Get Healthy with your Family!

Kathleen Thomas, a provider of educational at Primrose Schools has asked me to share this with you all...... I hope you all are able to respond and participate!
Dance can be a fun, easy way to introduce physical activity into a child's life.  As a provider of educational day care, Primrose Schools has recognized and is actively fighting against the childhood obesity epidemic. Childhood obesity is a critical issue for young children in America. The Family Dance-off supports Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children's hospitals, which collectively treat 17 million children annually for every illness and injury imaginable.

Through their annual Family Dance-off event, families are encouraged to record and submit a 30 second video of themselves dancing to promote fitness and strengthen family ties.

Participating in the Family Dance-off is easy:

1. Record a 30-second video of your family's best dance moves. Don't be afraid to let loose and be silly!

2. Visit The Family Dance-off site and upload your best take by March 19.

3. Share your video with your friends via email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

4. View and vote daily (you can place five votes per day) for your favorite family dance video!

What would a competition be without prizes? Primrose Schools is providing prizes that aren't only great for your family but for your whole community, with $65,000 in donations to local Children's Miracle Network Hospitals:

Grand Prize: $5,000 and Primrose will make a $30,000 donation to a local Children's Miracle Network Hospital

2nd Prize: $3,000 and Primrose will make a $20,000 donation to a local Children's Miracle Network Hospital

3rd Prize: $1,500 and Primrose will make a $15,000 donation to a local Children's Miracle Network Hospital

All 14 Finalists will also receive a FLIP camcorder

Visit The Family Dance-off site  for details on how to take part in the fight against childhood obesity, participate in the competition, and view past competitors!

Introducing the Maids

A few blogs ago, I said that I would introduce my bridesmaids to you all. I finished my lesson plans for this week and finally have some time. Let's get started!

My maid of honor-Anna Brooke (sissy): She is my 14 1/2 month younger sister, whom I consider my best friend. She is AMAZING!!!!! I am so blessed to have her as my sister and better yet, my maid of honor. She is currently in nursing school at Jacksonville State and she stays busy studying her life away; therefore, it makes it hard for us to have "sister bonding" time. I don't know what I am going to do when I move out because I will lose so much....not only a sister but roommate, extra closet that is filled with shoes and clothes, make-up, laughs, food, and time. Here is my beautiful sister!

Matron of Honor-Heather: (Rhett's sister): She is 5 years older than I but we are perfect for each other. She lives in Auburn with her husband, Jason, it makes it hard to see each other but we maintain a very strong relationship. She is a great future sister-in-law. She is more like the big sister I never had. Heather and I giggle and laugh the whole time we're together, we think everything is funny. I just love that about us. I can't wait to see her more often, especially after the wedding, Rhett and I will be coming to visit more. Heather and Jason stay so busy and are such hard-workers and their relationship with each other is amazing and it gives Rhett and I hope. Haha! They are such wonderful people. Love you HEATHER!!!!! (She is on the right.)

Bridesmaids:
Paris: Let me just say this, we've been friends now for 22 years!!! How many people can say that? That is a very long time to know someone and better yet still be best friends. My parents and her parents met while in college and lived below each other in an apartment complex. Paris was born two weeks before I was. She was my Mary-Kate and I was her Ashley. We have many memories together. I am so blessed to have her spend this special day with me. Pap is an amazing girl. She is hard working and loves her family so much, she will make an great wife to that special person one day. (Her sister, Alexa, and Paris is on the right)

Lyndsey: We met in the 4th grade when she moved to Hokes Bluff from Columbus, GA and ever since we have been the best of friends. To sum it up, we loved, we hated, we loved, we hated, we loved, we hated. haha! Isn't that how a good friendship goes? She has been there for me throughout my high school, crazy college days and still is there for me. Even though she lives in Auburn and we only see each other on holidays because we both stay super duper busy when we do it is like we have just been together like the good ol' days. We talk and talk about life, love, and clothes. I am so excited about having my Lyn Lee in my wedding.

Anna Miller: Yes! There is two Anna's in my wedding. I met Anna Miller at Jacksonville State University in the Education Program. We just "clicked". Anna probably thought I was the annoying girl in class because I talked her head off the first day play the 21 questions game. haha! Sorry Anna. God sent me so many precious friends and Anna Welsh Miller was one of them. She is from Sylacauga, AL and is interning at an elementary school, just like me. We stay so busy but I know we will remain close because what's an Anna without her Jessica. We have many memories at the wonderful JSU, and Grove. I love you, Anna!

Ashley: Met her at Jacksonville too! Actually she came to my church with my preacher's daughter and she introduced me to Ashley. Ashley told me she was at JSU and was in the elementary education program, and I was like me too! We decided to take some of the same classes., and from that point on we became friends. We are complete opposites but she is so much like my sister, I guess that is why we bonded so well. Miss Ashley is also interning this year. She is from Crossville, AL and my goodness this little girl is so precious to me. She loves God more than anyone I know and I love that aspect about her. We have much fun when we are together. I can't wait to see her cute self dance the night away with me at the wedding. Momma Ash, I love you!

Amanda Shea: Yep, she is another Jacksonville girl. Amanda Shea and I are so much alike it isn't funny. We love to laugh, dance, and shop. I met Amanda this past year and who knew we would be this close. I actually met her at my church when she came with Ashley and Jena. I was a bit nervous because I thought she was going to take my new best friends away from me....but I was wrong. We ALL became such great friends. I think the first night I went over to their place, Amanda and I swapped wardrobes and went out and ever since then well... you know. She is from Fyffe, AL and is majoring in English Education. She is two years younger than I and I would've never thought that when I met her. She is an all around great girl and I am blessed to have her as my best friend.

Jena (JHope): Jena Hope is from Crossville, AL and is also Ashley's older sister. We are the same age and she helps keep me sane and controllable. She is also a Jacksonville gal, only the best! She is majoring in social work, and I believe she loves this with her whole heart. Jena, is an amazing girl....she reminds me alot of Rhett...very truthful, caring, patient, and out spoken. I am so glad Jena is in my wedding, I can't wait to get down and dance with my JHOPE. Jena, I hope you're practing your dance moves. JPope loves her JHope!

Macie: (cousin) She lives in Indiana and I am she is also the youngest "Pope" girl in the family. I am so glad they will be able to make it to my wedding. Macie is truly a beautiful young girl. I really wished we lived a lot closer than what we do but it's manageable. I love you, Macie. Thank so much for being in the wedding.

Thank you girls for everything you do and I am so blessed to have you in my life!

I love you!



Yes, I Can!

Okay, after being cooped up all winter...I am determined to run a 5K! I would love to run a 10K.....but I want to stick with the 5K first.
First off, I want to sign up for a race that's at least 6 weeks away or longer. That way I will have catch up time if life (school, wedding, and etc.) intervenes and slows down my training time.
Next, I am going to start off slow, by running only 2 miles, three times a week.I hope this will help me pace myself and conserve energy for the race's second half...even if I have to walk.
I think by setting this goal for myself will help with toning my body up for the wedding.

Since my birthday was yesterday, I got birthday MONEY! yayyy what a great birthday present... I think I am going to buy me a good running outfit. I already have plenty of pairs of Nike running shorts but I always just pull out a random t-shirt to wear with them. I have been wanting a complete outfit. Rhett is letting my pick out tennis shoes for my birthday present from him. These are the ones I am thinking about:

Puma Faas

Nike Free Run

and of course, the running attire......

Athleta Stability Running Shorts

Athleta Ready to Run Tank

I am determined! I have my mind set on this...and I keep telling myself ....yes, you can!!!

Have you ever ran/walk a 5K or 10K?

How was your experience?

What are your opinions on this running attire?



Cards & Teacakes

I decided to get crafty last night with Valentine's Day approaching so soon.

I needed to get something for my wonderful fourth graders but also need to save money; therefore, I got my scrap booking items down from a huge box that was placed on my top shelf in my closet. I haven't gotten this box down since high school so there was no telling what all crafty supplies was in there. I got it down and went through it all. I had everything needed to make Valentine cards for my kiddos. Even though it took me a couple of hours I finished them and it did not cost me a dime. Check them out:

I also needed to make something "sweet" to make for the Valentine's Day party for my class and for the Valentine Banquet for my church. I had several ideas in mind: red velvet cake, chocolate chip cookie cake with red icing, or some type of cookies. I came across a recipe in the "Southern Living" magazine last week. They had a recipe for Sweetheart Sugar Cookies but see my mom has the same recipe but her recipe was called Southern Teacakes, so which ever you prefer to call them would be fine. I called them tonight at church Sweetheart Teacakes.

Check them out:

I took the light pink glazed teacakes to church tonight for our Valentine Banquet and tomorrow I will be taking the sprinkled teacakes to school for my lovely kiddos.

Let me know if your interested in the recipe for theses teacakes.

        I hope you all will have a Happy Valentine's Day! Enjoy time with a special person in your life. 

What are your Valentine's Day plans?

Antigua, here we come!

We FINALLY have booked our honeymoon destination spot. With only 3 months till the wedding, it's booked! Rhett and I finally made the BIG decision at the beginning of February and just now got it down for our honeymoon, yay! I'm so excited. Through lots and lots of debating, we decided on the Sandals Resort in Antigua.

We originally wanted to go to St. Lucia, and I had my mind made up since I saw the Bachelor show last year, before Rhett and I got engaged. I mentioned it to Rhett and he was all for it. Consider the Bachelor broadcasted St. Lucia it has double in price. We looked at several other Caribbean Islands and fell in love with Antigua. Antigua, to us, has been highly recommended. Our preachers daughter, lived there for several years and worked their as a nurse and she loved it. We mentioned it to her and she said it would be the perfect spot for us. We still were a bit undecided and kept on looking. We were trying to find a PERFECT "honeymoon" destination while staying within our budget. We kept on going back to Antigua, so Rhett called Monday and booked it. Antigua, here we come!!!

Check out the pictures, it's beautiful and I can't wait to be there with the man of my dreams!!!!

I can not wait to be here!!!!!!

Where did you go on your honeymoon or to those who are not married yet, where would you like to go?

 

Update on the Walker House

I finally MADE time to visit the house. Even though if was on a cloudy Sunday afternoon, I had to capture the process and take pictures. There has been so much progress since the last timeI saw the house. Rhett has been working as much as he can. School and other small jobs is slowing the process, but it is totally understandable. Check it out....

We have are finally finished with the vinyl, yippie!!!! This is a view from the back, check out the back door. We went with an traditional metal back door.

Our front door, this is the first door we saw, and we bought it. I absolutely love it! We are going to stain it to match the shutters. I can't wait to hang wreaths, and.... maybe a "W" for Walker???

Our bath/shower...we can keep clean! We just went with a simple two-in-one tub. I can't wait to see the shower head and knobs on it. I love them. I will post them as soon as the pluming gets finished, the knobs should be on. We found them at Lowe's (didn't realize how expensive those things can be). We ended up with a good reasonable price for one that we both compromised on.  Oh yeah, right beside the shower will be our potty. :)

We officially have heating and cooling. I was amazed to see how small  our unit is, very modernized these days. Small and compacted! The duct work is finished and all we have left is to finish the insulation and get the ceiling and walls up and all this wiring will not be noticeable. *Check out all the wires, Rhett and his dad did it ALL! Awesome, right?

Rhett working hard to finish up the vinyl before the sunset. I am so blessed to have someone who can just do about anything. I call him, a jack of all trades. Anyone need anything, hit me up and I'll send Rhett out to fix it or to get the job finished.

Look closely and you will see our flood lights. Rhett insisted on placing them on all four sides of our house. Since our house is already 2 miles from the road he made sure were to be to noticed. See the lights, drive on up and visit.

Front porch view. I was hesitant to jump down from the porch, considering we don't have steps yet, to take a better picture. This is just as good as it gets until it warms up and the ground isn't so gooey...Isn't that a good teacher word .... haha!

One side of the house, I chose this side because the ground is really flat and my Sunday heels didn't sink into the wet dirt/mud. This view is from the back.

The house is coming along.. I can't wait to have the wood work finished so I can come in a decorate and add my personal "touch" to it.

By the way.... I am still working hard on my unit for Alabama History. I am asking for some prayers for this upcoming week as I begin teaching for TEN days straight. I think I am ready, but I am trying to remain flexible because it is key to being an effective teacher...especially since this icy and snowy weather we have been having. Just keep me in mind and send up some prayers. Thank you so much! I will be back after this Unit is finished.

Anyone know of a good place to buy a shower certain? I am looking for a simple neutral color.