Could it really be, we're moving back to Tennessee?

Yes, it's true. In less than 2 weeks, Clint, Chloe and I will be packing up the moving truck and pulling out of our cute Annapolis townhouse to drive 8 hours to our sweet home in TN. Clint has accepted a job back in Kingsport and we feel God kept our house from selling so we could move right back in. We have had some fun times up here and even though I despise moving (with an extreme passion), I would do it all over again for the experiences that we have had. There are many things I will miss about Annapolis and this area, but the 2 biggest will be our church and those I work with at the college and the friendships I have made at both. Finding a new church is never easy. We have lived in places that we never really found a church that we loved. If God's only purpose for us moving up here was to worship at Mariners' Church for 9 months, it would have totally been worth it. We LOVE this church, the minister(s) and the people. If you are in the Annapolis/Baltimore area, you really should check it out.

With all that being said, there really is no place like home. We are thrilled to be moving back close to family, close to friends and back in our beloved East TN mountains!

Clint's 28th

We didn't get to have a big celebration for Clint's birthday because we were getting ready to head out to TN the next day for our Christmas break. His big request was a steak dinner, specifically at Texas Roadhouse (a little taste of home at a reasonable price). When we got back from dinner, we have cupcakes and ice cream while he opened a few gifts from me. Because his birthday is so close to Christmas, I never want it to get overshadowed by the holidays.

Clint + Steak = Happy Birthday Boy!

Christmas time in the Capital

A few weekends ago, Clint and I spent the night in DC. We wanted to visit a few of the Smithsonian museums that we hadn't made it to and just get to experience Christmas in the city. We stayed at the Mayflower Hotel in downtown.

This hotel is rich in American History. Franklin D. Roosevelt worked on his famous "We have nothing to fear but fear itself" inaugural address while a guest. FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover was said to lunch there daily for over twenty years. It also has been the site of a few political scandals, but I'm sure it doesn't want to be remembered for those.

Checking out the view.

Grand lobby

At the national Christmas tree, each state has their own tree and the ornaments are decorated by a selected organization from the state. Here is Maryland.

Tennessee's tree was decorated by ornaments from patients at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. When I worked at APSU, the students organized a dance marathon that benefited this hopsital in Nashville. As the advisor for the student group, I went and toured the facility. It is an outstanding place and I fell in love with there mission. We try to support them whenever we can. Our Christmas cards from last year and this year are designed by patients or former patients. 100% of the proceeds will directly benefit Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital patients and their families.

The National Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas!

Much to be Thankful for

Thanksgiving this year was spent in Kingsport with Clint's family. We had some things to do to our house so we wanted to maximize our time. Ahhhh, back in TN.
I always have a blast with his family. Ben wasn't able to come in and we sure did miss him. He has been my Black Friday shopping buddy the past two years. So, it didn't feel right getting up early to shop.
We certainly have so much to be thankful for, especially our family. They have all supported us this past year with our move and we couldn't have made it without them. We cannot wait to spend more family time with both sides at Christmas.


Beautiful sister-in-law

My Best Friend, the Bride

I think I have mentioned before that my best friend Rachel and I have been friends since kindergarten. So, when I found out that she was getting married in October, I told her I would do everything I could to be there. I had already taken some days off of work and just recently flown to Knoxville. But, I have an amazing husband who knew how important this was to me. He told me to go and not worry about it. It was the BEST trip. Rachel drove 6 hours by herself to make it to my wedding so I couldn't imagine not being with her on her day. It was so special.

Sweet Timothy, my first "nephew"

The bride and groom to be at the rehersal dinner. Doesn't Rachel look stunning!

Here we are at her rehersal dinner (10/2011) and a picture from us at mine (5/2007).

I do not normally cry at weddings because they are happy times and I usually only cry at sad occasions. I didn't even cry at my OWN wedding. However, I boo-hooed when Rachel walked down the aisle. Maybe it was because I wasn't actually in the wedding on stage in front of everyone or maybe it was because I know the journey she has taken to get to this point. Either way, I now know what it means to cry tears of joy.

I was asked to cut the cake at the reception. I also now know there is a science to wedding cake cutting.

With my beautiful best friend

The happy couple! Thank you Rachel and Burton for letting me be there to share with you on your wedding day.

Sailing Away with Family

We live in the "America's Sailing Capital" but hadn't been sailing yet. That was until Joe and Lo came to visit one October weekend. What a neat thing to do on a Sunday afternoon. We sailed on the beautiful Woodwind II, which was used in the filming of The Wedding Crashers, starring Owen Wilson & Vince Vaugh. The crew told us the weather was just perfect for a sail. I have to agree. What a neat memory made that day!

Our family

I love this picture.

Cousin Weekend

I love having company in but, I especially love when it is family. My favorite cousin Margaret made a quick weekend trip to come see us here in Annapolis in October. We have so much fun catching up with each other. I'm always looking forward to our next visit.

Her flight got in late Friday night so it gave Clint and me a chance to walk around DC at night.

Hello Obama family


Girls lunch at "Treaty of Paris"