Home Is Where the Heart Is

Does this house look familiar to anyone? We bought this house in 2008. We were thrilled as could be about our new house. We had to move in late 2009 to South Arkansas, but put the house up for rent. We didn't even expect to be able to move back in the house!

 In May, we will finally be able to move back in our home! We could have never imagined it would end up this way, but it did! We are so grateful for all our blessings! I cannot wait to cook in our kitchen with the sun shining through the window. I cannot wait to plant flowers and shrubs in our front and back yard. I can't wait to decorate it again! I can't wait to see Russell mowing the yard or working in the garage. I cannot wait to go walking in our neighborhood. We are so thankful!

I took this picture when Russell brought all the boxes in our apartment. We are excited, but I tend to get overwhelmed when it comes to packing. Can y'all believe this will be our 7th time to move in four and a half years?!?! Crazy! Ha! Anyway, we'll just take one thing at a time when it comes to packing! No matter how many times you move, you're never an expert at packing. Well, I am not, anyway. I have never been more thankful than I am right now. God is so Good!

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9

A Special Surprise

Yesterday morning, we went to church and when services ended, "the bottom fell out", so to speak, and it rained so hard outside! Usually, when it rains that hard, you just wanna curl up with a blanket, and read or watch a movie.

Well, in my case......

 Not when your sister comes to town! :) I knew that Kelly, Eric, Logan, and Lauren were in Kansas City for a soccer trip, but I also knew it was a long drive home for them, and didn't even think Russell and I would get to see them! I was SO thrilled when Kelly called me! We met to eat dinner together at Cracker Barrel. Yum!

 I know I say this so much, but they really are growing up too fast! I just love my sweeties!

 Logan is so proud of his cool sunglasses! Love them, Logan! Logan is so talented at playing soccer! He has been playing for years!

I had to try on his sunglasses too! :)

I am so glad we got to see them for a little while! They know how much Russell and I love them all!

Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you. Genesis 12:13

100 Years Later...Remembering Titanic

 It has been 100 years since Titanic sank. I have always been intrigued by the history of the Titanic.

Here are just a few interesting facts about the ship.

--The Titanic was 882 feet long.

--It cost $7,500,000 to build the ship.

--The ship actually carried 20 lifeboats.

--There were 11,000 pounds of fresh fish, 1,120 pounds of marmalade and jam, and 6,000 pounds of butter on the ship. Wow.

--492 passengers survived the tragedy, including 2 dogs.

Russell and I are watching the movie now. I remember the first time I saw the movie. I was with Mama, Daddy, and Kelly and Eric. We had to wait in a long line outside the movie theater. I love this movie.

Let's remember the story about the Titanic today.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Indescribable

 I forgot to post this picture the other dy, I took with my phone. We took it right before Easter service on Sunday morning. I am so thankful for sweet Russell and love him more each day!

We have continued to walk outside together as much as we can. We are just loving the beautiful outdoors lately!

 We walked on the Dogwood Trail, Rock Ledge trail, and Tulip trail. It was fun and we see lots of neat things each time we walk!

 I adored this beautiful waterfall! So beautiful!



 We were almost finished walking the trails and these beautiful flowers caught my eye! I have always seen Bleeding Hearts on the internet, in magazines, or in books, but never have I seen these in person! I was so happy because I love anything pink, and of course hearts! :)

Pretty Rose!

Most of the dogwoods were bloomed out already, but these still looked gorgeous! Take a little time today to stop and smell the roses, or even the fresh air! Be thankful for today!

Thanks be to God for his INDESCRIBABLE gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Weight Watchers Wednesday! The Perfect Spring Salad!

Happy Wednesday, y'all! I hope y'all are having a great week so far! I thought I would share my favorite salad right now with you! It's Strawberry Turkey Salad! It's so yummy!

Strawberry Turkey Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups Romaine lettuce, torn into pieces

1 cup sliced strawberries

2 slices deli turkey, torn in pieces

1 Tablespoon almonds, chopped, then toasted

4 tsp. lowfat raspberry vinaigrette

Directions:

Combine all ingredients well. Enjoy!

This salad is 4 PointsPlus Value. However, it may vary depending on what brand of turkey or raspberry vinaigrette you use. So you may want to double check to make sure. This salad screams springtime! Don't you love it?

Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. Genesis 1:29

Rise Up! Easter 2012

 Happy Easter, y'all! He is Risen! He is Alive!

This weekend was definitely jam packed, but so awesome!

 Our church had a Good Friday service on Friday night. It was so good and reminded us of what Easter is really all about, which is that Jesus died for us ALL and three days later, He rose again!!!

Saturday morning, Russell and I had choir practice for the Easter service this morning. It went really well. I was SO glad to see one of the sweetest girls I know, Carly!

 Carly is one of the most joyful, caring girls I know. She is adorable! She sings beautifully and has a strong heart for the Lord! Love you, Carly girl!

My friend, Janet Pate, from our church, has ovarian cancer. She is just a precious lady and wonderful woman of God. So many people just love sweet Janet. In honor of her, a bunch of girls participated in "Hats for Easter".

 I was so glad to get a quick picture with her! (Thanks for letting me borrow the hat, Mandy!) Funny thing is, I don't own any hats. I think it's because I am pretty picky about which one just MAYBE would look decent on me. HAHA! I didn't care which hat I wore, but I wanted to participate and let Janet know I love her and I'm praying for her!

Sidenote: I think I like the "Kentucky Derby" style hats more than any. :)

SO MANY people showed up to get a picture with Janet!

 Wow! What fun and how special it was to do that!

 I love my sweet friends! Me with Rhyanne, Baby Eden, Mandy, and Adrienne! Love them!

It was soon time for the second service at church, and since Russell and I are both in choir, we sang in both services. So after the "hat fun", I rushed to the choir loft for the 10:30 service.

Oh my word. Easter was TRULY reflected in the service this morning!! The youth sang along with a live pop video to a song sung by Maegan Kufahl, called Rise Up. It was so great! We sang "Blessed Assurance", "Jesus is the Lord," "Jesus Never Fails", and two of my faves, "Your Great Name" and "Unto the Lamb." Twenty-six decisions were made during the services. It truly was amazing!!

I have a special place in my heart for youth and college girls. Just because it can be such a busy, stressful, yet fun and exciting time in their lives. Therefore, I have gotten to know girls like Carly Sorey and this Carlie!

 Carlie is also a precious girl and oh so sweet! She plays the flute just beautifully and has such a heart for the Lord! Love you, Carlie!

Yesterday, I worked on cooking....and cooking! HA! But It was so worth it for this special Easter day! :)

 I made Breakfast Bread Pudding (it's savory, not sweet), for our choir's brunch in between the services. Yummy!

After church, we headed to Amy and Tony's house to continue celebrating Easter.

 I made Spinach Casserole....a.k.a. heaven in a dish! Let me know if y'all want the recipe!

 Also made Cheddar Scallion Popovers

 The table was decorated beautifully! You can never go wrong with fresh Spring flowers! So sweet!

 Also loved the bunnies on Amy's baby grand piano!

 Pretty!!!

 Look at this little honey bunny, Leighann Grace!

 I made New York cheesecake for dessert.

 Amy, Leighann, and me!

 It was such a thrill to see Leighann hunt for Easter eggs this afternoon. She got so excited!

 Eggs are in her basket! I think she found a lot of them!

 Russell had fun blowing bubbles with Leighann too!

 What fun!

Me and my sweetie on our seventh Easter together! I love him!

I hope y'all had a blessed Easter.

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:6

Weight Watchers Wednesday: Easter Edition!

                                  

 Easter is almost here! I just had to add this sweet picture of a sweet little lamb. I thought it was precious!

Well, it's Weight Watchers Wednesday again, y'all! Easter Edition! I found the easiest recipe and I thought it was too cute not to share! If you have kiddos, or a niece and nephew, or even if you don't have kids, you should make these baskets of joy for Sunday! So easy, you won't believe it!

Easter Chocolate Crispies

 1.    Place 5oz milk chocolate squares in a pan with 1 1/2oz polyunsaturated margarine and 1 tbsp light molasses. Warm gently and stir until melted.

2.    Stir in 1 3/4oz puffed rice cereal.

   3.    Spoon into 12 paper cases, shaping into nests. Leave to set for 1 hour then fill each with 3 Cadbury's mini eggs.

These adorable baskets are only 4 PointsPlus Value! Fun, fast, and easy! How can you go wrong with that?

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them.  “I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.”When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Mark 14:22-26