busy busy!

So...it's the crazy time of the year...Bug works insane hours....Eye is just insane ;-)

it's also getting chilly out there...so...

I made butternut squash bisque and cornmeal muffins with chipotle lime butter :)

Bug liked it.

...and in the spirit of de-cluttering...

yeah...that's right. I built this cabinet.

brrrrr!!

I am so completely not ready for cold weather to hit! I mean seriously! Last night Bug and Eye went to dinner at a local place....the news was on one of the TVs droning in the background and I caught sight of that dreadful white four letter word....my jaw dropped and I whipped around to look out the window....instead it was raining. I turned back to the TV to figure out where the dreaded stuff was falling....and .....
Yesterday marked three years since the "October Surprise" storm that crippled the city for a few days....they were remembering.... *PHEW*

We revisited a church this past Sunday....and the pastor made an incredibly wonderful point...
"Fear causes us to rewrite history." In that moment, I was not thinking about how God provided for me and kept me warm and safe and fed...I was thinking about the terror that hit when I realized the city was essentially brought to its knees. I didn't think about how it didn't last for long and the power came back and life went on....I thought about the bad and the scary.

Pastor's message was about the Israelites....God brought them through and out of so much...but still, their faith was so fragile. So after the tenth plague, God brought them out of Egypt. And instead of the straight path that led them past the Philistine's, God led them down to the Red Sea. Where they were backed into a corner because Pharaoh decided he wanted his slaves back. God? what are you doing?? Well...God knew that the Israelite's faith was so fragile, they would rewrite history upon seeing the Philistines...they wouldn't see God's provision and remember that He delivered them....they'd see the battle and remember only that the Egyptians provided them with homes.....so God moved them...
...and what about trapping them by the sea? Simple. God needed the Israelites to see that He would provide. Not only did they cross on dry land...God destroyed their captors before the Israelites' very eyes....I take this to mean God was saying "look, I delivered you. I destroyed them in front of you so that you won't lie awake at night thinking you hear chariots coming to enslave you."

Isn't it amazing the lengths God will go to for His people? And here I am stressing about where we'll live and how we're going to move appliances. HA! Silly little Eye.

whoa....

October already? yes....I know...I'm a bad girl and I've been neglecting our blog....how on earth will you know what's going on with us unless I update? yeah....sorry about that. I have a sneaking suspicion I'll get better about that if we ever do get online at home...and it will be much easier to post pics....but alas, I digress....

Things are pretty good in our corner of the world...both working, crazy days, but it's ok because it means we are still blessed with employment.

N & B celebrate their first anniversary on Sunday - amazing how quickly it passes!

Bug traded the old car for a newer car and ooh is it fun!! It's a wonderful 4-wheeled blessing, and I am breathing a big sigh of relief because it will be much more dependable when the white-stuff-that-shall-not-be-named shows up.

I'm waiting to hear back from deaf services to see if I can get into the current pre-interpreter training program or if I have to wait for the next one. I am so excited to finally be doing this! It's such a wonderful thing to be able to bridge a gap...one that can be so frustrating. I get so mad when someone acts as if it's the hearing-impaired person's fault that they can't hear. There is a huge need for interpreters right now, so I am thrilled to finally get going and serve in that way. Then there's the whole feeling like I am finally doing something I've been called to for a while thing...that does help in the excitement...ya know...just a little....

Some know we are looking for a new church home...that has been a challenging road....we're praying for guidance and taking this opportunity to really strip down why we go to church, what the church is supposed to do and what are we to do as a part of the body.

I started reading a new book called The Forgotten God...so far it's hit me between the eyes every other paragraph...it's about remembering to include the Holy Spirit...it talked about how just because a church has a large membership roll, doesn't mean it's doing as God intended....you can put together a great band, a motivational speaker and some hip activities....people will flock...people like to have their ears tickled, we like to hear the Psalms where David talks about God's blessings. We like to read the sweet story of Ruth....we skip over the scary part in Esther and look at the romantic part of her being chosen and rags to riches.....why would we ever want to look at the challenging parts that say I need to change my whole life if I want to live for God? I mean really....I can go to church on Sunday, sing my songs, read my verse....go home and get back to my life...

but then am I really living a life abundantly?

hmm...the brain becomes challenged. as does the soul.....and hopefully, the conscience is still tender enough to be pricked.

I recently talked with a friend about letting go of distractions...the ones that eat our time, creep in and try to attack our marriages, make us think that the distraction is an important piece of our day...when it is really just eating up our free time and keeping us from doing the things that matter...It's amazing what God can do in your life when you actually acknowledge and push away a distraction and put the focus back on him.

well....there's a ramble for the day....
sorry for the delay....and I'll try to be better :)

Oh, how the years go by...

Ok...so maybe it's only one year and maybe it's still a couple of days away...but
wow.

This Sunday marks one year since Bug and Eye got married....one year ago today, I slept in, got up and went to a local salon where a great friend gave me a mani/pedi....I spent the rest of the day dealing with the last minute things and trying not to ruin my nails...the next day Mom, JBrother, K Sister, H, Sister and maid of honor came....we did nail appointments and got wonderful sangwiches from Marco's...Jbrother carried my purse through Target, telling me that his job that day was to keep me laughing and not allow me to stress over the details....hail storm started, enough to dent my car and went away....off we go to the church....the whole veil thing happened....wow....amazing how clear one remembers...and then Saturday came....

and I became Mrs. Bug!

Bug,
I love you more than anything, you are my best friend, the love of my life, my confidant, and I could not have asked for a better husband. You get me and all my crazy....the way we share thoughts and of course the laughter that doesn't seem to end...
You are a blessing to me, a wonderful leader and a great man of God and I am honored that you picked me.
I am yours forever,
Eye.

Feelin' Hot Hot HOT...

so...what do you do in the heat of August when it's way too hot to cook, no one feels like hot take out and the hubby doesn't like cold cuts and cottage cheese?

You make gazpacho!!

but...uh....one little gazpacho making tip....

cut the tomatoes....not the hand....yeah...

So....serated knives cut tomatoes quite well. They also do a number on a hand....

whoops.....but it closed up nicely with the butterfly...granted...deep enough where I probably should have gotten a stitch....but......I needed to wash the knife and finish making dinner and then um, teach the ferret to yodel and um........

Thank God for butterfly bandages!!!!

ooh...good words

Your words are what sustain me. They bring me great joy and are my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty. Jeremiah 15:16 NLT

We had a busy, exhausting but enjoyable weekend...we traveled several hours for Bug's family reunion - it was wonderful! But now we're back to reality with day long meetings in cities not too close....and the alarm goes off way to early and I'm finding myself to be very drained....wondering how I'm going to get through the entire day without collapsing....and then I get to work, flip my calendar to today and see that encouragement, take a deep breath...and relax, feel the peace and move on.

Hope.

hope –noun 1. the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best: to give up hope.
2. a particular instance of this feeling: the hope of winning.
3. grounds for this feeling in a particular instance: There is little or no hope of his recovery.
4. a person or thing in which expectations are centered: The medicine was her last hope.
5. something that is hoped for: Her forgiveness is my constant hope.
–verb (used with object)
6. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
7. to believe, desire, or trust: I hope that my work will be satisfactory.
–verb (used without object)
8. to feel that something desired may happen: We hope for an early spring.
9. Archaic. to place trust; rely (usually fol. by in).—Idiom
10. hope against hope, to continue to hope, although the outlook does not warrant it: We are hoping against hope for a change in her condition

Hope.
It's a word we use a lot. I hope it doesn't rain. I hope we have ice cream. I hope these shoes fit.

what about There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18 (NIV).
Well that's cool.
what does it mean?

It means that when I put my hope in God, when I dare to let go of the reins, stop insisting I have to be in control and let God be ...well...GOD.....I can relax. I can rest easy knowing I'm not suddenly going to be dropped. Yes, I'm a worrisome paranoid woman. But....he sees much further down the road than I do and knows exactly where I need to turn and when I need to speed up, slow down or simply stop and rest in his arms.

And that, my friends, is a reason to take a deep breath and sit back. Relax. and stop trying to figure out what the picture on the grand quilt is. To be content to work my piece and know it's just a piece of a much grander plan. Hope - promise in a future, something to look forward to...

I know the plans I have for you ... Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."- Jeremiah 29:11

I love those reminders...

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us -- whatever we ask -- we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15 NIV

So even though I'm stressing the answer....he heard me....I don't have to repeat myself a hundred times....it's time to be quiet and listen....I know what I asked is within His will, I know what his word says about this...and I know He heard me....
........so I gotta say I'm convinced that's why I feel enveloped in peace today.
I pray this reminder reminds you of the blanket of peace you have too....

have a great weekend.

Claiming this today...

Whose Report Shall You Believe
(Becky Fender)
Whose report will you believe?
We shall believe the report of the Lord (repeat 3 times)
His report says I am healed
His report says I am filled
His report says I am free
His report says victory

We get many reports. We get good reports, bad reports, report cards, reports on good behavior, reports on our cars, our health, our food....there are many reports. There are reports that make us jump for joy. There are reports that make us crawl under the bed with a favorite teddy bear and cry for days...there are reports that make us cringe....reports that make us angry....but ...what about the report that says "ok. this is bad. it's a rough situation, BUT there is hope. There is peace. There is joy."
I like that one...sign me up!

I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:4-5

coupla pics to start your week....

We had a quiet Independence Day celebration....spent the day together, caught some fireworks in an overcrowded park....

it was quite sunny....but we enjoyed our outing :-D

Weekend was ok too...we're getting our new fridge on Saturday so I needed to start cleaning out the freezer....

so I made quadruple berry cobbler....which we enjoyed while watching a movie.

July already?

wow....this year is just flying! At this point last year, we were tying up the loose ends of wedding preparations, getting excited for our wedding, N brother's wedding and J friend's wedding....hard to believe it's been nearly a year!

It's a rainy and dreary week here....which of course always puts me in a pensive mood. I'd love nothing more than to go home, curl up with a book (re-reading Piercing the Darkness for the billionth time), a cup of something warm (dusted off the espresso machine Monday night...) and my favorite fleece blanket...let the storm rage outside and enjoy the peace inside. Which of course...makes me think.

You've all heard one of my favorite quotes (and I really wish I knew who said it!) Sometimes God quiets the storm...and sometimes God lets the storm rage and quiets the child. How true - and how often do we miss that He is actually calming us? We are inside of our houses, safe and warm, staring at the rain blowing sideways, jumping when the thunder booms.....focusing all on the storm rather than enjoying the beauty in it and knowing that God's got it all....

Did she just say beauty of the storm? Yep. I did. James 2 -4 (message version) tells us to Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
when? Did that say when I endure trials of many kinds? But I thought once I became a Christian all that stuff went away and God supplies all my needs and I get to just live on a cloud full of joy....
well...God does supply all of our needs...but we must weather those storms....we must press through and endure the refinement....and when we do....it's amazing what God does. We can step back and see the beauty of the storm -- remember the smooth beautiful stone made so by the waves? The pearl....sand made beautiful by being eaten? The coal pressed but not crushed....pressure from all sides....becomes a diamond...

My prayer today is that we press on....take hold of the promises, and learn to enjoy the beauty in the storm.
I am pressed but not crushed, persecuted, not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed. I am blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure for His joy's gonna be my strength....though the sorrows may last for the night, His joy comes with the morning! (Trading My Sorrows)

"Wait."

"Wait."
Oh how we hate to hear that word. And not just the three year old that really really really wants you to watch him spin in a circle until he falls down.

A two minute wait for a cheeseburger at our favorite fast food place? Preposterous! Although...it should probably scare us when the burger is on the tray before we've finished ordering....
and even when the "wait" is for our benefit....like because he knows he just took that pan out of the oven...but all I see is "ooh! cinnamon buns!" I'm going to burn my hand, my mouth and probably my chest as I spit out the lava hot bite....
Wait.
Because if I don't give in to instant gratification and wait a week those really cute shoes will be 40% off and I won't blow my budget.
Wait.
Because if I shut up and listen to God's timing I may not miss out on that blessing he has in store for me.
Wait.
Can't. Too anxious.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God Phil. 4:6
Wait.
But....I need it now.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19

Wait.
Ok...so maybe it's that I want it now...and maybe my heart is breaking a little bit and maybe I'm frustrated that my timing rarely matches God's....and maybe...just maybe....well...*sigh*

Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:21-31

Boy, God really does have an answer for everything doesn't he?

Musings for a Monday

It was a good weekend.

Friday we had a quiet dinner and watched some TV and headed to bed early....Saturday we got up, hit the gym (grrr buff burley Eye!), walked the Art Festival, spent some quiet time together at home and then went out for a nice dinner....home and early to bed....

Sunday was pretty good, church (poor Bug broke a string during worship....but it was easily rememdied and the worship leader asked for testimony so he could have a chance to change it - it was a good time), then we did a little shopping, grabbed some lunch and headed home. We did our weekly "deep clean" of the place and vegged for a bit....then he did some study and I did some Zelda playing and then of course it was time to make the dinner...veggie fajitas. Amazing what you can do with few calories and lots of veggies to create a yummy yet diet friendly dinner...

and then came dessert....

which is actually pretty diet friendly as well.....fat free angel food cake, jell-o, fat free yogurt, fresh strawberry slices (no sugar on them!)...the only bad part was the homemade whipped cream....but I didn't eat enough of that to say so :-D

So back to Monday....the start of a new week.....Drove to work seeking God's grace and peace for the week and started to think about this song and it came on the radio...so of course I had to sit and listen :-D

and of course it got me thinking....if His grace is enough, why do I stress and worry so much? If you stop and think about it...God's owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He created the heart in my chest (and healed it!) - why can't I get my pea-brain to remember He's got the daily stresses under control too?

No doubt about it! God is good -- good to good people, good to the good-hearted. But I nearly missed it, mised seeing his goodness. I was looking the other way....I'm still in your presence, but you've taken my hand. You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me. Pasalm 73:1-3, 23-24 Message Translation

Have a blessed day!

ah...that message!

Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you.... That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. Mark 11:22-24 (Message Translation)

Hmm. Now there's some food for thought. I don't think it's really any secret that we've had a lot of things weighing heavy on our minds lately - and it hasn't really changed. And in Bible study last night I was reminded that God still doesn't change. Yes, I've always known it ...and yes, I'm crying, and trying my best not to tear my hair out. Sure, I've eaten more than a few chocolate cupcakes and bowls of ice cream and curled up with my favorite fleece blanket on the couch and had my husband rub my feet....but those things...while they may make me smile for a little while...they are all temporary fixes....now God...he's got some bigger fixes...and while I freely admit I'm not so good with the patience aspect....his bigger fixes....they are much better than overdoses of sugar and an extra long visit to the gym.

I've said it before...and I'm sure I'll say it again...it's amazing what can happen when one steps out of God's way and into his will.....
I'll close with a quote my husband shared with me years ago.
Take the first step. And then God will take the second step. And by the time the third step rolls around....you'll realize it was God who took the first step. [author unknown]

Update Time!

So....because we still haven't purchased the laptop we planned to...and because we haven't set up the desktop because there's no room...I have no pics to accompany this post because I took them on the digital cam and not my phone...sorry!!!! So I guess you'll have to use your imagination until I remedy the picture situation....

We're good...still loving being married and still on cloud 9.
So...we got a tent. a big one. and sleeping bags...and a lantern, a cooler and some great thoughts!
Mom gave us a camp stove for Christmas and a gift card to go get more camping stuff...so we finally went and did it....and have decided rather than spend a fortune on a hotel and meals for one weekend...we're going to go camping for our anniversary. We're pretty excited and can hardly believe it's already been 9.5 months. We were talking the other day on their anniversary and remembering singing five years ago and dreaming of our own wedding day....*sigh* happy stuff!!!

Baby LJ is doing great - he's getting so big already!! and he loves to play Zelda with Aunt Eye ;-) He's a smiley little baby and thinks it's just hilarious when Uncle J says "Chicken." He also loves Uncle Bug because Uncle Bug will always pick LJ up as soon as he sees him.

My R cousin got married this past weekend - what a beautiful event. She got married outside in the midst of pink flowers and under a tree....she was stunning! Her new husband is a good guy and I'm very happy because he will take very good care of her.

N brother is working in the mountains for the summer - great opportunity for him but he misses his wife...keep them in prayer please - for safety for N and comfort for both!

J bro is doing well as well....he's got a dump truck and a tree removal job which he loves. Got to hang with him at the wedding...he looked fabulous in a band t-shirt with a tie!

H sister is doing good and loves motherhood.

Parents are good too....
and there's your update!!

oh yeah...so that's where I type

I'm sorry...I've been neglectful of the blog...
things are pretty good...we're still very much enjoying newlywedness....this married stuff is awesome...and it blows me away that it's still novel even after just about 8 months.
We're finding our rhythm with work and home and church and have a wonderful Bible study group...we are learning a lot which is always a good thing.
We're both getting over being sick and looking forward to seeing most of the fam next weekend...squeeze on the new baby and hug the other newlyweds in the fam :-)
so....that's a boring post.
but at least now you know we're still alive :-)

It's rather exciting to meet a celebrity...

no...I didn't have a baby....

But my sister did...

my newest nephew, L.J. born 2.17.09, at 8:08 a.m., 7 pounds, 3 ounces, 20 inches long and everyone's doing well :-)

all together now...AWWWWW!

My husband came home from work this morning with these in hand....

Yup. He made me smile. On a Monday. Before the consumption of coffee.

The man's got skills :-)

And I am grinning ear to ear and feeling extra loved today.

Baby it's cold outside.

So it's a good thing we have a warm bed....and a lovely quilt made by a woman very very very special to us.....
yeah, that's about as close to a ww as I can get...

2009....

wow. where does the time go?
I suppose I could use this post to pass along my reflections of the past year...the highs, the lows....and what I resolve to do this year....
but instead....
I'm going to be realistic and say I'm going to try. I'm going to try to make each day more magical and happy and whatnot and I'm going to try to not be disappointed when things don't work out like I'd really rather they do :-)

We had a wonderful "First" holiday season together....no....no pics....yet anyway...K needs to email me....

Hung out with all three sides of the fam and had a wonderful time doing so...
AND I got to hug her.

so yeah, I'd say quite successful :-)

We wish all of you a happy, peaceful and refreshing new year.

how freaking cool.

I grew up wanting to be just like this woman and to see her take her current path, I'm wowed.
when I was a tween, there was no one cooler than DJ Tanner.....

It's not Wednesday so I guess I have to use words.....

Today, I'll share a recipe.... for one grinning husband....


start with some yummy peppers, onions, garlic and spices





















then tomatoes...crushed and diced... (and of course more seasonings....chili must have KICK)




















three kinds of beans.....



YUP! Veggie Chili!





Simmer it for what can seem like an eternity when the house smells this delicious...
don't forget to make cornbread....




















and voila! one grinning husband!

This is Priceless.

Happy Christmas Season Y'all!!
Ok this cracked me up and blogger is having kittens about me embedding it...so I'm sorry....but go check it out

Marriage....

So...I was talking with my other favorite newlywed....and we were reveling in the amazement of marriage. We've both been friends with our spouses for quite some time and before our weddings would have told you we knew them very well...
amazing how much more you learn even in a few days...weeks...months of marriage. (you married people are all nodding, aren't you?)

Anyway, yes I'm stating the obvious for some...but for others...wow...it's just incredible...the overwhelming blessing....the FULL understanding of two becoming one....the way we miss each other during the day even though we've kissed goodbye that morning and come home to each other every night...despite the fact that before we were married it was rare to see each other during the week....we had to wait agonizingly for the weekend to get here.....you'd think that we'd never miss each other.....but the two became one....and when we're apart....for work or play....it's amazing the way you sense and feel it....there are reasons that marriage is such a sacred bond, and once God has joined two hearts no one should even try to set asunder....two lives knit together for life....

Sounds daunting to some...life...one person....that's it...
and yet....those of us whom God has already blessed with marriage thank Him for it....

The way that no matter how long, hard or insane my day was....coming through the front door to his embrace and kiss...soothes it all away...the way that doing dishes stops being a chore when we do them together....

I guess what my wordiness is trying to say is....Thank you God for the blessing of marriage, for seeing to every little detail....for loving us enough to share this with us....

I've mentioned it before....
it's pretty cool how God works....he designed our relationship with him to be like a marriage. I always had an ok grasp on it....daily communication, intimate through worship, hearing His heart....but never was prepared for the eye opener of being married and realizing a whole new dimension to God and His love for us....

Now that Thanksgiving is officially over...

It is actually time for this....

May you and yours have a blessed Christmas Season.
Love,
Bug and Eye

oh yeah...

it's the "the wedding is over, I don't need long hair for an updo anymore boy do I feel better 'do"

and yes....the Bug likes it..... *phew*

whoops....

Yes, I'm horrible. I've been neglecting our blog.
What have we been up to? Cleaning, settling into our nest, searching for the directions to put our desk together so we can set up our home computer, download pictures from our digital camera and have more interesting posts to share....

I am having a good giggle this morning.....when I moved to my current location my mother's largest worry was the snow....she's got a few inches of it this morning....while I drove to work on bare roads....nothing at our place....kinda funny if you think about it.

anywho....yes, it's short and less than exciting...but it proves we're still alive.

We're enjoying married life to the fullest and still grin and glow when someone calls me Mrs. or asks about the husband or wife :-)

tis good stuff!

2 down....

So N brother got married on Saturday! It was awesome. They got married in a hayfield and then we had a pig roast...
it was a little chilly, but we were all warmed by the love in N&B's eyes.
here's a sampling of pics....

Blessings....

When we booked our honeymoon, we were pretty sure we would be saying goodbye to Grandpa L....that's a big part of the reason we went to that location....before we went in, Bug prayed....he thanked God for the opportunity to come to see Grandpa...for allowing us at least one more visit...he prayed for my strength as he knew it would be hard for me....and it was...but I kissed my Grandpa, I told him I love him and I said goodbye.

Grandpa looked pretty good, his nurse said his quality was good and didn't agree with me that it wouldn't be long....that was six weeks ago.
Grandpa went to be with the Lord in his sleep yesterday.
I'm almost afraid to react....I feel like if I start crying now, I won't stop....been a long few weeks...
Our pastor is convinced Satan is trying to attack a young marriage....since we got married, one or both of us has been sick....(I'm fighting off a nasty cold now...) a co worker passed away, and now Grandpa has gone home....daily challenges seem to be more challenging when you're run down....and this is where I try to make myself remember that His strength IS perfect when my strength is gone, and He will carry me when I feel like I can't carry on...
I am blessed though...I have a wonderful husband carrying me to Jesus when my feet can't quite make the journey....he is amazing and I daily thank God for him.

Speaking of husbandly things.....N brother is getting married on Saturday - I am so excited for him...

talk about a roller coaster year emotionally!!

So.....

How is married life, you ask....

It is wonderful!! I get to come home to him every night, wake up with him every day...we get to make meals for each other and its funny....even the chores aren't as annoying when we do them as a team :-)

Methinks I was made for this wife stuff!

and more pictures!!

This is a link to the pics Brooke took...she's continuing to add more so feel free to check back :-)
She did such an amazing job...the pictures are beautiful and I was so comfortable with her in the bride room :-)
So here's that link

a few pics by our photographer....

some pics :-)

These are the one's Bug's SIL took....and these are the ones Pauley took...(thank you both!!)
We should have the ones from Brooke soon
love y'all
~The newlyweds

know what??? know what???

we are now Mr. and Mrs. Bug!!!!!!!!
off to finish enjoying the honeymoon......

whoa!

We're in the single digits and for once I'm not talking about the weather!!!!

FAQ's

With the wedding quickly approaching, there are a handful of questions we are asked nearly daily....so here they are :-D

Q. How many days left?
A. Today is July 31, which means 16 days to go!

Q. Are you nervous?
A. No, excited....little details are making me crazy but that was a short drive :-D

Q. Is Bug nervous?
A. Nope...his buddy asked if he's getting cold feet and he gets a huge grin on his face and says "nope. not even a little."

Q. How goes the moving in of the Bug's belongings?
A. Good - he calls it his invasion.....he's been bringing a few boxes over every week....what's great is that he lives with his parents so he doesn't have a lot of furniture or stuff for us to figure out where to put.

Q. Where's the apartment pictures you promised?
A. Yeah.....about those.....my phone sucks and we got a digital camera for our bridal shower....so I'm gonna take new pics and figure out how to upload them to my flash drive and then I'll just create a massive slide show of apartment pics.

Q. How was the shower?
A. Great!!! Check out pics here

Q. Are you all set for the wedding?
A. Pretty much....we still have to get a cake cutter and turn in our headcounts - we just made it in on budget, praise God!! Although, we are very sad that we can't have everyone we love there and promise to be quick about the pictures.

Q. Yeah, about the pics.....tell me when I can see them?
A. Brooke is taking digital pics, so probably pretty much right after the honeymoon....I think K is going to take digital shots too and I'm gonna hand our digital camera to a couple of trusted folks so we can have at least a few wedding shots to show the Uncle and Grandpa that can't make it to the wedding.

Q. Where's the honeymoon?
A. I could tell you but then..... *gryn* We're going to the Adirondacks


I think that about covers it :-)
We're doing great, we're exhausted and as much as we are looking forward to the wedding, we are really ready to get through it and get to the marriage. Please keep us in prayer for sanity, peace and focus and our families for safe travel and also, if you could pray for great weather, we'd appreciate it.

Thanks for stopping by....have a wonderful day!

*ahem*

ONE MORE MONTH!!!!


YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

I had a craving....

....and one simply does not turn on an oven in a kitchen without a/c when it is 80º outside.....

so...

I made summer's favorite cookie....




















And be quite proud....I only ate one last night. :-)

Happy.....OTHER.....Anniversary, Bug!

Two years ago today, we walked to breakfast....we took a funny picture and walked home...I had no idea what you had planned.....it didn't occur to me to think anything of you sitting on the coffee table when you called me to the living room....and when you showed me the picture of my ring I thought "oh wow, this has to be it, here it comes...." and then you pulled the ring out of your pocket and dropped to your knee.....


















and in 39 days, I will walk down that aisle toward you and promise before our friends, family and God the things I have promised to you...to love you, honor and cherish you and to be a Proverbs 31 wife.

I love you so much honey, and I can't wait to marry you and have a wonderful life together as we journey on...

good weekend.

I got to see my momma!

and we went shopping....in the pouring rain.....which produced many laughs...

AND I hugged HER!! (and now I know the secret and feel all special like)

was a nice relaxing weekend....and then Monday came...ugh...

Remember this one?

o/' This is the day, this is the day!
That the Lord has made, that the Lord has made!
This is the day that the Lord has made!
I will rejoice and be glad in it!
This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made! o/'

hmmmmm

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up with the time comes.
Matthew 6:34 MSG

Time's Fun When You're Having Flies!

Wow. June 26 already? Where did the time go? Although, given what's happening in 7 weeks....I'm kinda glad it's flying!
Our church is doing a free concert this weekend, and I'm really looking forward to it....and hoping that my saxophone is ready so I can play at the concert....although given the loverly brace on my wrist, it would be nice to get it a few days ahead of time so I can practice playing with the brace....

oh wow!!

so.....if you've been watching the clock...we're under two months! We picked up our wedding bands on Saturday and they are perfect...lol, Bug wondered if we could just start wearing them now....I must confess I am not opposed to that idea :-D
I have to say, as excited as I am for the wedding, I'm very much ready for it to get here and go so we can get on with the marriage!!

it's FRIDAY!

Which means I survived another week! and I found the floor in the spare room which is becoming the closet/office. I also found out that there is actually a floor in the hall between the bedroom, bathroom and office/closet.
interesting.

Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. Psalm 55:22

Amazing Savior, Wonderful Lord.

I needed tissues for this.

Good morning!

Nope...no pics today....but how about some praise to lift your countenance instead?
Thought you'd like that :-)
This Psalm is also a praise song and one on my heart this morning...so here I share!
Psalm 8
For the director of music. According to gittith [a].


A psalm of David.
1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.

2 From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise [b]
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings [c]
and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:

7 all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Isn't it amazing how much God cares? As I was sitting on my couch this morning, enjoying my quiet time with a cup of coffee and my Bible, I looked around at the new place and was filled with joy, gratefulness and a sense of awe - amazed by all the ways God has blessed me and us....yes...there are many things in my life right now that are stressing me to the point of naming chocolate my sole source of "nutrition." However - there is that "BUT, God...." see....we all thinking of that "BUT GOD!!!!!!" and forget there's a big comma there....But, pause, breathe, calm down....God IS and WAS and isn't done taking care of me yet...so here's where it comes to "Ok Eye, carefully put down the chocolate, breathe, eat some vegetables and remember there's a much bigger pictures going on here and I'm not about to drop you."

My new favorite worship song....

I hope it ministers to you as much as it did to me...

It's Official!!

The apartment is now a home.
No...I didn't finish unpacking....
"then how is it home?"
simple:




mmm....home......

OOH!

Check this out!
I love learning other uses for stuff I tend to keep around anyway....
so the weekend was good...unpacked a few more bags...assembled the dining room table...starting to look a lot more like a home....we (ok, Bug) put in the new showerhead...now we just need to go lawnsaling or thrift store shopping and find a cabinet for the dining room so we can put away the rest of the kitchen gadgets...then it is a matter of putting the pictures on the wall, deciding which decorative items get put out and which go to the attic...and THEN I'll take pics and post them ;-)

The Stuff

Ok...so these are admittedly not quite as "AWW!! YAY!" as her new pics but seriously, what is as aww yay as a new bundle of joy??
anyway....these were taking by the wonderful woman who is our wedding photographer, Brooke

Slowly getting more settled...found the kitchen floor, which was wonderful...made my first "real" meal....and forgot to take pics (lemon pepper fish, garlic and olive oil with pasta and a salad)....we hung out in our new place for the first time on Sunday so that was awesome.

This morning I did something that I'm a bit ashamed to admit has been a while since I've done...I sat and read my Bible before I left for work....got up a bit earlier...showered up and packed my lunch....and sat and soaked in God's goodness...and you know what? I ended up leaving the house full of peace and in a great mood. (yes, shocker....) I've started reading a women of faith series devotional called Receiving God's Goodness it's all about how we think we deserve to stay in chains and how we can't seem to grasp that grace really did cover us and it's not a just this once type of thing...
and then of course, being Satan....he attacked what I had just learned....brought up sins long forgiven and I started to feel horrible...but then....God reminded me...forgiveness is forever. And then it hit me - we cannot be saved by deeds....we can also not be taken from God by deeds. Just because I screwed up doesn't mean that's it, you're toast, head on back to your shackles.....
Our Pastor was talking about the unpardonable sin on Sunday....he said that a lot of people worry that they've committed it. Pastor said "If you're here, and you're concerned about it - you didn't do it." That's the big thing - if you actually care about what you did - then that deed isn't about to take you to a place where God's grace cannot reach you. You just have to crawl back into his arms...tell Him about it...be sorry and mean it and take those actions to turn away from whatever seeks to take you from him.
and then....of course....a song started playing in my head....
I posted about it once before...(listen here)
but here's the chorus...

My chains are gone I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace

and then...of course....my VOD solidified what I knew and what God has been pounding into me all day....Satan can't have the victory, he can't steal the seeds that God has planted because
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18 NIV

God's cool.

Drink it in...

It never ceases to amaze me how God blesses me with His word...when I'm up, down, overwhelmed or even blah....
Today I'm calm....tired...sad...excited....a little anxious and yet....there is peace to be found in His words....

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace Psalm 29:11

The apartment is looking less like a storage area and more like a home...a friend came and helped last night by washing the mountain of dishes I own....and we had a good chuckle about what doesn't match....and how little room there is for the coffee mugs (I'm sure she is laughing right about now as she's seen my mug cupboard before) ok...so I like coffee...and many cups to put said coffee in....I was missing my dishwasher last night....but alas....I shall survive.....

yes....I will post pictures...but first, we find the floors and put the furniture where it goes.....

Where do I even start?

With a song I suppose...
Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King, His love endures for ever
For He is good, He is above all things....

A lot has happened over the last week. Last Wednesday I got a call from Bug - (quick backstory his aunt (age 94) has been living with them for the past 4-4.5 years, wonderful sweet lady and more like a grandmother than an aunt)
Anyway - this aunt was on her way to the hospital, they feared she had another stroke...later that day Bug calls - she had a massive stroke. My heart hit the floor. Later we were told that she would be moved into hospice....Thursday night I went to the hospital, kissed her and told her I love her and said goodbye....

Meanwhile...we are planning a move from Cville to Ktown.....and I'm being, well, me and stressing about it because I do not want to take Bug away from his family while all of this is going on....Bug says we should go anyway....so Friday after work, we head for Cville, stop for some food and head to the house....a few minutes later, Bug checks in with his sister...I'm lighting the furnace and hear his side of the conversation and him hang up. Then he said the words. "She died." Our hearts immediately broke. I can't even begin to tell you how special a lady this woman was and is. I am happy for her because she is no longer in pain and is dancing with angels and walking with Jesus whom she's loved for so long....but I ache for us....

I expected we'd pack the car back up and head to BCityarea.....but Bug said we'd stay....so we packed up the house for a few hours...slept very little and began the move from a very hot place the next day around 7....but first we had to go get a new battery for my car. (left the lights on a few weeks ago and totally killed it..nice AAA guy told me to replace it soon....so of COURSE the light would come on while we have a million things to do!)

Well....we take care of that...head to the "booger fling" to grab some promised breakfast....of course they screwed up the order...

Go to get the UHaul....that was an adventure....
head back home to start packing it up.....

We had the usuals....."where does this go?" "ummmm in a box" (I seriously had no capacity to even think of what should go where...so I said box it all, I'll sort it later....which hasn't necessarily been a bad thing on the Ktown end.....)
We had the "oh cool I didn't know you had this...." "oh wow, I forgot about that" "ew, what is that" and a couple of broken dishes - but I'm told I handled it all well (which is amazing considering that I'm me and we were grieving!)

So we got it all packed up and then the hard part....baby girl says goodbye to daddy. (and those that asked "were there tears?" just remember who typed this post....)
Daddy hugged me and said "Big move little one." I lost it. He said "it was ok before because you were always coming back" It's all official now...I've changed my address and no longer "live" 10 minutes from my daddy and what a feeling....suffice it to say it was an emotional drive to my new home.
I took one last walk through my first home, thanked God for it, prayed that it would be a place of refuge and blessing for my sister and locked up one last time....
Thankfully the drive back was uneventful....we packed up what we could fit in the truck from my TTown room....and headed to the apartment....did I mention it is an upper?
The couch and bed ended up going up over the balcony....the stove came a couple days later....that was an adventure....

Saturday we finished everything around 9ish and then went to break bread...well pizza with some of the wonderful friends that helped us move....by the time I got back home, I was so tired I didn't bother looking for sheets...I found a pillow and a blanket and curled up on my mattress....it seems like I barely closed my eyes and the alarm was telling me it was time to get up for church.....so I brewed some water in the coffee maker to wash up with....took the plunge and washed my hair in cold water....only to discover as I blow dried it that I had not gotten all of the soap out...so I decided it would be a good day to wear my hair up....and finished getting ready....off to church....a quick bite to eat and then we went to Aunt's wake.....it was every bit as hard as you would expect it to be....my throat still hurts from trying to hold back sobs. Between viewings, we spent some time at one of the Seneca relative's home, a little to eat, some family time...and back to the funeral home (side note, this funeral home did an absolutely amazing job. The decor made me feel like I was grieving in my mother's living room....the funeral director stayed in the wings, providing what was needed but other than that, letting the family deal....it was a great comfort.)

Got home somewhere around 10ish....off to bed....and then up for the funeral on Monday. I'm not going to lie, the tears started when I opened my eyes. I got up and brewed coffee and prayed for peace....sat out on the back balcony and drank in the sunshine and God's love and then began to get ready to pay my last respects.....it was a lovely service (Have you ever heard a Seneca hymn sung? Beautiful does not even begin to describe it).

They sang "amazing grace, my chains are gone" (which if you've never heard, you need to look it up on God Tube)....

I took an exhausted Bug home after the post-funeral dinner and headed home....my wonderful friend M came over with cheeseburgers and we sat on the balcony with our feet up and just talked.....amazing how much that helps....

I guess I'll tell you more about the new place and put up some pics once I get more unpacked...

Successful Weekend!

So...
I left work at noon on Friday...drove to Cuba and cleaned house...ya know, all those things that look clean, but you use the disinfecting wipes on anyway to make it smell all nice and fresh...then I went and hung with my H sister...and got new hair:

















Then I went home....waited for the Bug to get there, ate some yummy takeout and fell asleep...woke up and got ready to meet with our photographer.....met with her and had her take some practice pics.....went for some breakfast and then met up with the realtor for the open house....and then instead of our original plan of hiking....since it POURED...we went to see my momma....then we went shopping for the last few things for Dad's retirement party....so I started with a little parboiled chicken...and prayed I had enough :-D
















Dad and brothers arrived....Dad got comfy....
















And N went to work at the grill....
















And what party is complete without cake??

Smile on a Thursday....

So...got a call yesterday....the woman that looked at my house loved it...so we see what happens next! Open house on Saturday....and you know what? I'm actually not all that anxious. Because either this woman buys my house or my sister moves in. Either way, I'm blessed.

As I was maneuvering through our parking ramp this morning Todd Agnew's Grace Like Rain was playing....
Bug led worship this past Sunday morning, and that was one of the songs he chose....and no matter how many times I hear it...it always gets me...and I want to close my eyes, throw my hands toward Heaven and get lost in praise....granted, I can't so much do that while driving...but it never ceases to astound me what a peace comes over me during worship....no wonder we are told to rejoice ALWAYS....God's desire for us is good things, peace, comfort, love and joy - and we find those things in His presence...and how do we enter in? Worship.

So I leave you today with my VOD (Nope, not video on demand....verse of the day)
The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 MSG

Interesting.....
I hear a lot of government bashing....I hear some government praising....but how much praying is going on? If we spent equal time praying for our government as complaining about it....I wonder how huge the difference would be...
hmm.
Food for thought, I s'pose.

another day.....

so it's Wednesday! the week is half over! and I am taking a half day on Friday to go home to CVill and get ready for the open house on Saturday and dad's retirement party on Sunday....going to be a busy weekend!! We are also hoping to start packing....t-10 days until my move!!! I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am about that - what a huge relief!
not too much else going on today.....

Monday.....

It's Monday.
The weekend was pretty good...saw the fam for my cousin's grad party....got to see the newest little family member...she is SO cute!!!
celebrated being under 100 days to the wedding....drove home....tried to sleep....usual stuff.

House is being shown today......

100 Days!!!!

Did you happen to notice the countdown clock? 100 days to go!!
Things are falling into place quite nicely - T has our rings cast and just needs to put in the stones....we're going next weekend to hang with our photographer and then go check out the honeymoon site (we're going camping!)....then just minor things like figuring out the rehearsal dinner, making the invitations and mailing them...then hanging with Nana to make the bouquets.....it's gonna be great!

It's May!

and it was 33º this morning. How messed up is that???

But spring is here...and summer is coming! So that's good.
Bug and I went to dinner last night and figured out more little details to getting me moved into our little nest and wedding stuff....we think we've decided on a honeymoon and that was the last "how do we want to work..." thing on our list!!

It's been a long week, but today I find myself feeling very calm...which is wonderful.

I leave you with today's verse - which again - fits perfectly...Imagine that - God sent me a perfect verse!

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26 NIV

halfway through.....

The weeks are long these days....
but I know I will get through...one foot in front of the other.....
and then I open my calendar to today's verse and...

Now unto Him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his presence, fresh and celebrating - to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, to the end of time. Jude 1:24-25 MSG

I borrow lyrics once again...."Truly amazing...is our God."

Rejoice with Me!

The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like the hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places. Habakkuk 3:19 NASB

Anyone feel like counting blessings?
If you've been watching the countdown clock...the number's getting small....(YAY!) and if you've been reading the posts you know that the writer has been getting anxious and trying hard to pray and to trust...
Amazing what happens when God breaks through. I read an incredible book my momma loaned me.....and it's very interesting what happens when you get out of your own way...get out of God's way and into His will....He doesn't want me to lose sleep and to ache every day from the stress and tension....He wants me to do what I can - to go to work, to do my job to the best of my ability, to trust Him and to pray for my needs....
well.....
The wedding is planned. We're talking about a few options for a honeymoon.
oh yeah....did I mention we found a place to live? With Christian neighbors and landlords!
I move in June 1 and the Bug will move in after the wedding....it's kind of perfect....it's above the apartment where our Bible study is hosted and owned by the man who runs our Bible study....and at least one more family on our street goes to our church :-)

"so whatcha gonna do about the CVill place?" Well...I have always prayed for that house to be a blessing....My sis is gonna live there for a while :-)

We have an open house coming up on May 17....pray that God's will be done and I have the good sense to accept whatever that may be :-D

So....in the midst of all of this, I am reminded of a conversation the Bug and I had earlier this week...or maybe it was last week....but still.....
I had come to the astonishing (ok....not so astonishing...but still) revelation that prayer can't just be whining and that we have to take time to thank God for the heaps of blessings He has already poured out....and that is when that wonderful man I am marrying reminded me that yes, we are told to present our requests to God....but WITH THANKSGIVING. That prayer MUST include praise....duh Eye.... :-)

I thought about that a lot on Sunday while I got lost in the praise....I just didn't want to stop...and as I signed and the tears flowed down my face at the wonder of the intimacy with God that worship is....I realized that none of my concerns really matter....in the long run...I've got God - what more do I need?

Yes, the house and wonderful husbandtobe is great, BUT I have to make sure they are in proper order....
hmm....food for thought....

May your day be blessed.

Who's hungry?

Start with lovely olive oil infused with a touch of garlic, rosemary, sage, sea salt and pepper....toss in some carrots, wax beans and green beans....
















mix with ww linguine and hand over to the fiance!

I found it needed a little lemon pepper but the Bug liked it just fine without it :-)
Have a great day

I think this is one even she will be proud of ;-)

Four Months!

Yesterday was four months until the wedding....now we deal with the "little thing" like deciding what to put on the plates at the reception.......and making sure the guys get measured.....and ya know that annoying little having t pay for it part :-)

But you know what? I am bouncing off the walls excited. Bet you didn't see that coming right? ;-)

It's only Tuesday?

so someone explain why all these weeks are so long?? I woke up convinced it was at least Wednesday...hoping for Thursday and dreaming of Friday :-)

We're going home this weekend - I am fighting the urge to make all sorts of plans - we desperately need a rest....we hope to visit our buddy's new pizza shop...but other than that....well...maybe a stack of movies and some bread and soup (gotta love crockpots and breadmakers....)

I'm feeling sort of quiet today which I'm sure amazes most....so I will end with my verse of the day....savor it.

I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. Ezekiel 34:26 NIV
Thank you, Lord! I receive that!!

It's wet out.

yep. coming down in drizzles then in buckets....but it's a soaking rain....drink up ground and bring me back some pretty flowers!

I'm so glad to see this week come to a close...it's been a long one...physically, mentally and even some emotionally.

Today I'm kind of in agony....rain reminds my knee of all the times I mangled it in my years of soccer and stubbornness....so I'm not moving overly well today....my body must be mad at me because the scar tissue in my abdomen is pulling and throbbing and I've even got some acidic pain from my non-gallbladder.

Sheesh. what a depressing post.
let's instead move on to my verse of the day

So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth. Hosea 6:3 NASB

Well. that certainly fits this day! I love how God does that.

Can I get an "amen?"

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see - how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness.
Psalm 34:8-9 MSG

And in the vein of worship....my latest favorite worship song....
I hope it blesses you as much as it has me....I am told that you can hear this song at Leadworship.com

Hosanna (Paul Baloche)

Praise is rising, eyes are turning to You, we turn to You
Hope is stirring, hearts are yearning for You, we long for You
'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day
In Your Presence all our fears are washed away, washed away
[Chorus:]Hosanna, hosanna
You are the God Who saves us, worthy of all our praises
Hosanna, hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus
Hear the sound of hearts returning to You, we turn to You
In Your Kingdom broken lives are made new, You make us new
'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day
In Your Presence all our fears are washed away, washed away
[Chorus:]Hosanna, hosanna
You are the God Who saves us, worthy of all our praises
Hosanna, hosanna
Come have Your way among us
We welcome You here, Lord Jesus
'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day
In Your Presence all our fears are washed away
'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day
In Your Presence all our fears are washed away, washed away
[Chorus:]

Wednesday! Finally!!

wow....it has been a long week hasn't it?
Tonight I'm getting my hair trimmed up and then meeting Bug for some dinner and then exchanging the movie I've been trying to remember to exchange for a week......hmmm maybe I should pick up some fish oil too....
It's finally actually really spring here! Yesterday, when I walked to my car it was 69º!!! yay!

We have a birthday party for his niece P Saturday....and then next weekend it's off to C Village....we need to head to B Village and try out our buddy's new pizza shop (Mrs. G - did you hear about that one? It's the guy from the pizza place in your town....he's branched off!) and then a relaxing weekend at home...we hope!

prayer....and yay....and please oh Lord grant me patience!

House was shown on Sunday.....I'm told they loved it but are still shopping and will let us know....but that it's like number 2 on their list......pray.....
I think it's no secret that I would love the Lord to lift the burden of this mortgage - especially if He would do it BEFORE the wedding!!! I'm trying so hard to be patient and to wait on his timing and not be anxious...but let's face facts...I'm not doing so well with it....
And then I come to work and flip to today on my verse-a-day calendar....and once again smile at the provision of hope...

Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope! Romans 15:13 MSG

hope you're having a delightful day with the sunshine!

Successful Weekend

So Mom and K made it up safely and we had a great time....we met at the church so they could see where we are getting married....our worship team was practicing so they got to meet a few people and hear our team so that was cool...then we took a spin past the reception hall and then it was off to T Town to see where I'm renting and meet the landlady - who was overjoyed to meet my momma so that was cool.
After that we headed off to Big Bridal Chain for K to try on her dress. She loves it - side note....she swam in the size four...it was at this point I decided she seriously needed a cheeseburger.... so we ordered her dress and headed off to Guitar place to get Bug some strings and then to lunch....where K did actually order the cheeseburger - oh to have a 15 year old metabolism again!!! Then we adventured to a nearby mall where K fell in love with the many stores....we looked for a dress for mom but didn't find much...so I guess that means we have to go shopping again...oh darn right? ;-)

After our shopping spree, I took the gals back to the church to pick up Mom's car and then head to Bug's where Mom and K met my future in-laws, which went very well.

I introduced my mom to his dad saying "dad, this is mom" only to have Bug's mom come in and say "no, that's me!" with a big smile as she hugged my mother.

I have to say I am tickled pink at the way things are coming together for the wedding!!!!

It's FRIDAY!!!

Yesterday one of the attorneys said "it IS Friday right?"
There's nothing worse than thinking it's Friday only to learn there are still work days ahead of you...but today really is Friday and even though it's rainy....I think it will be a good day.
After work I'm going to go pick up Bug and take him for a ride in my new car and then exchange a movie (we went all thrifty and bought it used only to have it skip and freeze....so back to the store to make them give us one that works), and then probably some dinner and home I go to make sure my rooms are spotless as my mom is coming to visit tomorrow. (We never outgrow that do we? I mean, I'm a generally neat person (if you don't count the laundry) and yet...I'm going to scramble to make sure everything is just right and that the room smells of nice cleansers....strange.....

If a picture is worth a thousand words...

....then enjoy this short story about a very happy woman....

Don't mind the frost.....winter is still working on that clue.....

Her name is Makaio - which means "Gift of God"

And I'm even smiling this big before a cup of coffee!!!!

Busy Day....

Today is going to be a busy one...meeting during lunch, followed by a training, followed by the afternoon, followed by going to the dealer, returning the rental and picking up my new (well, new to me) car and then heading off to a dinner meeting before pouring myself into bed sometime later tonight...sound fun?
Maybe I should get some more coffee.....

Talked to my mom for a long time last night.....it's getting to that point in the wedding planning where we need fittings and hotels and my grin just keeps getting bigger :-)