Weekend in Waco

One of my childhood best friends, Megan moved to Waco, Texas after getting married last April. Several months ago (6+) 5 of us girls and Megan's husband, Nick started planning a surprise birthday party for her. That weekend finally came this past weekend when the 5 of us loaded up and drove 7 hours (I drove 10!) to surprise her for dinner. She seriously had no idea. It was the sweetest thing!
Here is a video I took on my phone when she walked in. I sound like a 4-toothed hag from the depths of Mississippi. Brittany sounds like a cackling witch! This video makes me teary-eyed though- Megan was SO surprised!

We had the BEST weekend. I seriously love these girls SO much. We have all been best friends since the 6th GRADE!!! Can you believe that?? We were inseparable in high school, all went to different colleges, and now live between 2 states- all but 2 several hours apart. We talk or text weekly and pray for each other daily. It's rare that we are all together, and in fact it has been over 9 months- last Christmas that we were all together. Sweet Megan has had a tough time adjusting to a new city where she knew NO ONE. She has the cutest house and coolest job and I'm so glad I finally got to visit her!

What is amazing to me about our friendships- is that we literally can pick up right where we left off. We also don't have to be entertained. We always have plenty to talk about and spent many hours on Meg's back porch talking about life (and reminiscing about the occasional high school shenanigan we participated in.) We did some shopping on Saturday, then ventured out for a field trip to the site of the Branch-Davidians compound in Waco. It was super creepy, but the history and story was very interesting. There isn't much to do in Waco so we had to get creative!

One of the porch convos- me explaining that I have man hands. My ring in the middle, Megan and Kori's rings wont fit past my knuckles. :)

Jessica, me, Britt, Meg, Kori, and Tiffany

I love these girls so much! We are having our annual Christmas party in Fayetteville this year and I can hardly wait to see these girls again!

Working Girls

When I first started my "big-girl job" 3 years ago, I think its safe to say that I had a "rough" adjustment. I was not new to the working world... I actually got my first job at age 15 and worked 2 jobs in college. (this isn't a sob story I promise... I just really enjoyed working!)  Anyway... a full time job is different from even 2 part time jobs. I had to be on time- even early, commute 45 minutes each way, work in a 5x5 cubicle for 9 hours a day, and sell over the phone. It was hard. It was draining. I cried every day before and after work and sometimes on my lunch break. (I think my old job is open if you are interested, ha!)

With a LOT of prayer and support from my then future husband things got easier. About 3 months in, I started becoming really good friends with a girl named Amy. We sat across from each other but rarely talked and then just all of a sudden hit it off. We are not extremely close in age, and are in different life stages. Amy became pregnant when we worked together and I was just engaged. I've gotten to watch her sweet baby boy grow up. We really learned to lean on each other for work, but that relationship quickly extended into a friendship that has lasted for 3 years now and includes me in a different role at my company and her in at a different job at a different company all together. Amy's husband, Shawn, is somewhat of a local celebrity- he co-hosts a sports radio show. He and Adam have become good friends over the years. I know it was God that brought Amy and I together and formed such a strong bond. I honestly don't know what I would have done without her- and I certainly wouldn't have had as much fun at work!

 Amy and I at the Hogs vs. Texas A&M game in Dallas last year.

I had to get proof of Amy calling the Hogs! She is an Ole Miss girl!

Amy and Shawn FINALLY made it to Fayetteville to visit us a few weeks ago! They even brought sweet, Harris to play! I made a yummy Seafood Lasagna for dinner and we had a great time just catching up on life and laughing a LOT!

 Isn't he the cutest thing you have ever seen?!

Poor Harris was all tuckered out!

Thanks for coming to visit us, Shawn and Amy! We're looking forward to another visit soon!

Summer Lovin'

This weekend, we attended one of my best friend's little sister's wedding in Benton. It is so surreal that little Karis is now married! I really felt old this weekend. The wedding was beautiful and was one of the most worshipful ceremonies I have ever been to.

These were two of my favorite pictures of them. They are a beautiful couple, but I am also obsessed with their photographer, Melissa McCrotty. She has shot several of my friend's wedding and I think she is so talented. I had a less than wonderful photographer at my wedding, so I'm definately a little jealous when I see beautiful pictures! Congratulations Karis and Shad!

My youth pastor, Jay Jacobs performed the ceremony. Here are a bunch of his kiddos all together at the wedding.

Me and my besties, minus Meg. Sorry for the blurriness, an iPhone camera is all I have right now because my camera decided to stop working!!

After the wedding, Adam and I headed to Conway to celebrate Elizabeth's 25th birthday!! I helped to plan a surprise party for her for all of her closest friends and family. We had a great time and gave thanks to God for this precious miracle.

All the girls with the birthday girl.

Me and Lizzybeth.

On Sunday, we celebrated mom's birthday. It was the week before, but we had lunch and cookie cake at their house after church today to officially celebrate.

Happy Birthday, mom! I love you so much!

Vacation Part II

After getting scorched by the sun for a couple of days, we decided to spend the afternoon at the aquarium.  It was nice and cool and much fun was had!

 My cute boys.

 Mom being silly. We really had a great time and have so much fun together!

 Seahorses!

 The shark tank!! So totally cool! My mom and dad... also totally cool!

 Me in the Shark cage. Don't worry it was just pretend. We were all a little obsessed with the Sharks since "Shark Week" aired on The Discovery Channel the week before.

 Dad pointing out a super creepy eel. Eww.

 We chose to eat dinner at a chain steakhouse. We were a little disappointed with the local food that we had eaten all week and wanted a guaranteed good steak. It did not disappoint. we all scraped our plates clean and Lee's lobster posed with him after the delicious meal.

 The Richardson and Fite vacations always include good food!

I can't figure out how to turn this pic, but I'm holding a t-shirt that says:

"For Sale: Brother

comes with video games."

I thought it was pretty cute.

We had a great trip to the beach! My goal was spending a lot of time doing the above! Feet in the sand, listening to the waves crash, Sonic drink and Kindle in hand!

Thanks mom and dad for treating us to a beach trip to Galveston! It was a great time of fun and relaxation.

Vacation

The second week of August Adam and I met my mom in brother in Little Rock to hop on a quick flight to Houston, TX. Dad had been there all week for a work meeting. He picked us up and we went to dinner and stayed the night in town.. We were all short on time between my lack of vacation days and Lee starting school the next week so a quick flight and a couple of days on the beach was the answer to a MUCH needed break.

We woke up the next morning and had a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Mom had a Texas- shaped waffle which I believe indicated that we were going to have a great trip!

Before arriving at the beach, we went to the outlet mall then ate at my dad's all time fav burger joint... Watta-burger. After I stuffed myself with a delicious cheeseburger, onion rings, and LARGE coke (which I managed to spill like a child in the middle of the restaurant) -we then headed to the Johnson Space Center. Lee was especially interested in seeing the space center (which I thought would be a total drag) and it ended up being incredibly cool! (Lee gets 2 cool points!)

 Dad and Lee being silly.

 I have trained mom how to pose for pictures. She's such a diva!

We decided not to pay the $20+ person and 120 degree golf cart tour around the space center and instead opted for the free, air- conditioned Apollo museum.  It documented all of the Apollo missions and one of the shuttles from a mission. (I do not recap details well so of course I cant tell you which one.) 

 Family picture by the giant rocket!! Y'all it was seriously huge!

I know this picture is sideways. And its dark. I dont know how to fix it. I want everyone to see my super cute dress from Target. :)

 They had the space shuttle broken up into each of the different pieces that drop off during the shuttle launch.

 The boys in between one of the sections... see how huge this thing is?

Lee in front of one of the huge jet engines on the back of the rocket. There were 8 of these!

 After the space center, we headed to the beach. Galveston Beach is definitely different than Florida beaches. The sand is brown and the water definitely had more debris. BUT, it was the beach and it was glorious. We headed out to put our feet in the sand before heading to dinner at a local seafood place.

 My cute husband in his new shirt.

My former roommates. I love them so. much.

The next day included a full day at the beach. There is nothing like relaxing on the beach! When we were sick of the sand and salt water, we headed to the pool. I had also just completed a dedicated week of watching Shark Week on the Discovery Channel. I do not recommend this for beach goers. I was seriously terrified to get in the water!

Laying by the pool.... so relaxing! Mom and I went a little overboard in the sun and had some nasty sunburns to pay for it... next post!

Dog Days of Summer

Lately its been hot in northwest Arkansas...

 My car said it was 112 degrees on Monday. At first I thought that surely couldn't be, but then I saw a bank marquee that said 117! Of course that's with the heat index, I think the actual this day was 109. It was a record breaking day temperature- wise in the state.

(not sure why the pic wont rotate)

Most days for work I dress up pretty nice. Either a dress or slacks with heels or wedges. I usually fix my hair, put on full makeup etc. It's been so hot lately, I can hardly stand to wear dress clothes. Getting in and out of my car all day means I stay hot all day because my car never really has a chance to cool off. This week, I've been a lot more casual than normal and sporting a polo with capri pants and "dressy" sandals. My hair is clipped up or in a pony tail. I've also been wearing less make- up than usual... there's really no point since I've sweated most of it off by the end of the day!

As hot as it is, I'm so thankful to have air conditioning in my car and in my home. That is something I take for granted and I know there are many that do not have that luxury!

This week, I was out of town to Mountain Home, AR on Monday night and got back about 6:30 pm on Tuesday. Our friend Bret came over for dinner. On Wednesday, we went to Sean and Nicole's for Sean's 26th birthday celebration. Nicole decorated so cute with a Fiesta theme. They had a yummy taco bar and all the fixins. 

 The birthday boy.

P, Sarah, and me

Payne and his cute mustache :)

Sean and Nicole have become some of our really good friends. They are in a very similar stage of life as us which makes hanging out with them a lot of fun. We met through our small group at Cross Church and we have really enjoyed getting to know this sweet couple!

Friday night our sweet friends, Shawn and Amy came over for dinner with their adorable baby, Harris. We miss them so much and are so thankful we're going to see more of them this fall! On Saturday and Sunday we SLEPT IN AND LAID AROUND. Did you hear me??? We NEVER get to have a lazy weekend and we were so thankful for one! 

On Saturday we literally slept until 9 and didn't get out of bed until 10:00. It was wonderful! Gus doesn't sleep with us but we let him in our bed for some cuddle time around 9. We made breakfast, did some house work, then shopped for patio furniture (we found none.) I think picked up my Little Sis (BBBS) and we ran to Hobby Lobby to pick out fabric for our project. "D" just moved into a new house and we made a lamp and some bulletin boards for her room.  Adam played golf while we worked on our crafts. "D" and I then made homemade pizza before I took her home.

On Sunday, we again slept until 9 and went to the late service at church. We had lunch with our buddies at Schlotzky's Deli before coming home to lay.on.the.couch. It was bliss. Just my man and my doggy on the couch for 3+hours. We watched a sad movie, "The Time Traveler's Wife" then took a nap. We then headed to the Owen's house for a game of Yahtzee and dinner.

We're getting ready to head to Galveston, TX with my family in a few days! I am so looking forward to getting away!