What I did in August...

So, I have really been absent. So absent that I feel like I have forgotten to write a post! Brad and I are in between wireless internet companies, so I have literally been with internet for the past month. I am posting tonight from a local bookstore/coffee shop! I feel like I am in college again! Anyways, August has been an extremely busy month for the Warnock family - here is what we have been up to....
cutting into this HUGE watermelon my grandfather had been watching all summer long....

having a watermelong eating contest with Tessa (yes, we had our hands behind our backs!)
working, working, working - this is a display I did at a sale for a local organization - cute stuff!
rescuing these precious kittens (and no, Brad wouldn't let me have one)...
Katy's boyfriend took this sweet baby home...can you tell I'm jealous???
taking a Labor Day weekend with Brad's family to visit the charming southern town, Savannah (more pics to come)...
eating lots of good southern food....
FINALLY seeing the Atlantic Ocean at Tybee Island and taking home these treasures for my nautical family room....
and lastly, I joined the Uppercase Living team! I haven't been able to devote a lot of time to it, but I have BIG plans for my new small business! I joined under fellow blogger and friend, Jill, and she has been AMAZING to work with! I hope I don't fail you, Jill! Uppercase Living has a lot of fabulous products, and I promise I will dedicate a WHOLE post to my new adventure!

I hope I haven't lost too many readers! Thank you for those of you who have been thinking about us! Oh, and thank you to Some Like It Southern for my award! My very first - I plan to give my awards in the next few days!

Blessings, y'all!!!!!!!!

Date night...

Brad and I have decided to make more time for each other - including DATE NIGHTS! Last was our first one in a while - we went to our favorite restaurant, Golden Eagle, and then we FINALLY saw The Dark Knight! It was a great movie, and I know that Brad enjoyed every second of it!

Things have been going so well in my life - I have made it my life's purpose to start appreciating more of life's little moments and enjoy every second. Until the past few months, my mind has been in a very strange place, and I can honestly say for the first time in a LONG time, I'm a blissfully happy. I am giddy. I smile at the silliest things. I laugh. I cry. I feel. My relationship with Brad has been better than it has been since we have been together. And I owe it all to the one who gave it to me in the beginning. The only regret I have is that I could have had this feeling a long time ago, why am I just now choosing to embrace that love and happiness when it has been here for the taking from the beginning?

I have lots of thoughts running through my head, but it's way past my bedtime...so, I will continue this post on another day!

Blessings, y'all!

BABY news...

No, NOT me :)

My older sister is going to be a mommy! I just found out on Sunday evening, and I have been beaming with joy and excitement ever since! I can't believe that I'm going to be an aunt! My sister and her husband have been married for a little over 4 years, and we have all been waiting patiently for some babies! I can't believe that my parents are going to be grandparents! My mom does not like being called a grandma! Ha!

We are all very excited about the little gift from God that should arrive sometime in March - same birthday month as her Auntie Lee Lee! Please pray for my sister that everything goes well!

Blessings, y'all!

All my bags are packed...

and I'M READY TO GO!!!!

In all the craziness of weddings and whatnot, I failed to let everyone know about my mini-vacation this weekend!

Brad, my sister - Katy, her boyfriend - Brian, and myself will be traveling to the Nantahala River in North Carolina this weekend to go whitewater rafting!!! I am so excited because I L-O-V-E camping and whitewater rafting! I grew up pretty much living on the lake every weekend when I was a kid, and I was also a camp counselor for two summers, so I love the outdoors! The Nantahala is really not that bad of a river to raft down, so we are actually going down in a boat that seats 4. Brad and I have already been arguing over who gets to be the guide! Ha!

I am SO looking forward to getting to get out of town for a few days because once I get back, we will be super busy at the store. We are in full planning mode for our Christmas in July event, and I CANNOT wait to show off some of the fabulous displays and decorations we will have!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! And a BIG congrats to all the ladies who have shared recent news about growing families in the past few days! It is so amazing to see how God has truly blessed so many families! Oh, and it definitely gives me a case of baby fever!

Blessings, y'all!

My life for the past two weeks...

I have decided to take my blog off of private - I am going to try it out for a while, and if it goes well, I'll keep it open. I want to be able to connect with other bloggers, and I feel like while I'm private, that is not exactly an option!


Anyways, back to the reasoning behind my post - updating y'all on my life for the past two weeks! Most of my days have been occupied with working at the shop, which has been A-MAZING! For those of you who have been wondering, I was offered a position at a middle school, but I have decided not to take the position for many reasons. Although I would love to work in the school system, I'm not completely ready to take that step. Taking the job would mean a huge life change for Brad and myself - new job, new degree, etc. etc. etc. So, for the time being, I will continue to work at the shop, which is right up my alley. We are preparing to launch a new website, have a Christmas in July event, and make a lot of new changes! I love working with small businesses, and I am enjoying working a job that has pretty much ZERO stress!


Besides work, my nights and weekends have been full of parties, showers and weddings! Summer is definitely the time for weddings, and it hasn't been any different for me!


One of the first weddings that Brad and I attended was for Jennifer and Matthew. Jennifer and I are sorority sisters and good friends! I loved seeing so many of my sisters, and we had a great time! The reception had a very tropical feel, so of course, the flowers were GORGEOUS! Best wishes to Jennifer and Matthew!

The bride and groom during the toast.

DIAMONDS at the reception!

Tropical flower arrangements - Brad and I at the reception - excuse the hot mess that is me - it was SO HOT!

Keeping up with the bridal/wedding theme, I threw a luncheon for my very dear friend and sorority sister, Myranda. I am in her wedding in July, so I wanted to be sure that everything was perfect for her. Here are a few pictures from our Southern luncheon -

The set-up at my house - we were going to do it outside, but it rained all day!

The "best wishes" banner I made out of scrapbook paper. And yes, I did use the CRICUT!!!

The menu for the luncheon - I wrote it out on my antique chalkboard!

Flower arrangement in a silver pitcher -

Myranda opening gifts - everyone loves a monogrammed acrylic tray!

Some of the ladies after the luncheon -

This past Friday, we had an ice cream supper at my grandparents' church. Momma and I did a few flower arrangements for the evening - here are a few pictures...

This is my flower arrangement I made -

This is the arrangement my momma made -

Brad and I after the ice cream supper -

On Saturday night, Brad and I had TWO parties to attend. Our first stop was a shrimp boil for Myranda and John - here is the happy couple opening gifts -

Katie and I with the bride - again, excuse the mess, it was so freaking humid! Typical Tennessee summer!

Second stop was a Luau for Rachel and Alex. I didn't take many pictures, but I thought the picture below captured all the fun we had! That's me (in the blue) with another sister, Mallory!

So, that's everything in a nutshell! God has been working wonders in my life, and I seriously don't think that I have been this happy and stress-free in quite some time. I am going to work very hard to keep my blog updated for those of you who are faithful readers, and I am going to try and get caught up on everyone's lives!

Blessings, y'all!

New blog design! And other random happenings...

Okay, so as you can see, I got a new blog makeover! Sweet Ashley at Great Grabbie Designs did a fabulous job and made exactly what I wanted! Thanks, Caroline for the tip about your friend!

Anyways, I am for real in job-search mode! I have sent my resume off to several different places, and now I'm just waiting to see the outcome. I am trying to really pick and choose where I want to work because I have so many different things running through my head. For those of you who really know me, you know that I have always wanted to be a teacher. I started out as an elementary education major, but then I changed mid-way through. Anyways, I have always kind of kicked myself for not doing what my true heart desires. So, there are some options there. I have also considered going back to school to get my Master's. There are just too many things I want to do! Part of me is really nervous about going back to work in the marketing/special event field - it can be really dirty, never-ending work. Plus, I am hesitant to work for anyone that I do not know, because I don't want to get hurt like I did at my previous job. Oh goodness, so many things to think about!

So, for the meantime, I am putting my feelers out (as well as telling everyone I know) about my job hunt. I am completely trusting God right now that He will point me in the right direction. I am trying to find some small odd jobs around town (i.e., babysitting) so if you're in my area and know of someone who needs a good babysitter, send them my way!


All of your prayers are greatly appreciated, things are still rocky right now, so please continue to keep my family in your thoughts!

Have a blessed Thursday!

No worries.

“Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever...” - Isak Dinesen

Blessings from above.

Well, I have had to hold it in for a few days until it was official (although some of my readers already know)....
BRAD GOT A NEW JOB!!!!!

Yes! Praise you, Jesus! Brad has been in his job for a year and a half, and although he loves what he does and the people he works with, there were not that many opportunities to advance (and advance quickly). So, one night we just happened to run into one of his fraternity brothers who works in an accounting department for a fairly large company, they started chatting, Brad sent him his resume, he gets an interview, and then he gets the job!

I'm so proud of Brad, and I know he's excited about doing a job where he gets to use a lot of his college degree!

God has truly blessed us, and I cannot wait to see the opportunities that will come! Congratulations to you, Brad :)

Oh, FYI, Brad also won $100 off his NCAA bracket because he had Kansas to win it all from the beginning! I'm thinking we should use that prize money for a celebratory dinner - what do you think?

I have TONS to update about, but it's ONE MONTH from our High Tea special event, and I have way to much work to do! HELP!!!!!!!

"Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness." Psalm 107:8-9

Blessings, y'all!

Where have I been???????

So, my sweet bloggy friend, Caroline, asked for an update....so here it is!

I apologize for my lack of posting, I was sick on Monday with a nasty stomach virus, felt better on Tuesday, and today I feel worse than I did on Monday - YUCK. As I am posting, I'm in my cozy bed with sprite and saltine crackers within my reach. Ha!

So here is a breakdown of what I've been doing...

CELEBRATING MY 24th BIRTHDAY!

Friday was my birthday, and it was such a fabulous day! So many of my old friends were in town for Easter, and I was so excited to see so many of them! I had a wonderful birthday lunch at Goodness Gracious complete with fruit tea, chicken puffs, tortellini salad and pineapple and cheese casserole - the best part was that April got to come along as well, and I got an especially wonderful gift from her...

This is one of her adorable button rings that she gave me - you can purchase them HERE. I love it, April!

Brad's parents sent me The Patriarchs - I was so excited to open it as I have NOT been able to find it here! Thank you, Marcia and Ron!

My family took me to my favorite Mexican restaurant that night - here I am, complete with sombrero and sopapilla!

On Saturday, I cleaned the house because Brad and I were hosting Easter lunch at our home. We did a lot of work outside (mowed our yard for the first time!), and it was BEAUTIFUL outside. Too bad the warm weather didn't stick around for Easter Sunday. I also volunteered at church with nursery duty. My church had two services for Easter this year, and one was on Saturday night, so I volunteered with the 3-year olds. We had 10 three-year olds in my cube, and there were over 97 three-year olds there for the entire night! It was a packed night for a first ever Saturday night Easter celebration!

On Sunday, we celebrated Easter at our annual Easter Celebration - each Easter, my church has Easter service at the local university basketball arena, we invite the whole community, and it is a HUGE celebration of Christ! This year was no different!

Here I am with my mother and grandmother. Notice my cute jacket? That was a gift from my sweet husband for my birthday - I LOVE it, Brad!

Brad and I at the Easter Celebration.

We always have a special guest at the Easter Celebration - this year Diamond Rio was our special guest! I'm not a huge fan, but they were great! They are actually releasing a Christian album sometime this year. Here's a picture of Diamond Rio - sorry the picture is a little dark!

After the service, everyone came back to our house for lunch. And what Easter lunch is complete without an EASTER EGG HUNT??? Here is the front of my house with some hidden eggs....can you find them?

Brad was in charge of hiding eggs in the front yard, so most of the eggs were impossible to find. Tessa did find this one...

We hid over 250 eggs for two kids - how crazy are we???? They did have a blast, and they were looking cute as always! Here they are after the egg hunt.

After finding eggs, we decided to break out the sidewalk chalk and play a little hopscotch. Pretty sure I was AMAZING! Ha!

After hopscotch, we started tracing each other with the sidewalk chalk. Here I am with Tessa and the tracing of my body that she did - see the resemblance???

We had a FABULOUS Easter weekend, and I had an amazing birthday. Thank you for all the sweet wishes! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings, y'all!

Spring has SPRUNG!

Happy first day of SPRING! And what a beautiful day it is!

I've been busy for the past two days with a special United Way project (along with blogging friend, Alison) - but you'll have to wait and see what we've been up to (and I CANNOT wait to show you)....

When I got back from the office, I had a nice suprise -

a special HAPPY BIRTHDAY party just for me!!

Here is everyone-

And these special girls came to wish me a happy birthday as well...

The sweet little plant with a little nest and a bluebird! I love it!

Tomorrow is actually my birthday, but since it is a holiday here at United Way, we celebrated early! I'm so blessed to work with such an amazing group of ladies who make me feel special!

I hope you are all enjoying your first day of spring!

Blessings, y'all!

In memory of Granny Willeford.

The past two days have been bittersweet for my precious family. We lost our dear Granny Willeford, and we will miss her so, but we are comforted by the fact that she is suffering no more. I am a very emotional person (as is my mother and grandmother), and we all get that from my Granny Willeford. So, at the visitation, when I saw how beautiful my Granny Willeford looked, I wept. I wept because she has suffered for so many years, and she looked so magnificient. She wore her favorite periwinkle suit that she wore to her 60th Wedding Anniversary party. Granny Willeford always like to look good, and she especially like to have her nails painted. She always scoffed at women with clear nail polish - so of course she had her nails painted bright red.

At the visitation, they had a slideshow playing of various pictures from Granny Willeford's life. I have been told my whole life that I look like my grandmother, but I never thought that I looked like Granny Willeford. Anyways, the very first picture they showed was a picture of Granny Willeford in her teenage years. When I first saw the picture, I gasped. Everyone started saying, "Lena! That looks JUST like you." I wish I had a copy of the picture so I could show y'all how much it looked like me! Hopefully, I'll have my own copy soon.

Even though most people never get the chance to know their great-grandmothers, I am extremely blessed to know that I spent almost 24 years of my life with my sweet Granny Willeford. I know that those who have gone before her - especially my PawPaw Willeford, Aunt Peggie and Uncle Dean - were waiting on her in heaven, and I am thankful that I will one day see them all again.

Here are some pictures from the past couple of days - even though we were all mourning the loss of Granny Willeford, we managed to celebrate her life and have a few laughs - that's what she would have wanted us to do.

Here is a picture of me in my FAVORITE suit that my parents got me for Christmas. I was playing around with some of my grandmother's antique hats - I love old hats! I thought it looked pretty good, but I opted out of wearing it to the funeral - it may have been a little too flashy :)

My absolute best friend, my mother. Through all of this, I have been reassured again at how precious my family is to me. I love this woman with everything in me!

This was after everyone left, I got my grandmother into the hat collection as well. Do you think we look alike?? Someone must have said something funny because we are really cheesing here! I love the hat I'm wearing - it reminds me of something Audrey Hepburn would have worn!

Yesterday was my grandfather's birthday (his birthday is exactly one month from mine), and it was also my great-aunt Lenore's birthday as well! Of course we had to have a cake and candles!

This is the first time I have posted a video - I am going to try and make an effort to video tape things more often - you can hear my southern accent singing "Happy Birthday" - HA!

Thank you again for all the prayers and sweet words - I am forever grateful to you all.

In memory of Mattie Kathleen Alexander Willeford - mother to 5 children, grandmother to 14 grandchildren, great-grandmother to 29 children, and great-great-grandmother to 1 child.

September 18, 1910 - February 19, 2008

LIVE UNITED.

Well, I have been running around ALL weekend and TODAY like a chicken with my head cut off getting ready for something very exciting...I'm leaving to go to JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA tomorrow!


That's right, folks - I'll be in sunny Florida until Friday! I'm going to learn about a new advertising campaign that United Way of America is unveiling. It's called 'Live United' and I cannot wait to soak in all the marketing goodness!


I was going to have to go on this trip alone since Brad didn't want to use four days of his vacation, but my granny decided that she was going to tag along with me! I love my granny so much, and I can't wait to spend a few days with her!


I'll be pretty busy in workshops every day, so I don't know how much I'll get to update, but I'll be thinking of y'all while I'm in the Sunshine State!


Blessings, y'all!