I was run-ning!

I'm so excited to report that I've started running again. One of my best friends Tracy was my inspiration. She runs and looks fantastic after having her sweet kiddos...so thank you Tracy. I ran cross country and track in high school and was actually pretty good (if I do say so myself). Well, I didn't really enjoy running then. I dabbled in it in college, then "broke up" with running after I graduated college. Now, we're back together and stronger than ever. I actually love running!

Tracy and I ran the Strong Legs 10K a couple of weekends ago and are planning to run the Gobble Jog Thanksgiving Day. If you're thinking of running again or for the first time...do it! I feel better than ever. It does wonders for the mind and body!

On that note, I've been wanting to post these commercials forever! They crack me up because they're so true. Enjoy!

Anniversary Time!

Two years down, a lifetime left to go! I can't believe it, but another year has past. Our second year of marriage was really fantastic! God is so good and He has been so faithful to us!

I have to brag on Curtis. He has worked so hard this year at work and managed to get promoted twice! I'm so proud of him! I know everyone says this, but I am married to the BEST husband! Curtis is simply a great guy. No doubt, God hand-crafted us for each other. Curtis' faith in God never waivers and that is so encouraging when things seem bleak. It keeps me grounded. His layed-back way of life is something I'm learning... s-l-o-w-l-y (baby-steps). And if you know Curtis, his humor always keeps me from being too serious. I love this man! I couldn't imagine my life any other way.

Our wedding pictures bring back the best memories (and I suppose they should). We got married at our church home, The Church of the Apostles, on November 18, 2006. Our reception was immdiately following at The Fox Theatre. It was so fun! I wish we could do it all over again. Curtis got us a hotel room at The Four Seasons and the next morning we flew off to the Bahamas to stay at the Westin for a week. It was the best vacation!
















This is Gorden, who married us, at the rehersal probably trying to ensure we knew what we were getting ourselves into! Just kidding! After rehersal, we had our dinner at Maggianos...yummy!














This is such a funny picture, now, because everyone of those couples were pregnant -- yet they didn't all know they were. We didn't plan to put them all together, but isn't that kind of funny.














This is one of my favorite pictures from our wedding!















Our wedding party.















In the Bahamas...
















Our first Thanksgiving in the Bahamas.

Finally, this wouldn't be a complete post without a video of the funniest, most animated waiter! Enjoy!

A Dog's Life...

So, our blog just wouldn't be complete if one entire post wasn't devoted to Lilly. She is our almost five year old, yellow lab. Lilly was my puppy before we married, but found her soul-mate in Curtis. Lilly lives quite a plush life! Whenever we have children she's in for a rude awakening!

This fall she's been super busy. We've met up a few times with her best friend, Sierra. Believe it or not, I actually got a few shots of them together. These pictures are from a walk and swim at the Chattahoochee River.

Lobsters in a river? NO! This is a HUGE crawfish...EWE! Just looking at this picture makes me "crawl" (no pun intended). I can't believe people actually eat these things. Yuk!














Last, but not least, this year Lilly was a pumpkin for Halloween. We don't normally dress her up for Halloween...she's usually fine with just wearing her Halloween collar. But, Curtis' sister just so happened to have an extra costume -- so why not? Lilly loved it! Like I've said, she doesn't actually know that she's a dog, so dressing up at Halloween probably seems right to her. She definitely loved all the attention she got!! :)

Identifying with the Psalmist

Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?
When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in His temple.
For in the days of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me upon a rock.
Then my head will be exalted above all the enemies who surround me; at His tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.
My heart says of you, "Seek His face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek.
Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.
Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.
Teach me Your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait on the Lord.

Sunday, Dr. Youseff started a new series called, "Identifying with the Psalmist". Yesterday, we spent time in Psalm 27. We all, as a congregation, actually stood up and read Psalm 27 aloud. Whew! Isn't it a powerful Psalm?

Dr. Youseff explained two parts to the psalm, v. 1-6 are exuberant confidence and v. 7-14 are an entreating cry. He went on to explain that most of us will experience a time in our lives that we are confident in the promises of God, yet still fearful of what the future holds. Basically, a "see-saw" of faith and fear -- something I definitely struggle with.

I felt such a sense of relief to know that even David struggled with balancing faith and fear! Just like David, I trust everyone of God's promises. I know He will never leave me or forsake me...that every good and perfect gift comes from Him...that God has given us the victory over sin...that He will supply all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus...and the list goes on and on. Yet, in the midst of a trial or delayed answer to prayer, fear often wins out over faith.

During this time in his life, David was desperately longing for God's pressence -- knowing the God who brought Him to salvation would surely help him in his present-day storms. What a word of encouragement! The very God who sacrificed His only Son will be our stronghold. This is a promise. Yet, it still doesn't change the trials. It doesn't cause marriages to mend, jobs to come back, health to be restored, or bring death to life.

I embarrased to admit, I have made God somewhat of a Santa Claus. If I'm nice and live a "good life" (what does that mean anyway?), He'll bring me the desires of my heart, end a trial -- simply answer a prayer ... on my time. However, when things don't work out like I hope or plan, I'm just like a child dissapointed on Christmas. Isn't that sad!

I have sought His hand and not His face. I have not lived a life content with the abundance with which He has blessed me and peace knowing His blessings and answers will come right on time. I am crying, "Lord, enough! Enough! End this trial!" Rather than, "What would you have for me to learn through this?"

His delays are not denials and His timing is always perfect! Lord, cause me to be like David and say: "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. So, I will wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait on the Lord."

Sweet Virginia

Finally, I'm getting around to this post. Back in September, my mom, her sister/my aunt Jeanne and I drove up to Charlottesville, Va. to visit my cousin Ellen and her husband (Jeanne's daughter). It was so much fun! Ellen had the whole trip planned out and showed us the best of Charlottesville.

Our first stop was Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's house. Wow, if you haven't ever gone -- you must go! It is simply gorgeous! I can't believe all the fantastic things his house had. He had a heart for architecture that was well before his time.

We took a tour of the house guided by the funniest lady. All throughout the tour she has the attitude about her, like she actually knew Thomas Jefferson...like they were on a first name basis. It made for an interesting tour, but it was so funny. We were in his bed room and I thought off to the side was old survey equipment. So she told us her spill then asked if there were any questions...so I asked if that was in fact what it was. She responded, "Of course, Jefferson's father was a surveyor so it would only be natural that he would have dabbled in it too! On to the next room!" So clearly questions were not actually welcomed! :)

This is the front of the house. Don't you love the sidewalks? It's like this along the whole house.

This is the back porch!!

The is so innovative! They would put live fish in this pond after they were caught from neighboring streams and get them out once they were ready to cook them...so they were fresh!

Jeanne, Ellen, Mom and me overlooking the pumpkin patch.

This is the kitchen where they prepared all the food. Notice the copper sink in the corner...it was gorgeous! How funny that they had that then and people would pay a ton of money for that today. What's more interesting, all the pots and pans were copper.

This was the chef's room. The only other thing in the room was a fireplace and a small table for two. The board said that his entire family would stay in this room and the accommodations were considered nice! Yikes!

Mitchie Tavern

We drove to Carter Mountain Vineyard and did a little wine tasting. They also had apple cider doughnuts...yummy!

Here we are at Riverside Lunch, owned and operated by Ellen and her husband Lee. It's famous for their burgers so the trip wouldn't have been complete without sampling their famous double-cheeseburger. It was delicious...even though it may not look like it in the picture. If you are ever in Charlottesville, you have to eat there! This is not diet food, but worth every calorie!

Last but not least, Lee took us on a tour of University of Virginia's beautiful campus. I have been to a lot of college and I have never seen a more spectacular campus! They actually call it "the grounds". All the buildings are so stately and the architecture is very similar between the new and old buildings. I can't imagine going to school there! Here is a couple of pictures of the famous Rotunda.

Oh and one really random site. We saw a groundhog! I've never seen one in person, but there he was on the side of a hill. He was so cute!

7 Random Things...

Well, I was tagged by Chelsea to post seven random things on my blog. Here it goes...

1) I love milk! Love it! I go through a gallon in about three or four days. I have a big glass every night. If we accidentally run out, we've been known to make a milk run late at night because I can't do without.

2) I am a little OCD. For example, everything has a home and I'm not okay with "well, I'm just going to put it here for now". I can't let it go until it's back in its place. I don't mind doing all of the laundry without any help to ensure it's folded and put away properly. I like to see vacuum cleaner marks on the carpet, I hate getting into an unmade bed, I don't share pillows, I like the couch pillows to be straightened every night before we go to bed, I don't venture out when ordering at restaurants -- I have a favorite at each place... the list is endless. Poor Curtis.

3) I cannot sleep without a sound machine. I got one in college and I take it with me when I travel. If the power goes off, I wake up. I can't sleep in silence!

4) I have a starring problem...the only thing is, I don't really see it as a problem. I'm okay with it. However, it embarrasses my husband and family. But, seriously, people watching is the best entertainment!

5) I love jeans. When I die, I want to buried in a pair of my jeans. I would rather buy cheap shirts and expensive jeans any day!

6) I sleep with a Wal-Mart throw every night! We recieved this throw as a gift our first Christmas and shortly after I got sick and slept with it...we haven't missed a night together since. The odd thing is that I sleep with it around my head. (Why am I sharing this?)

7) I love Willy's! If you have never had Willy's you are missing out. I'm certain there will be a Willy's in heaven! :)

I will tag Laura and Natalie to post next.

Spreading the Wealth

Love this...