House Update

Well, there really isn't much of an update. It has been on the market for 2 weeks now. Fortunately it has had some activity. If I had to guess I would probably say 7 or so showings. Unfortunately there have been no offers. Now, don't get me wrong, I understand the housing market is tough and two weeks is a short amount of time in a good market. I guess I'm just hoping and praying the LORD will sell it soon. My problem is that I'm starting to look to the future and WORRY. Of course that's a sin so it must be stopped. I'm just a planner and a controller and clearly this is out of my control. Please continue to pray for the perfect timing. I know it only takes one person and I'm praying that one person comes soon. If you would like to take a virtual tour of my house go here.

Update: One of my friends at work and I have been e-mailing this morning about a situation going on with her. She told me about a conversation she had with another friend. Without her realizing it God used that to encourage me and to put me in my place. She was talking about in Psalms how David wouldn't put his hope in a situation or a preferred outcome but put his HOPE IN THE LORD. I've been so consumed with hoping my house sells soon, hoping my house sells for the right price, hoping I get a job, hoping we find a place to live, hoping this and hoping that when really I just need to HOPE IN THE LORD. It really is that simple. I can't control any of it anyway but I most certainly can control WHO I trust. Today I choose to trust and hope in the LORD.

Friends, Food, and Frogs

This past weekend my roommate Holly went with me to Little Rock. She had a job fair to attend (if any of you know of elementary school job openings in the area let me know) so we decided to make a weekend out of it. Friday night was pretty boring. Nothing real exciting to speak of. Saturday Holly went to her job fair and Josh and I went to a wedding. When we got back we had planned to grill out with my parents and invite Josh's friend Justin to join us. Here are some pictures of the meal preparations. I didn't bother changing the settings on my camera so the lighting isn't great.

Mom, Josh, and Holly did the cooking



Dad was in charge of the music.





And I took the pictures...like of this piece of okra.

After dinner the 4 of us went driving around then came back to my parents house for dessert. It was at this time Josh and Justin wanted to annoy the frogs in the back pond.

They used this gigantic weather flashlight my mom bought for storms. It's quite funny!

They caught one.



It was pretty big but not as big as some of them.

I like his curly-q.

We finished the night just hanging out! It was a great weekend!

Bridesmaids

As my wedding day is quickly approaching I figure it is time to do a tribute to my bridesmaids. They are listed in the order they will stand on my wedding day (which is basically arranged by how long I've known them).

Maid of Honor - Courtney

My sister is my Maid of Honor. She and I are 3 years apart and are very different. Growing up we did not get along very well. We simply just didn't like the same things, our personalities were different, and we enjoyed fighting. As we've gotten older that has changed. She and I are still very different but now, more than ever, we are friends. Only she knows and understands all the parts of my personality, good and bad. Only she has seen me at my best and at my worst. She's family and there is no stronger bond than that. She's one of the most selfless people I know. You won't find a kinder and gentler person than she. She's every one's biggest fan. The LORD has done so much in her heart and life lately. She loves Him so much and it makes me want to love Him more. I for one and thrilled she's going to be standing next to me, cheering me on, on my wedding day!

Holly

I met Holly in 1986 on the playground in Ozark, Arkansas. We were both six years old and enjoying our first grade year. Our friend Bethany introduced us and immediately we latched hands (that's what little girls do) and ran off to play together on the monkey bars. She's been one of my best friends ever since. We haven't always lived in the same town but we've always remained close. The past three years, however, I've had the privilege of having her as a roommate. It has been so much fun! She and I are so much more like sisters than friends. There's just something special about a friend that really knows your past and one you share so many memories with. Holly is so laid back about so many things and so giving. She is exactly what a friend should be. We have so much fun when we're together and I can't picture my life without her in it.

Katie

Katie is very special to me! I met her at a time in my life when I needed some friends. It was my sophomore year in high school. I had moved from a small town in Arkansas to Little Rock and was a bit overwhelmed. It didn't take long for Katie to reach out to me (along with 4 other friends who I ADORE). Our friendship has grown so much over the years. After high school we went off to Baylor together. I wouldn't have survived my freshman year of college without her. It was very sad to leave her behind when I transferred to the University of Arkansas. The LORD blessed me though and moved Katie and her husband up here after they married. She and I have lived in the same town for about 5 years. Wow! I can't even begin to describe how special our friendship is. She just gets me. And on top of that she loves the LORD and is sure to encourage me with things from His Word. She's amazing and when I grow up I want to be just like her.

Megan

Megan and I met when I transferred to the University of Arkansas in 2000. Not only did we become friends but we became roommates and lived together for 5 1/2 years. If that doesn't make two people close I don't know what will. I know the LORD made Megan and I to live together. I didn't go many places without her and she didn't go many places without me. We both like to do the same things, watch the same things, hang out with the same people. And both were crazy about the HOGS! We have so many memories together. She quickly became my best friend and I couldn't have picked a better one. For those 5 1/2 years our lives pretty much were in sync. When she got married and moved to North Carolina I was heartbroken. For a while I wasn't even sure how to function. We don't get to see each often but I can't imagine my wedding day without her so I'm glad she's going to be a part of it.

Kelly

I met Kelly one summer through a roommate I had at the time. She, my roommate, invited Kelly and Laurie over for dinner one night and then was unable to make it home in time. My other roommate at the time, Rebekah, and I cooked them dinner anyway. That's when the friendship started and I'm so thankful it did. It's funny because Kelly and I are a lot alike in so many ways. We're both big time planners, worriers, and waiters (not of food but of God's timing). Not to mention we both love the Hogs, and have been fortunate enough to sit next to each other every home Hog football game! Having so many things in common has bonded us in a lot of ways. There have been times in my life when Kelly has been the only one who I could truly be encouraged by. She understood so many feelings I had because either she felt the same way or had at one point. She's right up there with my sister on the selfless scale. I remember when I got engaged Kelly made it clear that she didn't have to be a bridesmaid if I needed to ask someone else. I made it clear to her that she DID have to be a bridesmaid. Kelly has prayed and prayed for me to find the man of my dreams and her prayers have been answered.

Laurie and I met pretty much the same way I met Kelly. She was always one I looked to for wisdom. She was so grounded in scripture and things of the LORD that at first I felt she was more like a mentor. It didn't' take long for her to become a wonderful friend. For several years it was always me, Megan, Laurie, and Kelly. We started off early in our friendship traveling together and that is what bonded us so quickly. Laurie (and Kelly) is hilarious! One of the weirdest people I know and one of the best people I know. She's so much fun to be around! She's the type that if you ask her to pray for something she will pray. I have always gone to her for advice because she's so real with me and wouldn't just tell me what I wanted to hear. There were times when she would say things in a way that just clicked. She's an amazing person and an amazing mom.

Shannon

Last, but certainly not least, is my friend Shannon. God most certainly ordained this friendship. I met Shannon just about the time that Megan was planning to marry and move away. The LORD knew I needed a companion and that's what He brought me. Shannon and I had so many things in common and we began doing almost everything together. Other than Holly, I spend more of my time with Shannon than anyone. We work out together, work second jobs together, go to the same church, and just enjoy the same things. I can't express how grateful I am for her friendship. She has made these last few years so much fun. She is also the type of person that would do anything for anyone. She has a sweet and gentle spirit...until it comes to Razorback sports. Then she gets a little feisty! But then again that's the way everyone should be. Shannon loves to laugh and is extremely witty. I'm so blessed because not only is she going to stand up for me at my wedding she is also going to sing!

Thank you to all of you girls for your friendship and for loving me despite myself! I love you all!

Weekend in Pictures

Friday Highlight

Josh waxing his eyebrows (before they grow together)

Saturday Highlights

Coffee and Cereal

Photo Op before wedding reception

Three flavors of wedding cake. We tasted all three.

Sunday Highlights

Old Timey Sunday Celebration

A cake walk that I was unable to participate in :(

Part of church staff

Sunday evening was also my family birthday celebration. I opened presents and ate a lot of food!

One of my favorite presents: a cupcake holder

One of the outfits my parents got me.

I got some other good gifts but didn't want to bore you by picturing them all. I will picture some delicious parts of our meal. My mom outdid herself with the help of Paula Deen.

Fried Okra Salad (EXCELLENT!!)

1 1/2 pounds breaded frozen okra

Vegetable oil for frying

2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1/2 green bell pepper, diced

1 bunch green onions, diced

6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup distilled white vinegar

Fry okra in vegetable oil according to package directions, drain on paper towels.

In a medium bowl, combine okra, tomatoes, bell pepper, green onions, and bacon.

In a small saucepan, combine oil, sugar, and vinegar. Cook over medium heat stirring frequently. until sugar dissolves. Pour gently over okra mixture, tossing gently to coat. Serve immediately.

Strawberry Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

1 (18.25 oz) pkg strawberry cake mix

1/2 cup butter, softened

4 large eggs, divided

1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, softened

1 (16oz) box powdered sugar

3/4 cup chopped fresh strawberries

Garnish: sweetened whipped cream, strawberries

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 9x13-inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, combine cake mix, butter, and 1 egg. Press mixture into bottom of prepared pan.

In a separate large bowl, beat cream cheese and 3 eggs at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until combined. Stir in strawberries. Spoon mixture over cake mixture; bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely; cut into squares to serve. Garnish with sweetened whipped cream and strawberries.

I know this was a random post but it was a long weekend, with a lot going on, and not a lot of time to write about it. Hope you all had a great weekend too!

Hot Date

Most of my hot dates are, of course, with Josh. Today, however, I had a hot date with another one my favorite dudes...and his wonderful mother. I met Katie and Zach at Panera* for lunch. Katie wanted to celebrate early with me for my birthday. When she and I get together we always go to Panera because we love it so much.

Mother and Son

Check out his awesome shorts!

Thanks, Katie and Zach, for a fun lunch!

*Let it be known that I am addicted to Panera. I love their asiago cheese bagels, paninis, salads, all of it really. I was really sad when I found out that I was moving to Little Rock because I would have to leave behind my weekly field trips to Panera. Well, wouldn't ya know, they have a new one opening up in LR and in a very convenient location. PTL!!!!!!!!!!!

A Buyer's Market

**UPDATE: The meeting with the realtor went great. What he thinks I should get and what I need to get are right around the same amount so that is a praise. He made me feel so much better about the whole situation. It should be all officially listed by the end of this week. Please keep praying that we will in fact get what he thinks we should get and that it will be in the perfect time. Thank you so much for praying! It means more to me than you know!

What a weekend! I took off work on Friday because I had lots of things to get done around my house before it goes up for sale. Josh came up to help me. He was a huge help. All weekend I referred to him as my hero. I don't know what I would have done if he hadn't been there.

He helped in my yard by mowing, edging, and trimming the landscaping on Friday.

While he was doing that I was organizing my closet and boxing up things I don't need at the moment. This is one of those things...

We had a little break in the action on Friday morning when my roommate and I stopped to enjoy one of our favorite groups of all time, who happen to be back together. Pump it up!

Here's Holly geared up for the big show.

NKOTB in 'da house!

On Saturday Josh did just as much as he did on Friday. He power washed the entire house and cleaned off my front porch, including the windows. Thanks for all your help, Josh! You're my favorite!

OK, so here is where you all come in. I meet with the realtor today at 6:00pm to go over everything. He's going to tell me the comps of other houses in this area. It is very important that I am able to list my house at the right price so I can sell it for the right price. I know this is a tough market but I'm believing God for a miracle. Please pray for God to sell my house quickly and for the right price. I'm not looking to make money but just to be able to pay off my loan. Thanks in advance! I'm going to post more house pictures later this week.

Stomp

Tonight I had a fun outing with my friend Shannon. First we went to The Common Grounds for dinner.

Actually we decided we wanted to go some place where we could get a light dinner and a heavy dessert. It didn't take long to decide where we wanted to go. OK, so I'm sure most of you are thinking to yourself, "I thought she was desperate to lose weight?" Well, I am. But even Bob from The Biggest Loser said that every week after the weigh in they would get a splurge meal to help boost their metabolism and feed the cravings. And I decided that my splurge meal should mostly consist of dessert (and some pizza that I got so Josh could eat the left overs this weekend). Here's what I got...

Simply Delicious!

After dinner we walked across the street to go see Stomp at the Walton Arts Center.

It was so good! I loved it! If you haven't seen it then you most certainly should.