Gatlinburg-Spring Break 2011

Well-we actually went somewhere for Spring Break! Just few 2 days but it was much needed and we really had a lot of fun just hanging out-in good ol' Gatlinburg, Tennessee!  Derrick has never been before so it was really fun to show him a cool part of Tennessee and I hadn't been in a LONG time so it was neat to see what's changed and what hadn't!

Check out the pictures and details below from our trip!

The name of our cabin! How cute is that?! 

Our home away from home <3 

View 

Our in-room jacuzzi-so nice after a long drive! 

Our awesome little kitchen. 

View again-just gorgeous! 

Paradise.  

Our living space. 

Our neat bear fireplace. 

Thursday night when we checked in they said it may snow that night...they were right! Luckily, it wasn't cold enough to freeze but it sure was beautiful!  

In downtown Gatlinburg-checking out the sites! 

The Ripley's Aquarium! Totally cool and had a lot of really neat exhibits! 

I LOVED the way these seahorses were holding tails-too cute! 

This sword fish shark was just laying on top of the tank, watching people walk under him and hanging out-it was so funny! 

This shark kept swimming right over our head-check out all of those ferocious teeth! 

Derrick being silly. 

Then me being silly.... 

Me loving my "penguin friend" after the cool penguin exhibit.  

This was where we had breakfast Friday morning-it was DELICIOUS! It has the premise of an IHOP but with pancakes-I got some strawberry crepes that were out of this world delicious! 

How adorable is the place?! 

It's like right out of a book.

Me and Derrick getting ready to eat at No Way Jose's! SUCH good Mexican. 

Love <3

And that was that! We got in Thursday evening and left Saturday morning.  Quick trip but enough to get a breather, get some AMAZING relaxation (and homemade candies!) under our belt before getting back to the grindstone of work and school.

A trip well worth in in funds, fun, and family.

Happy Place

Last night, I found out via Facebook that a young lady I know passed away unexpectedly.  Her name was Anna Barker.  We were never very close but a close friend of mine, Katie, was her cousin and BEST friend.  She left behind a 3 year old son named Ian and a husband whom she adored named Mitchell.  She was only in her early 20s.

I cried.  A lot.  No, we weren't very close but she's gone and her family is left in shambles.  I hate it for her, her family, and friends.  So I cried...and then I smiled.

In honor of her cheerful attitude towards life, I am posting a blog about things in my life and things I find awesome that make me happy and give it purpose.  Cheers to good friends, great family, and having 1 more day to celebrate life!

Make sure you get to living and remember the things that make you smile every day.  It's all worth it =]

<3 J