I could totally be...

a stay at home wife! I had the day off today and it was great! I got up at 10 and cleaned my neglected house, ran errands with my Mom and cousin Katie, managed to squeeze in a pedicure, and am now ready and waiting to leave for Bible School. The first 3 days of this week I have rushed home from work, changed my clothes really fast, jumped back in the car and went to church until 8:30, then came home and ate supper around 9 or 9:30 and did not get in bed until after 11. Sometimes I feel like there is so little time after work and before I know it, it's time to get up and start over. I am really happy that I was able to have this day. Maybe one day, I will be able to call it my "occupation". ;)

TV junkie

Brandon is playing in a golf tournament and left this morning at 7 and won't be back until tomorrow afternoon. I admit it was nice to sit around and watch all my shows that I had recorded but I really miss Brandon being here. I have caught up on Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood and Dancing with the Stars. Puddles has thoroughly enjoyed me just sitting on my big bazooka and cuddling with her.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter all! I hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was great but went by way too fast. Saturday I hung out at Chad's store (Southern Turf Products) all day and then we all went and ate at yummy Red Lobster after they closed. They had a great Grand Opening sale! So remember if you are in need of any outdoor power equipment, go see them first!

We had our Easter dinner tonight at Mom's house. We had ham, hashbrown casserole, baked beans, rolls, slaw, dressed eggs (that's what my Gran calls them ;) ) and Lemon cake for dessert. It was all so delicious! The boys looks so cute in their matching Easter outfits even though Chad said they were 3 stitches short from being a dress.

Tomorrow starts another week...at least the cold weather is gone and it has warmed up. :) Can't wait to hang out at the pool soon.

It's been a while

It has been a while since my last post and I thought I would list what has been going on around here.

1. On February 26th, we celebrated Lauren's birthday and went to Foodworks for dinner. Mom made a delicious Heath Bar cake that was yum yum yum!

2. Chad got the 'go ahead' on his baby "Southern Turf Products", an outdoor power equipment store in Chattanooga which in turn gave my baby a job. ;)

3. The week before the official opening of STP, friends and family worked really hard at the store trying to get everything ready. My duties included dusting, sweeping, mopping, and filing.

4. Puddles has been staying out in the house while we are gone during the day...she has only had a few accidents and done really well. I am hoping that this change will help her gain her weight back from her rigorous workout routine she obviously was doing in her pet taxi all day long.

5. I have been working out at Cleveland High with Mom, Jo, and my aunt Karen for a few months now. No weight loss at this point because I continue to eat junky foods. oh well.

6. My friend Julie's birthday was March 5th. I left her a message but haven't actually talked to her. I hope she had a great day. :)

I think that is about it!

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope everyone is having a weekend filled with love. Mine started out Friday at noon when I took half a day off and Brandon and I along with my parents headed to Atlanta to eat at the Cheesecake Factory for my birthday/Valentine's. We caught in traffic on the way there because of the snow scare but when we finally got there...the food was blissful. Brandon and I always share the Louisiana Chicken Pasta which is the bomb!!!!! And for dessert, I tried Red Velvet Cake cheesecake which was new to the menu. It was sooooooo delicious. A perfect combination of cake and cheesecake. I was so full when we left though...that is the only bad part about eating there...I always leave miserably full. Tonight Brandon and I went to see Dear John. It was pretty good. Some cheesy parts but overall pretty good. I am not sure a lot of the boyfriends/husbands will like it though (Brandon wasn't too thrilled). He toughed it out though. ;)

Happy Valentine's to all! xoxo

This week so far

This week I feel like I really have a baby because I have been letting Puddles stay at my mom's while Brandon and I are at work. At our house, she has to stay in her pet taxi while we are gone because she has had a few incidents that have banned her there. At mom's house though, she is completely fine...she just sleeps. I don't know what the difference is but I am pretty sure she is just SPOILED ROTTEN. I made her that way so I can't really complain about it. I mean look at that little face. lol

I tried to make "Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta" yesterday for dinner and it was overall good but very hot!! The recipe called for 4 teaspoons of cajun seasoning and lets just say that was way too much. I will probably use 1 or 2 next time. It was so hot we just had to make a trip to Sonic (since DQ is closed *sniff* *sniff*) to get a $1.00 jr candy sundae. They were pretty good but we were not sure they were really worth a dollar they were so small.

Aspiring Cook

I am trying to be a good wife and cook meals at home but I am having a hard time finding reasonable recipes...reasonable meaning that the recipe doesn't call for like 20 ingredients and it is something I can cook after work and we can eat before 8 o'clock at night. If anyone has some favorite recipes they would like to share with me, I would really appreciate it! Leave it as a comment or you can send it to my email. (malorieryan@bellsouth.net)

Birthday party pics

Puddles loves cookies

Birthday weekend

This weekend we celebrated Carter's 2nd birthday at Hopewell school's gym...he had a firetruck themed party with chili, fritos, tostitos for the adults and some children, pb & j sandwiches for most of the kiddos, cupcakes, brownies, a firetruck cake, and juicy juice! I think Carter had a great time. He rode his 4-wheeler around for a long time in the wide open space...that was his favorite part I think...the big empty space to run free. ;) I can't believe he is already two! It seems like yesterday that I was in the operating room with Chad and Lauren snapping pictures left and right of the precious little angel as he entered the world. That is something I will never forget. Children bring so much joy to a family...especially Carter. Happy Birthday Buddy! love hugs and kisses - Sissy

Cute pics of the boys

Carter licking the cake batter bowl with Papa
Cheesin' in the car for Uncle Brandon

Fast asleep at the Sugar Bowl

Game day ready!

How adorable!

~Fun Lunch at DQ~

Today I met the gang at DQ for lunch...you know it seems EVERYONE is off but me...I know that's not true but sometimes it feels like it. It is still nice to meet up and get a break and I am thankful for that. I thought I would share this cute pic of Carter and Brandon sharing a strawberry sundae. :)

Almost New Year

As 2010 approaches very quickly, I am in amazement at how fast time flies. This year has definitely been a year of blessings. I bought a house in April, Brandon and I got engaged on July 4th, my second nephew Cannon was born on July 27th, and Brandon and I got married on October 24th! God has been so good to me and my family.

On New Year's Day, me and Brandon are thinking about heading up to Pigeon Forge for the weekend. We are trying to decide because we know it will be so busy but maybe everyone will be heading out of there on New Year's Day. I hope everyone has a great and safe New Year's! Happy 2010!

Merry Christmas!

First I wanted to add a few recent pictures of the boys. They are growing so fast!

I can't believe this week is here already! Our Christmas festivities start Wednesday evening at my Gran and Sonny's house. I am so excited about being together with all of the family. I am off work Thursday and Friday so I am very excited about that. It has been kind of a rough week at work so I am extremely happy about the long weekend. Merry CHRISTmas to all and may we always remember the true reason for the season.

Let it Snow

This morning Brandon and I were awakened by my cell phone ringing at 8:03 AM...it was my brother, Chad, calling to tell me to get up and look outside because he didn't want us to sleep too late and miss it. I crawled out of bed and looked out and saw snow covering the ground! It was so beautiful and a great surprise to wake up to. Brandon decided he was ready for breakfast so we made some biscuits and "hatched out" only to fall back into bed for an hour or two. I love Saturdays...that is one thing I do love about a M-F job because I never have to worry about going to work.

Mom, Jo, and I made a trip to Chattanooga to do a little Christmas shopping. A lot of the family has decided not to do gifts this year so I really don't have a lot to buy for. It was very crowded everywhere and the traffic was horrible. I can't believe it's already Christmas time although I do love this season. It is also very special since it is our first Christmas married. ;)

A Thankful Heart

Just wanted to say how thankful I am for my wonderful life. I have a wonderful new husband, a great family, wonderful in-laws, great friends, and a good job. God has blessed me and my family so much.

So glad it's Friday!

I am so happy that the weekend is finally here. It has been a real busy week this week. Tuesday night I invited Mom, Dad, Chad, Lauren, and the boys over to eat dinner and look at our new Christmas tree, Wednesday we had a family picture made and ate dinner at a new Mexican restaraunt in Cleveland called "Tres Amigas" which was really good. Last night Mom, Lisa, and I went to Chattanooga to the YMCA Christmas Market and tonight we are going to eat dinner with Brandon's parents for his mom's birthday (which was Wednesday). So tomorrow I am very excited about a relaxing Saturday. I cannot believe Thanksgiving is next week! I am excited though because I love to eat all the yummy food and we are off work Thursday and Friday. :) Well, that is all that is going on around our new little household. Hope everyone has a great weekend! xoxo

On the Facebook Band Wagon

Brandon and I finally joined facebook this week. It has been pretty fun getting everything set up and 'adding' friends. I just thought I would notify all my blog readers. haha ;)

Married Life

Well I am officially a married woman now. Things are going good in the new house. The wedding went perfect except for it being windy and cold but I am thankful it didn't rain. The honeymoon was a much needed vacation. We slept in, ate, shopped a little, hung out at the beach the few sunny days we had, and ate some more. We experienced the Melting Pot for the first time. We went just for dessert and got the dessert dippers. If you haven't every had it, it is a platter with bite size pieces of brownies, rice krispies, strawberries, bananas, pound cake, marshmellows and I think that is about it. You dip each piece in hot melted chocolate. It was very good but very expensive.

We are now in the new house and adjusting to the new living situation. Puddles has probably had the hardest time. She misses her Nana, Papa, and Ellie very much. Her and Brandon are becoming BFF though so I am sure she will be fine.

Well, sorry it has taken so long to post. I should have pictures soon. :)

Shower Pics

My Bridesmaids:

Allie, Michelle, Lauren, and Katie

Me and Julie

Mamaw Shirley, Brandon's Mamaw Jimmie, Gran, and Mamaw Nancy


Brandon's mom Robin and my Mom




Shower Hostesses:
My aunt Mary, Lauren, my aunt Lisa, my good friend Jo, and my aunt Karen (Cannon in Karen's arms)