Oh Chistmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree?!?!

So, Chris and I usually buy our Christmas tree the Saturday following Thanksgiving and absolutely LOVE having it up all December long.  I usually don't feel like it is worth all the work if you don't have it up that long.  This year, we both felt terrible for two weekends after Thanksgiving and with me rotating with a later schedule shopping for a tree on the weeknight wasn't an option.  Needless to say, we haven't gotten one yet... and here it is almost half way through the month! 

So, I had confidently decided that this year we would do without... of course Chris has no objection as that means less money to spend this season!  However... the more and more I think about it... the more I feel like Christmas just doesn't feel right without a tall, full, wonderful smelling Frasier Fur all dressed up with lights and ornaments new and old!  I just thought about how sad it would be to wake up on Christmas morning and come down for coffee and exchange gifts with Chris... by the light of the flat screen?  I need to see it, smell it, and be reminded of all the wonderful Christmases past purely from it's presence, to feel like it's actually Christmas! 

My solution is to promptly schedule a date with the love of my life for tree shopping on this frigid winter Friday night :)  Even though I had previously resigned myself to no Christmas tree... I can't even tell you how excited this makes me!  I think I knew all along in the back of my head we would have to get one eventually.  I remember one year I was so upset that my family had waited SO long to buy our Christmas tree... I was convinced we just weren't getting one at all.   Then, sure enough, we got one... on Christmas Eve!  Even that late... it was still worth it!  What is it about a pine tree in the corner of our living room?!  Such a strange custom when you really think about it... but I clearly can't do without! 

What are your family's Christmas tree purchasing/decorating traditions?

 

It's the Holiday Season!

I absolutely LOVE this time of year!  I feel like even the small everyday things are a little more cheerful around Christmas! 

We have been super busy lately.  It seems like every time we try to slow down, things just start speeding up!  I do try to at least slow my mind down this time of year and reminisce.  Time flies... I believe that more the older I get.  It really does feel like it was just a few years ago I was piled in bed with my sisters on Christmas Eve trying to fall asleep, but squealing with delight every time we heard a noise that we thought was Santa on the roof!  What a sweet and carefree time!  I thank God for memories like those.  We had many hard seasons growing up, but we definitely have just as many fun memories! 

My favorite Christmas memory is the morning we sprinted into the living room... after waiting for what seemed like an eternity for my Dad to set up the camera just right... to find just what we had been dreaming of the entire year... American Girl Dolls!  All we needed to see were those 3 boxes to set us screaming with excitement!  We tore into them!  I remember it felt like hours before we got them open and each doll into the right owners hands.  Kirsten for Lauren, Molly for Annie, and Samantha for me.  Of course, back then those were the only 3... the original 3.  Which seemed just perfect considering there were only 3 of us, and they seemed to match us just perfect!  We spent the rest of the day... and I am sure days and weeks after... playing and dressing and loving those dolls. 

What is your favorite Christmas memory? 

WORK WORK WORK!

Work has been crazy over the past month!  We launched the project I am a part of and have been working non-stop to see it succeed.  It's been really neat to be a part of something from the ground up, but it definitely has it's frustrations. 

I have learned so much about myself through this process.  I have been overwhelmed by the way this company has embraced this Art Major into the finance world!  They have been more than good to me, and for some reason, the Lord has allowed me to move up time and again.  I now find myself at the Director level, and enjoying it.  However, it has been truly exhausting lately.  I've realized this is, in part, because the position I'm in does not come naturally to me.  I am having to get up everyday and work HARD to succeed at my job.  It's leaving me a bit drained.  So, I have been thinking about how I can integrate a little more of what gives me life back into my world!  I have thought about opening up an Etsy shop and selling some of my photography, or doing some custom pieces, etc.  I DEFINITELY need to start doing some recreational painting... just to give myself a creative outlet.  AND... I am going to start dancing again!  My old studio holds an "Alumni" type class on Monday nights, and I am going to try to start going whenever I'm not on the late shift at work (11-8... eww ).  Throw some other suggestions at me if you have any!  I need to be creative, and an opportunity to make a little extra money would be nice too! 

On a side note... we are FINALLY (after 4 years of living in this house..) going to finish our office/3rd bedroom this weekend!  The only piece of furniture that doesn't really "go" with our idea for the room is the bed.  Sooo, I was wondering if anyone out there has a twin bed frame they aren't using and would like to sell for cheap!  OR... if you know of any good community yard sales going on, let me know!  It doesn't have to be nice... just paintable.  The one we have is my mother-in-laws and she doesn't want us to paint it, but I really feel like the light wood color of the bed would make the room seem disjointed.  So, I need another one (notice I didn't say new one!)  So, let me know if you have one, or know someone who does!  My youngest brother will be moving into that room Wednesday night, so we are hoping to have everything ready by then!  Thanks! 

Looking forward to this day being over, and on to the weekend!  Happy Friday everyone!

Musicians?

As you may already know, I love to sing.  You also may already know, that Chris loves to sing... but if you've heard him sing... you might wish he didn't love to sing as much as he does ;)  We both love the idea of being the kind of family that sits around in the living room or on the back patio singing worship songs.  I know, it probably sounds corny, but we love that!  What makes singing worship songs even better?  Someone playing the guitar! 
Chris and I both have guitars... that have been locked up in our closet since we've been married.  Sad, I know.  I got my guitar as a high school graduation present from my parents.  I wanted to learn to play SO badly.  So, when I got to West Georgia I started trying to teach myself... with the help of some friends as well.  I learned the basic chords and could even play a few worship songs... along with "Free Falling" - probably the easiest song to play in the history of songs (only 3 chords through the whole thing).  After a while I moved on to other things and never kept up with it.  So, Chris and I have decided to use our Tuesday Date Nights to learn together how to play!  I am SO excited about this!
I have been reading and thinking about how wonderful the tradition of worshipping as a family would be.  To instill a passion for praising God through song in our home.  Obviously, we don't have children yet... but we are thinking, planning, and looking forward to having them within the next couple of years.  Of course the Lord may have other plans, but for now, that is ours.  So, we are starting to think about the kind of parents we want to be... the kind of home we want to have (not brick and mortar home... the environment of home)... and the kind of children we want to raise.  Music is just one of the small things we have been discussing as an important part of the home environment.  I read about a tradition of choosing a life Hymn for each of your children.  A hymn to sing to them from the time they are in the womb.  I would love for Chris and I to have this tradition... a prayer to sing over our children.  We should pray even now for our children, that they would grow to be followers of Christ, ambassadors for the kingdom, true difference makers for their generation.  But that's a different blog, for a different day ;)
So, all that to say... our new venture... learning to play guitar together, so we can grow together, and worship together!

Taco Soup... YUM!

During this time of year I LOVE a good chili/soup!  So, one of my favorite things to make this season is Taco Soup... or Mexican Chili (it's a little thicker than soup).  I want to share it with you because it's so good, and so easy to make... not to mention cheap! 

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb ground beef
1 can whole yellow corn
1 can black beans
1 can kidney or pinto beans
1 can original rotel
1 lg can of diced tomatoes
1 packet taco seasoning

DIRECTIONS:
Brown meat in skillet over medium heat until cooked thoroughly (but remember it will also cook in the crock pot, so don't over do it) I like to add a little salt, pepper, and some of the taco seasoning.  While your beef is browning go ahead and plug in your crock pot and begin adding all your canned ingredients and taco seasoning.  Once beef is done drain grease.  Add drained beef to crock pot and stir all ingredients together.  Cook on low in the crock pot for 6-8 hours. 

Enjoy as is, or add shredded mexican blend cheese, sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips!

I make a double batch and then portion it all out to take to work for lunches for Chris and I.  I also freeze some to have for a quick dinner during the week on those nights I don't seem to have any time... or just don't feel like cooking! 

This Time of Year

I absolutely LOVE this season!  There is nothing better than that chill in the air!  So energizing! 

Here are some of my favorite fall things...

The changing leaves... (my sister Annie and her husband Matt pictured)

Pumpkin Spice Latte's from Starbucks... YUM!  I have to limit myself or we would be broke!

                                                      (had to picture the red cup, it's my fav!)
Hoodies... (me with my best friends boy Hudson)

The smell of the grill...

Throwing the tennis ball to the dogs in the back yard... (our pups Chance and Allie)

FOOTBALL!

Anticipating the Holidays!

Cookouts with family and friends... (My side of the fam for Thanksgiving last year)

*New* Annie's pumpkin cookies... Just had them at small group and they were AWESOME!

Cinnamon brooms - I beg for one everytime we walk into Harry's but Chris always says no :(... they smell SO good!

Apple pie candles...

Long-sleeved t-shirts with shorts... I know, weird... it reminds me of walking to fall classes in college :)

There are so many others... just thought I would share a few of my top fav's with you!

A Wonderful Weekend, and an Incredible Reminder!

One thing I look forward to so much about the fall is watching Chris play tennis.  He is so talented, and I enjoy getting up early to the crisp fall air, grabbing a coffee and heading off to support my man!  I haven't been able to see him play at all this season because we have been out of town a couple times they had matches, and then when we were home Chris thought resting would be a better use of my time.  I love that he has my best interest in mind... but he couldn't keep me home saturday!  So, we started off the weekend with Mexican, mmmm my fav!  Then woke up Saturday morning to head to the courts.  They were playing the number one team so we knew it was going to be a good match!  I was excited!  It definitely helped that we stopped by Starbucks on the way there... YUM!  Such a fun treat :)  It was perfect weather, and Chris and his partner played very well!  They won in only 2 sets, it was awesome!  We needed to win 4 out of the 5 matches to move up in ranking, and unfortunately we didn't.  Chris' brother won his match too though... so YAY Meadows boys! 

Taken from my phone, so not a great photo, but you get the picture ;)

We rested the rest of the day watching football... and YES... the Bulldogs FINALLY won!  A much needed victory!  Sunday we went to the 9:00 service and it was amazing!  One of the pastors from Buckhead Justin Grinewald spoke. Very good lesson.  You should check it out, it's called Promises.  We then enjoyed a most wonderful breakfast at Alpha Soda outside on the patio.  It was a nice last date before I leave for the week (more on that below). 

What I really want to share with you is what God has to continually teach me.... I MUST put my trust, faith, hope, and security ONLY in Him.  It's amazing how He uses a message that is geared towards highschool students to remind me of this!  At InsideOut last night we began a series called "Storms".  Basically, there are "storms" in our life... they are inevitable, they are coming, will you be ready? 

Now, a storm in your life can range from financial trouble to being diagnosed with a fatal disease, or losing a loved one.  When those times come, and they will come in some capacity... where/who will you run to?  He used the passage Matthew 7:24-27 about whether you choose to build the foundation of your home on the rock or the sand.  To me, that is such a perfect analogy for our lives.  When the "storm" hits.. if our foundation is on the sand (anything other than Christ), our world could come crashing down... but if we've built our foundation on the Rock, we will stand the storm.  What have you built your foundation on? 

I mean truly... I am a believer, and I love the Lord, and I live my life for Him.... but is every part of my life built on Him?  I find myself constantly having to shift the focus of my security from Chris to God.  Like I said, this is a lesson that never ceases for me.  Chris is human... breakable, perishable, fallable.  Not only is he capable of hurting me (and I him), he is not promised tomorrow.  The thought of that tears me apart.  But, the question is, where would I be?  Would my house come crashing down?  Or would I have foundation made out of Rock that would steady me during the storm.  I love my husband more than my life, but I have to remind myself daily that CHRIST is where I must find my identity, security, hope, and significance. 

What are you building the foundation of your life on?  Is it love? Money? Success? Children?  Whatever it may be, it will not be enough to sustain you during life's storms.  My prayer for us is this... that we would make Christ our foundation.  That our world's would be built on the Rock of our Redeemer... KNOWING that HE will be enough... that He IS enough to not only get us through the storm, but to bring us through the storm sanctified... refined. 

Let's set our feet firmly on the Solid Rock of our Savior, and be prepared for whatever life storms blow our way. 

Trying to Hide Them in My Heart...

I subscribe to an incredible blog called Passionate Homemaking, and just recently read a post about scripture memory. This is a concept I took to heart in college and it absolutely changed my day to day. I felt like I was always prepared for any conversation... I was more loving, more patient, more intentional with my words... and generally more joyful. So, I ask myself... why in the world is this not something I am still practicing??
I have been struggling so much lately with my mouth... speaking out of frustration or anger. I find myself criticising those closest to me with harsh words and selfish motives. I long for God to tame my tongue and teach me to be patient... a good listener... an encourager... that my words would be uplifting to those I love, and give life, rather than suck the life out of them. I know that memorizing scripture, and having God's promises and teachings in my head and in my heart will help me be who I long to be.... a sweet spirited, God-loving, truth speaking, encouraging woman!
In this particular blog she shared with us some of the scripture she's been memorizing lately and one of them struck a chord with the sin I have been seeing in my life lately.
"This you know my beloved Brethren, everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for the anger of a man does not achieve the righteousness of God"
(James 1:19-20)
It's one I've heard a million times before, but it's never "gotten" me like it did this time. Am I quick to listen to others when I've had a long day and all I want to do is grip and complain, or just sit by myself in quiet? Am I quick to listen when my husband is excited to talk to me about something but I am in the middle of reading or watching a show? Am I quick to listen when I have something I am dying to say myself? No... I'm not... and I'm definitely not slow to anger. So, I have chosen this to be my first passage to memorize. I am starting with an achievable goal of one passage a month. I want to start slow, and not overwhelm myself with an unrealistic goal. I also want the passage to truly be burned on my heart... so I want it to simmer. I want God to transform me in a new way each day with this passage... that I would continue to learn new things about myself, and about the words it contains. I look forward to blogging about my encounters with scripture!

Wow... it's been a really long time...

I am not going to use this post to "fill in the gap" from my last post. That would take me days, not to mention, no one really cares! ;) I also decided that was what was ultimately keeping me from getting back on the "blogging horse"... thinking I had to write a novel about what's been going on lately. Refreshingly, God freed me from that thought. I am going to start new... and blog as much as I can about what is going on NOW. I hope you enjoy.



I have been constantly amazed by God's intense presence in my life... even in my complete lack of faithfulness. I have the most incredible husband, wonderful friends and family, and a great job. Even more than that God has been teaching me so much about what a passionate life looks like. I have an awesome Small Group and we just recently began a study involving the book "Sun Stand Still" by Stephen Furtic. It's been amazing and we are only through chapter 3! SO looking forward to discussing with Small Group tonight! I don't want to tell you too much, because you need to buy a copy and read for yourself! It's based around the story of Joshua and the battle against the Amortites. The Amortites had begun to flee because Joshua and his army were defeating them. However, Joshua knew the battle wasn't over and prayed a most outrageous prayer that God would make the sun stand still and keep the darkness from falling so they could fulfill their purpose in battle. God made the sun stand still for His people! If he can stop the solar system... can't He then surely answer my faithless prayers??? I am so encouraged to ask God to do HUGE things in our family, and in my life. Furtic refers to this as audacious faith... God, that I would have audacious faith... even in the little things! I am praying that God will rock my world with this concept. I don't want to be a content Christian... I want to believe God can do the impossible through me. Don't get me wrong... I am not moving to China to be a missionary or anything like that... but just simply praying big things for our everyday lives. In my mind, that could be as small as believing that he can ACTUALLY save my co-workers... that He will ACTUALLY provide a way for me to stay at home with our future children... that He is capable, that He WANTS to hear those prayers of audacious faith.



What will it take for us to truly pray Sun Stand Still prayers for our life... and activate audacious faith??