NEW

We have made it back home to the great state of Georgia after our week of traveling. In that week we traveled about 1,600 miles! It was a lot, but I really enjoyed hanging with my man and seeing so many of our friends and family. We got home last night and got settled in. I am now listening to the last load of clothes run through the dryer and taking a moment to blog before I iron our clothes for church tomorrow.

The title of this post says it all. So many new things going on, some fun and silly, others serious and intimidating....either way....they are all new. So...sit back, relax and enjoy as you see the new in our life...for now

1. Helmet
My dear sweet husband has a growing facination of all things autographed...it doesn't matter if he was there when it happened, he just loves it. Slowly our guest/computer/sports/tredmill room has been overrun with his autographed memorabilia. The newest edition came in the mail this past week. We worked and worked and worked in the fields this summer...I bought a camera and he bought this


A Georgia Bulldog football helmet signed by the one and only, Herschel Walker. Clint was like a giddy schoolboy while he opened this package. Right now the dilemma is deciding where to put it....we are running out of room for sure...however, I am happy that he is so happy with his collection!

2. Computer
Lately I have discovered that my calling in life is not to be a "stay-at-home (fill in the blank)." I am not as organized as one would need to be to pull that off. Don't get me wrong, I am an organized person, but the work-at-home business is not for me. Since taking the job as the Children's Coordinator at my church, I have HAD to work from home. I do it because it is my job, but seriously sitting on my couch and trying to conduct business, do research and word emails in the right fashion has not been easy. I decided a little while ago that I NEEDED a desktop computer. Long story short, my grandparents got a brand new one recently and had no reservations in passing along their computer to us. It is SO nice and gets the job done, and moves quite fast might I add. When picking up the computer from my grandparents we did not realize they would be keeping their monitor. We didn't have one and decided it was a necessary part of computing to have one. I immediately knew I wanted a flat screen monitor so off we went to Wal Mart. Long story short...we got one, for 30% off because it was a display monitor. Now, my friends, I can sit at my desk and feel like I am accomplishing things as I check off my lists! LOVE it!


3. Books
I have two new books that are calling me to read them. The first is my 6th grade Science book that I have had, sitting in the same place, all summer long. I have been meaning to read it, but you know how that goes. I have been thinking a lot about my preschoolers from last year and how much I really miss them. It is amazing to me how God does things like that in our lives. Something I never thought in a million years I would do, I did, I did it (somewhat) well, and I truly believe I learned SO much through that experience. With that being said, I have no desire to do it again, but if that is what the Lord has for me in the future, I am willing. I am eagerly anticipating 6th grade. I am anxiously awaiting the start of a NEW school year and I am filling my time with prayers to my Father about the upcoming year.


And lastly, my new book, Think Orange. I asked one of the neatest Pastor's I know to reccommend a "Children's Ministry" book to me, and this was the one he reccommended. I ordered it and now I have it. I have read the first page and know that with an open heart and open mind, I can learn alot! My prayer is that I will get "out of the box," and that I will find other people with a passion to do the same. I am excited about the things to come and look forward to learning all that the Lord would have me to.


And there you have it. The new in our life for now!
Off to iron,
Until next time,
Sam

Road Trip!!

Well hello! I am sitting in the jeep as we barrel down the road and head to South Carolina. We have been driving for about an hour and have about six more to go…yuck!

We just said goodbye to my friends in Nashville. We had a B-L-A-S-T! Friday we went to the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner. Everything went well and I could tell it was going to be a great wedding. We had a good time chatting with Donnie, Holly, Ashley and Betty!

Saturday we were able to sleep in a little and hang out with Karen until time to leave for the wedding. It was SO FUN to get to sit around in my pj’s and chat with my very best friend while my husband slept in the other room. We had coffee and cinnamon rolls and seriously did not start getting ready until about noon. We talked and talked and talked some more. It was so great to catch up and not miss a beat all at the same time. I love that girl!



After arriving at the church for the wedding…we got there early…we visited a little with the bride, Amber, who looked stunning! We chatted with the bridesmaids and just had a relaxing time as the minutes ticked by. I stood at the guest book and did my duties while greeting the wedding guests, many of which were surprised to see me. It was fun! The wedding was gorgeous and I definitely cried a little…well a lot! The reception was equally nice and I was able to catch up with old friends and enjoy the wedding festivities. All in all it went really well and I am SO glad we were able to go! Amber and Donald are married now and on their way to a Cruise for their honeymoon! SO happy for them!

After the wedding, we went back to Karen and Ricky’s to change, wait for Ricky to come home from work and get ready to go out to one of the best restaurants EVER! RED ROBIN. So So good! We met Holly and Donnie there and had a great time of eating and chatting. We then walked around the outdoor mall place and ended the night with a sleepy Holly at Barnes and Noble. I just love those two couples so much and am so lucky to have friends like that!!



After getting back to Karen and Ricky’s house, Ricky and Clint played baseball on the PS3 while Karen and I did something I like to call “cubecraft”…well that is what it is called. Basically you pick a little character thing off the website, print it out, cut it out and fold it up. Karen…my dear…has done several with her spare time….she loves it. I attempted my first…and most likely my last. Don’t ask me how she does that on a regular basis…I was about to crumble mine up and stomp on it. Poor Garfield!




We went to church this morning, saw some old students of mine (NOW headed to 8th grade) (taught them in 4th) (I am getting old) got a bite to eat, and now here we are….in the Jeep…on the road….admiring the mountains and reminiscing already about the great time that we had!

Thanks Karen and Ricky for letting us stay with you guys. You are the best!

Holly and Donnie, if all goes as your Aunt says it will, maybe I’ll be back next month…*wink, wink*

Until next time,
Sam

Summer Goals Revisited

I posted this list a while back. These are my summer goals...let's see how I am doing.

Here it is:

clean out guest closet (7/9)

- clean out master closet (this week, I promise)

clean out hall closet (7/9)

clean out dining room closet (7/9)

- visit the library and read 5 books for pleasure (ummmm...)

- read a book about children's ministry (ordering one tomorrow)

- keep my toes painted (have done the exact opposite, pedicure on tuesday!)

- orgainize our bills/important papers (sorta, kinda, almost)

save money for a desktop computer (don't have to!! Grandparents got a brand new one and are giving us their old one that really isn't that old!)


Looks like I have some work to do! I did this to remind myself of the list I made, and to try the little strike through the line thing...so neat!

Sam

Point by point

It has been way too long since I updated this thing, which I find to be utterly rediculous due to the fact that I am NOT working and have free time coming out of my ears. I guess that free time has just been used in other ways.
Where to start????

FRUIT- we have spent about 10 total days in the beautiful Farm town of Tifton, Georgia. My in-laws are watermelon and canteloupe farmers during the summer months, so Clint and I took some time to go help them. We had a great time, worked hard, ate like royalty and made some extra cash! That is always good!



CAMERA- with all of that extra cash I made, I decided...why save it? It is extra money that is not at all in the budget and I really needed/wanted a new camera. SO...I am the proud new owner of the fujifilm S1500. I LOVE it! I pride myself in the fact that I searched and searched this one out. Usually I jump into things way too quickly, don't read reviews, and don't do any type of research. Not this time. I am so glad I got it because we have lots of fun thing coming up soon that will need a great camera to capture the many moments of joy.




BLACKBERRY & PUPPY- since I started this new (part time) job, my email has really picked up. I am not one that sits at a computer all day, so there have been times that I didn't get something until after the fact. SO...I have been researching blackberrys, talking to people with them and have officially decided after 4 days of NEEDING one that I don't really. I will stick to the good ole computer for now and be fine with that. I also had myself convinced that I needed a companion for when Clint is at work and I am alone until late into the night. I NEEDED a puppy. We live in an apartment with no immediate plans of changing that. I like big dogs best but know how terrible it would be to have one in the apartment. I started making myself fall in love with little dogs all the while knowing I don't really like them that much. Clint checked with that Apt people and we will have to pay a $400 deposit (non refundable) to have an animal. Okay. So...no puppy. It is not the right time. We are trying to pay off debt and it made no sense chunking down that huge amount of money to have an animal that in the long run would just cost more money. SO.....no puppy. And..I am okay with that. Now....as for a kitty....

WEDDING, BABY, BRAVES- we leave Thursday for Amber and Donalds wedding. I am SO SO excited. I am excited to see them as well as two of my very best friends, Holly and Karen. We will do the wedding extravaganza until Sunday after lunch and take off for South Carolina where we will meet Caleb Palmer for the first time. One of Clints best friends from college just had their second son and we are excited to see them and meet little Caleb. We will depart from there on Tuesday and make the drive to the ATL where we will see our beloved Braves play the Giants. We will meet Mike and Lisa there for the game and hang with them! YAY. Then, back home we will come. Those will be the festivites that end our summer travels. So sad that it is coming to a close, but excited for the events to come.

WEDDING BAND- I had to buy a new wedding band. Isn't that sad. Mine shrunk, I swear it shrunk. I mean, my fingers swell a little in the summer, but this was rediculous. I seriously thought i was going to have to go to the ER to get the thing cut off of my finger. SO weird. Thankfully my engagement ring still fits fine. I just got a plain gold band to wear with hopes of my original wedding band fitting in the winter. I waited WAY TOO LONG to wear two rings on my left hand, so new ring it was. (I got a SUPER deal on it by the way)

HAIR CUT- I got a hair cut. SO SHORT and SO CUTE (if I may say so)! I love it!

I think I have about caught you up on the goings on in the world of Samantha.
Until next time,
Sam

Thanks Holly!

I have been tagged by Holly to complete this...so here it goes!

8 THINGS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO:

~ 4th of July...I love love love all that it has to offer!

~ Going to Nashville for Amber's wedding!

~ Braves game with Mikey and Lisa!

~ The beginning of a new school year...teaching 6th grade

~ Paying off a few things in the near future

~ Clint's job search to start back up in August

~ Buying a Blackberry (hopefully)

~ Talking to my sisters sometime soon...I miss them!


8 THINGS I DID YESTERDAY:

~ Drove the tractor at my in-laws

~ Drove a truck load of watermelons (135 to be exact) to the farmers market and hour away and sold them for $3.50 each!!!

~ talked and talked and talked with my mother-in-law..I love that lady!

~ Went to Longhorns for supper with the family

~ checked my facebook

~ read a little more in my book

~ Talked to my PawPaw

~ slept oh so peacefully



8 THINGS I WISH I COULD DO:

~ Buy a house right this second

~ Live closer to my family

~ Be a private detective...a good one

~ grow a garden

~ Get a puppy

~ Go see my sister in Germany

~ Go see my other sister in Colorado



8 SHOWS I WATCH:

~ American Idol

~ The Office

~ Grey's Anatomy

~ The Bachelor/Bachelorette

~ Ace of Cakes

~ Food Network Challenge

~ Secret Life of the American Teenager

~ The Hills



8 FAVORITE FOODS:

~ Chicken and cheese quesidillas

~ Chef Salads

~ Tacos

~ Shrimp alfredo

~ Hawaiian Pizza

~ Cashew Chicken

~ Gumbo

~ Jambalaya



8 PLACES I'VE TRAVELLED:

~ Hawaii

~ California

~ Arizona

~ Louisiana

~ Virginia

~ Tennessee

~ South Carolina

~ Washington D.C.



PLACES I'D LIKE TO TRAVEL:

~ Germany

~ Colorado

~ Maine

~ Bahamas

~ Figi

~ Paris

~ Thailand

~ Austrailia



8 PEOPLE I'VE TAGGED:
Well...I guess whoever wants to do it. I would have chosen Holly, but she already did it. Julie was tagged by Holly. And I don't really know anyone else on here. So yeah!