Favorite Moments...

Instead of some big long post about the Thanksgiving break, how 'bout we wrap it up nicely with a list of all my favorite moments from the past 5 days...(and with Friday's post! ha!)

**Getting to spend extra time with Kevin. We had all day Thursday and until 5pm on Friday.
**Looking through old family photos at Kevin's house from when he was little. I will have to post some later this week! I love old pictures!
**Getting a hug from my Mom when Kevin and I stopped in to see her on our way back to John 3:16.
**Playing sequence with Kevin's parents (even though we lost this time - totally my fault!) Rematch at Christmas!!
**Making our Christmas card photo...coming to a mailbox near you soon! :-)
**Sitting in a restaurant alone with Kevin and just talking.
**NO papers to grade!!!
**Getting into a whip cream fight at the family gathering with my cousin, Tanner. (although, I don't recommend this as it ruins whatever clothes you were wearing!)
**Going with my peeps to see Four Christmases after the family gathering. It was predictable but funny. I love me some Vince!!
**Last, but certainly not least, getting to laugh, hug, hold hands, talk to Kevin for 3 out of the past 5 days!!

Bittersweet

*Jax looks HUGE in this picture...doesn't he? ha!

I took Kevin back to John 3:16 today. We had a great visit, but being together for two days almost made it harder to leave him behind today. Nothing went as originally planned for our Turkey Day plans, but we rolled with the punches! It actually got to be quite funny. In short version, we were given the restriction of not being able to sleep under the same roof because we aren't married. So....we went to Kevin's parents house and while me and the dog got to sleep inside, Kevin slept outside in the back of the Yukon with an extension cord running to it that plugged into a heating blanket. Seriously! LOL! Let's just say, it got interesting with some last minute planning changes, and I was once again reminded how laid-back and awesome my Mom is and how grateful I am that my future mom-in-law and I can work together to keep everyone happy!! :-)

I miss him already, but luckily I will get to see him on Sunday...

If you haven't been to the website in awhile...go! John 3:16

Why does this always happen?

I left my Jeep at the shop yesterday with a list of about 8 things that need to be checked or done. (It's rolling over to 100,000 miles). Now, for those of you who have ridden in my Jeep, you all have heard and commented on the horrible, grinding noise it makes when I make turns. Guess what? yep, the guys at the shop drove it around for 20 minutes and "ma'am, we never heard a noise." URGH!!! It makes a horrible noise!! I promise! But nope, not making it today when it really needs to! Why does that always happen? So, the men think the woman is nuts!

Weekend Highlights...

Friday:
*You know it was scrap night...I got a major Christmas present done, and I wish I could share the details because I am SO excited about it!! But, it's for my Mom and she is a faithful reader. I'll have to tell you about it AFTER Christmas! :-)
*Other Friday highlight was the yummy deer chili that Peggy brought! YUM!!!

Saturday:
*Did a little Christmas shopping - stressed me out. I have no idea how I'm going to buy gifts this year!! I hate to charge them, but it's just going to have to be that...:-(
*Went to Copeland's for a cousin's birthday lunch (Happy Birthday Jared!). Got over Christmas shopping depression with an awesome dessert! ha!
*Went to see Bolt with my cousin's. Loved it!
*Finished my book. (review below - and I looked and I have averaged about a book a month this year - not bad at all!)

Sunday:
*Got to see Kevin for the first time in two weeks!! It was a good visit. We have had some issues come up in the past few weeks that we have needed to work on and today was our first day to get to talk rather than write. It was good for us, and our relationship just keeps growing! I can't explain the warmth and love I felt today from everyone. John 3:16 is an amazing place!!

Two Reviews

Ok - I went to see Bolt, the new Disney movie with the dog that thinks it has super powers (voice is John Travolta) and "his person" is the voice of Miley Cyrus. The hamster, Rhino is hilarious too. Well, the cat was too. They all had their moments. I honestly laughed out loud several times. You gotta go see it. I promise if you don't laugh, you will at least smile! Thanks to Sandy and Kayce for inviting me to go with them!!

I also finished the book I've been reading this week - woo-hoo! I haven't gone back to see how many I read this year yet. The year is coming to a close and my New Year's Resolution was to read more throughout the year and not just on holiday breaks. I've done a little better, but it's hard when I am taking classes to read for fun! :-(

Ok - the book: The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

From the jacket: When US Marine Logan Thibault finds a photograph of a smiling young woman half-buried in the dirt during his third tour of duty in Iraq, his first instinct is to toss it aside. Instead, he brings it back to the base for someone to claim, but when no one does, he finds himself always carrying the photo in his pocket. Soon Thibault experiences a sudden streak of luck, winning poker games and even surviving deadly combat that kills two of his closest buddies. Only his best friend, Victor, seems to have an explantion for his good fortune: the photograph - his lucky charm.
Back home in Colorado, Thibault can't seem to get the photo - and the woman in it-out of his mind. Believing that she somehow holds the key to his destiny, he sets out on a journey across the country to find her, never expecting the strong but vulnerable woman he encounters in Hampton, North Carolina - Elizabeth, a divorced mother with a young son - to be the girl he's been waiting his whole life to meet.

What I thought: I was in the mood for somthing light and this was a good, light read. I admit it was a bit predictable and the ending wraps up all nice and neat. But, it was a feel good romantic story, so that's sort of why we read them. Right?

Two Words

SCRAP NIGHT!!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

From the infamous Reba/Kelly concert night of "Three Blondes and who has the tickets"....which one of us do you think forgot them? HA!

And....big news...got my final and my grade today for my master's class....Guess who got an A!!!! Whoo-hoo!

Anyone need a cat?

I don't know why my mom is so mad at me. All I do is try to bring her prizes to show her I love her. I thought for sure she would see just how much when I brought her the big rat a few weeks ago, but she just screamed and spanked me so hard that I hid in the back room for the rest of the night. I have never seen someone react like that to a present! The nerve of that woman. Well, she's at it again. I tried to bring her a mouse tonight. I thought she liked rodents. I mean, she talks to that guinea pig in a voice much sweeter than she talks to me! So, I thought if I didn't kill the mouse and brought it to her as another pet, she'd be happy. Now, she's threatening to put a 'free cat to good home' ad in the paper! Jeez...I get no respect around here!

Girls Only Weekend!

Sometimes all you need are your girlfriends! :-)

This weekend can be summed up with quality girl time only...
**Saturday, Peggy and I started our day with shopping at a big scrapbook sale. Does it get any better?? Well, maybe if you threw in a chocolate dessert! ha! I even bought my first Christmas gift, and it wasn't for myself!! (Pat on the back here!)
**Saturday night was the Reba and Kelly Clarkson concert with my work BFF's. I admit that I don't really listen to Reba or Kelly, but thought it would be a fun girls night (and it was). Let's just title Saturday night as "Three blondes and who has the tickets?" Enough said! LOL!
**Today, Becca & I got to listen to a friend preach at his new church. He was awesome!! I hope to follow him to this church, but my Sunday's for awhile will be at John 3:16. Oh, and as a bonus, turns out it is a small world and his new church is my Great-Aunt and Uncle's church!

Hope you all had a good weekend!

Thursday Thirteen

**been awhile since a Thursday Thirteen ~ missed 'em? heehee! I've been a bit sentimental this week for some reason, so I thought I'd have a grateful post ~ just in time for Thanksgiving season too!

Thirteen Things I am Grateful For:

(in no certain order ~ I tried and it was too hard to rank them!)

1. Family ~ ALL my family...that includes Kevin's family too. I love them like my own already!

2. Fur Kids ~ you know how much my fur kids mean to me (even Simba! LOL! There is no cat like him and he gives me so many stories to share. Jax should get his own number. You know, he is even sleeping in the bed with me these days. Rotten doggie! Nala is just special in her own right. She is my fluffy princess.)

3. Friends ~ where would I be without them? I have some of the best friends a girl could ask for! I only hope I am as good a friend to them as they are to me!

4. A good warm, friendly, Christian workplace ~ I could not be surrounded by better people everyday. What a difference that makes!

5. My house ~ I love my house...it is a HOME. It is where I am most comfortable and love to be.

6. Gas prices ~ hello! I saw gas for $1.87 today!! I am super grateful for that!! It is like getting a pay raise where my gas guzzler is concerned.

7. I am also grateful that while it seems like I am always broke these days and scraping the bottom of the barrel, I can pay my bills. My bills are always paid and paid on time. In this crazy time, that is something to be grateful for!

8. I am grateful my aunt is hosting Thanksgiving this year! Whew! I have hosted for the past 3 or 4 years...it was fun, but I am ready for a break and to get to talk to people!!

9. Scrappin' nights ~ scrap nights with my peeps are priceless!

10. Mexican food ~ already had it twice this week and could eat it again tomorrow!

11. Bible Study ~ I am grateful that my co-worker and I were finally able to put a plan into action that we've talked about for a year (yay Jill!). This is my first Bible Study group, and I am super excited about it!

12. John 3:16 ministries ~ I am grateful that Bryan and Beverly have given their lives to helping others overcome addictions. Because of them and John 3:16, Kevin and I have been given a second chance. We have a fresh start, and I am getting a brand new man!

13. My Mom ~ My mom is more than a mom. She is my friend and my rock. I only want to make her proud! I am grateful that I can call her for anything at any time and she will listen and tell it to me straight (even if it isn't what I want to hear.) Her strength is an inspiration to me, and I don't know what I would ever do without her. I love you, Mom!

Wordless Wednesday: They grow up fast!

Parents and Teachers...

...check out this cool website a parent uses in my classroom.

www.spellingcity.com

Awesome for practicing spelling words - right?
Tasha, I bet Hannah would love it! :-)

Freedom!!

I just have to SHOUT it out that I am FINISHED with my Master's class!!!! I have two months off from all the extra work that keeps me from doing things that I really want to do ~ like scrapbook and actually read NOVELS, not textbooks!!! Woo-hoo!!! My class is O.V.E.R.!! No more classes until January 17th!! Yee-haw!

Can I also just say how excited I am to only have 3 classes to go???? One in the Spring (my last Saturday class) and two during summer I. Cross your fingers I get registered in the summer classes before they fill up. I don't want to drag this out any longer. This time next year, I will be able to say I have my Master's and a big, fat raise!!!! Woo-hoo!

Now....which James Patterson book can I read first? :-)

Weekend Report

I had a great weekend!! I studied Friday night for my final and felt really good about knowing my material, but I was most excited about surprising Kevin the next day!! John 3:16 was having an event for Veteran's and guests could attend. He wasn't expecting me because with my final, I didn't think I could make it. Well, I found a way (thank you Jared for house sitting!).

Saturday, I burned up the Arkansas highways for sure - first I drove to Conway to take my final. A two part final! yuck! Oh, and I had a presentation. I HATE presentations!! But, I made it through (mainly because it was a group presentation!). Then, we started our final. I am a bit nervous because I was the first one finished. And in hind sight, I wish I had double-checked it. But, I really just wanted to get on the road to my next destination! ha!

So...I burned up the roads for the next two hours heading from Conway to Batesville and was so early, I had to stop and shop in Searcy to kill time!! LOL!

Here is the drive going into John 3:16 ~ They added the flags for the veteran's. Anyway...Kevin was SO surprised to see me. It was fun getting to surprise him. The other guys helped me out when I got there because he was in the kitchen and they acted like they needed him to come out and help them with something. When he opened the door, there I was and he yelled and hugged me so big, my feet came up off the ground! ha! I don't think we stopped smiling all night!! It was an added bonus that I got to see him two days this weekend!!

(this picture is from today:) The Veteran's service was really, really good!! They did a fantastic job of honoring them. You would have to have a very cold heart not to be moved by that service!! After the service, I spent the night at my Mom's since it's only 45 minutes away. Then, I got to go back this morning!! woo-hoo! If you can't tell by the pictures - Kevin is at about 34 lbs. lighter these days! This is him with his parents today:

I could keep rambling on and on...but I'll stop!! Just keep the prayers coming and keep him in your thoughts.
Check out their website if you have time - they have made updates: www.john316ministry.com

Fall

I love FALL! Fall is one of my favorite seasons (b/c I love Spring too!) Kevin and I both love fall though. I have really missed him more this week because the leaves are changing and we both take time to appreciate the beauty of it. We like to take road trips (like to the Buffalo) and hike, explore, and enjoy the scenery. We call ourselves old souls out for our Sunday drives. Sometimes, we don't even know where we are heading...we just head out and stop along the way at any flea market we happen to pass. I love it!

We also really, really like fall camping...the camp fires are so much better in fall! So...I've missed him a bit more as I enjoy the drives home and the gorgeous scenery. But, I know next fall, there will be plenty of road trips, so it's all good.

Fall also left me bringing in the last of our garden. Carrots anyone? I was so excited!! There were a BUNCH under all that green! I have one happy guinea pig!!This is what I love most about fall ~ look at the beauty just out the backdoor!
But, you know, what I hate about fall?? When those beautiful leaves fall, and I have to rake them up. So far, this year, the wind is treating me right and they are all blowing into my neighbors yard! LOL!

Wordless Wednesday: Expressions

V.O.T.E.!!!

There's still time....get out and VOTE if you haven't!! I was expecting long lines today and even took my notes to study for my final while I waited, but I was in and out with no trouble.

Not telling you who I voted for.....but isn't it time for a change?!?! :-)

NOW GO VOTE!!

Skipping School

I stayed home from work today (shhhh!), but I had good reasons!! Honest! I needed to organize all my notes and make a study guide and start studying for my final on Saturday. I also had a doctor's appointment at 3...technically still could've gone to work if that were ALL I had on my plate today! :-)

The good news from today is that my advisor told me I needed one less class than I thought I did to graduate. So, after Saturday, I only have 3 to go. The bad news - only one of the ones I need is offered this summer! Bummer! So, it will still be next school year before my master's is finished! But, the end is SOOO close!

My doctor's appointment today made me feel really old. How does time fly so fast? How did I get to the age that the doctor tells me my chances of ever having a child are going to start dropping more and more each year now...that my chances of having a baby with downs start going up...and I need to start thinking about mammograms??? REALLY? When did I get old? Apparently at around age 35...hmmmm...Needless to say, I headed straight to Krispy Kreme after my appointment. Nothing like a hot donut and some Dr. Pepper to cheer me up! Well, that and a panicked phone to my BFF, Michelle that my time is running out, and I may never be a Mom. Thanks Michelle for calming right down!!! I need to send you a counseling fee! LOL!

Today's Visit

Every time I see Kevin, he has grown spiritually more than the week before. And physically, has lost more weight (30 lbs. and counting...). He also has that twinkle back in his eye that I love so much. I didn't take any pictures today. We stupidly decided it would be cool to go out on the pond in the canoe. It was a bit windy - we really didn't realize it until we were out on the water. The water kept taking taking up to this far corner that looked like snake territory to me if I've ever seen it. Kevin was working like a dog to keep up out of that area. Let's just sum it by saying - it looks romantic in the movies, but not so much in real life! ha! We are both clumsy, so as Kevin would say I was "as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs!" I just knew we were going to tip over in that nasty water! ha! But, we didn't! :-)

Anyway - we had a great visit, but it goes by WAY too fast!! Next week, his parents get to come too. I look forward to the chocolate dessert Kevin's Mom is making...yum!!!