Like, Love and Don't Like

This week, I like satellite radio. I have been doing some traveling for work over the last few days and have really appreciated having my satellite radio in my car. I originally signed up for the basic XM service but now get the basic Sirius/XM blend after their merger last year. I like it so much that we got a receiver for Julie's car too. I have an apparatus that will allow me to use my receiver in our house but haven't figured it out yet.

This week, I love family. I was made to feel very special during my birthday by all of my family and you just can't beat that feeling, even if you are getting old!

This week, I don't like realizing that the days are getting shorter. I think the sun sets a minute earlier each day. Pretty soon it will be dark by 4:30 in the afternoon and the weather will get cooler. But, with that comes college football so I guess it's not all bad.

Move In and Birthday

This past weekend my mom, dad, and sister came to town. On Saturday we moved Ellen back into the ADPi house at Samford. This was the 5th and last time we will move into that dorm. I lived there 2 years and this is Ellen's 3rd year. Can't say that I will miss that move, but at least she is living on the main floor this year so there were fewer stairs to deal with. After the move in was complete I took Nick on a tour of the chapter room. Not sure if any of my fellow pledge class members will read this, but if you do....we have only one composite left in the chapter room. The rest have been rotated upstairs! I was shocked and suddenly felt very old.

We also had the pleasure of celebrating Nick's birthday over the weekend. I made a big dinner on Saturday night complete with a homemade peanut butter pie. Then yesterday (his actual birthday) we went to The Open Door for brunch. All in all a great weekend!

Nick's birthday presents came a little early this year. Shortly after we got back from our honeymoon Nick went to get fitted for some custom Ping irons. From the day he got fitted he talked about those irons every day. He would constantly send me e-mails about the irons and drop numerous hints. The problem was that the custom fitted irons didn't really fit into our budget at the time, but after much creativity I was able to pull the money together without him knowing. The day the clubs came I got home early to unpack them and get the video camera ready for what I thought was going to be a joyous outburst of happiness.

All set up!


Even wrote a little note to go with the clubs

And this was the reaction I got...



Certainly NOT what a I hoping for, but I think he had resigned himself to the fact that it could be a long time before he would ever get new irons. But thankfully he married someone who loves to give gifts and will do all that she can to make him happy!



Checking them out to make sure I got the right ones


He did eventually get excited!

Happy Birthday Nick! May we share many more birthdays and surprises!

Like, Love and Don't Like

This week, I like the rain we have been getting in the Birmingham area lately. The grass and plants in the yard are holding up much better than this time last year. On my birthday weekend last year, we discovered that Julie's roof had a leak. One marriage stipulation was that she fix it before I moved in.

This week, I love waking up early. For some reason, I've started waking up 30 minutes earlier than normal this week. I get to watch more TV while I eat breakfast.

It's a tie this week. First, I don't like the extra time added to my commute each day due to school being back in session. You would think that the extra 30 minutes mentioned above would help but it doesn't. Secondly, one drawback to the rain is its effect on already-bad drivers in Birmingham.

www.twitter.com/nickandjulie

Gateway to the West

This past weekend Nick and I took our first road trip as a married couple to visit my best friend, Kiley, and her husband Mark in St. Louis. Kiley and Mark both grew up in St. Louis but only moved back about a year and a half ago. I have been dying to take a trip up to see them and check out their new house.

They were the perfect hosts and we had the best time! Friday night they took us to a Cardinals game which was tons of fun and provides a great view of the arch and downtown. Saturday the boys played golf while Kiley and I hit up some of the shops around town. Then we were treated to a fabulous dinner party at her parents house! We could not have asked for a better trip.


Thanks for the hospitality Kiley and Mark! Can't wait for our next visit...






Their precious new house!




Grams and Gramps (Kiley's grandparents) had flowers sent over to welcome us to St. Louis. So sweet!




Cardinals game

At least I was showing my team spirit in my red shirt!


They are so similar - its scary!

View of the Arch and Downtown

Birthday Week

Nick's birthday isn't until Sunday, but the countdown has begun so I decided to go ahead and change the blog!

Uncle Bill

I am sure many of you have those individuals in your life who you are so close to (but not related) that you refer to as Aunt or Uncle. Well Uncle Bill is that person in our family. To be honest I can't remember when he started coming around, but I was pretty young and Ellen, Clay and I instantly latched on. He has been Uncle Bill ever since.

He is on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ and works with the Jesus Film Project which requires a good bit of travel. So whenever he is in Birmingham we try to meet up. Last night he came over for dinner and we had a great time catching up!

For those of you who came to the wedding...he was the one who sang during the ceremony. Below is a picture of us from the Rehearsal Dinner.

Like, Love and Don't Like

This week, I like the freedom of choice. The bruises are still healing from the A/C unit purchases so we will once again stay close to home this weekend. Not to fear - there's plenty to do at home. We can do some yard work, smock, practice calligraphy or just watch TV. I like the comfort that comes with having choices.

This week, I love my parents. My dad calls the other night. Julie answers the phone. Julie and Dad proceed to have a 45 minute conversation before Mom gets on the line. Even though they talk to Julie more than me now, I still love them. I am ready to see them soon.

This week, I don't like the favoritism shown to Tiger Woods by the golf media. Yeah, I get it. He's brought more people to the game and golf would not be as popular without him. But, let me get this straight: Tiger wins the dinky Buick Open this past weekend and dominates ALL golf highlights (same weekend as Women's British Open and Senior US Open) but when he misses the cut at the Open Championship, it's not a big deal. Have I got that right? OK, good.



Be sure to check out more of Julie's zany antics at www.twitter.com/nickandjulie

Looks Like She is into Blogs Now!

So yesterday I mentioned that my sister, Ellen, is interning with the Heritage Foundation this summer. Today they posted one of her articles on their blog. I am so proud of her. Here is a link to her article:

http://blog.heritage.org/2009/08/05/obama%e2%80%99s-1-trillion-birthday-present/

So Excited to See Her

I am not the only female in my family who has had a wonderful 2009 so far! My sister, Ellen, spent mid January - mid May studying in London and has been in Washington DC all summer interning with the Heritage Foundation.

Her studying abroad and internship combined with my wedding have only allowed us to see each other 1 time since she left in January! She is moving back to Birmingham to start her Senior year at Samford later this month, and I cannot wait! I have been so blessed to spend as much time with her as I have over the past three years, and will not take a minute of this last year for granted.

All of you who know Ellen, know that she has every intention to end up in DC.

All of you who know me, know that I have every intention of staying right here in Sweet Home Alabama.

Meaning that this MAY be the last year that we ever live in the same city.

Ellen you will probably never see this, since you think that blogs are only for people with too much time on their hands, but on the off chance that you do see this - I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU!