School Update

The Good News: I did really well on my public econ midterm.

The Bad News: The celebration is short-lived because my stats midterm is next week and it's going to be much more difficult. Statistics is truly like a foreign language. Not intuitive whatsoever.

The Best News: Robert found out the last three classes he needs will be offered this summer and he can graduate in August!!!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is my dad's 55th birthday. I know that because in a couple of weeks it will be my 25th birthday. He was thirty when I graced his and mom's life with joy and delight (and probably a few other thousand things we won't mention here), so I've always been able to remember his age because it's just my age plus 30. (Darn it, now my secret is out!)

I tried to find the most embrassing picture of him I could and this is all I got. Trust me, he got away easy because there are some pretty crazy ones out there. This is actually from our Fouth of July celebration last summer. I have no idea what he is eating. It was probably something he picked up from Scott McBrayer's election compaign tent!

Right now my dad is working had trying to "sell more toilets," or so he always told all my friend growing up, much to my chagrin. I mean, he could have just said manage the plumbing supply shop, right? But dad's humor is one of the things I love most about him, and he has a tremendous work ethic, providing for my family through the years. When I graduated college and got my first job I practically had to beg him to take the gas card back since I was earning a salary and could pay my own way. His response, "Well, why don't you hold on to it just it case."

I think we're all planning to celebrate the big 5-5 this Saturday at Leonardo's on Rocky Ridge with an all-out celebration! Can't wait. I love you Daddy and Happy Birthday!

5K pics

For your viewing pleasure, photos of Robert running the 5K are posted here. Just found these this morning.

Valentine's Dinner Party

Our sweet friends, Justin and Lisa Driver, hosted a Valentine's Dinner Party for several young couples from church last Friday night. We all dressed up, enjoyed a wonderful meal Lisa prepared, and then watched How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, which was voted the best romatic movie of the evening. We love this group of couples and really had a great time spending Valentine's Eve with them.

As you can see, everyone looked really cute in their fancy Valentine's attire. Here Rory and Anne are demonstrating the three most popular prom poses before Rory had to head home pre-movie to get some rest. He had to be at the hospital bright and early the next day for something like a 16-hour shift. Luckily he was able to join us for dinner.

They look so cute in their matching red!

Here are a few other pics from the night. Lisa has some great groups shots she took with her new camera which I'll have to get from her and post.

(The cat got pretty close to attacking David a one point, but you can certainly see why!)

Our Valentine's Day

Our Valentine's Day was jam packed this year. It started much earlier for Robert than for me since he got up way too early for a Saturday to run in the 5K race sponored by his company. It's all part of the festivities and races that coincide with the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham that took place this past weekend.

Rob runs the BE5K each year and always enjoys it, and since BE&K pays for his sponsorship he ends up getting some exercise and a free t-shirt out of the deal. The race benefits Kid One Transport, a nonprofit providing transportation for low-income and rural children to doctor's appointments and other health-related visits. It's a great nonprofit.

Robert actually finished fourth in his age division! If you don't believe me (you should) check out his stats here. He's the third line on page 7. I would say 3.2 miles in 22:25 isn't bad for literally rolling out of bed, throwing on some shorts and a t-shirt, kissing his wife goodbye, driving downtown, getting out of the car, and starting to run. I'm sure it was all very Forrest Gump-esque. He just ran.

I, on the other hand, participated in zero physcical activity on Valentine's Day and instead had the pleasure of going to Decatur for a bridal shower for my sweet college roommate, Leigh. As you can see, she loaded up on a ton of great wedding gifts. It was so good to see her. I can't wait for her wedding - March 14!

And, finally, we headed to Trussville to babysit my little niece (technically my cousin's daughter, but for all practical purposes she's my niece - and it's just easier to say!) Victoria while her mom and dad went out for a nice Valentine's dinner. We had a great time reading books, building blocks, watching "Simba," aka The Lion King, and eating popcorn.

She is getting so grown up and is excited about "Baby Sister" who is arriving in late April. Though as big as Kristi is I don't know if she will make it full-term!

Okay, now that I look at these pics I thinks it's funny how completely unfit to babysit we look! Rob looks like he's about to fall alseep (he really wasn't), and I'm zombied out on the couch stealing the child's popcorn! Oh boy. We all survived, I promise!

It really was a lovely Valentine's Day - topped off by these beautiful flowers my sweet husband sent me because he's just that thoughtful!

Happy Birthday, Ryan!

Meant to post this closer to his actual birthday, but a big "Happy Birthday" goes out to my baby brother Ryan (the youngest but somehow the biggest of us all) who turned 16 on February 6 and succesfully passed his driving test. Watch out folks, he's on the road! As you can see he was thrilled at our choice of birthday card and gift bag for his present. The actual present - a Polo shirt - he liked much better!

Signing Day Update

This post is primarily for my father-in-law who is out of the country on a missions trip and missed the bedlam we college football fans call signing day. It's almost as good as Christmas morning waiting to see which cap those overly talented adolescent boys throw on top of their heads...

For the second year in a row, Alabama earned Rivals.com's "recruiting national championship" with 27 signees, including four 5-star players and another fourteen 4-star recruits. Yes, we knew we were going to get giant D. J. Fluker, but there were a few wishy-washy star athletes out there who even gave ole Nick a surprise by making a last minute switch to play for the Crimson Tide. The full list of signees is impressive, but here's a look at some of the big dogs who joined the good team.

Trent Richardson

Escambia High School's (Pensacola) Richardson is believed by some to be the nation's top running back. Robert says he runs like Mark Ingram, only better, harder, and stronger. Funniest headline I read about this snag: "The Rich get Richardson."

Dre Kirkpatrick

The consensus No. 1 cornerback recruit in the country from Gadsden City High School, Dre comes to Bama with teammate and standout receiver Kendall Kelly. On Wednesday he said, "Y'all ready?" before discarding a Texas hat and declaring, "It's Bama."

Brandon Moore

My personal favorite (always been prone to the big offensive linemen) is offensive tackle Brandon Moore from Carver High School in Montgomery. The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder, is the No. 8 player on The Birmingham News' Super Seniors list and will make a great addition to our O-line.

"Roll Tide, ya know?" Moore said Wednesday after donning an Alabama cap. "I decided to go with my heart and commit to Alabama. I had a special relationship with their coaching staff from the beginning and that is where I felt the most comfortable."

Keiwon Malone

And finally, Keiwon Malone, the 2010 (yes he's only a junior in high school) commitment from Memphis no one, especially Lane Kiffin and Lance Thompson (see previous post), expected to hear from anytime soon has publicly declared his intent to play for the Crimson Tide. This talented receiver is going to be a good one, and shows there are no boundaries to Nick Saban's recruiting territory.