Lasik!

My lasik surgery last wednesday, went GREAT! By thursday I had 20/20. It makes me wonder why I didn't do it sooner! Such an easy recovery & surgery with wonderful results!!
& Now it is SO awesome not having to wear contacts or glasses....
Honestly, the worst part of the whole thing is that I can't wash my eyes, so they get a little bit of the drops stuck in my lashes! Ha! & The tape that I use to tape these clear protectors on my eyes at night, is hard to get off my face!! :)
SO really the only draw back is...not being cute for a week! VERY much WORTH IT :)

Winter Wonderland.......

A Few favorites....

I REPLACED THE GREEN BOWL WITH THE REIGNDEER BELOW........

Notice our Twelve days of CHristmas in SC book! & OUR dogs stockings! :) Ha! This was before I purchased our mini tree from pottery barn! I found the most precious tree at pottery barn so I decided to buy it & use it this yr since we're out of room here! :) We went from a 18ft tree one year to this 2ft! ha! (Different house-obviously) But it's precious! :) & I can use it forever! :)

I've added a few things & made a few changes since the pictures, but you get the gist!

Christmas pocket book! This is for MEGAN :)

This ones for you Megan! :) Ha! This is my *FUN* Christmas pocket book! I also keep a red coach in the car incase I need to be "less fun" :) & Also, below is my  Christmas apron!!

If you go to my FB  Christmas 2oh10 album, you can see all of my decor!LOL

Life Lately..........

Just a brief fill in of our life lately.....

Well...Let's see...Some big events coming up are....

December 15th (Wednesday)- Im having lasik!! yay! A teeny bit nervous, but for the most part I am READY!!

December 22nd- Jon & I are going to Nashville for the Garth Brooks concert!!! that may not mean anything to anybody, but to me THAT IS A DREAM COME TRUE!
When I was younger, I fell madly in love w/ Garth Brooks, but then he retired...so getting to see him in concert, really is a dream! :)

Other than that nothing to exciting our way...

We're still building. Kinda a slow process w/ all the other work Jon has going on & the weather...It'll be interesting to see in a year from now if we sold it or moved in it!
Yes, I did say sold it! We were originally going to build this house for us, but Jon's says now that we might try to sell it! UGH! MY PERFECT HOUSE PLAN!!!!!! SO, I guess it'll be interesting to see where our stockings will hang next year!!

We've had a wonderful thanksgiving! Got to visit w/ my cousin from FL & his children & my little nephew, who is about 18months. :) I love, love, love playing with him! Such a fun age!
Our house was completly WINTER WONDERLAND-ed the day after thanksgiving! &We've been visiting many, many lights since then! :)
I'm rocking reigndeer ears for my car, a christmas pocketbook, i have two christmas t shirts & a house full of "nicnacs" as my bestfriend Shelly says :)
What can I say? I love the holidays!!
Still need to finish some shopping even though I feel almost broke! :) ha!

Spent a wonderful day with my bestfriend, Shelly saturday! We had a great time rockin' christmas tees & Shopping! :) Then My parents & cousins came down to dinner & we topped the night off with LOVE & OTHER DRUGS! :) Good movie!

That's about it!! Hope you all enjoy your holiday season!!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

Love,
Dixie

Brice Meets Santa!

As you all know, Or at least I think I told you, Sweet Baby Brice got to come home about a month ago!! For a few reasons, I wasn't able to blog about our first meeting! But, Now I can!!


A few days after Brice came home, Brittany said I could come see him! I was estatic (Sp)! I was SO happy! The whole drive to Britt's I was just so nervous, my heart was pounding so hard!!! Finally, I arrived. I gathered all my little gifts for him and made my way to the door. When I opened the door, there it was ...My bestfriend (one of them!) holding this teeeny tiny precious beautiful little baby!!! I BURST into tears! Uncontrollable tears!! I had to dry them up though! I didn't want to make a bad 1st impression! :) 
Brice is still doing beautifully! He is truly a miracle from God & God has worked out so many things for Brittany & Brandon along the way. it is truly amazing. He is now 4 months old & weighing 7lb 4oz! & Will probably be ab le to come off of the oxygen pretty soon! 


Yesterday, Brice got to come to my parents house & meet my parents (who fell in love w/ him) & sit on my daddy's Santa's lap! He is SO sweet! I love him SO much! Sometimes I wish they'd just give him to me!! 

Merry Christmas!! :) 

what would donald trump say??

You probably will not appreciate this video unless you know the background information.

BUT, for those of you who do....... ENJOY :)

Jons Birthday Weekend & Halloween

Not only was this weekend Halloween weekend, but it was also my husbands birthday weekend....It started off by riding around on my husbands birthday present to himself....

Yes, for some reason my husband and his brother we're dying to have a golf cart, so now they've gone in "halfsies" on a CLUB CAR!  We took it around Michael's (jon's brothers) neighborhood - which is our soon to be neighborhood :) Then went and ate at our favorite pizza place.

Saturday started off by me catering to Jon as he watched football all day - he's big birthday wish- & then going to my dad's hunting land in Laurens, SC.

OK, Jon was dying to go "hunting" (his new hobby as of this year!) on my dad's land, that was his birthday wish! However, being logical, and since it was already 3 something and we still had to go to Jon's brothers, load the golf cart then drive ALL the way to Laurens - I found it kind of dumb that we were going!! Going to do all that work just to sit in some stand for ONE hour and then head back home - (The sun goes down earlier now-duh!) However, I kept my mouth shut and honored his birthday wish.

We eventually got to Laurens and dropped Michael off at his stand - in the golf cart of course - & then headed to our hunting stand....where we both were very LOUD getting into it.

 

 

As I was climbing up I noticed something in a field nearby, I at first thought it was a hog but turned out it was a turkey....Needless to say, next thing I know, I look up and THERE WAS A BUCK! I yelled HOLY COW! Jon turned around and got his gun ready- to realize that it wasn't loaded & the safety was on....(if you know my husband, you know he is REALLY not a hunter, he is crazy about animals, so this hobby is quite odd)

For some reason the addrenaline got into me and since hunting is supposed to mean killing something, I started yelling "Shoot it, Shooot it" Yes, I know! Horrible!!! (This is where my husband got to expierence a women at her finest!!!) But, to be honest, I really didnt think he would!

Jon pulled the trigger, I saw the antlers fall to the side and I busted out CRYING!!!!!!!!

Tears and all I said "BUT, I LOVED him". now, some people might call that a little bipolar lol, but I just call it a women! :) HA!!!! ha!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know what came over me! I guess I wasn't expecting him to really do it! Jon looked at me w/ the most pitiful face & said "Brittani, Im sorry!"

However, it was an 8 point! Which is AWESOME to be his first! & Will probably be his only, I don't think he's a deer hunter, now he said he's going to try hogs! However, we are going to eat the meat.

& Ironically enough - Jon's brother killed his first, a 7 point, that day also.

OK, Sunday - Jon's actual birthday and halloween....

We didn't do too much, woke up & did presents.....

then we went to church, came home & hung out a little more & then got ready to celebrate a little bit of Halloween before dinner w/ the Houstons!

We took the kids to Uncle Mikes and Jon's parents house to trick or treat......

 I am a cupcake--duh for Jons birthday!!! BUT, I kept having a little costume malfunction!!! , Jon is a whoopie cushion, Bailey is a lobster & dixie is a bumble bee!! & OF COURSE, we had to add our new family member....CC the club car!!!! :)

Dixie riding to grandma's!!!!

 

HAPPY 31st! OLD MAN!!! :)

Brice's First Halloween

Brice is now about 2.5 months old. He is growing so fast up to 5lb 4oz as of yesterday! He is still a little miracle! He started bottle feeding this week! & is doing great on it! :) He picked up on it immediately :)
He is so smart!! & Cute! ha!

My Random Wednesday Thoughts........

I really debated posting this. Since you may not realize a lot of it is kidding. even though to a degree it's serious, but no, I'm not going crazy ;) Most was exaggggerated -duh its what we do ;)

Men v. Women.............
as i sit here at my desk, recieving an email that just "rubbed" me the wrong way..... No, it probably wasn't meant to come off the way it did & HONESTLY, it really wasn't that big of a deal, but it just kind of bugged me .... putting me into a little "funk".... Or really...one of these moods: the type of mood when you know that you are going crazy, your not thinking logically, you know its just some sort of crazy women hormone kicking in and making you a complete idiot ... & EVEN though you KNOW your taking it WRONG or making a BIGGER deal that what it is, or BEING OVER sensitive & YOU know it's just your HORMONES, it doesn't help! Just b/c I know what it is doesn't make it better!
ugh, women! I must admit, we have it tough!!
first off, we have crazy wild hormones naturally, then at some point in our life, we get put on a pill that pumps even more crazy hormones into us!!!
Making us occasionally cry when probably not needed or occasionally take things the wrong way :) No, Im not a flippin' basket case, but Im just saying occasionally these things get the best of us!

The thing is...even though MEN can NEVER understand WOMEN-why are they not smart enough to pretend? =)
:)

Wednesdays Rando's

There are plenty of MORE important things I should be blogging out - I have still not updated on a few things & that is simply b/c I sat down one day uploading pictures and updating everyone & 3x's in a row, i lost my blog!
SO, this one is going to be unimportant & have no pictures :) Will update more later gater.........
Wednesdays Random thoughts.....

1. People who do not know what there talking about = irritate me!
2. I've heard a lot of people lately saying they skip meals or only eat once a day - HELLO PEOPLE - do you not realize that ONLY SLOWS down your metabolism???
3. If I had tivo (or whatever it's called) I would definitely record The Doctors show!!!
4. People who say they don't eat carbs while eating a pack of Tom's Crackers really BOTHER ME - Uhummmm - MY BROTHER did that today! Genius!
5. Brice is now 4 lbs 5 oz &  we are having his shower this weekend!! Wohoo!
6. My husband is taking up hunting ...todays his first hunt...this should be good!!
7. This week needs to SPPPEEEED up!
8. Im already pumped about thanksgiving food =)
9. Everyone is my office is jealous of my cuisinart panini maker aka griddler jr :)
Funny enough - I just realized I had it- it was in the closet along w/ 50,000,000 other things! & now that it's out, I LOVE it!!! One guy already ordered him one - ah what can I say...trend setter? just kidding!!
10. My new obsession = zip fizz :) Thanks Shelly!
11. My life would be a HECK of a lot easier if .... I had a fridge in my car - not playin!

Building OUR House!!!

Well, I wish I had tons of pictures to show...but I don't! We got our building permit on Friday - which I was THRILLED about! :) & All weekend we began picking out our floor plan.
Being a builders wife- we have to pick out something that we like, but also something that will sell in two years or so! :) (Until we eventually settle down on some land!)
However, we seemed to find the PERFECT house! It's kind of bad b/c we obviously will sell it in probably two years or so but I am SO in LOVE w/ it!
We had a few changes to make & my husband made the floor plan so awesome!! :)
He has really done a great job! I almost feel like I need to NOT like something about it that way when we sell it i'll be glad. ha!
It's beautiful :) & I am so excited. This will definitely keep me busy for a few months!
Since Jon is a builder, we are probably going to leave it for sale for a month or so when it is finished. If it sales it will be good in a since- but I will probably be a little sad b/c I LOVE it!
Im already planning my fall porch for next year, my christmas display in the dining room etc. Yes, Im nuts! :)
Any time I mention anything about the house my dad says "Girl, that boy knows what he's doing" & yes he definitely does!!! BUT, I think my dad thinks Im going to drive Jon slap crazy! bahaha!
-i havent...yet! :)
I'll post pictures along the way!! Just thought I'd share what we'd been up to the last few days!!!

Big Boy Brice Update!!!

I haven't done any Brice updates lately- things have been kind of crazy around here but our little miracle is still doing GREAT :)
In the last week his weight gain has just been incredible, he just keeps putting on the pounds!! Last night he was up to 3lbs 5oz!!! He will be 8 weeks old tom & is just doing really well :)
He is still on oxygen & c-pap. Once he gets off the C-pap & feeds from a bottle really good for I think a week, he will be able to go home...So hopefully that'll be sometime in our near future!! =)
He can go home on oxygen, just not c-pap & of course they have to make sure he's eating good, so we still have a little while, but the way things are going - it's looking good.

Brice is now starting to wear little teeny preemie clothes. The nurses encouraged Britt to get him a Halloween costume. Of course, she had to get a doll or stuffed animal sized costume, so she went to build a bear and got our sweet baby a pumpkin costume! He's going to be the cutest pumpkin ever!!

However, at the rate he is growing he may be too big for it! But that would be a good thing too!

Coming from a musical family- Brice LOVES to hear his daddy sing to him! Brittany says he gets to wiggling his little feet & it's just precious!!!
Everything is going good. He has a wonderful nurse Shelby & two wonderful parents!
He is an everyday reminder of just how good God is!!!

Some Fall Cheer ;)

Well, I created a blog the other day, but I didn't have time to finish it --so until I find where it's saved (if it even really saved) I can't post it :)
I'll be blogging about our charleston trip soon - whenever I put up the pictures - yes Im slack!
Until Until then...Just thought I'd send a little wednesday - FIRST DAY OF FALL (WOHOOO) Cheer!!!

I am definitely SO excited my favorite season has arrived....However, this SC hot weather still is NOT going to cut it :)
I am ready for boots, scarfs, pumpkins, festivals & more!
ONE way to bring some fall cheer is to get the Pumpkin Spice hand soap at Bath & Body. It's AMAZING. Even my little brother LOVED it so much he wouldn't let my mom give the extras away.


Well - I said I was going to bring cheer ha! SO since I can't make it cooler outside or your work day go by any faster thought i'd just share this really quick---
I think we all spend some time - maybe not a lot- but occasionally- I think we all think of how are life would be better if :
We lived in a certain place, had a little bit more money, lost a few more pounds, whatever it maybe etc....
To often, I think we find ourselves (im guilty too) wishing things were different instead of being greatful for what we have!

There is no such thing as perfect & even the people we sometimes look at & think "Wow there life is perfect", then later you find out something & think WOW Im glad to be in my shoes! :)
(No, I don't spend all day wishing I was someone else or had all these things) BUT, I do know at some point something has crossed all of our minds.

In a nut shell-- if you have a great family, food on the table, shelter, health & MOST Importantly JESUS Christ as your LORD than YOU are BLESSED!
I read a story this week about a little girl in hospice - the story got me thinking about well 1-how blessed we truly are and always seem to forget it & 2- how hospice really concentrates on the QUALITY of LIFE.

Why do we not concentrate more on OUR quality or LIFE? We are not promised tommorow.
Just food for thought!! I also heard on the radio of the 116 (I think) yr old man who gave some encouragement speech (sometime in the last few days). He's the oldest man! :) Im going to listen to it later!
Anywho---- HAPPY FIRST FALL DAY :)

Hump Day.

Happy Wednesday Everyone!! Let's see few things...
 Well...

Weekend Recap: We had a wonderful weekend... Friday we met some friends (Jon & Caroline) & went to the my hubbys hs football teams BIG GamE!
We first met at my FAVORITE pizza place - MIchaels in Easley and ate then headed to watch the GREENWAVE play :) There I ran into my friend Amanda (above) whose bf graduated pickens - the big rival- & got to enjoy catching up with her the WHOLE game! So fun! We even supported our men w/ there teams t's :) 
Saturday I spent it shopping w/ mom & enjoying the rents for a bit.
Sunday- Jon & I went to church w/ my family & to lunch. Then road around all day searching for open houses. & To top it off - we went & ate mexican! Used to be our fav but now I wont let us go: )HA! Yep- I splurged :)
Great weekend!!! :)

We also found out some great news - it's not set in stone - nothing ever is - but it looks like we will be moving back to Jon's home town & building!!! I am SO excited about it!! We have really missed living closer to everyone, so it will be SO wonderful to be closer to our family & friends!!
SO nice! It's been pretty good living where we live now, ust not as FUN packed/friend packed - up until probably last week did I really realize how hectic it was just to meet up w/ friends on week nights etc & I was kind of getting a little fed up & ready to be back (However, I didn't say anything to Jon or anyone!) - & God has just seemed to work things otu to open that door!
SO Exciting! I probably should not announce such news on a blog - but it's just a few of you who read it :) SO not a big deal!

God is just working away!

& to update Brice : he is doing wonderful. He is 2lbs 8oz & absolutely the cutest thing I ever seen! God has been so amazing in taking care of our sweet little boy!!!

Also, we are going to stay in Charleston this weekend with my parents at there condo :) I am SO Excited! Need a little vacay!!!

It's a BUGS world. Im just living in it!

I was very excited about getting car detailed today.

However, when I picked it up, they didn't do as well as normal!

Oh well- I headed home, still happy to be in a clean car. 

I arrived home & put my key (I had taken it off the key ring for the detailer) back on the ring, then placed it in my pocketbook and in the passenger seat so I could walk around the car & empty out my stuff on that side-however SOMEHOW when I shut the door I locked my keys in my car!

SO-I am still locked out of my car w/ no spare key. Luckily- I locked myself out at home! HOWEVER, I am still waiting for my brother to bring me a key & all the material I need to be going over for tom is in the car!!! Along with my pocketbook! 

I decided since I couldn't look over my important material -which I really should be doing- that I would continue to be productive...(however I really wanted to just plop down & watch tv) I worked out a bit & then decided I'd go spray the weeds! 

Sprayed the weeds some but the sprayer was having some issues, so I decided to clean up a little in the back yard. I had some bags of potting soil laying up against the house that I hadn't done away with yet... I picked up the first one & threw it in the big trash can, as I went to move the second one, I noticed......

a BIG BLACK SHINY SPIDER! (Probably the size of a silver dollar) OK, so as if he wasn't bad enough---underneath her (I guess I should say) was 4 .. YES  4 gumball SIZED EGGS/SACKS!

Yeah, Im not kidding! I thought to myself - stay calm, stay calm! I then called my husband explaining to him how he has NEVER seen anything like this!!! 

However, getting really annoyed when he told me that I should just hit them.......

OKAY--ABOUT THAT- I have actually tried that before-one time I hit a huge spider with a sledge hammer & guess what happeened-----------------babies, babies, babies, babies! LOTS Of BABIES!

Wait- have I mentioned that the SHINY black SPIDER was a BLACK WIDOW! MEANING: The 4 sacks consist of BABY BLACK WIDOWS!

OF COURSE I AM NOT going to BUST those SACKS!!!!! & HAVE little BABIES running around....I am NOT going to welcome 500,000 baby black widows into my pea size backyard for them to play around on my dogs and sneak there little way into my house! No sireee!

I then called my dad who said the same thing: Kill em! 

GUYS ARE you CRAZY? By me trying to kill them it's almost like waking a sleeping dragon!!! Not going to do it!

SO What was my solution????

1. Panic Attack

2. Breath & Recover from the attack!

3. Go Inside & NEVER go back out! however, quickly going back outside before tooo dark to get a few snap shots!

4. Wait until tom...LUCKILY the extirminator is coming tom! SO I am PRAYING the babies do not hatch until then & he can safely remove all black widow and black widow babies & by safely I MEAN KILL THEM! 

it's weird how living in a "patio" home can make you feel like you live in the jungle sometimes.

A few pictures-however it was getting dark & this totally has no comparision on the REAL DEAL.

Need less to say my little Baileyboo will NOT be going in the backyard ANY time soon!

ugh-so much for me trying to help out!

OK, so you cant even see the BIG MAMA WIDOW as she was hiding from the camera & YOU can ONLY see three of the HUGE sacks! 

Ugh-be thankful you can't get the real effect-otherwise you might not sleep! CREEPY.

Just a few Run Pictures....

As you know, we did our MIDNIGHT FLIGHT Run Friday Night!! Jon & I ended up staying together throughout the run...however he probably could have gone faster.
Knowing what goes on during exercise (I mean I am in exercise physiology) I had planned for myself to take off prettty slow & stay at a steady pace until the end.
HOWEVER, something sort of made me just take off. I didn't bolt out of there, but I probably should have started at a slower pace-more my speed.
anywho i almost died we had a great time! :)
I've signed us up for Race for the Cure @ The end of this month--which we have to raise money for - so ANY donations are greatly appreciated....
Im probably going to do the Spinx race --with my team mates ;)
I am also signed up for the Turkey Trot in November & The Turkey Day Race.
& SOmetime in October the whole family will be walking in the alzihiemers walk--for my sweet uncle!
However the Turkey Race is a 8k & it's actually Thanksgiving Morning! SO I must get busy b/c as of now-i am NOT prepared. GO ME!
ANYways- a few pictures of us from Friday.....................

Do we really have to go? It's getting closer to my bedtime.

Team Gear-CHECK

Tracking Chip

This guy is READY

AFTER

Killing TIme......

UGH. I am just killing time waiting on the race! I Don't even know what to do!
I keep having spurts of adrenaline but then I realize it's not quite time and I get tired!! LOL I'll probably return to a tired state betime it starts ha! Lets do this already!!! :)

God is GOOOD!

Today Brice Christopher Couch is 4wks 1 day old. He is better from his little infection & recieved a treatment of steriods in his lungs yesterday! Brittany just texted me to inform me that BRICE IS COMING OFF HIS RESPIRATOR TODAY!!!!! I AM SO Happy!!!!!!!
That is just amazing & God is oh SO good :)
Today, Brittany & Brandon will get to see his little face without anything on it! Oh he's going to look PRECIOUS! However, he does have to get back on a machine-cpap-but it's the last step so that is great !
& Also exciting, Brittany's little brother got to meet baby Brice (Technically it's only the childs parents & grandparents allowed in NiCu) Tyler (Britt's brother) told me it was the most amazing expierence!
GO BRICE! & THANK you LORD!


PICTURE UPDATE:

Run Run Run....

Tonight the husband and I will be participating in the annual Midnight Flight. I thought it was the last weekend in september and I would have more time to prepare---but it's tonight....so we are going to give it a go!
As I told you before, my husband, jumped on the treadmill the other day and ran so fast without any practice & then we have me, who "supposively" has been training (some!) & is still slower than a turtle.
I am a little nervous-- my poor body has felt like the body of a 90 year old all week! Plus, I have worked myself into a schedule where I get my energy in the morning now! & Jon says he gets his a night....hm running around the time of my bedtime...might be tough!!!

Jon wants us to run it together..Which is very sweet! BUT, in a since I want him to go on and do the best he can do :) Don't want his time to be longer just b/c .... I have shorter legs  I am slower :)
I am wishing my "team" was coming along.........So Gena, if you are reading, please note I will be missing my WING women Chloe...who paces herself at a great speed for me! However, Im not sure I can keep up with my 6'2, can handle all pain, super fast, athlete of a husband.

Jon & I will be signing up for another one soon! GENA (That's my aunt) - Take note....
Please pick a race where you, Chloe, Clayton & ANDREW & TYLER - will be present and participating!

I have looked up three....Chose one b/c if we sign up earlier it's cheaper - duh :)

Race for the Cure - 4th Weekend in September

Spinx Run Fest - Oct 30th 8:00 Greenville Drive

Turkey Trot - for luekemia - 11-7 Sunday 3:00

I need for Gena & Andrew(brother) to jump on board :) & Hopefully we can get Dell & Walt (my parents) to not only be our cheerleaders BUT be our SPONSORS!!! =) YEAH!
I need me whole TEAM =) I mean SHEESH, Im willing to get team T's!
& To my little inspiration child, Chloe, I will be missing you tonight!!! =)

On another note,
 TOMMOROW is CLEMSON FOOOTBALL :) I am ALREADY decked out in my TIGER gear!!! & Singing the song in my head :) GOOOO TIGERS!!!! As I blare TIGER RAG in my office!!!!

YEP Rockin' the ORANGE SHOES =)

Happy weekend....Hopefully HAPPY running & HAPPY FOOTBALL SEASONS GO TIGERS!!!