Top 2 Tuesday--Dates

This weeks Top 2 Tuesday is featuring; DATES. Over the past 4 years, Josh and I have been on several dates and it's hard to narrow it down to my two favorite. These two especially stand out to me.

1. Our very first date: June 21, 2007. I had been anxiously awaiting this day for so long. I had college class that afternoon and rushed home to get ready for our first date. Josh came to get me and we went to Mountain Home, Arkansas and ate dinner at El Chico. After dinner we went back to his home and watched; Talladaga Nights. (wheww...romantic!) We had a good time visiting and laughing and getting to know one another. We had a great time and I couldn't want to go out with him again. Soon after our first date we went on our second to a rodeo. Josh is a BIG time cowboy and his favorite thing on earth to do is rope steers. We attended so many rodeo's that summer! We had a great time!






2. My second favorite date with Josh...We took a long weekend trip to Oklahoma City, OK to a rodeo. We had been dating 6 months at the time, and I was beginning to really find out that this was definitely the man for me We watched a great team roping, ate great food, went to the Oklahoma City bombing memorial (so neat...if you ever get the opportunity to visit, you must do so!), and spent some great time together.

Busy Busy Weekend!

We had one busy weekend. Friday I took off early from school to attend Heather's State Championship softball game in Fayeteville, Arkansas. Josh and I had a fun 3 1/2 hour drive. We laughed, sang, and stopped for Coke's at Sonic. (Yes, I am back on caffeine) We got into Fayeteville and met up with my parents and Josh's dad to watch the game. It was an exciting place to be thats for sure. Viola played Amorial. It was a good game, but the Viola girls didnt have what it took to win. They lost 9-4. They have nothing to be ashamed of though, they got 2nd in the state. Not too shabby! Heather was pretty discouraged! After the game we went on to Rogers and ate at Cracker Barrell. It was scrumptious! We then went onto Springfield and spent the night.

Saturday morning we woke up and ate Panera for breakfast, went to the mall and I got some new stuff :), and then went onto Marshfield for Kate's Sectional Track Meet. It was a HOT day! Kate and her relay team did great! We got first in Sectionals and have a pretty good chance of winning STATE!! She was very happy with her run! Saturday after the race we ate Olive Garden for lunch and then headed home. We ate so good this weekend, I am pretty sure I gained 10 lbs! Saturday night we went to a Relay for Life auction in Viola. We bought a Blue Pig gift certificate, two Home Depot gift certificates, Sonic gift certificate, a bail spike, and a delicious apple cake! It was a Paula Deen recipe! I am going to make one of my own this summer! I will share the recipe.

Sunday I attended church and Josh had a TON of farm work to do so he stayed home. After church I did laundry and ironing and then got around for a friends bridal shower and Kate's boyfriends graduation party. Josh met me in town and we went out to the Inman's for the celebration. We had snacks and the kids swam. After the party Josh and I came home and mowed and cleaned our yard up. I made BLT's for dinner. We were so darn tired I went to bed at 8:30!

It was a great weekend and I am looking forward to one busy week; the last week of school! Hope ya'll had a terrific weekend too!

Happy Birthday KATE!

May 24th 1993 was a special day!

Luke (my brother) was 6 and in Preschool and I was 8 and in first grade. We got special news around the time school was let out that our Mama had went to the hospital to have our sister. We rode the school bus home and a family friend picked us up at our house and got us both ready for our T-ball game that evening. My Dad was the coach of our team and missed the game to be with our Mama and our soon to be sister. I will never forget the moment that my Grandma ran onto the T-ball field and shouted; "Kate is here!" I remember the excitement not only in my Granny but from Luke and I. We were so happy to have another sibling. We were so proud, we went to the hospital after the game to hold Kate. We were so happy to have a baby in our house! It has been pure JOY to have Kate! I cannot imagine what our lives would have been like without her! She is full of energy and life! WOW! There is NEVER a dull moment with her!

It's hard to believe she is 17 today; driving for one solid year, just attended her first prom, planning for college, working harder than ever at her game: softball, and growing into a nice young lady!

Here's to you sister, KATE!

Friday Fives

I am going to participate in Just Me and My Life's Friday Fives this week. I did not get around and get pictures taken for Kelly's Show Us Your Life this week so I will do this instead!

This week we are focusing on Health Tips:

1. Handwashing! I am a school teacher so this one is definitely a staple in my life! I always wash or GERM-X throughout the entire day!



2. Take a multi-vitamin: I am a firm believer in take a multi-vitamin, especially during the winter months. I am trying to do better about taking one each day throughout the year. This has been my first year of teaching, therefore, I have been sick more than usual. I load up on VITAMIN C throughout the winter months!



3. Eat breakfast: I was never a firm believer in eating breakfast during my high school days. Now I don't think I can go without it. I always eat something! (cereal, fruit, or even a fatty honey bun!) I also think it truly helps with weight loss.




4. Zumba: This is my way of exercising. I am really not self disciplined when it comes to exercising. Zumba is a Latin dance aerobics class that is offered in my hometown two days a week and I am in love with it. It has really toned my flabby buttocks up! :)




5. Early Bedtime: There is nothing like getting a great nights rest. I am a BIG time believer in going to BED early. I got to bed each night around 8:30 or 9:00 and I feel so much better than when I go to bed at 10 or 11.

A Nice PANDORA Surprise!

I came home yesterday from school and checked our mailbox. I received a nice surprise from Josh's sister and her family and his mom. They sent me a Pandora silver bracelet and two charms. I have been reading and hearing all about Pandora jewelry, but I had never seen any of it before. Now, I have one of my own! I love silver jewelry, so they did great!


I love the silver bracelet


This charm symbolizes "journey." Courtney said that since I am beginning a new journey with teaching that this one fit perfectly.

This one is my favorite. It's an apple! You know how teachers are about their apples!

My WISH list:


This is a rosette. I am really into rosettes this season. I have a couple items with rosettes on them and I LOVE it!


This one is my birthstone: RUBY! This charm would add so much color to the bracelet.

Wordless Wednesday

Josh picked these from our ROSE BUSH and fixed me a little arrangement! :)

Fayeteville Here We Come!

Congratulations to the Viola Lady Longhorn Softball Team!

They are heading to the championship game this Friday in Fayeteville. They will play at the Razorback Stadium. I am very proud of these girls on a successful season, they deserve to win a State Championship. The Lady Longhorns have NEVER won a State Championship title! I believe they can do it this year!

I am so proud of Heather! She has done great this season and been so determined to GO ALL THE WAY! My family and I have been attending most of her softball games this season and we are going to go to Fayeteville Friday evening for the game.



I will be sure to post an update on the final result!

Top 2 Tuesday--Things to do before you DIE

Today I am participating in the Top 2 Tuesday at the Undomestic Momma. This Tuesday is about the Top 2 things you would like to do before you die.

There are several things I would like to do before I die. Have a successful career, raise a family, retire at an early age, volunteer in the community. Here are two things that have always stood out as something I would love to do before death!

1. Vacation to Hawaii. My parents took a trip 1o years ago for their 40th birthdays and they LOVED it! Their pictures were gorgeous! I LOVE to travel and visit new places! We also love to try all kinds of yummy foods and drinks. Josh and I love to parasail, so we would have to parasail all around the island.

2. I would also LOVE to own a business one day, after retiring as a school teacher! I am obsessed with anything and everything being monogrammed. This store would be everything about personilized gifts! Such as: jewelry, handbags, home decor, etc.!

Congratulations Heather!

Heather graduated High School on Thursday evening! Viola High School is a small rural high school. There were 38 total graduates in her class. They have a real personal and inspiring commencement. I really like how they conduct their ceremony and our most favorite; The Class History!

We are so proud of Heather and all of her accomplishments! We cannot wait to see what life brings her! She has been accepted to Arkansas State University and is going to pursue a nursing degree. We are so proud of her!! She is a part of our family no matter what and we LOVE her to pieces!

Congratulations Heather!

Graduation Festivities!!

WOW...What a terrific weekend! I could not have asked for things to be any better! I am so thankful for all of my great family and friends who helped me make this weekend so special!

The weather was rainy all weekend, but that did not put a damper on any of our celebrating! Friday morning I got a pedicure! It was fantastic and so relaxing. I also had graduation practice in the afternoon. After practice I went with my Mama to pick up dinner for my party that evening. We got BLU PIG BBQ! One of Josh and myself favorites! We also went to one of my favorite stores in Mountain Home; Robins Nest. It is a unique store for new wives and new mothers! My Mom got a baby gift for some family friends. We then came home and began getting dinner ready for our guests. At 6:00 guests began arriving. All of my close family and friends were there to help celebrate this event.



I got a delicious surprise from the Uphaus' and my parents...a SHARON FOX cake!! yummm!!








I also got some unique gifts. I got the "celebrate" Willow Tree from the Thompsons, Money from my Grandparents, the Uphaus', the Guffey's, the Hamby's, Vera Bradley stationary from Brian and Lacey, and a monogrammed bracelet from my parents. On one side it said: (AHT and the other side read: BS EDU 5-15-2010) I LOVE it! This is definitely something that I will cherish and have forever!! I had an amazing time visiting with everyone! It was a fun time!




Graduation Day: Saturday morning Josh and I awoke really early. I was so anxious! We went on to the Civic Center and took pictures. Josh got some great seats for family.They were real close to where I was sitting!! The ceremony was great! It went by really fast actually. Sometimes things like this takes forever, but it went fast!! It was one of the best things I have ever felt walking across the stage receiving my diploma. I could feel a HUGE sigh of relief from myself, my parents, and Josh! I was so happy!! After graduation I was greeted by friends and family! It was joyous occasion for sure.
















After Graduation Josh and I went back to my parents and grabbed a bite of lunch (leftovers...and they were just as divine as they were the evening before!!!) Josh left after lunch and went to work on the farm. Mom and I went to one of my second favorite stores; The Grapevine in Ash Flat. They carry Vera Bradley, home decor, and every type of candle you can imagine. I didn't purchase anything...Mom got a cute purse! We ran around Ash Flat and then came home to get ready for the Guffey/Wray wedding!

Guffey/Wray Wedding: I had prayed all week for their to be nice weather for their wedding on Saturday evening. It poured rain ALL DAY Saturday and at 3:00 it STOPPED!! Horray! Answered Prayers! The rain cleared off and the weather was PERFECT for their ceremony! It was a beautiful outdoor wedding. They used a lot of our decorations from our wedding and it looked great! Melinda was a beautiful bride! Her dress was gorgeous! The fit of her dress reminded me a lot of my own. We celebrated the new marriage into the dark hours of the night! We had a great time and I wish them both a lifetime of Happiness!!

Congratulations Melinda and Charlie!















Sunday was a day of rest for ME! I don't think I have slept that long in ages! We decided not to go to church, I was exhausted. I woke up at 11:00 and then took two naps yesterday afternoon, plus went to bed at 9:00!! I feel like a new lady today! The festivities all weekend wore me out!!

Hope ya'll had a great weekend!