debut at 12:27 on July 1st. She weighs 7 lbs. 10 ozs and is adorable!!!! More pictures to follow in the next few days! Welcome to the world Anne Presley, you are already one loved little girl by tons of family and friends. Congrats Darrell and Saranne, we love you!