Sunday, November 23, 2008

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

This weekend I was so lucky to have my parents come down! They were such a big help! They came Saturday around 1:00, and by the end of the day we had all of my Christmas decorating finished! Travis had to work (and sleep)- so it was so nice to have their help! We were even able to have a nice dinner before Travis had to go back to work! It was such a wonderful day and I am so blessed to have some of the most amazing people in my life. I truly am grateful.
Here are a few pics of what we got accomplished! I will add more later!!

My adorable winter comforter!!!!
Christmas Table Setting!
And my beautiful tree :)


Before I head off for the evening-- I wanted to add a little something else--
I feel like lately- more than ever- with the economy the way it has been and things only looking worse, we have been reminded of what we're supposed to be living up to. We're freaking out because people can't get loans to buy more things and have more "stuff". We're so often caught up in keeping up with Jones's. I am just as guilty, if not more, than the next person. We are fed messages of what defines happiness; cars, big houses, money, status. I feel this personally and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Sometimes we feel like we're missing the mark or we don't have as much as we should. This has really been weighing on my heart, personally, and after thinking about it for a while, I have two messages.
1- Instead of counting what we don't have- be thankful for what we do have. There are so many people who are far less fortunate than any of us could ever imagine. There are people who are starving, diseased, oppressed, and people who don't know Christ. We've got it made! In your moment of weakness or self-pity, where we start to question what we"don't" have or what we should have, I encourage you to think about those who have less. You will quickly see how rich you are!
2- Think about what makes you rich. Think about what truly brings joy to your life. If I sit and think about what truly makes me the happiest I can be- it's when I have my family with me. It's days hanging out with my mom, nights when my husband doesn't have to work, phone calls from my best friend, seeing my dog's face light up when i walk in the door, seeing my nephew dart to the door when he sees me coming. That is what truly brings joy to my life. I am rich. I am blessed. I may not have the fanciest house or a Mercedes in the driveway, but I have all that I need.

I'm thankful for another year of holiday celebrations with the most amazing family (in-laws included) that I could ever imagine. I love you guys!

Friday, November 21, 2008

It's days like today that I am thankful...

For living in the country :) We got our first "semi-hard" snow this morning and there is absolutely no prettier place to see it snow than in the country! It is so beautiful!

This was the first time that my dogs had seen snow and they had no clue how to react!! It was adorable! Another blog worthy note- I filled my empty gas tank up yesterday for $17. WOOHOO! Happy Friday to everyone! I'm more than ready for the weekend!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

It's officially winter.

BRrrr. It's cold outside! Sorry I haven't blogged in a few days. This week has been busy. I didn't end up getting my Christmas stuff out last weekend. I only had a few hours of energy after the baby shower and was extremely lazy on Sunday. SO- that will be my task this weekend. Hopefully my mom will be coming down and we'll get everything together :) I am most definetly looking forward to the holiday next week and the three day work week!!!!

Thursday we will be going to my sister's house to eat Thanksgiving and we will continue our yearly tradition with Black Friday Shopping !!! I can't wait! And then just a few weeks later we'll be in NYC!! This is the perfect time of year and I'm excited for the upcoming festivities.


On a different note, there have been a few things in mine and Travis's life lately that have brought some uncertainties. I know that God tests our faith and I know that he is greater than any struggle we could ever have. The more I witness or go through, the more he reveals his grace and mercy to me. While wordly struggles are sometimes so very scary, I do find comfort in knowing that I don't face it alone. If God will bring you to it, he'll bring you through it!


And just for fun... here's a pic of Travis and I decorating our Christmas Tree last year- our first Christmas in our new house!! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend :)

Friday, November 14, 2008

TGIF!!!!




Wow... what a long week it's been- both at work and at home. I couldn't be more excited that the weekend is finally here!!! I'm not sure what we'll be doing tonight,.. but the rest of the weekend will be eventful! Saturday I am throwing a baby shower for a friend of ours, Tamara. I think we're going to have a nice crowd- I'm pretty excited!

And then Sunday... dundun dahhh......
I am putting up my Christmas Tree, and the multitude of decorations that come along with it !!!!!! I know it's a little early, but I hope to have a little help this weekend- which doesn't happen very often!! I can't wait! The longer I get to enjoy the Christmas season, the better! I'll post a picture when I get it up! :)

Monday, November 10, 2008

XoXoXo DATE DAY XoXoXo

Yay!! Yesterday (Sunday) Travis and I had a perfect date day! We don't get these often and had been planning to spend a day together for a few weeks now. He got off work at 9am on Sunday morning, so I went to church while he slept. I woke him up about 1:30 and we ended up leaving around 3. We headed over to MacArthur mall and shopped for a few hours. We were able to find lots of Christmas gifts for one another! Once we left the mall, we went over to Chesapeake to eat at Cracker Barrel, our absolute favorite place! We stopped by and saw my parents on our way home. Overall, it was a pretty amazing day, and I'm a pretty luck girl ;)

Williamsburg


On Saturday, my mom and I had a wonderful day at the outlets in Williamsburg. She met me in Franklin Friday night and stayed with me and then we left early Saturday morning. We took the ferry over to Jamestown. It was something new to both of us, and I think we could have appreciated it a little more if it wasn't pouring down rain! The weather eventually cleared up and we enjoyed a beautiful day of shopping ;)

Sunday, November 9, 2008

New Haircut

Last Saturday I got about 7 inches of hair chopped off!! I am now sporting about a shoulder-length A-Line bob. It's a big change. I'm not sure if I'll keep it or grow it back out- but anyway, here it is!!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

I Love NY

Woot Woot- I've just booked a weekend trip to New York- one of my most favorite places on Earth. I haven't been in a really long time, so I am super excited. My mom, sister and I will be leaving on December 6th- just in time for a little Christmas shopping. It's the perfect time of year for a visit and I am so excited. Lets pray for snowww :) I've posted a few of my favorite things in the big apple. xoxo

I heart Broadway <3



Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree!

Empire State Building!


And this is what I'm hoping for....

Happy Thursday XoXo

HAPPY 24TH BDAY TRAVIS!!

Yesterday was Travis's 24th Birthday! He spent most of the day hunting (*big surprise*) while I was at work and then when we both got home we went out to dinner with his mom and dad. When we got home we just had a really great time laughing and joking with one another. Time together is really valuable, as we don't get very much of it at all. We are literally on two entirely separate schedules. Anyway...He left for work about 10:30 p.m. last night... and as I was lying in bed, It dawned on me, he didn't have a birthday cake!!! I know he probably couldn't care less, but I feel horrible! Noone even sang him happy birthday--- except for the obnoxious and embarassing 20 second sing-a-long Applebees provided us with! So- I've decided that when I get off work today and I am going to the store to by ingredients for a cake, and I'll be singing him happy birthday tonight :)

PS- the cake above is from his birthday last year! ;)

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Trying to be positive.

Well it's all over! I'm glad that the ads will cease and the constant bickering and divisiveness will hopefully come to an end. I think elections always leave scars. We all have our hopes set on a particular future for America, and some of us are bound to be disappointed. I will admit that I am concerned for the future. I am concerned for the future of my children and grandchildren. Everyone has something personal at stake that makes them choose a particular candidate. I am trying to stay positive and keep hope in this uncertain time. I could go on and on about the negative aspects of the election, the new president elect, and the motives people had for choosing him. That is, however, no longer important. He will become the next president whether I like it or not, and I will respect that.

I can remember seeing the bumper stickers: 1/20/09, Bush's last day- and feeling so very angry that people were so disrespectful toward the leader of our nation. I REFUSE to stoop to that level. I am unhappy with the outcome and certainly have concerns, but I still have respect for the man that will lead us. On a brighter note, I thought McCain spoke very eloquently in his concession speech. Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bss6lTP8BJ8

Monday, November 3, 2008

Election Day Eve

Soo- election day is tomorrow. This is probably the most important election of our life times, considering the many things that are going on around us. Surely you need no reminder, as I'm sure you see it on your T.V. everyday. I don't want to harp too much on it, because I know that everyone is probably entirely sick of the ads and the talk. I will, however, say that it's really disturbing to know that electing Obama/Biden will be electing the most extreme liberal administration in U.S. history. While I am generally moderate to conservative, I am also educated and believe in choosing the BEST candidate to do the job, regardless of a particular affiliation. But there are so many things that make me uneasy about the Obama/Biden ticket. I encourage you to consider:

1. The lies- promising to stick to public financing... what happened?

2. Tax increase on small business- Coming from a family of small businesses, I realize that this could quite possibly be the demise of many small businesses across the country- which employ at least 60% of Americans.

3. He voted for partial birth abortion.

4. He voted no on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions.

5. Universal healthcare? Yikes.

6. Redistribution of wealth? No, thanks. What happened to a capitalistic democracy- the single-most important thing this great nation was founded on.

7. Executive experience? Where is it? What's the qualification for being the leader of our nation- a few years as a community organizer and 100 and some odd days in the Senate? I'm not comfortable with that.

I know that he's a fresh new face, he's "different", maybe he does have "HOPE" and maybe he would be a "Change". But is it the BEST change? Is hope really a strategy? Are charisma and youthfulness enough? Being a good speaker and capturing the heart of millions with good rhetoric is NOT enough to lead a nation in turmoil. If that's the case, Hitler would have been a phenomenal leader. So many Americans; young people in particular, have been lured in. I encourage you to think LONG and hard about WHY you're really voting for who you're voting for. Go beyond scratching the surface, and I think you may find yourself with more questions than answers.

That's just my 2 cents. I know it's all in God's hands!
Happy Monday :)