Cooper Andrew Lanier

Happy Birthday Cooper!

Today my 2nd nephew, Cooper Andrew Lanier, was born! He weighed in at 9 lbs. 11 oz. and was 21 1/2 in. long. He has a head full of black hair and is beautiful. Everybody is well and so glad he is here safe and sound. God is good!

Big brother Connor loving on his new baby brother. He has been insistent all day that he is the one that needs to hold him. So sweet!

Here is "Aunt P" with her boys!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above."

James 1:17

Blessings!

Paige

Independent Woman

So I needed a new desk for my laptop, and I found one I really liked tonight at Office Depot. When I asked if they had one in stock, they only had one! What to do.. I turned into independent woman and decided I could get it our of my car at home, put it together and take it piece by piece upstairs to assemble it. Most of the time I would have to find someone to help me, but I was a little impatient tonight. Here are the pieces and directions as I started to take them out of the box...

You gotta love it when the pieces are clearly marked to match the instructions. These were marked with letters...

And then, to make it so much easier, all the screws and parts were individually marked and labeled again with letters to match the instructions... There is nothing worse than purchasing some to assemble and all the screws and parts are in one bag together and you have to find the pieces.

Here is the desk... halfway there...

And here is the desk complete! It is for my laptop and has a dry erase board as well! I love it and am so glad I got it put together tonight.

I can't wait to get my laptop set-up, and accessorize it!

Blessings!

Paige

Simple Sunday

I am sitting here thinking about what I have going on next week, and at the same time, kicking myself for opting not to go the race in Talladega.  What an ending to an already exciting race! To think that the race ended with a wreck - not just any wreck - but a wreck that sent Carl Edwards flying through the air and sending the car and debris into the grandstands! They treated eight fans for minor injuries. My thoughts and prayers are with the individuals. And my favorite driver - Dale Jr. - finished 2nd, so I was pleased! See you in October Race Fans!!

My sister will have her 2nd baby on Tuesday. I will be welcoming another nephew to my family with the birth of Cooper. So today, I volunteered to keep Connor for awhile so she could finish "nesting" and getting ready for Tuesday. One of the things he loves to do at Aunt P's house is play with play-doh. Today, we made play-doh boys and girls in every color. Too cute!

Look at these cute cupcakes! A local bakery here in town made this yummy creation. The more I look at it, the more I think that I can do this for myself. I will post a picture if I decide to give it a try.

Church was such a blessing this morning! I hope that you all had a great weekend. 

Blessings!

Paige

Simple Saturday

Well, the race fans have arrived and the campgrounds in Talladega are full! We usually go down on Saturday and Sunday to visit and check out the grounds with friends, but I have opted not to this year. I have way too many irons in the fire right now, and I needed this weekend to take care of some of those things. This is what the campground usually looks like...

I am a little disappointed that I will not be attending the Aaron's 499 on Sunday. Coach Nick Saban is the grand marshal of the race, and I would have loved the opportunity to here him say "Gentlemen, Start your engines!" I will just have to watch it at home...

I am going to mix-up Texas Caviar for a party tonight. There are so many variations for this recipe, but I will post the one I use...

Texas Caviar

2 (14 oz.) cans black-eyed peas, well drained

1 (15 1/2 oz.) can white hominy, drained

2 med. tomatoes, chopped

4 green onions, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 med. green pepper, chopped

1 jalapeno pepper, chopped

1/2 c. onion, chopped

1/2 c. fresh parsley, chopped

1 (8 oz.) pkg. Italian salad dressing

Combine all ingredients except salad dressing and mix well. Pour salad dressing over black-eyed pea mixture; cover and marinate in refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Drain. Serve as a salad or appetizers with tortilla chips. Makes 7 cups.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Blessings!

Paige

Boogity, boogity, boogity.. Let's go racing boys!

In the great state of Alabama, one of our small towns becomes the new "capitol" for two weekends each year. The first of those two weekends is upon us. Beginning tomorrow, the tiny town of Talladega, AL will become a sea of motor homes, camp sites and port-a-potties as race fans from across the nation come into town for the Aaron's 499 on Sunday! They will call Talladega Superspeedway their home for the next five days...

they will sit on the edge of their seats as the cars race around the track, sometimes getting three-wide across the track... Waiting on...

the big wreck to happen... and if history is any indicator, there will be at least one big pile-up on Sunday in Talladega.

The secret is out... I am a race fan and will proudly wear my green in support of #88, Mr. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.!

There is a thrill hearing the pack of cars racing around the track and the smell of rubber. Sometimes the race is not as entertaining as those fans who you are privileged to share your Sunday afternoon with. This Sunday, the fans at the Speedway will be asked to participate in setting a new Guinness Book of World Records attempt for the largest group Chicken Dance at the Talladega Speedway. KFC is sponsoring the event and hopes that 125,000 fans will participate and help them set this new record. Of course, what is a race without a little controversy? The local paper reported today that PETA plans to protest the record for the group chicken dance. Looks as if the "big one" may not be the only excitement for the day at the track! I will keep you posted..

On another note, Kris Allen rocked tonight on American Idol! He did a great job. I loved his arrangement!

Please continue to pray for Stellan and his family. Check out MckMama's blog to see the pictures of all those who wore orange today in support of Stellan! 

Blessings!

Paige

100% Cottage Chic

Who says that cottages can't be modern and chic? Who says that they have to be floral and cheesy? The answer is not me!

I took a quiz at Sproost.com to see what my personal style was based on the quiz. The quiz was correct! The description of my style reads:

You love the carefree spirit that the cottage interior inspires, but you are also serious about your appreciation for modern art and hip treasures. You love old and new alike, and love to highlight the uniqueness of each. What better way to show off treasures than with a light background?

Katie over at A Listmaker's Life posted the link to the quiz! Thanks Katie for posting the link. 

Blessings,

Paige

Oh What a Night!

What a great weekend, but a very long one. I enjoyed seeing so many of our former students this weekend, who are now the alumni I work with. Our alum are all doing so well at their respective colleges, and it is so good to hear how well they all are.  

The senior prom dinner and dance was wonderful. We had a great time, and took over 450+ photos for these Seniors. Here is a group shot from the dinner. This is not all of them, but close to it!

I had to read the Senior poem for our counselor who was out of town. What a touching experience and one that I was so blessed to be a part of. I usually am behind the camera, but this time I got caught by the parents!

This is our precious Senior class president, who has been an absolute joy and blessing work with.  She comes from a very precious family, and has such a sweet spirit about her! The class presented me with roses for coming to be their "photographer" and for being a part of their senior year. This is an amazing group of young men and women, and I am so glad that my job of working with them has just begun as the alumni director.

One of our seniors parents are just way too much fun! They have always gone above and beyond to make their children's school events memorable. Prom was no different! The theme was "Bella Notte", so it was only fitting that the white family club wagon be turned into a gondola for the evening, with a gondolier. Here is a picture of their ride to prom. It was better than any limo I have ever seen.

The inside seats had been moved to accommodate the three couples who traveled together, and was stocked with appetizers, decorated with rose petals and candles, and even had a partition for privacy!! Precious! The kids said that as they traveled to prom down the interstate, people were taking their pictures and blowing the horn. How much fun would that be?!?

Then when they arrived at the prom, the lights on the gondola had been turned on, and they walked the red carpet getting out of the van. 

We are currently in the midst of stormy weather, so no good TV for me tonight. Our weatherman will be on for the next 30 minutes or so as we remain under severe thunderstorm/tornado warnings. 

Hope you have all have a great week!

Blessings!

Paige

Sing, Dance, Act

I have always loved the arts - band, choir and drama. This week our students performed their spring band and choir concert. It was amazing! We have a new band director at our school, and he has pushed our students to learn music and it showed this week. Both bands - beginning and advanced - played, and they sounded incredible. He also has added a jazz band to our fine arts department. When they started playing "Play that Funky Music", they brought down the house. The beginning and advanced choir sang, and then our new show choir "Glisten" performed. They sang to a medley called "It's Not Just Raining Men!" So great!

Last night I went to a little town called Heflin, AL. Their arts society performed the play Our Town. Two of our alumni from the school were cast and I wanted to go and support them. Wow! It was great. Such a great story, and it was so nice to visit with friends who I don't get to see very often.

I have a busy weekend. Today is our Junior/Senior prom. I will be attending the Senior prom dinner, hosted by their parents, to take pictures during the dinner and to read the Senior class poem. It is a tradition at the school to write a poem about the Senior class, and read it at prom. Our counselor usually is the one to read it, but she is out of town, so I was asked to. I am honored! It will be such a fun night.

I hope each of you have a great weekend! Please continue to keep Stellan and his family in your prayers.

Blessings!

Paige

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

I got this via e-mail today from a friend, and had to share it. Most of you have probably already seen this, but it is a great reminder of how we should not judge a book by its cover! (I tried to embed the YouTube player on my blog, but that feature has been enabled!)  Here is the link to follow to the video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

In your quiet time, please don't forget to pray for Stellan! His family is facing some changes in their hospital location and medical care in the coming days. Our God is bigger than all the doctors, nurses, and hospital support staff and is in complete control. Please storm the gates of Heaven in prayer for this dear family! 

Blessings!

Paige

Storms of Life

I was able to sleep through the storms we had in our area last night. I hope I will be able to do the same tonight! I have to admit though that as much as I love hearing the rain, I am ready for no more rain and no more rain puddles!

Today has also been a "stormy" kind of day for some friends of mine. We have two families in our community whose daughters have been diagnosed with cancer - the same kind, just in different places. One of the girls will finish up her treatments in a few weeks and will be cancer free. Praise God! The other young lady finished her treatments a few months ago, but her cancer is back and the doctors have ruled it incurable. They plan to make her as comfortable as they can over the next few months, but they have done all they can. This same young girl lost her mom to cancer almost two years ago, so this news is devastating!

I know that my God did not cause this cancer in these young ladies, and that he is crying with us all in this community tonight as we cry tears of joy for the completion of one treatment, but tears of sorrow as we watch another one of his children come to grips with her diagnosis. I know that my God will use these two lives to bring glory to his Kingdom, and that he will provide for these two families and our community during these difficult days. Both of these young ladies have a relationship with their Lord Jesus, and for that I am grateful!

Although we all have "storms" in our own lives, I would like to ask that you take a moment during your day and remember these two families in your prayers. The girls names are Kayla and Megan.  

Please also continue to pray for Stellan and his family!

Blessings!

Paige

Happy Easter!

What an incredible service this morning at church!  Three of the precious children in our children's ministry accepted Jesus into their hearts and made a public profession of faith. Another one of our children was baptized this morning. I have taught all four of these children in some capacity within our children's ministry, and it is such a blessing in my life to know that I as a teacher have helped guide these children to our Lord and Savior. One of the greatest women in my life was my 2nd grade Sunday School teacher. As a teenager and young woman, she still mentored me in my walk with Christ and prayed for me. God took her home to his Kingdom a few years ago, but I still talk about "Ms. Sandra" and thank God that she loved me! How I long for the day to get to sit and visit with her again..

After church, I went to my sister's house for lunch. She is expecting and opted not to travel to my parents this year. My parents stayed at home because of their church service, so we had lunch without our family for the first time in many years! I missed my parents, but thank God that I have them and had the privilege to talk with them after church. How richly blessed I am. Here is a photo of my nephew Connor and I from today:

I watched the Masters this afternoon and got organized for another week! It is going to be busy, but a rewarding week.

Blessings!

Paige

He is Risen!

Happy Easter! 

Paige

Because he lives...

Because he lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because he lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know he holds the future,

And life is worth the living, 

Just because he lives!

"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His tree."

-Colossians 2:14

Happy Easter to each of you and your family!

Paige

One of those days...

Have you ever had "one of those days?"... A day you just should have stayed in the bed? A day you wish you could go back and start over? A day where you are constantly asking why me? Yep, you guessed it! I had one of those days. So what did I do to make myself feel better? Came home and made a Pillsbury Funfetti Cake. I have been doing so well eating healthy and not cheating, but after the day I had, I deserve to cheat! I did drink a glass of milk with my cake. Doesn't that cancel out the calories? Hee hee...

When I left today at lunch it was snowing! Can you believe that? Very fine, tiny pieces of snow. Thank goodness we didn't get a snowstorm or we would have lost our weather day this Friday and had some unhappy teachers and students.

On my way home Sunday I stopped by Old Time Pottery to look for some pieces of glassware serving pieces. I was walking down the aisle with the flower pots and came across this planter. I thought it was a little weird that you would have a plant growing where your head should be. I couldn't talk myself in to buying it for my patio.

I am watching the Biggest Loser and American Idol tonight. Hope they are good!

Here is the Easter verse I am praying today:

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:8-11

Blessings!

Paige

Back to life.. Back to reality!

Has it really been over a week since I've posted? It has been a whirlwind week for me, so I will try to catch you up.  

I went home last weekend to host a bridal tea for my cousin Casey who will be getting married in May. Our family hosted the tea and it was a lot of fun! She got some very nice things to start her home with and was so excited to receive all of her Fiesta Ware place settings.  Here is a picture of Casey and I. I have the honor of coordinating her wedding for her as well as sing during the ceremony.

Here is a picture of the cake. Casey loves zebra print (see the picture above) so it was only fitting to have a cake that resembled this print. Her sister Sara is starting culinary school in May and has been making cakes for a couple of months now. She made the cake and it was so yummy!

I left the tea in Montgomery and hit the interstate to travel to Mobile for a conference that my colleagues and I were to attend on Monday. We met at the Original Oyster House on Mobile Bay for dinner that evening. Here is a picture of some of the wonderful people I work with. Dinner was yummy, but the fellowship was even better!

I came back home Monday night and worked on Tuesday and Wednesday. I left late Wednesday afternoon headed back to my parents to spend the night before heading to Pensacola, FL for my cousin Michelle's wedding. What a wonderful weekend! I have tons of pictures, but here are just a few of my favorite.

This is myself, my aunt Cindy, cousin Michelle, Grandma and cousin Emily. This picture was taken before the bridesmaids luncheon, and these are very important women in my life.

This is a picture of me and my sweet nephew Connor before the wedding. He was the ring bearer in the wedding and looked so handsome in his tuxedo.

Here is a picture with the new couple - Mr. and Mrs. Fuller. How blessed we are to have them in our family!

And besides my heavenly father, these are the two most important people in my life - mom and dad! 

What a busy week, but one that reminded me so many times how blessed I am! There is something about spending time with your family that grounds you and reminds you of who you are and where you came from.

I am back to reality now! Catching up on e-mails, work, and blogs. I will leave you tonight with a verse that I am always reminded of during this Easter season and one that I will pray this week...

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Philippians 3:10-12

Blessings!

Paige