Meeting Duece!

We got to meet Deuce McCallister at the Boys and Girls Club Sports Ball and oh my... he's huge and all muscle!  But he was such a nice guy!  Signed some things for us and was so nice to talk to.  

Another memory from the night... the Mediknow Ring!!!  Every year, they sell keys to all the people at the ball.  The keys cost $25.00 each.  The key you bought could possibly open the glass box, and inside is a $5,000 ring from Mednikow Jewlerers.  The last time we went, I bought one... and before I even got a chance to try it out... someone else's key worked.  So this year, I didn't even think it worth buying one.  When it was time to unlock the box, we sat and watched as each person came to try out their key.  Some people had 4 keys, some at 2... there was even a man who bought 16 keys!!  They got down to the last 10 people.  Of course, we were all standing up there by the box with the rest of the people... waiting to see who had the key that worked!  Key by key went into the lock.. and not ONE of them opened the box.  The last girl in line was so excited... but sadly... her key didn't work either.  They never had this happen before and everyone was looking at everyone... none of the people in charge could understand how this happened. 

Finally, they came back and said that every person that was left in this room was going to get a ticket.  It didn't matter if you bought a key or not... if you were still there... you were getting a ticket.  On my ticket, the numbers were 245653!  Shannon, the wife of a guy Manley works with had 245658 on her ticket.  We sat there as the numbers were called out... 2...24...245...2456....24565....  Shannon and I looked at each other and realized we had a 1 in 9 chance of getting this ring.  Finally, they called out the last number... 24565..4!!!  FOUR...NOT 3 like I was so hoping for!  So this not only meant that this woman was standing behind me when they gave us our tickets... but it also meant that I was 1 number away from getting a $5,000 ring!  Crazy!  I swear it took me a week to get over that one!  Ha!  Such a funny memory now... but at the time... Ugh!  So close, but not close enough.  :)

I would definitely LOVE to go back and refix this hair and touch up my make up!  Ha!

But wouldn't trade the man with me!  Love him... such a fun night!

Ten Years, Three Kids, and One Dog Later...

September 2, 2000... Wow!  Seems like ages ago... but it also feels like it all happened just yesterday.  On this day, I married one the greatest blessing that God put into my life. (I say "one of the greatest blessings" because the other three blessings came in the years that followed!)  :)  These past ten years have been full of laughs and wonderful, perfect moments... but like all marriages, its also has some bumps in the road.  But with every bump, I only love Manley more!  He has been my best friend and the most wonderful husband a girl could ask for!  I am so thankful that God thought enough of me to put him into my life!!!  When I think about Manley and the family we have made, the words to one of my favorite songs comes to mind...

These are the moments, I thank God that I'm alive..

These are the moments, I'll remember all my life...

I've found all I've waited for, And I could not ask for more.

These are the moments, I know heaven must exist..

These are the moments, I know all I need is this...

I've found all I've waited for, And I could not ask for more.

I could not ask for more than this time together...

Could not ask for more than this time with you...

Every prayer has been answered,
Every dream has come true!

Right here in this moment, I'm right where I need to be-
Here with you... Here with me

I've found all I've waited for, And I could not ask for more! 

Just the easist way to describe what I feel about the life we've created...

I could not ask for more!!!

The First Pitch

Anyone who knows Parker well, understands when I say that he can truly be the world's best salesman.. I'm not kidding! I've heard from so many that he is either going to end up in sales when he's older, or a lawyer!  It's always fun to think about my kids and what lies ahead for them... but it's even better to see their talents right now and watch them shine.  :) 

Lakeland Elementary was having their Entertainment Book Fundraiser and the top seller got to throw out the first pitch at the Redbirds game!  That was all Parker needed to hear to motivate him!  He came home... ran out the door to start selling- got on the phone- and sent out emails!  And guess what... He won! He sold 42 books!!  He also won a tour of the Redbird's stadium by being one of the first to sell 10 books.  I love how motivated this child can get!  It's like he gets a fire under him and there's no stopping him!  Love it!  Such a fun memory for him... but also for Manley and me! 

The BIG MOMENT!! 

He sure did a great job!

After the tour of the Redbirds Stadium...

picture on the field...

the other winner for selling the first 10 books...

our neighbor Drew! 

The day of the first pitch! 

I don't know who was more excited...

ALL smiles!!

Enjoying fun times with family...

with a special cousin, Andrew, 

who came to watch Parker's big moment...

you know I am going to get a picture with my little man!

With a special guy... Lance Lynn! 

A former Ole Miss Rebel who now plays for the Redbirds! 

He made sure to give Parker a pat on the back!