23

In honor of my upcoming (23rd) birthday - Thursday - I decided to post 23 things I've learned about life and love. Because our anniversary and my birthday are so close, I'm just going to bundle it all into one post.

So here we go. My list of lessons learned.

23. Relax; People generally think more clearly when they're not stressed out.

22. Own your decisions. No one can force you to do anything. So do what you do and own it!

21. Admit/apologize when you are wrong. Notice the "when".

20. Laugh. It is known to be good for your health to laugh. Get the endorphins pumping, you will not be disappointed.

19. Learn. Do research. Enhancing your knowledge makes you a better and more confident person.

18. Research the food you put in your body. When at all possible, go natural. Your body was made for it.

17. Try new things. Another thing that will make you a better person. Be brave.

16. Be open minded about somethings. If nothing else, be willing to TRULY listen to other perspectives. Don't lose all moral, just loosen up a bit. You might surprise yourself.

15. Honestly communicate. How will anyone know something is wrong if you never speak up? Change cannot come without communication.

14. You can never say "I love you" too much. If you truly mean it, say it.

13. Don't tell just anyone "I love you". It is a sacred phrase and should only be used when it is real, lasting. Also, don't just throw "love" around: "I love this shirt", "I love that dress". Love is too big to be minimized that way.

12. Live cautiously, not cowardly.

11. Wives, let your husbands play the Xbox from time to time. Don't gripe every time he wants to play.

10. Husbands, don't play your Xbox constantly. Don't gripe when your wife wants to spend time with you.

9. TV time does not count as together time. Turn the TV, DVD player, computer, Xbox, cell phones, etc. off from time to time and learn something new about your significant other.

8. Find something you love and do it. Even if you don't get money or recognition for it.

7. Don't question everything your husband does. It is belittling and shows your lack of trust in him.

6. My husband's granddad will love this one: THINK FOR YOURSELF! Advice is great, but it all boils down to YOU. Trust your gut from time to time.

5. Take care of yourself. You are the only You you'll ever get. Be healthy. Eat right and exercise - another way to get the endorphins pumping. Always remember, Endorphins = Happiness.

4. Material possessions are not as important and society would like for you to believe. I have found that I'm more satisfied with life when I have less material items.

3. Family is important, and so is friendship. True friends becomes family and they are something to be cherished!

2. Your family does not define you. You define you. Whatever mistakes they have made hold no power over the life you choose to live.

1. God is in control in every way. When you feel lost and confused, rest in knowing that God is never taken off guard or by surprise. "Now, faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1).

So there you have it folks. 23 lessons in life and love that I have learned. I hope you enjoyed, and maybe took a note or two. Thanks for reading.

C-Wiggle

I like to KICK! STRETCH! AND KICK!!

Thankfully my mom does not look like Sally O'Mally! Nonetheless, she is still 50!! The big 5-0! I can't believe it. Last weekend we celebrated my lovely, beautiful, and age-defying mom. What a good time we had. 
I am so thankful to my sweet mom. She is such a wonderful, Godly woman and I am grateful that I have her to be an example of the kind of mother I want to be to my children. I'm also thankful that I have her genetics. I complain now that people think I'm 15, but one day I know I'll be happy to look half my age. My mom definitely looks half her age! So thanks, mom, for a) being a great mom and b) for having such great genetics - and passing them on to me. My (distant) future children say thanks too.

Here are some photos of the weekend:

 My mom and stepdad, Chris

 My brother, Nick, and nephew, Taylor

 lovely and delicious cake by www.loveandcupcakesal.com

 Mimi and Taylor

 Can you tell we're related?

Li'el Bugah

That night Mom had several close friends come over for a little partay to celebrate her first wonderful 50 years of life. At around 9, we got a call that totally shook us and took us by surprise. It was my grandmother calling saying that my granddad had been taken to the hospital for chest pains. So we cleared out the house, packed up our bags and took off to Huntsville, about 2 hrs. north of Birmingham. 

Finally at about 11:30, Rob and I arrived at the Huntsville hospital. We got to see my granddaddy and saw that everything was ok. After a few hours, Rob and I decided to check into a hotel just 1/2 a mile from the hospital. The next morning we visited my g'dad and found out that, thankfully, it was not a heart attack. Instead it was a herniated esphagus. Not good, and very painful, but still better than a heart attack. We were so relieved. 

Once our visiting time slot was over - btw should not be called visiting "hours", because it was actually visiting minutes - we headed to Hartselle to visit my grandmother before heading back to Birmingham to meet Rob's parents. 

I am so thankful that we had time to meet with my wonderful "In-laws" (parentheses because this is not how we feel about each other). They brought so much serenity after a crazy night like we just had. They were so flexible with us and took a ton of stress off that we had been feeling for the last 12 hours or so. 

 Yes, we met at McDonald's. At that point we would have eaten anything.

Needless to say we were exhausted after this trip. We probably drove at least 15 hours that weekend. We got home to Jackson at about 8 pm. Right about the time we pulled into the city limits, I got a call from the lady I nanny for - who is 9 months pregnant. She was having contractions and just wanted to make sure we had made it back to town. They weren't going to the hospital yet, but when they decided it was time, I was going to go to their house and stay with Peyton until they were able to come back home. I don't know if I've mentioned yet, but this all happened the weekend/day of mine and Rob's 1st anniversary. 

Once we got home Rob and I decided we would celebrate our anniversary as much as we possibly could  before I got called away again. We got some sushi, went home, opened presents, had some of our wedding cake (which was still delicious) and started watching Enchanted - the movie we watched on our first date. 

Not but 15 minutes into the movie, my phone rings. Jaime is going into labor. Awesome. I grab my "go-bag", hop in my car, and high tail it out to Madison, MS. 

On June, 20 at 4:14 a.m., Brendan Burke Anderson made his grand entrance into the world! Jaime was able to come home with him on Wednesday. He is so tiny, it is unreal. Congratulations to the best family I've ever worked for. I am so happy to get to watch this sweet boy. I don't have any pictures of Brendan yet, but I will post them as soon as I can. 

Have no fear. Rob and I did celebrate our anniversary. We just did it 6 days later. It wasn't as lavish and extravagent as we may have hoped, but if there is one thing we've learned this year, it's that sometimes you just have to go with it. We had originally planned to spend a week at a fancy bed and breakfast in Gatlinburg, TN. However, we've had to change those plans because very soon we will be making a huge move and we need to save every penny we can. 

I was pretty bummed about this but instead of throwing myself a pity party, I decided to bring the resort to our apartment. We had mimosas with strawberries, chocolate covered and powdered donuts, as well as blueberry, choc chip, and banana pancakes. We watched movies and layed around in our PJs all day long. It was fabulous!! I love our love; that we can be at home just the two of us and enjoy ourselves so much. I could not have asked for a better mate. We were so obviously made for each other it's ridiculous. I fall more and more in love with this man every day. I am so blessed.

Here are some pictures of our Hotel at Home breakfast:

A Wedding Weekend

Two weeks ago, Rob and I made a journey to Tuscaloosa, AL to witness two sweet college friends tie the knot. I have a special place in my heart for the bride and for her groom.

My sophomore year of college, I led my first freshman Bible study at Calvary in Tuscaloosa. Sweet Anna-Kate was a member of that Bible study group and a very special one at that. This girl has the sweetest spirit I have ever seen.

I will never forget this one night after church a year later when she came up to me a thanked me for being there for her during her freshman year. How sweet is that she would think to let me know what I meant to her a year later. I greatly appreciated that and will never forget it.

Here are some photos of when Anna-Kate and I first met.

Our whole freshman group, Anna-Kate is dead center, in the white

Fall Retreat, 2007

Forgive the horrible lighting

The groom is as equally sweet as the bride. I don't quite remember the first time I met Leslie, but I remember what a sweet and genuine person he has always been. To give you an example of his genuinely kind spirit, I found a letter today that he had mailed me after hearing me complain about all the junk mail I get. In the letter, after his disclaimer that it was simply a letter of encouragement from a brother to a sister, Leslie shared how encouraging my smile and happiness were to him and others. What a thoughtful letter. 

Anna-Kate and Leslie have a very happy life ahead of them. A life full of glorifying God and encouraging everyone they come in contact with. I am so proud to call you guys friends. Thank you for always being such genuine people. I can always count on you two to lift my spirits and make me smile. I look forward to seeing how God uses your sweet selves to further his kingdom.

The lovely Bride and me

My groom and me