Sunday, January 31, 2010

A trip to Selma...

My sweet nanny is in the hospital and has been since Thursday night. She had developed bronchitis and she already has empazema (sp?) and asthma really bad. Anyway, she was coughing so much that she just couldn't breathe. She has been on oxygen and getting lots of meds thru the IV. Jamie and I went down yesterday to see her and she is doing much better. She hopes to go home tomorrow..so, please keep her in your prayers. She is just the sweetest woman ever and I hate to see her like that. It is sad when you get old..


Me and my sweet nanny
3 generations.. my mom, nanny, and me

While we were visiting nanny, we stopped by my other grandmother's house to make a surprise visit to see her. Both my grandparents live around the corner from one another, which is so nice. We can see both of them when we go visit. Anyway, grandma was surprised to see us and I was glad we got to do that. Yesterday marks the day that my sweet and precious grandfather passed away three years ago. So, I was glad we got to be there to visit with my grandmother.
Me and Grandmaw
Not a day goes by that I don't think about my grandfather in some way. He was an amazing man and I am thankful for all the years we had to spend together. I am blessed to have grown up with both sets of grandparents So, it was extemely hard when granddaddy passed. He was the first of all of them and I don't even what to think about losing the others. It is never easy to lose a loved one and my grandmother sure has had a hard time with it. They were married over 50 years and they were so sweet to each other. My grandmother didn't go anywhere without my grandfather and she was always looking out for him. But, every day she gets stronger and we can only take comfort knowing that he is with the Lord walkign along the streets of gold, singing and rejoicing with our Father. That brings a smile to my face! Granddaddy was such a godly christian man and a true example of what we should strive to be like every day. I cherish the memories we have and know that you are looking down on me and watching over us. I love you dearly granddaddy and miss you much!

At the cemetary, we had to do a few photo ops. The cemetary where he is buried is an old, old one.. and they have these beautiful moss oak tress all over the place. It reminded us of the old cemetaries in Savannah, GA. Jamie and I love that place! It was a cold day, but a pretty one.



A special project and a baby shower

I can't believe it is already Sunday.. where does the weekend go? We had a busy one. My sweet friend, Simin is pregnant and due in March with her third child. She is a dear friend of our family. I just love her to death and I was so fortunate to teach her oldest child, Daisy in kindergarten last year. You just can't get any sweeter than this child and her momma! They both have such giving and caring hearts and I am so blessed to be able to call them friends/family. I think the world of both of them and we are excited to meet the new little one, Cassie when she makes her appearance in March.
Simin and her precious daughter, Daisy
So, Saturday morning we gave her a surprise baby shower/brunch. It was such fun and she was very surprised.. mission accomplished! Since this is her 3rd little one, we decided to do a gift card shower so she could get whatever she neeeds. She got a few gifts but over $900.00 in gift cards... isn't that great? We ate some yummy food, got to catch up with friends and family and shared lots of laughs. What we do best! I decided I wanted to make something special for her that she would be able to keep forever. My friend, Mel was my inspiration and this is what I came up with. Thanks, Mel!

Isn't it cute? I had so much fun making it and I hope it will be something that she will cherish forever. For all of you wondering how I made it, it was super easy. A little time consuming.. but fun. All I did was buy a frame.. the ones that are rectangular and have a mat in them for two photos and I took the mat out. Then, I found scrapbook paper and did the rest. I printed out on the computer the font and blew it up to the size I wanted and then cut them out to use as my pattern. I traced the letters on the back of the scrapbook paper.. (upside down.. or your letter will be backwards.) Then, cut them out and glued them on.. voila! All done! I thought it turned out cute and I am already thinking who I can make another one for. =)

Here's some pics from the shower:

The table and the precious center piece


Aren't those napkins precious too.. my sweet friend, Erin
is so very talented and she made them!


And, spelled her name out at the bottom..so cute!


She also made this adorable wreath..
Isn't it cute? She is going to make these to
sell.. if you are interested, let me know.
I will get you in touch with her. So cute!

Yummy strawberry petifores from Edgars!

The whole gang..these girls are awesome!
Jodi, Simin, Melissa,andErin


All the hostessess


I love these two girlies..
my sister in law, Jodi is in the middle!

and this precious child.. I miss her being in my class!

We all had a blast giving the shower.. and yes, it was at a salon.. if you are wondering.
My sister in law cuts hair and my mother in law owns the shop, so we just had it there!
If you are in need of a good hair stylist, I sure know one!
Can't wait to meet little Cassie Adair Capps in March!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Oh My!

Well.. I am trying to keep my new year's resolution and one of them was to exercise more. Do ya'll love to exercise?? I do love it once I finish, but I hate getting started and making myself do it. Am I the only one? So, I joined a gym this month, Snap Fitness to be exact, and I have been trying to do better about going. I usually do better when I have a workout buddy.. so, Jan I am counting on you to keep me accountable and stick with it too! I would really just like to exercise outside but since it's too cold, for now I will have to walk on the god awful treadmill and elliptical machine. Yuck! I hate them both but I know it's almost swimsuit time and that is so depressing! I better get my butt in gear fast! Also, I am running/walking in the Atlanta Half Marathon in March and I have less than 2 months to prepare for the 13 miles.. I know I can do it! That's what I have to keep telling myself.. =)


Anyway, I like the gym and all but it's not what I am used to. My former gym had all kinds of classes to take and that was what I really liked. This gym doesn't have the classes, so it is smaller but the only perk is that there is NO contract. Isn't that awesome? I hate gyms that try to suck you in for a year and then you hate it and don't end up going. So, you can cancel at any time you want and they will suspend your membership. That's what really sold me.. so, I'm hoping to keep it until it gets warmer and I can exercise outside. But, since there are no classes at the gym, sometimes I don't feel like I am doing enough or really know what to do when I get there. Do you feel like that too?

So, this weekend, I bought Jillian Michael's workout video and when I tell you it kicked my butt.. that is a small understatement! OMG...I did it yesterday and I can barely walk today. So, I guess it is working and I do love it. It's not that hard but obviously it works and that's what I need. My legs and butt are SO sore. So, thanks Jillian for kicking my butt. I'm counting on you to get me in shape for the summer! If you are looking for a good workout video, go get this one. Target has them on sale this week for $10 and there are 3 different ones I think. There is also a Biggest Loser one too if you are a big fan like I am.
Also, since I worked out extra hard this weekend.. ha! =) I just had to make Darby's dessert. It was so yummy and I promise I won't eat all of it. If you haven't made it.. you need to. It is so delicious and it will make you say Oh My for sure! I will for sure be making it again. I just love her and I don't even know her. =)

Also.. isn't this cute?
Not sure what it is.. Well.. keep looking!

It's a camera strap.. how cool!

My sweet friend Shelly, gave me this camera strap for my new camera. Isn't that a precious idea? It even has a K monogrammed on it! Love it! I had never heard of it before but what a good idea. It is a little short, but that's okay too. I still love it and it makes my new camera smile! =) Thanks Shelly!

Hope you all had a good weekend!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Nash-Vegas Fun!

This weekend I went to Nashville with a sweet friend, Jan. For those of you who know me well.. you know that I am a HUGE Carrie Underwood fan. I fell in love with her on American Idol and I have loved her since. So, when I heard she was coming to the Grand Ole Opry, I just had to go. I got online to get tickets and when I typed in best available, 4th row seats popped up. So, I guess it was meant to be.. a road trip was coming! My friend Jan is a country music lover too so I knew she would be up for the fun. We had a blast too!

Us at the Ryman

Our first stop was the Cool Springs mall. Of course, you can't have a road trip without shopping. I was on the lookout for a pair of cowgirl boots and I figured Nashville was the place to get them... and what would you know, I found me some! I'm trying to venture out and wear new things, so we'll see how much I wear them. I am not a boot person, but I am learning how to be.. =) While we were shopping, we noticed an Orange Julius place.. and I was so surprised. I loved those things when I was a kid and we always got them everytime we went to the mall, so when I saw them I just had to have one and yes.. they were just as good as I remembered. Yummy!

After we shopped, we checked in to the hotel..which was so nice by the way and a great location! It was a a rainy nasty night and we didn't take our umbrellas so needless to say we ate at the first place we could find, Rippy's. I've eaten there before and knew it was good food and it was. The fried pickles were delish.

Us at Rippy's

After dinner, we went to the Ryman Auditorium to see Carrie, Vince Gill and Dierks Bentley. That place was awesome.. it was like an old church building. The seats were old pews and it was the neatest place! The auditorium is kinda small too, so when we found our seats and realized how close we really were.. it was like a dream come true. We were soo close to the stage I could have touched it. It was an experience I will never forget!


The outside of the Ryman



The inside of the ryman
Us with Minnie Pearl


Can you see how close we were..

Then, we realized Gywneth Paltrow was sitting in front of us it was so surreal. For a while, we were trying to figure out if it really was her and at the end we had decided we would ask her if she would mind taking a picture with us but we never got our chance. About 5 minutes before the show was over, security came down and got her and her friend and escorted them out. We went to the back and asked if there was any way we could get our picture with her, but they said she had already gone backstage. Sad..

It really was her..

The concert was so fun.. Carrie rocked the house and Dierks did too. I'm not a big Vince Gill fan but he was good too. I wish they would have gotten to sing more songs but there was a lot of other people there too.. Emmie Lou Harris, and a bunch of people I didn't know.. but they were all entertaining and the experience of the Opry house was amazing.. too fun!

Dierks Bentley

Vince Gill

Carrie Underwood

She is soo pretty and tiny!

When we were leaving, it was pouring down rain.. and yes, we didn't have an umbrella.. so needless to say we were drenched but by then we didn't care. We walked around to the back alley and met these 2 girls who were telling us that Carrie was about to come out and leave. So, we waited and sure enough she came out the back and got in her getaway car. So fun and we didn't even care that we looked like drowned rats! Thanks, Carrie for making my dreams come true! You are awesome and I'm so glad I got to see you in person!


The back of the Ryman

Carrie coming out the side door.


Carrie leaving the ryman


We look like drowned rats..


Fun times..

We ended the trip with breakfast at the Pancake Pantry. The wait wasn't so bad and the food was soo worth it. The chocolate chip pancakes were amazing.. oh my!! Then, a trip to the Opry Mills Mall and we were headed home. We had a blast and I am so thankful for fun friends. Jan.. thanks for the memories, the laughs, Samantha, and for being such a good friend. I love you girl and I can't wait to do it again in March. Look out Rascal Flatts.. here we come!

Pancake Pantry.. there is always a line!

Yep.. it rained the whole weekend!


Our yummy food..

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Happy 2010!

I can't believe it is 2010! Wow! I can remember back to Y2K when everyone thought the world was gonna end..ha! That sure was a long time ago. 2009 was a good year for us.. We celebrated our first anniversary, bought our first house together, survived moving, another Burkhardt baby was born in the family... Carter Henry Burkhardt, shared a lot of laughs with friends and family, took a few trips, and enjoyed life to the fullest. So, I am anxious and excited to see what God has in store for us in 2010. I'm praying that we will be blessed with a little bundle of joy this year. A new baby to fill our hearts with love and laughter. I know God has awesome things in store for us and I am excited to see what they are. Please keep our family in your prayers.

Hope you all had a great New Year's Eve ringing in the new year. We enjoyed a date night to Fox Valley.. yum! The best restaurant in town. If you have not been, you MUST go. They have the most delicious crab cakes and dessert in the world.. hands down! Then, we came home to relax and watch the ball drop. I was actually surprised that I stayed up till midnight.. I usually can't do that, but I did. Jamie fell asleep.. he was just exhausted from working all week. But, we still had a great night!

We celebrated on Saturday night with friends and family. We went to eat downtown at Ocean. Oh my!! That place was awesome. Yummy drinks, great salads... with fried feta cheese! Can you say yum? It was delicious, yummy bread, yummy appetizers, awesome grouper and cheese grits and creme brulee. All of it was amazing. We were stuffed and we enjoyed some great company!

I'm still thinking about my new year's resolutions...but, I know one of them is to exercise and run more. I need to get back in shape! Hope you all had a good one and here's to making 2010 the best year yet!
Erin, me and Melissa


The hubby's.. Jay, Jamie, and Shane
A yummy drink.. I think it was a Sunrise?
Grilled Grouper with cheese grits and onion straws!
A fun night.. leaving Ocean!