Ben's Birthday Weekend

Last weekend we traveled to Lexington for the Bama game and to celebrate Ben's birthday. We drove up Friday night and arrived to the Horse Capital just a little passed my bed time.

Ben was so excited to be in the horse capitol that he took a little pre-birthday ride.

We scored a pretty nice deal on a Holiday Inn Express on hotels.com. We weren't expecting anything fancy (just clean) but were pleasantly surprised when we arrived to our destination. Not too bad for a HIExpress. It just opened in March 2009, so the newness had not worn off yet.

Saturday morning we headed to Commonwealth Stadium to see the Tide show UK how football is played! It was absolutely perfect weather. Mid 60's and clear skies. That's what I call Football Weather!

We were able to get right up on the field before the game and watch the players warm up.

Coach Saban wasn't cooperating with us for a photo opp.

The Kentucky fans decided not to stick around to watch us beat them. They seemed to lose interest after the basketball team left?

After the game we went back to our room to take a a quick nap and freshen up for a night out on the town.

We celebrated Ben's birthday at DeSha's restaurant in downtown Lexington. It really is a beautiful city and the sites from our upstairs window-side table were quite nice.

Sunday we met my parents at Keeneland Horse Track. Keeneland doesn't open until this weekend, but the grounds were beautiful!We also drove to the the legendary castle Lee Majors bought for Farah Fawcett.

And we saw some of the beautiful horse farms in the area.

Mom and Dad took us out to lunch and then we headed back to Sweet Home Alabama. It was a nice little get away and the Tide brought us a "W" for our efforts! Roll Tide Roll!

Indescribable

I know this is an old one, but these words are ringing in my head the past few days.

From the highest of highs
to the depth of the sea
Creations revealing your majesty.

From the colors of fall
to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings.
All exclaiming...

Indescribable!
Uncontainable!
You placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name.
You are amazing God!

All powerful!
Untameable!
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim.

You are amazing God!
You are amazing God!

Who told every lightning bolt where it should go?
Or seen heavenly store houses laden with snow?
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night?
None can fathom!


Indescribable!
Uncontainable!
You placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name.

All powerful!
Untameable!
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim.

You are amazing God!
You are amazing God!

Incomparable!
Unchangeable!
You see the depth of my soul and love me the same.
You are AMAZING God!
You are AMAZING God.

Moving On Up...

the hallway that is.

I recently moved 2 doors down to an office with the exact same layout and dimensions as my old one. However, this gave me the opportunity to choose a new paint color and floor plan. I forgot to take before pics but just imagine a room full of junk with navy blue and cream walls.

The new wall color isn't nearly as bright as it appears in the photos.

This is the view I have from my desk chair.

Amy Butler is at Bed Bath & Beyond

Check out a store near you!

Feeling Like Home

I am loving having a front porch to adorn with seasonal decor. My MIL made me this wreath. I love it!I realized that I have not posted any photos of the Master Bedroom before now.

Hoping to make draperies for the windows on my new sewing machine.

The Living Room is coming along slowly but surely. I finally feel comfortable spending time in this space.

The wall above the couch is screaming for some art. I think Ben and I have found the perfect piece at at Home in Homewood.

Still need a rug in here and I want a leather chair where the banana leaf chair is now.

Dining Room is a work in progress as well.

Again with the rug..also a buffet and maybe some wallpaper too.

Finally got around to hanging up some stuff in the Guest Room.

Guests can actually check their hair before they are forced to face their hosts in the morning.

Bethany's Baby Shower

Still can't find the cord to my camera...grrrrr.

Thanks to Rachel I am able to give you a sneak peak at Bethany's shower. It took place on September 17 and was my first attempt at hostessing something at my new digs. Everything turned out well, we had a great crowd and Bethany (and Madi) got some great stuff!

Baby photos of Ben, Madisyn and Bethany.

The cutest cake ever! From Sweet Life Cakes.

Hostesses: (from R to L) Amanda, Cortney, Martina, Me, Laura and Rachel.

I am still hoping to track down a photo of the wreath Bethany's CORE Group made for her. I'll post more pics as I am able to collect them.

In the meantime, check out these action shots I stole from Bethany's blog.

Bethany with my gift to her.

Martina and Heather.

Martha and Ashley (front row), Misty and Beth (back row) and Maghan (and Addison in the oven) coming through the door.

My Favorite Things

Due to my insanely long blogging hiatus, I decided to do an extended list this time. I have lots more to blog about but have lost the cord for my camera. Hopefully I will find it soon and can tell you all about my new office, Bethany's Baby Shower and new projects at my house!

1. Jalapeno Cheddar Potato Chips. They claim this flavor will only be around for a limited time, but I am hoping if we buy enough bags they will keep making them. So get out there people and BUY SOME!
2. Mitch Hedberg. He is a favorite of Ben and mine and I have been reminded as of late how smart and funny his one liners were and still are. If you don't know who he is, search for him on YouTube. Funny stuff.
3. Leaves scent from Bath & Body Works. This scent only comes out this time of year, so I try to stock up on it and burn it as much as I can. It is the epitome of fall for me.
4. The Office returns and Community begins. An old classic followed by a new one. Love them both.
5. Pop-up Post It Notes. I don't realize how much I depend on these until I am out of them.6. Pumpkin Creamer. (Thanks for finding it for me, Shannon.) Another reason I love fall.
7. Printed lamp shades. I recently bought some new lamps for our bedroom. The shades are paisley print and I love them. Makes me want to recover all the shades in my house.

8. Candy Corn & Peanuts. Can you tell I am excited about fall? I look forward to this little treat all year long...sweet and salty are quite my style.
9. New Space Heater. I got a new space heater for my new office. (This is my third since I started here. I guess they don't live as long when you use them all day, every day - including summer.) Anyway, this little guy has a thermostat, a remote and oscillates.
10. Fall. It's official! As of Tuesday, it is officially autumn. Now no one (Ben and Martina) can accuse me of getting ahead of myself. Halloween, here we come!

11. Harry Potter Theme Park at Universal Studios Orlando. Anyone who has read Harry Potter is excited about this. I can't wait! Ben and I are planning a trip to Disney and Universal for next year! For those of you that haven't heard about the park, go HERE. Prepare to be amazed.
12. Pledge Fabric Sweeper. Great for in between vacuuming.
13. Cetaphil Moisturizer. I have the worst skin ever. I break out AND I have scaly skin. In the winter nothing works. I am doomed to look like a snakeskin bag during the colder months. Until I found Cetaphil - the moisturizer is great! And doesn't clog pores!
14. Brothers & Sisters. Obsessed with this show in an unhealthy way. I want to move to California and live in a house like Nora's.

15. Desperate Housewives reruns. I quit watching it for awhile, but am catching up with reruns. Thanks, Lifetime.