Just Because - It's Me, and It's You

 I haven't blogged in so long that I had to log-in to my Blogger account and then I got the password wrong. That was major. I gotta get it all out.

I have just been busy as a bee here lately, juggling life, family, and all the every day things that come along with it. I have boycotted my blog for the simple fact that I had to say NO to something. It's almost like I'm mad at my blog site. I love it and I crave it, but don't have time for it. Talk about resentment. Kinda how I feel about Diet Coke. I love it, and count on it every morning.... and then I feel bad for drinking it. It is just so DANG delicious.

So, most of this will be in list form and I'm gonna try to make it short cause there are some 500 thread counts calling my name....

When I can't write about my life I am making mental notes about everything I should write about. Then I don't have time. But, then something compels me to just get started and then I can breathe a sigh of relief  that my thoughts, feelings, and favorite things are finally in print again for me to share. So here goes my list of updates, thoughts, and favorite things:

SOUL MATES: The reason I was compelled to write tonight is because I just got off the phone with one of my absolute favorite, most special people in the whole world. I felt like I shouldn't even call her back tonight cause I have been in such funk here lately and maybe I should wait until a happier day. And just hearing her voice, unveiling our lives, venting, laughing, psychoanalyzing our husbands and children and just flat out being ourselves I returned to a state of joy. 

BFF's: There is a reason that God created women in such a magical way. Thank the Lord that I have so many girls in my life that I consider my closest, my BFF's, or something even closer than sisters could be. I love my husband, and God knows I do.. But there is just something about your girl BFFs that your husband just cannot be. Well, mainly because then we could have no discussion of such husbands and unfortunate mishaps. And then we couldn't laugh, and swear, and figure out how we were going to do it different next time, or trick them into doing it again. If we didn't have girlfriends, we couldn't vent about things. Like how we are secretly hoping that men will learn how that toilet paper roll actually works on the holder, and how the seat goes up AND down, or what spatulas are, or that towels go on the rack and not over the shower curtain, or why doesn't he just go to bed instead of laying all over the couch while I'm trying to watch my show? Just go to bed already......!!!!!

All I know is that when I'm with these girls, I breathe them in like fresh oxygen while I can and just hope that the feelings of laughter, and stories shared, and hugs, and tears, and being who we are will not fade fast. That they will carry me through to the days of our next crossing path.

It is you.....that I'm talking to... 

- It's You that texts me pictures of your boots and tights together - for advice,  you who never passes judgment, you who loved me and helped me even when I wasn't being realistic. You who are creative, and resourceful, and inventive. You make my day just by texting me pictures of your boots...I mean after all.... you are Shug in boots :) 

- And It's also you- and how we talk about our babies and how we live too far apart, and how we want to see each other so bad but then just take our usual nap after we relinquish all the secrets and drama of our lives. It's you that makes my creativity unveil, or give me the opportunity to tell you things I know about.  It's you who built our friendship from complete honesty from the very beginning and it has changed my life. It's you that understands who I am (because you are so much of the same). And we look alike. And everyone thinks we are sisters. BoNuS!

It's you- who comes in so handy with your family's vacation home so we can escape reality, play loud music, go walking, take dangerous boating adventures, and sleep in. We can also stalk people on Facebook from a safe distance, watch movies or SATC reruns. We can tell our secrets, be honest, and give each other complete truth. We can learn from each other. We can talk about God's word and what it means to us. It's you that prepared me for life's challenges when our friendship had only first begun. It's you who has an amazing life story to tell.

- It's you that loves to cook, and travel, and teach, and run (and do it all well) 

- it's you who can bake, do some major hair styles, and who loves the beach

- it's you who is a down-home girl with more sisters than I would ever want, and who is so perfectly sweet, and best of all - a lover of all things WOLFPACK! 

- it's you who is my sister in Christ, who is walking along side me and does not judge me. You are what I prayed for when I moved home. We can be honest and laugh about it. I am so thankful that you have come into my life. 

See how blessed I am? I find it hard to split my free time these days. AND there are so many more people that I could list who are so influential in my life. Lately, even the little things make a big difference in my life. I am truly thankful for the steps I've taken in this life to get me this far. I'm looking forward to a blessed weekend with family and friends. 

It's my Mama's Birthday and I can't wait to give her a special surprise! 

XOXO 

Oh Yes - the time has COME!

It has been coming for quite some time now. Yes, it's a new year, a fresh start, WHATEVER. Remember when I shared my Not-so-Resolutions here? Well, I have not been doing real good so far on some of those "making life better plans."  Passout. I blame my attention span.

Anywho, my biggest challenge has been weight loss / exercise etc. Yeah, I know, another passout moment. And by Passout I mean Big Surprise (for you who may not catch my sarcasm). So, it was tonight when I dropped a generous chunk of my red-velvet pudding cupcakes on to the floor, and proceeded to call the 5-second rule (on to perfectly and recently mopped floors) that I realized....what am I doing? Can I not actually miss out on that chunk and spare myslef those few calories??? I think yes. hello reality check.

So here is my dilemma; when I am exercising I feel GrEaT!  I even want to eat better. BUT, once I stop for a while it's kinda hard to start back. Kinda like missing church for a few Sundays to sleep in, and then it's so hard to get back in the grove. Same thing for me in exercising.  I am off track and unfocused and I have been since October. So, I'm pulling out the reinforcements. Meet Stormie...

CIRCA 1980's 

Me and Stormie go waaaaaayyyyyyyy back...Like to my middle school days. I lost like 20 pounds when I met her back-in-the-day. I know. Now, Where has she been? In the attic....chillin!

Now, let's get down to the brass tax. Stormie can come over whenever I want her to. ZUMBA and JAZZERCISE are off limits right now due to Sean working ALL THE TIME and I can't get home and to exercise class and get all my chores done. I know you moms out there are feeling me!

And as an added bonus, her and her spandex-drenched posse, 80's bangs, and leg-warmer friends get their workout on to some Jesus tunes for the perfect blend of aerobic worship.   Ahhhhhhh heaven. Only problem is, I gots to go buy a blasted VCR. It is not available on DVD. You will not believe that there are 4 available as "used" on amazon starting at $36. So, you know it is good when the price is inflated!

Wouldn't that be fun with a group of church ladies on the big screen in the fellowship hall? I'm gonna say - YES!

Just for fun I you-tubed it for you- for a little preview. Some idiot added in his own "clips" of some other crap but you get the point when you see Stormie and the girls. In middle school, I always wanted to be the girl in the blue and pink with the banana clip ;) Just sayin......

Just in case you are wondering: Here is how I made those little red velvet babies:

- One Box red velvet Cake Mix

- One box Cook & Serve Jello Instant Pudding (Vanilla) - Sugar FREE and Fat FREE
          - 2 cups milk for pudding mix

- One small package of chocolate chips

- Whipped Cream Cheese Icing (whipped is the best!)

- Sprinkles :)

By using the pudding you can eliminate the oil and eggs completely from the directions on the cake mix. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Begin by Mixing the 2 cups milk (2%)  and the package of pudding mix. Blend well with a whisk and cook in the microwave for 2 minutes (just enough to get warm).

Then add the red velvet cake mix and stir until lumps have dissolved.

Place about 1/8 cup of cake mixture into baking cups / muffin pan. Then add a FEW chocolate chips into the batter in the cups. Then, add more cake mix into the baking cups/muffin pan until they are about 2/3 full.

Bake at 350 degrees for 19-22 minutes!

Cool completely and then ice and sprinkle! You save calories and fat by using pudding and they are super moist. They are my new fave treat. Good snack for Valentines Day parties! :)

Too bad Stormie up there would not agree :(

My L.o.t. Rox update:

I mainly started blogging last year so that I could whine about all the things that got on my nerves about living in Roxboro.  Blogging was a good try for me because it was FREE and I couldn't really afford a therapist. Trust me, not much has changed - well, except for the fact that I probably still need a therapist. 

Let's discuss...

Here are all the things that I have discovered will always get on my nerves/pet peeves:

1) Wake up phone calls -  some people have learned that you shouldn't wake me up - no matter what the circumstances are. Some people are yet to figure this out.The only person I really let slide is my Mama cause I always love to chat with her in the mornings (and you can't get feisty with yo' Mama even if it is before 8am).

2) the Wal-Mart factor - Seriously...you know that it is impossible to go to the Wal-mart without seeing someone you know. I have quite honestly started skimming the parking lot for cars of those whom I wish NOT to run into. Here is what I have discovered are the best times to go to the Wal-mart to avoid said run-ins:  Tuesday nights after 6:00, Wednesday nights after 7:00 (a lot of people are at church), and Sunday mornings before 9am. You are Welcome :) If you absolutely have to go there, be aware of your surroundings. I pretend not to see people all the time. That is SO bad I know. But some days you just don't feel like 'catching up' while your child plays games on your cell, and people are staring at you like get-out-of-the-way. I hate it when people stop mid-aisle for a reunion. Which always begins with, "how's your Mama?"

3) Why is the frazlin' McDonalds drive-thru line always backed up into the road? I mean how hard should it be for a girl to get a McCafe Caramel Mocha Skinny Latte on demand? I totally miss the Micki-D's at the top of the Hill at the King Bee. And the one in the Wal-Mart does not count....(see # 2) Y'all feel me? ...And speaking of things I miss... remember when Wendy's had a salad / hot bar? DANG I miss those days. This is where I learned of my love for spiral pasta and tomato sauce. AND I miss the Sonic. Who really shops at Rite-Aid anyway??? I am a CVS girl. I would much rather have the Sonic back and hit up a Route 44 Diet Cherry Limeade instead of a Px refill.... Who is with me????

 I know that these things are minor but it would make life more bearable if they could maybe open a Target (to split the Wal-mart crowd and bring on the quality goods), and get another McDonalds, and bring back the Sonic. I am talking quality of life here for the Rox. If you are not from the Rox, be daggone thankful if you can reach a target in a 10-15 mile radius.

BUT, here is what I wouldn't change for nothin' - 

1. Being near my family. (however dysfunctional we may be ;) 

2. Making new friends and growing close to the old ones. I LOVE my Raleigh girls a ton and I MISS them EVERY day, I think of them EVERY day, I PRAY for them still,  but God has blessed me with some extremely wonderful friends since I have moved back home. They make life dreamy and the best part is that they are all my sisters in Christ. Sean handpicked out one for me last year when we were engaged and he said that he thought we would grow to be good friends one day. I told him he was crazy and now I just love her to death. See how God works? And I love me some Sean Austin for encouraging me to do so! I was so frustrated when I first moved home. I couldn't get my hands on my friends enough because they were all so far away. I felt like I was left out of everything here.  Even at some family gatherings, I am sometimes the "outsider" but I have learned that it is OK.  And even some friends BECAME family. God has also blessed me with one incredible friend at church which was an answered prayer for me. Now I find myslef having trouble splitting my time. What a blessing! 

3. Being married to a crazy, funny, handsome, and DRIVE-ME-CRAZY man! I KNOW I drive him twice as crazy! Oh what a year it has almost been. I wouldn't change it for nothin!!!!! We are definitely a unique couple and what we have works for US! We have so much more learnin' to do but we are well on our way. What we have is OURS and nobody can ever take that away. Georgia Anne keeps us laughing all the time. Tonight we all 3 laughed at the table during dinner over something crazy and I thought it was such a cliche but it was just like sitting and watching it in a movie. There we are cracking up at the simplest things, and our life is just revolving around us and we don't even notice. We just roll through our days and take it as it comes. 

So.... all in all, the Rox has sucked me in Y'all. .

Literally, I'm stuck here.

Who could leave all this?

There Will be a Day

The chorus of this song is amazing. Be quiet and listen. Sorry I couldn't find a more entertaining video but I am caught up on the words of this song anyway. I am finding comfort in this song right now for so many reasons. I know that we serve an awesome God and he is bigger than anything we can comprehend. But in the midst of knowing that, it is sometimes hard to understand His plan and purpose for our lives. 

It is so hard to accept that what God has in store is not always what we want.  We think it's not fair, we think it's painful, we may even think it is punishment. BUT... God has a plan, a purpose, and a gift inside every move He makes. We all belong to Him... We are all part of His perfect plan...We each have a lesson to learn in Faith.  The largest tragedy can be a testament of Faith within a family, in a closely knit group of friends, or even in a single person reevaluating their faithfulness. How can one have such Faith that they are ready to go and be with the Lord? How can someone praise His name for a life being cut way too short? How can someone praise His name for losing someone we adore? How can someone praise His name for such a loss of friendship, love, laughter, and family? 

The answer is in the song; "There will be a day of no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears." We are promised eternal life that is better than anything we could ever imagine if we trust in Him. So we must do just that. Trust in Him that we may be comforted when we struggle, trust that He has the better plan, trust that we will be changed for good in these situations. Spend every second you have breathing to gain that Faith, to accomplish that mission, to be that kind of man (or woman) that can take shake their fist at cancer and say "I won anyway."  We are not promised tomorrow here on Earth, but we are promised eternity with Him. 

This is the day the LORD has made; 

let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

Psalm 118: 24

ReSoLuTiOn - who?

Life altering resolutions are NOT for me. I am NOT a consistent person. Resolutions and promises are rarely kept and rarely are they sincere. I don't really believe in I'm sorry's, or a "do-over" for mistakes. Chances are it's gonna happen again. Just pick up and move forward. This is such a bad quality. I  know this (to all of you passing judgment and psychoanalyzing me). Admitting is the first step right???? It is entirely too stressful to commit yourself to something for an entire year. As with most of my projects, I lose steam half-way through anyway. However, here is what I plan to do in order to make my life better in 2012:

{1}

Read More Books and Magazines: I really want to do more than look at the pictures and spread them out nicely on my coffee table. Books are also spread throughout my house in nice piles and I keep imagining myslef coming home at night curling up with a good book...yeah right.

{2}

Craft Inexpensively - I want to use more reusable or recycled materials when I'm crafting and I am going to try more of all those "pins" and "likes" on pinterest!

{3} Learn to take the time to actually watch television. Random I know. I watch about 1/2 an hour to 0 hours of television per week. Not even kidding. I am always busy on some project, or gone somewhere, or just focusing on cleaning or organizing something that never gets finished anyway. I want more time to rest. To enjoy actually sitting and doing absolutely nothing. Is there anyone out there who watches less TV than I do? I think not.

{4} Garden Planning - I want to plan more for my garden to make the most from my space and resources. I also want to plant more variety. Gardening gives me such peace of mind and joy. But right now there are some major winter weeds taking over. I just picked the last of my brocolli today and started pulling weeds...Just look what I found chilling amongst the pile of weeds....

{5} Take a time out for a better daily devotional - not just the email kind. I also want to keep a gratitude list that is a daily reminder of all my blessings and how lucky I am. I am stealing this from the Best Boss Ever (who shared an old devotional with me in which she had done the same). I know God has great things in store for the Austin family this year!

{6} Yea Yea...eat more vegetables and exercise. I'm gonna go with ZUMBA once a week. How's that?

What are your "making-life-better" plans? 

PS. Can't wait to share what I got into @ Daddy's today - NC Stizzle fans will LOVE! Promise! 

Until next time, XOXO

JESUS trumps Santa!

Thinking about Christmas and all that it entails, I had to share this post circulating the blog and FaceBook world.....

Here is the link if you wanna read the entire thing........... or here is an excerpt:

"When I was in sixth grade, I received two Christmas presents I distinctly remember:

1.) The most coveted, desired beautiful "Forenza" tag on a pair of black leggings with a corresponding purple and black plaid shirt. (The outfit could've been anything, as long as it was from The Limited. Outback Red, anyone? Omg. If I could've conjured riches back then, I would've spent every red cent on OBR.)

2.) A fun, quirky red "football jersey type" sweatshirt.

I loved them both. Loved, loved, loved. I was certain these gifts were my ticket out of Dorkville. The feathered, product-less boy haircut and Bargain Selection glasses would become moot in light of my new, stylish garb. The popular kids would wonder what they ever didn't see in me. The cute boys I pined over would fight over inviting me to Sadie Hawkins, and they would say things like, "Why haven't we noticed her before? We're like Saul after the scales fell from his eyes." Or at least something very, very similar to that.

Until one very unfortunate eavesdropping session.

Supposed to be in bed but creeping in the hall listening to my parents' conversation which simply seemed like a naughty, awesome thing to do, I heard my mom say this:

"Her red sweatshirt? I found it at Walmart for $3.00."

Oh.
No.
She.
Didn't.

And just like that, the sweatshirt was ruined. In front of my eyes, it lost all its charm and it simply became something a Walmart girl would wear because she couldn't afford Esprit and her mother refused to buy her Guess jeans. All of a sudden, it communicated: I'm poor. (I was in sixth grade, people. It was a very dramatic time.)

Here's why I tell you about my persecutions: That is the only thing I remember from Christmas 1985. Not Jesus. Not reverence. Not generosity. Not gratitude. Just a selfish, materialistic reaction because every single gift of mine wasn't from an overpriced store with a namebrand I could casually brag about wearing. What a brat.

This sort of bull crap is still happening every year.

What happened to Christmas? What on earth happened to it? When did it transform from something simple and beautiful to what it is now? How insiduously did the enemy work to slowly hijack Jesus' birth and hand it over on a silver platter to Big Marketing, tricking His own followers into financing the confiscation?

We all know it. We all feel it. Every year we bear this tension. Each December, the world feels off kilter. But in the absence of a better plan or an alternative rhythm or - let's just say it - courage, we feed the machine yet again, giving Jesus lip service while teaching our kids to ask Santa for whatever they want, because, you know, that's really what Christmas boils down to.

I just cannot take it anymore, yall. I cannot.

What if a bunch of us pulled out of the system? What if we said something very radical and un-American, like: "Our family is going to celebrate Jesus this year in a manner worthy of a humble Savior who was born to two poor teenagers in a barn and yet still managed to rescue humanity." 

-----THAT LAST LINE IS MY FAVORITE PART! 

If you did read the entire thing, you may have felt a number of things; selfishness, overspending, guilt, embarrassment, or maybe you felt nothing of the sort at all. I had such a range of emotions to this post when I read it off my dear Sissy-In-Law's Fbook page.  I had to contemplate the depth of it for about a week. I re-read it today (cause it was lonnnnngggg); I had not buried it amongst all the craziness going on in my life right now, I had simply put it on the back burner until another day. Why...because this post is so true on so many levels and it's a lot to think about.This girl has got it G-O-I-N' ON! - I applaud her efforts, stepping out of the box and taking FAITH far beyond where most of us would.

Occasionally, I post about great gift finds, local shopping, and some latest trendiness at times. Does that make me a bad person??? NO IT DOES NOT.  Does it mean that my priorities are not what they should be????...MAYBE...or MAYBE NOT! ! However, in thinking about Jesus, the most precious gift of all, Here are a couple things I wanted to throw out about priorities, AND this post from up there.... and these are not dents into what she is saying - these are my thoughts about the entire concept of Santa / Christmas and the most important gift of all Jesus Christ.

1. We shouldn't have that attitude just at Christmas - it should be something that we teach to our children year-round.- It should apply to Every area of our life - Not just CHRISTMAS!- This goes far beyond holidays. It is daily LIVING people!

2. The only thing I ever wanted to be (and actually knew that I wanted to do) was be a mother - and with that comes seeing joy and happiness on your child's face on Christmas morning - Santa or No Santa -I so look forward to Christmas morning and all that it brings - even if that means I spent money on gifts that she asked for..... But, I don't think that we are one of those crazy parents - that spend a ridiculous amount on our 4 year old for something that not even a middle-schooler should be allowed to have.  Memories are so precious and you cannot get them back. Do what is right for your family. This year will be our (me and GA) first Christmas with our own family; Just the three of us. What an exciting chance for us to share the story of Jesus with our daughter. And then we get to go to church on Sunday!!! 

Happy Birthday JESUS! 

And we are so STILL rocking the Santa at the Austin House!  

However, JESUS will always trump Santa!

3. Our children soak up wayyyy more than we can ever imagine. I dare to say that actions speak louder than words. I think that our actions for others weighs just as heavily as those gifts...or more.  - for example, every night GA looks forward to reading the selection from our advent calendar (and she is absorbing it), she helps me shop for angel tree gifts, and she knows that we as a family give to those less fortunate. We have an extreme responsibility as parents to drill into their tiny little heads what we want them to know about everything, and the importance of it all. So my plan is, BOTH! We can be reasonable with our children in what we purchase, give, and allow them to HAVE. We can teach them to give to others, we have to guide them to be good global citizens and good stewards of our earnings and property. We can teach them Jesus and have Santa too.

And ....

"As for me and my house we will serve the LORD!" Joshua 24:15 - What we want our children to know, grow-in, and absorb will come from what we teach them at home. I am so blessed that I was raised in a Christian home that made doggone sure that Jesus was priority. Santa or no Santa. I plan to make sure that GA and any future children (wayyyyyyyy down the road) will be brought up the same way. It is a hard thing to explain to little ones. Here are a few ideas for sharing Jesus with little ones:


1. Get an advent calendar (if it's too late for you, it's OK. Start from the beginning and "catch up") 
2. Get books that share the Good News with holiday spirit. Here are a few of my faves: 

"Jesus, Me, and My Christmas Tree"

Frazier, The Crooked Christmas Tree - This book is dear to my heart. It was written by Sheila Barrick, one of the ministers at the church I used to work at - First Presbyterian Church in Downtown Raleigh, NC - GA has her own special signed copy. I saw that they are also available online through Barnes and Noble.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 #3) TALK with your CHILDREN - tell them what you want them to know. Share with them the good news of Jesus. Children are most influenced by their parents and caregivers. We have an extreme responsibility to lead them! 

Finally, I am so thankful for the sharing of Jen's post that I shared up there. It really made me think.  It really sunk in.  More than anything, I am so thankful for the conversations that GA and I have had over the last few nights at bedtime, conversations in the car, the questions she asks me and Sean, and thankful for the desire in my heart for her to know the Lord. Thankful for the ones in my family who instilled that in me, and the friends that were Jesus accessories in my life. Now those are things to shop for! 

Merry CHRISTmas!!!!!  

Thanksgiving and Such - Rewinded some More

This is a randomized post I started before Thanksgiving and never finished. I started this wayyy before my Black Friday post! I was not feeling the Thanksgiving blessings that I should have been at the time. This post actually helped me work though some of that negativity and moodiness. One of the many benefits of being a woman...you may feel one way one day, then completely different the next...Thank you hormones ;) Clearly, I am in a much better place now. All I needed was a couple good sermons, some BFF time, and some family time. I also took a break over Thanksgiving weekend from my jewelry, crafts, and such. MUCH NEEDED!

By the time I was done writing this, I felt completely different. Especially after the postcards!
REWIND:
 Here is where it began 11/22/11:
Here we are. Thanksgiving week is upon us already. Big YAY. I'm not about to get all Thanksgiving -gooey with thankfulness on y'all. Mainly because I am not feelin' it just yet, and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed lately. However, I must say that Sunday's sermon at least got me headed in the right direction, and I have been thinking a little differently ever since. 

Honestly, I think my heart is not going in the right direction. I hope that will change in the next couple days! I need to pray to have contentment, peace, and thankfulness inside me. Meanwhile, my heart and brain are going in two different directions.  I just don't feel connected to the holidays this year as I have in the past. Maybe it's because I'm getting older? I don't even really feel like decorating and that's not me!

In order to get myself in the mood, I wanted to share some vintage postcards that my dearest friend Gail gave me. I have several from different holidays and I couldn't wait to share the ones from Thanksgiving- They are my favorite! They do remind me of things to be thankful for; how much our country has changed, the freedom that we have, and the easiness of our lives now compared to many years ago. 

 

I think these give an accurate depiction of the way things were, and just how hard it was. I think the writing is so precious and honest. People just don't do those things anymore! I am so very thankful for the freedom that we have here in the United States. More than anything, I am thankful for all those who protect us and keep us safe! These postcards are so dear to me. I love them so much. I think you can see why- some of them date back to 1903! 

Aren't they precious? 

They mean so much to me. I hope to share the other holidays that I have throughout the year.

And finally, as I was searching through some older Christmas cards, I found one card in particular that gave me the biggest blessing and just the reminder that I needed! I always pull this out every year, remembering what my life was like then. 

Georgia Anne and I were living in Raleigh and I was in school, and trying to work as much as I could to support myself.  Those years were so precious and such a milestone in my life. It is a reminder to me that faithfulness in the Lord and his protection over us is far greater than anything else we deserve. At a time in my life which was at times absolutely miserable and very very hard, I received this in the mail one day. To this day I do not know who sent it. It came with gift cards to Wal-Mart and The Children's Place with all these sweet messages of hope and faith and love (something I really needed that Christmas). So glad I found it today! It still touches my heart 4 years later and always will!I think I will frame it for a constant reminder of where I am now, and where I acme from...

So  thankful that I am in a place in my life now where I can "pay it forward" to someone else!

Can't wait to spoil my adopted Angel Tree baby this year! 

12/1/11
This is what writing does for me, it puts me in a completely different place.  I <3 Blogging!

Weekend on the Rox

Much needed weekend on the Rox: 

Chapter 1- 'Cheat-as" never win'

Much to my dismay, I was unable to go to the NCSU / UNC game on Saturday. Tears flowed. Twice. I was so torn as to whether I should go or not. I gave my ticket to my daddy. I totally know that I made the right choice. He was so happy to go and he had a great time tailgating with some of our best friends! I couldn't have been a happier girl at the end of the day (in less of course I had been there too).

Overall a successful day: 

#1 ) We (NCSU) did in fact and quite frankly open a can of whoop you-know-what on those tarholes!!! 

13-0

{Insert "whoop whoop"} 

Thank you to the Carolina "Cheat-as" 

oh um....I mean Tarholes 

 

#2 ) Since the hubs is a mostly converted UNC fan (until basketball season anyway) we can continue living in harmony at home. He would certainly fear for his life if said Tarholes had won on Saturday.  That's what happens to cheaters and those "joking around' on the field. The Herald Sun had it going on this morning. I just loved waking up to this...

The NCSU/UNC game is always a biggie for Sean and I. It was our first date 2 years ago and at the time Sean had not yet been converted. Ew....I know...a UNC fan? I was already sure it might not work out. Needless to say, prayers have been answered and he is now wearing red and looks amazingly hot in it. 

If you need an update on tobacco road rivalries please tune in here.  My bloggy BFF gave a quick rendition of the latest on said rivalry. 


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2 - Economy Boost!

Even though I missed the game on Saturday I got to promote my biz all day on Saturday. With much success might I add. Another one of the many ways God has blessed me with talent and ability!

I also want to catch you all up later this weekend on some other great local vendors that I think moms and ladies will love for some shoportunity. I met some great vendors on Saturday!!  You will have to wait until later this week to be introduced to my latest purchase. 
I know you can't wait. 

 __________________________________________________________

Chapter 3 - Auntie Loves!!!
One of the great things about living on the Rox is that I get to be a part of my nieces and nephews life way more than I did when I was in Raleigh.   I have 5 and 4 of them had a birthday weekend. Kelbie turned 7, Caleb turned 8, Kayla is turning 10 tomorrow. Praise the Lord! These three are so precious and I love to think on their birthdays about how each one is so special in their own unique way.  Kayla is so thoughtful and affectionate, Caleb is so manner-able and always a sweetheart when you see him, Kelbie the headstrong yet very sensitive little stone. They each have their own fire that is irreplaceable and unique. Sorry I didn't get any pics of their party. Here is an older pic of them all. 

 
I did get some pics of another little man in particular - who had a VERY special birthday. 

My Landon turned one today {tear} - It seems like just yesterday we were coming to visit you in the hospital. 

This was such a special moment for me a year ago. Sean and I were not married yet, and some how I felt that day that I was already untied with his family. When Landon was born it was another stamp of affirmation in my heart that God had ordered my steps from where I had been to where I am going.  I remember a group of us praying over him and Katie and Thomas. Tears filled my eyes in the hospital room that night and I felt such happiness and closeness that I had always wanted for my marriage, and family. It brings tears to my eyes right now just thinking about they years to come and all the joy he has brought to us all this year so far. One thing that just completely fills my cup is that moment when GA held him for the first time. Me and Katie thought she was going to cry her self.

Now, she loves him so much and it has brought out a side of her I had never seen.  I know that they will have so much fun growing up together!! I can only imagine the shaninigans they will get into!!! 

 Poor Landon is all I gotta say!! 

Just remember Landon, Auntie's can always get you out of trouble and they give you way more prizes!!!!! 

 

Oh fairy godmother where are thou?

So you know how as little girls we were totally lied to about boys.... I mean not on purpose but nobody actually told us the truth about them. Right? ... Yes right I am.  Proceed for further evidence.

My first ever movie in the theater was Snow White. I remember this very well. I remember how excited I was when my parents told me we were going and I think we might have even skipped church on a Sunday to go to it. {GASP!} In case you didn't know already, the Rox didn't get a movie theater in my lifetime until like 2001, 2002??? I dunno. I just know it was wayyyyy after it should happened. Thank you Palace Point for making my excursion so see a movie only 10 minutes instead of 50 now. Anyways, I can remember seeing that movie like it was yesterday. I remember the prince, the falling in love, the whole shabang. 

Then came Little Mermaid, Cinderella., Sleeping Beauty, etc..... So from the very beginning and then continuously after little girls keep getting that whole "happily ever ever thing" very wrong. Even though I must admit that it is directly over my bed now as a quote, as we speak.

Don't get me wrong .I am so happily and joyfully married. But it is not always prince charming or princess material. Needless to say, being the said "princess-type" bites me in the u-know-what more than it helps me.  Prince charming ain't packin' all the best traits either all the time. But, he is best for me, and God put him here (and saved his life) just for me!

My point in all of this is...I have so many friends who have absolutely no idea what it is like to be married. It is not as said...a fairytale... so-to-speak. They have NO idea...to be completely tied down; to put one (or maybe even 2) person's needs and desires above your own. Do you think I wanted to clean our bathroom tonight for almost 2 hours? I think NOT.  I have a running list of people in my head that I just know marriage will spank them right where the need it. Many of them have the warm gooeyness about making him happy, being all snuggly happy forever,  and yada yada yada... Whatever ma sisters in life... You needs to get on the reality train. 

Just this week I ran into someone who recently got married right after Sean and I did.  I said the ol' "How's married life?" Oh my goodness, what a loaded shotgun that was. I love when people are completely honest. Like when she said, "It's an adjustment." {Insert several high-fives and a "preach on sister" from yours truly}. I mean really...thank you so much to someone for honesty. It is an adjustment, it is hard, it is tearful.... it's LIFE people. Be honest about it y'all. If you were lucky enough to not experience these "symptoms" then you are in fact just that. Lucky. However, just because it is rough the first few months means NOTHING. It means you are learning, experiencing, and more than anything developing your own character for marriage. Sean and I also had to consider our daughter in our adjustments. We have made such huge improvements in a mere 6 months. We are in such a good place now that we have gotten a routine down pat. Y'all can here me knocking on wood right? I look back and think about how fast time is flying since we got married.  

I can say that marriage is the largest blessing I have ever experienced and I know that my purpose in marrying Sean is more than I can even fathom. Thankfully, God knows exactly what we need, when we need it. It is still hard to have a joyful heart while doing the laundry, scrubbing the toilets, cooking and cleaning almost EVERY night, and making sure they are both fed and dressed and shipped out safely the next day. Feel the resentment? Women have such huge amounts of anxiety over the daily tasks of taking care of a family. I just tell myslef that God designed us to do that and so we have to keep moving on. I mean do you think the hubs is going to work all day thinking about dinner arrangements? I think NOT. With that being said, be your own fairy godmother, make your own magic, create your own fairytale, and I know blessings will come your way!

And for goodness sakes, ignore the wicked witches!!!!

Ha Ha Ha!!!!!!! (Love her)

Let me Explain....

Did you get to see my Guest Post this week???? It pulled me from my blogging slump!!! 

Thankfully, I was rescued here by my sista-in-bloggin'. Thank you Beef!

Being away from blogging is kinda like skipping church for a while...it's hard to get back into it because you have missed so much and it's hard to catch up!

So....what in the world have I been doing for the last 3 weeks or so????

First:
Major Announcement......I cut my hair....TWICE. Here's the remnants...

these were the first remnants...then I went back for round 2!!! 

 

 

 

 

 Next: 
This book is going to be the death of me.....

I have been gettin' my Sunday School teachin' skills on the past few Sundays.... Seriously, who doesn't want to learn about being an excellent wife???? I mean, keeping a "joyful heart" while doing the laundry, cooking and cleaning, vacumning, and making sure your child's little tail is clean is all easy right....and SO fulfilling????? Of course it is.. So, I am pledging faithfully to this book. Reading...Soaking up the scripture. TRYING to let it play out in my life. I am convinced that God has a plan for me to be content in all of those and that's why he blessed me with this little shugar pie :)

and this one...

And the hubby and other men folk in our class are studying this...

I mean, the woman who wrote The Excellent Wife should have written The Exemplary Husband. We would have it made gals! BUT........ Jesus has another plan!!! If you want to hear more, join us on Sundays! We actually have a lot of fun!! I think God is working in all of our lives as well! DOUBLE BONUS :)

Next:
I have been crafting on the real... here are a few faves:

We also had Relay-for-Life here on the Rox.....Representing all the lovies we have loved and lost, and those we are still fighting for. I made some of these...which were a hit!!!

One thing to remember about the Rox is people pull together for the things that are important. This is what makes our community GREAT!

RELAY is one of those events. 

It's like a magical social hour, fundraisin', and remembrance all wrapped up into one. It was my first time actually attending RELAY this year...I know...the shame. So naturally, me, the hubs, and GA did it up right!!!

And here ya go...A Taste of the ReLaY

my fave MIL and one of her besties!

a little community action...cancer walkers united!

Ga gettin her face painted up by miss Aiko!

GA's first ever - sportin' a weave (a pink one)

adorb....makin me kinda jealous

Mimi and Sam

Kids Walk!!!

my widdle shug pie nephew gettin his snack on...

GA...not so sure...

Clifford is growing up fast...that suit lookin' a little stretched in some personal areas

is my hair shorter than this...oh yes it is...this was round 1!!!!

classic facials here from my girl

 That same weekend...we joined our fave family friends for this little shug pie's 1st Birthday celebration.

Have you ever seen anything any sweeter? Please ignore the ECU paraphernalia from the background. We love her Mimi and Papa anyway.

So, now you know that I haven't just been sittin' around eating Bon-Bons and watching Grey's in my nite-nites. I have been fo' real catching up on some good times with friends, family, and making some memories. I like to think of it like my new fave biblical reference....Courtesy of the K-Love....

So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.

~ Ecclesiastes 8:15, NLT

 I have certainly been right on track..........Love to you all! Have a great weekend! It's Friday in 16 minutes!!!! Which means in less than 36 hours (and countin') I'ma be practicin' this verse a little further with these lovelies....

 It's gon' be a Tailgatin' good time!