thankfully!

Now that a few weeks have gone by, I will update about the Thanksgiving holidays. I promise I didn't wait this long on purpose. A lot has been going on. Daniel had to study for finals; money had to be spent for Christmas presents; and basically every day life happened.
Along with buying each other gifts for Christmas, Daniel and I decided that we are in desperate need of a new mattress. Of course, I like an extremely firm mattress and Daniel says he doesn't like sleeping on a brick. So we compromised as best we could. We ordered a sleep number mattress. We will see if this helps. I hate feeling like I am sleeping in a bowl and I wake up with back pains. I am 24! This shouldn't be happening!
Daniel and I are almost done Christmas shopping. We have 4 more people to buy for. I think that is pretty good. We have stayed within our budget for each person so y'know that makes me happy.
Something else that makes me happy is that we got our wedding cd in the mail with ALL of our wedding photos plus engagement photos. Look for copies soon.

the most wonderful, eh stressful, time of the year

The holidays are officially upon us, and I couldn't have been more ready for food, fellowship with family, and gifts! It's hard to believe that it's been almost 2 months since the wedding. In fact, it feels like a year ago.

As much as i am looking forward to this 4 day weekend, I can't help but to think about how exhausted I will be on Sunday. I might need a whole week to recover from all of the family time, shopping time, and game time. YIKES!

Tonight we kick off the festivities by going to Daniel's dad's house, the Todd Thanksgiving. Tomorrow we will spend the majority of the day at his mom's house for the Cochran Thanksgiving. Friday we are going to the Galleria to shop for our Christmas gifts from his mom. How crazy are we?! Saturday will be "relaxing" by having the Brindley Thanksgiving at our place while watching the Iron Bowl. I don't know how relaxed I will be while watching the game, but we will see.

I know Jackson will be ready to spend time with some of the people he loves the most. He even has a Thanksgiving sweater! I think he is turning into a Bandit, because he loves wearing clothes now. He will priss around the apt with whatever he is wearing. I think he is really excited about his Christmas outfit though. He always seems to have it on....maybe it's Daniel that is more excited about it than Jackson...

wedding photos

I am pretty sure that if you are reading this then you know about the wedding gallery. We now have access to all of the wedding day photos. I have to say I am quite pleased with every shot. It's nice to reminise about the day through the pictures and think about posing and not posing for each one. There were a few "surprise" photos too that I didn't know were taken.

I have said it once and I will have to say it again. I LOVE my photographers. They made the day. If it wasn't for their laid-back and yet aggressive approach to picture-taking, then I would have been a nervous wreck!

http://pa.photoshelter.com/package-show/P0000fS9fbzph2iE

the most wonderful time of the year

Christmas is just around the corner, and I can't believe how fast this year has gone! I think I say this every year, but this has truly been the fastest year of my life. A lot can happen in a year and this year is no exception.
December 14, 2007: Daniel and I were engaged.
June 30, 2008: I moved out.
October 4, 2008: We were married.

Well, maybe that is just a few events that happened, but they were pretty big. There's still one and half months left in 2008. What else could God have in store for us?

Daniel and I were on a mission this past weekend to find the perfect Christmas decorations. We bought our first tree, which still excites me! We found some ornaments, stocking holders, and garland. Our next thing is to buy a tree skirt. How come they are so expensive? I mean $40 for a tree skirt is outrageous! We might stick with Mom's suggestion: live back in the olden days and use a sheet. Highly doubtful though. One thing is for sure that with all of this Christmas shopping it makes me want to put up the decorations. I am just afraid that we will get tired of them before Christmas actually comes. I do love Christmas though.

our first married holiday

Happy late Halloween! Just as predicted our Halloween and party turned out great. The only thing I wish was different was not having any trick-or-treaters. We didn't have even one small child! We bought a huge bag of candy at the store thinking we might have a few, but no. Now we are stuck with all of that candy so guess who will eat it?



As you can see, I was Minnie Mouse and Daniel was God's Gift to Women. I don't really know how appropriate his costume was for himself, but it was funny. He thought of that all by himself. He so creative and corny.
Sadly, I don't have any pictures of Jackson in his Halloween sweater. I guess that means I better do a fake Halloween picture so I can have the memories.
After having parties, I always think about how great and fun our friends are. We are so loved and blessed to have friends who can have a great time and are there for us.

bad parents?

Yesterday Jackson went to the vet to get another fabulous haircut. This was his second time to go to Caldwell Mill Animal Clinic. Apparently he doesn't like this place because he was pooping all morning long! When we got there, the vet people were in shock at how raw his backside is from his biting himself. The main reason for this is his long itchy skin. He has bad allergies. I don't think the fleas he had helped any either, but seriously people he wasn't that infested with fleas!

Poor, Jackson. All he wanted was to be with his mommy and daddy. It was a struggle to leave him knowing that hewas to get 2 required shots. What he didn't know was he was going to get treated for fleas along with 3 total shots plus grooming. Daniel and I were ticked off when we found out that they gave his treatment and a shot without calling us first! We don't have a problem with caring for our dog, but to do something to him without our knowing isn't right! This isn't the first time they have done this either. The first time he went they gave him the kennel cough shot and didn't tell us until we picked him up. Could someone please call me about my little baby and the trauma you are putting him through before I come to pick him up? thanks.

For all who are concerned, he is fine now. Maybe this new 'do will help him out. I know I slept better last night and I know that he did.

Jackson is ready for Halloween tomorrow. He got a new sweater (no costume) this year. Since last year's rooster outfit was unsuccessful, we decided that maybe just regular clothes would work best. He loves wearing it! After our Halloween party, I will post some pictures.

doing what married couples do...

Halloween is just around the corner. Where did the year go?

Daniel and I went to the pumpkin patch on Saturday with his dad, step-mom, step-sister, her husband, and little girls. It was good to spend time with them and do something we had never done before. The day started out rough because we were late, but come to find out everyone else was running late as well. Then we had to go get cash which meant we went to Old Baker Farm, parked, and then left. We went a nearby gas station and went back to the farm. It was a lot of running around, but once we got there it was worth it. We parked in the cow pasture where there was mountains of cow patties...everywhere! Not to mention the cows eating within feet of our car.

Daniel discovered his new favorite foods: deep fried oreos and twinkies. They were so good! You could taste the fat with each chew. After stuffing our faces, we saw some animals, picked some cotton, and went on a hayride to pick our pumpkins. Later that day, we carved them. In all it was good day.

Sunday Dad and Sis came over for her belated birthday lunch. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was super delicious. Daniel made chicken casserole and Milky Way flakes while I made the broccoli and biscuits. Sis said the broccoli and biscuits were her favorite. :) It was good to have them there especially Dad since he hadn't been to the apt since move-in day.

life update

Since I used to do this back in the college days, I thought I needed to upgrade and update my life.

Since graduating Auburn in 2006, I have learned a lot about life. Just because you have a degree doesn't mean people are eager to hire you especially with little to no experience. When I was able to find a company that would hire me, I felt even more grateful for being given the opportunity to work for them. It turns out that God was in control and I love my co-workers. I am extremely blessed to work with such great people.


Upon entering the work field, I was introduced to a guy who had recently left the Navy. He was back in Birmingham working and trying to figure out what he wanted out of life. Our paths crossed and instantly we were bonded. On October 4th (just a few short weeks ago) Daniel and I were married. I look forward to every day we have together, because I know God brought us together for a reason. Maybe the reason was that Daniel would ease my stress and I could straighten his road. What ever the reason, we are a great team and my life is complete...as of now.


It seems like after we got married that there are more things to do and get done than when we were engaged. Maybe it's the holidays coming up...well, whatever the reason we are busy. This weekend we are going to the pumkin patch, "watching" the UA game at a friend's apt, and having Dad and Sis over for Sis's belated birthday meal. It should be fun times, and I am excited about having a social life again....post-wedding.