Soon to be Dothan-bound!

We are heading to Dothan for Thanksgiving this afternoon, and will be there until Friday. We are staying with Dad & Ronnie, and Jordan will be there too, so we are very excited! I am definitely needing a break from work, and looking forward to some family time. As the financial markets continue to deteriorate, it has had a strange effect on many people I have interacted with. Of course, on the surface is concern and worry (and in many cases sleeplessness), but I think that many people have also used this as an opportunity to share what they are thankful for. I truly believe that this too shall pass (as it always does, even though it takes TIME and PATIENCE), and my hope is that people will use this troubling time to re-evaluate where their focus lies. This is an easy statment for me to make being as I don't have much at this point in my life :), but it seems to me that people who believe that money will provide them with happiness are always sorely disappointed. I will be the first to admit that one of my fatal flaws is thinking that things would be so much easier if I just had $____ more to take care of ____ or to buy ____. I think that is a very natural and human way to feel, but it doesn't make me feel any better. In fact, it usually makes me feel worse! If any of you readers have this same struggle, I challenge you (as I have to do myself) to reframe your thinking, and rather than focusing on what you want or don't have, focus on your many blessings and acknowledge them to those around you. Believe it or not, we all have alot to be thankful for! This season, I am very thankful that I have my family, because I can always count on them to make me happy, regardless of the ups and downs. Happy Holidays, and safe travels!

Inspiration for Every Day

I am a sap for inspirational stuff, and as I was reading my Bible last night before bed, I came across what may be my favorite verse. It is my favorite (that I know thus far) because I have a tendency to think that, as an analytical and inquiring mind, I have to have all the answers and be the ultimate solver of problems. I have always wrestled with trying to understand everything, and this verse gives me great peace in the sense that I don't have to have any answers. Just thought I'd share...maybe you will find that it impacts you the way that it does me...

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight."

-Proverbs 3:5-6

Date Night and Flower Child!

Meredith and I got as wild as a Monday night gets this week! After work, we had dinner at Jackson's in Homewood with Ladd and Danielle. The food was good, and the conversation even better. I'm not sure why I enjoy conversations so much more than I used to, but for some reason I do. We got to hear all about their wedding plans, and the trials and tribulations that go along with it. It reminded me of planning our wedding, which I am glad I will never have to do again! After dinner, we went to see Amos Lee at Workplay Theatre in downtown Birmingham, and he was spectacular. Some musicians are just meant to be heard live, and he is one of them. I have always enjoyed his music, but even more now that I have seen him perform. It is nice to be able to hear a musician share their faith in God through music, and that is one theme I noticed throughout the entire show. My only complaint has nothing to do with the band, more so with the drunk chick next to me who thought it was appropriate to giggle, whisper, and act like a complete moron during the most quiet, intimate moments of the show. That, and how random people in the crowd feel that it is appropriate to yell out the song they want to hear during a 15 second break between songs. This creates a snowball effect of sorts where others in the crowd feel it is appropriate to do this, and the end result sounds like 20 different people shouting different songs from all 3 of the artist's albums. Could I get rich creating a concert ettiquette manual? Probably not, but I might do it anyway. Get a clue people! You are not at a Green Day concert! Awesome night, and it reaffirms my thoughts that music is without question my "outlet", my way to throw off stress and focus on something that moves me.

Without further ado, here is the latest picture of my flower love-child baby!

Pet Peeves

So today as I was at work I started thinking about pet peeves that I have. Do you ever have something that makes you SO annoyed every time it happens? I will be the first to admit that I have several irrational pet peeves. Here are just a few. And by the way, if you have ever committed one of these pet peeves without knowing it bothers me, I'm not mad at you! I will be the first to admit that this is totally irrational and I definitely don't hold a grudge.

My pet peeves:
1. Getting hit in the head or accidentally banging my head on something. This makes me angry to the point of shaking.
2. When someone spells my name "Merideth" instead of Meredith. This seems to bother Hays even more than it bothers me. Every time we get a piece of mail addressed to "Merideth" he goes on a five minute rant.
3. Tracy Chapman and Natalie Merchant songs. Strange yes, I know, but they are like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.
4. When students continue to talk when I am talking, like I am not even there(this has only become a problem this year. Times, they are a-changin)!
5. When I open a cabinet and multiple pieces of Tupperware tumble out, due to the way they are just thrown into the cabinet. Not just Hays' fault, I do it too and then get ticked off about it later.
6. Use of the word "irregardless." This one has been mentioned before. IT IS NOT A WORD! It negates itself!
7. When I know people read the blog, yet they never comment! Hays and I like to know who is out there reading and what they think about what we write, or any funny things peeps would like to add. Let us know! We are still using our Google analytics so we know you are out there reading!

I am sure that there are several other ones, but these are the ones that really take the cake. I would like to know now, what are some of your pet peeves?

Mom & Dad TIme!

For some reason, it seems like the plans Meredith and I have made to spend time together all fell within a week of each other, so this week has been/will be uber-fun! As aforementioned, Meredith and I went to see Coldplay in Atlanta on Tuesday night, and it had been about 3 years coming (they punked out of the B'ham show a few years ago, something about the flu). As someone who has seen alot of concerts of the years (yes, I know they were the same 4 bands over and over again, but all shows were different and unique, OK!!!), I must say that Coldplay put on the best show hands down. From the first note, start to finish, it was an unbelievable experience. Awesome lights, great sound and equipment, and most of all, the band themselves looked like they were having a blast, which amazes me 4 months into an international tour. Definitely a 10 out of 10. Tomorrow morning we are headed to The Plains for the AU-GA game. We have awesome seats, but the game may get ugly quick. Oh well, should be fun.

It was totally worth the wait!

On Tuesday night, Hays and I had a little adventure. Thanks to my wonderful mother (Nonna) who came and watched Margaret Anne, we were able to go to Atlanta and see Coldplay. We had tickets to see them 3 years ago when they came to Birmingham, but they canceled their show. We had been waiting to see them again since then.
It was the best show I have ever been to. The sound and the lights were amazing, and the whole show was just awesome. I like Coldplay on their albums, but seeing them live was such a great experience. Chris Martin is one talented man. His voice was incredible. Our friends Fran and Phillip were a couple of sections below us, and towards the end of the show the whole band ran out and did a couple of songs in the middle of the audience, and they ended up being right in front of Fran and Phillip!!
We are also going to the Auburn vs. Georgia game on Saturday (again, courtesy of Margaret Anne's Nonna) and we are really excited, even though it will probably be a massacre of huge proportions! We haven't been to a game yet this year, and it is going to be really nice to go and see some old friends. Also, on Monday night we are going to see Amos Lee with our friends Ladd and Danielle (this time courtesy of my fabulous Aunt Donna a.k.a. "Gaddy" to MA). It is really nice that we have people to help us and give us some "Hays and Meredith" time. We are really enjoying it!

I think she likes it...

She wasn't quite sure at first, but I think she might like her Bumbo seat!

Where did our days go?

Time seems to be flying by right now, and I think that's because Meredith and I haven't had a chance to sit down and catch our breath in a long time. We haven't even had time to realize that we haven't had time to do anything outside of our normal routine! Which is Wake up, Work, Drive Home, Eat, Clean, Sleep, Repeat. That may be an exaggeration, but sometimes it feels that way. MA has been doing great, sleeping like a champ and eating good and loving her bathtime. We have no plans at this point this weekend, which is the first time that has happened maybe ever, so we will hopefully have some R & R time.

Margaret Anne's Baptism

Margaret Anne with Aunt/Godmother Sandi in Sandi's christening gown

With Uncle Jordan

With Uncle/Godfather Alan

With Mommy, Daddy, and Godparents

With Mommy and Daddy!

Margaret Anne was christened on Sunday at St Thomas Episcopal Church. It was such a special day in all of our lives! It marks a very special occasion and it gives us a lot of responsibilty as parents, but we will be so proud to bring her up in the Christian faith and we will help her grow spiritually as much as we can. Alan and Sandi are her Godparents, and we had a great weekend with them. It meant so much to us to have our families there and we really appreciate everyone traveling to be with her on such a special day. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and we love you all very much!

Happy Halloween!

Tonight we went to our friends Jamie and Trey's house to celebrate Halloween. We dressed up Margaret Anne in her ladybug costume and Charlie, Jamie and Trey's one week old little boy, was a pumpkin. They were so cute and didn't seem to mind their costumes, but weren't huge fans of the paparazzi.