MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Make a Smilebox greeting

moments

Trip to Hattiesburg, MS to visit Seester. Love my tall daddy!

Welcome to Thanksgivingmas at the Tyler house

the FEAST... it was yummy!

Back in Birmingham...
Ready for a game of Ultimate Frisbee

'tis the season

No, not Christmas... yet! It's Wedding Season.

November 1st Rachel and Beau tied the knot. Rachel and I met one weekend she was in Birmingham interviewing for a job. We hit it off instantly and both decided that we would be friends when she moved in 6 weeks. So the friendship began and in 6 months we were roommates. It has been so much fun living with her the past two+ years. Thankfully, she is not moving too far away... the neighborhood across the street!

CONGRATULATIONS RACHEL AND BEAU GREEN!





November 15th the Perrymans and Boggs hosted an Engagement Party for Missy and Andrew in Nashville. What a great party! And of course I loved getting to see Missy again. Lucky me... I got to see her two weekends in a row! The weekend before I made the trip to Dallas. We had a blast!



November 22nd Lori and Eric tied the knot in Yazoo City, MS. Lori and I went to Jackson Academy together, but we didn't know each other very well. We decided to room together since we were the only two from our school going to Delta State. She would come into senior English with bedding catalogs talking about throw pillows and colors to decorate my room. As a 17 year old that was the last thing on my mind. But our friendship began and we lived together for 3 years!

The weekend was wonderful! High School friends were in town for the event. Some that chose coming to Jackson for the wedding and skipping out on Thanksgiving this year. It was fun getting to catch up with all of them. Ann was home from Berkeley, California, Christina and her husband came down from Memphis, Bradford flew in from D.C., and Elizabeth drove over from Birmingham. The band was awesome and we danced the night away.

CONGRATULATIONS LORI AND ERIC STRINGER!




To be continued with more parties and the big day for Missy soon-to-be Morgan!

Fun Day at the Farm

I could have taken a long nap in this hammock.

boots, boots, boots (and Beavers)

Enjoying a lazy afternoon on the pond

Welcome Home Jon'ta, De'Aries, and Nicholas

Jon'ta and De'Aries excited to be home!

Happy Birthday Cookie

Jon'ta playing school

Nicholas

autumn in nc

cashiers farmer's market

camping at fish hatchery in the pisgah naational forest

whitewater falls

Daddy/Daughter Weekend

The weekend before school started back my dad and I went on a daddy/daughter trip. Sadly, my mom couldn't join us and Claire and Charles met us at the family reunion. Dad picked me up in Birmingham and we headed to Atlanta where we met my aunt, uncle, and cousin (from Houston) for a Braves game. It was exciting to be at a baseball game. We spent the night in Atlanta and then headed to Big Canoe, where the Myrick family reunion was held. I enjoyed spending time with such wonderful people that unfortunately I don't get to see much of. We canoed on the lake, played at the pool, went down a rock slide, hiked to Amicolola Falls, and ate lots of good food. Daddy and I made a stop at the Hiwassee River on our way back to Birmingham. We paddled and enjoyed God's creation. That is one of my favorite rivers!

time for an update

I had planned to update the blog before school started back, but it's started back and still no update. I have started a blog post about my trip to Hungary, but it is not complete. Hopefully, you will get to see my thoughts soon. It's hard to believe another school year is here. I am excited about starting a new school year and being in a routine. Although, I will miss lazy summer mornings, traveling, and having unlimited time with friends and family.

Mission to Hungary

I am privileged to have the opportunity to return to Hungary on a short-term mission trip. This is our church's second opportunity to partner with the Paulus Movement located near Budapest, Hungary. The first half of the trip our team will participate in the church's annual retreat at Lake Balaton, serving their leadership team and building relationships. The second week we will lead a conversational English Camp with courses in the morning for children and in the afternoon for adults. This is a wonderful outreach opportunity to help the Paulus ministry connect to un-reached families in the area.

I ask that you partner with our team in prayer as we finish final preparations, travel, serve, and minister in Hungary. Daily updates while we are away can be found at MBCC's short-term mission blog. If you would like to support our team financially, you may send money to:

Mountain Brook Community Church
RE: Short-Term Mission Trip
3001 Highway 280 East
Birmingham, AL 35243

summer

What does summer mean for me?

recovering from the past 10 months
moving around a little slower
noticing my surroundings
going out to lunch
running errands during a weekday
yearly doctor's appointments
sleep
small projects
quiet moments
being responsible for me

Missy lives in DALLAS.
Rachel is ENGAGED.
I celebrated my birthday at BLACKBERRY FARM.

She's a Texan! What would we do without ichat?

Since Missy couldn't be here to celebrate with me. She sent me things I needed to make a birthday cake.
The whole gang at Blackberry Farm for my birthday (hah... it was really Caitlin and Jordan's wedding).
What a perfect weekend and the most stunning couple!
Relaxing on the Farm
Caitlin, the Beautiful Bride
Enjoying the Wedding Feast

Springtime

Spring is one of my favorite times of year, but it's also one of the busiest. Spring Break and Easter were early this year and it was still cool outside, so it didn't feel like it was really here. I spent a few days of Spring Break in Greenwood, MS visiting with Mom and the Tylers. Mom prepared and cooked some of the most amazing meals (as usual) and Tim and Cole took me to the "secret lake."

I made a quick trip to Jackson to see my sister, Claire and her hubby, Charles. That was the first time I had spent the night with them since they live so close to my parents house. Mama and Daddy were both out-of-town, but they came made the trip to Birmingham the next weekend for Easter. We went to church, then they came to my house for lunch. Missy joined us too since that is our annual holiday meal.



It didn't take long to get back into the routine of work, but it is still hard to get up in the mornings since it's light late in the day and dark early in the morning when I wake up. I do love those few extra hours of daylight.

This past weekend some of my family came to Birmingham for the first Tyler Cousin Camping Trip. We all love to be outdoors and camp, so we took a weekend trip up to Sipsey Wilderness. It was beautiful and such nice weather, even though it was a little overcast. The waterfalls are amazing! Thankfully, we didn't have to worry about bears getting us in the woods, but the ticks were quite active. I think I am more scared of ticks than a grizzly!

Savior

"Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, 'You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. I will therefore punish and release him.'

But they all cried out together, 'Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas'— a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, 'Crucify, crucify him!'

A third time he said to them, 'Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.'

But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will . . .

Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.

And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, 'He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!'

The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, 'If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!' There was also an inscription over him, 'This is the King of the Jews.'

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour [3:00 p.m.], while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!' And having said this he breathed his last."

--Luke 23:13-25, 32-46 (ESV)

Heartstrings

Life is moving fast. When does it not?! I feel like it's been in fast-forward since Christmas especially. Many people often ask, "What have you been up to?" Well... I feel like it's whatever I was up to the last time we talked. So my response is just the same "stuff" - work, church, and everything else I do that takes up my time. Well, I have been up to the same "stuff," but there is a lot to work through and other things to deal with. In January, Granddaddy passed away. In February, I had the flu. In March, one of my best friends in Birmingham got a new job (YAY!), but is moving to Dallas. I know there are some more big changes on the horizon. I have yet to feel too overwhelmed because there has not been much time to process these things. Instead, I am experiencing small tugs on my heartstrings as "normal" is changing.

Spring Break is here! YIPPEE!!! It's a much needed break for some rest and relaxation, which I plan to do. And time to process the changes that are taking place in life. It is all thought provoking.

Lord, what are you teaching me?

Tribute to Granddaddy

September 28, 1917 - January 7, 2008

Recently, my family lost my Dad's dad, Gordon Lee Smith. He went home to be with the Lord after 90 years. Granddaddy and Grandmama just celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary 2 days earlier. Granddaddy had a fascinating life... a pitcher for Ole Miss, lawyer, FBI agent, and State Senator. When he retired, he spent time playing golf, bridge, and growing tomatoes. These are the things I remember most about him. He was passionate about the things he enjoyed and had a great sense of humor. Granddaddy could remember everything. I loved sitting with him for hours listening to stories from growing up or from his days of traveling and moving around when he worked for the FBI. He was a great man and will be missed immensely.

A NEW YEAR... time to clean out!

There was one thing that had to happen at the beginning of this new year... cleaning out! I have moved every year at least once for the past 7 years. Thankfully, the last move has been a year and a half ago and I'm staying put for now. But, that means I have accumulated entirely too much junk. I have to be in the mood to clean out and have the time to finish the project. So, the first two days of the new year were committed to cleaning out clothes and trash. I bagged up 2 and a half garbage bags of clothes to give away and I lost track of how many bags I filled up with trash!