Lake Weekend 2011

You know those kind of friends that it doesn't matter how often (or not) you see them, it seems like you were never apart?  I hope you do, because I am certainly fortunate enough to have a group of friends like that.  This past weekend I went to the lake with my best college friends.  We were only missing a few and we had the best time sitting around eating, talking, and getting our tan on.

Lake Weekend

Sometimes the talk centered on deep theological issues, other times it was about things like marriage, babies, and enjoying singleness, and even other times it was about ridiculousness altogether like celebrity gossip and what books to read this summer.  But at the end of the day, the common thread amongst all the conversations was a group of women with a deep, abiding love for their Savior, their families, and each other.

Alpha Psi Rodeo, Senior Year

These girls have been such a blessing in my life and I can't even begin to tell you about all the adventures we've experienced together.  I had the privilege with living with a couple of them in Auburn and one in Birmingham, being in or attending their weddings, spring breaking with them, having Frat-girl Friday in the side yard at Creekside, attending formals and socials, making countless TCBY runs, and just generally doing life with them for the better part of three years.  As we watched the slide show that Chaney made when we graduated I was reminded of how much fun these girls are.

Chaney's Wedding, 2010

And as I look at us now and listen to us talk about our various seasons of life, I also realize what a talented, gifted group of individuals we are--we've got doctors, teachers, dentists, chefs, optometrists, and engineers among us.  I was always afraid that I would never find friends like these when I went to college, but I can say without a doubt that the Lord answers prayers and he outdid himself when he sent these girls my way!

AU/Florida Game, Gainsville, 2009

"Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." -Hebrews 10:25

All I really need to know...

...I learned NOT from kindergarten, but from this guy.  Well, really both of them.

Christmas 2010

But in the spirit of Father's Day, this post is all about Big Rich.  I am not at all overly cheesy or sentimental, and neither is he, but he is for real the best dad ever.  Aside from being a great example of a Godly man, he is a super funny and has taught me a lot about life.

Circa 1990

Here are some of his more noteworthy pieces of advice:

• "You can marry more money in fifteen minutes than you can make in a lifetime."  Now he's not really serious about this, but he kind of is.  He has been telling me this since I was a little girl, so maybe one day when I get it all figured out, this will be the case.

Alpha Gam Initiation, 2005

• "You should read the Bible and a daily newspaper everyday to be a well informed citizen."  Occasionally he still asks me if I'm doing this.  There's nothing like a little accountability.

New York, Spring Break 2009

• "Girl, you better give your heart to Jesus and give the rest to me, because there is just not going to be much that I don't know."  This was originally said in response to my question about some obscure pop culture fact that I did not think he would have a clue about.  Alas he did...must be because of all that newspaper reading he does.  But in retrospect, it has been the case most of my life.  I've always known better than to think I could hide something from Big Rich.

Beach, 2010

But besides random advice, he has taught me all kinds of things.  He's taught me practical stuff like how to play golf, drive a car (and wash it), and polish shoes (which I do not do!).  But he also taught me to work hard, dream big, and to never ever give up on something that I really wanted.  He's taught me the value of a dollar, how to make one, and not spend everyone I have!  

I've learned to love well, enjoy the quiet, "keep my cell phone handy", and laugh at just about everything.  I love that my mom does not like for us to sit together in church or at other quiet and reverent events, lest we get started laughing.  I love that we both enjoy talking to each other in pig latin because we know it drives her crazy and she can't understand us.  But most of all, I just love him.  He's my fave...

My Home's in Alabama...

....no matter where I lay my head.  Sound familiar?  These lyrics were made famous by the band Alabama in the 80's and still ring so true today.  I have always, always wanted to see Alabama in concert but never had the opportunity.  Somehow I managed to miss the American Farewell Tour in 2003.  However, good things come to those who wait and last night I had a ticket to the Bama Rising concert at the BJCC.  Alabama put the show together as a fundraiser for tornado victims and was the headliner, but during the five hour show (yes, you read that right), practically everyone who's anyone in country music took the stage.  Sara Evans, Dierks Bentley, Sheryl Crow, Luke Bryan, Ashton Shepherd, Bo Bice, Taylor Hicks, Martina McBride, Montgomery Gentry, The Commodores, and Brad Paisley were among the performers. 

 

Sorry I have no pictures...I was in the rafters, but alas, I was there and that's what counts.  Alabama even went to the trouble to sing Christmas in Dixie, my all time favorite Christmas song (even my ring tone every year beginning on Thanksgiving Day)!  They must have known that would totally make my night!  However, I think the pinnacle of the night was the closer when Alabama and all the other performers joined Brad Paisley on the stage for My Home's in Alabama.  It was totally worth the five hour show just to hear it.  Youtube the video if you weren't there.  Every day I am proud to be an Alabamian, but last night was one of those experiences that really seals the deal.  I'll leave you with these words...

My home's in Alabama, 

no matter where I lay my head.

My home's in Alabama, 

southern born and southern bred.

Sweet Summertime

I'm back...nothing super exciting to report, and that's kind of the way I like it.  Since school is out, I am officially on the no-plan-plan.  If you think that equates with me sleeping til a very late hour, doing a lot of Facebook creeping, and finding people to go to lunch with, then you would be correct.  Really it's not as bad as it sounds, but sleeping late is one of my very favorite things to do!

Another one of my loves is cooking.  I thought I'd share one of my fave summer recipes.  I make this every couple of weeks and eat on it all the time.  The longer it sits, the better it gets!

Black Bean Salsa

1 can black beans, drained

1 can white shoepeg corn

1 cup salsa

1 small onion diced

1/2 green pepper diced

1 tsp garlic

1 tsp lemon or lime juice

1/2 tsp cumin

Mix everything together and let sit a couple of hours before serving.  I eat it with tortilla chips, but it's great on nachos, in quesadillas, or as a salad.

In other news, I have a friend in town on business for several weeks which means he is staying in some pretty nice hotels.  Yesterday Lindsey, Megan, and I took advantage of his visit and found ourselves at the hotel pool for the afternoon.  To say we enjoyed ourselves would be an understatement...the poolside drink service didn't hurt either!

Pretty much sums up my ideal summer...

Maybe I'll be back soon with some fun summer stories!