Thursday, March 25, 2010

Announcements!

So, you’re probably wondering what in the world we could be announcing today, March 25th, 2010. No…we are NOT pregnant again. (Although, I wouldn’t mind having about one million versions of Knox, because he is THE greatest thing ever!) But we do have another little announcement for our dearest friends and family!

We have FINALLY set a wedding date! Kurt and I are going to renew our vows on Sunday, September 5th, 2010 in front of our friends and family!

Wait… “renew” vows, you ask?

Don’t you have to actually exchange vows before you can renew them?

Well, yes, you do! And in fact, exactly one year ago today, we did just that!

SURPRISE! We are already married!!!! And TODAY is our first anniversary!

Last year, we got married here:



with a sweet pastor, Rev. Ron Headley. It was the sweetest day of my life: just the two of us – no crowds, no cameras, no pressure – vowing to love each other and to spend the rest of our lives together. It was perfect! (There are many other funny stories from the days leading up to this, so if you’re interested, we will gladly share them!)

But, wait…didn’t Kurt propose in July in Colorado?

Well, yes, again, he did! He, being the all-of-a-sudden romantic, sentimental guy, wanted to “do things right”. And instead of missing out on all of the fun parts of a surprise engagement, planning a wedding, etc., he (and I, too) still wanted to experience all of those things.

We did, however, want to keep our “marriage” a secret so that we could still have a wedding day and proclaim to the world (or just our closest friends and family) our love for one another and our lifelong commitment to each other and our growing family without the day itself losing its luster or meaning. It was HARD, believe me. I wanted to shout it from the rooftops that I had a husband – and not just any husband, but a handsome, wonderful husband that loves and adores me, that supports me in every detail of my life, and that challenges me to grow, spiritually, emotionally, and physically, each and every day. But, it was kind of fun keeping this a secret for so long…it was like our own little secret that we got to enjoy and cherish together, with no one else. It was weird, too, because random people knew we were married but not some of our closest friends! Our sweet realtor, Sharon, was among the first to know; my advisors and professors at UAB knew; and our newest church and bible study friends knew. So it was about time to just make our secret known to everyone – we felt like we were living a double life! And it feels GREAT to finally declare it to everyone!

We are still ironing out the details of our actual wedding day, but we do know a few things: it will be in Nashville; it will be on Sunday, September 5th, 2010; it will be extremely casual and fun, a reflection of our personalities; and it will glorify God! We plan to do a quick renewal service, and then we will treat everyone to dinner and just hang out and relax!

So, yea, nothing about our relationship has been done in the “traditional” way or in the “correct order”, per say. BUT, that does not mean that we have been missing out on God’s blessings, because He has been BLESSING us…beyond measure! And we are now looking forward to sharing all of it with you!!

Now, off to celebrate our anniversary! Well, not really…I have class tonight and a 15 page paper due on Saturday. Romantic, right?

Happy Anniversary, Kurt! I love you more and more every day, and I am so thankful to share this life with you. You are the most wonderful, patient, loving father, and an even better husband...better than I could have ever dreamed up!


Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Rites of Spring


SPRING BREAK 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, Jill, Knox, Rosie and I got to spend our 2010 Spring Break doing what most kids were doing this week...cleaning the house, doing yard work, and getting caught up on life. Wait, that's probably not how we used to spend Spring Break. But, it's probably the best way we could have spent this week. We desperately needed some time to get our house in order before my father (Toliver Thomas, Toliver Knox's Papa) and his wife Anita visited this current week. We spent the week celebrating one of our favorite holidays, St. Patrick's Day, and chilling at the park one beautiful afternoon. All in all, it was exactly what we needed, and we loved every second of it and the time as a familia. Enjoy the pictures of Knox and Rosie and our crazy Spring Break. We aren't freshmen anymore, obviously.

Watch out for the power of the Shamrock!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Kiss Knox, he's Irish (Scotch-Irish from my side, and Irish from Jill's side). Slainte!

Check out my new duds.

"ever since i can remember, i've been poppin my collar"



WHAT'S UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Getting some work done at the office for the UAB Blazer Track team. Knox is calculating budgets.

Time to blow this joint, let's go dad.


AAAHHHHH, this is better. An amazing day at the park with Rosie.






This is the life.


I dig this place. Park, Mom, Dad, Rosie and sunshine. My kinda place.




We own this place.



Family picture.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

March - Day Light Savings Time - YEAH!!

Knox's daddy doesn't get to write this blog very often, so I really get stoked when I get the chance to post a blog and re-tell from my perspective. Here is the past few weeks: Da, Da, DAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!


I'm watching you fool!!




I got this stuff!






Everyone sleeps like this, right?




Naked in the mountains is how my family wanted it.



DON'T PUT MY SHIRT ON, DAD!






My best bud and the reason why we were in Knoxville married, Carrie Luck, then Carrie Luck Ezell (above). Congratulations Carrie and Jayson. I would not have missed it. Me and Don with Carrie.




Ezell with hair kinda creeped me out, but he's a hair dresser, so I don't question him.





Three great guys, and GO VOLS!!




Thomas family in the Smokey Mountains




Great Smokey Mountains in the background





Re-Lounging with daddy




Nekid be the best



I love my hat





Don't mess with me, I dig my hat



Me and my mom-mom and her cool hat. She looks cool. WORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!






I'll eat when I want to. I'll eat anything. I'm Toliver Knox Thomas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Trying to grab the bottle by myself





GOT IT





We had a great lunch at Rojo with mom-mom, and I loved my Chipotle milk!