A weekend with my dad and fam...

Last weekend Brad and I headed up to North Mississippi to visit with my dad and family. We had a fun weekend with all of them and even visited some interesting places.

This is my niece and nephew, Hannah and Jacob. Whenever they come to visit my dad, Poppa D, always takes them to ride on these little rides - remember in a small town there is not a lot to do. This is one of the highlights for them. This was actually Jacob's first time to go with Hannah and mine too.

My brother and sister-in-law, Jason and Amy, left shortly after the kids trip to the "rides", so I didn't get any pictures of them. I will make sure to get a picture next time - sorry Jason and Amy.
Late Saturday afternoon we got out of the house. We went downtown to their annual "Slugburger Festival." There was not much to see as we walked around the square in about 2 minutes, so we decided to go into here - Borroum's Drug Store. It is the oldest working drugstore in Mississippi with a old fashion soda fountain.

I enjoyed a yummy vanilla milkshake. This is my mammaw, Vickie(my stepmom), my dad, and me. Brad and my brother Glen sat at the soda fountain. Brad had a diet coke while Glen had a slugburger and strawberry milkshake.

As most things were closing by this point and we wanted something to do, my dad decided to take us to this really nice restaurant in Pickwick. When we drove up I was a little bit unsure if he knew what he was talking about... But once we got inside it was a very neat place. They had antiques everywhere. They also had white table clothes and candles on all the tables and the food was really good. It was a lot of fun. My dad just knows how to find these random little places with so much character.

Glen, Vickie, and Dad

Me and my mammaw

Me and Brad at the Broken Spoke Cafe. I highly recommend it if you are ever in Pickwick.

Our Vacation

Last week we went on vacation to the beach - Destin. We actually stayed in a beach house off 30-A in between Seagrove and Rosemary beach. We went with Brad's cousins and had a blast!!! We also got to see Brad's brother, sister-in-law, and nephews who were staying at Blue Mountain beach. We ate at a lot of yummy places while we were there and did a little shopping, too. We also enjoyed watching some amazing fireworks from the beach. We could see fireworks from every where. I had never been on the beach for the 4th, but really enjoyed it. The only thing I missed was not hearing the patriotic music. Brad and Brandon, his cousin, tried to sing for me but it was not the same. Even so the fireworks were great! Here are some of my pics.

This is Brad trying to fix baby Wesley's hair. I think baby Wesley is thinking, "Brad are you sure you can do this?"

The cousins - TJ, Brittany, Wesley, Brandon, Rachel, and Blair

This is a picture at our favorite restaurant down there - Old Florida Fish House. This was our first time to eat there, but a local we met on the beach recommend it to us. We went our last night with the cousins and loved it!!! We highly recommend it to everyone. It is off HWY 30-A passed Seaside on the left (coming from Destin).

Jay, Ashley, and Wesley

TJ, Todd, and Rachel

Me, Brad, and our baby. Okay not really, but we thought our picture would be cuter with him in it. Isn't he a doll!!! We think so and will take him anytime you want us to Jay and Ashley!!

Brittany, Brandon, and Blair

One more pic of sweet Wesley. That smile is priceless!!!

We had a wonderful time and didn't want to come back home. SOOO we didn't! We actually stayed an extra night thanks to Chuck and Shannon (Brad's brother and sister-in-law). We packed up our stuff at the beach house on Saturday morning and then headed over to Blue Mountain beach to spend one more day on the beach. Before we went to the beach we did eat breakfast at Another Broken Egg Cafe in Grayton Beach which I also highly recommend!! I must add that the beach there was amazing!! We really enjoyed hanging out with Chuck, Shannon, and the boys. They even let us stay the night with them and of course that meant one more night of yummy food. Thank you so much Chuck and Shannon!!! We were still sad to come back, but thankfully I didn't have to go back to work just yet!

Chuck and Shannon - Happy Birthday Shannon!!!

Shannon and Me (the last day and we both got fried. Not on purpose, though. I think we were just both talking so much and enjoying being together that we forgot. Woops)

Jimmy, Chuck, Phillip, Brad, and Peyton (in the front)

Kristen's Wedding

So I am going to have to back track a little. I was so busy for the last two weeks of June with finishing up with school and then we went on vacation the first week of July. This is my first week to relax at home.

I'll start with Kristen's Wedding pics. The entire weekend was so nice! We started off with a bridesmaid's luncheon at the Fairview Inn downtown. That was my first time there. It was so nice. I had to leave work (my last day) to go, but it was so worth it. I didn't get any pics from the lunch though.

Then for the rehearsal that night I was able to spend some time with my good friend Dana who now lives in TN. I actually met Kristen through Dana when Dana, Chrissie, and I lived together after I got out of school. We only lived with Dana for 3 months, but that was all it took to be life long friends. I also got to spend some time with my new friend Lindsay and see all the girls I went to Destin with.

Me, Kristen, and Dana

Lindsay and Me

The wedding was at our church, Pinelake. It was fun helping Kristen get dressed and hanging out with all of her wonderful friends. Kristen is one of the most loyal friends I have and it shows in the great fun friends she had with her on her special day.

Courtney, Amanda, Ginger, and Me

Dorothy, Jennifer S., and Angie

Isn't she just beautiful!!!!

"Wait, I need something to eat before I go down that aisle!" - Kristen "Not before we cover that dress!" - all of us

Jessica (sister), Dana, Kristen, and Mary Margaret (sister)

Kristen's photographer was David Legg. I highly recommend them. He and Mary Katherine did a great job and were a lot fun to work with!!!

The reception was of course lovely, too. It was held at the yacht club. The food and music were wonderful. All in all I so enjoyed being a part of Kristen's big day. It was a lot of fun and we all made memories and friends that will last a lifetime. Thanks Kristen for letting me be a part of your engagement and wedding festivities!!!

John and Kristen

Me and Elias (Chrissie's cutie pie)

Dana and Chrissie (My two room mates when I first moved to Jackson

Me, Kristen, and Ginger (these two girls were my room mates for a year and a half before I got married)

The Beautiful Bride!!!

It's Our Anniversary!!!

We have made it another year, yeah!!! Today Brad and I have been married for two years. I can hardly believe it! I still feel like we are newly weds. Marriage has been a lot of things - fun, hard, laughs, cries, encouragement, love, companionship, and most of all learning. Learning not just about Brad, but learning so much more about myself. I think probably the continuous theme of this learning process has been none other than... selfishness - it's not all about me. The more I see how selfish I am the more I think how in the world could Brad love me, but then that love is what reminds me of something greater than either one of us - Christ's love for us. The more I experience marriage day by day the more I see how God is using it as another way to show us Himself in a personal way. I am so thankful for the way God is using Brad to show me Himself. Brad is always busy doing something to make life easier for me by working, cooking, cleaning, etc.... He is always ready to help a friend in need. He is always willing to talk things out - communicate. Brad in one word is a servant! So thank you Lord for marriage and most importantly thank you for Brad!

Enjoying our Vacation!!!!