This is why I don't bake

I have said it before, I would rather cook a meal than bake a dessert, 100 times over. I like that if a sauce needs some zip I can think about what might work and just add it. Or if I have some extra veggies or some random cheese, I can just incorporate them into whatever I'm making.
I was just reading some articles on one of my favorite cooking/food websites Culinate. I was reading about making your own crackers, which sounded kind of fun...until I saw the following instruction: Seriously. 0.0625. I can't deal with that kind of pressure.

Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to a thickness of about 0.0625 inch.

Seriously, 0.0625?? I can't deal with that kind of exactness. What happens if you roll the dough out to 0.0624???? What do you measure this with? Can you eyeball that kind of measurement? Do I need to use some kind of geometrical formula?

You can see this has left me deeply disturbed. Or, more deeply disturbed.
And no, I don't know why my font won't go back to normal above.

Back by popular demand

And by "popular demand" I mean that at least 3 people have asked me about the blogging that has not been happening. . .
What can I say, when you live the fast-paced jet setting life that I do, blogging takes a back seat. Please don't ask me to define "fast-paced" or "jet-setting" as it might get embarrassing or cause you to question my grasp on the English language. So, where the heck have I been the past few months? Well, Toto, we ARE in Kansas now. The part of Toto will be played by Murphy.
When Jimmy is finally paroled (as soon as March, as late as October), I feel like he has the best chance of succeeding in his home town. His family is here and they are pretty supportive of him, but still holding him accountable and so on. The town is big enough for a bus system and pretty good job market. We have a church home here that we have missed for almost five years. I could go on, but basically the chance came for me to go ahead and move so I did. My goal was to get myself settled as much as possible before Jimmy arrives. He will be on his own for quite some time when he gets out, but I still wanted my own life to be as stable as I could make it.
So, to Kansas I went. I left behind some great friends, awesome family, and good job. Don't feel too sorry for me though, I have some great friends here (from when we lived here before) and awesome in-laws and found a good job that even pays a bit more than my previous job.
I don't know much more than I ever knew, as far as my marriage and my husband's future decisions go. But I still know the things I knew before that have carried me through all the previous un-knowing. I'm still confident and SURE that God is in control of my life. I know that He will give me peace when my circumstances can not. I know that when I feel sad or frustrated because my life does not look like others' lives or the life that I want it to look like, that God is still holding the paint brush, waiting for me to trust him again and again (and again), so he can make my life look like what he wants it to.
So, that's it. Other than that I'm still living pretty much the same exotic life. Cooking for my family, working working working, hanging with nieces and nephews, enjoying Murphy's many adventures and so on. I will do my best to get my blog on. Please stop your letter-writing campaigns.
Thanks for the love,

From this day forward

Today is my anniversary. Our anniversary. Five years. Is it awkward to think about it, to talk about my marriage in a celebratory manner? It's not the picture of success. It's not filled with great achievements and testaments of love. There has been more brokenness than healing. More hurt than heart. More strike outs than home runs. I generally don't receive "Happy Anniversary" cards or calls from anyone. I don't blame them, I think it would be hard to know what to do or how to say it. And I don't write this with a heavy or angry heart, towards anyone. Not even my husband, who is serving time. In prison. Which is hard to say out loud, but it's the truth.
Last night, when I began writing this, there was a lot more to the post. I am cutting it all because, if you know me, then you know my thoughts and feelings and the finer details of what God has been teaching me. If you don't know me, then the way I feel about my marriage can be summed up by simply stating that it has been harder than anything I've ever imagined. At the same time, I am confident that it is totally 100% by God's power that I am still here. And knowing that gives me more encouragement and peace than anything else could. There are a lot of verses that God has blown my mind with in the past several years, but really, there is a praise song that speaks my heart every time I hear it.
This is what I'm learning, what I am knowing more and more in my life, because of where my marriage, our marriage, has taken me.
"and even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life, I won't turn back-I know you are near."
And the last part of the song is my prayer for my life, our marriage, as I continue to give it to God over and over (and over and over and...).

And I can see a light that is coming

for the heart that holds on.

A glorious light beyond all compare.

And there will be an end to these troubles,

but until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth.

This post is dedicated to my one and only (only being the keyword) favorite little sister. Alicia. Louisa. Elizabeth. Anne. She is...."just too good to be true....ba-dap, ba-dap, ba-dap, ba-da-da.........I love you BABY...." And she is "hip to be cool..." The "Cherished One" and......"the apple of my eye...." How about you, can you think of any other good cheesy oldies songs? What cheesey songs would your little sister describe herself with if she was writing on your blog on your computer unbeknownst to you? ;)

For I know the plans I have for you

Just about 2 years ago, I was going through an extremely hard time. My husband and I had separated, and all signs pointed to the end of our marriage. I wanted to escape, to run away, to get the heck out of Dodge. When I wasn't pulling my car over to the side of the road so I could sob uncontrollably (and safely), I was wishing for an "out." A chance to make my way to a different zip code and a different life.
I would surf the jobs, looking wistfully at the (low-paying and sketchy) nanny jobs in New York or Florida or even Ohio. I didn't care. I saw an ad for a political job. Lots of training, expenses paid, travel from town to town (this was a year before the presidential election). I submitted my application, got a call and a pre-interview. Then, for some reason, when the real interview time came, I just didn't follow through with it. Probably because I had enough chaos in my life. Probably because God was in control, even in the middle of all that grief and hopelessness. I thought nothing about the job, went on with my life, stayed where I was (in so many ways), and God continued to provide and to care and to heal and to reveal many things in my life.
The past few months, it has been a continuous blessing to me to see where I did not end up. This little escape of mine would have been with a company called ACORN.
I have had many chances to make the wrong choice in my life. I have reaped many of the non-rewards of taking the wrong path. It's nice, every once in a while, to see that sticking it out has a plus side. You know, like avoiding being in the middle of an embarrassing, illegal, public national scandal.

Banana Love

Who knew that this
(pic borrowed from http://hobblecreekkitchen.blogspot.com)

Plus this

Would equal bliss?

The instructions call to add 3 bananas to the cake mix and follow the rest of the directions. I used a bundt pan (anyone else having Big Fat Greek Wedding flashbacks??) and was nervous that I would have a huge mess on my hands.

See where the overflow came through the hole of the bundt?
The cake was so moist, I was worried it wouldn't come out of the pan (this was a worrisome first time recipe, I guess).

It came out quite nicely, and it SMELLED awesome!

I used a basic cream cheese frosting. The picture is blurry, but all the better to hide the lumps in the frosting. This is what we call a "rustic" recipe.

Topped with crushed pecans and ready to head to work.

A close up to show how un-perfectionist I am (in case you weren't already aware of this).

To make:

1 yellow cake mix

oil/water/eggs as called for on mix box

3 very ripe bananas. You could total use 2 and still be fine.

Mix batter, make sure bananas are well blended. Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes (if using a bundt pan). Otherwise, start with the box instructions for your type of pan and plan on checking towards the end of the baking time and adjusting as necessary.

I have made this again with a more glaze based and lighter frosting. You could even sprinkle powdered sugar over, just before serving.

You can't always get what you want

I have spent the greater part of my life learning this. And you can whine and kick and scream and manipulate and bargain...but you really CAN'T always get what you want.
However,
Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Things are changing. Or, rather, I am in a position or experiencing the opportunity to make some decisions now that I have not been in for at least two years. If you know me personally or have read this, then you know that my life is not as stable as I would like. In fact, one of the small blessings that I have clung to during the past two years of my separation was the small amount of stability that I experienced. And as much as I clung to everything that I thought would bring or maintain stability, I am now learning the second part of "You can't always get what you want."
As I prepare to move to another state, to change jobs in a very uncertain job market, to postpone school (I KNOW!) for at least one semester, to return to my (epitome of "unstable") marriage. . . stability is what I want. A good job. Steady paycheck. Signed lease. Some kind of written commitment or sign from God that this will end the way I want it to. And so on. Those are the things I want (and also a cherry red Kitchen Aid mixer, but let's keep our priorities ok?). I, not knowing the future, not knowing the plans God has for me or the trials and struggles that lie ahead, not knowing what will be required of me, I haven't got a CLUE what I need.
I have no guarantees about anything. Except for my belief (to my very core) that MY God will supply ALL my needs. . . "
Will my paycheck be as big as I want it? I don't know, God's "glorious riches" are nothing that my tiny little mind can fathom. Will my husband remain dedicated to dealing with his illness and making the changes in his life that will allow us to heal our marriage? NO CLUE! But God's glorious (GLORIOUS!) riches will be there, every second, meeting my every need. Will I finally have some stability, something that resembles a "normal" life, one that doesn't cause awkward silences when you reveal too much "realness" even among your Christian friends? Beats the heck out of me! But you know what? If things continue to be bumpy (as they are sure to be for a while and maybe always a bit because when you're dealing with mental illness and wrecked lives there is a bit of DEBRIS), and I don't find that "stability" that I want, then I must not have needed it. Much like if I go outside tomorrow and my little old minivan hasn't turned into a zippy and stylish little whatever car. . . I must not have NEEDED the zippy little thing (though I would question this when it comes to parallel parking, of course). Does this make sense? I think it did, at one point. . . :)
Anyway, I am moving. To my husband's home town. In preparation for his parole. (awkward pause?). I feel like this is the best place for him and for us right now. His family is so loving and supportive, our church here has always been our "home church" even after years apart, and it is just a lovely small/big town in central Kansas. Pray for us, if you will. Pray that we focus more on God every day, that we are content to have our needs met through His glorious riches rather than by our own selfish wants and agendas. Pray for healing of many broken relationships, for our own broken spirits, and for the faith to fly by the seat of our pants for God rather than settle for stability, if that is what we need.

Not So Ordinary Nachos

**UPDATE** I think this is the third mclinky I have linked this to. I apoloqize if you've seen it before, but it's one of my favorite easy recipes for home or a crowd. Enjoy!


Super Awesome Nachos (TM)

Just kidding about the "TM", but they ARE super and awesome.

oh, and super easy.

Crockpot Nachos Supreme

1 brick o'velveeta cheese
1 lb taco meat (I use ground turkey), browned and seasoned with
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 can Rotel (i use store brand)
1 can black beans (rinse very well)
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk

Cube cheese into crock pot. Add meat, tomatoes, beans. Cover and let heat until cheese really starts to melt. Stir in sour cream and milk, stir thoroughly. After completely melted, add another splash of milk if necessary. This is enough for a large crowd (I take it to work and school quite frequently). The milk thins it out just a bit, so it's not that super thick break the chip off burn to the side of the pot kind of Rotel. It also stretches it a bit further, as do the beans.
*Variation* If you are having a Halloween-themed food day at work, just add a few drops of food coloring until you get a grotesque shade of green, then put a sign on the crock pot calling it "Snot-chos," win the Golden Spoon Award for the day, become the stuff legends are made of.

There goes the neighborhood

No offense to my new neighbor, but I'm not feeling very friendly. In fact,

But I'd rather fall down the entire flight of stairs. . .

Than make my new neighbor feel less than welcome by doing anything

offensive like, you know, holding onto the hand rail of the stairs.

And if he knocks on the door, asking to borrow a cup of sugar,

you can bet I will be giving him WHATEVER he asks for.

Movin' on up. . .

Except not so much "up" as "over."

During these wonderful economic times, I am happy to have a job. Even before the times got crappy (when you have zero, it's difficult to get too upset over a 30% loss of zero), I was happy to have my job. The work, talking to people from all over the country (and world) all day, is not the draw. The salary, though very fair and raise-able, is not the draw (though it has been nice working for a company where bonus no longer = Christmas ham). The hours, after years of nights, weekends and holidays at other jobs, are regular and pleasing-but they are not the draw. The benefits, the ones that give me great medical and retirement (even if I don't use it) coverage, and that pay for my school, are not the draw.
Anyone who's ever worked in a large office (or anywhere for that matter) can acknowledge that the coworkers can make or break the deal. I have worked in some great jobs with some less than socially-skilled people. I have worked in some undesirable jobs (serving mashed potatoes to 1,200 of my closest classmates?), with some hilariously marvelous people.
This job, where the cubicles and fluorescent lights make the typical maze-daze of office/corporate world, could drive me crazy. It is tedious, most days. It is busy, frustrated, ever-changing information. It is STRUCTURED (hello, my name is Carrie, and I don't DO structure) and without creative outlets (sigh).
But the people. The PEOPLE. Are. The. Draw.
I have grown fond of many of my coworkers. Their humor and drive and ability to remember much more information than I can is endearing. But tomorrow I am being transferred with 1/2 of my department to a different team. Thank you for the job, yes. But I am leaving my two favorite people. I have had the most fun and the most laughs with both of these girls (calling us ladies sounds so OLD). I have seen each of them experience pain and joy, and they me. I have spent time with them in and out of the office, I count them as very dear friends. And tomorrow they will be light years away.
Not really light years. But certainly not close enough to randomly throw things at in the middle of the day. Or share an impromptu picnic between desks. sigh.
The people make this job for me. And though I never planned to stay at this job forever, I never counted on being separated from my girls. I will miss them, and I am sad. . . and a tad dramatic, no?

MckLinky Blog Hop

Summer 2009, in pictures:

That's not my ring, those aren't my kids, high school friends at the same place and time, Murphy unplugged. Not pictured for Summer 2009: 154 more family events, barbecues, and random days spent together, trips to the farmer's market, girls' night out, long days at the pool, sleeping in, etc. . . It's been a great summer. How about you?

Friend-In-Blog is having a give away

This is her banner on her blog. I hope I didn't break a big bloggie rule by posting it on here.

I have a friend. She's smart, creative, and funny, and a great wife and mom. According to her blog, anyway. ha! Just kidding. But, she does have a super cute blog, and she IS having a give away in honor of her 100th post.

So, Rebekah and Yeebird, happy 100th!

If I could have 100 of anything, I would have 100 lessons in whatever I wanted. 10 cooking, 10 photography, 15 Spanish...or whatever.

I won't apologize

Yes, I know it's another video link. Sometimes I do actually write things on this ol' blog. But sometimes there are just no words. I found this on another blog that I read from time to time, written by the wife of a member of my favorite music group ( <-- that's a song from our wedding, by the way).

If only

If only I could find a way to make my living finding videos like this. Or coming up with ads like this. Or just hanging out with babies like this. Whatever, I'm not picky.

Encouragement in disguise

"Well, you're lucky, you had a short-term marriage."


I was sitting in a lawyer's office in early January, 2008. My husband and I had been married just over 3 years. We had gone from mess to mess to chaos and back to mess again, and had been separated for about 5 months (this time, 2 months the first time).
Our story and our issues are ours, but I will say that at the point that I called a lawyer, my husband had disappeared. The mess he had made out of our life, then to his own life, had gotten out of control and he just left. He had been gone for over a month with no contact to anyone when I made the appointment, and then he was found (arrested) two days before I actually met with the lawyer. I was ready and, I believed, at peace with my decision to proceed with the divorce. Even as a Christian, it seemed that I had every "out" made available to me. When the lawyer made that statement to me, as if I should be relieved that my marriage was ending, it jarred me.

The only way I can describe my life for the past 18 months (since the visit with the lawyer) is of this image in my mind. It was (who am I kidding, it very much still IS) like I was in a storm, trying to get out of it, seeking the exit, the answer (the whatever you want to put there). My family wanted me out of the storm, my church friends, even my husband's family. I wanted out of that storm. SO. MUCH.
When I left the lawyer's office that day, I did not immediately plan to put the divorce on hold. I just knew that I started thinking about "marriage" and what it means to be married. When I said "I do," when I took my VOW, it was not for a defined period of time. And in all of the emotion and confusion and hurt and loneliness and anger and grief, I had every "right" to want out of the storm that was my marriage.
The only answer I had was just the word "wait." For what? For my husband to get out and get help with his mental illness and other big issues? For him to hurt me again (he never hurt me physically)? For my family or his to have to bail us out of another mess, or another. . . Surely, if God wanted me to wait, he would eventually tell me what it was I was waiting for. Or give me a peace that this waiting was the right thing. Or some kind of bonus blessing that would signal me I was on the right path. Right?

The one thing I've learned in the past 18 months is that the answer to that--to whether I was going to get some kind of extra-special encouragement from God (or anyone else) or sign or answer or burst of super-spiritual power. . . is "not necessarily." WHAT?
The details and relational aspects of what it takes to remain married to a man that has hurt me so deeply are somewhat yet to be resolved. It's hard to know how things will work out when you're waiting on the parole board to make decisions. It's hard to find community and fellowship when most people don't want to talk about your husband, who professes to be a Christian, and why he's in jail. It's awkward. It's uncomfortable. It's worrisome (to my family, I know). It's tedious to repeatedly explain that I am not here because I believe in Jimmy. I am not here because I am confident in his ability to live a healthy life. I am not here because I'm digging my heels in and determined to "make it work." My faith is not in Jimmy. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of "debris" from our storm, but I do care for my husband. But my faith is not in him.
My faith is in God. Even if I have to stand in this exact place for the rest of my life, waiting on God, risking my heart, even if things never work out the way I, or others, think they should. MY.FAITH.IS.IN.GOD. It is a human faith, it grows tired, it gets WHINEY, it makes mistakes, gets lazy and off track. But I know this. I did not get a "short term" marriage license. I did not take a short term vow. I did not say "I do, for now."
This is the first time I've blogged about this part of my life. I have to say, I was never sure how to work it in between recipes and pictures of Murphy the wonder dog. Thanks for the opening, Brent Riggs and all the MckLinky community. I pray that if you are waiting on God, too, that you find strength in the promise:
Isaiah 40:31 (King James Version)
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
(just wanted to point out that it does not say WHEN the mounting and wings and running will occur, but I am at peace just knowing that they WILL). I also want to point out that in another version, the word "wait" is replaced with "hope." So. There you go.
Love,

After several hours and a big design mess giving up for tonight.

Who knew i could mobile blog?

No Bridezillas Here

Matron of honor and my sister Kim, me!, very good friend Deanna (who bought her dress about an hour before the ceremony!), friend from college who married my brother so now she's my sister in law-Kristin.

The theme of our wedding was "simple." If you read my post from last week, you saw that I bought my dress on eBay for 30.00 and so on. . .
For my bridesmaids, I let them pick out their own black dress (so they REALLY COULD wear them again). My sister, Kim, was my matron of honor, and she actually wore a deep purple dress with yellow flowers on it. We were married on October 30, 2004, and had a fall theme, so her dress actually matched.
The flower girls were 4 of my nieces, 3 from the same family. Because I knew that my sister-in-law would be buying matching dresses for their Christmas card just weeks after my wedding, I asked her if she could find something that would work for my wedding as well. I may be able to dig up a picture later, but for now, just know that the little girls wore black velvet dresses and were adorable. Now that I think of it, I can't think of ever seeing a wedding wear the flower girls wore black. NO, we're not GOTH. :)

I made all of the bouquets and boutonnieres myself. I couldn't afford to buy the craft book from Hobby Lobby, so I stood in the aisle and read it for about 20 minutes, then bought my supplies and got to craftin'. My in-laws bought me a bouquet of white roses the morning of our wedding, and they were beautiful. I would have been fine with my homemade silk bouquet, but their gesture really touched me.
For our "re-do" I had a bouquet of fall flowers. My one bridesmaid was my aunt Nellie, and I let her pick out her own outfit. During our premarital counseling, our pastor really emphasized how, though the wedding ceremony should be special, all the hooplah was not a requirement. Since we couldn't afford hooplah, I very much agreed with what he said. I still feel that way, though. Some of the shows on TV now, with huge budget weddings and so much SO MUCH just seem to overlook the real point of the day. And, as for bridezillas....don't even get me started on those gals!

P.S. Our music was meaningful to us, but I won't mention it all here. Instead I will say, I wish I had the guts, creativity and talent to do this. . .

Personal space, proxemics, and post traumatic library experiences

I can use big words like "proxemics" because of my recent educational endeavors (it's a big word kind of day) into the communications field. Which (and I apologize for this) I didn't even really consider a field prior to choosing this major. I just knew it didn't require a statistics class (except NOW IT DOES) or business law or some other class where the books cost over 100 bucks each and the syllabus can be used to replace the "PM" in Tylenol PM.
What? Was I telling a really long story? Oh, yes...I was.
So, in a couple of different classes we have discussed "proxemics" (distance between people) in relation to nonverbal skills, comfort level and a bunch of other boring stuff. We even did experiments in "expectation violations" which really just amounted to us going out in groups and making people uncomfortable by standing too close to them and other "violations." Did I mention that this is a great major?
ANYWAY. . . TODAY I am at the library working on some homework before an appointment for class (because home = sleep). I am at a table in the general public and some guy comes and sits down at my table, plugging in his laptop as well. That's ok, it's a free country and it's a bit busy in here today. But instead of sitting diagonally from me, he sits directly across from me. Whatever, the tables are several feet wide, so it's not like we are up in each other's 'bid-ness. But now I am so disturbed by the PROXEMICS of him, of that peripheral eye contact thing, that I couldn't work any longer (lucky you).
And before you start mumbling things like "paranoid" and "big whoopdeedoo" let me tell you something. This library is a nice library. BUT, once upon a time, before I had my own lap top, I was using the public computers. And the young man next to me was using his computer in an entirely different and, some might say inappropriate, way. Talk about an expectation violation. It was so unexpected that at first I didn't catch on to what was going on. Nothing on his screen gave an obvious indication to the self expectancy-violation that was occurring next to me.
What would you have done in this situation? Turn and speak directly to him, in a loud and non-library voice, saying "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING??" and "STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!!" in your best old-lady voice, inform the male librarian several times and point out the many children running about, leave the library and call the police on the way out the door? If you chose all of the above, then we agree.
So, when the guy sat across from me today (he's gone now, I must have scared him off with my mumbling and twitching), I couldn't help but take you on this long, awkward flash back with me.
You're welcome.

Two weddings and a health scare

The sunglasses were given to me as a joke from my father-in-law. Little did he know that I would actually wear them. They have appeared in various photos throughout the years.

I love bloggy listy picturey type posts. I think it's a really fun and easy way to see new blogs and learn things about people I've never met. It relieves my inner-nosey-neighbor urge without any awkward moments. Kelly's Korner is a blog I've enjoyed for many months now, and every Friday she has a new topic. I think this is my first time to participate, not just check out everyone else. And since I've been on a blog-fast (or lazy drought), I knew this would be an easy way to stretch my legs.
This Friday's topic is our wedding dresses. When it came time to find my dress, I wasn't sure what would happen. I knew that something super froofy and lacy would not work for me. I also knew I couldn't afford to spend too much. Believe it or not, my dress was $30 on eBay and was so new that it still had the tags on it. No joke!
On their way to my wedding (in the next state), my dad went into the hospital. Literally on the way. My parents stopped at a gas station about 30 minutes from their home because he was in so much pain, and he went by ambulance to the hospital. We weren't sure if we were going to postpone the wedding or not, and it was a stressful several hours while my mom waited to hear what was going on with him and while we waited to hear if she wanted us to come home or not. We finally got the word that, though he was very sick and in a lot of pain, it was not life-threatening. We went ahead with our simple ceremony, my brother lit the unity candle with my mother-in-law, my uncle gave me away (with my dad speaking on the speaker phone of someones cell phone), and we were relieved that everything was OK on the health issue.
The one problem that remained was a photographer. My mom is a photographer and was going to do the pictures for our wedding (as she had for several of my siblings). We were unable to find someone at the last minute and so made do with friends and family using their own cameras. Frankly, at this point, with stress and lack of sleep and excitement and relief and worry and all of that, I was on autopilot. So, while we have pictures and video of the actual day, I was always a little sad that my parents had missed out on my day and that I didn't have any professional pictures of it. Fast forward to our first anniversary. We decided to renew our vows on my parents' front porch. I had always joked with my dad when he built that house that I would just get married on the front porch. We strung some lights, ordered some flowers, pulled the dress out and repeated the ceremony.
And one of the most meaningful parts? We got to have pictures. We were married and renewed at the end of October, and in my hometown there is a park FULL of amazing trees, blazing with color.
A couple of weeks after the renewal ceremony, my husband showed up unexpectedly at my work. He had taken four of our photos and had them printed and framed. Real wedding pictures!
Oh...how long did this little story get? SORRY! haha...without further delay. . .

I can't remember exactly what was going on, some kind of stocking malfunction, I think. One of my favorite pictures though.

This is my favorite picture. It's actually a class project I did in photoshop. The pic started out in color etc. . . but rest assured, it is not too terribly altered because I really do NOT understand photoshop. :)

Three things you didn't know

***Blog Hopping!

First.

My sister is one of my favorite people in the world. (She is one of MANY, no favorite playing here, no sir!). She is not on my top list just because of her beauty, she doesn't realize she's beautiful! She's not on my list just because she's smart and super driven and hard-working. Or because she can out-procrastinate me. Or can communicate entire volumes to me with just one word and a raised eyebrow. Well, actually it IS JUST BECAUSE of all those things, with the following added bonus:

Nobody cracks us up as much as we do!

Second: Baptists CAN dance. Just not me. Though, that's no secret.

Man, I love that kid! She cracks me up and makes me want to take my job as her Aunt SO SERIOUSLY. I consider it one of my greatest honors to talk to her about Jesus all the live-long day. Plus, girl can DANCE.

And Third:

Finally. . . after a 8-year long "semester off," I will be graduating college!!! In 42 weeks!!! Sure, you may say "But 42 weeks is longer than it takes to grow a baby!
Why are you telling us NOW?"
I tell you NOW because I am excited NOW. I can see the tunnel. And I'm working hard to get to the tunnel so that I can see the light at the END of the tunnel, you know? And it's been HARD. And INCONVENIENT. And of course, if I could go back in time, I'd have napped less, studied more and maybe even, you know, GONE TO CLASS the first time around. But I didn't. So this is the opportunity God has allowed me to complete that task. And I am SO grateful. And who knew being AWAKE could make such a difference??

That's it. Three things. All of them are a huge part of my life and heart.
Glad I could share them with YOU.

P.S. I think this last picture will go on my graduation announcements.
How proud will our Mama be??

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