Girls and Babies

Last weekend, I met up with 5 of my best college girlfriends (missing a few) and we had a much needed  "girls weekend!" It had been quite a while since I had seen them and catching up was long overdue.  I loved my Samford days and when we all get together we seem to pick up right where we left off. Thank you to Courtney for opening up her adorable apartment for us to crash for the weekend.  I loved the memories we made and cannot wait for the many more to come! 

First up was mani/pedis followed by a delicious lunch at Olexa's. 

Then we shopped around Mountain Brook Village and gave each other the encouragement we needed to make a few impulse necessary purchases :) 

The cute tag reads "Best Day Ever" and that it was! 

Friday night we had dinner at Avo! Such a fun atmosphere. 

Saturday we layed out by the pool, grabbed lunch at Urban Cookhouse (so yummy) and had so much fun. Then we went to dinner at one of Birmingham's newer restaurants, Seasons 52. If you haven't been I highly recommend it! So fresh and healthy! 

 

There is nothing like a great group of friends that are a constant source of encouragement, support, and love. I am grateful for each of you and am already counting down the days to our next reunion! 

I headed to Arab Sunday morning to shower one of my best childhood friends with love and all things  PINK as she will be welcoming a precious baby girl into this world in August.  She is due on my birthday August 25th! How special would that be?!? Haleigh and Joseph are going to be such great parents and Reagan Elizabeth is already one blessed baby! I cannot wait for her arrival. 

It was a wonderful weekend and as I drove home to Mississippi I couldn't help but smile at all the sweet blessings in my life.  

"Let Freedom Ring" 2013

Before I blog about our Fourth of July fun, I want to take a second to recognize my Dad's resignation as Minister of Music at Arab First Baptist church.  Last Sunday was his last to lead the music and direct the choir and the church went above and beyond to show their love and appreciation for my Dad.  His decision to resign was not an easy one but one that he felt he needed to do in order to devote more time to an exciting ministry that God is calling him to do.  He, along with a few friends, will be opening a full-time medical clinic in Guatemala. Their hope is to have a clinic that is available year round to provide continuity of care to the people of Guatemala. Their ministry is called "Four Friends International" and I am so excited to see how God will use this ministry to bring those who are lost and hurting closer to Him.  Please pray for my Dad and his "team" as they begin this journey. 

My dad with his father. Love this picture of them, Bibles in both of their hands.

Now on to the Fourth of July. Although it rained majority of the time over the holiday we still had a great time! Alan had a couple of days off so we headed down to Lake Martin to spend the 4th with his family. We spent our time eating, playing card games, watching movies, and eating some more! We did take the boat out once for a quick spin, but that was all the weather permitted. Better luck next year!

 That's all folks!