A lot...

Well, a lot has happened since my last post. I was trying to wait on my computer/hard drive to get back to me, since our laptop crashed (yes, with all my pics on it) I thought I was going to die! But, we still don't have it so I am going to update with what I have.

Going back to August, we made a trip to MO for a weekend of rodeo fun! Eric, Kristy, me and Bella. We went up on a Friday afternoon and ate at the famous Lambert's Cafe! The rodeo was Saturday night, which was a lot of fun! (I wish I had some pics to post)

I guess the next big event was my birthday, the BIG 2-6! Yes, 26. I had somewhat of a hard time with this year, but overall, doing well with it :) On my birthday, my family came out to our house and we went and ate at one of my favortie places: Cafe Piazza. We ate a yummy dinner and even had a mini photoshoot on the square! The next day was the JOURNEY concert. Yes, I am one of the best wives ever! I had surprised Eric a couple of months back with Journey/Foreigner/Night Ranger tickets, and it so happened to be the day after MY birthday! It was fun, a little different, since I didn't grow up with that music, but I did know a few songs. :)









The following weekend, we made a trip back up to MO. This time for a CARDINAL ball game! It was a short trip, but fun, needless to say. My family didn't get to go, but the whole Shirkey clan was there! And the Cardinals even won; the last home game of the season, against the Cubs.







There hasn't been too much else going on in our crazy lives... working, taking care of our sweet Bella, watching fall football, keeping up with the Cardinals in the WORLD SERIES (2, possibly 3 more games!), fall shopping at all the fun craft fairs and markets... stay tuned for more soon!

Ryan comes to visit!

Well, I am a little behind but about 4 weeks ago, the end of July, Ryan got to come down to visit for the weekend. We were so excited to have him! He works so much and so we don't get to see him much. So when he had a weekend off, he jumped on it and came down to TN for a quick visit. Little did he know we were going to put him to work while he was here. Ha! He got in town Friday evening and we grilled some brats. Then we treated him to some yummy Yogurt Nation! (our fave!) Then we came back and he and Eric put together a new shelf we had just bought that day for our bedroom. Saturday we got up kind of early to make one of the last trips out to Somerville. We still had some big furniture to move as well as another car and a half load of small things to get out of the house. Kristy came with us and we put everyone to work. Little did we know, our moving trip would be delayed a few hours because of a blowout tire on the trailor Eric had borrowed from a friend. The guys stayed with the trailor while it got fixed and Kristy and I headed out to the country. We began packing and waited on the boys to make it back. Once we finished packing everything up out of the house, we were headed back to Collierville. Then we had to unload the truck and trailor. It was muggy and hot, and beginning to sprinkle too. But we got it all done!

We had plans on heading downtown for a Redbirds game but we decided against the game because I wanted to take Ryan to Jerry's SnoCones in Memphis, the BEST SnoCone ever! And he agreed. We ended up going downtown afterall, but we just decided to do dinner instead. We ate at The Rendevous, famous Memphis BBQ! Ryan had never been there either, so it was a nice treat.





Sunday we wewnt to church and Ryan came with us. I hope he enjoyed the service and that the Lord touched his heart in some way. We had a sunday school fellowship after service for 5th Sunday. We brought the famous breakfast casserole that my mom makes. Everyone seemed to enjoy it, considering it was all gone! Then later in the afternoon, we headed over to the pool for a few hours and Ryan was on his way home. It was a fun weekend. Thanks for visiting Ry!

Our Mini Lake Summer Vacay

Well, about 2 weeks ago, middle of July, we made a trip to Missouri, this time to the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks to visit with Eric's friend, Brannon and his sweet family. We left on a Wednesday afternoon and arrived late that evening. We had taken little Bella to the vet that morning and she made the car ride too. She did so good! I drove the first part of the trip and then Eric finished up. It begins to get quite curvey and hilly, and I don't do that well, especially at night. Once we arrived, we were all pretty tired and went to bed soon after getting there. We didn't do too much while we were there... stayed out on the water, did some shopping and of course, ate some good food. We stayed at the dock most of the time, just floating in the water. Bella learned to swim well while we were there. She took after the bigger labs, Autumn and Summer. She also had fun playing with their little mini dog, Nixie. They chased each other a lot. We played on the wave-runners and went out on the boat one day. I wake-boarded and Eric attempted. Bella even came out on the boat; she had a blast!




The first night we were there, we drove to meet Melissa's cousin and family for dinner at a BBQ place on the lake. After that, we went to the outlet malls, but didn't have much time before closing; however, I did do a little damage. We then came home and ended up watching a 'Journey' concert on DVD on the big projector screen. We were warming up for September, when we go to the concert.



The next day, the gals got up and did a little shopping in town at a few little shops. I ended up with a new bathing suit and even got Eric a Mizzou dip chiller! He was so pumped! When we returned, it was just another day on the lake and a relaxing night at home. We grilled hamburgers and hotdogs with some other yummy food, chilled out in the hammock on the deck and just chit-chatted.




The next day was our last day. We just enjoyed the lake again and then went for dinner at Coconut's on the lake. We took the boat there and back. That is where we went last year too!


When we got back from dinner, Eric and I decided we would go out onto the dock for a late night fish. Little did I know I would be catching some fishies! Eric baited my hook and I caught 2 fish! One little blue gill and then one catfish! The catfish was my second one and it seemed so big when I was pulling it in, probably because I was using a baby pole, but needless to say, it was fun and a good laugh too!

We can't wait to go back again and visit! It was such a great get-away and we had so much fun! Thanks to the Howse family for having us!!!

Red, White & Blue

Well, over the 4th of July weekend, we were quite busy. Friday afternoon we left to travel to Missouri to see Eric's family for a few days. It was Bella's first car trip too. And she did pretty good, actually. We only made one stop on our way there, and that was for me. (to get some chocolate) Ha! We made it late afternoon and was welcomed by Brenda, Eric's mom, so lovingly and open-armed. We caught up with her for a little then went up about 45 minutes to Cape Girardeau to meet his brother, Ryan, for dinner. he had just gotten off work. We ate dinner at Logan's Steakhouse and then went to Target and back home. When we got home, Keith, Eric's dad, had just arrived shortly before us from traveling for work all week. It was nice to have the whole family under one roof, even for just a minute.

Saturday morning we got up bright and early with little Bell. We all just kind of laid around. Keith cooked his usual yummy breakfast then we got ready to head out. We traveled to Poplar Bluff for the afternoon to visit Eric's grandmother. She was just recently placed in a nursing home after falling and breaking her leg. She had surgery a few weeks back but just hasn't been doing well since. It was the first time I had met her and that Eric had seen her since we were dating. She was such a sweet little lady. She seemed so pitiful, but still had a good bit of wit to her :) Eric showed his love to her with hugs and I love you's. It just broke my heart. He truly is a family man and loves his family dearly. Made me think back years ago when my Cokie, my grandmother, passed away. I never really got to say goodbye to her and I so wish I could have. We came back for the evening and hung out again at the house. The boys helped their dad mow the yard and Brenda and I began to watch 'Steel Magnolia's', prior to me falling asleep. We ate pizza and watched TV for the rest of the night. Just chilling and relaxing.

Sunday, we got up and went and got some breakfast at a place called 'Jay's.' Then we were off and on the highway, headed to Blytheville, AR for the day. We went and visited with The Long's and the rest of the crew at their pool for the 4th of July get together. We had some good food- dips and chips, ribs, corn, wings... Yummy! We only ended up staying the day and came back late that night. It was fun and good to see close friends.

Monday was the actual holiday. We slept in and lounged around for the morning. We did some chores around the house and got a few things done. We had El Porton for dinner and yummy Yogurt Mountain for dessert. I know, not a typical July 4th dinner, but ours was the night before. Needless to say, we enjoyed our relaxing holiday.

(No pictures from our weekend getaway, unfortunately. I just wasn't too "picture happy." Ha!! I will do better next time!) :)

Last weekend...

Well, this past weekend we were pretty busy, but it was a good and fun busy! Eric surprised me at the beginning of the week with Beauty and the Beast tickets to The Orpheum for friday night! I had been nagging him, I guess for a couple of weeks and he finally gave in :) Such a sweetie! Before the show, we went to dinner at Texas de Brazil, one of Eric's faves!! It is pretty good, I will admit. The show was great, and I think he really secretly enjoyed it too.




Then, the next night, we had another wedding to go to! We have been to so many weddings in the last few months, it's crazy. We attended Scottie Fleming's and Daniel Christian's wedding. Scottie is sister's with Eric's good friend Matt's wifr, Stephanie. It was beautiful. The wedding was held at our church and the reception was at Memphis National Golf Club.

Here we are at the reception...

Puddin's Hitched!

Well this weekend, Eric's good friend, Jay Reese finally got married! I haven't known Jay too long, he says we met back 5 years or so ago, but I don't recall that. Ha! Jay had been waiting a while for the perfect girl to come his way and finally, last February, he met Rachel Cooper as she was determined to find a man, in "Find a Man February." They met through some mutal friends and have been inseperable since. They really are perfect for one another and truly show God's love through one another. We couldn't be any happier for them! I know Eric was honored to be a part of their special day and I was honored to be there to share. The wedding was ABSOLUTELY beautiful! CONGRATS you two! We love you!


This was the night before the wedding, after their rehearsal dinner, they had a party filled with music, dancing and fun!





WEDDING DAY!!!


The BEAUTIFUL Bride and Groom




The beautiful Bride and her FUN shoes for her special day!


Me with the most handsome groomsman! :)

Update....

Well, I don't know how good I am with this whole blogging thing. Apparently not good. Ha! But I really am going to try and get a little better, now that wedding planning is over and we are somewhat settled. Life has been busy since...

March has come and gone, got my best friend, Lauren, married to David Nugent. Their wedding was beautiful and perfect. I couldn't be any happier for you two... we can't wait to grow our friendship and future together as couples and famalies.


Lauren and I before getting dressed for the ceremony




The beautiful Bride and Groom

Then just 3 short weeks later, came our wedding! Everything was just perfect and so FUN! The wedding day was beautiful and couldn't have gone any better! We were so thankful and blessed to have so many close family and friends come share with us, however, we did miss those who were unable to come. It was truly the best day of my life so far! The ceremony was so special and it was most definitely a week we will never forget! Since then, we have been home, adjusting to married life, which is great!









We are getting settled into the apartment and continuing to move things from my house over. We still have my house up for sale and haven't had many "lookers." We know that God is going to provide and send us the perfect buyer when it
is His time, the hard part is waiting... it could be a LONG wait!

We are also trying to get use to our busy schedules too. With me working 3-4 different days a week, and the days always being different, to Eric always having a different schedule between rotations, classes and now light duty, it just seems to have been somewhat hectic! Speaking of Eric being on light duty... the day before Good Friday, Eric was playing in his first softball game of the season and broke his thumb. He finally went to the doctor once I made him an appointment on Monday, and sure 'nuff, it was broke! So, needless to say, he has been in a temporary/removable cast now for over 4 weeks. He hasn't been able to work in the sqad car, so he's been on light duty, taking calls, filing reports and running errands. Which he is sick of... I know he's ready to get back to normal work!

Another new to our norm...
Meet Bella Faye!




Bella is our new baby! She was born March 31 and was 7 weeks when we picked her up. I have been bugging Eric for quite some time now about a dog, more specifically, a puppy, and a lab at that. But he just kept saying no. Then just a couple of weeks ago, I was really "talking it up." Also, my good friend Shannon, had a chocolate lab of 11 years and had to put her to sleep a couple of weeks ago. She has 3 girls and of course they were dying for a new dog soon! So, we both kind of got to looking and came across Big Muddy Creek Labs in Fayette Co. We both ended up getting sisters, on the same day! I can't believe Eric finally let me get a dog! I think it's going to be special that we know her sister will be around if they want to play!
It's been a little crazy with a new little pup running around the house. Always having to remember to close the doors and pick up shoes, watching her EVERY move and cleaning up pee spots all the time, not to mention, ALL the potty breaks we have to take outside and the waking up in the middle of the night to puppy cries. It's fun though, and I know will get better with time and her aging. We are so excited to have a new little addition.... I just told Eric, "it's just prep for a REAL baby!" :)