Heading West...

I am so excited for this weekend and Friday is almost here! Tomorrow I am traveling back home or in the words of my momma, I am heading west to God's country. Jace is coming home too and should arrive late Friday night.
I haven't seen Jace in 3 weeks and this will be the last time I see him for quite some time. If school permits, he will come home for Labor Day weekend. However, I know what it feels like to be a student and having that Monday off can be a great get-ahead-on-homework day. If Jace can't come home on Labor Day, the next time I know I will see him is...October 17th. Yes, I said it, October 17th. If I dwell on that too long, I get upset and sad so I try real hard not to think of it. However, it is always in the back of my mind.

For the past two years, we have traveled to Gatlinburg for a long weekend and have enjoyed one last fling before the semester starts. Well, this year is different since he is in MS and I am in KY. We have decided to go home and for the past two weeks we have thought long and hard on what we want to do. We thought about going to Patti's or Doe's and enjoying a really nice dinner together. But ultimately, we have decided to do NOTHING!!! We are going to stay at home, grill out, play horse in basketball, spend time with family, and spend as much time together as possible. All I want to do is soak up every minute with him and enjoy our time together.

By now we are used to this song and dance but it doesn't mean there won't be some tears shed on both of our parts. But guess what? This is the VERY LAST TIME we have to do this!!!!! How can he already be in his final year of law school? This year will be long simply because we will be counting down to our wedding/the bar exam/anticipating our honeymoon/preparing for a move but those things will also make this year fly by. Thinking about those things keeps me going.

Let's hope this weekend creeps by at a snail's pace. Y'all have a good weekend. I am heading West...

Odds and Ends

Hi friends! We are halfway through the week and the weekend is in sight! Hallelujah!

Just some odds and ends for you today.

By now you know that Whitney and Lauren are my absolute best friends. We have experienced so much together and unfortunately today we all experienced bypass surgery. Today Lauren's daddy, Tommy, had quadruple bypass surgery. Tommy was having some chest and arm pain and was a little stubborn when the pain first started. However, after a good momma talk from his daughter he found himself in the hospital. Adam has kept all of us girls in the loop and he said that surgery went fine today and Tommy is now in recovery. Please keep Jane, Tommy, and Lauren in your prayers. Lauren holds herself together for the whole family and her shoulders are awfully strong!

On a much lighter note, today was Teak's turn to host bridge at our house. 3 other ladies come over, they eat lunch, and play bridge all afternoon long. I love these days. Bridge day means bangin' leftovers and today did not disappoint. I had leftover spinach salad and zucchini bread! Later tonight, I will be having a large portion of homemade chocolate mousse! I don't anticipate there being any leftover.

Now for a little food for thought. I saw a quote on Facebook last night from an Eastern Kentucky homemaker who said, "if you are not staying busy doing something you love, you are dying". Think about that for a second. Let those words sink in. I would say this Homemaker is wise beyond her years. I bet we could all learn a thing or two from her.

My day is ending on a laugh. Jace and I were skyping tonight and he got real close to the camera and very seriously told me that he thinks he is starting to develop wrinkles. My response was immediate laughter. Now Mr. Stamper is not too far away from the big 3-0 (2 1/2 years and counting). Now, these things happen naturally and no amount of cream or moisturizer will fix gravity. Women know this but we continue to buy all the products that say they are THE cure! So to ease Jace's worry, I told him the so call wrinkles are simply laugh lines. Let's pray I believe my own self when I see my first wrinkle.

Y'all have a good night! Talk soon...

Single? Ready to Mingle?

Hey Y'all! Can I just say how much I love blogging! The blogs I follow have sorta become like friends. I love hearing about how so and so's babies are doing, where they visited, their adoption story, and what recipe they have just tried. One blog I love reading is Kelly's Korner. Kelly is from Arkansas and girl loves her some SEC football, her sweet girls, and Jesus. So uplifting reading her blog and what I love most is that she is raw sometimes. She just doesn't blog about the good parts of her day. She will blog about her worries and doubts which is inspiring to me.

Kelly's blog has all kind of posts and one thing she does is Show us your Life, SUYL. In September she is doing SUYL singles. She has done this before and y'all through this post 5 people have gotten married. It is crazy thinking that they met through a blog but it worked from them and the couples seem happy (Kelly put up small blog posts about each couple and you know I read them all!).

So...for all my single ladies out there start following Kelly and Link up on September's SUYL! Give it a try because we all know Mr. Right is not at the bars. Everyone deserves to find their significant other, best friend, confidant, secret keeper, travel partner, supporter, encourager and spouse. I found all of these things and MORE in Jace and my hope is that all people find this kind of love. It is out there so why not give yourself a shot!

Now if you do link up and find Mr. Right, I am going to need an invitation to y'alls wedding! HA!

Making progress

Happy Monday y'all.

This past weekend ol' Jace Stamper made some progress on our future. He not only mailed his letter of intent to take the Bar exam but also completed the TN Bar application. For all our MS friends, the TN Bar application was not nearly as bad. From what we have heard the MS application practically asks for your first born. Not the case with TN-thank you Lord!

It just seems so strange but yet exciting to be thinking about the bar exam. We are literally one year away. How can that be? Didn't Jace just start law school? How can we even be thinking about the biggest exam of his life already? Again, strange but so exciting.

Sending good thoughts to all those taking the Bar exam tomorrow and Wednesday.

20 seconds of courage

Does anyone watch "Secret Millionaire" on Sunday nights? I absolutely love this show and it inspires me each week. I have thought of this blog post for weeks now but just haven't had the courage to do anything with my inspiration. There is a quote I saw floating around Pinterest and I think it comes from the movie, "We bought a zoo". The quote says that basically you need 20 seconds of courage to do something. Well here is my 20 seconds.

"Secret Millionaire" takes millionaires out of their lavish homes and lifestyles, removes their cars, phones, and credit cards and transplants them into an area that is impoverished, high crime rate, etc. This area is usually in their backyard. The millionaire lives in the area for a week and volunteers at different organizations and learns more about the people that these organizations serve. Usually the organizations are struggling financially but they keep going. They keep going because of the people they serve. They serve at risk youth, the elderly, homeless, youth with disabilities and their families, etc. During the week, the millionaire is changed and they realize that their is life bigger than ourselves.

At the end of the week, the millionaire reveals to the organization that they are indeed a successful millionaire and then presents a check in the amount of their choosing to the organizations. The organizations are completely surprised, in shock, and stand in awe of the gift they are given. Each week I cry and am left inspired. I want to do something with this inspiration and want to know if you want to help and if so, how we can do something here locally.

I am by no means a millionaire but I do have time to give. I have a body that allows me to lift, carry, haul, push, pull, drag. I have 2 arms and 2 legs that are willing and able. I have energy that needs to be burned off. I have a spirit that wants to give to others and in turn be filled. I have time to give.

I am ready to use this inspiration but then I don't know what to do next. I don't know all the organizations that need help here in Lexington? I will be the first one to admit that I am scared. I am scared about getting out of my comfort zone and I want to stay safe in my world. However, I keep feeling God telling me to go do something with this inspiration.

As if I didn't already hear Him enough, I am reading "Banned Questions about the Bible" (Christian Piatt) with my young adult bible study and each contributing author lists the top five things to do to make the world a better place. Many listed helping others. After reading the lists of top five things to do, I knew I had to act on my 20 seconds of courage.

My question to you is if you want to help volunteer somewhere with me, please let me know. My followup question to that is what organizations in Lexington need help? Email me, call me, send me a FB message, if you are interested in getting outside your comfort zone and helping others who need it.

It just takes 20 seconds of courage...

Friends

We made it to the weekend y'all! When I woke up this morning Matt Laurer told me about the shooting in CO. Can we not go to the movies anymore? The news coverage makes my heart hurt and stomach turn. I just don't understand. Lord, please be with those affected, their families, and friends.

This week I have been connecting with friends and I have loved it.

Jace became dear friends with Andrew from Alabama when both of them were 1Ls at Mississippi College. Both Andrew and Jace have a dry sense of humor and hit it off right away. Well, Andrew transferred to Alabama law school after their first year. I try to keep up with him and this week I sent Andrew a message and checked in on him. Ol' Bama boy is doing good and has been fishing up a storm this summer. It was good to hear from Andrew and hopefully one day Jace and I can get down to Alabama and visit with him. If we ever make it to Bama, I will be rolling with the tide, be decked out in houndstooth, and be ready to see cream of the crop SEC football.

For the past two Tuesdays I have attended a young adult Bible Study. The study is going really well and I am thoroughly enjoying studying, reading, and growing. I am also enjoying the fellowship and developing stronger relationship with the people that sit around the family style table. If you are in the Lexington area, come join us! We meet at Panera on Nicholasville Rd. at 7 pm., I'll save you a seat.

The other week I attended a conference and ran into an old friend from Graves County. We had lost touch for about 3 years and now we are catching up via emails and blog posts. We are going through the same life changes and it is always nice to know you aren't the only one experiencing something new!

Today I heard from the one and only Jay Cash. Jay will stand up with Jace and he himself is starting to plan for a wedding. I talked to both Jay and Lisa, his girlfriend, about their wedding plans. They live in Nashville and are planning a Keeneland wedding. I could talk wedding all day and doing it with these two was a ball. Jay makes me laugh and even though I have only met Lisa once, she seems sweet as pie. So excited for those two!

Then there is my best friend, Jace. That boy has spoiled me these past two weeks. We have skpyed almost every night, emailed all day, talked on the phone for long periods of time and I must say I can't get enough of him. I am soaking all of him up because I know what is coming. School will be here before we know it and it will be back to the grind of long nights and early mornings. But for right now, there is just work which means a carefree, pressure-free Jace. I am loving it!

We have finally made it to the weekend and looking back on this week, it was a little long but I am thankful to have the opportunity to connect with friends.

Do y'all have big plans for the weekend? The Teak and I are headed to Trader Joe's for the first time. I doubt we pick up any two buck chuck!

Weekend with the Hintons

Happy Sunday y'all! I hope your church service was good and you are resting up for another week.

I had a wonderful weekend spent with dear friends and thoroughly enjoyed myself! On Friday I traveled to Elizabethtown and saw Lauren Hinton and her darlin' little home! We had planned this weekend several months ago and we both couldn't wait to see one another. This was our first time to see one another since their wedding and I was dying to see their home.

They live in the nicest neighborhood and their house is on the cul-de-sac. Their home is perfect for them and they have space to grow for when little Hintons arrive (not that that is any time soon!) Before Adam got home, Lauren gave me the grand tour and in the guest bedroom she had a present for me. She got Jace and I a sign that defines what the South is. It is the cutest and it will be hung in our little apartment when we are married. So sweet and thoughtful!

While we were waiting for Adam to get home, we got started on our list of topics to talk about. We purposefully waited to tell one another stuff because we wanted to save it for when we could actually talk in person. And did we have a ton of stuff to talk about! The funny thing about when Lauren and I really get to talking is that we never really finish a story because we think of something else we have been meaning to tell one another. The conversations are fast and you need to keep up but they are a ton of fun!

Once Adam got home, we went to eat at a Mexican restaurant. Thank goodness my friends love Mexican because we always find ourselves at Mexican restaurants and end up eating our weight in chips, salsa, and guacamole!

The next day, Lauren made a huge breakfast for us. I would have been fine with cereal but as the hostess with the mostess she fixed eggs, biscuits, bacon, and we had fresh tomato! Adam told me to come back every weekend because he could get used to a breakfast like this. We then headed to Lauren's Aunt Betty's home for a family get-together. Y'all there was so much food and Lauren's mom and Nana brought half of it. Lauren said that Jane's banana pudding weighed at least 15 pounds since she doubled the recipe. I sure did get a LARGE helping of Jane's banana pudding and it tasted just like Teak's.

It was so nice to laugh and be back with old friends this weekend. What I love most about Lauren is that we are completely honest with one another. We reveal our deepest secrets, dreams, fears, and the other sits and listens and no judgement is passed. We are open about our jobs and relationships and I appreciate that honesty and trust. As for Adam, he adores Lauren and will do anything for her. He reminds me of Jace in the sense that he wants the best for his wife and all he wants to do is make her happy.

So needless to say, I had a great weekend with the Hintons and can't wait to go back to Etown!

Wedding Update

Hi Y'all!

This past weekend the Teak and I traveled to God's country, West Kentucky. It is always so nice to go home and soak up the slow pace of Mayfield. Jace came home too and it was wonderful to see him as always. Since we were both home we decide to tackle a few weddings things. Even though the wedding is 13 months away there will be only a handful of times that we will be in the same place at the same time and have the time to talk, discuss and decide on wedding stuff (the joys of a long distance engagement!)

Along with his parents, Jace, and I headed to HB & Co. in Paducah and looked at tuxedos. I think both Jace and I were hoping for a summer grey or khaki tux but the tux we decided on only comes in black. It is very classy and the best part is the tuxes are tailored! No long sleeves showing, no wrong sized jackets! We are going with bowties and cummerbunds...Southern and I love it! Jace will have an ivory bow tie and cummerbund and the other boys will have black. So with that being said, the wedding colors are black and ivory. I hope to find classy ivory dresses for my girls and the hunt has officially begun. As for the bouquets, they will have a pop of color but I just don't know what that is yet. The wedding to-do list got two check marks this weekend: decide on tuxedos and determine wedding colors! Success in my mind!

I am not going to lie, I am getting the itch to try on wedding gowns. Mom and I can't wait to start looking and hope to find "the one" sometime in October. Let's hope I can wait that long!

In other wedding news, Lauren got her wedding pictures this week. One word...Stunning! It was such a beautiful day and it was fun looking back on their special day. Speaking of Lauren and Adam, I get to see the newlyweds this weekend when I travel to the big town of Elizabethtown! I plan on coming back with a sore throat from talking so much!

I am going to try to be better about blogging and not letting a week (or more) go by between posts! Until then...

Seaside

Seaside, Florida. That is where Jace and I vacationed this year. We gave up our love of Hilton Head Island and decided to explore some place new. We knew it would be easier for me to fly to MS and vacation somewhere in Alabama or Florida than for Jace to drive all the way to South Carolina. We discovered Seaside, did some research, and decided to go here this year.

After we had a fabulous dinner laughing and catching up with MC Law friends, which I describe HERE, we got up the next morning and made our routine stop at Broadstreet Bakery. Jace and I love it there! We go every time I am in town and don't have to look at the menu anymore. Their food is excellent but more importantly our conversations are wonderful here. We were excited to get on the road and had about a 6 hour drive ahead of us.

On this 6 hour drive, Jace and I talked the whole time. It is rare to have this much time with him and we got caught up on so many things. He filled me in about work and the cases he is working on. I may not understand law (at all!!!) but I like knowing what Jace does each day. We talked so much that our voices were sore and before we knew it, we were in Seaside. Seaside is on Santa Rosa beach, just past Destin and Fort Walton beaches.

We couldn't get into our house until 4 PM and had some time to kill, so we walked around the main area and discovered a good ice cream shop, got a cone, and headed to the beach. The waves were rough and little did we know at that time our good friend Debby, the Tropical storm, was starting to make her appearance. We got into our home a little before 4 and it was cute! I had researched the home, made the contact, and took care of everything since Jace was busy with school when I booked it. We literally had been waiting 6 months for this vacation and the condo met all our expectations. It was perfect for the two of us.

"Sunrise" our home during vacation

That night we had a quick bite to eat since we had ice cream at 4 and got settled in. The next day we headed to the beach and we were ready. It is important to note that we applied SPF 50 before heading out. We stayed on the beach all day. Jace turns into a fish when he gets near water and he was braving the rough waves. I tried my hand at it and didn't last too long. I was beat down every time and it plum weared me out! That day we stayed out on the beach until 6 PM. The 5 o'clock hour is my favorite time to be on the beach. The families have packed up, the crowds are gone, and the beach is quiet and remote. The sun is starting to set and for me it is one of the most peaceful and spiritual places to be. Jace and I didn't talk too much during this time. I think we were both soaking up the beach and being with each other.

That night we had one of the most romantic dinners! We ate at Bud and Alley's and knew from friends and travel information it was a good resturant. It was 7:30 and we both thought it would be 9 before we got seated and ate but...they got us right in! Not only did we get a table right away but we got the best seats in the house (according to our waitress)! Our table was outside with an oceanfront view and we got to watch the sunset. It was beautiful! We both chowed down on crabcakes and enjoyed the atmosphere. We took our time eating dinner and we discussed our upcoming wedding. Perfect evening, if I say so myself.

  

Our view from our table

My handsome dinner date

If the night couldn't get any better, we headed upstairs to an outdoor bar. There were a few people up there watching the SEC collegiate baseball world series. Every one up there seemed to be from Arkansas and were cheering on the Razorbacks. At least it was SEC folk and not PAC 12 or any other division for that matter. We stayed and watched the game and had a great time. Bud and Alley's is literally the best of both worlds: a beautiful quiet dinner resturant and then this wonderful outdoor bar that overlooks the ocean. Needless to say, we had a great night!

The next day, Jace was in pain!!! The boy was completely sunburnt and even though we applied sunscreen, he was red as a lobster. We waited until lunch to head to the beach and poor Jace covered up in a towel. There seems to be a reoccuring theme of Jace getting sunburnt on vacation. Thank goodness we bought aloe before hand because he sure did use it.

The next day Debby, arrived in full force. It was a rainy Sunday afternoon and as bad as we wanted to go to the beach, we couldn't. It was for the best in the end because Jace didn't need to be out in the sun anymore. There was a moment when it wasn't raining, so we explored Seaside some more and discovered all these nooks and crannies. The homes are big, bold, and colorful. It is a very friendly place to be and is a wonderful place for any couple to get away from it all.

How cute is this home?!

  

Debby in all her glory with double red flags of warning flying

I hated to be stuck inside all day but I can't tell you how many times I have wished for a rainy Sunday with Jace and to do whatever we want to do. He quickly found golf on TV and I was asleep in no time. It turned out not to be such a bad day afterall.

Monday we got up bright and early and loaded up the car. We headed to Gainesville to tour UF which I describe our experience HERE.

All in all, Jace and I got to spend a whole week together. This only happens once a year. We literally plan and dream about this all year long and it was wonderful to be a couple again. I hated that Tropical Storm Debby ruined a whole day of beach time but you can't plan for things like that. I think Seaside is a wonderful place to visit and it was nice to explore some place new.

My Lobster!!!

 Where are you vacationing this year? Did Debby make an appearanc during your vacation?