Blogging Failure!

There is absolutely no excuse for the lag in my blogging besides the fact that we have been so busy. With The Scoop starting up and all of the traveling that we have done over the past couple of months...I just honestly have not had time. However, I am making a vow today to do better!!! So, to our loyal fans...you can look forward to posts in the near future. I will even try to post some pictures from this fall! Thanks for checking in on us!

The Scoop

The Scoop of Northwest Arkansas is a FREE weekly e-subscription and accompanying website that brings the inside scoop on all things Northwest Arkansas. We’re home to fashion-forward, career-focused, family-oriented, budget-conscience women who want to be in the know. In our ever changing town, keeping up with the latest trends can be a full time job...enter The Scoop.

We are here to scout out all of the best dives and deals around town for you- the gal about town. It’s a tough job, but for you, we are willing! Now you have Northwest Arkansas’s hottest spots, latest trends, and fabulous deals - the best kept secrets - all in one spot! Life just got a little sweeter!

This idea came to me this summer and has quickly taken shape, thanks to my computer savvy partner in crime! I can't wait for you all to see it! Please check out the website and sign up for your Scoops at http://www.nwascoop.com/ . Then tell all of your friends!!! I hope you all enjoy reading your Scoops as much as I enjoy bringing them to you!

Weekend

After playing mommy to little Sydney for a couple a days. I handed her over to her grandpa and I headed down to Little Rock for the wedding of my long time friend, Megan. Meg and Charlie's wedding was beautiful and I also got to see many friends from my days back in NLR. It was as if ten years had not passed since I had seen some of those folks! Oh, so much fun!

Flint went with Max and Kevin to watch the Hogs take on the Tide. We all know the outcome and we will not elaborate on that. Nevertheless, Flint had a fun time with the guys. He also got to see his dear friend Maxwell and his wife, Dru. They drove over from Atlanta for the game.

Sydney

I picked Sydney up at school on Thursday and had the oportunuty to play mom to her until her Grandpa got to town on Saturday! All you moms out there- you do not get enough credit! You have a tough job...don't let anyone tell you that you don't! I did not get any pictures of Sydney. We were too busy practicing spelling words, carpooling, fixing dinner, cleaning house..... I did, however, get a few of the dogs rolling around in the floor together (we also kept Wilson, Sydney's dog).

Football

Flint gets sad after the new year because football is over until September!!! Pathetic...I know! But this sping and summer flew by and now football season has rolled back around!

I have to confess...I love football season, too! I don't just live for the sport itself like my husband...there is so much more to it for me! I love the spirit of the season...grown men crying because their hearts are broken....people painting thier bodies and sacrificing a week of their life to sleep in lines in order to get on the front row of the student section just to hold up a sign and have their 15 seconds of fame on national television...Rich women dragging out thier fine bone china to serve barbeque on at their tailgate parties...sorority girls getting all decked out to go (hopefully) cheer on their team to a victory. I love the afternoons of sitting on the couch watching long lived rivals battle it out on the football field. I love homecomings. I love the pride of the SEC. I love the cooler weather. I love the leaves changing colors... there are few feelings as warm and fuzzy as walking on the University of Arkansas campus with the trees changing to vibrant hues of red, gold and orange...I guess it brings back wonderful memories of my college days. Whew...I am getting excited just thinking about it.

Our first game was against Troy. This picture is with Todd and Heather on our way to the game!

SO, I guess the only thing left to say is GO HOGS!!!

House Guests

We have had some fun visitors the past few weekends. My best friend, Laura came up to visit from Dallas and last weekend my friend Kelly and her husband came up to Fayetteville! I had so much fun with both of them...so much fun- that I almost forgot to take pictures! I love both of you girls and I am so thankful for both of your friendships!

Kate and Will

I have been meaning to post pictures from Kate and Will's wedding for a while now, but the time has gotten away from me! Kate led cell group with me over the past couple of years! She has also been a great house and puppy dog sitter for Flint and I. Kate and her new hubby are moving down to Texas. We wish you guys the very best and know that you are missed!

The picture that I have is of some of my bible study girls with the blushing bride. Her reception was at the Pratt Place Barn. It was so beautiful!!!

California!

"Hello California,
Sure is strange to be here today.
What's a boy from down in Texas
Doin' in the city of angels anyway?"
- Pat Green

This kind of sums up the way Flint feels about L.A. He feels like everything I want to do there is for girls only! Maybe he is right?!?! But you can't tell me that in one of the most densely populated areas of the United States, my Flint wouldn't be able to find something that interests him.

Anywho- we went out to visit his folks and to stay at their place in Huntington Beach, a cute little beach town in Orange County. We had a wonderful time and got a much needed break from the office! A little R & R!! We walked on the beach, layed out by the pool, enjoyed some nice weather, shopped 'til Flint dropped, and of coarse ate until our little bellies couldn't take any more! We went back to Fashion Island, in Newport Beach, which I visited with my girl friends back in March! It was as great as I remembered! We did have a first- Our first trip to Santa Monica. It is my favorite spot. It is cute like the little beach towns with some fabulous little boutiques and many world class dining establishments! I can't wait to visit Santa Monica again! There was so much we did not see! Our visit there was short...we passed through on our way back to LAX, before flying home. In fact, we were so pressed for time, we had to stop and get lunch at Burger King! How pathetic!!!

I know...I am horrible at this whole blogging thing!!! This is much delayed, but I will still post for the heck of it!!! Many of you have already asked how our fifth anniversary was....Well....I ended up working ALL day! The original plan was to take the day and either go on a road trip or just hang out together. Then as the day grew older...the plan changed to hanging out all afternoon. Then 5:30 rolled around and I was walking into the house after a full day of stressful work! My poor husband! He was a really good sport, though. We ended up having a really nice dinner at the Seafood Market in Fayetteville, which, by the way, was fabulous!!! We also went to see the Bourne Ultimatum, which if you have not seen it- GO! It is well worth it! It was fantastic...my favorite Bourne movie thus far! We did not really exchange gifts (just some little, sentimental things)- we left for L.A. just a few days after and we are going to Jamaica in November for a wedding! I guess those are our anniversary gifts!

High point- just spending time with my wonderful hubby! I know I am partial, but he is the BEST! Even when all of our special plans fell by the wayside, we made the best of it and still loved just spending time together- that it what is most important! I love you, Flintastic. You are fantastic in my book!

Five Wonderful Years

It is hard to believe, but yesterday Flint and I celebrated FIVE years of marriage. That scares some people, but let me tell you how wonderful it has been! Our marriage is one of the most valuable things to me. I love having my best friend for a husband.

It is so funny how the Lord works. He brought Flint into my life when I least expected it, but in His perfect timing! I was not looking for love or even a relationship at the time…I was just having “fun”. It did take me a little while to take interest, but Flint waited for me and the Lord worked on my heart and the rest is history. I am so thankful for Flint’s discernment and his persistency in seeking his Heavenly Father and then me! After a bumpy spring semester and summer of 2001, It took only one of our first dates of sitting out in a thunderstorm in Razorback Stadium waiting for the Hogs to take on Tennessee for Flint to know that I was the one for him!

Now, over five years later, I know that things couldn’t be more right. I see more and more everyday how God so fearfully and wonderfully made Flint and when He made him, He had me in mind to be Flint’s wife! When I hear Coach McDonnell or Coach Van Horn bragging about how awesome Flint is at his job or I see Flint diligently work to finish his PhD I think- “That’s MY man!” Then I watch him so lovingly help his mom, hold babies, or play with kids OR we hold hands and spend sweet moments together in prayer I think- “God perfectly answered my prayers!” Then when he surprises me with fun things, he tells a joke and I laugh until my side hurts, we go on great weekend getaways, or we just stay at home and watch Sweet Home Alabama together I know that he couldn’t be any more right for me. Being married to Flint is so much fun! It has been a wonderful five years and I look forward to the next five years!

Maddux Dow

A big congrats to our friends Max and Kelly. Their baby boy, Maddux, was born Friday July, 27. I did not get any pictures while we were with them. I will try to do better next time. We are so excited for you guys!!!

Happy (late) Birthday Mama Bird!

Happy Birthday to my friend Katie "Bird". It was quite an interesting celebration with the Bird this year considering she has a one month old baby. The tapas restaurant was so good we went back for Katie's Birthday. It did not disappoint. Little Paige just did not want her mama eating her lunch-she wanted to be the COA. I still hope your birthday was a wonderful one, Katie. I love you and I thank God for your friendship. You exemplify a true and loyal friend! I have so much fun when I am with you and your laugh is one of my favorite things! I look forward to sharing many more birthdays with you...hopefully with less distractions!

Um...yeah....
I know I have not posted for quite some time (for all you loyal readers). Well, we wrapped up our trip to Lake Tahoe. I left half way through the trip because I had to get back to work. The joys of my job!!! So, Flint and Peter had a little "male bonding" time! So, I headed back to ole Arkansas just in time for my birthday (turning 27 is very uneventful, by the way). Thanks to my dear friends, my birthday was still a fun one even though Flint and I were miles apart. The girls in my office took me out to the new tapas dive on Dickson Street for my big day. It was fantastic! A little hint: don't leave without trying the sangria! The following night, two of my nearest and dearest friends took me out- Thanks Mindy and Katie! We went to Abuelo's which is another personal favorite. I know it sounds like I did a lot of birthday celebrating throughout the week...but I worked some long hours, too! Katie, Sophie, and I were glad for Flint to get back home to us! Boy did we miss him!

Lake Tahoe: Day Two

Yesterday we decided to go driving. This is the third summer in a row that Flint and I have been here and we still have yet to go to the north shore. Squaw Valley, which hosted the Winter Olympics back in the 70's, is on the north side of the lake. We hopped in the car for what we thought would be a pretty quick Sunday drive. However, it took much longer than we anticipated. Luckily, we were in no hurry. We saw some of the most beautiful views of the lake and the mountains that we have ever seen. There was a lookout area so we decided to stop for a photo op! Our pictures do not do the view justice. How can people not believe in God?!?!

We eventually made it to the north side of the lake and still are wondering what people do up there?!?! It did have a different feel-more quaint, not so touristy, and a little more upscale (if that is possible). However, we have unanimously decided that we will continue to keep coming to South Lake Tahoe. On the way back, our path brought us to Sunnyside, a fabulous little restaurant right on the lake. My fish tacos were superb! It was THE place to be. It had really good food and great outside atmosphere... for any of you wondering. We finally made it back to our house. We spent the late afternoon resting and playing the video games at our house before we headed out to our 8:30 dinner reservation. (yes, all of those video games are in the house that we are renting!)

For dinner, we went to one of my favorite places- Cafe Fiore. It is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to! We first visited Cafe Fiore last year. It was recommended to me by some locals. This adorable little restaurant only has 13 tables in the entire place and reservations can be hard to come by. SO if you ever head this way, plan accordingly...it is well worth it! The food is out of this world and the atmosphere is some of the best! We dined outside and enjoyed the weather. As if our day had not been good enough, it was topped off with the infamous white chocolate ice cream served with fresh strawberries...TO DIE FOR! It really was the perfect day!

Lake Tahoe

Flint and I headed out to Lake Tahoe on Friday. Tahoe is one of Flint's favorite places on earth. The food and entertainment are both fantastic, the views are unmatchable, and the weather is fabulous! What's not to love. It truely is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Last summer we came out with three other couples. This year is is just me, Flint, and Flint's best friend, Peter. So far, so good! We have had a wonderful, relaxing time...a MUCH NEEDED VACATION!!! Here are a few pictures from our first days here. One is from In and Out Burger...I have hated that place until this point in my life and I can honestly still say that I do not know what all the hype is about. These west coasters need to try Wataburger (not the one in Arkansas, either- the chain). They would not know what hit them!!!

Saturday morning we headed to the celebrity golf tournament, which was here in South Lake Tahoe. We saw Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Ray Romano, Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, John Elway, Ladainian Thomlinson, Tony Romo, Brandi Chastain, Carson Palmer, Drew Brees and many more! It was very fun to see all of those famous people in person. Many of these people have autographed jerseys hanging in our house!

Just as I have been blogging my Katie Bug has weaseled her way up under the desk and has fallen asleep. You know that is cute!!! I am so thankful for my sweet puppy dogs! They are so loyal and so loving.

Chris and Katie

Our friends, Chris and Katie, have entered into new phase of their lives and we are so very happy for them. They are going to be fantastic parents to little Paige. I have composed some of the many pictures of our travels with them and of our times together into a slide show. I enjoyed looking through these and remembering all of the wonderful times we have had. I know things have changed drastically this past week, but I hope that soon we will be back to spending much time with these guys and traveling to fun places with them as well.