What a week...

It's only Thursday night, but this week seems like it has been going on forever!  I don't know why, but this past Sunday seems soooo stinkin' far away.  Thankfully though, Thursday is my Friday since I don't student teach or have a real class on Fridays.

Speaking of student teaching, at the beginning of this week I moved into a new room.  I'm now with 11 two year olds.  6 girls and 5 boys.  I like it alot.  There is a huge difference between 2 and 3 year olds.  I never would have guessed!

Well, I know this was a boring post, but nothing really interesting has been going on.  Just student teaching every day and class every night...  Maybe this weekend will bring about some excitement!

His Healing Power

God is really showing out in the little life of Harper Stamps. She has come so far and overcome so many obstacles in such a short time. Kelly posted an update today full of wonderful praise!

Harper is now awake with eyes wide open!

God is faithful. He is a healer. He is a miracle worker.

Prayers are better

Today one of the things I read was Exodus 16-18. The people of Israel were griping and complaining about not having all the water and food that they wanted. They were complaining to Moses and Aaron instead of praying that God would send the food and water they needed.

This is what the footnote said-- "Some problems can be solved by careful thought or by rearranging our priorities. Some can be solved by discussion and good counsel. But some problems can be solved only by prayer. We should make a determined effort to pray when we feel like complaining because complaining only raises our level of stress. Prayer quiets our thoughts and emotions and prepares us to listen."

This really, really spoke to me where I am today. Justin tells me alot that I complain too much. I don't like that about myself at all. I really do want to be a positive, glass half full type of person. Lately I have been complaining about some things that I wish were different in my life.. like not having as much money as I would like, Justin not having a new job yet, not having as many good friends as I would hope for, etc. But through my Bible time today, I believe God is telling me yet again to give it all over to Him.

So Precious!

Tonight I went and visited with my sister and Ava for a while. I get to missing them and have to stop by every now and then. They live right down the road, and really I don't visit often enough. Ava is growing so fast and doing new stuff every time I see her. She is talking now. Real words, not just babble. She is cruising along the furniture and behind push toys. She will be 11 months in just a couple days.

I love my sister and her baby girl!!!

Unofficial One Year

Yesterday (1/23), Justin and I celebrated our "one year" anniversary.  One year ago we committed to each other and started dating.  It's funny to me how fast it went by, yet how long ago that seems.  We have done alot in our first year... one of those things being marriage!  We have already had some rough moments, but the good far outweighs the bad.  I love my husband, and I love being married to him.  Now I can't wait to celebrate our real one year anniversary... one year of marriage.  It will be here before we know it, I'm sure!

To celebrate, we went to Shreveport and stayed the night in a nice hotel.  We ate wayyy too much and did some shopping.  It was really nice to get away and spend time together without having to think of anything else.

 

 

 

First pic of the day.. me looking sleepy and Justin being his goofy self.

 

 

 

 

Our first stop of the day was the Bass Pro Shop. 

 

 

I love this pic.. I told Justin to act natural with this bear.  He says, "I can't.  I don't feel natural doing anything with this bear.."

 

 

 

 

Next, we went to the Boardwalk and shopped a little bit.  The weather was great so we just walked around for a while enjoying it.

This was our best friend on the trip.  We would have gotten SO lost without it.  We even got a little lost one time with it!  Ha!

Neither Justin or I had ever been gambling before at all.  We decided to try some penny slots to see what it was like.  Long story short, we spent $4.00 and hated it!  But the good news is that for signing up for a rewards card, we got free dinner and breakfast buffets!  Wahoo... we are always down for free food!!!  And it was pretty good, too.  Here is Justin enjoying his crab legs...

And here are a couple from after dinner..

We had a great time together and decided we need to do this more often!!!

3's and a Recipe

Today was officially my first day student teaching, but I didn't do too much with the kids. I did paperwork and watched some videos and then toured the school before I went to my new classroom. I will be teaching in a 3 year old class of 13 students. There are only 4 girls, and they are all as cute as can be! I tried hard to learn names today, but still don't know them all. A few of the kids clung to me from the very beginning, so I know them pretty well. My "lead teacher" seems very friendly and down-to-earth. I'm glad about that. I like people that are easy to talk to, especially when I know I'll have a million questions. I'm pretty excited about what's to come, but at the same time still really nervous! Pray for me!

In other news... I cooked a new recipe last night. Justin and I both liked it alot, so I figured I would post it. I can't remember who I got it from, but here it is now:

Cheesy Chicken Roll Ups

8 oz. cream cheese

4 T melted butter

4 C cooked chicken (or 2 cans chicken)

1/2 t salt

1/4 t pepper

2 cans crescent rolls

 

Mix all ingredients together.

Unroll crescent rolls and separate into squares.

Press seams together so they stay squares.

Put a spoonful of mix in the middle of each square and fold (like a hot pocket).

Bake at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

We like are food spicy, so I seasoned our chicken while cooking it with a variety of spices! It was so yummy! Sorry about not having pictures. I was in a hurry cause it was getting late and we were starving! :)

A sweet gift

Today my good friend Lacey (mentioned in the last post) gave me an incredible gift.  Since we repainted our kitchen and dining area I have been in desperate need of some new wall decor.  I had one big wall with nothing on it at all.

Well, Lacey Herring, my very artistic and talented friend fixed my problem.  She painted something for me.

 

Isn't it awesome?!  And it's one-of-a-kind!  It's hard to see in the picture, but the verse in the middle says, "When you seek me, you will find me.. if you seek me with all your heart".

I'm so blessed to have her as a friend... in more than one way.

My Weekend

I never got to watch Happy Feet. The copy I rented has scratches on it and won't play in our DVD player. We ended up just watching some TV instead. I'm going to exchange it though, cause I still want to see it!

Saturday my friend Lacey and I went to see Bride Wars. It was really cute. It meant a lot to us because both of us got married last year. We could really relate to all the pre-wedding stress. Plus since we are good friends, we were involved in each others wedding planning. I was surprised at how much I laughed out loud at this movie! I recommend it, but I wouldn't take the guys. I'm sure Justin would not have enjoyed it!

Here is a really old picture of me and Lace. It's the only one I have on my computer.

When the movie was over and Justin got off work, he and I went to his Uncle Dennis's house. We had pizza and played on the Wii. Dennis just bought it and only had the sports game, but it was so much fun! Here is my boxing champ! He was really good at all the sports. I was only good at the bowling.

Sunday, of course, was church day. Church was great as always. Brother Tom had a really good message about how the "church" is not about us, but about reaching out to the lost and hurting and telling them about Jesus. After church we had lunch with the family, a nap, and then went to see Paul Blart: Mall Cop. It was pretty funny. Justin and I both love Keven James on KIng of Queens, so we figured we would like the movie. It sorta reminded me of "Home Alone". After that, we went to the evening church service and then out to eat at Chili's. I just ate chips and salsa. Gosh, I just love that stuff. I think I could eat it every day!

Prayers Needed

When I started this blog, I found a few others that I enjoy reading. Kelly's Korner is one of them. I have enjoyed following along as she waited on her precious baby Harper to be born. Now Harper is here but experiencing some complications. I have been praying for Harper, Kelly, and everyone involved. If you are reading this, please pray! I know that God is our Healer. He is a God of miracles. Nothing is too big for Him.

To read more about Kelly, Harper, and their family click here.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

It's gotten really, really cold. Right now it's about 30 degrees and should get down to about 20 tonight. I know that really isn't that cold, but for Louisiana it is!!!

I just went to Kohl's and returned a photo album that we didn't need and got a new throw blanket for the living room. So this is my plan for the rest of the night.... Cook dinner and eat with my hubby. Make hot chocolate with marshmellows. Watch Happy Feet while curled up under my new blanket and cuddling with Justin and the kitties.

I'm really looking forward to this weekend. It's a 3 day weekend, and I have plans to see two movies!

He is Good

Just as I finished my last post, I started thinking about Justin's job situation.  I don't worry about it because I know that it will come.  It's just that sometimes I'm not patient about it.  I keep praying and asking God about it over and over. 

But then I read this on another blog.  It says:

"When you bring Me prayer requests, lay out your concerns before Me. Speak to Me candidly; pour out your heart. THEN thank Me for the answers that I have set into motion long before you can discern results. When your requests come to mind again, continue to thank Me for the answers that are on the way. If you keep stating your concerns to Me, you will live in a state of tension. When you thank Me for how I am answering your prayers, your mind-set becomes much more positive. Thankful prayers keep your focus on My Presence and My promises."

And listen to this awesome verse. "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;" Colossians 4:2

Isn't that awesome?!  God is so good to us.  He gives us just what we need when we need it.  I needed that encouragement and a new way to look at things.  So now, let me get to thanking Him.

New Things and Old

About a week ago I finally got my new pots and pans in.  They are awesome.  And so heavy!  I can tell they will be around for a while.  

And to go along with that, Justin ordered me this--

I'm also getting a new cookbook from our church.  Needless to say, I have no excuses now for not cooking!  I'm really excited about trying lots of new recipes!

One more new thing...  Justin and I got asked to be youth leaders at our church.  We are very excited, but still praying about it right now.  We have been wanting an area to serve in, but didn't know where.  Maybe this is it!  Before that can happen though, Justin still needs that new job!  Keep praying!

And now for the old...  I'm back to school.  School started yesterday.  I only have three classes this semester.  One Monday night, Tuesday night, and Wednesday night.  I really wish they weren't night classes, but that's the only option.  I'm okay with it because I get to graduate in MAY!!!  It's ridiculous how long I've been in college.  I should have two B.S. degrees by now....  but I don't!  Oh Well!

Secondly, I'm back to C.C.S.  That's right!  Just thought I was done there.  I go Thursday to find out what age I will be working with, and then on Tuesday of next week I start student teaching.  I'm super nervous, but "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  And I'm excited I might get to see some of my after school care kids sometimes.

Nicole and Richard's Wedding

Last night Nicole and Richard finally made it official after, I dunno, five years or so..  The wedding was really nice.  Nicole looked great.  And the food was delicious.

I didn't take pictures during the ceremony, but here a few from the reception.

 

and here's my handsome hubby lookin' like a model..  with grapes! ha!

The days are flying by...

It's already January 7th!  One full week into 2009... Crazy!

Sunday night, we did not have church so Justin took me to the movies again!  We saw Seven Pounds this time.  I have mixed feelings about the movie. Throughout the movie, it's hard to know what's going on.  About an hour and a half into the movie, I was still waiting on something to happen!  But it all happens at the end and everything makes sense.  Anyway, not my favorite, but it was okay!

We are (I hope) finished painting for a while.  We did both bathrooms and the last coat in our middle bedroom.  They all look so much better!  I'll post pics one day when the kitchen project is finished.

I got to eat lunch with some good friends, Kristen and Misty, on Monday.  I hadn't seen them in a long while, so this was a treat!  I had been missing my friends.  We had a really good time and some really good food at Portico.  I had red beans and rice and a caesar salad.  So yummy! 

Then on Tuesday Justin, Candice, Ava and I went to visit my mom for "Christmas".  We never got to see her for Christmas, so we exchanged gifts and had lunch together yesterday.  Here are some of Miss Ava opening gifts and having a good time.

 

Justin's sister, Nicole, is getting married this Friday, so we spent the morning helping them decorate and set up for that.  It looks so pretty, and I'm so excited for Nicole and Richard.  I'll be sure to take some pics of that this weekend! 

That's all for now.. just waiting on 1st Wednesday Worship at 7pm.

Just what I needed

I just sat down to do my daily Bible reading.  I haven't even read the scripture yet.  Only the devotion that goes with it.  It really, really spoke to me.

Lately Justin and I have been waiting.. and waiting.. and waiting.  We know that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours and that His timing is perfect.  It's still sometimes so easy to wonder, "has He forgotten me?"  The answer is simply, No.  He can't forget.  He's God.  We just need to be trusting and faithful and patient.

Here is a little piece of what I read that stuck out to me:

For one hundred and fifty days the ark floated on the receding waters of the flood. How agonizingly long the days and weeks must have seemed after the silence came upon the earth and the waters lapped ceaselessly against the sides of the ark. Had God forgotten? Was the experience to go on forever? Has God forgotten you? Will your experience of waiting go on forever? No. God remembered. God remembered Noah, and God will remember you. God is never in a hurry. That is why when you are in the middle of the storm, you can rest and wait with the assurance that God will remember you too!

He was talking about Noah and his family.  Tonight I'm going to read in Genesis about the great flood and how God spared Noah's family.

It's so incredibly awesome to me that the Word is living.  Even the pages of the Old Testament are filled with words and stories that will speak to us.  God speaks to us through his Word; we just need to read... and listen.

Can someone say WaterWorks?

I have been wanting to see Marley and Me since the first time I saw the previews.  I tried and tried to convince Justin to take me, but it didn't work.  He's not a big movie person anyway, and especially not when it's a "girly movie", haha!

Today, it finally happened.  I got together with a group of 5 girlfriends and we went.  I had heard people saying they cried in the movie, but I was not too worried.  Throughout the movie, I teared up a couple of times, but nothing major.  And then the end came.  And I cried.  I cried big tears.  The movie was good.  It makes me thankful for all that I have.  My husband, my family, my home, my kitties....

I'm very glad I saw it.  I came home and cuddled with my kitty babies for a bit.  Now I'm ready for the hubby to get home so I can cuddle up to him!

Meat Cupcakes

Sounds kinda crazy, doesn't it?

Well I got this recipe from another blog I came across. It looks yummy to me, but when I mentioned it to Justin he didn't seem too sure!

Meat Cupcakes

3/4 lb. ground beef

1/2 C ketchup

1 T mustard

2 T brown sugar

1 can biscuits

1/4 C shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brown beef and drain. Mix ketchup, mustard and brown sugar together to make a sauce. Add sauce to beef. Separate dough into biscuits. Form dough into cups on muffin tins. Spoon meat into dough cups. Bake about 10 mins. Sprinkle cheese on top.

Enjoy!

*Edit: Justin hates mustard and says there is too much mustard taste in the sauce... guess I won't be making these again! I liked them though.

A New Year is Here

It's a brand new start with a brand new year. We started it off right, I believe. With family. Justin and I went to my Mamaw's house for lunch. Every year she cooks ham, cabbage, black eyed peas, macaroni and cheese, and cornbread. This year was no different, and the food was delicious! We even had peach cobbler for dessert!

My Aunt Donna, sister, Dom, and Ava were also there. Of course I had to snap some pics of my babygirl!

And here are some pictures of the kitties and a sneak peak at our "new" kitchen...

Samson is so funny.. he sits and lays like this alot!

Ignore the mess. We still have a good bit of work to do. So far, we have just painted in here!

Before

and After

Also, I did a little looking around to find the plan I wanted to follow for reading the Bible in a year. Here is the one I decided on. It's a blog with a devotion and a word about the scripture for each day. Today, I read Genesis 1:1-4:7. This really stuck out to me:

4:7 "Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master."

It's so true with us today. Evil is all around us all the time. We need to recognize temptations for what they are and stop them before we fall into sin.

I guess that's it for now. I may be posting a recipe later tonight!