Tiger World

We've been fortunate that as David leaves his current company he has the flexibility to take some time off to tie up odds and ends. After a weekend living as nomads traveling around the state of North Carolina in an attempt to desert our house for showings, we wanted to do something different. Enter, Tiger World. 

This little gem is tucked back in the middle of nowhere and if it weren't for the high praises I'd heard about it, we would have probably turned around as we traveled down the dirt road to get there. David loves big cats and routinely begs for one to add to our family. While I'm not going to give into that request, I knew we could go visit some. We grabbed my little buddy, Logan, from preschool and we were off!

I was impressed from the moment we got there. The goal is to get you as close to the animals as they can safely, and they definitely did that! While most of the animals were enjoying nap time it was still awesome to see them lounging about. Our favorite was their newest attraction, Michael. Well, I should say everyone but Amelia Grace. 

When we first sat her down next to the very thick glass enclosure (before everyone goes and thinks we're horrible parents) she wasn't the least bit fazed. Michael on the other hand was very intrigued and moved toward the glass. That scared David a bit so he picked her up before she even knew what was going on. We tried again and it was the same story. So when Michael was turned in the other direction we sat Amelia Grace down next to him for a photo opp. That would be the first picture below. The second picture is when both she and Michael noticed each other and she started screaming bloody murder! I'm not sure what it was but the poor girl lost it so we swooped in to save her. Every subsequent time we sat her down next to an enclosure of any of the animals she lost it. Guess she doesn't have her daddy's love for big cats, haha.

All in all it was a great day and I would love to go back before we move. We saw that they have special feeding showings on Thursday evenings too!

Easter Rewind

I know I'm a few days late, but I still wanted to share some of our wonderful Easter weekend with y'all!

Friday started off a little different than most Fridays in that we got to have a playdate with our baby friends! The school was on Spring Break so we were able to hang out with some sweet mommas and babes for a bit. It's so much fun to see them toddling around and really getting into things. Gone are the days of quietly meeting in a coffee shop!

They were not having it when we asked for a picture!

That evening my mom came down so David and I could go out on a date. What he didn't know was we weren't going home! While we kicked off the evening with drinks at Carolina Ale House I surprised him and told him there was a suitcase in the back of the car and we were staying the night at his parents' condo on Lake Wylie! He was so excited and we completely changed gears for the night. Instead of a quick evening out Carrabba's and Babies 'R Us (whoooooo), we headed to NoDa to hit the breweries and chow down on some delicious food. We even snuck over to the new outlet mall for a wee bit just to wander around. Gotta love when you're not tied to a baby's bedtime!

The next morning we woke up and ventured over to IHOP for breakfast. David has been talking about getting a stack of their pancakes for about a thousand years so I finally caved. After he drowned them in syrup and thoroughly enjoyed them we returned home to our babe and a busy day of visiting with my side of the family. We've recently discovered all the neat breweries that are pretty much in our backyard! Okay, so maybe they're like 10 minutes away, but that's close enough for us. My dad, brother, and sister-in-law joined us for the trip around town before we all ended up back at the house for supper and yard games. 

The next morning we awoke early and headed to church to celebrate the glorious day! Every Easter Sunday our church comes together for a delicious Easter breakfast and this year was no different. Afterwards we all roll ourselves into the auditorium and fight to stay awake with our full tummies;-) There is always an Easter egg hunt following the service and this year was no different. Amelia Grace even "found" an egg! What that really means is we sat her down next to egg and she picked it up. Hooray! Haha. 

Amelia Grace's first Easter!

After service we headed to the Mobley's for Easter lunch and visiting. We all enjoyed more delicious food and had a great time catching up. 

It was a busy weekend, but a great one as well!

Me on the left in 1989 and Amelia Grace in 2015 wearing the same dress!

Spring Fun and Health Updates

I just wanted to take a quick moment and check in with everyone since my last update. I am happy to report I've felt GREAT since getting the fluids and anti-nausea meds in my system-I didn't realize how dehydrated I really was! Since my last post we have been enjoying every moment of this gorgeous Spring weather trying to soak it all in. A few pictures for proof. . .

Loving her first time in a swing! 

This poor baby has been blessed/cursed by super fair skin and will forever need a hat!

Hey, ma, who's that baby??

As you can see we've been spending a lot of time outside:-)

I was fortunate enough to get an appointment with a GI doctor for today and will hopefully receive some more answers there. The more I learn the more I think it was something with my gallbladder, but who really knows. I've had a few questions about how my new medication is affecting all this and the answers is-I have no clue. I actually haven't started it yet. Due to some miscommunication with the local pharmacy and some ball-dropping by the mail-order pharmacy it still has not arrived. Normally this would have aggravated the mess out of me, but I'm seeing this as a blessing instead. Had I been on that too who knows how my body would have responded! 

Many thanks for the continued prayers and support!

5 on Friday [05.02]

Happy Friday!

 *one*
 While Mother Nature may have hit us with some nasty stuff for a while, it has been beautiful these past two weeks! So thankful for this gorgeous weather and all the outside time it brings!

 *two*
People keep asking me if I've had any crazy sort of cravings and the answer is: not really. At the beginning I could really only stomach sushi (not the raw kind!) then I loved strawberry applesauce (but, who doesn't?) and there hasn't really been anything else to stand out. It more comes that I have to have something right then and there and then the craving passes (hello, cream soda and orange creamsicles). Any other pregos have cravings?

 *three*
 We have ants. I shudder even thinking about them again. We noticed them Wednesday evening while cooking supper and I went into immediate attack mode. We managed to kill all the ones we saw (thanks, Lysol spray!) and I got ant traps yesterday for any lingerers. Bleck!
 
*four*
 Um, how is it May already?? Not that I'm complaining because that's one month closer to baby, but still. Holy cow, this year has absolutely flown by!

*five* 
Hellooooooo, fellow Starbucks fiends! Half-priced frappuccinos are back at Starbucks from 3pm-5pm until May 10. You're welcome.

Spring Break 2014

This past week was a very much anticipated Spring Break trip to Charleston, SC! It had been almost two years since we had been able to visit this wonderful city so I started begging for a visit as soon as the new year rolled around. My wonderful husband graciously conceded (who wouldn't want to go to Charleston??) and booked us a condo about a block from the beach. The best part? The princess was able to tag along!

In past trips we've stayed in hotels and have been unable to bring her, but we knew this time that we wanted her to come. If you've been following along on Instagram you know she LOVES the beach. She's definitely having withdrawals from her daily walks in the sand!

We didn't make any big plans, but instead just decided to fly by the seat of our pants. We couldn't have made a more perfect choice. Each day we visited the beach to wear the pup out, and either stuck around and soaked up some rays or headed out to explore the city. We managed to eat more than a few delicious meals and not replicate a restaurant once!

It was an incredible trip that we can't wait to repeat next year with our baby girl:-)

She was less than enthused about this.

She LOVED jumping in the waves, until they got too big and chased her back!

The one and only picture of the two of us and I look nekkid. Cooooooooool.

A tired pup after hours of chasing the ball in the waves.

She used the sand as an exfoliant over and over and over. 

She loves it. Well, at least David does.

5 on Friday [04.11]

Happy Friday!

 *one*

 Have y'all ever written an essay with a group of students who has never written an essay before? I wouldn't recommend it to the faint of heart. Don't get me wrong, I am SO glad we are doing it, but it is wearing me out! Let's just say the kids won't be the only one glad to be done with these and back to reading novels.

*two*

 Any other fans of Nashville out there? I just heard rumors there is going to be a tour with the stars. SO EXCITING. David is refusing to go with me. . . any takers??

*three*

Spring has arrived! So thankful for this beautiful weather and the chance to be outside again after all these months of freezing ick. 

*four*

Between Scandal and The Good Wife I consider myself an unofficial lawyer. Every time I hear about a court case of crime I automatically try to see if there is any foul play and who is really to blame. Any other weirdos out there?

*five* 

I need book suggestions! We are a week away from Spring Break and I don't have anything. HELP!

Down With The GroundHog!

Anyone else see this yesterday??

Anyone else want to go groundhog hunting???

I've never been shy about this fact, but I do not like Winter. I love every other season except for Winter. With these recent temps nearing 0 and the snow they brought, I'm even more ready for Spring. 

The good news about the groundhog's nasty announcement? He has a less than 40% success rate! Let's hope his losing record continues!