Happy Anniversary to us!!!

Dunleith in the daytime

Dunleith at night

A view of the Mississipppi River

Okay, so I'm a little behind on my blogging! Our actual anniversary was December 4th. Jeremy took me Monday night to Natchez to stay at Dunleith, a famous bed-and-breakfast. It was so nice to get away. We had a very nice dinner that night, slept in a cozy little room with a fireplace, and got up at 9:00 am to a breakfast buffett! It was wonderful. Then we finished Christmas shopping for the boys.

This was our 8th anniversary. Our story begins in first grade when we met, then it kind of stops until our senior year in high school when we started dating. But I"ll skip to the part of the story when he proposed (short version). We kind of have this bed-and-breakfast theme going is why I'm telling it. Jeremy proposed on March 2, 1998 at a bed-and-breakfast in Starkville, called Carragen House. (No, we DID NOT spend the night!!!) Jeremy had it rented for the evening for dinner, and I was going under the impression that it was a dinner for school. One of my college professors came to my apartment to pick me up for the "dinner." Anyway, I'll skip a lot of that story to tell you that the first night of our honeymoon was spent in Hattiesburg at a bed-and-breakfast called Dunhopen. I'll skip that WHOLE FIRST NIGHT part of the story. Then for our first anniversary Jeremy surprised me with another night at Dunhopen again. As you can see, I have a very romantic husband, and I am so grateful that he chose me. I have loved the past 8 - really 14 years spent with him. He has helped me to become a better person than I used to be. I know that is because he has always kept Christ first in his life and also in our marriage. I am blessed beyond words. Thank you, Jeremy!

Nichols Christmas Tree Farm

Garrett acting silly before picking out our Christmas tree

Garrett and Graham still acting silly before picking out our Christmas tree!!!

Garrett wanted to look at the "zedonk" - that would be a zebra/donkey mix!

Graham "thought" he wanted to see that "zedonk," but he didn't want to get too close!

More Christmas Tree Farm Pics

Riding in the wagon to pick out our tree

Garrett got so tired of waiting on Jeremy to pick out a tree that he just sat on a stump!

After we got home and changed clothes, Garrett fell asleep in front of the TV!

Hangin' Out with Papa

Graham was sick and fell asleep in Papa's lap

They just love playing in the back of Papa's truck!!!

Graham riding the horse (Steady) at Papa's house

Remembering Mom...

I just wanted to share an awesome experience I had at our church tonight with my dad. Our church, Pinelake, has an annual dinner in honor of those who have lost loved ones over the past year, called Celebrate Life. Jeremy was on-call tonight and Boo couldn't make it at the last minute, so it was just me and Dad. Anyway, there were a little less than 100 people there - one couple which lost a 2 week old infant, two people who lost both parents within this year, one lost a girlfriend and sibling this year, and a few lost children this year. One lady sitting at my table teaches at University Christian School, where my mom taught for a semester, and she said, "Your mom isn't the Marsha Boatner who taught at UCS, is she?" This lady knew my mom and did not know that she had died. She talked about how sweet my mom was. How awesome was it that God put us at that table with this lady who knew my mom!

I also thought it was neat that I got to share the evening with my dad. If Jeremy had not been working, I might not would have even thought to ask my dad or my sister. I think God planned it for Jeremy to be working so that I could share this with my dad.

One thing we did was we lit a candle in memory of each person who had died. Jeff Holland talked a little bit about how everyone in the room had the same commonality of "hurt," but that we all shared the "hope" and "help" from our Lord. My sweet Daddy cried through the whole thing. It just reminded me again how blessed I am to have learned what I have from my mom (especially about being a mom) for the 30 years I had with her. I also feel blessed to be a part of a church family who would take the time and effort during the busy holiday season to remember those of us who have lost loved ones and are spending our first Christmas without them.

Christmas won't be easy this year. Mom and Dad's 39th anniversary is December 21 and she would have been 59 on December 31. The best way I can explain my feelings are to a puzzle that has one piece missing. The puzzle is almost complete but that one piece is lost and can't complete the puzzle. I feel so blessed and "full" by my two precious boys and husband, my dad and sister and other family, and my sweet friends. But I just have this one hole that makes it incomplete. The awesome thing is that I know one day my puzzle will be complete when I get to see my mom again!!!

One verse that was mentioned tonight was Psalm 147:3, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." But then I read on in verse 5 it says, "Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite." How awesome is that kind of a God??!!!

Family Golf

Thursday, after naps, we decided to go to the Refuge for a little golf.
We got in about an hour and a half before the sun set.

Garrett likes to hit anybody's ball in and Graham likes to get it out of the hole!!!

Come on, Daddy! You can do it!!!

Feeding Jensen

The boys love to feed our dog, Jensen in the mornings.
They were giving her food through the fence!!!

Notice Graham is putting the dog food in his mouth!!!

Happy Halloween

We started out going to a couple of the neighbors' houses. One neighbor gave Graham a sucker and you can see the slobber all over his shirt. This was before I put a shirt on under his jersey. Graham was a MSU football player and Garrett was a cowboy. He kind of looks like Clint Black, doesn't he?!! We ended the night trick-or-treating with our small group from church in Fox Bay subdivision and then eating pizza and celebrating Nea Nea's birthday! It was a fun night!

This is the only picture I got of the two of them trick-or-treating

Graham isn't really sure what to do

Garrett finally got to where he just wanted to knock on the doors, he didn't care about the candy

Graham is just enjoying the ride, sippin' on juice

He ended up wearing Garrett's hat and wouldn't take it off

Still wearing the hat, playing at the Seagos' house

When it rains, it pours....

Okay, you know how when one thing happens and then it goes down hill from there? Well, it has happened to me again. It's actually kind of funny now. It all started yesterday afternoon when I told Garrett to put some new bubble bath up in his bathroom that I had bought. Well, instead I found 1/4 bottle of it in on our wood hallway smeared by two little boys. So, I put the boys in the bathtub so that I could clean up the floor and then Graham threw up in the bathtub - chicken nuggets and carrots!! Garrett said, "Ooh, Mommy, what is dat??" I said, "Throw up-now get out!" Luckily, I had just finished cleaning the floor. Over the next 4 hours Graham threw up about 7 times. Apparently, he has a stomach virus. He went to bed at 7:00pm and then my dad got here with my niece and nephew at about 8:30 to spend-the-night. Of course, Jeremy was on-call and not home last night. Then at about 5:30 this morning I jumped out of bed (I was sleeping in Garrett's bed so that my dad could have mine) when I heard Graham crying and my foot had gone to sleep. I somehow stepped on it wrong, heard it pop, and either tore a ligament or sprained my ankle. I know, I feel like a retard!!! So this afternoon we headed off to UMC again, for x-rays. So far, we've been there in July, August, and October. I guess next it is Jeremy's turn. Anyway, I now have a boot and crutches. It feels a whole lot better tonight. It really is funny. However, the neat thing is that for the second time I needed someone it has been my dad (along with other people) instead of my mom who has been here in my time of need and desperation for help. It has been so cool to see my dad step in when my mom would have been the one here helping. I don't know what I would have done without him today. I also have wonderful friends and in-laws who have stepped in to help. Thanks to all of you!

Nichols-Boyd Pumpkin Patch

This afternoon we went to the Pumpkin Patch after we all finished a 3-hour nap. The boys had a wonderful time. I just love Sundays with the family!!! Their cute shirts were made by my friend, Catherine, who is selling them. She is also making cute Christmas T-shirts for boys and girls.

Garrett and Graham had fun on the hayride, looking at the animals, and picking out their own pumpkins. The middle picture is Garrett handing Graham a pumpkin. The third picture is Garrett trying to "pick up" this big pumpkin.

Golf Anyone....?

Saturday morning we drove to Starkville to see the dawgs play, but first we went to the MSU Golf Course. Garrett had never played golf with his Daddy, and Daddy had a new driver he wanted to practice with. Good thing he only played 9 holes. Garrett loved riding in the golf cart. He also loved putting on the greens and getting the flag out for Daddy. The last picture is Daddy and Garrett looking for Daddy's ball!

Go Dawgs Go!!!

After golf we went to the Lodge and bought Garrett a cowbell, jersey and cap. He was so excited. Once we parked and got on campus we got to stand at the sidewalk and watch the band go by right in front of us. We met our sweet friends, the Seagos at the game. Garrett and Bryant jumped in the blow up things. Even though the Dawgs lost, it was still a great day! Garrett fell asleep 3 minutes after we got into the van! I think he had too much fun in one day!!!