Favorite TV Show

Do you know how excited I am that The Biggest Loser is about to come...again? It just ended last month and now a brand new one is about to start! Woohoo!! I love this show so much!!! I like to think I can learn a few tips from my FAVORITE trainer, Jillian. Sorry, Kelly, I know you're a Bob fan! I won't hold that against you though!

Missing Josue!

You would think that since up until marriage Josh and I spent the weekdays apart I'd be used to it. For almost two years we spent our weekends in the same place but the rest of the time we were away from each other. It wasn't fun but we made it work. I guess I just knew we had to do it so we did it. Now though, Josh has been gone 7 hours and I'm already sad! He left after church today to go to Ft. Worth for an I-term at Southwestern Baptist Theological seminary. He will be gone until Friday. He is enrolled in seminary there but has been able to take most of his classes in Little Rock at their satellite campus. Now though he has to take 30 hours on campus. Since we have no plans to move any time soon he has to take the intense one week courses. I'm really glad he's able to do this though because it should make his class load during the semester a lot lighter. He works so hard at work and with school that any break he can get is worth it. I'm so proud of all the work he puts in trying to get his degree. I can't wait until he finally gets it...and can move on to another one. Ha! Anyway, needless to say, I miss him and I want him home! I know this is something I'm going to have to get used to since there will be other days in the near future where we'll be apart. But just because I have to get used to it doesn't mean I need to like it. He's my best friend and I just like having him around!!

New Year's Resolution...

I haven't set any resolutions for the last several years because I never stick to them. But this year I decided I'd try a few.

First of all I REALLY want to blog more. I hate being out of the blogging loop. The problem is that I am unable to posts things to my blogs and read blogs at work. The job I started after we got married has kept me busier than the last one. I realize that work is for work but I had the luxury of some freedom at my last position. Another reason it is so hard is that somewhere in my mind I decided I couldn't blog unless I had pictures. And since the computer I use is soooo slow blogging with lots of pictures was something I dreaded...which is why I hardly do it. It's take a while of feeling "out of the loop" to realize that less really is more. And just a paragraph or two still counts as blogging. Don't get me wrong, I will post pictures. But for now I just want to get into the habit of blogging. I'll do my best to keep this resolution going.

Another resolution is to say "no." Not "no" to people but to myself. Since I've been married and out of my work out routine I've put on the pounds. I could blame those things but really my inability to say "no" has caused this downward spiral. Yes, my ultimate goal is to lose weight but my resolution is to say "no" which should allow me to reap the benefits of weight loss. I mean self control is a fruit of the Spirit, right? And I'm certain this battle is going to take the power of the Holy Spirit!

More than just saying "no" to eating I want to say "no" to things I don't need. Fortunately Josh and I have done well about not living too frivolously. We try not to spend money on things we don't need, however, sometimes we go in cycles. Maybe one month we won't eat out at all and the next month we'll eat out 3 times a week. Plus the $10 book here and there plus the extra "little items" at Walmart that getting added to the grocery list. Those things add up and I (we) just need to say "no." For those of you who don't know, Josh and I currently live with my parents. I know, I know...how on earth could we do that? Well, its simple. When we got married I didn't sell my house in Fayetteville or get a job in Little Rock until the last possible moment (Thank you, LORD, for your provisions!) so living with mom and dad was a good idea. So far it has been great, actually. Not at all what people might think it would be like. Josh and I have plans to get a place of our own (rent or buy...we don't know yet) in the near future. We just don't want to rush things. Josh asked that we both read a book about financial planning before we make a big decision. Yesterday Josh picked up The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. I have read it ALL day! It's so good and it's part of the reason saying "no" has become a goal for the new year. Not really a goal but a habit I want to form. Eventually I would love to be able to stay at home when the LORD blesses Josh and I with children so having a good plan and a habit of saying "no" are the things I need to help that dream become a reality. I still have 70 pages left but already I'm feeling motivated...and convicted. There are a lot of things that need to change in our lives. To name one example, going to get breakfast at Panera Bread a couple times a week will not get the car paid off sooner. Hmmm...a sacfrice? It will be to me. But so worth it!

Ok...I know you're tired of hearing my little sermonettes so I'll let you get back to the first day of 2009. Happy New Year to you all!

Since I've Been Gone........

Hey, it's me again! It's been while...I know! I thought I would be getting better at it but guess not! Here's what you've missed:

Third Day Rocks!!!

Josh and I took the youth to see Third Day, Need to Breath and someone else but I can't remember. I knew I'd LOVE Third Day but I was surprised with how much I really liked Need to Breathe. They are awesome! Holly, I think you'd like their music!

Josh and I in our seats!

At one point the band left the stage and came out to the crowd. Josh made his way over to them to take some pictures and get a closer view. I think he got just what he wanted...

...and more! While Josh was up there Mac Powell (lead singer of Third Day) asked for someone to lead the crowd in Calling the Hogs. The first girl he asked chickened out so Josh tapped him on the shoulder and volunteered. A little while later I see Josh, on the big screen, calling the hogs. I was laughing but also very glad Josh got to do that. HE LOVES THIRD DAY! Probably his favorite band of all time. The best part was to come...after the hog call was finished Mac Powell gave him a high five. Thank you LORD!

We had a great Thanksgiving!

Sorry, no pictures! What was I thinking! It was mine and Josh's first Christmas together. Ahhh!! We went and stayed at my sisters on Wednesday night, got up on Thursday and had lunch with my family. After that we headed to Josh's family for dinner. We're so fortunate that they live close together (45 minutes apart). We had a busy day but it was wonderful.

We bought a new car! Praise the LORD!

Josh and I got a new car that we desperately needed. We've been using my mom and grandma's car for a while but when that luxury ended we soon realized a one car family wasn't going to work for us. With Josh's schedule and his work being 25 minutes from mine there was no way he could drop me off and pick me up everything. We started praying about it and the LORD provided. We had three cars on our list, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, or Nissan Altima. We've driven them all before and liked them. We just wanted something that would inexpensive and reliable b/c sometime soon we'll probably have to get another one (our other car is 10 almost 11 years old but she's going strong). On Wednesday before Thanksgiving Josh's cousin called and said he saw one in Russellville...a Nissan Altima and only 2500 miles! Practically brand new. And the price was great. It seemed obvious it was what we were to buy. So on Friday (one week ago) we got it! She's been great! Her name is Bullet in honor of my sweet Grandpa who always names his cars and had a silver one names Bullet!

Josh's Finals

This upcoming Monday are Josh's seminary finals. So this weekend he gets to study the whole time. I'm sure I'll help him study for his test but with the rest he's on his own. He's been a trouper this semester. It hasn't been easy for he but he's done great. I'm so proud!

Christmas Shopping

I need to do a little Christmas shopping but it's cold so I'm not sure how well that's going to go. I have a few Christmas projects I want to work on so maybe I'll do those. Also, Josh has put me in charge of the Dirty Santa Christmas presents for his youth group. Instead of having them bring a gift we're getting some for them. I've had fun coming up with ideas of gifts to buy. So far we have a whoppie cushion. I must mention that when we bought one for the kids Josh just had to have one himself. That was the best $.97 we spent. He has had so much fun with that. What is it with boys and whoppie cushions?!?! Always a good time!

Should be caught up

Well...you're pretty much caught up with what's been going on here! I hope you're all doing great!! Have a fun weekend! Stay warm!

A Birthday Bash and a Baby Shower

What a great weekend!!! Friday night Josh and I headed to Conway to celebrate Justin's birthday at Fuji Steakhouse. Yum!

Holly and Justin

This guy was quite an entertainer. A little PG-13 though. Yikes!

Justin was serenaded in song...

...and he and Holly danced the night away. OK, maybe not!

Here's the whole gang. Fun times!

Saturday morning I got up really early and headed to NWA so I could attend Kelly and Harper's shower. I've looked forward to this day for a LONG time...a couple of years at least! I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

Laurie, Me, Kelly, Harper, Shannon, and Katie...I LOVE these girls!!!

After the shower (and lunch at Bizy's with Shannon and Katie) I headed back to Little Rock! What a great day I had!! I love living in Little Rock but I miss Northwest Arkansas and especially my friends. I'm so thankful I was able to spend some time with them.

A June Wedding!!!

Wedding bells are ringing for this happy couple...

...and here's the beautiful ring!!

One of my best friends, Holly, and one of Josh's best friends, Justin, got engaged last week!!!! Yea!!!!! We're so excited! They are a great couple! Josh had a feeling a while back that these two might hit it off. They met for the first time at my parents house on May 31st and rarely spent time apart after that. I can't wait until the wedding in June. It's so fun for me to have just had mine and now being able to be a part of Holly and Justin's. And to top it all off...they asked Josh to perform the ceremony!! How awesome is that?!??!?!?!?!?! I know he'll do a great job!

Today is Veteran's Day so I get the day off. Josh took off too. It's so rainy here so I'm not sure that we'll do anything exciting. Maybe I'll cook dinner or do something wild like that. :)

Happy Veteran's Day to you all!!

I'm baaaaack...Here's what you've missed!

Hanging out with Benjamin

Wedding reception at our church

We were unable to invite our church family to our wedding. Josh didn't take the position until after our wedding was planned and we were limited on space. Instead we decided to have a separate reception and show our wedding video. It was really nice.

10 year high school reunion

Friday night dinner before the reunion festivities.

ABHS Picnic

Sarah and Emma

Benjamin and Zach

Saturday night dinner.

The Fruities!!!

Studying and Cupcakes

Josh's Hebrew note cards.

Josh surprised me with cupcakes! He's my favorite!!!

David Crowder Concert

Fall Festival

Josh and I were in charge of the candy! Yum!!

I Voted

Ok, ok.... so I know it has been a while! It's just been a crazy month. I've started a new job and am trying to get accustomed to married life. It is my goal to be much better at this blogging thing now that you're up to date! I still read lots of blogs and also hope to get back to commenting. I miss my bloggers! Have a great weekend!