Birthday Happiness

Yesterday, I turned 26! I was so happy that Russell was off because we got to spend more time with each other, which was great. 

 I love the wrapping paper!

We went to Camden and spent time with Mama, B.A., and last but definitely not least, my uncle, Charlie, aunt, Kim, and cousin, Camylle! Charlie and his family are spending time in Arkansas this week from Washington D.C! I always get so excited when we see each other!

 Camylle is eight years old and so cute and sweet! We had fun working puzzles and spending time on the Lisa Frank website! ha!

 We also went to Mustin Lake.

 I used to swim here so much when I was little. See the ducks and Polo, the dog? So cute!

 We had a great dinner then cake for dessert! YUM!

 They were singing "Happy Birthday" to me and I just loved the harmonizing they did while singing. Hey, it runs in our family! Singing is what we do! :)

 Me and the love of my life, Russell!

 Mama with her brother!

We all took a picture together at the end of the night. We had a lot of fun and many laughs too. Spending time with family was the best thing about the whole day.

You made me so happy, God, I saw your work and I shouted for joy. Psalm 92:4

These Days

 Belle has seen us pack a lot lately! I thought this was the cutest picture. She has been so animated lately. We just adore her.

 She thinks she has done all the work. She's quite the boss!

 Belle is hiding. Can y'all find her? She thinks packing is for the birds! Ha!

Wednesday was my last day of counseling with Mrs. Nita. Nita is one of the sweetest, nicest  people ever. I went to her office regularly and she helped me so much. It meant a lot to me. I just love her! In life, it is very important to try to surround yourself with positive, encouraging people. Nita was definitely one of those people to help me get through all the life changes that I faced during the past couple of years.

Well, tomorrow is my birthday. I'll be a whole twenty-six years old! I can't wait to spend time with family tomorrow! I'll definitely take pictures and post them in the next day or two! Hope y'all are having a great day!

But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. Psalm 13:5

Pioneer Woman Love

I just love Food Network. I love them even more for their newest show:

 Pioneer Woman is the newest show on the network! I have always just adored The Pioneer Woman! I began following her blog a few years ago. Then she came out with her first cookbook, "The Pioneer Woman Cooks." This year, Ree Drummond, a.k.a. "The Pioneer Woman," came out with two books. I really enjoyed reading "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels" and her newest book, a children's book, called "Charlie, the Ranch Dog."

Her show starts in just 30 minutes as I type this! I just love this picture of Ree and her family. So sweet. Well, I better go! The show will start very soon! I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend. Go cook something yummy, y'all! 

Wherever He Leads

Wow. That is all I can say! I feel like I should start this post at the very beginning, a very good place to start (cue Julie Andrews) ha! Anyway, as I said, I'm going to start at the beginning. Everyone has a story. I truly believe that. Some of you may know my "story" or my testimony already but some of you may not. Lets go back to September of 2008. Yes, it was a while back, I know. Oh, and fair warning, this is a long post, BUT I will try my best to make this long post interesing! HA! :) So September 2008 was like any other September. Russell and I were living in Northwest Arkansas and Fall was just beginning there. On the 23rd of that month, we found out my Daddy was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Everything from that moment on was absolute emotional chaos it seemed and just a hard trying time for our family. Fast forward to February 19, 2009; Daddy passed away that day and of course it was an absolute awful time. I will not lie. The next day Russell lost his job due to a lay off. We found out 5 minutes before we left for visitation. Yeah, crazy, I know! We were in absolute and utter shock. Depression and disbelief all at the same time. Russell and I both clung to the Lord and to each other for help and comfort. God got us through 10 months of waiting for Russell to get a job. We really wanted to stay in Northwest Arkansas. We love it there and planned on being there forever. Russell got a job here in South Arkansas in December 2009. We were soooo very very grateful to God for the job. The Lord definitely provided our needs. We enjoyed spending time with family and friends a lot.

For the past few months, however, Russell and I felt the need to be back in NWA. We knew that it was God's will for us to be there after we prayed so much about His will and where He wanted us to go. We loooove being with our family and friends so much. But our hearts were still in NWA even after all this time that went by. We kept praying for the Lord to meet our needs and for Him to lead us. Again, we clung to God for strength and more. We actually started praying about this in November 2010. I will be honest, there was just a huge part of me that told close friends and family, "I know we are going to be up there I just don't know when." I know that may sound funny to some people, but that is really how we felt!

Can y'all  guess what happened?

 TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART!!! HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATHS!!!

Russell got a job offer to work in Northwest Arkansas on Wednesday. We will be moving back next month!!!!!!!!

WOO PIG SOOIE!!!

We plan on going to a Razorback game later this year together as part of our celebration! Ha!

 We will go back to our church in Bentonville, First Baptist Church. We are ready to serve!

 We can't wait to take a stroll at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade!

 Belle is also looking forward to taking trips to the dog park, too!

Eventually we will be able to live in our house again. What a blessing.

We are most excited about the plans God has for us and also very excited about spending time with our friends and making new friends too.

I have learned so many things the past few years. But the thing I have learned the most is this: Follow God's direction in your life. You may not WANT to go where He wants you to go or do what He wants you to do, but if you give your whole self to the Lord, He will direct you. He loves YOU!

Wherever He Leads I'll Go,

Wherever He Leads I'll Go

I'll Follow my Christ

Who Loves Me So

Wherever He Leads I'll Go

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Lately Happenings

Thursday was the last day I kept sweet Riley. I only kept her for about three weeks but we had a ball together! She is starting Kindergarten this week! 

 Isn't she cute?

 Buddies!

Lauren, my sweet niece, stayed with my mom for the weekend. Friday we all went out to eat at Larry's pizza. Lauren and I both LOVE cheese pizza. It's our favorite. What can we say? Ha!

 Guess what Lauren and I made last night? Play dough! We had a good time making it and playing with it too!

 I will try to remember to post the recipe soon, by the way.

 Mama, Lauren and me

 Wood's Place is so good as always, so we decided to eat there for dinner. Oh so good!

 If y'all go to South Arkansas be sure to go to Wood's Place!

We always see people we know at Woods! Well, school is starting this week for most everyone. Summer flew by, didn't it? Hope everyone has a great 2011-2012 school year!

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man I put childish ways behind me. 1 Corinthians 13:11

Fun with Riley

I have been pretty busy for the past two weeks. But I have also been having fun with my new little friend, Riley! I have been keeping her a few days a week and having such a fun time too! If you read my blog, you know I ADORE kids! I was excited when her parents asked me to spend time with her!

 Last week, we went to the library. Riley was looking forward to seeing the tarantula there! She also saw a hermit crab! So cute!

 Guess what else was there? A little hedgehog! We were so surprised to see this little critter there. So funny.

 We also took time to read a few books, of course! I love the children's library here in this town. It is great!

 Mr. Rob has the best 3-D pop up books. He read Alice in Wonderland to Riley!

 Aren't the pages so cool? I thought they were!

 Today, we stopped by my house for a little while and Riley met our sweet Belle. Our dog loves children, which is great.

 We had a special afternoon today. We made homemade play dough!

Ta-Da! This is the finished result. She did a great job kneading the dough and mixing the food coloring in. By the way, play dough is very easy to make and kids have SO much fun doing it. I will post the recipe soon. Of course, kids need adult to help! ;)

Riley will start Kindergarten next week. Riley, I have had so much fun with you and wish you an awesome year, sweetie! Love you! Miss Meredith

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

90 Years

Sunday, our family had a birthday party for my Mamaw Jordan. She turned 90 years old last week! Oh my goodness! We all love her very much and wanted to be there with her to celebrate. Our family loves to celebrate. But then again, what family doesn't? :) 

B.A., Mama, Logan, Eric, Lauren, Kelly, me, and Russell

 I love all my cousins so much! Me, Brooke, Heather, Lance, Ann Marie, and Mary Catherine

 Logan and Warren are best friends. They have known each other for years and always enjoy hanging out! As you can see, Logan enjoyed the blue snow cones! Ha!

 Mamaw is on the left. She loved it when we sang "Happy Birthday" to her.

 Mamaw enjoying herself; and the yummy cake!

 The girls!

Every one of my Daddy's brothers has this picture. I have shown it before on my blog but I wanted to show it again. I wish I could say when this picture was taken. Mamaw and Papaw are in the middle and all their boys are around them. I think it is the sweetest picture ever! Daddy is the one on the far left. :)

 Jordan boys way back when. Buddy, Johnny, Jerry, Jack, David and Bill

 What a sweet cutie pie! We loved to sing that afternoon, too. So cute!

Cousins! How cute are they? We had a fun time together. I always love catching up with family and love to hug their neck, too!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you. To give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11