Ooh!

Hey! Look at that! We're under 200 days!!
which is awesome because well, we're ready to be married allfreakingready!
still have lots to do...but we'll get there.
we got thrown a monkey wrench yesterday.
The Brown company Bug works for told him the week after our wedding is closed for vacations....so Bug told the man "look, I'm getting married...really need that week off..." so the man is going to talk to his boss and see what he can do....so I'm praying it works out because I don't want to have to be all bridezilla :-D

We have to fly to Virginia for a wedding I'm in in October....so maybe we'll take that week if we can't have our chosen week...dunno.
right now, I'm choosing not to stress about it.

This weekend should rock....gonna take the K sister and her boyfriend out for some fun and then hopefully see some awesome people...yep. you know who you are...world travelers and home bodies and such ;-D

We Survived!

Bug: We're gonna be good at this parenting stuff.
Eye: Yeah I think so.
Bug: It's exhausting.
Eye: Um, yeah.

We watched his two (almost three) year old niece P for the weekend...it was a ball of fun and she's adorable and hilarious and very well behaved...but for us the non-parents....very tiring. We give many many many props to those of you who do this full time!!

Bug got to go home and not enjoy the midnight diaper change.....so I'm a little sleepy this morning...but all in all we had fun.

We took P to Chuck E Cheese and oh my bob how cute were Bug and P!!! We took her shopping and got her a new book and some plush toys....although the funniest was her with her bunny....she'd put him to "bed" in her play refrigerator....

but yeah...it was a ton of fun and great practice for the many many moons down the road when we decide we're ready....but for now, let's focus on getting down the aisle and figuring out how to take care of each other :-D

WAHOO!

"He went Wahoo!
He went wahoo?
when was the last time he went wahoo?
I'm sure I don't know.
when was the last time YOU went wahoo?
well, I'm SURE I don't know."

tee hee. I love that movie.

It's one of those days when I'm ready to run in a hundred directions or just sit down and take a nap. TGIF Friends!
It's been an incredibly long week...and yes, I survived it.

I'm really looking forward to this weekend....we're taking care of Bug's niece!
Ms. P will be 2 in April and is downright adorable!!!
Bug's already got big plans in mind...the mall...Chuck E. Cheese....I hope we have enough energy!!

STILL love me some message....

Romans 8:26 -28 MSG
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves...and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

Drink it in...let the peace flood your soul, and may your day be blessed.

Color Me Prepared!!!

I think I am now ready to take on the world. Thanks to this site and my J brother's Christmas Gift to me.

I can create safety pins from paperclips and create a mattress shack and forage for edibles and I'm thinking I'm ready to take on the world!!

Spent the weekend in the C Village...it was a good trip....Friday night we vegged in front of Sweet Home Alabama and ate take out...Saturday we ventured in to O town and saw my daddy, got my ring re-tipped and put the deposit on our wedding bands....ventured off to do a little shopping and then delightful pancakes at a little place in the P Vill....mmm...all you can eat and you can even change up your flavors...and I'm not even a pancake fan. However, I did eat three blueberry pancakes and was sad when there wasn't room in my stomach for more...
Then off for a quick stop by Dad's to get some colloidal silver...you see the Bug had an emergency root canal and is still facing a bit of the infection...however...this colloidal silver stuff is good!! It's what I used on my face after chewing on the airbag...and look ma' no scars!! I've also used it on canker sores, strep throat and athlete's foot to see amazing recoveries. Gotta love natural antibiotics....google it and you'll discover the wonders ;-D
After seeing Dad we ventured home and played Scene it and then had a candlelit dinner....sorry, no pics....after my delightful mint chocolate bit the dust twice in two weeks and they told me "these are known issues" and that even though I'm under manufacturer's warranty...it's $50 to fix it....I reactivated my dinosaur of an LG and await September to get a new phone for free....so no pics but it calls out, receives calls and I can text, so really, I can't whine too much.....

but I digress. dinner...yes...rotini a la vodka, salad with homemade (!!) Italian herb dressing (yep, from scratch, not a mix!), garlic bread and bananas foster ice cream for dessert....then another round of scene it...it was fun! Bug annihilated me but we had a good time.

Sunday we ventured off to A town to see my mommy and a couple of the sibs....saw the progress the J brother is making on his house - can I just say I am so incredibly impressed!?!?!?! He is doing an amazing job building this place and I wish I had pics to post!

Then we made nachos, watched Macguiver and laughed at how we used to think he was so high tech and that show was the living edge....and then ventured back to the BCity.....

Terribly exciting isn't it? This weekend we get to fix my car...again...tell me that doesn't sound like a big stinking pile of fun.

But every day brings us one day closer to August so I'll get up, smile and venture on.....

I PASSED!!!!!

Yep!!! I am now a certified administrative professional!!! (see this) and Yes, I've been jumping up and down and chick flailing and crying those happy tears....*WHEW* what a relief!!!

Well, I'm impressed...

My sibs did this....

nope. no photo shopping involved. they had a lot of snow...and a lot of time on their hands....and they created this.....pretty cool huh?

As Christmas (and Bug's birthday) rapidly approach....I scramble for last minute gifts, ingredients for yummy treats and wonder just how many cars can fit into a parking lot......I'm forced to stop for a breath and remember why we do all of this....the real reason for the season....Jesus' birth...family togetherness.....and I smile and plod on...wishing those clerks a Merry Christmas.....even when they get all startled and wish me Happy Holidays....

I've decided not to get offended by it....because well, to stand there and wish each customer Merry Christmas, Happy New Year is exhausting...... ;-)

May the joy of the season surround you, may you be filled with God's peace, may your joy be complete in the promises of Christ.

Merry Christmas to all!

Thanksgiving

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endureth forever.

Just a few of the starters.......

It's deep dish peach....and no. it's not a "non-pie" because it's rectangle ;-) I set up a little buffet behind dad....I actually got to use ALL of my crockpots for one meal!!
Methinks me father enjoyed the meal ;-)
Me brother too.....
It was a successful dinner!! sorry I wasn't able to snap more yummy shots....I got up at 4:30 to put the turkey in the oven (threw out my back doing so...thank God for strong fiances!)...my H sister knocked on the front door a few hours later so I made her a mocha and myself a macchiato....and then the Bug and Eye ventured to Giant for just a couple things....and then I began to make the largest mess ever out of my kitchen to create a feast :-) and not one of my family members picked on me for having a large rectangle deep dish peach pie.....

It was so nice having so much of my family there....it was a good day...and as I sat at the table with a full plate and surrounded by the ones I love....the aches left my body and I forgot about the effort to make the meal, and I smiled.

As we enter this Christmas season, I pray that you are blessed beyond measure and that the peace of God that passes all understanding saturates your soul and home.

know what?? know what???

I get to get up at 4 a.m. and put a turkey in the oven!! and then I get to spend ALL DAY in my kitchen!!!!!!! I get to make a huge feast and serve it to my family!!!!!!
Yes, I am genuinely excited! I'm hosting dinner for 8 at my place...and it shall be divine! Thus sayeth Eye!!
Pictures to follow...provided I can pull my hands out of the flour and such to take them.....

now this is cool.

So my IAAP newsletter included this link this month...
So of course, I clicked away and wow....instantly this woman was brought to mind...as was this one....
I mean how many times am I surrounded by paperclips but no safety pins?
this site would make Macguiver smile!!

So...

It's Thursday.
Dropped the price on my house today. Learned that the lack of garage/basement is deterring people...which kinda sucks a bit...
*sigh*

Weekend....success!

So...we went to the little C Village for the weekend with every intention of being vegetables...didn't quite work out like that, but it was a good weekend...Friday night we ordered a veggie pizza and watched a movie....Saturday...we chased my mother around Otown in an attempt to shop with her. I still maintain she was trying to ditch us ;-) She says she was just trying to not let us see Christmas presents.....

We thought we'd get home late morning/early afternoon, veg for a while, maybe head to H town or something...yeah...got home early evening....popped in a movie...I made dinner...we finished the movie and rubbed each other's feet with tingly mint lotion (man I love Bath & Body Works!) and that was the ball game....

Sunday...ah Sunday....we had a bridal show slated for the day....so we knew we were headed back to the City earlier than usual.


My eyes flew open at 7:30 and wouldn't close, despite the fact that I didn't need to be up for at least two more hours...

so...for some reason I thought it would be a grand day to watch the video from my high school grad party...nearly 10 years ago....
I smiled when I saw this one and the 2 month old TINY baby....cried when the heaven dwelling brother showed up on screen...and had a good laugh at the adeptness (stop laughing.) of my volleyball skills...

then I decided the day must be productive.


And how is this done? Simple!

Find the laundry room floor after cleaning out the linen closets a couple weeks ago and discovering that EVERYTHING must be washed.

Gather your fuel making ingredients.

Check on the strawberry muffins...(forgot to take the pic of them in the bowl...sorry...)

Make the espresso...

Pair the uber yummy muffin with a raspberry cappuccino...
Serve to the adorable fiance...

Kick your feet up and enjoy...

Let him read for a bit....

and then venture off!!!
yes. it is a sticker. it says here comes the bride.

And should the bridal show not be all it was hailed to be....

comfort yourself with food you shouldn't be eating anyway....

REMINDER

http://www.fathersloveletter.com/fllpreviewlarge.html

I don't think I need to say another word.

*WHEW*

It's over......that horrid two day exam is over....and now I wait 45 days to find out how I did.
Seriously, if I don't pass this thing, I am going to sit down and cry. It was gruelling, and long and stretched the brain and such...good thing I studied hard!! I read the review materials and felt pretty prepared for it. Fortunately, a lot of it was common sense stuff so that helped.
The first part, I have no idea how I did, nor how to gauge. The other parts went pretty well...two of them I felt really good about, and the last one I think I did ok....
but I'm done thinking about it because if I rehash it for the next 45 days I'll drive myself crazy (shush. I know.)

So the rest of the weekend was nice. When I got to Bug's house after the last part of the test, he made me a wonderful dinner (sorry, I was too fried to take pics)....Butternut squash, basted with grape seed oil, (which I'm pretty sure was infused with rosemary and garlic) and then he sprinkled a little shredded Parmesan on top and baked it...*drool* it was SO good!!!
He paired it with fresh Tuscan bread and asparagus risotto. Yup, that man loves me!!!!

Then we vegged and watched "The Next Iron Chef" and I went home and fell into bed!

We had a party for his aunt's birthday yesterday which was great fun and got to dance to "our song" for the first time :-) Which is kinda funny 'cause we've had a song for a few years now...but it was nice. His cousin who was DJing announced "the future Mr. and Mrs. B_____" while we were dancing and everyone cheered for us. awww shucks....

Well that's our weekend...how was yours?

Sister Fest!

So mom went to a dairy meeting....so....Eye went to the C Village to spend some time with K....and for those that know K....she's an imaginitive being with more creativity than imaginable....and she's got her sister's silly streak...

so, set down the coffee, lest you spit it at your screen.........and venture into the abridged version (Read: K needs to send the rest of the pics...these are the ones taken with my phone)

H and Eye thought it would be cool for H to come as a surprise for K and then head for the salon....so....while we were waiting (K not knowing she was waiting......)

Mom kept sending interesting pics to K...so...we sent her this....asking if she ever had the feeling somebody's watching her.....


so Monday night....I picked up K and headed for the homestead....H got there somewhere around 10:30ish.......and then the silliness began!!


would you trust these people??






Crazy pants + legs of iron = watchout!! :-)
I am the leg wrestling QUEEN!!


and then a little love to make her feel....better?



so anyway...that was Monday...

Tuesday we headed for the Salon (and once K gets her rump in gear and sends the REST of the pics, this can be a much better post, LOL)

And thus beginneth the process!!


I'm smiling because now I can get HBO as I walk....


Beauty requires jet fuel you know....




and...................................voila:

My mission: to discover if blondes really do have more fun!!!!

All in all it was a great time - we got to hang for the first time in forever and seriously - have you ever seen a group of hotter sisters? ;-)

OOOH!!!

Didja see?? Didja see???
we're under 300 days until the wedding!!
Does this excite anyone else?
tee hee...
Things are going well...still pretty much in the same holding pattern....trying to nail down a concrete idea for favors...(Bug isn't sure about the cookie cutters)
however, God is providing in wonderful ways and we're feeling a little less of strangle hold than before with regards to the finances...but still waiting for Him to lift the burden of the house (I know, you're sick of hearing it...I'm sick of saying it....but He's got to have some big plan right??)

Today Jeff Hoy talked about unexpected answers to prayer...how it's cool to pray specifically...but not to be shocked if your prayer is answered in another way...Naomi lost her sons...but she got Ruth....and then Boaz and a grandson....a kinsman redeemer to kind of patch up her cracked world...not what she was expecting...and yet....exactly met the needs....
So today my mission is to stop determining that this answer to prayer is only the way I see it (much more money or someone to buy it....) but maybe there's a whole nother option I've never thought to consider.....

Ooh....

so...don't you just love when you're dealing with a particular situation and then something appears in your life to remind you that God's still got you...that He's there and just waiting for you to stop worrying and start trusting?

and then when you keep worrying...and He's got to use the 2x4...yeah...that's me....
and I open my email this morning...
and Dr. Jeff Hoy is waiting there....well, not actually Jeff Hoy.....but my daily devotional from him...
and I read it....and I smile and say "Ok, God, I get it now...." and here's where I pray that I do...

The Careful WaitWords of Faith 10-15-07
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoypastorjeff@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship ChurchMelbourne, FL
To unsubscribe follow the directions at the end of this E-mail
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Ruth 3 [16] When Ruth came to her mother in law, Naomi asked, "How did it go, my daughter?" Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her [17] and added, "He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, 'Don't go back to your mother in law empty handed.' " [18] Then Naomi said, "Wait, my daughter, until you find out what happens. For the man will not rest until the matter is settled today."

In our age of immediate gratification, the thing we often struggle with the most is waiting. We will do almost anything to avoid having to wait. We love the 10 minute oil change and the 60 minute cleaner so much that we may begin to think that our relationship with God should work in the same way. Name it claim it I want it NOW, God.

Ruth knew better. She knew there was no "microwave prayer". Because of the complexity of the situation, Boaz was unable to immediately respond by marrying Ruth and "redeeming" her and Naomi. He made a commitment that, one way or another, redemption would take place either by marriage to Boaz or to another kinsman who stood in line. But the "answer" would have to wait. Ruth would have to wait.

Now don't miss this! Notice the care that Boaz gave to be sure that Ruth did not return home "empty handed". Though there was a wait before an answer would come Ruth did not leave the threshing floor empty handed. Even in the time of waiting there were six measures of blessing!
There are times when we go to God with a need. We offer the fragrance of praise. We are washed and ready to hear from Him. We approach Him in humility and our heart is surrendered to His Lordship. But his answer is... "wait". It may not be our favorite answer, but, if we learn from the story of Ruth, we know that God has His very best in mind for us. And we know that there is a blessing that comes in the waiting.

We do not leave "empty handed". The job we prayed for may not be immediate, but He gives a blessing in the time of waiting. We may not immediately see the ultimate goal of God, but we will walk away with six measures of blessing if our arms are open to receive. There may be a measure of the fruit of the Spirit called patience. The Lord may teach us a measure of compassion that we will forever carry toward others in situations similar to ours. He may pour into our shawl a big measure of faith that is able to trust God not just when answers are quick and flashy but when they are slow and subtle.

Are you waiting? Waiting on the Lord? Waiting for an answer? Open your arms and receive the measure of blessing He has for you. You will not leave empty handed.

Lord, I am open to Your timing and to Your blessing. Teach me in the times of waiting. I trust You. Your ways are not my ways and Your thoughts are not my thoughts. I trust Your timing and Your wisdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)http://www.faithfellowshipweb.compastorjeff@faithfellowshipweb.com2
820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
SUBSCRIPTIONS To receive the Words of Faith devotion five days a week, send an E-mail message addressed to join-words-of-faith@hub.xc.org. To stop receiving Words of Faith, send an E-mail message addressed to unsubscribe-words-of-faith@hub.xc.org. The daily devotion and archive are posted at http://devotions.faithfellowshipweb.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SO!

Been a while since I've posted....yes, I know, horrible Eye. Bad. Very bad.
so what's new?
well....the Bug is wearing a brown suit and delivering packages, Eye is working, working, trying to certify (CAP) and babysitting a ton.....
wedding planning....getting some cool ideas for the face of our programs....trying to budget and figure out a way to make sure all the people we want can be there...which means God needs to pour out a ton o' money on us!
and then there's the house....I gotta be honest....I just plain do not understand what God is doing here....yeah, it was a blessing when I bought it...it's blessed Nathaniel and others....but it's also a huge drain on my financial, physical, emotional and mental health...so I don't get why God hasn't lifted that burden.....I mean, I've asked, seeked and knocked....so....what's the deal?
ok. whining session over.
We've had a wonderfully mild fall thus far in the B city....which has been nice given my opinion on snow..........and as all of you lovely folks remember....this was the time of year last year when the snow got dumped HARD on us.....I had just come back from recuperating on my momma's couch after having my gall bladder removed (yes, I know. I never posted. but in my defense...K never sent the pics....).....and well....cold weather and a tender body don't go well together. So I'm praising God quite a bit for the mildness....

Thank you God

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 NIV

Riddle Answer.....

well, there were some great guesses, I must say!

and the answer is.....

Our invitations!!

Yup. We got 200 invitations, with envelopes AND 200 response cards, with envelopes....for $20!!!!!