One Year

My sweet Daddy has been in Heaven for one year today. Sometimes it seems like it has been a year, but sometimes it seems longer. It is only with God's help that we have gotten through so far. We as a family have all learned many many things throughout this year. If I could say one thing we have ALL gained, it would be strength. I have even loved my husband, mother, sister, brother-in-law, nephew, and niece more than I ever have before as well. And of course other sweet family and friends. Our family does have such a special bond and I thank the Lord every day for that. I think this is my favorite pictures of Daddy. He just looks so happy!

The next pictures are what I call a celebration of his life on earth.
Here is Daddy on the left and his twin brother, Jack. We all love this picture.

Daddy is on the far left wearing the plaid vest and bowtie. His twin is behind him, Jack. In front is Uncle Bill, then Uncle David. In the middle is my Mamaw, and behind her is Papaw. Beside Papaw is Uncle Buddy and Uncle Johnny. This is a Valentine's Day picture and I love it!

Kathy and Jerry (Mama and Daddy) before on of their many dates together.

On their wedding day

Mama and Daddy holding Kelly

Mama, Daddy, Kelly and me!

Eric, Mama, me, Daddy, and my PopPop

Daddy with his 5 brothers and my Mamaw

Daddy with his precious grandkids a few years ago

Springtime

And another picture taken in 2007

I will never ever forget the love Daddy had for us. I will carry that love on forever.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

I debated posting about this on my blog, but I had a gut feeling that I should post it anyway. A week ago, I was diagnosed with a disease called PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). I am really honestly very sad about it, but am trying hard to stay positive. I won't go into details about it because it gets pretty personal. Basically, I just want to know more. If any of you know more about it and want to comment or email, please do. I would appreciate it a lot.

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1

Steel Magnolias Valentine's Day

I hope this week has been good for all of you so far! I wanted to update ya'll and tell you about our "Steel Magnolias themed Valentine's Day! Russell sent me a gorgeous bouquet of fresh flowers on Saturday for VDay. Aren't they soo pretty? I love them! Sunday morning, we left Arkansas and headed down to Natchitoches, Louisiana. We stayed at the Steel Magnolia House for one night.
Here is the historic and famous house. They were celebrating Mardi Gras, of course and were all decorated for the occasion. We were greeted by Christina and Richard, the hostess and host. We just felt right at home.

We stayed in the "Clairee Suite". We really enjoyed it.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Me by the front door

Russell by the collom. Do ya'll remember in the movie where Ouiser tied her dog, Rhett to this collom?? HA!

We decided to take our own tour around town and find some of the houses that were in the movie. We saw Shelby and Jackson's house, Annelle's house, Aunt Fern's house, Truvy's house, and more!

Here is the Cane River Bridge.

We came back to freshen up for dinner at Mariner's.

See how excited I am? This is just a picture in the hallway at the house!

Here we are at Mariner's! This restaurant was absolutely delectable, I am telling you. Russell had Cajun seafood platter, and I had Steak Oscar.

And for dessert.......

My sweetheart and I shared a heart shaped raspberry white chocolate cheesecake. Can we say HEAVENLY?!

We were sooo full. But Christina greeted us with cookies, and hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries. The little note says: "Have Sweet Dreams"!

Then we came back downstairs and watched "Steel Magnolias". It was soo neat because while we were sitting in the den, there were several times when we said, "Oh, I remember that!" And "Shelby was standing there!" HA! It was fun!

I even got to see an original copy of the movie script. And to top it off....it was signed by the actors! YAY!!!!

Christina made a great French breakfast: Creme Brulee Lost Bread. I had never had that before. We visited with the other guests during breakfast then took a short tour of the house. I just HAD to get a picture with her. She is really a sweet lady.

Here we are again!

Do ya'll recognize this kitchen? I know if you are a Steel Magnolias fan like me, you do! :)

Here we are in front of the house.

Sitting on the front porch swing!
I also got to take a couple of pics of Shelby's bathroom!

Look familiar?

And here is Shelby's room.

I love this picture!

And outside!

Russell and I did a little shopping before we left town. Then we ate lunch at Lasyone's.

They are famous for their meat pies. It was SOOO good!

Again, we had a grand time and will definitely come back sometime. We SO recommend visiting the Steel Magnolia house and Natchitoches. We loved it.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

My 1st Valentine

I have always loved Valentine's Day. And the thing is, if you are single, whether a single teenager or a single adult, you usually almost hate Valentine's Day. I remember I never had a boyfriend on Valentine's day until I met Russell. Which he was definitely worth the wait by the way! I would love going to our church's annual Valentine Banquet every year, then I always loved handing out valentine's to my friends and family too. Cards were my favorite thing for Vday! I even made a heart shaped pizza one year. I mean, like I said, I never felt sorry for myself whenever I was "alone" on Vday. I guess because I already knew who my very first Valentine was. My Daddy. This is a picture of us in 1993! When I met Russell, we loved celebrating the Valentine holiday together. We still do! :)

I do remember that Daddy usually liked to give Mama Russell Stover candy for Valentine's Day. It was something special he did every year. I loved watching my parents look into each other's eyes full of love for one another! But sometimes Daddy and Mama sent me roses for Valentine's day. I have always LOVED flowers. Especially a beautiful fresh bouquet of gorgeous fresh flowers! Oh my goodness!

Well, I just wanted to let all of you know if you are single and waiting for the one God has planned for you, don't give up hope! God has a special someone-a specific "valentine" waiting just for you. So keep the faith, keep praying! But also remember, God loves you! He is waiting for your heart. So let Him in your heart daily! Read your Bible every day. Keep connecting with the Lord and He will show you what to do in any situation!

I found the one my heart loves. Song of Songs 3:4
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Valentine's Day

Well, Mama and I decided to watch the movie Valentines Day tonight instead of the olympics! WE LOVED VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!! It was SOOO good! Go see it this weekend or soon! :)
Isn't this sweet? I love Hershey Kisses. This is a candy that reminds me of VDay!

This house is where Russell and I will be going Sunday. We are going to the Steel Magnolia House in Natchitoches to celebrate Valentine's Day! I'll post about that later! We are looking forward to a relaxing weekend!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Ice Castles: Winter Olympics 2010

Tomorrow is the 2010 Winter Olympics! It is going to be in Vancouver, Canada this year. We will definitely be watching the opening ceremony tomorrow night. I have always watched the olympics and enjoyed it so much (even though I can't play any sport hardly at all. ha!).
Thinking about the winter olympics takes me back in time. Who can forget Nancy Kerrigan? She really was my favorite even before the Kerrigan/Harding ordeal.

Also Apolo Ohno....

the 1st bobsledding team from Jamaica....

and Dorothy Hammill! My favorite olympic sport to watch has always been ice skating. I just love it. It looks SO beautiful and graceful. I wish I could just glide through the air on the ice like ice skaters do.

Today it finally started snowing here! It is very beautiful. It reminds me of the movie Ice Castles. Have ya'll seen that movie? SO good! I love watching the snow fall. It is just sooo therapeutic! God makes all things beautiful, doesn't He?

As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease. Genesis 8:22