New Years Resolution

I know, I know I am terrible at this blogging thing. I keep telling myself that I am going to keep up with it, but I always FAIL. So this year as we all start to come up with New Year's Resolutions one of mine is to be an up to date blogger. I've changed the layout and pictures, so I am ready for a fresh start. No excuses!

Josh and I had a great Christmas. I got my dream camera, a Nikon D5100! I told Josh that I needed to go ahead and get a great camera so when the time comes for little Fryers I will be a pro (P.S. That is in the future, but not NEAR future, so stop asking if I am with child). Josh got tickets to the Chick-Fila bowl game where the Auburn Tigers will be taking on the Virginia Cavaliers. I am still waiting for Santa to bring me that National Championship ticket, but I think it got lost in between the seats of his sleigh, oh well!

I love spending time with my family during the holidays. There are always lots of laughs and memories to share. Here are some pictures from the holidays. Until next time, and I promise it will be very soon.



Josh's Auburn tie he received during Dirty Santa. Doesn't he look handsome.



The Lee family. Weird an odd bunch, but I wouldn't trade it for the world!



Merry CHRISTmas from the Fryers

Long Time, No See!

Yeah, Yeah, I know; I haven't gotten better about posting things on my blog. But I have a legit excuse...school has started! My first day with students was on Wednesday, and boy did my feet hurt! I decided that I'm going to have to buy some ugly, comfortable, "teacher shoes." Ahhhh I know! I'm not a shoe person, by any means, I like flip flops and that's about the extent of my shoe collection. So buying "teacher shoes" is a difficult thing for me. As soon as I purchase a pair I will be sure to share them with you :)

Anyway, school has started and I love my little class of 11. Yes I said 11! That's one of the many benefits of teaching at a private school, small classes :) There is a total of 23 students in 2nd grade and I will have a chance to work with all of them be it Reading, Math, or Science. One of my boys brought me a rose on the first day and I also had a grandmother make me a cute Tuscaloosa Academy wreath for my classroom door.

Tuscaloosa is getting ready for football season and so are the Fryers! As I'm typing this, last year's Iron Bowl is being watched :) ROLL TIDE ROLL!

Oh I almost forgot!! You are looking at the new Cross-Country Coach for the 3rd-6th grades at TA (insert chuckle now)!! I was asked to do this because, you know, I'm a runner....hahahahaha I wouldn't call myself a runner, maybe a runner in training! However, I'm going to do my best, and hey, maybe I can improve on my 5k time! We'll see!!

Hoo Are You?

1. What is your favorite craft or type of craft and if you are a crafter, how did you get into it?
I love to craft! Although I have really good ideas, they just don't turn out the way I would like for them to. My favotrite craft I did lately was my wine cork wreath! It's so cute and so easy to make.

2. What shows have you been watching this summer?
Josh and I've been watching Tosh.0 (i know it's soo bad, but soo funny), Billy the Exterminator, Jersey Shore (well I got hooked on this last weekend when they had the marathon), and Teen Mom. Sadly, the TV stays on any channel the Braves play on so I don't get the chance to see many shows. Oh well that's what the DVR is for!

3. Who does the yard work at your house?
Josh and I both. He'll weeed-eat and I'll cut or vice-versa. I like to cut grass...it burns a lot of calories :)

4. Are you working on any projects inside the home or outside this week?
Ohhh yes!! My project is getting my classroom ready for school to start! I have a few more things I need to do and I will be all ready for school to start...well my room will be, I don't know about me :o/

5. Do you have to worry about getting ready for back to school?
Yes! 2 weeks from today...Yikes! Where has my summer gone?!?! Geez

Head on over to Night Owl Crafting and join in the fun!

Hoo Are You?

I'm going to try this out and see how it goes!







Here are this week's questions!


1. Have you ever attended a professional sports game?
I've been to several Atlanta Braves games. Last September I attended my first (and Josh's) NFL game. We saw the Falcons play the Arizona Cardinals...the Falcons killed them.

2. Have you ever been to a concert and if so which one was your
ultimate favorite performance?
I've been to a couple of these too. However, I think my favorite was Bonaroo in 2005. If you don't know what Bonaroo is, it's a weekend concert where a bunch of bands play like Dave Mathews Band, Jack Johnson, OAR, Modest Mouse, Citizen Cope, etc. We had such a blast and it's a weekend I will never forget!

3. Have you ever been to Disneyland or Disney World?
I have been to Disney World twice, and actually I got engaged at Disney World!!

4. What is your favorite theme park?
I think Disney World is my favorite. It's nice and clean, the "characters" are super nice, and it is known as the "Happiest Place on Earth!"

5. Do you have a favorite vacation spot?
The Beach!!

Concerts, Home Improvements, & Great News!

I have lots to share in this week's post. First, remember I told you I was having company this weekend for the Miranda Lambert concert? Well the concert and weekend was great! Amanda, Kaley, Katie, and Megan came up for the concert. It was a mini bridesmaid reunion! There were lots of laughs and even a run in with the law! hee hee Don't worry no one went to jail; there was just an undercover cop trying to catch underage drinking and I guess we don't look 25!! Here's Amanda letting everyone know she is OF AGE!!

Miranda had on the cutest gold skirt with a leather vest. She pulled it off well! We sang and danced and had a great time!

Love these girls!

Sporting those "cowgirl" boots.

It was so good to spend some time with people I don't get to see very often. Thank you for coming to see Josh and me!

Next item on the agenda: Home Improvements!
So we have this pantry/cubbard thing that belonged to my Aunt since I was a little girl. I remembered sneaking Little Debbie cakes out of it when I would visit her. :) I'm not sure if your family is like mine, but we pass furniture between households often. Somehow Josh and I accquired this piece. It was this spray-painted green, and one Saturday Josh and I decided to paint it and put new knobs on it. Here's the before:

Here's the after!!!!

The color is "Crushed Cranberry."

I love the knobs! I got them on my trip to Hobby Lobby in Panama City :)
I wish I could come up with more little projects to do...I love doing them! They are soo much fun!

Last, but certainly not least..... I'm offically a 2nd grade teacher!!! I got confirmation last week that I will be signing my contract to become the 2nd grade teacher at the school I was working at last year. Some of you may not know, I was an assistant to the 2nd grade teachers, but not anymore!! I am soo excited and have been working in my room all week! Pictures will soon follow! Thank you to everyone for the prayers they are greatly appreciated!! Until next time....

Caught Up in Southern Summer Barefoot, Blue Jean Night..

I love that song, and yes I've been caught in some southern summer nights. I've been living it up at the beach for the past 2 weeks (have I mentioned how much I love being a teacher...summers off)!!! The first week Josh and I went to the family condo in PCB for the week. My sister and her husband joined us for a few days. The beaches had no seaweed and it was sunny skies all week. Josh and Jason got the bright idea to jump off the pier at St. Andrew's State Park (yes I know this is crazy and just because someone else was doing it doesn't mean it's safe, but hey you only live once)!





We ate lots of great food and got lots of sun!

Also while we were down there it was the annual Bay Point Billfish Tournament. So we checked it out. Look at the 400 pound fish:


I would have loved to stay longer, but of course my allergies were bothering me and I looked a little silly carrying a box of Kleenexes around!!

The following week I returned to the beach with my mom and some of her friends. It was a low key trip, nothing too exciting, just rain, rain, and more rain. I have never been to the beach where it rained everyday at some point. I must say the highlight of my trip was going to Hobby Lobby. Hobby Lobby? Yes Hobby Lobby! The tornado took ours and I have missed it oh so much. I spent probably 2 hours in that store and got lots of goodies! I was so happy!! It's the little things that make my day!

I'm so excited! This Friday Mirando Lambert is coming to the Tuscaloosa Ampitheather and I have company coming and staying with us!! Yayaya!

I See the Beach In Your Future

Well I definitely see it in MY future! Tomorrow Josh and I leave for a week of "Fun In the Sun!" I can't wait to sit on the white sandy beaches and all I have to worry about is when was the last time I applied sunscreen to myself and Josh :) My sister and her husband are joining us for a few days, so I'm excited about that too!

My week has not be a fun filled one. I grocery shopped, vaccumed, wash clothes, had library duty at my school (students can come into the computer lab to take Accelerated Reader tests), and had lunch with Josh. Nothing too exciting.

Monday is the Fourth of July, so I hope everyone has a wonderful fourth and don't forget to spend time with family and friends. I'll leave you with a picture of my American Flag cake I made last year and will do so again this year!!

Help! I need to be destracted!

Yes, I currently have 2 Gigi's Cupcakes in my kitchen that I want to dive into oh so badly, but I have to wait until Josh comes home so we can enjoy them together.



Therefore I have to distract myself and what better way then to update my blog :) Yesterday as I was looking at other people's blogs I came to a conclusion: my life is not that busy to where I could update my blog 2 or 3 times a week! I mean who wants to hear about how Josh and I come home from work, have dinner, watch the Braves, work on schoolwork, and lay in bed watching reruns of Seinfeld and The Simpsons?? BORING! I love looking at people's blogs that have children because they usually have cute stories about something their little one did or said. However I am sure that everyone gets tired of me talking about how silly Bouncer and Shadow are! Therefore my goal from here on out is to update my blog at least ONCE week and give you every or ANY exciting thing that happens to the Fryers :)

Since summer has started I've been taking part in a program at my school called "Summer Knights" (the knight is our mascot, great play on words huh). I have had a Reading Improvement camp and this week I am doing a Math Improvement camp. I enjoy working with a small group one on one with things they are struggling with. Kids say and do the darnedest things! For example I have the sweetest, cutest, little black girl in my class. She came up to me while we were on the playground and told me that mosquitoes love to bite her because they think she's chocolate milk!! Oh that made my day! Please continue to pray for me and my job. 2nd grade needs 22 students for us to be split into 2 classes, as of right know we are at 19 with a possible 25. I just need 3 more students!!

Tuscaloosa is starting to clear everything out. 15th Street is pretty much cleared of all downed tress, and debris from buildings. I am truly amazed at people's positive attitudes during this time. If you read People magazine then you might have seen an article about a dog named Mason: the Tornado Dog. This dog is awesome and it made me think of Shadow. I know for a fact that Shadow would find a away to come back to Josh and I if something ever happend. Here's a different article and few pictures of this precious dog:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1394907/Mason-Alabama-tornado-dog-making-miracle-recovery.html

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Memorial Day Weekend Recap!

Hello Everyone! Hope you had a fabulous Memorial Day Weekend like I did. The Fryers spent it at the beach with a bunch of close friends, acquaintances, and even strangers! We coined the weekend "Cooperfest" because of the Cooper family who started this annual beach trip and everyone else started to join them. It's a lot of laughs, corn hole, "Flimsy", sun, food, drinks, and waiting forever to eat dinner. :) When you have a group of 30 going somewhere to eat you don't sit down right away. It's good to catch up with people we don't get to see very often because we live here in Tuscaloosa and everyone has a lot going on themselves! Here are some of my favorite pictures from the weekend. Enjoy!


Norris and I waiting to eat dinner at Scooners.





There were LOTS of "Beach Naps!" :)


Look at these Bathing Beauties.


Happy Memorial Day from the Fryers!

I start teaching "Summer Knights" next week. Wish me luck, I'm sure I will have funny stories to share!

We Made It 2 Years!

That's right, Josh and I have been married 2 years this past Monday. It has been a wonderful 2 years. We have moved to a new city, lived in 2 different apartments, bought a new home, I have had 2 different jobs, got 2 new cars and countless "Honey-Do" projects! All in all it has been the best 2 years of my life :) I look forward to many years with this stud!

Sick to My Stomach

This is how I've been feeling since Wednesday afternoon. As all of you know a tornado came through and destroyed (there is no other word for it) Tuscaloosa. Wednesday morning the day started as any other Wednesday except the rumor of bad weather coming. City and County schools went ahead and cancelled, but because I teach at a private school we didn't cancel school as quickly. All morning whispers of the weather floated around, "It's supposed to get really bad, worse than anything we've seen." OK Josh and I have a name for the weather scene up here in t-town, it's called "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." I say this because at least twice a month we hear about how bad the weather is going to be, or there's a tornado warning get in you safe place, but nothing ever happens. So that was the attitude I had Wednesday. By 1:00 that afternoon I was getting a little scared, thankfully Josh was able to come home and be with me and the boys (Bounce & Shadow). On a side note, Bouncer is going insane! You know how they say animals have a sense when bad weather is coming, I totally believe this because he was pacing, shaking, always close by. Josh and I were glued to the TV all afternoon waiting for this "bad weather," and about 3:00 is when it all began. Josh and I were still skeptical but we got into our bedroom closet with the dogs and turned the TV up so we could hear what was going on. We sat inside there for at least 20 minutes when we heard James Spann say, "Oh my gosh this thing is huge!" I was too scared to get out because I was afraid what I might see and we also didn't know if we were still in the path. 30 seconds later he says that Northport was safe, so I sat on the bed and watched this massive tornado just swirl across the screen. I had so many feelings during that time, one you're in awe because I have never seen a tornado live and at the same time my heart is breaking because you know there are people in the path of this thing. In what seemed like hours (and it was only minutes) the tornado was gone. That is when the real heartache began. Josh and I along with everyone in the Tuscaloosa area wanted to see what the damage was. The roads were so tied up that you couldn't get anywhere near the path of the storm. Everyone had the same look on their faces: shock, worried, sadness. There was nothing we could really do because it was starting to get dark, so we went back home. Needless to say I didn't sleep to well that night. All I could think was that it could have been our home turned into rubble, were the people missing ok, were the people who lost their lives Christains...so many thoughts ran through my mind.
Thursday morning school was cancelled for me and Josh's work didn't have power so we decided to see if we could get close to where the tornado hit. We decided to ride through a neighborhood called Rosedale not even thinking that the tornado came right through there. We were in total shock! Houses were destroyed, cars thrown around, homes with no walls, but books still sitting in the bookshelves or TVs still in the their stands but everything else gone. There were tons of people walking around with chainsaws helping strangers cut trees down so they could get to their homes. We got behind a man riding around handing bottled water to police officers and people going through the rubble. It touched my heart so much to see the way people were working together. We finally made our way to Midtown Village to the corner of 15th Street and McFarland. It was so quiet and so eerie... there were tons of people walking around and looking, but no one was making a sound. To know that places like Full Moon Bar- B-Que was diminished to nothing but shards of glass and pieces of concrete and wood broke my heart.
Because of this my faith has been tested. I don't know when my last breath will be, no one does. I do know that I want my walk with Christ to be stronger than ever. Life is something that can be over in the blink of an eye, and if you aren't right with the Lord... well you need to be. I encourage everyone to look at themselves and ask, "Am I walking the path that I should be?" I know that at times I start to veer off that path, but then the Lord does something to grab my attention like "Hello! Over here!!" It gets so easy to take the "easy way out" but I am reminded that Jesus didn't get the "easy way out." My prayer is that as each day goes by my faith and walk with Christ gets stronger. I ask that you keep my accountable for my actions and if you would like I will do the same for you. I could always use a Christain hand to help me through my days. I also ask that you help the victims of this horrible storm. Either by a donation, volunteering, or even prayer. I leave you now with some pictures I took the other day. They do not do justice to what it really looks like around here.


This is the tornado siren leaning over the street.


It's crazy to know a tornado can bend steel polls like this.


This used to be Big Lots, now it's just a pile of rubble.



This is a Full Moon Bar-B-Que van. The other van was across the street inside a gas station.

God Bless Texas! Part 1

And that he did! I told you last week that Josh and I were headed to Dallas, TX to see Zac Brown and Kenny Chesney. Our flight was supposed to leave late Thursday afternoon however our flight was delayed and we didn't get to Dallas until around 10:00. The flight was quiet bumpy because of all the bad weather around. We stayed here:

It was super nice and we had a great view of the "Grassy Knoll" where JFK was shot.

Josh and I standing on the "X" where JFK was shot. Also in the background is the building where the shooter stood.
Did you notice the huge ball beside our hotel?

This is the Reunion Tower & see up there at the top? That's Wolfgang Puck's restaurant. Wolf wasn't there but we did see some very interesting people.

Enjoying a $15 drink at Wolfgang Puck's place
While in Texas we made the hour long train ride (which is my new favorite way to travel) to Ft. Worth to The Stockyards. My parents had been there before and told me all the places we needed to see and of course the "Cattle Run."

The wind was crazy! I felt like a "showdown" was going to occur!

These Longhorns were so awesome to see up close and I even got to pet one :)
I also got to have a margaria on a saddle! Yes you heard me, drinking a delicious margarita while sitting on a saddle! Here's proof:

I love Texas :)

I will be back soon with Part 2 of our trip. I leave you now with some of my favorite pictures from The Stockyards!

He's so silly

Had a Wine-o-Rita at this winery... sooo yummy!

Good Times!

Do you have silly dogs?

Because I sure do! Shadow loves to lay on his back and snooze! It makes me laugh because he's so cute!



This week is SAT testing at school, so everyone is going koo koo! However next week is a busy week for us Fryers. I have a field trip Wednesday to Desoto Caverns in Childersburg (i've never been so I'm kind of excited)! Nonnie is coming to get Shadow and Bouncer to keep while Josh and I go to DALLAS!! We leave Thursday and we are going to see these guys:



I will definitely let you all know how our trip goes, until then...Later Alligator :)

5k? Who? Me?

Yes it is true, Josh and I have signed up for our first 5k! I am not a runner, but I wanted to see if I could do this. So I got out my trusty iPhone and started searching for 5k apps and Woulah...I found one! The Couch to 5k app ($2.99) has really helped us get ready for this thing. It takes about 9 weeks; however Josh and I have half the time to prepare but we are managing. The run is April 30th here in Tuscaloosa. I will let you know how it goes. I will leave you today with my "game face" for the 5k!

I'm Back!!

That is correct! After a few people asked why I hadn't been posting on my blog I made it my mission to at least post once a week. I can do it! So if you noticed I never finished my 30 Day Blog Challenge, so I'm going to wrap it up in this post so I can move on to other things! Here it goes:

Day 14-A picture you love

This is the picture I always go back to on my wedding day! I love this man so much (and I kinda think he feels the same way Haha)

Day 15-Bible verse
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse has gotten me through so many things!

Day 16-Dream house

Now this isn't the exact house, but you get the idea. I would love to have a porch to sit on, a yard for our children to play in, beautiful windows, etc.

Day 17-Something you're looking forward to

I'm looking forward to Memorial Day Weekend! Good Friends, Good Food, Good Times! :)

Day 18-Something you regret
I guess I regret not paying attention more in school, being more aggressive when it comes to some things, and sticking my foot in my mouth :)

Day 19-Something you miss
I miss these 2 people more than you know!






Day 20-Nicknames
My dad called me Mea Mea. Some call me Megs, sweetie :), Mrs. Fryer, Loud Mouth...

Day 21-Picture of yourself

My nephew Colt and I

Day 22-Favorite city
I live in my favorite city... Tuscaloosa!

Day 23-Favorite vacation

Of course Disney World! It was where Josh asked me to marry him and it's the greatest place on Earth!

Day 24-Something you've learned
I've learned that you don't always get things when and how you want them. You have to work hard, be gracious, and always expect the unexpected. When life hands you lemons, make lemonade :)

Day 25-Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
1. Casting Crows- Praise You In This Storm
2. Katy Perry- Teenage Dream
3. Billy Currington- Let Me Down Easy
4. Craig Morgan- Bonfire
5. Brantley Gilbert- Play Me That Song
6. Lady Ga Ga- Born This Way
7. NeedToBreathe- Something Beautiful
8. Jamey Johnson- In Color
9. Aaron Lewis- Country Boy
10. Neon Trees- Animal

Day 26-Picture of your family

This is just one part of my family. Family is so important to me, as I have gotten older I have realized just jow important families are. This was taken before Jason and Morgan got married.

Day 27-Pets

Here are my babies Shadow and Bouncer. Josh had Shadow before we met and we got Bouncer at the Shelter. I love these pups so much; they are my practice before I have real kids :)

Day 28-Something that stresses you out
Bills! Bills! Bills! It's hard to keep up with what is due when and where it needs to be sent, and did you put a stamp on that before you placed it in the mailbox? AHHHHH...

Day 29-3 Wishes
1. A happy, Christ filled marriage
2. Healthy, beautiful children
3. A Money Tree, so I wouldn't have to work anymore :)

Day 30-a picture





Whew! I'm tired, that took me like and hour and a half to finish! Well until next time....Later Gator!