Hail Dear Old State

While on the way to visit Ben's grandma in Ethel, Mississippi, we swung by Starkville, home to Mississippi State University. I haven't been on campus since I quit working for MSU in 2007. So much has changed. New buildings have popped up all over campus. Although I loved State while I was there, I must admit that the campus has never looked better. Ben graciously listened to my old stories (which he has heard a thousand times) because he knows that I like to tell them. Here are just a few pics.

Who knows if the football team will be any good this year, but I would love to go to a game! While Baylor games are fun, they just aren't the same.

Ah, the drill field.

The Chi Omega house.

Ben and I stopped by the bakery before we left, and the sweet lady working gave us free bully bone cookies. This is why I love the South-- the people are as sweet as the cookies. Another one of the things I miss most is the barbecue. Contrary to popular belief Texas does not have the best bbq in the country. (I say popular belief in Texas because nobody outside of Texas thinks that all things Texan are inherently superior, which is basically the Texas motto.) Yes, a good beef brisket is yummy, but there is nothing like a pulled pork sandwich with sweet bbq sauce from Little Dooey's.

What a feast! Wished y'all were eating it with us, Mom and Dad. Just close your eyes the next time you eat goat and imagine that you are eating bbq instead.

Little Eli

While we were in Mississippi, we drove to Slidell, Louisiana to visit Ben's cousin Ryan, his wife Ginger, and little Eli. Eli is ten months old and will be toddling around in no time. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip.

Ben and Eli watching t.v. together-- absolutely adorable.

Eli and Sadie play well together. Sadie has taught Eli how to play tug-of-war with her toys. Or maybe this is Sadie's attempt to regain control over her toys.

I can't figure out who is sadder-- Sadie because she wants in or Eli because he would love to crawl out.

My Old Roomie (and her new roomies)

Ben and I went to Mobile to visit my college roommate, Amber. It's crazy how time flies. Come to think of it, Amber and I met ten years ago (almost to the day) on Chi Omega bid day in August of 2000. Hard to believe that it was so long ago! Amber's current roomies, Chase and two-and-a-half year-old Caedmon, are fabulous, but it was fun to remember and to laugh about the 10x15 room that we shared.

Amber and Caedmon playing.

My old roomie and her new roomies standing in the front yard of their fabulous house. I love Amber's new roomies, and I am SOOOO excited about meeting her next little roomie that will arrive some time in late April or early May!!

On the Road Again

I only blog when I feel that something that happens that is truly blog worthy. There's not much happening in Waco to blog--unless you count the massive grasshoppers that somehow manage to get inside our apartment, under our couch, and to sing at 2 am. So, I am blogging about our travels again. Over the past few days we have seen family, old friends, and have met some new ones.

Lindsay and I went to see Sarah King Beasley and to meet her new little boy, William Kenneth Beasley (Will). He is absolutely adorable!



Noah is now huge, running around and talking, but I am so sad to say that I did not take any new pictures of little Nuhu. Sorry, Mom! I can't believe that I forgot. I've really got to get better at this!


I also met a good, old friend for lunch. Heather is 5 and a half months pregnant and will welcome little Thomas Brodie in early December. Heather is so cute pregnant. Both Heather and baby are strong and healthy. I've known the girls in this post for more than half of my life. I spent only 11 of 28 years of life without my best friend, Lindsay, who has held that position since the fifth grade. Crazy to think about!

More pics of friends and family to come...