Girls Day

Thursday morning Emily text asking if I would like to join her and Kaylee for lunch and spend the day with them while she waited to get her hair done. I, of course, said yes and got ready. I took them to lunch at Olive Garden. It had been a while since we had all ate there. It was much enjoyed and definitely hit the spot! After lunch we still had quite a bit of time to waste, so we ventured to DG and Big Lots and just browsed around for a while. After leaving there, we decided we would go on to the mall. On the way there we were listening to Emily's iPod and LFO - Summer Girls came on. We started busting out laughing as the song brought back memories of our teenage years. When we arrived at the mall we decided we would sit there for a few more minutes and just jam to the old stuff. It was a ton of fun. We certainly had a good laugh over it! Kaylee must have thought we were crazy at some point. I don't think she knew what to do with us bee-bopping in the car looking silly! Ha!

Once we went in the mall we got us a snack and chilled for a few minutes. Then we looked around in the shoes stores because I had been wanting a new pair of tennis shoes. I found some and decided to hold off and make sure they were what I wanted. After Em's hair appointment it was time for Michael to be getting off work so he met us at the mall and bought Kaylee and I new tennis shoes. He took us to Applebee's for dinner and then we all crashed when we got home.

It was a great day! I love it when she and I are able to get together and just be absolutely silly like we used to be. It's lots of fun and brings back good memories! My life would certainly be dull without my sister and Miss Kaylee! :)

My new tennis shoes:

God's Got This

This year I decided I would put my Kindle Fire to use and read a lot more. One of the things I chose to read was the Bible through the popular YouVersion app. I have found that I LOVE this app!

I searched for devotionals so I would have daily reading to do and I came across She Reads Truth. The devotional I am reading through this plan is titled Fresh Start. It reminds us that we can always have a fresh start with our Lord through his forgiveness, grace, and mercy for us.

I got started on this devotional a few days late, but I read every morning. Today's reading was one one verse, Exodus 14:14.

"The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still." Ex. 14:14

This verse really spoke to me as I began to realize I need to do just this. I try too often to fight my own battles when in reality HE already has them fought and won for me no matter how big or how small. I have always struggled with worrying over anything and everything I can. This particular verse clearly shows me that I have no need to worry. God has it all under control. After all, He is in control!

Christmas 2012: A Surpise

This year my family and I did Christmas a little different. Instead of buying gifts for one another, we each bought new pajamas and made a snack item.

Tuesday morning at about 9:45 a.m. Michael and I arrived at my parents house. He was in his Sock Monkey feeties and I in my Grinch pajamas with a cheese ball in tow! Mom and Dad had on Santa PJ's. Emily had on Rudolph and Kaylee had pink with Santa faces and fuzzy house boots! Shortly after our arrival Kaylee opened all her gifts. She had a great Christmas this year! :) I'm excited to hear her play her new pink guitar!A After she opened gifts we all snacked and watched A Christmas Story. Kaylee enjoyed it.

Then right before we started to sit down and play games I got a surprise.

I was totally surprised. I'm so happy and he did an awesome job picking the rings out. I had eyed this set for about four years. It was well worth the wait and a blessed Christmas surprise! There is video on Facebook. I couldn't figure out how to upload it here. I can't do the video justice describing it here. But, Michael was handing out Hershey candy tins. He gave me mine and I opened in expecting candy. When I saw the rings I didn't know whether to laugh or cry and all I could think to say was "Are you serious?!" with huge smile on my face. If I figure out how to post the video I will!

Afterwards, we all played games (Fact or Crap, Battle of the Sexes, and Pictionary) until the late evening. This was truly the best Christmas I've had in a long time. It was not stressful and we were not rushed. I thoroughly enjoyed having genuine quality time with those I love. That's all I wanted.

I hope you and yours had a blessed Christmas and also have a wonderful New Year!

John Michael Montgomery Concert

Friday night I was given free tickets to see John Michael Montgomery at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga. It was a great concert and I was even able to sit on the front row!

After the show, someone that worked it asked if Gina and I wanted something signed. We gladly said yes. At first, they were not sure that I would be able to access where John Michael was, but they made a way! I was able to meet him and he signed our tickets. I also met the opening act, Morgan Frazier. Both of them were very nice!

 John Michael Montgomery

Morgan Frazier

True Value

Yesterday my Facebook status read the following:

"I am thankful that I have been raised to know the value of time, and what it means to spend that time with loved ones making memories; and that the holiday season doesn't have to be about $."

Over the last several years I have realized just how commercialized the holiday season has become. Black Friday shopping. Big extravagant gifts. Who spends the most money on what, etc., etc.

I feel as though most people have forgotten just what I stated in my status update. The holidays do not have to be able who bought who what or how much they spent. What deals they scored on Black Friday.

The holidays can simply be about togetherness and this year my family has decided to make it about that. You could have all the money in the world but you can't take it with you when you go. Time is something you can never get back. Once it's gone that's it. People tend to forget that these days because everything is too fast paced. I'm glad I've slowed down to really open my eyes and realize how valuable time is. The word time is even valuable if you think about it!

So, instead of hustling and bustling about this year; stop and smell the roses as they say and spend time with those you love without worrying about who's going to buy this or that! :)

I'm Thankful

I'm thankful for the life I have been given and each day that comes with a new breath in the morning.
I'm thankful to know that I can put my trust fully in the LORD and never be let down; instead always be carried through.
I'm thankful to have friends and family who love and care for me so much. More than I will ever know.
I'm thankful for the simple things like laughter, smiles, and hugs.
and...
I'm thankful that in times of sadness and sorrow I have the unfailing love of my Heavenly Father to lean on as well as that of those He has placed in my life.

What blessings!

I hope you have taken some time this month to look back and think about what you have to be thankful for!

Saturday Night Fun

This past Saturday night was spent at home, but was a ton of fun!

My friend Gina and I bought white fudge covered Oreo's when we made a trip to the grocery story a couple weeks ago. They were quite delicious and we discovered we could get more for our money if we bought the items needed to make our own. So, last week we made sure we did just that! Saturday night we made the Oreo's and also made Ritz peanut butter crackers and dipped those in the white chocolate as well. The crackers were a special request of mine. Granny made them sometimes as a dessert for our holiday meals. They're one of my favorites. It was nice to have those memories to go back to while making the cookies and crackers. :)

After making the sweets we decided to go old school on the Wii and play Super Mario Bros. 3. Oh what fun that was! It was one of our favorite games as kids. I really enjoyed playing it. I can remember playing it on the original NES and SNES; and when I would get stuck somewhere I would holler "Dad! Will you come help me beat this level?" Lol! Great memories and great times from my childhood!