Girlfriends

Last night I went out with some girlfriends to dinner at the Olive Garden. This is a group of ladies that I met when attending church at Ascension Lutheran in Ogden. Our kids are about the same age and most of them went to Sunday school together.

All of us, with the exception of one, no longer go to that church for various reasons; however we try to meet monthly either with the kids or without (Mommy's need breaks too!) and just enjoy each others company.

I am glad for their friendship and enjoy out outtings. Thanks ladies!

Encouraging Word 11/29/10

But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.
~ Psalm 13:5-6, NLT

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
~ Colossians 3:17, NLT

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT

Couples Survey

What are your middle names?




Mine: Ann

His: Steven



♥ How long have you been together?

3 yrs in December


♥How did you meet? Through my friend, Mary.


♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating?

We texted for about a week before we met.


♥ Who asked who out?

He asked me out to dinner... I already had plans to go out with my friends dancing in SLC later that night, but when I got home from dinner they saw how happy I was, that they told me to invite him along!


♥ How old are each of you?

I am 32, he is 38.


♥ Whose siblings do/ did you see the most?

Actually, our families all hang out together alot. Normally its his brother/wife, mom, us, my parents, and my sister, Heather.

♥ Do you have any children together?

We have 3 kids total, but none together.

♥ What about pets?

Wrigley, our ShihTzu

♥ Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?

I am not sure that we really have a situation that is hard on us... but if we had to choose, probably money or Ex-spouses.

♥ Did you go to the same school?

Nope


♥ Are you from the same home town?

Nope... I am from Indiana origionally, he was born in SLC.


♥ Who is smarter?

At math? He totally is :)


♥ Who is more sensitive?

Hello? Have we met? I'm a bawl baby.


♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple?

City Club

♥ Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?

Orlando, FL.

♥ Who has the craziest ex?

LOL- Depends on the day.

♥ Who has the worse temper?

Oh, that would be me too... but Im working on it!




♥ Who does the cooking?

Me


♥ Who is more social?

Me, Im a social butterfly!



Who is the neat freak?

He is.


♥ Who is the more stubborn?

HIM!



♥ Who hogs the bed?

He says its me... I dont believe him.


♥ Who wakes up earlier?

Me, he is a night owl where I am a morning person.


Where was your first date?

Iggy's!



♥ Who has the bigger family?

We both have big families.


♥ Do you get flowers often?

NO! I cant remember the last time I got any....



♥ How do you spend the holidays?

Since our families hang out so often, its cool b/c they are usually all together.


♥ Who is more jealous?

Me.


♥ How long did it take to get serious?

It took me 1.5 yrs to get over a past relationship... so when I started dating Bryan I didnt think it was going to be anything special. I was very hurt and jaded, but he saw past that and made me fall in love with him.


Who eats more?

Him



♥ Who does/ did the laundry?

Him


♥ Who’s better with the computer?

Both I guess..


♥ Who drives when you are together?

Him


Engaged: April 2008
Married: September 20, 2008

Post-Turkey Day

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. As always, I had so much to be thankful for. This year, we didnt have our kids, but we were able to celebrate with 2 of the 3 the Sunday before and then Taylor did end up coming over to my sister-in-law's after dinner on Thursday.

On Wednesday night, we had dinner at Wingers with some friends and went to see "Unstoppable". I thought it was a good movie. Didnt know it was a true story!

On Thursday we slept in until like 11am... something we NEVER do. We went over to my brother-in-law's for a while to hang out until it was time to go to Joy's for dinner. After dinner, my parents came out to join us and we make Christmas plates. They turned out cute... although I totally forgot to take pictures. Oops!

On Friday we slept in again and went shopping around 10am... still got all the deals on things we wanted without fighting the crowds. Yay for us! That night we went to our usual "No kids on a Friday night" dinner at City Club and then off to Worship at the GP.

Saturday I am not even sure what we did... its all a blur. Sunday I got up to go to church and when I got back, my whole house was clean. Boy, I sure love my Mister Husband!! We went to lunch at Wing Nutz and then went home to wrap some of the gifts before the kids came home from their dad's house.

Had a wonderful weekend with my husband and tonight its dinner at Olive Garden with some of my girlfriends.

What makes you happy?

I totally stole this from another blog... but so worth doing to help remind me of the good things I have in my life.

10 SIMPLE things in life that make me happy...


1. Holding hands with my husband

2. getting a pedicure with my mom

3. quiet time with a good book

4. My son’s laugh

5. a clean bathroom (Honey, are you reading this?? LOL)

6. doing community outreach with my church

7. Hugs from my daughter

8. The numbers on the scale going down

9. A great cup of coffee

10. my favorite song coming on the radio

I'm oh-so-thankful.



What are 10 simple things that make you happy?

Encouraging Word 11/22/10

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

~ 1 Corinthians 13:7, NLT

And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows.

~ 1 Thessalonians 3:12, NLT

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone especially to those in the family of faith.

~ Galatians 6:10, NLT

Thanksgiving 2010

Every year, my parents do their Thanksgiving meal on the Sunday before that way people arent rushing around from house to house. This year, we had 38.5 (my cousin is pregnant!) people come. Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, my in laws, my siblings. It was fun.

Here are a bunch of random pictures I took...

Ty and Tabitha

Cobin waiting to eat

Levi and Shelby

Drew and Gunner

Gerry and Mason

Bryan and Chris

Danny and G

Chris and Rob

Jaxon, Dylan, and Mason

Me and Bry

Toe Update

Ty's toe looks SOOOOO much better. We got to take the wrapping off yesterday and its healing. Praise God!

Christmas Swap

I just signed up for a Christmas Swap... if you're interested go to the blog below to sign up!
http://symmetry-in-motion.blogspot.com/2010/11/12-days-of-christmaswithout-all-birds.html

Ty's Toe

Wow… I should get the Mom of the Year Award (please insert sarcasm here!!)
Yesterday Ty called me at 745 to say they were leaving for the bus stop. Normally, she leaves her phone home and walks with her brother and the neighbor. At 8am, my phone rings and its her telling me she was racing her brother to the bus stop and her shoe fell off and she cut her toe. Realizing that she was about to miss the bus I tell her to slap a bandaid on it and get back down there.
At lunch, she calls me to say that her toe has bled through 5 bandaids and the office wanted her to call me. I was completely swamped at work and she only had an hour left of school for the day so I told her to put another bandaid on it and go home and send me a picture of it so I can see how bad it is and we can decide what to do. I figured that the school secretary would have told me if they thought it needed immediate attention.

When she got home she sent me a picture, but it didn’t look too terrible but she said it was still bleeding a lot so I had her to ask the neighbor to look at it. Nicole said it looked bad and she probably needs stitches. I went home to look at it and it was worse looking than the picture so I called the Dr and we went in.

She ripped the padded part almost all the way off, the nail bed is lifted up and its cut under it. They cleaned it up really good and did a compression dressing that she has to wear for the next 4 days. Poor girl.

Encouraging Word 11/16/10

Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

~ Romans 12:9, NLT

How perfect a verse for today. I truly believe God puts little messages in our lives in the most random of ways, including my emailbox.
 
My exhusband is having problems with everything that is in the news regarding our former pastor/my friend. He is blaming the church and not the individual. He is putting negativitiy into my kids head when he isnt seeing the big picture. My church had nothing to do with the actions of this pastor... his acts were human and inappropriate, but nothing to do with the body of Christ. My ex doesnt see that and doesnt want my kids to return to our place of worship.
 
We prayed for him at bible study last night, that God will soften his heart and open his eyes. We also prayed for my kids, that they stay strong in their beliefs and that God put a hedge of protection around them. I prayed this morning for the Lord to guide me... to show me when to stand up and fight and when to sit back and listen. This is a hard time for us all... there are side effects to all those who know this pastor, even if we werent directly involved and I continue to pray for him, his family, and our church.

Chicago, South Bend, and Football

Bryan and I along with my parents, my brother and his wife as well as her dad all went to Chicago to drive to South Bend for the Notre Dame/Utah football game. We had a great time… we at deep dish pizza, found a new fav beer (312), walked a ton, took a bunch of pictures, reunited with old friends and family, and in the end had an ND win. Yay!

Here is a massive picture dump… enjoy!

I will praise you in this storm

Right now, I am going through some tough times… some things are going on in a couple of families that I am very close to and I am heartbroken for them and anyone else involved.

One of these people is someone I am very close to. Someone who is a confidant and someone who has helped me in my walk with Christ. Parts of me want to ask “Why??” but I know I just need to turn to the Lord and ask for comfort and strength. It isn’t my place to judge… so I turned to the bible and started looking up verses on forgiveness.

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 4:16

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28

"Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous fall."
Psalm 55:22

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."
1 John 2:1

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,"
Acts 3:19

"The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;"
Daniel 9:9

Lord, I don’t know why things happen the way they do. Please help me not to get mixed up in the questioning and finger pointing and to set my eyes on you. Help me to be a strength to those around me and remember that you sent your son to die for our sins, no matter the degree. Lord, I am not worthy… none of us are but I am so thankful for your gift of salvation. Please help me to remember to continue to praise you through the storm.

Encouraging Word 11/08/10

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.

~ Psalm 147:3, NLT

I am so thankful for this verse today… out of all the verses of the bible, this one ends up in my email with perfect timing. That’s how God works… he knows what we needs and slips those reminders into our lives.

Right now, I am heartbroken for some dear friends of mine because of some bad stuff that has gone on.I am just lost, heartbroken, sad, and mad… yet this is me as an outsider, I can’t imagine what the families are going through. So today, I am lifting up all my friends in prayer. Asking God to be there for them, to comfort them, to show support to them, to help them make the decisions they need to make, and to just love on them only as He can.

Lord, I love you. I know there is a reason for all this and in time it will be shown, but as of now none of it makes sense so until then continue to hold us in the palm of your hand. Amen.

How Great is Our God

I am reading Emily's blog... the teenage gal who is battling cancer. She's had a rough couple of days and today she is comforting her mom; telling her it's OK, that Jesus is with her. Instantly tears welled up in my eyes... She has a relationship with Jesus and is at peace and comforted by Him. How amazing is that? How great is our God?

Chris Tomlin's How Great is Our God

VERSE(1):
The splendor of a King,
clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice,
all the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
and darkness tries to hide
it trembles at his voice,
trembles at his voice

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great
How great is our God

VERSE(2):
And age to age He stands
and time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End
The Godhead, three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
the Lion and the Lamb,
the Lion and the Lamb

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great,
How great is our God

CHORUS(2)
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
how great is our God
Name above all names
you are worthy of all praise
and my heart will sing
how great is our God


CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great,
How great is our God


CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great,
How great is our God
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great,
How great is our God

Encouraging Word 11/04/10

And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

~ Ephesians 3:18, NLT

Crazy Coupon Lady

A friend of mine from church invited me to a Coupon Party. I decided to go and check it out since my husband already makes fun of me b/c I always pull some kind of coupon or discount out of my purse when we go to dinner or shopping, so it made sense to him that I’d go.

There was about 20 of us that showed up and the lady lays out all these products on the table and asked what did we think they retailed for? We all murmured some answers and it was about $65. Then she asked how much could we get them if they were on sale? The answer was $43. Then she asked us to guess how much she got them for? $14!!! Are you kidding me? It was all name brand stuff like diapers, detergent, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.

She showed us how to find coupons, how to use coupons, how to use coupons with sales, how to use coupons with rebates, how to do buy 1 get one free and get everything free. It almost seems too good to be true!

I decided I’d try it out… if she went from $600 a month on groceries and household supplies and now only pays $250, its worth the organization time to me. I told myself I’d do it for 3 months before I decided if I like it or not.

I have 4 coupons that I found out the products are on sale at Smiths this week. I am going to head there after work. If things go as planned, I should get all my items for FREE! Yay!

The Carnival was a Success!

Our church carnival went really well… we had over 10,000 people come through the doors. What a turn out!

My husband helped with security and I was at the Information Desk. All day long, I’d get questions like “Where are the bathrooms?” or “How much does it cost to ride?”… nothing big. The one time I get up to go to the bathroom and I leave Bryan there to man the desk, and he gets people asking “What denomination is this church?” or “what does this church believe?”… He told me I didn’t get anymore bathroom breaks after that.

Around 745pm, we left to go get dinner at IHOP before we got the kids from their dad. We had our bright yellow GP shirts on and the waitress immediately recognized we were from the church up the road. She asked us a couple questions, then walked away… then came back 2-3 more times to ask more questions. I thought she was going to sit down with us!

The best part is when I was going to start telling her about the church, my husband jumped in and started talking instead. My “I don’t go to church” husband was witnessing to the lady at IHOP. Praise God!! I’ve been praying for God to open his heart and accept Him in…. and maybe it took acts of community service for the Lord to get in… but whatever the reason, it happened. I was so proud of him and just wanted to cry b/c my heart felt so good.

Thank you Lord for the ability to touch those we have… Thank you for using me to reach those around the city of Ogden as well as right here in my own family. Help me to continue to witness Your love and bring more people to you. I say these things in your name, Amen!