Happy Birthday....

to my wonderful husband!!! Today, Emory is celebrating his 27th birthday!! Last year, we were at the beach for his birthday, and not only was it a great day because we were celebrating the day of birth of my #1 man, but he also asked me to marry him!! Yep, last year, on his birthday, we began the journey to husband and wife! (Click here and here for the story!)
So, today, just one year later we are celebrating again! This time, as husband and wife! What a wonderful year it has been! I am looking forward to celebrating SO MUCH MORE for years and years to come!

I know I talk about him sometimes on the blog, but I don't think I have ever dedicated a post just to him! So, what better way to celebrate him on his birthday? A little about my husband....he grew up in south Alabama. He was the quarterback and valedictorian. He graduated from The University of Alabama and then got  his masters. He now works as an engineer. He is a duck hunter in the winter, a fisherman in the summer and the best guy I know! He knows how to take care of anything at home! He likes to build things and will always do things himself (and correctly)! He always makes me smile and he cares about everyone else's happiness above his own! He can be quiet and shy, but once he warms up to you and becomes your friend, he is the best friend anyone has ever known! He works so I can stay at home. I love being here when he leaves and greeting him when he comes home! I love that he loves tradition as much as I do! I love roadtrips and traveling with him or just snuggling on the couch and watching tv with him! Anything we do together is always thes best time! He is the sweetest husband and I am so happy to be celebrating him today! So, Happy Birthday Emory! I love you so much!

Great birthday weekend!!!!!

Well, I had a wonderful birthday weekend! I started it off by leaving work a little early to get a haircut which was amazing!! I added some layers and bangs! Then we went and saw Gamechanger, the movie about Nick Saban. It definitely got me in the mood for football season starting this weekend!!! We had dinner at one of my favorite restraunts and then had some drinks and enjoyed the beginning of fall weather and some live music.

Saturday, we hung an Alabama flag (that Emory got me for my birthday) and put out our alabama rug by our front door, and put new alabama stickers on our cars. Can you tell we are ready for football season??

Sunday, we grilled steaks at my mom's with my parents and my brother and his girlfriend. We also added a new member to our family!!! He is an 8 week old Weimaraner and he is the cutest thing ever! We just have to name him! He is doing well so far, I hope he keeps it up!!

25 years....

I can't believe that I am celebrating the start of my 25th year. It seems like yesterday I was blogging about being 24!! I had no idea what my 24th year on earth would bring, but it was an awesome one!! Here is a little recap....
1. I met my wonderful husband.
2. I spent new years in New Orleans.
3. I quit my job.
4. I moved.
5. I got ENGAGED!
6. I got MARRIED!!
7. I went to Europe for the first time on my honeymoon.
8. I saw the Eiffel Tower!
9. I got a new job (that I love)!!

That is alot of stuff crammed into one year. And that is only just all of the highlights. There are so many other things that I didn't even mention. I couldn't be happier. I have the most wonderful husband, the best family, and the best friends a girl could ever dream of. So, needless to say, 24 has been hands-down the best year yet. But, I am welcoming my 25th year with open arms! Here's to another wonderful year, and with so many wonderful people in my life to celebrate, it can't be anything but great!!

And since I never post pictures anymore, here are some of my favorites from the year 24...




** If you haven't checked out my last post about everything awesome, you should. It will explain where this great new look came from!! (Thanks again Miranda!!) Oh, and you should grab my button, because I definitely have one of those now!! Go, you know you want to!!

24

My cry.
Sitting up.
My first steps.
My green eyes.
My sassy attitude.
My independent nature.
My first day of school.
Learning to drive.
Graduation speech.
Moving me to college.
Graduation from college.
My first job.

All things that my parents weren't sure they were going to get to enjoy on this day 24 years ago.
They were expecting a baby sometime in November of 1985, a daughter and a sister who would join a brother six years her senior. But, that was not the plan. I was born in August. A full three months before I was expected to arrive. Not only was it unexpected, it wasn't easy. That day or for a while after. I was tiny. I stayed in the protection of the hospital until my due date three months later. I couldn't wear normal clothes, only those made for what would become my favorite accessory: a cabbage patch doll. I had to take growth hormone shots until I turned 15. I had to visit a hospital in a town 2 hours away every 3-6 months. However, this didn't slow me down, didn't keep me from learning to be a fighter, appreciate life, enjoy things, make friends, endure heartaches, and develop an independent attitude. Nope, here I am, 24 years later still going strong and you would never know where I had come from and that I almost didn't make it here. So, today at 2:10 pm, I will welcome the start of my 24th year, and be thankful. Thankful for God giving me a purpose and letting me begin on the journey we call life, thankful to my mom for letting me share her for those 6 months. As she always said, I came into the world fighting and I haven't quit. I fight for what I believe is right, fight for what I want, and sometimes fight to be heard. But, I am me, here I am, closing the door on 23 and opening the door to 24. Happy Birthday to me! Here's to many more.