Easter 2013

Yes, we are still here in the land of the living and thoroughly enjoyed our Easter holiday.

Isn't this time of year refreshing? The tree leaves and flowers are emerging, the grass is turning green, and we celebrate Easter - a reminder of what Christ did for us.

The two angels outside the tomb said, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen." Luke 24:6

Happy belated Easter and Happy Spring!

Thanksgiving

This year I looked forward to Thanksgiving break more than ever.  A rigorous school semester adding to our already full life made me realize just how valuable time away from the norm really is in this world.  Throughout this week of Thanksgiving I've reflected on what I am thankful for - the list is long, and often taken for granted.

I've thought about the pilgrims and their faithfulness in recognizing how God had blessed them - a harvest feast is a long standing tradition all over the world.  However, God was at the center of that first Thanksgiving feast with the pilgrims in the "New World". Where would we be without them?

This might sound strange, but I am thankful for the timing of my birth into the world.  God knew exactly where he wanted me to fall into this world, the people He wanted me to know, and the things He wanted me to do.  My parents were married 5 1/2 years before I was born.  Therefore, I could technically be much older, but I'm not. I'm so glad too because that timing impacts the friend groups I have, the college school choice I made, the man I met and married, everything really. This is true of everyone, and it's neat to consider.

Life could be so different in many ways, but it's guided by God's providence.  And we don't exactly know how different it could be because we are only familiar with the way it truly is - you with me?

Happy Thanksgiving 1 day late!

Issac plus Labor Day Weekend

This is a glimpse of the small river we obtained in our backyard during Hurricane Issac.   There was another small river at the very back of our yard - that is where Casey is headed, he had to check it out.

I was out of school and work for two days, while Casey's company pressed on through.

I made Zuchinni Bars to take up to my parents - that where we stayed during the long weekend.  It was the first time we had seen my brother Stephen since before he went for North Dakota for the summer to work.

One of the projects I tackled over the weekend was re-doing my jewelry holder.  I took out screen (which holds my earrings), sanded it down, and repainted it.  In college it was hot pink, and then the first summer we were married, I went though a brown phase.  That's a phase I pretty much regret, so I finally decided to change it.  I painted it with a color we already had in storage, and the new screen with tax cost me $3.18.  No big expensive project here.

before 

during

after

I decided that before the new screen went on, I needed to gather up the peeps for some pictures.

The peeps minus Casey because he is the one with the camera.

sibling love.

The boys really wanted to take a good picture together.

Then we made them laugh.

and we got good pictures.

Case and I were doing well until...

a bug flew right into his smiling mouth.

Group shot.

Trying to get situated.

All hot and sweaty by this point.  It was a blazin' 99 degrees. 

But I did take a few more pics of Stephen and Bethany.

We had ribs on Sunday night after church - so good. The jar of BBQ sauce is from Leetha's in Hattiesburg - my dad purchased it when they came down to help us move.  Leetha's is quite well known and has been highlighted on the Food Network.  It's a hole-in-the-wall establishment with window units to boot - those are always the best kind.

Love making my dad laugh.

Rib flippin' is serious business.

We topped everything off with red velvet cake.

Can you blame us?

Hope you all had a great Labor Day!

Easter 2012

"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing to in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen." Hebrews 13:20-21

I rejoice in knowing that God lovingly cares for His sheep - He demonstrated this by conquering death, and continues to demonstrate it by leading us and protecting us in all things.  
My study Bible notes on these verses refer back to Romans 6:9 - "We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him."
Hallelujah!  Doesn't that fill you with hope?  It sure does fill me up - to the brim. 

We spent the Easter weekend in the Delta with my family - it was lovely.

Hope you all enjoyed the special weekend as well!

Red, pink, and white love

Red, pink, and white are such happy colors.

Following a quiet dinner at home last night, we had these for dessert.



Last September, I posted the story I wrote about the first time Casey stated he was in love with me here.  It is fun to capture special memories by pen...or in this case Microsoft Word. 

Hope you had a great Valentines Day, and I hope you celebrate love every day. 

A New Year is Here

Well, I have not blogged since last year - good thing it's only January 6th (However,I started this post on the 4th - does that count?).  During our travels I did not pull out my lap top one.single.time.  I should have left it at home, but that is water under the bridge now. 

Sunday evening we pulled into our parking space at 201 Blue Gable Road for the first time in 12 days.  We were saddle sore to say the least, and it is good to be home.  Our trip was full of fun, laughter, and family, but I'll be honest in saying, it was not very restful.  This week after work every day we have been recovering by doing things like: eating dinner by candlelight, reading at night with only the hum of the refrigerator in the background, going to bed by 9:30pm; you get the idea.

Looking back over the past few weeks - Here is my recap of Christmas 2011:


On Tuesday, December 20 Casey and I drove from Hattiesburg to Cleveland.  The next day we left from Cleveland with my dad and drove to Gastonia, North Carolina (where my mom is from).  The day after that, we drove with my mom and brothers to Mohnton, Pennsylvania (where my dad is from). We arrived on the evening of the 22nd at Opa and Oma's (German for Grandfather and Grandmother). 

When Opa and Oma built their house they named the property Waldeshohe, which translates from German to "house in the trees".  It's a suitable name since their house is surrounded by 5 acres of woods. 

I think this is why my dad enjoys trees so much ;)

We introduced Casey to Amish country.  This is the horse and buggy "hitching post" at the Target - according to our tour guide, this is the first and probably only Target to have one in America.

We dined on Pennsylvania Dutch delicacies such as Shoofly Pie.

We set many tables, and shared many meals together.

Amish Woopie Pies.

Cooking away...

Cousin pic after church on Christmas morning.

Christmas dinner on the 26th with whole family on Chinet and not on fine china - much easier!

My full plate.

Stephen and youngest cousin Caroline.

 My Aunt told Caroline that the only place for her to sleep was under the tree.

The men did manly things.

The women attended the Nutcracker ballet performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet dance company.

Busy Philadelphia street right outside of the dance theatre. 

On the 28th we headed back to North Carolina.  We saw lots of holiday traffic - sat in some too.

Once back at Grandma and Granddaddy's house, we had a few more adventures.  One of them being - The Container Store in Charlotte, NC.  It was fun in a box - pun intended.

So, wonderfully colorful.

Beautiful sunset our last night in NC.

And that my faithful readers, brings this post to a close.

Thanks for taking time to read this post and all the others.  My one year mark for blogging was December 22.  Hard to believe it's already been a little over a year.  The cliche phrase "time flies when you're having fun" certainly applies here.