2010 Handbook

My cousin, Emily, sent this to me the other day.  It is a great message to read right before going into the New Year.  I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe night tomorrow.  We have plans with our Memphis Family.  It will definitely be a night to remember.

HANDBOOK 2010

Health:
1.       Drink plenty of water.
2.       Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3.       Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4.       Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5.       Make time to pray.
6.       Play more games
7.       Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8.       Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9.       Sleep for 7 hours.
10.    Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11.    Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12.    Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13.    Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14.    Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15.    Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16.    Dream more while you are awake
17.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18.    Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20.    Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21.    No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22.    Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23.    Smile and laugh more.
24.    You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25.    Call your family often.
26.    Each day give something good to others.
27.    Forgive everyone for everything.
28.    Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of  6.
29.    Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30..    What other people think of you is none of your business.
31.    Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32..    Do the right thing!
33.    Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34.    GOD heals everything.
35.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36.    No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37.    The best is yet to come..
38.    When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39.    Your Inner most is always happy.. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:
40.    Please Forward this to everyone you care about, I just did.

Fireside

What's better than sitting fireside, roasting marshmellows, drinking hot chocolate, making s'mores, and hanging out with friends?  Not much.  Kyle recently, as in today, purchased a fire pit and wanted to put it to good use.  The Puryears and ourselves decided to join.  It was a perfect night.  

Charles and Travis, aren't they cute?   

Working on the fire.  Sorry for cutting your head off, Charles.

Julie, Courtney, and Myself are somewhere behind all of the smoke.

A little better.

Yep, that's my Man.

Charles, he can make anyone laugh.

Check out Julie's new Uggs!  Too cute.

It was said that these "were the best marshmellows, ever."  Pretty strong statement.  They were tasty.

Love my man.  Looks like he might be growing a beard again...

Toasting their buns.  Can you tell the booties?

Aren't they so cute in their matching camo?!

I have to admit, I do love these boys.

Christmas in East Tennessee

We had a wonderful Christmas with our families.  Travis and I got much more than we deserve.  We are very blessed.  We were in East Tennessee for about 9 days and traveled back and forth between Crossville, Kingston, and Knoxville.  It was a great trip and we spent lots of time with our families.  

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with Travis' family.  Travis' niece was there so we woke up around 7 and opened presents.  That is why I have no pictures.  I think I was still half asleep through most of the morning.

Christmas Day we celebrated with my family at my sister's house.  We got so many great gifts!  I was excited to get some new kitchen toys, scarfs, and house decorations.  Travis got lots of new clothes, a gift card to Justin Timberlake's Mirimichi Golf Course here in Memphis, and a new backpack from me.  I want my student to look good in 2010.

Summer and I with our new Coach purses.  Love them.

We were so excited about our gift for our parents.  Now that my Mom is retired, her and my Dad travel and do so many things.  Seriously, they are gone all the time.  It's like they are newlyweds all over again.  I am so lucky to have parents who love each other so much.  Ok, back to their gift.  They love George Strait and have seen him once before.  He is coming to Knoxville with Reba and Leigh Ann Womack in January.  We surprised them with two tickets.  Our first thought was for all 6 of us to go, but Trav has a busy semester ahead and wouldn't be able to go.  We figured Mom and Dad would like to have a double-date with George anyways.

Mom opening their gift.  She thinks they are getting a Snuggie.

Now she knows, no Snuggie but George instead.

Josie's turn to open her gifts from us.

Don't care what I got, give me that tag!

One of the gifts from Travis and I, a Sock Monkey.  I loved monkeys when I was younger and have a ton.  Maybe Josie will love them too?!

Playing with Josie B.

Travis singing to Josie.  

My sister and I on Christmas Day!

Love you, Dad.

We are always a little late with Christmas cards, here we are taking some for the family one.

This one is terrible I know because you can't see my Mom but look at how cute Josie is!!!

Lovin' Granny Janny and her new scarf.

Being silly.

We went to see Mamaw later that night.  I helped her prepare her famous dressing balls, yes that is what we call them, for the next day.  I took pictures and she shared her recipe with me.  I will share later.

Wanted to take a picture of my cute parents before we headed to Mamaw's for Christmas dinner.  Check out my Mom's scarf!  (I let her borrow it for the night.)

Our turn.

Everyone wants their time with Josie B.  

Katie and Josie B.  Josie is lucky to have such amazing cousins.

Mom loves her new robe from Victoria Secret.

I never ever win anything.  My Uncle Eddie gave everyone a Lottery ticket and I am the only one who won any money!!  $10 baby.  I was so excited, sorry the picture is a little blurry.

Relaxing at Mamaw's.

Sunday night we had Christmas at our house for my Dad's side of the family.  While eating dinner and watching the Colts, Josie decided to read Papaw's paper...

Here is the best picture of Josie, ever.  Look at that smile.  

Center of attention.

More gifts for the girl who has us all wrapped around her little finger.

Her very first Princess chair.  Every little girl needs one of these.  Thanks Aunt KK.

If you can't tell by the post and all of the pictures of Josie B, we are all pretty much obsessed with this little girl.  She has the attention of everyone in the room and is loved by all.  What was life like before her?

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!

We hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday.

Love,

Travis, Kayla, and Reecie 

26, seriously?

Yesterday was my 26th birthday.  I honestly cannot believe that I am so old.  Not sure if I like it.  The night before my birthday, my sister had some of our friends over to her house so we could celebrate.  We chowed down on Snappy Tomato pizza, a delicious dessert made by Lauren, and a cookie cake from Mom and Dad.

Travis misses these two!  

Thanks Julia and Lauren for my sweet birthday posts!  I love you two.

These girls.  I don't know where to start with these two.  We became BFFs in the second grade.  We have had some wonderful, crazy, scary, first times, last times, tearful, laugh till you cry, don't want to be around you for a minute, I need you now moments together.  I am known to them as Twinkle and Chicken Butt and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I love you girls and miss seeing your beautiful faces.

Somewhere during the night, we started having a dance party.  I think it all started when we played some *NSYNC Christmas music.

We didn't just jam to old school *NSYNC, we busted out 504 Boys, Boys II Men, Nelly, Sir Mix A Lot, and so much more.  

Getting a little sassy.

Wednesday, December 23 was my actual birthday.  It was a much calmer day.  We spent most of the morning/afternoon at the Mattmanns playing with Josie B.

She loves her Uncle Trav.

While hanging out at Sum and Mike's, we decided to have a mini-photo shoot with Josie.  She is now 9 months and has such a sweet personality.  She didn't mind us snapping away.  Here are some of my favorites.

Just chillin' by the fence.

Watching Cooper and Ellie play.

Look at those beautiful blues!

Showing some 'tude.

boots with the fur

Pretty face.

That night we ate at Red Lobster.  We haven't been to one in a while, not sure if one resides in good ol' Memphis!  

My Mamaw, Me, and My Momma

Like my new jacket??  Thanks Sister.  I love it.

I had a wonderful birthday.  I am very lucky to be surrounded by amazing people.  Birthday down, come on Christmas.