A Life of Delightful Hullabaloo

Tiger Tunes

2013-10-15T17:58:00.000-04:00

Carter was out of town this week, and I am so happy to have him back. I was able to have some fun times while he was away. A friend from school invited me to see Tiger Tunes at Ouachita University. I so enjoyed seeing the show, and spending time with these ladies.

Ebony and Ivory: The Duo Strikes Again

2013-10-12T19:10:00.003-04:00

My first college friend and roommate is a one of a kind lady! She is bravely and heroically moving across the country from Georgia to California. I am so proud and excited about her amazing adventure.

One of the stops she made on her epic road trip across the country was Little Rock! We have the kind of relationship that allows us to jump right in, and feel like we have never spent a second apart.

She and I had CRAZY fun times in college, especially freshman year. We were always up to something whether it was our fish aptly named, Ebony and Ivory, who died after one night or campaigning and winning SGA Freshman class President and Vice President. Let's just say, I love her so much, and we will forever be bonded together.

Key-Key

And so the photo shoot begins

You are sooo funny.

Really?

That is.....

hilarious!

O how I love you!!

Sweet shot.

Beautiful!

Girlfriend Pose!

Behind the Chair

Owen Mills

Sassy.

Tell me a story.

Girlfriends Pose round 2.

Girlfriends Pose round 3.

Fun

Lakia had her friend Marie ride out to Cali with her. We took a couple of shots as a tribute to a friend of theirs.

Restore

2013-10-03T23:05:00.003-04:00

Some friends of ours invited us to join them for a benefit for Habitat for Humanity. We enjoyed spending time with them and checking out the furniture on display for silent auction.

Party Time

2013-09-29T17:55:00.000-04:00

Carter and I began leading a 5th grade small group at our church. He leads a boys group and I co-lead a girls group with a friend from work. A few Saturdays ago she and I decided to have a party with our girls. I saw an episode of the Pioneer Woman in which she made hand cookies for her girls. They looked so fun I thought I would give them a try with our girls. It was a blast cutting out each others hands and decorating with pink icing!

Explore: Mount Nebo

2013-09-28T16:35:00.005-04:00

I heard a local radio DJ talking about his favorite getaways an hour to two hours from Little Rock. One of the places he mentioned was Mount Nebo. He said it was close, beautiful and there was a lot do for everyone in the family. Carter and I loaded Georgia in the car and headed over to Mount Nebo. Let me say it did not disappoint. We hiked the Rim Trail which was four and half miles around the top of Mount Nebo. We enjoyed breath taking views and got to hike with Georgia off her leash which is one of my favorite things to do with her!

Can you see our Georgia Girl up in the distance?

Making a Transition

2013-09-08T20:33:00.001-04:00

So I am now working at my 4th school and I'm in my sixth year of teaching. Which I can't believe either of those statistics. Even though I have a rational explanation for all the job changes I am really ready to settle in and make this new school home. I'm loving my new role and am thrilled with the colleagues I get to work with everyday. Truly these are some of the nicest people I have ever worked among. I am learning so much everyday. I do everything from repairing computers (crazy) to increasing technology integration in the curriculum(my passion). The other day I opened a computer to reposition the ram. I pinched myself. I never could have dreamed my early childhood education degree would have branched into so many exciting career twists and turns.

Installing Ram and Rewiring an iPad Cart

My favorite part.

Front Door Art

2013-09-08T20:33:00.000-04:00

A teacher at my new job had an adorable owl hanging on her classroom door. I began to gush and tell her it was so cute repeatedly. So.....I came to school last week and she had made me one! Love!

Georgia Girl

2013-09-04T19:47:00.000-04:00

Ok. I know she is not a person, a child, or human but I am obsessed with our puppy, Georgia!

Yea, yea she's real sweet until she
rips a hole in our carpet,
throws up,
destroys a toy you just bought,
develops a shoulder injury that costs a boatload
or doesn't come when you call.

This was fun to see!

She had to wear a harness to help her recover from her shoulder injury.

She's so cute

O well. I'm in love anyway.

Explore: Shop Memphis

2013-09-02T21:30:00.000-04:00

I miss a lot about my hometown. A huge hole that has been left in my life since moving away from home is my favorite department store, my favorite outlet, and my favorite warehouse store. Today Carter drove Georgia and me to Memphis as a treat and let me indulge in a little bit of all three! After dropping Georgia off at doggie daycare, Carter and I went to Costco-What! What! It's the little things people, but I love me some Costco. Then it was off to Dicks to get Carter some new shoes. Like a kid waiting in anticipation for Christmas, we finally arrived at the Pottery Barn and William Sonoma Outlet. Let's just say I can always do some damage at these two places. Lastly, just to round off the trip, we headed to Macy's where I was also able to do some damage. Mmmmmmmm! Retail therapy works everytime! :) I have decided Memphis is the greatest city-ever.

60th Wedding Anniversary

2013-08-24T10:38:00.000-04:00

Carter and I were supposed to go to St. Louis to see Busch Stadium to see our first Braves game in an opposing stadium last weekend. After several things came up we decided it would be best to stay home and cancel the trip. Boy, am I glad we did! We got the opportunity to go to Carter's great Uncle and Aunt's 60th Wedding Anniversary in Monticello. The best part was Grandmother, Papa, and Aunt Amy made an appearance all the way from Georgia! What a fun day to laugh and reconnect. I am totally bummed I did not get a picture of the couple who had been married 60 years!

Love Auntie Amy

Does it get any cuter than these sweet faces?

So Special

Visitors: The G-Rents

2013-08-16T22:46:00.000-04:00

Yea! Yea! Yea! Some of my favorite Grandparents came for a visit to Arkansas!!!! I was so pumped to have them out. I showed off my house and our pup. We went for walks, the Presidential Library, hung out in the River Market, ate at some swanky restaurants, and enjoyed a competitive game of Dominos each night.

Heading out for a morning walk in Two Rivers Park

In Clinton Library

No Don't Leave! The morning it all came to an end.

Summer Social

2013-07-31T00:45:00.000-04:00

To close out the summer, Carter wanted to have his team over for an outdoor party. We had field games like bocce ball, corn hole, and a water balloon toss. It was HOT! After a while it was time to move inside, eat some Icee pops and cool off. It is always so fun to connect with everyone outside of work.

Explore: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

2013-07-28T22:11:00.000-04:00

On our last day in Dallas we went to the botanical gardens which was rated #1 on TripAdvisor. If you know me or my mother you know we tend to live and breath by TripAdvisor. Well.......while the gardens were beautiful and cool.......I'm not sure any of us would say it deserves the #1 spot. If you're in Dallas and you have time, check it out but don't go out of your way to see it.

Explore: Fort Worth

2013-07-27T21:34:00.000-04:00

At the last minute we thought it would be fun to check out Forth Worth. It was a cute little very
touristy town but "worth" the trip! Afterwards we headed to dinner at Ellen's to meet some friends from my parents small group who recently moved to Dallas. It was special and truly fun for all of us!

I loved the festive Western theme.

Explore: Six Floor Museum and George W. Bush Presidential Library

2013-07-27T21:11:00.000-04:00

This trip was kind of Presidential. First stop the Sixth Floor Museum where President Kennedy was shot. We all walked through the museum with headsets to hear all about the historical and sad day. Another day we also drove out to Southern Methodist University to see the new Presidential Library of George W. Bush.

Carter's first time to In-N-Out

Sitting in the Oval Office

Laura Bush was a librarian just like these two ladies!

A theater that allowed you to interact and make decision like Bush had to make while in office.

Explore: Dallas

2013-07-25T14:43:00.000-04:00

To close out the summer Carter and I decided to head south to the state where everything is BIGGER and BETTER. That's right, Texas. An exciting addition to our trip was when my parents decided to join us for the weekend. We had a wonderful time exploring the many attractions Dallas has to offer. First item up a trolley ride into West Village for dinner and cupcakes!

Explore: Hot Springs

2013-07-16T21:58:00.000-04:00

Our trip last Saturday was to Hot Springs, Arkansas. This was my third time and Carter's first time visiting this neat little town nestled at the base of the Ouachita Mountains. This town is home to Hot Springs National Park which if I was going to be a Park Ranger this is the park I would choose. There is a row of Bathhouses lining the streets of north Hot Springs where magnolia trees keep you cool as you debate which of the charming bathhouses you will enter to take a dip in the warm mineral water. What's also unique about Hot Springs is the public water stations that are used to allow people a chance to take the healthy benefits of mineral water home with them.

Carter and I ate lunch at a local place called Mr. Whiskers. Hot Springs also has a huge lake which offers the opportunity for lots of seafood inspired restaurants. We then enjoyed the streets of Hot Springs and history of the National Park. Did you know that President Bill Clinton grew up in Hot Springs? To end the day our sweet tooth always calls so we swung by Fat-Bottomed Girls for a cupcake.

Bathhouse Row

Explore: Mount Petit Jean

2013-07-15T17:36:00.002-04:00

Carter and I headed to Mount Petit Jean, one of the many state parks Arkansas has to offer. We planned to hike to a water fall that will dry up if you go to late in the summer. It was hot, hot, hot that day so we settled for driving to each of the views while enjoying shots of full blast air conditioning in the car. Then of course no trip to Petit Jean is complete without a trip to the Outpost at the base of the mountain and a fudge sample or two!

Can you see the drizzle of the waterfall?

We didn't plan the "over the top Georgia apparel."

Explore: The Newest Addition

2013-07-15T17:31:00.001-04:00

I have come to the conclusion that if we are not intentional about our time here in "The Natural State" time will slip by and we will have not explored any of Arkansas' wonders. Therefore I have decided to introduce a new section of my blog devoted simply to the exploration of our state and city. We don't want to stop there; we are also looking forward to not only Arkansas but experiencing the surrounding states and cities in our part of the country.

Home Coming

2013-06-30T00:02:00.000-04:00

Carter and I had the pleasure of visiting our family and friends this past week in Georgia. While being at home surrounded by loved ones was wonderful the visit was a major fail in the picture-taking department (aka left my camera in Arkansas). We spent some time on the lake with our grandparents, parents, and Carter's uncle, aunt, and cousins. The week was split with both families and I got a little bit of friend time in as well. Trips home are always so sweet, but it is with great pride that Carter and I are beginning to realize we love our new home too.

5 Things: The Tucker's Come to Town

2013-06-28T13:22:00.001-04:00

Yay, more visitors to our little town! Carter's parents came for a visit in early June. I am going to attempt to sum up our fantastic time with 5 things about the trip.

1. Carter and I hosted an opening night dinner for his parents and invited Paul's Aunt and Uncle to join us. The menu consisted of filets, strawberry feta salad with homemade strawberry dressing, a baked potato bar with all the fixins, my sourdough bread, and homemade key lime pie for dessert. We even got out the "good sliverware" for the occasion. We told stories and laughed at old memories. A special night and a great way to kick off their trip (if I do say so myself).

2. The sewing queen made an appearance, and boy am I glad! Emily, the sewing master, came bearing fabrics and supplies. We all (including Carter and Paul) played a part in creating a fabulous finishing touch to our guest bedrooms.

Everyone became a sew-er.

3. No trip to Little Rock is complete without some outdoor activities. The whole family including our newest addition, Georgia, headed to the Big Dam Bridge for a little exercise and then to downtown for a fun lunch in the River Market.

River Market

4. It really pays to be a visitor when I am on summer break because I tried to pull out all my best learned hostess skills. I learned from the best, Anne Jones, her blog here! Before they arrived they found an itinerary in their emails and a homemade breakfast each morning with all the best recipes I could find. My favorite was the sticky buns!

5. Last but not least Carter and Paul took a great hike up Pinnacle Mountain while Emily and I enjoyed working more on the curtains.

Don't Fall.

What a fantastic trip! I am so glad they came to stay and wished they could have stayed longer.

Alright people who's next?!

Georgia: The Wonderpup!

2013-06-16T20:46:00.002-04:00

Carter and I thought it was time to take our relationship to the next level by adding a new member to the family. Last Wednesday we adopted a lab/shepard/retriever mix from a animal shelter. No take backs right?

First Car Ride

Bows in her hair after grooming

Love her!

A Quick Trip for Memorial Day

2013-06-15T16:53:00.002-04:00

I decided to head home for Memorial Day. Carter had to stay back to tend to the store, so I hit the road by myself. The trip to Atlanta was the longest car ride/drive I have ever made alone. After a lot of traffic and a small hit and run (I was hit and I watched the guy run).....I finally made it! Not only did I get to spend time with my parents, I also got the pleasure of seeing two of my cousins graduate from high school. It was so special!

My Little Brother Comes for Visit

2013-05-19T16:11:00.001-04:00

Will was able to take a few vacation days and guess where he wanted to go? That's right Little Rock, Arkansas was on the top of his list. He rented a car and made the drive out here last Saturday. We enjoyed his company and the time he spent with us! We hiked Pinnacle Mountain, went to the Arkansas Traveler's baseball game, Carter and Will rode bikes and hung out on Market Street, and we went to see a movie together. I really have to take more pictures.

He was here on Mother's Day so we sent this picture to our mom. Air Hug!

After a hike up Pinnacle Mountain the boys needed a little treat.

Celebration

2013-05-03T21:02:00.000-04:00

Last week was my 27th birthday! Wow it seems crazy to be 5 years out of college 5 years working and 3 and 1/2 years married. Nuts! This was also my first birthday away from all my friends and family. Even though my birthday felt a little bit different this year my friends, family, and especially Carter did all they could do to make it feel more special than ever!

All the goodies from the box!

Waffles Carter made for me before school.

Birthday roses!

Pottery Barn gift card from the girls. They told me it was so I could buy this decorative horse a friend.