Our trip in pictures

I got back from Gatlinburg last night and was sooo sleepy I couldn't post the pictures! Now that I am almost caught back up on sleep, I thought I would share =)

First of all, let me start out by saying that we had the BEST time. Despite the fact that four out of six of us got extremely nauseated and sick to our stomach at some point (mine was on the car ride there...yikes),  it was AWESOME! Bonding with my new family over shopping, eating, and hottubbing... can't ask for a much better time.

We arrived in Gatlinburg around 4 on Friday and headed straight to the chalet to unpack and get freshened up for dinner.

After we scoped everything out, we headed back into town for dinner at the Hard Rock and some shopping.

At dinner L to R: Pat's aunt Jenny, Pat's mom Donna, and Pat's aunt Ashley

L to R: Me, Sister-in-law Lindsay, Pat's grandmother Kay

We chatted, laughed and ate some delicious food.

The BEST side salad! Had craisins on top =)

California Chicken Club- chicken, bacon, tomato, avocado, lettuce. Yummy. 

Of course we goofed off a little too =)

Then we headed for some Old Tyme Photos... HILARIOUS and GROSS. haha.

And by gross I mean they wanted us to put on these old nasty dresses with no backs and put on boxers and fishnets out of a box?! Ummm... Eww.

I don't think it would be appropriate to share the pictures from the dressing room... I'll spare you =)

When we got back we got in the hot tub on the deck overlooking the mountains. SO PEACEFUL. We stayed for two hours.

We called it a night around 1 so we could get ready for a long day of outlet shopping on Saturday.

That was the only picture I took of our whole shopping day! Ughh! My camera was heavy. Days like that make me miss my point and shoot sometimes. After NINE HOURS of shopping (not complaining, it was a blast!) we headed back into town for dinner. We were all so hungry we stopped at the first place we saw on the main drag. Not a good idea for Mrs. Donna. Don't ask =)

Pre-sick picture. 

Uhh I look ROUGH. Definitely can tell we shopped for nine hours after minimal sleep and food haha. 

Canon ad =)

Hahah the people beside us throughout we were so weird!

Jenny and I thought it would be a great idea to split a calzone "the size of an NFL football". NOT A GOOD IDEA! It made us hyper, delirious, greasy, full, stuffed with cheese, and ready to never see another calzone again in our lives!

We headed back to the chalet because Mrs. Donna was not feeling so hot and we definitely needed to get her back to lay down and get some sleep. The rest of us got in the hot tub again for a few hours and talked and talked and talked. And talked. Then we got out, got in bed, and talked some more! Three girls to a bed and it's definitely hard to stop talking. We finally got to sleep around 3 a.m and had to get up early to get ready to check out.

For some reason it didn't cross our mind until it was time to leave that we were departing with five times as many bags as we came with... but don't worry. Jenny made it work =)

Had to get in some group pics before we pulled away...

The newest Ryan girls with our awesome mother-in-law!

The whole gang... self-timer is a beautiful thing =)

Had a blast ladies! I am so blessed to be a part of such an amazing family. I truly am the luckiest girl in the world! Love you all. Until next time =)

Friday Faves

1. That this guy made it through to the Top 24 of American Idol this week! Make the Auburn nation proud Paul!!

2. The fact that I will be spending a lot of time here this weekend:

3. Lauren Conrad's new line, Paper Crown. Thanks Ash for introducing me! ObSeSSeD.

4. HER HAIR!!! Yum.

5. Spring is in the airrrr! Can't wait to be here in a few weeks =)

Hope you enjoyed my Friday Faves! What are yours?!

Day 24

What is Jesus teaching me right now?

SLOW DOWN! RELAX! ENJOY LIFE!

I have been so busy and overwhelmed- working hard at two different jobs and trying to fit in time with my husband and family also. I have had to give up/cut back on some passions which has been hard (blogging every single day, reading blogs for hours, reading books, watching all my favorite shows, etc.) but they have been replaced with other more important things. Church. Family. Teaching. Children. What else do I possibly need?! I am so thankful Jesus is showing me to slow down and enjoy.

Tomorrow I will be heading to Gatlinburg with the 6 Ryan ladies... G-Mommy, Mrs. Donna (My MIL), Ashley (Pat's aunt), Jenny (Pat's aunt), Lindsay (My sis-in-law), and me! 6 ladies, 10 bags of luggage?, one car, 4 hours, infinite bathroom stops, haha you get the drift.

I can't say I will be blogging while I am gone relaxing and enjoying life with my new family, but I will take LOTS of pictures and come back with a wonderful roundup post hopefully.... Monday? We have plans to relax, shop, eat good food, and possibly zipline!

I'm trying to set up a post to post automatically tomorrow so we will see if the technology works!

xo

Uhhh... Day 23?

Day 23.  What are your strengths?  What are your weaknesses?


This is starting to feel like a school assignment sometimes! I swear I did the exact same thing for my job packet in Contemporary Issues in Education right before I graduated in December. YIKES!

No for real though... uhhhh it is really hard to write these out on paper for others to see. I have read quite a few posts lately about how the "blog world" is kind of like a false reality. Everyone only shows the good pictures, the good outfits, the healthy meals, etc. SO TRUE! It is hard to write your weaknesses in permanent ink on the internet without a vow to try and improve them.

I would have to say:

Strengths- Passionate, compassionate, hardworking, funloving, affectionate, school smart
Weaknesses- Patience, fitting it all in (time management), relaxing, being selfless, strong desire for material things, moodiness (ask hubs)

I could go on and on guys but you get the drift. I have flaws. A LOT. I am always striving to be a better woman, a better wife, a better daughter, a better sister, and mostly a better Christian.

Going to bed guys- today was a loooong day.

I'll leave you with this picture:

Uhhh what's up with the haircut Biebs?! NOT A FAN! 

Be ready for some tears

Day 22.  What are some needs that need to be met in your community?  Blog about how to extend your hand to those who need you.

It is funny that today's assignment is what it is. It is something we have been talking about at church, home, and small group for the last couple of weeks. We are reading the book Radical by David Platt and so our focus has been drawn to the poor and the homeless. Sadly, they are people that we tend to forget about and overlook on a daily basis. Did you know that in the state of Alabama there are over 6,000 people without a place to sleep every night?!

Now our town may not seem like a thriving metropolis with homeless people everywhere- but they are there. We saw them at the homeless shelter a couple of weeks ago. There is a NEED in our community to help these people! The Salvation Army has TWO WORKERS!!! They rely on church volunteers but they are few and far between.

To end I will leave you with a video that hubs made after our trip to the Salvation Army two weeks ago. This will be played at our church next week- to try and get people to come help!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE!

Trust me you want to watch it. It is good stuff. Hubs is awesome =)

Flu = No Fun

Sorry I have been absent for a few days. I have had a baddd case of the flu. Last night my temperature peaked at 103 degrees! YIKES!

I will spare you any photos. I have not gotten out of bed for more than about twenty minutes, have not showered, and have not changed in a couple days. Lovely I know.

Project 31: Day 21- Write a letter to your husband to encourage him.

How about I write a letter to him and THANK him for taking care of my pathetic self for the last few days?

Hubs,
     Thank you so much for being the best husband in the world. This is the first time I have been really sick without my mom to take care of me and you did a wonderful job. Thank you for fetching me gatorade, water, airborne, medicine, random foods, ice cream for lunch, cold rags for my forehead, etc. Thank you for massaging my aching body and ignoring the fact that I look like absolute crap. Thank you for telling me how beautiful I am- even when I am sick. Thank you for being there when I wanted and needed you there and for leaving me to sleep when I needed to sleep. You are the best and I love you so much. I promise I will make up this "fun weekend" we were supposed to have to you soon.
LOVE YOU!
Haley

Sometimes

Day 20.  Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.


Oh my. First off let me just start out by saying- I LOVE what I do. Sometimes I wanna scream, cry, and pull my hair out. Sometimes I wanna yell. Sometimes I want to come home, lay down, not say a word and go to sleep.

BUT...


The thought of knowing that I might make a difference in a child's life keeps me going everyday. The countless hugs make it worth it everyday. The day a child waves at me in the hall with a big smile and says "HEY MRS. RYAN! You look sooo purrty" makes it all worth it. The day a child smiles and says, "I love you Mrs. Ryan!" makes it all worth it. The day I see the progress of all the hard work we have been doing makes it all worth it. And these things happen everyday =)


They make me cry, yell, laugh, and smile but mostly they make me... ME!

This is what I strive to do. Inspire.

Do you love your job?

HAPPY VDAYYYY

Taking the night off from the Project 31 challenge to spend some quality time with the hubs =)

He cooked me a delicious dinner and I gave him The Love Dare journal (from Fireproof)... can't wait to complete it with him!

Have a wonderful night with your significant other or living it up celebrating single's awareness!!

Happy Valentine's Day Everybody!!!

Comfort Food

Today I am supposed to write about my favorite comfort food... haha I don't even know where to START!!

I genuinely try to eat pretty healthy... I try and stay away from fast food and if I do eat it I get grilled chicken or something. But sometimes- a girl just needs Mexican food. The scary thing is I think I would be okay with eating Mexican food about 5 days a week. Yikes!

I also love sweets. Chocolate, candy, sour stuff, chocolate, cakes, cookies, brownies, chocolate, etc.

Actually I am baking right now! Perfect day to write about comfort food =)

Started with Heath Blondies for me and the hunny for our Valentines "treat":

Made delicious because of the browned butter.... YUM

Then onto the Red Velvet Whoopies for my Civics class tomorrow:

I think I reached my sweets quota for the next month or so. Feelin a little sick right now.

I posted a link to the heath blondies the other day but here is the red velvet whoopie recipe... SO easy.

For the Red Velvet cookies:

1 Box red velvet cake mix

1/2 Cup butter, softened to room temperature

2 Eggs

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

1/2 Cup butter, softened to room temperature

1 8 oz. Package cream cheese, softened to room temperature

1 1lb. Box of confectioner's sugar

1 tsp Vanilla

Cookie directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix ingredients until combined.

Drop spoonfuls of cookie batter onto baking sheet about two inches apart.

Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Cool.

Filling directions:

In a mixer, cream butter, cream cheese and vanilla.

Gradually add sugar and mix until smooth.

Put a generous amount of frosting in between two cookies and devour!

Did you do anything special this weekend?

Hubs here

Day 18.  Describe your personality.


Hey! It's Hubs. I have been bugging Haley forever to let me guest write on her blog and I have even threatened to highjack it when she was at school.  It is only fitting that I do it today because who better to describe her personality than her husband.

Haley is such a special girl with a HUGE personality.  She has a very infectious personality and like the old saying says, “When mom is happy, everyone is happy…” that is definitely true at our house. It is impossible to be in a bad mood or to be negative when she’s is in a good mood and her beautiful smile is shining. Or when she just busts out singing at the top of her lungs.

Haley is a perfectionist in all aspects of her life, which I’m sure you’ve noticed while reading her blog.  She is so stinkin smart it makes me sick.  She is the girl you hated in class. You know the one.  The one that says things like, “Of my gosh I just did so bad on that test.  I know I bombed it for real.” Then she gets her test back with an A+ and just smiles.

She also has the biggest heart for others, especially kids.  She frequently asks me if we can adopt all the kids in the world that need a home and is always trying to bring home new puppies.  She can frequently be found crying during Extreme Home Makeover or during the new promo of Secret Millionaire.
I feel sorry for the people that do not get to experience my wife’s amazing personality, but that just means more for me to soak up right.  She is a nut and loves to have a good time and I love just hanging out with her!  Hope you liked your inside look at what makes her Haley.  

Friday Faves

I typically do my Friday Faves today and feature things that I am currently loving at the moment. It just so happens that my challenge today for Project 31 is- Day 17.  Write about 3 things that make you happy. I am going to incorporate the two together today and write about FIVE things that make me happy =)


With Valentine's Day right around the corner....

#1) I REALLY love this guy. He makes me reallllly happy =)

So cute just cookin' away =) I am so blessed to have hubs. This weekend is going to be so fun- celebrating our first Valentine's Day as a married couple! Who can believe we have almost been married a year?! NOT ME!

#2) I am so in love with this sweet girl too

I am looking at her right now just being so sweet and cute on the couch. I can't believe that I have had her for 7 years.  I can't remember life before her and can't imagine life without her!

#3) Uhhh these shoes. Alexander McQueen. LOVE.

I need these in my closet. Too bad they are 800 dollaaaas. Ouch.

#4) These necklaces by Qhandmade. Love them. Want one. If we had money right now I would ask hubs for one for V-day =)

#5) The fondue we are going to make this weekend. I have had it on my brain for days and can't stop thinking about it. Any suggestions for what to dip in chocolate or cheese fondue?

YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

To my students

Day 16.  Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life.  Tell her what beauty means.

I would to write this letter to my female students.

Girls,
     I know that elementary and middle school is a really TOUGH time. I have been there. I want to encourage you to be yourself and stand up for what you believe. Do not become someone that you are not just to "fit in". Being yourself is so much more attractive! The main thing that I wish to get across to you is that you are all SO beautiful and special. Do not let anyone tell you differently. Boys can be cruel. Girls can be REALLY cruel. Know that you are beautiful! BELIEVE IT! Don't be in a hurry to grow up. Be a kid as long as you can. You have the rest of your life to be an adult. Oh and last thing, be nice to your parents and your teachers. They love you more than you know. You will understand one day.
Your teacher,
Mrs. Ryan

Miley Bluuu

Dear Miley, 

     Today on my Project 31 challenge I am supposed to write to encourage a friend and inspire her beauty. As my best girl friend in the whole entire world, I wanted to write to you. I know that this is a silly way to tell you how awesome you and how much I care about you- but it is all true love!

 I don't need to write to inspire you! You are already SUCH an inspirational person. I love your fun but compassionate spirit. You inspire me all the time. Even though you broke my leg in 7th grade- I have gotten over it and truly look at you as a role-model. Your sweet, adorable marriage has been a great thing for me and Pat to watch as newlyweds. You guys "know the ropes" a little more than we do. I love coming to you for advice because I know that you have been there already! 

We have so many awesome and hilarious memories and I can't wait to make thousands more! I am so happy that our hubbies clicked and are great friends as well. It sure makes life a lot easier =) I love our "couple retreats" and it is gonna be super cool to have kids together and make them "family trips". 

Keep on being you, Miley Blu. You truly are a blessing in my life!

Love you!!

Haley

Enjoy our photo montage... I wish I had our high school pics on hand. HAAAAA. NOT. 

How could you not love that face?