Cathing up...

So so much to catch up on...

1. I met Andrea what seems like years ago now, but really it was just the Thursday before Thanksgiving. It was like being with an old friend and we had a blast! First was lunch at P.F.Changs, then some good retail therapy, all of it filled with tons and tons of conversation. I hope to get the opportunity to meet some more of you in the future because this was pure bliss! Love you to the moon and back my sweet kindred spirit!!!

2. Then it was off to Nashville for the annual National Youth Workers Convention. I went with Jake and AJ, the youth director I work with and associate youth director, Jeremy, one of their friends who is a youth director in Montana, and Kristi and Michelle who are forever volunteers with our youth. To say we had fun would be an understatement. We laughed until we cried and our sides hurt, stomach hurt, faces hurt. One great highlight was Jeremy and AJ kareokeing 'A Whole New World' from Alladin (yes, it is a guy/girl duet). We also had some awesome worship experiences with David Crowder Band, Jeremay Camp, Jars of Clay, Brandon Heath, and a few others. Then there were speakers who motivated, inspired, and rejuvinated us! It was a success to say the least! The 11 hour drive home was even enjoyable with Jake, Michelle, and I, as Jake played 100 questions and we obliged (sometimes).

3. When I arrived home my hubby had put up Christmas lights on our house. That may not seem like a big deal to some, but the only way he's ever done that (one year), was constant harrassing and whining on my part. This was a surprise and a gift just for me and it thrilled me! I'll post pics later!

4. Thanksgiving was fun at my sister's MIL's house, we had great food and good company! It was nice being with family, though I missed the hubby who was working hard for the money!

5. I went with Julie and her family to the LSU/Ark game, and for those of you who follow, you know how that turned out, not the highlight of the weekend at the actual game, but I always have a blast with the Mooks who I consider my second family!

6. Today was back to work and it's lonely because Jake is in Montana. I hate it when it's this quiet, though the Christmas music is helping out a lot!! Have I mentioned how much I love Christmas? Well, I adore Christmas, the decorations, the music, the lights--oh how I love Christmas lights!!!! I love trying to pick out the perfect gift for everyone, the hot chocolate, the baking, the celebration of the birth of my hero!! I wish the spirit and the love and joy that are more prevalent at Christmas would last all year long!!

God signs

Last night I was in bed, and I just felt this great urge to look up Psalm 27:3. I believe these are the times that God speaks to me and though the voice isn't audible like in great movies or the bible, I believe it's Him.

So, I whipped out my cell, and tried to pull up my bible app, to no avail, and thought about aborting mission. I did not however, and I'm glad. Google was handy, as usual, and here is what Psalm 27:3 said...

"Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident."

Can I get an AMEN on that one?!

Sometimes you just need a sign. I ask God all the time for BILLBOARD signs because I've told Him, my loud mouth will make me miss a whisper! Thankful that He puts up with me!

I'm very excited this week to be traveling to see some friends and end up with some great friends at the National Youth Workers Convention in Nashville. Along the way I'll be stopping in Little Rock to see the Criners and their new pumpkin, Owen, then it's off to Memphis, where I'll get to meet my Kindred Spirit, Andrea, for the first face to face time!!! Love meeting bloggers! While in Memphis I'll stay with my sweet friend, Heather, who I've known since 6th grade and finally get to meet her cuties! Then it's off to Nashville for the conference with some of my favorite people, Jake, AJ, Kristi, and Michelle! Should be fun! Wish me safety traveling and I'm sure I'll have fun things to report!!

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Sometimes fear creeps in your life and sometimes it seems to grip you in a way that you can't really understand or overcome on your own. I believe that this is satan trying to keep you from being joyful, and I know that fear is not from God (hence the scripture at the top of my blog). So, I've had some fear issues and some anxiety the past few days, and though I've heard this scripture over and over and over again, I've seen it the past few days SO many times, that I am quite sure that God is talking to me. I choose to trust and believe. I choose to know that He is good and He has my best interest at heart.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. YOu will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Thankful Thursday

Late post, have had a massive headache and am trying to get over it, but I did want to list my thankful list today...

First, and foremost today VETERANS! I'm so grateful to people like my Daddy, my Father-in-law, my uncle, my families I met working at the pediatric clinics in Shreveport, for our friends Shawn Smoot, Quentin and Julia Buquoi, JZ Zavalydriga, and many many others who risk their lives and serve our country. Not everyone goes oversees, but their lives are dictated in a way that none of ours every really are, and I am grateful that they choose to do that, so I can live my life FREE. Freedom is NOT Free, as I learned this week when I heard of a friend of a soldier friend of mine, losing his life in Afghanistan. There really aren't words that can adequately convey the pride it brings to see a man or woman in uniform and to know what they and their families give for me! I often want to salute them walking through airports or in restaurants, but I don't know if that's inappropriate, still I am grateful.

Today, I am especially grateful for friends who 'get it', not that I am not grateful for all of my friends, but some days, some people just understand your feelings in a way that others cannot, and today I was very grateful to have Amanda and Brittany to talk to. I'm also super grateful for my sister who had cupcakes delivered to my house that are chocolate raspberry flavor, yummy!! Julie is also pretty amazing and I'm grateful for her and her lifelong friendship that has been so beneficial to me, I hope in some way I return that!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, probably every time I mention being grateful, but I am for my husband. He's so sweet and funny, and sometimes he doesn't say the right thing, but he always intends too, and he always wants what is best for me, even if he is trying to chat with me while I have a headache and am trying to nap, it just shows that he loves me a lot and wants to actually 'talk' to me! He's a pretty stellar person.

On a completely different note, I'm grateful for tv shows and books. Sometimes, you just need to escape your own world and float off somewhere else where the drama isn't yours and you know you can walk away from it, and that is the beauty of tv shows and books! I'm grateful that there are people out there who make these things. Don't get me wrong, they aren't all wonderful, but entertainment is great and I'm grateful for it!!

That is all for today and Thankful Thursday! What are you thankful for?

Wordless Wednesday (Warning babies, not mine!)

How 'bout them TIGERS!!!!

Ala--who??! Around the bowl and down the hole, roll tide, roll! Just saying the TIGERS just turned the tide and I like where it's going!

Fun Friday Giveaway

Check out Kate Landers' blog! She featured one of my dearest friend's company, which I've mentioned on here before & there's a giveaway!!!

If you have facebook, become a fan of Kate Landers and Magnolia Creative! You could be a winner!!!

http://katelandersevents.blogspot.com/2010/11/tuesday-giveaway-and-preferred-sponsor.html

Happy Friday everyone!!!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thankful Thursday

In Honor of Thanksgiving I'm going to do a Thankful post each Thursday in November...

I love Thanksgiving and make a point to not listen to Christmas music or decorate at all for Christmas until I have given thanks for all of the great things that God has blessed me with in my life.

So, here's a start...

1. My husband, who is smart, funny (like gut busting, bring you to tears funny), supportive, caring, and takes very good care of me! He was my second best gift ever from God!

1. My sister, who truly is half of my heart. She understands the things that no one else does about me, and always is there for me, and we love to do all the same things! She was my first best gift ever from God!

2. My parents, who support me, love me, encourage me, and are pretty fun to be around most of the time! I'm grateful for their (mostly mom) teaching me to cook, and for cooking for me, and I'm looking forward to some fried fish this weekend! I'm very grateful that I still have both of them, as I know plenty of people who do not have their parents, and I do not take that for granted!

3. My friends, I consider myself one of the most blessed people ever in this area, as I have more friends that are wonderful than one girl should ever be allowed! I have friends who call me constantly to check on me, friends who've never experienced infertility or loss who are willing to go out of their way to ask me questions that are hard. I have friends who send me little treats, mail me cards, facebook me, and email me. I've 'met' so many great friends through blogging that support me constantly, who I feel like I've known my whole life. I will never start listing names because I know that I would forget someone, and then I'd feel awful, but if you've sent me love, know that I don't forget those things!

4. My pets, O'Brien, who is no longer with me, but I will forever be thankful for. He was the cutest dog in America--EVER! He loved me perfectly, snuggled just right, I understood what all of his silly yaps meant and we were thick as thieves! I still miss him daily! Also, Noble, my beautiful female German Shepherd, who is the most intuitive, sweet, beautiful girl ever, she's smart and loves to snuggle next to me in the bed and she's ferociously protective of me--I love it! Sampson, my sweet male While German Shepherd, who we say is touched, as he's just a little slow, but it's completely endearing! He is such a lover, absolutely has a sweet, gentle spirit, who just loves to nuzzle and never licks your face (I don't love face licking!). Tasso, our slightly heavy cat, who I believe has no clue that he isn't human or a dog, who has the quirkiest personality and tolerates all of our dogs without running away (we do keep him hemmed up in the house!). And lastly, Miss O'Hara Belle, my little diva, who I believe acts a little bit like me, yep, I admitted it. She is wildly feisty, runs the big dogs, harasses the cat, and pretty much reeks havoc wherever she goes! She's funny and she's learning to cuddle well! I think she's always gonna give me fits, but I love her! They are all so fabulous and I'm so thankful for each of them!

5. My job--it's not everyday that you get to do something that you really love. The opportunity to touch youth lives is more rewarding than I could have ever dreamed. Plus, I get to work with some really cool people, they think they are even cooler than I think they are, but they make me laugh a lot!

The thing that I am most grateful for is my God, His ever present grace and peace, the gift of His Son who died for me, and the blessings that he constantly bestows upon me when I am so unworthy!

Wordless Wednesday

This is my diva dog, O'Hara Belle. She's loving a poofy vest, just like her mama!

Linking Monday...

So, there are so many great blogs out there full of great people sharing great information and stories, so today I'm linking a bunch of them for you to check out.

First, I have a couple from Beckie's Infertility Journey the first is a funny, and if you're not infertile you might not laugh as much, but still great...Best Sweater Ever I Promise then a really good post on friends dealing with friends who are infertile Friend or Foe?.... I have to say that her header is one of my favorites of all times--check it out!

Then I wanted to link Late for A Very Important Pregnancy with this post, as it talks about commenting on blogs.

Next, please go over and send Summer some love, she lost her daddy to cancer this past week and my heart is broken for her!

My sweet friend Two dog Mama has some big news, check it out here. She was an excellent support for me this summer when our adoption failed, and has been through a lot. She has an amazing story and lots to share!

Britt got to the beach and did some baby names yesterday, they are fabulous, send her some love as I know she is really missing sweet Ella Grace right now and I wish I could heal her aching heart!

For the dog lovers who really take their furry pets seriously, one of my favorite blogger is La Belette Rouge, and this post today for her dog's birthday and the video are priceless! Besides her writing is great and she always shares something funny!

I'm sure there are more great things I'd like to share, but that's enough for today. Please say a prayer for my friend, Caryn, her twin boys are due to be arriving a week from today, they are each over 6 lbs now! I can't wait to meet these boys and want everything to go smoothly!!

Happy Monday people!