Cousin Pictures in Annapolis

My cousins minus Chris and Reese in Annapolis


Rachel and Nolie


Julie and Steve


Andrew and me


Chris and Cameron


Rachel and me


Kiersten, Cameron, Reese, and Annika

Comings and Goings

Rach, I know you hate the old update blogs on normal mundane life but I feel it's necessary for the Christmas break. SO, you can grin and bear it or you can just check out. Your choice. Here's where you tune out...

Christmas in Waco was very different. We didn't abide by any of our traditions- no cornish game hens, no Christmas decorations, no angel tree, no fudge, no fire while we opened gifts, Chris wasn't Santa on Christmas Eve (we open gifts Christmas Eve and Chris always has to hand out gifts but Adam took on the responsibility this year), we didn't go to the Lowder's or the Hobbs', and we were 30 minutes late to church. I will say the late to church was an accident. Dad was sure it started at 6:30.Oops. It was a good Christmas. Just very different (I feel like I should add the words funky and whimsical here because Mom always uses those three words together).

On the road again. My Mom's mom passed away and we had a funeral for her on December 26th in Annapolis. She died a couple weeks earlier and we planned to have a family only service after Christmas. It was a very good service at my cousins' church. I'm so glad I went and my family did a fabulous job putting it together.

In Annapolis we got to spend quite a bit of time with aunts, uncles, and cousins. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful family. I didn't get to spend the time with them when they were in Waco as I would have liked to. I know I can't be the only to feel that way. You have all your family there for your wedding and you can't spend any time with them because every person you love is there at one time. The joys and woes. Anyway, Annapolis was fabulous. We ate, hung out, talked, drank wine, laughed, and cried. Allie, Anna, Kiersten, and I got pedicures yesterday afternoon too. I was telling my aunt Jenny it is so fun to be with cousins now. There is a much smaller age difference between 20 and 27 than there is between 12 and 19. I love getting to know them and hanging out on a friend level. Again, my family rocks. Every last one of them is fun to be around and I would like them even if we didn't share blood. That says a lot.

Now, here I sit at my computer in my PJs watching reruns of the Real Housewives of Atlanta and wishing I were still there. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Texas

We made it. Adam, Colby, and I are safely in Waco. Yes! The trip was good and fairly uneventful. We left yesterday when I got off work at 7 and drove to Jackson, MS. We stayed at a very nice Residence Inn there (thanks Drew!). I had never stayed and one and they are so nice. Really more like apartments. Awesome.

Colby just totally concs out in the car. He starts sleeping when we leave and basically doesn't wake up until we stop with the occational licking with his AWFUL breath. He just likes to remind us he's there. He's a great car rider. I love having an undistracted Adam all to myself in the car. He can't check fantasy football or watch football or research football. He's just with me. I absolutely love it and maybe even like driving now- well Adam doing the driving. I'm so blessed to truly enjoy my husband.

Rachel and Chris fly in tomorrow morning so we're trying to see who draws the short straw and has to go back to Dallas to get them- sorry Rachel and Chris! It's just really hard to get back in the car. It's wonderful to be home. Mom has been gone basically since Thanksgiving with the deaths of her mom then brother-in-law and chemo of the other brother-in-law and Vail trip. I know she enjoys being so mobile and able to be where she is needed but it's exhausting. All that to say, our house isn't decorated for Christmas yet and she started shopping today. Hopefully I can get some decorating done tomorrow so we at least get somewhat in the Christmas spirit. I feel as though it has snuck up on us through all our travels.

We look forward to the togetherness that will come in the next couple of days. Merry Christmas!

For your viewing enjoyment...

i'm not sure this will work but here goes nothing. barrett hedges, adam's carson-newman friend, is filming. as you can see, i look awful. try to remember we had 14 inches of new snow. so hard to ski and not fall!!!
FYI- "Adam is the Sasquatch looking bundle of arms and legs and Sarah is the cute skier in the prestine white jacket and powder blue helmet!" (Adam's sentence)



barrett: "Nice."
adam: "Here comes the wife."
sarah: "I don't want to be filmed!"
barrett: "I'm sorry. You're doin' good."

Nine o'clock bedtime

Adam and I just enjoyed a fabulous pizza dinner at Pazzo's. Not much better. For sure not in the way of pizza. Today is our last day here before we fly out tomorrow. We brought dad to the airport this morning, watched movies in the afternoon, and snowshoed after that. I took pictures and will share them when we get home. Wonderful vacation day. This is what vacation is all about. It's nine o'clock and I'm headed to bed. I don't know what Vail does to me but my bed just starts whispering my name at about 7:45 then it is full blown "COME TO BED NOW SARAH" by 9:00. Incredible. I absolutely love it! I was asleep by 9:15 yesterday and plan to be very close to that tonight. In Atlanta I can't sleep before about 11:30. It's just so easy here. I wake up refreshed and ready for the day. I would love to take back this early to bed tradition to Atlanta but I just don't know if it will happen. As for tonight, sweet dreams.

Vail

Well, it's been a rough trip. We lost our second family member on my mom's side in less than a month. Vail started as a family vacation with my mom getting in Wednesday, Adam and me on Thursday, Dad on Saturday, Rachel on Sunday, and Chris on Tuesday. Now, Adam and I will be alone tomorrow. I tried to get there but my partner could not cover me and I don't get bereavement for an uncle. Sucks. I think I should get bereavement for whoever I feel I need to go to a funeral for. Major downside to working. Mom and I spent a very long day Saturday planning how everyone was going to get there. At one time we had flights ready and on hold for all 6 of us. As time went on and more and more realism set in, we're sending three. It is going to be 48 degrees below zero tomorrow but my dad is making the trek anyway. He should and he wants to. My uncle was a good man and will be dearly missed. Mom and Rachel are stuck in Minneapolis with my Auntie Emily. Hopefully they will get to Grand Forks tomorrow. The rest of the family has made it safely to the negative degree Drayton, ND. So, we continue to hope and pray Mom, Rachel, and Dad and other people still traveling can get there safely. Dad has to drive from Fargo tomorrow in zero visibility. I told him he needs to have major winter gear in the car. If he gets stranded he could die in not much time at all if he's not properly prepared. All these logisitics to say please pray for my family. It is been a really hard last year or so. We have lost too many too early. I will update on skiing and Vail later. It just doesn't seem appropriate now.

Thor's Thunder 149 Falls to King Friday 172

My day has come. Praise the Lord!!! Fantasy football has come to a devastating end for Adam. I do have to hear about it all night tonight but at least I know there is a finish line to run towards. I thought this day would never come. Alas, I made it. I get my husband back. I no longer have to listen to 10 minute dialogues about how he should have gotten Adrian Peterson and Chris stole him from Drew out from under him and if only he would have started Peyton and not traded him he would win. If only, if only, if only. It's over. I will no longer have to interrupt him with my own story lines from the Hills just so he can get a minor understanding of what I go through. It is finished. It couldn't have come soon enough.

My King- I seriously love this

"That's My King"

The late Dr. S. M. Lockeridge, a pastor from San Diego, California
said these words in a sermon in Detroit in 1976:

My King was born King. The Bible says He's a Seven Way King. He's the King of the Jews - that's an Ethnic King. He's the King of Israel - that's a National King. He's the King of righteousness. He's the King of the ages. He's the King of Heaven. He's the King of glory. He's the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that's my King.

Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don't try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.

He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful. That's my King. He's God's Son. He's the sinner's saviour. He's the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He's honest. He's unique. He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He's supreme. He's pre-eminent. He's the grandest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He's the supreme problem in higher criticism. He's the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He's the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That's my King.

He's the miracle of the age. He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He's the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He's the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That's my King.

Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He's the wellspring of wisdom. He's the doorway of deliverance. He's the pathway of peace. He's the roadway of righteousness. He's the highway of holiness. He's the gateway of glory. He's the master of the mighty. He's the captain of the conquerors. He's the head of the heroes. He's the leader of the legislatures. He's the overseer of the overcomers. He's the governor of governors. He's the prince of princes. He's the King of kings and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King.

His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you . . . but He's indescribable. That's my King. He's incomprehensible, He's invincible, and He is irresistible.

I'm coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can't contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off of your hands. You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him. The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him and the grave couldn't hold Him. That's my King.

He always has been and He always will be. I'm talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He'll have no successor. There's nobody before Him and there'll be nobody after Him. You can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign. That's my King! That's my King!

Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We're around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matters is God's power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honor and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? Forever and ever and ever and ever. . . And when you get through with all of the ever's, then . . .Amen!

This is a good reminder for me. I get so wrapped up in Christmas that it's easy to forget the purpose.

A Pharmacist's Guide to Patient Etiquette

This was published in the Pharmacy Times with some editing by me. Seriously, my tech and I kept this list in the pharmacy one day just to see. We almost peed our pants when we read it. These things are sooooo true. I wish they weren't. We fill about 80 prescriptions a day. We had almost 50 tally marks! You would be amazed. Obviously this will not be as funny if you don't know much about pharmacy. If you do know about pharmacy, prepare to nod to everyone stinkin one of these! Sorry it's kind of long...

1. Be sure to stare at the pharmacist while your prescriptions are being filled. Staring at the pharmacist makes him or her work faster.

2. Never remember the name of the medications you are taking. By calling it "the little white pill," you are sure to receive the correct medication.

3. When calling in 8 prescriptions or more, always arrive at the pharmacy to pick them up within 10 minutes of calling. It's okay to hurry pharmacists. If they make a mistake, it won't kill you or anything.

4. Feel free to ask the pharmacy staff for the exact price of your prescription before it is filled. The staff should know every co-pay for every insurance plan.

6. Be sure to get upset about the co-pay. The co-pay is set on the whim of the pharmacist and has nothing to do with your insurance company [and the plan you chose to buy --Sarah].

9. Upon calling in a refill for a maintenance medication without refills, always question why the doctor has to be called when you've taken the medication for years. It is only a myth that prescription medications have to be ordered by medical doctors.

10. Always question why the insurance company does not want you to get your Synthroid 10 days too soon. After all, you pay $5 for it, so it's not like it costs more than that.

11. Over-the-counter displays are put there in order to entertain your children. Please encourage them to play with any item and even open one or two.

12. Make sure you save all of your old insurance cards. One of pharmacists' favorite games is to guess which one is current.

13. When you call in a prescription, just say, "I need to get my [name of drug] refilled." You can be sure the pharmacist will recognize your voice and know your prescription number by heart.

14. Pharmacists are some of the few people whose ears work independently. So when you see a pharmacist on the phone, feel free to just start talking -- his free ear will hear everything.

15. The pharmacist is the only person in the store is really capable of writing down your refill numbers, so when you call, demand to speak only to the pharmacist.

16. Try to do all your pharmacy business on a Monday. The pharmacist will appreciate it.

17. When walking up to the counter, just say, "Can I pick up my prescription?" Guessing who you are is another pharmacist game.

18. When there are several people ahead of you near the pick-up counter, always stand right at it [and even put your groceries down on it --]. The pharmacist will then know how important you are and fill your Rx first, and, if not, you can listen to juicy patient-pharmacist conversations.

19. If you are not asked for your insurance card, it means that the pharmacist wants to fill your prescription and then, after you are told how much it is, you can shout, "I have insurance." The pharmacist will love to do it over.

20. When you need a really old prescription filled, tell the pharmacist that you have a standing order for it. This works especially well if the doctor who wrote it is dead.

21. When you get a new insurance card, make sure you keep it a secret. The pharmacist would rather phone your old company to find out why your Rx claim is being rejected.

23. When you order your prescription refills and the pharmacist asks which ones, respond by saying, "All of them." He will know.

25. when asking for a refill on a pain medication, make sure you wait until the last one is gone and then try to call late on a Friday afternoon. It will be easy for the pharmacist to get in touch with the doctor to get a new Rx.

[26. If you are going on vacation, do not plan ahead for having your medications while you are away. Wait until the day before or even the morning of your departure before trying to order your refills. The pharmacy staff love going through the insurance run-around of seeking a vacation-supply override. This is doubly fantastic if your Rx is out of refills as well. Be sure to get frantic at these obstacles, because it's entirely the fault of the pharmacy staff for not foreseeing your vacation and planning ahead for you. Sarah]

My own added:

27. Always tell the pharmacist why you need your control early for the third week in a row. She will believe the dog ate it again, 3rd sister in three weeks has committed suicide, you have an emergency trip that you happen to be on the day I tell you it can be filled, your insurance won't cover it this month so don't even try, and you accidentally flushed it. Seriously, you wouldn’t believe some of the stories. If you are trying to get more drugs that you should never say anything. Too much talking makes me suspicious. If it's forged or multiple control from multiple doctors the patients always talk way too much and have way too many stories. That's the way it is. I always know.

28. Be sure to tell me the amoxicillin is free because I may not remember if you don’t.

29. Please, bring 35 groceries to check out with your free antibiotic.

Now, I expect you all to be better pharmacy customers.

Christmas Decorations

I just went Christmas decoration shopping in the Garner's basement. Yes! I got some really great stuff at a price you can't beat! Free! I can't wait to decorate our house when we get home tomorrow. I have always wanted to have some Christmas-y stuff in our house, but I just haven't had the supplies. Now I do! My mom is sending the rest of my ornaments to Atlanta Monday morning, so I will have more adorn our tree. I think we will get our tree some time this week. Some of our friends said we can't get a real tree too early- the needles fall everywhere and create an unlivable house. So, we are taking their advice and waiting a couple more days. No many, but a couple. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Thanksgiving

Well, I have survived and enjoyed my first married Thanksgiving. Adam and I have been in Talbott, TN, since I got off work on Wednesday evening. On Thursday morning, after much much fretting, Rachel suggested I make spinach balls for my first Thanksgiving contribution. Great suggestion. They went over really well. As is the Garner tradition, we enjoyed a fabulous day of friends and fellowship at the Brummetts. A mean game of spoons broke out in the basement after a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. I am thankful for the people there who took me in as if I had always been there. It made my first Thanksgiving away from home much more enjoyable. Don't worry Mom, I still missed you!

Since Thursday, I have been major chilling. I have watched Hairspray, Love Actually, and 3 episodes of Big Love so far. Two more episodes to come for sure. I'm doing our free trial of Blockbuster All Access and it is awesome so far. I have been doing a little reading too but mostly letting my brain relax and be entertained.

And now for the big show. Auburn v Alabama starts in T minus 13 minutes. It's on. I can't wait. I love the time right before kick off when there is still hope. I'm hoping it doesn't fade too quickly. Not optimistic but still cheering for my beloved tigers. They need me now. Christy, I will be joining you in singing the fight song over and over and over. War Eagle!

Golden's Green Beans

I love getting new tried and true recipes. This is totally not my recipe. It is from Jessica Golden and her mom, but it is always my "go to" recipe when I'm bringing a vegetable somewhere. So, with all credit to the Goldens:

3 cans whole green beans- I've tried fresh too- both good
1/2 stick butter
2 cloves diced garlic
1/2 c brown sugar
4 strips bacon

Drain green beans and place in the bottom of a 9x12 casserole dish. In a saucepan, heat butter until melted. Add garlic and brown sugar and simmer 5-7 minutes. Pour over beans and place bacon on top. Cook uncovered at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes.

Seriously, they are always a hit. I'm making them tonight! I double the recipe when I bring it to a function. I've never brought any back home with me. Jess, hope you don't mind me sharing!

Christmas Gloating

I would like it to be made known I am officially ALMOST finished Christmas shopping. That's right. It has been my goal this year to stay on top of it and get gifts for people that I have thought about and not just run to the mall because they got me a gift and I have nothing for them. I have planned. I am ready. I still have a few to do but I have ideas of what I want to give. Adam is still on my tough list. You can't wrap up fantasy football and re-gift it, but I do think that is what he would most enjoy. All year round. Praise be to the big man for making NFL football season only last a couple of months. Back to the subject at hand. After many many years of procrastinating this whole Christmas shopping thing, I have tried to get ahead. I'm not saying I still won't be scrambling. I always forget something. But, hopefully this year the scrambling will be kept to a minimum. My schedule is getting crazy after Thanksgiving like everyone's is, so my next goals will to complete the shopping, start wrapping, and get these sent around, hopefully before, we leave for our Vail ski trip. High hopes. I have a pretty good jump on it though.

I thought it would be easier to shop in Atlanta but truth be told I have done almost everything online. I search for coupon codes and usually get at least 10% off everything and usually free shipping. 30% and free shipping is my best thus far. So, it's cheaper and more convenient to sit here in my PJs and click away. I would encourage you to do the same. I simply do a google search for codes until I find one that works. Sometimes it takes a few tries, but I haven't failed yet!

In case anyone is as big of a Gilmore Girls fan as I am, you should know all the seasons are on sale for $14.99 each on amazon.com. So, you save like $50 doing it that way instead of buying the box set of all the seasons together. I am so excited! Adam still thinks he can just give me that for Christmas, but he's wrong. I can't find the sale, buy it, and pay for it then let him give it. Anyone care to back me up???

Unhappy Fan

Dear Celine,
You see, my friend, I got tickets to see you in Tulsa last Christmas. That's right, last Christmas. Rachel, my mom, and I waited for 11 long months to see your show. "Inflammed vocal chords"? Seriously? You're going to have to come up with something better than that. I'm not buying it but none the less you canceled your show anyway. I cannot see you when you rescheduled in Tulsa in February, so I am very frustrated with you. I hear you put on a fabulous show. I will never know. Hopefully, Rachel and my mom can still partake in your concert. We'll see how our vocal chords feel. Even without you, we still had some good bonding time in Tulsa- shopped til we dropped, drank lots of coffee, did crafts, and caught up on our magazines. I'm glad you lured me to Tulsa even without your stinkin concert.
Your former friend,
Sarah

Diamond Dolls Return!

For those of you who know me, you know I loved being a Diamond Doll at Auburn. One of my very favorite parts was beginning interviews to get the new girls. They really are funny. I was asked to come back and interview because Diamond Dolls is starting up again. So fun! We did baseball interviews and here are some of the best answers if you ask me. In no particular order,

What is a full count?
-4 balls and 3 strikes....man they got a long at bat
-all the pitches are thrown

What is a fielders choice?
-players gets to choose the position they want to play- got this answer several times, so weird

When do they sing "take me out to the ballgame"
- beginning of the game
-end of the game- only 1 girl all night knew the correct answer

What teams played in the Professional World Series this year?
Correct answer is the Phillies and the Rays
- one girls answered with a firm "Bianucci"- we were all befuddled learned apparently he played for Auburn and just graduated- seriously?

The funniest part is when the girls answer so firming and confidently with the exact wrong answer. They just seem so sure. I wish I could remember more but you know you never can if you are trying to remember. I had a wonderful time. It was a quick trip to Auburn but fun to see old friends.

Favorite Things

Here are some of my favorite things in random order...

1. Cuisinart Coffee Maker- Seriously, I love it. My coffee is made in the morning when I wake-up then Adam adds cream and sugar and I'm ready to go. Amazing.



2. Tivo- I know this is so unoriginal but I seriously love it. We have DVR on our main TV now and it doesn't even compare. I miss my Tivo already but can still use it in the study.




3. My new flip video. I adore it. I totally don't need it but it's so cool. Adam and I really just video each other. We feel like it will be cool one day to just see random videos of us as newlyweds. It's small enough for me to leave in my purse all the time. Love it. Mine's green.




4. My Vietri Incanto dishes. I get so excited every time I get to use them. I'm sitting here this morning drinking coffee out of my mug and just love it. I'm so glad I chose those dishes. I never thought I would be so excited about dishes but it has happened.




5. My red high heels. I had to go to a boring function recently and kicked up my red high heels. I kept telling Adam I may be frustrated with where I am and not want to be there but at least I'm wearing cute shoes. He thought that was really strange but you know boys just don't get it.

Weekend Update

Happy Monday! I can say that because I have today off! :) We had a very eventful weekend- a FULL house! Adam and I have officially slept in 4 rooms in our house. Considering we only have 5 total, that's pretty good! My cousins Jeff and Jenn came to town on Thursday. Then, my mom and dad came in on Friday evening. I had to work Friday, so I picked up my parents when I got off and we met Jeff, Jenn, and Adam for dinner. Saturday morning, Adam, Jenn, Dad, and I ran the "Strong Legs" 10K. The name was true to the race, you really needed strong legs to get up those hills! Surprisingly it went really well. I'm very very happy to have made it and even ran the whole race! Then my parents went to Auburn Homecoming and we hung out in Atlanta. We had a great weekend of laughing. Our house is now empty as everyone left this morning. We miss you already!

I really do love being busy, but sometimes I wonder if life will ever slow down?! We ALWAYS have something going on. Orlando last weekend, company this weekend, and Tulsa next weekend. We don't ever want to miss out but at the same time I think we need to be better about taking time for ourselves. We are so lucky at this stage in our lives because although I work 40 hours a week, I get a couple days off a week. And, Adam is in school so he also has some time off during the day. I use that as my excuse to recharge so we can still see lots of friends and family. I know we won't always be so lucky. When we have a family- in a very long time- we are going to have to be more protective of down time. I guess there will be another time for that. As for tonight, off to dinner with Lauren and Charlie. I guess taking it easy will just have to be set aside for later again...

ORLANDO

Christy, Jessica, and I enjoyed our first time together without weddings or football games or any distractions. It had been SO long since we got to spend some quality time together. No agendas. It was amazing. We sat on the couch, talked at the table, and looked through all Christy's baby stuff. We had a blast! We really did nothing but hang out all weekend- that was the best part! I miss my friends every single day. It's so natural and normal when we're together. No trying. They know me. Many, many years of living together. They are the first to tell me when I'm in a bad mood although I usually don't want to hear it. I was reminded many times this weekend how easily I get annoyed. Thanks guys. I really appreciate it. Please- no more English accents. Still there is comfort in knowing eachother so well. I miss you more than you can imagine. Ok, no more "my college friends are the best and close to impossible to replace" blogs. I've done 2 already. I will try.

The reason for the visit was to see Christy's ADORABLE baby bump and also to give a baby shower. Let me tell you, this was the most organized shower I have ever been a part of. One morning I got 12 emails about it before 10am. Incredible. The girls did such a good job planning it. I wish I could have done more but it is so hard from a distance!

Great shower, great weekend, great friends. My cousins Jeff and Jenn come to Atlanta tomorrow. We're SO excited to see them! Mom and Dad come Friday to go to Auburn homecoming. We love vistors!

Happy Halloween

Colby is making his Halloween debut. I can't say he loves it but tolerates it well. Also, Adam was surprisingly not as discusted as I thought he would be. He even said he would dress him when people come over tonight. Crazy.

I'm off to Orlando today to see Christy and give her a baby shower. I'm SO excited to see her and see how pregnant she is. I know she's adorable! Hopefully Adam finds enough to do while I'm gone.... I think he's really excited to have the weekend to hang with some dudes. Our neighborhood is big into halloween. MOST houses have decorated majorly for the holiday. Our poor house only has the cute jack o'lantern my mom sent in the window. At least it's something. I'm assuming we will have lots of trick-or-treaters. Happy Halloween!

Camping Pictures

We did platform camping. It was a total surprise. We had no idea we would have this little shelter thing. Our one thing we forgot was bug spray so we slept in the tent just in case it was to be a problem. It wasn't but I was still glad to have the tent. I felt a little more protected!

This one's for you Mom. It was a long hike so he was tired...



I mean really could I get much hotter


My good looking cook




The park was beautiful. It's about 1 1/2 north of Atlanta. Our site was hike in, so we weren't super prepared for that. We thought we had a car camping site. It was wonderful though and we will do it again. The trails were great to let Colby run free. He's a good hiker.

Colby and friends

Chris brought Buck to come hang out with us for a while. Colby and Buck were ready for the Auburn game. They got an Auburn football toy to share in honor of them game. But, the toy held up about as well as Auburn...



My parents puppy Oliver came to visit a couple weeks ago. He and Colby are brothers- they are SO funny together! Wish I had a better picture. Colbs in on the right and Oliver is on the left. Both dogs follow me and Mom at all times. Colby knows where I am always and follows every move I make. I read about English Cockers before I got one to think twice you if don't want a dog to follow you room to room. So true. He's sitting here on the couch against me as I type. He always has to be touching me.

Wicked

Adam and I went to the Fox Theater last night to see Wicked! I bought the tickets so long ago so we were anxiously awaiting Oct 25th to finally get here. Well, it was worth the wait. I had to work yesterday, so we rushed to get out so we weren't late and we made it just in time. We loved it- especially Adam. We would highly recommend it to anyone in the Atlanta area. I think it's only showing a couple more days. Good fun.

Emily and Kevin Visit

Our friends Emily and Kevin came to visit for Emily's fall break. Adam and Kevin were in the church nursery together so needless to say they go way back. I used to stay with Emily at Carson-Newman when I visited Adam in college. Emily's a great hostess! We had a wonderful time and are sad for them to leave! We shopped pretty much all of Atlanta- Adam and Kevin loved every minute of it, ate sushi, and enjoyed Caribou coffee. I went to H&M for the first time in Atlantic Station- fabulous! Emily, I really loved the new song you introduced to me about marriage. I would write about it but all I remember is that it was funny. Knowing words to songs is not one of my gifts. The fall weather has taken over so we had our first fire in the fireplace! That was something we looked for in a house to rent. I love it! Sadly, our week of fun is over. Now, I'm at work while Adam is at home. I'm very jealous if you can't tell. Just to clarify, Adam is very good at doing my chores and errands while I'm working. But, I want to do them. Not be here. I love my job- just not every day. It's rainy and cold and all I want is to lay on the couch and read a book by the fire. Bliss. Thirty more minutes and I'm so there. Hope you had a good Friday. I'll be here at work again tomorrow. And Sunday.

Laura Beth gave my this tag. I am so excited to be a real member of the blog world. :) Miss you!!!

1. I graduated high school with 34 people. It was way too small and I don't plan on sending my children to a school that small, although I did get a wonderful education.

2. I can't swallow without gulping if I'm drinking a lot of something. I know it's disgusting and I try really hard but I just can't do it. So, I have to take one sip at a time so it does not happen.

3. I hate it when people hover at my pharmacy counter so that I will fill their prescriptions faster. It drives me crazy and makes me retaliate and make them wait longer. So, when you go to the pharmacy do not hover! I really want to do a post about annoying pharmacy things so stay tuned.

4. I love breezeway in Auburn and really wish I could still eat it every day. My college roommates would never ask me what I wanted for lunch on Saturdays because they knew what the answer would be. I really love it.

5. I HATE ketchup. I do love tomatoes though. I know it doesn't make sense and I have tried to like it but I just don't. I do like sauces so it only makes sense that I would like ketchup. I give up. I just don't like it. Period.

6. I can quote pretty much the entire movie Father of the Bride. It is my absolute favorite.

7. On our honeymoon I got stung by 2 bees in one day- once on the beach and once at dinner. It was so strange. I had not been stung in since I was 4 years old. My grandfather is allergic to bees so my mom wouldn't let me go to sleep. I remember it so well. She was totally hovering. I asked around on the honeymoon and everyone who works there said they have never heard of anyone being stung at the resort.

So, I don't have 7 blog friends so all I can tag are Jessica Golden and Rachel. Kimberly you are tagged too because I know you are starting a blog soon...

College Friends

My college friends hold a very special place in my heart. As Adam and I like to say I am "especially fond" of them. They know me so well. Probably better than anyone. We lived together. Four girls. One room. Jessica Golden came in town this weekend, so she and Kimberly and I went to dinner together last night. We roughed it together for a year in the dorm sharing 1 room with 4 girls sleeping in it. Those were some hilarious nights. Jessica Smith and I shared a bunk and Kimber and Jess shared the other. We laughed late into the night every night. I don't know how we ever got any rest looking back at it. When we were awake we studied in our zebra pattern and hot pink carpeted room. Seriously? Who's idea was that? Very calm studying environment. Right.

Life can be difficult after college. Friends like that are hard to find. You bond so quickly sharing such a small space. You have no choice. Post-college friends take so much longer to bond with- occasional dinners and coffees every 3 weeks just does not allow you to be close and share experiences as quickly. That does not mean it is not worth it though. I continue to make that effort now in my life in Atlanta. Girl friends are so important to me and I believe I will always have them as a major role in my life.

I'm so blessed to have the college experience I had. It was incredible. I absolutely adore Auburn and the friends I got made there. I was not a die hard sorority girl, but all my best friends from college I met through it. That makes Alpha Gam totally worth it. Thanks for coming to town Jess so we could continue our friendship and bonds we made at Auburn. I'm lucky to have friends that value friendship as much as I do and continue to keep in touch on a regular basis.

This picture is last year of the 3 of us because we didn't take one last night.

Wedding Pictures

I absolutely adore my wedding pictures. If you're ever curious the address is www.adamlovessarah.com. I don't know how I will ever choose.

1 Year Older

Well, I am officially 27 years old. As of 7:08 pm on October 12th I celebrated a new year. It has been a big year so far- my first year in the working world, new HUSBAND!, new (well, rented) house, new puppy. I am very happy with this year so far! Adam and I went camping this weekend and had a fabulous time. As one of my friends said, "Sarah we hated camping" I don't know why I was so eager to go. Turns out not only do I not hate camping but I really enjoyed it. We went to the Apple Festival in Ellijay, GA, then camping at Fort Mountain State Park. Great weekend. Colby even got to come along for the ride! We hiked, cooked out, ate s'mores, and had some good Sarah and Adam time. We get so busy already with our lives that we don't get to spend enough uninterrupted time with one another as I would like. Anyway, it was a great weekend and I will post pictures as soon as I figure out how to do it. I'm working 7 days in a row now so I need to go get my rest.

My new blog

Well, I decided to join the blogging world. I check several of my friends blogs every day and feel as though we are still connected though time and schedules have distanced us for now. I am not a good writer (ask Rachel) so bear with me please. Someone close to me thinks it's a little arrogant to think that anyone wants to be updated on mundane days but I check on my friends all the time. I thought maybe just someone would like periodic updates on my life! So here we go...

My mom has been with us the last 10ish days, but she left today. So sad! She really helped Adam and me get organized in our new home. She cleaned and washed and painted and organized. I'm going to miss her...as well as Oliver. I don't know what Colby is going to do without the two of them. He has been with them since the week before Adam and I got married. I might have to drag Colbs out of depression! Adam's cousin David has been here all weekend. They stained the deck and built benches for my table. We've enjoyed having him here! That's pretty much all for now. Have a great day!