miscellany Friday

This week is Mary Shelton's last in town before she heads back to school on Monday. I'm pretty bummed about it, so we've tried to cram in as much together time as possible this week:

• lunch Tuesday
• breakfast Wednesday
• breakfast Thursday
• nails and dinner with the entire fam Thursday

One of the things we've been doing this summer is spending intentional time talking about the Lord. In order to better do this, we have been reading and talking through Francis Chan's book Forgotten God. Is has really rocked our view of the Holy Spirit in our every day lives, and we've loved learning together. That girl = my heart.

Saturday night is Cotton Ball (last year MS was presented, this year she is one of the 4 girls on the court! whatever that means), so we're having a ball with all of the Bryants in town. I'm sure there will be lots of pictures to show for the event, but I'll just say I cannot wait.

I had fun at dinner last night with MA. She is hillarious, and I want to take her home with me.

One more week and I can hardly contain my excitement...

Monday- David's LAST MBA CLASS

Tuesday-Wednesday- mad dash to clean everything and get ready for the weekend

Thursday- Family begins to arrive

(family=

Beth, Jayme & Brianna

Jim & Cathy

Grandma & Grandpa

Mollie, Andy & Greg

Ashley & Chase

Andy)

Friday- more family, day off work to enjoy everyone

Saturday- the long awaited day- GRADUATION!!- and following partay in David's honor

Sunday- 2 year anniversary! How is that even possible?

Monday- more family time, relaxing and loving having everyone in the same place

In other miscellaneous news... Becca & Keith are in Chicago. I miss those babies.

more flags, more fun!

A few weeks ago, David and I took part 3 (part 1, part 2) of our mini-vacation summer and made a long weekend for ourselves. First on our agenda: Six Flags! Patrick and Hayden went with us, and we had so much fun! David had never been, though he frequently reminded us that he is an amusement park pro- he did grow up going to Cedar Point and Kings Island regularly.

We arrived before the park opened, got in line the giant mass of people and sprinted to our first destination as soon as they opened the gates. We accomplished our goal: ride every ride (minus the Georgia Cyclone, well, because it is just miserable). We even got to ride Superman - the BEST ride - twice by a fluke (my seatbelt was stuck and they didn't come help me get off fast enough, so I volunteered to ride again. Hayden & David were waiting nearby, and they snagged a few empty seats too!). It was a perfect day to be at Six Flags because the forecast predicted rain, which scared off other people, but then it didn't rain. It was, of course, scortching hot, but we expected that. We did everything we wanted to do, so we headed home late that afternoon! After a bout with Friday afternoon Atlanta traffic and a stop out the outlet mall (David was napping- we had to take advantage of that!), we arrived home tired and a bit sore.

Talking Carl- Amber's iPad app suggestion that has kept us entertained for hours!

did it.

This past weekend was the Music City Triathlon!

I am proud to say that I completed it!

awesome picture of the staging area and Nashville -- Blair's pictures are awesome

pre-race... nervous as all get out

sweet friend! She raced all around to see me and cheer for me! I was SO THANKFUL for her!

here's her blog post about the event

waiting to get in... waving to Blair

about to get in the water! I was SO ready to swim!

No idea why I am sitting exactly like the guy next to me...

swimming! The current was very strong for a couple parts of the swim, but I felt the best about this leg of the race. I am thankful I trained hardest for the swim because everyone says it is the hardest part. I finished in 9:37.

running from the swim to the transition area (you can pick me out because of the white circle around my butt)

Davids

transition to the bike... kind of freaking out...

I was MOST nervous about the bike because I was seriously unprepared. It turned out to be just fine though, and I finished in 1:07 (not a good time, but I was just thrilled that I didn't have to stop and walk the bike up any hills that I couldn't do!).

running out of the transition area after the bike

(notice NO other people around! ha! I was seriously one of the last sprint racers done with the bike...)

Off on the run! I ran to start off with, but I walked about half of the course. I figured I would rather enjoy it than be miserable, and I definitely did! I finished the run in 37:37.

sprinting to the finish line!

looking like an idiot (trust me, Blair videotaped me... I should never sprint ever again... I look retarded).

walking it out after I was finished! My sweet husband was so encouraging the entire time, and he was so proud of me! He is the best.

sweet supporters! It was a zillion degrees outside and they were so kind to watch and cheer me on! I definitely needed their encouragement, and it meant SO MUCH that Chris, Brooke, Jayme and Beth were all there!

not only did they cheer me on at the race, but they let us stay with them Saturday night and cooked us a fabulous dinner. The Lord has truly blessed us with friends like these! Love you, Blair & David!

post-race lunch at Big River. pooped.

Big thanks go to:

Ryan Davis for letting me borrow your tri suit

Becca Rocha & Leigh Linhoss for letting me borrow your bikes (Leigh's got a flat tire, so I rode Becca's in the race)

Blair and Beth for the pictures

Everyone above for their cheers and encouragement at the race

David for encouraging me ALL along the way (and for not letting me chicken out on Friday, Saturday and Sunday when I tried to bail and head back to Chattanooga)

One of the coolest parts of the race was the time I had with the Lord. I was seriously petrified that morning (remember: I had NO IDEA what I was doing!), and it was pretty sweet time of prayer. I kept asking God for specific things, and He answered each one right away. For example, I was so nervous and lonely (David couldn't come inside the transition area), and I just prayed for a familiar face. I immediately turned around and bumped into Kat Sweatt, a friend from Samford! It was the biggest encouragement. Next, I prayed for an ally- another beginner that I could link up with and figure it all out together. I met sweet Lauren moments later, and she was right behind me in the swim line! Also, the guy right in front of me(#416) was wonderful. He even helped me after the race when my bike was messing up.

All in all, it was a great experience, and I am SO GLAD it is over :)

trends: then and now

This is a totally random post, but just something I thought about recently...

Then:

Umbros

Now:

Nike Tempos

Then:

Children's birthstone charm necklaces

 

Now:

Stick family car decals

 

Then:

Slap Bracelets

Now:

Silly Bandz

Then:

Water socks

Now:

Chacos

Then:

Pogs

Now:

no idea! What is the modern day equivalent of pogs?? I loved those things!

Harley's glamour shots

A couple months ago Becca took some pictures of Harley just for fun and practice. Unfortunately it was spur of the moment and the dog was diiirty... but even still, she took some super fun pictures!

more great deals from Initials, Inc.

I'm baaaack with more Initials, Inc. SALE STUFF! I just got the brand new Fall/Winter catalog in the mail, and it is chalk full of adorable new things! Of course, introducing new things means they are discontinuing a few collections of things from the Spring/Summer catalog (seen here). I wanted to make it easy for you to look through all of the items that will not be available to purchase after July 31, so I'm going to be posting them here. I've decided to discount ALL of the discontinued stuff 10% and the prices on these items reflect that discount. Of course, as with all Initials, Inc. stuff- personalization is INCLUDED in the price you see!


Of course, the SALE OF THE CENTURY is still going on as well! That only lasts through July 31 also, so make sure you email me (EmilyLGeyer@gmail.com) to let me know what you want to order. If you have ANY questions, don't hesitate to let me know!

Miscellaneous items

Product # 3013
Frame - 5x7
5" x 7" vertical
In a baby's room, on dad's desk or resting on grandma's dresser...our gorgeous silver metal photo frames will complete the look of any room. And with our new font additions for vinyl lettering they will fit any style.
Price: $26.99

Product # 5018

Family Canopy Umbrella, 64" Shade Area

Our large umbrella comes designed to set up in a snap for instant shade anywhere-sporting events, picnics, poolside, patio, deck, beach, wherever you need sun protection. Adjusts 3 feet to 8 feet high to accomodate sitting, standing or lounging. Powder coated metal shaft for durability and tripod to be used with or without three ground stakes for stability. Portable, Folds up to 40" with carrying case and shoulder strap. Generous 64" shade area. White umbrella, personalized with any of our vinyl font colors. Comes with our exclusive Family Emblem.

Price: $116.99

Product # 2032-7 Lunch Purse - Ruby - Embroidery OR Personality Icon 9"w x 7 1/2"h x 5"d Are you brown bagging it? Well...not any more with our Lunch Purses! Get a new take on lunch, don't just take your lunch - make a personal fashion statement while you do! Zippered main compartment, front pocket and thermal lining.  Price: $20.69   Product # 2024-2 Preschool Backpack 10 1/4"w x 11 1/2"h x 3 3/4"d Adorable in design and superb in function - every preschooler will be thrilled to have one of their very own! With 8 fantastic patterns to choose from in either our new Limited Edition series or ever-popular original Preschool Backpack there is one to send that special kiddo in your life to their first day of preschool or to use as a stylish "day out" toddler bag. Made of 600 denier or poly microfiber each design is built to last and clean like a charm.  Price: $31.49