All You Need is LOVE

In honor of Valentine's Day, the day of LOVE, I'll be posting in red today!  As I spend my first Valentine's Day as a married lady, I realize how crazy commercialized this holiday is.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm a flower girl.  I think the prettiest thing in the world is a vase full of roses, tulips or hydrangeas, BUT the old song "All You Need is Love" really is true!  Husbands are the best Valentine's gifts ever.  However, in honor of Valentine's Day, I thought I'd share with you a list of 14 things that I'm in love with right now!  Some may be random, some may be lifelong faves, but some are just things I'm enjoying at the moment! 

So in no certain order, {until we get to the end of course where my top TWO favorites can be found} here we go:

14.  Couponing....Let's be honest.  You all know about this LOVE I have.  So I'm not going to dwell on it.  Just know, it hasn't gone away with David getting a job or moving to Memphis.  Nope, still there.  Read here if you want to know more.

13.  The Lovings...I know you're sick of hearing about them, but we had some new friends over for lunch after church Sunday, and I caught myself talking about them NON STOP!  Not in a like, "our friends Matt and Jenny" way.  Instead we talk about coupons. And who taught me coupons? Jenny.  We talk about the art in our house.  And whose art project idea were they?  Jenny.  I serve dessert.  And whose recipe is it?  Jenny.  We pass by the fridge. And whose Christmas card is on there {and the only one left up there}?  The Loving kiddos.  I seriously feel like there was one more way they came up, but I can't remember how.  I love the Lovings!  We both miss them tremendously. 

12.  Owls...Any shape, form, or fashion.  Then again, is this really a surprise to anyone either?  I pretty much buy them when I see them.  They are all over our house.  Thanks to a hubby who lets me decorate how I want to with them.  These are my new recent Valentine's additions--a new kitchen towel found at Hobby Lobby for 40% off of $5.99 and Pot holders from the Dollar Spot at Target!  I have no idea why this photo keeps turning on it's side.  But at least you can get the idea.  I love the towel...it says things in the conversation hearts like "Love is wise" and "You're a hoot."  My mother in law also got me the cutest owl necklace for Valentine's Day. {but I didn't have time to take a picture}  She thinks she needs to apologize for buying me owl things because she thinks that's all she gets me.  SOMEONE please tell her how much I love buying owl things!  Someone? Anyone? Just comment below!  I don't want her to quit buying me cute owl things she sees!

11.  Bethany Dillon: Say Your Name...I discovered this song when we got engaged and fell in love with it!  Here are the lyrics:

I'm trying to find a moment with you

These days are speeding by

This ring gives me a new point of view

I'm a dealer in my time

And if I can make a confession

My time is torn between

The man who has won my affection

And the God that saved me.

Oooh, it all looks different

But that doesn't mean anything has changed

Cause still I reach for you 

When I am afraid

And this breath that comes from you

Helps me say your name

Seriously, if you have a few minutes, listen to this video.  I've realized more and more with these two rings on my finger what Paul was saying when he talked about not getting married versus getting married.  Marriage is a wonderful blessing.  It paints an incredible portrait of the love that Christ has for us, and the day that he will return for His believers--His bride.  But MAN.  Marriage is also such a distraction from my time with Christ.  If ever I thought an engagement was a distraction, I clearly didn't realize the distractions marriage would bring.  I want to spend all of my time with my husband.  But I LOVE this song.  This ring, it doesn't mean anything has changed!  Christ is still the one no matter what.  And, in our passionate pursuit of Him, He's the one that David and I rely on together to direct our walk through this crazy path called marriage.  Anxiously awaiting a new CD from this new mommy.  God definitely blesses her gifts.

10.  My wedding photos....And on that subject of marriage!  I love, love, love my wedding photos.  Our photographer Maggie could not have better captured what I asked her to capture.  Choosing photos from the MS Magazine was hard because most of my photos are very candid.  However, that is what I ASKED Maggie for.  I didn't want super posed photos.  I wanted photos that artistically could be hung on the walls of our home.  Check out one of my latest projects below.  I found an old window pane at an antique store in Memphis.  Then I printed six 8x10 photos and framed them.  Such an inexpensive way to display wedding photos!  On that note, please say a special prayer for my wedding photographer Maggie.  Without giving out details, just pray for her.  She was such a blessing to us on our big day, and I am forever grateful for the talents that God has given her to share with others.  Here's a few of my favorites.  Which could very easily turn into 800.  Oh and if I posted 800, that would not even be half of the photos she gave us.

9.  Williams and Sonoma Peppermint Hot Chocolate and my Hot Cocoa maker....Have you ever HAD THIS STUFF?  Oh. My. Gosh!  Seriously!  I would say go buy some, but it's only a Christmastime thing at Williams and Sonoma.  The. Best. Stuff. Ever.  Pat and Chris gave us some for Christmas along with two beautiful pottery mugs they made. 

Unbeknown to them, we received a hot cocoa machine for a wedding present.  It doesn't even live in the cabinet we have it out so much.   {except today it's so beautiful outside, we don't need hot cocoa}.  Below is what it looks like, and if you click on the photo, it will take you to a link to purchase it from Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  For real. Order one.  You won't be sorry. It will live on your counter too.  Anyway, we got this Peppermint Hot Chocolate for Christmas, and it was so good that I traveled to the Williams and Sonoma outlet {yes, outlet} that is about 2 minutes from our house {that's right, 4 blocks away}, and bought another.  And then a week later, I bought two more.  Needless to say, we're on our last little bit.  Maybe I'll get lucky and the outlet will have more.  Regardless, this is the best hot cocoa I've ever tasted!

 8. My Valentine's Wreath...I got this idea from a do it yourself blog.  I wanted something simple and easy to make to decorate our door with.  I ended up going to JoAnn's and buying four pieces of red felt for $1.00 total, a wreath for $4.00, and two packs of heart picks from the Dollar Tree for $2.00 total.  So for $7.00, here's my cute love wreath.  The best part is, it all can be removed out of the wreath for another season.  If you want to know how I made the felt roses, click here. I will say that I didn't do all of the needle and thread stuff.  I used....hot glue.  Exactly.  You know me and my glue gun!  Haha!

7.  My Le Creuset Dutch Oven...I LOVE IT!  Thanks to Giggleswick in Starkville "going out of business" this summer {and reopening I might add}, I was able to have a fun shopping spree.  I had store credit and rather than rely on them to order things for me, I decided to play it safe and use store credit.  Because of that, I got a Le Creuset Dutch Oven that NEVER in a million years did I think I would ever have in my kitchen.  It cooks things SO well, and I just love it.  Currently, it's cooking our Valentine's dinner in it.  David and I have Downline tonight {a discipleship program we're doing in Memphis}, so we're limited on what we can do tonight.  We're going to celebrate Wednesday night, but why not have a special dinner tonight?!  So I'm going to share one of our favorite recipes for roast.  My mom has the simplest recipes to follow.  I don't care who you are, you cannot mess this one up!


You need: one 3-4 lb eye of the round roast, one can of cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup water, one packet of brown gravy, one yellow onion


Combine water, gravy mix, and cream of mushroom soup together.  Place roast in greased dutch oven {I've also made it in a baking pan}.  Cover with sliced onion.  Pour gravy mixture over roast. Cover with two layers of aluminum foil, then cover with lid.  Cook on 325 degrees for 3 hours and 30 minutes.  I usually check mine at 3 hours.  Enjoy!

You'll impress EVERYONE with this recipe!  Shhh...don't tell David it's what for dinner tonight.  It's one of his favorites and is a surprise!  My house smells soooo good already!

6.  Gchat...if you're not on it, you should be.  I discovered Gchat about 8 months ago.  I have this nifty, way too smart for me smart phone that comes with Gchat included.  All you have to do is create a gmail account and you're good to go.  This has come in SO handy!  When we lived at Browning Creek and David had zero service with ATT, he could just log onto his computer and Gchat me to my cell phone {or laptop if I was on that}.  No matter where I am, as long as I have 3G, we're good to go.  It also has come in handy with hubby at work.  It's a lot easier to shoot him a message to his computer than it is to shoot him a text.  He can respond quicker, easier, and more efficiently from Gchat.  It's pretty much saved me in the "what is the password, code, etc" instances or the "what do you want for dinner" instances or the "HELP, I'm lost in Memphis instances."  Of course I've used it for the "honey I just found the CUTEST thing in Hobby Lobby--can I buy it?" instances too!


5.  My ADAMS sign...That is now hanging in our home.  Many of you may recognize it from this post, but you've yet to see the finished project.  Well here she is!  I'm not sure why I call it a she.  Don't judge me.  I made it. I put my loving time and creativity into it, and I can give it whatever gender I so choose.  Don't you love it though.  Thank you to my wonderful hubby who cut all of the wood out for me.  Didn't he do the best job ever?  This is my daily reminder of MSU and everything it means to both of us. I'll be taking orders next week, so just message me and let me know what letters you want.  I'm KIDDING!  No plans to venture out and do this for money.  Though, I did have fun making my own. 

4.  Ephesians...The past few months I've been slowly working my way through Ephesians and memorizing verses.  It has been so incredible and has given me a hunger to know the word.  And to not just know it but commit it to memory.  Many of you have heard me talk on and on about the most incredible realization I had back in September.  Pam Tebow {yes, the one who has the football playing son} came to speak at an event in Starkville, and we were offered free tickets.  What she said changed my heart towards memorizing scripture forever.  She talked about how she wanted to instill it in the hearts and minds of her children and now grandchildren.  And she accomplished this by SINGING it.  Yep, you read right.  Singing. If you know me, you know I love to sing. Love it.  So, what better way to learn scripture?  It just clicked for me instantly.  My mom used to play a CD called Hide Em in Your Heart by Steve Green when we were younger.  It consisted of nursery rhyme type songs with bible verses as lyrics, and to this day, I can still sing those songs to you.  All these years later.  You should definitely look them up.  We LOVED them, and I'll probably have the same ones one day for my kids.  I'm not talking about putting the verse to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb.  I'm talking about humming a tune and memorizing it to that.  Some of my friends that I've shared it with have not had the same luck I've had.  I guess memorization comes in different forms for different people.  But you would be so surprised if you start singing it.  You know how you get out of the car humming whatever was on the radio?  Well, I can honestly say, when I get out of the car, and I've been memorizing scripture, guess what floods my humming throughout the day.  Yep, you guessed it.  Try it.  It may or may not work.  All I know is that my retention has drastically improved.  Drastically.


3.  The fact that MSU Baseball season is right around the corner...Thank goodness! Please, PLEase, PLEASE make basketball season end.  And you may think I'm saying that because I'm a fair weather fan, but that's not true.  I. Detest. Basketball.  I don't know why my husband still loves me.  I guess I'm glad our love isn't built on sporting events.  This former MSU Diamond Girl can't wait for some Dudy Noble time and Left Field Lounge.  And some warmer weather to go with it.  Of course over HALF of MSU's baseball home games will be played in February and March. Stupid planning on a coach's part.  We'll all have to suffer through the cold, and I'm not sure I'll make as many as I would like to make.  Regardless, I love it.  Win or lose.  Omaha or no Omaha.  {so glad I've gotten to see both}.    

2.  My sweet Lacey girl....Okay, let's be honest.  You knew this was coming!  She's a joy.  She's my second best friend in Memphis.  And I really think she loves us.  She sure acts like it.  I love this little girl!  We've been working on "give me five." My parent's Sheltie Skip knows how to give us five, and I want her to.  Sometimes she does it, and sometimes she doesn't.  We're not treat training because we don't want to change what types of things she eats this early in our time with her.  But she gets really excited when we say "yyyyaaaayyyy!"

1.  My handsome hubby...And my very best friend.  I've been so blessed to have him by my side and be by his side these past {crazy at times} almost 8 months.  I've learned so much about myself and him.  The other day, I sat in a coffee shop and watched two old people drink coffee and sit in silence.  The girl I was with said, "I want to be old one day so I can just sit there in silence with the other person."  I thought...me too.  I can't wait to grow old with this man.  I think we focus so much on the here and now and the past, but what about the future?  Not that I'm eager to get to that stage soon, but I think there is something so romantic about an elderly couple in love who can just sit and stare at each other over coffee.  They already know everything about each other.  And it's not an awkward, "Get away, I have nothing to say to you" silence.  It's a "you know everything about me already" kind of silence. I can't wait to grow old with David.  Of course, we'll be the couple at the coffee shop...I'll be drinking coffee and David will be sipping hot chocolate.  And you can't leave out the fact that I'll probably be babbling on and on about our grandchildren or MSU Baseball {hey...just because I'm old does not mean I will give up my love of all things MSU and Baseball}.  And David will be just sitting there staring, patiently waiting for me to take a breath so he can chime in.  Rest assured, unless I lose my voice, I highly doubt there will be much sitting in silence for these two.  Don't feel sorry for him.  He knew what he was getting into when he said I do!  I love my Valentine!  He bought me roses the other day!  My man knows I love flowers! :)

Thanks for sticking with my crazy long blog post.  Hope you enjoyed it.  Notice yellow still doesn't make my favorites list.  My friend Yellow Kitty would be proud. {that would be the lady responsible for decorating my very BLUE wedding!}

Let us not forget to tell everyone that is special in our life how much we LOVE them!  However, let us also not forget who loved us first, and what that means for us!

"But God, being, rich in mercy, because of the GREAT LOVE with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing: it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."   -Ephesians 2:4-10

Starkvegas Weekend

Look at this sweet face! Isn't she precious?  If you haven't met our sweet, sweet puppy Lacey, you definitely should find a time to see us!  She is wonderful and the best travel companion!

On Friday, Lacey and I set out for Starkville.  My Dad's side of the family had a "birthday party" celebration on Sunday which really means a get together.  Apparently everyone has birthdays in January so we use it as an excuse to see everyone.  And I used that as an excuse to come to Starkville. You definitely don't have to twist my arm too hard!  So all of last week, I had been planning my weekend in Starkville.  

Friday night, Lacey and I got to Starkville in time to run by the "office."  She waited patiently in the car.  Then we got to go pick up one of my favorite Starkville residents, Allison Mc.  While I don't have any pictures of our time together, it was just wonderful to sit in the Union and catch up!  I got to hear about her many adventures.  I seriously think that Allison's life could be the most interesting movie you've ever watched! She loves life!  And I loved catching up with Allison! 

Then, Lacey and I went to my parent's house to visit and wait on David.  He couldn't leave Memphis until 5pm.  Joys of the real world.  We had a fun night with Mom and Dad watching the movie Wall Street.  Good movie by the way.   Saturday morning, mom cooked a big breakfast! I've missed my Mom cooking for me. I'm the chef of the family now so it was nice to be cooked for all weekend!

Saturday afternoon, I was off to the soccer fields.  I found out on Monday that my friend from our Columbus church, Chelsea was going to be in town Saturday for her brother's soccer tournament.  She doesn't like soccer, so she was completely fine with me breaking her out for the afternoon!  I found out Thursday that my cousin was also playing soccer in the tournament so that meant I'd get to break my five year old cousin Sydney out as well!  We spent about 30 minutes at the soccer field getting everyone together.  Then it was off for our adventures that afternoon.

Sydney pitched a fit because she wanted to go bowling.  Bowling.  Now, y'all may not know this, but David Adams LOVES bowling.  He would prefer to Lunch and Bowl every day of the week (side note: Lunch and Bowl is something at the bowling alley here and it's exactly what it sounds like.  It's Lunch and two games of bowling....and David Adams loves it).  In fact, he did go every day for 2 weeks before we moved.  Not exaggerating.  He went everyday!  So off to the bowling alley we went where we found out that all of the lanes were full.  Relief. UNTIL someone decided to pitch a fit in the middle of the bowling alley. Joy.  Luckily, it was short lived when I asked if she wanted ice cream. YAY for a mood change! 


After some good Bops where Chelsea and I were able to catch up, we decided to go to Dandy Doodlez in Starkville.  There was of course a stipulation!  NO POUTING, CRYING, TEARS, ARMS CROSSED TANTRUMS!  She pinky promised and off we went!  Sydney picked the cutest cupcake box to paint.  When she asked me what she'd use it for (this five year old thinks things through unlike her cousin!), I responded..."for your silly bandz of course!"  Who knew those were still cool because she flipped for it.  Chelsea chose a rubber ducky.  Not really rubber, but it looks like one.  And I chose an ornament that is cut to be like the state of MS with a paw print for Starkville.  I thought it was special since we just moved away!

Here are a bunch of pictures from our painting time together.

Some of those photos were taken by none other than Sydney, if you couldn't tell.  Forgot to mention her "Skittle." Have you ever heard of one?  That is that blue streak you see in her hair.  It's like a hair extention, but it's blue.  She also has a pink one.  I wish my mom was cool enough to let me have a "Skittle" when I was five.  Haha.  I told her that, and she did point out that she let me have a hair wrap every year at the beach.  Do y'all remember those!  I was the cool kid who got mine in June when we went to the beach and didn't cut it out until after January.  Yes, I was cool.  So maybe it's a good thing I didn't get a Skittle.  Don't you love our artwork though?  After we were done painting, we ran to the grocery store for my mom--which was an adventure in itself.  Let's just say, I know people thought that was my five year old I couldn't keep under control!  But aren't cousins supposed to be fun and aren't you pretty much supposed to be able to do anything with them?  Chelsea, Syd, and I twirled down the aisles of Piggly Wiggly.  For once I was glad that I lived in Memphis! Haha!

After dinner at the cabin, Sydney left with her mom and brother to drive home.  David and I took Chelsea back to the soccer fields to meet up with her family so they could go home.  And on our way back to the house, David and I decided to stop in on one of our favorite Starkville families--the Lovings!  We knew that we had to leave immediately after church on Sunday to go to the "family reunion" so we visited until about 9:30pm at their house.  They were exhausted when we walked in, but after about 10 minutes were wide awake!  I can only hope they fell asleep after we left as they were extremely wired after we left!  (*I did ask Matt at church and he said they immediately went to bed because they were worn out!)

When Ava and Tessa saw us, they said, "David...go to sleep."  I think I've mentioned that when we baby sit them, David will get "tired" and fall asleep.  I think he really just wants a break, but it's a fun event for the girls to say the least.  He told Ava Saturday night that he wasn't tired.  She asked what would make him sleepy, and he told her a glass of water.  So after a glass of water, he was fast "asleep."  I don't have a video or a picture from Saturday night, but I do have a video from one of the nights we babysat them.  I told them to wake him up that they had to tell him a funny joke.  This video is so funny because it's them telling David a joke I taught them.  Or shall I say attempting to tell the joke:

Matt and Jenny, I will understand if you never let us babysit your children again!  It might be too much to reveal everything we do with your children.  If you couldn't tell, David and I are trying so hard to hold back our laughter in this one!  I love them!  I hope one day they still remember all of the fun we had!

Sunday was the family reunion, and I have zero pictures from it because my camera battery died.  It wasn't really a family reunion where you think of your dear old aunt Sue coming and pinching your cheek.  Or one with lots of deviled eggs and chocolate pies.  Our side and my grandmother's sisters side met for lunch at Lake Tiak-O'khata. We had fun catching up with each other--especially since the last time I saw most of them was at our wedding.  HA! If you're married, you know that means I don't actually remember SEEING them!

And that's an update on how our weekend went.  I'm still in Starkville working for a little this week.  David had to return home yesterday afternoon.  If you're in Starkville this week, let me know!  My evenings are completely free.  Minus this little lady who consumes a bunch of my time!  I missed her today!

Top Ten Things I'll Miss

Well...all our bags are packed, we're ready to go.  The Trailer will be loaded in the morning and we'll leave our Starkville home behind for Memphis.  It seems like yesterday we found out we were moving, and now it's actually reality.  I'm trying not to be sad because I know we'll be back Monday, and then many more times over the holiday season.  Then again in January.  It's really not like we're leaving it behind.  We'll be back frequently. I just don't know when yet.

While driving through Starkville today, I came up with a bunch of things I'll really miss when we move.  Wanted to share them all with you.  If you've ever lived in Starkville, I hope this brings back memories.  If not, you probably won't know half of what I'm talking about.  These are in no order.

Top Ten

1. Our church

CrossPoint has really been a huge part of our lives.  They have taught us so much in our walks with Christ and our relationship together.  We are REALLY going to miss the people!  I could have picked from a TON of photos of the people there, but I chose our pastor.  He has done so much for David and I in the past few years, but his biggest task was marriage counseling and officiating our wedding.  He signed our marriage license too!  We're so thankful for all of these things.  It is going to be difficult to find a new church in Memphis!

2.  Date nights at the Lovings

Okay, let's be honest.  It's more of a date night for them than for us, but David and I have a blast every time we get to keep these four kiddos!  You've read about them lots of times on our blog.  They truly are so so so much fun!  Matt is the youth and college minister at our church, and we've gotten especially close to their family.  Apparently Ava, the red headed girl, announced to her someone that they no longer had a baby sitter anymore "because David and Sara and Mary Holland (another youth worker that has babysat for them) are moving away."  I don't know if she knows what that means, but I hope that Matt and Jenny will let us baby sit for them again on random nights that we are in Starkville.  I can't bear the thought of never getting to keep them parent-free ever again! 

3.  Our youth at both churches

To my Crosspoint youth:  I have been involved helping with the youth at Crosspoint for 3 1/2 years, and I'm really going to miss them all.  They are such a fun bunch and I feel like I'm saying goodbye to you all before I've "raised you" all the way up.  You've been a joy to my heart, and I will never forget everything that you have taught me. You've challenged me in my faith, and I can only hope I've challenged you in yours!  See y'all at D-Now. Senior High girls....get ready to kick the Jr. High girls bootay in the Color War!  We need to pick our colors!

To our Woodland Baptist Church youth:  I'm sorry, I don't have a group picture of y'all. We took one last night, but I haven't put it up yet.  Even though our time has been short, I hope and pray that you can say the same is true above about David and I for you guys.  We will ALWAYS remember the impact you (and your families) had on us.  So excited to see what God has in store for y'all next!

4.  Seeing my parents every weekend

Lame-O, I know!  But I'm really going to miss my parents coming to town all of the time!  I know that when we are in Starkville, the odds of them being here are pretty good, but it's been so easy to see my parents whenever I want to when they are in town.  I'm going to miss them when we have to stay in Memphis.  However, my mom did promise they'd come visit.  She also added they might get a hotel room because they didn't know if they could handle the one bathroom deal. 

5.  Strangebrew coffee

 MMMMMmmmmmm.  If you've never tried it, you don't know what I'm talking about.  I fully intend on going to buy a BIG bag of Blueberry Cobbler beans before we move so I can use them in my new coffee pot and grinder.  Notice I say I because, while David loves the smell, he can't stand to drink it.  ONE DAY, I'm going to break him of this terrible habit of not drinking coffee.  One day....

Strangebrew, I will feel like I'm cheating on you every time I drink Starbucks!  However, I'll get my fill every time I come to Starkville.  Until we meet again.....next week! :)

6.  This place---Dudy Noble for the non-baseball fans (gasp):

 

I pretty much could spend any afternoon or night here.  I'm so used to going whenever I want to. It's going to be a change to only go when we're in town.  I love being able to go sit at the game and work on homework to pass the time.  Yes, I've been that nerd who brought my laptop to the game to work on homework.  BUT in my defense, I was a Diamond Girl, and I had to stay there from 2 hours before game time until the last out was recorded.  So, I had a good excuse.  I miss being on the field, but I also really enjoy coming and going when I want to.  I'm truly going to miss the luxury of living in the same town as Dudy Noble.  It holds so many wonderful memories! 

7.  Hearing Cowbells ring randomly everywhere you go

You may recognize the above from this post.  It's my cowbell that I've had practically since birth.  And I love it.  And (gasp) it's not coming with us.  Chill, we'll have our bride and groom cowbells from our wedding, but as of right now, I want my bell to live at the State House in Starkville.  That's my parent's house in Starkville.  I'm going to miss hearing cowbells sound outside whenever MSU is playing and doing well.  After the Egg Bowl, we rang our bells outside to celebrate.  About a minute later, we heard bells ringing back.  While that's fine in Starkville, I'm not sure it's going to fly in Memphis.  My mom informed me that Memphis had a lot of Ole Miss fans the other day.  Dear Santa...make them disappear before I get there!  K...thanks! :)  Just kidding.  But you can bet, OUR house will have maroon and cowbells (though not our "originals").  Maybe someone should buy me the GTHTSUN maroon t-shirt at the Lodge.  That's all it says on it...seriously.

8. The Veranda Blueplate

If you live in Starkville and you've never had this, drop every thing you're doing and go get you a plate.  For $8, down home cooking can be yours!  I. Love. Veranda. Blue. Plate.  I used to live behind the Veranda, and we would go all of the time!  It was just too easy to walk to!  Plus, we had to turn in to get to our apartments so it was hard to pass up whatever the sign said and go eat a turkey sandwich.  I still remember the days Kate and I would go walking and have to resist the urge to stop in and get whatever dessert was listed on the board.  It was tempting to justify the calories because we had just exercised.  I'll miss the Veranda almost as much as I miss Kate.

9. The Chi Omega house

I know I don't live there anymore, but it will always hold a bunch of special memories for me.  From standing on those stairs 6 1/2 years ago meeting my best friends and bridesmaids to many, many, many late nights of laughter!  Those walls, bricks, steps, columns heard it alllll.  I'll never forget "Bennie and the Jets," watching my friend through the window late one night, community showers, messy rooms, late night talks with Anna, sleepovers in Meg Fly's room, chapter, many rush events and long selection nights, trying to figure out how to get a car in the living room with Natalie, porch swinging with Bethany, Rent marathon during finals, man...the list could go on and on.  Sometimes I find myself driving by just to see it.  Yes, the faces have changed. So has the exterior.  I miss seeing Rachel Iupe's car parked in the President spot and Mama Jones reminding us to push the button to exit.  Yes, it's different.  But driving by reminds me of all those fond memories.  I know I'll always have them, but there's something about riding by that just floods my brain.  I'm going to miss being able to do it whenever I miss my friends.  Reunion soon!  

10. My best friend Bethany

 

No seriously, she's my best friend! For some reason, God saw fit to put us back in the same place for a temporary time.  I have to say this will be the MOST bittersweet part of leaving Starkville.  I move on Friday and she moves right after Christmas.  Bethany came home in May to be at my wedding and help with things that needed to be done before.  And for some reason, God was silent to both of us on where to go this semester.  It was so weird and yet fun having her in Starkville for the semester.  It's like God was saying, "you are best friends, I have you going through the same thing at the same time, lean on one another."  We weren't inseparable like we were in college.  We both had things we had to do, and honestly, I feel like God took her 12 hours away so that I would learn to depend on Him and not her.  However, there are just times you need your best friend.  I would think...man, I really need Bethany...oh wait!  She lives down the street! (well not literally, but closer than 12 hours!)  And off we'd go.  To the bookstore, to Strangebrew, to Freds or Dollar Tree.  Anything to get my mind off of what Satan was telling me.  And strangely, I did the same for her.  I'm so thankful God never allowed us to have a pity party at the same time!  Can you imagine how miserable that would have been.  Bethany continues to be my encourager.  I'm so thankful for the extra time we had in the same place.  I'm not sure that we'll ever have it this way again, but it will make for sweeter and sweeter visits every time we get to see one another.  I am so going to miss my friend.  I'm pretty sure, though there have been no tears yet, leaving Bethany will be the source of many.  I'm so thankful for such a wonderful friend who knows me inside and out!

Well, with that I guess I bid you adieu from Starkville.  It's been a wonderful 6 1/2 years, and I'm going to miss it dearly, BUT I know that God has exciting things in store for us.  I also know I'll be back frequently.  Next time I write, I guess we'll be in Memphis. Don't worry, I plan to keep the blog updated!  I won't forget about you! 

Busy Weekend

I typed this post LAST Sunday. However, due to a mean version of the stomach virus, am just now getting it posted.  Please forgive me! It's from LAST weekend. I'll have an update of this weekend soon.

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The Adams are definitely kicking off the holiday season!  No, we didn't put up a Christmas tree.  I know--it's super sad!  We're just staying busy like most normal families during the holiday season.

If you don't know WHY we aren't putting one up, see this post:  Blue Suede Shoes 

Yup, we're moving to Memphis in 12 days (now 6 days).  And the tears have already started.  I moved to Starkville six and a half years ago FULL of tears.  And it would only be right for me to leave with them, right?  I'm sure there will be more to come on that! For now, let's focus on the fun things we did this weekend.

Our weekend began babysitting our favorite little Loving kiddos. If you're new to the blog, those are our youth minister's children.  His wife Jenny is the one who is so good at couponing.  There are four of them, and we love them all.  Most notable events of the night:  1.) Isabelle (19 mo) blowing kisses with her hand every time David or I would blow her a kiss.  Then once, when she didn't want to do what I was telling her (like to come back where I was), she said "bye, bye."  Oh so cute--I really tried not to laugh.  And we played a game where she pointed to all of her body parts. 2.) Ava (5ish) telling David "knock, knock" jokes to wake him up.  Our favorite went like this:

Ava: Knock, knock
Me: Who's there?
Ava: Yellow
Me: Yellow Who?
Ava: Knock, knock
Me: Who's there?
Ava: Yellow

Me: Yellow Who? 
Ava: Knock, knock
Me: Who. Is. There.
Ava: Yellow

Me: Yellow.  Who.
Ava: Knock, knock
Me: WHO IS THERE???
Ava: Orange.
Me: Orange who?
Ava: How do you tell a toothfairy goodbye?
Me: I don't know.
Ava: LLLLLEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAVVVVEEEEE!


Oh. My. Gosh.  This seriously went on for like 30 minutes.  We did about a bajillion different types of this SAME knock knock joke!  I'm pretty sure she was trying to do the banana/orange joke I taught her last time.  So for most of the joke session I was dying out laughing at the fact she remembered orange as a color and not a fruit. I LOVE THIS KID!  


For that matter, I love them all!  Tessa and Carson are just as fun!  Though, we didn't have any funny stories from them last night.  Sadly, I didn't have my camera this time so you're missing out on those cute kiddos. They are in lots of previous posts though if you wish to catch up.

David has been interim youth minister at a church in Columbus since the end of August, and we have fallen in love with the youth there!  Our Saturday started with taking the youth to David's favorite place in Starkville--lunch and bowl!  And we had the most fun.  I played the best I ever have!  David says it's because the bumpers were covering the gutters, but I really didn't hit them many times.  You can see a few pictures of the girls below.

Chelsea and Allison

Brooke and Avery

Brooke, Avery, Nikki, and Maddie

Later that night, we went to Columbus to watch a few of our youth in their annual dinner theater.  Noah, Avery, and Chelsea were all a part of the acting while many of our youth served up some wonderful dinner that we enjoyed.  They did a play about a family that was crazy busy during the holidays.  The three youth in the production were by far the best!  Though our pastor might not appreciate me saying that since he was also in the production!  We really enjoyed our night out.  You can see some pictures below:

Chelsea's dad Mr. Bill and Noah in conversation during the play

 Chelsea and Avery on the couch during the play.

Afterward, we had to leave quickly because David was due back at the library to tutor.  He's been tutoring Stats students to bring in some extra income.  But right before we left, I grabbed Chelsea for a quick picture.  This girl cracks me up.  She's in the 8th grade and is a faithful reader of the blog.  She claims she's really going to miss David and I when we move to Memphis.  We'll see if she forgets about us!  Many people have told us that she could pass for my daughter, though I'm not sure I'm old enough to have a daughter her age!  She asked her dad if we could adopt her, and he said sure.  I told him she was too expensive for us to afford!  Though I hope she'll come visit when her family travels to Memphis for soccer tournaments!

 

We really are going to miss ALL of the studnets at Woodland Baptist in Columbus, MS when we move.  

The reality is slowly setting in that we're leaving soon.  Let's see how many memories we can make before we leave Starkville!