Wow! What a weekend!

I pray each of you has had a wonderful weekend so far! I know I have been blessed.

Friday, we were served an amazing dinner by some friends of ours, and it was a blessed time of laughter and enjoying their family. We cherish these times with friends. In fact, that is one of the ways God has blessed us by this house and the move out here. We are surrounded by people that I have only dreamed of having in my marriage. There are open, honest couples all around us that are striving to be holy not happy. WHAT A BLESSING!!!! There is such a difference in my marriage because of the influences that God has placed around us! Thank you to each of you and the blessing that you are to J. and I!

We got up on Saturday, loaded up our grill, and J. cooked about 125 dogs for our church's community gathering. We were surrounded by the amazing people that I mentioned in the paragraph above. So, it was a blessing to serve and to be lifted up.

Then, we went to some dear friend's of ours to pick up a donated refrigerator to take up to my sweet little grandparents. Meme is 85 and Grandaddy is 93. They are so funny. It is quite hard for them to say thank you and enjoy a blessing. So, it is always fun to wow them with a gift like that.

Finally, on our way home from Paris, J and I stopped by my baby brother's house to wish him a Happy Birthday! I love that guy! It always makes me so happy to be in his presence! He and I have such fun when we are together, and his cute little wife, K. is the biggest blessing to our family. She is good to him and our family, and they are too cute together.

Anyway, today is Sunday. J and I are zonked (I can't begin to express how hard that guy worked yesterday), but we are so excited that we have had a full weekend. I am hoping to get some more stamping done this weekend, and I have several projects for Paper Cravings that need my attention before the next week start.

I have to admit this is my favorite kind of weekend. I adore to be surrounded by friends, family and being on the go. It usually wears J. out, but this weekend, he has been right in step with me. I love you, J.

Have a great day! I am going to spend some time with my man!

My Sister!

There really isn't anyone who can make me laugh like my sister! She simply cracks me up!! We used to get in trouble as young kids because we would get tickled at the dinner table. My grandfather (ex-military and ww2 vet) didn't understand the need to get to the table and act silly. However, it never failed that when we all sat down...giggles were bound to begin. Even to this day the three of us can not be in the same room without being loud and rolling with laughter.

I can't tell you how much I love this girl!! She is such an amazing person! I am so proud of the mom, wife, sister, and friend that she has become. You see, our mom and dad got divorced when I was thirteen, Amy was 8 and Jason was 7. I was given by God's grace two of the most amazing siblings that a girl could have. It was my joy to help mom raise A. & J.

Amy has a gift of giving me such grief and teasing when I am being too emotional. She simply is my very best friend. However, when the reality of infertility hit...she was the one I could cry my heart out to. I would do anything in the world for her.

I am sure she will have quite a different take on my emotions and our childhood memories...so....Check out my sister's blog! Pardon her blog design. I am in the process of creating it...She and I are both in the middle of creating new companies. We will keep you posted so that you can check them out!

I love fireworks, actually, I love just about anything having to do with being festive and spending time with friends and family.

However, I have a special love for the summer and summer festivities. Reson number one, I am out of school - which always puts me in a good mood. Secondly, for years while I was serving as a youth pastor, I spent the 4th of July at Bridgport Camp sitting at Vespers on the top of the hill watching God's amazing firework display. We (the teenagers and I) LOVED it! Such fond memories that brings me back to fireworks. Summer means time to slow down. Soak in some good rays (which have been few due to the massive amounts of water flowing from the sky)...spend time with family....and watch fireworks. . . according to Mandy...enjoy things around you.

If you know me at all, you know I am a sap. I am overly emotional, and by some people's accounts, crazy. However, I simply love life. I want to soak it all in. I want to notice each petal on a flower because God put it there. I want to see the sparkle of love in someone's eyes because God put it there. I want to celebrate each day with gusto because God gave us the day to celebrate. According to some, I love too emotional, and I live frivolously. ANYWAY!!

Now, I don't really know where this post is coming from....but let me tell you. My family thinks I am just plain silly because I have this intense desire to love and and enjoy everything. I don't do it on purpose. It just comes to me....I assume because GOD PUT IT THERE!!!!

which brings us back to fireworks....yes...I know...I am rambling...

anyway...yesterday, J. and I went out to Babe's Chicken in Sanger (which is a whole post all by itself!) to celebrate the 4th. We (actually, I) figured it would take a while to get seated, and then, on our way home, we would be able to drive along and view some fireworks. Romantic, right?

We got there around 7.

Got seated immediately.

Out of there by 8. J. is a very set in his ways kind of guy. So, when dinner is over, you go home.

I am a soaker. I want to take it all in...linger on the way. Just in case....life might happen (or fireworks)!

Home by 8:30.

You guessed it!!! It wasn't even dark yet. SOOOOOO...my perfectly romantic idea of how the evening should play out was dashed by fast service and my over active expectations....

Happy July 4th!

A New Look and a Name Change

To say that I love coffee is an understatement. Actually, I adore the stuff. I also adore the places that sell the stuff....especially Starbucks and Sweet Eugene's (in College Station). There is a deep, passionate reason why I love these places.

When I was single and really putting time into my relationship with Jesus, I used to go nightly to a Starbucks in Dallas. *Let me clear up something...what I mean is that I wasn't always putting my heart and soul into my relationship with Jesus while I was single. I have very sad, dark times when I didn't make time for Him. SOOOO, the periods of time that I was in the Word and having daily "dates" with my Savior were precious.

I would arrive bible, latestest book I was studying, and my journal in tow to pick up my cup of java and spend the evening with my savior. I am sure from the outside looking in on my date it was a bit strange. There were times in my study that I would laugh out loud at His irony, or I would tear up at the realizations of my sinful nature. These were treasured moments that tasted as sweet to my heart as they did to my tongue.

Fast forward 6 years and I still have a love for coffee. However, since I have gotten married and can't go out every evening to get away and spend time with Jesus, I have had to be more creative about my date places. I will have to say that usually when I sit down with my bible, my coffee isn't far away. I love the two together. The savory word refreshes my soul all the sweeter when sipping coffee. I have also found that I long for those quiet moments where I had nothing else to do but sit by my Savior and learn about His goodness. In case you couldn't tell, I am quite in love with Him.

Besides changing the design...I have changed the name.....

I am throwing in the towel so to speak. I am tired of living for what might be one day. I want to celebrate what I have and what God has made me to be. I am an aunt of two of the most precious individuals that have ever been born. I want to celebrate that Tucker and Tanner are in my family. I will always have the prayer of children. I have a desire to be a mother and to raise children to love the Savior that blesses me daily. I will also always have the prayer of adoption, but we simply can not afford to do that right now.

SOOOO, for today...

I am...
a princess in God's kingdom
a spot on God's kingdom calendar
a wife to a man who deserves to be cherished
a daughter that needs to appreciate her roots
a sister to two of God most amazing creations
an aunt.. to two little guys that continue to amaze me


wow! what an honor!


I am yours, God...use me today with what you have given me!

Precious!!!

This was shared with me by an online friend. She is struggling in her first couple of weeks as a mom. This is precious! This reminds us why God gives us children.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3buLQoCN6KY