HIJACKED!

So... I can't do the post I planned about the Christmas party we attended last night because Pat hijacked HIS computer! Can you believe he would need and actually take his computer? Haha. The pictures I uploaded from the evening are on it and for some reason won't load onto mine. Oh well.

 I'm gonna leave you with some of my favorite videos from "The Sing-Off" so far. If you are not fortunate to have watched this show yet, I suggest you DO! It is an acapella singing competition that moves me more than any singing I have ever heard! The groups do not use instruments but produce beautiful replications of beats and percussion with their voices! SO amazing. My favorite group is from Huntsville, AL! Alabama represent!!

This is my other favorite group, The Backbeats. The lead singer is amazing and the person making all the percussion sounds is a girl! AHHH! Love it. 

I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I do! It is better on TV and you need to check it out on NBC! 

Heading out for a decorating day with my mom, an Internship Christmas Party, and a sleepover at my parents while Pat is out of town. Be back tomorrow with Christmas Party pictures! 

xo

Christmas Wishlist

Just thought I would share with you guys some things that I am wishing for for Christmas (one thing I am just wishing for in the future haha):

1. Canon Rebel XS- We are getting this for Christmas and I am SOO excited! Blog will be taking a definite turn with some higher quality picture!

2. Fossil Boyfriend Watch- I LOVE this watch and can't wait for it to be on my wrist.

3. Forever 21 Shearling Boots- Soooo cute!

4. P.S I Made This- DIY book by Erica Domesek

5. Ugg Gloves- I would love to have these beautiful leather gloves to keep my hands warm.

6. Catch Phrase- We are trying to build up our game collection around here and Catch Phrase is a classic.

7. Bocce Ball anyone??

8. Gold Michael Kors Boyfriend Watch- This is the one that is really on my "future when I have a job" wishlist.

9. Forever 21 Sequin Top- Perfect for Holiday parties

10. Victoria Secret Long Sleeve Dropwaist Dress

11. Quelf- Another board game. My sister-in-law said it was AWESOME!

12. Daisy by Marc Jacobs- Love this scent

13. Target Rain Boots- I REALLY need some rain boots!

That seems like a mighty long wishlist and I am honestly not expecting anywhere CLOSE to all this stuff! Just thought it was fun to put all the pretty pictures together in one official Christmas list.

What do you guys want for Christmas??

I'm Baaack...

HELLO!!!

After a two and a half month hiatus, I think I'm ready to blog again.

I don't really know what my deal was... sometimes it was that I felt too busy and overwhelmed, sometimes it was because I just simply was not feeling creative or inspired. There were several occasions where I sat down at the computer and stared at a blank screen for awhile and then gave up.

A lot has happened in the last couple of months, and part of the reason I couldn't blog was because I felt like I couldn't share a lot of things that were going on yet. I kinda felt like if I wrote I would feel like a liar leaving some major things out!

I was out on a walk today with my sweet baby girl, Chloe, and it was so beautiful out there that I started thinking about pictures and blogging and how much I miss it. I just decided to be honest about everything that is going on so that you guys can be praying for us!

First, here are a few pictures from our walk:

My girl, Chloe.

She NEVER looks at the camera... ughh!

Trying to take a pic of myself, Chloe sees a dog, starts going BANANAS, and this is the result =)

So while I was on this walk, I was reflecting about the major changes that have happened in the last couple of months and the major changes that are about to happen in the next couple of months.

*First, I finished college last week! I can't believe that after five long years (Yea, yea I took the five year plan- but it was worth switching majors, changing schools, taking a semester off, and doing lots of catching up to find what I really want to do for the rest of my life) I'M DONE AND SO HAPPY WITH MY CAREER CHOICE! I finished my student teaching with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. That is pretty hard to do by the way =)

I really, really cried. BAD. I already miss these kids and my fabulous cooperating teacher SO much. They taught me so much about myself, about teaching, about life, about accepting others, about being carefree, etc. I could go on and on. Thank goodness I have already received about ten emails and been to a birthday party:

This child changed my life forever!

*Second, is the thing I haven't really shared with the public because we are waiting for confirmation. WE NEED PRAYERS! My husband is on the brink of a really huge and exciting job opportunity in my hometown (SoOo happy about that). The job is in surgical sales and there is a lot of corporate aspects that have to be taken care of before they can hire him, etc. WELL- we have been waiting. And waiting. And waiting. I have not been searching for jobs here because we are supposed to be moving. I can't search for jobs there because I don't know when we are moving. We have a house ready there. We are in a house here where we need to let the people know when we are leaving. BUT WE DON'T KNOW. Catchin my drift? I am such a planner and organizer that this is killing me! There are so many if's, but's, and when's. I don't like if's, but's, and when's.

Last night, we completely gave the situation over to the Lord and know that he will take care of us and work things out in his timing. Prayers will be appreciated though =) When it all works out, this is what I'll be doing on a daily basis:

Image from weheartit

Anyway, there are a million things that have happened over the last two and half months and I can't possibly catch you guys up on everything. I'm starting fresh today! Be back tomorrow, promise ;)

P.S- WAAAAR EAGLE!

10 things more important than...

I have been so busy for the last week or so with school and have not been feeling the greatest. Sorry that I totally ignored you guys! I promise to do better this week (even though it is gonna be a heck of a busy week!).

I found something in Glamour magazine worth sharing with you guys today... It's funny how the simplest things make us feel better sometimes. I am gonna get a little personal and tell you all that I have gained a few (7) pounds since the wedding and it has been driving me crazy! It seems that no matter what I do I cannot get the last five off. It has almost been to the point of becoming obsessive about it. I know it is stupid and ridiculous but I have not been able to let it go- until I found the Glamour list in the September issue titled "10 Things More Important Than Those Last Five Pounds". How fitting huh?? Here is the list:

1. Birthday Cake!!

2. Falling in love, running a company, buying a home- you know, the real stuff?!

3. Friends kind enough to post only the good photos.

4. Dumping the guy who answered, "Uh yeah," to "Does my butt look big in this?"

5. Magic underwear (Why do you think our grandmas always looked so good?)

6. The baby/law degree/743 fabulous Mexican dinners that put the weight on in the first place.

7. Going to Paris for the cheese, and San Francisco for the sourdough.

8. Legs strong enough to hike you all the way to the top.

9. Perspective. It's just five pounds. No need to act like it's 50.

10. World peace. Or maybe even inner peace.

Thank you Glamour magazine for making me realize that there are a lot more important things in life than losing five pounds... thank you for real.

Weekend Recap

My weekend consisted of LOTS of football:

Good football...

This is my house brother, Steven, dominating in the Westbrook vs. Ider game Friday night. Westbrook (#6) beat Ider (#3) 35-7 and they are looking like they have a reallll good shot for the 2A state title.

HORRIBLE football...

Ohhh my gosh Florida State... sooo embarrassing. Yikes.

Birthday celebrating- I woke up early Saturday morning and decorated a little bit for my husband's birthday. Just a sign, homemade card, and white Christmas lights =) I made him some coffee and was about to begin cooking him breakfast when he came in and declared that he wanted to take a trip to Waffle House! Yummm! We headed to Waffle House then went on a 2 hour Walmart excursion to get all of the necessities for the long day of football and eating. Andrew came over and watched football with us and we ate Rotel cheese dip like champs and finished off the evening with a delicious Southwest Soup.

I have had some requests for the recipe so here it is:

1 box of chicken broth (48 oz)

1 jar of salsa verde (I only used a little more than half the jar)

1 rotisserie chicken shredded with a fork

1 can kidney beans

1 can black beans

1 can corn

Dump all of the ingredients into a large pot and bring it to a boil. Once the soup begins boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Top with sour cream and shredded cheese. Soooo delish.

Family and school today- We went to church with my family and ate a good lunch at Applebees. I tried to be good and got a grilled chicken entree topped with portobello mushrooms and onions and red pepper. YUM. Will definitely be getting that again. Got home around 3 and been doing lesson plans since! AHhhhh! Save me!

Lessons 31-40

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

This is another one of those things that is comforting and scary. If the situation is bad... it's comforting to know that the situation will change. If it's good... it's scary to know that it will change. Change is something so hard to accept for me but is also something that keeps life so exciting.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Great point. It's kinda like the people that completely lose touch with their friends when they enter into a new romantic relationship. Then... they break up with that person and have no friends. We have all been there. Friends are sooo important. Make ones that you will have for life.

33. Believe in miracles.

Oh yes. How can you not when you see things come together the way they do... or a life being brought into the world?

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

I love this and need to be reminded of this a lot! This is not an excuse to just go crazy and forget about Him... but it is comforting to know that He loves us regardless.

35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

I agree with this. I look back at hard times in my life and realize that I would not be who I am today if I had not experienced the things I have.

36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

Ahhh dying young... so scary. I want to grow old so badly. I want to love forever. I want to travel and have children. I want to see my children grow up and be parents. I want to accomplish life goals. I pray everyday for a long life for me and those around me.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

There is nothing that breaks my heart more than seeing a child that has no relationship with their parents. I was (and still am) so spoiled in this aspect. I have amazing childhood memories with my parents- vacations, camping, boating, beaching, riding bikes, playing ball, etc. I wish every child had the opportunity to experience this. I know mine will.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

This is kind of cool to think about. I have never really thought about it that way. I love reading Psalms- they are the best prayers.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

There is nothing like a beautiful summer day. There is nothing like a beautiful fall day. Ahhh. I love being outside and seeing God's creation up close and personal. It literally BAFFLES me sometimes when I really think about.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

Love it! I always think my problems are so bad and then I see what others are going through. Imagine being homeless or not having anyone to love or that loves you? I think mine are pretty small in comparison. I NEED to remember this.

Hope you guys are still enjoying these. Only one more day!!! Have a wonderful Sunday. Off to write a billion lesson plans... OUTSIDE!

Lessons 21-30

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

I love this. Why should you have to have a specific reason to do these kind of things? I think I might have some good ideas for the near future =)

22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

I WISH I lived by this motto. I tend to do what is necessary and I do good at that. Life would just be a whole lot simpler being overprepared.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

I don't really think of myself as an extremely eccentric person. I am ok with that though. And what's wrong with purple? I love purple! ha

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

Totally agree. Nuff said =)

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

I HATE when people blame their unhappiness on others. You may be able to blame a situation on others BUT you are completely in control of whether you are happy or not. I have to make a COMPLETE effort some days and literally decide, "I am going to be happy today no matter what". It works. Try it.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

I tend to be a little dramatic sometimes when it comes to this stuff. It is hard to think of the future when the now seems disastrous right? BUT- it helps to avoid overreaction sometimes.

27. Always choose life.

Totally, 100%, always.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

My dad always said, "Never go to be mad... at anyone". I will never forget that and I try very hard to follow it. You never know what could happen in an instant.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

Haaa. Love putting it that way. I have gotten better about this thankfully. I am good with not knowing negative things others think about me. My family doesn't think it and my friends don't so why should I care right?

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

Time heals. Hard concept. It is a very true concept but it is very hard to accept. I, along with everyone else, obviously would like an instant fixer. I think that is why a lot of people turn to alcohol and drugs? AVOID IT. Give it time- much more permanent fixer.

Ten more tomorrowww. Off to watch more horrible football games.