angel of miracles

I have quite a collection of Willow Tree figurines.

Several of my friends have given these to me over the years.

Many have significant meaning for a certain phase in my life.

A few of them are 'friends' themed.

And Chris has given me a few of the couples ones.

On my birthday this year, while Chris and I were shopping, 

we chose one to add to my collection.

an Angel of Miracles

Praying that this thirtieth year will be the year of our special miracle.

"Please, Jesus, let it be."

mid-summer's night swim

With the temperatures dropping lower at night now, the water is cooling off, but while we can still enjoy the warm water - we love to swim at night!  I love the way the lights twinkle on the water and it's not quite so hot.  Chris' favorite time to swim is at night.

A few Sunday nights ago we had friends over for hot dogs and a swim. 

 

Kolben and Klay both love the water ... and are fearless jumping straight into the water.

Jump!  Jump!  Jump!

Sweet Kenley didn't take a dip.  
She snuggled with her taggie blanket that my mom made.

Laurel enjoyed holding Kenley.  
It's been a while since her sister was this small.

Laurel and Aubrey took the recliner for a spin - round and round.

 

It's great to spend summer nights with friends.

Today ...

>I ate Ramen noodles for the first time in my life. I'm 30 years old and continuing to experience "firsts."
>I ordered Angie Smith's soon-to-be-released book "What Women Fear" at the steal-of-a-deal for today only.
>I completely embarrassed myself when I attempted to turn away a church member by telling him "sorry, the office is closed." (he was coming to pick up his wife, the nursery worker's, paycheck) Yep, I've been there over a year and I still do not know everyone.
>I was secretly happy to see 97 degrees on the car thermometer. The hot temperatures keep the pool water warmer, so I can enjoy it longer.
>I've had my Facebook account deactivated for a week. This is the first time I've ever done so. I thought I'd miss it more than I do. Actually, I think it has freed up my mind to think of other things of more importance.

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thoughts I'm pondering today

Live in such a way that the world will be glad you did.

When we do good things to others, we do good things to God.

People will know we are Christians, not because we bear the name, but because we live the life.

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I (heart) this face

Good-natured.

Smart.

Cute.

Thumpy.

a birthday surprise

 On Friday, July 15th at 4:34 PM, 

I received a text message from my cousin, Leigh, that read:

"Just letting you know Ash & I will be there at 5.  You have til then to get an over nite bag packed.  just luv b-day surprises."

I was so shocked that I didn't know what to pack.

Although, Chris was "in on the deal" 
and helped to have me home without plans,

he had no idea what these two had planned.

So Ash and Leigh arrived, I threw in my bags, and we took off.  

It wasn't too long (maybe 45 minutes) until I realized we were headed for dinner at one of my favorite places.

After dinner, Leigh announced that we were headed to downtown Greenville.

After twists and turns, and the GPS not being up-to-speed with Ash's driving,

we finally found our hotel.

   

We checked in - laughing all the while, 
freshened up and headed to the streets.

Next, we walked downtown to a beautiful park area.

We strolled and laughed. 

Leigh "glowed" in our picture.  :)

Then we headed to the downtown streets, had some interesting encounters, 

listened to the music, took in all the sights and sounds,

talked and laughed some more, and enjoyed the summer night.

We were asked not once, but TWICE, if we were from a local college

which sure made this just-turned-30-year old feel wonderful.  :)

After walking around, we headed back to our room.

Relaxed and laughed some more.

Ash said the reservation allowed her to request certain type pillows,

but since she didn't know what we preferred, she just chose 'variety.'

So I had to try out these 'variety' pillows.

At midnight, we decided on trip to Krispy Kreme.

This was definitely the highlight of the night.

We laughed so hard re-capping the previous events of the night.

I got so tickled that I nearly spewed 'whole' milk right there in Krispy Kreme.

We then returned to our room, stayed up past 3 AM chatting the night away.

At one point, our neighbors got sort of rowdy.

So Leigh tried to hear what all the hype was about. :)

The next morning, we slept in, ate leftover doughnuts for breakfast,

took another walk in the park, 

and had Steak 'n' Shake for lunch before heading home.

This was an awesome birthday gift.

Just some sweet, fun girl time!

I needed the break from life.

I needed the laughs - especially the silly ones about nothing really.

 I needed the chats.

It was GREAT!

My 30th birthday was unforgettable.

Thanks "sisters!"

Psalm 121

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth the will not slumber.
Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Thy Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

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me and you

"Two are better than one ..." Ecclesiastes 4:9


Chris and I ran some errands this evening and ate dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant. We snapped this picture before we went in to eat. We both are wearing stripes. (sort of matching unintentionally) I love him immensely. As quickly as he can "light my fire" ... he too can melt me heart in a moment. I'm definitely a better person with Chris. He and I are a great balance ... he helps to keep me real and mellows out my crazy, OCD ways. =) I'm so thankful for my "other half."

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proudly from the South

Chris gave this plaque to me for Christmas.

It hangs in the kitchen above french doors.

It reads:  

The South 

The place where ... 1) Tea is sweet and accents are sweeter.  2) Summer starts in April.  3)  Macaroni & Cheese is a vegetable.  4)  Front porches are wide and words are long.  5) Pecan pie is a staple.  6)  Y'all is the only proper noun.  7)  Chicken is fried and biscuits come with grave.  8)  Everything is Darlin'.  9)  Someone's heart is always being blessed.

I do love being from the sweet South.

thankful on Thursday

Lately, I've had a little case of the blues.

Sometimes I'm easily bummed out by the disappointments in life.

But, today I'm casting those aside and taking time to be grateful.

• I'm so thankful for all the BIG things:  God, family, friends, health, home, job, church, etc.

However, I want to remember the little things 
that have brought a smile to my face lately:

• ice cream cake (like DQ's, but from Ingles)
• sweet, encouraging text from a friend
• a candle with a nice fragrance filling my office
• 'flirting' and 'making eyes' with my cousin's one-year old son
• Chick-Fil-A had chicken salad at 8:15 AM  (it's what's for lunch today)
• discovering the way to connect my Ipod to my car radio
• fresh peaches and strawberries  :)
• no bad result from me accidentally leaving home with water boiling on the stove (thankfully, I remembered in time to return and remove) 
• friends loaning us their corn hole game - it's fun! 
• watching my mom (who hasn't been a "dog-lover") interact with Ava, my brother's dog, even while I know she is sad from the loss of Toodles
• a precious lady sharing this picture with me ♥
  
   

  Each day is full of blessings showered upon us 

  ... some big, some small.
  And I'm thankful for every blessing.

funny faces

Smoochy-smoochy. 

Argh.

Check out my tongue.

Happy!  Double-thumbs up!

Attempting to wink.

Holding one eye shut.

These pictures were taken on the last night of camp.
The girls were up waaaay past their bed time.
And they were hamming it up for the camera! : )

Toodles

Yesterday was a sad day for my family.

"Our" dog, Toodles, had to be put down.

He was 13 years old with a few health problems 

and no hope of getting better even with medicine.

Toodles joined our family soon after my Dad passed away. 

Toodles' feisty Chihuahua personality 
brought laughter and smiles midst our grief. 

 He is one special dog. ♥  

He was the sweetest Chihuahua I have ever met.

He wasn't moody and never snapped (not typical of Chihuahuas)

He was always so happy to see us. 

He 'knew' our car when we pulled into mom's drive.

I love the picture below.  

His tail is wagging so fast it's a blur.  :)

Our furry family gets close to our heart without us even realizing it happens.

We will miss Toodles tremendously. 

thirty

 July 14, 1981 .... July 14, 2011+

Thirty years of life lived thus far.

I have been blessed.

And my 30th birthday was no exception from blessings.
I received many phone calls, cards, text messages, and Facebook notes.

 Several ladies of the church were I work surprised me
with lunch (from Mexican restaurant), flowers, a chocolate-chocolate cake,

a sweet card signed by many of the church, and 100 one-dollar bills.

Also, I had a surprise visit from 3 of my favorite young people.  They brought me more flowers, an awesome balloon, Willow Tree figurine for my desk, a precious card, and a mini-birthday cake.


After work, Chris and I went to dinner at Chili's and then we went on a mini-shopping spree.  :)  (Thanks, babe!)  Chris also gave me a sweet Willow Tree figurine.  (more on that later)  Sorry I didn't take any pictures - guess we were too busy making the most of it; eating and shopping!

Also, a BIG thanks to my cousin, Deanna, for the blog makeover.  I love the new look.  I shared a few of my ideas and she went with it.  She's amazing and so smart! 


Birthdays are not so bad when you feel loved. =)
Here's to 30 more!

I know there is a God

“God is not a belief to which you give your assent. God becomes a reality whom you know intimately, meet everyday, one whose strength becomes your strength, whose love, your love. Live this life of the presence of God long enough and when someone asks you, “Do you believe there is a God?” you may find yourself answering, “No, I do not believe there is a God. I know there is a God.”
~Ernest Boyer, Jr.

 Psalm 139:1-6 and 14

O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.  Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.  Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.  .................. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

youth camp 2011

This is how Chris spent a lot of time at camp.  

He was recovering from surgery.  

And doctors orders were to recline as much as possible.

 Guest speaker - Mike Blue - AWESOME camp speaker.

He uses amazing skits, demonstrations, and objects lessons.

Monday night, July 4th, he spoke on freedoms - 

reenacting the scene of the Iwo Jima Memorial with the American flag;

but relating it with holding up the Christian flag as well. ((very moving))

Also, used several masks one night in object lesson 

and spoke about Christians hiding behind masks.

Wednesday night - skit to demonstrate the Chris Tomlin song "My Chains Are Gone."

 Me with a little Olivia

 Really getting into it - choir practice!

 Lots of singing and learning new songs

 Water day

 Big Water Slide

 Primary Choir Night Performance

 Pre-Teen Choir Night Performance

 Teenager Choir Night Performance

Singing "Didn't I Walk On The Water" 

We also sang "My Help," "I'm Rich," "Saved," 

"Saved To The Uttermost," "Who But God," "I Remember The Day," 

"Stand Up For Jesus," and "When I Lift Up My Head"

Youth Camp is a special time to get away from the outside world 

and focus on our spiritual life and all the blessings of God.

 We had several campers accept Jesus as their Savior 

and some re-dedicate their life to Christ.

Our theme was Pursuing the Treasures of Christ.

Salvation*Fellowship*Scripture*Prayer*Soul-Winning

I am thankful to be able to attend 
and work among the youth.
Seeing youth being blessed is wonderful

and each year I walk away blessed myself.

God is good.