As promised, I will share some pictures from Kristin and Lee's engagement party! Rhonda hosted the event at her home in Jackson, TN, and it was fabulous! I arrived early to take pictures of everything before people arrived. I won't share them all, because I promised Kristin not to "steal her thunder" when she puts pictures on her blog. She's calling this her "comeback" post! Ha!

Rhonda had everything decorated beautifully for the fall season. From the flower arrangements and linens to the food and music...we all had a ball!

When we arrived, everyone grabbed something and helped finish up the details. Mama, me, and Joe lit candles while the caterers finished the food. Rhonda was running around like any hostess would be. Lee's grandmother was gluing the gold "L" that hung on the front door...the one that I broke upon my entrance! Yes. That could have been traumatic. But, everyone was in "fix-it" mode.

The men, on the other hand, were glued to the Florida-Alabama game.

UPDATE: The guys watched the Florida vs. Arkansas game. They also watched the Alabama vs. South Carolina game! Obviously I did not watch, which is why I had no idea who played who! Ha!

I just loved all the details that were set around!

Once everything was ready, Mama and I took our picture as the first guests at the par-tay!

Then...the Ya Yas arrived! The party had officially begun!

Ya Yas

It was so much fun seeing everyone - on both sides of the family. I'm quite sure everyone wasn't that glad to see me because I walked around taking pictures ALL night trying to make sure I left no one out! In fact, the caterers totally thought I was a real photographer. This was evident when the "head caterer" came to tell me it's time to take a picture of the bride and groom for the toasts. I just smiled and said, "I'm on it!" Ha!

Mama, Kristin, me, Clancy, and Aunt Patsy

The groom-to-be and me

Daddy giving a toast with his Sprite complete with a raspberry! Very cute!

Fred toasting

After eating the fantastic meal and toasting the bride and groom-to-be, everyone mingled (mostly inside where it was warm) and had a fine time!

Dustin and me

The Smith/Tull family

Smithites (the new and originals)

Russ and Lee

All Ya Yas...except Natalie and Vicki (We certainly visited in your honor with much conversation about the Nashville Ya Ya bachelorette party! Ha!)

Some of the bridesmaids

Groomsmen/Ushers

Maw Maw and the grandkids (minus Russ - I'm sure he took this picture)

The party favors were caramel apples. So cute! Everyone grabbed one before leaving.

Daddy grabbed a few before leaving! Ha!

Lee's family graciously put the wedding party up in a hotel not far from the house. It was great! Russ and I got a good night's rest before heading back to Corinth Sunday afternoon.

Thank you so much for such a wonderful evening, Rhonda and Fred! We had a blast! And, congratulation to my little sis and her hubby-to-be! It's starting to feel a little more 'real' now!

Just Another Day at the Spa

Testing is over! Hallelujah! I left Jackson with a terrible pain between my shoulder blades that put me to bed early and woke me early. This morning, my mother came in singing a song to the tune of "I Like to Go to Church." The words changed to "I like to go to breakfast..." I asked if she was going to drag me out of bed by my heels like she used to do to get me up for school. Ha! Anyway, I ate breakfast with Mama, Daddy, and Maw Maw at Harper Road Cafe. Then, Mama treated me to a deluxe pedicure and 30 minute massage!

Ahh....heaven!

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I have just finished watching the Bulldogs with my parents, Dustin, and his two friends. Russ is on his way after being on call. We will all meet up in the big town of Jackson, TN for Kristin and Lee's engagement party tonight. Don't worry. You'll hear much more once I get the pictures up. So, I think I'll go take a shower and get ready now. It's been a hard day. Ha!

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Just another day at the spa!

A Muddy Day with the Spartans

Yesterday, Russ and I enjoyed a day with his brother's family. Their homeschool cross country team ran in a big meet at Mississippi College with 50 other schools! Olivia and Julie were in the Varsity girls group.

When we arrived at Choctaw Trails, the traffic was backed up about 200 yards from another road that we needed to get to. Apparently, school buses were getting stuck in the mud all over the place! This caused the starting times to be backed up a bit. So, Russ and I parked on the side of the road at the end of the backed up traffic and walked. I have just a little of my mama in me...I did NOT want to miss the girls run! Along the way, we picked up Roan's mother, and we made the muddy trek down one road and another road, and a final road before we finally saw tents! I think Roan's mother actually saw that shining spotlight thing that shines down with the sound of angels singing "Ahhhhhh." Ha!

Russ and Sam eating from the first of THREE bags of Chex Mix that were devoured throughout the morning!

Russ and I had a great time visiting family and friends. Most of these friends only know us from reading our blog. So funny! In fact, the first person I saw said, "Hey Megan! I feel like I've known you forever because I read your blog. I've been praying for you and everything!" I love it! And, I am so thankful for such caring and loving blog readers. It makes me feel so wonderful to know that people I barely know in "real life" are praying for US! Wow! So, thanks!

Julie

Back to our day with the Spartans...we watched as the girls got ready, careful not to put their feet in the puddles of mud while changing into their running gear. Julie put her running shoes on - these running shoes had spikes so she would not have to crawl up muddy hills like others had to do in their last meet.


Among the 50 schools in the meet, was the Corinth team. I took a picture just in case I have a reader who wants to see them getting ready! They did a great job! And, I was excited to see them run for the first time EVER! Go Warriors! But, today, I yelled, "Go Spartans!" Sorry.

Roan, her parents, and Leah

When it was time, we grabbed a spot near the Starting Line, and waited. Roan told us what to expect and where we would need to go to the see them finish.

Jimmy giving the girls a pep talk, I'm sure!

It was very hard to catch Jimmy for a picture, because he raced from spot to spot to get pictures along the run. Good thing he is a seasoned marathon runner! Ha!

Spartan girls

The girls got ready to race when the gun sounds! They were so nervous! Of course, there was no need to be. Once the gun sounded, we cheered and walked over to the finish line to cheer them in.


Sixteen minutes later, Julie came running toward the finish line - the fifth runner to cross! Just look at the muddy path she left behind. All the runners had mud slung all the way up their backs!


Olivia came in shortly after! She was running so fast, this is all I could get of her! Look at that mud!


After the girls raced, it was time for the Spartan boys. I volunteered to stay at the tent with the little ones and Roan's mother. I enjoyed a pleasant time of playing "Queen and Princess" with Leah as she cuddled up to keep warm. After all, I know all there is to know about being the queen! Just ask my parents! Ha!


We FINALLY got Clay to stand still long enough for a picture! (I must have all family members on the blog! Ha!) He ran around with friends all day doing all kinds of things. I'm sure playing with sticks and mud were involved! But, all boys need a sip of Gatorade every once in a while.

At the end of the meet, the results were announced: The Spartans came in second...followed in third by Corinth! Congratulations runners!

We had a great day with the Spartans and with our nieces and nephews! I'm so glad we were able to see them run! Can't wait until next time!

Show Us Your Life - Tailgates and Favorite Teams

So, I don't think it's a big secret that I'm a tried and true Bulldog football fan. Kelly's Korner's Show Us Your Life finally got off the "baby train" and is back to something I can talk about! Yay! This week's topic - Favorite Teams and Tailgates.

Since our team isn't necessarily known as the winningest team in the SEC, the highlight of our football games have been the tailgate! Not so much the case this year...things are looking up.


I've been "tailgating" for State games all my life. And, I mean that in the most literal sense. My dad would actually take the kids, and we would eat out of the actual tailgate of my dad's Explorer in the middle of a parking lot! Those were the days! Ha! Now, it's a little more involved. My parents leave the tents with Dustin and Lee in Starkville, so they set everything up the night before. We usually have three tents (and, my dad has been known to lay down the astroturf depending on the quality of the spot.). My parents come early Saturday morning and get it all situated. Pretty much, we all just come and enjoy - no work involved! Yay! Maybe that's why I think tailgating is so fun and relaxing! Ha!


The food is always plentiful! Sometimes, we grill out. Other times, we order Abner's. During the cooler games, we will have chili, baked potatoes, and hot chocolate or apple cider. You just never know. One of the top requested items of mine is the Greek Pasta Salad. This is a recipe I got from Roan, and it has become a tailgating staple.

The satellite is set up for the guys to watch other games throughout the day. There are chairs everywhere! But, two of those are "sacred" - the recliners. The blue one - Daddy's...the maroon one - Rickey's. Touch at your own risk! Ha! Russ has one too, but we haven't taken it to a game yet.


When the weather is pretty, it's relaxing enough for a nap! That is, if you can sleep with loud talking, yelling, and laughing! I'm pretty sure Russ could sleep through anything after a long week of working in the hospital!


But, the greatest thing about MSU tailgating is visiting my friends and family! Russ and I are the only ones coming from Jackson, so it's always fun to see everyone.

Homecoming is always fun too. State isn't quite like the Grove. We don't necessarily use our fine China and linens nor wear our best dress to a football game. Ha! But, we do dress it up a little for Homecoming. Mainly just because we have gone to the Homecoming brunch at the Chi O house to see the court come through or visit with friends and family.

Then, there's the game! There are a few traditions when it comes to Mississippi State football, and here are some of my faves.

Years ago, the team would do this dance to "Who Let the Dogs Out." But, they stopped when Coach Croom came in. Well, this year...it's back! And I LOVE it!!! The entire team comes together in a huddle to do this dance. Kristin and I discussed the hours of practice time spent on the synchronization! Ha!

The Smiths (and this Johnson) ALWAYS...I repeat - ALWAYS stay until the end. Rain, sleet, snow, sun. Losing or winning. We are there. Some times we sit after the game and soak it all in. Other times, like last week, we leave as soon as the buzzer goes off! But, nonetheless, we are there!

My favorite MSU tradition, by far, is the cowbell! Enough said.

Come by whenever you're in Starkvegas on gameday!

What are your favorite teams and traditions?

My "Happy" for Today

Happy moments are few and far between these days. My principal calls it "October Syndrom," but it's the time of the year when we (the teachers) are simply DRAINED! I have taught my big hiney off! We are preparing for nine weeks testing, and I have had a meeting every day this week. I have not left school before 4 or 4:30 at all this week. And, that is just for meetings and bulletin boards. Lesson plans were due today....AGAIN! Oh me! I could go on and on, and anyone who is, or has ever been, a teacher would understand. But, as Roan once said, "Who wants to read whining!?" So I won't whine.

Instead, I will share my "happy" for today! I was grading language papers...which at this time of the nine weeks, is more like playing 'catch-up.' Especially since I don't do many paper assignments - besides my construction paper assignments! Ha! I digress. I was a little frustrated because of the demands of my week when I came across this paper.


You see, earlier this week, we reviewed patterns. And, to introduce the lesson, I started chanting, "Two, Four, Six, Eight. Who do we appreciate? Mrs. Johnson! Yeah Yeah! Mrs. Johnson!" At this point, the students joined in drumming and chanted a few times. Fourth graders need a little reminder of how much they really love their teacher deep down! So, I thought this would remind them! Ha! Plus, I just liked hearing it! Ha! My sweet Charles must have wanted to butter me up before grading his paper! I smiled so big...and immediately ran to get the camera!

You want to see it closer, don't you! I know! You love it! Me too!

So, thank you, Charles, for making my day a little "happier." Happy Thursday everyone! Tomorrow is FRIDAY!