Football Time...In Tennessee

My favorite time of the year is finally here...football! There is absolutely nothing better than living in the South. The warm summers, the cool lakes, the biscuits and sweet tea...and the best thing of all, Volunteer Football. The first two games were at home this year. Neyland Stadium is one of my favorite places. The atmosphere is amazing, it's a sea of orange and Rocky Top is played probably close to 50 times (give or take a few times) and this year, Coach Dooley's orange pants are a staple on the field.

Finished with warm-ups before the first game

Running out of the T

After the Cincinnati game

Dralin' and Burnie Got Hitched

My bestest friend since kindergarten married her sweetheart in July. I was so honored to be a part of her wedding...like we would really have it any other way, but I was still honored, nonetheless. 

So cute, Courty-Lou and Burnie

Best Friends since Kindergarten. There may have been a few spats and tantrums here and there, but we have successfully made it through 19 years of life together...and have done a purty dern good job at it.

My sweet, sweet Chris worked that morning and then drove 3 hours to join in on the fun. I'm so blessed by such a great man!

It wouldn't be a 'Brier weddin' if there wasn't a picture of me and Lou floatin around somewhere! 

If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away...

I never thought I would get a call from my Daddy like I did on Friday morning. To say that I was overcome with grief would be a total understatement. Death is something that I am not a stranger to, however, in my 23 years of living, I've lost too many people that I've been close to-and I'm just going to be transparent here: IT STINKS SUCKS.
Jennifer was one of my closest friends, someone I spent a lot of time with growing up. My first job was with her, and since I didn't have a license yet, my mom would drop me off after school and I would ride home with Jen. We would laugh and talk and have so much fun. Some nights we would go out to eat on the way home, others we went straight to Jr. Pro cheerleading practice. I'll have to say, throughout my life, I have been so blessed to have such a great extended family. There were boyfriend troubles, and friend troubles, and life in general that Jen was there for, and always had good advice-even if I didn't want it.
Her son, Connor, is one of the best "little brothers" that I could ever ask for. When he was younger, he never told anyone any different-I was his "big sis" and if someone ever questioned it, his response was always the same, "she's my sister." To this day, without missing a beat, he still responds to "little brother," and I still answer to "big sis." My heart breaks for him right now. His best friend, his mama, is gone from this earth. While she will always be in our hearts and shine through us, she's not here anymore to talk to, to call, to laugh with, to hug. She was such a great mom to Connor, and raised him to be such an awesome young man. I couldn't be more proud of the man he is today-so sweet and caring, compassionate and loving.
I'll never understand why those we love are taken from us too soon. God knew from the beginning each of our fates, how limited our lives would be, and I fully believe that. However, I don't know that I'll ever understand why some have to go sooner than others.
It's still hard to believe that I won't be able to text Jen anymore, or call her, or Facebook her. I know I'll see her again, and that makes it easier. Please keep our family in your prayers as we spend the week remembering her life and saying good-bye.