Lindsay's Bachelorette Weekend Anticipation

Next weekend April 3-5 is Lindsay's bachelorette weekend. On Friday night I am just concentrating on getting there with the dogs and going to say hi to my parents. We then are going to have a girls night at Lindsay's house in Mount Holly. Then on Saturday we are going out in Charlotte. I am excited because we are having the lingerie shower and the fun adventures out in Charlotte and John is going to be at home taking care of the dogs. I am glad that he gets to take care of them because it's much better to do that then to have to worry about them being at the vet. I appreciate that a lot. I think that we are going to have a great time at the lingerie shower and we are going to be able to be all together in the 2 adjoining hotel rooms. I will fill you in on the happenings of the weekend after next weekend. :)

As We Look Ahead to Easter

The Easter Story
Jesus came to compensateFor all the wrongs we do.He came to earth to die for us,So we’d be born anew.
"This bitter cup, let it pass from me,"He cried, in a plaintive voice;"Yet not My will, but Thine be done;"He said, in His faithful choice.
The Judas kiss would seal his fate;He faced a hostile crowd;The governor, Pilate, saw through it all;Jesus’ guilt he disavowed.
"I wash my hands of all of this,"Said Pilate, "Let Him be."But the crowd yelled "Crucify him now,And set Barabbas free!"
Pilate yielded to their wish;And Jesus was led away.The soldiers beat him, and mocked Him, too,Yet He continued to obey.
A crown of thorns lay on His head,As His sentence was carried out;His hands and feet were pierced with nails,But He did not scream or shout.
"Father, forgive them for this crime;They know not what they do."He said this despite His torment, because,He was thinking of me and you.
"It is finished," he sighed in His anguish and pain,As His body gave up to death.The curtain tore, and darkness fell,After He took His last breath.
The best of the story is the very last part;It’s why on Easter we’re filled with pleasure:Death could not our Savior hold;His power is beyond all measure.
He rose from the grave, and was seen all around;Ever since, He’s inspired devotion,And we’ll be with Him for eternity,When we get our heavenly promotion.
That’s why Easter is a major event:He suffered and died in our place.He rose and forgave us and loves us still,Our Savior of matchless grace.

By Joanna Fuchs

Betty Jo Hamrick

Betty Jo is in the middle in the purple outfit sitting down

Thanksgiving 2008

I think that it's important to say that Betty Jo was an excellent woman. For so many years I've looked up to my great aunt and great uncle Dean and I think that during this time of sadness the right thing to do is to be happy for the life that she lived. She was Miss North Carolina in the 60's and was so beautiful. She always worked with poise and beauty and she always knew just what to say to make everyone laugh.

On Wednesday I got a text from Lindsay saying that she just met Ellen, Spence, Spencer, and Dean and I was like What are they doing at the hospital? This part really concerned me. I then learned that it was because of Betty Jo. Spencer was home on spring break and I bet is glad that he got to see her in the hospital before she passed on. I am glad that Lindsay was there with my family during this time because somehow that is comforting. I think that God works in mysterious ways and it never ceases to amaze me. I know that prayer is important and I know that things happen for a reason. Betty Jo is in heaven and looking down at us now. I hope that tomorrow during the funeral she is smiling from ear to ear at all of the people that come to pay their respects. I pray for me to have strength tomorrow.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charlotte/obituary.aspx?n=Betty-Jo-Ring-Hamrick&pid=125492053

My Sweet Babies at Merry Land Academy

Shawn

Trey

Rumi

Lena

Chelsey

Destiny

Chadee

Nicole

Grace

Riley

This is my fabulous classroom at Merry Land Academy. They are part of a program called More at Four. It's nice to have a class size of 10 because then you can cater to more of their needs than if there were 20 in the classroom. I still think that any amount of 4 year olds in a room requires an assistant though because of the crazy needs of a 4 year old no matter where you may be. We have a great time together and they are wonderful! :)

Gran and Papaw are coming to visit

Today is Sunday and Josh has just left for a baseball game that starts at 1:00. Gran and Papaw are on their way here and Josh is putting their names on the list so that we can get in without paying. YAY! I am excited that they are coming here because I love it when we have company in our house. Of course this means that I must clean the bathrooms really fast, clean up the kitchen, make the bed, and get myself showered all before they get here but I'm excited. I have had an excellent weekend although I didn't get to attend Lindsay's shower yesterday. I was definitely thinking about all of them though. I hope that she got lots of cool things for her marriage. I am sure that she got many kitchen things because I know how much that she loves kitchen stuff. It's fun to watch people get everything from their registries for their weddings. I know that this weekend was also John's bachelor party at Myrtle Beach. I bet that the guys are having an excellent time together. I can't believe that the big day is almost here. It's definitely starting to be spring weather outside. I am excited that the weather warms up at least at the end of the day. The mornings still start out chilly but that's fine with me because that way we get the best of both worlds. It's not too hot yet. Thank goodness. I'm an in between type of girl. I hope to blog more this week than I've been doing. Stay tuned.

Lindsay's Bridal Shower in Blowing Rock

Heather and Lindsay are practicing together for Lindsay's big day of cake cutting.

The cake says to have and to hold...and it has an M on top for Mineck! :)

The whole group minus Heather who is taking the picture.

Pretty centerpiece

Presents on the table with the cake. It looks like Phi Mu right?

It was a fabulous time on March 14, 2009. In attendance was Lindsay, myself, Heather Pegram, Kate Knowles, and Katie Vaden. When we got to Chetola we split into two groups. These being Heather, Lindsay, and Kate and then Katie and myself. Katie and myself got into the hot tub first and then got massages and the others did it the other way around. It was fun. The massage was heavenly and I never wanted it to end. I felt as if I could have lie there on the table for hours and hours. The man could have massages for as long as he pleased and I don't think that I would have even thought about moving. After we were all finished with our massages we got into the hot tub some more and talked with everyone all together. The Manor House Restaurant had gotten some little cheese and fruit things together for us and we went back upstairs after a little bit in the hot tub to eat some before lunch munchies. After this we got ready in the bathroom downstairs to go out to lunch at Glidewell's on Main Street.

Glidewell's had a back room reserved for us and it was fun because we got to decorate before Lindsay came into the room. We had a fabulous cake provided to us by Maxie B's in Greensboro and thanks Katie so much for bringing that. She also brought decorations and we put a centerpiece on the table, a banner on the wall, and napkins that matched everything. It was beautiful! We then had a great meal and talked together and laughed. Then it was time for the presents. Lindsay loved everything that she got and I hope that everyone enjoyed watching her open everything. The guests left after lunch and then Lindsay stayed the night here in lovely Blowing Rock. We spent our time going shopping, hanging out, watching a movie, and cooking dinner. It was great! Here are some pictures...

The Husband Survey

So, here are some things about Josh and I that you may or may not know!

How long have you been married? 1 year come June 21
How long did you date? Not long - 2 years before getting engaged and then 1 year of engagement before getting married.
How old is he? 26...2 years older than me :)
Who eats more? Hmm, definitely him. He has a bigger appetite than I do unless it's that time of the month. Haha!
Who said I love you first? He did.
Who is taller? Josh is about 5 or 6 inches taller than I am.
Who sings better? Me
Whose temper is worse? His! When he gets mad, he's mad. I am the cryer in the family.
Who does the laundry? Definitely me. I think that he should help more often though. He does put things in and out of the washer/dryer.
Who does the dishes? Me most of the time.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do but we have switched it up in the past.
Who pays the bills? I write the checks.
Who cooks dinner? Me, or sometimes both of us.
Who drives when you are together? We share the responsibility.
Who is more stubborn? We're both very stubborn, but I think he definitely wins.
Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Me usually.
Whose parents do you see the most? Hmm depends on what is going on. Lately we haven't been able to get home much but I did get to see my parents this past weekend.

March 14, 2009 anticipation

Well next Saturday is the shower for my best friend Miss Lindsay Erin Pegram in Blowing Rock. Now Blowing Rock as you know is a beautiful mountain town and I think that it will be a fabulous day get away for the bridal half of the wedding party. We are going to start out getting massages at the spa at Chetola Resort and Spa. Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of what it will be like. I couldn't get any pictures of the actual spa inside of the resort but just know that it's fabulous and there will be more pictures to come of the real thing. After the spa we are going to get ready at the resort and go to lunch at Glidewell's on Main Street. It's located right in the heart of Blowing Rock and it has fabulous food from around the world. There are going to be some surprises for the lovely bride and for the guests throughout the shower as well. I can't wait!

From 10 degrees to 70 degrees within a week

So today it is 72 degrees outside. Can you believe it? Last weekend it was like a high of 20 and a low in the single digits and now it's 70's for the high and 40's for the low. It's like night and day turn around. It is absolutely beautiful outside though. I think that everyone should pack up their things for a great weekend in the mountains when it's weather like this. There is no need for heat or air this weekend and I'm loving it immensely. My parents are coming to visit tonight and eat dinner for a few hours. I am excited because I haven't seen them since January. I also think that I really didn't get to spend much time with them then and definitely need some QT with them. Last night I went to dinner with my cousin's friend from high school. She is the best. I am so glad that she lives here in the mountains with me as well.

A New Joke of the Day

What did the bank ask for the football coach for?

His quarter back. Hahahaha!

The Snowstorm of March 1, 2009

Okay so the news from this latest weather wonderland is that we are thus far still alive. Haha! This was the most snow that I've ever seen at one time. It is definitely over a foot out there. I can't believe it! Whoever said that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb sure was right. What better day to start than March 1, 2009. I knew that there was going to be a lot of snow when it was falling 1-2 inches an hour. The snow started on Sunday around 11 and didn't stop until well over midnight. Needless to say it was intense. Lady is getting lost in the snow and Maggie is burying her nose into the snow trying to find the ground. She is a hound dog and definitely likes to know where she is pottying. Imagine the intensity of waiting on her in the what seems like negative temperatures outside. I think that this was by far the most intense winter thing that the mountains have thrown at us yet since we've been here. It took us about 3 hours to get Josh's car out of his parking spot. The snow had been piled up by the plow making it impossible to get over without shoveling and pushing the car repeatedly. The smell of burning rubber is never a fun thing to smell when just trying to get out to continue functioning normally in your winter mountain day. Happily, we finally got him out and after stopping traffic for him to come out of our road without stopping at the stop sign. Whew! Bring it on WINTER!