Thursday 13

Today will be an easy one, 13 things I love about Brad. He is out of town this week for CMJ in New York. I miss him.


1. His desire to be a man of God.

2. The fact that he loves me, he really loves me.

3. His love for all things nostalgic.

3. His passion for music. (you should see him when he gets a new record he has been anticipating, it is like Christmas!)

4. How competetive he is when we play games...this is a love/hate of course.

5. His family. I adore his family!

6. The way he takes longer to get ready than I do. I don't like leaving the house when he looks

7. His perfectly straight( no braces ) pearly whites.

8. The way he always wants to open doors for me, to the house, the car, everything.

9. How he converts all licorice lovers to become fans of Aussie red licorice.

10. The way he encourages me to do the things I enjoy.

11. The way he loves my friends as much as I do.

12. The fact that he will forever be a 12 year old kid disguised as a man. Seriously, who over the age of 12 plays Tecmo Football all day long....over 12 hours straight...

13. How hard he is working to pursue his dreams. (the Tecmo is just a break every once in a while, not every day folks!) :)

unglorious, glorious day

I am now the proud owner of a beautiful apple iphone 3G! Ah....and it feels as good as I thought it would! Actually, that is a lie. I had been counting down to this day for almost a year. I knew my Nextel expired on October 20, and on October 21 I would go get my new phone! I had it marked on every calendar I own. My coworkers even knew this was the day. I assumed that it would be a spectacular day. I imagined that when I walked into the store to purchase the phone, and transfer my service to ATT, that I would be greeted by a regal looking butler of sorts that would kindly check my coat and offer me a nice warm cup of cider or coffee. He would then lead me over to a super comfortable chair where I would get a massage and a manicure. (my hands have to look fabulous while holding my new phone right?!) I would then tell the attending sales person that I was there for- my very own iphone (said with a ridiculously large, yet charming smile on my face). He would then quickly bow as any gentleman would, and say, "of course ma'am, anything you wish, we are at your service" and would quickly scurry off to find me the shiniest and newest phone in the store. I would be escorted from my comfortable pamper chair to the enormous marble counter where the nice gentleman would present me with my precious phone. As soon as the phone would make contact with my newly polished hand, trumpets would sound and a choir would round the corner to sing the Hallelujah chorus for me. All of the other patrons in the store would turn in awe and do their most courteous and impressed applause as I look down at the precious piece of equipment in my hand. I would then leave the store, walk down the sidewalk and begin a very beautifully choreographed dance with the other people on the street. The traffic would stop and everyone would get out of their cars to see the commotion. We would run from the sidewalk to the middle of the street, standing on cars and singing at the top of our lungs, and everyone would cheer with glee! The choir would come out to join the fun, and the trumpets would join in as well. The drum line would come from down the street and a full on parade would commence. I would be escorted to a vintage convertible where I would sit on the back with my newly acquired crown (bejeweled with apple shaped diamonds of course) and we would drive through town as I waved to all of the townspeople, who looked at me in awe of the new phone I had in my hand...

Well, let me just say that all of those dreams were crushed when I walked in the ATT store and there was not a soul in sight. I walked into the vastly empty store and waited with the chirping crickets for a sales person to come out. Clearly the process from that point on was nothing short of disappointing. The guy got me a phone, took it out of the box, plugged it in, did some typing on the computer, took my credit card, swiped it unceremoniously, and out I walked with my new phone. No chorus, no trumpets, no fanfare. I do like my new phone, it will serve its purpose well of making and taking calls, and helping me stay organized. But, the life lesson here is- don't set unrealistic expectations of ordinary situations. It can cause a sad and depressing letdown.

Dear readers, do you have an iphone? What is your favorite feature? Any fun tips you can share with me?



**Matt- you rock for being the first person to answer when I called on my new phone..... you = trumpets in my book.

new photos

I added some new photos to my photography blog. Check them out!

across or beside?

Brad was his normal sweet self and took me out to dinner last night. We had originally planned to go see the movie "Fireproof" as we have both heard so many good things about it, but it was sold out! We were a bit surprised that it was sold out, given that it is not necessarily a blockbuster type movie, and it has been out for a couple of weeks, but it looks like more people want to see "good" movies than we thought! That is a great thing and we will see it soon. In lieu of the movie, we went to dinner. I have not been feeling well (what's new) so I did not really have an appetite, but the thought of spending a couple of hours with my husband was appetizing enough for me. We went to one of our favorite restaurants, and were seated in a booth. We sat across from each other, like we always do. As I was enjoying my muffin appetizer, Brad started laughing. I thought he was laughing at me, but brushed it off as he likes to laugh at me often. When I was getting a bit self-conscious from the laughter, I asked him what was so funny? He explained that he was surveying the restaurant and he saw three couples in the restaurant sitting on the same side of the booth! This was funny to him because we don't like sitting on the same side of a booth. He thinks it looks cheesy, sortof high school first date-ish. I agree, and I find it difficult to have a comfortable dinner if we sit on the same side of the booth, or table. Don't your elbows hit? Don't you have to turn your head sideways to see your partner while in conversation? Doesn't it look like you are waiting for someone else to join you? Brad says when he sees a couple sitting on the same side of a booth, he wants to go over and slide in the other side and join them, and say "hey, sorry I'm late, thanks for waiting on me!" Now, I know this may make me sound insensitive and unromantic, but that is not the case. I love my husband, but I love to enjoy my food too. So tell me- are you a sit beside or a sit across couple??

Thursday 13

a day late again...

13 of my favorite websites, that i check almost daily

1. Etsy, all things homemade and vintage

2. Popsugar, all things celebrity

3. Geeksugar, all things electronic

4. Anthropologie, all things chic. I like the sale section...

5. Lilsugar, all things babies. No babies, and I am not pregnant, but I love to read all about it!

6. People. I like celebrity news

7. Twitter. I am still getting used to it but so far I like it...

8. Casasugar. All things home

9. Remax. I love looking at houses

10. Re-nest. all things green

11. Regions. gotta keep an eye on the balance

12. Facebook. i love connecting with friends, old and new

13. Citizensugar. all things soceity, politics, news.

my new locket

I love etsy.com so much and spend rediculous amounts of time on there. Today, I thought of how badly I want a nice locket that I can wear on a regular basis. I have a super small silver one that Brad got me, that I love dearly. However, I have been wanting a large one, possibly gold, that I can put a visible photo in. I rave about etsy.com's handmade goods, but they also have a very large section of vintage goods. This is where I searched for my locket. I found this one as the third down on the list. I loved it immediately because of its size and shape, but realized how perfect it was when I read the description which says "...the locket has a very large and elaborate engraving of the intials BMW on the front...." I ordered it immediately because my husbands name is Brad Mark Wilson. This is my new perfect locket, and I love it!

Thursday 13

I am no musician, obviously, but I do love to listen to music. My brother and Brad have very different tastes in music and they try to educate each other on their favorites, even when their personal tastes clash. Matt just sent Brad his top 5 cd's of all time which I thought was so nice! In light of that, I will share the 13 most played artists on my ipod.

1. Hope Floats soundtrack

2. Ray Lamontagne, Till the Sun Turns Black

3. Etta James

4. Copeland, Beneath the Medicine Tree.

5. Bethany Dillon

6. Dave Barnes

7. Jason Morant

8. Martina McBride, greatest hits

9. Brad's mix tapes....they are the best

10. Journey

11. Good Luck Joes

12. Love song Mix (all kinds of great Frank Sinatra-esque songs)

What are your top plays?

I have been tagged...thanks Courtney!

Courtney tagged me on her blog, so I have to list 6 random things about myself that most people don't know....I am an open book so let's see if I can come up with some news for you people....then I have to tag 6 more people to do the same thing...

1. I am two years older than Brad.

2. I have broken my right wrist twice, and sprained it twice. I may be a little accident prone.

3. Brad and I shared our very first kiss on our wedding day. yes, in front of everyone we knew, and let me tell you, he did not mess around with that kiss!

4. I had two baby teeth left, until I was in college and had them pulled on 9/11. now I have two fake teeth implants.

5. I love to wear aprons when I cook.

6. Pumpkin Spice is my favorite candle scent...for fall or any other time of year.


Ok, now I tag- Jamie, Mom, Matt, Alissa, Candace, and Bekah.

Jackson Waters

Brad and I just got home from a great show that I want to tell you about.  It has been so long since we have been to a concert for fun, not for work or any other reason than just for fun, so this felt really nice.  It was even a show I told him about, which is rare!  My friend Summer's husband is in a band, and I have been really wanting to go check them out.  Brad has too, as he and Toby are on their way to becoming friends as well.  If only Brad's injured head hadn't interfered with their basketball game they might be best friends by now....that's another story!  

Well tonight was our night to see them play!  Jackson Waters played at the Exit/In in Nashville, and it was a really great show.  I honestly don't know much of their music, but I was really impressed! Even though their own songs are fabulous, my favorite song was their cover of "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone", one of my favorite songs of all time. The entire show was really awesome, I would recommend you go see them if they are in your town. Be sure to check out their website and their new EP! Being at the show tonight reminded me of the days when we first got married and went to shows all the time in Atlanta.  I miss those days (even though Brad still lives them every day).  It dawned on me the other night at dinner with my girlfriends....I was the only one of the girls that isn't pregnant or has a baby.  I am young (sortof) and should have an actual night life of some sort.  So, tonight was me turning over a new leaf.  Tonight starts a new tradition of going out on a "school night" even if I have to be at work early the next day.  Now is the time to make memories, enjoy it being just me and Brad, live it up while I can.  Ok, enough of that.....its almost 1 am, I'm pooped....gotta succumb to my old age and go to bed.   It was good while it lasted.  :)

Check out Jackson Waters

the end of Girls Weekend....

After our perfect night of lounging, eating, and loving on each other, we got some much needed sleep. We all got to sleep in on Sunday which was so nice. We didn't necessarily want to skip church, but it was too tempting to relax and lounge at home for the morning. I am so glad that we did because I felt like I had my own Sunday lesson on the screened in porch that morning. My parent's screened in porch is my favorite place in their house. I usually do not have time on the weekends I go home to even enjoy the space, but this weekend was a different story.



I was working on Zach and Stacy's photos while Bekah and Fox chatted away. I piped in every once in a while, but for the most part I was just listening to them. Some lessons I learned from their conversation:

- Wants do not equal Needs. I often buy something I want without giving it a second thought. I do love to buy gifts for other people, but I also love to buy things for myself. Small things here and there, but in total they can really add up. They have such a selfless perspective that I wish I had more of. They think of the people in the world that are lacking things, or how much that $10 could bless someone else before buying a treat at Target. I loved hearing that and being challenged by it. I pray that I will be able to be more selfless in my desires, learning the difference in a need and a want.

- God provides. Bekah and Andrej sold most of their furniture and "things" before coming back to the states. They came here needing to furnish and apartment, find a car, and get all the things for the baby. God has been blessing them left and right! I love hearing how many things they have been given, and how many opportunities they have been given. I love to see two people who really deserve it, to get blessed!

- Inhale vx. Exhale. Michele told me about two types of relationships. There are inhale kinds- where you simply inhale from being around a person, full of encouragement, challenge, refreshment. There are exhale relationships where you pour into someone else. I have never thought about it like that, but I love the analogy. My girlfriends are my inhale relationships.

- My friends rock. As I sat there and listened to my old college roomies talk about love and life, I was so encouraged. It was bitter sweet because I knew our time together would only last through that afternoon, but was already looking forward to our next visit. Every time I hang out with Bekah and Fox, I leave feeling so encouraged in my life, my marriage, my walk with the Lord, my friendships, my dreams, every part of me is encouraged. We may not see each other every day, or even every month, but the times that we do share are so deep and so important that I never walk away empty handed.




I think Brad loves my girlfriends as much as I do because he sees how happy they make me. He loves the time I get to spend with Bekah, Fox, Stacy, Stephanie, and all the rest because he knows I come home a happier person. This only makes me wish that I lived at least in the same state as any of of these girls, but I believe the old saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder. With each of these ladies, I can go any length of time without talking to them, but as soon as we do connect, we pick up right where we left off. It is never forced, never fake, always real. It doesn't get any better than that.

We ended our time together by going to my favorite little coffee place for tea, coffee, and treats. Here are a few photos, just for jollies and laughs.

mine is cool.....hers is WAY cooler

laughing at the other tattoo....i love it

xoxo

my besties

sneak peek

I am so anxious to share some photos from Zach and Stacy's shoot, but I can only show this one....its one that they saw on my camera right after I took it. I love it, seriously love this photo.



I had an amazing time with Zach and Stacy while taking these photos. It is obvious that Stacy is gorgeous, but something about her bring pregnant just came across as intoxicating on camera. I knew halfway through that the shoot would be a complete success. I loved watching the two of them just laugh, joke around, and love on each other. I love Zach and Stacy, there is no other couple in the world quite like them. I know that little Loretta will surely love her parents! I cannot wait to see who she looks like, and more importantly...what her hair looks like. With parents hair like that, you can only imagine she will have a head full of beautiful dark curls. Even if she comes out bald, she will be precious and she will never have one doubt of how much her parents love each other. Zach and Stacy = a perfect fit.

Girls weekend continued

Friday night was really a sweet time of reconnecting with my friends. We all live in different cities, so its a treat for all of us to get together. It was a nice time to be excited for Bekah and Stacy and their pregnancies, and talk all kinds of mommy talk. I loved just listening to them share their bits of information they have learned from being pregnant, and Steph and Fox after having babies. I love that I get this free course on parenting before its my turn. I will surely be prepared.....well....as much as one can be. I know it's one of those things that you never know until it happens to you. But listening to them is great just the same.

After dinner on Friday night, we went to Coldstone for some yummy ice cream, then Bekah and Fox came back up to my parents house with me. I have been trying to find a name for my parents house, something cute, that we all call it. Nothing has ever sounded right until Fox called it the "Smith Road Bed and Breakfast". Perfect!!! We woke up on Saturday morning to a fabulous southern breakfast. Grits, biscuits, muffins, breakfast casserole - my favorite. What a great way to start the day! After being lazy for a little while, we got dressed and headed down to Woodstock for Stacy's shower. This was yet another time of catching up with friends. Stacy got some sweet gifts, and little Loretta will surely be one lucky baby. Here are a few photos of the shower.

The shower hostesses (me, my Mom, Dawn, Stacy, Devin, Stephanie, Terrie)

Matt and Zach made an appearance.  

After the shower, Fox and Bekah got some time to themselves, hitting up Wal-mart and Starbucks, while I took Stacy's maternity pictures.....they are beautiful! I will post some of those after Zach and Stacy see them....but do check back!

We got home that night to find my parents in the keeping room playing the Wii......awesome!


Then we went downstairs to watch a movie, with every kind of junk food a person can imagine...it was wonderful!

to be continued....

This weekend was a very much needed time of rest, relaxation, connection with friends, and great conversations for me. Two of my best friends are pregnant, and due within one week of each other! While planning a shower for Stacy, we decided to get all the girls together for some girl time. We all met up about a year ago and it was wonderful to reconnect with everyone again. Fox drove down to Nashville and rode down here with me and Brad. Once we got here, Brad sortof disappeared so we could have girl time....he is so wonderful and understanding of how important this is to me! We arrived late Thursday night and woke up on Friday at the Smith Road Bed & Breakfast to mom's homemade blueberry muffins. Our first spot on our agenda for the weekend was pedicures and manicures! The best place in town for a pedicure is up here off Riverstone Parkway and Mom and I frequent it. We loved getting pampered for that short hour we were there.



When Mom first heard about our girls weekend, she asked if she could take Michele and I out to lunch and of course we agreed. The three of us met up with Jamie there, and we all had the most girly lunch imaginable. We went to the classic Tea Leaves & Thyme in downtown Woodstock. We got to pick out hats, gloves, shawls, the works! Here are a few photos of our fun afternoon tea. Not only was the food as good as always, but the laughs were even better!
Jamie did not like this first hat I picked out for her! ha

We always knew there was a prim and proper Fox hiding under all that rockstar facade!

After lunch we met up with Stacy, Steph, and Bekah and went to dinner at Papasitos. Bekah's little pregnant belly was craving mexican! It is always such a fabulous time hanging with these ladies, I just love each and every one of them. I will write more about our weekend soon...

Thursday 13

A few days late once again....but in light of this girls weekend, I am going to write 13 of my sweetest memories of me and my girlfriends....these are a few that first come to mind

1. walking to get coffee and scones with Bekah and Fox in Boonsboro Village.

2. Going on a million cruises with Stephanie when we were younger (except the freshman year of college cruise....craziness)

3. photographing Bekah's wedding in Europe.

4. late night chats and a fun photo shoot with Stacy at 900 Sycamore lane

5. Sunday afternoon times with all the girls piled on the sofa bed watching movies in mine and matt's apartment in college. "it reeks of laziness in here" - matt.

6. riding around the burg in Fox's porsche.

7. the fabulous friendship with mandy that randomly came about after college, through email. love it.

8. getting to be a part of the day Michele and Freddy got engaged....i don't like keeping secrets though!

9. watching my friends find love, get married, and have babies.

10. all the memories of laughing at each other, but loving each other just the same. (pink scrunchie comes to mind!)

11. Driving four hours out of the way with bekah on our way to see fox.....very long night....but totally worth it

12. having every one of my sweet friends stand with me as I married my love.

13. still being best friends today with the very first friend I ever had, and all of the memories that are still to come. (this isn't a memory but something I am thankful for)