Sunday, October 28, 2012

NOLA, Oxford, and Birmingham

It seems like we are traveling in every direction each free second we get these days.  Whenever Alan has a few days off in a row, we hit the road! Here is a brief recap of our recent "get-away" adventures :) Sorry- It's gonna be a long one...

First, Alan and I went to New Orleans for a few nights to celebrate our 6 month anniversary. We are only 2 1/2 hours away from NOLA and it is such a fun place to visit! So much to do and so much to eat! The weather was perfect and we soaked up every second of our time together. We can't wait to go back again soon!! 
Our lovely hotel
Dinner Night #1- Jacques-Imos. New Orleans style! So yummy!
Cute truck parked in front of the restaurant! 
Late night stop for Beignets! 
Cafe du Monde
Day #2- Full of sight-seeing! Lunch stop at Port of Call. Another delicious meal! 
French Quarter 
With my Love 
Alan's favorite part of the trip. Visit to the WWII Museum. 
Heading out for Dinner night #2
Had to stop for a pic with these guys on Bourbon Street! Didn't know if they were real or not?? 
Dinner at Mr. B's! 
Such a wonderful evening! 
Could've listened to this jazz band all night on Bourbon Street! SO good! 
Brunch at Stanley! HIGHLY recommend this!  
Stopped for a Po-Boy at Johnny's on our way back home! Perfect ending to a wonderful trip! 
We appreciate all the great recommendations (Holly and the Hogans) and will be visiting again real soon to explore New Orleans more.  I think you could visit New Orleans 50 times and NEVER eat at the same place. The choices are endless and they all seem to be so good! My kinda place :) 

The next weekend we headed to Oxford, MS for the Ole Miss vs. Auburn game.  Our dear friends that have become like family to us here in Jackson put on one serious tailgate party and we had a blast!! BIG thanks to the Hogan's for allowing us to crash at your adorable condo and spend the weekend with you all! We don't know what we would do with you :) 
Me, Carly, Elam, and Miss Tully enjoying the tailgate! 
Seems like we are NEVER cheering for the same team :( But we have FUN and that's what matters!  
Ran into this Arab gal and enjoyed sitting with her and Trey during the game!! 
Ole Miss is such a beautiful place and it made me really miss my college days!

Our last stop so far this month was the one and only- Birmingham! Home Sweet Home. This is by far my favorite place to visit because some of my most favorite people in the world live there....and I got to see almost all of them in one weekend so I was one happy girl! I finally got to catch up over a delicious dinner with my best friend from college, Courtney. We always seem to be so busy chatting away that we never remember to get a picture. She is a blessing in my life and it made my month to see her and spend some quality time together.
I also got to go with this little lamb to Boo at the Zoo.....
Most precious lamb in the whole wide world.
Love this!  
She had a ball!  
We missed you Grandaddy!  
She loved the mouse! 
I miss her so much! She is a precious gift from God and I couldn't imagine our lives without her!  You are one loved little girl, Anna Scott Laney! 
While we were in Birmingham, we got to spend some time with Alan's family! Alan's brother, Jeff, is the lead guitarist for Eric Church!! They happened to be playing at the BJCC while we were in town, so Jeff got the entire family backstage passes to the concert! It was so neat to see the "lifestyle of the rich and famous." Eating and sleeping on buses, waking up in a different parking lot each day, and performing for thousands of screaming fans most nights! Crazy and cool, but I don't think I could do it! 
(Pictures taken on iPhone- not the best quality) 
On one of Eric Church's tour buses before the concert! 
The crew with Jeff! 
Eric Church! 
Got to see sweet Megs!!! 
Lovin' life with this guy!

We wrapped up the weekend by celebrating my mother-in-law's and JD's 
(not to be confused with JB..ha) birthday with some delicious cake!!  It was a perfect way to end a wonderful weekend full of great times with great people! 
Happy Birthday! 
I will try not to wait so long to blog again so my post are not quite this long!! Hope you are enjoying this beautiful fall weather as much as we are. 

Praising God for this life He has given me and loving that He has my life in His hands! 

Be back soon!! 

Sunday, October 14, 2012

6 Months Ago.....

April 14, 2012- I stood at the altar and made a vow in front of God, family and friends to love, honor, and cherish Alan Tyler Cease for the rest of my life.....
I feel the most amazing aspect of Marriage is seeing God's love portrayed so beautifully as He so intended.  It is an overwhelming feeling to know that God is using our marriage to mend our hearts to be more like His.  Christ's love for us is unconditional. I didn't really grasp the meaning of that until I became a wife. It's a selfless love. A love that does not change under any circumstance.  I am so thankful that God placed Alan in my life for me to love unconditionally.  I will strive each and every day to love him as Christ loves me.
                            "I have found the one whom my soul loves." Song of Solomon 3:4

Friday, September 21, 2012

Belated Birthday Post

I really do not have a good excuse for my lack of blogging lately. We have been busy with the ordinary chores of life and I have not had time to just sit and focus on the blog. Alan has had a really shouldn't be legal busy month at the hospital and I am trying to soak up every minute with him when he is at home.  Can I brag on my hubby for just a second? This month he is working 15-16 hour shifts in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), multiple days in a row (some days, some nights) and once he enters the hospital he never sits down. Not only is he busy but he is constantly making decisions that mean life or death for his patients. These patients are so so sick, and he is handling the pressure like a champ! I am amazed at his dedication and passion for his patients. He will come home at night after a shift and research medical diagnosis that his patients have to ensure that he is treating them properly. And he NEVER complains about how much he has to work or how tired he his. God has called him to be a Doctor for a reason and I am realizing why more and more each day.  He makes me so proud to be his wife. 

Now on to the purpose of this post, to share our recent Birthday fun! August is a huge month for celebrations.
 August 20th- Mom and Dad's Anniversary
August 23rd- Mr. Cease's Birthday
August 24th- My mom's birthday
August 25th- My birthday
We have so much fun celebrating and it is a great excuse to eat big and have cake multiple days in a row! 

Birthday Celebration #1 was spent at Fleming's Steakhouse (delicious) in Birmingham. It has become a tradition for mom and me to have joint birthday dinners. I love that our birthday's are just one day apart. Since we are almost twins (personality & looks) it only makes sense that we share a birthday! Here are a few pictures of our family birthday dinner.....
Birthday Girls! 
Always a treat to spend time with these two
The girls :)  
My Honey 
This baby loves limes! 
Love my family to pieces!  
Present time!!  

She was just learning how to walk. So cute! 
Birthday Celebration #2 took place at one of our all time favorite places, Lake Martin.  We celebrated mine and Mr. Cease's birthday twice! We had a delicious Mexican Fiesta with The Shaws' on Saturday night and on Sunday, Meghan and JD came down for a cookout and some yummy cake and homemade ice cream!
Mexican Feast 

Birthday Brownie :) 
Last weekend at the lake for the summer :(

Not the best quality...thanks iPhone.
Adorable cake from Olexa's thanks to Lisbeth! (And it tasted just as good as it looks)
Happy Birthday to us! 
More presents :) 
I had a wonderful Birthday and felt so loved all weekend long!  I wish for many, many more in the years to come! 
We have a couple of really exciting events planned next month! October will be a lighter month for Alan and we are taking full advantage of it.  I'll try to keep ya up to date on the fun :)

See ya soon!