Blog Browsin'

A little tagging fun y'all! This gave me something to do on this chilly NC Saturday!

The Rules:
1. You must post the rules.

2. Post eleven facts about yourself on the blog post.

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post,
and then create eleven new questions for the people you’ve tagged.

4. Tag eleven people and link them on your post.

5. Let them know you’ve tagged them

Details about Me!
1. I LOVE celebrating birthdays. It's fun to party, hang out with family and friends but most importantly, it's such an awesome time to thank God for the daily bread that He provides to me. This year I will be celebrating my golden birthday, 25 on the 25th! Yay!

These are my cousins from a family birthday party two years ago! Wow, how time flies!

2. You will find me singing the shower, in the car, while cleaning, to my puppy, while on jogs, in my classroom, etc. I LOVE to sing. And in college, I was in the Christian a capella singing group. How I miss it!

3. I love living in Raleigh but I certainly miss the saltwater. I spent many Saturdays as a little girl playing the sound, on the boat, or heading to the beach to play along the shore. I pray that Grant and I can one day have a small cottage in Morehead where my family lives so we can bring our children to visit the grandparents/family and experience the beach like I did. For now, we are so gracious that my parents have us stay with them -- it's like having standing reservations at a b&b!

4. I don't go anywhere without sunglasses. Otherwise, I'll be that awkward girl who has tears in her eyes because the sun is so bright. I hate squinting! My wonderful husband always has an extra pair for me. He knows me well!

5. My family and I love celebrating our Scottish heritage -- Henderson Clan, hurrah!

Daddy and I at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Game -- July 2010

6. Like Kim, I can fit in odd, small places. The funny part, is that for some odd reason, I'm always curious to see about whether I can fit. And sadly, I'm claustrophobic so I usually don't learn my lesson and end up FREAKING out once I get slightly stuck. I know, I'm weird.

7. I could spend an hour blowing bubbles at babies and watching them chase them. Could do that with puppies too.

8. Not a bikini fan. 'Nough said!

But doesn't Cam look awesome in her two-piece?!

9. I have two wonderful grandmothers and I spent my entire childhood living less than fifteen minutes from both of them. What a blessing! I love their dedication to their church and faith.

10. Smiling is my favorite thing to do. Ever. I'll probably have crows feet before I'm 30...oh well! It's worth it!

11. I married a huge Tar Heel. I bleed Wolfpack Red. It makes for an interesting marriage. I had this picture done to show my "love" for my husband... hahaha!

Kim's Question's for Me!
1. What is your favorite game to play?
My favorite game to play is Apples to Apples -- I'm not very good at it but it's still fun!

2. What is something you do in your spare time just for yourself?
I LOVE painting my nails. My MIL just got me a Shellac kit for Christmas (she knows me well!). While living in our sorority house, my roommate and I did a lot of self-manicures...everyone joked that when you walked in our room (read: closet), you would smell either acetone or polish!

3. What is the most important trait to have in a marriage or relationship?
Patience. Grant, my husband, is the most patient man I know. I'm working on more patience...

4. Where is your favorite vacation spot?
I'd have to say Australia -- that entire continent is fabulous.

5. What is your favorite meal?
Shrimp and Grits! Easy!

6. What is your favorite Bible verse?
James 1: 2-4 -- Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

7. If you could visit one state/city in the USA what would it be?
The next place on my list is New York City -- I have been twice already and I can't wait to go back! Theater, shopping, fashion, Central Park, and the list goes on!

8. What is the best surprise you ever received?
My engagement ring! I was very ready to be engaged but Grant still surprised the heck out of me!

9. What is your favorite weekend activity?
Going on long walks with Grant and Sawyer, looking at beautiful homes and then grabbing coffee and a sweet treat before heading home.

10. What are you afraid of?
I'm afraid of being infertile. If that is God's plan, I know He will carry me through it.

11. What do you hope 2012 has in store?
Grant and I have started the process of joining a wonderful church in Raleigh -- I'd like to create stronger friendships within the community group. The friends we have made so far are solid, intentional Christians who love life. So great.

My Questions For Y'all
1. What is your favorite candy and why?
2. Who has influenced your faith the most?
3. Are you a shower at night person or shower in the morning?
4. What is your favorite meal to cook?
5. What do you like to do in your spare time?
6. What is the best gift that you've ever received?
7. If you could vacation with anyone, who would it be?
8. What's the best book you've ever read?
9. Where would your dream house be located?
10. Who was your favorite teacher?
11. What's your dream job?

Who wants to play?
Emily at Living our own fairytale
Caroline at Polka Dots and Protein Bars
Regina at Stately Lady
Hopsy at Monograms and Manicures
Katie at According to Katie
Sarah at the zesty baker
Kelley at The Eanes Family
Annie at Classic Annie
MJ at Teaching in Heels
Natalie at Sweet Carolina Girl
Jordan at Classy from North to South


Have fun everyone!

Twirl and Spin...

Many of you might not know but for almost fifteen years, this southern sunshine was a ballerina. Not a fabulous one. But just a dancer who loved spending time in the studio with friends, learning ballet technique! I came to love performing and even taught a few classes. I have spent mannnnnny hours at Dance Arts Studio studying under wonderful teachers whom I miss dearly.

When I moved to Raleigh for school in 2005, no studio compared. Teachers didn't know me, I was in a room full of strangers, and it wasn't "home". Thus began my four year long stint of ballet/tap/jazz/pointe "less" life. Sad day, right?!

Fast forward to 2009 and I moved back home to teach in my home town. It didn't take much convincing for me to start dancing again with the "adult" class -- when I say adult, we were all pretty young and severa seniors that year danced with us. It was great fun! I even did pointe again!

Image by Bob Stuart Photography

So that inspired me and now, my friends, I took a ballet fitness class at the Y last night and it felt great! I hadn't done a tendu in almost a year and a half...my muscles are feeling it today. Any one else getting into a "new" hobby for 2012? I am so energized and can't wait to see how the rest of the year goes with this class.

Note: in ballet class, we don't use the phrases: twirl or spin. That title just sounds better than pirouette and chaîné... I think Mrs. Julie would have my head if I used twirl and spin...

Christmas Vacation

So my wonderfully extended Christmas vacation was delightful...to put it mildly!

I shopped, wrapped presents, entertained, read (a LOT!), baked, played, lunched, brunched, gifted, crafted, and best of all, spent quality time with friends and family.My vacation comes to a close in less than 24 hours and I will greet my second graders with big smiles on Wednesday morning. I'm also excited to get back to school to see my good friends at work and get into a solid routine for 2012. So speaking of the new year, I think I've decided upon two goals. Here we go!

Resolution 1: make healthy choices (pretty open ended, right? but I really stink at sticking to a "resolution") -- I'm excited about a new ballet fitness class at the Y and Mom gave me a new headband to keep my ears warm so no excuses on those cold winter days for a good, long run! Grant and I have been staying away from processed foods, dairy, fat and sugar for several weeks now so I'd like to continue that. We'll see!

Resolution 2: be more patient while driving. I really need to just say Scripture out loud instead of raising my voice at the cars that can't hear me! They can't help it if they're ignorant to their left-lane-go-slow-obsession...right?

And since photo posts are more exciting and than just rambling, here are a few phone snapshots from our low-key holiday....

Sawyer on Christmas morning...I promise, we don't always mommick him in such ways. Just on special occasions!

On Christmas evening, Grant went to get some shots of the sunset with the AB bridge in the background. Sawyer had to join in on the fun! I captured this shot from the warm car with my phone. It was such a sweet moment.

Found some time to peruse the racks at Talbots before joining Grant for lunch last week. I had taken this photo in the dressing room (not a notable pastime for me...hah!) and he immediately convinced me to get this 70% off steal of a blazer! What do y'all think? I can't wait to layer with this during the cool/cold months in Raleigh.

On New Year's Eve, at Smith Mountain Lake. We loved spending time at the Linderman lake house! I think that sunset is taste of how beautiful heaven will be!

What are your resolutions for Twenty-Twelve?

A Christmas Carol

Grant and I joined his family to go see A Christmas Carol put on by Theatre in the Park of Raleigh It was awesome! Being somewhat "new" to Raleigh (read: not having lived here all my life) I had never seen Ira David Wood III's take on this traditional story. We definitely laughed a lot!

Guitar

Big news!

Grant is teaching me how to play the guitar. Now, I haven't shared this with many friends so I'm telling you all to keep me accountable. Instead of watching one Design Inc on HGTV (shout out to Sarah Richardson...she is amazing) in the evenings, I'm going to challenge myself to learn another chord...or practice the ones that need it! So far, I've attempted A, E, and B. I can play-ish a good old worship song from middle school: Light the Fire! Who remembers it?!




Speaking of music, my dear friend, Caroline, who is equally obsessed with Amy Grant as much as I am, is ENGAGED! Best wishes to a beautiful bride!

Celebration

Much like the day we were married, the summer temperatures soared into the low 100's. Ridiculous! Grant and I made a unanimous decision to stay indoors! We spent a week celebrating with friends and family and enjoyed several concerts together. I dubbed this week Music Mania -- it was awesome!

So I had typed all the details, added the links, videos, pictures...and then it just all disappeared. Oh, technology. Boo!

Here's the breakdown:

Friday - The Craig Thompson Band and Blue Dogs at Lincoln Theatre

Wednesday - Josh Ritter at Cat's Cradle

Thursday - Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith at Koka Booth Amphitheatre

I'm heading back out to school to get everything ready for the beginning of another great year!

Quick shout out to our wonderful family and friends who helped us celebrate with concerts, pampering, and my wonderful husband who treats me a like a queen!

Distraction

Okay -- who all out there has been sucked into the lovely, resourceful land of Pinterest?

I can't stop!

Yikes! Eye Candy!