For All The Bachelor Fans Out There

Chris Harrison has a blog that he writes about each episode. I find it very entertaining. In fact, one of the reason I started watching this season is because of Chris's take on things.

So if you love Bachelor and or Chris-then have fun reading.

Now I am off to get my electric tooth brush and french kiss my dog. (said by one of the girls exiting the show last night. How gross do you have to be to want to use an electric tooth brush...I mean french kiss a dog)

Today I

• I slept until 10 a.m
• Decided not to be mad at myself for sleeping late and embrace it
• realized that my body probably needed those extra 4 hours
• am still in my pajamas at 1 p.m
• am glad that the office is slow today because I don't know if I could handle a busy day today
• left a status on Facebook that I am moving at a snails pace
• am looking forward to another biblical counseling class tonight-very thought provoking
• am happy that Jeff said he was going to make dinner tonight
• was told by hubs that he loved me to pieces this morning
• realized how blessed I am to have him in my life
• am thankful for my mom's new tradition of having all of us over for dinner once a month
• am remembering Elijah as he ran into my mother's bathroom and said "Whoops! Too Late!"
• realized that potty training is funny when you are the Aunt, not sure how it will be when I am the mother
• put a tentative moving date of March 31st on my calendar
• am trying to get all the paper work together so that we can move ahead.
• trusting in the Lord with all my heart and leaning not on my own understanding
• am going to make it a great day, even thought I am very tired and a tad bit cranky

This Still Excites Me-God is Good

The Lil Miss Bookworm Syndrome

Every once in awhile I will go through a season I like to call The Lil Miss Bookworm Syndrome. It's during this time where I check out multiple books and read all of them in rapid succession. Then there are times where I rent the same amount of books and have to recheck them out two or three times because I am just not reading much.

The past few weeks I have been reading nonstop. I read Mary Poppins, Walt Disney's Biography and Peace Like a River (actually I have a few more chapters in this book). I went to the library this past week and checked out a few biographies to read. That's another thing I should tell you about-I am going through a biography phase. I have never read someones biography for fun until I read the story of Walt Disney. His life fascinated me so much that I thought I should read about others lives that seem fascinating.

I rented the following biographies to read: Ruth Bell Graham, Laura Bush, Kirk Cameron and Amy Grant. You may think of me as a total nut when I tell you how much I am looking forward to reading Kirk's story. I think there is a little bit of a crush left over from my teen years. I had multiple BBop pics of him taped to my walls back in the day.

So let me close by sharing with you my current books marked to read in Good Reads.

The Great Esape Pictures

I think everyone should get away from time to time. This weekend my friend Andrea and I decided to take a mini-vacation in Beaver Bend, OK. We did nothing but read, watch movies, talk and eat junk food. We even had a few spiritual moments thrown in the mix for good measure.

I didn't even take any scrapbooking stuff with me this trip, I simply rested. It was fabulous.

Thanks Andrea for trusting me enough to travel with me 4 hours to a place neither one of us had every seen before. I had a blast and can't wait until our next get away. How 'bout this weekend? Just kidding, Jeff would be so sad if I left him alone two weekends in a row. :)

The Great Escape of 09 Is Here!

Tomorrow I leave with a gal pal and head to a little cabin in the woods.

The plan is to do nothing but....

listen to a few tunes
watch chick flicks
nap
read
eat junk food
watch more chick flicks
eat a few smores
chat
spend sometime in the Word
take a light stroll in the woods
laugh
and a little more junk food on the way home


Other than that we have no other plans.

I know one thing, I am going to soak up this time while I can.

Because when I come home, life is kicking up a notch.

AI Watch Party

Boo Mama and Shannon at Rocks and My Dryer were asked to write up AI summaries for Season 8 at Culture 11. Click here to read. It will entertain you, promise.

And if you have never read Boo Mama, you should especially if you are a southern girl with a love for fried foods. She was the first blog I started to follow when I first started blogging and one of the few that I have actually kept following the past 3 years.

Let me just say one more thing before I go, I love the new judge. I think she is a breath of fresh air and can hold her own. I can't wait to hear how she judges the final 12. I think she will do much better than the other chick who usually just repeats what Randy said or comments on how great and cute the contestants look that night.

"You're a star! And I love your hair-keep up the great work!" ~Your Friend Paula

Love That Alli Rogers

Have you heard of Alli Rogers? If not, she is a Christian artist that's music is classified as Folk music in my ITunes. I recently stumbled across this artist while on a search for new music.



It was love at first listen.



Let me share with you the lyrics to the song that touched me most (it sums up my feelings about the journey Jeff and I are on these days quite nicely)



the day of small things
I am afraid of beginning‘cause I don’t know how to end
But you told me that the mountain before us would become a plain in our eyes
So I won’t despise
I won’t despise the day
I won’t despise the day of small things


Even when you tell me…oh, even then I’m shaking
‘Cause I am afraid of believing
The plans that we make seem so big
But you’ve shown me that we’re never alone and your spirit will stay by our side

So I won’t despise
I won’t despise the day
I won’t despise the day of small things


To hear more of her music, click here. Let me know if you become a fan too or already are a fan of Alli Rogers. I know I am!

Sixteen Things

I am joining in the fun with Andrea and posting 16 things you may or may not know about me.


1. I can touch my nose with my tongue. I try not to show this talent anymore, although back in the day it was very entertaining.

2. I tried out for Texas Girls Choir in 3rd grade and made it to the last round but never went ahead with it. My parents didn't want me away from home and the yearly dues were very expensive. I don't really feel like I missed anything either.

3. I hate running but I am training for a 10K. Go figure

4. I am memorizing Psalms 37.

5. I hope to memorize 12 Psalms this year, one a month. I am praying that I can do this.

6. I am a creature of habit.

7. I don't like change yet I am praying for big changes right now. God be with me when those changes come. :)

8. I have been having dreams the past few weeks regarding my great grandmother, I miss her greatly.

9. I aspire to be like my great grandmother. She read her bible everyday, walked two miles before 7 am and came home to eat a big breakfast of eggs, sausage, biscuits and bacon. She lived to be 97 years old and was sharp as a take. It must have been the sausage or bacon.

10. I can still remember the table numbers of the restaurant that I worked at in college. Sometimes when I can't sleep I count the tables.

11. I now can only fall asleep with a sleep mask.

12. Every time I bake I have to scrub my kitchen when done. I am a messy baker.

13. I used to play the piano but I can only remember one song.

14. When we move, we are buying a piano first thing and I am going to try to reteach myself. I never thought I would say this but I miss it.

15. I like to clean because it relaxes me but I hate folding and putting away laundry. Despise it!

16. I am counting down until I leave on a little trip next weekend with a good friend. I really, really need a break from the real world. We are going to do nothing but veg out....can't wait!

This is my 600th Post...Oh My!

Last night I made cookies while Jeff was at work to surprise him.

Seeing as how the last time I made homemade chocolate chip cookies was when we were still newlyweds (5 years ago) he was very surprised. So surprised, in fact, that he woke me up at 6 this morning to tell me how happy he was that I made cookies. "You made homeade cookies? YUM!" (The fact that he said yum still makes me giggle)

I rolled over and went back to sleep, happy I made my husband happy.

Let me ask you, what is your husband's favorite thing you make or bake? And when was the last time that you surprised him with it? Come on ladies, tie on your aprons and get a cookin'.

Bless your husband today! :)

Edited to add: I make killer break and bake cookies but sometimes it's nice to kick it old school and make cookies the old fashioned way!

In The Kitchen: Tortilla Soup

Tortilla Soup, a favorite in our house. This is one of the soups that we used to feed our small group. It feeds up to 10 people so when I cook it for just the two of us, we have it for many nights. Not really the most healthy thing on the block but it is super yummy. And who doesn't love a recipe where you just open a can and toss it in?

1-Can of Rotel

2-Can of Cream of Chicken Soup

1-Can of Chicken Broth

1-Can of Fiesta Nacho Soup

2-Cans of Black Beans (drained)

2-Cans of Pinto Beans (drained)

1-Can of Fiesta Corn (drained)

1-8 oz package of pre-cooked chicken strips. Southwestern style preferred.

Mix all ingredients together in a crock pot and heat on low for approximately 90 minutes. Or the fast way, throw in a big ole pot and cook on high for 30 minutes, don't let it boil though

Serve with tortilla chips and grated cheese.

Huh...

I was going through my blog archives to see what word I chose for last year's one word choice.

I stumbled on this post where I talked about the things I wanted in a house.

Two things Jeff promised me when we bought a house:

1. A Red Door
2. A Portable Office in the Back

Guess what two things the new house has? That's right, a red door and a portable building in the back for my office. The portable building looks like a barn but is now painted blue, I bet you can't guess what color I plan to paint it?

That right, red. Like a barn

And since I am on strick orders not to post any pictures of the house or give away any other information on the house unil we move, you will just have to trust me on this.

I promise one day very soon, I will post pictures.

Oh and last year's word was authentic.

One Little Word 2009

Every year Ali Edward's chooses a word that she and her family will focus on during the year. I love this and so I have chosen to join in again this year.

This year my word is delight.

What does it mean to delight? And how does this to apply to my everyday life?

Delight
Main Entry: 1de·light
Pronunciation: \di-ˈlīt, dē-\
Function: noun
Date: 13th century
1: a high degree of gratification : joy ; also : extreme satisfaction
2: something that gives great pleasure
3archaic : the power of affording pleasure

One of my goals for this year is to memorize more scripture. I found one verse constantly coming into my daily life, Psalms 37. As I started to look at Psalms 37, one word seemed to stand out. That word was Delight.

Two key verses I have tried to apply to my life this past year.

1. Psalms 37: 4

"Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart's desires."

2. Psalms 37: 23

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives."

In 2009, I am choosing to delight in the Lord. I believe that by doing this I will also be more trusting of where He is leading us. And by knowing that God is leading, I will gratified, filled with joy and at peace.

My goals for 2009 are simple, I want to delight in the everyday joys of life.

Delight in God and His plans for us.

Delight in the blessings He is sending to us on a daily basis.

Delight in our story being written in every single moment of our lives.

2008- Our Year In Pictures

Movies

(Edited to add: Click on the picture above and hit play next to the word slideshow to see the video)

This video started out as a simple project and quickly turned into a two day ordeal. The pictures became a bit grainy after I posted it to google albums but it will do. Even though it took longer than I hoped, it was a fun way to look back on 2008.

I think Jack Johnson's words, "It's always better when were together" could be Jeff and my theme song for this year. Even though this year was full of ups and downs, we found great joy in being together. I am thankful that God has brought us to the same page. I know that many of the things we had to go through this past year served to unify us and strengthen our marriage. This past year we had many ministry opportunities together. I will never forget the joy that came the day Jeff and I prayed with Maudie to become a believer. What a joy it was to share in that moment together! I am also thankful for Jeff's words of encouragement when month after month nothing was happening. I had a friend ask me one time how I was able to be joyful in the waiting. I quickly answered, Jeff. Apart from my prayer time with God, Jeff has been my rock and constant encourager. He is a blessing! I am thankful for this past year that has brought us closer together.

I am also thankful for the time I have spent in the Word this past year. I am happy to report that I actually finished the Daily Chronological Bible. I encourage each and everyone of you to do something like this in 2009. What a blessing it has been to realize that no matter where I was in the Bible, God was able to use those scriptures to touch my heart. Even when I was reading Numbers and The Chronicles.


2009 goals to be posted soon, along with my word that I am going to cultivate in my life. But I must hurry on because I have a day off with my husband and want to soak up the downtime with him.

Happy New Year!

Being With The Kids On Christmas Day

I loved Christmas this year because I was able to spend quality time with all FIVE of my nieces and nephewS. Uncle Jeff and I were talking the next day about how everyone of the kids has a unique personality. What a joy to watch them grow and change over the years.

One of the things Jeff and I love, is our time with the kids. It is what has kept us going this past two years as we have continued to trust God's timing for positive plus sign. I won't lie, the last few weeks have been the hardest yet but we aren't ready to give up either. Nor do we allow Satan to steal our joy, although I feel like he has been working overtime on me the past few days....cried all the way home the other night, scared Jeff to death. God bless him for not asking me to "talk it out" since it was one of those times that my tears really could not be explained but I couldn't stop them from falling either.

God continues to bless me through His word. I read in 1 John 5: 14-15 on Christmas day it says, "And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for." This was soothing words to my restless spirit. As hard as it can be sometimes, I am trusting that He does hear our prayers and will answer us.

A big thanks to everyone of you who have prayed for us this past year. We truly are blessed to be surrounded by a community of prayer warriors. No words can express the gratitude in my hearts for each one of you. God is faithful. God's word is true. God is alive and active in each one of our lives.

Merry Christmas!

I want to wish each and everyone of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I also would like to apologize yet again to the many friends and family members who did not receive a card this year. I miscalculated and by the time I realized it I said, "Oh well, screw it." Which means the last 15 address stickers were left without cards. I know I could have ordered more and should have but things have been very busy the last few weeks. You know buying a house, welcoming a nephew and such.

Oh and unfortunately it looks like we aren't moving until February. Agh!!! I am chanting this verse and spending much of my free time making a decorating plan and budget. I guess you can say it is the interior designer/spreadsheet lover in me. I know, I know I need help.

Again have a merry Christmas and don't forget to take time to worship Him.

See you after the holidays!

Elijah's 3rd Birthday

I finally got my cord for my camera and will now be playing catch up with the pictures. We had a family party at Chuckie Cheese for Elijah's 3rd birthday. He had a blast running around playing the games, eating the cake and opening his presents.

It's hard to believe that he is 3! Seems like yesterday we were welcoming the little one into the world. Time flies when you are having fun!

Happy Birthday Eli! May you grow in wisdom and stature and follow the plans that God has for you.

Aunt Sue Sue loves you to pieces!

Thanks Lord, I Needed That

I won't go into the details of all that is going on this side of the screen these days. I will say though, that God is faithful and constantly encouraging me through His word, my friends, family, Jeff and even the blogging land.

Last night I had a moment where I layed it all out before the Lord. Let's just say I needed Him to calm a few fears of where God is leading us. Everything I have prayed for has happened except one thing. And well that one thing has been the hardest to let go and trust God.

Through His word, God continues to show me that He is faithful and that He hears my prayers.

For example last night, I read in Psalms 17 that God will answer me and hear my prayers. I also read in Psalms 21 about God's strength and His joy to bless those who believe in Him. Don't get me wrong, I know I am blessed. I have a wonderful husband who is willing to walk this path with me and who keeps me laughing even when the days seem dark. I am blessed with a job that allows me to stay at home and every once in awhile allows me to dapple in the interior design side of the business. I am blessed with a wonderful support system, friends who out of the blue will call and say "I prayed for you today." And I am blessed to be just a few weeks away from moving to a house that only the Lord could have orchestrated. Even though I know I am blessed I am still human with real longings and desires.

I am really getting off the point of the post.

The point is this, I woke up asking the Lord to show me His way and to encourage me through this day today. Some days I think you just know you are going to need an extra measure of umph and today was that day for me.

When I came to log into my computer I did what I always do first, check google reader. I found this post and my heart soared. Thanks Lord for letting me see that first thing this morning, I needed that.

I pray that if you need to hear a good word from the Lord today that you too will receive it. Believe in Him.
He will do more than we can ask, hope or imagine.

The Smell Of Christmas

One of my all time favorite recipes and memories from growing up.

Peel of 1 Orange
Peel of 1 Lemon
2 cinnamon sticks
1 bay leaf
several whole cloves

Simmer all ingredients in a small pan. Add water as needed.

Thanks Donna Willbanks for this wonderful Christmas tradition and recipe! I have done this almost every Christmas season since becoming a wife and homemaker.

Today Is Not Going According to Plan

The plan was for me to wake up early and get a few things done at work so that I could do a bit of grocery shopping and christmas shopping. I have bought only one present.

Instead my day has gone something like this:

• woke up an hour and half later than normal
• recieved a phone call from my co-worker telling me her house was broken into last night and could I contact a few dealers on her behalf. I feel so sorry for her talk about a Bah-hum-bug experience
• and since I woke up late, I just now took a shower during my lunch hour
• I am having to wear my old, and I mean old glasses, because my contact was found next to my contact case dried up and my newer glasses are on vacation somewhere around my bed. I think I know right where they are but hubs is sleeping and I don't want to wake him

Needless to say, I am not sure if I will be able to leave the house today to get groceries and shopping done. Honestly, I am not going to sweat it either. Life's to short to be allow myself to come unglued.

I will be watching this later tonight. It's the last year the Bush's will decorate the White House. Sniff, sniff! Why do I have the Boys to Men song "It's so Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" playing in my head?

Merry Christmas everyone!

Santa is coming! Santa is coming!