Easter Weekend

I love the weekends, they are just NEVER long enough!!  We had a busy week (for some reason they keep getting busier) so I think Matt and I were both looking forward to being at home and getting a little R&R. 

We started Friday night with dinner on the patio at Bravo and then I talked my oh so very kind husband into going to see the movie "Water for Elephants".  (SUCH A GOOD SPORT)  If you haven't read the book, it's great, and I would recommend reading it before the movie because as most people know, the books are ALWAYS better than the movies.

I love Reese Witherspoon in anything!

Saturday morning, I slept until almost 10:00.  (I have got to quit staying up late reading my Nook Color, it's causing me to lose sleep)  When I got up Matt and I started working on the yard. The storm that past through a week ago uprooted one of our trees in the backyard, and because of all the rain we haven't had a chance to get out there and fully clean it up.  Paul Bunyan a.k.a. Matt used the chain saw to cut it up (I was rather impressed...this tree is close to 40 feet tall).  We were very lucky that it didn't fall on our work shed, deck, or fence, just right into the middle of our yard.  Thankfully it's all cleaned up now.  On a brighter note, our rose bushes are absolutely gorgeous this time of year.

That afternoon Matt had to study so I spent the afternoon shopping with my favorite sister!  We had a full afternoon of fun and found lots of goodies!  That night we had reservations at Bonefish to celebrate my birthday with some of our close friends since we were out of town last weekend.  It was a perfect night!

Love a good bottle of wine

Cheers!!

Love my David :)

The whole gang

Singing Happy Birthday

Best girlfriends in the world...a gift card to one of my favorite boutiques!!

The love of my life

Afterwards, a couple of us went across the street to Bar Louie for a cocktail. 

I say it often, but I am so thankful for wonderful friends! 

This morning we had a fantastic sermon at church and Bible class. Easter is such a special day to all of us who believe that Jesus was crucified for our sins and then rose again.  What an amazing gift he has given each and every one of us!  I am so thankful for God's blessings and the greatest blessing of all, his Son.

I have to post this sweet picture my mom sent me of her and Dad with the girls this morning. I love it!

HAPPY EASTER!!

I am flying to Dallas tomorrow morning for work so I have got to get packed.  I hope everyone had a great weekend and got to enjoy a beautiful Easter Sunday with those you love!!

Birthday Weekend!!!!

Some say that birthdays aren't that big of a deal the older we get and although I think there is some truth to that, I sure had a family and MANY friends that made my 31st birthday one to remember.  I like to think that it's ok to take a couple of days to celebrate my birthday :) and it all started on Friday afternoon when I met Kyndall and Jules for lunch at The Pantry.  Well, little did I know that my dad was driving through Little Rock on business and surprised me by joining us.  We sat on the patio and had a delicious lunch and just enjoyed the gorgeous sunshine and the company. 

I decided that I wanted to go to Rogers for my birthday, so Matt and I loaded up and headed to NWA.  We went straight over to the Honea's for dinner.  My parents and Nick and Nora joined us and I FINALLY got to meet/hold their sweet bundle of joy, Hudson!!  He's perfect and going to be GORGEOUS!

Saturday...Mom, Matt, and I got up and went to get donuts, then headed to Landon and Brandi's house.  Brandi was going to a wedding in OK with her parents so we watched the girls all morning.  I can honestly say that I cannot think of anything more perfect than getting up on a Saturday morning and spending time with those two sweet faces!  I love them so much!!  Here are a couple of pictures from our day!

Brynlee cooked us a little bkfst in her kitchen :)

She and I were having too much fun shooting plastic eggs (don't ask)

This is Emma's face when you say SMILE!

We played in the princess tent too (I love Brynlee's smile in this picture!)

That afternoon, Matt and Landon watched the girls while Mom and I went shopping at Mason's.  I found this adorable Yumi Kim dress, but they were out of a lot of things in my size, so...maybe next time?!

We picked up my Nook Color that I have been wanting, grabbed dinner, then headed back to Landon and Brandi's.  I loved spending the afternoon with my mom.  It was all about our time together and I LOVE those kind of days.  We had so much fun!!  Here are a couple of pictures of everyone that evening...

Landon helping Brynlee practice her swing :)

So sweet...

Paw-paw with Emma

Mimi and Emma Grace

Sunday morning, Matt surprised me with this beautiful James Avery ring before church.  I love it and I am so lucky to have such an amazing man in my life!! 

After church, we all went to the farm and Mom and Dad made a FANTASTIC birthday dinner.  It was delicious as always.  We had my favorite chocolate chip cake too!  The weekend could not have been MORE perfect! 

Monday started out with a bang!  This week is going to be so busy, but we did however find time to squeeze in a little post-birthday dinner with Kyndall and Charla at Sushi Cafe' last night!

A great start to the week!!

We are going to be super busy the rest of this week but I'm looking forward to celebrating my birthday with some of my closest friends Saturday night.  We have dinner reservations and it's going to be a blast!!  Hope you all have a great week!!

Volunteering, Birthdays and a Visit from Kayla

This weekend was one of those weekends that you just don't want to end!!  As I am typing, I am thinking about how I still have so much sleep to catch up on.  I woke up tired this morning, but wouldn't change it for the world.  Friday was low key for us.  I talked Matt into accompanying me to the mall (like any man he detests that) to buy him some more summer clothes. :)  My bribe was pizza at ZaZa's afterwards.  He was in!!  Saturday morning we got up early to participate in the Tour de Cure here in Little Rock.  It is for patients with diabetes.  We worked with the American Diabetes Association and represented Eli Lilly. 

Part of my team, Marcus and Rhonda

I have the best husband who always supports me at my work events :)

Saturday afternoon, Matt and I went to eat dinner and enjoy the patio at BRAVO!  We love that restaurant and it's so close to our house.  Kayla Beth arrived in town around 7:00ish and I was so excited to see her.  Kayla is one of my cousins who's living in Dallas and has just landed her dream job working with Proctor & Gamble in Manhattan.  She will be moving in a couple of weeks and will be working with two of the biggest stores in NYC...Saks and Bloomingdales!!  I am SOO proud of this girl and cannot wait to plan our first girls weekend to visit.  She spent the rest of the weekend with us and I cannot begin to describe how much fun we had!  We spent Saturday night out, celebrating Rachel's birthday (Joe's girlfriend) at Diversions.

Me and the BiRtHdAy girl!!

Just like old times...

Ginger and Jeremy

Joe and Matt

My old neighbor Tim came out to celebrate

Kayla with the boys

Sunday morning we took Kayla to YaYa's for brunch and then (after a short nap) met Kyndall and Ginger on the patio at Cantina Laredo for the afternoon.  It was such a gorgeous day, we had to soak up some sun!!

After being at Cantina for most of the afternoon, we decided to swing by the Fountain and say hello to some friends and then ended the night meeting Jeremy and Matt at U.S. Pizza for some dinner.  It was the best day and I cannot tell you how sore my stomach muscles are from laughing so hard!!

Take #1

Take #2

Take #3

And finally we're all looking at the camera...now if only Matt didn't have his finger over the flash :)

Weekends like these are the best!!  We reminisced about old times and made so many more memories.  I can't say it enough...Kayla, I am so proud of you and know that God has many great things in store for you in New York City.  You are getting to do what so many girls dream of doing and you're going to ROCK at it!! LOVED OUR WEEKEND TOGETHER!!

Hope you guys had a great weekend too.  This girl is heading to bed...maybe after 10 hours of sleep I'll feel refreshed! :)

OUCH...

Ughh!!  I don't know what my problem is, but I have been in such a funk lately.  I don't know whether it's because of all the changes that are going on with work (new team, launch, new partners) or because I have a pinched siatic nerve that is causing me crazy pain in my lower back, hip and leg.  I mean, what am I...50?!?  This is ridiculous!  I have been seeing the chiropractor this week and will probably continue to for a while.  I am trying really hard not to dwell on this pain, but it's hard when it's throbbing, tingling or going numb half the day.  Anyways, enough about the negative...I am writing this to remind myself that in the midst of all this, we are so very blessed.  Over the past couple of weeks, we have had so many different blessings come our way.  I'm not going to go into detail for specific reasons, but God is truly continuing to bless us and those that we love.  (And no, I am not pregnant...I know that's everyone's first thought:)  He is SO good, even in the midst of pain and discomfort and I see his work in our lives every day.  I just had to post a little something so that I can be reminded to always reflect on the good, instead of the bad.  There are so many other people in the world that are dealing with much tougher times, and I am grateful that God can help me see that. 

Now I'm off to enjoy another beautiful day and I'm looking so forward to the weekend!  We have a very fun and extremely busy one in store.  :)

Family Weekend

Well, this weekend was perfect and how about the weather?!?!  It was gorgeous!!  Landon and Brandi drove in to stay with us Friday night.  They left after Landon got off work so it was 9:00 before they were here, but we were anxiously awaiting their arrival.  I think the girls slept a little, but of course were awake when they came in.  I laid down with Brynlee after reading a few books and watched that sweet little munchkin drift off to dreamland.  She is so precious and beautiful. 

Saturday morning was full of playing outside because it was so nice.  We played fetch with Jovie, ring-around-the-rosie, london bridges, made some bracelets, colored, watched some cartoons and everything else you can do to entertain a two-year old!!  I loved it!! 

Helping Aunt Kia make muffins Saturday morning

Such a good little helper

Making bracelets with Aunt Bee

Sweet Emma (still has that red in her hair that I love)

Saturday afternoon, after we all went to lunch at On the Border, Kyndall and I were on a mission to take Brandi on a MASSIVE shopping spree.  We were all over the place, shopping at stores that NWA doesn't have and Brandi RACKED UP!!!  We went to DSW for shoes and then finished the day with a pedicure.  A fantastic day with my sisters...I cherish all the fun memories we make together and always look forward to the fun we have...just us girls! Saturday night we ordered in pizzas, watched some NCAA games, and enjoyed being at home.  Sunday after church we went to Mimi's Cafe for brunch and after the girls' nap, L and B headed home. 

EG at lunch

Aunt Bee and Brynlee

Playing with Jovie after church

Beautiful Emma in her pretty green dress

L and B enjoying some down time while girls nap

I can't tell you how much it means to me to have Landon and Brandi take time to come and visit.  They can see us whenever they want because we are usually in Rogers at LEAST once every 6 weeks, but they make the effort to get away and come to Little Rock.  I know it's not easy to load everybody up and make the trip but Kyndall, Matt and I have a blast hosting and love every minute of it.  Hope everybody had a great weekend!