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Sunday, September 30, 2012

Shower for Mike & Becca

Two other ladies and I have been collaborating for months about this shower. We got together twice to plan, and sent countless emails & texts to discuss and i have to say... everything turned out PERFECT! The whole time it was very low stress... i think the only time i got a little stressed was when we had about 30 minutes till party time & we were not ready! HAHA! But truly...it was like God was smiling down on the whole thing. That sounded really cheesy, but it's true!

I found myself near tears as i got overwhelmed with so many pouring in the house, despite the weather, despite an LSU game going on later that evening. TONS of people came out, you know why? Because people LOVE Becca & Mike! They truly deserve the best & I am so thankful their shower had a great turnout. 

Becca & Mike go to my old church, Victory (where i went for about 17 years, with a 4 year gap after year 15!), so i got to see a LOT of faces i hadn't seen in awhile...and that was nice!

*   *   *   *   *   *

Becca & Mike are a beautiful couple that i know the Lord brought together. Becca (one of my closest friends) was RADIANT all night...at a shower! Can't wait to see her at the wedding! ;)

I took MANY pics, I'll try not to post ALL of them!

 Here's a sneak peek of the food... but honestly I'm going to do another post dedicated to just the food, because everything but the cake was Pinterest-inspired & everything was AMAZING! :) I must share!

*  *  *  *  *  *  * 

Adam & Katie - good friends we haven't seen in far too long! Love them! And her hair. It grew very long in four months (the last time i saw her!). I couldn't get over it. So PRETTY!
 Adam & Katie!

 Mrs Becki & Ashley - i've known them most of my life. Love them!

 Mrs Tara & Mrs Barbara... known these ladies for years too! Mrs Barbara is actually my best friend, Sarah's mom. I know she looks too young to have a daughter my age! :) 

Me & Pastor Kenny! Love!

Lots of friends & family 

Except for the top left one, Brad took all of these while i was writing down her gifts! He captured some great moments! Thanks, hubby! Click the pic to see it larger. Bottom right pic: Is that a look of LOVE or WHAT?! :)

 Becca & her friend, Tallie

 Pastor Kenny & Mrs Janice, Michael & Becca

 Me & my love!

Ashley & Becca

 Love these two couples!! Missing Amanda & Matt (our cali friends!).

 The hostesses (Ashley, me & Tara) with the happy couple!

 The shower was WONDERFUL, y'all. Everything was perfect... lots of laughter, good food & visiting with friends! I loved it! So glad we got to bless them in this way. I think they thanked me about 15 times between the two of them! Ha!

The big day is November 17th! Can't wait!

Friday, September 28, 2012

5 questions = 5 answers!

I got off work today and went straight to Hobby Lobby. 

{SIGH.} I love that store. What other store puts seasonal items for sale BEFORE the season is over? Before it even STARTS?! All the others, they wait until the day AFTER Christmas to mark everything down. Not Hobby Lobby! No, siree, Bob! They had 40% off signs up around ALL the fall decor & Christmas decor. 

And pretty much everything else too.

CRAZY! 

They also play instrumental praise music.

LOVE. HOBBY. LOBBY. 

After that, I had to go to Walmart & then Barnes & Noble & i am now sitting in my chair feeling like my feet MIGHT fall off. Completely. I ache. Poor achy feet of mine!

And so... because my mind is as tired as my feet... I bring you yet another mindless blog post. Where i can just post someone's questions & answer them. 

I know you are so excited. 

* * * * * * 

FIVE QUESTION FRIDAY!
From Mama M at My Little Life

1.) Do you prefer to drive to your favorite vacation spot or fly?
This completely depends on how far away the vacation spot is. If i can drive there in ... oh ... 7 hours or less? Let's make it a roadtrip! I could even be talked into 10 hours if i have people I like in the car with me! 

If it's any farther, I have no fear of flying. I like it!

2.) If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I keep saying this even though I have never ever been to either place. But i would like to live in either Charlotte, North Carolina or Savanna, Georgia. I'm pretty sure their weather is better, their crime rate is lower, people don't litter as much, and buildings are charming.

Even though, like i said, I've never been to either place. ;)

I would move there next weekend if i could get my husband & our families to join us!

3.) Should grown women wear leggings?
I think i am not fashionable enough to answer this question correctly. 

The fact the question is being asked means that whatever people are wearing up top is not long enough to cover enough of the legging???

I'm going to say - ANY lady can wear leggings - as long as they are also wearing a dress that covers the bum. :) (I don't wear leggings... maybe that explains my confusion?!)

4.) If you could change your name to any other name, what would it be?
This questions is always asked in adulthood, but it's when you're an adult that you have grown into your name or are used to it & you like it. I'm Melissa, or Mel, or Lissa, or any other form of Melissa you choose, and i like it. It's me. It fits me.

But once upon a time, i longed for other names. I can't remember what they were now, though!

5.) What magazines do you have subscriptions to?
Last year was the year of the magazine subscriptions. I had won a few free year subscriptions online & my mother-in-law had gifted me with some subscriptions as well. At one time, i was getting Real Simple, Woman's Day, Entertainment Weekly, Taste of Home & Southern Living. Several in my mailbox each month! But no more... they all ended & i get no magazines these days.

I used to be obsessed with magazines. I couldn't leave walmart without getting the latest People. I don't care anymore, though. I read them while waiting in very long checkout lines & i usually reserve buying them for roadtrips. :)

HAPPY FRIDAY, Y'ALL!!




Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Fun week ahead!

I've been home sick for two days now. Good thing I'm starting to feel better, because I have PLANS, y'all. I mean, seriously. :)

{TOMORROW}
Tomorrow it's back to work. 

But after work is an hour at Central Perk for dinner with my new friend, Mandy. I LOVE HER! Then we'll head to church for week 2 of our Daniel Bible Study. 

 ALSO?!? The 2 hour premiere of the next season of LAW & ORDER SVU!!!! YES!

{THURSDAY}
Thursday is work, too. 

But I'll be leaving a little early to have a celebration dinner with Brad's family. We're celebrating my mother-in-law's RETIREMENT!!! Monday is her LAST DAY OF WORK, EVER!!! There is nobody who deserves this more than her! (Well, my dad deserves to retire too... hopefully he will next year!) Anyway, I am absolutely THRILLED for my mother-in-law!

After that dinner, Brad & I will head to BRLT to watch "The Importance of Being Ernest". Several of my friends are in it & the play is funny. So that'll be fun!

ALSO?? The premiere of Big Bang Theory & Grey's Anatomy. I won't be home though. Will have to catch those online later!

{FRIDAY} 
After work, I'll head to Hobby Lobby. Should have gone today but i just didn't feel up to it! Oh-well. :) Gotta get some last minute things ready for a shower on Saturday!

{SATURDAY}
I'll make a dessert & an appetizer for a shower i am co-hosting! I'll be at the house where the shower will be held at 3:00. Go time at 5:00. I am super excited for this couple & can't wait to bless them with the shower! PLEASE pray for good weather because the house has a beautiful backyard PERFECT for entertaining & i would hate for all those people to be stuck inside!
 becca & mike

{SUNDAY} 
Church again! :) And we'll return Sunday night (something we don't usually do) to have a welcome dinner for our new youth pastor & wife! Excited!!! 

Good week ahead! Hope my sinuses stay in the clear! ;) 

What are your plans this week!?
Any shows you're waiting to start?!

What God Says

Do you ever think things about God that aren't even true? 

Do you sometimes put words in His mouth? 

I do. Especially lately.

* * * * * *
After waiting & waiting (& waiting!) so long for something, I begin to wonder if He even cares about me. If He's even listening. Is it His desire to take a sledgehammer to my deepest desires & dreams? Is there some serious reason why He can't give me what I so desperately long for? WHAT is the hold up, God? WHAT?!?

* * * * * *
I think the enemy is out to destroy our view of God. Things you have known since you were a child or since you came to know the Lord. Biblical truths. He is out to destroy those things. He is out to change your perspective. God doesn't care about you, He whispers. God is mad at you, He tells you, you're doing it all wrong! Even after walking with Jesus for most of my life, the enemy is still able to mess up how i view God. It's so subtle, though, I rarely even realize it.

Until the other day. I was driving by myself in my car thinking about my longing for a baby. My desire to get to be a mom. I wasn't angry or depressed or anything, but it was on my mind, as it is most of the time. And I thought, "God must think I would make a terrible mother." But instead of letting that thought take over, for some reason I thought,

"No...that's not true. God knows I would be a good mom!"

And my next thought was, "...right, God?"

I started trying to picture God answering that question. I tried to picture him saying, "Weeeellll...not really, no...". And just thinking of it that way was so ridiculous that I actually laughed out loud.

Why did that strike me as funny? Because one thing I do know. My God is unfailingly kind. He has patience down to a science. He is full of grace & mercy. He thinks the best of each of us. He LOVES US with his WHOLE heart. And He believes in us when nobody else does.

No. If i was sitting in a coffee shop, having coffee with Jesus, and expressing my despair over (STILL) not being pregnant, I think He would put his hand over mine & say, "Melissa. You will be a FANTASTIC mother. And it won't be long, daughter. Just trust me, okay? I know you don't understand why it hasn't happened yet. But think about all those other times you didn't understand... and now you do."

And that is the truth. If you've read my love story (or were around me during that time), you know i was longing for a husband. I was almost 30 when Brad came in to my life. Late by so many people's standards, including mine. But, wait! As it turns out, NOT LATE AT ALL. It really turned out to be his perfect timing.

"But I'm 34, God! If i get pregnant NOW, I'll be 35 before the baby is even born! Don't you know all the statistics?! Don't you know pregnancy is harder after 35?! Don't you know I want more than one kid?!?! Seriously, God!"

He knows, y'all. He knows. He knows all of those things. 

He still says, "Trust me, daughter. I've got this."

"Okay, God. I will trust you..."

* * * * * * 

On that same ride, after I laughed myself silly for picturing Jesus telling me ridiculous things, my train of thought went back to my desire for children. And to what a GIFT children are. 

And then this verse came to my mind,
"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give good gifts to those who ask him?" -Matthew 7:11

I checked the amplified Bible & it says "who KEEP ON ASKING". 

I'll just keep on asking then. ;)

This is what I feel like God was showing me the other day: He LOVES me. He loves me so much more than anyone else could possibly love me! And if He loves me, then surely He desires to give me a baby. But for some reason, He can't answer my prayer yet. Not because He doesn't want to! But maybe it's because He has some other blessings that will go along with it. Blessings that couldn't happen if he gave me a baby NOW. 

I don't know WHAT "other blessings" exactly. And actually, if he asked me, I would tell Him I didn't care about those other things... I JUST WANT A SON OR A DAUGHTER! So he can't ask my opinion. He just does what He knows is best for me. Even if i don't get it. Even if i don't understand it. I think it probably pains him to watch me cry & suffer so much over this. I think He is listening to my cries & my fears. But He's still putting His hand over mine and saying, 

"Don't worry, daughter. Trust me. I've got this."

* * * * * * 

"Fear not, for I am with you." -Isaiah 41:10

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

"For great is your love, reaching to the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies." -Psalm 57:10

Monday, September 24, 2012

This weekend, I... (v.1)



This weekend, I did not take many pictures. Even though there were plenty of occasions to do so! SAD! Note to Self: If you're wondering if you should bring your camera, the answer is always YES!
 
This weekend, I went to Barnes & Noble & bought two new books!

This weekend, I went to a mexican dinner at the church for the praise team & their significant others. We had a great time, eating & laughing. Mostly, laughing. No, eating. No... definitely more laughing. :)

This weekend, I played Win, Lose or Draw with the praise team (at the dinner mentioned above). It was FUN. I am glad i drew easy words like "apple" & "glass". My favorite was when Mallory (a praise team member's daughter) guessed loudly "A BUTT!" while someone was drawing. It was actually the start of a pair of sunglasses. I have to give it to her... it kind of did look like a butt. Her mom said, "That's my girl!" No shame, y'all. No shame.

This weekend, I spent a day at my parents having lunch & then relaxing with my hubby, mom, dad, sister, & brother-in-law! Haven't seen my sister or her husband in too long!!

About half of the time at mom & dad's was spent relaxing...ahhhh...

Even Fievel found a spot to relax. :)

This weekend, I practiced a song with Brad that we may do in church sometime soon. :)

This weekend, I had dessert when I shouldn't have. :(

This weekend, I sang on the praise team at church Sunday morning! 
 
This weekend, I sneezed a lot. I'm going to guess about 40 times on Sunday. Geez.
 
This weekend, I went to eat after church with my hubby and our new BFF's, Billy & Mandy.

This weekend, I felt overwhelmed & incredibly thankful for my new church home & all the awesome people I have met so far!
 Covenant Community Church
 
 
{What did you do this weekend?!}

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Sunday Social

So sorry all I blog these days is little questionaires like this one! One day I'll post a real post again! Haha. :)


{ONE} What is something you have wanted to do but are afraid of?
I have no idea! I think kayaking would be crazy-fun,  but also scary!

{TWO} Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself still very happily married, a mom of two, & living in a house!

{THREE} What are you looking forward to by the end of 2012?
Our 4th anniversary, Thanksgiving, Christmas! For Thanksgiving, we're going to Mississippi & will get to meet my cousin's wife & their twin babies. So that will be fun! And I always look forward to Christmas. This whole season (with the start of our anniversary on November 14th) is my favorite!

{FOUR} What are your hopes for your blog?
I hope to keep blogging & to actually write about some of the deeper things that go through my head (i know...scary! Ha!). 

{FIVE} Do you always see yourself living in your current town/city?
We hope to buy a house in Central in the next year or two. That's about 10 minutes from our current house, HA! It's where i grew up, where we go to church, a great community & I can't wait to actually live there. (Where we live now is not the best part of Baton Rouge!)

As far as farther (like a much farther away city or another state altogether), no. I would totally be up for it, but i couldn't go without my husband & he is perfectly content here. :)

{SIX} What is your morning routine?
There are two versions of this...all depending on if i went to bed at a decent hour the night before. Either...
6:05 - alarm goes off, I hit snooze once
6:15 - alarm goes off again, I GET UP!
6:20 - i make egg & cheese sandwiches for me & brad
6:35 - i take a bath, brad brings me coffee around this time :)
7ish - Out of the tub, dry hair, flat iron hair, throw on clothes & accessories, throw lunch & snacks in a bag, grab water
7:30 - Leave for work... I'm going to be on time! It's gonna be a great day!

{OR}

6:05 - alarm goes off, I hit snooze
6:15 - hit snooze again
6:30 - hit snooze again, curse the alarm, it's giving me a headache!
6:40 - hit snooze again, start trying to tell myself i'm going to be late if i don't get up
6:50 - finally get up, no time for breakfast, hop in the shower!
7:10 - Get out of the shower, dry hair, flat iron hair, throw on clothes & accessories, throw breakfast, lunch & snacks in a bag, grab water (this is happening really fast so i'm not late, my heart is racing & today officially sucks!)
7:35 or later - Leave for work... I'm going to be late. UGHHHHHH!!!!


And there you have it! It all starts tomorrow... 

Hope y'all had a good weekend!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Another late one for you!

Let's fill in some blanks!!! :)

(Again: Yes, I know it's not Friday!)


1. Something I am very proud of is learning so much about theater, especially the stage managing aspect of it. So many things I learned very quickly just by watching others, things that are natural instinct now. Also, receiving the "technical volunteer of the year award" for my work as a stage manager, and my performance as Little Becky Two Shoes in Urinetown the Musical. 

2. My favorite thing about myself is my God-given ability to completely understand someone, to put myself in their shoes, whether I have been through what they are going through or whether i agree with their actions or not. Giving people the benefit of the doubt - and even defending people I barely know - comes naturally.

3. My favorite color for fall is browns and golds and greens. :)

4. Something I've been learning lately is that I have to trust God and know that just like He came through for me so many other times in so many other ways... He is going to come through for me THIS time too. WHEN is another story! But I need not worry. He's got this. :)

5. A book I am reading now is #5 in the Redemption Series (Reunion, by Karen Kingsbury) & The Low Glycemic Index Handbook, by Jennie Brand-Miller.

6. My favorite Pandora Station is "I Wanna Dance With Somebody". Good stuff, y'all!!! Also, "Girl's Just Wanna Have Fun". And Crystal Lewis' station plays the best Christian music (mostly praise & worship).

7. This weekend I went to a dinner for the praise team members at church, and spent Saturday with my family eating, talking & laughing. Tomorrow is church & i am looking forward to it.



5QF a little late!


Yes, i know it's Saturday. Sorry. :)

1.)  What is one grammar rule you cannot let go without correction?
I almost never correct. Sometimes i will if it's a person that is like me & would be mortified if they knew they wrote something wrong! But y'all. I do not like bad grammar. ESPECIALLY on a professional publication or advertisement! That just makes me angry. Haha. But it bugs me everywhere else, too. I am not saying I am 100% perfect with grammar & spelling all of the time. I spelled weird & definitely wrong for the longest time! Ha! But there are certain friends (not mentioning names!) that have posts that are so bad, i can't even understand what it is they are trying to say! I don't say anything...nobody likes to be corrected! So instead, I vent to Brad. :)

The ones that just drive me up a wall?!?!
You're/Your
They're/Their/There
and most importantly,
LOSE & LOOSE!!!! Everyone seems to get this one wrong! You don't LOOSE something! You LOSE it! Loose is the word you use when you say "loose change" or "my shirt is too loose"! GEEZ!

(Amy, maybe this is what I am most passionate about?! HA!)

 

                                                                                                              Source: Uploaded by user via Melissa on Pinterest

                                                                                                              Source: weheartit.com via Melissa on Pinterest


ANYWAY. Moving on. :)

2.) What's your favorite thing about fall?
In Louisiana? The cooler temps! Ahhh! :) I love everything, though. The changing leaves, cozy sweaters, cooking soups & stews, & the start of the holiday season!

3.) What's your favorite dish to take to a potluck?
Green Bean Casserole. It's just so incredibly EASY. I also like making Chocolate Chip Pound Cake. Also, very easy & very good!

4.) When do you start Christmas shopping?
About a week before Christmas. Yes, I am serious! Ha!

5.) Did you move homes a lot growing up?
No, just once. But i made up for that in my twenties. :)


Hope y'all are having a good weekend! We are. :)

Enjoy your SUNDAY!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Thursday Thoughts


Let's see how far I can get on this before i get bombarded by students. I do have work to do... later...

Anyway.

Thoughts for you!

1.) Last night I started Beth Moore's Daniel Study! I actually did this one before, but it's been awhile. About five years, and i don't remember much except my mind being blown. It was amazing. I'm excited. Not just for the study, not just for all i will learn & what will take place in my heart, but to connect with a group of women from church. Love it. Need it.


2.) Yesterday, before Bible Study i went to Central Perk, as i had some time to waste before time to head to the church. My friend Mandy met me there & brought me a new cup!!!! You may not know but on Sunday (the first time i used my last new cup), I went in with a cute new coffee mug & the very second i walked out of church... i felt something slip out of my hands...i heard a crash... i looked down in shock....
Yeah. But now i have a new one thanks to my sweet new friend, Mandy!! Love her!

3.) I met Baby Judah on Monday night!! My friend Amanda made a quick last minute trip to BR for a visit because she wanted to meet her brand new nephew. But she made a little time to have dinner with 5 of her girlfriends...myself included! Love her! And LOVED meeting Baby Judah. What a cutie!

4.) The weather has been GORGEOUS. It rained Monday & Tuesday, pretty much all day, but i knew the forecast said Wednesday would be gorgeous. It was. And so is today. A high of 85, a low of 57. But currently??? 73! Ahhhh! I love any temp in the 70's. My fave.

Like I said on Twitter... THANKS, GOD! Because He is the one to thank, y'all. Not "Mother Nature"! 

5.) I woke up with a heavy heart this morning. It must have been because in my dream... #1, I was pregnant (which hasn't happened according to my timetable in real  life); #2, a close friend told me she's getting divorced (which couldn't possibly happen to them in real life!); & #3, the house we were in (in the dream) caught on fire... flames were just flying around all the door frames, consuming the house... i remember we got out...but i don't remember how... Anyway. I woke up in this horribly heavy heart & i prayed & cried & cried some more. :( Sad day. And.. for no reason except a stupid dream, right? I mean, i was fine when i went to bed last night!

6.) This weekend! Tomorrow starts this weekend! On the agenda is a dinner with the others from the praise team at church (tomorrow night) & a fun long day of good food & quality time with my family (on Saturday). We plan to eat, talk, laugh, possibly be outside all day & maybe go to a movie. I can't wait!

7.) Speaking of weekends... i forgot to tell you about last weekend? No? I don't remember. All i know is that i didn't post this picture. I had breakfast with my dear friend Robyn. I used to part-time nanny her boys, but they're all grown up now. Like... the oldest is taller than me & has a man-voice. Scary. Anyway... i adore her. We had breakfast. It was wonderful. And yes...very sunny day = squinty eyes!

8.) Ooh! Wanna see a creepy-ish pic? Last Friday i left work & got in the car...and noticed something a little different...
Yep. My rearview mirror was just chillin' on my dashboard!

* * * * * * * * 

Well... I guess that's enough thoughts for today! Hope you have a happy thursday! xoxo

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Sunday Social


1. What are 5 items you couldn't live without on a daily basis? (Water, food, shelter & clothes do not count.)

These are in order of importance...FYI!

{1} My contacts or eyeglasses.
I usually wear contacts, but am not opposed to wearing my glasses. As long as i can SEE!

{2} my iphone
{this case is sooo scratched up now!}

{3} My Laptop!


{4} PONYTAIL HOLDERS
These are a MUST! My hair will start getting on my nerves at some point during the day - often because it is too hot outside, but also if i am stressed! I always say you can tell what kind of day I'm having by what time I put my hair in a ponytail. (Morning = stressful or bad day already! Haha!)

5} my planner.
{i love my planner.}

2. What is your all-time favorite book? Why?
I say this every time, because it's true. Best book of all time!
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.


{If you haven't read it... DO IT!}

3. What is something you'd like to accomplish before the end of 2012?
I'd like to lose 15-20 pounds. Seems possible.
I would also like to see us get that middle room cleaned out (aka - the junk room!)

4. If you could go back & relive any year of your life, which one would it be?
Gosh. I can't think of any. I just wanna move forward! If i have to choose, i think i would choose 2008, the Year of the Wedding Planning. It stressed me out, but there are things I would do differently this time to alleviate some of that stress! Also, i didn't have pinterest back then so... YEAH! Haha! And another honeymoon cruise with my love wouldn't be a bad thing! :)

5. What do you wish people knew about you without you having to tell them? 
That, yes, we want kids & that yes, we plan on having some. And no, you don't need to get any more personal than that!

Happy Sunday, y'all! 
XOXO


Friday, September 14, 2012

5 Question Friday!

Thought I'd do a little Five Question Friday today. :)


1.How long did it take you to find your wedding dress? Wedding dress pics, anyone?

We actually went to David's Bridal a few days before I was engaged. I know that's crazy to some, but we happened to be at a store next door to it & as we were about to get in the car to leave, mom said, "why don't we run in there & look at wedding dresses!" I agreed. Brad had already asked dad for his blessing, so mom KNEW it was coming. I knew it was coming eventually but i had no idea it was coming that soon! 

It was the 2nd dress I tried on. And yes, we bought it that day. When you know, you know, you know? :) 





Ahhh. I love it. I want to go put it on! :)

2. Someone in your general vicinity releases a nasty smelling fart. Do you say anything or blow it off? 
Man. I can't believe I just wrote "fart" on my blog. I hate that word. HAHA! But i was so drawn in by the first question that i didn't see this one until too late!

Anyway... if it's someone i KNOW... like my dad or my husband... heck yes i say something! But someone i don't know that well... definitely not!

3. What is the scariest thing that happened to you or scared you recently?
The first thing that pops up in my mind... and really... scarier things have happened! Haha. But when i was a teenager, I had a daybed. It was very similar to this one...

 So one night, i was sleeping....like, SOUND asleep in the middle of the night .... when a VERY EXTREMELY LOUD CRASH sounded & I jumped up out of a dead sleep. Well, the closet door was on the wall facing where my head was. And that was also the door to my walk-in closet. We had a floor length mirror hanging up on that door. It had fallen & CRASHED on the wrought iron part of the daybed...RIGHT ABOVE MY HEAD. Imagine, if you will, what a MIRROR crashing into WROUGHT IRON sounds like - right above your HEAD! While you're asleep! 

I actually cried. It scared me that bad. 

Um...what else! I was really really scared when i got sent to the principal's office for pulling a chair out from under my lab partner, Summer. I did it to be funny but the teacher did not think it was funny. I was scared because i knew my mother would KILL ME for getting sent to the principal's office! 

Scarier things have happened, y'all. Except i can't recall any! 

4. Favorite brand & flavor of ice cream.
Truth is - my favorite is HOMEMADE. The kind your mom/dad/grandpa/somebody churns for you. Our family does butterfinger ice cream & peach ice cream - homemade - both are my fave. But if i must pick store bought, my favorites are "Moolineum Crunch" & "The Great Divide" by Bluebell. 

I'm not a big ice cream eater, though.Sometimes i want a bite of Brad's... but that's enough for me! True homemade, though... i could eat a ton.

5. Are you able to sleep well in hotels? 
Sure. I mean, as long as the bed isn't hard as a rock, i'm good! But i don't recall that happening...

HAPPY FRIDAY, y'all! :)

Thursday, September 13, 2012

13 on the 13th!

I am TIRED & thinking... it's after 10. I should go to bed. I have work in the morning. I am so going to regret it if i don't go to bed now---- 

Oooh... thursday thoughts! I should do thursday thoughts first!

I will regret this. Just so you know. ;) 


{ONE} Tomorrow is Friday. That's the biggest thought going on right now. Yay, Friday!

{TWO} Saturday I am having breakfast with a long lost friend & I am SO PUMPED! She's, like, one of my favorite people. I might have to force her to take a pic with me so i can have her in my blog. Haha. 

{THREE} The above is ALL i have planned for Saturday. Love days like that.

{FOUR} Last Sunday, my mom & I both sang with the worship team together. I sang for the first time (at this church) a few weeks ago, but she & my dad were in Florida at the time. The next two weeks she sang but i didn't. Well, this past week we both did! I think it's been at least 25 years since the last time we sang together. Kinda neat. :) 
just being silly in that second pic. haha.

{FIVE} My sister called earlier & we talked for awhile. Except either my phone or hers cut out... i think... 5 times while we were talking. SO ANNOYING!

{SIX} So my most exciting news is about my health. I don't know if you know, but i blog about my weight here. I have been STRUGGLING but i believe i have found the answer. It's actually been staring me in the face waiting for me to take notice. I was going to blog about it tonight, but chose instead to do Thursday Thoughts. I would do it after this post, but as i write, i feel myself slipping away. Haha. So... it'll be tomorrow. But I feel like this is my time for a BREAKTHROUGH! And boy do i need it.

{SEVEN} My old coworker, Jamie, who quit when she was 9 months pregnant to have a baby & be a stay-at-home-mom, came by work today. Baby was asleep in his car seat in her car, so i sat next to him & just...STARED. She had to run in & get something so i told her i would watch him. I stared at his gorgeousness the whole time she was gone. I wanted to wake him. But i didn't. ;) HA! I literally physically ACHE with desire for babies. (Therefore if you see me in public do not, i repeat, do NOT ask me why, when, what time, what day, or especially what am i waiting on when it comes to having kids! The answer is: IF IT WERE UP TO US WE WOULD HAVE THEM ALREADY!!!! Please & thank you!)

{EIGHT} Man. That was kind of harsh, so please know that was not directed at my blog readers that i know and love. It was also not directed at my very good friends, you can ask whatever you want! :) It was directed to those who may be reading that i don't know about that would possibly see me & consider saying something that seems innocent enough...but is actually quite insensitve. This happened to me last week & I came home & SOBBED. Ugly cry. It was bad. And i just wish people understood that there is never a time you should ask that question to someone who is not a DEAR CLOSE FRIEND!

{ELEVEN} For friends who are now worried about me b/c of the above two thoughts... no worries. I am GOOD. Happy. Positive. Excited! Hopeful! Life is good & God is faithful!

{TWELVE} Today I locked my keys in the car. Nice! I had my laptop, a lunch bag, a water bottle, some papers, my cell phone, and my purse all in my hands when i realized i didn't have the key to my office. I always have it in my hand b/c it's on the same key ring as the one with my car key! I put everything down & looked ... no keys. I knew i must have locked them in the car. SURE ENOUGH! Thankfully my hubby had the extra key with him! YAY. 
totally brightened my day to see his face mid-morning! haha. love him!

{Thirteen} The local car place still has the flag up. I just think it's so beautiful. 

 
I think that's all for one night. :) Hope y'all have a happy Friday & an excellent weekend!

XOXO

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Remembering. 9.11.01

I will never forget. 

I don't think any of us will. 

A lady at church is an 8th Grade teacher. She was telling me that none of her students know anything about that day. I was perplexed at first, and then realized...they were little bitty when it happened. It's just history to them - so she is having them do a project about that day. They'll study & read about what happened, the heroes, the victims, how it affected us as a nation... I got excited. Excited about them learning about September 11, 2001. Such a big day in our history.

So funny to me that they are learning in class about 9/11, like we learned about President Kennedy's assassination. Something my parents both remember just like we remember the events of 9/11. 

 Today as I was running errands for work, I saw that a car dealership had the flag at half mast. 

Side note... this pic is from my phone & is not edited. The sky was just that blue today! Beautiful day.

Isn't it beautiful though? On the way back from errands, i was at a red light & watching the flag. It was flying in the wind & I was mesmerized. I started praying, right there... for the people who lost loved ones on that day. As they remember their loved ones, I hope that they feel the prayers of a nation. I hope that they know how much God loves them. 

My boss told me today that she lived in New Jersey on 9/11/01. She said she was at work and they could SEE the towers from their windows. They saw the first plane hit and of course didn't know our nation was under attack. They went upstairs, got coffee, acting like it was any other day. But then they saw the second plane hit the tower, dead on. And they knew. I cannot IMAGINE actually being there & seeing it out of my office window. She talked about how they were unable to leave work & how she couldn't get in touch with her husband because the phone lines were down, and how people were walking across the bridge to get back to New Jersey because you couldn't get anywhere by car. And she said as they sat, fire trucks and ambulances flew past them... one after another after another...


Where were you when you heard the news?

 I had just gotten out of the shower at my apartment when my mom called. She said, "Are you watching TV?" And then, "turn on the news." I was confused and she said something about our nation being under attack. I hung up with her, turned on the news and continued getting ready for work. As i watched, i was just... in shock. 

It was strange driving to my work. It seemed like everything was different, even though the news was just coming out. I got to the house where i was a nanny. The kid's mom & I sat glued to the TV all day long. We cried, we prayed, we mostly stared in complete SHOCK & HORROR. 

 I remember how quiet it was that day... when i drove home from work. Just ... quiet. I remember in the weeks that followed, more & more flags were hung on mailboxes, businesses, windows, cars... everywhere. I remember how everyone rallied together. I remember being hit, daily, with thoughts of those who had lost their father, their husband, their wife, their mom, their brother.

Thank you to our firefighters, to our policemen, to our military men & women... all of those who sacrifice so much out of great love & respect for our country.

Never forget.
Sept. 11, 2001


Sunday, September 9, 2012

Sunday Social: meet & greet!


1. What is the name of your blog & how did you come up with it? 
Little Mrs Married is the name of my blog. I'm not sure how it came to me, except that i started it a few months after we got married & wanted it to be a record of our adventures as a married couple. That, and the fact that i was VERY excited to be married because i was 30 when i finally tied the knot, the last of all my friends. So it was also kind of a Little Mrs MARRIED?! Like, it finally happened, ya'll! Haha. 

I also blog at Little Mrs Married {is maintaining victory} which is a blog dedicated to my weightloss journey. 

2. What do you love the most about blogging?
I am sure the majority of people will say this, but the FRIENDSHIPS! I had no idea the community that was here and it's just incredible. So far i have met 5 blog friends and every time i'm like - "I LOVE HER! She's so sweet! I just LOVE HER!!!!" Hahaha. It's just really neat to love a person through their blog & their emails... to get nervous about meeting them in person... only to find that they're even MORE AMAZING in real life! Ha!

Me & Laura, blog friends for 6 years before i flew up to Pennsylvania to meet her. I also met blog friends Rainey & Kim then because they're Laura's real life friends. Later I met Linds & then just recently i met Megan (who is Lindsey's sister)... I LOVE BLOG FRIENDS! :)

3. What are your two favorite posts you've written?

4. What is something you'd want to tell someone just starting out in the blog world? 
Look for blogs you might be interested in reading... read their posts...comment on them... participate in blog hops like this one...and when readers come to your blog & comment, reply to their comment! It might sound weird when you're getting into it... "uh, you want me to interact with strangers on the internet?!" just TRUST ME. The friends I've made through blogging are some of my best friends, period. The blogging community is AWESOME & if you blog but don't get to know some bloggers, you're missing out!

Also, i want to add something because i've had two people ask me this lately. If you want to start a blog, just DO IT. There's no magic "right time" to start. Just start one! If you discover it's not your thing, that's OKAY. But you'll never know if you never try! 

5. Biggest blogging learning experience you've had?
Hmm... I can't think of anything. I think I have been pretty lucky in not getting very many mean comments. But I will use this opportunity to give a little advice! Ha! ...Be nice, do not respond to mean comments (i feel that most of the time, deleting & ignoring is the best response), and PLEASE - for the love - turn off your word verification! :)

6. Give us three blogs we NEED to be following that you love.
Oh yay. :) #1 - Laura from A Hearty Overflow


I love Laura. She's my bloggie BESTIE, we've been writing each other since the MySpace days... about 6 years ago now, I think! I finally went to visit her for a week in December and i had a BLAST. She is a woman after God's heart and she is kind and funny and genuine. Basically, she's awesome.


#2 - Amy from Taking Steps Home.
Amy is a new blog friend and we've been emailing a good bit and i just LOVE her already! She's passionate about life, about her faith, and about photography, from what i can see so far. She's also pretty funny. Love!

#3 - Elizabeth from E, Myself & I.
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I've been reading her blog for awhile now, and i like her more & more. She's adorable & funny & also, real. She's a teacher and super creative (as teachers tend to be!) & i like that!

Fun little Sunday Social! Feel free to join in & link up with Ashley or Neely!