Great time with great friends............

These last few weeks have flown by me with hardly a moment to catch my breath.  Before too much time passes, I wanted to share some fun moments that have taken place lately.  Mostly because I don't want to miss capturing these fun filled days. 

Last weekend, my good friends Nikki, Ryana, and I spent a day together just catching up and laughing.  We kicked off the day eating at our favorite Japanese restaurant, followed by two rounds of bowling, a little online Facebook shopping (which resulted into buying new furniture), and a trip to the best bakery in Virginia (Black Bird).  It was an incredible day, and truly cherished our day together.

The friendships I have with these two go back 20+ years and they are two of the friends that I cherish the most.  So thankful the Lord has blessed me with incredible friends that truly accept and love me for me. 

"A Sweet Friendship Refreshes the Soul" Proverbs 27:9b (Message)

Today is a Day to Celebrate!!

Today is a day I get to celebrate two amazing people in my life. 

 HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!! 

First, its Father's Day and I am so excited to celebrate my sweet dad who has loved me with an unconditional love for over 36 years.  I am so blessed that the Lord gave me such a great father, and always grateful for his advice, guidance, and support.  Love ya Daddy! 

  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Second, I am excited to celebrate my best friend, Tiffany McNew.  I am blessed with your friendship, and truly amazed that the Lord gave us this friendship nearly 15 years ago!  She is always by my side, and is a true example of what walking with the Lord looks like....trusting him with every detail in all that life gives us, loving others with everything you are, and encouraging and serving with all your heart.  I admire you and beyond humble to call you my best friend!  LUV YOU Tif!!

Happy Day!!

My Very Best Friend

I have a lot of amazing friends, and many of those friends I would consider best friends too.  However, there is one friend who understands my heart and is so loyal that words cannot express how blessed I am with her friendship.

Tiffany and I became friends over 10 years ago.  I was only 23 and she was 18, and we were fast friends immediatly.  Over the years, we've grown up, matured, and continued to be there for one another through thick and thin.  Last year, when the Lord began to move my heart to return home, He began to move Tiffany's heart to leave home for full-time ministry with her husband.  We haven't lived in the same town together since 2007; however, with each passing year we get closer and closer, and I am so thankful to still call her my best friend.

She pushes me to grow closer to the Lord, to seek His face more, and to reach the lost each and every day. Her love for her family, her friends, and her husband is unending, and her heart to serve the Lord has always been the center of who she is. 

So, you can see why I was so excited to see her last week when she came home for a visit.  After a slumber party to relive old times, Tiffany and I got up Sunday morning, jumped in the car with her parents in tow, and headed to Biltmore for a day of fun, flowers, and a lot of Downton Abbey Dresses.

Here are a few pics from our fun day in Asheville:

 Fun day with some of my favorite people!!

 We loved seeing all the tulips.   Our fav!!

 So pretty!!

Best Friends!!! 

 Tif - I love ya and cannot wait to see you soon!!  And, I am counting down the days until I am headed to Texas next year!! 

Lifetime Friends...........

Hello!! I cannot believe how fast time has gone by since my last blog post.  Life lately has been keeping us very busy, and I haven't had time to stop in this little corner to say hello.   Things are going great, and we are getting settled in more and more into living back home.  

Last weekend, I was invited to a fun birthday celebration with some good friends of mine. These folks are seriously some of the best friends I've ever had, and I was thrilled that we were able to get back together and celebrate a milestone birthday of one of our own together.  Back in the early 2000s until I got married, these amazing friends were my rocks, my encouragers, my support group and everything in between.  It felt good to be together again, and the laughter began as soon as we walked in the door.  Here are some fun pictures of the night:

 Having a little pre-surprise fun with orange and white balloons.  GO VOLS!!!

 Give us a hat, and we will wear it!!

 Two of our favs - Jessie and Phil!

 60 Candles & an Ice Cream Cake - Very Interesting Combo!

 Our Entire Group!!!  Love these friends.

I hope now that we are back in the Tri-Cities we can get together with everyone more often.  Friendships like these are priceless. 

2014............. A Year of Transition

When looking back through my "Year In Review" blog post from last year, I realized that I described 2013 as "Exhausting."  Its no wonder that as soon as 2014 began I started making MAJOR life changes, because exhausting was not the way I wanted to spend 2014.

This year has been a good year, with a lot of ups and only a few downs.  I am thankful for the rest and peace the Lord has provided for me, and I'm looking forward to all that 2015 has in store.

Here is 2014 in Review............

In January, we kicked off the year with a fun trip to Biltmore with our favorite traveling couple.  

 

We also started the year with a little snow! 

I also decided to say good bye to my job!  

In February, I was honored to judge the annual Eastern Region 4H Public Speaking Contest.  

I love judging this event, and its become a tradition every February. 

We also celebrated by brother-in-law's 40th Birthday!! I loved this cake, titled "Road to 40!"

I also got to see some of my favorite people! 

My Church Parents & My Best Friend Tiffany

And, of course the Sochi Olympics!!!  

My favorite post from the Olymics was from my friend John and its worth re-sharing:

In March, I officially ended my Stay-at-Home Wife Life!

However, I did enjoy the spring like days where I was able to do some great Bible Studies. 

I was blessed to go to work for Ripley PR in Maryville.  

I had an incredible time working with entire team!!

The Ripley PR Team kicking off a planning meeting in style! 

One Down of 2014 was being diagnoised with Bell's Palsey. 

Luckliy for me, I only had it mildly and after 5 weeks I was back to normal.  

We visited Biltmore several times this Spring (benefits of having season tickets), and really enjoyed seeing all the flowers! 

Love this man, and so blessed to call him my hubby. 

In July, we headed to Florida for a fun weekend getaway at Pensacola Beach.  We had an awesome time, and definilty somewhere we will visit again,  

Of course, fall brought FOOTBALL!!!   We headed to a few games and enjoyed watching our vols. 

In October, we headed back to the beach with Jamie and Kristy.

So blessed to call this sweet friend my sister.  

I simply love our family.

In November, I was asked to speak at Sigma Kappa's annual Founder's Day Luncheon.

There were about 300+ women in attendance, and here are some of my favs!

Lisa and I got to celebrate the birth of Baby Thurman #3 with our sweet friend Brooke.

In November, I also joined the Birthplace of Country Music team!!  

And, within the first month I was able to travel to D.C and Nashville (and, finally made it to Pucketts)

In December, I celebrated my 35th Birthday with my sweet hubby!  

It was the perfect day.

We ended the year by celebrating Christmas with our family and even taking time for some holiday traditions with our sweet friends, Marisa and Todd. 

Here is to a GREAT 2015.