Sunday, September 25, 2011

We're Here!

I am sorry it has been a little while since I have blogged! We were very busy packing the last boxes up for our move back to North Arkansas. When you move, there's always lots to be done in a small amount of time. It can be stressful sometimes, especially when you have lots of  "junk" like us! HA!
We loaded the Uhaul truck on Friday and traveled to NWA Saturday. Boy, was it loaded full, y'all!
 Family and friends helped us a lot this weekend and we appreciated it very much.
 Here is Mama!
 My cousin, Cliff, came to help yesterday afternoon, too. I had to get a picture with the tall guys! Ha!
 This afternoon, we continued to settle in our new place and I was surprised to find our Fall wreath!
 We are so excited to be here again!!!
 Russell and Belle
Me and Belle in front of our place

But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or turn back. Where you go I will go, where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your god my god". Rut 1:16

Monday, September 12, 2011

Almost There!

We had a few days in between Russell's jobs to take time to find an apartment or rent house last week. Wednesday, we woke up really early and traveled to NWA! It was time hunt for homes! Most of all, we wanted to catch up with friends, though. :)
When we lived in NWA before, my hairstylist was Laynette. We were like peas and carrots because we are both from South Arkansas and we just understand each other a lot! Laynette and her family mean so much to us. It had been WAY too long since I got my hair cut and colored, so I am so excited that Laynette is my hairstylist again! 
 We had to get a picture together.
 We decided to take a stroll around the Bentonville sqare. I was just like a kid in a candy store once we got there. It was just so exciting for both of us!
 This isn't great picture quality, but here we are!
 This is Russell's plate of spaghetti and fried chicken. I know what you are thinking. "Spaghetti? With fried chicken???" Yes, it's what The Venesian Inn is famous for. So good.

Thursday, September 8th, was our 4 year anniversary. We hunted for homes that morning and took a well deserved lunch break at Five Guys. I have heard so many great things about this place. It is very good. We will go back there soon!
 Yum!
Russell and I have been SO busy lately, as you know. We love going to our favorite store, Lifeway. There is a movie coming out on the 30th called 'Courageous'. It is based off the Bible verse, Joshua 24:15. Lifeway had quite a few Courageous movie items for sale. Russell and I thought we would have a "Courageous themed anniversary" with our gifts. It was fun to do that. Casual, but fun. HA!
 We also took some time to visit the Walmart Visitor Center. They updated it a lot recently and it looks so good.
 The Spark Cafe on the square
 Oh my gosh! I cannot believe it's been four years already! This is a quick picture taken before we left for dinner.
 We went to Ruth's Chris. It was OH sooo good! We really enjoyed it. It was so nice.
 Hello! Here is my wonderful steak!
 Potatoes Au Gratin we shared.
 We each got a free dessert. This is Russell's before he gobbled it up. I told the waiter we were also celebrating moving back in a few weeks so he put candles in our desserts! Ha!

Okay, I know what you are thinking, but yes we love to eat! HA!
 Friday, we tried a new frozen yogurt place, Orange Leaf. So good!
 That afternoon, we also played miniature golf. It was so fun.

 I got such a kick out of Russell because he kept losing the golf ball in the water so he had to fish it out with a net a few times. So funny!
 That night we had a great time with Amy, Tony, and Leighann. She ADORES Minnie Mouse. We played with Disney playdough and sang Minnie Mouse songs. So fun!
 Look at her stirring in the brownie mix! Love that apron!

Saturday, we finally found an apartment. Whew! After that, we spent time with our friends, Kelsey and Brian. We took a trip to the Terra Studios. It is a small attraction in NWA. If you have ever heard of the bluebird of happiness, this is where they are made.
 Me and my sweetie.
 Me and Kelsey! She is the sweetest! So glad we got together!
 Brian and Kelsey in front of the gazebo.
 Terranium
 Making a bluebird.....
 Ta-Da! So pretty!

 Sunday, of course, was 9-11, ten years later. That morning, we went to a special church service. I was moved to tears. I admit, I began tearing up when we all said the pledge of allegiance! It was a great service, though.
 After Sunday school, we ran into one of the sweetest, kindest people I know, Jenny. I have to take a few moments to tell y'all about her. I knew of Jenny from the praise team at church, but didn't know her that well. Three years ago, Jenny called me the day my Daddy had brain surgery and told me who she was and she wanted to come visit me. Both her parents passed away from brain cancer and yes, it was and still can be painful. But Jenny helped me in many ways because she was there with me and she could relate to what I was going through. We bonded the day we met in person and have been close ever since. She is a precious joy to me!
Lastly, Russell and I went to a potluck our Sunday school class organized! Here are all the girls enjoying a great lunch. I love all of these girls SO much! We are looking forward to getting to know each of them even better. Such a blessing! Now we are home and finishing our packing. Hope y'all have a wonderful week! XOXO!

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15

Sunday, September 11, 2011

One Nation Under God-- We Remember 9-11-01

 I pledge allegiance to the flag
 of the United States of America
 And to the republic on which it stands
 ONE NATION UNDER GOD
Indivisible...
 With liberty and justice for ALL.

Ten years later, we remember where we were on September 11, 2001.
I remember 9-11-01 and will never forget how I found out. Ten years ago, I was sixteen years old and working as an aide in the counselor's office during first period at school. After I got back from an errand, I noticed a couple staff members glued to the TV. I then see the thick black smoke rising up from the twin towers. Just devastating. We were all in complete and utter shock. Our school spent the rest of the day glued to the televisions. I still can't believe 10 years have passed. The picture above still leaves us all speechless.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Razorbacks and Packing

How has everyone's weekend been so far? Good, I hope! Weekends tend to fly by. Today is the first Arkansas Razorback game. It's actually going on now as I follow it on Twitter. So far, we are winning! Go HOGS! 
 Russell hung our Razorback flag outside. WOO PIG SOOIE!
And guess who also had to look cute for the Hogs game?
............................?????..........................
 Belle, of course! See her red ribbons? Oh, and by the way, it was so hard to tie them on her! HA!

So we are still packing. We have gotten a lot accomplished. I told Russell that I haven't felt this organized in a long time. Well, I will have to wait until moving day to see if the organization lasts or not. :)

Look what we got to give ourselves packing inspiration? Razorback packing tape. We only got one roll of it so we thought today was the perfect time to start using it since it's game day.
 We love our Razorbacks! We want to go to a game, but we are not sure which one we can go to. I have not been to a Razorback football game in a loong time, but I still am a huge fan! :)
I can officially say I have the Razorback Fever.

On another note, Russell's last day at Murphy USA is  soon. That means we are one step closer to moving in a few weeks. We will soon be NWA bound! 
For fun, I did that accent vlog the other day. It's below this post...if you are interested. Well, I better go! Hope y'all have a great rest of the weekend!

As iron sharpens iron, man sharpens man. Proverbs 27:17

Thursday, September 1, 2011

The Accent Tag the Southern Belle Way

My very 1st vlog. Have fun!
Aunt, Roof, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting Image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught, Naturally, Aluminum, Envelope

1. What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
2. What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
3. What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
4. What do you call gym shoes?
5. What do you say to address a group of people?
6. What do you call the kind of spider (or spider-like creature) that has an oval shaped body and extremely long legs?
7. What do you call your grandparents?
8. What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
9. What do you call it when rain falls whie the sun is shining?
10. What is the thing you change the TV channel with?

I hope we entertained y'all!

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24