We made it

If that wasn't a harrowing trip up to Knoxville, I don't know what is! My goodness gracious! Everything that COULD go wrong DID! From tornado warnings (and we could see the funnel cloud), to the engine light coming on, locking the keys in the car, spilling a drink all over myself, police lights (grimace), and a crack in the windshield! You'd think it was a page right out of a story! (scroll down for details)





















April Fool's. :)


(None of the above is true) After a rather uneventful drive up (a little construction, some Friday night traffic in the ATL, and rain), we are in KNOXVILLE!! Woo HOO and praise the Lord! :) I survived my last day with the kids before spring break. They were just a tad excited and hyper. ;) Add into the mix that I'm coming down with something, and I was dragging, but we accomplished what we needed to, and now we all get a week long break. :)

Matt was working diligently to finish some stuff before we left town, so we got a little bit later start than we intended. After further "drama" with our rent.com gift card (we received a $100 visa card for renting through a complex advertised on rent.com) --it took THREE tries to activate it (each time, it said it was activated but it was rejected when we tried to use it). The third time's a charm though, and we enjoyed a "free" dinner at Moe's in Tifton, GA. A little later down the road we treated ourselves to dessert. The card, through all our attempts to activate it, expired at the end of March. That's right, it was good through yesterday. It was not working at gas stations, so we stopped at a Kmart of all places (looked for Target or Walmart, but couldn't find either). We stocked up on some toiletries, some twizzlers for the road, and a new alarm clock (we're using Matt's in our bedroom at home, but it's seen much better days).

After some very heavy bands of rain, we saw a highway sign for Sweetwater--the home stretch. It was wonderful. My amazing, wonderful, hero of a husband drove the WHOLE way--all 10 hours the trip ended up taking! I am def initely fighting a sinus infection or something, and he so sweetly drove as long as he could safely manage. He asked me to take a turn at one point, but then he got a second wind and decided to see if he could make it the whole way. I'm planning on getting well enough by resting this week to be of more help on the way back. All I contributed yesterday was some back scratching, totally random conversation starters, and some Mad Libs action. :) We got in JUST before 2 AM.

This morning my week has already been made--we went to Jerry Amos and picked up our wedding album!!!!!!! It's a-MAZ-ing! I can't wait to show people. :) I just grinned and grinned! Mom was going to pick it up for us as a surprise (and since we didn't get to bed until 3). But, my teacher body was wide awake at 8:00. Jerry asked her to come at 9:00, so I hurried and got dressed and got to pick everything up with her. It was very exciting, and I love love love how it all turned out. :) You'll have to come visit us and see for yourself!! He was very sweet and complimentary of the layout and order I chose and said it told the story perfectly and that he was impressed that I "got it." It was a lot of work (and fun) to figure out over Christmas, and well worth the re-arranging and agonizing. :) hehe

This afternoon we are having a family portrait done. Tonight we are having a big turkey dinner to celebrate our traditional Easter dinner early--since Matt and I will be in Florida. We'll also get to see the rest of the fam for the picture and dinner. I can't wait to see my brothers and sisters and CHARIS ANNE! :)

On the house-hunting front, we are seeing increasing choices as it gets closer to the end of school and more and more people are putting their houses on the market. We hope to seriously start looking the end of April/beginning of May. That's only a month away!!!!! Whoa! We continue to pray God will CLEARLY lead us and open and shut doors, and that we will agree on a home/what to do as well. :) It's all in His hands--and we are thankful for that. :)

We hope you have a wonderful weekend! We'll try to keep you up to do date on our Knoxville escapades, but at the very least you'll get a recap and pictures when we return to Florida.

May the Lord bless you richly!
Becca :)