The Happiest Place on Earth

6:30 AM Monday morning we were loaded up in the car and off for our 7 hour road trip to Disney World Orlando!! We were proud of ourselves for actually getting up early so that we could get there early and hit the parks! The drive wasn't really that bad (atleast in my passenger seat it wasn't) and we got there safely! Our hotel was fantastic, right at Downtown Disney, had a fantastic view, a Disney store where we bought a 3-day pass to all 4 Disney theme parks, and had Disney buses that took us everywhere!

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Here's our view from our room of Downtown Disney!

Monday: Epcot
Epcot: i think I was in EnglandEpcot: the fireworks/laser show after dinner (does anyone know how to take good fireworks pictures with my camera? my old digital had a fireworks setting, but my new D60, i just couldn't figure it out!)Tuesday: MAGIC KINGDOMwhat beautiful flowers were EVERYWHERE!

Fireworks Show at Cinderella's Castle (same camera problem)

Wednesday: (that morning we went to Hollywood Studios but Ben was boycotting pictures all day there) then we went to Animal Kingdomit's a bug's lifeWe had such a fun time! Ben and I are really big kids at heart so we did all the rides no matter how silly and little kid-ish they were, no matter what the wait time, anything, and had such a great time! We were there the perfect amount of time, with perfect weather (high 70's, low 40's), and the perfect time of year (nowhere near the lines and number of people that are there during the summer, when we have normally gone). We didn't really make a big deal out of meals, did everything pretty casual, and I worked my very hardest to stick to my diet (boy was that hard, considering Disney doesn't really carry salads or non-carbohydrate items in their parks... grrr). We woke up Thursday morning and headed the 7 hours back home, arriving around 2:30 or so. Ben got Harper and I unpacked us and did laundry. We loved our little LAST MINUTE vacation!!!!

a hectic Sunday

well, after the stock the bar party, Ben and I headed to dinner and a movie (Slumdog Millionaire... which was fantastic by the way) with Natalie, Stephen, SarahBeth, & Michael. We were exhausted after a long day, but had another one coming out way.

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Sunday morning we woke up, grabbed the laptop in bed, and booked hotel rooms for a trip to Disney World!!! OK, a little back story: Ben is changing jobs, from one bank to a new one that is starting up in Mobile (a fantastic, exciting, opportunity w/ alot of potential that he and I are both really REALLY happy about and FORTUNATE to have)... SO, he had his last day on Friday, had a week off, and then would start his new job March 2nd! So we needed a little something to do that free week, and a road trip was in our plans! So YES we bit the bullet and found some fantastic hotel deals in Disney, made the reservations on Sunday morning to go on Monday morning! But that trip will be my next post. On to the rest of my Sunday...

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OOM (Order of Mystics) Mardi Gras party was on Sunday that Ben and I were invited to for t he first time (by his new boss) and were really excited about! We were there, downtown, from like 1pm-nearly 5:30pm. We had such a great time, visiting w/ friends, and participating in our only real Mardi Gras party of the year! I only took one pic the whole day, of Nat and I!

afterward we had to drive home, get Harper, drive back to Mobile, drop off Harper at Natalie and Stephens (thanks so much for babysitting), then drive back home, get some last minute Mexican dinner, and go home and pack for Disney! A hectic day, but only the beginning of our fun to come!

Stocking the Bar

Well, all the hard work finally paid off! Ben and I got the yard and the house all cleaned up, beautified, and ready for the Stock The Bar Party we were helping to host with the rest of the siblings for Will and Amy on Saturday the 21st of February (yeah I'm a bit behind on blogging... reasons to come).

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new azaleas planted & pinestraw spread

daffodils blooming & the rock wall rebuiltwe finally hung some pictures on the wall in our den (all black & white landscapes from different places we have traveled together) and the room looked put together with flowers!

we had a fabulous spread of yummy food too!
i was really excited about the mini-cupcakes i got made with mini-martini glasses and mini-K's on them! and o so yummy too!it was SUCH a beautiful day and we all enjoyed being outside with some beer and wine! opening stock the bar gifts!

we had a great turnout for a wonderful get together celebrating Will and Amy's upcoming wedding!

1st Sewing Project

My mommy gave me her old sewing machine that she has had since 9th grade, since she got a brand new one recently! I figured this gives me an excuse to finally learn how to use this machine and whip out some projects in my "time off." First up, was a window shade for my kitchen! I had fabric leftover from recovering our dining room chairs, so I measured and made this panelthen I went to a local fabric store and found a fringe for the bottom and decorative detail for the top pole pocket! I have to say it was very easy, fun, and I'm quite proud of my sewing abilities! I need more things to make now (aside from FINALLY hemming a few pairs of pants that have desperately been needing the safety pins replaced)! :)

i was so glad to get it ready for the stock the bar party at my house the next day!

our LOVE weekend

I think that Valentine's Day falling on the weekend puts a whole lot more pressure on! It kinda makes it last ALL weekend (which is fabulous)! I, for one, don't think that V-day has to be made all that huge of a deal, but it's just the little things, the sweet gestures, that matter. (Considering the fact that last year my brand new hubby failed to truly acknowledge the holiday, I asked him to at least SOMEHOW acknowledge it this year, I mean, PLEASE with a cherry on top!) No gifts, though, because my birthday was like 16 days earlier and I told him my watch needed to count as my gift for both holidays!

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So our plan was to avoid the actual valentine's dinner crowds and go out Friday night! Our favorite Daphne restaurant is STIX where we get the best Sushi!! So, I decided to truly break my no-carb diet (i plan on an update post on that later on) and indulge in tons of yummy sushi! We had a great dinner and really just enjoying spending time together! Ben gave me full reign to pick a girly movie, and my choice was He's Just Not that into You (even though that seems like a horrible movie to see with your husband on valentines). But anyway, it didn't happen because it started too late. INSTEAD,we went and bought (because we thought it would be rented out) and watched FIREPROOF, which I've been dying to see, and o my goodness was it a great movie. EVERY married couple (and really any person) should see this movie. I will even let you borrow ours (seriously, just ask)! No matter where you are in your marriage, it will help you have a stronger, more God centered, more selfless relationship. Ben even suggested that we watch it every valentine's! Saturday morning, after sleeping in for a while, I awoke to my sweetheart wishing me a happy valentine's day and then letting me know that he had a fresh cooked omelet and cut fruit waiting for me in the kitchen... and with my breakfast on the dining room table was this homemade card (which he made on the first red piece of stationary of mine he found)... what a sweet heart! :)

It rained pretty much all day, and we had alot of yard work to do, so instead we did indoor projects. You know, the "honey-do list." I finally got this frame of wedding pics hung in our bedroom:

lots more organizing done in our closets (getting lots of use out of the label maker Nat and Stephen gave me for Christmas!) and got 3 garbage bags ready to go to Goodwill so far:

got this gorgeous canvas hung in our bathroom (from Will & Amy for Christmas)... and by the way I'm obsessed with the color of this bathroom!

finally finished decorating this guest bedroom when i found the perfect drapes to match the bedding!

i got my sewing station setup in the other guest bedroom! this is my hand-me-down sewing machine that my mommy has had since she was in 9th grade! she got a new one and now i get to learn to sew and hopefully not mess up too bad using hers! My first project is to make a small drapery panel/valence to go over my kitchen window. i already have the fabric.. this week I'll be getting to work!

i made my first Mardi Gras wreath!

Saturday night the plan was to cook lamb for a romantic dinner at home, but we weren't really feeling like it, and ended up heading across the street to our usual Mexican place for a quick dinner! Oh, and I gave Ben new sunglasses and a card for his LOVE-day present!!!

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Sunday morning we went to the contemporary service at church and sat with friends for the great worship!!! I thought it was just hilarious (sarcasm) when Ben let me know that I resembled a Duggar girl (you know that family w/18 kids on TLC) b/c I was wearing a semi-conservative dress and my hair wasn't pin-straight. I was quite offended but also cracked up at the comparison! We had a yummy lunch at O'Charley's which I mention because I HIGHLY recommend the "black & bleu salad" it was INCREDIBLE!!!

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we babysat Steele all weekend while Natalie, Stephen, and Bennett were in New Orleans. Since we had to keep them inside out of the mud most of Saturday, we just decided to let them roam free in the backyard and play in the mud all day Sunday while we did our yard work, until N&S came to pick up Steele!

it's ALWAYS fun to see Bennett! glad they visited for a sec when getting Steele!

We had quite an unruly and unattractive yard, so we spent the day pulling weeds, using Round-Up, replanting shrubs, planting flowers, and spreading pine straw in the beds. I got to wear my birthday present from my parents all day... so glad it was sunny... i love them...

i found this on our back patio under a brick, it looked scary so i used a stick to turn it over, it seemed rigid and dead, i took a picture, it looks fake its so scary, went back outside an hour or so later and it's gone... apparently it wasn't dead... I'm even more scared now... Ben said it is a deadly black widow spider

this is the rest of the work that lay ahead of us the rest of this week. we are hosting a "stock the bar" shower for Will and Amy this Saturday so we are trying to get the house presentable.. not quite there yet, but almost!

i had to repaint the door frame today after all the chewing Harper has done over the past year... too bad paint won't fix where he finally ripped off the framing of the siding over there on the right of the door. may have to get a bigger plant/flower to disguise it for the party!

Altogether, it was a wonderful long weekend (today was a bank holiday, so Ben didn't have to work, but spent the day golfing with friends). LOVE is all around and I'm very lucky to have found my lifelong valentine. I love getting all these projects accomplished and things marked off my to-do list! OH, and we are FINALLY completely caught up on LOST and ready to watch it live as it comes on TV now! I hope you all had a wonderful valentine's weekend whether with your significant other or family and friends! (and once again... see FIREPROOF)!

social in Mobile

We had a really fun weekend with friends and actually being social!  Friday night Ben and I met up with Katie and Jody, Stephanie and Austin for dinner at La Cocina in Mobile for some Mexican.  It was great to stay in town and get to catch up with everyone.  After dinner we went over  to Katie and  Jody's house and all these grand plans of playing games, cards, etc but just ended up sitting around  talking/visiting until midnight!  We had such a good time and hope to get together with them more often (Ben even suggested starting a supper club)!  Saturday, Ben and I went to lunch, ran  some errands,  and ended up doing yard work and planting some shrubs in the front yard!    

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Saturday night, we went to a Fish Fry Wedding Shower/Engagement Party for Will & Amy!   Their wedding is only 6 weeks away and this was their first party, so it was really fun to be celebrating the occasion!  I know they are looking forward to all  the upcoming festivities and we are so excited to celebrate with them!  I was the official photographer for the evening, but here are just a few pics I took!  

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the happy couple

their bass cake

ben & i (purple mouths and all)

we hadn't taken any pictures together in a while, so I actually got 2 out of him!

Adam had already left, but LeJean and 2 of her boys!

Will with a bunch of the boys/groomsmen (Ben on the far right)

Today we finally went to church again (it felt so great to finally be in town and back to church) lunch at Cracker Barrel, and had a wonderful Sunday.   Most of the afternoon has been spent finishing up Season 4 of LOST!!  Now we are finally watching the recorded episodes of  Season  5 so far!!  We are obsessed!  Everyone have a  wonderful and blessed week! 

interview update III

Well, as you have probably gathered, I would have been screaming from the mountaintops if I had gotten the jobs, so obviously I did not. There are alot of words I could use to describe how I'm feeling but I'll leave it at 'disappointed' for now. Friday, I received an email from the manager I had interviewed with 3 times, for the position I wanted the most. She informed me that the position was offered to someone else (I was the second choice, basically). After I emailed her back asking for any constructive criticism, helpful advice, or honest opinions as to what I did wrong, what I could have done better, why I didn't get the job, THIS was the response:

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"If I did have two positions, I would have definitely had you on board immediately. Your work experience, organizational skills in dealing with a huge territory, letter from your manager, and past success in your territory did make the decision a difficult one for me! Your appearance and communication skills were also very professional. I also asked the front desk staff [at the hotel where the interviews took place] which person they liked best and least. Tacy, front desk clerk, did say she liked you because your were friendly and interacted with the employees very naturally while waiting for me. Those are all the strengths you brought to the interview. It truly was a pleasure to meet with you. Again, I wish you the best and hope we can work together in the future!"

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While I very much appreciate her kind words, this definitely doesn't help me understand why the position went to someone else, nor does it give me ANY direction as to what I can do in the future to nab the next job that comes my way! To make matters worse, the job that I flew to Atlanta to interview for (waking up at 3:45 AM for), I got a call from the recruiter this morning letting me know that they decided to go with the other candidate. The recruiter was shocked just like I was and let me know that she recommended me, didn't have a clue what the company was looking for because they hired someone with less experience than me, and she thought that I should have gotten the job. Once again, I'm left with no reasons (although I have emailed the hiring manager to ask him the same question I asked above... maybe he will give me an answer).

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I'm really at a loss right now. To be honest, it does make it a harder to deal with the rejection knowing that I let so many people know that I had these interviews going on (through the blog, facebook, etc) and now you all know I was rejected once again. My reasoning for sharing this private information is honestly because I am naturally a 'sharing' person. I like to share in other people's joy, pray for others, and share my life's ups and downs with others as well (well duh, that's why I have a blog without having a child or anything). I DO believe in the power of prayer and although I'm not fighting a serious illness or great tragedy, waking up Thursday and Friday mornings before my interviews and knowing that there were people thinking of me and praying for my interview really helped me feel at peace through the whole process. I know that all of this is happening for a reason and I have faith that eventually something great is coming my way... it's just honestly extremely difficult to travel the journey of ups and downs along the way.

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I have mentioned this before but I am struggling with the idea of when to look in another career direction. I honestly don't have a CLUE what else I would want to do that wouldn't require a while lot more schooling. My whole life I have known I want to be in the medical field. In high school, I decided that I wanted to be a drug rep. I devoted my college to achieving my goal. I DID IT! I got my dream job and life was working out as planned. When my company went bankrupt and I lost my job, it wasn't just any ole time that you could just look for another one... the entire pharmaceutical industry is changing and there is absolutely no job security anymore... but there is also a nationwide financial crisis, unemployment rates rising (I'm one of those statistics now!), no one is hiring, layoffs are constant, and the nation is unstable. It's a difficult time to be in the position I am, but I know that there are alot more people out there sharing in my pain. I just don't know where to go from here. This is 3 times now since I was laid off, that out of THOUSANDS of resumes submitted for a single pharmaceutical sales opening, I have now THREE TIMES gotten to the FINAL 2 candidates and come up short each time. It's hard to deal with this rejection, failure, and for once in my life, things not going as I had planned, dreamed, or hoped. But I'm not going to give up!

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I'm still an eternal optimist... I'm not jaded by my industry... I still absolutely LOVED my job, and would do it again in a second... I still have faith that the right job is out there for me... I know that my family and friends support and believe in me... I am realizing that it's not necessarily a reflection of myself, but simply of things outside my control... I have a wonderful, encouraging, and loving husband who is working hard to support for our little family and keeping me positive.

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a sweet special someone sent this to me in an email yesterday and it really encourages me through these rough times:

"To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.
When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence... 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'
Something good will happen to you today; something that you have been waiting to hear."

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I appreciate the prayers and cares! I am back to square one and will see what God chooses to bring to me in the near future!

the Final Hunt

We headed up to the hunting camp this weekend for the last weekend of hunting season. Everyone was there except for Rachel and Hollis, but I was glad to get together with the fam again. My 25th birthday was Thursday, but they get much more anticlimactic as the years go by. All I did was, I had an interview, went to the grocery store, and pretty much did nothing the rest of the day (took my first day off of working out all month). However, Ben took me to lunch, took me to get a new beautiful watch (my b'day present), and cooked me rack of lamb for dinner, so those parts were special!

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We had a fun weekend...as usual, momma planned a scrumptious menu, we had wine around the campfire, and just vegged out relaxing!

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stephen and his boys ben with his little boy bennett eating rocks/grass/leaves/anythingand the evidence is left on his face

the roe family

cute little plumber problema beautiful blue sky day

with my buddy (and that's my new watch!)

my little birthday cake Saturday night, I went hunting with momma. She shot an 8point BUCK Thursday night before we all got there (YAY GO MOMMA), so she figured she wouldn't want shoot anything else, so she let me go with her. Ben FINALLY got to go hunting by himself like most guys do (i just never let him b/c i don't want to go by myself).

Just as it started to get darker we saw a doe, that looked pretty decently sized. Since there wasn't anything else coming into the field, it was the last night of hunting season, and Ben and I have absolutely ZERO deer meat from the year, I decided to shoot the DOE! :) So, not a prize deer to be proud of, but still a kill, and some meat in the freezer.. and I didn't miss, so I was excited!

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(WARNING... i apologize to anyone reading this blog that doesn't like hunting, killing deer, etc etc... stop reading now and don't scroll down so you don't have to see the 2 pictures of our 2 deer. that's all that's left!)
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my doemomma's 8 point!