One week ago, my sweet Lily turned four years old. I cannot believe it has been four years since I first met my little girl. I am so grateful to have a happy, healthy, and growing four year old. But it all seems to be going too fast!!


Lily, you are such a joy to this family. I love your little personality. You say the funniest and most clever things. You have the best laugh. I love your tender heart and sweet, sweet spirit. You are such a sensitive and compassionate child. I know God will use that in great ways. I love the way you love your sister. You have more patience with that cute little stinker than any four year old should. I love that your favorite color is yellow. It's not pink (although you do like pink), but it's yellow that is your "very most favorite." I love how you get excited over the smallest things. You show such sweet gratitude over any size gift. I love that after two and half years, you STILL love lions. I'm pretty sure this holds a record for childhood fascinations. You "growl" at us daily. I love that you can put on your Snow White dress and go play in the mud. It doesn't bother you a bit. I love that you have decided beetle bugs are nice and worthy of love. You stroke their backs like you would a dog. I do not love it when you ask me to do the same. I love your fondness for running. I have a hard time keeping up with you. This obviously came from your daddy. I love the way you model every outfit for your daddy. You always expect him to rave on how beautiful you look. He always does. I love your big, beautiful brown eyes. They are so full of expression. Everywhere we go, someone compliments you on them. I think it's because they are so full of life. I love watching you grow, play, and learn. These past four years have been the best of my life. You are an amazing little girl, and I am so thankful that God chose me to be your mommy. Happy Birthday, my precious Lily-bean!



The day after my Lily turned four, another friend of mine celebrated her birthday. I have to take a minute to love on my friend, Hollie. Two years ago, we were looking for a church home. It was not a very fun process. At the same time, I was praying that God would send some friends that were in the same place in life that I was...staying home, raising a family. He led us to a church we love where I met Hollie the first Sunday. She was back in the nursery with her ridiculously cute little boy, and I was back there rocking my cute (but screaming) little Evie. We hit it off, and a year and half later, I am so grateful to call her one of my closest friends. I think we spent the majority of that first morning talking about our hypochondriac tendencies. We're both a little "crazy", and it was so nice to finally have a friend who relates but can keep me in check. "No, Corrie, you do not have malaria. But do you think I might have lupus?" Yes, we're ridiculous. Anyway, Hollie is just the best. She is the most giving, serving person I know. She would give you the shirt off her back. She is the kind of friend that comes early to a party to help you set up and then stays long after everyone leaves to help mop your floor. She watches the girls for me sometimes, and I think everytime I've come home, she has cleaned a room in my house. She's organized my fridge, the girls' room, the toy room, cleaned my floors, my kitchen...and we're working on my laundry room now. She's amazing. But if she never did any of that, she still would be just as great. She is such a good listener, gives good advice, and we have a blast together. I know we will be friends for life. She's also an awesome work-out buddy...when I show up:) I am so thankful God answered my prayers in Hollie. Happy Birthday to my gorgeous, faithful, and fun friend! And also the future mother-in-law to Evie pea-pod:)! I sure love you!


* I would like to say that we have been slacking in the blogging. But we have some fun blogs planned. Coming up: my moth story!! But make sure to read Anna's blog tomorrow. It's soooo good! You won't want to miss it!!

Three in One

Ok, so it has been a busy summer. That should be no excuse. It has been REALLY busy the past two weeks. Still bad excuse. There are three precious people in my life- and I missed their Birthday Blessings blog. I think the best excuse is this--- their birthdays all fell in the same week! And I have been a bit under the weather lately- and I got behind- and missed their blog. So here goes- three in one (in the order of their birthday).

Nathan-

(I know, one of them is my sweet husband-I'm so bad.) I actually won't spend too much time on him because I just wrote him a sweet blog here for our anniversary. I will just say, I love him so, so much, and while I haven't been feeling well- he has been amazing! And this year, he was so wonderful about his small gift of candy and a card... but I can't wait to spoil him on his day. Hopefully I can do that next year! Nathan- I love you much, and I am very excited about our upcoming year :)

Jessica P-

Jessica and I go way back... I met Jess on the church bus one Tuesday after school (we were on our way to children's choir at Carriage Hills). Funny thing- our friendship started on a lie. She had a suitcase (that she had used for a project at school), but she told me she was packing up and going to Hawaii right after choir. And in my 4th grade brain- I believed her. I saw her at school the next day, and she told me that she did in fact go to Hawaii but was back already. Oh Jessica. haha. For some reason, I liked her- and we became fast friends. Her family was like my second family (and vice versa). We were together all the time. She came to Alabama with me to visit grandparents and I went with her whole family to the lake.. frequently. By the end of a week, we would be fighting like sisters and ready to be away from each other. One day would pass and we would be back at each other's house. We have been through so much together. Elementary, middle, and high school, countless friends, boyfriends, family issues, jobs together, college years, life after college, my wedding, a tattoo (lol)... everything. And she is still my best friend to this day. Jessica just might be the most interesting person I know. She can be shy (especially when we were younger)- and yet she is very opinionated and blunt. She is one of the smartest people I know. The girl can look over material for a test ten minutes before taking it (in college-getting her doctorate) and pass the heck out of it! She is an avid reader- and she loves movies. If you ask her if she has read a certain book or watched a certain movie- there is a really good chance she has. I love that about her. She has great taste in clothing and home decor- but she is definitely most comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt. Also, she has the tinest hands and feet of any grown person I know. She could (and has before) shop in the kids' shoe department. It's cute. Another thing I love about Jess is that she is really good to go to when seeking advice. She is so logical and godly, and anyone that knows her is drawn to her advice! Jessica is also very funny and so much fun to be around. She will look at you- straight faced- and say something so mean. Of course, you have to know her to know she is so kidding- but I think it is hilarious! She is most definitely the opposite of mean. She is so sweet. I think she is too sweet to people sometimes! She will do anything- anything you ask her to do. She is much more selfless than I am. I think Jessica is the best- and I am so lucky to have her as a best friend for 15+ years! We have so many fun-fun memories, and I am just glad we are still so close to create many, many more! Jess- I love you, and I am sorry your blog is so late! :)

Melanie-

Melanie (my sister-in-law) is such a fun person. I admire her so much. I have been around her since she was in middle school, and it has been fun (and interesting) to watch her grow up to become the young woman she is now. I say interesting because, with Melanie, it is always interesting. She is so unique- such her own person. She has her own, cute style, her own thoughts and ideas about everything. She has the cutest little figure, and she dresses in a way that makes her personality shine. As I am typing this- I am finding it hard to even put in to words to express her sweet uniqueness (in a very good way)! She is so much fun to be around- and that is evident because I have never seen a girl with so many friends-- You should see the size of all her birthday parties! One thing I love about Mel though is that she stays true to her beliefs. She was never really a teenager you worried about. She was (and is) very strong in her faith, and now she is a wonderful role model to so many young girls. Oh, I almost forgot-- she is a great actress! I have seen several of her plays, and I am always very impressed with her abilities!! She just might be famous some day. I am excited to see what her future holds because I know she will be great at whatever she does! Mel-I love you and your crazy self! I truly do think you're awesome! :)

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

Yesterday was our mom's birthday. Yay!! We were hanging out with her, drooling over houses, at the Vesta Home Show. So today, a little late, we present to you the Top 25 reasons why our mom is so awesome!!


1. She is our best friend. Even as teenagers, we enjoyed her company and time spent with her. That has only grown the older we have become.
2. She's hilarious. She has the funniest and quirkiest personality of anyone we know. She always makes us laugh. Not only that, she knows this and will stop at NOTHING for a laugh. Just ask Anita Mann....which brings us to number three.
3. She has a closet full of wigs and costumes used solely for entertainment purposes. From a toothless, homeless old lady visiting in preschool to an "experienced" floozy doling out advice at a lingerie shower. She's been Cher, Lady Godiva, Rhett Butler, Martha Stewart's sister, a turkey, the tooth fairy, the Easter bunny....the list is endless.
4. She makes a mean chocolate pie and the best chocolate gravy around. She really should be famous for this...and to all who have tasted, she is.
5. She is the craftiest person. She will spend hours on the tiniest detail of a project, but when it all comes together, it looks amazing. There is never a party too small for some serious decorations as far as she is concerned.
6. She has been a model of grace and forgiveness to us through some difficult seasons in her life.
7. She is the first person we turn to for help in decorating our homes. Whether it be setting things up after a move or putting out Christmas decor, she's always working hard to make it look beautiful.
8. She taught us always to wear lipstick. And we are thankful for that. We come across so many ladies with some seriously washed out lips in desperate need of a little color. She might go to the mailbox without make-up, but she will have on some lipstick!!
9. She is a great Christmas present shopper. She finds the most unique gifts, and she is able to pick clothes that we love.
10. We never doubted her love for us. She has always been a loving and affectionate mom.
11. She is a great Kaki. Her granddaughters adore her!!
12. She made us both want to be a mom. We knew it was a job that she loved. Mom and Dad went with less when we were younger so she could be home with us more. We are forever grateful for this. She has always had a heart for her family and passed this on to us as well.
13. She is not a boring adult. We went to Six Flags not terribly long ago, and there was nothing she wouldn't ride. She still loves board games. She jumped in a leaf pile with Lily this fall.
14. She dresses and looks so cute! We still raid her closet.
15. She has a love for words. When we were younger, if we heard it once, we heard it a thousand times: "Increase that Vocabulary (ITV)!!" Which leads us to the next point....
16. She kills at Scrabble and Password.
17. She has always pointed us to the Lord. We don't know where we would be without her guidance and constant prayers.
18. From early on, we were taught what to look for in a future mate--we both listened quite well. She would also tell us that it was just as important to be the right person as it was to find the right one.
19. She would check us out of school and take us on picnics sometimes. She had a way of making ordinary days special.
20. School started at 8:15. We ran almost late everyday. But if there was ever a day we had an extra three minutes, she would take us to McDonald's for a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit. We still love them to this day.
21. Most days, she had a hot, yummy dinner at the table. We realized now that is harder than it appeared at the time. She also usually made us breakfast every morning. And we rarely had to eat cafeteria food.
22. She made us each drive 100 hours with her in the passenger's seat before getting our license. Dreadful at the time, but we now know we will be doing the EXACT same thing with our kids.
23. We love the way she loves her dog. She loved our Pepper growing up, and Ellie is pretty much our third sister. We sometimes tease her about it, but it's really just endearing.
24. She read to us often. And the last time we all went on a vacation in the same car, she read to us still. We were adults at the time. This fostered quite the love for books in us!
25. She can make her tongue look like a flower.


Happy 25th plus birthday, mom!!


That's another one. I'm not sure we ever knew how old she was growing up. She would just say 25 plus! haha!!


We love you so very much! Thank you for all you have been and all you are to us. We are blessed beyond measure to have you for a mom.

Award time!!

Hi everyone!! Have you wondered where we have been? Probably not. But just in case you have checked this blog daily only to be disappointed that there has not been a new post in three weeks, I will explain. Anna has finally moved home!! Yay!! So that is where we have been. Well....that's not exactly true. Really, that only took a weekend. We are basically just major slackers.




Anywho, on to more important things! We received an award from our friend Hillary. She has, without a doubt, one of my very favorite blogs to read. So check her out at a gal and her dog. The rules of the this award are to list seven things about yourself and then tag some others to play along! So... thank you, Hillary. Here goes my totally random list of seven things:



1. If you know me at all, you know I love Diet Coke. I love the crazy burn as it goes down. I love the taste. I even think the coke can is cute. I used to be a full blown Dr. Pepper addict. But then I discovered the definition of a calorie. I promptly switched and never looked back. (Note to blog readers who hate on my diet coke, I know that it's the "devil's drink"...yadda, yadda, yadda. But if you gave it a shot, you might just like it...or just get pregnant, then you'll love it...haha...yes, you know who you are:)

2. I once heard (on some show or something) that people who ate the same thing everyday for lunch tend to weigh less. Since hearing that, I now eat a turkey and mustard sandwich, All Bran Crackers, an apple, and maybe a 100 calorie pack almost every single day. (And I actually did lose weight!) But the crazy part: I literally look forward to this meal everyday. I love it. And in four years, I have yet to get sick of it. Yes, it's been four years.


Have the past two things been about food? Um...sorry.


3. I really love the fall. I love the weather, the colors, the clothes, the smells, the baking, the food, pumpkins, the holidays, the beautiful trees...I love it all. October is my very favorite month of the year.


4. The other day, I was watching a cartoon with the girls right before their nap. I think it might have been Super Why. I went to put them down, and then I settled back on the couch and continued to watch it for ten minutes. I needed to see how it ended. This was a sad moment for me.


5. I used to be a night owl (somewhat). I stayed up until at least midnight most nights. I cannot even fathom staying up that late now. We are usually in bed by 9:45. I also was SO not a morning person. And now I adore my mornings. I guess two kids will do that to you. Coffee has become a dear friend of mine.


6. Every time a thunderstorm rolls through when I am sleeping, I almost always sit straight up in bed, scared to death. Not because of the storm, but because I think someone is outside of my window taking pictures. I cannot even begin to tell you how many times Patrick has had to tell me it was just lightening.


7. I always check my mirrors when getting in my car, just like they teach you in driving school. I can't even pull out of my driveway without every mirror being perfectly adjusted. Right now, one of my side mirrors is broken. I have to roll down the window and lean over to correct it. And I do it every time.



Okay, now I tag whoever wants to play along. Have a good week!!

Two Sweet Years

I married my best friend two short years ago today. I cannot believe how fast it has flown by! It feels like yesterday that we were just engaged and planning the whole wedding! And yet, here we are… two years later.

I would love to say it that everyday has been the best, but as most of you know, it has been a stressful two years. Nathan has been through two of the hardest years of school that you can imagine! There has hardly been a moment in two years that Nathan has felt comfortable just relaxing. In the back of his mind, he is constantly thinking of what he should be studying or what schoolwork he should be doing. During these two years, I have been the financial provider of our family. Knowing that all of our financial needs rest on my shoulders has not been very fun for me (especially on a teacher’s salary! Haha!) I have also completely changed career paths and have changed jobs (will be) three times in two and a half years. We have lived in Hernando, Flowood (right outside of Jackson), and are about to move to Memphis. Three places in two years… STRESS!!!

The bright side to all of this is that I got to spend two very stressful years of my life with the best person I know. And I wouldn't change a thing!

I could write a book on reasons why I love my husband, and I still couldn’t express how I truly feel. To start though…

• He is the most loving person I know. How easy is it to love someone that you know fully and completely loves you back!
• He is quick to forgive--and I am daily thankful for that.
• He is slow to anger- most of the time J
• He does not hold records of alllll my wrongs--Praise the Lord!
• And he is so very kind--he makes my lunch EVERYDAY before he goes to bed so I will not have to rush and do it in the morning. He takes Bella out 90% of the time. I have never-ever taken the trash out in two years. He still opens my car door. He always packs up the car on the weekends we go home without making me carry a thing. And after a grocery trip- all he asks of me is that I get the door for him while he carries up all the groceries and makes many trips back to the car (he insists on this- even though I am more than willing to help). Most days, he has my snack ready and waiting for me when I walk in the door from work (washed and cut up celery and a small bowl of Ranch). He does the dishes probably more than me. He has listened to me daily complain about hardships at work, and he has been extremely supportive of me this year. I could seriously go on and on and on with all the sweet things he does for me. I will stop here though. J
• His love is not self-seeking--out of everything he does for me, he never asks for anything in return--which makes me fully enjoy doing things for him!
• Most importantly, he follows after God’s heart and God’s desires for our family. Before I married, someone (whose opinion I greatly value) told me to marry the man that is the protector of my soul. Without a doubt, Nathan is that man! Every morning, he is on the couch, reading his Bible and praying for me. I know this because I see him and he has shown me a paper with the specific prayers he prays for me everyday. That is just dear to my heart. I have a man who loves me but loves God first and foremost and trusts me to Him.
• Also, I think he is just adorable! AND… he makes me laugh. He is so so so funny! There is hardly a serious moment in our household! I love the fun he brings to our little family.
• Last one for today…. He adores Bella. He is so good with her. I know dogs cannot compare to people, but I do get a small glimpse of how wonderful he will be with our kids someday. If he is that crazy over a dog- he will amazing with our real babies J

Even though parts of these two years have been stressful, that is not to say they haven’t been wonderful. Every day I have spent with Nathan has been better than any day I have ever spent without him. I always say, the room is better when he is in it. Always.

Over the past two years, our relationship has become stronger and our faith and trust in the Lord has grown so much. And as stressful as it has been, being with Nathan has just been fun!

Thank you Lord for blessing our marriage and bringing me a life partner perfectly matched for me!

Happy Anniversary Love!!!

I love my wedding pictures... can you tell? :)

This picture is from our weekend trip to a BnB in Natchez for our anniversary

Moses and Mommyhood

As I write this blog, I am sitting on my couch and relaxing after a wonderful Mother's Day. I woke up to yummy breakfast, a bracelet, and cards from my sweet husband and two beautiful daughters. Then I went to church and followed that with the best brunch ever...celebrating with my awesome mom and dad. I am now simply enjoying the solitude (Patrick is at the grocery store for me because it would just be wrong to have to go on Mother's Day) and reflecting on the joys of motherhood.


This past week, Lily and I were talking and reading about Moses. We were standing over the "river" (our bathtub), with our homemade baby basket, acting out the scene. Lily was Miriam, Hello Kitty played Moses, and I was Jochebed (the mom). I started to read the scripture to her, and all of the sudden, I was literally so overcome with emotion that I had to stop. I have probably heard and read the story of Moses a hundred times, but there was something about reading it there with my sweet daughter and looking at it through the eyes of a mom that moved me in a way it never has before. I kept thinking about Moses' mommy. I don't think there is a bond more instant and intense on this Earth than when a mom embraces her baby for the first time. And here was this baby she loved more than she probably ever imagined she could, and his little life was in mortal danger. She knew she had to act to save him. Her faith in the Lord to care for her precious child is amazing. She put that baby in a basket...in the river. I don't know about you, but the thought of that gives me a slight heart attack. And then she had to sit and listen to him cry...all the while trusting in the Lord to care for him. I've never had to put my children in any situation that even comes close to that, but how often do I fail to completely trust God with their lives!


The most touching part of the story is what happens next. Pharaoh's daughter hears the cries of this baby and "draws him out of the water"-(hence, "Moses"). I think if the story ended there...with Moses being saved by the very family that wanted him dead...then we would have reason enough to be amazed by the sovereignty of God. I mean, a Hebrew baby growing up in an Egyptian palace...and then eventually leading God's people out of their captivity. Wow. But God demonstrated his loving-kindness and graciousness yet again. Pharaoh's daughter needed someone to nurse and care for the baby. And who does she get? Moses' mommy. I know you all know the story, so I'm sorry for the recap. But I just love it!! Exodus 2:9 says "And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages." So Jochebed completely trusted God to save her son and He did! But He went a step further and basically gave her baby back to her for a time. How tenderly and completely our Father loves us! I sat in the bathroom trying to explain this to Lily...barely able to stop crying to get my words out. He knew that mommy's heart. And He granted her the desire of her heart. Her baby lived, and she had the privilege of caring for him. God used Moses in mighty ways, but before Moses followed God, his mom did.


By the way, did you catch that she was PAID for this?? You almost have to laugh at that. Only God!! I love it!! If I got paid to nurse my babies, I would be one rich woman.


This Mother's Day, I am overwhelmed with gratitude to God for choosing me to be Lily and Evie's mom. When I think about the story of Moses, I am reminded of the goodness of our Father and how He loves us. He could've chosen any way He wanted to populate the Earth, but He chose the unique way of a mom and dad. He is the one who created motherhood. He is the one who gives us the love we have for our children. And I am so very thankful for it. I am thankful to be a chosen child of God. I am thankful that He chose me to bring two little lives into the world-two lives that I pray will love Him and trust Him completely. I am thankful that He gave me a perfect partner to share my life and raise our children. And last but not least, I am thankful for my own mom. I don't know where I would be without her love, guidance, prayers, support, and sacrifice. I am thankful for the first glimpse as a child of what God's unfailing love for me looks like through the unconditional love of my mom. Happy Mother's Day!!

When the bee stings...

Favorite Things, part 2! Like Corrie mentioned, reading about people's favorite things is the best. I love to know what people like, and I hope you will enjoy seeing some of the things I love. We have had so much fun writing these two posts, I feel certain there will be more favorites to come! In fact, I am already making another "oh my word, I just love this ______" list now! I just have too many to put all in one blog post! They are my Life's Little Pleasures- and I do mean little pleasures.

On to my list...

Like Corrie, I love coffee. But, I have a new love. Hot tea. When we were younger, my mom would often host tea parties for Corrie and me, so I have fond memories of the taste of hot tea. This fall at The Merry Marketplace, we stumbled across this precious tea themed booth. All those sweet memories came back. To my excitement, mom gave Corrie and me one of these cute little Japanese teapots with an infuser inside. We also got the Pomegranate flavored black (loose) tea... YUM! And I bought Georgia Sunshine (a peach tea) that I love as well. I hardly go a day without my tea fix. It is so relaxing. You can find these products here.

My mom recently bought me a happy that I love. It is a crossbody purse. I call it my shopping purse, and it is perfect for such an occasion! The zipper part in the front is a built-in wallet! It holds my sunglasses, phone, and lip gloss. Don't get me wrong, I still love my big purses, but they are too big when I'm out-and-about going in and out of stores, etc..

If you are not sleeping under a duvet, you are missing out. I feel like I am snuggled up to clouds every night. It is insanely comfortable, warm (but not hot), and wonderful. Our comforter would always fall off the bed -but not this one! I highly recommend it.
I wear my Pandora bracelet everyday. I wanted one for so long (long before they were popular), and I finally got one! Two Christmases ago, my parents got me the bracelet and my family has helped fill it up. It is still a work in progress, but it is close! Every charm means something significant to me (tells a story in a sense), and even though there are cheaper imitations out there now, I still love it. It is still authentically Pandora, and I can picture my granddaughter wearing it someday.
I could not live without my steamer. I have even named him, as he is now a special part of the Rucker family, Stan. Stan the Steamer. What did I do with my life before I had a steamer? How did I get the wrinkles out of clothes that cannot be ironed? How often did I iron? I despise ironing. Now, the only thing I ever iron are khakis pants (and those are rarely worn for the very fact that I have to iron them). My steamer is a Conair. It is light-weight, and it folds down small for easy storing.

So now you know a few of my favorite things that I would not like to live without. Continue to share yours and stay tuned for more of our favorite things!