New York New York!!!

I have been way out of the blog loop because we have been out of town therefore I have many many blog posts to catch up on! I know everyone is dying of excitement, haha yeah right!!!

The day after our anniversary, I ventured to tobie en route to NYC!! I was soo thrilled. I had always always wanted to visit the city but had never had the opportunity. I was beyond excited when my mom, sister, and I decided to take a girls trip there. The city was everything I'd hoped it would be.  Most of you know that I am a huge planner. Naturally, I wanted to make sure our time in New York was spent wisely. My fab friend, Margaret is amazing at planning trips. She knows all the secrets and places to see. She created an itinerary for us to go by. It was great! I am so thankful she helped make our trip so smooth. Some of my favorite things about the trip were:

1. NBC studios!! I am a HUGE news nerd. My favorite is the Today Show. We went to Rockefeller plaza twice. I love it that much!! 

2. Mamma Mia on Broadway. I was excited to see this play because I loved the storyline. The show was even better than I expected. The acting was out of this world. So much talent, I enjoyed it so!! 

3. Shopping in SOHO. I love small stores and businesses. SOHO had it going on! I could have shopped there the entire trip. 

4. Ground Zero/ St. Paul's Church. I was very interested to see ground zero. A friend had recommended that I walk across to St. Paul's church. The church served as a place for the nypd and other relief workers to sleep and rest during the clean-up post 9/11. The church also serves as a memorial and tribute to the lives lost, survivors, and those who helped to bring relief. One of the neatest places I've ever seen. 

These are just a few of my favorite highlights, but honestly I enjoyed everything about the city. I can't wait to return! Hopefully sooner rather than later. Pictures from our girls vacay: 

I love that you can buy fresh flowers on the street corner. Why can't we have this in MS?!

At a store in SOHO. Some of the best tabletop displays I've ever seen and I have been to market! Nothing like NYC! 

Mom and I eating fantastic pizza at Lombardi's in SOHO 

Of course the accounting teacher wanted to see Wall Street! 

Hey Matt and Savannah! 

Love NBC studios. 

A view from Central Park, another favorite spot in the city. 

Times Square, lots of people and chaos.

Rock Center! I looked for Brian Williams, no luck. 

The Poe girls on Broadway

I recommend everyone take a girl's trip to NYC!! It was amazing, the perfect way to celebrate the ending of graduate school!) 

A Year of Wedded Bliss

Yesterday, Jim and I celebrated our first year anniversary! Can't believe a year has already come and gone. Time flies when you're having fun I suppose! Here are some highlights from our anniversary date: (Please keep in mind I am camera-less only for one more week hopefully, I am depending solely on the good ole i phone!)

We decided to eat dinner at Shapley's in Jackson. I had never been before but I certainly hope we return. We both had steak which was fantastic, however my favorite thing: BREAD PUDDING!! to die for.

The top layer of our wedding cake had been quite through the ringer, as you can tell. It is also HUGE! When I planned my wedding cake, I didn't want many layers. I decided to do three thick layers instead. I didn't really think that when we would save the top layer, I was actually saving 1/4 of the entire cake! haha. Unfortunately, it was not that enjoyable. Yuck! It was much better at my wedding :)

One of my favorite things ever. My grandmother had a family bible done for us as an anniversary gift. I am a super sentimental person- I can just see this being used at one of my children's wedding someday. Jordan Wood will appreciate this, we are kindred, old spirits who love tradition:-) I am so grateful my meme did this for us. It will be something I can always treasure from her.

It was a great anniversary! We enjoyed our day very much. Tommorrow I am headed to NYC with my mom and sister. Since I am camera-less, I will probably be blowing up instagram. I would like to go ahead and apologize to the people who follow my pictures, it may get obnoxious.

Everyone, please keep Jordan Wood in your prayers as she is on a medical mission trip. I know she will be used in a great way:-)

Nashville Weekend!

This past weekend we ventured to Nashville to celebrate Lelia, who is getting married on July 7th.  We had a fun weekend of activities planned and we were also excited to visit our friend Frannie who lives there! Of course, Julie and I came up a day early to stay in Senatobia. Since I was without Annie, Eleanor (who by the way is the cutest cat in Tate County if you didn't know) was very happy. She doesn't like to share the spotlight.

Friday morning, we woke up and headed to Nashville! Friday night, we went to eat at a Mexican Restaurant then headed to somewhere (sorry, Fran!? I forgot). It was fun and we enjoyed catching up. Lauran and Julie kept us laughing most of the time. Frannie and I are the moms of the group. Sorry girls you know it's true!

Saturday morning, we woke up and begin preparing for the lingerie brunch. Lauran, Julie and I stayed wtih Frannie to help her get ready. She has the cutest little apartment near a grocery store, which was really convenient! Lauran and I were in charge of the flowers:

Pretty scary, huh??!

Not too bad. We make a good team! 

Saturday, we enjoyed hanging out in Nashville. Frannie gave us some great tours:) We also went to , Michael's (Fran's boyfriend) for a day party! We had a lot of fun and enjoyed meeting some of Fran's Nashville friends. 

I wore my hair in a bun, it is hard to see in this picture. I love buns, but I'm not so sure they love me. 

Frannie and I on her adorable balcony. If I lived in the city, which we all know would never happen, I would like to live in a place like hers. It was definitely the cutest young professional abode I've ever seen. You've done great, Fran! 

Waiting on the bachelorette to arrive at dinner!:) We ate at Cabana's which was perfect for our party. The food was great too! And the cabana's had tvs so we got to watch US open highlights. 

And look who I got to sit by, my little LB! Loved catching up with all our stories:) 

It was a nice weekend with friends. It's hard when everyone doesn't live close anymore, but we are lucky to have often reunions. 

On another note, Summer is flying by! In less than a month, I will begin working in my classroom for the new year. Hard to believe- But..tonight is my last night of graduate school. Very Thankful! Can't wait to celebrate!! I am also so excited to be able to watch the Bachelorette LIVE, and not on dvr. I have my favorites and have not even peeked at the spoilers. 

Have a great week everyone! 

Welcome Summer!

Hello Blog World, I have been out of touch lately! You would think that since summer is finally here, I would have been much better at this. However there is only one reason for the lack of communication: sickness! Yes, I go all school year without getting ill (except for the normal migraine stuff) and the first week of summer, I get sick. Go figure! I'm talking running fever sick (and I haven't done that in years!) It was absolutely no fun. On top of the illness, I had my graduate portfolio due yesterday and my last research paper due this past Monday. Needless to say, I worked in the bed all last week and weekend. Yuck. So glad it's over and I'm up to par again. Look who kept me company:

My little snuggle buddy who didn't leave my side. So sweet! 

Before I became sick, we celebrated Memoral Day weekend with friends! We went to dinner and I enjoyed doing some things around the house. 

"I walk with Jim." This is Jim and his buddy Sam going to eat dinner. We went to eat at a seafood restaurant in Jackson that I wish I could remember the name of! It was wonderful, we'll definitely be going back! 

I made this wreath for my front door. It's not the greatest, but added a little bit of color to my front porch. I LOVE grapevine, sticks, and such. I would have had curly willow in my bridal bouquet but even I know that's a little far:-) 

This has been my partner. She follows me everywhere, literally. I never thought I would be that kind of person who was obsessed with their dog. I treat her like she's my child really! My mom has to remind all the time me that she is just a dog!! 

I am not the only one obsessed. This is Annie greeting her daddy in the driveway when he gets home from work. Poor Jim- He tries so hard to get Annie to lay with him but she only wants to play. She comes to me when she wants to snuggle. 

This is another project that I finished Memorial Day weekend. These rockers were my nana's (Joy's) and I absolutely love them. All they needed was a fresh coat of paint and they look beautiful. Now, I just need Jordan Irvin to come rock with me and have tea:-) 

(I know I need pillows, and a plant for my planter-eek! They're coming) 

I have many many house projects I want to complete this summer. Last week I lucked up on some great fabric. I bought enough for window treatments in my living room and kitchen. I dropped them off today and can't wait to see them when they're complete! I'm also recovering one of my gradmother's chairs with new fabric! ...And my bathroom is getting painted. Right now it's the most awful 1990's wallpaper, hunter green. It's pretty terrible, so I'm thrilled to be updating! I will post before and after pics when all is complete! 

This summer is going to be wonderful! Lots of traveling coming up- Nashville, NYC, Oxford, and Cruise. Hopefully I'll do a better job of updating:-) Happy Weekend!! 

School's out for the summer!

Today was the last day with my sweet class. I can't believe this year is up! Honestly, it hasn't been easy at all. Lots of changes have happened in my little life this year and while they were all great- growing up and moving on is never easy. New place, new house, new job, new co-workers, grad school, lots of transitions! However, I can say I really really love where I am now and am so grateful. I was very apprehensive at first and missed my old "life" and job from before. Now, I can honestly say I am happier than I was before! Who knew?!

Next year will be a lot less stressful and I'm looking forward to having some extra time to enjoy my work. This summer I am looking forward to taking a couple of vacations, being crafty, finishing up school, and organizing my new home. I can't wait!

Lots of personality here! 

Julie's BIG Day!

Julie Still is now Julie Jeffreys!!! Julie and Andrew had just the perfect wedding weekend. It was such a beautiful day with lots of love surrounding each and every detail. After all the planning, everything came together perfectly. We started the weekend with the rehearsal dinner:

The Bride and Groom @ Tunica National for the Rehearsal Dinner. 

The pretty pretty head table! 

Ginny, Frannie, and Jordan

With my Parents! Jim would be in this picture but he was lost in transit with Brandon. haha! 

And on to the wedding day. We started the day with a lovely brunch @ Mrs. Marcia Little's house. I wish I had pictures. However none of us had make-up on, so no pictures is probably a good thing:) 

Andrew wrote Julie a secret note for her to read while she was getting ready pre-makeup of course. 

The most beautiful bride ever. Julie has been my best friend for over ten years and I have never seen her so happy!! I was just thrilled for her! 

This is our sweet hair queen, Emily. She has so patiently done our hair since about 6th grade. We would sit in her salon for hours before every dance and beauty revue getting our hair done and playing with make-up. There will never be another Emily:) 

Best Friends! These girls have been in my life since elementary school. They are pretty special:)! 

This is Julie's bouquet, gorgeous! Ellen did a beautiful job with EVERYTHING! 

JUST MARRIED!!! 

First Dance as Husband and Wife

I love this picture! Each one of these girls are so special to me. They have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. More importantly, they continue to be such huge part of my life today. True friendships!! Love them so much. 

Julie sharing a special dance with one of her nephews, so sweet. 

I can't believe it's all over. I feel like we've been looking forward to this wedding for such a long time. I hope it was everything they dreamed it would be. We all had such a wonderful time, and I'm so honored to have been a part of it. The Bride and Groom were so fun, which made everyone enjoy themselves that much more. Perfect, perfect wedding! 

Julie- I hope you are having a wonderful time, I'll be waiting for my phone call next weekend. However as I sit here to write this post, I have already picked up my phone to call you twice this afternoon! It's going to be a long week. Please wear sunscreen!

Spring Updates!

The past two weeks have been so busy. I feel like I have been starting every entry this way for this whole semester (I still live my life in semesters since I'm on school calenders.) Some updates of things that have happened since I last blogged!

Jim's parents came to visit the last weekend in April. It was a lovely visit. They all ran a race in Flowood to benefit Mississippi Blood Services! I was at home with Annie in my pj's. I know I felt guilty too!

We are enjoying our deck because we finally bought patio furniture! This is Jim eating our first dinner outside. As you can see, it's take-out. Don't judge, I really do cook most of the time.

On Cinco De Mayo- I took my comps! I am so glad that they're finally over. Now just one more big project and I'm really done. It just so happened we were invited to go to the make-a-wish banquet here in Jackson that evening. It was a great celebration of all the wishes granted to honor the sponsors! There was even a silent auction. We tried to win several things but we lost, of course!

                                                           Jim's Company- Tyson.

                                                          @ The Banquet

..And finally this week we took the MCT2 test. Well I didn't, but I might as well have been! I felt like I had studied for that test more than the kids, ha! It went really well and we're hoping for great results come the end of June! It's a relief to just enjoy the last few days of school with my class minus all the testing pressure.

This weekend is of course Mother's Day. We debated on whether or not we should head to tobie because we'll be coming for Jules' wedding next weekend. However with BOTH of our mother's being there, we just couldn't imagine not being there with them. So we're headed home tomorrow for about the 20th time this semester, haha. I love going home, but I so hate the drive. Anyways I have to vote for Eleanor on Saturday at the Mayfair because she's in the cutest cat contest! Thanks to Mrs. Pam, Meme, and her sunday school ladies, we have raised some great money for the shelter!!

Annie is sure excited about staying with "NeNe" aka Denise! She was ready to leave tonight.