My College Man

Jason started back his college courses last weekend, he's only about 3 semesters away from having his bachelor's in Electronic Engineering.  SIU (Southern Illinois University) comes down here every other weekend to teach, so his degree will actually be from there, which is pretty cool considering he has done all the work here in good ole NC!  I am so proud of you, babe!  Keep up the good work, you are so much smarter than you give yourself credit for!!!

I Think We're Covered!

New swim trunks - ü
Kite for flying at the beach - ü
Water Cannons for the water war that will surely ensue once in the pool - ü
Splash Football - ü
Beach Ball - ü
Blow Up Pool Baseball - ü
All the ingredients to make a certain boy's fave chocolate chip cookies (with his help of course!) - ü
An Aunt and Uncle ready for their nephew to visit next week - üü

Our sweet nephew (along with his Mommy and Daddy) is coming to visit next week, to be followed by the rest of the family on Friday for my birthday:)  I have the best family ever!  I love y'all and can't wait to see each one of you next week!

Holding Him In Our Hearts Until We Can One Day Hold Him In Our Arms

I've been reflecting a lot lately.  I've been at a loss for words, but the time seemed right tonight.  The past month has been a blur, it's been one of the most emotional months of my entire life.  I went through the most horrendous loss with my sweet little sister.  Her second baby, another baby boy, named Landon James, went to be with Jesus before he got his time on earth.  They say he was sick, too small.  So, these past few weeks, I've been clinging to the fact that my precious nephew is in the arms of our Savior, and that He is holding him for us until we will meet him one day in Heaven, and that he is not sick now, but perfectly healthy and happy, and that he is up there playing with our grandfathers, along with all our loved ones that have gone before.  I still have moments where the emotions are overwhelming, and I miss little Landon so extremely much.  I didn't ever get to meet him here on earth, but the connection had already formed, and the fact that we all wanted him so much made us all fall in love immediately.  My darling Ashley is one of the strongest women I know, she is a wonderful mother, and I have no doubt that her Landon knew his mommy and how much both of his parents loved him (along with his big brother, grandparents, aunts and uncle!)  But he will be waiting on us all in Heaven, and I think he will be one of the first ones to greet us when we get there!  I love you, my beautiful nephew, and will miss you everyday.  Until we meet in heaven...

Tutus!!!

After looking around on the internet, and finding tutu after tutu ranging from 25.00 all the way up to the 50 dollar mark, I decided that that was insane, and that with the help of youtube that I could do this own my own!  I was wanting several different colors for photoshoot props, and to fit babies.  Can you believe a baby tutu costs 50 dollars!?  There was no way I was going to pay 150.00 for 3 tutus!  So, I watched how to videos, made my list, and headed to Hancock Fabrics to stock up on tulle!  I made three for about 30.00, including the tulle, ribbon, elastic, and thread.  I was a happy girl.  Then I got to it!  These are my finished products:

Green (like Tinkerbell!):

They called this one "Woodland Fairy" on the internet sites:

And my pink/black one:

I think I did a pretty good job, if I do say so myself!  Renea, let me know if you want to use them in Carly's pictures:)

FINALLY MOMMA!!!! Just for you:o)

Our new shed, complete with flower bed, flower box, and hand painted window with daisies done by my beautiful Momma:

The well cover that Daddy and Jason built and that I painted:

Our little birdhouse that I painted to match the house:

New flower beds that Jason built and filled with pineneedles:

Other side:

View of it all from the road:

A little closer up (you can see our little pink dogwood in the bottom right of this one):

Spiritual Sunday

I think this says it all...

Luke 21:10-11 Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. Jesus says for behold I come quickly."

Tinkering Tuesday

I decided that my front door wreath needed some sprucing up.  It was looking a little sad and faded.  So, a trip to Walmart for flowers, a glue gun, and some ribbon was in order!

 Before:

After:

Much better, if I do say so myself!

Monday Memories

This picture really isn't my memory, but it represents the memory of growing up with parents who have been together since high school, and who are still together (going on 32 years of marriage!), and who are still in love.  I never had to worry about divorcing parents growing up, when so many of my friends were thrown into custody battles and only seeing one parent at a time.  So, I feel extremely blessed and thankful to have been born to the two most wonderful parents anywhere, parents that have held up their promises to each other, to God, and to their family!  I love you Daddy and Momma!

Aren't they cute!?  This was one of their high school proms:)

Savory Saturday

It's grillin' weather here in coastal NC, for a few days, at least!  Veggie, Chicken, and Shrimp Kabobs, roasted asparagus, and grilled Texas Toast!  YUM!!!

Even a grilled dessert!  Grilled pineapple with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup, OHHH soo good!!!

Friday Funnies

This is ingenious!  I should have been wearing this all winter!  Perfect for a hypochondriac like me!

Thankful Thursday

Ok, so I know I've missed a few days on my daily blogging, but being today is Thankful Thursday, I figured it was a good day to pick back up:)  Today, I'm so extremely thankful for the BEAUTIFUL weather!  Today's high is 68, and tomorrow is 75!  The rest of the week will be mid to upper 60's.  Yep, I already have the windows open and I'm letting the fresh air in!  It smells heavenly, like grass and ocean water:)  The fresh air is sweeping through the house, hopefully taking with it any sicky germs left in here (after I had the flu and Jason's sick now with a sinus infection).  I have been lysol queen (or princess, since my mom is THE lysol queen;o)), so there shouldn't been any active germs in here, but just in case, it's another good reason to have the house opened up!  So, I hope you are all enjoying this wonderful weather, and I'm hoping it's here to stay:)

Happy Hearts Day!

Wishful Wednesday

A new washer and dryer is on our list.  Ours are going on 10 years old and they are on their last legs.  Little parts keep breaking and going out, and thankfully, Jason has been able to keep fixing them, but it's only a matter of time now.  I already have our new ones picked out and they will be mine as soon as our first time home buyer's tax credit hits the bank!

Tinkering Tuesday

I finally have my RED front door!!!  We found an exterior paint guide at Lowe's that already had the colors paired for you, with your house color, shutters, and trim.  It had our house color and shutters already paired with this color, by Olympic, called Apple A Day.  I was sold, and we took it home and Jason painted it that night!  I am in love with the way it came out!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Monday Memories

This was our first homecoming in 2007 after a 7 month deployment.  Best. Feeling. Ever.