Hoot Knows

Family Weekend!!

2009-05-17T17:30:00.002-05:00

Red, Mom, and Michael came to visit Richard and me a few weekends ago!! We had such a blast spending time with everybody in Nashville. They arrived around 6 o' clock Friday night, which gave us just enough time to eat our barbeque sandwiches and visit the Grand Ole' Opry before hitting the sack.

The next morning I had to convince everybody into trying a yummy fish taco from the local Fish Market. Unfortunately, they were not very impressed- I guess I can't blame them too much because the place does kinda have a strong fishy smell:0?! Oh well, maybe that's why I like it ... it reminds me of good ole' Louisiana!! Next, we decided to join all the locals and tourists alike on the streets of downtown Nashville. Let me just say, my brother was quite the tourist!! He absolutely loved it- and we all loved seeing how much he loved it. He thought he had to have everything from the belt buckle, the cowboy hat(s), the Hank shirt, AND the music- He came to Tennessee a Rockstar and left a Cowboy in a true Nashvillian fashion.

Last but not least, I wanted to take my brother (and the rest of the crew) to the Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchberg, TN. Although I am not a supporter of drinking OR Jack Daniel's, I have to say that visiting the distillery is quite a unique and enjoyable experience. The humorous thing is the distillery resides in a dry county; therefore, they serve lemonade at the end of the tour rather than the expected Jack Daniel's:0. How funny is that?!

Well, after much fun, momma's homemade soup, and experiencing a little bit of what Tennessee had to offer, it was time for the family to return back to sweet Louis and Ana. Oh how I look forward to their visits?!

"Where Troubles Melt Like Lemon Drops . . ."

2009-05-06T17:01:00.006-05:00

Girl of a Sailor Man

2009-05-03T21:22:00.016-05:00

My dad was in the Dauphin Island Race last weekend! This was his 2nd year to participate in the event- and let me just say...this is what this man lives for!! As a teenager trying to find his purpose and place in this world, my dad remembers praying and asking God to give him a hobby- something to be passionate about, to love, and to glorify Jesus through. After a few months of praying, a co-worker invited him to go sailing with him. Ever since that moment, my dad has absolutely loved this sport. I remember growing up and going to dad's house every other weekend. Those weekends were spent on the lake IN a sailboat- I learned that a little thing called "wind" was a very important part of God's creation during that time. Sorry, back to the race...Dad's team won first in their class Saturday!!! And, FIRST OVERALL in the Sunday race!!!! YAY!! I love my dad very much and I hope he has many more Dauphin Island races to come!

The Crew

My dad is the handsome fella in the gray shirt.

p.s. His bottom lip isn't normally fire engine red. At the very end of the Sunday race, he got hit by the one of the poles on the sailboat which resulted in a trip to the ER. As they say, "Like father, like daughter."

Happy 25th Fosh!!!

2009-05-02T16:40:00.009-05:00

Since tomorrow (May 3rd) is Richard's 25th Birthday, I thought it would be a fun idea to write 25 things I LoVe about him!!

I love that he seeks God.
I love that he truly loves people.
I love that he always tries to make people laugh.
I love that he repeatedly tries to slap himself uncross-eyed until I laugh.
I love that he can mock most bird sounds (I think this is an age 50+ category).
I love that he is artistic.
I love that he goes shopping with me.
I love that he offered to buy me a gun at Christmas instead of clothes (good try!!).
I love that his five-star dinner consists of packaged tuna fish quesadillas?!
I love that he thinks having a tool shed is going to make him a carpenter.
I love that he is more worried about having a place to put his tools rather than his bed.
I love that he tries to act like I gross him out when I blow my nose.
I love that he is not afraid to fight for his marriage.
I love that he is a hard worker.
I love that he sings off-key.
I love that he can adapt to the city, but will always be a country boy.
I love that he is not afraid to take chances.
I love that he is always up for an adventure.
I love that he acts giddy when he is around his guy friends.
I love that he doesn't care what other people think.
I love that he is GREAT with children.
I love that he LOVES his momma.
I love that he clips his toenails like talons (and then acts like a bird when I make comments about it).
I love that he wears brown accessories with black clothing?!
I love that he is my husband!!

I'll stop there before I make all you bloggers completely sick!! ;) Happy Birthday, Fosh!!! I hope you know that you are dearly loved!!!

Sun Kissed

2009-04-29T17:10:00.011-05:00

Wow! The weather this weekend in Mid-Tennessee was absolutely gorgeous. It was our first real taste of Spring this year. I didn't realize how much I have missed seeing the sun and feeling it's warmth against my skin. I couldn't get enough- it was absolutely refreshing. Now, for the rest of the story...

I don't talk about my emotions with many people; however, for some odd reason I feel completely obliged to share my feelings to the blog world on this particular day. Richard and I have been going through some difficult transitions lately. And to be quite honest, by the time Saturday night rolled around we were a little worn down from our non-talented juggling act. (Big transitions + stressful job + two very exhausted people + a little bit of homesickness + a tremendous amount of house hunting = mass chaos). However, can I just say God is completely amazing and knows exactly what His children need at any given moment?! Just when we thought we were at our wits' end, our friends Hale and Andi called us. They knew we were a little tense; therefore, they decided to stop by practically unannounced and coax us into driving with the top down to get ice cream. How sweet is that?! That night, we all decided it would be a fun idea to pile up in the truck with blankets and star gaze from a little spot off the Natchez Trace. We listened to music, shared our silly quirks, attempted to make owl noises, pretended to know about the constellations, and read a few bible verses in preparation for Sunday School. I cannot explain to you how rejuvenating and vital that time was. The only words that come to mind are the lyrics from the song below:

When the world is falling out from underneath

I'll be found in you

Still standing

When the sky folds up and mountains fall on their knees

When time and space are through

I'll be found in you

You make all things new

When the world is falling out from underneath

I'll be found in you

Still standing

When the sky folds up and mountains fall on their knees

When time and space are through

I'll be found in you

Still standing

With fear and accusation under my feet

I'll be found in you

-Shadowfeet by Brooke Fraser

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Stage Fright

2009-04-20T16:25:00.010-05:00

Does anybody else get stage fright while writing new blog posts??? I think my creative juices ran more freely when I didn't have any followers- you would think I had 50+ followers the way my little body just shuts down when I try to write something on here. I even get a little nervous inside?! Am I the only blogger out there that actually likes being a wallflower??

A New Way to Meet Your Co-Workers

2009-04-07T15:38:00.007-05:00

It's confirmed- I need a TANK!! Apparently, I was more in a hurry than everybody else getting off interstate today because I ran into the back of a truck. And not just any truck...the truck of a coach at my school. Needless to say, neither of us made it to school on time this morning. Just between you and me, I think we were both going to be late anyway.

The good part of this story (if there is a good part)...
The policeman was extremely nice. In fact, he was soo nice he didn't even give me a ticket!! He just sent me on my way and told me I needed to sell my car emblem as a necklace!!

Is it May yet?!

What Would You Say?

2009-03-30T20:39:00.017-05:00

For those of you who knew me during college, you know that I spent many of nights confined within the walls of the Frothy Monkey. I had many bible studies, pondering sessions, dates(?), cherishable conversations, chess matches, and sips of Jones Soda on the benches of that coffeehouse. For a few months during the summer between my undergrad and graduate program, I met with a friend named Megan Peters every week at the Frothy Monkey. I enjoyed many of the conversations I had with Megan; however, one sticks out in my mind above all the rest. One night she challenged me to answer the question, "Who is God to you?" using approximately five key points. Although I had talked to God often, and thought about him even more, I had never really sat down and considered who He was to me. Sure, I had a picture in my mind about what He looked like (such as the cartoon-like pictures you see at VBS and Children's Church), but I had never really thought about describing him with words and verses and thoughts. After a week of searching through my bible and digging through my thoughts, this is what I came up with:

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalms 4:8
" You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, O Lord; Listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me." Psalms 86:5-7
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak..." Isaiah 40:28-29
"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:2
"God is love." 1 John 4:16
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin." Hebrews 4:15
"The Lord is my shepherd..." Psalms 23:1
"For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe." Psalms 61:3

This week, I encourage you to think about 5 or so things God means to you too. Yours will probably look completely different yet very similar all at the same time. If someone were to ask you, what would you say?

Honey, I'm Home!

2009-03-13T22:25:00.006-05:00

Rated G (promise!!)

Funny Faces

2009-02-26T15:40:00.007-06:00

Happiest tree I ever did see

Richard and Snowman waving goodbye before
heading off to work.

I guess ballerinas have to pick

their noses sometimes too!!

If the shoe fits . . .

It's never a good idea to play volleyball
while waiting to be seated @ a restaurant.

There are no words to describe this one.

Thanks mom!

My best friend

Practice run
When life gives you seashells . . .

Weeeeeeee!

Okay . . . maybe more sweet than funny.

Hot Donuts Now!

17 Random Things (only because I couldn't think of 25!!)

2009-02-23T21:23:00.007-06:00

1. I crave the feeling of pink sand under my feet.
2. I heart anything berry (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries).
3. I dislike cleaning nooks and crannies.
4. I want 3 children (2 of my own & 1 adopted from Russia). And yes, I already have their names picked out!!
5. I have a passion for children with special needs.
6. I lack self-confidence; however, I delight in being myself.
7. Jesus Christ is my Hope.
8. I'm usually the one at the table that asks all the awkward personal questions- simply because I enjoy learning about people.
9. My husband tells me that I live each day 2 times (once in reality & again in my mind at the end of the day).
10. I have an extremely hard time following movies; therefore, I am usually asleep within the first 30 minutes.
11. I love to read, but never do because I am afraid I might miss something.
12. I am very loyal to my friends and family.
13. Each day, I strive to see people through the eyes of Jesus.
14. I love to window shop.
15. Lemon pie makes me happy in the summer; pecan pie warms my heart in the winter.
16. Although I am quiet, I love to be around people.
17. I've never been good with cliches- I often find myself starting with one and ending with another.

Jambalaya, Crawfish Pie on the Bayou

2009-02-21T16:52:00.014-06:00

Upon realizing that many of our friends from Sunday School had never experienced the sweet taste of King Cake, Richard and I decided to have a Louisiana Party complete with Tony Chachere's Jambalaya and a King Cake (courtesy of Julie Anne’s Bakery).

Aaron & Kathryn

Matt & Andrea
Hale & Andy
Erin & Bethany

Question:
Would you rather poop the baby OR
buy the next King Cake??

The Foshee's

Asian Chris & Faith
(Our Sunday School Teachers)

"I've Never . . ."

Jacob & Shanna

(aka ARO Club Members)

Kevin & Brandy
(more members of the ARO Club)
Fosh & Buster
Nate & Erin
(if you forget someone's name in our SS Class, just call them Erin
b/c there's a 50% chance you'll be right!!)

Posing in his "Not-so Girl Jeans"What a fun night?! I think we should make it an annual event!!

Things I'm Loving These Days

2009-02-19T20:40:00.005-06:00

This inspires me.
Too funny to pass up! And yes, my
husband owns a pair (courtesy of his lovely wife)!!

The Nashville Scarf (fitting, I think so?!)

Incredible Louisiana Artwork that I adore!!

Belly-Up

2009-02-18T21:07:00.001-06:00

Brooklyn thinks her husband is pretty awesome!

Tonight we ate at the Texas Roadhouse with our friends, Kevin and Brandy. It's a neat feeling living in a new place and already having dinner dates with the people we live beside AND go to church with!! Now that I just want to lay belly-up from eating everything from peanuts to steak, I am left contemplating Kevin's statement, "You would be stupid to quit your job now." That's all for now!

p.s. We still love you Kevin!!