2 Years and Cotton

Today is Brian and I's 2 year anniversary! At the same time I feel like I can't believe it has already been two years and I can't believe it has only been two years. I can still vividly remember hoping and praying to find my soulmate, but my how that seems like so long ago. I feel as though Brian has been in my life forever and that makes me happy.

Brian and I met years and years ago while we were both out with our friends. I remember thinking how cute he was and how beautiful his eyes were. I can close my eyes and still picture him standing there and how I had butterflies in my tummy. We talked and he got my number and yes he called, but the timing was off for both of us. Years passed and I still thought him every now and again and wondered what he was doing or where he was and then low and behold in October of 2006 we ran into each other again. He was with the same group of guys that he had been with all those years before. When I saw him walk in I was determined to not let him slip away again, so I proceeded up to him and hugged his neck and promptly gave him my number (but only after I found out that he was single). Our first official date was that following Friday night, November 3, 2006. He picked me up at my house in Montgomery and we went to dinner at Bone Fish Grill and we talked for what seemed like forever. For those of you that know me well, you know that I am hard to read and it is even harder for me to open up my heart and let someone know how I am truly feeling. I had a wall around my heart and that was a hard wall to break down, so even though we had met back up Brian wasn't sure how I felt and he almost gave up on me, but thank goodness he didn't because here we are and the rest is history. Brian proposed to me on Thursday night, August 30th, 2007, and we were married seven months later on March 29, 2008, at Frazer UMC.

Enough history - for our anniversary celebrations I have wanted to follow the traditional gifts that you give each other each year. For instance on the 1st you give "paper" gifts. Brian and I (not creative) decided last year that we would give each other nice cards with our thoughts of the first year included. We went to dinner at Sommer's Place and then went and spent the night at the same place we did on our wedding night, the villas at Wynlakes. It was surreal walking in to the same place one year later. Exactly the same, yet so different because I was 7 months pregnant this time.

Anyway, this year the gift is "cotton" - we did follow this but decided to also venture off course a little. For Brian he picked out an outfit, shorts and a nice shirt, and for me I got myself a cotton skirt and top for Spring. But as a little extra I got Brian an I.O.U coupon book. This was just a little something cute and fun, it has 15 tear out coupons for Brian to hand to me whenever he wants something. These include breakfast in bed, a fancy dinner out, homemade dinner in, couch potato for the day, a massage, day of nature - you get the picture, just things that I would normally never do. And lastly I got us the book "Love Dare". This book is from the hit movie "Fireproof" and is suppose to be wonderful for your marriage. It is a 40-day challenge, includes devotionals for each day and a dare to go along with it. I am doing this first and sometime later in the year Brian will have his turn. I can't wait to see how this all turns out. I truly hope Brian sees a difference in me!

One last gift from Brian to me was a pair of pearl earings - I had no idea these were coming. Brian knows how much I have always wanted a pair of real pearl earings, but I never in a million years would have guessed he would have been so thoughtful and gotten these for me.

Happy Anniversary - can't wait to see what another year brings us.

And P.S. next year's gift is leather, this should be easy since I think it would be the perfect excuse to update our furniture in the den (just kidding Brian, don't have a heartattack)!!!

Not that you are interested, but here are a couple of pictures of us from our wedding and honeymoon - arrgh, I have been trying to add two photos for an hour and I can't figure out why it won't let me, maybe later.

Spring Break in Washington D.C.

Visiting with Congressman Mike Rogers - 3rd District

Visiting with Congressman Parker Griffith, he is an extremely nice man. I believe he represents the 1st District, this would include where my aunt Sherry lives in Florence. You would be proud to have someone like him representing your interests.

And finally visiting with Congressman Bobby Bright, he represents the 2nd Congressional District, my district, and yes while he is a Democrat, he voted NO on the healthcare bill as well. As a Democrat he was in the minority on this vote, but thought it was the best thing for our nation and State, thank you Congressman Bright.

Ok - so I don't really get a Spring Break, but it was that time of year last week while I was there. There is nothing quite like spring time in Washington, it is so beautiful and a sight to see if you have never been there during this time of year. The cherry blossoms are blooming and the weather is almost picture perfect. I have been to Washington too many times to count and each time I go I look forward to it. Now that I am working with ARPA I have to go each Spring to lobby and educate our delegation on the benefits of parks and recreation. You would be surprised to know how many people only think of little league when they think of parks and recreation, but it is so much more.

This year I had a little more down time and the weather was incredible, in the 70s the entire week I was there. I had a few meetings scattered here and there, but I was able to walk around and take in Capitol Hill, my favorite location. Most of you know that once upon a time I dreamed of living here. How different my life would have turned out if I would have taken that step. But as we all know God had different plans and those plans were far better than I ever could have dreamed. I love politics, actually I thrive on it, but last week I was thankful for my life here in Alabama. Politics in Washington is a way of life, they live it, breathe it and sleep it. It is really 24/7. And last week was no exception - while I was there it was only days before the historic healthcare bill was voted on. Don't get me started on this piece of legislation and you better believe when I was there I asked each and every Alabama member of the Senate and Congress their views. I wanted to make sure they were doing the right thing. They all looked tired and defeated and each one had a very strong opinion on it. They were all against this and couldn't believe that in today's economic situation that this bill was likely to pass. I was proud to be an Alabamian, they all voted NO.

I didn't take any touristy pictures, wish I would have, but I did get a few with our representatives.

Where does the time go?

The older I get the more time seems to just fly by. I will never forget while in high school, an older teenager and I were talking and she told me as I was wishing my life away, that once you hit 16, the years just seem to all run together. This has never seemed more true. I vaguely remember the last few years of high school, my college years, or the years since. I can say that my time at Auburn seemed to past by all too quickly (although I am sure my parents would not say the same thing). I can't believe I was there for 5 years and now they are gone in the blink of an eye, nothing left but memories.

On with the reason for this post...I can't believe Hayden's 1st birthday is quickly approaching! Brian and I are planning on converting the back guest bedroom into her playroom. It isn't that she really needs this playroom, because I am sure she will still be in the den with us all the time, but we really need some more space to store all of her toys. Our den/family room is starting to look like a toy store and I am always stepping over toys, diapers, clothes, burp cloths, etc. I can't wait to get her little room in order.

We love our house, but one of my major gripes about it is the size of the 3 other bedrooms (the master is heavenly). They are all so small and there really isn't enough room for all the big plans I have for them. But I wanted to give you an idea of a few of the things I am planning on doing for her playroom.


First we are going to move the bed and night stand out. I am going to leave the dresser in there for some extra clothing storage for her. Next we are going to get her a tv and dvd player for all her movies - she already has almost all of the disney movies and I am sure we will start collecting other little toddler movies soon. I bought her a monkey rug for the floor for Christmas and we have plans to get her very own chair, with her name on it - here is a picture of the one we are going to order: Here is the picture of her rug that we got her for Christmas and an example of why we really do "need" this playroom.


And a similar toy box/chest for her room.


And finally my favorite part - a couple of months ago I was out at Hobby Lobby while looking for picture frames and ran across some vinyl lettering for the walls and couldn't resist buying this one. I love the way these look in homes, how they looked hand-painted on the walls. I hope this one turns out. The one I bought is not this color, but more neutral and brown a perfect match for our house.



I can't wait to see how it all turns out - I am sure it will only stay nice and neat for a few days, but this will be after all Hayden's room, not mine. I hope she loves it, because we sure love her!>