sweet family

sweet family

Friday, June 22, 2012

twice in a week. whaaaat?

What a week!
Finally got to announce our news - part of why I haven't blogged! Didn't want to accidentally drop some hints!

A sweet, new, precious friend was offered (and accepted) an incredible job opportunity! Yay, Christy!

One of my best friends passed a super hard test! Yay, Sonia!

My "sister from another mister" got engaged! Yay, Alli & Chris!

I am just in awe of God's timing and His provision. Oh my goodness. Right after we found out we're expecting, I got a raise! Praise God! Also, I knew I would be stepping down from consistently volunteering in the chuch nursery once a month come Fall, and before I could even mention it, sweet Cailey was ready to relieve me immediately. Precious heart of hers! That's just one of the reasons I love her! I'm also in charge of gathering a communion team once a month, so I wanted to delegate the "leadership" aspect sooner than later. About a month ago, someone volunteered to serve consistently every Sunday I'm in charge of, leaving me with two spots to fill. Usually, that's me + one more. Just this week, I found out that someone else volunteered for the same Sunday leaving just my spot to fill. Perfect! God is good ALL THE TIME. AMEN AMEN AMEN!
Those might seem trivial, but they were just huge blessings from the Lord for me. I really do not like saying, "no." But God has really shown me the past few years to think before I immediately say "yes" to a project/event/volunteering/etc., and I praise Him for that guidance.

Side note, my cousin and I are three months apart, and we are so close- best friends, brother/sister. I am so blessed to have grown up with Rob and always having him to count on, even when he's all the way in Italy. So, where's this side note going? Well, Rob and his precious wife Mary are due in November, and we are just behind them in January. Even though they are thousands of miles away for the next few years, I am excited that our kids will have a similar opportunity to grow up together, even if it is through Skype and vacations. We will have to teach them that noogies, silly pictures, and referring to each other as "cuzy cuz" are the coolest things to do.

Also, slightly random - anyone who knows my husband knows how much he loves food. He LOVES food. Did I mention he loves food? Okay, it's not that bad, but it is comical with friends and family. I swear both of his legs are empty. So anyway, anyone who knows him knows he typically does not "share" food, unless you are a 3-year-old named Olivia. Well, he ordered mashed potatoes the other night, and they looked so good... He allowed me my usual "one bite" and saw my face melt. Sweet husband pushed his bowl of mashed potatoes to me without the slightest hesitation. Ohmygoodness. They were sooooo good. Boy, did he learn fast!

Honestly, on a serious note, David has been so great. (If you don't want the mushiness, stop reading here.) He works until midnight right now, and he calls every night (if I'm still awake) asking if I'm hungry, thirsty, etc. I can honestly say that usually the answer is no, but it's still thoughtful. He never gets on to me for looooong naps or for the house being a mess. After work, I typically come home, put on comfy clothes, and hit the couch until bed; so, needless to say, housekeeping hasn't been a high priority. I'm starting to get my energy back, but that was the norm for a few weeks. No complaints! I am happy to rest while I can. (Also God's provision, my work schedule has totally given me the opportunity to nap in the middle of the day if needed.) Anyway, back to David- he's just been great. Super sweet, helpful, and considerate. I am one lucky lady. So, so blessed.



Mmm. Mashed potatoes.


Wednesday, June 20, 2012

for anyone following.

It's been awhile. Again. Sigh.

A couple of weeks ago I tried to turn the vacuum cleaner off by pulling the chain on the ceiling fan. That didn't work. I was really sad I was by myself when it happened, because no one was there to laugh at me.

Cailey Dumler is AWESOME. What an asset and blessing she is to Christ Community and pretty much anyone who comes in contact with her. LOVE HER! Again, she is AWESOME!

One of the best parts about David being on the evening shift is really being able to catch up with people. I won't lie, I'm selfish with my time with him. I get stingy, especially when he's on this shift. As much as I dislike his late nights, I love the extra time I have to catch up with friends, especially people who live far away! Sweet phone calls over the past week have been so good for my heart!

Have I mentioned how awesome my friends are? I don't mean to brag, but I'm surrounded by a pretty rockstar group of people. I am overcome by how blessed David and I are to have such wonderful people in our lives. Our families are pretty great, too. Can't leave them out!

Hey, are you looking for a starter home or investment property? Buy our house! :)

If you haven't eaten at Wasabi, you should go. Get their Hibachi chicken. Go for lunch, but not on Sundays - no lunch prices on Sunday! Mmmmm it is soooo good! I hear the sushi is good, too. I don't like sushi. Bleck.

I love my church. It's awesome. If you're looking for a church, come sit with me sometime! Great staff, great pastor, great mission, just great great grrrrreat!

Have you had sour patch kids popsicles yet? No?! Go to Wal-Mart. Buy some. Thank me later.


Sunday, April 8, 2012

Easter thoughts.

Happy Easter! He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Every Easter weekend, I become overcome with joy. Uncontainable, indescribable JOY. I have been saved. My debt is paid. I am spared. I have a seat waiting for me at the right hand of God. AND I DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO DESERVE IT. He simply chose me. And you. And you. And you and you and you and you. How great His grace, His love, His mercy...

As much as today is about the resurrection, I can't help but think of His death- one piece of it, specifically. "Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots." -Luke 23:32-34

Are you kidding me?! I remember wanting to punch a doctor for giving me a shot of cortisone in my ankle, even though I knew it would feel better. Jesus was NAILED to the cross. Completely alert. NAILED. And He was pleading forgiveness for those who pierced Him?! Seriously?! How incredible. What an incredible, selfless, amazing act of true grace. A grace which has been freely given to each of us. Man. Just soak that in for a minute. Or an hour. Put yourself in the shoes of those who nailed Him to the cross. Imagine Jesus pleading for your forgiveness, for your salvation, for your life. I am overcome. How blessed am I. How blessed are we.

He does not need to fight for us; for He has already won the battle. But we must fight. He has equipped us with everything we need. "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." -Ephesians 6:13

Oh, praise Him!

' “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.' -1 Corinthians 15:55-57

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." -Isaiah 53:5

"For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost." -Luke 19:10

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave

Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave

Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
The glory of God has defeated the night!

Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
Our God is not dead, he's alive! he's alive! -Matt Maher, "Christ is Risen"




Happy, blessed Easter to you. Rejoice! He is risen!

Friday, March 30, 2012

for kaci.

Reading Kaci's blog today, she said she wished her friends updated more. So this is for you! :)

I really dropped the ball on my list of February thankfuls. :( It really was the best I've had in years.
And BAM! It's just about April. Crazy.

Kaci is pretty awesome. She is hilarious. I pray for her often, especially when I eat peanut butter. :) Speaking of peanut butter, a friend of mine introduced me to Peanut Butter & Co.'s White Chocolate Wonderful Peanut Butter. It's AH-mazing! I gave up sweets for Lent, but it's peanut butter, right?! It's my new favorite snack on a rice cake. YUM! They sell it at Wal-Mart and Winn Dixie. They also have Cinnamon Raisin and Dark Chocolate. Do yourself a favor and go by some. You're welcome. Back to Kaci... she's pretty rad. If you don't know her, you're missing out, especially because she has this awesome little boy in her life now! LOVE HIM! I need to see the g-man soon.

P.S. I played with marbles as a kid, Kaci. I probably didn't do it right, but my cousin and I tried. We were more obsessed with these marble tracks our Papa made us, though. So yes, people played them!

So... I don't know what to blog about. I feel like my life is boring. I'm content with it, though. I really like where things are, and I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am. You're reading this... what do YOU want me to blog about?

I don't like pencils. I despise them. I love a good roller/ball point pen. bic's velocity are my fave. How's that for random?!

We're trying to sell our house. Perfect starter home. You should buy it. :)

I have a love/hate relationship with technology. Anybody with me? Love and hate the convenience of it, but I think I love it a little more than I hate it. Makes it super easy to keep in contact with people at the drop of a hat. I love getting a text that says, "You've been on my mind today. I've been praying for you." That would take days and 44cents to get to me! And the Lord knows that I needed that in THAT moment. So yea, I love it more than I hate it.

I really love the Lord's timing. I catch myself not liking it sometimes, but I am always, ALWAYS reminded that He is faithful. I remember how I wanted things in the past, and when/how He made them happen (or not happen sometimes) was so much BETTER.

Several of my friends are about to embark on some incredible, God-anointed journeys. I praise His for their obedience, for the impact they have made, and the impact they have yet to make. You are all so loved and admired.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

I need some accountability.

Let me just say that, so far, February has already blown me away. So far, it's the best in years. Alright, let me reflect on the past few days... or week, rather.

Day 5 continued.
-The Super Bowl commercials made me laugh.

Day 6
-I don't remember anything specific. I'll be honest. So, I'll say it was a good day! I know it was, because I haven't had a bad one yet.

Day 7
Boy, was I blessed this day.

-So many phone calls, texts, facebook comments, etc. to wish me a happy birthday. I am SO LOVED!
-Abundant sunshine & beautiful weather.
-I was able to take the day off and spend it with my sweet hubby, who just happened to have the day off already. We didn't do anything out of the ordinary, just enjoyed being together. (Sorry for the sap, but it's the honest truth!)
-ICE CREAM CAKE! YUMMMMMM!
-Being with my family.
-Sharing the candles with Granny. It's against my nature not to lick the icing off of them.
-Loving on my sweet nephew. :)

Day 8
-Dinner with friends.
-Being able to look back and laugh about moments that originally weren't so funny.
-A patient husband.

Day 9
-Encouraging, unexpected text messages.
-Girls' night! It's been too long!
-Yummy dinner.
-Left-over ice cream cake.

Day 10
-Productive work days.
-Lunch with my best friend and her hubby at a new establishment.
-Friendly people.
-A quiet Friday night.

Day 11
-My best friend's birthday!
-Great dinner.
-Laser tag!
-Hanging out with my in-laws.
-Lots of laughs.
-Running into old friends.

Day 12
-Christ Community Church. I just love it.
-Serving communion. Love being a part of the Lord's supper. Such an honor.
-More info on the special needs ministry! Can't wait for Access 18:16.
-Gabe Lesley. LOVE.
-LL Cool J just said a public prayer on the Grammy's for Whitney Houston. Major props.
-Naps.
-Doughnuts.
-Hearing Luke Smith sing "10,000 Reasons."
-The new song we learned at church today, "Sometimes."
"Let's risk the ocean, there's only grace."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhdZtejGxQc


Sunday, February 5, 2012

Days 2-5.

I'm behind already. Eeek!

Feb. 2
-Gabe Lesley. Sweet little man. Loved meeting him. LOVE him.

-Roses from my mother-in-law just because. Even better - my favorite kind of rose- two-toned. The tips are a different color from the actual bloom. I LOVE those. And those happen to be the kind sitting on my kitchen counter. Sweet Pam.

-Gabe Lesley. He deserves a second mention! So happy for the Lesley family!

Feb. 3
-I walked into the office and heard "Happy Birthday!" from everyone. No, not my actual birthday, but we only all see each other once a week at our meetings. The center table was covered with doughnuts, coffee, cinnamon rolls, muffins, and strawberries. YUM!! So sweet of them. I was craving doughnuts and coffee like crazy that morning! I love my co-workers. And my job. So blessed!

-The fact that Friday starts my actual weekend. I worked in retail for awhile, and I love actually having a weekend. I try to never take it for granted!

-Running errands with David. We always have fun. Grocery store, TJ Maxx, Target... doesn't matter. He decided to steer me at Wal-Mart that night. Never a dull moment with him.

Feb. 4
-Dinner and Wii games with friends. Loved that they hosted us! So sweet!

-Sleeping in.

-The tree in our neighbor's yard is just GORGEOUS! I don't know what it is, but it only blooms a few times a year. So pretty.

-This weather is crazy for February, but it's beautiful. I'll take it!

Feb. 5
-Loving on the little ones at church. I love it. And I love doing it with my best friend.

-Found out they are starting a special needs ministry at our church. Exciting!!

-Reading for fun & NOT studying. So nice.

-Open windows. Sunshine. Fresh air.

-Clean clothes. Thankful I don't have to use a laundromat; though, I'm not above it.

-Officially meeting Cailey. She's awesome! And so sweet! Thank God for great leaders at our church.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

FABULOUS FEBRUARY

Alright, so... I'm not the biggest fan of February, BUT I'm determined to stay positive throughout this month. I believe that February can prove me wrong. I believe that my sweet, gracious LORD is bigger than February, and that this year it's going to be FABULOUS! So, I'm trying to extra hard to look for the little things to laugh at, be grateful for, etc. That being said, I'm going to try to make a happy list everyday throughout the month. Keep me accountable!

1. I told one of my co-workers to have a "funtabulous" day. I just love that word. It makes me laugh. And I really want everyone to have a fun/fabulous/fantastic day every day :)

2. The weather was BEAUTIFUL this morning. Absolutely perfect.

3. Rihanna's new song "We Found Love." Yes, it's on my list. The beat makes me happy. It's catchy. It makes me want to sing, dance, clap, and run all at the same time (which I envisioned myself doing and laughed out loud to myself a little).

4. David cooked dinner.

5. I've got some pretty sweet friends and family who help keep me going and know exactly what I need to hear.

6. When I got home, David told me, "We're going to Chill tonight." Dang. He really had to twist my arm for that one. NOT. Mmmm. So good!

7. Walked into Subway, and they were playing "Wannabe" by Spice Girls. Awesome.

8. I get to meet a sweet baby boy named Gabe tomorrow! So excited!

9. Trader Joe's movie theater popcorn. YUM!

10. I made it to 10! My goal was 5!