Sammy's Visit

Two posts in the same week! Are you surprised? ;)  

Sambo came into town for the Burke County TOTY Recognition Night, and we were so excited that he stayed through Sunday.  We made a big breakfast on Saturday morning and then headed out to the farm to show him around and shoot skeet across the pond.  The weather was just gorgeous, and it felt so good to be outside.  Later in the afternoon we went over to Amanda and Robert's to watch the Georgia/Florida game with friends and their precious daughter Emma.  Her smile, her personality, her chevron pants...She is just the cutest thing! We had so much fun, and thankfully won the game.  Way to go dawgs! 

I don't know who was more sad to see Sambo go....me or Molly. ;) 

Bulldog Nation

Our 26-41 loss to Mizzou was frustrating and gut-wrenching to watch, but I do still adore my Georgia Bulldog football team. 

[via]

I finally watched "A Letter for Larry" this afternoon and it reminded me, yet again, why I love my school.  Win or lose, our team has such heart and our fans have so much passion.  I couldn't seem to embed the video on here, but you can watch it by clicking the link below:

A Letter to Larry

It's a real heart-string-puller, isn't it?  Georgia legends are forever.  The Bulldog spirit is eternal.  

Geaux Dawgs

All I have to say this morning is...

GO DAWGS!!!! BEAT THE TIGERS!!!!

[awaken a nation]

UGA vs. USC

This past weekend it was our beloved Dawgs took on our neighbors to the east.  If there's one team I hate as much as the Florida Gators, it's the South Carolina Gamecocks.  Eww. We didn't make it up to Athens for the game, but still had a great time watching the game at our house with our good friends here.  Robert and Amanda brought Emma, who is one of the cutest, quietest, sweetest almost-one-year-old I've ever met. 

I mean, seriously, how cute is she?!

And how cute is he? ;) 

I just love these girls...

And I love this score! 

 

And here's a little recap video in case you wanted to see some of the highlights...

How 'bout them dawgs!!! 

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day Weekend means three things (and I'll warn you ahead of time that there are a lot of exclamation points in this post)...

[one]

We're get to spend all weekend at the rivah with my family!! 

[two]

A special someone asked me to the first football game of our sophomore year eight years ago and we've been together ever since!! 

[three]

Georgia football is finally back!! 

I hope you enjoy our weekend, and let's GO DAWGS!!!!!!!

10 Days of Thanksgiving Break

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving!

 

I hope everyone had a great little break and was able to spend it with family and friends.  I was lucky enough to get the entire week off work and thought I'd share my favorite parts of those ten student-free days. ;)

 

Day 1

Gaines and I drove back to Richmond on Thursday night, and I was able to finally meet baby Charlie on Friday morning!!  She is every bit as cute as she looks in pictures, and I instantly fell in love with her cute cheeks and adorable smile. 

 

 

Day 2

On Saturday I watched my best friend walk down the aisle and had the absolute best time celebrating the start of Demetria and Matt's (aka Demattria) new life together with all my friends.  The weekend was as fun and unique as they are, and I will post a lot more pictures later.  Congratulations to the newlyweds!

 

 

Day 3

Gaines had an early flight back to Georgia on Sunday, but it was wonderful to be able to spend time with him and my parents while we were both home. 

 

 

Day 4

Any one that knows my mom and I know that our time together always involves Starbucks, shopping, chatting, and wine, and that's exactly what our Monday included.  We did a little Christmas shopping at the malls and on Libbie and Grove, ate lunch at The Continental, got pedicures, and drank wine by the fire.  There is nothing I love more than spending a day hanging out my momma. :)

 

 

Day 5

I drove back to Georgia on Tuesday and even though I got caught in traffic twice, I got to see this pretty sunset while being diverted off I-20.  I "googled" what happened when I got home and found this news video.  Yikes.

 

 

Day 6

Gaines had to work on Wednesday, but we got to eat lunch together and then I spent the rest of the day unpacking, making pumpkin bread, and playing with my Mollybug.   

 

 

Day 7

On Thursday we headed over to Gaines' grandma's house to enjoy Thanksgiving with the Story clan.  The food was delicious and the company was even better.  We didn't get a picture that day, but here is everyone from Tom and Renee's anniversary party back in April (minus Riley and plus Baker).  That's 26 Storys!  

 

 

Day 8

The next day Gaines headed out to the farm as I blared Christmas music and started decorating for my favorite holiday.  Here's a picture in our den, but I'll be sure to post more later.  :)

 

 

Day 9

On Saturday we watched on TV as our Bulldogs rolled over Georgia Tech 42-10 ("glory, glory to 'ole Georgia..").  We play Bama next weekend in the SEC Championship and the winner of that game goes on to play in the National Championship.  Eeek!

 

 

Day 10

Today is my final day of break, and I can't wait to spend every minute with these two. ;)

  

 

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!!

  

Long Overdue Update

Ah, I have been the WORST blogger lately.  I apologize and promise I'll be better from here on out! 

 

Today was the first day in so long that I've actually left work on time (work has just been crazy busy this year!), so I came straight home, fired up my laptop, and started writing with my favorite furry friend next to me. 

 

 

The last time I left you, I had just celebated my birthday and Gaines had just had back surgery.  He's doing so well and is stretching, walking, and standing up much straighter.  I feel like I keep commenting about how much taller he looks now.  Thanks again (on his behalf) for all of the prayers and support. :)

 

 

One major reason I have time to blog again is because my first of four Gifted Endorsement classes is finished (seven papers, four projects, and three presentations later...), and I have two weeks off until the next one starts.  A lot of people say, "The gifted don't need good teachers.  They can just learn on their own!" but after taking this first class, I see how untrue that mindset is.  Gifted learners need just much attention and educational resources to succeed in school as students on the other end of the spectrum.  

 

 

A few days after my birthday my brother came to visit on his way back from working in North Carolina.  Even though I only got to see him for a few hours, it was so so wonderful catching up with him (and getting to call Dales together!).  There's nothing like a big sister's love for her little brother.  Awww.

 

For my birthday Gaines got me an iPhone (remember the plastic apple and the phone with an eye taped to it?), since my LG Vortex is a little 2010. It turns out I'm not due for an upgrade until December, but I will finally be joining the rest of the world on Decemeber 9th.  And I may or may not have already picked out my three favorite covers...

 

 

 

The last time I posted I had just started reading "Where We Belong," which I have since finished and recommend.  It's far from being the best book I have ever read, but it was an easy, fun read if you are interested. 

 

Six weeks ago, I mentioned that three babies would soon be joining our group of friends in Waynesboro, and I am so happy to annouce that they all made it here safely.  Gaines and I have gotten a chance to meet them, and I can asure you that they are every bit as precious as their names suggest. :)  Welcome to the world...

Emma Gray Lively

Robert Brigham Scott

Sydnee Marie Smith

 

Like every else, I am l-o-v-i-n-g fall and everything about it-- afternoon walks, pumpkin bread, hot coffee, cider candles, colorful leaves, and comfy sweaters.  I mean, really?  Is there anything bad about this season?

 

 

Another thing I love about fall is football. I am perfectly content watching football games all day on Saturdays... and all of Sunday for that matter. There's just something so exciting about a good football game to me. The last time I posted, UGA was ranked #5 in the BCS and now we're ranked #6. We had an absolutely horrendeous loss to South Carolina in between those rankings (which is something I would like to forget), but we also had wins over Kentucky and Florida. There are honestly few things I like more than watching my football team beat the jean-shorts-wearing Florida Gators.   Oh, a #2 ranked Florida, might I add. How 'bout them dawgs!

 

 

Two weekends ago Gaines and I flew home for the wedding of my two high school friends, Steph and Kyle.  They got married at King Family Vineyard in Charlottesville, and I'm ashamed to say that I never went there while I lived in C'ville.  It was an absolutely beatiful venue, and we had the best time celebrating all weekend with perfect weather, delicious wine, lots of dancing, and the best friends anyone could ask for.  Plus, I loved getting to spend time with my parents. :) Congratulations to the Martins!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This past weekend we went to dinner with our friends Drew, Kristina, Jason, and Caroline.  Even though the service wasn't the best, the comany made it worthwhile.  Jason, Drew, and Gaines graduated from high school together, and it's been so much fun to create close friendships with Caroline and Kristina over the years.  Cheers to many more triple datenights!

Hurricane Sandy never hit us in Waynesboro (except for her crazy wind), but she has certainly left her mark in Virginia.  My parents say that there isn't much damage (thank goodness!), just a lot of wind, rain, and high water.  Here is a picture of Harbour House yesterday afternoon. :(

 

 

And last but not least, I though I'd leave you with a picture of my little bug yesterday afternoon.  She hates when the weekends end just as much as Gaines and I do. ;)

 

 

I promise it won't be so long before I blog the next time.  Thanks for reading this long update, and I'll see ya back here real soon!