North on 65...

Last weekend JP and I traveled North on 65 hitting up Nashville and Decatur. On Saturday we went to Nashville to see my grandmother. She took us out for lunch at Cheddar's. JP enjoyed a full rack of ribs while I got a yummy hamburger. We spent the afternoon at her house and then headed back down to Alabama stopping in Decatur to see my parents. We stayed the night with them and enjoyed a steak lunch on Sunday before heading back down to Birmingham to make it in time for church.

Valentines Day

This was me and JP's first time to actually celebrate Valentines Day on February 14. Our first Valentines Day I had Step Sing so we celebrated the night before. Last year I was in Dallas on February 14, with the flu. I did come into town on the 15th for STEP SING! and we celebrated what I thought was Valentines day on the 16th but I later found out we were actually getting engaged.

So this Valentines day I had to work. I was exhausted when I got home and went to take a nap. I really thought that he hadn't done anything because he said he hadn't. So, during the middle of my nap JP came and laid down next to me. A few minutes later he said, "We have to get ready for our resevervation." I said, "When??? Where???" I was not close to being ready as my hair was wet and I was in pajamas. He responded, "6:30, Melting Pot. I got you something to wear. It's in the laundry room but you have to close your eyes." So I go into the laundry room with my eyes closed and he puts his apron on me. I was very confused and said, "I can't wear this to the melting pot." He said, "Yes you can because the Melting Pot is here!" He had bought stuff to make fondue at our apartment! I was quite excited, especially since I thought he had done nothing for Valentines Day. I was also glad that we weren't going anywhere since I was so tired.

Our "Melting Pot" table complete with cheese, steak, carrots, apples, bread, and Dr. Pepper. As JP said, "No Cauliflower!"... our least favorite part at the real Melting Pot.

JP making the cheese...

STEP SING!

I LOVE Step Sing and look forward to it every year. I am very sad that I have graduated and can no longer participate. This year I sat with Laurel and Jennifer. My mom and sister also came but sat somewhere else. However, I did get to hang out with them before the show when my mom took me and Sarah to Macaroni Grill!



This year Phi Mu's theme was Clue, (you know, like the game!). It was so cute. They had the characters like Mrs. White, Mrs. Scarlett etc. They didn't win but they did win Participants Choice Best Choreography!



Pi Kapp won this year with their Office theme.



If you want to know more of what Step Sing is about check out Phi Mu's show from last year.

Name Change...

I got this idea from my friend Laurel Matherly who is getting married in July to Casey Smith. She used this website to get these maps to show how much more common her new last name is going to be. I did the same thing and found the exact opposite.

Hodges

Kaal

However, I question the accuracy. I know a family of Kaals that have lived in Arizona for over 10 years that seem to be unaccounted for. Unless, they are the ones in Georgia since they did live there before they moved to Arizona... but you think this would be more updated than that!

What We've Been Watching

Study Buddy...

JP and I have been doing a LOT of studying lately.  He is currently studying for the CPA exam (and when I say currently I do mean at this very second).  He and his friend Sean are studying together.  They are currently studying for the financial part of the exam, but do not know when they will be taking that section.

Part of my studying is over.  I passed the RD exam this past Thursday!  However, my studying isn't completely over as I am taking MBA classes.  It should take about 2.5 years for me to complete my MBA.  Hopefully by that time JP will be done with the CPA exam! :)  Although neither one of us enjoys studying it helps that we both have studying to do!  From what I can tell though, the CPA exam dominates any studying I have to do!

Memphis

A couple of weekends ago I went up to Memphis for Amy Monsarrat's wedding shower.  I actually came back from Phoenix a few days earlier than JP so I wouldn't miss it.  I rode up to Memphis with Laurel.  Once there we helped Blair and Emily get ready for the shower.  We got to meet all of Amy's Memphis friends.  After the shower we had fun hanging out with Amy and Taylor, her fiance.