Friday Night Lights

There really isn't anything like Friday night football in the south. I was pretty excited about getting to go the first game of the season for my Alma Mater, Poplarville High. I was especially excited because my cousin Jared is playing varsity for the first time and I couldn't wait to see him on the field!

It was certainly a beautiful (although VERY hot) night for football.


Go PHS!


Here come the hornets!!


Go #87!! Jared got to start, awesome!!








It was a great game! Wish I could've gotten a picture of the final score, Poplarville 56 Columbia 12. It was an away game, so I can understand the home team wanting to get that number off the board as soon as possible, ha!

I'm so proud of our Jared! Can't believe this guy turned 15 this week!


Love my family!


And because I just can't resist sharing some fabulous news with you, my Dad got a really great report from his oncologist while we were in Texas...his cancer is stable! That means the tumors he has are not growing and they didn't find any new ones either. We praise God for watching over him and being in control through all of this, it certainly helps this girl sleep better at night. I can't say "thanks" enough for all of your prayers - our family is blessed to have such an amazing network of love and support. We love you right back!!

Happy 25th Birthday Derek!

My sweet husband is now halfway to fifty! Yep, 25 years old he is! I have been blessed to watch Derek blow out birthday candles since his 13th birthday, so this birthday means that I've spent more than half of his birthdays at his side. I know....awww...right? =)



This year he made his usual request for a butter yellow cake with chocolate frosting...

...and so that's just what I made for him. I'd like to buy him a prettier cake at the store, but he really does insist on a Betty Crocker cake/frosting combo. How could I say "no" to that?

And of course there are presents!

But these aren't just any presents, they are presents with a purpose...

...to dress up this handsome fella!

Doesn't he look dashing? He's commented about "skinny ties" before so I thought I'd get him one, but then of course I had to find a shirt to match, and then pants...you get the idea =)

And he was going to need a nice new outfit for what I had planned for him next...

...a nice dinner at Ruth Chris Steakhouse in Seattle! He has commented on this place every time we've driven past it so I decided that it would be the perfect spot to bring him to celebrate his 25th birthday - and the best part is, he had no idea! I kept it a secret, yay me!

Derek ordered a garlic crusted halibut and said it was delicious.


And I had a melt-in-your-mouth filet!


Ruth Chris was indeed a perfect place for celebrating my sweetie's birthday - we loved it!


In fact, he loved getting all fancied up so much that he asked if we could do it again very soon, woohoo!! I see a new dress in my future!


Happy, happy birthday my love! I hope you've had the best birthday yet!! You simply become more wonderful every year and I just adore you. I love you Derek Thomas!