The Fourth of July

For the Fourth of July, Austin, Mary, Laura (Mary's precious roommie) and I went to Paducah, Kentucky! We stayed with my grandparents and just chilled, hung out with Uncle Patrick and Aunt Sherry and saw Uncle Richard. We gave Laura the grand tour of Paducah in the afternoon before the multitudes of people arrived for the fireworks display that night. Austin and I also visited the Chick-fil-A where I used to work. It was good to see some of my friends there!  It was so fun to reminisce, spend time with awesome family (and friend!) and spend time in a place that is so dear to my heart.

In 2010, Paducah won an award for the "Most Beautiful Main Street in America" which it deserves. Paducah dates back to before the Civil War and was a key place to occupy, as it is where the Tennessee and Ohio rivers converge. The historic charm, beautiful landscape and friendly people make you feel as though you are in the America portrayed in Norman Rockwell paintings- an idealistic reality of goodness and patriotism. However, although the America of the 21st Century is far from Norman Rockwell's world, some of those moments do still exist. Paducah on Independence Day embodied that simple life most people yearn for.

Broadway Street, lined with American flags and draperies in red, white and blue, came to life as eager children, with their parents toting chairs and blankets, found the perfect spot on the riverfront to watch the fireworks. The smell of popcorn and hot dogs hung in the air. A young man had his guitar on the street corner and sang a popular country song. The old-fashioned ice-cream parlor's line went out the door onto the street. Passing by the vivid murals on the flood wall depicting various aspects of the city's history added to the festivities. The city's jazz band played Big Band-era music on the stage near the river. A couple got up and danced, and a little girl watched, twirling herself around to the music. An elderly couple in lawn chairs held hands. Groups of teenagers walked by, laughing and trying to "act cool". Everyone waited in anticipation as the sun began to set, drawing a welcome coolness, for the fireworks to begin.

The Paducah Parks Director stepped to the microphone and warmly welcomed the crowd. He asked the veterans to stand, thanking them for their service, reminding everyone that they are the reason we can celebrate our freedom. Thunderous applause and cheers followed. Everyone then stood and put their hand over their heart as the band played the national anthem. More cheers. As John Philip Sousa filled the air, a tugboat started its engine and began pulling the barge containing the fireworks out into the center of the river. After awhile, the band ceased playing and hurriedly packed up their instruments and turned out the stage lights.

Then, the fireworks began. Children "oohed" and "awwwed". Some babies cried. Fireworks lit up the sky and were reflected in the water below. The audience was captivated. I felt so blessed to be there with my husband, dear family and sweet friend. Despite it's imperfection, I am proud to be an American.

An American Love Letter, 1861

Over the past two days, I have been watching the Ken Burns documentary on the Civil War. For those of you who know me well, this is not surprising! At the close of the first episode, the narrator reads a beautiful love letter from Major Sullivan Ballou of the Second Rhode Island Volunteers to his wife, Sarah. I was moved to tears (which is also not surprising!). Since the Fourth of July is tomorrow, I wanted to share it in the hope we can more fully appreciate the sacrifices made by those who have served so that our country can be free.

Dear Sarah,

Indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days, perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I am no more. I have no misgiving about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter.

I know how American civilization now leans on the triumph of the government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the Revolution. And I am willing, perfectly willing, to lay down all joys in this life, to help maintain this government, and to pay that debt.

Sarah, my love for you is deathless- it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence can break. Yet my love of country comes over me like a strong wind, bearing me irresistibly with all those chains to the battlefield. The memory of all those blissful moments I have enjoyed with you come crowding over me, and I feel most deeply grateful to God and to you that I've enjoyed them for so long. How hard it is to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when God-willing, we might still have lived and loved together and see our boys grow to honorable manhood around us.

If I do not return, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I loved you, nor that when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults and the many pains I have caused you- how thoughtless, how foolish I have sometimes been. But, oh Sarah, if the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen among those they love, I'll always be with you, in the brightest day and the darkest night, always. And when the soft breeze fans your cheek, it shall be my breath. Or the cool air at your throbbing temples, it shall be my spirit passing by.

Sarah, do not mourn me dead. Think I am gone and wait for me. For we shall meet again.


*Sullivan Ballou was killed a week later at the First Battle of Bull Run*

Healthy Wife, Healthy Life: Setbacks

The good news is that Mary and I have only missed one day of the Couch to 5K and two days in the gym for an entire month! This is huge for us!

The bad news is that Mary broke her hand last Saturday, which is why we didn't work out on Monday or Tuesday. The brief synopsis is that she and some friends were in Nashville at the State Capitol and she fell down a hill and landed on it. Now she has an awesome blue cast on her right arm that also engulfs her pinky and ring finger on that hand. She's really had a great attitude about the entire thing! Thankfully, she gets finished with her summer class on Friday so she won't have to worry about note-taking for a while.

In addition to Mary's hand injury, yesterday I discovered I have shin splints on both legs. I guess it makes me feel more intense, but most of all its just annoying. After discussing what I should do about it with running friends, Mary and I are going to ease back our running to week 3 so my legs are not as fatigued, I'm going to ice them after the workout and take ibuprofen. I'm also planning to hang out on the eliptical for awhile instead of the treadmill. Note to self: don't ever get this out of shape again.

Press on!

Healthy Wife, Healthy Life: 1

I love summertime! Now that I'm back in the academic world, it brings a welcome change of pace to my crazy life. Its also a good time to get back into things I enjoy, such as cooking and writing (and spending time with Austin!). I also have more time to do chores (especially laundry). What more could I ask for? However, an area where I have been lacking in my life for the past two years or so has been my personal fitness and health. Having a job where I sit all day doesn't really help with this.So, this summer I've decided to do something about it!

Mary is taking summer classes and she has joined me in the quest for better health! We unfortunately have some family history of cancer and diabetes- this is part of why we want to establish good habits now. Looking back, I can say there has really only been one time in my life where I was fit- 2008. That spring semester I took "Fitness for Health" at Samford, and with the encouragement of my amazing friend, Pamela, spent the semester running and weight lifting. The final exam was a 5K through campus! I barely survived, but I made it! That summer, I taught mountain biking at WinShape Camp for Girls. I was biking about 3 or 4 hours a day at one point! Crazy!

At Six Flags in 2008! Haha!

Okay, my reminiscing is over. But, I think the fact I have been in shape once before has served as more of a frustration to me until this point instead of a motivation. My thoughts have been negative because I have known what it feels like to be healthy and my body cringes at the fact it doesn't feel like that anymore. I have gotten frustrated with myself, feeling like I've "let myself go". Can anyone else relate? Compounding this frustration has been the physical reminder of my favorite outfits not fitting anymore- grrr. Over the past few months I have sporadically tried Zumba, some workout videos and counting calories. Nothing has been consistent, however.

As much as I would like a "quick fix", research consistently proves that the best way to lose weight and keep it off is through changing your lifestyle to a healthy one. This means getting on a workout routine and eating healthier; instead of being frustrated, setting realistic goals. It's so easy to feel pressured by what society says we should look like. Something we need to realize as women is that there is always something we will be lacking by the world's definition. So, why try? Let's focus on who we are in Christ! God's love for us doesn't change- let's care more about Christ being reflected in who we are than about how we look on the outside! Let's take care of our bodies because it is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit and because when we have more energy, we can better serve! Let's reflect the Lord's beauty in how we look, act and in our relationships! This is so much more motivating for me than simply trying to look like a celebrity.

I am such a planner. Having a plan is the only way I can reach goals. So, since one of my favorite things to do after a busy day at work is to plop down on the couch and remain pretty sedentary the rest of the evening, I thought that the "Couch to 5K" plan would be appropriate! For those of you who don't know what that is, it is a running plan that gradually builds you up (in 10 weeks) to being able to run a 5K without stopping (I wasn't even able to do that in my fitness class!). Mary and I are on Week 3, so that means that by mid-August we should be running 3 miles! Woohoo!

Regarding eating, I have had friends get great results by using Weight Watchers online. I have been "using it" for several weeks now, but haven't been faithful to record everything. No more excuses!

Mary and I go to the Wellness Center at Union (such a blessing to have this resource!) after I get off of work  at 4. So far, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, we follow the Couch to 5K plan for running. We also do abs on these days.

Tuesdays and Thursdays we lift weights. This consists of 3 sets of 10 reps on leg curl machine, leg extension machine, and the ab machine. We use 8 lb free weights to work out our arms. I'm already able to tell a difference in my triceps! :-)

I'm so excited about this journey towards better health. I'll be updating on my progress!

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all fathers out there! We had a wonderful weekend celebrating with my dad. He came up from Birmingham on Friday night and went back on Sunday afternoon. As always, it was great having him here! On Saturday, we went to Pinson Mounds (about 20 minutes south of Jackson) and rode bikes. Getting the bikes there was the most challenging part! Apparently, you're not supposed to leave your bike rack on the back of your car for an extended amount of time or else the straps will dry-rot. Learned that lesson the hard way! We did make it though, and despite the heat we had a great time! For anyone who has not been to Pinson Mounds, I highly recommend it!

This picture was taken before the bike rack broke! Haha!

We're on our way! Austin's tire was about 2 inches from the road. It made for an interesting drive there!

Off we go!

This was posed :-)

Mary almost ran over this little guy. He was not happy! Pretty sure he's hissing in this picture

Happy Father's Day!

Mary's creativity display. See the heart on the tree? Cute!

Admiring the tree- there was actually glowing red sap that we were trying to figure out!

On Sunday, we went to church at FBC Humboldt. It was a wonderful service!!! One of the highlights was that the pastor asked all young fathers to come to the front and kneel at the altar. Then, he had the fathers with grown children surround them and they prayed for them! What a reminder of the influence that fathers have in our lives!

Engagement Photos

Now that I've shared our engagement story, I want to share my favorites from our engagement photo shoot. The pictures were taken in early August after we were engaged in June at Fall Creek Falls State Park in East Tennessee. My amazing mother-in-law was our photographer and I couldn't be happier with how they turned out!

This one went on our Save the Date Cards!

Old Hollywood! 

 

This is probably my second most favorite!

Mischief! 

This one went in our engagement announcement for The Paducah Sun

Look familiar? I love to dance!

 

If you want to see more, go to Our Engagement Album on facebook! :-)

Our Engagement Story

Two years ago today, Austin and I were engaged! Where has the time gone? Here is our story, with all the details :-)

Side note, the photos are from a "re-enactment" at Patti's when my mom and Austin's parents met for the first time.

The date was June 12, 2010. Austin had come from Jackson to Paducah to spend a relaxing weekend with me. I was immersed in  the details surrounding Paducah's FSU Chick-fil-A opening about a month later. The last thing I expected was a proposal :-) Because we are nerds, we had talked about watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy straight through, so we decided that that weekend was as good as any. About 7:30 that evening after finishing "The Two Towers", Austin suggested we have a nice dinner somewhere, but he wanted to surprise me. He went back to where he was staying to change and I put on a cute sundress and heels.

About 8:15, while I was re-painting my nails, I heard slight, tapping on my window. I looked outside and Austin was there, throwing little pebbles. So sweet! :-) I went downstairs, said good-bye to my grandparents and headed out the door. Once we passed the exit for downtown Paducah, I knew that the probability for heading to Patti's was a good one. I was proved right when we were crossing the bridge over the Tennessee River and Austin asked me for directions to get there- haha! Being the practical person that I am, I asked if we had reservations, because that is absolutely necessary for Patti's on a Saturday night! Austin looked surprised and said, "I guess I should have thought of that!" I was very annoyed (long waits for eating are a huge pet peeve, not to mention the fact I was starving!) but tried not to let it show. Little did I know that it was all a part of the plan!

A little bit of a back-story is necessary here. Patti's is a wonderful restaurant in Grand Rivers, Kentucky that has delicious food and a great atmosphere. They deck out the restaurant for each season- at Christmas there are lights on everything! My grandparents have enjoyed taking out of town friends and family there over the years. My mom even had her bridesmaid's luncheon there. Each Christmas, the entire family would go, so, needless to say, when Austin and I began dating I knew I wanted him to experience Patti's. It was during March, so there weren't any Christmas lights, but we still had a great time. The weather was gray and cold the evening, so when we walked around the garden area, we went inside the chapel to stay dry and escape the elements. We had our first kiss inside that chapel.

Back to the engagement story...

We arrived at Patti's a short time later. Still annoyed when the hostess asked if we had a reservation, I immediately said, "No!" Austin, being the patient man that he is, said, "Yes, we do. The reservation name is Ward for 8:45." I was immediately relieved, and didn't even suspect anything, still. We enjoyed a delicious dinner and great conversation. When we were finished with our plates, the manager (Elwood) came and cleared them for us. He asked how the meal was and if we would like dessert. Then he added that if we didn't want dessert, how about a tour of Patti's? I laughed, confused, knowing that there are no tours of Patti's. (I thought he was making a joke about walking off our dinner instead of eating dessert, or something like that!) We didn't end up getting dessert, and we got up to leave. As we were walking towards the door, Austin stopped and said he wanted to find Elwood for the tour. I thought he was kidding at first, then when I realized he wasn't, I insisted that Elwood had been joking and that there was no tour!  I was getting frustrated!

Suddenly, Elwood appeared and asked if we were ready to go on our tour! I was surprised but went along with it. I still wasn't suspecting anything!

We walked rapidly around the grounds, which are made up of little shops, a putt putt course, several pavilions, gardens, a petting zoo, and finally, the small white chapel. That, of course, was our last stop. When Elwood left, my heart started beating like crazy! At last I was suspecting something. :-)

We got inside the chapel and sat on the same pew that we had before. 

We just sat there for a few minutes, then I noticed that Austin's heart was beating really quickly. Being mischievous, I made a comment about it and he replied it was just because we had been walking so fast and he was out of shape- haha! Then, out of nowhere, he said, very determined, "I want to run." 

I was totally confused, because neither of us care for running in general, it was about 10:00 at night, and we were in nice clothes. Austin took advantage of my confusion to get the ring out of his pocket and get on one knee in front of me. This time, he finished the sentence by saying, "I want to run the race of life with you! Will you be my wife?" 

I, of course, said yes. :-)

I was in shock for a few minutes, but couldn't get the smile off my face! I didn't really take a look at the ring until we were in the car later! It didn't seem real! Once we left the chapel, we began walking back to the car through the gardens, but we stopped beside the pond. We danced while Austin sang our song, "The Way You Look Tonight". It was so romantic! 

Of course, the "tour" was all a setup that Austin had arranged with Elwood. They were completely successful in surprising me! Here is a picture of us with Elwood.

The ride back to Paducah and the remainder of the evening (and the early hours of the morning) were spent calling friends and family. My favorite moment was telling my grandparents. They were still awake when we got home. We went back to their room and told them the news. My grandmother squealed, and with tears in her eyes, expressed how happy she was for us. Apparently my granddaddy predicted when I left for dinner that night that I would come home with a ring on my finger- he is a very smart man :-) The thing that meant the most was when my grandmother told me that Austin was like my granddaddy- that he has the same kind, caring spirit. This meant the world to me because I had always wanted to marry a man like my granddaddy! 

Here is my ring! It is white gold with three stones: a princess cut diamond in the middle and two round cut ice sapphires on either side. Austin did a wonderful job picking it out! I absolutely love it! 

We were so excited and thankful that the Lord brought us together and couldn't wait to be married!