Day 500: Harrison

What better way to enjoy my 500th day in Knoxville than a visit from one of my favs. Harrison is in town this weekend to see sweet Mary Scott at UT and I am so excited to get to see her.
Here's to friendships that last for a long, long time.

In honor of this visit, I celebrated a favorite moment of Harrison in my wedding (above).

And a favorite picture of her and MSC...



Love you! Jesus loves you more!

Day 494: Lanie!

Lanie came to Knoxville for the National Showdown of Champions - Clogging Competition. And...I got to go to see with her!! Here is to perfect friends, good meals, and genuine conversation.

I didn't have a photo from the competition, so I went with some wedding favorites.





Love you Lanie.

Jesus loves you more.

Day 467 and 453: Annual Reunions

One of my favorite things about Christmas is time with my favs and favorite high school friends.
Every year, for the past 3 years, I have enjoyed our holiday Christmas Tea with my favs, who i have loved and shared life wiht for the past 8 years...almost 9! this year, I wanted them to know know...

1. Everyone needs a Christmas tree. Not when you have a "big enough place." Not when you get married. Not "next year." We are all a part of Christ's story. Now. This year. Today.

2. Christmas is about receiving! Christ is God's gift to us. Open your heart to this life giving truth.

3. We all have hard times. These girls are incredible. Amazing. Fantastically accomplished women. But even they have hard times and questions about life. And we are blessed with our friends to push us, pull us, and carry us through. Friends are God's way of taking care of us.

This 3rd point is what brings me to another fabulous holiday reunion. every year, for longer than I can remember, I get together with my wonderful high school friends, the Zins. We just get better with age. Lots has changed over the years. Loves. Loss. Marathons. Moves across the state, over the mountains, and to the big apple. Grad schools. Careers. Kids. Through each stage, we have a common thread. And even when one of us can't make it, there is always the promise of next year! These are not just my locker partners...they are soul mates.

But we missed Jess's pic taking this year. Here's some vintage Zin!

Day 417: A tale of 2 Presidents

My favs.

So many girls I love.

11 junior Bridesmaids...and one honorary Junior Bridesmaid present in spirit via Enrique Iglesias.

8 years and counting.

And now...

2 Sorority Presidents!!

Congratulations Lauren Mc and Lea!!

Clearly, sitting to my right hand is a good thing....

Day 407: Our 1st Christmas Card

The holiday season is offically here! And we have reached a new milestone as newlyweds!
Tonight on facebook, we received our first Christmas card as a married couple!

Yes, Kellynn is sticking out her tongue.
Thanks Elmo.

Watch it here->

Afternoon quote

"Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties" - Erich Fromm

Thanks again LB!

Quote of the afternoon

“Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be” -George Sheehan

Thanks LB...again

Quote of the morning

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
-Marianne Williamson

Thanks LB

Day 240: Mother/Daughter Shower

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you since I have you in my heart. - Philipians 1:7

Those were the words on the napkins made for my shower this weekend. After a nice Friday of visiting and introducing my mom to my favs, she and I arrived the Saturday morning to gorgeous brunch with girls, mothers, daughters, and friends. The invitations where the prettiest I had ever seen. We were in the Young's home, where I used to meet for Bible study (a.k.a. Breakfast group) on Fridays. The home so lovely, recently rebuilt after a tragic fire last year. The whole weekend, I was so aware - how things change and how they are still constant. I really felt like Spartanburg was no longer my home. But I still loved being there. I am no longer with these folks all the time, but they still know me so well (as evident in their choices of gifts for me). Just like the Young's home was new, the girls lives in college are new, my life with Brad is a new wonderful adventure. I love, love, love what we had. But I am also so, so glad to carry these sweet friends into my life in the future.

Oh, and the menu...coffee, pink lemonade, and strawberry tea. Brekafast casserole, pastries and treats, and Mrs. Hudson's susage rolls. And, of course...the Tiller's world famous grits!

Diversion: AprilBabees

Here is to you, oh AprilBabee,
You are the incarnation of all the it is to be a Fav
With your left hand stretched up into the air,
You voice loudly proclaiming the truth of your birth month,
With the extravagancy of our friendship embodied in the longevity of the final syllable
You, AprilBabee, bring memories of all that Breakfast Group means
You may or may not finish the reading,
And you will likely continue to talk about Tshirts in order to distract from that fact,
You look grown up and perfectly poised,
But deep down, we all still wish you acted out Bible stories,
You do know the court way to pass and fork
And you will remind us all
And yes, we know you are hording the powdered sugar and strawberries

But dearest AprilBabees,
You mean more to me than I can say.
You, AprilBabees, are greater than 3 individual women,
You are the representation of all Laurens, all Carolina girls, 2 sweet twins, and even a famous Red Head.
You, and all your friends,
You, who will bring the light of Christ down the aisle and go before me on my wedding day,
You, will always be my AprilBabees,
And along with all my girls, will always be my Favs!

The day’s in between….snowfall, tea, and 2010

Well, we didn’t get any in Spartanburg, but inbetween all these wall posts, snow was derailing my plans to be in Spartanburg for work and fun. Once I finally got there, there were results from a great Rice Bowls campaign at Grace Management and lots of brainstorming for work in 2010. On the personal side there was the annual girls’ Christmas tea at the Tillers, a sweet gift with my future monogram, some wedding daydreaming, and lots of Bridesmaid and Junior Bridesmaid asking!!
After days of trying and being detoured by the Asheville/Johnson City Snow…it was worth it!

"Friends are God's Way of Taking Care of Us."
So glad you girls will be part of our wedding. Here's to braclets, ornaments, and "verses".

Reminder: Some things don't change

"I the Lord do not change." - Malachi 3:6

Diversion: Emily Ray

I just became a "Fan" of Emily Ray Jewelry on Facebook! Check out this fabulous Spartanburg jewelry designer. Lovely jewelry featured on this lovely model...one of my favs!