Favorite 10 of 2010.

#10. Going to my first bowl game with my family and Matthew. We drove down to Tampa and celebrated the New Year with a win against Northwestern in the Outback Bowl.

#9. An unexpected snow day in Auburn, AL in February. We got to enjoy the beauty of our wonderful campus covered in white.

#8. Going to Banner Elk, NC for a family vacation and some skiing. We got to enjoy being with almost all of our family for a week of sledding, shopping, sleeping, skiing, and playing games.

#7. Our California trip in July with just mom and dad and their two girls. We enjoyed relaxing and doing ALL the typical touristy things in Cali.

#6. My biggest surprise of the year. Mom and dad surprised me with a new car in April. It caught me completely off guard and I was so thankful.

#5. The year of weddings. One of our favorites is probably Matthew's sister Meaghans in April to Brandon Odom. We also enjoyed celebrating with BJ & Kacey, Michael and ML, Kyle & Lauren, and Ryan & Aubrey.

#4. Graduating from the finest university around, and in 3 years at that. War Eagle!

#3. Becoming an aunt. My cute little niece entered the world on Oct. 18th and our lives will never be the same.

#2. Auburn going undefeated! There's nothing like celebrating week after week for a team that proved to be unbeatable. Watching Cam Newton play and win the Heisman is something I won't ever forget. Finished off the year with a trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship where we dominated South Carolina. Hoping for one more sweet victory on January 10th (Beat the ducks!!)

#1. On May 27th the love of my life asked me to be his wife! It was so great to celebrate this exciting time with his family on a beach trip and then in Huntsville with mine.

2010 was an unbelievable year. But the thing that makes this New Year's even more wonderful is knowing what great things I have to look forward to in 2011. On the very top of my list is MAY 7th, I get to marry my best friend! After that comes our honeymoon to Hawaii, our Disney Cruise with Matthews family, and a beach trip with mine. I can't even describe to you how blessed we (me and Matthew) are. I'm so incredibly thankful for another year to serve my Savior and enjoy His blessings.

HAPPY NEW YEARS :)

Banner Elk, NC.

Our family ski trip has begun :) It started today after Christmas at 8 am. Whew, at first it was so fun and thrilling to ride on the interstate and see the beautiful snow scenes out the window.

That was our wonderful winter wonderland to drive through from Auburn all the way to North Carolina!

When we finally got close to Banner Elk it was starting to get dark and super snowy... Eck! What a mess. Me, Elizabeth, Katherine, Matthew, and Blake were all following Mom and Dad and we just had to watch them slipping and sliding all the way up. But don't worry... we made it safe and sound. And after enjoying a frozen pizza with Grandmother and Grandaddy we just relaxed around the cabin. Now awaiting the arrival of the rest of the family over the next few days!

(please notice how deep that snow is!)

Merry Christmas.

Welcome to my best Christmas yet :)

I'm so blessed.

Christmas Eve with the Watford/Palmer group and today spending it with the Thaxtons. And tomorrow we are off to North Carolina with the Martins!

JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD HAS COME! PRAISE HIM!

Day seven.

"Favorite movies"

My absolute favorite movie of all time is Pride and Prejudice. People think I am nuts, but I love to watch it with subtitles on. It already is a super humorous movie but when you see all the extra stuff you can't even hear it makes it great!

Matthew surprised me on our first Valentines by sneaking it out of my house and having us watch it at our "stay in" date. He even let me watch it with subtitles ♥

My other top movies are Step Up (1&2), Win a Date with Tad Hamilton, and the Italian Job... just to mention a few.

Day six.

"A picture of something that makes you happy"

Well because I love taking pictures and documenting my life... this day of the challenge challenged me. But then I thought of the perfect picture we just took yesterday:

Yes! Me and Matthew got to go to the SEC Championship in Atlanta! It was awesome! We dominated South Carolina by like a billion (56-17!) And now Auburn is off to the National Championship in Glendale, Arizona in January! Cam has a little detour on the way there to New York next weekend for the Heisman Trophy presentation! We hope he will bringing it back to AU! So WARRRRR EAGLE!

Day five.

"My siblings"

Let me begin by saying... I have been blessed.

I have my wonderful two older brothers and one younger sister, but I also have to lovely sister-in-laws. And as if that wasn't enough, I get to add three sisters and one brother to that list when I marry my Matthew! :)

So, let's meet them. (left to right) This is my sister-in-law Katherine. She goes with my brother Blake. Then there's my sister Elizabeth. We live together this year, and are actually surviving. Next we have my brother Wade and his wife and my sister-in-law Amy! We all get along, and I look forward to all starting are own little families and our kids being the best of cousins! It will be a fun time!

Next to meet the future-siblings!

Meet Meaghan, the oldest of the Watford clan... but now she is an Odom. So Brandon will also be a new sibling (sorry for no pic Brandon!) I wish these two didn't live quite so far!

Next we have Michael. I knew Michael before I met Matthew. He's a pretty cool guy, but he lives super far too.

And last but certainly not least is Meredith and Macie. They are fun, and I think it's so fun to have some siblings that are quite a bit younger than me!

There they are... all 3 of my siblings, 2 sibling-in-laws, and 5 sibling-in-laws to be! I told you I was blessed :)

Day four.

"My parents"

I love my mommy and daddy. Everyday I'm reminded of how thankful I am to have grown up in my family, with my parents.

My dad is the sweetest ever. I can't get enough of him. He's provided for me my whole life and given me way more than I deserve. Even though he is awkward on the phone, I love to call him up and discuss the latest Auburn football news. I love that he took me to California when I was in the 8th grade, treats me, liz, and mom like princesses, and cares about my ultra-sensitive feelings :) He is wonderful!

My mom is nuts, in the best possible way :) I call her my very best friend. I tell her about everything in my life and she is sure to give me her opinion on it! She makes me feel that she cares a thousand times more about my life being amazing than her own. She wins for knowing just how I like my "chicken & rice" cooked! She taught me everything I know about how I want to be the best mom ever for my kids. I love going home and soaking up every minute of my "mommy time"! She is wonderful!

And like my daycare kids say: "It's great to have parents like mine... They're awesome!"

Day three.

"My first love"

I love lots of things.

Well I atleast say that I do. Like I love Chinese food, traveling, Auburn football and sleeping in.

But I hope my life is living proof that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and the LOVE of my life.

So now I will tell you about my loveeee. His name is Matthew Ryan Watford and he is amazing. I could go on and on about how amazing he is, so I will spare you. Let's just say on May 27, 2010 he asked me to be his wife and I said yes! And now we are on an adventure of a lifetime living life together. There's nothing I want more than to grow closer to him and us together use our life to glorify our awesome God :) So basically I can't even begin to tell you how ready I am for May 7th to be here! I look forward to learning how to love Matthew more and more every day.

Day two.

"The meaning behind your blog name"

There's not too much of a story with this. When I was making my blog I wanted to come up with something that went "good" with my name, because I knew I wanted it to be Summer's "something"... So I thought of a good "s" word that meant something along the lines of what I thought or felt. I finally came up with "Sentiments" and I think it works pretty well. See... not a good story at all.

Am I allowed to do a regular post with my 30 Day Challenge? Well I don't think there are any rules so here I go:

Just one super exciting bit of information... Auburn is 11-0! Woah, it's been quite the ride. Especially with all the recent "allegations" against my CamCam. I have absolutely no idea if he is guilty or innocent, but for his own sake I hope it's all just a bunch of junk (I guess for our sake too!) Another exciting thing, WE'RE GOING TO THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP!!!! War Eagle, can't wait to take on those Gamecocks again!

Now an update on the job front. Just last week I got moved from my 18-21 month olds to a 3 year old class. I'm beyond pumped and have enjoyed it so much so far!! It's still yukky work at the daycare but still at least I can go to work a little more happy now! Well, isn't God good? Don't forget it!

Hmm, so how's the wedding planning going you ask?! Well it's a measly 174 days away and I've got about a billion things left to do. But that makes it especially fun, right? Yes! Right now I'm working on booking the caterer, cake maker, and doing invitations.... also looking for a veil and accessories and deciding on bridesmaids dresses- (which I had already decided on but am now second guessing... haha!) But it is fun. Can't wait till the day gets here!!

Okay, well I think that is most definitely an update suitable for catching you all up :)

See you tomorrow for day 3.

30 days; Day one.

Welcome to my 30 day Blog Challenge...

Eck! I hope I make it through!

Two of my fellow bloggers have done it so I'm following the pack.

Day 1: -Introduce myself -A recent picture -15 interesting facts.

I'm Summer Thaxton and am first and foremost a follower of my Lord and Savior! I'm 21, and graduated from Auburn University this past May. I've been on a roller coaster with jobs and such but have landed working at a daycare in Auburn. I'm engaged to marry my best friend, Matthew Watford on May 7, 2011. This day can't come soon enough :) I love Auburn a little too much and would be so satisfied going to every game for the rest of my life. But I realize some things are more important and I'm content with that!

1. I used to LOVE to plan any and everything... now that it comes to my wedding I'd rather someone else do the dirty work.

2. If Auburn turns out to be guilty of the allegations about Cam and such I'm going to be tremendously disappointed and probably won't know how to react.

3. I own a "big camera" and take way to many pictures.

4. Working at the Growing Room is super miserable, but I do look forward to seeing the (some of the) kids daily.

5. My Matthew is going to be an accountant and I'm extremely proud of him thus far!

6. I just got my first niece, Tatum Michelle. She is the most precious thing ever.

7. Besides getting married, I cannot wait to be a mommy.

8. With getting married, I can't wait to "be grown up" and take care of our own place.

9. I like to try new recipes and I hardly ever like them. But Matthew keeps me cooking with his positive comments :)

10. I named my car Ele (pronounced ellie) but hardly ever refer to her as that.

11. I could eat Chinese food 4 nights out of the week.

12. Me and Matthew are going to our first Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa this year. War Eagle.

13. I desire to do "crafty" projects, but lack the creativeness in my body.

14. I call my mom my best friend.

15. I want to be the best I can be in everything I do for my King.

I WILL get through this 30 day challenge (eventually).

Blessed.

So I have been a complete blog failure here lately. Pathetic, pathetic!! I feel like I've been oh so completely busy. I thought after graduating, life would get slower... nope it hasn't.

Anyways, I feel like there is completely too much to catch you up on... but I did want to share this:

Me and Katherine made this for Elizabeth's birthday. It was my first time to ever use fondant, it was pretty fun and turned out GREAT (if I do say so myself!)

Also, AUBURN IS 8-0!!! And let me just tell you, we have been having a ball!! Most of the games are pretty nerve-racking but atleast that keeps it interesting!! All I got to say is: CAM for Heisman!!

And lastly on a wedding update... I bought my dress :) That was big time news a few weeks back! Hopefully this next weekend I will get a lot done (more updates to come!!) since I'm heading home... for TATUM!! Yes, I'm an aunt! Wade and Amy had their baby last Monday and I can't wait to meet her!!

She's perfect :)

On that note:

I am blessed.

I was reminded this week about how blessed I am in my life. The first reminder was when someone asked about about when I got my car. I told her the story and about how I cried, and it just hit me how big of a deal it is. I saw a news segment this morning about a girl in China who is the first person in her family to ever get a car. Wow, I've already had two. This is just one thing that reminded me of it. Also, Tatum... what a blessing! So I was pleasantly surprised when Brother Al preached on it this morning. Love how my God works :) And I could go on and on.

We are blessed to be a blessing.

Auburn Love.

Yes, Auburn just may be my third love.

This is one of the many reasons why!

Our traditions and our "loveliest village on the plains" are a few more :)

It's football season and were 4-0! I'm so pumped!

Ranked #10 and ready to take on LA Monroe.

Week after week, nervous game after nervous game just makes me LOVE them oh so much more!

I believe in Auburn and love it!

Auburn Tigers.

Watch this! (you only need to watch like the first two minutes!)

So happy to have a wonderful smart coach with a good head on his shoulders! War Eagle!!

"...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" -Isaiah 40:30b-31

Sickling.

ohhhhemmmmgeeeee... this may have been one of the craziest weeks yet since, mmm finals week! But I did survive. Maybe not with as much "grace" as I would have liked. I spent all day Friday losing my voice slowly but surely. This morning woke up and it was complete. Haha, I whisper and it's funny.

It probably didn't help too much that I spent the majority of last night blabbing at the first "and fire" party of the year at the plex. Ugh, I sure am paying for it now!! But anyways the party was fun with a few fun surprises! For one Nathan Douthit surprised Matthew with the presentation of a "man cake!" Lets just say that we had just eaten Mexican and I'm pretty sure not much else was going to go in his mouth! Haha, thankfully Micah came to the rescue and instead we had a Freshman eating contest!

Haha, it was quite entertaining to say the least! Then we were also in the first group of people to her Logan and Mac's new rap single :) It was a treat!

So having a job really makes someone enjoy the weekend! I've had a semi productive Saturday (besides the being sick thing!) I did some cleaning around the house and I bought some khakis for work! I'm really just tired though because I haven't been getting good sleep! Yuk!

Anyways tomorrow will be a first for me: a Bridal Show :) I'm so excited! Me and mom are going to meet in Bham and let the adventure begin! Maybe we can get some good ideas!!

Employed.

What's the big news... I'm FINALLY employed :)

It's not my absolute first choice, but I am very pleased to not be in food or retail! I'm working at a daycare called The Growing Room. I work with the K1 class (15-18 month olds). They are quite a hand full but after only two days of work I feel like I may have already fallen for most of them! I work with 4 other ladies, and lets just say we're hardly from the same planet. When I go to work I have compassion on the kids, I HATE that they are separated from their families for such a long period of time... I can't imagine dropping my kid off!! Well the other teachers do love the kids but they don't really have some of the patience needed for a 1 1/2 year old!

Anyways, it will be an adventure to say the least. It will be interesting to see how long God has me here with these kids. I'm full time which is great, money wise. I work 9:30-6:30 Monday-Friday which is really such a blessing to have my weekends :) I have to wear purple and khaki's everyday... I have very few of both of those things! Ha!

(flowers from my Matthew for Congrats of the New Job!!)

And on another GREAT note, Me and Matthew had an interview this morning with Cliff Knight at Lakeview! We've been approved and Curtis can now officially do our wedding :) SOOO excited!

Home Sweet Home.

My home sweet home = my trailerrrrrr.

I absolutely LOVE living in the trailer. It's like having your own house, with a yard and a porch :) Here's my insides:

(living room! and a coffee table to be added eventually)

(favorite part of our house!)

(kitchen!)

(boring side of my room!)

(my room! need a desk chair still)

Also been enjoying the big kitchen to cook in:

Cooked Blueberry Buckle which I found on one of my favorite blogs! It was really yummy, and makes for a wonderful breakfast!

Today Bro. Al was so on the mark with his sermon. He taught on practical and spiritual ways to prepare for corporate worship. One that hit home for me was a favorite Bro. Al quote, "Saturday night live, Sunday morning dead" So trueee, hopefully this week will help me get into a routine of getting to bed earlier and also spending more time in the Word.

Okay, so I have an exciting post planned for tomorrow... hopefully :)

Back to School...

So day after day I check the blogs I read and I consider updating my own. I just haven't had anything at ALL exciting to talk about. Don't get excited... I still don't.

WELL, my roomie has officially made herself at home here and we are actually surviving together. Wow, no one ever thought that we might go a day without killing each other- good start :) I tell you what, this whole "being responsible for someone" thing can really wear a girl out! I'm not really quote-on-quote "responsible"... but she is my little sis and needs a little help along the way. No but really we've had a good time so far, I may eat my words soon- hope not!

So tomorrow is the first day of school... well not for me (WEIRD) but for everyone else! So I guess everyones schedules are changing (hopefully mine too with finding a job, maybe!) I want to hang out and play with everyone!! I need a more exciting life, for better updates!! Of course we had TACOOO TUESDAY tonight! It was only me, Matthew, and Liz but a good start none the less!

OH, and I booked my wedding photographer :) I'm beyond thrilled about that! I got basically everything I wanted for just slightly "tiny-bit" over my budget!

OU... University of Oklahoma?

It feels like it has been a long time since I last updated. I’ve been busy with lots of stuff and fun transitions.

First off Congrats to the wonderful newlyweds:

Michael and MaryLouise Kennedy

The Kennedy’s wedding was so much fun!! They had a band from Opelika and the dance floor was happening ALL night! ML looked beautiful and Michael was happy as could be :) Congrats you two, enjoy Atlanta!!

Ryan and Aubrey Martin

For this wedding I, with my family (Mom, Dad, Blake, and Elizabeth) rented the awesomely cool Ford Flex and headed out to Norman, Oklahoma. On the way we got to stop by one of Guy’s Triple D’s, Marlowe’s in Memphis. Then we spent the night in Little Rock, Ark before finishing our LONG journey to OK. We made it on Friday and settled in before the rehearsal dinner! I got to play photographer and it was so fun! We ate at this little Italian restaurant that was just so cute! Then on Saturday we got to spend a little time around the OU campus- a little too much red and white for me though!! But we went to the wedding and it was beautiful and they were just so thrilled! We did some hardcore dancing with the fam, which made for an even more fun night!! Matthew had to go help move Michael in up at seminary in North Carolina so he couldn’t come (actually to both weddings)… Sure makes me miss that boy!

So rewind… why have I been so busy and had some changes. Because I finally got to move into my new place- the trailer J Woohoo, I’m pumped! I love just about everything about it! I can’t wait to create memories there, plus it is such a wonderful feeling to know that it will be me and Matthew’s first home. Ahh, 9 months too long away!! Haha! So this summer has been the summer of living EVERYWHERE… no, seriously:

(okay, so a picture of my room at the trailer will be added when I get back to AU!)

So glad in every situation God is so quick to supply everything I need and more. Still on the job hunt, but I know the Lord will supply. Also, the wedding planning continues! A few weeks back I won a $100 giftcard from The Perfect Palette blog to Wedding Online J What a motivator to get planning! All of my bridemaids have been asked- they all said “I Do!” This is how I asked all my favorite ladies:

So here lately seems as if everyone is getting engaged. Matthew said, “this is early, engagement season is in October” Haha, not sure where he got that but it is definitely “the season” I’m excited to have some friends join me on this crazy time of planning!!

So after this trip to Oklahoma, or Sooner-land, I must end with: 26 days til kickoff, War Eagle!! And to go along with that… another W thing from Katherine! Love it!!