Monday, October 31, 2011
Cecilia's First Halloween
We went to the Pennebaker's party, and it was a blast. There were SO many kids, and their neighborhood is perfect for trick-or-treating! Cecilia didn't know what to think about all the kids! She had fun and was the cutest puppy on the streets.
The Next Chapter
October 31, 2011 is my last day at Stewart Sneed Hewes/BancorpSouth Insurance Services, Inc. and my career life as I know it. I am taking an early retirement to stay home with Cecilia. Does this mean I'm out of the workforce? I'd like to think so, but I have a feeling staying at home doesn't equate to "free time."
Staying at home... right decision? To each his own. I don't consider myself the stay-at-home type (if there is one); at least I never aspired to stay at home. I got my undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and my graduate degree from Ole Miss. I began my career with PricewaterhouseCoopers as an auditor/CPA in Memphis, TN. My boyfriend at the time (now husband) was with KPMG as an auditor/CPA. He got an offer from a company in Columbia, MS --- his fraternity brother and best friend's company (husband is originally from Hattiesburg, MS). He moved back and we got engaged shortly thereafter. Needless to say, I moved back to Hattiesburg and found a position with HORNE LLP in their business valuation division until finding my way to Stewart Sneed Hewes as an employee benefits consultant/producer (thanks to David Fortenberry). I absolutely loved my position at the agency and fostered the best working relationships I could have imagined there.
That being said, and after much consideration with Jonathan, we decided the best thing for our family was for me to be at home with her. How could I refuse wanting to see that sweet, sweet, sweet face all day, every day??! It is truly a blessing that I have the ability to be at home with her. Thanks to my wonderful, hard-working husband. Posts about him coming soon... He is our everything!!
Pictures below from my going-away at the office.
Ross Bell, President - Stewart Sneed Hewes/BXS, Hattiesburg, MS
My empty office:( Chrissy would actually be pleased with the fact there are no piles of paper on the floor behind and beside my desk. She always made me tidy up when we had clients in!
Michelle Fuller, VP - Employee Benefits
Amanda Lee, Account Executive/Producer
Ummm... Going away retirement happy from my colleague, bestie and partner-in-crime, Chrissy Cullinane. She had a meeting in Jackson and couldn't make it for cake or else I'd have a picture of her with the nugget. I guess I can forgive her since this was waiting for me nicely wrapped on my desk. Wouldn't you?! LOVE it!
Staying at home... right decision? To each his own. I don't consider myself the stay-at-home type (if there is one); at least I never aspired to stay at home. I got my undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and my graduate degree from Ole Miss. I began my career with PricewaterhouseCoopers as an auditor/CPA in Memphis, TN. My boyfriend at the time (now husband) was with KPMG as an auditor/CPA. He got an offer from a company in Columbia, MS --- his fraternity brother and best friend's company (husband is originally from Hattiesburg, MS). He moved back and we got engaged shortly thereafter. Needless to say, I moved back to Hattiesburg and found a position with HORNE LLP in their business valuation division until finding my way to Stewart Sneed Hewes as an employee benefits consultant/producer (thanks to David Fortenberry). I absolutely loved my position at the agency and fostered the best working relationships I could have imagined there.
That being said, and after much consideration with Jonathan, we decided the best thing for our family was for me to be at home with her. How could I refuse wanting to see that sweet, sweet, sweet face all day, every day??! It is truly a blessing that I have the ability to be at home with her. Thanks to my wonderful, hard-working husband. Posts about him coming soon... He is our everything!!
Pictures below from my going-away at the office.
Ross Bell, President - Stewart Sneed Hewes/BXS, Hattiesburg, MS
My empty office:( Chrissy would actually be pleased with the fact there are no piles of paper on the floor behind and beside my desk. She always made me tidy up when we had clients in!
Michelle Fuller, VP - Employee Benefits
Amanda Lee, Account Executive/Producer
Ummm... Going away retirement happy from my colleague, bestie and partner-in-crime, Chrissy Cullinane. She had a meeting in Jackson and couldn't make it for cake or else I'd have a picture of her with the nugget. I guess I can forgive her since this was waiting for me nicely wrapped on my desk. Wouldn't you?! LOVE it!Sunday, October 30, 2011
Bridgette's Wedding
My cousin, Bridgette O'Keefe, got married yesterday in Biloxi. It was gorgeous! The weather was perfect, and it was special to have the ceremony and reception at my Grandpa's. The ceremony took place outside, and we braved having Cecilia sit with us. I debated the entire way down whether to take her inside for it. There were other children when we arrived (even younger!), so we thought --- why not?!? And she didn't disappoint! She played with Daddy's tie the entire time... success! Oh, and the other super fun part - Emeril Lagasse was the best man! Needless to say, the food was fabulous. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Kent Emerson Lovelace, III!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Visit to the Hattiesburg Zoo -- Oct. 8, 2011
Cecilia's first trip to the zoo... She was more interested in watching people than watching animals. Maybe we will have better luck with her observations next visit.:) ((Please ignore the fact that these pictures say 2010. I need to update my camera!))
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
OOMA
Well, Jonathan and I will miss the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art annual gala once again. Last year I was admitted into the hospital on bed rest the week of the event.:( I'll eventually get around to posting about my bed rest and pregnancy.
This museum is a special project of my Grandpa's.
Taken from the OOMA website:
Jeremiah “Jerry” O’Keefe has been and continues to be a central and dynamic force in bringing the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art from vision to reality. Jerry and his children gave the first major gift to the Ohr-O’Keefe capital campaign in 1998 in memory of Jerry’s wife, Rose Annette Saxon O’Keefe. In gratitude and recognition for major support of the new Museum’s building fund by Mr. O’Keefe and the O’Keefe Family Foundation, the Museum’s Board of Trustees renamed the George E. Ohr Arts & Cultural Center the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art in honor of Annette O’Keefe.
See more about the gala and museum below.
Grandpa & Justice, March 2009
Photos -- Sept. 10, 2011
These are the last pictures we had taken of Cecilia. Sweet girl!!
Crystal Green Photography
Friday, October 21, 2011
Mommy and Daddy's Night Out
Tonight was the first night we've spent away from Cecilia. Well... correction, this is the first night I have spent away from Cecilia. Jonathan's parents who live around the corner were kind enough to host a slumber party at their house. Aunt Leah and Aunt Sarah were in town too, so Cecilia was getting plenty of love while Mom and Dad were away. We had a date night with the Hartels --- dinner and a movie (love, love them!!). Jonathan and I are already in bed and I clearly have my laptop out checking email, scanning etsy and facebook and now blogging (trying to stay off pinterest!!). I can't believe the monitor next to my bed is turned off! I MISS MY SWEETHEART!:( I'm tempted to drive to his parents to get her, but this is a much needed trial run for my first real trip away in November to NYC. Oh, how much fun it will be to see Molly, Sarah and support Laura in the NYC marathon! Let's hope I can deal a little better than I am tonight. I miss her terribly!!!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Blogging... Am I really?!
I debated whether to start a blog, and here I am. Based on conversations with friends who have blogs, what better way to document the days with my sweet Cecilia than to blog about them... and have for future reference! It is difficult enough to maintain her baby book, so let's see if I can maintain this blog. Thanks to Chrissy Cullinane for being the first to convince me I need a blog! Here we go...
Justice & Chrissy - Mardi Gras in Biloxi, MS 2009
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