Wordless Wednesday...

This is Brandon with our nephew, Colton. He is going to be a great Daddy one day! We are not ready for our own yet. We have some school to get done and some places we would liked to go before we jump into that new phase of life. For now, we get lots of practice with the family. We will know when the time is right!!

I am on a mission...but I need your help!!!

Since Brandon and I keep pretty busy AND we now have more daylight which translates into more time working in the yard in the evenings after work, I am looking for some healthy crockpot options or even quick-to-cook healthy recipes! I would like to use the crockpot about twice a week but I need some good options to do so! We are trying to cut down on eating out. We eat out because it is quick and convenient. We just have to master this eating at home concept better than we have in the past! It will help us to have extra money and to get more done around the house!!! I appreciate any suggestions you might have!!!

Everyone likes free...right???

My fabulous blog designer, Lindsay at Splat Designs, is giving away a free blog design! Click here to see all of the details! There is not catch! She does this so that she can get her the Splat Designs name known across blogland! She is GREAT to work with! I highly recommend her. Go check it out!!

***On a side note, the Disney trip is going wonderfully! I will post some pictures in the next couple of days. Today we went to Animal Kingdom. Later this week, we plan to hit Epcot & MGM.***

We brought sexy back!!!

Yes, you heard that right! Last night between the hours of 7:30pm and 11:30pm was when we, some friends and I, brought sexy back! You might be raising an eye brow or thinking of clicking off the screen! Not to worry though, this post is totally PG-13...ish!

As a bridesmaid, which I am going to be twice this year, you have duties. Last night I had to fulfill the bachelorette party duty. Even though the wedding is September 22nd, bringing our sexy back was a neccessity. I was a little hesitant at first but, I gave in. I spent the $87 to go to a Justin Timberlake concert. The title of the tour had something to do with getting your sexy back. Let me tell you, my sexy was much more modest than some of the others that presented themselves at the arena. I took a double take once or twice with some of the outfits dawned in the 30-40 degree weather. I was tempted on several occasions to tap these, less than dressed, folks on the shoulder and ask how much their leg hairs had grown since they left the house. You know what I am talkng about. As soon as you get cold after shaving recently, you presented with that lovely stubble. I think that their intent, in addition to enjoying the show, was to give Justin himself a show. I was gonna take a picture but the opportunity did not present itself.

Now, I did not know any of the songs because I do not do Justin Timberlake. I do not dislike him, I just do not know his music weel. I might have to change my mind on that. I really enjoyed his music and he played about 5 of the 10 instruments that they used. I was really impressed with that. Justin is from Tennessee so his family was there to watch. If I were his mama, I would have given him a good talking to once the show was over. He did many things to girls on that stage that should probably be saved for well...marriage. Anyhow despite not knowing the songs and being sent all the way back to my car because I had a camera in my purse, I really had a blast. It was a great girls night out. I do not have pictures of the inside of the concert just the dinner leading up to it, my fellow bridesmaids, and the bride to be on the way to the concert. When I got inside after walking back to the car in the cold with aching feet, there were thousands of people flashing away with their cameras. I would be one of the ones sent back to the car!! Well here are a few pictures I did manage to take of the evening below.

Oh and by the way, if you ever have the chance to get your sexy back, do not hesitate like I did. Go and enjoy!!


A view of Nashville's Hard Rock sign!



The Girls (I am second from the left)


Waiting for our dinner! (I am in the bottom right corner)

Thursday Thirteen

13 things I am looking forward to doing on our Disney World Trip (leaving Saturday)!!
*If anyone has tips for a Disney trip, as far as, deals or fun things to do, please leave a comment and share*

1. Getting to Knit on the drive. I have just started learning this week! My goal is one whole scarf!! I will post the finished product. I wouldn't set you expectations too high. :)

2. Getting to read on the drive. I have started reading The Power of a Praying Wife, A Woman's High Calling & I am also going to find a not so serious book today at LifeWay.

3. Sitting by the pool at our hotel while reading and/or knitting!! Not to fret about my new knitting hobby...it is hip & cool..I assure you!

4. Sleeping in (on a couple of days)!

5. Time off with my hubby!! Oh, how I love spending quality time with my best friend!!

6. Quality time with my in-laws. We are going with them! Yes...we like them!!

7. The break from work.

8. We bought some Disney stamps (they are beautiful by the way) and they will hold us accountable to sending out postcards!! I think we are going to have characters, that we run into, sign the postcards and then we will send them to friends & family! Really, it is my excuse for getting in line with all of the kiddos to get Minnie's signature. :)

9. The trip to Animal Kingdom! When we went on our honeymoon, they were putting the final touches on Expedition Everest. This time, it is done and we have heard it is awesome!! The safari part is great too.

10. My granny and Aunt live in Florida. They are going to come visit for a couple of days!! I can not wait to spend some time with them!!

11. We are going to Cirqu De Soleil!! On our honeymoon, we heard great things about it. We did not budget for it so this time we did.

12. The MGM fireworks show!! We are not going to Magic Kingdom because we went last time. The MGM fireworks show is great!

13. Eating at some new restaurants. Last time we went to Emeri's Chop Shop. It was tasty and fun! I am not sure what we are shooting for this time but, I do know there are plenty of options! Suggestions are welcome!!

To Keep or not to keep...this is the question!!!

Ok...so I need some help! I bought this dress from Target. It looked cute until I got home and took a picture. It has a sash around the waist but it blends in the picture. I have lost some weight and the last thing I want to do is wear something that makes me look bigger. This is a medium. So...please leave a comment and tell me what you think. I am going on vacation and want a cute little dress for the trip! If this is not it, I need to make a swap!! Thanks!

Wordless Wednesday

We LOVE the bark park!!



Brandon had to clean up Mya's dirty work!



Mya has a blast!! (she is in the bottom right corner)


Mya likes the other dogs owners more than the other dogs!! : )

Thursday Thirteen

13 positive things that have come from my Weight Watchers experience

1. Down 20 lbs....woohoo (going for 15 more)!!!

2. The more I exercise the more I can eat! Let's just say, I exercise quite a bit.

3. I am forced to make better food choices so that when I want to splurge, I can.

4. I am taking advantage of my YMCA membership 5-6 times a week compared to 0 in six months.

5. Mya, our dog, is losing weight too!! This is due to more frequent and longer walks & runs. We found the bark park this way. We have a trail that goes through our town and while running one day we found a park for dogs to hang out.

6. I now have leg and arm muscles.

7. I will feel more confident in my bathing suit around family and friends.

8. I have made great bonds with my workout buddies at work.

9. We started The Biggest Loser at work this past week and I am already on a routine and that I know I can stick to and benefit from.

10. I do not have to say NO to ANY foods.

11. This is something I can really see myself stick to for life.

12. I am becoming much more attractive for my husband. Of course, he will not admit that I was not already!! I like it that way though!!

13. When we get ready to have a baby, I will be in much better shape and I will know that this works. (please note, this will not be for a while) This way, after the baby comes, I can widdle back down to pre-baby weight!

If you want to see more about Weight Watchers go here. I have tried several diet approaches. Weight Watchers has been the most realistic and doable for me!! It is also the most weight I have ever lost too.

If you can't say anything nice....

" I have no respect for justice and no mercy for defenseless humanity. I ruin without killing. I tear down homes. I break hearts and wreck lives. You will find me in the pews of the pious as well as in the haunts of the unholy. I gather strength with age. I have made my way where greed, distrust, and dishonor are unknown; yet my victims are as numerous as the sands of the sea, and often as innocent. My name is Gossip."
-author unknown

We all know the phrase.... "If you can not say anything nice then do not say anything at all."

Well, I have started attending a ladies Bible study on Monday evenings. I have always wanted to do this. By this I mean, regularly attend a Bible study with a group of girls. I really did not realize what I was missing. The accountability and the prayer partnerships are so great. It also helps to keep me in the word and of the word...if you no what I mean. The difference is amazing!!! It really keeps you on your spiritual toes. The study we are doing is by Elizabeth George. It is titled, A Woman's High Calling. We have studied wisdom and now, you guessed it....GOSSIP! What girl can not use help in this area?? I have been presented with scripture that compares gossip to things such as murder, poison, evil, and even compares a gossiper to a she devil. There are three categories of gossip. The categories are malicious, rationalizer, and innocent. I think most of us probably fall under the last two categories. I have never studied gossip to this degree. It really gave me a wake up call about the damage that it does not only to others but, to ourselves and our ministry to others. The study of this topic has really helped me to realise that gossip is not of God. I want everything that I am about to be of God. The study has definitely helped me to be aware of my everyday speech and action. I want others to see Christ in me. Gossiping is not going to help that. Just some thoughts I though I would throw out there. The "riddle" above really hit me hard and I thought I would share it.

She opens her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
-Proverbs 31:26

Thanks for coming and please take off those shoes and stay a while!

Hey Ya'll! Welcome to my party and please...come on in! To include your blog in this party, you can go over here to 5 Minutes for Mom and see what it is all about! There are favors, prizes, & new blogger friend opportunities! Browse around my blog and come back for more throughout the week. Feel free to bring some friends!I am new to the whole blog thing but really enjoy meeting others and attempting to develop something worth reading over here!

A little info for ya'll! I am April. I live in middle Tennessee with my incredible husband, dog, & 2 cats. I have been married for 1 1/2 years. I am still learning about this wife stuff. I thought being a great wife would be a cinch. After the actual wedding, 10/1/05, I have realised that just is not so. There is a lot of work that goes into this wife thing! I signed up for it and I am up for the challenge!!

My loves include but are not limited to God, scrap booking, decorating, entertaining, running, children, serving others, & our families! I enjoy a lot of this with my husband (maybe not the first two) as I am his sidekick and he is my best friend.

My guilty pleasures incude but are not limited to Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Dark Chocolate, Mexican food & Ice cream. I lack talents in areas such as, laundry, organization, laundry, remaining calm, & did I mention laundry! I keep a full calendar here with work, church, friends, and family but I would not have it any other way. To be bored is not something I desire! I love any opportunity to laugh, be creative, be adventurous, and/or enjoy life!!!

I hope to have a great party with many things going on throughout the week! Please, keep popping back by to see what is new over here! I hope to be visiting many of you as well!

Looking forward to getting to know you!