Been Busy around here..

Well, things have gotten off to a busy start around here. First, after Christmas Sam and I decided to hit the year off with a 'Lifestyle Change'..and I must say it has gone well. Sam and I have both, already, lost weight and exercise 6 days a week. I already feel soooo much better. I have had NO bread, pasta, sodas, or potatoes or anything SWEET since Dec. 29..The hardest thing is getting my meal plans together.. My goal is to have lost 40 lbs. by May 1st (going to see Mickey Mouse in May).. I only have 23 more to go..so, I just make my goal a little early!! YEAH ME!!!! So, we all are eating lots more fish and chicken and fresh green vegetables.

We got our DisneyWorld plans in order..CAN"T WAIT..we are going for 11 days this year! May 15th can't get here soon enough!

We also have started a 'project' we are remodeling my kitchen. We had planned to hire someone. But, Sam (who thinks he can do it all), has decided that we can do it ourselves. My only rule through this remodel was that once it is started it MUST be finished..I will not live in a construction zone. Already purchased our cermaic tile, picked out my paint color, and new cabinets...I am pretty excited about us tackeling this together..Guess a project will help my mind stay off A good ole' hamburger heaven hamburger and onion rings!!!!!

What a Year it has been..

Happy New Year to All!!

This has definately been an intersting year for us. We have been through so many ups and downs in 2008. It has been my family and friends who have stood by us every step of the way!!

I first have to say to Sam..thank you for being an incredible husband! I am so blessed to have a husband like him. God knew exactly what He was doing when He gave me someone like him..he is totally opposite of me..I am very complusive..Sam keeps me grounded! Thank you, Sam for in the midst of the trying year we have experienced for being my best-friend, soul-mate, and prayer partner!

Things have been difficult around here since Oct. 24 when we lost Sam's mom! As a wife, I didn't know what to do how to comfort Sam. But, we got through it. We take it one day at a time. Yesterday we visited the graveyard. And, Brayden knows that "grannys things" are buried there. Well, last night Brayden was in the computer room and I asked him "what are you doing?" he said "I am looking for and envelope"..I asked him why..and he said he drew granny a picture and he wanted to mail it to her and Jesus! You talking about breaking your heart!! So, this morning we "mailed" the picture!

I have to thank my friend, Donna! She has been a rock for me this year. She has been my sounding board, my confidant, and a prayer partner! She is another one who in the midst of my storms..continuing to say.."just keep trusting Him!!" Their aren't many people that you would trust everything with and Donna is one of those!!

2009 is here and I am excited about what lies ahead. We have declared as a family to get healthier and to be a better servent of the King!!

Is Christmas really over?

I have been so busy this month I really haven't had time to post anything. I am kind of looking forward to things getting back to "normal"..whatever "normal" is?? The month of Dec. was filled with plays at Brayden's school and Church. Church functions to attend, and Christmas parties for all of us.

The month started off with Sam's MANY parties at work. He tells me on Wed. night around 9ish.."oh, by the way I need 26 stocking stuffers Friday morning for the secretaries at work.." just 26!!!!! Got through that ordeal..and then Brayden was bringing a paper what seemed like everyday..about needing $2 for this $5 for this...I do pay tuition is that not enough?? Then for his play for school he needed red sweatpants..and, well, couldn't find those nowhere..they had them in every size but his. So, he ended up with plaid pants..it actually ended up being really cute.

One week before Christmas we find out that Brayden had strep and pneumonia. I had been treating his cough with over-the-counter stuff for a couple of weeks..I wasn't concerned no fever, no loss of appetite..daycare called me on Wed. said he had thrown up..get to the peditricians office (by the way..if you or your child aren't sick by the time you go to the peditrician..you will be when you leave)..and bloodtest was positive for pneumonia and culture test was strep.. So, I offically declared myself a horrible mother..how was I to know!!

Then Christmas rolled around..and this was the FIRST Christmas ever that I was still shopping on Christmas Eve morning. We have been so busy with work and everything else..their were several gifts I hadn't purchased. So, Christmas eve day I was a women-on-a-mission!! Did get everything accomplished though. We went to Jasper on Christmas Eve and spent time with my dad and step-mom..then that night at my g'mothers.

Santa did make a mistake and not get some things put together..so my WONDERFUL husband spent about 8 hrs. Christmas day putting a ferris wheel and roller coaster together!!..which he was thrilled about. Christmas was a bit different for us this year with not having Sam's mom..it was hard on he and his father. But, everyone got through it. God has just been seeing everyone through one day at a time.

I am anxious to see what 2009 brings!! We had an awesome Church service today. I am reading a book on Fasting by Jensen Franklin..and it is opening my eyes up a lot. It has allowed to see that their is another level of intimacy with God that is right at our fingertips..if we are just willing to sacrifice. That is what I want..I desire to not just be brought into His presences on Sundays..but to live 7 days a week in his presence!!!

I'm excited about what lies ahead!!

Thought for the day...

"...Why would He teach you to ride the bike, and not watch you..." That is the statement that Bro. Bryant mentioned in his sermon this morning, and has just really stuck with me. I have been at this crossroads lately and not really knowing what direction to turn. But, I think this morning I got a little clarity..

My friend Donna and I were talking this week...and you know how when you were in college you were certain of what "God's plan was"..I had it all figured out..I was at Lee University (the New Jerusulem..the Mecca)..:)..I was going to marry a minister, travel throughout the world and see millions come to Jesus..because I had been at 'The Lee University'..when in reality that wasn't God's plan..that was Amy's ridiculous plan. Now in hind sight my whole college time has planned for now.. God sent me a man who was raised Baptist, but has allowed God to teach him more about the Holy Spirit...who has more of administrative gifts..and has planted me in the outskerts of B'ham, I work a 6-3 job, and have my little brick home. I attend Church weekly and am very involved. So, my question has been..Now what God...what's next?? The answer has been sitting there in front of me the whole time...

I am excited about what God is doing..and where He is leading me. Every step I have ever taking since seeking his direction I know now has been ordained by Him..when I thought I was still "seeking"..It is truly amazing how God works! I just don't want to be a 'pew sitter'..if I am not making a difference than I am a waste!

Busy Busy Busy

Am I the only person that feels like I am constantly in a rush? I feel like my 'to do list' is never done! Last week was a busy week. I was extremly busy at work..I think everyone is having surgery before the holidays. After work I drive to G'dale to get Brayden, then it's home to start my 2nd job..cooking and cleaning!!

Brayden had Scarecrow day at school on Friday so I spent most of the week getting his costume together..(i will post pics soon). I ended up finding him some OshKosh overalls at the consignment sale..I bought some leaves at Hobby Lobby and hot glued them to the overalls..they were cute. Friday morning while I was getting him dressed he was singing, "Farmer and the dell, farmer and the dell.."

Friday afternoon Brayden and I went to Jasper and had dinner with my parents. I sometimes miss living in Jasper near my parents. Their is something about a small town, especially one that you consider home. After dinner, it was back to Trussville.

Saturday I cleaned house mostly all day. We are about to start a remodel (which I am not looking forward to)..so I was looking at paint colors and cabinets. And that night we made our infamous 'walmart outing'!!

Yesterday was Church..had a good service. And the afternoon we had a choir outing at the Comedy Club..we ate and saw Mickey Dean..he was hilarious!! It was good to just have the evening with my husband..mom had came over and kept Brayden..

So now....the work week begins.......

Update..

Well..it's Sunday and this has been a LONG week. We got through the funeral, and now somehow we move forward. Sam had the whole week off; he definately needed it. I went back to work on Thursday, and I was glad to get back into some sort of a routine.

I got off work a little early on Friday..so Sam and I had some time before getting Brayden from daycare. We went and walked at the Gardendale Civic Center. Sam and I have made a pack that we are going to try to start working out together..Sam has been working out at work on his lunch hour for awhile now. I occasionaly walk on our treadmill, but I will be honest I simple just get bored. So, we have decided to do it together. But, I will not go into detail my first attempt in US doing sit-ups..all I will say is the next day I thought I had been ran over. But, we are making baby steps..and we both need more exercise.

Friday night we simple played it easy..I don't really get into the whole 'trick or treat' thing..we rented movies, ate chili, and gave out LOTS of candy. Brayden loved seeing all the kids come to our door to get candy..Saturday night he asked, "where are all the trick or treaters?"

Saturday we spent most of the day with Sams dad. We ate breakfast at IHOP (yummy), and helped his dad get some things organized. We then went to wal-mart and did our weekly mexican restaraunt run..hince..why we need lots of exercise.

Today was Church. Sams dad went to Church with us..and WoW what a service..it just gets better and better. I am so excited what God is doing in Sam and my life but also my Church family. His love is so amazing!!!

One of the hardest times..

Well...I have been on an emotional roller coaster since Friday. I had taken off work on Friday b/c we were supposed to be camping. Well..Thursday night Sam had told me that his mom had fallen a hit her head..around 8 pm Sam called and checked on her and my father in law said that she seemed o.k. she was sleeping..well, around 9ish he called and told Sam they needed to take her to the ER. Long story short..she had a hematoma in her brain that had moved her brain stem over 1" and that she needed a miracle!! They ended up taking her off the ventilator around 12 30 and she passed at 1 pm..she was only 59 yrs old!

Sam and I have only been married almost 6 yrs. And this is the first 'tragic' thing that we have faced together. I can tell you that as a women who loves her husband with all my heart I HATE to see my husband hurting! I feel so helpless. I have both my parents, and have no idea what he is going through. All I can do is pray from him and hold his hand. He was very close to his mom. We do have the reassurace that his mom was a Christian, and had a relationship with God. So, we know where she is.

So, today Mon. Oct. 27th, 2008 we will lay to rest the body of Mrs. Harris. It is going to be a tough day, but we rejoice in the fact that she in the place that one day we hope to be!