on meeting kellie pickler...

she's from these parts before she made it big 

on season 5 of america idol.

last sunday, she was back here in the area

and had an autograph signing session at a local walmart.

michael's friend christian is a huge fan 

so he dragged michael along to see if they could

meet her...

they left at 2 pm and stood in line...

2 hours went by

then 4 hours...

and while waiting...

they befriended the people in front of them 

and behind them 

someone even went as far as

buying a deck of uno cards so that they

could all play while waiting.

then 6 hours...

then 8 hours...

and then it was finally their turn...

michael said it took so long because

kelly actually took the time to talk

to each and every person and 

took pictures with them as well.

it was worth the wait...

they were both smitten by sweet kellie pickler!

instaweekend love...

this weekend started off with...

receiving red envelopes in the mail from grandma

for chinese new year...

me in my red toms for my late

birthday lunch date with the sis...

and together we enjoyed a general roll sushi

and a sesame shrimp and chicken bento box special.

friday night since both michael and meagan 

were working the hubby, maddie and myself

had dinner at our favorite mexican restaurant.

for brekky on saturday i had special k fruit and yogurt...

sunday morning we had to be at church really early

so hubs made a run for dunkin' donuts for

our sunday brekky...

not the healthiest but it was very yummy!

i finally organized my little craft/work area...

it was a disaster before the clean up

and it feels so good to know i've crossed that 

off my list of things to do...

lastly, the weekend ended with 

meeting with our lifegroup and 

going over chapter five 

of the prodigal son by tim keller.

that's my weekend in insta pics via my iphone 4...

as usual..

it was short and sweet

hope yours was just as sweet!

happy monday!

linking to...

kind words and my favorites...

one of our favorite things to do is be our kids biggest fans!

it has been a great season of middle school basketball for maddie.

and i love that michael had the opportunity to assist with coaching...

this was a game that the girls fought hard to win!

they even tebowed!

another favorite thing is that...

almost after every game...

the team along with parents grab a bite to eat!

a favorite shot of maddie and michael sitting on the sidelines...

and my most favorite thing this week is this email from the coach...

what? what?

are you talking about my kids?

words such as...

pleasure and rewarding?

enjoyed and calmer gentler voice?

all in one email about

my kids???

haha...

all kidding aside...

it's good to hear kind words about your kids from others...

it sure makes me proud and helps me to know

that the hubby and i aren't doing too shabby of a job in raising these 

kids that we've been blessed with.

praise be to God because

raising 3 teens can be very challenging at times 

but also very rewarding at the same time.

a few more of my favorite things this week:

having the hubby home and not traveling for work

 and celebrating our 20th!

being able to come home and not have to drive anyone to practices

and having time to make dinners

and having 2 days of 60-64 degree weather!

blessed!

happy friday!

linking to...

celebrating 20 years part 1...

here's how we celebrated our 20 anniversary part 1...

N always makes my coffee in the morning when he is in town

and today he added a bagel with cream cheese...

he wrote me a letter with a list of 20 things he appreciates about me...

that in itself was my most favorite-est present...

he gave me long stemmed red roses...

and even though i told him not to buy me anything...

he surprised me with something that has been on my want list

from anthropologie...

he bought me a chocolate overload cake...

we had dinner at one of my favorite restaurants called firebirds...

and it seems like our anniversary always falls during 

charlotte restaurant week...

so for $30.00 you get an 

appetizer, entree, and dessert!

the dinner started with appetizers...

ranch rings and a blt salad...

 for our entrees we enjoyed...

prime rib and pork tenderloin...

and lastly we had dessert...

creme brulee cheesecake and a chocolate brownie

topped with vanilla ice cream...

it sure was a whole lot of food and 

we ended up taking half of everything home... 

and this was the little surprise that has been on my want list from anthro...

the tea and crumpets apron!

i just absolutely love it...

probably because i've been obsessed with mustard yellow! : )

part 2 of our anniversary will be to spend a weekend

sometime mid-feb

in my favorite charming city in the south...

charleston, south carolina.

i can't wait!

20 years ago today...

january 25, 1992

in san francisco, ca

surrounded with family and friends

this young lady said "i do"

to a young man... 

he is the most  kind, selfless, generous, hardworking,

loving, loyal and faithful person that she will ever know...

through the years they were blessed with 

three beautiful kids...

a handsome prince named michael,

and two beautiful princesses,

meagan and madeline.

and by God's grace
 through the good.
the bad.
the very good.
the very bad.
and the inspiring moments
that make it all worthwile...

they (we) lived happily ever after...

the best is yet to come!

the end.

instaweekend love...

we had a very full weekend...

maddie had 2 basketball games back to back.

one on saturday and one on sunday.

and michael had one too on saturday night.

(nope, no pics)

it was very chilly this weekend and on 
on cold days

i like to make nutella hot chocolate...

a recipe that carissa from lowercase letters 

shared on her blog.

1 cup of milk

2 tbs of nutella

melt over stove while stirring.

so, so, so...good.

i enjoyed a nice 3 mile run saturday morning...

inspired by two of my blogger friends...
 jozen of lolasgirl

who completed her 2nd 10K...
and carissa again of lowercase letters
who finished her first half marathon!
thanks ladies for the inspiration!

hand stamped this charm for my cousin

who ran her 1st and 2nd half marathon...

and wanted a 26.2 charm for inspiration

since her goal is to run one this year.

i went shopping with meagan and spent

at least 2 hours at F21!

had a big box meal at taco bell for 5 bucks

which included a 

taco, a crunch wrap and a crunchy beef burrito!

now that's a deal!

and...

no, i didn't eat all of that myself...

well, i probably could have but i didn't...

meagan and i shared it.

enjoyed the last few days during the weekend

of code orange revival with

amazing speakers such as 

bishops TD jakes on friday night..

james mc donald on saturday night...

and pastor steven furtick closing it out sunday night!

12 speakers, 12 nights of bold preaching...

hundreds came to accept christ into their lives...

200 or so were baptized...

lives changed and challenged...

to God be the Glory!

watch a recap of the revival here...

codeorangerevival.

it's pretty powerful!

the weekend ended with watching our 49'ers play the NY giants!

unfortunantly, we lost but we are still proud of how far

they have come!

win or lose we will always be 49'er faithfuls!

happy monday friends!