nothing is better than...

soft clean sheets.

a freshly made bed.

crawling into the soft, clean sheets on the freshly
made bed after a hot shower on a Wednesday night.

Charleston is in one more work day away.
We can hardly wait!
Night-night!

I'm back...

from my blog hiatus! Bought this ribbon today at The Pottery in
Commerce, GA. They are going out of business.
Don't you just love the Santa Claus one!
I couldn't leave it on the shelf.

I'm on call this weekend. Going to Libby's shower tomorrow.
Lauren is coming! :) Southern Living at Home party at Joy's on Sunday!
I love weekends!

Since the last post I have read Velvet Elvis, Redeeming Love, and I bought
Simple Sewing! I am still working on reading that one. Redeeming Love
is probably my all time favorite book. I would recommend it to anyone.
I checked it out from the library, but would love to have my
own copy. It is just that good. I am still waiting for Blue Like Jazz to
become available at the library. It has been on hold for almost three months.

eggplant...

We have had a relaxing, slow, and quiet weekend.

It has been very nice to just be at home. Cleaned the whole house
and washed all the clothes on Saturday.

Remember that eggplant we planted. Well it produced
these two little beauties...

and I made this Eggplant Parmesan on Saturday night.

We went to Barnes and Noble tonight. I found 4 books I want, but I think I am gonna check them out from the library first, and then if I want a copy of my own I will buy them.

The books are :

Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Singer Simple Sewing Guide by Idontknowwho

I am overwhelmed by all that I want to do sometimes.

Sewing curtains. Making yo-yos. Reading the above books. Making cards. Scrapbooking. Creating a collage of pictures on our living room wall like the ones in Pottery Barn catalogs. Taking sewing classes. Planning a trip to Charleston.

When I get free time, I often waste it because I don't know what to do.

That just sounds ridiculous!

I gotta go to bed.

blessings...

Saw these two precious sets of people weekend before last.
Above is my Paw-Paw Williams and Palmer his wife.
We went to visit with them on Sunday afternoon.
Below are Taylor and Cade, my nephews.
We took them to the Braves game on Saturday the 14th.

My Paw-Paw is just an amazing Christian man.
So loving, caring, gracious, and a prayer warrior!
Has been since I can remember.
Momma says that when I was less than a year old riding in
my car seat, I would bounce up and down when I figured out we
were going over to my Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw Williams house.
They used to live on a big farm. Complete with cows, chickens, ducks, a huge
watermelon patch, tractors, a couple of ponds, and a big vegetable garden.
Me and my sister Paige would ride on the tractor with Paw-Paw all
afternoon. We would go up the ladders and get the eggs the chickens
had laid. We would play on the big round hay bales in the
barn too. I was telling Paw-Paw the other day that I remember going
out there and picking potatoes up out of the field.
He told me it was easier for us to get them because it wasn't as far for us
to bend over. We just thought it was a game to see who could pick up the most.
I am just so thankful for them.
Thankful for who they are.
Thankful for the examples they are to Alan and I.

I can't imagine loving two kids more than I love Taylor and Cade.
When I hear their little voices on the phone my heart just
smiles. They always want Alan and I to come over, to spend the night,
to go swimming, or watch them play ball. Sometimes
the distance thing is hard to explain. They are so loving as well.
Always want to tell you they love you, always giving hugs, or wanting you
to sit by them or lay down by them. I asked Taylor the other night
if he was happy he was at the Braves game, he said "Yes, thanks for letting
me come". He is so sweet. Cade just cracks us up.
As you can see from the picture below he just lost his first tooth.
So, we see this homeless man downtown Atlanta who happens
to be missing his front tooth. From the backseat Cade says "I think
he lost a tooth too." As if the man had lost his the day before and had
layed it under his pillow for the tooth fairy! :)

I am just so, so thankful for the blessing of these people in my life.

It's hard to believe they are nine and six!

Went to dinner tonight with our past Sunday school teacher,
mentor, friend, and financial advisor, Todd.
It is always great to see him. He always encourages us spiritually and
financially as well. Lets us know what is going on at our home church
in Milledgeville. Alot of people tell us we don't need a financial advisor to save
money, but I sure appreciate the accountabilty and expertise.
Lauren and Chris also joined us for dinner.
It is always great to see my bff too.

Trying to get back into my routine with walking.
In college I was walking 3-5 miles 4-5 days a week, so I want
to try and build back up to that. Also trying to watch
what I eat better. I really need to lose some of this
pound-age I have found since we got married!

how you live....

loving this.

You must go look at this.
It is so timely for what I have been experiencing this week. We lost one
of our cardiologists and his son in a car wreck this past Sunday.
It has, therefore, been an especially hard week at work.
Seeing his partners, black ribbons on everyone's scrub tops,

memories of his high-water scrub pants and

his dorky bouffant hats, remembering
his smile and magnetic-ness.

Being at his funeral only revealed that he was
even more wonderful than we already knew he was.

Been doing a whole lot of soul searching this week.

Preach the gospel at all times- If necessary use words. -Saint Francis of Assisi

they're ours...

the rocking chairs that is.
My handy-man put them together with no problems.

We went yard sale-ing this morning. Found some awesome deals!
I need to take photos to share...
I'll do that later.

Hope everyone is having a great Saturday! It's hot and muggy here!

Edited to add...
Here are some pictures of some darling baby clothes
I bought from my neighbor.
And no, I am not trying to tell anyone anything. I am going to
put these up in the closet and save them.

Sweet summertime...

Sitting on the porch rocking away and drinking some ice-cold lemonade.

Doesn't that just sound like summertime to you?

We have already stocked up on lemonade, now all we
need are two of these.
Hopefully we will buy two of them tomorrow.
:)

finally...

I am updating my blog. Some of you have been asking me to update it so here goes.

Well, let's see. Over the past couple of weeks Alan and I had a nasty stomach virus that put us both out of commission. I was sick the second week in June. And Alan got sick the next week. I am glad that is over...It stinks to be that sick! Something funny that happened though...
One night I was throwing up, Alan came in the bathroom and asked me if I felt bad. It was so funny. I guess he didn't know what else to say. That is the first time in two years either one of us have been so sick.

When I came home from work on June 18th there was a surprise sitting on the kitchen counter for me. It was a brand new sewing machine!!! Alan went out and got it for me, and didn't even tell me he was going to. I have been wanting one for quite sometime. So of course I am thrilled to death to have one.

This past Saturday morning I got up before 8:00, so that I could spend some time getting it threaded etc. I got all that fun stuff out of the way and even sewed these two little burp cloths. And before anyone asks, No we do not have anything to share with anyone. They are just easy practice for straight stitching. I thought they turned out pretty cute for my first try! I have some little boy fabric too. I just haven't sat down to make any more of these cuties. Our garden is thriving despite not having much rain! We have picked probably close to 40 zucchini, and two big bowls of green beans. Alan has picked a handful of peppers too, but I don't get to excited about peppers. Our sunflowers are blooming, but the Japanese beetles seem to be feasting on them. :( Alan has quite the green thumb, doesn't he! We should have some ripe tomatoes over the next week or so!

This past weekend we went to Ft. Valley. We went out to Lane Packing Company
for some peach ice cream on Sunday afternoon. That is always a highlight of going to Peach County to visit Alan's family.

My mother in law has a cyst on her ovary that measures about 9cm. Praise the Lord it isn't cancerous. She will have surgery to remove it sometime in the near future. If you could lift her up in your prayers if you get the chance.

The past couple of months have been really hard for Alan and I. I don't want to go into too many details, but I can tell you our faith has been tested. And honestly there have been some days I have often wondered if the Lord truly loves me. I know that he does, and I also know that it is a full, complete, and unconditional love for us.

I am excited to find out if our friends Ken and Libby are going to have a little boy or girl! They have an appointment on Friday!

Hope everyone is doing well! Leave me a comment!

stuff

First of all, the desk. Here she is finished. Still sitting in the garage.
I will have another picture sometime later in the week (in the room and all
organized). But as you can seeit looks great. Alan really did a great job!

Next is a gift I got for our sweet friends Ken and Libby.

They are expecting their first little one in December!
I love these little gowns made by His GEM.

They all have a scripture on them somewhere.
I got this one when we went to Gatlinburg in April! It says
"His Little lamb" (its kinda hard to read).
The tag went with the gift!

H

A Cute TJMaxx find!
Will be so cute on my scrapbook desk!

the desk...

here she is...sitting in the garage! We just need to add a few pieces of wood,
sand her, and paint her. I also want to change the
hardware. Alan has been working on the desk all morning.
Maybe we will finish it before the weekend is over!

down

and out...that's how i feel. pray for me please. that's all i got for today.

Blood and flowers

So I gave blood yesterday. Double reds at that.

That means two units of red blood cells.
They gave me the plasma back. But needless to say. I am tired and woozy.
I have been laying on the couch since 3:15 when I got home from work. I think I might try to give one pint from now on.

These are the flowers that are on my front porch.

They are thriving and I am so glad.
They look so "our house".

We put out some new pinestraw last night around all of our bushes.

The yard is looking good.

I need to share details of our anniversary...Well we slept in (so nice). Then we got up and went to the Georgia Aquarium. We had a great time. I am so amazed that God made all those sea creatures. Then we went to Ikea. We were looking for a scrapbook table/desk for me. Then we went to Archivers at the Mall of Georgia. We ate dinner at P.F. Changs China Bistro. We had a great day. So much fun to take off work and spend the day together.

About the scrapbook table/desk. We didn't find one at Ikea. We haven't found one anywhere around Athens either. But yesterday a guy Alan works with tells him that he has a desk I might like. It was built in, but the guy recently ripped it out. It has three drawers for storage. It has a hutch (yippee). The hutch has three adjustable shelves. All it needs is a little TLC and it will be perfect!!! I am so excited. Alan is working on it in the garage right now. He just asked me if I wanted a before and after picture. But of course babe! So we are going to sand it down this weekend, and paint it. I will share pictures when it is complete.

Well I'm off. American Idol finishes tonight! I like both Jordin and Blake, but I think Jordin is gonna win!

Two years ago today...

we got married. I am so thankful for the past two years. It sounds so cliche, but I am so glad the God gave me such a perfect helpmeet. He is my best friend.
He is the love of my life! Really!

This picture was taken on our wedding day only minutes after we said "I do"! I was so stinking excited to married to Alan! I still feel this way about you, babe!

Alan sent me these roses to work on Friday. 24 beautiful red roses! That afternoon when we got home from work he told me, "I'm never gonna stop sending you flowers, you know". The guys at work were messin' with him about sending me flowers. It seems like we are always hearing "Just wait till you have kids", or "Y'all are just newlyweds, wait till you have been married for 13 years", or "That is such a waste of money", or "y'all are just newlyweds, you'll get over it soon", or y'all make me sick".Well, I've got news for them...There are some people that never make it a year. And there are some people who may make it through that first year or two but they are miserable. It is just so disappointing to hear people talk about how bad marriage is. It is discouraging to know that so many people don't have what he have.

But anyways Happy Anniversay babe and I love you!
And I hope I never get over it!

Mothers Day...

These were the Mothers Day flowers we sent to our Moms. Pretty, right!

And just a little shout out for my Mom.

She hardly ever gets on here, but when you do Mom,

just want you to know that I love you so much!

I am thankful for you!

Thankful for all those things you did to show me you loved me.

Thankful for all the dresses you made us.

Thankful for all the pictures you took of us wearing the dresses you made us.

Thankful for the ponytails you did every single day when I was little.

Thankful that you made us write thank-you notes.

Thankful that you loved me unconditionally.

Thankful that you taught us about the Lord.

Thankful for all the prayers you prayed.

Thankful that you taught us the importance of doing chores and learning responsibility.

Thankful that you worked so hard for us to be able to go to summer camp, mission trips, and family vacations.

Thankful that you drove us all over the place even when you would have rather been doing anything but hauling us around.

Thankful that you always said "Remember who's you are".

Thankful that you sent me notes and cards in college.

Thankful that you always told us we were special!

I could probably go on and on!

Happy Mother's Day (one day later)!

So much to say...

$14.86

That is how much I spent at Hallmark this afternoon on cards.
So grateful that we have so many people to send cards too.
Mother's Day, You're Expecting, Birthdays...it is so exciting!

Gatlinburg was a lot of fun. We had a great time relaxing, shopping, eating, and enjoying each others company! Came back refreshed, but tired.

This past weekend we ended up replacing about 3/4's of the flowers we planted in April that died after the "freeze". They are looking good now though. And the hanging baskets we created a few weeks ago. They are filling in very nicely. They are beautiful!

Took care of Mother's Day gifts today! I will share after Mother's Day of course!

Well, I better get going! I have lots to do!

Texas caviar and Tennesee...

Today is Tuesday already. Had a slow day at work. Got off at 1:30 and was able to do some errands. Home by 3:00 to straighten up, unload the dishwasher, and vacuum the floors. My sweet husband washed all the clothes last night, and is currently washing my car. How awesome, right! :) Can't wait for tommorrow.

The picture below is from Sunday night. It is Texas caviar. A salsa-like dip served with the trusty old corn chips! Alan got the recipe from a guy at work. I had to take a picture because it was so colorful!

If you are wondering why I am excited about tomorrow it is because Alan and I are going to Gatlinburg, TN with some of our friends from Milledgeville. Dane and Tori. So looking forward to relaxing and spending some quality time with Alan. The pictures below were taken in the Smoky Mountains in September of last year. Hopefully I will have some good pictures to share next week when we get back! Some of us!

Have a great weekend!

a few things...

It's already Saturday night. I can't believe how quickly the weekends go by. Yesterday I got my hair cut again. Shorter, with more layers. Alan and I went out to eat at Mazzio's Pizza. From now on we will go to Mellow Mushroom because they have much better pizza. We ended up coming home around 9:30 and went straight to sleep.

Today, Alan's parents came to visit for the afternoon. We went to Washington Farms to pick strawberries. Alan and I picked a one gallon bucket in a few minutes. Alan's parents did too. We went to pay for ours and a lady wanted to buy some that were already picked. So we ended up giving our buckets to her. We were able to pick 2 more gallons for ourselves. We had strawberry shortcake for dessert tonight. YUMMY! These strawberries are delicious.

So beautiful, red and juicy too.

My friend Laura had her little boy, Anderson on Easter afternoon. They are both doing well. Here is the card I made and sent her with their baby gift. I am wanting to do more and more card-making, but it is difficult and time consuming to get all my stuff out. Right now all of my supplies are in 4 underbed rubbermaid containers, a portable file container, and a big ribbon jar. I keep asking Alan for a scrapbook table. He keeps asking me if I want a scrapbook table or a sewing machine first. Of course I want both honey! So we will see.

Here is the new cell phone I just ordered. I have had my phone for a while now, and I was due for an upgrade, so I figured I might as well. Looking forward to getting it in the mail.

Lovin' these guys. Especially "You are God Alone". I downloaded this song from iTunes. I have listened to it probably 22 times since Thursday night.

Here are the words to "You are God Alone"

You are not a god Created by human hands

You are not a god Dependant on any mortal man

You are not a god In need of anything we can give

By Your plan, that’s just the way it is

Chorus:

You are God alone From before time began

You were on Your throne You are God alone

And right now In the good times and bad

You are on Your throne You are God alone

You’re the only God Whose power none can contend

You’re the only God Whose name and praise will never end

You’re the only God Who’s worthy of everything we can give

You are God And that’s just the way it is

Unchangeable Unshakable Unstoppable That’s what You are

This song reminds me of how small I am, and How big, and awesome, and perfect He is. That he does not need anything that have or that I am, but that he deserves everything I am. He is God alone. I would encourage you to download this song!

little me...

at age 4. Dress made by Mom. I used this picture on
our wedding slideshow, and came across it the other day.
You gotta admit I was cute as a button!

I often wonder what mine and Alan's kids will look like.
Brown hair? Curly? Straight? Brown eyes or blue?
I guess we will know one day.

comments...

Who are you? leave me a comment.

You are reading all about me!

I would love to hear from you!

just some stuff

I can't believe it has been 6 days since I posted. I am glad that it is Wednesday. I worked so hard at work today. I was exhausted when I got home, so I crashed on the couch. So now I just woke up and I have the groggy, smooshed hair and blanket-lines-on-my-face look.

I got my face burnt like a tomato at the tanning bed yesterday. I don't know how many people asked me what I did to my face today. It's called sunburn people.

No where else is red, just the face.

It's cold, gray, and foggy outside. Oh yeah, our new growth on our bushes is looking rough since it was freezing this weekend. It was 20 stinkin' degrees colder on Easter than it was on Christmas. That just does not make sense. My red salvia and begonias are d-e-a-d, dead.

My friend Laura had her baby boy on Easter. They are happy and healthy.

I will try to post a picture later on this week.

Another friend from church had her baby.

And another friend from work is due any day.

Babies, babies everywhere.

Umm...lets see. Here are a few random things I have been looking at lately.

Cute little buckets made right here in Watkinsville.

www.breadandbudder.com

These are made by a lady in Alabama. Isn't this so cute!
I just painted an "S" that I had. It's red and hanging on the door. I'll get a picture of it later because the weather won't allow right now.

http://www.simply-ornamental.com/

And last...I bought one of these adorable pacifier clips for Laura's baby boy. It is so stinkin' cute. Found this lady on ebay.

laura

is my sweet friend who is very pregnant with

a sweet baby boy, Anderson.

Laura and I met in 8th grade at church when we both lived in San Antonio. We used to have so much fun together. Playing with make-up and hair. Going to the mall. Youth camp at Alto Frio. Chasin the boys. Writing each other notes with markers even though we went to different high schools. Hanging out together on Sunday afternoons. My going away party at her house, when she made me that awesome video with pictures from everybody. Choir tours. A trip back to S.A. from Georgia for me. A trip to GA from TX for her.

We have kept in touch for all these years. Nine of them in fact. She lives in Kansas and is married to Lee.

It is just so cool to have a friend that I can pick up the phone and call, and still talk for hours (like yesterday). Even though it has been nine years.

So excited for her little one to arrive! So excited to watch her grow into mommy-hood. What a wonderful mother she will be!

Praying and hoping for a quick and safe delivery for you, Laura!

May God continue to bless you, as you patiently wait for your little blessing to arrive!

this and that

first of all, I got off work at 11:00 today. Love days like today!

Came home and got a little cleaning done. Took a nap.

Here are just some random things...

Tulips out of our backyard...

Easter cards for the nephews and neice...

a card I made for our neice for her second birthday

Easter candy goodness... My favorites...

How Cadbury Creme Egg came about
Cream filled eggs first became available in 1923, but it was not until the invention of Cadbury Creme Egg in 1971 by the scientists at the Bournville factory in Birmingham, that filled eggs became a national phenomenon.

How Cadbury Creme Egg is made
Cadbury Creme Egg is manufactured by making a chocolate shell in a half-egg shaped mould, which is then filled with white fondant and a dab of yellow fondant to simulate the yolk. Two mould halves are closed very quickly and cooled to allow the chocolate to set. When the moulds are opened, the eggs fall onto a conveyor which transports them, first to the foiling machines and then to the finished packing.

And a classic Cadbury commercial...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDezZmDEMsQ

saturday

Went here to get some new clothes. http://www.tangeroutlet.com/

Ended up with a new dress, shoes and jewelry to match,

and a new shirt! Love all of it, and just proud of myself for

spending money on me.

Layed in the tanning bed.

Went to Wal-mart for groceries. Making breakfast for our

Sunday School class tomorrow.

Using my new mini-muffin pan from Pampered Chef.

Making mini-quiches. Also a fruit tray, and a crumb cake.

Need to make some cards tonight before bed. Our neice is turning 2. Our nephew is turning 9. And my friend Laura has a baby on the way, due April 15.

this girl...

rocks. She is Lauren, my best friend. Has been my best friend for 9 years now.
Don't know what I'd do without her. I can always count on her!
She is what I miss most about Milledgeville!