HE'S HERE!

Howard Parker Hill
was born Thursday, December 27 at 6:18 a.m.
8 lbs 5 oz
20 inches long
Mommy, Daddy and baby are doing just fine and will settle in at home on Sunday.

For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I will praise You, because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.
(Psalm 139:13-14)

Parker's Nursery

Here are some pictures of Parker's cute nursery. If I had had anything to do with this creation at all, I would not be so proud. But...I can take no credit. My mom and Kelly came up with the whole idea, and my mom and Alyssa created it. My dad and Sam and Lee were wonderful and patient in putting it all together. I still can't believe how great it looks. We love it so much. It's very calm and soothing...Lee and I sometimes just sit in there and look around in disbelief. The things that make the room so neat are all the special touches that members of our family have put into it. Check out the slide show below to see each neat creation. Make sure to click on the pictures for the details. Thank you so much to everyone who helped...especially my family for giving up long weekends of time. Now we just need a baby for it!

Make a postcard!

A Christmas Compromise

Christmas decorations have caused a few disagreements around our house this year. Lee loves Christmas and pulling out all the decorations and putting them all up. I, on the other hand, hate the decorations. I always think they track in so much dust and make my house look junky, and I hate putting them up, and taking them down is even worse. So, with the arrival of our little baby this year, I felt like it was perfectly logical to not put up decorations. Parker is due so close to Christmas that we could very well be at the hospital on Christmas day. Our house is already filled with baby things that we haven't quite figured out just where to put. And, because I can't travel for Christmas, my whole family is coming here to Jackson, and we're staying at Luckett Lodge. And I just don't want to take down decorations either being as pregnant as I will be if we're still here after Christmas or a week after when we've come back home and recovered. Therefore, no need for decorations, right? I thought it was that easy. But oh no. Lee has thrown a fit. So, this was our compromise. Our tiny little four and a half foot Christmas tree. Don't worry. When I asked Lee to get a strand of lights out of the attic, he came down with an entire nativity set for the mantle, stockings, and a wreath that goes on the front of our house. But he's promised me that it would all be down before we came home from the hospital. He is too much!

A Quick Catch Up

Yes, I know it's been a while. Ok, a really long while. I have no excuse. We have been a little busy trying to cram lots of stuff in and get lots together before we got busy with the holidays. And my life has been a little boring. So here's a quick glance at what we've been doing.

Yes, Alyssa and I did finish the cake decorating class. We had such a good time. It was really fun for us to spend time together every Tuesday night catching up, but we had a better time laughing at ourselves...and others in the class. We did learn a lot. Of course, Alyssa has already made a million cakes while I have made none. As a matter of fact, I think she has all my tools we got in class! Oh well. It was worth it. And one day I'll save us big bucks by making birthday cakes for our own children!

I had a shower in Pontotoc a few weeks ago. Lee's sweet cousins and aunts gave it for me. We had a really good time and got lots of fun stuff...lots of clothes to keep this little baby warm! I also had a shower here in Jackson that my sweet small group girls gave me. It was so nice. My mom and sisters and Lee's mom were all able to be here, so that was really special. It was also great to see some friends that I don't get to see all the time.

Lee and I have also been going to the classes at the hospital to get ready for Parker to come. Ugghhhh is all I have to say. We finally finished last night, and I was so glad. Don't get me wrong, we learned some things and were introduced to some things that we didn't already know. But they were on Monday nights, and we were always tired. And most of what was taught in the class was stuff we already knew...I think we read too many books!! We were so glad to walk out of that classroom for the last time Monday night.

We had a really quick and busy Thanksgiving week. Our plans had to be changed around at the last minute. My PeePaw, who is not really my grandfather but has been like one to me and my sisters my whole life, passed away the Thursday before Thanksgiving. Although the death was not a shock because he has been sick for years, it was a little bit of a surprise because he continued to do ok for so long. Instead of going to Pontotoc on Friday, we drove to the Coast for the funeral which was early Saturday morning. From the funeral, we left and drove to Pontotoc and did Thanksgiving with Lee's family Saturday night. We had planned to be home Saturday night but stayed there because we were so tired. In the meantime, my parents came back to Jackson with Alyssa and Sam to put the shelving unit for the nursery in our house. Little did we know they were really doing an Extreme Home Makeover. Sam and my dad put more shelves in all of my cabinets in the kitchen while my mom and Alyssa put all the baby stuff into the drawers and cabinets in the nursery. Lee and I got home Sunday afternoon and were amazed and overwhelmed. It was so nice and looks wonderful. My mom and I spent the beginning of the week finishing up the nursery and doing some things around the house while my dad drove back to Houston. My grandparents and dad and Lia came on Wednesday, so we had Thanksgiving dinner with all of them on Thursday at my house. We used our china for the first time - I know, it's about time. Whirlwind of a week! But we got so much done and had a really good time.

Those are really the most exciting things that have been going on. Sorry I've been such a slacker. I've got to get better at this!! I think because I put it off for so long the thought of sitting down to write anything made my head hurt! I'll be more consistent...hopefully!

Move Over Cake Diva...

Alyssa and I started our cake decorating class tonight! It's something we've both always wanted to do but kept making excuses not to do it. A couple of weeks ago, I just called and signed us up. We had so much fun. Of course, it's a basic class, so everything was fairly easy tonight, but I'm sure it will get harder. I meant to take my camera with me, but Lee took it out of my purse and forgot to put it back. Never fear, we brought our tools home to show Sam and Lee what we had learned. I think they were impressed!

We're Home!!!

Lee and I have been out of town for the past three weekends, but we're home now for a while. Two weekends ago we were in Pontotoc. We had a really good time just relaxing, and we bought a crib, which was so fun. Actually, we took Lee's parents with us for some help in picking one out, and they surprised us by buying the crib for us! We were so shocked and excited.

Last weekend we went to the Coast Friday night. My parents met us there that night. We went to a surprise part for Lanette's husband Michael and left from the party to come back here. We had some serious work to get done! My sweet family worked so hard all day Sunday and Monday. It was my mom and dad, Alyssa and Sam and Lia. Those were some late nights! But we did get the nursery painted. We've had a bit of trouble painting the chair railing. The guy who sold us the paint was supposed to also sell us a color primer...but he forgot to do that. We found this out after painting four coats of paint on the stuff! So I still have to finish that this week.

This weekend Lee and I flew to Houston. Lia had her first home football game as a Standleader, and Lee got to go to the Texas A&M game with a guy from my parent's Sunday school class. We almost didn't make it on Friday. We got on the plane and then were taken off because there was a flat front tire on the plane. At that point we were told that they would either fix it or get a tire flown in from Houston! We were hoping they would just fix it, but instead they canceled the flight all together! There was a 6:40 flight, but by the time we got up to the counter to see about getting switched, it was sold out. So we were on the standby list. I literally sat down in the airport and cried. Some of that was due to exhaustion, but I really wanted to see Lia at her game, and we weren't sure if we'd be able to go again. Thankfully, we got on the flight and made it to the game by halftime...just in time to see Lia on the field for most of the time. Their outfits are so funny, but they do a great job getting the crowd involved.

Lee had a great time at the game on Saturday. Little did anyone know that it would be such a great game. Triple overtime!! Lee got to spend some time on campus looking around and learning some of the traditions that are really neat. The game was really hot. Apparently they were carrying people out of the game after they had passed out! What dedicated fans! Definitley would not have found me there.

While Lee was at the game, my mom and I went to see Kelly, who is helping us decorate the nursery. Her own is AMAZING, and she has been such a huge help to me. I am so not creative. I need someone to tell me what to do and send me in the right direction. And she has done just that. The nursery is going to be vintage cowboys. We found the fabric a few weeks ago, and Kelly painted this canvas for us to put over the crib. It is so amazing. I mean, it is almost an exact replica of the actual fabric. I actually think it's better. Thank you, Kelly! Check out the cute stuff on her blog.

So we got home after midnight last night. I was really sad to leave my family, but it is nice to know that we'll be home for a while. I'm just not sure how much more we could go. With Lee being in class and studying all week and me working and having little things to do in the evenings, it's hard to get anything done...basic things like cleaning the house and cutting the grass. I'm looking forward to a late Saturday morning! It's weird because I want to go and do things because I know that our time left to do that is getting shorter. But we also have so much to do here before this sweet baby comes!

I added music back to my blog. I love this new song by Casting Crowns.

A New Familiar Sight

Lee started school this week! He has been so excited all summer and couldn't wait for this past Monday to finally roll around. He had orientation for three days last week, but the real thing started Monday. He's been trying really hard to form a routine for himself. He gets up early and gets to school to start reading, goes to class, eats lunch in the library while he's reading, goes back to class and then back to the library to read or study more until 6:00 or so. YUCK! Lee's sort of a geek at heart...he loves to learn. But even this has been different for him. We're hoping that after this week we'll get more used to the routine and things will settle down a little more. Just a little bit of both would do us good! I'm so proud of him for working so hard...even though I've had to go to bed by myself a few nights this week!

We're going to Pontotoc to see Lee's parents this weekend, and I am so excited. We have both had some long days this week and are exhausted, so it will be so nice to just relax and take a break. That's become one of my favorite things about going to stay with Lee's parents...you really do unwind and rest while you're there. It couldn't come at a better time!

Exciting news!

Well.....it's now official. We went to the doctor Monday and found out we're having a BOY! We are so, so excited. The funny thing is that we came up with all kinds of names for girls but none for a boy, so we're stuck! But we have come up with a few options. Because I grew up with two sisters, I know almost nothing about boys, so it will be fun to learn. Things looked great, and I'm feeling really good. My new students are so sweet and have been really excited when I tell them the news...it's been kinda fun. I guess it's time to get to work! We have a nursery to get together...but it needs to be cleaned out first!



Some of my sweet friends from school gave me this "little boy gear." I was so excited. It's the first real boy thing we've received!!







Another friend of mine decided that since the baby is due on Elvis' birthday, he needed this tshirt. She's a little obsessed with Elvis and jokes that the baby's name should also include Elvis!

Graduation!

Well, we finally finished the past year and a half off with graduation yesterday. It's something I was reluctant to do, but it was a nice closure to the past year and a half since everyone in our cohort participated. The actual graduation was very short - only an hour - so it left the afternoon to do other things. We met Alyssa and Sam for lunch to "celebrate" and then came home for a nap.

As glad as I am to be finished, there is a part of me that is sad. I'm certainly glad to be finished with the homework and projects and late nights and class meetings, but I did enjoy making new friends and seeing them on a regular basis. I also know that going through this process has made me a better teacher, not only because I learned new things that changed my views on how we do things in education but also because I was once again a student. It's always good to be reminded of what it feels like to sit in a class for hours or to be given assignments that seem like "busy work!" Overall, this was a wonderful experience, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. It was something I wanted to do for myself, and something that no one can ever take away from me. I know that the new friends I made and even the friendships that were strengthened will continue to grow...they will just take more work now to maintain.

And so it's on from one thing to the next. Tomorrow is our first "official" day of school, although some of us have been up there so much this summer it seems like there was no break. We have professional development for 4 days, and the students come on Friday. Time again for schedules and routines and long days. But I have vowed to not stay at school this year until 6:00 every evening. We'll see how that goes! I'm off to enjoy my one last night before the craziness begins...

I know, I know...

Ok, so it's been a really long time. I know. We have been going nonstop for the past three weeks or so trying to fit as much as we can in before school starts. We've been traveling, spending time with family, celebrating, and getting ready to go back to school. I'll spare most of the details but will try to recap most of the past month's events.

I started off with a trip to New Orleans with my wonderful senior project teacher friends and our principal. We had a really good time together, and it was good to catch up with everyone. During the school year, we spend sooo much time together, so it's weird to not see them for a month in the summer! We went to lots of workshops but still made time for Cafe du Monde.

I came home from New Orleans for a day and left for Branson with Lee's family. We enjoyed spending time with his family and got to see lots of shows. Our favorite was the Riverboat Cruise. We ate dinner and saw a show on an enormous riverboat. This is us on the two hour train ride!

We returned from Branson and had my grandparents come up to visit us for a few days. Alyssa and I took them to Philadelphia to the waterpark one day, but it rained, so we never got to do anything. But we did get rain tickets that we are still waiting to use!

My grandparents left, and I left the next day to go back to New Orleans for the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) conference. This time, about 25 people from my school went. It was fun to see everyone, but I was tired of New Orleans by this point. I was just ready to come home! I came home early for Alicia's shower on Saturday.

After Alicia's shower, my mom and Lia came down for a few days. They had been in Europe for over two weeks, so they had lots of stories to tell and pictures to show. It was fun to just spend time together. We even went to Starkville for a day so that Lia could "officially" visit Mississippi State. Although she went a lot as a little kid, it was different to really be looking at it as a college choice. We're keeping our fingers crossed and saying lots of prayers!

In the middle of my mom and Lia being here, Lee and I snuck away to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary. We went to eat at Char - a first for both of us. Lee had made reservations, and we ate in the kitchen, which was a real treat. There's so much action back there! Our food was really good, and we had a good time just sitting and relaxing and talking.

As soon as my mom and Lia left, Lee and I left for a short trip to Destin with his parents and brother. It was sooo relaxing and came at just the right time. The weather was great every day except the very last, which always makes it easier to come home. I didn't feel like I was missing anything!

On our way back from Destin, Lee and I stopped on the Coast to stay with my grandparents. My mom was already there. We were all secretly planning a surprise party for my grandfather's 77th birthday. Lee left early the next morning to come back to work while my mom and grandmother and I convinced my grandfather to go to the waterpark. (He loves the waterpark but was afraid it was going to rain.) Little did he know that he had no choice because everyone else was meeting us there! He was so shocked. We spent the entire day at the waterpark and had so much fun...and no rain!

I rode back from the Coast with Alyssa and Sam only to leave early the next morning for the Neshoba County Fair to campaign for Lee's boss, Commissioner Hall, during the political speakings. Lee got some boys from his bible study to come and support Commissioner Hall, too. It was a really hot day, but we had fun.

Thursday and Friday I spent in my classroom at school just trying to get things ready for the first day. I have a new computer lab this year with all new equipment. So I've been making curtains and painting things and trying to get everything in just the right place. I'll post pictures of that later! And I spent yesterday resting. I washed tons of clothes and picked up the house before Lee and I met Alyssa and Sam at the pool - it was just too hot - and then we all went to eat at McAlister's.

So, you see, things have been busy around here. I have one more week left before school officially begins. Lee and I are about to go back up to my classroom to finish moving the big things around. I'm planning to spend tomorrow catching up on my to do list. That could take more than one day! Although I'm sad about the summer being over, I do love the routine and schedule of being in school. Maybe I'll be a more consistent blogger!

I'M FINISHED!!

I am officially finished with graduate school...finally! I actually finished yesterday but was so tired of looking at the computer screen that I just couldn't bring myself to post anything. I turned in my last two projects yesterday and did my last presentation. I am so, so glad to be finished. I have learned so much in this past year about how to be a good school administrator, which has spilled over into my classroom and changed the way I teach and deal with almost everything. So I have loved learning about all those things. And I'm going to miss my girls so much, but it was certainly time to be finished. It was so nice to come home yesterday and watch TV last night and not feel like I had something I needed to do...write a paper, read a book, complete a project. Graduation isn't until August, but class is officially over!

I'm leaving this afternoon to go to New Orleans for a Senior Project conference, which is the main class I teach. I'm pretty excited. I'm looking forward to learning how to do things better in my class, and I'm real excited about seeing my friends I haven't seen all summer. There are only six Senior Project teachers, and we are a really tight team...and we have a great time together. So it should be a fun weekend.

I come back Friday night to leave again on Saturday for about a week. Lee and I are going on vacation with his grandparents and aunt and uncle. Every year, Lee's grandparents take us all on a big trip. I started going before we got married, so I've been going for a while. We have been to some great places - Jekyll Island, GA; Vail, CO; and even a tour of the west from Washington down to Jackson Hole and back. Lee and I weren't able to go last year because of all that we had going on, and we doubt we'll be able to go for a while after this year. So we decided to work hard to make sure we could go this year. We committed and THEN found out where we're going. Surprise! We're going to Branson, Missouri!! Lee and I have spent a lot of time laughing about it and decided that it would be a relaxing trip and good time to spend with his family. His mom and dad and brother can't go this year, and we'll miss them so much. We're leaving Saturday for Pontotoc to leave for Branson on Sunday. We're staying at a pretty nice resort...with a nice pool! I'll try to post some while we're there. I should have plenty of stories to tell...


Thanks for all of your sweet comments about our big news! I'll keep you posted on how things are going.

Lots of stuff going on around here...

We have been super busy around the Hill house. I only have three more days left of class, and I'm completely finished!! I go tomorrow and then Monday and Tuesday of next week. Class doesn't officially end until next Friday, but I am leaving Wednesday for a Senior Project conference in New Orleans with my fun teacher friends. I'm excited, but that also means that I have to turn in all of my projects before I leave, which is kinda stressing me out right now. The weekend is devoted to school work. Yuck!!

We've also had a little secret surprise that I'm sure most people have heard already. We're going to be having a baby in January! Obviously, we're really excited. I'm three months along...I know, we kept the secret for a long time. We just wanted to be sure that things were ok before we started spreading the word. We did tell our parents and siblings soon after we found out and told our grandparents a few weeks ago. We went back to the doctor today and heard the heartbeat again, which is so neat. I've been really lucky and haven't been really sick...just really tired, but even that is starting to wear off. Please continue to pray for us as we journey through this new phase.

Beebs' Wedding

Congratulations to Megan and Paul! They were married this past weekend in Biloxi, and Lee and I went down Saturday for the wedding. Megan was such a beautiful bride, and it was great to see a bunch of our friends. There was a huge showing of the Jammas there...maybe the largest crowd in years. We're looking forward to the beach trip that Libby is planning for next summer...I'm waiting for my contract!

Pontotoc Passion is back!!

The name is sort of a long story, but it's funny. When Lee and I were dating, he came to the Coast to stay with my family. My parents' best friends also came to stay. One day, we all split up - guys and girls. The girls went to see a movie and the guys went bowling. Apparently, Lee started talking trash about what a good bowler he was and how bowling was a "passion" in Pontotoc. And then he bowled the worst game of his life!! So everyone in my family...and my parents' friends who were there...still call Lee Pontotoc Passion every time the word bowling is mentioned!













Well, the alter ego came out last night at Fannin Lanes. Alyssa and Sam went with us to celebrate Lee's birthday. We had so much fun! Lee and Sam are really serious about bowling and would toss the ball down the lane while Alyssa and I were just trying to keep it out of the gutter most of the time! We laughed and cheered each other on...and made lots of fun of each other. I mean, who can look cool bowling?

Happy Birthday to You!!

Happy Birthday today to my sweet, wonderful husband!! Lee turns 27 today. I have been asking Lee for weeks what he wanted to do for his birthday thinking that he would choose somewhere really fun to go eat. Instead, he just wanted to invite Alyssa and Sam over, have me make homemade pizza, and go bowling afterward. I mean, how much easier does it get? So that's exactly what we're going to do.

Lee really is the greatest husband I could have ever asked for. I tell him all the time I had no idea how lucky I got when we got married...even though we'd known each other for six years!! I find new reasons every day to love him, but here are 10 just for fun.

1. He's so cute. I mean, does it get any cuter than this?

2. He's so fun. He loves to have a good time and is always making me laugh.

3. He makes my breakfast and irons my clothes for school. I know, I know. I'm lucky.

4. He's smart. I make fun of him all the time for his random bits of knowledge, but it's nice to have an expert on many things around...

5. He budgets our money. I HATE dealing with money, and he does it every month. Thank goodness I don't have to...we'd be in big trouble!!

6. He's driven. No matter what he decides to do, whether it be go back to school or work out every day (even if it's only for two weeks!), he makes a plan and sticks to it.

7. He's encouraging. No matter what I decide to do, he stands behind me 100% and cheers me on the whole way.

8. He's a good cook. He's much better in the kitchen than I am...I'm usually asking him for advice. And I love it when he tries new recipes.

9. He's a constant example of Christ's love. Patient, forgiving, and constant. It really is amazing!

10. He's my friend. We truly have the greatest time together. Given the opportunity to spend time with anyone I wanted, I would always choose him. He's just that great!

A Fun Coast Visit

Lee, Alyssa, Sam and I went to the Coast for a quick visit with MoMo and PaPa this weekend. We left Friday afternoon and came back Saturday night. We had such a good time. MoMo cooked for all of us Friday night, and we watched a movie. On Saturday, we went to a flea market and the thrift store. Then we got some crawfish...my very favorite. Lee even picked up some Barq's root beer in a bottle. It just doesn't get any better! We took the crawfish back to their house and had a good time talking and peeling! Look how dirty our hands are! They're so nasty but so good. What a great way to bring in the summer!

I'm so glad it's finally summer. The break seems to come at just the right time. I do start back to grad school on Monday, but only for four weeks. Then I'm finished!!! I can't believe that it's already been a year. I'm really excited that we get the whole month of July off to just hang out and do whatever we want. It will be a nice, REAL break! But I'm going to miss my wonderful MC friends so much. I have really formed some great friendships, which has certainly made it easier to endure this year. Unlike my sweet husband, I do not enjoy school or being a student in the classroom. To me, it's just a means to an end. Weird, I know, since I'm a teacher, but I am so ready to just be a teacher. This will be it for me for a while. I'll let Lee take his turn...gladly!!

YAAAYYYYYY for summer!!

She Made It!!!

Lia made Standleader! Lee and I went to Texas this weekend for Klein High School's Variety Show. Lia danced in the show, so we really wanted to go see her do that. But more than that, they were announcing who made Standleader at the end of the show. We decided months ago that we wanted to go, and Lia gave us the ok after she made it through the first round of cuts. I guess you need some background info! Standleader is the most prestigious honor you can receive at her school. It is a group of 42 students who basically serve as ambassadors for the school. They coordinate freshman orientation and things like that along with cheering on every single athletic team at Klein. It's really funny. Their uniform is blue and gold striped socks, a gold shirt, and denim shorts. Cute, right? And Lia got a huge bucket of blue and gold tacky bows and jewelry from her friend who was a Standleader last year that she "gets" to wear. Hundreds of kids tried out for this. The first round of cuts was teacher recommendations. After she made it through that, she had to go to an interview where she had to create a t-shirt that described her. That was right after Easter, so we've been waiting all this time to find out if she got it. As each former Standleader called out a name of a new Standleader, I got more and more concerned that Lia wasn't going to get it. We all were about to throw up out of nervousness for her. Poor Lee was saying prayers nonstop. "Lord, please let this be her." "Lord, please prepare our hearts for this disappointment." We weren't sure what to pray. And her sweet friend Kim, who's in the picture with her, saved her until last to announce. We were so relieved and excited!!!

People who haven't known our family very long probably can't fully appreciate how much this means to all of us. When my family moved to Texas three years ago, Lia was in the ninth grade. And she was miserable. She did not know a single person. She would make my mom drive around the school until the bell rang so she wouldn't have to walk around by herself, and she didn't eat lunch for the longest time because she couldn't figure out how to pay for it. At different times, we were all ready to move back to the Coast so she could go back to her old school. But Lia knew that God had put her in Houston for a reason, and she clung to that belief. So to see her make Standleader is not only a testament to God's faithfulness, it's also a testament to Lia's faithfulness in Him. We couldn't be prouder or more excited if we'd made it ourselves!

I'm Back!

I know, I know. It's been a really long time. Things have been so busy I've barely had time to breathe. But I turned in my portfolio tonite, so the load is significantly lighter. Now all I have to do is make it through these last few days with these crazy seniors!! I've had tons to blog about...just not enough time.

Lee and I are going to Houston this weekend to hang out with my family. We're leaving tomorrow afternoon and coming back Sunday. Quick trip.

I'll update more later. Just wanted everyone to know that I'm alive and back!

While you're waiting, you can click here to watch Lia dance. (Remember that I know that I'm obsessed!) Her dance teacher from the Coast invited her to come back and dance in her recital this past weekend. Since I didn't get to go, my mom recorded it like a crazy person so I could see it. Thanks, Mom!

What a fun time...

My college roommate Leanne is having a baby! Leanne and I lived next door to each other as freshman and became quick friends. Then we both dated Lee H.'s, who were also friends, and we did so much together throughout college. So it was very natural for Leanne and I to live together in an apartment our senior year of college...the first year we were able to live off campus. We had such a great time and learned sooo much! She's such a great friend, and, lucky for me, she and Lee were always going through the same things Lee and I were, but they were always first. So she always had tons of wisdom to pass down. They got married just a month before Lee and I and now, three years later, are having a little boy! Alicia Mattern and I decided it would be fun to have a little party for Leanne and Lee and invite some of our friends from college. We had the best time. It's just so good to be back with people who really know you and who you're so comfortable with. We laughed and had lots of fun. They got some great stuff for little Samuel. We're so excited! They're going to be fabulous parents, and I'm glad to again have someone to tell me what to expect!

leanne and lee's shower

Extreme Yard Makeover

Our yard finally got a much needed makeover this weekend. Our friend, Lee's freshman and 5th year roommate, Kyle Jeffreys is so great. He owns a landscape contracting business in Coffeeville, Miss. Lee asked him a few weeks ago to give us some ideas of things to put in our yard. (It looked like junk. We had a lot of plants, but there was no order to it. Lee has a bad habit of just planting things wherever he wants with no rhyme or reason to it!) Kyle called this past week to tell us that he not only had some ideas but was coming down on Saturday to help us do it. He brought all the plants with him. The two of them worked outside tilling and fertilizing and planting new stuff. It looks so great! I'm so excited for it to all grow and bloom so we can see how great it looks. Thanks for your help, Kyle! You're a lifesaver. And Lee is no longer allowed to plant things in anywhere without calling Kyle first!

Aaahhhhhh...

What a great way to end the week! I had a massage this afternoon at Trio. Some of my sweet little students gave me a gift certificate at Christmas, and my yearbook girls gave me one for my birthday. So...I put the two together and made an appointment. It was so great. I think I could have stayed on that table for 3 more hours. When I got home, Lee kept wanting to talk and wanted me to tell him all about he massage, but I wasn't saying much. I felt like I'd been asleep for 2 days. I was just worn out! But it was so worth it. Give Mindy at Trio a call. She is wonderful!


These are my sweet little girls who gave me the gift certificate. LeeAnn Dean and Spencer Ferguson are missing! Thanks, girls!