Engagement!

This is LONG overdue. Not too many people read this, so I don't keep it as up-to-date as I should. The life-changing, big news around here is that Patton and I are ENGAGED!!! We've been busy little bees planning a wedding that's just 101 days away! Thankfully, the date and most of the things that go along with that have been set. Now we're just pressing on with some of the details. Planning our wedding is so much fun, and Patton has been a huge help with the planning. Despite what society tells us-- that the day is all about the bride, Patton has been hands-on with every detail and has said numerous times "It's my wedding too. Why wouldn't I want to be a part of this?!" I'm thankful for him and his peppy spirit!

As Christmas holidays approached, the wedding planning to-do list grew. We're checking things off, and hopefully we will have many things finished before I head back to school in January. Some of the things we've been up to are tasting cake, registering, taking engagement pictures, and I tried on some dresses! We're spending time with his family for the first part of the holidays, then we're headed to Mississippi to celebrate Christmas with my family! 

Merry Christmas! 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given... And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Fall is here!

Thankfully there has been some relief from the heat! Fall is in the air. It's my favorite season, and sadly it doesn't last long enough. This fall has been full of watching football, treehouse camping, reuniting with old friends, and some much needed r&r at the beach! Work has been non-stop since it started in August. The demands of education from a federal and state level are growing beyond what is humanly possible and we (teachers) are just trying to survive. Thankfully, one-fourth of the 'pie' is gobbled up. Only three-fourths to go! That is until the 'pie' reappears and it starts all over again.
The first 4 years I lived in Alabama I didn't mind not having a "team." It was the topic of many conversations of friends, co-workers, students, and even strangers. I would get puzzled looks that I lived in Alabama and didn't have a team. My students really had a hard time figuring that one out!
          student: "ms. smif, alabama or aubrun (most student pronunciations)?"
          me: "neither"
          student: "no, ms. smif, which one do you pull for, alabama or aubrun? i pull for aubrun."
          me: "neither... i don't have a team."
          student (really frustrated): "if you had to pull for one who would you pull for alabama or aubrun?"
Well, by default I have a team. I've made it through a season and a half as a 'fan' and am still trying to learn to say 'our team', 'we', and 'us.' Instead of 'them' or 'they.' My family isn't a fanatic fan of any team, but my dad loves him some Rebels Black Bears! When I think of animals in Mississippi I don't naturally think of Black Bears, but apparently the state has some that wander around the mighty Mississippi.

My favorite part of fall is tent camping! I like to camp at least once in the fall and once in the spring. Unfortunately I missed spring and last fall. The weekends have been so full that there hasn't been the opportunity to spend a night out. This fall I got to experience luxurious camping in a treehouse on some property that backs up to Oak Mountain State Park. It was the perfect weekend with great company, cooler temperatures, and access to the great outdoors!

Last weekend was my 10 year high school reunion. It was a great weekend with old friends. We're spread all over the country, so it was a treat to all be together again.

The upcoming weekends we'll be celebrating with friends who are uniting in marriage. I cannot wait to spend the weekend with my dear friend, Katie, who now resides in Hong Kong.

***Picture post coming soon!

July

{patton surprised me with roses when i got back from hungary - sweet!}

Summer is almost over. July has been full! I returned from Hungary. Patton had back surgery. I tutored at a Summer Learning Academy. Family came to visit. We went to Greenwood for a long weekend, and Jackson for my mom's surprise birthday party. We've also been able to do some fun things in Birmingham... Broomball, Barons game and Tommy Emmanuel show. Colleen, Emily, and I spontaneously went to the Coosa River one day last week. We're teachers and are all about soaking up every moment before the next school year starts!

Below are some pictures from the fun over the past month.

Hungary 2010

Oh Happy Day!

An indescribable energy shared among the Hungarians at Converse Camp. We had 85 Hungarian youth at the week long camp where our American team taught English, played games/sports, shared American culture, and had the opportunity to share Jesus.

Sweet precious Hungarian girls, Lilla and Evi

Janice and I stayed behind the cameras. This picture is proof that we were actually on the trip.

Our team enjoying our quick layover in London

The Lindseys!

What a beautiful celebration of marriage!

Congratulations Taylor & Elizabeth!

MONTANA!

What a wonderful way to kick off the summer...

Patton's Birthday Weekend

Patton's 29th birthday calls for an extra long weekend at the beach. It's an annual tradition that I'm lucky to be a part of this year. We headed to the beach Thursday after work. Some friends came that night and others on Friday. We had a great time celebrating Patton's birthday and getting away for a few days. Now we are sitting on the deck soaking up our last night at the beach. We'll stay until sunset tomorrow and then head back to Birmingham. Here's a recap of our fun!

Day 1:

Beautiful Seacrest Beach! There's nothing like it!

Jacob and Rachel hanging out by the pool.

The Birthday Boy

Taylor, Elizabeth, Beau, Rachel, Jacob, Natalie, and Patton enjoying a great dinner at Red Bar.

Elizabeth, Natalie, Rachel

Day 2:

Walking around Rosemary Beach after breakfast at Cowgirl Kitchen.

Bike ride to Alys and Rosemary. The storms didn't keep us from having a great day!

Alys Beach

Day 3:

It's another beautiful day!

Sunset on the way to dinner

Day 4:

Putt-Putt

Patton loves some Putt-Putt

This was a hole-in-one!

Where is spring?

It tried to come a couple of days early, but it turned out to be a snowy first day of Spring. Jackson had flurries all morning!

Some highlights of my spring break:

1. Baby shower of a dear friend {except she had a wreck and couldn't make the trip from Kentucky}. Lesley and baby are fine, but her mom had to fill in and open the gifts.

2. Trip to the Delta to show Patton some of my roots. We gobbled up 6 platters of crawfish! Cole liked them too! One of the things I miss most about the Delta is mudbug season! Patton also got a glimpse of where I spent 5 years - the home of the Fighting Okra. We spent most of our time in my favorite Delta town - Greenwood, MS where we toured The Alluvian, Viking Range Corporation, and The Mississippi Gift Company.

3. Trip to Hattiesburg, MS to spend a night with my sister. While there, we had dinner at Crescent City Grill with my cousin, Chris.

4. Patton and I enjoyed the prettiest Mississippi day with a walk around Mirror Lake and not one but 2 games of Putt-Putt.

5. Right Over Left played in Jackson for the second time this year. They rocked out Mc B.'s to raise money for a lung cancer patient. It was a huge success and a lot of fun!

Now I'm back to work. State testing starts tomorrow. We had a pep rally to get the kids excited. I sure do love some 80s!

a few of my favorite things

1. the daylight past 5 p.m.

2. spring break {one week away!}

3. spring arrives this month

4. the beach next month

5. ruffles

6. big sky country {countdown: 12 weeks!}

SNOW DAY!

spontaneous

Patton called at 6p.m. Tuesday and said a stranger just gave him tickets to see John Mayer {concert at 8}. We were on the 28th row and had a blast!