Hanna, the birthday girl

Last week, I was privileged to join a group of precious "princesses" for Hanna's 8th birthday party. Oh, the memories of sleepovers and little girl giggles. You know, the giggles that only come from a group of girlfriends. Hanna chose a trip to Tupelo to Little Divas. I'm going to do a little free advertising here, because it was won-der-ful! We ALL had so much fun! The girls arrived and immediately put on little pink robes and headbands for a day at the spa.

Hanna relaxing during her facial

Each girl had a relaxing day complete with a facial, manicure, and pedicure while the the girlie music plays on the CD player. Each girl chose their own nail and glitter color. Such fun! Just the cutest place ever!

Grace getting her manicure

The party room was decorated with bright colors and zebra print...every preteens dream room, right? We covered the table and displayed Hanna's gifts.

The big girls had just as much...if not more...fun than the little ones! Ha! We found accessories and microphones! Yep! It was on! THIS is how a grown-up girl has a GREAT time! Living the life of an 8 year old singing karaoke to Britney Spears! Ha!

Jennifer and me

And, OF COURSE! Of course we bought these outfits and wore them home!

Want a full view? Ha!

The girls didn't mind that they didn't have cute tutus to take home. They were too busy feeling like divas themselves! I mean, just look at all this posing. It's as if they've been practicing! Ha!

Sweet friends

We enjoyed watching Hanna open her gifts and everyone ate cake before heading back home.

Me and Hanna

And, yes. Despite the blaring music, waving hands, windows down, spilled candy, and screaming girls, we made it home safely!

This is the birthday party I never knew I wanted as a young girl.

I mean, really....girls just wanna have fun! Thanks, Little Divas, for giving us a FUN filled day!

Canton Flea Market

There are so many things I miss about teaching school full time. I miss my Van Winkle babies! Really, there are none like them. In fact, I received a call last week from the school asking me to "talk to" one of my former students who was recently placed in ISS. Mama Johnson got on that phone like nobody's business! One of my friends asked, "Did you really get on her?" Absolutely! She had NO business in ISS and knows better! The teacher that called said she was in tears by the end of the conversation. Oh, how I miss them! I wanted to reach through that phone and give her a big hug as soon as my rant was over. [Sigh.] I miss the teachers I worked with. I miss planning creative lessons. I miss construction paper, glue, and scissors. You see, in my classroom, there was very little "paperwork" completed. We might CUT a worksheet apart to glue it someplace...but very little pencil and paper. I digress. I miss so many things.

But, there is one thing that job never afforded me. It never allowed me the opportunity to make it a few miles over to Canton, MS for the Canton Flea Market! Oh my gracious! Our women's ministry gathered a small group together to head south for the big occasion. I have a feeling that this group will grow next year, because we HAD A BLAST!

This group was compiled of quite the random combination of women. Isn't that the best kind! I always have so much fun getting to know others that I would not have normally had time with. Such a joy these women were! We left town around 5 AM. Yes, I was sleepwalking! Ha! We stopped midway for breakfast and parked the car in downtown Canton by 9:30. We shopped til we dropped. If you have never been, I encourage you to do so. There were vendors EVERYWHERE! I mean, in neighborhoods I never thought vendors would be. I think I saw it all, but I sure didn't have enough time to truly see everything. Next time, we'll be needing to be there at least by 8:00! We dropped around 5 PM. On our way back, we laughed and laughed and talked and talked some more. We meditated on our purchases and talked about what we should've gone back for! Ha! For supper, we stopped in God's Country, Starkville, to eat at Mugshots downtown.


We arrived home past most of the women's bedtimes I believe! Ha! But, it was worth it! What a fun day at the Canton Flea Market!

Movin' On Up

That's right! After many years of being a tried and true Mississippi State Bulldog, it appears our beloved Dawgs have decided to pay us for our loyalty! This past weekend, the Smith clan headed south for yet another beautiful day of college football. It was Homecoming to be exact and we were celebrating our coming home after such a victory at Florida last week!

Sherra and Rickey

With the usual crowd there (minus Kristin and Lee), we grilled hamburgers and hot dogs while we enjoyed a beautiful day such as this! We grazed all day over the other goodies on the food table and watched a little football on the TV.

Mama and Daddy

We visited with those we don't see every day...

Dustin and Daddy

We laughed at the stories and jokes...

Mary and Kyle

We watched the fans file past our tent...

Fan of the Day

We enjoyed the many friends who always stop by to pay a visit...

My sweet college friend, Rachael, brought her precious baby, Hunter, to visit! I can always count on Rachael to make time to visit or call me...even if I fail miserably at returning the favor. She is what I call a true friend. Love you girl!

Mama and friends

Mama and I walked down to the Dawg Walk with some of her friends from Jackson. I promise, I felt like I was in the middle of a group of school girls! They had their hands out to touch the players and coaches and their cameras out. I wish I had Karen's video from pre-Dawg Walk. I'm sure it's entertaining. Ha!

Bully

Coach Dan Mullen AKA "Dan the Man!"

Back at the tailgate, more visiting and fun was had by all as we awaited the 5:00 hour to grab our bells and head to Davis Wade Stadium!

Russ, Rickey, and Ronnie

Bill and Daddy

Mary and Mama

Russ, me, Becca, and Adam

And then, the game began! Thankfully, we pulled off a 25-29 win over UAB!

Daddy's wig Mary bought him for the game! Ha!

It wasn't pretty, but we'll take it! Movin' us on up to #21 in the BCS rankings! That's what I'm talking about! Now, our dawgs need to buckle down and play their hearts out against Kentucky next week. No more close calls like we had Saturday!

Oh, yeah! We were on TV! Can you find the Smith family?!

Hint: Look toward the bottom.

Maroon! White! Fight, fight, fight! Mississippi State...WOO....that's right!

Class of 2000

The year 2000 was a big year. It was the year of the millennium. Remember? Y2K? Everyone was scared to be away from home on New Year's Eve because everything was going to crash. It was the year Russ and I went on our first date. It was my sophomore year. It was also the year my hubby graduated from high school!

Which means....

That the year 2010 marks a decade since my sweet hubs graduated! Wow! That sure seems like it's not so old anymore! Ha!


The Class of 2000 Reunion began at the Homecoming game Friday night. We all met at a tent outside the stadium to meet and greet before enjoying a good old fashioned high school football game. We enjoyed the halftime events presenting the Homecoming court. After the game, we all moved to Friends and Co. for more fun, music, friends, and dancing.

Yes, the senior portraits were out! The Class of 2000 found their pictures and wore it for the night. The thing was that their wives/husbands were also to wear these name tags as well. You know, just so everyone would know who we were with. Ha!

Russ and me with our name tags....Does he look any different?

Hank, Mikey, and Russ

Russ, me, BJ, and Mark

I know you may be disappointed in the number of pictures I took. Sorry! If it was my reunion there would have been tons! It's not that easy to get a guy to pose for many pictures at his reunion. Oh well! Saturday, many of the graduates met at the city park for an ice cream social for families. Russ and I didn't make that event, but we heard everyone had a great time. Saturday night was the last event at Mike's Cafe...dinner and more visiting. With a surprise exhibition of Follies 2000! So funny!

Me and Russ

Sadly, one of the highlights of us "old folks" is a photo hunt game. A group of about five of us worked together to try and beat the winning score by finding all the things that were different between two pictures. Oh dear! Yep...well, I now have that game on my iPhone! Ha!

Russ, Jade, Jason, and Jacqueline

We had a great time! It was awesome to see so many friends we haven't seen in years...some since graduation day! Thank you to all who helped put this weekend together! It was great!

CHS Homecoming

One of the great things about being back in my hometown is that I get to take part in all the hometown traditions that I love and remember growing up! I don't care what you say...no one honors tradition more than a good ole small town! One of those traditions is our Corinth Homecoming Parade each year.

The weeks before Homecoming, the high school students spend time voting for a maid for each grade, a queen, and each club votes a senior sweetheart. This is always a big deal for the senior girls. And it can be quite stressful if you let it! The reason? For the parade! Each maid will have a float in the parade. The students can all help put the floats together during Homecoming week, and it was always so much fun to see everyone and work on the floats...parents, teachers, and students. The sweethearts all decorate their own car to ride in the parade. This is usually done in garages all around the downtown area. Each sweetheart has to call around and find a place to store her car while she works on it. The queen, of course, wears the crown and rides on her own float at the very end of the parade. Aren't you glad I explained all this to you! Ha!

This was, once again, Jennifer's first Homecoming experience. She had no idea what a big deal it was. So, I enlightened her. Before the parade, we walked around downtown to see all the cars putting finishing touches on the cars and getting ready to be judged. Oh yeah, the cars and floats are judged. I should mention that.

Hanna, Grace, me, and Jennifer....by the way, I look a bit awkward because I was trying to keep Farley at bay on that leash!

Hanna with some CHS cheerleaders

I brought Farley along. He got quite the workout doing all that walking. He needs the exercise anyway! We all do! Ha! He was so glad when we found our spot on the parade route so he could just lay down and relax!

Grace and Farley

Once the police and fire engine sirens sounded as they drove down the street, it was time to take our places and wait for the parade to begin...

Jen, Jude, and Jake

To give you an idea of what our tradition looks like and how much time goes into these cars and floats, I took a few pics...

Environmental Club Sweetheart

Sophomore Maid - "Sailing to Victory"

Junior Maid - "Painting a Victory"

the back...I LOVED the War Paint spills!

C Club Sweetheart - "Cage the Cardinals"

Notice the details on the back...

Student Council Sweetheart - "Serving the Warriors"

the back

Now, let me think...there were maybe 20-30 clubs, a band, four maids, and a queen. From start to finish the parade lasted about 10 minutes! I wish there was a way to make all this hard work last longer. At the end of the parade, the cars and floats parked at the courthouse where there was a pep rally.

It was a gorgeous day for a beautiful hometown tradition!

MSU vs. Alcorn State

So, another game day has come and gone. Actually two games have come and gone, but only one home game! I'm getting so behind in my blogging. My life will soon be simplified for a little while with only one job instead of the three I currently have! Ha! Then, I'm sure I'll be back in my regular post as the Blog Queen! Ha!

Let's see....October 9th was the Alcorn State game. It was a little different. We ended up with four extra tickets, so we invited some friends to join us again. We were happy to share the experience with these precious little ones for the first time...

Jude went straight to the cowbell! That was a good sign!

Hanna came straight in, sat in the reclining chair, and said, "Ahh...this is the life!"

Based on those reactions, I'd say the game day was a success with the Jefcoat children! Yay! It was an early game, which brought us to some unpleasant unloading situation. I won't even go there! Since it was so early, we decided to set up prior to the game and tailgate after. Great idea!

Me, Bully, and Kristin before the game

I hate that I didn't get any pictures during the game. Or at least some video of the Alcorn State band. It was quite a show! But, the game was eventful and relaxing and very warm. It also ended with a WIN...always a plus!

Now, Mama and Sherra didn't make it to this game. Which meant the tailgating food prep was all on us! Thankfully, we had lots of friends this time to share the load. And they went above and beyond. Our spread was plentiful! We enjoyed a relaxing afternoon of visiting with friends, eating, and watching more football on the TV. We were so glad that so many of our friends came by to spend time with us! We are blessed!

The two main men, "Big Daddy D" and Jude, immediately grabbed a plate and found a seat right in front of the television!

Jake and Russ

Pat, Felicia, me, and Russ

Will and Elle

Seth and his friend

Jake, Jennifer, Stephanie, Becca, and Pat

My baby brother and me

Russ, Jeff, and Jenny

Daddy, Dustin, Lee, and Kristin

While the adults visited and the boys watched the games, the kids enjoyed playing on that beautiful Saturday!

Grace and Hanna

Jake and Jude playing football

Even the smallest of children loved the outside air!

Rachael and Jimbo brought Hunter by to meet us for the first time! Such a cutie! It was good to see college friends, Rachael, Marcee, and Jimbo! I always love visiting with them!

The whole "college crew"!

All in all, I would say it was a great game day! We were proud of our Dawgs! Glad we beat Houston this past weekend, and I'm ready to take on Florida this week!

Marrrrrrooooooon! Whhhiiiiiiiiiite!