He is Risen!

Our Easter weekend started on Saturday with a date day! Travis and I don't get very many of these, so I was thrilled that he finally had a weekend off! We slept til about 8, got up and watched some tv and then got ready for the day. We went to lunch at Applebees in Chesapeake and then shopped most of the afternoon! That evening we met our good friends Keith and Jess for dinner in Virginia Beach to celebrate Keith's 26th birthday!

Sunday was an even better day! I got all ready for the day while Travis slept and as I was heading out the door he jumped out of bed and surprised me! Little did I know, he had taken the day off work!! So he quickly got dressed and we headed to Chesapeake to spend the day with my family. We had an absolutely awesome, so amazing I can't put into words service at Faith Alive! The new building was awesome and the service was incredible! (Check this out):

http://hamptonroads.com/2009/02/chesapeake-churchs-influence-membership-grows

After church we headed to my parent's house where we had a bbq for my newphew Nathan's first birthday. The kids enjoyed an Easter egg hunt, we had good food and a great time! I am so thankful for all God has blessed us with. I truly cherish the moment's I'm able to spend with my family. We couldn't be more blessed. We serve a God that is alive and well and I am so thankful!

My brother John and newphew Thomas

Showing off his eggs!

They got the golden eggs!

Travis enjoying some cornhole!

He was a sleepy boy!

Happy Birthday Nathan!!

Yummy cake ;)

Blog Resuscitation

That's right! I suppose I am bringing my blog back from the dead. I applogize that I haven't blogged in a while... but while changing my layout several months back, I apparently hit a few wrong buttons and messed things up! I was able to halfway fix them enough to make new posts.. but it's still not what it used to be. I may end up deleting this blog and starting a new one... so bear with me for now! I look forward to picking back up where I left off!

Today is Wednesday... and not my most favorite day of the week. I have class til 10 pm.. YUCK. I am looking forward to this weekend!! Travis has off on Saturday and we're planning to go to the movies and out to celebrate our friend Keiths 26th Birthday. And Sunday, of course, is Easter!! I will be visiting my parents church (my former church). I look forward to seeing all of the new renovations and seeing their wonderful program. We'll also be enjoying a cookout and Eater egg hunt with my neices and nephews after church! I hope everyone is having a great week!!!

Here are a few recent pictures!

Despite all we've done...

If we only believe, we're forgiven!! I am so thankful that the LORD loves me regardless of my mishaps, bad days, ill moods and attitudes. It's so comforting to know that I am a friend of God and he's my safe haven.

Lamentations 3:20-33
I well remember them,and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him.
Let him bury his face in the dust—there may yet be hope. Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace. For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.
For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.

A trip down memory lane <3

First off, I want to wish a very happy 23rd birthday to my beautiful best friend Amanda!!! I love you and hope your day is as wonderful as you are!!!


I also wanted to share that in a few short weeks will be the 9th anniversary ((holy cow)) of mine and Travis's first meeting. I have been thinking about it for a few weeks, and it is still so vivid in my mind. Who would've thought that 9 years ago (at age 13) I would meet the man I would later marry!?! Crazy!! For those that don't know the story... stick around and I'll post it in a few days!! For now, here's a (fuzzy) picture of Travis and I several years ago. Don't laugh!!!

Thankful!

Yesterday I thought it was going to snow ((sad face)), so I intended on taking a half day at work to go home and hang out with Travis. I had a dentist appointment at 12 and headed home after that. We didn't end up getting to enjoy the snow, but we did have a relaxing afternoon. We layed on the sofa and watched movies, had supper and played cards! It was such a simple day, but enough to make me so very thankful that I have such a great life. Travis and I don't get to see much of eachother as we work entirely opposite schedules. It's rare that we have a whole day together, and I think because we see one another so little, I am SO very grateful for the days that we do get together--- even if they are simple. I didn't mean to make this a sappy blog ;) but I do want to encourage you to be thankful for the time you have with your family and take it all in. God has blessed us in so many ways and I am so very grateful.

I also wanted to add that I had a chance to watch a little bit of the inaguration of President Obama. While he may not have been the candidate that I chose, I do hope and pray only good things come to him. He has quite a bit on his plate and it is certainly more than one man alone can bear. We need to pray that God gives him strength and wisdom and surrounds him with those who will advise him wisely. God tells us to pray for and respect our leaders and I will certainly do so. History was certainly made and it was touching. God Bless!

Catch up..

What a week it's been! It's actually been pretty crazy! Here's a little re-cap:

- The wind storm early in the week blew down our 6 ft privacy fence that we (in the not so distant past) paid a pretty penny for!! I was a little upset, but Travis was able to get it all back up and secure (thank u babe for your hard work!!)

- Lots of different things going on at work that kept me very busy this week! (But I am as thankful as ever that I have a job!)

-As I'm sure many of you have already heard, yesterday was an extremely sad day for Southampton County when a young 4 year old precious boy was struck and killed by a bus. I think it really shook a lot of us up. We gathered together at work yesterday morning and prayed for this family and the community, but I encourage you to continue to pray during this difficult time. I pray that this family doesn't get bitter with God, I pray for healing and peace, I pray for the bus driver who will live with this guilt and I pray that God bring peace to the entire community, as it is hard to find reasons and answers to a situation so tragic as the loss of a child.

-Other happenings.... I am starting school (yes you heard right, school) AHHHH. I thought I was finished with school, but I have decided to take a few classes at the community college. Classes begin this Wendesday so wish me luck! I am thankful for the opportunity to follow my heart and realize that it is a priveledge.

I hope everyone has an awesome weekend! God Bless

What a year!

Sorry it has taken me so long to catch up on my blog. As you can imagine, it's been a very hectic couple of weeks. We had an awesome Christmas. Travis came rolling in the driveway with a Lincoln Aviator. It looks something like this:

It's beautiful and I love it!! It will be really nice to have once we start having kids <3

Other than that BIG SURPRISE we had a lot of nice time with our families. Travis worked Christmas day, but we got to spend the morning together and had a great time!! Thanks to everyone who made our Christmas so special!

The year is finally coming to a close, and it has been an awesome one with many milestones. We are so blessed and have had many blessings in 2008. Here are a few highlights!

-I started a new job (Jan)

-Travis and I celebrated 8 years of 'dating' (Feb)

-We added a new addition to our family (our baby boy Simba!!) (March)

-I visited Milwaukee, WI for the first time! (May)

-Hmm... WE GOT MARRIED!!!! (June)

-Took an amazing trip to the Carribean (and Travis got on a plane for the 1st time!) (June)

-Had a short but awesome trip to Nags Head (Aug)

-Went to NYC! (Dec)

-Our newphew Nathan was born! (April)

-Spent Thanksgiving together for the first time! (Nov)
-Travis's grandmother turned 75 years young! (Oct)
-We finally found a church in the area that we love! (Oct)

Some picture highlights of the year!!!

Sorry for getting carried away... ;)

The beach in August!

Ice skating in Norfolk in December

Mailing wedding invitations in April!

Milwaukee, Wisconsin in May!

Parasailing for the first time!

Belize in June!!

Right after we got married!
Our new nephew Nathan!

Our baby Simba!!

And just for fun.... New Years Eve last year !!
It's just been an awesome year all the way around! I am so thankful for all God has blessed us with! We have an amazing family that we are extremely grateful for, good jobs, great friends, and a savior who loves us! And I can't speak for Travis... But I have an awesome husband ;)Here's to a blessed 2009!!!!! I can't wait to see what's in store for us!! Happy New Year everyone!!!