Our time here in Arkansas is almost over.  I've been battling with this thought for awhile now, and its so bittersweet.  I have known this time would come even before the day we arrived, but it has come so quickly!  We have loved it here.  We have experienced a lot and grown so much.

This has been one of our favorite spots to sit and talk...

 

 Today as I was walking, I rounded the corner of a path I've walked a hundred times before, and it hit me again.  The sun was just beginning to lower, and the light was hitting the leaves of the trees, perfectly showing off their brilliant fall colors.  And I realized I'd never get to see these trees lush and green and full of life again.  This is their final show before their leaves fall for the last time, never to return again before our time here is up.  In the soft breeze, leaves were swirling and falling all around me and crunching beneath my feet as I walked along.  I couldn't help but well up with tears......we are really going to miss it here. 

Coming out here has been everything we needed.  We have made so many memories and amazing friends to cherish for the rest of our lives.  I have loved my job and never dreaded going to work for once in my life, and Joel has worked so hard through school and will be graduating in just over a month.  And then we pick up our life here and move it back home.  We are so excited to be back by our family and more amazing friends, get Joel's career going and our own family started.  But we will definitely be leaving a piece of our hearts here forever....

OH NO........The big 3-0!

Well.....I am way behind......my birthday was back in June! Lets see if my new, old brain can even remember what happened.... ;)

I was spoiled all week long! My friends threw me a surprise party!  Which was actually the first one of my life....I am usually pretty hard to surprise....but they pulled it off! We went out for Chinese and then over to Kristi's house for cookies and cream ice cream cake.....mmmmmmmm!

 

I was greeted by the grim reaper and some vultures at work....

 

they also got me an AmAziNg cake!!

and a delicious lunch.....probably the best club sandwich in the world....

*food was a common theme throughout the week.....

people know me so well!! :)

Joel took me out for sushi.......

 and said he was planning something else either Friday or Saturday, he hadn't quite decided yet....

Friday I went to work and it was David's birthday so we got to eat another delicious cake, isn't it pretty?!?!

 

I text a picture of it to Joel, so when I saw him pull up in the parking lot halfway through my day I thought he must have gotten off work early and come to get a piece of cake.  When I walked in the back room I gave him a big hug and asked him what he was doing here? I should have known something was up from all the looks and goofy grins everyone was giving me but somehow I didn't even notice.  He told me he had come to kidnap me and take me away for the weekend!   He had set it up with my boss and everyone at work knew all week long and I didn't have a clue......so much for my theory that I am hard to surprise....So they let me drop everything I was doing and away we went!
  He even packed my bags?!?!  I was a little concerned about that....but he actually did a really good job and got everything I needed! Matching outfits, a great shoe selection, makeup, hair stuff and everything....he must pay attention!  

We went to a little town about 3 hours away called Eureka Springs.  Its the cutest little town.  We ate at a little Italian place....

 
walked around downtown....   

 

had some Italian ice

and relaxed by the pool....

We had some goooood french toast for breakfast,

laughed and talked and ate a little more....

we even got to touch a piece of the Berlin wall.

It was such a fun surprise and a fabulous little getaway!  We had such a good time.  
I love my sweet husband, and I couldn't have asked for a better best friend!  Thank you honey for making my birthday so special....
And thank you to everyone else who made turning 30 a little easier!

Some friends and I threw a little baby shower for Hillary back in June.

She was such a cute little pregnant mommy!

It was fun to hang out with friends, spoil Hillary and Aria, laugh and talk and of course eat lots of yummy fooooooood!!

Baby Aria is here now, and is so tiny and sweet! 

We love to snuggle her whenever we can.......especially Joel.  I usually have to hurry and grab her before he does or beg and pry her out of his arms just to get a couple minutes. :) Crying or not all he wants to do is hold her.  Its really sweet, he is going to be the best daddy someday.

A couple weeks ago Joyce and Kelly came for a little visit, we loved having them here.....

we went to the Old Mill, which is in the opening scene of Gone With the Wind.....

 

and we made delicious fruit pizza...

The next day we went swimming, had some good BBQ and Dairy Queen blizzards....

 and then headed over to Mountain View to walk around town and listen to the old fiddlers

 

Sunday they came to church with us then we laid around and relaxed for a bit and then it was all over and they left.....can't wait to see them and everyone else in August!!