Weekend in Nashville

This past weekend Alan and I took a quick road-trip to Nashville. We stayed with E+P and it was wonderful catching up with them and seeing the beautiful updates they've made to their home. When we arrived Friday night, we ate a delicious dinner at the house and then went out for dessert! Saturday morning we woke up early and went to breakfast at the...

The line was shorter than normal and our meal was worth every minute of the wait! That afternoon I went to a baby shower for Emily- one of my sorority sisters in college. Oh the memories!

She was beautiful of course and I wish it could've lasted longer! It was so much fun seeing everyone! That night we went out to dinner to one of E+P's favorite places: Blackstone. It's a local grill and brewery which reminded Alan and I alot of out favorite Knoxville brewery: Downtown Grill. Sunday morning we went to E+P's church Grace Community and were blessed by our chance to worship with them. We sang one of my new favorite songs- All I Have is Christ. Such sweet words.

I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will.
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still.

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross.
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace.

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone

And live so all might see

The strength to follow Your commands

Could never come from me.

Oh Father, use my ransomed life

In any way You choose.

And let my song forever be

My only boast is You.

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI), by Jordan Kauflin  

What a Week!

I feel like so much has happened this past week! The 4th of July was on Wednesday so Alan and I began the day at the Farragut Parade.  We had a good time socializing with neighbors and friends, watching the cars/floats that passed by, and getting the freebies that are handed out each year.  I'm pretty sure Alan got several "free chicken sandwich" coupons from Chick-Fil-A :)  After the parade, we crashed Lauren and Tony's pool since they are out of town with Becky and Mike.  It was great to chat with them as they prepare for Anderson. We made plans to go to Foothills (one of my all-time faves) on Saturday night (which sadly never happened, read on...rain check!!!) 

After some pool time we went over to my parents' house and spent the remainder of the afternoon over there and then stayed for dinner.  My mom made these beautiful layered jello treats for dessert.  Don't you think these could be on Pinterest?! I think so :)

 my sweet family (minus a few...)

So, why didn't we go to Foothills on Saturday?! Because sweet Anderson Robert Staton made his debut on Thursday night around 7:45pm! Becky and Mike are in love and we are all oh so happy for them. He is precious and I cannot wait to see the sweet boy he becomes!

Lastly, Alan and I completed the weekend by going out to Melton Hill Lake to roller-blade. Yes it's true (don't judge) and yes that is why we drove 20 minutes away from Knoxville: because Alan didn't want to see a single person we might know, ha! I will say, I don't think I've roller-bladed since high middle-school but I admit it was pretty fun and the night could not have been better!

One last thing, 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NONNIE!!! XOXO

Awaiting Anderson!

Our sweet friends, Becky and Mike, are expecting Anderson in just a few short weeks- so Saturday night we celebrated as we await Anderson's arrival.  Of course- Becky looks amazing at 38 weeks!

We had everyone fill out 'Wishes for Baby' cards for Anderson (and Becky & Mike!) which were sweet, thoughtful, and hilarious :)

 good friends

We had originally planned to have the shower outside, but due to the heat that was a no go, the guys were outside while grilling, but that was pretty much it. Despite it being 105º in Knoxville, we all managed to have a great time!

 Build your own Burger Bar

 Build your own Parfait Bar

 Love this couple who will be amazing parents!

 Anderson got some great things :)

Since I know nothing about babies quite yet (can I claim that since I don't have one of my own yet?) I decided to give Becky and Mike something I FOR SURE knew they would use... diapers for Anderson and champagne for the parents... ha!

 Lauren had a fantastic idea and gave Anderson all of her son, Robert's, favorite things, so sweet

 We cannot wait to meet Anderson!

Ashley's Baby Shower

This past weekend, all of my college sorority sisters and I got together in Nashville to "shower" Ashley as she prepares for her first baby, a boy: Riggs Crocker Leonard. We are all thrilled!

sweet cupcakes that Rachel made

I made cake pops :)

sweet Riggs is adored already!

Instead of a game, we had everyone fill out "Wishes for Baby' cards which we read as we opened presents, so much fun (and you can find the template on Pinterest for free) !

Looking forward to May already!!!

It's a Boy!

Alan and I could not be happier for our sweet friends Becky & Mike who found out yesterday they are having a boy! They shared the exciting news with us over dinner at Casa don Gallo and we had a great time celebrating with them!

Bijou, Basketball, and Birthday

Alan and I began our weekend Friday night at our favorite restaurant downtown: Downtown Grill & Brewery. We love this place! Everything from the atmosphere, the food, and the locally made beer- it's a fabulous place to unwind after a long day or go out for a good time!

After dinner, we walked down the street to the Bijou Theatre to see Donna the Buffalo.

Donna the Buffalo follows no playlist and has an eclectic variety of songs with roots in old time fiddle music, we loved it!

Alan and I got box seats which was a fun place to enjoy the show :)

We had just as much fun watching the crowd as we did listening to the band

Saturday was the UT vs UCONN basketball game and Alan went with my dad. My parents are from Connecticut and both went to UCONN so of course my dad shows up sporting his UCONN apparel. Alan didn't mind it though, and then of course was happy the Vols managed to pull off the W!

Sunday afternoon, Alan and I went to Wyatt's 1st Birthday Party! Wyatt's parents, Danielle and Clayton, are in our Wednesday night Bible Study and we have loved getting to know their sweet family since moving back to Knoxville. Danielle made delicious cupcakes!

At first Wyatt wasn't sure what to think of the cupcakes and everyone singing to him...

...then he decided he liked it!

Our friends, Amy and Jared, came with their precious 10 day old beautiful baby girl, Elliot "Ellie" Faith. We loved seeing her for the first time and getting to catch up with them!

We're now watching the playoffs and getting ready for Monday. All said... fantastic weekend!

Weekend Activities

We kicked off the weekend on Friday night at Altruda's with friends. It was a blast! It was so much fun to catch up with Amanda & Chris and Becky & Mike. We have all been so busy with the holidays, it seems like it's been forever since we've all gotten together.

Saturday we got an early start to the day with the UT vs. Florida basketball game with Ashley & Watson. Ashley & Watson are friends from college who now live in Greeneville and are pregnant with their first child- a baby boy! It was so much fun catching up with them and watching the Vols pull off an exciting game and a great win! Go Vols!

Sunday afternoon, the ladies from our Bible Study, along with other friends, attended a baby shower for Amy. Amy and her husband, Jared, are pregnant with their first child- a baby girl, and are due any day! We are so excited for them and cannot wait for Ellie to arrive!

The weekend concluded with dinner and a movie at home. We watched We Are Marshall (had to watch a football movie since we are right in the middle of the play-offs) which was just as great as the first time I saw it and still made me cry, I swear, I can be the biggest baby when it comes to such sad but sweet stories. All in all, fantastic weekend and ready to hit the ground running tomorrow!

Little Blessings

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD"

-Psalm 127:3

On Wednesday night, our friends, Katherine and Joe, had their precious little girl!

Caroline Ashton was born at 11:23pm

9 lbs 1 oz 21 inches

She is beautiful!

On Thursday afternoon, our friends, Allyson and Seth, had their precious little boy!

Hilton James

8 lbs 9 oz 21 inches

He is perfect!

We are so happy for our sweet friends and their little ones!

"Sometimes," said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."

Now, isn't that the truth?!

Baby Girl

Tonight I went to a baby shower for Katherine Michalik. Katherine and Joe are long-time friends of ours who just moved back to Knoxville from Charlottesville, VA where they lived for 4 years and we are so excited to have them back home! They are having a precious baby girl! The name is still to be determined so stay tuned on that (we may have to wait til she's born, ha! Katherine's due date is October 6th...) It was so special to see all of the love that went into this shower tonight and we cannot wait to meet their sweet little one!

Ally's Baby Shower

This afternoon we celebrated my good friend, Allyson Means and her precious baby boy on the way, with a shower in Franklin. This was my first time hosting a Baby Shower and I had a blast planning all the details with Janie and Katie. We had a great turnout and it was super fun seeing some dear friends that I don't get to see enough of :)

Janie, me, and Katie

Allyson, beautiful as ever!

cute little cupcakes

Cheers to mini-Means!

mini-Means is so loved already

I think we have a little Vol fan on the way!

Ashton, Grayson, Teresa, and Monica (Ally's sisters, mom, and mother-in-law)

We cannot wait til October 15th!!!