Forever Friends

Last weekend, I was able to slip away to the city for a Girls Night Out (or G.N.O., for you Hannah Montana fans!)

We've all known each other for a long time, but the time we spent together during our Chicago adventure has brought us even closer. Imagine what can be accomplished through nearly 30 hours of uninterrupted conversation with your gal pals!

We rode the train downtown and made our way to Michigan Avenue for some retail therapy, followed up with some dinner and then headed back to the hotel. We enjoyed girly things, like painting our fingernails, celebrity gossip magazines, and a bottle of Easley Wine (thanks Tommy!)



Then we got all dressed up and headed out for some excercise, or dancing.



A fun time was had by all and the time went by way too quickly. We've already promised to make this an annual trip. You can visit Stacey or Jamie's blogs for more fun pictures from our adventures.

Thanks, girlies, for a great trip. The next one can't come soon enough!

Single Ladies

Do you think we listen to Beyonce's new single too often around our house?

Food Drop 2009

Each year, our church (via the Christmas Offering) buys semi-trucks filled with boxes of food and personal care items from Feed the Children.

The boxes go out to several local food banks and neighborhoods in the city where we live. It's awesome to see our money going to local people that need help so badly, especially during these trying times.

We've always given to our Christmas offering, but haven't participated in the actual Food Drop festivities.

Last Saturday morning, Avery and I bundled up and headed to church to help load the trucks. What an awesome ministry! It was freezing out and the snow was flying, but nearly 2,000 people showed up to volunteer.

We stood in lines and passed boxes person by person, unloading 4 semi trailers into 12 smaller trucks that were headed out into the community.

I'm so glad that Avery and I were able to experience it together. I'm hoping that it will be something that we continue every year going forward.

2009 Resolutions

2009 is underway!

I've never been big on New Year's resolutions so to speak, but I do love to check things off of lists.

This year, I have some goals that I'd like to tackle.

Here are the top five:

De-clutter and Donate: planning on another successful garage sale this spring. The rule is that anything that goes out to the garage, doesn't come back in the house.

Trim a minimum of 15% off spending: Menu planning, creative gifts, eliminate non-essentials, etc.

Re-evaluate the future: additional investments, look at refinancing the house, 401K review, set family goals

Earlier to bed, earlier to rise: The first one is for the children, and the second one is for me, in hopes of making our mornings less stressful as we try to get out the door.

Date my husband again: we need more "us" time and the grandparents always need more kid time. Easy enough.

Let the fun begin!