Growing up...

When I was 10, my parents rocked my world. They asked me if I would like a brother or a sister. My first thought: adoption. All my friends parents had stopped having babies. When I was 11 years and 12 days old, my little sister was born. I was there, at the hospital, with a pink "I'm the big sister" shirt on.

I was always a wuss about riding roller coasters, or any fast ride-at least until I was in high school. So it was very convenient that I got to go on all the kiddy rides with my sister, even after I was too big/old to go on them.

In middle school, she was always the ice breaker, at dances when my parents chaperoned, in her cheerleading outfit at basketball games, and with my friends.

In high school, she loved to cheer for her sissy-marching in the band and cheerleading at basketball games.

In college, she charmed all my buddies into buying Girl Scout cookies, we sent her a birthday card signed by all my friends, and she decided she wanted to be a Ballerina with the Marching Southerners-and she still does!

She was a bridesmaid at my wedding, and probably should have been Maid of Honor. Sorry, Meg! We danced to "I hope you dance" until my husband cut in. To know how special that was, you need to understand that they have a love/hate relationship, i.e. they love to hate each other-the best picture from the wedding is the one where they are sticking their tongues out at each other!

Today, I cheer for her in the marching band, and when danceline performs at basketball games. I am a leader for her Girl Scout troop, and ride the roller coasters with her! I carry her to JSU basketball and football games, and encourage her in her desire to try out for the 'Rina's.

This weekend, I reflected on how, in the last 16 years, our lives have become entwined in a way that no one could have predicted when she was born. She keeps me young, and I hope I pave her way into this big, wide world.


I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give fate a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

Artist ~ Lee Ann Womack~

My Best Shot Monday

At the marina at George T. Bagby State Park.

With the long weekend, my parents invited us to spend 2 nights at the state park in south Georgia. We did a short hike at the Indian Mounds, a 3 mile hike at Providence Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the South), and lots of card playing and fun!

And, I got to try out my new Lensbaby 2.0 and zoom lenses!

My submission for Picture This!

My Best Shot Monday

See my Tabblo>

I Am From...

I am from a small city in Georgia with a population of 336, fluctuating according to the deaths and births. It is a city where my parents and grandparents live, and where my great grandfather, great great grandfather, and great great great grandfather are all buried. I had relatives who fought in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, and I am related to the infamous Pretty Boy Floyd (of whom my great aunts dachshund was named).

Growing up, I lived within a mile of all my mom's family. We spent Sundays at church, eating southern fried chicken, sweet potato souffle, and homemade ice cream. Then we saddled the horses and hooked up the wagons for a trail ride. We have family reunions every summer, Homecoming at church in August, family dinners at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and pretty dresses on Easter, after a visit from the Easter Bunny.

My grandfather greets everyone (including family) with an introduction to himself as "the chief pea-picker of , Georgia". My grandmother bakes a mean roast beef, and occasionally used a switch on me, but only when I deserved it. My mom's a teacher, and my best role model. My dad raised me as the son he never had-hiking, camping, canoeing, and working around the house. When my parents asked me (at age 10) how I would feel about a little brother or sister, I thought they were talking about adoption. My sister was born just after I turned 11, and so I became a sister.

Travel is a cornerstone in my family. My mother has been to all 50 states, I am one shy. Vacation means getting up early, seeing, doing, driving, packing and repacking, spending each night in a new bed.

Education was important, I went to First Baptist preschool, then the elementary school that my mom teaches at (and where I teach at now), but I was also pulled out of school for trips with my family.

I may not have been born into the lap of luxury, but I am rich with family and experiences.

My Best Shot Monday

My Super Bowl Cake

To understand why this is my favorite shot, you have to understand that I don't cook. Well, hardly ever. This is a Sour Cream Pound Cake recipe from my grandmother, with green jello for the field, field goals made out of candles, and flags from toothpicks. I'm very proud of myself.