Gallatin Baby Shower - December 29th

Paul and I are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. Several of Paula's friends in Gallatin hosted a shower today for baby Luke. It was a wonderful way to cap of the Christmas week. It was great to see so many people. I was so excited to have Laura and Virginia there to celebrate with me. Since the shower was so close to Christmas the invitation invited everyone to bring an ornament for Luke's first Christmas tree. That was such a great idea and Paul and I really appreciate all the beautiful, unique ornaments Luke received. The hostesses even got Luke his first tree. Too bad we have to wait another year to use it! One of the ornaments were little booties that you can put the baby's name, date of birth, length and weight. What a neat keepsake! The shower was held at Sharon Jenkin's home which was so beautifully decorated for Christmas. The most memorable gift we received was from Paula and Kitty. It was a gown that Doc's (Paul's grandfather) mother made for him in 1915! Kitty has photographs of Doc, Bill, Jim, Paul and Jon all made in the gown. What a keepsake! We will definitely have Luke's picture made in the beautiful gown as well. Family heirlooms are so special. We will always treasure the photographs we will have of Luke in this special outfit. I inadvertently forgot to get a picture of all the hostesses. I don't know where my brain is these days! They were Ann Martin, Becky Roy, Jan Minshall, Nan Mays, Mary Martin Butler and Sharon Jenkins. Thank you ladies for a wonderful afternoon!


Some of the ladies enjoying the shower. L-R, Mary Martin Butler, Brenda Jones, Carolyn Chaffin, Rhonda Crockett, Mary Webb Spears, Ann Martin and Kathy Tams.

Dinner with the Girls - December 26th

For the last several years my two best high school friends and I have made it a priority to get together either at one of our homes or going out to eat to celebrate the Christmas season. Since Laura and Virginia both live so far away sometimes this is the only time of year we see each other. Luckily, Virginia is in the process of moving back to Nashville from Boston where she has been the past 5 years.
We went to eat at Cabana's in Hillsboro Village (www.cabananashville.com). We joked that we are getting older when we arrived for our 6 o'clock dinner reservations and were one of only a handful of diners there. Once we left 3 hours later the place was picking up! It doesn't matter how long it has been since we have seen each other the girls and I always seem to pick up right where we left off. That is what is so great about having best friends. The miles may separate us but we are never really that far apart. Pictures to follow.

Luke Update...

I just wanted to give a quick update on Luke. Kelly went to the Doc last Thursday afternoon and everything is still great. The doctor told her that Luke should be here on time if not a few days early. His due date is only 3 weeks away, so the reality of him is now really setting in. There are a few things that we have on our to-do list that we need to get done pretty quick. The most important one being, having a bag packed to go to the hospital. I'll keep you updated as we get closer!

And finally we continue, December 25th...

It has taken me a while to get back to blogging our Christmas. We have been busy around here getting ready for Luke. I will get to that later on.

Kelly and I got up on Christmas morning and headed up to Gallatin. When we got up there everyone was up except for Jon. He was always the last one to get up when we were growing up. I never could believe he could sleep in on Christmas morning, well he hasn't changed. This year mom demanded that everyone buy less gifts, because it seems like everyone buys a little more each year.













Believe it or not we actually did cut back this year.
This is one of my favorite trees mom had had!

One of the traditions we have had for a long time is to eat sausage balls while we are opening gifts, and then we eat a brunch after we open gifts. We started opening our gifts to each other and we had to quit for a little while why mom ran to get MeMaw. I was glad she came out, and I she enjoys watching everyone open their gifts.










Everyone watches on as dad opens a present.

After we all got finished opening up our gifts we ate a brunch including a hashbrown-ham-egg casserole Jim cooked. Along with that we had some of Kitty's ham and biscuits and some fruit.










I am frying up some bacon!

After we finished eating we broke into some old home movies. We hadn't seen these movies in a long time and I think everyone enjoyed seeing the old days. After another great Christmas at mom and dad's we headed back to our house about mid-afternoon. Christmas night Donna came over to eat a quick bite of leftover beef tenderloin and rolls.

As many of you all know I become a little kid around Christmas time. It has been another wonderful blessed Christmas season. This year is a little more special than most because it is Kelly and my last one before Luke comes.

We want to wish each and everyone of you all a Happy 2008!

December 24th continued...

We got home from Nanny's about 6 and opened up our gifts from each other. We were not exactly sure what we were going to do on Christmas Eve night. We had an invitation from mom to go back up to Gallatin, she was having some people over after the candlelight service at church. I really wanted to go up for that, but at the same time if we went I would want to stay up there because we go up there for Christmas day. We decided that we would just stay at our house because neither of us sleep very good in Gallatin, and Kelly hasn't been sleeping good lately anyway, so we felt it could be a long night. So after we finally made our decision to stay at home we opened our gifts up from each other. I got some exciting things from Kelly and she seems to enjoy the things I got her also.











After we finished opening up gifts we decided to pop a big pot of popcorn because we were not very hungry, but we needed a snack. So we laid down and watched a movie and ate our popcorn. We actually got in the bed pretty early to rest up for another big day to follow.

December 24th...

I believe we have done Christmas different every year since we have been married (3 Christmas's). And I know that next year will be different also because we will want Luke to be home for Santa Claus.

We started the morning off by looking at our stockings to each other. I got some great little things in mine including my favorite, some peeps.










Kelly and I posing for the self timer.

After finishing our stockings we headed up to Gallatin for the annual breakfast at Larriviere's. This has been a tradition of our families for at least 15 years. Larriviere's is nice because they are not nearly as crowded as Cracker Barrel, which is where we used to go. This breakfast included the Troutt's, Spears-Butlers, Beaty's, Jonses, and Carver's. This year Mrs. Betsy was not there and she was missed by all of us greatly. But little Drew was there and he was entertaining to watch.










Martin, Mary Webb, Mom, Jim, Claudia,
Lauren, Jon, Montee and Kelly.
(from left to right around the table)










Drew and Will

This is always a very fun time for me because I get to see quite a few people that I don't see often throughout the year. Kelly got to catch up with Allison Spears, who is expecting twins just after Luke is born.













Allison and Kelly

After finishing up breakfast we headed down toward Tullahoma to Kelly's Grandmother's for Christmas with the rest of her family. We got down there around 12:30 and thought we were going to be the last ones there, but we were the first. Right before Andrew, Mandi and Donna left from Nashville they saw that they had a very low tire. Andrew and Mandi had to leave for her grandparents in Alabama directly from Tullahoma so they already had everything loaded to leave. Andrew had to unload everything to get the spare tire out and change it. Kelly's cousins Cynthia, LeeEllen and Thomas and Aunt Shelia were also late because Cynthia had to work later then she thought. It was ok that they were late though because Kelly and I got to spend some quality time with her Nanny.

After everyone got there we ate a traditional meal including ham, turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, green beans and of course Cynthia's famous hash brown casserole. Kelly did a good job of not eating very much at breakfast, knowing we were having a big meal for lunch, but I didn't do so well. So I was absolutely stuffed by the time I got finished at Nanny's. After we got finished eating we all sat down and enjoyed some good conversation with Kelly's family.










Cynthia and LeeEllen
(Cynthia will probably kill me the
next time I see her for posting this picture)

December 23rd...

We started our Christmas at Donna's on Sunday night. This night included Andrew, Mandi, Donna, Kelly and myself. While we were there we had a wonderful meal including beef tenderloin, green beans, potato casserole and rolls.










Donna and Kelly cooking in the kitchen.


After we finished the meal we opened presents from each other. I think everyone was very happy with what they recieved.










Andrew and Mandi are watching on closely
as Kelly opens her gift from them.














I am showing off my new bush
trimmers that Donna gave me.

After opening presents we enjoyed a delicious peppermint cheesecake that Kelly made. It was a great night getting to hang out with Kelly's family, open some exciting gifts and eating some fantastic food. We do not get to see Andrew and Mandi very often because of them living in Florida, so it is always fun to hang out with them while they are here. We left Donna's house pretty late and went home to get some good sleep before a long Christmas Eve day.

Christmas Countdown...

It is December 23rd, 2 days before the big day and what are we doing??? We are feverishly wrapping last minute gifts for our first Christmas festivity of the long holiday weekend. Tonight we are going to Kelly's moms to celebrate Christmas with Donna, Andrew and Mandi. The Titans are playing in the background. Since Cleveland lost there is still a glimmer of hope for the hometown team of making the playoffs. Tomorrow begins our brief holiday travel. First to Gallatin, then to Tullahoma, home again and then off to Gallatin for Christmas morning. Ahhhh.....the holidays!

Another Weekend Gone

Well it is Monday morning again. Kelly gets tired of me talking about how fast time is going. And from what everyone that has children tell me, it only gets worse. It is hard to believe we are only one week away from Christmas eve. Kelly and I are almost done with our shopping. We have a few very small things left to get.

Yesterday was my official 30th birthday, so now I am old man. I really don't feel any older, I guess that is good. I had been celebrating my birthday for over week, starting with the party on the 8th, and finishing last night. Kelly took me out to eat at Carrabba's in Green Hills on Saturday night. Carrabba's is one of my favorite restaurants; then we walked around the mall and got a couple things and finally we drove around looking at Christmas lights. That has always been one of my favorite things to do this time of year. However, we were not very happy with the lights we saw, I don't know if it was too late or people just aren't putting any lights out this year. Last night wrapped up my birthday, after going to church yesterday morning, then attending our Sunday School classes Christmas party, we went up to Gallatin last night and attended the Christmas musical at First Baptist Gallatin (my hometown church), then went out for desserts at O'Charley's. Overall it was a great birthday, and I am thankful mostly for my family's health.


Paul got the Frosty movie for his
birthday....always a kid at heart.

Hump Day

Well, it is Wednesday afternoon. We are now officially half way through the work week. This week has been a pretty calm week so far for Kelly and I. We went shopping on Monday night at Rivergate, hoping to knock out some Christmas shopping. We accomplished a little, but not as much as we were hoping.

Kelly is at a Dr's appt. as we speak. I can't believe she is almost 35 weeks. Next Sunday is the magic 36 week point when it is OK for her to have Luke. That is crazy to me! I am going to be a dad, and it's not long til it happens. Kelly is starting to have some problems with lower back, stomach and hip pains. I told her she should consider herself very luck that it is just now starting, and she only have a few weeks to have to put up with it.

The weather has been crazy here the past few days. Yesterday we broke a record high that was set back in the 1870's. The high here in Nashville was 76. Today it has been cloudy and back to more normal temps, around 50. It is supposed to rain the rest of the week with a chance of snow on Saturday night! That would be awesome!

Well I hope you all are having a wonderful week. It is hard to believe Christmas is less than two weeks away! Have a great night.

Titans Game

Jon, Paul's younger brother, took him to the Titans/ Chargers game today for his birthday. They enjoyed a little male bonding while I enjoyed a nap on the couch! Unfortunately the Titans defense choked in the last minutes of regulation and allowed San Diego to tie the game. The Titans lost in overtime. I see the playoff hopes slowly fading away....

30th Birthday Celebration!

This is my first blog. Paul has done all the writing to this point. Last night was Paul's 30th Birthday party. We had a great turnout. It was fun being able to celebrate with with our friends and family. My mom and Paul's mom did a lot to help us out. They did most of the cooking which was fabulous. We couldn't have done it without them. Kitty, Paul's grandmother, made his favorite - strawberry angel food cake. It was a big hit! Planning a party is always a bit nerve wrecking, especially since we have had such an up and down week. It was fun to host everyone at our house. The party was great motivation for us to get a lot done that probably wouldn't have otherwise.
Paul still has another week to relish his 20's! I think we are going to have an extended celebration. I don't know about Paul, but I am hoping to get back to a somewhat normal schedule this week.


Emma entertains Andrew and me.

We were so glad to have some of our
friends from church to celebrate with
us.
Katie, Keli, Kim and Miranda.








The mom's in charge in the kitchen!

Funeral Arrangements

As I mentioned in my blog yesterday, Kelly's paternal grandmother passed away yesterday morning. Kelly is doing pretty good with it. The arrangements for the funeral are as follows; Visitation tomorrow from 12-1 at a small church (Brickchurch Presbyterian I believe) in Pulaski and then the funeral and burial will be a graveside service at 1:30 (next to the church). The funeral arrangements are being done by Oakes and Nichols in Columbia. Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Kelly's Grandmother's Passing

It is a little before 10 am. I just got a call from Kelly that her Grandmother had passed away. Kelly and her mom are heading down to Columbia to decide on the arrangements.

It has been a very tough past few weeks for all the family, especially Kelly, her mom and aunt Glayds. Her passing is a blessing, because the doctors said even if she had pulled out of her sickness her quality of life would not be good. She lived a good life, dying at 82. Thank You to everyone for your thoughts and prayers over the past few weeks.

We Made It!

Well here I sit on Sunday night writing a little about our weekend. For the most part it went really good. We got a scare on Friday afternoon right before we were about to head out of town. The hospital called for Kelly to tell her that they were putting her grandmother on Hospice. Kelly was really in between a rock and a hard place because she (we) really wanted to go to Gatlinburg just to get away one last time. But on the other hand she really felt like she needed to be down at the hospital with her Great Aunt, Gladys. Well we decided to go ahead and I think it was a good decision.

We got up to Gatlinburg late on Friday night, and just hung out at the cabin with Christina, Cam, Katherine and Rico. Saturday we got up and fixed a quick breakfast and then went shopping to try to buy some people some stuff for Christmas. We did not do as good as we had hoped for, but we got a few things purchased. After the shopping we all got a bite of lunch and headed back to the cabin for the UT game. The outcome of it did not come out how I wanted, and it hurt even worse because it was a game the Tennessee should have won. It was still a very fun night. This morning we got up and ate at a pancake house and headed home. I think Kelly and I were very glad we went and we had a wonderful relaxing time with our friends.

On the way home Kelly met her mom to go down to the hospital to see her grandmother. After talking to her, she said her grandmother is doing about the same, which is not very good. They are coming back over here tonight to eat a bowl of chili and try to get the house cleaned up for the 30th birthday party Kelly is throwing for me next weekend.

Well it's off to another Monday. Hope you have a great week.

Brief History

After I posted the first blog, I began to think that some people might read this that we have not talked to very recently. So I want to write a quick update of what has been going on lately in our lives.

During the first of August Kelly and I decided we needed to look into some bigger houses. We loved our little house, but both of us agreed that it was only good for two people, and we have a third member of the family coming pretty soon. So we started looking and found a house we really liked in the Long Hollow area of Goodlettsville. So we put a contract on the new house and listed our old house towards the end of August. Well it couldn't have worked out better, because we sold our house in 12 days and ended up closing on both houses on September 28th. What a blessing! So we have been getting settled into our new house now for two months, we are almost there!

We are still going to our old church in Hermitage. We were a little worried about the drive being too long, but it really isn't that much worse than from the old house. We really have lots of great friends at church.

Kelly is still working at the Hospital in Gallatin as a Dietitian. She has great maternity leave from there when Luke is born. She doesn't have to go back for four months! Lucky her! I have been working for a little over a year in downtown Nashville at Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon, an environmental engineering firm.

Both of our families are doing great. Kelly's brother Andrew got married this past summer and he is living in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. My brother Jim and his wife and daughter are living in Franklin, TN. Jim recently started a new job and is really enjoying it. Jon, my other brother, bought a new condo in the south Nashville area earlier this year. His roommate is one of his old childhood friends. Jon is working in Murfreesboro selling mortgages for Suntrust Bank/ Bob Parks Realty. Jon is in the process of getting his contractors license. All of our grandmothers are doing pretty good. My dad's mother, Kitty just turned 92 years old in October, she still lives at home by herself and is very self sufficient. She amazes us every day. Kelly's mom and my parents are doing great, getting ready for the grandson. Our families are truly blessed!

Going To Gatlinburg

This is my first shot at doing a blog so forgive me if it takes me a while to get it all worked out. I have been reading some friends blogs and felt like I should try to start one of my own because we have quite a bit going on in our lives right now.

We are leaving this afternoon heading to Gatlinburg for a quick last weekend trip before the holidays and even more important before Luke is born. We are planning on getting some Christmas shopping done this weekend, because we have not done a very good job with it this year because we have been so busy with other things. I am also going to watch the vols play this weekend. I think they have a pretty good shot to win because of everything that is going on with LSU (coaches, injuries, etc.).

Kelly is feeling great and looking great. She is now 33 weeks along (Luke is due Jan. 20th). We went last night to our last parenting class and we still feel like there are a million things we need to learn about him, we are hoping they will come naturally or from friends and family.

Kelly's paternal grandmother has been in the hospital for the past three weeks. She had a bad heart attack and was not expected to make it past the first day. Since then she has been on a roller coaster ride, currently she is doing better. We are very reluctant going to G'burg with her in the hospital, but after talking it over we have decided we need to go.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and GO VOLS!!