Giving thanks.

Coram, Amber, Me and Kelso before the concert

^the doll and me :)

I just think this picture is presh

dinner at El Ray Saturday

Kristi and me pre-DMB

The past couple of weeks have been slam packed with friends, family and fun. November is a full month for me. Last weekend we celebrated my roommates birthday. Not possesive... plural. This past weekend my best friend from childhood, Amber. This weekend the big 5-0 for my Daddy.

Tuesday, Kristi and I took off to Atlanta to see Dave Matthews in concert at the Philips Arena. We had a blast, but the drive home was not too much fun.

Thursday I went to "meet the family". We had poppyseed chicken and homemade ice cream. We spent the evening talking and getting to know one another. Hope I didn't scare them too terribly bad.

Friday at noon Amber arrived for her birthday weekend. We went to Birmingham for the Luke Bryan/Jason Aldean concert for her celebration. Saturday we did some shopping and Saturday night we had dinner at El Ray and some friends over to watch football.

This week I head to PC on Wednesday to celebrate my Daddy's 50th b-day with him and give thanks with the most important people in my life. I hope you and yours have a blessed Thanksgiving. All to often we overlook the Thanksgiving holiday. I think it's because it isn't a commercialized holiday. We are forced to spend time with our families and not buy gifts. I encourage you to spend time this Thanksgiving remembering what you are thankful for instead of turning on the Christmas jams. I'm all for Christmas, but it's just to soon.

Waves

Do you remember meeting my Memaw? Well, she is my Dad's mother and a remarkable lady. In December 1995 my mother gave my Memaw a journal for Christmas. My Memaw wrote in that journal regularly through April of 2009. She then gave the journal to my mother, who told me about it. So, I did what every good grandaughter does...... I stole it from Mom. It is now in my possesion.

It might sound bad that I took it, but my mother obviously hasn't noticed. I love this journal. I keep it next to my bed. The teal cover, the yellowed pages, the newspaper clippings tucked in the back. I love everything about it.

Side note: This week has been terrible. In every way possible. Work. Personal life. My face broke out. We all have weeks like this. This week though, has been a toughie.

On with the story. Sometimes when I am feeling down, I pick up my gandmother's beloved journal. I flip her pages. I run my fingers over her handwriting. Then, I flip to an entry dated close to the current day, and there I begin.

So, after a challenging day yesterday, I did just that. I began reading on August 25th 1996. I was 10 at the time. After feeling beat up by this world and a little frazzled I opened to read this:

"Life is like the big ocean waves. Smooth-rough-choppy-calm-windy-cold-warm-high & low tides. Life has its up's & down's. The old saying reach out and help someone. Who knows what your ocean will be like next week, next month, next year. When you are thrown a life jacket grab it & hold on until you're safe on shore. The moral of my story is, find out what your life jacket is. Find out what is important to you in life, it's up to you to know. Grab your life jacket and hold on".

This excerpt was taken in it's original form. It makes sense to me because I know her. Hope it makes sense to you as well.

My grandmother was sound asleep in her bed last night as I read her words from years ago and cried. Funny how she knew just what to say to me without saying a word. I am thankful for her words and will value them forever.

Oh, and by the way, don't let the cat out of the bag that I have her journal. I don't want my mom to reclaim it. Thanks.

when friends become family.

When this lady asked me to be in her wedding, she thought it would be for me to help her on her wedding day. After all, isn't that what bridesmaids are for?!?! Little did I know that becoming one of her maids would forever change me.

See, here is the thing... through all of the wedding festivities, the showers, the parties, the weekends at her in-laws... we became family. I found myself pulling away from the lake house where we stayed for the wedding weekend in tears. Happy for Hunter and Ashley, but sad that all the fun was coming to an end. Then I realized it wasn't the end, but the beginning.

Ashley comes from a long line of strong women, so I have learned. These women are incredible. Her family welcomed me with open arms. They have become my family. I am so grateful for them. I sat in a beautiful home on the lake and listened to their laughter on the porch and felt the love that was infectious. It was overwhelming. Not to mention, she lucked out with mother-in-law that is a precious woman.

I also learned this weekend that if you are open, you might find a friend in someone you didn't think you have a lot in common with. Turns out sometimes people surprise you and end up being a new friend (and laugh at your lame jokes).

I feel so blessed and thankful to have been a part of a special day, but even more, to have walked away with much more than another bridesmaid dress.

you tha man

...Douggie Fresh...

You taught me what a true man is, just like your Daddy taught you.

Your dance moves are sensational.

When you laugh you tilt your head to the right and lift your shoulder a little.

I wish I had an ounce of the patience you have.

No man will ever compare to you.

ever.

I adore you.

Happy Father's Day (a little late).

my mouth

My mouth gets me into so much trouble. Growing up I remember always getting in trouble for talking in class. The teacher would call my house and report to my parents... "Brooke is doing exceptionally well in class, she just talks too much".

I am proud to say that I was nominated class clown out of a senior class of over 500. Yep, yours truly. I blame it on the fact that my mouth seems to have a mind of it's own. I can't help but make a joke or slip in a "that's what she said". I was the student that teachers either loved or despised.

It's like my brain says, "Don't say that out loud" and my mouth blurts it out. My brain and mouth have a love/hate relationship. Sometimes my mouth can lighten a situation or help me make friends. And others.....well it can be embarrassing and even hurtful.

I think I get it honest. All of the women in my family have AWLAYS spoken their minds. You never have to wonder what they are thinking.... they are SURE to let you know. They marry easy going men who love them and their big fat mouths. I can only hope to do the same.

I wish I was better at listening. That is a goal of mine. To listen better and not let my mouth get carried away.

now introducing...

the mad little man

Sawyer Neal Burkhead

7 lbs 6 oz.

21 inches

born April 8, 2010

you get that camera out of my face.

Seth, Hannah, Emma and Sawyer.

Proud big sisters and brother.

sweet

My friend Leigh snapped this at our annual Mistletoe Market.

My Meme is a pretty lady. I sure do love her crazy self.

This is us chatting/shopping/drinking a latte on a cold December day.

Pretty much sums us up.

home.

I never really got homesick in college. The day my parents drove off and "left" me at college I hardly skipped a beat. Granted, my grandmother was literally across the street from me, but I don't really think it would have made a difference. Although, it was nice to have her so close.

I still don't get homesick. I must tell you though, there are some things about my hometown that I miss terribly (I never thought I would say that). Especially when spring and summer roll around.

I miss:

*working in the quaint downtown of Panama City in a monogram shop in an awesome historic building

*eating seafood, the real kind.

*going to the beach alone with a book and an ipod.

*waking up with a view of the water.

*playing with my dog Ivy

*watching the sunset from my **favorite** hangout spot with friends

*my friends in pc

*the smell of the beach

*live music

*my fam

*having a sunburn

*fishing

*sitting on the back porch

The good news is you can always go home. I sure do love Alabama though. :)

my loves

I will be spending this weekend with my little loves. Hannah and Emma are twins. Seth is my little man. They are so precious in every way. I can remember holding them when they were just wee bitty babes. Now they are growing up and I couldn't be more proud. Not to mention, there is another on the way, due in April. It's a boy and we are leaning toward baby Sawyer. The kids like the name William (random!).

I hope you enjoy your loved ones this weekend! Stay beautiful...