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!!!

Merry Christmas, from a Jew

I know you're thinking, "huh?!"... but this was a really nice article my mom sent me that was written by the comedien Ben Stein. It's pretty insightful... (and in case you're wondering who he is... this pic may refresh your memory)He's the 'Clear Eyes' guy! The article is kind of long, but worth the read......

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish.

And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a Nativity Scene, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where theAmerica we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was20interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... Terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says "Thou Shalt not Kill, thou Shalt not Steal", and "Love your Neighbor as Yourself." And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

Love struck

Corny, I know! But today is the first day I've heard our "wedding song" since Travis and I got married. It really brought me back to the vivid memories I have of that amazing day. Whomever said the first year of marriage was the easiest was wrong. It's challenging to learn to cope and adjust to sharing a life with a new person- especially when you're used to doing things your way. It is, however, so much fun! I have enjoyed every moment of married life, even the challenging ones have tought me something. I am so lucky to have found the man I love and who I know would give his own life for me. We've had some pretty amazing times together and I can't wait to see what God's has in store for us. Love is a pretty awesome thing!!! And, by the way- our 'wedding song' isn't exactly traditional, and may not make sense to everyone... but it's ours and that's what matters ;) Enjoy
I had a hard time posting a video.... so if you wanna here the song you can click here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0hvOdYVTG0

Earthly exhaustion and heavenly rewards.

Do you ever just feel exhausted? I'm sure I know the answer to that question. I, almost daily, find myself totally exhausted with life's happenings. You know, "it's always somthing". Sometimes it is happy and exciting events that keep us busy and physically tired and sometimes it's devastating and crushing events that keep us mentally and emotionally exhausted. I know sometimes I ask myself, "What else could go wrong?"... and then, of course something else happeneds. Sometimes I wonder if life would be easier if I was cloned and could be a million places at once. Life is full of ups, downs, and chaos that keeps us running in circles. When bad things begin to happen, it's easy to get in a mode of self pity where you question why this is all happening and when will it ever get better. I am guilty of this. I find hope in God's promises.

Isaiah 40:30-31, Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. The lord will go before them and his joy will be their strength.

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

Life is exhausting and it's easy to get caught up in wordly chaos, but we have to remember the purpose for our journey. Our time on earth is but a blink of an eye compared to the eternity we will enjoy with God. We are running a race, and there will be moments when we get tired, but our eyes should be on the finish line. "And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."- 2 Peter 1:11

God gives us talents or places us in situations, crises, and jobs for a reason. He knows what he is doing and he has a purpose; this can be a frustrating concept. But the important thing is to keep your eyes on him and your faith in him, because he will not let you down.
We can have hope in knowing that there will come a day when we stand before our Lord and are rewarded, and that we may also hear the Lord say, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of the Lord."(Matthew 25:23)

Weekend update

Where does the time go? It seems like the weekend flies by! Friday night Travis and I went to my office Christmas party. It was very nice to see everyone and we had a nice time. Saturday I spent the entire day cleaning my house, in preparation for the busyness in the coming weeks! Around 5 or so Travis and I headed to Chesapeake for my brothers 28th birthday. Happy Birthday Chris!!! Sunday was a nice day at church followed by a day of shopping with my mother-in-law. I am completely done Christmas shopping and only have 2 more gifts to wrap!! I am ready to enjoy the upcoming festivities! Layla is feeling much better and is back to her normal, playful self!

This weekend will likely start the beginning of the holiday craze and it's important to stop and reflect on the reason we're celebrating afterall.

Luke Chapter 2: When the angel announced to the shepherds the birth of Jesus he said: "Be not afraid; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Poor baby girl!

My poor baby girl has been sick for close to a week. She went to the vet Monday and got put on an antibiotic. She had to go back Thursday morning because she wasn't doing well and had new symptoms. They decided to keep her overnight and I miss her so much =( I hope she has a speedy recovery. Dogs deserve prayer too ;) Get well soon baby doll!

NYC pictures

Me at Trump Tower

Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Plaza

Christmas Tree in Trump Towers

In central Park

The girls at Central Park!

The horse that took us around Central Park on a carriage ride!

One of our favorites!!

Nativity at St. Patrick's

Momma and I at St. Patrick's Cathedral... It was absolutely beautiful!

NYPD ;) Don't they look thrilled to be posing with tourists?

Radio City Music Hall!

Momma, Debra and I in Rockefeller Plaza

Mom, sister and in Battery Park!

My sister and I all ready to get off the bus!

The 30 hour trip to New York was eventful! It was filled with excitement and exhaustion to say the least! By the end of the trip, after 2 bus breakdowns and about 40 or so hours with no sleep, we were all pretty irritable, but remained in good spirits! We arrived back in Franklin around 5:30 am on Sunday morning. But- it was defintely all worth it! The city was beautiful and I got to spend an amazing day with my mom, sister and friends and make memories that I will never forget!!

Slacker!!

I just wanted to quickly appologize for slacking on the blogs! It has been a busy week trying to get back on track after a busy weekend! I promise I will soon post pics of the trip to NYC and other things that have been going on! Travis has the night off (yayy!!) so we'll probably hang out tonight and I'll be back to blogging tomorrow!!! Love u all and God Bless XXXOOOO

NYC!

We're leaving this evening for New York! We've been very excited for weeks and haven't talked about much else ;) Pray for a safe trip for us! I will defintely post pictures when I get back!

XoXoXoXoXo

fun pictures!

*New hair ;)

Merry Christmas <3

Thanksgiving aftermath, etc.

Hello all! Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged. Life has been busy! I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday! Travis and I did Thanksgiving with both of our families on Thursday. After we ate at my moms, he took a nap and headed to work Thursday night. He's such a trooper! Friday morning, if you can really call it that (at 3am), my mom, sister, sister in laws and brother headed off for our annual Black Friday shopping. I got quite a bit and we shopped til about 1pm. Ididn't feel like I got very good deals, but nevertheless, I am just about done shopping! Saturday I headed back to Chesapeake for a haircut and to help my mom decorate! Sunday was church and housework. Travis and I were able to get both of our spare bedrooms cleaned out and we plan on painting tonight. I'll post pics when we finish!!

So- that's the latest on us! Friday we're leaving for NYC! Yay!! I can't wait. I'm sure it's going to be a good time. Well- I better get going! I hope everyone has a blessed week. XoXoXo