"Baby It's Cold Outside!" Celebrating Whitten Edward Jeffreys

One of my oldest, most dearest, childhood friends is having a sweet baby boy in February. I love any good reason to have a baby shower, and couldn't wait to help host Julie's! We celebrated baby Whit and Jules the first weekend in December with a dessert/hot chocolate themed shower. Lelia was so kind to host the event at her house. (she was also so very kind to let me invade and turn her kitchen into a makeshift florist the day before!)  It was a lovely afternoon of celebration, indeed! Here's a glimpse of our fun day:

Julie and I love to joke about how opposite our tastes are-When it came to naming her child, we both knew we would probably agree to disagree (not that my opinion really mattered, I just served as the words of affirmation!) However I LOVE the name she chose-It's so very noble. I can already hear his name being announced as a little chief-hehe:) 

Just for the record-My prediction is February 12th! 

We LOVE Flowers! 

Gotta sneak the china in somehow:) 

Whimsy Cookies-so very good. 

New Home

We are finally beginning to feel a bit settled in our new abode! We could not be happier with our home decision. I feel this home could not be more perfect for us even if we had built it ourselves! I can't wait to document how it changes and evolves over the next few years. Making a house a home is so special.

There are several ideas I have going on in my "decorating" mind, but I will have to do a little bit at a time. Currently, my next to-do will be to give some TLC to several pieces of old furniture that were my grandparents'. One in particular I am most excited about is refinishing nana Joy's china cabinet!! I cannot explain how much I love china cabinets. I moved what I consider to be my "casual cabinet" to the kitchen in this particular home since I had room. Therefore making a perfect spot for a more "formal" look in my dining room. It will bring me so much joy to have a little piece of her in my most favorite room in the house.

The Simpsons in front of our new home! 

The sole reason of us moving home was to be closer to our family. Since moving in 2 months ago, we have hosted 2 family get togethers. One for my dad's birthday which I didn't get any pictures of :( and one dinner in honor of my in-laws anniversary. I love getting to serve and host our families. 

Happy Anniversary to the Simpsons (38 years!) 

A Festive Autumn! 

A little preview of the work in progress dining room. Even though it is my favorite, it won't be complete until my china cabinet makes her arrival. 

Christmas in our new home ---coming soon! 

There's No Place Like Home

It's been a while since a blog update, but we have had some exciting things happen since then! Big news is we are moving back home! Jim accepted a new job in Memphis as a financial analyst, and I will be teaching 5th grade language arts at Lewisburg Elementary. This is something we prayed about for a long time, and we felt like the timing was right. We needed to be closer to our family and couldn't be more excited.

However, I am leaving part of my heart in Brandon-our home for the last 3 years! I never dreamed I would love a small town (other than Senatobia) as much I have. I will always be grateful for our time there and the priceless friendships we made. We absolutely loved our jobs, co-workers, church, sunday school, and many friends.

My sweet work friends-I will miss these ladies so very much. They have been like family to me! Brandon Elementary is absolutely one of THE best schools in the state. It was such a blessing to teach there. The teachers, administration, students, and parents are amazing-I will never forget all the special friendships I've made. Jen-I know they aren't rolling up I55, BUT STILL!!! 

My Jackson "Momma"/Older Sister and one of the best friends I've ever had! Kelli has taken care of me from the first day I began teaching at BES. I would have never made it without her. We made the best team, and I am so grateful for her! I know she will always be my "bestie" but it will be so strange  not to have her with me every.single.day. I'm sure I will still call her often though. When in need, she knows she's next in line if my mother doesn't answer. 

And the third member of our posse-Woodward! These 2-They have laughed with me, cried with me, and shared life with me the past 3 years. I am such a homebody, and the Lord knew I would need them to help me through some of the toughest times I've faced! I will be forever grateful for our friendship! 

This one-I am so grateful we were able to live in the same town for the past few years. Ginny has always been one of my most special friends. After all, we were considered "twins" when we were little (still are to some-but we don't see it!) Our friendship has and always will be grounded in our faith. I know distance will never change our relationship, but I will miss her terribly. 

And this little guy! I'm so thankful I was able to be in Jackson with Ginny through her first pregnancy and the birth of Brooks. It was such an exciting time. Aunt Jac loves you Brooks-all the way from tobie town! 

Even though I will miss our life in Brandon terribly- I'm grateful for the opportunity to get settled and start over in a familiar place. There's no place like home! 

Welcome Spring Part 2!

March was a very busy month for the Simpsons and we spent a lot of time traveling! Normally, all of this action would stress me out, but we really enjoyed our little mini-trip and visit to tobie town.

We traveled to tobie town to see one of my favorite little girls (not so little anymore-but will always be around 7 to me, ha!) participate in her first beauty revue. We had so much fun picking out her dress a month earlier-I knew she was going to be so very beautiful!

Mrs. Stephanie (Mom), Taylor, and little sister Emilee! 

Another sweet little beauty!! Isn't she precious? Hard to believe she was born my freshman year of college-time flies! 

All my girls (and yes I will claim them all as my little sisters!) Becca and I had so much fun helping Taylor get ready and being apart of her first beauty revue. We were super proud of her! 

The next weekend, we traveled to Louisville, KY for Jim to be in the wedding of Charlie Byrd's. Jim and Charlie grew up together and I was so happy we could be there for their big day. Louisville was a neat place and we enjoyed our time there. 

On Saturday morning, we headed to brunch at "Toast on Market." It was fabulous and we enjoyed being in dowtown Louisville. After brunch, we did a little sightseeing and shopping before getting ready for the wedding. Who knew Louisville had a fabulous mall?!  

The wedding was beautiful and "springy!" We had a wonderful time visiting with friends! 

..And of course we had to take a short stroll through Elizabethtown on the way home (The movie I was obsessed with for a good while during the college years!) 

March has come to an end, and I'm looking forward to a quiet April spent at home! And also for Easter, my favorite holiday!!! 

Welcome Spring Part 1

Welcome Welcome Spring!!! We are so happy you finally arrived. I have been waiting for warm weather since Christmas was over. I'm not very fond of winter. Spring break came and went too very fast-but here's a recap of how we (really just me, poor Jim!) spent the week off:)

We had a sweet little visit with baby Hayes! He loves Uncle Jim 

And Aunt Jac! 

We enjoyed touring the new Manning Center at Ole Miss and attending the basketball game! I just love being back in my old "college hometown!" Wish we could be there more often. 

Win the day

My mom, sister, and I took my grandmother to Branson for a girl's trip. I wanted to go to the beach, but I obviously lost that argument-haha! I had never been to Branson-but I think Bec and I were the youngest people there. We were okay with that though and enjoyed spending time with our mom and grandmother!:) This is from a dinner tour that we took on a riverboat. 

And that's how I spent my wonderful spring break! I can't believe we are in the last stretch of school and looking ahead to summer! 

Ginny Momma!

Last weekend-We hosted a sweet shower for my long-time best friend, Ginny. When we were growing up Julie and I often referred to her as Ginny-momma because she took such good care of us (and got us through junior high and high school math-y'all know it's true!) Now she is becoming a real momma to baby Brooks. We were so excited to honor her with a baby shower at my mom's (so thankful my mother lets me use her house for all the many showers I love to give in north mississippi.) When Ginny was married, We were babies (and had no money.) We didn't have a clue how to properly celebrate her. I always told her I would make up for it when it became baby time :)

Julie is working on her masterpiece aka the Doughnut Tree-she is such a great baker! 

The door hanger was made by two sweet girls in my sunday school class here in Brandon-Look them up on facebook (P & B designs!) 

Some of the hostesses (minus my mom and Mrs. Julie!) 

Ginny and her sweet momma! 

2 of the best friends you could ever ask for! We have been through every stage of life together (literally) and are thrilled to help celebrate baby Brooks Oliver! 

Wonderful Winter

Even though I will NOT be sad to see this dreadful cold weather fade away, I have enjoyed this season very much. We have been pretty low key the past couple of months and it has been very nice! We had some beautiful winter weather the last week of January-which gave us two blissful snow days!

Our little home in the winter weather!

I was honored to be able to share in sweet Lucy Maxwell's baby dedication in Hattiesburg. It was such a beautiful service and of course Lucy was precious.

Two of my favorites-Best Buds!! 

Have you ever seen a more precious baby girl!? 

We also celebrated Valentine's Day with a basket full of happies and a wonderful dinner at Walker's in Jackson:) 

Even Annie was given a sweet treat-She's not loved at all! 

Some of my little valentines-They're pretty cute if I do say so myself! 

I am so looking forward to some prettier weather, Welcome Spring!!! (hopefully!)