Bullets Are Great!

Hey everyone! I'm back...and I'm bringing you up to speed with bullets. Yea for bullets!

• Josh and I STILL haven't unpacked all of our boxes. Maybe one of these days if we're ever not busy on a weekend we'll get around to that.
• We are enjoying our little "love nest" (Thanks, Katie, we like that name). I forget that it is so small. We're also enjoying our 12 channels. That's right! 12. So far the only channel I really miss is HGTV. Other than that it hasn't bothered me at all.
• I've been able to use some of my wedding gifts for the first time at our new place. It has been so much fun. Almost like Christmas.
• I got a new phone. I made it to the current century and got an IPhone. Good grief! Had I known what I was missing I'd have had it a long time ago. I don't think Dave Ramsey would have approved but I used money I made from our yard sale to get it. Since we don't have the internet at "the nest" this has been a huge blessing. I have a few favorite aps that are the best things ever and have become fun companions for me throughout my day.
• The Biggest Loser started last week and I'm so happy. Since it is one of the channels we get I didn't have to give it up. Thank you, Lord! It makes me love Tuesdays so much.
• Something else I'm a big fan of...Light Pumpkin Spice Frappucinos (sp) from Starbucks. I can't have them often because they aren't cheap but oh how I enjoy them. Only 120 calories for a tall and 2 weight watcher points. Oh the bliss.
• Guess what else? Josh and I celebrated our one year anniversary Saturday the 19th. Wow, has it really been a year? It's been such a fun time together. He's my favorite!
• On our anniversary we watched my favorite team get beat by my second favorite team. It was an interesting game. First off all, I missed Kelly terribly. There are only a couple of home games I've seen without Kelly there and let me just say its more entertaining when she's around. Second of all I have never seen the Hogs throw the ball like they did that night. Go team. BUT the sad part of it all is that we scored lots of points and still lost. Come on defense...defend our scoreboard, ok?!?!?! Hopefully they can work a few things out or make some personnel changes. I'm just sayin...
• I'm pretty excited because I get to see my high school besties this weekend. We're celebrating the arrival of Braysen. My friend Laura is having her first baby and I'm so excited to get to see her and the other fruits.
• Let's see, have I missed anything? I don't think say. Hope you all are doing well. Will try to post pictures this weekend. :)

Moved In

Well, we are finally moved into our "cozy" apartment. I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of the move. Some blogger I am. Just trust me, our new little place is small! Since that can seem negative I'm going to refer to it as cozy from now on. We still have several boxes to unpack but we're almost there. It's a challenge moving a lot of things into a little space. We've had to be very creative and sacrifice a few things...like a washer and dryer. I know, you think we're crazy. We knew we wouldn't have enough room for everything without some extra storage so we turned the laundry "closet" into a storage room for dishes, dishes, and more dishes. Don't forget I was married almost a year ago and received some GREAT gifts. They are just so overwhelming. Josh thinks they are out of control. Since we're storing them in the laundry closet, coat closet, outside balcony closet, study desk, and TV hutch maybe he's right. The only place we don't have dishes and/or serving pieces is our bedroom and bathroom...for now! Don't feel too sorry for us though since we gave up a washer and dryer. My parents have offered us to use there's any time so we're good. We do like our cozy place and know this is going to be an adventure and take some getting used to. We opted to not purchase cable since the goal of this move is to save money. That means it takes us 30 seconds to flip through all 6 of our channels. But honestly, at this point, we're thankful to have those channels. I will just come over to my parents when I need and HGTV or Food Network fix. In fact, I'm getting one right now. Also, you might want to know we don't have internet either. Craziness! That means blogging will be a challenge but I'll do my best to keep you updated. It's going to take some getting used to but it will all be worth it.

I will post pictures of our place when I get things put away and organized. Stay tuned...

Lunch Date

Look who I had lunch with...

Kelly and Harper

Kelly let me know last week she was going to be in town for a speaking engagement (sounds so professional). I was so excited to get to meet her for lunch. It certainly was the highlight of the week. Of course, Harper looked so cute in her big bow and adorable dress. I love these girls a LOT and am so glad we got to spend some time together.

Speaking of time with friends this past weekend I got to spend some quality time with Katie, Jenny, and Laura. Let me just tell you it does my heart good to be around these girls. They're so fun! Please keep praying for Katie. Life is hard without Reese but God has been good to her. She couldn't do it without your prayers though so keep them coming.

On another note, Josh and I are moving out of my parents house this weekend. I have a lot of emotions about. I'm a little nervous, excited, apprehensive, etc but I know it will be great. We don't plan on being in our new crib for too terribly long so we're going to consider it an adventure.

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.