Update on the House

The update on the house is that there really is no update. We were not able to close on it a couple of weeks ago like we were hoping. Greg got the call that morning that it wasn't going to happen that day. Since he took off that day, we ran errands instead. We got some paint samples to try out in the house. When we got to the house we saw that the former owners broke in and stole more things. They stole some sinks, pipes, light fixtures, faucets, thermostats, etc. Ugggghhhh, so frustrating.



We were both so mad that we honestly had to just not talk about it. We didn't call anyone but our realtor, and the neighbors that said they saw the guy there. We basically cut off any communication with our friends and families so we could try to get a grip on everything. We slept on it that night before we could even think about trying to process what had happened. These previous owners knew we were supposed to close that day. They came in a couple of days before and took all the stuff. They were foolish enough to not realize that all the neighbors remembered what they drove. However, the neighbors didn't pay attention as to why they were there...not that they were supposed to, but the fact that they were observant, or nosy :), was helpful.



So, we've had to start over with another inspection. The bank had to rework some numbers for us considering it was their fault we didn't close, and the house wasn't ours at the time of the incident.



What we are learning, and I put strong emphasis on the word learning, is that God is in complete control, and that His timing is perfect. Maybe this was protection from Him as to what would have been our responsibility if we had closed that day. God sometimes puts us through situations to strengthen our character, to remind us where our help comes from, and to mold us to where this test can be used as a testimony to share with others. God never wastes a hurt or trial.



The verses in Scripture where we have found our peace this past year are these:
Psalm 27:13-14

"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

The New House

We should be closing on our new house Friday, the 29th. I pray this works out. Our realtor is telling us that the bank may need us to wait until the end of Feb. to close, but hopefully this won't be necessary.

Greg and I wanted to make a list of things we are looking forward to with getting a house. It's amazing how much you can take the little things in life for granted, when you don't have them anymore.

What we won't take for granted in our new home......

1- The private bathtub. I haven't taken a real "bath" in a year. Showers don't cut it in a woman's world. It's a germ issue thing...I don't like bathing in hotel, dorm or apt. bathtubs.

2- My own yard where Kirsten can play outside

3- A garage, and a designated parking place....no more defrosting our cars in the morning after a hike across the parking lot trying to find our car.

4- No more loud, active and vocal upstairs neighbors....enough said.

5- A real refrigerator with an icemaker that works and it's own water dispenser.

6- A microwave with a spinning plate

7 - Cabinets with knobs on them

8 - A pantry

9- A laundry room without mold in the walls

10 - My washer and dryer on the correct sides of each other so the doors don't open in the way you have to lean over them

11- More than an 800 square feet of living space

12 - A bathroom with double vanities and a door to the toilet

13 - clean and sanitized floors

14 - walk in closets and storage space

15 - ceiling fans

16 - room for guests

17 - mailbox in my yard and packages delivered to my door, not at the office

18 - not having to drop off a rent check in person to anyone

19 - painting walls

20 - not having to iron clothes in the kitchen

I am aware that some people in our country and in others consider the way we've lived the last year as a luxury. I am truly grateful to have a place to live, and a roof over my head, but it is time for a new home. It's time to plant ourselves in GA. Praise God for blessing us with this move.

Christmas, Christmas and More Christmas

This is the 2nd year I haven't been able to decorate for Christmas. :( It's disappointing to me, because I LOVE Christmas. The cheesier the decor the better. I am all about being sentimental. I can't wait until we finally get settled. I pray that next year I will be able to decorate, and make goodies with Greg and Kirsten. I look forward to watching Christmas movies, hosting Christmas parties, driving crazy distances to see over-the-top Christmas lights, and sending out Christmas cards again. I want to take Kirsten to Stone Mtn. every year to write her letter to Santa. I want to serve those less fortunate, and make birthday cupcakes for Jesus, and have a birthday party for Him. As my Mother In-law says, "This will come, this is only temporary." I praise God for the selling of our house in MS. Now, my prayer is for Him to reveal to us our new home. I know He's preparing it for us, and handling details we may never know. I look forward to the day when He says, "Here you are. This is where I want you planted in GA."

Traveling for Christmas is hard. This effort consists of packing for 10 days for 3 people... one being a 2yr. old, presents for both sides of the family, Chloe, our 4 legged first born, and goodies and entertainment for the car ride. This is a lot to fit into a Camry. Don't get me wrong, it's been more than fabulous seeing everyone, but maybe Christmas isn't the best time to do this. Christmas is about family, but maybe this means immediate family. Maybe it's the rest of the year that's about the entire family. I don't know, this one is tough. I know we aren't the only ones with relatives in other states. It's a tough call, you want to be able to have your own traditions, but you want to spend time with the rest of the family too...what's right? This year, for us it was best to travel. God only knows what's best for future Christmases.



Our first adventure was to see Greg's side of the family in New Orleans...Destrehan, LA to be exact, but it's easier to say New Orleans. It took us about 8 hrs. to make a 6 hr. drive. LA was about 40 degrees warmer than GA. As soon as we crossed the LA state line we no longer saw red and green Christmas decorations. Everything was Black and Gold. We made it just in time to catch the Saints game.



We had such a great time catching up with family we haven't seen in years. We ate shrimp creole, meatballs and french bread. Conversation consisted of the Saints going to the playoffs, Mardi Gras parades, and the never ending effects of Katrina. My Mother In Law's friends that she refers to as "the YaYa's" stopped by to catch up. I call them the girls from Sexy in the Crescent City...always a pleasure, always a blast, ALWAYS a laugh.

My Father In-law took us to Mr. Roo's for lunch on Monday. Mr. Roo's is one of Greg's and my favorite places to eat. They have the best poboys in NOLA. They're always consistent. I'll post pics.

Sooooo goooood! Greg had the muffaletta and I had Mr. Roo's special.

As if that wasn't enough to make the day complete, we met Mover Rich from Imagination Movers in Target. He was super super nice. I apparently was more impressed than Kirsten was. As you can see in the picture below, she was more impressed with the toy train on the shelf behind him. His wife loved Kirsten's hat (she's wearing it in the background) I made her. She asked me how to do stripes because she's learning how to make hats too. I took Kirsten's hat off and showed her how. Yeah, we totally bonded.

A great ending to a great visit.

Christmas Party With The Girls

Tonight was our Bible Study Group's Christmas Party. We've spent the last 12 weeks doing Beth Moore's study on Daniel. This study was challenging to say the least, but it was so worth the challenge. We all made a commitment to learn back in September. Not only did we learn about Daniel and his faithfulness, we also learned about his God. The wonderful thing, this is also our God.

Through the study of Daniel, I met some amazing women that I was privileged to spend my Monday nights with. Who needs Monday Night Football when I can spend time getting to know God and these wonderfully gifted women? I am so blessed that God placed each of these precious women in my life.

Our Christmas Party was at O'Charley's in Hiram. The food was great, but the company and fellowship was even better. We were each greeted at the table with little bags of Christmas goodies. Also, our entertainment was the little game we played for our ornament exchange.

I love these ladies and I am so blessed to know each of them. God has placed us all in each other's lives for a reason. I can't wait to start our next Beth Moore study, Stepping Up, a study of Psalms.

To my girls, this is my prayer for you...

Phil. 1:3-6

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Best Gift

This weekend was the eagerly anticipated Best Gift production at Pinelake Church. I say production because the word program can't justify the greatness of Best Gift, and program is a word that's too easily stereotyped. I am so excited that I was able to take the trip to see it. This was such a bittersweet experience for me. This was the event that I have been bracing myself for since we moved. I've always been a part of the choir, so this is my first year to deal with not being in it. I am a visitor now :(. However, this was also the first year I actually got to sit in the audience and see it with my husband. It was such a blessing to have him with me.

Best Gift never ceases to satisfy me. It always manages to go above and beyond my expectations. After all, it is all about the way I see it, right?....Totally kidding. I credit the splendor of Best Gift to Obedient Leadership, Prayerful Teams, and Faithful Servants. Sprinkle this with some amazing talent given by God above to all involved with the sole purpose to glorify HIM.

On top of this being an amazing production, God blessed me with a personal gift during the show. He answered a question that I forgot I had asked Him a long time ago. I won't go into details, but about 4 years ago, I wanted an answer to something and never received one. It was nothing huge, and God owed me no explanation. But clear as day He said, "That's why! Now know it's not about you (me), and see I am working on a bigger plan here...but you (I) do play a part." I was so blessed, humbled and honored all at the same time. God is good, and God is faithful!

I honestly can't say whether or not this was my favorite Best Gift because I am partial to the ones in which I got to participate. However, this was some of my favorite music. It was beautiful, and every song had a wonderful message. To see and hear from the audience what I haven't really had the opportunity to before, made me appreciate everything even more. I didn't know what to expect, and as I mentioned earlier, I was amazed. The choir was absolutely beautiful, glorious, and just freakin' awesome. I am so blessed to say that at one time, I was a part of such a wonderful group and ministry.

I love going back to MS and visiting Pinelake and my friends. They are all so precious, and they always make me feel welcome. I miss being a part of this ministry dearly. I really grew as a Christian through that experience. It's so great to be able to call such a godly group, family.

We had a Best Gift after party at Lea Anne's house and it was so fun catching up with my friends I haven't seen in a while. I can't wait to go back for Christmas and see them again. Only 12 more days!

De Ja Vue

Today was such a special day. It started off like any other Sunday morning. My family and I had every intention of attending the 9:00 am church service, but, like every other Sunday morning, we chose to be lazy and go to the 11:00 am service instead. With this choice we got to drink our coffee in mugs instead of travel cups, and we watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with Kirsten in our PJ's. I love family time like this.

We went to church as usual. When we got there Greg went to the computer to check Kirsten into childcare, and I took her to look at the fish tank. As I was standing there I got the most intense sensation of de ja vue. It was like the world paused and this scene passed through my mind really fast, but it was so real.

I knew this was God speaking to me. He let me know exactly why I was feeling this. It never crossed my mind until that instant, but today was exactly one year from the first time we visited West Ridge Church. I swear this feeling was so strong. I couldn't concentrate on anything, but remembering the first time I stepped foot into that place.

My life was in such a different place a year ago. Greg and I visited West Ridge last year, while we were in GA looking for a place to live. That weekend was honestly the most overwhelming and stressful weekend of my life. The day before, we spent all day visiting every suburb of Atlanta that could be a possibility for us to start our new life. We ate lunch at quiznos that day, and I told Greg there was no way I could move here. I was determined that I was supposed to stay in MS and he was going to move to GA and somehow we would work it out. I mean, couples do it all the time. Greg wasn't going for this.

This morning I cried from the second the Worship started until church was over. They were tears of gratitude and humility knowing that God brought me to this challenge and He is bringing me through it. He showed me that I am no where near where I was last year. He has held all my anxieties and frustrations, and He has been in control of everything. He is showing me so much love here through His blessed children. I haven't consistently attended West Ridge for the past year because I didn't officially move to GA until April, but Greg has. He even bought me an "UN" shirt...which I don't know why they sold t'shirts for that series logo, when there's been so many cooler series logos since then, but that's another blog.

After church today I received a phone call from one of my new GA friends. She's so precious. I was able to tell her how special church was today for me, and she said the sweetest thing to me. She told me that now I have family here, and now I am at home.

Phil. 1:3 I thank God every time I remember you.

The Pleasures of a Southern Miss Alumni

Last weekend, Greg, Kirsten and I got to go to Southern Miss' Homecoming. I always treasure the opportunities to go back to Hattiesburg for visits. This is where Greg and I met, so it's very special to us. It was such a blessing to take Kirsten. We always pass Applebee's on Hardy St. and tell her, "This is where Mommy and Daddy met." When we were dating and leaning towards the more serious side with our relationship, we would always talk about getting married and having little legacies we could bring to the games. Now we're getting to live out this sweet talk.

It never gets old strolling around Southern Miss' beautiful campus. There's nothing better than taking those same steps through the campus that we have taken hundreds of times before, and reminiscing about old times. It's so nice to take those paths with a calm and cheerful heart, unlike when we were students. As students we would walk those same paths in a hurry, rushing to class, or going over less than useful notes in our heads, anticipating a test we were about to take...and prayerfully pass. Now, we can take these paths well rested, and focused on everything but test anxiety.

It gives me a sense of pride to call myself an Alumni of University of Southern Mississippi and of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Both of these keep growing and improving. The sororities now have their own houses...their own Sorority Row in fact. These houses are beautiful. The buildings on campus are constantly being updated and refurbished. The growth and attention given to Southern Miss is obvious and appreciated.

Homecoming brings opportunities to reconnect with old friends. Christmas is for families, but Homecoming is for friends. I hate I didn't get the chance to see all of them. This time I didn't get to meet up with the ones I miss the most. It's just the different seasons in everyones' lives that don't always allow us to see each other. Hopefully, there's next year. Praise God for facebook!

I can't stress enough how much I love my college friends. They knew me when I was broker than broke, dumber than dumb, crazier than crazy, innocent and naive, parents always on my back giving wake up calls at 6:00am, and my friends never judged me for it. They knew me when I was most myself. Whenever I reconnect with them, that part of me comes back. Of course maturity comes with experience, marriage and parenthood. College friends can bring you back to the old you. This would be the "you" that has nothing to prove. The "you" that is encouraged for your accomplishments and not judged by your bad decisions and/or failures.

We've all changed and gone our separate ways. Some didn't marry their college sweethearts and some have. Some have not married yet, and some have taken the "no children" option. Some are all over the United States, and some have stayed in Mississippi. Some are very successful, from the "world's" point of view, and some have less than glamorous positions. As long as every one's priorities are straight, and each person is happy and healthy, that's all that matters.
SOUTHERN MISS TO THE TOP!!!