As I'm writing this, Austin and I are sitting on our love seat watching one of our favorite movies, "17 Again". We just saw the part where Ned and Ms. Masterson find out that they are both Lord of the Rings fans. As they speak Elvish, we smile and laugh. On the day Austin proposed to me, we watched the first two installments of "Lord of the Rings." Yeah. We've come a long way since then.
Two years ago on Valentine's Day, Austin drove from Jackson, TN to come see me in Paducah, KY for our first date. We had been talking on the for about two weeks (several hours each time) and decided that we needed to spend some face to face time in order for anything to progress. Austin brought me a single peach colored rose (from his Grandmother's Valentine's bouquet). We went to church at First Baptist Paducah, ate lunch at Flamingo Row, and walked around downtown Paducah (despite gray, freezing weather) while talking and enjoying the butterflies that come with the start of a wonderful, new relationship.
This Valentine's Day marked the two-year anniversary of our first date. Austin brought me a dozen gorgeous, deep red roses for me to enjoy on my desk. He surprised me with a lovely pearl drop necklace with three small sapphires at the top! I love it! I gave him walkie talkies (we are looking forward to using them on our first camping trip soon!) For dinner, we made special reservations at Patti's 1880's Settlement Restaurant, which is, interestingly, where Austin proposed! What made the evening interesting was that Patti's is about 2 and a half hours away! So, with one headlight out and expired Kentucky tags (I keep meaning to get to that!) we ventured into the Land between the Lakes for our romantic evening. Dinner was delicious, as Patti's specialty is their pork chop. I got the 1 inch chop and Austin got the Tropical pork chop. Potatoes, salads with ranch dressing, sweet tea in mason jars, and, of course, the flower pot bread! We thoroughly enjoyed the food and each other's company. After the meal, we got back in the car, and miraculously made it back to Jackson without getting pulled over! Success!
I was due on Valentine's Day 1987- 25 years ago. My mom told me that I must have been warm where I was because I decided to stay in the womb an extra week. It seems appropriate now that I love nothing more than wrapping up in a soft, warm blanket next to a fire on a cold day. When I was born, Washington D.C. was in the middle of a huge snowstorm. The generators were even on!
My 25th Birthday was truly wonderful. Although the day started at 5:30 in the morning with a call from a teacher wanting to know if Austin could substitute for her class (even though he's had a full-time job for over a year- haha!), Austin sang me "Happy Birthday" as I was leaving for work. He later surprised me with breakfast, a dozen pink roses and two cute balloons. He did a good job! :-) As the day progressed, I realized how truly blessed I am to be at Union. The countless birthday wishes and kind words from fellow staff members and students meant so much!
Austin took me out for dinner at Asahi Japanese Steakhouse (where I had filet mignon, of course!) and then we returned home for a small party that Austin arranged. My awesome sister made delicious funfetti cupcakes and brought her sweet roommies to help me celebrate! We were later joined by our good friends the Mayfields, the Moores and our next door neighbors! After playing Apples to Apples again for the first time since I was 17, we concluded the evening with presents and a good night's sleep!
I truly can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me (and for us!) during this 25th year of my life! It does feel like a milestone (after all, it is a quarter of a century!), but I am so thankful for where I am. Today actually marked my one-year anniversary of working at Union University, a job that I absolutely love!
All in all, it has been a great week!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Our First Weekend
This past weekend was special because it was the first one, in a long time, that we got to spend together! We pray that we never take our "ordinary weekends" for granted again! Here is an account, if you care to read, of our weekend.
On Saturday we woke up together (I'm used to seriously sleeping in- so this was new for me!) and decided to be lazy for a little while (because we could!). I had originally planned to make homemade pancakes, but as late morning approached, we decided to just hold out until lunch. A huge part of that decision was due to the fact that we were going to Lambert's (Home of the Throwed Rolls) in Sikeston, Missouri, to celebrate our friend, Candra Pennington's, 26th Birthday! For those of you who have never experienced Lambert's, make sure to arrive with an empty stomach!
We ended up settling on Jimmy John's for lunch. We ate inside for the first time ever (a small miracle, considering how many times we take out from there), then went to Kroger to buy Candra a card and balloon. After a brief stop at home, we went to Lifeway (at Union) to meet Candra, Holly, Abby and the Mayfields for our trip to Sikeston!
Due to car issues, the Mayfields and the Wards ended up riding in Austin's car, which had to be hastily cleaned out (meaning, all the junk that was previously in the back seat is now in the trunk). In the process, the balloon which we had so carefully selected for Candra decided to escape. Despite frantic attempts to catch it, the strong wind blew it away. FAIL!
The trip was pleasant and consisted mainly of farm land. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful, despite the fact that it was only 30 degrees outside! I crossed the Mississippi River after an absence of several years. I keep forgetting how west West Tennessee truly is.
When we arrived at Lambert's it seemed as though the entire population of Sikeston was there with us! The staff was well prepared, however, and we greatly anticipated hearing our number, 366. We were reminded several times that the order depended on the size of the party, not just number! After a little over an hour, we were seated.
As our orders were taken and ragtime piano filled the background, the first batch of hot rolls came out. The reason Lambert's is called "Home of the Throwed Rolls" is because that's what actually happens. If you want a roll, you simply have to raise your hand and suddenly a roll will appear! It can get pretty interesting. I must brag on my husband. He caught two at once!
Although the entrees for our group included massive helpings of pot roast, barbeque chicken, frog legs, cheeseburgers and all kinds of vegetables, the meal that was the most impressive was Dustin's salad! It was in a bread bowl about a foot and a half in diameter and was piled up probably about a foot high! The waiter jokingly told Dustin that if he finished it, he would get a free Lambert's mug (which he did!). It was such a fun time of food and fellowship! We were so glad we we were able to celebrate with Candra!
The ride back was loads of fun as the Wards and Mayfields sang hymns together and then started singing childhood and camp favorites such as, "Down by the Bay". Ha ha!
Saturday night we went to sleep with very full stomachs and sweet dreams :-)
Sunday morning we worshiped at First Baptist Humboldt with Mary Rhea and other friends from Union and days gone by. We truly enjoyed the time of fellowship and praise. It was SO GOOD to be able to attend church together at last!
Sunday afternoon was spent taking naps and getting a few things done around the house. We were disappointed not to get to go to Murfreesboro to celebrate Adam Ward's birthday with Austin's family, but decided that the trip was too long to attempt in one day.
I made flank steak, steamed new potatoes and green peas for supper and made a strawberry cake for dessert (and Valentine's day). I love cooking!
That concluded our first "ordinary" weekend! We are so thankful that we get to spend this time together now! God answers prayer!
Elizabeth
On Saturday we woke up together (I'm used to seriously sleeping in- so this was new for me!) and decided to be lazy for a little while (because we could!). I had originally planned to make homemade pancakes, but as late morning approached, we decided to just hold out until lunch. A huge part of that decision was due to the fact that we were going to Lambert's (Home of the Throwed Rolls) in Sikeston, Missouri, to celebrate our friend, Candra Pennington's, 26th Birthday! For those of you who have never experienced Lambert's, make sure to arrive with an empty stomach!
We ended up settling on Jimmy John's for lunch. We ate inside for the first time ever (a small miracle, considering how many times we take out from there), then went to Kroger to buy Candra a card and balloon. After a brief stop at home, we went to Lifeway (at Union) to meet Candra, Holly, Abby and the Mayfields for our trip to Sikeston!
Due to car issues, the Mayfields and the Wards ended up riding in Austin's car, which had to be hastily cleaned out (meaning, all the junk that was previously in the back seat is now in the trunk). In the process, the balloon which we had so carefully selected for Candra decided to escape. Despite frantic attempts to catch it, the strong wind blew it away. FAIL!
The trip was pleasant and consisted mainly of farm land. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful, despite the fact that it was only 30 degrees outside! I crossed the Mississippi River after an absence of several years. I keep forgetting how west West Tennessee truly is.
When we arrived at Lambert's it seemed as though the entire population of Sikeston was there with us! The staff was well prepared, however, and we greatly anticipated hearing our number, 366. We were reminded several times that the order depended on the size of the party, not just number! After a little over an hour, we were seated.
As our orders were taken and ragtime piano filled the background, the first batch of hot rolls came out. The reason Lambert's is called "Home of the Throwed Rolls" is because that's what actually happens. If you want a roll, you simply have to raise your hand and suddenly a roll will appear! It can get pretty interesting. I must brag on my husband. He caught two at once!
Although the entrees for our group included massive helpings of pot roast, barbeque chicken, frog legs, cheeseburgers and all kinds of vegetables, the meal that was the most impressive was Dustin's salad! It was in a bread bowl about a foot and a half in diameter and was piled up probably about a foot high! The waiter jokingly told Dustin that if he finished it, he would get a free Lambert's mug (which he did!). It was such a fun time of food and fellowship! We were so glad we we were able to celebrate with Candra!
The ride back was loads of fun as the Wards and Mayfields sang hymns together and then started singing childhood and camp favorites such as, "Down by the Bay". Ha ha!
Saturday night we went to sleep with very full stomachs and sweet dreams :-)
Sunday morning we worshiped at First Baptist Humboldt with Mary Rhea and other friends from Union and days gone by. We truly enjoyed the time of fellowship and praise. It was SO GOOD to be able to attend church together at last!
Sunday afternoon was spent taking naps and getting a few things done around the house. We were disappointed not to get to go to Murfreesboro to celebrate Adam Ward's birthday with Austin's family, but decided that the trip was too long to attempt in one day.
I made flank steak, steamed new potatoes and green peas for supper and made a strawberry cake for dessert (and Valentine's day). I love cooking!
That concluded our first "ordinary" weekend! We are so thankful that we get to spend this time together now! God answers prayer!
Elizabeth
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