Happy Birthday to my Mama!

Happy Birthday Mama!

So glad you were born to be my mommy... I am one lucky lady to have had you in my life. Today is all about you even if I am still half way across the country. I said an extra prayer this morning that there would be daffodils growing the the yard just for you. Here are a few of the many, many, many reasons I knw you're the most wonderful mom in the entire world:

- You taught me to make birthdays special and that they are a way to celebrate the people God has given us.... so HAPPY BIRTHDAY again :)
- You have patience that never ends.
- You will shop with me until we're about to fall over (and you taught me how to find a deal and only shop for a sale!)
- You made me a beach bum.- You are the strongest woman I know.
- You're strength is found in the Lord.
- You taught me to cook, and you buy things for my kitchen, and you give me your recipes.
- You love to learn new things.
- You're fun to go to football games with.- You give good advice.
- You love to drive.
- You like to eat healthy with me, and then save room for dessert :)
- You believe in your kids.
- You love Chick-fil-A.
- You encourage me to be a better person.
- You are a prayer warrior for your family. - You have helped me move, a lot.
- You will be an excellent grandmama.
- You let us have a candy drawer.
- You are funny.
- You are very generous to all those in your life.
- You are independent.
- You see the beauty in life.
- You are a good teacher in all aspects of your life.- You are a good listener.
- You are very cute and fashionable.
- You talk to me about the bible.
- You watch girly movies with me/
- You continue to show me how to thank God for each and everyday and how to love life even when its not what you expect.
- You taught me what it means to truly and deeply love your husband and it was beautiful.

There are so many, many, many more reasons that I love you so incredibly much. Mostly just because you simply are the best Mom. End of discussion, you just are. And I am blessed to have you, and continue to learn from your example of being a Godly woman. Thank you.

Happy Birthday Mom, and Happy 1st day of Spring everyone :)

my definition of a perfect sunday

Jay and I love (and really adore is a better description) Sundays. It is our day, our day of rest, and Jay's day to not think about chicken, or cooking chicken, or selling chicken. This past sunday we slept in and went out to breakfast -- sweet potato pancakes will rock your world. I DEFINITELY suggest trying them, and they are heart healthy, which is never a bad thing!

And the rest of the day continued to prove as simple and perfect. Jay laid on the sofa watching basketball, and I got a whole afternoon in the kitchen. It was glorious! Since we only have a week left in oklahoma I was attempting to use up all the leftover ingredients from our fridge and pantry. This is a pretty sight... and it was only the beginning of a very messy and beautiful kitchen. I had all the ingredients and a frozen pie shell that was begging to be used, so I made my mama's famous chocolate pie. Its quick, easy, and simply delicious. Try it on a lazy sunday afternoon:
1 cup of Sugar
1 Stick of Butter / Margarine
1/4 Cup Cocoa
1/4 Cup Flour
1/2 Tsp Vanilla
2 Eggs
Cream the butter and sugar. Add the rest of the ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour into pie shell and bake @ 350 for 30ish minutes (until firm!) Tastes like a brownie pie or heaven :)
I also made pioneer woman's chicken spaghetti. Its spicy, and yummy, and easy, and waiting to be consumed in your household!

And we ended the day with another gorgeous oklahoma sunset. God is beautiful.

Our Big News!

We have very big (life changing to us) news... and no we are not having a baby :) .... we have been selected, and blessed, with our own Chick-fil-A. To simply type those words shocks me. It doesn't feel like reality to have achieved such a huge goal. Jay has worked so hard and has remained steadfast in his calling to Chick-fil-A, that to say I am proud of him is the biggest understatement of our marriage. I am beaming from ear to ear with how much I am totally in awe of the fact that God has allowed me to partner with the most amazing, honorable, hardworking, and diligent man on the face of the earth.

Although this is the goal we have been working towards, it is really the beginning of lots more hard work, love, tears, and chicken grease. We walked out of the corporate Chick-fil-A office into a beautiful sunny Atlanta day, at 5 pm on Tuesday afternoon, and looked at each other. We both simply said "I feel humbled". It was strange. That was not the emotion we expected, not at all. But it was overwhelming. To represent such an amazing company and to have the ability to influence a whole community of people is simply humbling.

Ok, ok I know you're thinking get to the important stuff like WHERE and when and all that jazz.... drum roll please... we are moving to Waynesboro, Virginia! Yup, I am sure you've never heard of it, but welcome to somewhere between Charlottesville, Roanoke, and Harrisonburg Virginia. Right in the Shenandoah Valley and off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Its a small town and we are thrilled to call it home.

The rough plan for the Hawkins is to leave Oklahoma sometime next week, head back to the carolinas. We will then plan to move up to Virginia in early May and let the fun begin. Lots of overseeing of the actual building of our little store and lots of hiring new employees. Then grand opening in July!

We are extremely excited and so very thankful of all the support and encouragement we have received. Thanks for being wonderful friends and family.

And on a side note real quick, the chick-fil-a interview process was an awesome experience. It definitely confirmed the fact that we are working for the right company. After we had been selected, we ran into Truett Cathy. We were introduced as his newest operators, and he left us with a little piece of advice... the Man himself said "Continue to work hard for me." We of course said "yes sir" to this dear 89 year old man, and were once again humbled by the fact that we are able to to influence people and serve chicken all because this man worked hard his entire life. What an inspiration.

some very important women

I don't know how you feel about Mother - in - laws... but man, mine is amazing. And as far as sister - in - laws I am beyond blessed. I married a great husband, but I also married a supportive, encouraging, and all around wonderful second family! We recently got a much needed weekend with Jay's mama, daddy, and my sweet lyndsey ... yup, shes mine now, not jays :).... and it was refreshing to be with family. I had a huge smile across my face today just thinking about how much I love them and how excited I am to see them soon, and how I am really hoping we make chicken enchiladas together.

Valentines day with my Ladies!


AND... my other sister... my Leah! Jay and I were blessed to get to spend almost an entire week with her and her hubby Jason in oklahoma, during a blizzard. I think we played 10 games of settlers of catan. Literally. And ate an entire box of vanilla waffers with peanut butter. AND made snow cream. And fell on our be-bops quite a few times! All thanks to an Oklahoma snowstorm.


AND ... my Mama... my daily encourager ... she's MY WOMAN. I miss her like crazy. enough said.

Happy Weekend :)