Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Treats

This is the view I have looking out my window today:


So this is the treat that I made for inside:


Yes, there is hot chocolate under those marshmallows!:)

p.s. On a similar note, I'm going to be making cookies for a cookie swap in a couple of weeks.  Any suggestions?  I'm torn as to whether to go with the plain-looking cookies that always taste amazing or to do a more decorative one. 

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Love

Love you Daddy, and missed you this Thanksgiving. 

Snapshot Saturday

This is too funny.  We were at Opryland Hotel tonight.  I was taking a picture of everybody.  Brian, I think, is really just pointing to be funny.  He made some random guy look also, and I have absolutely no idea what Chris is looking at/doing!  We did not plan this photo.  What a crazy night!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Try-out

I'm trying out a new background for the holidays, as you can see.  I like it but I think I might like it better if it didn't have those Santa buttons.  Oh well, I'll try it for a little while.  Happy Saturday!

Friday, November 26, 2010

My Black Friday...

Sadly, Chris had to go back to Knoxville to work today.  However, my Mom and I were able to spend a wonderful day together.  First we went to visit my Grandmother.  I don't get to see her enough and we had a great visit.
Then my Mom and I headed to lunch at Ruby Tuesday's.  Did you know that they have free garlic cheddar biscuits now?  Umm...Yummm.  After lunch was a movie, 127 Hours.  Interesting true story about a man on a hike who gets his armed trapped between a boulder and a crevice wall.  I'll let you imagine how he got out.:)  We ended our day with a quick trip to Publix and home to make pigs in a blanket.  LOVE my family and I am so thankful for the times when I get to spend time with those I don't get to see as much as I want!  Good news...Chris is back for the rest of the weekend and our plans are to watch the Vols play beat Kentucky tomorrow and then we're all going to Opryland Hotel.  What a great weekend before back to reality on Monday!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

May your Thanksgiving be filled with family, friends, good food, and blessings!  Let the holidays begin!!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Don't Let the Turkey Get the Best of You!

I hope all of your Thanksgiving preparations are going well and that we all take the time to pause and smell the turkey roses.:)  Enjoy your family.  Remember your friends.  Reflect over the year up until now.  Honestly, there are many things about this year that sometimes I think I wouldn't mind forgetting.  I want to stop, though, and remember to thank my God for everything.  He is good and His ways are perfect.  Lord help me to remember that and to have confidence in You!  
Hope your day is filled with lots of family, good food, and naps!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Snapshot Saturday

Yes, I know this is not my own snapshot, but I make the rules! :) It's almost Thanksgiving week and I'm so excited to be with family.  We'll spend Thanksgiving lunch with Chris' family and then we'll have Thanksgiving breakfast on Friday with my family.  I'm really looking forward to this new way to celebrate.  Love this holiday photo:  


I'm borrowing this quote from a friend, but I loved it and would like to pass it on to you:  

Dear friends, I wish for you bountiful blessings this holiday season.  Most of all, though, I wish for you enough.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Happy Happy Friday to You!

Happy Friday Friends!!  I am so glad that the weekend is here!  This brings me that much closer to the end of the semester which brings me that much closer to my last semester of Nursing school!!  Can we say Hallelujah?  I'm feeling very good about the weekend even though I've already had a couple of (minor) setbacks.  For one, my car slowly died on the way home from school today.  First the radio and air, then the odometer/thermometer/windows/blinkers/headlights...I could go on.  I was talking to Chris on the phone and we were laughing because I would give him a report of the next thing to die.  You have to laugh rather than cry sometimes, right?!?   Anyway, when I got home I tried to start it again and it wouldn't even start.  Chris is hoping it's just the alternator which is a relatively mild issue in the scheme of things I guess.  Definitely cheaper than a new car.  

Anyway...the second thing is that I have to work tomorrow.  Now, I don't know about you, but I think that working on Saturday is for the birds.  I kind of feel like everyone is having a party except for me.  However, I do want to help out while I'm in school so this is a great opportunity for me to do that.  It also will help with Christmas coming up!  (More likely, this paycheck will go for more practical things like alternators.)  

Despite these "setbacks", I'm pretty excited about the weekend.  Chris' cousin Callie and her little girl Sophi are coming to visit and the VOLS play tomorrow night!  Worship with our wonderful church family is Sunday and Thanksgiving and Christmas are on their merry way!  (There might be a couple of birthdays thrown in there as well.)  I know that I've rambled on here today, but I'm feeling a little joyful about life right now.  Nope, we don't really have the money for car parts right now, but we'll manage.  God has proven to us that he always provides.  

"O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below--you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way."

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Guilty

I have another confession. I have to admit that I have somewhat sort of become intrigued in the Prince William/Kate Middleton engagement.  

Did you see that ring?  I think I'd be terrified to wear it!
That is all. :)

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Hints

OK, so I can't help it any longer!!  I am kind of (really) looking forward to this time of year:


I know, I know...Thanksgiving first.  :)

Monday, November 15, 2010

A Thankful Spirit

In the spirit of the season of giving thanks, I've come up with a list of a few things I am thankful for.  This is 
especially appropriate for me today because I have found myself lately feeling burned out (mostly with school) and having a negative attitude about certain things.  This list names those things I am most thankful for PLUS the things that I need a reminder to be thankful for!  In no particular order, these are the things I am thankful for today:

1.  My awesome family.  I don't know what I would do without them!
2.  Our wonderful church family.
3.  A job that allows me to interact with patients and make some extra money while I'm in school.
4.  Warm pajamas and a warm husband to cuddle with!
5.  Today I have to be thankful for cold, rainy weather.  Pretty cozy!
6.  A comfortable place to come home to and Chris' parents who always make us feel welcome.
7.  An unexpected free lunch from Jason's Deli!
8.  Friends at school who help keep everything in perspective.
9.  Night when someone else cooks!
10.  Puppy kisses from my Bailey-boy.  

I will enter His gates with Thanksgiving in my heart.  I will enter His courts with praise.  I will say this is the day that the Lord has made.  I will rejoice for He has made me glad!

What is something that you are thankful for today?

Friday, November 12, 2010

Finally Friday!!

The weekend is here and my Mom is coming to visit!  I am so excited!  I just don't get to see her enough and she's coming to Knoxville so I get to have her all to myself. :)  We don't have any grand plans, just some visiting and shopping and being together.  I absolutely have the best Mom in the world!


Thursday, November 11, 2010

A Prayer for Today

Just for today Lord...
-help me to complete my work without grumbling or complaining.
-help me give of myself with reservation.
-help me to be a blessing to my husband.
-help me be mindful of my time and spend it on things that matter.
-help me to take care of my body with nutritious food and beneficial exercise. 
-help me to be a good daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, niece, aunt, and all of those other things I am!!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Love Without End, Amen.

It's been a little over 5 months since my Dad passed away and not a day has gone by that I haven't thought of him.  I miss him so much and so many things remind me of him like the start of football season during which he would be cheering on the Vols and the Colts.  A George Strait song will come on the radio and I am instantly taken back into childhood when we are riding in the car singing Amarillo by Morning.  I'm also reminded of him when I see my sister's determination and hard work or my brother's skill of being good with people and being admired by those around him.  I know that I carry some of him in me as well and I am positive that we have received the best of his character and love for family.  Tomorrow, November 6th, he would have turned 54 years old.  That little ache in my heart is hanging around again.  This date has been one of the most difficult for me.  This begins the next couple of months of birthdays and holidays that will be a first without him.  That thought it a little gut-wrenching.  I would want my Dad to know, though, that we are moving on with life.  He would be so mad if he knew we weren't  So, tomorrow may be a little difficult, but my mind will be filled with thoughts and memories of my Daddy who had the strongest arms and the warmest heart of any man in the world. 

Happy Birthday Daddy.
We will  love you and miss you always.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

"I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.
My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.
I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.  I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!"

I came across this recently and was very moved by the words of the author.  Many attribute it to Dr. Bob Moorehead but I don't think it has been 100% confirmed.  I in no way claim to live up to the words of this passage but can only hope to grow toward this confidence.  What do you think of it?  Have you read it before and do you have any thoughts about what it says?