Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas...with just a few pictures!











  • MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!! I know I need to "catch up," but it's getting late. This is about all that I have time for tonight. These pictures are from Heather Grace's wedding last weekend, a tacky Christmas sweater party, and Christmas at Grannie's house. I'd like to post more, but like I said...I'm doing good just to get these up!
  • Today was wonderful. We woke up (a little early!) to open presents. Then, Grandmama, Granddaddy, Grannie, and Pa Pa came over for breakfast. This is a tradition that we've had as long as I can remember. Dad made eggs, grits, ham, bacon, sausage, and biscuits. It was so good! I am so thankful to still have all of my grandparents living and able to spend Christmas day with us! After we ate our breakfast, Gavin and I showed them our presents.
  • As for the rest of the day...we just kind of were lazy. No one went anywhere! We got together with the Browns on Monday and the Weeks family on Tuesday, so we didn't have another place to go! It was great just to lay around, watch movies, and eat...of course!
  • I am so thankful to have Jesus at the center of our Christmas. Today is just another reminder of His love for us...that He would come to Earth as a baby so we could have a relationship with Him. Emmanuel, our God is WITH us!
--For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11



Monday, December 1, 2008

Just in time for Christmas!

I just had to put these pictures up. Hope I don't get in trouble ;-)






I thought after all the success with the pumpkin that a gingerbread house would be no problem, but you can see here how we sort of struggled. I think it was the combination of being full, tired, and a little down about Carolina's loss on Saturday.



Oh, and one more thing. In case you are wondering... Yes, that's a guy. His name is Andrew. That's all I'm saying for right now! :-)



Have a great week!




Wednesday, November 26, 2008

50 Random things...

Ok, so several of my friends have done this...so unlike my "normal self," I'm jumping on the train! Hope I can make it to 50...

Random things that you may not know about me!

1. One of my pet peeves is when two people sit on one side of a booth at a restaurant. I'm sorry if you do this, but I think it's kinda strange looking!

2. I am terrified of newspaper. Well, not really scared...but I will NOT touch it. I think it's because I touched it once when I was a kid. All I remember is that I got ink on my hands, and that really bothered me!

3. My middle name is Annette. I was named for an aunt who died before I was born. She was blonde, a singer, loved to be around friends and family, and loved entertaining. It's funny that I am sort of like her...

4. I am a night owl. I don't really "get going" til about 10am. I could stay up until about 3am every night...actually, 3am is the day! ;-)

5. I caught the carpet of my Pastor's house on fire when I was younger. By younger....I think I was 13!

6. The one time I can't talk is when I need to warn someone about something. My Dad hit a deer once because all I could do to warn him was point and say, "Uhh...da da da dahhhh...that!"

7. I used to memorize the entire children's Christmas play when I was younger and make my parents video me singing through it. I even did the spoken parts! We have proof of this!

8. I can't ride fair rides. I think it's the fact that they go round and round. I can do Carowinds, but I can't do the fair. Maybe it's the combo of fair food, smoke, and the ride that does me in.

9. Paul Newman is the only movie star that I've ever said was attractive! And...he just passed away. Yeah, he was before my time.

10. I was a little tomboy when I was younger. I refused to pierce my ears until I was 18, and it took me until 15 to start wearing makeup. Let's put it this way...I didn't play with Barbies.

11. When I find a song that I like, I will literally listen to it over and over again. Then, weeks later...I've moved on to the next favorite.

12. I take my camera with me everywhere I go. You can capture some pretty good moments that way.

13. I always wanted to a mouseketeer, but Mom wouldn't let me audition. Seriously, I would have done it in a heartbeat.

14. I hate math. I always have.

15. I still have all four of my grandparents. They (with my parents) will always be the ones I admire the most.

16. I could eat warmed brownies and vanilla ice cream every day.

17. Vitamins make me sick...seriously sick.

18. I love to travel. When I travel by plane, I like to dress up.

19. I used to think that the big bad wolf lived at the end of my hallway at night when it was dark. So, if I ever had to walk down it...I would sprint!

20. I am obsessed with people's names and what they mean.

21. I love star gazer lilies. I think they smell amazing!!!!! I will probably have them in my wedding bouquet...I like them that much!

22. I can eat sunflower seeds like they're going out of style. Secretly, I spit out the shells. Mom hates it!

23. My nicknames when I was a kid were "Boogaloo" and "Squirrel." Both were straight from Dad.

24. My Dad ALWAYS brought us a snack from the gas station...usually a Pepsi and a Zero Bar or Three Musketeers...I will never forget that.

25. I used to write notes to get out of my 4th block class early in high school. My teacher found out though, since I did it for two weeks in a row one time.

26. I was a pageant girl in high school. Not the "Little Miss Pumpkin Patch" pageants, just high school pageants, Junior Miss, etc.

27. I broke my arm the summer before my 7th grade year jumping a fence. I don't jump too many fences now.

28. I would be a newborn nursery nurse for the sole fact that they get to hold, feed, and play with newborn babies all day long!

29. I'm not good with surprises. My cardinal rule is: Don't tell me that you have to tell me something...then, make me wait! Haha.

30. I really want to go to Hawaii and Australia.

31. I sleep in the middle of the bed, and I like for it to be completely dark.

32. I can't tell you when the last time I salted my food was.

33. I don't like watermelon or cantaloupe.

34. I believe that the Bible is pretty specific about caring for widows and orphans. I would love to adopt one day...but I'm not saying that I have to.

35. I am allergic to cats.

36. I'm not a very "mushy romantic" person. I don't need love notes, songs, fancy dates, or loads of flowers. I'd rather just spend time with someone.

37. My parents bought me the Camry when I was in the 9th grade. It was my basketball team's first loss of the season, in which I was double teamed and scored no points. I walked outside, they showed me the car, and I said, "Let's go home." Sounds bratty...but I was just really mad.

38. The first time got stung was by two wasps on my pitching arm at an all star tournament in Hanahan, SC. I had to go make sure I wasn't allergic, so I had to be the designated hitter for the rest of the game.

39. I get one of two things when I go to Starbucks: a regular cup of coffee or a chai tea latte

40. I love the summer. I am the happiest person when it starts getting warm outside, and a pretty sad one when it gets chilly.

41. I never missed a Sunday at church until I was 15. We went to church even on vacation...

42. I have two habits. I twist my hair and rock from side to side...mostly, it's when I sing.

43. I would love to have a big family one day. I always say, I'd take as many kids as my marriage and body can handle! Haha!

44. I was supposed to see Coldplay in concert three years ago, but Chris Martin (the lead singer) got sick, and they cancelled the show!

45. I was always really skinny, and I used to pray that I would get some meat on my bones. What was I thinking???

46. I'm not very good at keeping in touch by phone.

47. I love the song "Claire de Lune" (classical piano). One time, I heard a husband and wife play it as a duet, and I actually cried.

48. I was in a show once and my character had to list off (in a song) all the names of Jacob's 12 sons. I'm pretty sure that I forgot a couple, so I said Reuben and Levi an extra time.

49. If I could, I would sit down and talk to each of my patients for an hour!

50. I talk in my sleep...and people have been telling me that for years!

Ok, if you've made it through even a fourth of these and haven't stopped...I'm impressed. I'm sure Mom will read every single one. Writing all these kinda made me laugh at some strange parts of my life. All right...that's it for me!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Time to catch up!!!!!

Well, I went home to vote the other day. Mom informed me very quickly that it was high time that I get on the ball with my blog. So, I'm trying to think of where I left off...I'm just going to do a list.

1. We moved into our new house. Mom says "it has a little ways to go," but we love it! I spent the night for the first time on Monday. It's so quiet and peaceful where the house is. No neighborhood dogs anymore!!!!!

2. My Dad went to Honduras last week and got back on Sunday! He said that it was an amazing trip, but he'd never seen it rain as much as it did while he was there. Their group saw over 1700 patients. Wow!

3. My thyroid biopsy results came back normal....SO...that means...no cancer and no surgery right now! Praise the Lord! I still have to follow up with the doctor, and I may end up on some medication...but hey, that beats surgery any day!

4. I went to the fair a few weeks ago...and got sick!!! Boo... Actually, we all did. I had to leave early....I think the lights, rides, and food just are too much for me. Ginny said, "There's a reason why adults don't ride those rides....and we ARE at child-bearing age!!!!" Hahaha. I don' know about all that. I can handle Carowinds and the rides there, but it's something about the fair, the smell of smoke and grease....blah...it doesn't do it for me!






5. I've carved pumpkins twice this fall. Actually, I haven't carved a thing. I hollowed out the inside of one of them, but I still helped a little. I'll post some pictures. You have to see the talent that went into these pumpkins!








6. Camille came to visit me this weekend. We went to the Carolina game and got to see Tennessee lose! We also got to sit with the two cutest guys ever...our dates (haha!) Actually, we used Michael's tickets and sat beside his brother, Ryan and his friend Connor. Don't worry...they're 9th graders. However, I must say...it was the best date that I've ever had!

Ok, that's all for now. I'll try to keep this updated more....only a few more weeks of school and Christmas!!!!!!!!! I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

What the Browns have been up to...


Well, we are officially moving! I saw "we," because although Gavin and I don't live with Mom and Dad anymore, this is still a family effort! The picture above is where we'll be soon!This morning was hilarious. We cleaned out the attic, and let me just tell you how funny going through 20+ years of "stuff" is. We found old IDs of moms from high school, Dad's "love" letters (not to/from Mom...), and lots of our old toys and books. Mom still had our crib up there, which was her's too! She asked if I wanted it for my kids, and I had to tell her that by the time that happens, I'll probably just want one of my own. Since Gavin may end up having kids before me, she ought to ask him! We found cabbage patch dolls, Teddy Ruxpin, Berenstain bears books (my favorite!), Gavin's old fire trucks (which made my life pretty miserable for about 3 solid years!), ALL of my old school books, and much more! I think Mom really loves us a lot, cause she's managed to save everything we've breathed on in our lives! Just kidding, Mom. So, we're set to close on the house in a couple of weeks. We should be moved in just in time to have the family for Thanksgiving, as always. I'm so happy for Mom and Dad. They're really excited. I'm not going to lie...I'm a little like my friend Lisa, who bawled when her parents sold her beloved family van. I am starting to get a little emotional about certain aspects of moving. This morning while I was eating breakfast and looking out the window, I thought, "This is probably the last time I'll do this at 223 Sylvan Road!" I looked over at the fireplace that I made into my weekly stage for all my musical performances, and I got a little sad! Mom even took down most of the pictures in the den already...sad, sad, sad! Ok, I'm going to stop now. I sound silly. I'm sure some of you know what I'm talking about. It must be a girl thing!
I am the only one awake in my house now. Gavin has spent an entire day hunting practically. He went early this morning and again later this afternoon into the evening. Those of you who know me and my family well know that hunting is a HUGE part of us! We have learned to live without the men in our family for a few days out of the year. The one day that comes to mind the most is Thanksgiving. The boys have always been gone on Thanksgiving morning. They come back around just in time for the whole family to get together for Thanksgiving lunch. I vividly remember my Dad, brother Gavin, Granddaddy, Uncle Gene, cousin Miles, and their friends going every year, and coming back home to report to all the girls. I think they killed 22 one year on Thanksgiving. I love that they hunt. It's great to have a hobby, and it's just a tradition that they've kept going for years. So, since Gavin went today...he is passed out on the couch...Mom too....Dad is in his usual seat...snoring! Haha. I hope he never reads this, cause he'll kill me!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Oldies....

These are some pictures I found on my computer back home!!!!!!!!!
Most of them are from a few years back.
Last Formal - May 2006

Cameron's Wedding - July 2006 (I don't know what exactly we were doing!)


Gabe- after he ran a mile in 6 minutes!!!! (He's six in this picture)

Rachael's Wedding - June 2006

Mom, Grannie, and me after Gavin's graduation...she'll kill me for putting this up!


Beth's Wedding - June 2006



Graduation - May 2006



Friday, October 3, 2008

Tagged!

Erica got me with this, so here it goes....

Attached or Single?
Single...that's all I have to say ;-)

Best Friend?
Well, I have many close friends...but I must say if there was anyone who I met exactly when I needed her, it would be Camille Keil!

Cake or Pie?
I'd rather have cake, but if it's Chocolate or Apple pie...I'll take it too!

Day of Choice?
Definitely Saturday

Essential Item?
Mary Kay eye makeup remover. I hate going to bed with mascara on my lashes...gross!

Flavor of Ice Cream?
Chocolate/Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Gummy Bears or Worms?
Bears

Hometown?
Greenwood, SC

Indulgences?
lately...I'm hooked on stopping by Starbucks several times each week...but mostly, it's certain clothes/shoes

January or July?
July...I'll take warm over cold any day!

Kids?
No...but one day I will. I love love love kids!!!

Last Movie I saw in a Theater?
"Nights at Rodanthe" and it was good!

Middle Name?
Annette- I was named for my aunt who passed away before I was born.

Number of Siblings?
One

Oranges or Apples?
I'm so indecisive...I can't make these tough choices! Umm....apples!

Phobia or Fear?
I HATE the newspaper. I think I got some ink on my hands when I was younger, because I will not get anywhere near one. I have never read one in my entire life! Literally--you could chase me around the room with a newspaper, and I'd run!

Quote?
"For those to who much is given--much is required!"

A Reason to Smile?
...because God is good...no matter what!


Season?
Summer

Tag five more:
Abby, Paula, Kristi Hood, Sara, Danielle

Unknown Fact About Me?
I sang in front of Barack Obama at a church service he came to last year in Columbia! I hope I jinxed him...so that he can't win!

Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals?
I could never be a vegetarian! Go meat!

Worst Habit?
twirling my hair...

X-rays or Ultrasounds?
Well...neither, but I'd rather have an ultrasound...I'll pass on the radiation!

Your favorite Food?
Chicken!!!!!

Zodiac?
Aeries