8 THINGS ABOUT ME

Nothing like being tagged to suck me back into blogging. Thanks Ashley I.

8 TV Shows I watch:

1. The Office

2. How I Met Your Mother (So funny)

3. Dancing with the Stars

4. The Hills

5. Say Yes to the Dress

6. Cheer U (Sorry, I still have some cheerleader in me)

7. Top Chef

8. Project Runway

8 Things that happened to me today:

1. Went to church.

2. Had a mild panic attack because I thought I lost my work keys and they are $75.00 a piece to replace!!!

3. Started a load of laundry.

4. Cleaned out and reorganized the bill drawer.

5. Cleaned out and threw away receipts because my husband is trying to see how many receipts he can stash around the house before my head explodes!!!

6. Put away all of my clean laundry!!! Don't worry I am sure I will have another pile by the end of the week.

7. Looked at paint samples for the kitchen. I decided on Awning Red!!

8. Prayed for a win by the Cowboys!!!

8 Things that I look forward to:

1. Starting to repaint the kitchen.

2. Spring semester of classes. (Yes, I am aware that I am a nerd)

3. Epicenter starting back on January 7th.

4. New Years Day Bowl Games!!!

5. Watching the Cowboys game today (Well I may be regretting it later)

6. Sleeping in Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday morning.

7. Going back to work on the 5th after my 2 week break.

8. Getting all of my school stuff organized for the spring semester.

8 Things that I wish for:

1. A hot tub.

2. A new car. I don't really need one, but since my car will be paid off next month, I really have the new car itch.

3. The ability to be on time.

4. To know what Allie is thinking.

5. A week long vacation with my hubby!

6. New flooring throughout our house.

7. A black Kitchen-Aid Stand Mixer.

8. To feel and hear God every moment of everyday.

I tag Lis, Lindsay, Jen & Ry.

Love Dare

Good morning!! I just wanted to share with you guys about a book that I am reading. If you have been to see Fireproof, you might have already heard about it. When I was on the Hillside Women’s Retreat, I took some classes on family and marriage. In one of the classes our teacher encouraged us to check out a few books and one of them is Love Dare. I immediatly went over to the bookstore and picked up a copy. I have done a 40 day love your spouse better challenge before, but this book breaks down all of the ways we are to love and really describes them like I have never heard before. For example, I had no idea that I was not kind, but after reading some of the attributes of a kind person I realized that there is much room for improvement in this area in my life. Anyway, after you read a couple of pages (seriously, I have not had one longer than 3 pages) about the attribute it gives you a “dare” for the day. Most of the dares are pretty simple but they really challenge you to think about how you treat your spouse. I have been immensely blessed by having read this book and I highly recommend it for anyone whether you have been married 2 months or 50 years.

PS. Love Dare is on sale at Lifeway for $9.99.

I feel a little more official...

Check it out.

Happy Birthday, Amy

Today is Amy's Birthday. Please join in with me in wishing her a Happy Birthday. Amy is the most amazing wife and best friend I could ever ask for. This will be one of many birthdays that I will get to share with her in our amazing lives together as we walk with God. Happy Birthday, My Love!

Christopher

In need of creative ideas

I am helping throw a baby shower for one of my best friends, Anna. I am in need of some ideas on decorating or other ideas that maybe you had at your shower that you loved or have seen at other showers. I really want to make this a special time for Anna. This will be her first. She is having a girl and is decorating the room in pink toile and black and that is the color theme we are planning on using for the shower. I was thinking about doing kinda a shabby chic shower. I am pretty hesitant to do any games because most of the shower games I have ever played have been pretty cheesy. Anyway, if you have any ideas, I would love to hear them.

Sick, but finally some time to blog

Wow it has been forever since I have blogged. I have had so many things to blog about, but know I can't seem to think of all of them. I guess I should update you as to our requests for your prayers. Back in May I submitted my resume to be the Student Ministry Assistant at our church, Hillside Christian Church. After a very long 3 months I was finally offered and accepted the position. I started on Wednesday. Chris and I are so excited for this new phase in our lives and can't wait to see what God has in store for us. Everything has been great so far and I really think that I am going to love it. I love being around the kids anyway and now I have more opportunities to spend time with them.

On Thursday I started getting sick and today I can barely function. Hopefully, I will be feeling better tomorrow. I think between quitting at the law firm, starting a new job and school I over did it this week. Anyway, I guess I better try to get some homework done. I will try to set aside some more time to blog.

Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. I love you all.

Please pray for Chris and I. We are being faced with a very difficult decision and need God’s guidance so much. Please pray that our minds and hearts would be clear to see God’s plan and trust in Him wholly for whatever the outcome. Thank you so much.

Talula Does The Hula

I saw this story on the internet today. I can't believe someone stole the name Chris & I were going to use for our first born (which by the way is not happening anytime soon)...

The Associated Press
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A family court judge in New Zealand has had enough with parents giving their children bizarre names here, and did something about it.
Just ask Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii. He had her renamed.

Judge Rob Murfitt made the 9-year-old girl a ward of the court so that her name could be changed, he said in a ruling made public Thursday. The girl was involved in a custody battle, he said.

The new name was not made public to protect the girl's privacy.

"The court is profoundly concerned about the very poor judgment which this child's parents have shown in choosing this name," he wrote. "It makes a fool of the child and sets her up with a social disability and handicap, unnecessarily."

The girl had been so embarrassed at the name that she had never told her closest friends what it was. She told people to call her "K" instead, the girl's lawyer, Colleen MacLeod, told the court.
In his ruling, Murfitt cited a list of the unfortunate names.

Registration officials blocked some names, including Fish and Chips, Yeah Detroit, Keenan Got Lucy and Sex Fruit, he said. But others were allowed, including Number 16 Bus Shelter "and tragically, Violence," he said.

New Zealand law does not allow names that would cause offense to a reasonable person, among other conditions, said Brian Clarke, the registrar general of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Clarke said officials usually talked to parents who proposed unusual names to convince them about the potential for embarrassment.

What were these parents thinking??

Lip Fur

Ok most of you know that I am an avid Yankees fan. The term avid is probably not the right word...let me put it into perspective. Sunday night we were watching the Yankees vs. Red Sox on ESPN. The game was tied in the bottom of the 9th and the Red Sox put in Manny Ramirez to pinch hit in hopes that he would knock one out of the park. I had knots in my stomach watching Manny walk up to the plate, but the knots soon turned into mad hysteria when he stood there and took 3 strikes right down the middle of the plate without even swinging the bat. At which point, I stood up and yelled "SUCK THAT MANNY!!!" Chris and Allie looked at me with horror in their eyes to see what I had become.

Anyway, on with my story...Jason Giambi, who despite his obvious steroid use, has been one of my favorite Yankees for a while. He recently decided to grow a Magnum PI style mustache. I am not a fan, but it has brought him out of his slump and now the Yankees are only 4 games behind the Red Sox for 2nd place in the AL East. This morning as I was getting my dose of Sports Center before heading off to work, I became intrigued by the Yankees latest rally to "Support the Stache" in an effort to get Giambi added to the All-Star line-up. Last night they even gave away fake mustaches to the first 20,000 fans at Yankee Stadium!! This morning, the American Moustache Institute had the following to say in support of Giambi, "Giambi's significant first-half production as well as his powerful lip fur -- indicating great intellect and good looks -- make two very compelling reasons for his place on the American League All-Star roster." LIP FUR?!?! I think this might have gone too far.

Don't worry I still love the Yankees and anyone in a Yankee's jersey!!

Take me out to the ball game...

Last night, Crystal and Jacob took us to watch the Amarillo Dillas play. The San Diego Chicken was there for entertainment which proved to be a good idea because the Dillas got pounded. We had such a great time with our friends and are so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people. Here are some pics of the fun.

Valenzuela doing the Chicken Dance.

Me & Chris

Valenzuela & Noah

Miquel & Sophie

Jacob & Crystal

The Ingram's (Ashley, Brad and Noah)

The Girls

Crystal & Valenzuela

Chris feeding Brad Cotton Candy

The San Diego Chicken

The Boys

Ashley & Noah

2008 Firm Golf Outing

Last Thursday was our annual firm golf outing. Seeing as how Chris and I are not avid golfers, we usually commit most of our afternoon to the pool and then drive around on the golf cart the rest of the afternoon. This year my co-hort in office crime, Jan, and her family played so Chris tagged along and worked on his putting skills. We had so much fun spending the afternoon with Jan and her husband, Kyle, and their son, Brad. Brad is also a member of our church’s youth group and is an amazing young man. Here is a pic of Chris and I and then more pics of people that none of you know.

Winning team: Allen, Paul, Brad, Warlick and Lewis.

Sam

Tyler, Jerry, Terri, Joanna

Chris putting

Brad throwing up the dueces!!

Joann, Todd, Kenzi & Adrian

Brad, Shelby, Kyle & Jan

Bob & April

Crystal, Jacob & Valenzuela

I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel as far as my summer school goes. My EDT 3343 (Education Technology) class ends on Thursday. I have 1 more project left and it is a big one. This class has been great because it is self passed so I have been able to put it off until the weekends, but I have had 50 assignments due over the course of 4 weeks. To say that I am tired would be an understatement. My other class lasts for 4 more weeks. Hopefully I can make it through.

We have been able to squeeze in a little bit of fun. A couple of weeks ago our friends, Jacob and Crystal, came over for a little cook out and to watch the Ultimate Fighter finally. Have no fear, Crystal and I looked through InStyle magazine and talked about clothes and make-up while the boys watched guys beat each other senseless.

Jacob and Crystal have been such a blessing in our lives. Besides the fact that Crystal’s family owns the best bakery in town and has kept a steady flow of goodies coming our way, they allow us to share in the life of their beautiful daughter, Valenzuela. Here are some pics from our evening.

Allie giving Valenzuela a kiss.

SOOOO CUTE!!

How can you resist those cheeks?!?!

Jacob and Chris

LOVE!!

Crystal and Jacob!!!

My cheering squad

On Monday nights, I play on a city league volleyball team with Higley, Higley's mom and some other friends. They are usually pretty uneventful, that is until tonight. My small group girls had called me after work to see if I had dinner plans and i mistakenly told them that I could not go to dinner cause I had volleyball. About 10 minutes after I got off the phone with them, they called back and asked if they could come. I know my girls all to well and figured it would definitely mean some form of embarrassment for me, but told them where and when my games were anyway. They arrived at the park in with signs, megaphones and sporting face paint. They yelled the entire time "Go Amy's Team!!!" "Go Team Amy!!!" "You need to have a baby!!" I could not stop laughing. Here are some pics of my crazy cheerleaders.

Haley, Holly and Laney

Holly, Me and Haley

A close up of one of the signs. Yes, those are the words to R. Kelly's Bump & Grind. They are so weird. And because I know some of you are thinking it, no, we do not sing this song at small group.

A close up of the other sign. They are obsessed with wanting me to get pregnant so they can babysit! Would you leave your child with them??

I WON!!

I WON! I WON! I FINALLY, FINALLY WON SOMETHING!!!

I love all of the Gina's designs at A Touch of Whimsy. If you have not seen any of her stuff yet, you should definitly check it out. She has made me some really cute stuff and you can find really good ideas for baby shower gifts. Anyway, sometimes Gina has Freeby Friday's on her blog and this week I won a free luggage tag!! I am so excited. This is design I picked out...

I can't wait to get it and see how cute it is in person.

Campers need your prayers

One of our Hillside Christian students just called from camp and said that there are between 30-40 kids that are sick. They think it might be food poisoning, but they are not sure. Please pray for all of the students and leaders at camp. Pray that God’s will would prevail over Satan’s attempt to ruin their camp experience.

Joy

I wanted to share with you my conviction this morning. Chris and I have been discussing buying a new house in the next year. If I had my way, we would have already been moved, but I know that financially it is better if we save up some more. Anyway, on my way to work this morning, I drove by several houses that are for sale and reminded myself that I needed to look them up on their respective real estate agents web sites to see what the inside looked like and how much they were asking for them. I did and was immediately filled with envy for the lucky people who would get to live in these houses. I then looked down at my clock and realized that I had just enough time to Morning Coffee before I began my work day. I clicked the link and begin to cry at my desk as I knew that God meant these words especially for me this morning. I am so blessed. Blessed to have an amazing husband. Blessed to have my family. Blessed with an amazing church. Blessed with unbelievable friends. Blessed with a roof over my head, food, clothes and money to pay for it all and I always want more. I need to learn to live in the joy of my surroundings and the grace that my Heavenly Father has showered on me rather than wallow in my own self pity.

Backtracking

Ok, I have been doing some backtracking in hopes of getting caught up on my blogging. I think I did it. Thanks for all of you who hung in there through my blogging hiatus. I would like to say that it wont happen again, but considering my 6 hours of Summer classes started today, I would not hold my breathe if I were you.

I have a few prayer requests that I need to recruit all of my faithful prayer warriors help with...

1. The Hillside Christian 11th and Grad camp left this morning for a week of time with God. Please pray for the camp leader, Brandon, and all of the other leaders (Brad & Ashley Ingram, Jordan M., Johnathan, Tessa, etc.) who are helping out this week that God move through them like never before to touch the lives of the 120 campers. Also, please pray for the campers that God would prepare their hearts and minds for the word he has for them and that they would be willing to hear Him this week.

2. My brother, Andrew, set off Saturday night for his 3rd mission trip to Taiwan. Please pray for him and the rest of the TBC team that God would protect them and guide them into the areas were he needs them most. Please pray especially for Andrew as he will be there for 17 days this time and it always take a physical toll on his body. You can follow the events of the trip here and also find a daily prayer list.

3. Doors have been opening for Chris and I lately. Please pray that we would hear God's voice and feel His peace in the months ahead.

Distraction

I have mentioned that I had an excuse for my lack of blogging and here is my proof...

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

I am soooo excited about how well the cabinets turned out. Chris and I did it all ourselves. We are contemplating tackling the floor next (if you did not notice, it is dreadful), but we are not planning on being in the house after a year so it is making it hard to sink anymore money into it.

Jen's Graduation Brings a Visit from Papa & Ola Faye

Last weekend, my cousin, Jenny, graduated from SJCA. It was a great weekend to celebrate Jenny and we were all excited that it also brought Papa and Ola Faye into town from Oklahoma. Jenny is headed off to Texas Tech in the fall and even though I am going to miss her immensely, I know that God has amazing things in store for her future.

Uncle Bruce, Jenny (the Grad), Aunt Brenda and Cousin Adrien.

Me, Jen & Adrien

Me & Adrien

Uncle Dennis, Papa and Uncle Mike

Adrien, Ola Fay and my mom

Papa

Papa, Ola Faye, Me & Chris

Our Soldier

Last month, my brother-in-law, Charlie was home on leave from Korea for 20 days. It seemed to go by so fast. I am sure it went by faster for his wife, Michelle and their 2 kiddos, Arianna and Camden. Here are a few picture I snapped before he left to go back to Korea for another 6 months. Please pray that God would keep him safe and return him quickly to his family.

Camden

Arianna

Charles, Chris and Uncle Joel

Charles and Chris

Brothers!!

Matt and Leah's Wedding

** Editor's Note**
It has become difficult when I am telling a story to differentiate between if I am talking about my best friend, Ashley Higley, or my sweet new friend, Ashley Ingram. Therefore, I have decided that they will know be referred to by their last names only. Sorry girls.

On May 16th, Higley's little sister, Leah got married. Chris and I were so honored to get to witness their beautiful wedding. We did not take very many pictures, but here are a few.

Matt searching for Leah's garter.

Leah tossing the bouquet! She looked amazing by the way.

Me and Higley.
Have I mentioned that I LOVE that Higley is back in A-town? I have gotten to see her about 7 times in the last 2 weeks. She is such a blessing in my life.

Chris stealing a kiss from Higley.