Hey friends...just letting you know that after this week our new blog address will be:

www.williamsfamilyontoalabama.blogspot.com. If for some reason you can't find it...just email me at eljw1@hotmail.com and I'll get you there. We just thought Waco Williams Family was no longer truthful...although we'll always hold a very big and special place in our hearts for Waco. love ya'll...I promise I will blog soon...my camera batteries are dead....not to mention the craziness of me finally moving over to Alabama for good and another coach's family is going to be living with us for awhile...so hold tight...new blog entries coming soon! :)

GET UP EARLY TOMORROW!!

Just wanted to let ya'll know that the CBS Early Show will be stopping in Waco, TX tomorrow for my last day of work :) The Spirit Squads, Mascots, and I will hopefully be out there so turn on your TV in the early moring (7am?) All I know is we have to be there at 5:30AM!! I've been blessed to have fun opportunities like this throughout my 4 years...my first day at work back in August 2002...George W was on campus for the Economic Summit, then onto many ESPN Lady Bear games...onto Chicago for taping the Oprah Show, and now this...I'm a lucky girl. Stay tuned!! Hopefully we'll get a picture with the funny weatherman, Dave Price :)

I'm back...well at least for 2 more days...

I'm back...well at least for 2 more days!! Let me just tell you this was a tough college camp in the 100-106' heat where we were out there at least 4 hours a day! (ahhh) The squads did REALLY well...and I feel I'm leaving on a good note for the most part. The Coed squad will be attending a private camp at BU in August, so that's why you don't see them in the pictures below. The Songleaders (Dance Team) received 2nd in the home routine we brought to camp (OU ==Oklahoma) got 1st. They also received the "Most Improved Award" from last year to this year and the most special award received was the "Most Collegiate Award," which our mascot crew also received the "Most Collegiate Award"...beating out big teams such as the Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma. I was a proud "mama." The Most Collegiate Award is who emulates what a college team should look like and be able to do (it has a lot to do with image), but also skill level and the overall package. The program has really come forward in the last couple of years...and I look forward to having my graduate assistant, Jennifer, to take my place. She was the dance coach and my grad for a year...so hopefully the transition will be smooth. I love you Jennifer.

Here are a few pictures taken at the end of camp (a quite emotional time for me since it'd be the last time I'd have all of them as a group and taking pictures.) Remind me next time that the lean over to the side view is not very flattering :( The other picture is me with the mascots. I was really proud of them. 2 were asked to be on the UCA Mascot Staff...and as I stated earlier the other mascots voted them for the "Leadership Award" and "Most Collegiate"...SIC 'EM!! One of the most touching moments is when the big guy next to me handed me the 2 trophies and said...."Here EJ, these are for you." Uhh...still makes me tear up just typing it...simply because of all the hard work that we all have put into that aspect of the program from when I got here he was a "green carpet" and now we have 2 brown suits and a blow up bear...been named to America's Top 12 Capital One Mascot Team last year...and now these awards. It's powerful to see your work...actually get rewarded!!

Thanks to all my students for a great 4 years and all the hard work you did. I'll miss you indeed.

Keep up the great work...Sic Em Always...

WHAT I'M READING...

Some of my friends, Colleen, Ginger, and others, have spurred me on to read more...so just in case you cared...this is what I'm currently reading. Had to get it right...I'm going to be living in Alabama soon right? Pretty good thus far...I'll let you know how it finishes up. Walmart has it for $10!! (well at least in AL it was :) Up next I would like to read the below, ONE MISSISSIPPI. Anyone read it? I am really big on catchy covers and titles....so that's why I chose these of course.

There & Back

Grrr. I almost finished an entry and my computer deleted it all. Stink! Ok here we go again. I'm back from another trip over to Alabama and back...but this was the last "visit." 9 days from now...Bella, my friend Kim, and I will start my 12 hour trek over to Alabama to stay!! Here we are in front of our new home. Thank you to Forrest's parents and my mom for helping us start the long haul of renovation on our home. We got a lot done. If you want to see more pictures of our weekend vacation to Lookout Mountain or "our home renovation" please click on the below links. Enjoy! :)

http://baylor.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2043597&l=e4faf&id=9219757 http://baylor.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2040182&l=ae2e9&id=9219757

10 YEARS!!

Well...it's been 10 years!! I flew into Memphis on Friday for my 10 year HS reunion (Germantown High School- Memphis, TN). Can you believe it????? And wouldn't you know it Forrest's 10 year HS reunion was on the same weekend! (grr) So we went our separate ways and went to our own. Friday our class had a "gathering" at Pat O' Briens on Beale Street and Saturday, we had a more formal "gathering" at the Racquet Club of Memphis. I was the 3rd wheel with my brother, Paul, & his wife, Amanda. Top picture....here I am with Ginny, one of my best friends in middle school and HS (she now lives in LA, CA) ...and then Kelly Wood Woodard, her husband Tim, and David Chance (we all were GBC'ers together..and they are all still Memphians). And the last picture are of me and my twin! :) Think we look alike? And my beautiful sister-n-law Amanda. Overall it was a fun experience to see everyone again and for the most part everyone looks just as we left each other at graduation. Surprising to see how many people still live in Memphis...it's a great place to live what can you say.

How could I not put a picture of my precious niece on here? Here we are playing with "Abby's balls." She is in a "ball" phase and has to sleep with all 10 of them in her crib! (ha) She has her eyes closed b/c she is being silly. Now it's onto good 'ole Alabama today with my mom...to meet up and reunite with my husband and his parents to get cracking on "the renovation!" (aka: stripping wallpaper and painting!!" We closed on our house on Friday--we have the keys!

God is good.

What else....has been going on?

Well...I thought I'd show you where I'm "living" for the time being in Crawford, TX (Bush Country). It's really fun and beautiful...too bad I get little time there since I'm either at work or out of town :( But here it is. Thanks Kim for sharing your home with me. I'm thankful and so is Miss Bella. Can I come back and run your B&B someday? As you can see from the picture below, Bella has grown quite "comfy" in the cabin.
My "church" friends had a going away party for me last week at my dear friends home...who is also moving from Waco but headed the opposite direction to Midland, TX. It was a very sweet night and very thoughtful. Thank you Katie....and the girls :) She was so creative ...and had signs and boxes as "decorations." Tried to get me to wear a cowboy hat with a TX bandana but didn't stay on me too long. (ha) It was a dessert and coffee party...and on the Starbucks container it said "Is there a Starbucks in Athens?" Proud to say there is...but I have not been in there YET. i'm sure my mom and I will pay a visit next week. They also gave me a "Waco" scrapbook and they all made a page for it and the rest I will be able to fill in with my pictures and journaling. I of course cried...when trying to speak and share my sentiments and "revelation" with them...(more to come on that in my next blog entry). Aren't they all such cute girls? Thankful for each of you! On Friday night, we got together again :) for a "Slumber Party." No, we are not too old to do that. We ate pizza, talked about new nurseries, and new home paint colors. It was good times had by all. Thanks Erica. If you haven't been to a slumber party lately...plan one...it's good for you. We stayed up and talked til 2am then woke up at 9am...not too bad huh?
Thought I'd share a picture with the host family's dog, Bear, how precious is he? Uhhh...makes you want to run to your local animal shelter and adopt one today! Erica...hope it's ok I put "Bear" on the blog!?

We are "hopefully closing on our AL house on Friday, I fly into Memphis that afternoon...and so I'm having to get papers correctly filed so I can give my sweet husband the authority to sign for me. On Saturday, we both have our TEN YEAR HS REUNIONS! Bummer that they are the same night huh? It gets better...Forrest's is at his home/ farm since he had such a small class...but I really want to go to mine in Memphis so I'll be a tag a long to my brother and his wife. Then on Sunday, my mom and I will drive over to meet Forrest and his parents for us to "get after it!" (Stripping wallpaper, starting to paint, etc). I am now a regular at Lowe's and had some samples made today because there are just too many stinkin' colors that look alike!! Wish me luck!!

Last but not least..."THE BIZ"...well it has kinda taken off recently. God is providing customers and working the logistics out. Not sure how big it's going to get but we'll see. About to print business cards and have the website purchased. I need to do some research into the AL craft fairs and such...but I'm just taking baby steps so I won't get too overwhelmed. I have a "new item" and will post it soon. Things are lively around here with trying to wrap up work stuff and trying to get personal stuff done with the house, biz, and looking for a job. GOD IS GOOD...ALL THE TIME. Last but not least a picture of my latest canvas...hope you like it Ginny! Thanks for ordering! :) (Don't be alarmed I'm wearing a swimsuit :) Love to you all.

Catching up...

Well, it looks like many of us are trying to "catch" up with our daily/ weekly blog entries. Funny how the summer is supposed to be our "down" time yet...we all must be pretty busy and having some fun too huh? Well...here goes! While in Alabama last weekend visiting Forrest I bought and finished a book (See picture) THE WEDDING...it's a cute/light read and a great love story. Has anyone read any more of his books...besides The Notebook? Let me know of your recommendations. I am currently into another cute/ light read Christian author book called.... SHE'S OUT OF CONTROL. It is the 2nd in a 3 part series...if you want to borrow any of them let me know and I'll ship them to you :) It's about a single woman the age of 30 who lives life in California and tells of her drama in the church singles group and with her job as a attorney. Fast read and very relatable. Last but not least...my be fri, Colleen, has spurred me on this "reading frenzy" since I have a little more time without any "athletic season" being in full swing. So...she mailed me, TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE. She recommended it and was sweet enough to mail to me. Haven't started it yet Colleeny, but with the traveling this weekend and next week...I'm sure to get through it and maybe even have Ginger read it before we end our vacae in Chattanooga. Any other recommendations out there? Comments welcome on any of these too. :)

SIMPLY STATED!

Hello all. Well it is finally here...the name of my small business....'SIMPLY STATED'. My co-workers played a integral part in the name and the design of the business card. I think it is perfect because my signs are simple with words and a little tie in for the "STATE" girl in me :) Don't laugh at my "Job Title" ...my co-worker MADE me do it!! All that is left is getting a website up a running...and I'll need the help of the web guru (aka: Forrest) for that. But pretty exciting to get the ball rolling on becoming "official." Many a thanks goes out to Mary Katherine for getting me started on this venture and Colleen, Jenny, and Natalie for the 'blogger' encouragement to "go for it." Thanks for the support! Daily taking orders... :)

We found it...as well as FRONT page news!

Hi all. Well...we found a "home!" We will hopefully be the sole owners of it on July 1. We are trying to close fast so we can get in there and start stripping wallpaper and painting it up. God has really blessed us with it. A couple of weeks ago we didn't really find anything close to what we wanted and spent the entire day searching...but on Friday...the first house we came to was it. It's in a great neighborhood with brand new houses surrounding us but ours is 'older' therefore 'less expensive.' It's got a lot of growing room for us at 2100 sq. ft. (4 bdrm. 2.5 baths) and a huge fenced in backyard for our baby Bella to run her laps. For all of you that are "really" interested more pictures can be found HERE! Thanks for stopping by...and PLEASE come visit us. We're only 2.5 hours away from Memphis and/ or MSU!

Also...if you need some more reading material...Forrest made the FRONT PAGE of the Athens, AL newspaper yesterday. What a proud wife I am. The article was great...except the part that said he was a Waco native...that's ok...we all know he's a MS boy. Go Colts!!

Thank you for your prayers and support. Have a good one! Live abundantly in the Lord today...John 10:10

Latest Painting

Here are a few more I did this weekend as gifts and for the store! I know I know I can't believe I did a Alabama or Univ. of Texas sign but whatever pays the bills right? :)




Just wanted to show my sister-n-law, Amanda, what I came up with for her persoalized gift she requested. What do you think? I'll mail it to you Monday or Tuesday. Hope you like it. :)
Good thing I'm already getting some practice in making gifts for the "home" team...since I'm sure I'll be making some more!

Trip to the MS coast...Alabama...Memphis...

Well, I'll try to catch us all up on my "semi-vacation" to Memphis, Alabama, the MS Coast, and West Point, MS. Let's jump right in. I flew into Memphis on the 25th of May and then headed shortly after to the coast of MS with my sister-n-law (Ginger) to work on a mission trip with 1,000 other volunteers called 8 DAYS OF HOPE. But first we made a little detour to Hot Coffee, MS...yes there really is such a town...but there's not much there...but we have the t-shirts and pictures to prove it! We later made it to the coast where you'd have to see it to believe how bad it really is down there. I had to keep pinching myself to remind myself I was in Mississippi! It really does look like a 3rd world country almost. People are not much better off than when Katrina struck 9 mos. ago. Families of 8 are living in chicken houses, yes chicken houses!! We had a bittersweet experience...with not doing as much work as we had liked...but all in all we did what we could. We had to leave a day early because Ginger became sick due to who knows what (bad fish she ate, unairconditioning all day and night, mold, etc. One notable experience is when we pulled out a couch in the house and there was a dead cat sprawled out, eyes open...uhhh no pictures of that though (sorry). I also saw a college friend of mine, Leslie Rigby (Burgess) who I danced with at MSU. She lived very close to the water in Bay St. Louis, MS and her house is now a slab of concrete. She has relocated to Gulfport. Good to see you Leslie! Thanks for the party (ha). Here is a favorite picture of mine that I saw a perfect quote to capture it. "Where a flower blooms, there is hope."

Please continue to pray for the coast and it's people...they still are desparate people in need.

Here I am back in West Point with my niece, Caitlin. (Ginger's daughter) We are having our morning coffee :) Then we went to Memphis for Abby's 2nd birthday party (Theme: Winnie the Pooh). Abby, my other adorable niece, is Paul's daughter and the most stylish 2 year old I know :) This is a great age because she is able to repeat what you want her to say...so when I say "I love you Abby"...she can say back "I love you too." Uhhh...my heart melts!

Last but not least...I finally made it back home but it was all empty. Forrest took all of our stuff and it's sitting in storage somewhere in AL. :) I took some pictures to capture the "end of this chapter in our life." Bella & I are now living with my friend, Kim, in her log cabin out in Crawford...it's very nice!! Forrest is living in a "guest home" of a friend on the river until we find "our perfect home." I do miss Forrest, but thankfully I get to see him next weekend!!! That's all for now...have a great weekend!! Yea for the weekend ...I have NO plans for and can do whatever the heck I want :)

Packing It Up...

Well...I'm back in Texas, but Forrest isn't...he's in Alabama...for good!! I have many pictures of my journey to the MS coast and Alabama...but my camera battery is dead and my photo cord is with Forrest (being sent to me). Here are a few that our friend, Kim, caught while I was gone...aren't they cute?? I saw the house (EMPTY) for the first time today....it really was sad to see our "home" not there anymore. Nothing but our paint colors on the walls. Our stuff was "driven over" this weekend and will be unloaded by Forrest and stored in Athens until we find our new "home." We'll miss you 1218! Thanks for the memories :)

Our Weekend...last week together in Waco :(

Well, our weekend was a GREAT one. Forrest came home after a 10 day stint in Alabama. I was glad to have him home again! I had a garage sale with some church friends....guess making some money is better than no money huh? :) Saturday night we ate with 2 couples and then saw the DaVinci Code. I'm way to dumb to understand it all. :( Yesterday, our Sunday school class and some our co-workers got together at a fun BBQ joint ,RUDYS, to say goodbye to Forrest. This was his last weekend here with me...at church, etc...and we are running out of days for everyone to see him on an individual basis...so I put together a little after church lunch gathering. We are SOOOOOOOOO blessed to have such an amazing group of church friends and other friends...that is the the thing we will miss the most ...our wonderful friends in Christ. What a amazing group of young marrieds you are! :) Thank you for loving us for 4 wonderful years. We will miss you all more than you'll ever know.

Here we are outside of the restaurant...it's a big red barn and they have kept in step with the Baylor Spirit around town :)

Last but not least...Forrest and his lil' buddy, Coburn Reese, Brent & Betsy's lil' 1 year old..isn't he the cutest thing ever? His 1st birthday is on Saturday! We went to Dallas after lunch yesterday to try and recruit the "Reeses" to move to Alabama with us and have Brent coach with Forrest. How amazing would that be for me...and for Forrest...to have dear friends join us there...we have known them for a long time ....first meeting at MSU. If you think about that...pray for that decision...obviously it's a big deal for them to decide upon...Brent may "make the drive" on Sunday to Alabama...all 12 hours...to check out the scene in Athens. We'll keep you posted. Here's to 3 days left in Waco together...then I fly out to Memphis/ MS to join my sister-n-law...Forrest's sister, Ginger to head to the MS coast to do mission work as a part of 8 DAYS OF HOPE...to be continued... oh PS--please also pray for us in the decision to buy a home in Alabama in the near future....thanks everyone!

The boy in Alabama...

Not much to report...I had a FABULOUS weekend while Forrest was away...NO WORK...no deadlines. Friday, I went to a going away party at Jason's Deli for
a Sunday school couple moving to Missouri. Then Saturday a nice spur of the moment breakfast invite at a friend's home (pancakes and coffee) yum!! But no pictures because Forrest has our camera taking pictures of "potential homes for us." (I guess that is a good reason to have the camera right?) :) I then went to see a T-ball game of a little boy of a friend (adorable) . Then babysat another church friend's 3 year old little girl while she graduated from BU! Congrats Tiffany! Then I had another graduation party Saturday night for another church friend...married with 3 kids...Congrats Jackie! All the while, I was babysitting another church friend/couple's dog, Ruby.....well Bella is definately an alpha female and did not want another dog in the house...I think this morning she is VERY relieved that we did not get another puppy. :) She likes being an only child. Well here is Forrest and his shoutout from his school in Alabama. That was sweet of them to do huh? He is there til Saturday...so please continue to pray for him while he's away looking for homes and learning the ropes of Athens, AL :) PS- As you can see from the sign...they have a "Spring Jamboree" football game on Friday...so pray that goes well...I'm not sure if he'll be "head coaching" but I'm sure it will be fun for him none the less.

Back to AL for one of us...

Well, Forrest left this moring about 4:00AM to catch a plane in Killeen to DFW to Huntsville...and will stay and check things out for us, meet people, the coaches, and look for us a home. He will be gone for 10 days, getting back next Saturday! Yesterday after work, I took a quick trip to the Outlet Mall in Hillsboro (about 30 minutes from us towards Dallas) . I gave a couple of "happies" to him last night to let him know I'm proud of him and believe in him, (a new Nike golf polo (since he never buys clothes for himself and you only get to make a 1st impression once...right?) , a Nike t-shirt, and a card). The t-shirt was perfect for him with a powerful message "There's a man who thinks he can, and a man who thinks he can't. They are both right. Then on the back it says: "Which one are you? Football Matters." It had "FORREST" written all over it. So that is what's going on in the "moving front." We'd ask that you'd pray that Forrest will have discernment and 110% confirmation that it's where we are supposed to be and that he'd have plenty of time to do all he needs and wants before he returns...and that he'd find us the perfect home for the perfect price...so he'll have somewhere to move our things in a couple of weeks when he moves over for good.

I also have posted several pictures from Race for the Cure Waco (my friend just sent them to me since they were on her camera). This is my friend, Katie, who has a very similiar story as I...she and her husband, Reagan, are moving to Midland, TX at the end of the summer for him to accept a position in a law firm. He graduated from BU LAW a couple of weeks ago. We love "the Butts" and will miss them greatly. We know them from church. They too are traveling to Midland to try and look for a home this weekend, so I am babysitting, Ruby, their golden retreiver in the picture, for 4 days. I'm sure it will be just fine. She is sweet ...I just hope Bella & her behave :) This other picture is of a dear cheerleader of mine, she's a Kanakuk girl too...simply precious. We have done a couple of races together, including the Dallas White Rock 1/2 marathon. Love you Bailey! Forrest was sweet enough to get up early and be the "dad" and take pictures and hold our junk along the route.

Last but not least, pictures from the Connally HS athletic banquet on Monday night. This is Forrest's head coach and his wife. They are such a great couple and have twin 3rd grade girls. They have taken us under their wings and are great examples of what it means to be successful and significant (head coach & wife). We will greatly miss their friendship and leadership. Thank you Johnsons!

Anyway...better get ready for work...things are winding down at BU. Students are DONE with finals, but there is still plenty to do with my job...reording equipment for camp and football season, taking inventory, and getting them set up for next year...to make things a little smoother and easier before I depart :( But we aren't talking about that quite yet. Have a good one!

Little projects this weekend...

Well...here's what we were up to this weekend. On Friday night we slept in our closet for an hour because tornadoes touched down about 2AM...luckily not too close to our house...and no one in Waco was killed but many houses and businesses were damaged. We packed up at least 1/2 our home so Forrest can move it all over with him on May 27 (yes as in 20 days from now!!) It was sad and there were tears shed along the way...thanks to a song we listened to...uhhh have you heard "MY WISH" (click on MP3) on the new cd of Rascal Flatts? I think it was written just for us. You gotta listen to it!
Then I had time to do a few business and personal projects (new paintings for the store, a gift for a co-worker, and a birthday present for my soon to be 2 year old niece, Abby. I just love how Abby's collage turned out! If you want a custom canvas order let me know...I'd love to do it! Happy Sunday!