Monday's Memories...Has it really been 20 years?

James and I went to James' 20 year high school year reunion this past Saturday and had a wonderful time.  He and I both graduated in 1990, but went to different schools.  He went to  Etowah and I went to Sprayberry.  I would have gone to Etowah if we hadn't of moved my Freshman year.  I went to Elementary and Middle School with a lot of the same people James went to High School with.    The reunion was held at the Hilton in Marietta.  It was beautiful!!  James and I both agreed it felt like we were going to prom, just not so dressed up.

It was so fun to see people I remembered from so long ago.  James had a chance to catch up with old friends too.  We sat at the same table with one of my good friends from 7th grade.  We both looked at each other awhile before we really knew who each other was.  It was so good to see her and we are hoping to get our families together soon.

My friend Michaele and her husband.

We also got to see the wonderful Mrs. Towns again. (Noah's teacher last year)

It was comforting to see that other people had changed just like us!  Cause let's face it we really are 20 years older!!!

It was fun to look at year books and all the memorabilia from 1990.

 We saw lots of other people we knew and some we honestly didn't recognize.  The night was filled with dancing(not by James and I).  It was really funny to people watch!  The food was great. The friends we caught up with and reconnected with was truly a surprise!  I have to say I was a little hesitant to go remembering all the cliques.  It's funny that as you get older all of that just seems to fade away and everybody just has fun seeing each other.  All in all the night was fun and a lot better than I expected.

So, there you have it...Etowah High School class of 1990!!!

Monday's Memories

It is hard to believe that twenty-one years ago this week James and I had our first date.  We had met each other a couple of times before but actually started dating the summer of 1989.  One of my best friends April had dated James before and they decided they were just friends so she introduced us.  The first time I met James, he and April were actually on their first date.  The second time we met, April and I went over to his house.  A couple of weeks after that he called me and came over to my house.  We sat on the front porch for a long time and talked.  We had our first date 3 days later.  We went to Olive Garden for lunch and then went and saw the movie Dead Poets Society.  A few days later I had all four of my wisdom teeth pulled and James came over and sat with me after my surgery.  He was even there when I "got sick". I remember if he can be with me at my worst he must really like me. We both knew from the start that their was a special connection between us.  Seriously, it's hard to believe that we have been together for over half of our lives!  We were high school sweethearts.  James went to Etowah and I went to Sprayberry.  I would have gone to Etowah if we wouldn't have moved.  We have often thought, would we have dated if I had gone to Etowah?  It's funny how things turn out.  I truly believe that everything happens for a reason.

It is so funny to see how we have changed.  I really would like to look like that again!  James had HUGE hair, almost as big as mine!  It was so long that at one point I french braided it!  I so wish I had a picture of that!  Here is our prom picture.  Evidence of the big hair!

We dated for 5 years.  We had great times.  I only wish I had more pictures!

James proposed to me Christmas Eve 1993.  I t was one of the happiest days of my life!  We were so excited to start our new lives together.  We got married the following December.  I am so blessed to have married my best friend.  We have shared  many joys and sorrows.  We grow closer and closer each time. I can't imagine where my life would be without him.  I can't imagine being any happier than I already am!

Thank you James for being my best friend and choosing  to spend the rest of your life with me!  I love you always!

I'll save our wedding day for another day.  More pictures to come!

Monday's Memories

I thought it would be fun to write down some of my earliest memories to share with my kids. So, every Monday will be dedicated to memories.  These memories will not just be mine but I hope to "interview" other family members as well.  I  remember all the wonderful stories from my grandparents and aunts and uncles and I don't ever want to forget them.  On Wednesday I will do "Way Back When Wednesday's".

Some of my earliest memories are:

My glasses!  I got eyeglasses when I was about 18 months old.  I actually remember them!   My mom would tell stories of me sitting behind the chairs pulling them apart.  She said I also liked to hang them on door knobs.  She would find them all over the house but those were my two favorite spots.  I can't imagine trying to keep glasses on a toddler.  She said I eventually got used to them and didn't play with them as much. 

                          Wasn't I cute with my pink cat eye glasses?

I remember my mom rocking me to sleep in a blue rocking chair.  She would sing "Rock of Ages"  She would also hum a lot.  The picture below is an older picture but the rocking chair is in the picture so I wanted to include it.                                 

I was about 6 years old in this picture.

I remember playing with my friend Joel.  His dad was the pastor at our church and they would come to our house or we would go to the parsonage.  The church was right next door and we would sneak over and play the pipe organ and eat the communion wafers (not sure where our parents were).  We had to have been 3 or 4 when we did that (again, not sure where our parents were)!  We would put on talent shows for our parents.  He was one of my best friends.  It has been fun finding him on Facebook!

We were about 4 years old here.

I also remember birthday parties at our house.  All my cousins and aunts and uncles and grandparents would come.  It was a fun family time.

My Grandpa Brown playing my toy guitar.

                

Me blowing bubbles at my 2nd birthday.  My sister Sara and my dad are in the background.

My sisters Sara and Lisa and brother Tom.

My mom and her mom (Grandma Brown).

I also remember playing with my dolls a lot.  I was always sick as a child so I would play nurse with them. I always knew I wanted to be a nurse!  I couldn't find any picture with me and my dolls.  I had a lot of hand me down dolls from my sisters.  My favorite was one that didn't have any eyes.  I guess I felt sorry for it and always wanted to take care of it.  My mom tells a funny story about me being in the hospital one time and wanting my favorite doll.  Mom said she was so embarrassed to bring it.  I was in my crib and started screaming when all of the nurses came rushing in.  My poor dolls arm had fallen off!

I remember bear hugs from my Aunt Inney.  She wore White Shoulders perfume.  Every time I smell it I think of her.  I can be at the mall and smell  it and still always think of her.

Me playing the piano with Aunt Inney!

I remember my Grandpa Brown was a clown.  For real, a "real" clown!  His name was Korny Kernel!

Me and Lisa and Sara and Grandpa as Korney Kernel.

      
These are my favorite memories up until the age of four.  It has been fun looking at old pictures and remembering actually having some of them taken.         

Those beautiful smiles!

The day has arrived!  Today Abbie and Emma got their braces.  I think Emma was pretty excited but Abbie not so much.   I got a couple of before pictures before we headed to the orthodontist.

We headed off to Dr. Kincaid's office bright and early for our 8:20 appointment.  I think that was another reason why Abbie was not as enthusiastic as Emma.  She missed out on some extra beauty sleep.  They called us back and started on Emma first.  I have never had braces so I was curious to see the process.  Emma did awesome.  She picked red, white and blue for her rubber band colors.  She was so excited to see the "new" Emma.  She was a little worried that her friends wouldn't recognize her with her braces and very cute new haircut!  They got started on Abbie while Emma was being finished up.  Abbie did awesome as well.  To aggravate her daddy she get Bulldog colors(red and black).  James is a Georgia Tech fan big time!  Dr Kincaid loved the red and black!  We ran to Target to get a new waterpik and some other dental stuff when we were done.  Milkshakes were a nice treat after our first of MANY orthodontist appointments! Now for some after pictures.

 What beautiful smiles they already have!  I can't imagine them any prettier!!

Girls Just Want to Have Fun!!

Abbie will probably not be very happy with me for blogging with her pictures.  I just couldn't resist though!  I am hopping that one day when she looks back at my blog book she will cherish these fun times.  Lately when I download pictures from my camera I never now what I'm  going to get.  Abbie likes to smuggle my camera and take pictures of herself with friends (and of herself).  They are fun to look at and you really can see what matters most to a 12(almost 13)year old girl.  Friends!!  This has been hard for me in some ways.  She spends a lot more time with friends and less time with us.  I can remember being her age and starting to realize I had a little more independence than what I once did. I am so thankful that she has a good group of friends that are a joy to have over!  I really can't believe that she is almost 13 years old!  She is a beautiful young women that just yesterday was my chubby cheeked baby girl!  I look forward to seeing her continue to grow and mature into the person God wants her to be.  Yes, there are some days I wish I could push the fast forward button past these teenage years to come, but like mama says"cherish each stage because it won't last long".  How true!  So, Abbie please don't be mad!!  I love you!!

Abbie and Renatta

Abbie and Sally

   Abbie and Maddie


    Abbie and Sally

    Abbie and Sally

Lainey, Sally, and Abbie                                                            

    Abbie and Nora

I know, I am so in trouble!!

Found some more!!

Abbie and Jessica (Jr High homecoming)
                                   

    Team friends!  Abbie and Mackenzie

                       

What a great neighbor!  Abbie and Hannah

Cousins make the best friends!  Abbie and Averie  

Fantastic 4th

We have a family tradition on the 4th of July , like we do with most holidays.  This year it was a little different.  James took Emma and Noah down to see the parade in Woodstock and Abbie and I went shopping.  Normally we would all go as as a family, but I really needed to go grocery shopping before it got crazy.  I like the parade but how many political figures and Shriner's can one take?  The "little ones" had fun with daddy and Abbie and I had some good quality time together.

My favorite 4th of July picture!

They had a great time with all of the festivities.  We had a relaxing afternoon at home.  Around dinner time we packed a picnic, picked up my mom and headed out to see fireworks.  We like to get there early  and enjoy each others company.  Emma, mom and I played a game of Phase 10.  Noah made friends with a little boy next to us and James and Abbie went for a walk.  

We had a fun day!!  

The fireworks were great as usual!!

We made a fast exit out of BJ's and headed towards mom and dad's apartment when she realized she didn't have her key card to get through the gates at her apartment complex.  Abbie was excited to climb the gates and do something "illegal".  A little scary excited!!  She actually was able to go through after a car and then she ran towards grandma and grandpa's car to get the card.  I was able to get through the gate after somebody and we were able to get mom safely home!    Too funny!!