Master's Trip

I promise I think my daddy loves golf more than Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson does. He has been playing as long as I remember and does so at any opportunity he's given. He loves it! So does Jake. And my Uncle Joe.

My daddy has been entering the Master's lottery for years...I'm thinking since 1992 or something. He was able to go the practice round with his friend, Kirk, a couple of years ago when Kirk 'won the lottery.' Well, this year Daddy won! He was able to take three people and he invited Kirk, Uncle Joe, and Jake.

Though I'm not much of a golf fan (sorry Daddy...at least you tried), I have to say it would be pretty cool to go to the Master's practice round or the actual Master's. Augusta is a beautiful place. Did you know they control the flowers so that they bloom on Saturday and Sunday instead of earlier in the week? They put them on ice to do that. Amazing, huh? Daddy told me that tidbit.

Here are some pics of their trip. They may not look too thrilled here, but I'm pretty sure they were beaming on the inside ;)

Peer Advisor Party

Part of my job at the UA Career Center is supervising the undergraduate Peer Advisor program and one of the Graduate Assistants. I had the three PAs and the GA (and his fiance) over to our house the Sunday after my birthday for a get-together. The girls are the PAs...Julie, Ally, and Nikki. Jonathan is the GA and his fiance is Marlene.

Jake got some wings from Hooter's and we had chips/cookies/cupcakes/etc. I didn't plan any activities or anything; we just hung out and they got to finally meet Collins! All of them are really great and very easy to get along with/talk to.

I am in the process right now of filling one of the PA openings (Julie is graduating in the fall) and the GA opening. Those two students have some big shoes to fill! :)

Birthday Weekend

My boys gave me a sweet potato vine planted in a big ol' barrel for my birthday (4.1.11). I have always loved those plants because they look so lush. Just try to imagine a beautiful lime green plant at the bottom of that sweet home made banner.



Jake also made me a yummy chocolate cake and cooked a b-day feast of steak and shrimp. He's practically a chef. Mrs. Wilda made me a cake too...orange bundt cake with some kind of really good icing. So thoughtful.

My parents came over the weekend of my birthday and let Jake and me go out on a date Saturday night. We went to DePalma's and it was so good, as always. Mom and Dad gave me some home decorating magazines/books (my favorite) and a couple of really cute coats. I love coats. I want one in every single color. I can now check off hunter green and crimson. :)

And look what my sweet sister sent me in the mail! Several of the things I shopped for while she was here over Spring Break, but talked myself out of b/c they were too frivolous! Plus, a Lowe's gift card and a cute new bracelet. She's awesome. It was even like shopping with her because she 'wrapped' the gifts in the store bags :) I love that girl.

Six Month Snapshots

Quick Stats

The baby boy turned six months old last Monday, March 21st! Wow. We went to his doctor's appointment on Friday and he weighed 19.5 lbs and was 24 inches long. Maybe. I never remember length. He's in the 25th percentile so Jake's still worried he will be short.

Collins did great (again) for his shots. Such a trooper so far. We went home over the weekend and he got to hang out with his cousins and do his six month photo shoot with Haley and Kyle.

My friend, Lindsey, had her baby girl, Ellie Kathryn, last night. I went to visit them today during my lunch hour and it was weird! They are in the room right across the hall from where we were...saw two of my nurses...just strange being back there. I smiled at a couple coming out the door to take their baby home while I was walking in. Used to, I'd think "awww..." Now I think, "awww...but you have NO idea!!" It was mostly sympathy I felt for them, which makes me feel like a rain cloud kind of a person.

Back to Collins...this six month stuff is so much fun! I love, love his expressions, motorboat noises, and snuggliness! My favorite part of his smile is how he starts smiling with his eyes, then the little half smile, then the full out grin. Precious! And I love when he's napping on Mrs. Wilda or Mr. Joe in the afternoon and hears me start talking once I get there...he obviously loves his mommy. (and daddy of course!)

He is babbling a lot and says, "mamamma" and "dadadadada," but has no idea those are our names ;)

Sweet, sweet boy! So thankful for him.

Spring Break Week

I didn't go to the beach or on a shopping extravaganza of any sort, but this was the best spring break ever :) My sister came home from NYC, my grandmothers came to hang out, and my mom and dad came to visit for the weekend.

The first few pics were the Friday before SB, but I throw that in there with the "week."


Took this cup vs. cup pic because I took one of my undergrad student workers to MSU last Monday. She's thinking about student affairs as a grad program and is interested in State. No students were there, but staff was working so we got to see my friend, Cassandra, in the Career Center and one of my professors, Dr. Palmer. It was a fun trip. Especially the parts when we went to City Bagel, Giggleswick, and Bop's!




Collins helped Daddy clean up the four wheeler.



Loving on Ms. Tommie at church.




Meeting Mrs. Leah!


Went to Birmingham on Tuesday to pick up Haylee from the airport, but first stopped by to see Jessica. Baby Lee was in FL with his grandparents (sad for me, but I'm sure they'd disagree!) The Burnetts have a beautiful new home that they're repainting, updating, etc. Split level and just so roomy and quaint. Collins took to Jessica immediately...he loves her! (Baby Burnett should be here sometime next month! Not sure if it's a pink or blue baby yet :)



FINALLY home with Aunt Haylee! I say finally b/c he screamed the whole drive home. Perfect angel going to B'ham, but started crying as soon as we drove off from the airport. We stopped at a truck stop to feed him (long story and I don't care to relive it), so he calmed down for about 15 minutes, but picked right back up where he left off as soon as the seat belts snapped. Poor baby. I reminded Haylee that she had just said the night before, "I don't care if he cries the whole way home; I just want to see him." Irony....


Maw and Granny came to visit on Thursday and we all (Mom too; she came separately) went to lunch at Fig and then Yogurt Mountain for dessert (except I had dessert at Fig; couldn't wait). It was a fun day with them!










PawPaw joined us for the weekend!



Mom went back early Sunday morning to be there for their church (very small and they had a guest speaker), but Daddy stayed and went to church with us at Five Points. He and I took Haylee back to the airport that afternoon.

Please come back, Gissy! You don't really need a job, do you?!?!