Happy Birthday Meow

Today my little (ok, not really little) furball turns 2!! He is the sweetest, furriest, cuddliest, smartest cat I have ever had. I love his little personality. I love how he greets me at the door when I get home. I love the way he plays with the ring from milk jugs. I love how he carries his stuffed dog in his mouth. I love the way he "clicks" and cries at the birds. I love how he just sits on my shoulder. I love how he snuggles every morning with me.

Happy Birthday Little Guy! I am so glad I have you!

Gluten Free

I have learned so much about Celiac's disease in the past couple of years when my Mom was diagnosed with it. I have learned what to look for in the food, where to shop, and what brands are the best. I have helped my Mom figure out tricks with recipes. My friend Melissa just found out that her 2 year old son has Celiacs. I am so glad they found out this young for him. I know how hard the transition was for my Mom who knew what wheat and gluten tasted like. Anyways, her blog is amazing. It's all about cooking for a GF little boy! And she made home-made goldfish...impressive!

Check it out if you can, especially if you cook GF for a kiddo!

Click here for her blog.

Spring

Spring is creeping into Middle Tennessee. First of all, we are starting to get the Spring Storms! Lucky us. It is sunny and warm. And of course, spring is really only a few weeks away.

I love spring time (of course, not as much as fall). I am a spring baby, so my birthday is always something to look forward to. New life. Flowers. Green. Warmth. Sunshine. My niece's birthday. Easter (man, I love Easter). And baseball.

While I have come to love and appreciate football, I still have a love for baseball. Especially the Mariner's. This is the first year where we can't just drive to a Mariner's game. Usually one of my spring highlights. That is ok, I am trying to convince Ryan we should go watch a Brave's game. He has been wanting to go to Atlanta, why not throw baseball in the mix?

I am so excited for spring (except the storms)!! But Baseball, that is one of the best parts! What are you looking forward to this Spring?

Jazz

When I was just starting seventh grade I was like any other awkward seventh grader. Insecure. Nervous. Unsure of myself.

I remember one night at AWANA a family had some kittens with them. I instantly had to have one. My mom let me. I would get him shortly after that. I was torn between naming him Tazz and Jazz. Somehow, Jazz stuck. And in no time I was holding a tiny ball of orange fur. My tiny ball of orange fur.

As junior high went along, I became even closer to Jazz. As weird as it sounds he was my friend when I felt like I didn't have any. I loved that cat. We remained as close as a cat and girl could be. After I left for college, he would soak up the attention when I would come home.

Jazz would have been 16 in August. But yesterday, he passed away. He had not been himself for a couple of years. He had a tooth pulled and his demeanor was never the same. He had a hard time eating, and my Mom said that is probably how he died.

I was crushed. I am crushed. To some people this is ridiculous, to be sad over a pet. But Jazz was so special to me. And the loss makes me sad.

But I am thankful. Ryan knew this day would come. We both did. That was partially why he got me my little guy, my Meow. So while I am sad that Jazz is no longer with us, I know I still have Meow who is so sweet and loves me a lot.

I will miss my Jazzy. A lot.

Phew..what a whirlwind

I have been MIA the past week or so. That is because the greatest in-laws were here!

But before I get to that, I need to share about my wonderful Valentine! Ryan loves to spoil, and that he did. He bought me a new beautiful trunk for our living room. I have been eyeballing it for a while. Came out with roses dusted in glitter. Took me to dinner at our VDay favorite: PF Changs and got me Dove Chocolate..all I really wanted! This all took place a few days before Vday. I loved it. I love being with Ryan. I am so thankful for my amazing hubby. And Vday is just a sweet reminder of him and our love for each other.

The next the whirlwind began. House cleaning. Of course, I had to have it PERFECT with the inlaws due to arrive that night. I got to work. Then realized that I clogged our disposal. Yuck. So our friend Dave came to the rescue! After that I finished restoring order to my home and we waited anxiously to get to the airport!

Finally Dave and Judy arrived! Yay! Their visit began quickly that night and I feel we never stopped! I saw so much of Tennessee in their week long visit! We went to the Opryland Hotel, and missed the tour of the Grand Ole Opry by two minutes! We spent some time downtown goofing off. We spent a day poking around Historic Franklin and ended up at the Carnton Plantion. Which was used as a field hospital during the Civil War. It was pretty cool.

The following day we went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast and then off to Belle Meade Plantation. By far, one of my favorite sites! An afternoon of relaxing was much needed!

Our journey's continued at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Wow. We then drove around a bunch looking at houses (my FIL is a Real Estate Agent..so this was fun!!!). Ryan and I took them to dinner at the Melting Pot and they loved it! Thursday I surprised my MIL and took her to Homestead Manor for afternoon Tea. It was my first experience as it was hers. We had a great time sipping tea and eating small sandwiches!

Friday we went to an Antique Show which was pretty impressive. After that I had to have them experience Chick-fil-a! It was a hit! Then it was off to The Hermitage: the home of Andrew Jackson! What a beautiful place!!

Their week-long visit ended with breakfast at Loveless Cafe and a trip to the Jack Daniel's Distillery and a drive to Chattanooga!

We sooo loved having them here. It was such a fun experience to share our life here with our family. I can't wait for the rest to come!

The Man I love...

I am so in love. With Ryan. He is just such an amazing man.

He is the hardest worker I know.
He is the most generous man.
He is so random and funny.
He is so sweet and caring.
He spoils me.
He comforts me.
He takes care of me.
He loves me.
He loves Jesus.

Czech Video

While we were at English Camp in the Czech Republic, Ryan was in charge of the video camera. Our friend Daniel put together a video. If you look close enough you can see both Ryan and myself (I did the filming that Ryan is in-dancing!).