Brittney, right after getting ready:

Brittney and Dupree:

The bridesmaids (photo by Jason Tucker, the photographer):

Brittney and me (photo by Jason Tucker)–and don’t count on my hair ever being that fancy again!:

The ceremony:

The wedding party:

Joel, me, Mom and Dad:

Joseph and Courtney with baby Noland:

Us with Noland:

Mom with Noland:

The Huffards:

Joel holding sleeping Noland in the sheep they received as a gift…I think it was called something like a Pillow Pal, and apparently they’re fancy?

Us in Huntsville at Monte Sano State Park with Joel’s parents (there wasn’t anyone to take a group shot):

Hiking with my parents at Radnor Lake:

We can’t wait for another visit!

Here are a few highlights (starting with a non-highlight) from our trip.

1. We ran into terrible weather on our trip home. What should have been an 18 hour trip plus stops turned into nearly 27 hours, including 2.5 of sleep stops. We won’t make that trip again in the winter!

2. We ate lunch on Christmas Eve at Baja Burrito. Due to their extremely long holiday closure, that was the only meal of our entire visit that they were open. Glad I called ahead. Long live pineapple salsa.

3. We spent a lovely Christmas Eve with my family, eating at Finezza and exchanging gifts. Christmas brunch with my extended family and a somewhat polite game of dirty Santa rounded out the festivities on Christmas day. I can’t number how many failures to take pictures this makes for us.

4. We went to Birmingham and had a couple of nice relaxing days with Joel’s parents. Although better than my family’s event, we only managed to take approximately one picture.

Susan opening her mp3 player

5. We spent most not-previously-committed breakfasts, lunches, and dinners catching up with friends. (Williamses, Harrises, Wrights, Mankins/Smiths/Huffards for Joseph’s birthday, Otts, Joel’s old coworkers, Duty, Baxters, Youngs, Brittney, and Brad. Phew!)

6. We saw even more friends at the nice potluck Duty hosted on New Years’ Eve. We were the old, boring, married people who weren’t feeling the next party (so stereotypical, right?), so we finished the night with a movie since some other plans didn’t work out.

7. A celebration with my mom’s side of the family on New Years’ Day, minus my traveling brother, was the final event.

Dad, Jennie, and Elizabeth about to open gifts

About to open my books from Grandmommy

Breanna, Chad, and Emily

8. We had great weather on the drive home and had a much needed, fun visit with the Mortons in Newton, KS.

The Mortons and us

We are really thankful that Joel got so much time off of work so we could make the trip!

I went to Nashville this week for work stuff, and since Ethan and Carla’s baby, Eli, came early, I got to see him! Here is a picture stolen from Carla’s facebook (unfortunately the only time I remembered to take a picture was the one time he cried during the times I visited!). Needless to say, he is a very good baby…ok he was great while I was there, but I think he’s a little troublemaker at night. We hate to be away while he’s growing up, but we’ll be excited to see him when we visit.

Just makes you say “aww…”

One more thing – while in Nashville, I got to meet Brittney’s horse! I’m not much of an animal person, but I liked that one.

Our youth worker picture with the Santiagos was blurry, but here’s one with the original 6 (and Carla all cute and pregnant!). We’ll miss working with the youth, but they are of course in good hands with Joseph and Courtney.

And finally, here are a couple of pictures of all of our sweet friends and family who came to wish us well. We’re going to miss everyone!

For now, I have two recommendations:

1. Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action. Cheesy name maybe? I read it on our trip home and really enjoyed it. It’s essentially a Christian doctor’s story of how his family made changes in their lives to care for creation. Our library doesn’t have it, so you might have to buy it here.

2. Nashville Originals. This group of Nashville restaurants has gift certificates going on sale in the morning for 40% off. Sshh…I called, and they said it should be a little before 7am. Buy them here.

The next morning, we drove up the Trace and stopped at a few of the sites. Finally, we went to the Loveless Cafe. Yes, this was also my first time to ever go there. It seems that you often don’t do the tourist things in your own town. The biscuits were good, but since I don’t care for Southern food, I’m fine if I never go back.  I can check it off the list!

Lauren and I usually don’t get involved with politics, but we felt as Christians, it was important to vote against this referendum. When we read about Jesus, we believe he included everyone. This referendum promotes exclusivity.

Thankfully other people are against it. A few weeks ago several heads of local universities spoke out against it.  In addition, our mayor, Karl Dean is against the referendum.

If you live in Davidson County and are registered to vote, you can early vote at Howard School downtown through January 17th. Regular voting takes place at your specified location on January 22nd.

We know a lot of people would like to exclude those from other countries from having access to public services, but we encourage you to base your decision on your faith. Passing this will not solve any immigration issues.