It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!

As most of you all know, I love, no really, love the whole Christmas season! I love decorating. I love attending parties. I love the food at the parties. I love seeing people, especially friends and family. I love shopping. I love people watching in the mall. I love that most often people are jolly. I love driving around and looking at all of the pretty lights. I love the Christmas movies. I love that there's always a possibility of having a white Christmas. I love the colors of Christmas, the reds and greens and brown grass. I love the leg lamp from the Christmas story. I love buying happies for everyone. Most of all, I love reading this from Luke...

The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

And this from Isaiah 9....
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.

I love those words in Isaiah... And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace... Thinking about all of the words they could have used to describe him, and they chose these incredibly descriptive words... Wow! I'm thankful that THE Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace calls me his own.
Celebrate!
Love!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

A few months ago, our Portico Kiddos learned about RESPECT. Our verse was "Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." 1Peter 2.17. This has brought RESPECT to the front of my mind. I have been personally working on RESPECTing others. I have also noticed how disRESPECTful people are these days. Not many people say "please" or "thank you" much any more. It hurts my heart that children today are so disrespectful to their parents, teachers, peers and themselves. Growing up, my parents did a wonderful job teaching my siblings and I to respect others as well as ourselves.
I feel like our lesson helped our Portico Kiddos and their families work on RESPECT, but how do I help people my age remember how to RESPECT ourselves and each other? I have friends who do the stupidist things because they do not RESPECT themselves. It is so self-destructive. I mean don't you have a brain in your head? Don't you know that RESPECT means an act of giving particular attention? Don't you like being treated that way? I surely do! I like to be treated RESPECTfully. I think the world, especially my community, would be a much better place if there was more RESPECTing going around.
My challenge: Join me in showing proper respect to EVERYONE--- parents, teachers, authority, coworkers, roommates, friends, most importantly ourselves. The small things (saying "please" and "thank you" and using good polite manners) will make this gal's and your world a much better place to live in.

Community

Meriam Webster Dictionary defines community as:
an unified body of individuals: as
a : state, commonwealth
b : the people with common interests living in a particular area; broadly : the area itself
c : an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location
d : a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society, a community of retired persons
e : a group linked by a common policy
f : a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests
g : a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society
2: society at large
3a : joint ownership or participation
b : common character : likeness
c : social activity : fellowship
d : a social state or condition

So since I moved back over the bridge I have several friends in the neighborhood. On Sunday mornings, we all meet up at 8:30am for breakfast. Then we load everyone up on the bikes and we're off. We've been riding between 7-13 miles each time. We usually stop in at different places. We'll go to help out at the Simple Project or stop in at Books-a-Million or go play at the park.

I'm absolutely loving my community!
Love!

Zombie Ball

So Missy, the roomie, loves Halloween! So a bunch of her friends decided to throw a Halloween Party for her. It was a blast!

Librarian and College Student


Officer Tush and Greek Goddess


The Girls


The group


Sheriff and Renaldo


Me with the Queen of Hearts


Me and Pirate Pam


Librarian is not being too quiet...


I have to sweetest little brother who came in and joined me!

Love!

2 Very Long Years.

So, today it has been 2 years to the day since my car accident. It is so hard to believe it has been this long. Since some of my wonderful blog readers don't know the whole scoop on the accident, let me fill you in.
1. I had a clean car on Monday, September 22, 2008.
2. September 23, 2008, I had my tires rotated.
3. September 23, 2008, someone ran a stop sign and slammed me into a building only 2 blocks from my office.
4. OnStar came on. They connected me with a 9-1-1 operator who dispatched the police.
5. Donnie the cleaner came out of his office. He hopped in my backseat and called my sister and parents.
6. Patricia was on my phone through my bluetooth ear piece. She heard the entire thing including my OnStar convo. She came to the accident scene.
7. The paramedics wanted me to get in the ambulance.
8. I gathered myself and my emotions and wiped some of the exploded Dr. Pepper off my hands and face and instructed some firemen to break the doors off because I was crawling out. No backboard/taped down ambulance ride for this gal.
9. Kelly and Krystal came from down at the office. Krystal took me to the hospital. Kelly stayed with my car.
10. Krystal dropped me off in the ambulance bay to walk into the ER. She went to park the car.
11. I signed in and turned around to find a place to sit. Randy was standing there.
12. Emma and Marty showed up.
13. After waiting what seemed like forever, they finally called me back.
14. My body hurt. I was placed in a holding room across from a man who had his toes amputated. He didn't have proper wound care. His not toes were infected. It smelled horrible.
15. I went for X-Rays of my neck. Dad's friend Coach came to check on me. He asked for me to be drugged. I got a big shot in the hieney. After arguing with the doctor, he agreed to give the girl who bumped her head in the accident a CT Scan of her head. Did I mention I have a history of concussions? I'll tell the "Titanic 2" story another day.
16. Came back clear. They let me walk out of the hospital approximately 7 hours later.
17. Emma picked me up and we drove through Walgreens for drugs. Then went home. She stayed with me.
18. I didn't leave my bed until Friday when my parents made it to town. We went for more x-rays and to look at my car that had been towed from the accident scene to Bawcomville then to Ryan Chevrolet. We found the below pics.


19. I started physical therapy after seeing an orthopedic doctor. There was talk of surgery. I had very little feeling in my left hand. My upper trap muscle took over. I had good days and bad days. My whole body hurt, more intensely in my left arm and one certain place in my neck. This went on for almost 2 whole years of trying everything including epidural steroid injections, in my neck. This gets us to today.
20. 3 weeks ago today, I had the surgery. Now that the surgery has happened, I can tell you I downplayed it. It was a major surgery. It hurts. It is a different hurt. It is just a soreness type pain. It gets better by the day.

Things to learn:
1. Focus on driving. Even going a slow speed could hurt you.
2. Always forgive. The Bible mentions it several times. In the Lord's prayer it teaches us how to pray- Forgive those who trespass against us. In Matthew, he describes an incident when Peter was asking Jesus questions. Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. Yep. FORGIVE.
3. One of the biggest lessons I've learned is, if I am complaining, I should go home. Philippians says Do everything without complaining or arguing.
4. Another of my big lessons has been to slow down and enjoy the journey. You know how sometimes when you are traveling the last hour seems like the longest. Well this has seemed like a long two years. I think this is a great lesson to learn. Enjoy the journey. When you are going through a hard time, you lose site and you lose your will and your passion. I think we need to do the opposite. Even in the everyday mundane activities- Enjoy the journey.
5. To tag on to #4, slow down. In our day in time, life is always go go go. Sometimes God has lessons for us in the stillness. Plus how will we hear Him if we are too busy to listen.

Alrighty, there's a quick account of the accident. I want you all to know that God is ready to teach us even in our most difficult hour. We just have to remember and always choose to turn to Him every single time.
Love!

perfection...

So I'm not perfect.
I know others are not perfect.
Nothing is perfect.

So those are some realizations I've always known but was reminded of again tonight. I've been sulking lately because I am stuck at home recovering. After all, there are only so many episodes of NCIS and Law and Order that I can watch. My schedule lately is go to work then come home and sit in the recliner with or without dinner, depending on how I'm feeling. So today, I decided I would do something creative instead of sitting in the recliner. Last year, I went to the beach with several friends. I bought little wooden frames to frame our picture. I planned on painting the frames and adding some of the shells that we collected while we were at the beach. Well I guess a year isn't too late to do the project. Today seemed like a good day! As I was sitting there looking at the shells. Each one of the shells is different, unique in their own way. Each one had been on a journey before ending up in my hands. Each line, dent, scratch tells a story of its journey. Same with us! Each one of our triumphs, our scars, our experiences, our family and friends all tell our story. Those shells were made by the same hands that made me. Each shell was made unique, special and perfect. The world may see those scratches, lines and dents as imperfections, but our Creator sees differently. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29.11. Reading that, I definitely feel loved. Unconditionally loved. I'm not perfect. Physically, mentally or emotionally. But to God, I am perfect, just how he wanted me. I know I will always work hard to be like Jesus, I also know I will fail many times, not intentionally of course. Isn't it great to know even though we fail, God is loving and gracious?! I think so! I'm thankful that I am unconditionally loved. Jonathan sang this tonight at Portico Church. It brings tears to my eyes each time I hear this song!
*****************
How He Loves US

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

Yeah, He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,

Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If His grace is an ocean, we?re all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like an unforseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don?t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way?
**********************
I pray and strive to LOVE like He loves me!
Love!

taming the tongue.

To myself and whom ever also needs this reminder.

James writes "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." He says GET RID OF ALL moral filth. What is the moral filth in my life? What do I need to get rid of in my life? What things/thoughts do I need to change in my life?

He also writes do not listen to the word and not do what it says, you are deceiving yourself. You would be like a man who looks in the mirror and immediately forgets what he looks like. Am I forgetting what I look like? Forgetting who I am in Christ? Am I forgetting all of the wonderful things that I have been blessed with? Am I forgetting to worship God in each and every thing that I am doing? Is my forgetting myself causing others to stumble?

He also writes about our speaking. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father and with that same tongue we curse man, my brothers, THIS should not be. Can't do both. Instead of love and patience, am I being negative and speaking negative about my fellow brothers and sisters?

Oh my stars. It's time to get it together. NO ONE IS PERFECT, especially me. I understand that. I also know that the ONE who was perfect showed constant, unfailing, unchanging, patient love. Jesus says it simply as one of the greatest commandments of all. Love your neighbor as yourself. The words are simple. The action? Not so much. My new daily goal (to go along with my word of the year): I WILL LOVE MY NEIGHBOR AS MYSELF. Everyday, love. Every situation, love. Every person, love. Every moment, show the love that Jesus has so graciously shown me.

Love!

back at work...

So, I'm back at work after neck surgery. It hurts, I'm not going to lie. I'm tired and whiney and don't want to do anything.

This is what it looks like this morning.

This is what I looked like this afternoon... I'm tired.

This is me after walking with Leigh-Ann. I thought it would be a good idea to get outside and walk around for a little while.

I know I'm not too bright, but I'm ready to feel better! Anyways, soon. Very soon. I hope!
Love!

Knock Knock...

Who's there?
BOO
BOO Who?
It's only a joke, you don't have to cry about it...
HAHAHA!

Anyways, on Saturday, Leigh-Ann and I decided that we should make these Halloween wreaths that we saw on this BLOG. We jazzed them up with some of the fun tulle I bought at Spring Market. The wreaths were easy to make, but they were a huge mess! If you have an outside area, I would do it there. Also, Martha Stewart glitter is the best! Love it!!

You need black burlap. A lot of it.


Then you cut the burlap into strips.



Then you tie the strips onto your already painted black wreath. P.S. Spray paint works great for that task.


Then you need some awesome and expensive Martha Stewart Glitter. Totally worth the price. (Little helpers are awesome at this project!)


Here's the wreath making crew!


Here is how it looks on my door! Love it!


It was tons of fun!!! Love!

September 11, 2010

Nine years ago today was a day that is forever remembered in the history of our country. Nine years ago today, I was sitting in my senior English class. I remember someone knocking on the door to tell Mrs. Ricks to turn on the TV. Watching what was unfolding on the news... Five short months before on April 11, 2001, I was spazzing out as we went up the elevator to the 107th floor observatory of one of the Twin Towers. Being that high in the sky, you could see all of New York and surrounding areas across the Hudson River. In the Observatory, you could sit on little benches that were in front of the floor to ceiling windows. There were beautiful murals painted on all of the walls of different areas of the city. It was a very memorable part of the trip. After riding the 13 minutes down the crowded elevator, we stood at the foot of the building. Some of our friends needed to use the restroom before our next adventure. I remember waiting outside near the biggest pot of bright red and yellow tulips and looking up to see the building. The building was all you saw, no sky, just building as far as you could see.
...I remember thinking about all of the men, women and children in the upper floors of that building. My heart broke for them and for their families. I remember how terrified I was being up that high and could not imagine how terrified I would be if I were them. Since then, I've been to NYC twice. Both times, I've insisted on stopping by the place where the Twin Towers once stood, where that giant pot of tulips was, where so many men, women and children lost their lives because of anger, hatred and terrorism. I am now thankful for our country who does not stand for that. We stand for PEACE, for FREEDOM, for PATRIOTISM, for LOVE... I admire the men and women who sacrificed their time and lives to fight for our country and who came to rescue so many that dreary day. Below are pics from 2007 when we went to NYC.

A Rockefellar Center memorial of some of the faces of the men, women and children who died in the attacks of the Twin Towers.


The Statue of Liberty- An NYC icon as well as a USA icon.


Where the two tallest buildings once stood. Where so many lost their lives. Where Hope is.


The NYC Skyline. Forever changed.

These words are on my heart today...
God of this City
You're the God of this City
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are

You're the Light in this darkness
You're the Hope to the hopeless
You're the Peace to the restless
You are

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater thing have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here

There is no one like our god
There is no one like our God

Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here

Love!

Happy Birthday Grandma Rose!!!

Today is Grandma Rose's 83rd birthday (I mean 38th)! When we were little, she used to snuggle with us and tell us the best stories ever. She always let us help her in the kitchen. As, we've gotten older, she always encourages us to believe in ourselves and how to love. I'm so proud that she's my Grandma Rose.
I love you so much!!!
Sarah, your princess

Stylish

So my crafty friend Leigh-Ann and my artsy friend Heather collaborated to create a very special happy for Missy and me. Heather's grandmother, like mine, is a skilled seamstress. She has taught Heather all about sewing. Heather passed that skill on to Leigh-Ann. Part of her lesson, Heather taught Leigh-Ann to sew the cutest hospital gowns! It was the most thoughtful and special gift. Here are a few pics of Missy and me modeling our gowns. It was definitely needed.
Thanks friends!

Front!


Back!


Love!

Neck Surgery

Mom and Emma thought it would be fun to take pics of me... For your viewing pleasure....

Me and this awesome magazine with Dennis Swanberg on the cover.


Me and Nurse Holly


Good drugs on board...


today, bored but hurting too much to do anything...

Love!

Celebrating Life!

Last Thursday, I had a pretty intense surgery. Cervical disc fusion to be exact. On that same day, my roommate and friend, Missy, had her 4th (halfway there) chemo treatment. Well since our home is the infirmary, we decided we needed to celebrate. What a better reason to celebrate, than life itself! We invited several of our friends to join us for dinner at our favorite Italian place. Here are some pics from that night! Enjoy!

This is Lisa, Pam and Lance


Laura and Missy


Missy, Emma, Josh and Leigh-Ann's floaty head.


Leigh-Ann's floaty head, Ryan and Brittany


Cassie and me

Love!

Landry Vineyards Fun!

My good friend, Heather, called one Saturday. She said she and her family were going to attend the Harvest Party at Landry Vineyards (a local wine vineyard). My friend Leigh-Ann and I rounded up several friends to go with us. We had a blast! So great to have this kind of fun in Monroe/West Monroe area!

The property is beautiful!


We got to participate in some good ole grape stomping fun! I even did it!


Here are the gals!


Plump juicy grapes! I can taste the Blackberry Merlot already!


The dudes!


Sweet Muscadine wine... tasty goodness!!

Love!