I talked another friend into joining the blogging world!! Actually, I just created a blog for her...and told her she had no choice!!

Kelly was my roommate at State. I can't even begin to tell you all the things we've been through together. We are unable to get together often now that we're married and live in different towns, so this is a perfect way to keep up!

Welcome Kelly (and Aaron!). Love you!!

Around the House

Well...it's summertime. I have told myself all school year that when summer comes, I'll do some deep cleaning. Well, it is here. And I've put it off as long as I could, I guess. So I've been doing some deep cleaning around the house. I mean, I've even put the ceiling fan globes in the dishwasher! I WILL NOT post pictures of this cleaning process, for it may cause you to gag! Ha!!

Russ and I have also been working in the yard. We do a little at a time because of Russ's study schedule. There is a ton of clean up to do after the roofing, and our back yard (major garden upkeep - not quite what we thought when we bought the house) needs some TLC. I usually only work in the yard when Russ is here for fear of pulling up a beautiful rose bush instead of a weed. Plus, I'm not very experienced in this department...and Russ tells me what to do as we go. I will post some pictures from this because I'm sure my family will not believe it until they see me out working in the yard!!

This was much more fun that vacuuming!

Russ always works hard in the yard. Nothing new!

I'm pretty sure it was 117 degrees outside yesterday! :)

Look at that stance!!

Russ took a photography break. This is from our back yard.

After our afternoon of working in the front yard...I decided to play in the sprinkler (that Russ placed so perfectly for a bad patch of grass) to wash the fertilizer off my legs. He was not that amused, so I don't have a picture of that!

Beauty...Inside and Out

My sister-in-law recommended a fantastic book by Debi Pearl. Created To Be His Help Meet is a book written under the obedience of Titus 2, where God commands the older women to teach the younger women. This is a book focused on being a "help meet" for your husband. One of the first things I focused on was the "Proverbs 31 Woman."

As I was looking through devotions about this woman, I came across one that gave such a literal analogy. It spoke of how much we, as women, work to take care of our outer beauty. It takes work and time to keep such beauty up. Just as we work for outer beauty, so should we work on our inner beauty. Proverbs 31:30 says, "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman that fears the LORD shall be praised."

One thing about beauty that we all know as women - it's a daily thing. There are many things created for women to keep up our beauty:

1. Cleanser - In order to make ourselves beautiful, we have to first cleanse ourselves of all unwanted impurities. Our cleansing again works through out confession and God's forgiveness. (1 John 1:9)

2. Moisturizer - Having compassion can be a good moisturizer. When we start seeing others and their needs instead of our own it can really soften us up! (Jude 21:22)

3. Wrinkle Cream - If we want to smooth out those wrinkles how about applying a meek and quiet spirit? (1 Peter 3:4)

4. Foundation - We need to start with a good foundation...the Word of God. If we have the Word of God in our hearts the rest of our spiritual make-up can be easily applied. (Psalm 119:11)

5. Eye Make-up - To keep our eyes shining the brightest, we need to guard them from seeing things that are not fitting of a beautiful woman in Christ. (1 Cor. 6:19)

6. Lipstick - To make the face complete, we can't forget our lips. Apply lipstick in the shade of 'Pleasantness' daily for best results. (Proverbs 16:24)

7. Blush - The blush we apply should be God's love radiating through us. (Romans 5:5)

8. Hand Lotion - We don't want our hands to become dry and brittle so we need to apply some generosity and good deeds. (Proverbs 31:31)

9. Foot Therapy - Sometimes when we overlook our feet, they can get callused and rough. So, we need to get them going in the right direction. Take your feet only to the places that Christ would approve. (1Th. 5:22)


I have added the verses for a "Proberbs 31 Woman" in the sidebar of this blog.

Happy Father's Day!!

Because of all the studying, roofing, and vacationing this summer...Russ and I were unable to make it home for Father's Day. Hopefully, it won't be too long until we're a little closer! But, until then...HAPPY FATHER'S DAY "Daddy" and "Dad."

Daddy and me at our rehearsal dinner

Russ and his dad at our house this fall

Even Farley wants to wish his daddy a "Happy Father's Day!"

New Computer!!

So...as most of you know, I've become obsessed with this whole "blogging thing." I have a laptop that I got my senior year of high school. It still operates - very loyal! But, it is incredibly slow. So, when I get ready to check blogs or update my own, which is very often, I reach for Russ's laptop. Now, this gets very frustrating when he needs it to study or check his own email.

We've been talking about wanting a desktop for a while now. Last night, we finally bit the bullet. Now, Russ can have his computer back. I LOVE my new "workstation." Ha!

Russ is really not amused at my taking pictures like crazy.

Nice work, baby!

Farley could not care less about it!

New Shopping in our Area...

As I've said several times on this blog, Russ has been studying for the Step 2 coming up June 23rd. He was studying, today, at Barnes and Noble Bookstore in the new Renaissance at Colony Park. I met him for lunch at the Sweet Peppers around the corner, then we took a stroll around the shopping area - something we've been meaning to do ever since it opened. We stopped in a few stores (didn't buy anything - just looked!) and took it all in. We frequent the shopping area, eating at P.F. Chang's and Peppers, but we have never just taken time to walk around. It was great!!

Among the many stores (open or coming soon) are: Harold's, Ethan Allen, J. Crew, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor LOFT, Banana Republic, Francesca's Collection, J. Jill, Talbots, Williams-Sonoma, Solstice, Barnes and Noble (of course), Fresh Market, and White House/Black Market.

Dining options include Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano, P.F. Chang's, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Maggie Moo's, Sweet Pepper's Deli, Smoothie King, and Starbuck's.

So, next time you're in the area...stop by and check it out for yourself. Right off I-55, you can't miss it!

The Doctor Is In!!

Many of you have been wondering about Russ, my husband! Well, he finally decided to join in after an afternoon of studying.

Russ decided to check Kristin's reflexes. We found that Lee had absolutely no reflexes at all...so we're not even sure he's alive! Ha! But, Kristin was still with us as evidenced by her flip of the hand during the reflex check below.


There was one reflex Kristin was particularly interested in. So, she decided to try it for herself. She worked on it forever before giving it a rest. This served as great entertainment for us!

For the finale, Russ performed his last medical task. It was time for Kristin's allergy shot!

...and I'm wondering where her top lip disappeared to.

P.S. - Russ is very good with a needle. The pain in Kristin's face is simply for the entertainment of the photo!!

Speed Trap...Enough Said!!

I am 24 years old, and I WAS proud to say that I had never received a speeding ticket. Well...there's a first time for everything!

Before and After

BEFORE...

...AND AFTER

Our roof is finished, and it looks awesome!!

Back On the Water

Lee, Kristin, and I have been out on the boat for the past couple of days. Yes, I - once again - butted in on their alone time. Well, he's already proposed....what else is there to do!?!? Anyway, Lee graciously drove the "bathing beauties" around Pickwick Lake for hours, without complaint, before letting me try out the driver's seat! Actually, I just got to sit there. I didn't really drive!

The Tulls (soon to be) acting goofy!

In case you're wondering whether I still have a husband...The answer is YES! He's just studying for the Step Two coming up June 23rd. He's also still taking care of the roofing job on our house. You see - I'm just a distraction in all that stuff. So, I came on up to Corinth for a few days out on the boat. Does that make me a bad wife?