We are expecting!

We are expecting a baby BOY June 19th! We found out we were having a boy on Sunday, January 3rd at Baby's First Image. We were aboslutely certain we were having a girl...oops! After shedding tears of joy and asking many questions we got to see a very cool 3D picture.

Volunteer Football is Almost Here

Alex and I met at UT and we have a ton of great memories there. Alex was asked a million times, "What made you come to UT?" He probably always said, "I wanted to go somewhere South and big and wanted to play lacrosse." But the real reason he was able to go was because it was his father and grandmother's alma maters! For me, it was a 6 hour drive and affordable with enough people and options to make me happy. It was the only place I applied. We are glad we went and both graduated in 2004. It can be hard living in GA where there is so much red and black but it only makes us appreciate our school colors that much more! Here's to a new coach and season. V-O-L-S! Go Vols Go!

Building a Patio

Alex has always been a yard man (see our 'maters for everyone entry). He recently, however, took up stone work. He researched many different landscapes and watched many DIY shows about how to build a patio and then, last March, he began building one!

I was very impressed when I saw the hard work that went into this -especially because he wouldn't even let me lift one rock. He measured everything out and worked all day and night.

Alex put all the Tennessee flagstone together like a puzzle after putting the foundation of sand and gravel down. To finish it off, he put hastas and azaleas all around the patio. It has become my favorite place to hang out and listen to the birds chirp.

'maters for everyone

When we first moved into our home we saw there was a very old garden. Alex got some old railroad ties and framed it out in the section of full sun. We have had a garden ever since! Our favorite thing to grow and eat are tomatoes.

The first year we planted our peppers and tomatoes just so happened to be the worst drought in 100 years in the state of Georgia...go figure. It was illegal to water our lawn or wash our cars. This made our gardening a complete challenge. Alex created some water barrels behind the house to catch the rain from the gutters so we could recycle the water God gave us and keep our plants alive. After work we had to come home and fill up our water cans and spread the water around the yard to resusitate our veggies. Thankfully, we ended up having tomatoes eventually and thus begun our tradition!

This is our 3rd year to have the garden and share our tomatoes with everyone we know! The rain has been flowing and so far we have seen at least 60 tomatoes. I know I am doing something right when everyone at work asks me if I've got any more 'maters!!

All the little ones in our families!

Where do I begin? Together, Alex and I have 3 nieces and 3 nephews! They range in age from 12 years old to 4 months old. We are very blessed to have such a great family! One day, we hope to add to the growing children...for now, we are waiting until some of them are old enough so we can have free baby-sitters. Stone, 12, and Megan, 8, were first. Next came Rylan, 3, and Marli, 1. And of course Drew, 3, and Maxey, baby!

Our dog Daisy

Daisy is an American Staffshire Terrier (pit bull) that was born a runt to a litter of 11. Her parents, Diesel and Sally, reside in Nashville with some of her siblings. She has a brother, Debo, in Knoxville. She was the only tan pup - all others were brindle. Her hobbies include chewing on sticks, eating grass, going on walks, grunting, house protecting, and of course snuggling. Her birthday is on Thanksgiving so it changes every year. She is very upset with Michael Vick but has chosen to forgive him for what he did to her cousins.

Our Life in Smyrna, Georgia

Smyrna is located just outside of Atlanta where I-75 and I-285 intersect. Alex and I bought a house here on Valentine's Day in 2007 and we love it! The neighborhood is great for young adults and we try to take advantage of all the local restaurants and amenities. We are always working on our house and plan on staying here for 3-5 more years.