Wish I had a green thumb

My mom has been wanting a picture of the bush in front of our porch for a while. I finally took one as I was leaving work one day. These flowers only bloom in the morning and are closed up by the time I get home. I wish they were open all day. They really add a lot to our porch area.

I've tried to be better about having plants around. I love having plants but tend to kill them. Mike has helped me remember to water but we have to revive them every so often. I have 3 indoor plants, one outdoor pot of flowers, and this bush. We have a lot of greenery and other plants around outside but they don't require much attention.

One of our youth brought over one of those 5-in-1 game sets with volleyball, bad mitten (no idea how to spell), etc. that he will not be using. We plan to set it up in the backyard and start doing things outside with the youth when they are over. We have a good size yard and need to take advantage of it.

If you want to see what we've been up to, visit the Grounded Student Ministries blog (link to your right). We've been busy with World Changers Mission Team Training and other activities. We played water balloon baseball last Wednesday in honor of the last week of school. It was a lot of fun...and yes, I got wet!! It wasn't too bad until we gave them a free for all at the end. I got an ice chest of water poured on me!! Good times...

We had to bypass a storm on our way to Corpus Saturday. We were traveling and saw the black clouds, things swirling ahead, and just nastiness...so, we turned around and went another direction. I caught a a few pictures of the clouds. I am fascinated by the grandness of God through storms.

Friday...

5 years ago Friday Mike and I spent the day preparing to be married.

We had no idea what the Lord had in store for us during the first years of our marriage.

We knew we loved each other.

We knew God created us for each other.

We knew we were ready to begin our journey as husband and wife.

*

I love remembering when Mike and I first met, started dating, got engaged, became husband and wife, and all the other things we've shared together. As we celebrate with friends who expereince those things, I think back to that point in my life.

*

Brad Paisley has a new song and it has such a great lyrics for remembering those times!

*

I Thought I Loved You Then

Brad Paisley

*

I remember trying not to stare the night that I first met you

You had me mesmerized

3 weeks later in the front porch light taking 45 min to kiss you goodnight

I hadn’t told you yet but I thought I loved you then

*

Now you’re my whole life

now you’re my whole world

I just can’t believe the way I feel about you girl

Like a river meets the sea

Stronger than it’s ever been

We’ve come so far since that day

And I thought I loved you then.

*

I remember taking you back to right where I first met you

You were so surprised

There were people around But I didn’t care

I got down on one knee right there

And once again I thought I loved you then

*

Now you’re my whole life

now you’re my whole world

I just can’t believe the way I feel about you girl

Like a river meets the sea

Stronger than it’s ever been

We’ve come so far since that day

And I thought I loved you then.

*

I can just see you with a baby on the way

I can just see you when your hair is turning gray

What I can’t see is how I’m ever gonna love you more

But I’ve said that before.

*

Now you’re my whole life

now you’re my whole world

I just can’t believe the way I feel about you girl

Well look back some day at this moment that we’re in

And I'll look at you and say I thought I loved you then

And I thought I loved you then...

I wanted to share some pictures from my office.

I work in the middle of the country and it is so pretty out here!

Also, there is always exciting stuff going on!

I get to watch/listen to the sprinkler almost everyday...

There's nothing like a sprinkler and green grass to make you

feel like a kid again and daydream about playing in the water!

These are the 3 new horses to the Children's Home.

Heather and I took a quick trip out to the stables with Jake one day to check them out.

Heather is very much a city girl so it is fun to see her around horses.

We had a little friend on our porch today!

This racoon was either sick or trying to find a place to die.

It kept walking around really lethargic. We stayed away! lol

I took this a month or so ago when we got a HEAVY downpour!

It was so nice to stand on the porch and watch the rain.

In West Texas, the wind blows so much when it storms that you get pelted if you step outside!

Have a blessed day!!

Check it out...

Just a few quick notes!!

Check out the Specs and Wings blog (listed to the right under "Good Stuff") for a fun option for your summer! Molly will be having online summer art classes...and let me tell ya, her creations are awesome! I am very excited about these classes...I'm thinking of them more like little workshops...because I've been trying to use my creativity more. Gina and I began to use our creativity but it soon fizzled. Maybe this will spruce it up! and...the topics are right where I need to be! So, check it out and I hope some of you will be blessed by this!

Check out the Grounded Student Ministries blog to see our amazing new logos. (Courtesy of Kate!!) She did an amazing job and the youth that have seen the logos are so excited about them!!

Mike and I are going on a double-date tonight to see The Sound of Music!! I'm so excited! I'm sure some of you are wondering how I convinced him to go...but I didn't have to work very hard! One of our youth plays Liesl...the girl that sings "Sixteen Going on Seventeen"!!! I am so excited!!

Mom, Hunter, kitties, and more!

Here are some pictures I haven't posted from the past few months

My mom visted during March. I think this is the only picture we got of us!

We had a youth event at our house the beginning of April. Here are a few of the adults that were there. I don't post any pictures of youth on our personal site but you are welcome to check them out at http://www.groundedstudentministries.blogspot.com/. Robert had a meeting prior which explains the tie! He and his wife Heather (next to him) are our neighbors and I work with both of them. They are great friends to have in Beeville! Stacy (on the other side of me) is the mother of one of our youth. We are SO excited to have Stacy helping out with the youth. Her daughter began her journey with God about a month or two ago and it has been such a blessing to see her blossom as a young woman of God!!

LOL....This isn't a great picture but while we were at a conference in DFW, we got to see my cousin Hunter and his new place. Here, he is showing us the new Cowboys stadium. He lives only blocks away! I'm so proud of him and his new beginning in Arlington!

AWWW.....Anyone from West Texas knows how refreshing it is to enjoy Rosa's!! There was one a few blocks from our hotel in Ft. Worth so we decided to take advantage and eat there...TWICE! Anyone judging us right now doesn't understand what the withdrawls are like!! LOL

This was from the Youth Ministry Lab Conference in Ft. Worth. It was a great weekend to hear amazing speakers share what God has laid on their hearts regarding youth ministry and youth leaders. I was so excited to get to go with Mike to a conference...they even had breakout sessions specifically for youth pastor's wives and some regarding girls ministry!

OK...I am giving everyone the chance to close this window....

If you don't care to see pictures of our kitties, you can close now and no hard feelings...

Seriously...I don't want anyone to say that they were forced to see pictures of the cats...

Our parents all love animals, and most of them are especially drawn to cats. They are so cute...they ask us often how the grandcats are doing!! I guess when you don't give them grandkids, they'll take what they can get! LOL Instead of sending many pictures, I've posted them for our parents but do not want anyone to get tired of seeing pics of the cats so you can go on about your business now....

Rascal stretching in the sunlight!

LOL...Rowdie isn't really as fat as he looks although Heather asked if I was feeding him lasagna! I promise it is the angle...(he's in my lap)

No, he's not drunk...

One of them LOVES to play with the scratching post...and pull the fuzz off the top....guess who....
Rowdie is the guilty one!!!

Rascal has found several places he LOVES to rest...he doesn't lay on the mantle often but we've found him there a few times. He really likes the pop up tent we got them. We think he thinks he is invisible when he gets in the tent...LOL He hides there when the youth are over.

He also likes laying by the back door and looking out, a specific window seal, and our back couch. If I can't find him in any of those places, we're in trouble!

Newest News

We have been pretty busy the last few weeks with work, church, and Mike finishing up his semester. Just a few things to mention...

*I have officially applied to grad school at Texas A & M University Corpus Christi!! It took me a little while to complete my essay but it was finally submitted with my application today. I did not want to mention it until it was official. And I guess it won't be official until I'm accepted.

Anyway...I am so excited to be entering the MAC program. MAC is Master's and Certification. I can complete my teacher certification and earn a Master's degree in Secondary Education with only 15 extra hours. I don't look forward to adding something to my schedule but I am very excited with the idea of teaching. Teaching was my goal when I entered college...it was my goal from an early age...but with moving to New Orleans and not being settled until now, it hasn't been an option.

We were at a Student Life Conference in February when I began thinking about finishing my certification. God began speaking to me about MY role in Beeville. Yes, I'm in the role of Youth Pastor's wife but I am not getting a chance to be a part of the community or meet others in the Beeville community due to working 20 miles away at the Children's Home. I feel secluded here and feel I am missing out on the relationships I could build if I were in another position. Plus, teaching is one of the best ways to be involved in the community. I'm excited to work with students in a broader spectrum.

*LifeGroups is going very well!! We have about 8-9 core youth group kids that come to our house each week for LifeGroups and they often bring 1-2 friends. The topics of discussion have been challenging for them and they seem to be enjoying the deeper content.

*We have formed a Leadership Team among the youth group and are very excited about that. It includes 6 youth that have shown leadership qualities since we've been here. We had our first meeting last Sunday to go over what the Leadership Team will do and what it means to be a part of the group. I'm ready to give the leaders some responsibility and watch them grow in their leadership skills.

*We have passed our 6 month mark in Beeville (April 16)!! Our 6 month mark of being homeowners and my employment at the Children's Home will be on April 27. I can't believe we've been here 6 months. In most cases, it feels like just yesterday that we said goodbye to our friends and family and it feels like FOREVER since we said goodbye to our friends and family. I am very ready to surpass our 1 year mark! We have not lived in the same place longer than 1 year since we got married! Don't believe me?

Townhouse that I lived in when we got married - 2.5 months

Townhouse next door - 1 year

Apartment in Kenner, LA - 3 weeks

Hampton, GA with the Muehlbugers - 2 months

Woodstock, GA with the Jacksons - 7 months

Andrews with my Nana - 1.5 months

Andrews in my Nana's guesthouse - 4 months

Apartment in Brownwood - 11.5 months

Apartment in Midland - 1 year

Some people may ask why I like to share how long (or short) we lived places...it reminds me that God is in control. It also helps me be thankful for where God has placed us now.

Well, I'm off to start my weekend! Tonight includes Mike making me dinner and catching up on my TV shows...our DVR is so full!! Tomorrow will include Mike finishing some school work and me getting to organize! YEA! Also, we'll be celebrating Gina's birthday...FUN, FUN!

Have a safe one!

Grounded Student Ministries

Check out the Grounded Student Ministries blog!

(The link is under Good Stuff to at the bottom of this site!)

This is our youth group and we are LOVING all the activities going on! Most pictures are from our LifeGroup on Thursday night. We have the high school youth over every week for a time of Food, Wii, and Bible study. It has been a great time to go a little deeper and challenge the older group. We have a good size core group that comes each week and they've been bringing a friend or two each week.

Please be praying for us as we meet with the youth each

Thursday night from 7-9...

We hope to have our new logo for Grounded Student Ministries

up soon courtesy of Miss Kate!!

My #100

#100

TV shows always celebrate a milestone when they film their 100th episode. Posting my 100th blog has been that way for me...a milestone. I didn't realize I was approaching 100 when I started re-reading my past blogs from the beginning. So when I did see that I had posted #99, I felt very blessed. Blessed that my family and friends would continue to read about our lives through 100 posts. Blessed that God brought us through 100 posts! Blessed in believing I'll have 100 more!

When I started this blog, I was going through a time in my life where things changed daily…hourly even! I needed a way to keep my family and friends updated without running up the phone bill and also enjoyed sharing pictures with them of what was going on in our lives but didn’t want to fill their inboxes! We were far away and our hearts were being refined.

This blog has been through a lot with us…moves, visitors, hospital stays, more hospital stays, holidays, birthdays, friends’ weddings, friends going through transitions, us buying our first house, Mike seeing the beach for the first time…all the things that have shaped us into who we are today. My hope is that it will be with us through many more transitions in our lives…friends and family’s weddings, babies, Mike’s college graduation, me starting and completing grad school (more on that to come!), and all the other things God has in store for us!

Looking back at my first blogs, I see that although so much has changed, so much has stayed the same. Mike and I are still madly in love with each other! We are still attempting to follow God daily! We are still stubborn at following God at times and He gets our attention with sometimes drastic measures! We miss our friends and family every day and want desperately to share our everyday lives with them. But this time around…Mike has a full-time ministry job! We are home-owners! Which means we are staying put!! We own two cars! We have added so many friends to our family! And we still miss our family and friends every day and want desperately to share our everyday lives with them!!

Thank you for sharing our everyday lives with us…even if it is through this blog! We are far away and our hearts are being refined and that is what this blog is about.

Almost there!

I am a bit disappointed in myself...I have forgotten my camera cord 3 days in a row!! I was hoping to get a few pics of my mom's visit up soon but they will have to come tomorrow! (I hope!!)

One exciting thing is that the blog about her trip will be my 100th blog!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!! I'm so excited!! Thank you all for keeping up with me/us through this site. It has been such a blessing to have this form of communication and venue for sharing our life. I looked back at past blogs a week or so ago and was so blessed to read the words of my heart from September 2005 until now! God has taken us on quite a journey and he isn't finished! Thanks for coming along for the ride!

Until #100...

Shout out to my Nana!

I was looking through my old postings and ran across this picture from December 2005. My Nana and Christy share a birthday and we were celebrating them when my Nana put on her birthday princess tiara!! I wanted to honor Nana by sharing the picture!!

My Nana has started following my blogs again. She was one of our strongest followers when I first started this blogging thing. She may not have always understood our decisions but she has always made sure we knew she loved us, supported us, and wanted to hear the latest on us.

We love you Nana!

One Great Weekend

This weekend was such a blast!! Angela and Brandon came to visit!!The four of us had a great time. We started out the weekend going to a Texas Country concert in Corpus...Aaron Watson, Eli Young Band, and Randy Rogers all on one stage~that's a recipe for a great evening friends!! Here are some pictures of us in the car on our way to the concert.

We HAD to stop by Whataburger after the concert for an early morning snack and got a few more pics. Angela got a kick out of the second one! He has to add his own flair to all of our pictures!

Saturday was a nice, relaxing day. We met Gina for lunch and had such a great time visiting. I've really enjoyed having Gina around. She and I get together at least once a week to hang out and have really gotten to know each other over the last few months. After lunch on Saturday, we headed to San Antonio for a day of relaxation! We stopped by a cute little boutique on the way to San Antonio where Angela and I picked up a few items. The River Walk was beautiful so needless to say, we had a great time.

I was excited to show Angela and Brandon the area that Mike proposed. I couldn't show them the actual spot since they have it all blocked off due to construction. We think our bench is gone forever!! It was still fun to show them the spot where we officially decided to become husband and wife!!

This picture never made it onto a blog and it should have!! So, I thought I'd share it with you all now!

This was taken the weekend Mike had the drainage tubes in his stomach during August-September. I went with him to get his tubes taken out and afterwards climbed up there with him to wait on someone to take him back upstairs. It was really the first time we'd been able to even hug while he was in the hospital. The tubes were so uncomfortable for him. Anyway, the hospital staff let me stay in the bed while they wheeled us upstairs! You should have seen the looks! Everyone just "AAWWW"ed as we went by. Mike's nurse, Kristy, thought we looked so cute so I had her capture the moment!

We had such a good weekend!! We literally did NOTHING...but we did nothing together! We did watch a few movies and played Super Mario Brothers 3!! We've enjoyed having the Super Nintendo hooked up (so has Gina and some of our youth)!!

We had Outreach Visitation last night at church and I was SO proud of our youth! The youth almost outnumbered the adults!! Way to go Grounded Student Ministries!!

Spring has sprung

At least this week in South Texas it has!! It was 76 degrees when I headed to work Monday morning!! 76! at 8:00 in the morning!! We've resisted turning on our AC but we might have to give in soon!


This month hasn't really turned out like I had anticipated but it has still been a good one so far. Several of our visitors had to cancel and although it always bums me to not get to spend time with friends and family, I understand their reasoning. This weekend will be a nice time for Mike and I to relax, catch up on some movies, and I'm tackling our "spare room" (AKA storage/junk room). I'm hoping not to dive too deep into the boxes because I want to relax...but, the room is on a downward spiral of getting out of control!

Then next weekend, ANGELA, BRANDON, and possibly PUMBA are coming to visit YEA!!!!!! I'm super excited! We're going to see Randy Rogers and Eli Young Band (2 of my favs!) on Friday with them and Jim and Gina. I'm excited for Angela and Gina to finally meet! I've talked about them to each other a lot so it will be good for them to put a face (and personality) with the name. And--the weekend will probably include a Chuy's visit!! YUMMY!!

Have any plans for the month??

I'm a blogging fool today!!

I wanted to share a few more pictures today!! This is Heather and Robert. They are some friends of ours that live across the street...I also happen to work with both of them! Robert and I work in the same building and Heather works in another building as a caseworker. Tomorrow is Robert's birthday so we had some dessert and card time today!



Brittany and Jake (caseworkers) joined in on the festivities! They are both a lot of fun to be around and help keep a youthful feel around here!!



The camera LOVES Brittany...what can I say?? lol




and again with the love??

I'm in the army now...

He cracks me up!!! We were in a "trash to treasure" shop (as I like to call it) and Mike found this authentic helmet! He wanted to play the part and I couldn't resist taking pictures!! I heart him!

Randy and Linda came to visit last weekend. We took a day trip to Corpus and had a great time. It was pretty windy but other than that, turned out to be a beautiful day. We enjoyed our visit!!

Mike and I made two additions to our family--Rowdie and Rascal! They were up for adoption at a local vet's office and come from the same owner. She is moving and can't take them with her. Mike wanted a kitten but these two fellas tugged at me...I had to give up a pet once and it turned into a bad situation. I couldn't let these two go through the same thing. So, we brought them both home with us. They are 1 year old, males, and were already named! Rowdie, the orange one doesn't come out to visit often so we figured we should snap a quick picture of him before he went back into hiding. Rascal comes out all the time, which is why I don't have any pictures of him yet! He is in the background of the picture on the right (walking away). He's a gray tabby. Anyway, I don't want to bombard you with pictures of the cats all the time but wanted to introduce you to them! We've enjoyed having them around!!

It was just yesterday...

I decided to clean out my Saved Mail folder...it has some emails that I have absolutely no use for...and many that were fun to read and look at. One included this picture...of me and my sis in August 2006! This was between Atlanta and Brownwood for those of you keeping up! lol...

I found others from friends with updates of where life has taken them. By now, most of them are out of date but it was fun to go back in time and rejoice with them over getting married, moving to a new city, starting their family, etc. Emails like that make me realize once again that I am an ADULT!! Where has the time gone?

It was just yesterday that I was doing fundraisers for my mission trip...now I'm the leader of the fundraiser!

It was just yesterday that I dreaded going back to school after lunch on beautiful Spring days!

It was just yesterday that I was packing up for my first big move!

It was just yesterday that Mike and I were newbies on this marriage thing!

It was just yesterday when my sis and I saw each other every day!

It was just yesterday when the gang hung out at Kate's apt playing Cranium!

It was just yesterday when Misty and I took our walks around the church in the afternoons!

It was just yesterday when Angela and I had a "war" with the boys ending in my car getting messed with!!

It was just yesterday when Angela and I walked a few blocks away to go wrapping!

It was just yesterday....wasn't it??

*by the way...I keep thinking of new ones and having to come back to add them!!*

What better to do?

Today is a slow day at work so what's better than to do a little blogging??

I didn't mention this in my last post but my dad and sister both visited during February!! I didn't get any pics of their visits though. Things worked out well...my dad came to visit on a Saturday through what we thought would be Thursday morning. He drives a truck so his schedule is up to his company. Anyway, the day before my dad got into town, my sis decided to visit the next weekend. So my dad was supposed to leave on Thursday morning and Christy would get here Thursday afternoon. Well, my dad ended up not leaving until Friday night so I got to spend time with both of them at the same time!! We always have fun together so it was a great surprise!!

Christy is coming back in March for about 6 days! I'm very excited! March will be full of visitors--Christy, Kate, Angela, Brandon, my mom!! March will also hold a bring-your-own-meat cookout for the 20-somethings at our church, a youth fundraiser for camp, 2 concerts, a Chuy's visit (only the best restaraunt ever!!...okay, maybe not ever...but it is still really good!), Mike's 2nd post-op follow up visit, starting LifeGroups for our High School youth, Spring Break...man, I'm exhausted just thinking about it!

What we've been up to...

We've had such a busy month...and things aren't slowing down!

So, what have we been up to you ask??

PLAYING WII

Um, yeah...do you see who won at golf??

Seeing friends and their

pregnant tummies!!
Gatlyn will be here in less than a week!

Going out for Valentine's Day in a

new city to a fancy restaraunt!!

(and yep...it was fancy--had to know which fork to use!

Glad my momma taught me well!)

And...I have rekindled my love for Sonic drinks!!

I'm sure there will be an intervention soon! You are all invited!

It'll be during Happy Hour...straws provided!

We've been hanging out with youth a lot too!!

I'm not sure if I'll get to post any pics on here...

I don't want to post any without permission!!

What have you been up to??