Weekend Guests

This past weekend my Nanny and Papa (my dad's parents) drove in from Tennessee to visit us. They hadn't actually met Josh yet so they were eager to come. We had a great time with them.

Aren't they cute?

Here they are with their baby boy.

Another exciting event that happened this weekend was Josh and I getting our first SAM'S CARD!!! I had one myself several years ago but didn't have any money to keep the card or shop at Sam's. Anytime I needed anything I'd just go with my mom. Now, though, Josh and I have our very own card and I am thrilled. In fact, our date night on Friday is going to consist of dinner and a trip to Sam's. I can't wait!!! I'm going to really have to budget though and make sure anything we buy is really a good deal. I don't want to get too excited and blow our grocery money.

The Wonder of It All

Well, I'm back in Little Rock after my time in Fayetteville. Reese's service was perfect. And I mean perfect. The music, the slide show, the eulogy given by her mommy. Amazing. I've always known my friend Katie was strong but I don't think I ever knew just how much until having seen her stand up and speak for her daughter. Words can't describe it. And sweet Reese looked like a little angel. I was so nervous walking up to her casket but I'll never forget the moment I laid eyes on her. A moment I will treasure forever! Please keep Katie and Jason in your prayers. Now that people are gone, and life is attempting to return to "normal" I know they are going to need God's strength to make it through. Tomorrow is the day that Reese was supposed to arrive so I imagine it will be a difficult day. God is showing himself in so many amazing ways!

On a MUCH lighter note...check out my background. What happened to the cute polka dots? I really would like to have them back. If you see them around somewhere will you send them home? Thanks!!

Days Gone By

What a week! I don't even really know how to put the past few days into words. As many of you know one of my very best friends gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on August 11th and on August 13th Baby Reese went to be with Jesus. If you haven't already seen her pictures please go here to look. She's precious and I love her. My friend Jenny and I have been in Fayetteville since Friday to spend time with Katie. We're staying until tomorrow evening after the services. The Lord has truly blessed our time here. We've been able to spend lots of time with our friend talking about Reese, looking at pictures, laughing, crying, and everything in between. Tomorrow is going to be a very tough day for the family and for all of us. I just ask that you lift tomorrow up in prayer. That the Lord will continue to strengthen Katie and Jason, that Reese will be honored in a wonderful way, that people will see Jesus in everything that takes place, and that a peace which surpasses all understanding will fall strongly on the hearts of the ones Reese left behind.

On a much lighter note, I did get to spend time yesterday with some of my favorite girls. Let me just say they are huge blessings to me. I so much needed to see Laurie and Kelly and their girls! I love you all!

And to Shannon who has let Jenny and I invade her home. Thank you so much! You're a true friend!

Ok...I will post more when I get home. Thanks in advance for praying!

Back With Bullets

I'm alive! And things are well. Here's what's been going on:

• I think I'm in the clear with my teeth. I have appointment next week to confirm that. If all is well I can to move on from the surgeon and on to the dentist.
• Josh and I are moving!! Well, we're staying in Little Rock but moving out of my parents house. We've decided to get a teeny little apartment for the time being so we can continue to do as Dave Ramsey would have us to do. We're getting closer to Financial Peace but not quite there yet.
• Since we're moving we have decided to empty our storage unit. Since I had a house when I lived in NWA and now will be living in an apartment we have lots more furniture than we need. So, since my sister just bought a house we decided to let her use/have some of our furniture. Why do you care? Because that's part of what has kept me from the blog. We spent a lot of free time going through the storage and hauling it two hours away to her new home.
• Now in our free time Josh and I get to go through boxes to try to get enough stuff together for the yard sale we're having Sept 12th! Again, the goal is to purge ourselves of things we don't need so we can make some money. When you have stuff EVERYWHERE its kind of hard to go through it all. We're working on it.
• During all the madness we got to take a vacation with my family to Orange Beach, AL. I've grown up going to Gulf Shores/Orange Beach so it feels like home. I love it there! It was a wonderful week.
• Work has been nuts! Our yearly exam (audit) starts Monday so I've spent a lot of time and energy trying to get ready for that. I'll be ready for it to be over!
• Since I'm new to being a minister's wife I've been unsure about how to do our taxes. Let me clarify, I don't actually do them, I'm not that smart, but I had been unsure of what we need to deduct, what receipts to keep, how to count Josh's tuition, etc. So we've been working hard on trying to get that situated. For all you minister's wives, you know how crazy it can be. It stresses me out to think about it!
• Lately I've also had the opportunity to help plan a baby shower for my dear friend Laura who is having a little boy in November. As with all babies, he is a little miracle. The shower just happens to be at my parents house. Remember, Josh and I still live here, we have boxes everywhere, etc. So it's been fun trying to get that organized. It's a good though because without a deadline I'd go nuts.
• Josh and I are quickly approaching our one year anniversary! WOW!!! I can't believe it. Sometimes I just think to myself, "I can't believe I'm married." Seriously, I always thought I'd be the one that didn't get married. Not because I didn't want to. Oh, quite the opposite. I wanted it so bad and just sat on the sidelines while all of my friends got married. It was one of the hardest seasons of my life. I guess I simply didn't believe God enough to give me the desire of my heart. I'm so thankful God was faithful even when I was faithless. He gave me Josh and I'm blessed!
• FOOTBALL SEASON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!! Woooohoooo!!!! I'm so excited! In fact, the first game I'll be going to in Fayetteville will be on our actual anniversary, September 19th. OK, so J and I chose to watch the hogs play Georgia (which I happen to love Georgia. next to the hogs they are my fav) instead of doing something romantic. We'll celebrate the victory over the dogs with year old wedding cake.
• Another fun tidbit is that my friend Katie is going to have Reese very soon! I can't wait to make a trip in a few weeks to go see her!! And I hope to see some of my other favorite girls when I go.
• OK...that should have you caught up! I better go get ready. Josh and I are going to Magic Springs today with our youth. Should be fun..and hot!!!!
• I'll be back with pictures of life's events...I hope.