A Weekend Full of Celebrations!

Tomorrow is my grandmother's 70th birthday. That's right, she has been living life to the fullest for the past 25,550 days on Earth. This weekend, we spent our Saturday celebrating her life. On Saturday, there was a brunch hosted in her honor. Many of her friends gathered around, sharing memories that they all have experienced together! It was really fun to hear some of the things they did when they were younger. Saturday night, all 3 of her children, and most of their families joined us in Livingston at Diamond Jim's for dinner. She was showered with gifts all day long, but our family had been working on a little project for her. We all wrote her a letter telling her how much we loved her and how she had made an impact on our lives in some way. Sweet Grannie, I hope you have a fabulous day tomorrow! We all love you and are much better people because of the person you've helped us to become! Mom, Grannie and Me

Grannie Poe (Grannie's sister), Grannie and Judy (their cousin)

Me & Erin

Sarah, Me, Grannie and Jamey! The cousins, minus Emily :(

Rusty, Sandra (my mom), Grannie and Randy-- Grannie's children!

Happy, Happy birthday Grannie!

Looking for a new home??

One of my fellow staff members just accepted a new position in the ministry in Louisiana and he and his wife are trying to sell their home. If you're in the market for a new home, you might want to click here and check this one out... it's a great price and it's super cute!

It's Official!!!

This post should have occured a LONG time ago, but I just (in the past two months) got around to applying for my teaching license. Since I stepped into the BEST job in the world, I didn't feel the need to hurry and get certified because I didn't think I would need it. I graduated last May, yeah... that was in 2008. Now, it's almost May of 2009 and I'm just getting around to getting certified (it's been on my to-do list for a while). I actually got my license in the mail on Tuesday, but the MDE had endorsed me to teach Math & Social Studies (ha, I hate the thought of having to learn about History, much less try and teach it)! So I had to send it back. Now, I'm officially certified to teach English and Math, grades 7-12 and Elementary courses, grades K-6.

A New Found Love

If you haven't tried these Hostess strawberry snack cakes, RUN, don't walk, to the grocery store now! The best part of all?? They're 100 CALORIE PACKS!! Just thought I'd give you a new find for the week!!

new blogger...

hey ya'll! I made a visit out to Harper Anne's house this past Friday and helped Erin set up a blog of her own. I'll continue to update you guys about Harper's progress, but you can also check here for daily/weekly updates! Show Erin's blog a little love :)

Always a Bridesmaid or a Wedding Singer... Never the Bride!

This year, it seems like all, and I mean all, of my friends are getting hitched. I am a bridesmaid in two weddings in May, and I'm singing in a different wedding that's actually taking place on the same day as one of the weddings I'm a bridesmaid in. I'm also in another wedding in August. When wedding bells are ringing then you know that bridal showers are always going to be in the making, too! I spent my weekend hosting and attending bridal showers!!

On Saturday morning, Kristen and I hosted an "Around the Clock" shower for Amber. The three of us were best friends in high school and have remianed very close since then. Amber is marrying Blake, who also went to high school with us. In fact, Blake and Kristen used to date!!! It's funny how things work out, isn't it?! Kristen and I will both me bridesmaids in Amber's wedding and in August, Amber and I will be bridesmaids in Kristen's wedding!

Kristen, Amber and Me

The bride-to-be and her mother

We had a great time!

As soon as that shower was over, I rushed out to Collinsville for Haley's bridal shower. Haley and I met each other at MSU in the elementary edcuation program. Everyone that knows Haley absolutely loves her. She is so laid back, super funny and just an all around fun person to be around. I will be singing in her wedding in May and I'm so glad that I will get to take part in her special day.

Jessica, Me, Lindsey, Haley, Allison, Anna, Courtney and Summer

I also had a great time at Haley's shower getting to catch up with a few of my good friends from MCC and MSU. Anna and I were both in singing groups at MCC. I was in the Dimensions and she was in Encore. I enjoyed getting to know Anna and a few of our other side-kicks during my time at MCC and wouldn't trade traveling, setting up equipment, laughing, crying, complaining, eating out with them for anything in the world! Anna is also singing at Haley's wedding too, so that should be a lot of fun!

As with Haley, Lindsey and I met at MSU. The three of us, along with some other girls, frequently did teaching projects together... and always, always made wonderful grades. Had it not been for Lindsey, I wouldn't have made it through my business calculus class. She truly is a genius when it comes to numbers! It's sad that we're neighbors now Linds, and that we never see each other. We should really work on that!

Anna D. & Abby D.

Me and Lindsey


Finally, to finish off a busy weekend, I woke up Sunday morning to find huge snowflakes falling outside. It truly was a beautiful sight! However, I got dressed and headed out of the house for church! No snow day for me :) I did get a few pictures though.

My car

We have a flat roof... so you really can't see the snow on the house that well!

Harper Anne Update!!

Many of you still check in to read about Harper Anne and the progress she's been making since her first surgery. Erin and Chad took Harper to the doctor in Birmingham this week for a check-up. She is doing really well. She's gained some more weight!! Praise the Lord. The doctor said that she looked good and that he was VERY PLEASED!! Jesselyn said that the doctor told Erin and Chad that they "are really whippin' this!!" Erin's hopeful that on their next visit in three weeks that they may talk about the next surgery date. Keep praying for our girl! We're so proud of her!

Sweet Brooke

There are many people in my life that I have a very close relationship with. I tend to make friends quickly and really feel like I have a genuine connection with each one of them!! Take a look at my new friend in the middle of the picture. Meet Brooke!

Kristen, Brooke & Me

Here is our story: Over the past year, Brooke has worked with the Americorp team doing projects around the country. They have participated in disaster relief working with the floods in Iowa, environmental work and for the past 8 weeks, they have been in Meridian working with Habitat for Humanity.

I was leading a Disciple Now in January, and we spent our Saturday morning painting a Habitat house. I was working with 7th & 8th graders and we had to have a project leader. You guessed it! Brooke was our leader. We were all really busy so I was able to talk to her in small amounts of time. As we were packing up to leave, I asked her how long they would be in Meridian and told them that if they were looking for a church to come to, that we would love to have her at FBC.

Fonda (the Habitat for Humanity Director) made arrangements with FBC to feed Brooke's crew every Wedensday night at family night supper. When I entered the fellowship hall the Wednesday night after I led the D-Now, I saw Brooke and her crew and was THRILLED to see them. The rest of the story is history. Kristen, Brooke and I made an instant connection and have enjoyed every moment we've spent together!!

Back at the Habitat house, I could tell that Brooke was eager to learn more about the word of God, and I knew that God had placed her in my life so that I could invest in her. That's exactly what Kristen and I did. We have had many conversations about Christ and what he does in our lives each day. We wanted to share the love of Christ with Brooke, and I really feel like we did!

Kristen and I wanted to get Brooke something to take back to Iowa with her that would be beneficial to her. Most of the things that we've done with Brooke have been centered around church. We have been able to share God's word with her in bits and pieces, so we decided that it would be wonderful for her to have a new bible of her own. Most people would call our friendship with Brooke a "God thing" and I truly believe that it is! I feel so blessed to be able to call her friend and I know that Kristen does too. We didn't meet Brooke until she had been in Meridian for almost four weeks... so we kind of feel cheated on the amount of time we've been able to hang-out with her. I am forever grateful for God placing Brooke and Kristen in my life. I am so blessed with many friendships, and am so thankful to have been able to share God's love with Brooke.

The Surprise of a Lifetime...

Oh my goodness! This past week has been one of the most special weeks of my life. I absolutely LOVE to celebrate birthdays... family birthdays, friend birthdays, kiddos at FBC birthdays and especially mine :) I usually tend to celebrate all week long!! That's just what I did last week! I spent Monday night in Jackson with a friend and we went to dinner and celebrated. Tuesday night after bible study, we went to El Norte and I got serenaded by the waiters... sombrero and all! Wednesday and Thursday I enjoyed lunch and/or dinner with friends and then Friday, one of the ladies at the office brought me a white chocolate cheesecake and the minister of music made me a black bottom southern pecan cheesecake pie!

On Saturday morning, a friend of mine called to say that she wanted to take me to get a pedicure in honor of birthday and then take me to lunch! I was really excited because I was definitely looking forward to girl time. We had to run by the church because Kristen's husband was supposedly playing basketball and her purse was in his truck. When we got to the church to get it, I opened the door to the gym and there were a ton of my kiddos from the preschool and children's ministry and all of their parents yelling "Surprise!!" My party was absolutely a complete surpise! I was thrilled.

Perhaps the BEST surprise of the whole day was that my BEST FRIEND in the whole world surprised me! She was in town and my mom had arranged for her to come and see me! Lauren and her fiance are the two pictured above! I cried when I saw her! Thanks you two for making my day even more special... and thanks so much Mom for helping make this day happen! You are definitely my biggest fan and I love you more than you'll ever know!

I always have my camera handy... and had I known that there would be a great photo op in the gym, I definitely would have taken my camera. I don't have all of the pictures from my party yet but I did manage to get a photo of my birthday cake!

There were so many people involved in making my party a complete surprise! There's no way that I can ever thank all of you individually, but please know that I count it a complete honor to work with such a loving church family! You all do so much for me and I really appreciate all of you!

Lovin' on Harper Anne!

Boy, did I feel special last night getting to hold Harper Anne for almost 2 hours! She's so precious! My mom and grandmother cooked dinner for Erin & Chad and we took it out there and we were able to love on our Harper girl while they enjoyed a nice homecooked meal. Last night was the first time I've gotten to hold her since the day after she was born and I loved EVERY minute of it.

Couldn't resist!! Look how little she is!!

A Little Surprise!

My 5th & 6th grade kiddos were up to a little something in Sunday School yesterday...

Thank you so much kiddos! It truly was a nice birthday surprise!

A Note from Erin and Chad...

I would just like to take a moment to thank everyone who kept up with Harper and this journey our family has been on through Abby's blog. The support of each of you and your prayers and of course God is what kept this mother sane during a very trying time. Words cannot express the heartfelt gratitude I feel toward each and everyone of you. Without the power of prayer I really don't know what Harper would be facing today. Thank you each again and please continue to remember us in your prayers as we await our open heart surgery in the next couple of months. Thank you Abby for being such a great friend and cousin. I don't know what our family would do without you. Every family needs an Abby!!!! Your love, support, and encouragement have meant so much to me. I am so glad you have been there for Harper this whole time (including the delivery room). We love you!!!Chad, Erin, and Harper

There's No Place Like Home

It's official! Harper has been discharged from UAB and she and her parents are back in Meridian. On of our many relatives went to be with Jesus this past week and we celebrated her life today. As 4o of us were eating lunch after the servies, Jesselyn (Harper's Nana) stood up to make the grand announement that our girl was on her way home! We were all THRILLED!! Thanks so much for all of your prayers! Keep them coming!

Keep on Keepin' on!

Hey friends! I finally got in touch with Erin a few minutes ago and she said that Harper is doing GREAT!! She's eating about 2 ounces every 2 hours. They told her that they wanted to wait until Friday to send her back to Meridian, but that everything depended on Harper's weight gain.

Since the first surgery is over and Harper is on the road to recovery, there isn't as much to post about. However, I will continue to stay in touch with Erin and Chad and let you know how she is progressing... just not each day like I've been doing.

I try to update every day because if I don't, some of you faithful readers start sending texts wondering if something is wrong. Believe me, our girl is recovering beautifully and I WILL let you know if there is anything extra that you need to add to your prayer list. Thanks for following and keeping up with my family over the past few weeks. We can't say enough about how caring each of you have been and how attentive you've been to our needs. We love ya'll!