Keeping It Simple This Birthday

On Friday my co-worker called and while were talking she asked what my plans were for the weekend. "Well, tomorrow is my birthday...."

To which she replied, "Oh s&*t! I totally forgot!"


I died laughing because she did not try to cover up the fact that she forgot but came right out with a whoops, we forgot. For the record, I did get flowers and this is the first time in 3 years that they have not gone all out. I don't think most jobs treat their employees as good as they treat me on my birthday so I can't complain.

On Saturday, my actual birthday my mom and I spent the day shopping. We hit up Home Goods for the first time and fell in love rather quickly with this store. I bought a few plates to use in our new home. Seriously, this place is a part of TJ Maxx so it's nice stuff for a great price. Check it out, you will be happy you did.

Later that night Jeff took me to my favorite restaurant, The Cheesecake Factory.

The next night we headed over to my in-laws house for Chocolate Cake and a game of Phase 10. Jacob was my partner but he didn't last through first round. Notice the death grip he has on my shirt.

This next weekend is the BIG SURPRISE and dinner at my mom's. And nope, I still don't know what we are doing.

This year has been a great year because it was a very simple and very low key birthday.

Here is one last picture of the littlest nephew. Isn't he adorable?

Almost a Year Later

This picture is so funny to me! Check out my cake...

It was a joke between Jeff and I. He wanted the cake to be tacky, I just wanted the cake to be tasty.

So I wasn't surprised when we were in Sam's and he told me to hang out here (here being the magazine ailse) and off he went. A few minutes went by and I got curious and my little warning light went on alerting me that Jeff was up to something. I found him at the bakery laughing to himself as he filled out the card. When he said, "I got your cake!" I asked to see what he picked out. I knew before I even saw what he chose that it was going to be good.

A bass pro fish with a pink icing is every girl's dream cake, right? Well it really wasn't mine but I embraced it for a good laugh.

Tomorrow is my birthday, another year-another cake and Jeff has something up his sleeve.

I was told the other night that Jeff was clearing my schedule for next weekend. He said that I would not be singing at church because we would not be getting home in time.

I thought about doing a Sydney Bristow mission to find out where we were going but decided that would spoil the fun. Instead I am sitting back and enjoying my time until he spills the beans. And if I know Jeff like I do, he can't keep a secret either so I will know in a day or two.

:)

At my last appointment my doctor said two things that left me knowing God is fully in control.

1) There is nothing medically wrong with me keeping us from getting pregnant. This just proves to me that God's timing is perfect and His timing has not yet come.

2) My doctor told me that I was the most peaceful patient she has ever had who has been where I am today. She said most women in my shoes come in saying "What the hell? What's wrong with me?" Little does she know that I have said those same words many times on my knees crying out to the Lord. Looking back I kick myself for not using her comment as a transition to talking about all the Lord is doing within me. Maybe one day that door will be opened again.

And another tidbit that was just funny to me.

3) Jeff and I have a unspoken agreement between us that these next six months are going to not be about a baby; we want to live each day to the fullest in the present moment. But the other night, I broke that little agreement to tell him about a friend I know who works for an adoption agency.

"So and so works for an adoption agency...we should talk to her to get direction from her if that day comes."

Jeff-"Does she handle Swedish adoptions?"

It took me a minute but then I started laughing and said, "I am not sure I am going to allow you to do a Swedish adoption."

Jeff says, "Why don't you want a hot 18 year old Swedish girl for a daughter?"

"No, I want a baby."

To which Jeff says "I want a baby too."

Then I just had to hold up my hand and say "Whatever Jeff."

:)

I love this man and could not imagine anyone else walking this journey with me.

And let me close with what I write in my journal almost everyday.

I wait with hope.
I live in peace.
I serve with love.

In The Kitchen: Herbed Beef Stew

The following recipe is from one of my favorite crock pot meal cookbooks, Fix It & Forget It. If you own this book it's on page 72, if you don't own it, you should.

What you need:

1 lb beef round, cubed

4 Tbsp seasoned flour (see below)

1 1/2 cups beef broth (I use two cans)

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 garlic clove (or I use 2 tbsp of minced garlic)

4 carrots sliced (I buy a bag of frozen crinkle cut carrots)

3 potatoes, cubed

2 onions, diced

1 rounded tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp of dried thyme

1 rounded tsp chopped fresh basil or 1/2 tsp dried thyme

1 Tbsp fresh parsley or 1 tsp. dried parsley

1 rounded tsp fresh marjoram or 1 tsp dried marjoram (I have no clue what this is so I omitted)

Put meat in slow cooker. Add seasoned flour. Toss with Meat. Stir in all other ingredients. Mix Well. Cover. Cook on high 4-6 hours or low 10-12 hours.

*Seasoned Flour

1 cup flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp pepper

I serve this with fresh bread from the Kroger deli and or make a batch of cornbread. Very yummy and very simple to make.

And would anyone like to enlighten me on what the heck marjoram is? I will be your best friend for life.

A New Beginning

I have started this post off and on and can't seem to find the words to begin writing what is on my heart. I guess I will jump in with both feet.

After six months of infertility treatments we have now reached the stage where the doctor has said my body needs to rest. When I started the medication I had no idea what would happen but I never thought we come out of these past months without a bun in the oven. Last month I was almost nine days late. I didn't get my hopes up too much because I never got a positive pregnancy test. I told only one friend about the possibility that I was pregnant from the beginning. She suggested that I go see the doctor to get blood work after I the third "not pregnant" flashed on the stick. I did and as I was waiting that night for the results-I got my answer without even having to hear the doctor say "Not pregnant." (I tried not to be graphic for my handful of men readers)

Would you believe me if I told you that Jeff didn't even know that I was that late? Yes I kept that quiet this go round. But later when I told him about how my emotions were all over the place he grabbed me and said, "You are not in this alone. I am here." See why I love him to pieces? He also continues to tell me repeatedly how much he loves me and that he didn't marry me for kids. He married me because he couldn't imagine spending the rest of his life without me. Again, do you see why I love him?

A few months ago, I decided that I would no longer share this journey on the blog. I was afraid that I was starting to sound like Debbie Downer on SNL. But over the last two weeks, I have found a community of women in blog land who have or are going through the same journey. I have become a huge fan of Kelly's blog and cried like a baby when I read this post. That post sums up exactly how I am feeling today. And as many of you know, Psalms 37 is the verse I am clinging to right now. But by Kelly sharing her story in such a real way people are leaving comments about how their faith has changed and some have even said that they gave their life to Christ because of experiencing all the things God has done for them.

To me that in itself is the main reason I started this blog-to show God all the things He has been doing for us. I am not sure why I got away from that, maybe I lost myself a bit or maybe I was just too tired of talking about it all. And at this point, I don't know how much of those details I want to share anymore because that is really not where my focus is today. All I know is that over the past few weeks God has been tugging at my heart for me to start writing again and sharing a few things He has been showing me in scripture.

And that dear friends is me, jumping in with both feet.

God bless your journey-He is blessing mine daily!

Boy was I Bummed

The picture above is what I found when I walked into the kitchen this morning. Someone had themselves a pancake feast while I was sound asleep. Boy was I bummed!

But to be fair, he did try to wake me up but I wasn't having it.

I guess that is what I get for taking a sleeping pill close to midnight last night. It was either take a sleeping pill or be up at 4 am wide awake. I think sleeping through the night was the better of the two.

I hate that I missed out Jeff's pancakes but was so happy that he cleaned up after himself. Isn't he thoughtful! I think I will keep him.

It's the Simple Things That Make Me Happy

1. A quiet weekend at home
2. Snuggling close to hubs while we watched Fox News Friday night
3. Woke up Saturday morning and chatted with hubs while drinking coffee
4. Cleaning out the closet and throwing things away for the big move
5. Taking two large bags of stuff to a resale shop that helps abused women get back on thier feet
6. Lunch with good friends Sunday afternoon
7. Sunday afternoon naps-a sacred thing at our house
8. deep theological discussions with the small group at church (my head is still spinning)
9. finishing up the weekend sitting next to hubs and reading a good book

Sometimes you just need a list to remember the simple things that make you happy.

Have a great Monday-I am off to make a buck for the furniture company

A Cardinal In My Window

Yesterday I saw a cardinal sitting on a branch outside our window at the new house. Why is this important? Well let me tell you.

You see the past few months I have been playing a little game with God over the past few months each time I visit the house. As I have been praying for God's leading on where He was leading us I have also prayed for a sign. The sign? A red cardinal.

For the past six months every time I have been at the house I start looking for my cardinal. In fact, on the drive over, I usually ask God if today is going to be the day I see my cardinal. I guess I should also mention that I am prone to talking out loud to God while driving.

Yesterday as we were getting ready to sign our name on the dotted line, I happened to look out the kitchen window. Do you know what I saw? Yes! That's right, a cardinal. I got so excited that I cried out "My cardinal! I have seen my cardinal!" Which lead to me getting that look from Jeff saying you better explain yourself rather quickly or they will think you are nuts. After I explained myself my friend June said, "Isn't God good?" Yep. God is good.

How cool is it that as we were signing the contract that I see a cardinal outside the kitchen window? God's timing is perfect and I feel so blessed that He brought us the cardinal at just that moment.

Plus with a view like that washing dishes sure will be a sweet time!

Girls Night!

Last night my mom, Missy and new friend Amy snuck away for a live taping of Life Today. Kari Jobe was there promoting her new album. I heart Kari!

We received a copy of her CD for attending and when I got home I pulled out my old school Walkman, threw on my comfy pj's, crawled under the covers and listened all the way through. I felt like I was back in high school enjoying my new CD.

The CD will be released on February 10Th and I strongly suggest that you add it to your music library. It is full of worshipful songs that everyone can relate to.

In less than 60 days this will be our home. The home that Jeff and I have prayed over and waited for God to show us which way to go. To say I am excited would be the understatement of the year.

I am still under strict orders not to show any portion of the outside of the house that could cause stranger danger. Fortunately many of you already know where this house is located and with a few clues you will know exactly the house we are buying.

1. The name of the street is a tree.

2. The house is two blocks from the Home of the Fighting Cardinals.

3. If you keep going three more blocks you will be at the street where I grew up.

4. My neighbors are great friends of many of us. In fact our group from the high school youth group spent most Wednesday nights hanging at there house.

Still don't know? Don't worry, we will be sending an email in the next few months with our new address and phone number. Stop by anytime!

Do you want to hear the funny part about this whole process? For years, YEARS, Jeff and I have been praying for God to open doors for us to move. As we waited, we continued to save money and get out of debt but I was starting to get very restless. Let's just say working for a huge furniture company in the middle of my one bedroom apartment has been a real challenge.

During this time I prayed for three specific things. 1) an older home that we could remodel. 2) A house with lots of trees. 3) a house with a separate space for an office

In late June, I had lunch with my soon to be neighbor. We were sitting in her living room talking about how I would love to live on this street. She and I have been keeping our eye out since the day Jeff and I got married for a house to come on the market in their neighborhood but nothing was happening. In July, after the Disney Trip of 08, Jeff and I decided it was time to start the house hunt. I continued to secretly wish for God to open a house for us next to our friends but was happy to go anywhere as long as Jeff and I were together. :) Less than two weeks after we started looking, I received a call from my friend telling me about a house across the street. "Are you serious?" It was more than I could hope or imagine. When I hung up the phone I immediately started to pray that God would either open or close the door if we were to move-His will be done and all that. I waited two days to tell Jeff, mostly because he was working crazy hours (more so than usual) and I really didn't think he would go for it. I was so nervous to hear the word no.

Jeff as usual was very cautious about what direction we would take but was open to the idea although he need to sleep on it a bit. And thanks be to God, I kept my mouth shut as he mulled it over. Somewhere deep inside I knew that this would be the house we would be buying one day. The first day we went to look at the house-our friends we were buying the house from, left us alone in the house to talk it over. As we were standing in the kitchen debating this and that, I had a moment where I felt at home. This was home but Jeff was still not there yet. I think the foundation being slanted and bricks cracked was a large part of his hesitation. Fast forward, after months of waiting for the foundation to be repaired we were pleasantly surprised to see that the house had been fixed. Christmas morning instead of opening presents, we sat and discussed paint colors and which color of hardwood floors we were going to put down. It was one of my favorite Christmas mornings.

This past Saturday night, we went over to our soon to be neighbors house and had dinner. When we left our neighbors house that night, Jeff and I walked across the street and walked through our new home for a bit. Yes, we do have a key to a house that we have yet to sign a contract for but that's what happens when you buy a house from great family friends. A perk I guess.

Come March 31st we will be home owners-praise be to God. Stay tuned, I look forward to sharing the adventures of homeownership.

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!