Happy New Year!

Well...almost!

Andy and I are headed to the airport later today to cheer on the Vols in the Chik-Fil-A Bowl for New Years Eve!

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 2010!!

Chimney Tops

The day after Christmas, Andy and I headed to the Smokey Mountains for some hiking with his family. We stayed in a cabin in Townsend, away from the hustle and bustle of Gatlinburg. We hiked the chimney tops - absolutely beautiful! Lots of snow and ice, but definitely worth the view! If you have never been to the National Park, you must make a trip! It is absoultley beautiful in the fall and there are thousands of chalets that you can rent from.

(Andy on top, enjoying the view)

Several Firsts

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! This Christmas was different than those in the past, there were several firsts for me and Andy.

This year was the first year we celebrated Christmas as husband and wife. I must say I am looking forward to the next 50 Christmases with Andy!



We also celebrated Christmas for the first time in my mom's new house. This was bitter sweet, I am so glad she has downsized but missed the comfort of the home that I grew up in. I know this comfort will come with the new house in time.



It was also the first time I have not helped mom decorate the tree, but I must say she did a great job without me!




This was also the first Christmas without my dad.I kept on thinking he would pop out of a room in his logo apperal shirt, wrangler jeans and his favorite slippers. Dad always had the coffee ready in the morning and Christmas music playing when we woke up. I found myself saying do we have coffee, we are out of coffee a lot this year, because dad always made sure there was a full pot. Oh my did he love his coffee! He also always gave us somesort of gag gift/As seen on TV/something random every year. Early in September, dad had mentioned to mom that he was going to get everyone a snuggie - so this year for Christmas we still had a gift from dad under the tree. I could see him laughing in heaven as we all opened our snuggies - thanks dad! Next year, Andy and I are going to try and carry the tradition of the gag gift -I don't know if we can do as good of a job, but we will try! I am truly thankful for the 26 years that I had him in my life and can't wait to see him again.

Dad, I love you and miss you!

Christmas Eve Dinner

The cooking/preparing is about to begin! For my family Christmas Eve is our big dinner and birthday party - my grandmother is 84 today! Andy's family always has a nice dinner on Christmas with the best beef tenderloin you've ever tasted! For tonight we are having ham, rolls, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese (my brother loves this), and a fruit casserole. My mom has also made a homemade coconut cake for my grandmother.

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas! The kitchen is calling my name!

Changes are a Comin!

Can't believe Christmas is FRIDAY, Really??? Andy and I have been busy shopping, packing and doing last minute things in order to be prepared for Nashville and then we are off to Gatlinburg to enjoy the beautiful smokey mountains.

I have been in Nashville since Sunday, because I got a promotion!!! I am so excited! After submitting over 30 resumes in Ohio without one call back, I knew it was going to be really hard to find a job. I loved working part-time at home with my employer from Nashville, but wanted a little more responsibility. I recieved a call back in October from my boss, offering a promotion with the intent the job would start in January. Andy and I talked it over and we knew we wouldn't be back in January so it would be an opportunity although I did not want to give up, I would have to. I kept on applying for jobs in Ohio and I told Andy I needed a sign, either a call for an interview or something??!!

I told my boss the week of Thanksgiving that as much as I wanted the job, Andy and I would not be moving home in January. He called back a week later and offered something even better. I hung up the phone and just prayed, I had no idea what to do! I called Andy and he said, well Amy that is your sign we have got to make this work. Over Thanksgiving the brainstorming began. We came up with several plans of how it could work, coming into Nashville and doing four day work weeks or staying for two weeks, working a little from home. Although I was torn of being away for a week or two from Andy, we knew it would be worth it in the end.

I called my boss when we got back to Ohio and the rest is History!! I am not going to have to travel a lot just as needed and I will be able to do a lot from home. I am so thankful for this company. Prayers were answered!

Pretty Poinsettias

Poinsettia's always remind me of my parents house at Christmas. My mom loves plants so needless to say she would buy several poinsettias and place them all around the house. My parents would also give them as gifts to family and friends. Last night I was checking out the Southern Living Website and found several different ways to decorate with poinsettias.

Happy Decorating!








(pictures all from Southern Living)

In Love

Oh my goodness!! Andy and I made the mistake last night of looking up dogs on the internet. Andy has his heart set on a basset hound, but after reading about their pros/cons I'm not so convinced. Let's just say LOTS of drooling and shedding! I must admit they are supper cute!



I on the other hand want a maltese or maltipoo. Look at how cute this little guy is!!



Don't you just want to squeeze him!

Unfortunately, we can't get one for a while as our apartment doesn't allow dogs. But I think we could sneak him/her in! Andy said he isn't totally against have a 6-8 pound dog as long as we can name it "Killer". Sorry dear, I don't know if that's going to happen. We may just have to get two dogs!