Zebra Stripe?

...yes, you heard me right. Today I almost got a zebra stripe hearing aid. Did you even know there was such a thing? For my entire life I have dealt with a hearing loss considered moderate to severe. In middle school I got 2 hearing aids and hated them. I remember attempting to wear them to my algebra class with Ms. Bradley. They sounded weird and I really didn't think they were "cool." I remember one morning in my parents bedroom, I was saying goodbye to my dad before I left for school. He asked me if I had been wearing my hearing aids. I had to tell him no and I just started crying. Why? I was afraid my friends would think they were weird. I was afraid I wouldn't have a boyfriend. My dad then used this time to teach me a life lesson at the age of 13: my true friends wouldn't make fun of me and that if someone didn't want to be my boyfriend because I had a hearing aid, then he wasn't good enough for me anyway. Very true, but still hard to believe when you are 13 years old.
Fast forward 6 years to college. I attempted hearing aids again. I still hated them. I still thought that friends might not think they were cool and that no one would ask me out. So, in my desk at Clemson they sat.
Fast forward to 2005. I finally decided I had had enough of the "what?" "huh?" "repeat that, please." I did get one hearing aid for my right hear and life changed! I could hear a clock tick, I could hear sirens, I didn't have to ask people to repeat themselves (as much). My audiologist suggested that I get 2 hearing aids, but at the time I could only afford one at the cost of $2000+. Good news though! My insurance at work will now cover the cost of a hearing aid every two years. WhooHoo! That was the best news I've heard in a long time...no pun intended :) Today I met with an audiologist in Greer and in 2 weeks I should have a new hearing aid for my left ear. The matching one won't come to 2011, but I am so excited. I did order one that was considered champagne colored, although I could have picked one out that was lavender, light blue, silver, pearl white, zebra, Hawaiian floral, or orange. I think Chris would have probably picked out the orange one. I thought a color might be fun, but if the lifespan of a hearing aid is 5-7 years, I really should probably get something simple. Do you think I should get something different? Left me know. You only live once, right?

...and I thought I loved you then

As of today, Chris and I have been married for 77 days! Everyday I find another reason to love him more and more. From the sweet messages he texts or writes me to the acts of service he does for others to the encouraging words he shares with me and his flexibility in difficult situations...he just has a soft heart and a heart for the Lord. For those that know him well, I'm sure you would agree. I fell in love with this precious man almost 20 months ago in late summer of 2007 and now he is my HUSBAND to have and to hold forever and ever. There are so many unknowns ahead of us right now, but there isn't anyone I would rather have holding my hand along the way.

One thing that we love to do together is sing to songs that are playing on the radio. Sometimes we make up our own words, sometimes we sing duets, and if he's lucky...I even have some dance moves that I can do to the songs. Well, one of our favorite songs on the radio right now is the new song by Brad Paisley, Then. I have pasted the lyrics below in case you haven't heard it. So, slow down for 3 minutes, sit back and enjoy this song and cuddle up with the one you love.

I remember, trying not to stare the night that I first met you

You had me mezmorized

And three weeks later, in the front porch light

taking forty-five minutes to kiss goodnight

I hadn't told you yet but I thought I loved you then

Chorus

And now you're my whole life

now you're my whole world

I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl

Like a river meets the sea,

stronger than it's ever been.

We've come so far since that day

And I thought I loved you then

And I remember, taking you back to right where I first met you,

You were so surprised

There were people around, but I didn't care

Got down on one knee right there once again,

I thought I loved you then

Chorus

And now you're my whole life

now you're my whole world

I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl

Like a river meets the sea,

stronger than it's ever been.

We've come so far since that day

And I thought I loved you then

I could just see you, with a baby on the way

And I could just see you, when your hair is turning gray

What I can't see is how I'm ever gonna love you more

But I've said that before

And now you're my whole life

now you're my whole world

I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl

We'll look back someday, at this moment that we're in

And I'll look at you and say

And I thought I loved you then

And I thought I loved you then

We are NOT participating in the recession

Chris and I signed up to attend a Dave Ramsey event called Town Hall For Hope.

April 23 @ 8pm

Tired of hearing the fear, doom and gloom that’s filling the airwaves? Join Dave Ramsey for a nationwide town hall meeting and discover what’s happening with the economy, how we got here, and where we’re going. Plus, Dave will answer your questions live throughout the event!

*************************

The event is free and is being hosted at over 1700+ locations throughout the country. Let us know if you have plans to attend in your town.

We have to go!

Chris and I both enjoy traveling, although we haven't done much together. Our budget for traveling was minimal while we were planning the wedding. Now we are still in recovery mode, but are looking forward to visiting some fun places. Nashville was so much fun and we learned that we travel well together...thank goodness!! We both enjoying sightseeing, but also enjoy relaxing on the trip as well.
I saw these 2 hotels today on the Travel Channel and they look like places that would definitely be memorable. Check them out when you can.

Madonna Inn: Don't be confused. This has nothing to do with the blond, 80's singer. The Inn is located in California. One hundred ten unique rooms now exist, each decorated differently to suit many individual tastes...rock rooms, waterfall showers, rock fireplaces, European fixtures, and fine furnishings to name a few. Prices range from $179-up/night. A few of my favorites are Cabin Still, Caveman, and & Desert Sands. They even have a Golf Room.

Dunton Hot Springs: Just across the mountain from Telluride, Dunton Hot Springs Resort & Spa is a romantic ghost town, set in an extraordinary alpine valley. The hotel has earned the title of #1 Luxury Hotel in the U.S. for by 2009 Trip Advisor Travelers' Choice Award. Yes, this is much more expensive, but the environment is completely different. It's just as if you have stepped back in time. Oh yeah, you can even rent out the entire town for only $10,000 until May 15 and that includes meals & accommodations for 42 people. Seems like alot at first, but might be a good deal for the right occasion. My two favorite are Brjoerkmans Cabin and Echo Cabin.

If you know of anyone who has ever stayed at either of these, please leave a comment. As we all know, websites can be quite deceiving sometimes so I would like to get a summary from a reliable source. That's it for now.

Happy Trails to you...

Today

Right now Chris is making cookies and they smell de-licious! I guess after a fun day of hiking, cruising around the mountains, and watching basketball he has worked up an appetite. It's all good!

We don't have much on the agenda tomorrow. I tackled 10 thank you notes today, and will attempt another 10 tomorrow while he is sleeping. This week and next, Chris is on night shift. This means he is at work by 6pm and gets off at 6am. Long day, but PLEASE do not feel bad for him. After two weeks of night shift, he has a full 7 days off. Yes...7 days off! I so enjoy having him at home instead of him staying up in the mountains at his parents property. I feel like I have explained this 100+ times, but in case you don't know our living situation here it goes:

When Chris works: he stays in the mountains at his parents property*.

When Chris doesn't work: he stays with me in Greer.

*=a piece of land near Ceasar's Head State park that consists of 1 bed, 1 gas stove, fridge, and a plug-in heater. The shower and toilet are outside. The toilet is a compost toilet and has to be churned each time he uses it. Get my drift?

The last time he was off for 4 days in a row I came home to tulips on the kitchen table and a 6'1" cutie pie standing in the kitchen playing a love song on his guitar. Literally, a picture perfect moment. If only there were a way to capture these moments forever.

Tuesday's Gone

Hey everyone this is Chris. Yes I am actually making a blog entry. I am going to be doing this weeks ten things that I am thankful for. Here we go....

1) I am thankful that Amy has made this blog to keep all of you informed of our growing relationship.
2) I am thankful that tomorrow is my last day of the work week, and then I rotate to nights. (I hate mornings, so nights are much better in that sense, but I don't get to see Amy as much so that is a downer).
3) I am thankful we get to see my family tomorrow. They are up here working on details of the house they are going to build over in Caesar's Head area.
4) I am thankful that Amy and I are growing closer together each and every day.
5) I am thankful that I have a wife who has a great financial sense about her, especially in these days.
6) I am thankful that Amy and I have a relationship that we can laugh together at absolutely nothing at all.
7) I am thankful that we both have jobs that provide a good lifestyle, a roof over our heads, and food on the table
8) I am thankful that we have friends and co-workers that will come to our rescue no matter what (i.e. if one of us should run out of gas; even if we have a company car and a gas card to use).
9) I am thankful that Amy accepts me in spite of my downfalls and quirks, and loves me unconditionally.
10) Lastly, I am thankful for the way that Amy falls asleep on my chest at night and starts to snore a little. There's nowhere else I would want to be :)

I hope these little things in life that I am thankful for help you in your everyday busy lives to stop and think what life is really about.

How could I forget?

Honestly, I really did think about my post for this past Tuesday but just never sat down long enough to post the blog. I'll go ahead and update for this week so I can be on schedule when Tuesday rolls around again. I'm thankful...
1. a few more Thank You notes have been written.
2. that I was safe on the road this week...14+ hours of driving.
3. my friend has a healthy boy on the way.
4. that Chris was so willing to help me move furniture. We rearranged the den.
5. we were invited to a dance party next weekend!
6. my schedule allowed me to take 1/2 day off of work this week to take care of much needed errands. Verizon family share plan, joint checking account, rocking chair shopping.
7. I saw my mom this week. She met me in Irmo with a container of cucumbers and tomatoes. Yum!
8. that I will be in Lawrence and Ann's wedding. Chris will read scripture.
9. for a husband that truly enjoys cooking.
10. for friends that share the love of God.

I had so many hours on the road this week that I had lots of time to think. I started thinking about the previous company car that I just turned in. Although, never was it a car I would buy (it was a Dodge), but it certainitely had emotional value for me and Chris. This was the car we made our trips back and forth in to Columbia while planning out wedding. This is the car we drove to Clemson that night he proposed to me. And, this was the car left in from the church after we became husband and wife. I'm sad to think that the next person who owns that car will have no idea the memories that were made in it.
Does anyone else get attached to their cars? I remember as a child, my mom crying in the driveway of a friends house while the new owner of the Ford station wagon my parents had just sold drove away. This was the car that my mom & dad had brought my brother and I home in from the hospital. At the time, I just didn't understand. Why wouldn't she be excited about another car, I certainitely was.
Now, I understand completely.

Interesting Information

As you all know, I work for Enterprise and love it. I am actually on the verge on my 8 year anniversary with the company. Enterprise is a company that has grown to be the largest rental car company in North America by focusing on completely satisfying customers and taking care of their employees. Check out the latest information about our founder, Jack Taylor. Pretty cool stuff, right?

THANKFUL TUESDAY!

Yeah! It's that time again. Sorry I'm a day behind, but last night I was writing thank you notes. I promise to do better about keeping up with my schedule as promised. I am thankful that...
1. ...Chris and I have organized all the gifts and returned duplicates. Huge accomplishment!
2. ...I received my new SS card today. Enterprise was able to change my work email address.
3. ...dinner plans have been made with a high school friend after months of talking about it.
4. ...the wedding video came in. I highly recommend a videographer!
5. ...my cousin is experiencing God's embrace through a difficult time.
6. ...I have a baby shower to go to this weekend for a lifelong friend in Columbia.
7. ...Enterprise gave me a new car this week.
8. ...it snowed! I love a snow day.
9. ...friends that make me laugh!
10...my dad got his cast taken off on Monday. Now he has a little more mobility than before.

How mad would you be?

I am a huge fan of great customer service and really get upset when I don't receive it. Watch this video...I would be so furious, even Chris agreed. :) On a side note, Enterprise just received another J.D. Power Customer Service award! Go ERAC!

Coupon Time

Again...You all know I love free stuff. Quiznos is giving away 1 million subs. Go get yours!!
Click here.

Something New!! THANKFUL TUESDAY

OK...I'm trying something new. Every Tuesday I am going to list Ten Things That I am Thankful for on Tuesday! Get ready :)

1. A sweet husband that decided to come back to Greer after work today instead of staying overnight in the mountains.
2. A job that keeps me busy.
3. That Chris has a job in an industry that will always be needed.
4. Friends that make time to get together.
5. A wonderful lady that cleans my house. She came today!
6. All the wonderful gifts that we have received from family and friends.
7. That Ian's surgery was successful and The Bloodworths are back in Greenville.
8. My mom...for taking good care of my dad since the surgery on his thumb.
9. My dad...for responding to the surgery well. He never complains.
10. That I talked to my brother on the phone today. Things are going well with their wedding planning.

Alright...that's 10 for this week. Check in next Tuesday for 10 more. This post is a reminder for me to sit down and really think about what I am thankful for. Sometimes things get so hectic and I can get so consumed with the details of a busy week that small blessings are overlooked. Thank you for allowing me to share with you the things that warm my heart. Good Night!

Funny Stuff

First, let me say that I LOVED my wedding cake. Parkland Cakes did a fabulous job and from what I have heard, it was delicious too! I'll let you know on our 1 year anniversary. But, with that being said...some other cakes haven't turned out as expected. Check out this blog...Cake Wrecks. It is filled with cakes-gone-wrong. Just a good laugh for you on a Sunday afternoon.

Red is the color of LOVE

As most of you know, Chris and I serve in the nursery at our church in Greenville. We absolutely love the babies and love the sweet couples we work with. Chris is such a natural at taking care of the babies. When they start getting fussy with me, then he is the one that usually gets them settled down. This Sunday Chris was working so it was just me. I was so excited to get a wedding gift from a couple we work with. I just had to post a picture because it looks just like something I would pick out. She ordered it from Personalization Mall. It is a red wooden bowl that has "The Lacks" etched into the side. I think this would look great on the kitchen table full of green apples during the summer too. This website has all kinds of great gifts. I hope you can find something for that next gift you need to give.Tonight Chris and I are going to an Oscar Night party. We are so excited to get all dressed up and walk on the red carpet...yes, they will actually have red carpet! The event is hosted by the Junior League of Greenville and is one of the few parties across the country that is actually sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. To set these parties apart from the thousands of other events taking place on Oscar night, each ONA party receives from the Academy copies of the official commemorative poster and the official Oscar show program. The event is a fundraiser for the charities that the Junior League supports. I'll be sure to post pictures of the festivities and if we win any of the silent auction items.

WOW! You all know I love a good deal, and I love something FREE even better, right? I just received an email from Shutterfly.com. This is an offer to make a free 20 page photo book. I made one for Chris for Christmas and it was really nice. Won't this be perfect for wedding pictures? Let me know if you make one too.

Express yourself.Bring your photos to life ina gorgeous, professionally bound photo book.
Simply choose 20 photosto create your free20-page 8x8 photo book* (a $29.99 value).

Get started
Offer ends March 10, 2009.
Promo code: PHOTOBOOKS

* Free 8x8 photo book includes initial set of 20 pages. All incremental pages will be charged on a per page rate. Licensed premium photo books, Martha Stewart books, Creating Keepsakes books, Adventure books and leather and padded photo books are not included in this reward. Taxes, shipping and handling charges will apply.

What is the CRBR?

It's that time of year! The Cooper River Bridge Run (CRBR) is April 4th. The first time I participated in the race was 2 years ago. I went down with a group of girls and just had a fun weekend. Last year another group of us went down and Chris came too. I was overwhelmed with the number of people participating. There are so many people running/walking that most of the race is running from side to side to get around people. It actually took us about 8 minutes of walking to even cross the starting line! There are some funny sights though. We even saw a proposal at the top of the bridge! Anyway, the race is lots of fun and a great event that keeps me motivated to run...which isn't my favorite thing to do. :)

I am including a week-to-week running program that encourages us couch potatoes to run a 5K in 2 months. Yes, I know the race is 10K and Yes, I know that we have less than 2 months. So?

Below is two weeks worth of training in case you want to get started on training for the race. Chris and I are planning to do the race again so let us know if you want to run along. It's always more fun with more people.

Chris and I after the race eating at The Wreck.

Tips:

Before setting out, make sure to precede each session with a five-minute warmup walk or jog. Be sure to stretch both before and after.
There are two ways to follow this program, to measure your runs by time or by distance. Either one works just as well, choose the option that seems easiest for you to keep track of. If you go with the distance option, and you are not using a track to measure the distances, just estimate. It's not important to have the distances absolutely exact.
Each session should take about 20 or 30 minutes, three times a week.
Week 1
Workout 1: Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
Workout 2: Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
Workout 3: Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.

Week 2
Workout 1: Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
Workout 2: Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
Workout 3: Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.

**This information was taken from http://www.coolrunnings.com/

A special Valentine's Day

Chris and I have some dear friends here in Greenville, Jennifer and Stewart Bloodworth. If you have been keeping up on the blog, you have heard me mention them before. They have a beautiful set of twins that were born this summer, Ian and Bonner. Before birth, Ian was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot. On Friday, February 13th he had surgery for complete repair of his diagnosis. If you are interested in keeping up with the story of a precious little heart repaired just in time for Valentine's Day, please visit their caringbridge site.
We are excited that Ian is recovering well and we can't wait to see them back in Greenville soon.

Where did we go?

Does it seem that we have fallen off the face of the earth? I feel so out of touch with everyone. I promise to do a better job returning your sweet emails and phone calls. I really do appreciate all the memories you have that you have shared with us. They warm our heart. We are just really enjoying this time together. Right before the wedding we were super busy, so now that the wedding is over we are attempting to catch our breath!

For those of you that raved about the adorable invitations to some of my wedding showers, the rehearsal dinner invitation, and some of the thank you notes that I used, I am posting the link to PJH Designs. Patty Hogan is a dear friend of our family and went above and beyond by helping set up for the rehearsal, printing the program, stickers for the M&Ms, and so many other things. If you can think of it, she can do it. Check out her website and be sure to tell her that Amy sent you!

I'm on facebook now. Check it out!

Pictures from the Wedding!!

http://www.brooketurnerphotography.com/blog/amy-chris-slideshow/

This is a slideshow that our wonderful photographer put together to capture some fun moments of the wedding. I hope you enjoy viewing it as much as we have. I think I have probably watched it about 20 times. :)
**Please leave us a comment and let us know what your favorite memory of our wedding was. ** This just brings a smile to our faces.

Pictures Posted!

Yes, we are still on our honeymoon in Nashville having a blast. Did you think were leaving Thursday? We did too until Chris found out that there was a show at the Grand Old Opry Friday night so he sweet talked to concierge into a GREAT rate for tonight. So...we stayed! I will be updating all sorts of pictures of fun things that we did once we get home and settled in.
Our wedding photographer, Brooke Turner has posted a slide show of the wedding pictures on her blog.
Attached are just a few our of self-portraits we have taken while on the honeymoon. Have a great weekend!

At The Ryman, a.k.a "The Mother Church of Country Music"

at the Country Music Hall of Fame

at Coyote Ugly

at Cooter's, Dukes of Hazard museum

at the Wildhorse Saloon