End of Spring Quarter

As the end of the quarter approaches, I become (essentially) a single woman.

*please note I am NOT complaining, I am simply stating facts.*

With only 2 weeks until the quarter is over, and finals begin, David spends every waking minute in class, working or studying. Right now, my job is to have dinner ready and to stay out of his hair after dinner. :) He studies long after I go to sleep, and he rises before I wake to study. Again, it is as though I am single woman.

Having said that, we have been able to spend some great quality time together when he does have the off chance of a study break!!
 

Spent a Saturday afternoon watching the La Tech blue/white football scrimmage



 


So one of the things David and I have enjoyed doing together for the past couple of years is attending the College of Business spring crawfish boil! This year's crawfish boil didn't disappoint. David has a great group of accounting friends that he has really become like family, so to have some casual time (where they aren't supposed to talk about accounting) to get to know them and listen to them brag on David was great! We enjoyed a fabulous serving of crawfish and sweet tea. You can't get more southern than that!! I would say it is one of THE best reasons to live in Louisiana. :)

Since David has been doing so much studying, we took this past weekend to take a break. He had three test last week, and a project, so he really just wanted something else to focus on for a while. So.....the weekend began with a good old fashion breakfast. I made gluten free heart shaped waffles. I absolutely love the fact that he loves heart shaped waffles as much as I do! :) After we finished breakfast, we decided to scrap and paint (the first coat) what we call 'the cabin'. We will finish it this coming weekend with a complete first coat and the second coat of paint! Praise God! It is only 3 years in the working to get that thing scraped and painted!! Anyway, the other part of the weekend was spent on yard work. In order to get to the cabin to scrap and paint, we had to clear some brush. We raked leaves, cut under brush, and finally got to see a clear path! I walked away with like 5 blisters, and allergies to kill, but we definitely feel like we accomplished something!!! We can't wait to have this project complete this weekend.

 


The last thing I wanted to share about was our first garden and meeting my first snake! We are really excited about growing our own tomatoes, bell peppers, lettuce, did I mention tomatoes?!? It has been so fun to plant things and watch them grow. :) Now, about that snake.... so I was taking a walk, minding my own business on a walking track near our house.... and my shoe lace came untied, I bent over to tie my shoe, and this little friend was waiting for me. I was very proud of myself, I didn't panic or anything! I think he was more scared than I was, because he didn't make a single move... so naturally, I needed a picture to prove the friend I just met. LOL.




I am definitely excited about the month of May! David will be out of school, I head to Disneyworld for work, and we will spend the end of the month in Dallas. It seems like the more we try and 'simplify' our life, the busier we get... naturally. I hope y'all are enjoying the spring weather as much as we have!! Hugs!









A Year Older

On March 17, I turned 26. I can't believe it. I don't feel old or anything like that, but saying I am 26 sounds so much like an adult... I am ready to take the challenge and 'be' an adult.  :)

My parents surprised us for the day and we spent it together in Shreveport. We had brunch at Another Broken Egg, and then made our way through the paths of Norton Art Gallery. Before they left to head back to Dallas, we stopped by and each had a cupcake from Buttercups in Shreveport. It was a great day, and I am looking forward to all that this year brings! I can't wait for all that God has planned for me!

     

We celebrated Easter this year in Shreveport, with our adoptive grandparents, Ms Virgie and Mr. Don. We absolutely love them and appreciate their words of wisdom and fellowship they share with us. They were good friends with my grandparents when they were living in Arcadia... kinda cool huh?

One of the best parts about this spring has been the weather! Really spring started in November (since we didn't have a winter) and the flowers have fully enjoyed it! We have had SO much rain, and all our plants have loved every bit of it. This year we have had peach, orange, blue, purple, yellow, and white iris in our yard. I was slightly disappointed when my 'Prissy Miss' iris - she is pink - didn't come up. However, we had several of these jewels pop up this year, so I will live. :) I love them, and thought you might like to look at what it is growing in our yard.

I took this picture on our way to Walmart of all places. It just sums up how I feel right now about where we live. It is simply breath taking to go to sleep and watching this kind of sunset tuck you in at night.

This picture just makes me smile. It is no secret we are college kids with limited income right? Well, this past week David had midterms and I tried my darnedest to stay out of his way so he could study. On Thursday he finished his last test, and when I got home he had these on the table waiting for me. He wrote a sweet note, but also said, "since I know we can't afford store bought roses, I figured you would enjoy the ones from the yard."

Sorry, he is taken. :)

Babies... and Pink

This past weekend, I co-hosted a baby shower for my dear friend Kelly! She is due on April 27 and expecting their second baby, Molly Jean. Lauren and I had the absolute privilege of making this shower fun and PINK! Everything about this shower was cute, and feminine, and girly. We had about 30 (+) ladies attend the shower for Ms Molly Jean and Kelly! Several friends traveled from Texas to celebrate with Kelly, while lots of her Shreveport/Junior League friends were able to join too.

This was definitely a shower where if you left hungry, that was your own fault. We had 'spa' water, complete with lime slices and floating raspberries, and beautiful flower arrangements/displays made by Lauren! There was a coffee bar with an assortment of flavored coffees & creamers, and three types of cake: vanilla on vanilla, cheesecake, and pound cake. We also had brownies, cream cheese/jelly with wheat thins, m&m's, meat pies and other chocolate goodies. The punch was divine (if I do say so myself) and of course, pink!! We had a huge pink wreathe, and decorated her fireplace with pink bows, and cute clothes for Molly! Kelly got so many wonder gifts.

I love baby showers, and I love pink. Hopefully it will be my turn soon enough *wishful thinking* :) Anyway, enjoy the pictures!

 

Feeding My Soul

This picture describes yesterday. Everything about this picture makes me smile. I love this city, and I love these people. I know there are hot political debates about homeless, but I love them. I fully understand that people are not perfect and we make mistakes. I also understand having grace and showing love too!

The SBRM's Youth Council, made up of 13 youth from 7 different Caddo/Bossier Parish private/public high schools - held THE BIG EVENT. It was a culminating event for their efforts of the past two weeks having drives go on in their schools. El Chico's catered the event, and the SBRM volunteers made homemade desserts for all the clients to enjoy with their free Mexican food! We also had plenty of donated Pepsi and coke products too.

Anyone able, could come and enjoy the food and music of this event. It was outside and absolutely beautiful weather. I actually got sunburned on my face!! There is a low income apartment complex not too far from the SBRM, and we saw that there was some surplus food, so we went over there to let the tenants know there was free food for anyone who wanted to come over and get it. Over 200 were served yesterday.

There was one guy that really stuck out to me. On my way over to the Fairmont, there was a guy who was diving in the dumpster (literally) for food. I walked over to him, (in the dumpster) and let him know, he could get a hot meal right around the corner if he wanted. He acknowledged what I said and kept going through the trash. I went on in to the building to let others know. When we came out of the building, he was still there and had found a piece of sandwich that had been thrown away, and was eating it. I told the guy I was with (had to have a 'body guard') I just might lose it seeing that guy. I told the man again to come over and eat. He lifted his hand to wave at me, and I realized he didn't have a hand. I have no idea why this man didn't have a hand, but I don't care. My heart broke. I was struck by who this person was. All I could think about was Jesus saying, "what you do to the least of these, you do to me." We walked back over to THE BIG EVENT and I told Randell (my body guard - who is actually an amazing board member), if I got food would he walk back over there with me to give it to that guy? Of course he didn't mind. I gathered two trays, some desserts, and drinks and we were on our way back over to find my new friend. He was walking down the street, and I called out to him, "hey! we have food!" He stopped and turned around. He was covered in trash, and stench, but that didn't matter. I was determined to get my friend something to eat. My friend couldn't hardly talk, but his smile lit up his ebony face. His eyes sparkled, and he was grateful. He took the food and kept bowing his head. As we walked away, my eyes were filled with tears.

I know I saw Jesus yesterday.

Power of a Cookbook

Spring Market is the Junior League of Shreveport's biggest fundraiser of the year, and funds the many community projects that are done throughout town. Just imagine a huge room (Bossier Civic Center to be exact) filled with all kinds of shopping venues. Let me just say, it is what I envision heaven to be like. :) I love it. However, this year I didn't go to shop. Instead, I took Thursday off from work to spend my day working a shift at Market. This is one of my (many) JLSB obligations that I have had to fulfill this year. Regardless, I absolutely LOVE the Junior League, and I loved this shift.

I took the 9:30am-1:30pm shift. Two of my friends had signed up for the same shift, thinking we would be together during this time.... of course, we were separated and didn't get to spend hardly any of our shift together! No worries though, we made up for it afterwards. :) Anyway, that morning before the Market opened, there was a sustainer breakfast. In the Junior League once you turn 35 or give 10 years of service (which ever comes first), you become a sustainer. Naturally, this breakfast is filled with blue hairs that are just as sweet as they can be! Once the breakfast is over, the sustainers are free to go and shop as they please.

Ok, so I was asked to man the cookbook table. I know that the JL has cookbooks, because I had to buy some to fulfill my ways & means obligation... but I really didn't go and study them... So, when I was asked to go and fill in at this table, I was kind of lost. I quickly got the scoop and was left by myself. I have to be honest, I was kind of disappointed since my friends and I had planned to spend the next four hours together, and now we were all separated, but as the sustainers came in, my disappointment diminished.

The JLSB has finally reprinted "A Cook's Tour" Cookbook that was originally printed in 1960. Don't you know every single one of those sustainers came by my table and would pick up that cookbook (the JLSB has 2 other cookbooks too) and would flip a couple of pages and then point out their recipe. Of course, each recipe came with a story. It is incredible to me the power of a cookbook, and the recipes it contains. I have "A Cook's Tour" and "Mardi Gras to Mistletoe" cookbooks and coming home, I couldn't wait to look through the books to review the recipes so many of the ladies had told me about. I am excited to cook using these books now, because they have become personalized. I have a very special cookbook that my 2nd cousin made that has all my family recipes in it, and I use it all the time. I feel like these ladies gave me that same since of 'family' with my new cookbooks from the JLSB. Each one of them were so sweet and genuine. I feel so honored to have been able to sit at that table for four hours, and learn the stories (and recipes) of the dinner parties thrown for the governor, or husband's getting promoted because of the recipes those ladies used that night. How cool? In some weird way, I feel like those elite women have passed the torch allowing us to be a part of their memories but use the same recipes to make our own. One precious women said her mushroom dish was sure to get any girl pregnant, while another told me her dish was always 'good luck'! I told them all I would promise to try them, and I can't wait. Also, there were several samples from the "Mardi Gras to Mistletoe" cookbook out for customers and the pineapple mango salsa, olive cheese balls, and spicy cashews are all to die for!

If you are interested in purchasing your own little piece of Shreveport, please visit http://www.jlsb.org/.

living in this season

David starts the first day of his spring quarter today. He is taking a bear of classes (well at least in my opinion.) He is enrolled in Monetary Economics, Upper level Managerial Accounting, Finance something-er-other, and Business Calculus. Yikes! However, he is excited. I am glad. That just means he is smarter than me, and I am completely OK with that!! I am so unbelievably proud of him. He is really doing it. Each quarter he starts and finishes, is just one step closer to graduation. I am not sure either of us thought we were really going to get through this season, but we are! One step at a time, we are slowly, making our way through. And yes, there will be a HUGE party once we are done! :)

Now, I do have some randomly exciting news... I joined the adult readers book club at the Bienville Parish Library. I did drop the average age down 40 years, and while I know you are disappointed in my news (because I am sure you don't think it is that exciting), I am! All you have to do is read twelve books by May 18, 2012. I totally got that. I am still keeping up with reading at least one book a week! So I know I can accomplish that goal. LOL. Yes, things are JUST that exciting in Arcadia! Arcadia is growing ironically, they have a new little strip center that has opened - it contains a bank, pizza place, tanning/clothing boutique, and a Mexican food place. Again, while you may not find this as exciting as I do - it is because you live in a populated area that everyone doesn't stare at you when you walk into ANY public building (restaurant, library, court house, church, gas station, etc.) I am not upset about this, because my husband now knows everyone in Arcadia, and while I still get blank stares towards me - they all chum it up with him, so some how - "I am OK" because I know him... gotta love small town USA!

I know one day, David and I will look back over 'the time we lived in Arcadia, Louisiana' and just laugh. There are so many things that still shock the socks off of me, and all I can do is laugh. I had a guy the other day tell me Arcadia was a little piece of heaven.... HA! I simply smiled and looked at him and thought, "my God is WAY bigger than Arcadia and calling this place ANYTHING but heaven!!" Too funny. I do believe that at one time, it was the most idealistic mayberry.... but those times are about 40 years gone... Like I said, now we just smile, and nod, and try to laugh about this place called Arcadia.  :)

6 more Quarters....

....but who is counting?

David only has 6 quarters left!! There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and we are getting CLOSER!!!!!! Of course there are still so many unanswered questions right now: where to live? where to work? where to move? etc, etc, etc. We serve a mighty God that has great plans for us, and they include plans of prospering and a future, so we aren't scared!! David is still making incredible grades, and well, just trucking right along. He has officially been accepted into graduate school at Louisiana Tech and will be concurrently enrolled starting the summer of this year. Go babylove!!!

I also have to brag on Aly and Matt. They are both moving forward with their plans to further their education. Aly has a second interview tomorrow, in NYC for the graduate program that she is interested in and Matt got accepted into Columbia for the PhD program he wanted!!! It isn't finalized that they are moving to NYC, but it really looks like it!! I hope they move there.... only for selfish reasons.... so I can go visit. :) We are so proud of them and their accomplishments!!!

Ok, so this is funny, and totally unrelated to anything important... but Mom and Daddy got iPhones. It is the funniest thing ever. I am glad they are "up to speed" and all, but it still just cracks me up. I am addicted to pinterest and found this picture... I am pretty sure it could have been a conversation with my mom. Seriously. Everytime I read it, I just laugh. So, enjoy. Maybe some of you can relate as well.

 February has come and gone all too quickly. Even though it is the shortest month, it seems to be the longest.... Maybe it is just my perception, who knows. I do know one of the reasons it takes so long to get through: because in March I celebrate my birthday! I have my eye on these shoes, and really hope they end up at my doorstep on March 17th. ;) We shall see.

I don't have any pressing news, or really interesting information to blog about right now. We have spent the month kind of dormant. I seem to spend more and more time in Shreveport than home, and I am getting busier by the week. I love the Junior League, and my friends. I love the weather that this 'winter' has brought us, and I love that we are getting closer to moving. :) I still absolutely, without a doubt, loathe Arcadia. I do however, love Words with Friends (and I am getting better at it) and I love pinterest. I am still knitting like crazy, and reading a book a week! We are also still juicing 2 meals a day. All the pups are alive and well. We couldn't ask for better fur babies.

Each day, I make a 'to do' list and just try and focus on the task at hand. It is all that I know to do to help David and myself get through the next 6 quarters, without overwhelming myself that it is in fact 17 months away. 6 quarters should so much shorter. God is doing amazing things in our life right now, and we honestly couldn't be more blessed. Hope each of you are doing well, and I hope to blog again before the end of March!!

Hello 2012

Can I just start out by saying: I LOVE BEING OUT OF SCHOOL! When I come home from work, David will ask, "what are you going to do tonight?" My response: "Anything I WANT!" :) So many people have asked if I am going to continue on with school, my answer at this point is the following: I am embracing this year, 12 months, of no school. I am waiting to see where that leads me. At the end of this year, I am confident I will have a better understanding. So until then, I have every intention to enjoy this year to the fullest, doing... anything I want.

Obviously with the new year, there are always new year resolutions, but we really don't do those.... Instead, last year we started each month writing down different goals and things we wanted to complete for just that month specifically. It really helped us stay on track with what we were trying to do and make sure those things got done. It was also really incredible to look back over the year and see how many things we had accomplished that we had already forgotten about. We are still doing Dave Ramsey, so a lot of those goals were listed. We have made so many strides since starting that program and seeking to live debt free. One thing we had on our "bucket list" was to go see Dave Ramsey live and we did that this year!! How cool is that?!?! There were also a ton of goals to begin/finish school semester/quarters, etc. We really liked looking over all the things we did each month and so, that is what we will continue to do this year.

However, I have made a blanket commitment to three things. First, read one book a week. People think I am nuts, but I drive 2 hours a day, and there is this thing called audiotapes - it is totally doable. At the end of the year, I plan to list every book I read this year. The goal is 52 books, I have a feeling I will read more, but my goal is 52 books.

I also have been cleaning out/organizing, and have found so many 'artsy fartsy' projects that I have started or had hopes to start, and didn't. Well, this year, I am also committing myself to knit all of the balls of yarn I currently have (there are 9).... so if you get a scarf for Christmas this year, don't judge me, because I am having fun making them!

For Christmas, David got a juicer. We have been on a continual "get healthy" thing... well, this year it is being stepped up a notch. It is no secret that living in Arcadia, you are limited on health food stores, but instead dwelling on that, we are taking the approach of using what we have. All stores in and around Arcadia have a produce section. Therefore, we can eat healthy fruits and veggies by juicing. We have been doing it for 2 weeks and I am down 6.2 pounds. We are replacing 2 meals a day eating food, with juicing. Right now we are still experimenting with different fruits and veggie combinations. Each month my goal is continue eating healthy the next month. This year is the year of me, and taking care of myself, and being healthy. Period.

Those three things will be on each month's goals. I understand it is day 18 of 365, but with less on our plate, we are choosing to live a more simplified life this year. We each only have one job, and David is the only person that is in school. It is going to be a fun filled, and crazy year. David will have his first of two degrees by the end of this year. I will turn 26, and he will be 34. At the end of this year, he will have only 2 quarters left of school before he is done. Like I said, it is going to be a great year. I have already claimed that. :)

31 Days of December

December 2011 will be something I remember for the rest of my life.

On Friday, December 2, 2011 we celebrated our 5 year anniversary. We had a fabulous trip planned to attend a wedding of a dear friend in Austin, Texas that weekend, but unfortunately we were not able to attend. Instead, it was 8:00am and we sat in the vet's office in Garland, Texas. Coach was sick, very, very, sick. We had to give the "ok" to have him go for emergency surgery. The whole day was glazed with the thought of losing him. I understand that to some people "it's just a dog" but he is our baby, and since we don't have kids, our dogs are our children. He had 2 pounds of mass removed from his stomach and 27 inches of intestines removed. He wasn't out of the woods yet. He had a 50/50 chance of survival, however it was a good sign that he made it through the surgery alive. Each day he got a little better. He had to stay the entire week in Dallas and so we left on Sunday without our baby. On Tuesday of the following week he had to have another surgery to make sure all was well. He was recovering...

The week of Coach not being with us, the house just wasn't the same. There are so many times were Coach's energy is just about enough to drive you over the edge, but that week I would have given anything to have that energy in the house. It was finals for me, and I was stressing. I was also in the middle of the busiest season of the year at work, working more hours than I could possibly imagine. Did I mention stressed?

Coach was still recovering... He made strives in eating wet food, all plumbing was working, he was recovering. Finally, the following Sunday evening at 5:00pm we were able to pick up our baby boy. While we knew he was feeling better, he was bone thin, weighing in at 61 pounds. We had strict instructions on what/when/where and how to do everything that was needed to make sure he continued to recover. He was on his way back to being our healthy baby boy.

**Many, many thank yous to our incredible vet in Dallas, Dr. Aaron Neeman. Talk about an amazing vet, but an even better man. We love Dr. Neeman!**

In the mean time, I finished finals, and completed the semester with a 4.0gpa. It was the best feeling in the whole world to know that I had set out to accomplish something and I DID IT!!! The week before Christmas, on Sunday, December 18, 2011, I walked across the stage to receive my diploma for the first time! Yes, you read that right - I walked for the first time. I understand that I have a high school diploma, and a bachelor's degree, but I just had those schools mail it to me - not this time - I was proud and I wanted to receive that piece of paper in my hands. :) After the ceremony, we had a dinner party in Shreveport, and it was amazing. I couldn't ask for God to bless me with better people in my life. God knew what He was doing when He moved us to north Louisiana.

*I still do not like Arcadia, but I have fallen in love with Shreveport!

I spent the next week working hard and finishing up the holiday season at work. David had to work most of the week, so we spent what little time we had together in the evening. I was super excited though, because at the end of the week we would be on our way to Indiana and I would spend the next 9 days off from work!!

I couldn't wait.

Most people think we are crazy because we like road trips, but honestly it is the best time for us to catch up, celebrate, discuss, and learn about each other. I absolutely love my husband. On Christmas Eve we finally made it to Indiana and began our vacation. We took Kate Spade and Maddie with us because those are Gramp's favorite granddogs. :) Christmas was incredible. It was simple, calm, filled with laughter, and happiness. I was so thankful we were in Indiana to spend time with Gramps. We had a white Christmas. It was the best kind of  'winter' because we had snow just long enough to enjoy and then when it was time to go home, it had melted and the roads were clear. Before we left the great state of Indiana, we went up to Bloomington to spend the night with Aly and Matt and eat breakfast with David's Aunt Pat. We had so much fun with Aly and Matt. Each time we get together, we learn a little more about who they are and what makes them excited about life.... some people would say "we are growing up." :)

We began our 13 hour drive eating breakfast with Aunt Pat at the Cracker Barrel. It has been a couple of years since we had a visit with Aunt Pat, so we were long over due. It was great catching up, and ending our trip reminiscing.

We made it home on New Year's Eve. Talk about an incredible year. We did not have a perfect year, but one that was filled with character growing experiences, achieving educational & financial goals, and growing closer to each other, and most importantly Christ. I can't complain.

We are looking forward what 2012 holds and continuing this journey that we call life.

Thankful

Last night I was a "Thanksgiving Social" with the Bible study I attend twice a month. It was so much fun. We did this activity that really made me stop and think..... I am sure you all remember the construction paper linking that you can make chains with? Well, this was a variation of that. Everyone got as many strips of paper as they wanted and on each strip wrote things they were thankful for. I just wanted to share mine, because I am genuially thankful for so many things.... They were (in no particular order):

Thankful for:

Graduating with a Masters Degree!!!!!

My precious, and the most incredible hubby ever!

Family time spent in Indiana, especially my Grampsie-poo.

Spending time with best friends that have gorgeous babies!

Relationship with Christ.

Finding my passion in having a "cause career" and looking forward to the future.

Embracing this season of transition.

My hubby furthering his education to change his family tree and support me :)

My unbelievable support system that has formed while living here in Louisiana.

I did want to share this precious picture. Again, it isn't the best quality because it was taken with my half broken blackberry (Santa is working on that though), but you get the idea of how cute this little boy is. It takes everything in my being not to take him home each night, but reminds how incredible my job is, that I can be impacted in such an amazing way from a homeless 2 year old boy. People, he is the face of Christ. All homeless are. Love them. Did I mention I love my job? Anyway, here is the picture. Hope you enjoy and have a wonderfully thankful Thanksgiving!!



Senioritis

I officially have a horribly awful case of Senioritis. My goal this weekend was to get all projects/assignments done before the week starts, because I have so much going on at work this week due to Thanksgiving. For whatever reason I just can not get motivated. I have done a little here, wait a couple of hours, a little there, and now I am just in a full blown state of procrastination. At least I am honest! I have made a list, and David is making sure I am getting things marked off and not blogging.... LOL. Anyway, thank God I caught Senioritis only three weeks before school is over with. It is the little things I am thankful for. :)

I must press on, and get through the next three weeks. It will be so unbelievably worth it in the end. I can not wait to walk across the stage for the time ever. I think I just might cry. They will be the biggest tears of accomplishment and joy. I can do this. I will get over my Senioritis and re-focus. I have come this far... I will finish... strong. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. <3

Time...Flying...By....

So I have officially not blogged in like two and a half months. Umm, ya. Life pretty much sums that up!

First of all, let me start off by saying - we couldn't be more blessed. We have had so much happen in the past couple of months, but above all else, we are so very blessed.

September was filled with studies and travels. The second weekend of September we celebrated a dear friend of ours 90th birthday, and then headed down to Baton Rouge for our best friend's from Dallas, baby shower. It was a quick trip, but we were treated like royalty and got the grand tour of LSU! I had NO idea that there was a real live tiger on campus. Umm, ya that is just freaking awesome. :) David refuses for our kids to go to LSU, but I am totally for it. LOL - that should be a fun conversation to have in like 20 years.

From there we spent a couple of weeks at home and then the last weekend of September was spent in Dallas at a Dave Ramsey conference!! I went for work, but David got to go with me and it was awesome. Dave Ramsey is just as fabulous in person as he is in books/videos/radio. I highly recommend his new book!

In October, we had an unexpected event happen as my grandmother passed away. I was able to spend the week in Indiana with my family and it was just what my soul needed to help me continue through this semester. I have never been to a nicer funeral. She loved fall, and in southern Indiana it was like walking through a postcard. The cemetery she is buried at kind of sits on a hill and over looks rolling hills of the most gorgeous trees, and of course they were absolutely breath taking colors. I couldn't imagine being buried in a more beautiful place. My Gramps is unbelievable. He absolutely devoted his life to love her. I am so fortunate to have witnessed their incredible love and bond for one another. David and I are spending a week in Indiana at Christmas with my family. I can't wait to see my precious Gramps again!

Ok, so for November. Next week is Thanksgiving! How is that possible? I am not going to complain though, I am ready for my semester to be OVER! I have three weeks left of school and four weeks until graduation! I have submitted my graduation packet, signed off on my papers, paid my graduation fee (don't even ask), bought and received my cap/gown/hood, and made sure my hometown is NOT listed as "Arcadia" but instead Dallas. I AM READY. :) I do really love my coursework, and have learned so much this past year with this graduate program. I am excited to pursue my "cause career" just still not sure exactly how that all will pan out, but at this point I am totally not worried about it. I have to stay focused on the next three weeks and then worry about all of that! Currently, the plan is for me to continue working at the Shreveport-Bossier Rescue Mission and help be the most amazing support system to get David out of school. Once he is out, then we will worry about what is my next step. We have figured out to take one thing at a time. Otherwise, I might become the next patient at the local insane asylum. ;) Plus, I believe in a God that is directing our path and leading the way.

David finished his quarter with stellar grades (of course). He was invited to join Beta Alpha Psi this quarter, and has several fun outings with them. Have y'all ever watched the Big Bang Theory? Well, let's just say these guys are super smart, and super nerdy, and then there is my hubby that is SUPER HOT and smart. :) The group together just kind of makes me laugh, but in a good way. He will graduate in August 2012 with his bachelors. He wont walk then, but wait until he finishes his masters. He will have a bachelor's degree in 9 months people! HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!?!?

I work on Thanksgiving again this year. The SBRM will serve 1,500 meals that day alone. It is no easy task, but it is always so rewarding once we are done. From there we are heading to Dallas and spending the rest of the weekend with our best friends. They have had their baby girl and we get to meet her - FINALLY!!!
Before we head back to Louisiana, we will get to see Mom and Dad coming back from their trip to Indiana.

That sums up the past couple of months. I did want to mention how much I am enjoying being a part of the Junior League! I have met so many great women, and have had so much fun learning more about the league and the city of Shreveport. All isn't bad here. I was able to experience the Red River Revel for the first time this year working a Pepsi booth for the league. It was so much fun. We are working hard right now to prepare a "health and fitness" night for the parents and students of one of the lower income elementary schools to do in the spring. My most favorite thing I am looking forward to is the Spring Market. This is a huge deal and has so many vendors, with so much stuff and shopping. I love shopping, I love looking, I love creativity, I love Spring Market. :)

Hope all is well with each of you. Hugs. I will write again - much sooner. I am almost finished with school, I will be back into the blogging world in no time!!

Sorry the picture is blurry, I took it with my half broken blackberry. If I am good girl this Christmas, Santa has promised me an iPhone!!! But nonetheless, here is the most recent picture of David and me at a Kari Jobe worship service. It was one amazing night. Jesus truly rocks my world!
Hugs and love to you!

Fast Forward

While it is still hot outside, I think summer is officially over. It has been a great summer, but I am not going to lie, I am ready for the extreme heat to leave.

Just a little house keeping since the last time I blogged:
I completed my summer session with two A's. I have no idea how I managed that, because the sociology class I was in, just about made me crazy. I am all for helping people, but I am for helping those that want to help themselves, not just expect handouts. ANYWAY. (Another time, another blog).

David and I spent my time off from school, working, watching movies, cooking and sleeping. We both have a new hobby and it is called sleep! I think we have adapted to some of our elderly friends schedules, were neither of us have a problem going to bed at 7:30pm and waking at 5am. It is actually kind of comical. All good things must come to end, so don't worry I am back in school and already have started keeping 'later hours'.

We spent the middle of August in Dallas, well for a weekend anyway! David officially turned 33 and it was a blast. Mom, Dad and I planned a surprise birthday party for him! He was absolutely shocked. We had a wonderful time in Dallas, as always, and could hardly make ourselves go back to Louisiana. Dad, Mom and I made cupcakes, and Dad made his famous homemade cheesecake. It is was a relaxed 'party' but everyone who was able to make it had a great time. We sure do love our friends.

I can't believe August is almost over. At work we are already planning Thanksgiving/Christmas events. It just seems like once August is over with the rest of the year simply disappears! It will be a crazy insane next four months, but I am thoroughly looking forward to them. Each month has something different and exciting we are looking forward to. I am excited though, because it helps keep us distracted from missing 'home' and focused on the task at hand (whatever that might be).

I have a full load this semester and have already started classes. I am taking four classes, my last four graduate class at that! I will walk across the stage for the first time in my life in a mere four months. Excited, doesn't even begin to describe how I feel about that! As with any insane schedule, I just have to stay organized and on top of my studies. This course load is already proving to be taxing, but I am tattooing (on my brain) that with Christ all things are possible! I know right now He will carry me to that graduation stage.

David starts school back after Labor Day. He is going to be pretty busy with his fall quarter. He is working less so he can study more. I am so proud of him. He will be done with his undergraduate degree so soon! He will be officially take graduate courses this winter! He is so smart and I just love that about him.

We are both looking forward to celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary in the next coming months! I can't believe we have been married almost five years. It seems like it was just last summer I was planning a wedding. :) I couldn't imagine God giving me anyone else to be my partner and journey through this life with. David is simply amazing.

Ok, well, that catches everyone up (for the most part) of what has been going on with us. I hit the highlights anyway. We definitely are excited about what the next two years have in store for us and where we will end up! At this point it's any one's guess. :)

PTO

I couldn't wait for July to get here, and now the month is just days from ending. It seems as though the summer months operate in double time. I had eleven days off from work and the time flew by!

David, Mom and I drove up to Indiana and met Dad in Ramsey. Our trip started on the road. We spent 12 hours driving from Arcadia to Jackson to Memphis to Nashville to Louisville to Ramsey. Finally we made it. We spent the first evening in Ramsey and visited with Gramps, Granny and Dad.

On Friday we got up and made our way to Bloomington, Indiana. I am pretty sure this is the United States best kept secret of an amazing place!!!! Aly is living there while Matt (her hubby) is finishing his Masters at IU. Matt is currently out of the country. Aly met us for lunch at this place called Bloomigfoods. It is like a Trader Joes, Central Market, Whole Foods type place. The food was fresh and amazing! Please make a note, it was July 15 and we all sat outside on the patio to eat LUNCH and no one broke a sweat! How incredible is that?!?!

Aly works just a few blocks from Bloomingfoods, so after we finished lunch we walked back to her job and got to see where she works. Pretty cool. After she went back to work, Mom, Dad, David and I drove around the city. It is so green. Just envision a smaller, less hot version of Austin, Texas. Are you in love yet? I am!

Anyway, the next thing on our list was visiting the campus. I had an appointment with the IU School of Law. All I can say, is that I would give anything to go there! I am working hard to finish my Masters with a 4.0 gpa, so hopefully I will have a chance.

After we finished touring the school and walked around the campus, we walked down Kirkwood. We found a local IU college wear shop and purchased a couple of items. David and Dad had to go by the football field and walk on the basketball court while we were there too. :)

It soon was time to meet Aly for dinner. We picked up a couple of items for dinner and headed to her apartment. Her place is super cute and she has it looking great. Aly and Dad made homemade enchiladas that were to die for! She also made homemade guacamole. The entire day was perfect. I was truly in heaven.

Saturday morning, we all got up early and headed to the local bagel shop. From there, we walked over the to the Farmers Market. It was everything you would envision it to be. Before we headed out of town we stopped by Bloomingfoods to pick up a couple of things and snapped this quick photo of me and David.

We had family reunion that Saturday afternoon. It was a great time to see everyone. I wish we lived closer to see everyone on a more frequent basis. It was an overall wonderful time! Later that evening, after dinner we went over to one of our cousins house. Good times had by all.

David, Dad, and Mom all left early Monday morning. I stayed and Aly went back to work in Bloomington. It was an incredible week. I gardened, walked, went to the library, cooked and found this amazing picture of my Daddy!! He was just about 2 years old. Isn't that the most precious picture? I think my grandparents still have that bear too!

After spending the week with my grandparents, Aly picked me up on Friday afternoon. I don't remember the last girl's weekend we had, and I was totally pumped. The weekend started with right to our door delivery of Chinese food. We watched the Business of Being Born. If you have never watched this movie - you should. You should also, take it with a pound of salt. :) On Saturday morning went to the bagel shop and onto the Farmer's Market. I got two jars of peach jam and Aly bought this beautiful Locust Flower.

We did a little shopping at the Bloomington Mall, stopped by Bloomingfoods, and then found a nail salon to get a mani and pedi. Once we were beautified (and they had dried) we made our way to Chiplote and on to the (I swear) world's largest Target!!! It was the most incredible thing I have ever laid eyes on. I love Target and I definitely love the one in Bloomington! At this point, it was like 100 degrees outside so we decided to spend the afternoon in. We curled up and watched Pretty Women and Dirty Dancing. They are still my favorites. :) Aly had just received the Cooking Light magazine for the month of August, and I found this great homemade pizza. We decided to have that for dinner. We ran out to Target to get a few ingredients, and then back to the house. Start to pizza on the plate was like 10 mins!!! Oh, and the pizza was delicious! We bought the crust, and put on Trader Joe's spaghetti vodka sauce, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, spinach and tomatoes. Put it in the oven on 500 for like 5-8 minutes and it's done! For dessert we picked up piece of 3 layer cake from Feast (a local bakery in town) and split it. We watched Center Stage.

That night we were fixing to go to bed and both of us were looking at our phones, texting the hubby's, etc and I asked Aly if she and Matt cuddle. She said they hold hands. I don't know why I thought that was so funny, but I did. I couldn't stop laughing. She rolled over and looked at me and was like "I know you and David probably lay on top of each other to sleep!! So I am not going to ask you if you cuddle." I was like what?? you think we are super cuddly? And she was like "yes, Anna. You guys are serious PDA-ers." Again, I am just laughing. And she goes, "ya, David will kiss you these big sloppy wet kisses and then says 'mmm I love my kisses!'" HAHAHAHHA! It was the funniest thing I have ever heard. So now the joke is "mm I love my kisses". :)

It is amazing what you can learn spending a weekend together. I had an absolutely amazing time with my sister and look forward to the next time we get together. I am already looking forward to it!

Devoted Love

Last week I had the amazing privilege of spending the week with my grandparents. During my week there I was in absolute "awh" of how devoted my grandfather is to my grandmother. Even though he isn't in the best health, and Granny is on hospice - he absolutely adores her.

Every day it was blazing hot outside, so he walked around the house for his 'walk' instead. Each time he made the loop by her bed, he would stop lean over and talk to her, maybe even put his hand on her face or arm. She isn't responsive much, but each time she would turn her head and look at him. It was as though there hearts spoke, even when neither of them said anything. It was the most inspiring thing to watch.

Too many times I think each one of us get caught up living life. Maybe we should be more like Granny and Gramps. Live each day simply, and find even the smallest way to show love to your spouse. Life is too short, and just like Gramps says "it feels like we got married yesterday....." that was 62 years ago.

I have never been more honored to witness such sweet, simple, devoted love to one another. Knowing that their time is limited, watching the two of them together made my heart smile. How special that I have had two sets of grandparents that have shown me how to love and the importance of being devoted to one another.

Granny & Gramps as newly weds

(Sorry - I couldn't turn the picture)

Happy Birthday America!

So.... I realize I a little behind, but.....

We had a wonderful 4th of July this year! On Friday night, the weekend started out by helping David's brother Tim and new wife Amanda move into their new house in Shreveport!!! We could not be more excited to have them living close to us again. It has been so awesome in the past couple of years that we have lived in Louisiana that David has been able to get closer to his brother(s). We sure do love them.

David's oldest brother, Dale and his wife Sherry and son Avery, all came to stay with us over the weekend. They brough their dogs Lulu and Dubya too! For the little bitty house we have, somehow we made room and everyone had a place to lay. :) They got into town Saturday afternoon, and we went to see Cars 2. I think the adults liked it more than Avery!! Every time David and I go and see a 'kid' movie - it never ceases to amaze us how much adult humor is in them. LOL. Anyway, that evening by popular demand, we went to JR's. It is by far the most amazing food you will ever have. Our friend April meet us and her little niece loved Avery. Tim, Amanda and Tommy were able to join us too. We had such a great time together. Afterwards, everyone came over to our house and we spent most of the time outside, because our house is seriously, not very big. We have a huge yard though, so the kids threw baseballs and played tag. We really had a wonderful time hanging out with everyone.

Sunday morning, David and I got up and made breakfast for Dale, Sherry and Avery. Dale heard that there were goats near by, and so we made our way to see them. Everyone got a good kick out of how the goats all just started "baaaa-ing" when Dale got out of the car.... LOL. Anyway, we made a quick trip to Wal-Mart to pick up a couple of items and then headed to lunch in Ruston. From there we headed to Shreveport to hang out and see the alligators at the Boardwalk. Avery got to do the "build a bear" thing and then we explored Bass Pro Shop. They actually have some really funny things that make crazy noises - that is my favorite part of the store. :) Yes, I am that person that makes sure all the 'noise makers' work. hehe. From there we went to Tim and Amanda's new house. It is perfect for them. We really a fun evening together. It seems like it is impossible to have a bad time if the Adams boys are together! I think all of our ribs hurt after dinner. Avery and Tommy really had a good time together, and of course the six adults had a blast. Dale even sang to us some Navaho revival songs! Seriously, entertained is an understatement!! On the way home we saw some really pretty fireworks, it was the perfect way to end a great day.

On Monday we woke up and Dale, Sherry and Avery packed everything up. We took them to Gap Farms for breakfast and then said our good byes. We really had a wonderful weekend with friends and family. I can't think of a better way to spend a 3 day weekend. Of course, the time flew by and mini-vacas go by way to quick, but the time spent was one we will never forget!!

Hope everyone else had a fantastic fourth of July!!! Thank you to all the brave men and women who defend this precious land!

Best Friends

This past weekend David and I had the amazing privilege of watching one of our very best friends get married!! David and Chris have known each other for over 10 years and they couldn't be closer. Several people asked if they were brothers.... they might as well be. :) Just two peas in a pod!

David and I house swapped with Mom and Dad this weekend. They came to Arcadia, Louisiana for Mom's high school reunion. They stayed at our house, and we stayed at theirs. :)

We arrived on Friday night in Dallas, and drove to Chris and Paaty's house to begin the festivities!! We had some amazing jambalaya and Mississippi mud pie. Chris and David picked up right where they left off (as usual). We are so thrilled that Chris has found such an amazing woman to call his wife. Chris was an integral part of making our wedding the most rememberable day possible, and so we committed to them to do the same for theirs!

Saturday morning came early and David and I both felt like it was our own wedding day all over again! We were just SO excited to see them married! Once we arrived at the house, we got to work - we chopped, cut, hung, laughed, moved, talked, smiled, facebooked, taped, and draped. We broke for lunch and then it was time to change for pictures!

The wedding was beautiful!!!!! We could not be MORE excited that y'all are finally married. Weddings are crazy times, and full of emotions. Y'all are the best friends one could possibly ask for and we can't wait to live clos(er) to you again. Both of you make us ridiculously homesick. :)

On Sunday, David and I were exhausted. We had so much fun the day before, but I don't think I could feel my feet when I went to bed that night. LOL. We had plans to go home early but digressed. Not only did we sleep in, we took an afternoon nap too!!! Don't judge, we were waiting on the laundry to be done so we could leave Mom and Dad's house spic and span! We did muster up enough energy to find a Mavericks Championship t-shirt, Chipolte, and Anthropology (for their Capri Blue Volcano candle). It was hard work,but someones gotta do it!!!

We made it back around 7:30 on Sunday night. All of our clothes were clean and we just had to hop into bed. I think we both are still on cloud nine from having such a wonderful weekend!

We love you so much Chris and Paaty and wish you the best!

A Choice to Love

Today, David and I were able to witness a beautiful marriage of two incredible people, Tim and Amanda Adams! We are so incredibly happy for their union and know through Christ they will grow closer to each other. Our prayer is that each day they wake up making a choice to love and devote themselves to one another. Love is not a feeling, but a long term commitment, a choice. May each day be better than the next, and always remember: the best is yet to come!!!  We wish you well and a lifetime of happiness.

Love,

Anna & David

Aspiring Green Thumb

When I was a little girl, some of my foundest memories were with my Daddy. I loved waking up on Saturday morning to go to Lowe's, Home Depot, and Calloways Nursery. We always made our way through the Garden section, and if Dad was looking for something particular and we found it, he always let me pick out which ones were the prettiest. Once we got home, Dad would do all the 'dirty work' while I got to dig the hole and place each flower we selected in it. Because of my Daddy my foundness for flowers and gardens has just continued to grow.

Recently, David and I spent the weekend in Dallas and while it was hot, the Texas heat hadn't scrotched everything yet. My Daddy's garden was breath taking! I promise - one day, he will have pictures in Southern Living, I just know it. The man has the ability to make even the ugliest plant not only grow, but become the most gorgeous flower you have ever seen.

Today, David and I both have common interest with our love for the outdoors, flowers, and gardens. Every place we live, I can gurantee the yard looks better leaving that when we first moved in. We love all kinds of flowers but our favorites have to be roses, day lillies, dafodils and iris. One day, I hope to have a "gawgeous" yard just like my Daddy. He is incredible and I am so proud of him and the handy work he has created.

I think people with green thumbs truly have a God given ability to create the most gorgeous sceneries. It is as though God picks a select few and gives them exceptional talent so that the rest of us can see a little piece of what Heaven will look like. My Daddy's yard, is exactly what I invision Heaven to look like.