~Thanksgiving~

As cliche as it is, I wanted to share the things that I am thankful for. Things that are the obvious and the little secrets that little know about.
So here they are:
1. That I am forgiven and redeemed.
2. For my amazing husband that is so kind.
3. That is makes me laugh so hard and is always trying to please me.
4. For my grandma who is a strong wild woman that inspires me.
5. For my sister who likes to laugh and lets me entertain her.
6. For her wild spirit that gets me to do things that I wouldn't normally do.
7. For her listening ears and kind wisdom.
8. For my dad and Cynthia and her girls... they are so kind and are a blast.
9. For our health... we are so blessed.
10. That the family I've lost along the way are in heaven.
11. For my friends that are so wonderful and have become family here.
12. For the first time in my live, I feel as though the friends I have now will be the friends that I will have for the rest of my life.
13. For having a job that is good and dependable.
14. That I have a husband that wants me to fulfill my dreams and aspirations and supports them I think more than I do.
15. I have a car that is dependable and affordable.
16. I have an incredible mother in law.
17. That she teaches me to be strong and loves me like her own.

18. That I don't have to worry about when I can eat next.
19. That pain killers (Advil, Excedrin, Tylenol, etc. ) is easy accessible and affordable.
20. Band-aids are easy to find.


That is all that I have right now.

Oh the tongue~

Frank and I started this new thing, where daily we read the same scripture and then when we get home at night we talk about it. I really like it, I feel like we are moving together and becoming more of a whole.

Tonight I really prayed that the Lord would speak to me while i was reading. That He would move in my heart.

I read James 3. The tongue.... the scary chapter!

vs. 8, "restless evil, full of deadly poison."

Oh how I cringe!! I am so convicted of my tongue. I have wonderful girlfriends whom we all hold each other accountable to make sure that our genuine concern does not take the mean route, a husband that tells me to stop when it is just gossip (don't judge me please!).

I think about the hurt that I know I must have caused friends and family along the way. I think about the poison that has come out of my mouth that I know stung so deep... I am forever regretful!

I think of the wonderful friends and family that I have. Family that is not even blood that would do more than the blood. I think about them and how they are so wise. I wonder if they struggle like this.

*Is it bad to drink wine while blogging about Jesus?

Dance off!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

She's not 69 forever!!!

I had a four day weekend the last weekend. On Thursday morning I got up, packed, kissed Frank good bye and headed for the mountains.

What I learned about Maw Maw this weekend:

1. My grandma likes uggs and in fact was about to buy a pair but went for a pair of bass fur lined calf height because they had a zipper.
2. She has had some crazy stuff happen to her.
3. No matter how old you get, you always refer to your true wild woman roots once past the age of 80.
4. The guessing game is over, I finally know how old my grandma is!! 69 does not last forever!!
5. Her new best friend is west Jefferson may be the funniest woman that I have ever met... did I mention that she's 90 and is dating!!! (and by that I mean several men!)
6. Edith, maw's best friend, goes all over and knows everyone in town. She even is going to the sports bar for lunch this week!!!


Over all, West Jefferson is a fun place to visit. But mostly, Maw's house around 7pm is even better, you get to hear of wild stories from these two wild women!!

update~

I know I've been a total slacker about the blogging thing... I'm sorry readers!! Life has just gotten a little crazy around here! Let's start with the "to do list" that has been waiting for checks...

#2: Done... I did it. I took the plunge and donated my hair to locks of love. This is the best picture that I could find with my hair gone. I got a cute little bob and am ready for it to be long again. I got the thank you card from Locks of Love the other day and it made me tear up. I'm so thankful that I am healthy. I have no real health issue and have a full head of hair (frank may dispute based on the bathroom floor...).

#9: Buy a 4 door car. I did it... and not only did I get a 4 door car, but I got a Jeep! I think that my mom would die laughing because it took be 10 years to finally get one. I love it. I love have a tail gate, 4 doors (which means no more crawling to the back... literally). I don't have a picture of the one that I have specifically, but here is the Jeep picture!!

#21: I started my new job about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I am back in property management, leasing again. I thought that I would never do it. I love it. The company is so much better than the last and the people here are so much sweeter! I love it. I love getting people set up with their new home, marketing and meeting new people everyday...

#18: I don't want to write about this one, but it's such a testiment to the Lord's faithfulness. Frank and I have been through the ringer financially since we got married. We have trusted the Lord and he has been good to us. We have given him our first fruits and in return, I can say that life is good right now. We still have to be oh so careful, but we are making it!

ice cream with a side of breast milk... what?

This morning while watching our economy tank and seeing senators blaim everyone else for this... I saw a head line that has topped it all. Yes people, I can die a happy woman because PETA went there... they have asked Ben and Jerry to stop using cow's milk in their ice cream and start using breat milk! Yes, I just said breat milk, as in humans!!! OMG! All I can picture is woman lined up in a barn in their own stables getting milked!! HAHA! (seriously, I'm all by my self and I'm laughing so hard at this vision).

Here is the article for you to read yourself... go, I'll wait.

http://www.peta.org/mc/NewsItem.asp?id=11993

Let me back up and fill you in on my PETA experiences... when i lived in DC they would boycott Neiman Marcus for their fur department with signs that said "Neiman Carcus" and they would be skinned animals. They would boycott downtown in charleston with the same signs... it was so gross!


This letter that they sent, I think, is a huge injustice the the human race. I think that it violates all that woman fought for so that we have the rights that we do now. I think that this is opening a can of worms for woman who are in desperate economic situations. Breast milk if worth more than gold! This could cause woman who are not educated enough to lactate longer than you are suppose to causing them to be malnutritioned... so for a so on.


Bottom line... PETA TAKE A CHILL PILL!!


P.S. This would cause a pint to go from $6 to about $50!!

you are what you eat?

Oh girl....

For the last 10 or 15 years I have struggled with IBS... or so I thought! I mean, I had to be so careful of what I ate... no cheese, milk, ice cream, etc. If I chose to eat them, I had to know that there was a restroom near by. I would notice that I could eat ice cream that was higher quality. That I could eat cheese that was imported... NEVER KRAFT!!

Being that I had made poor choices financially, i could never afford to buy the organic milk until my honeymoon. It was the same price as the regular... so why not? It didn't make me sick at all!! I just thought that it was because there was no stress what so ever while we were gone. Then 3 days ago, I was craving something that had never happened... yogurt. This was a sure fire way to test if my theories were correct. I bought it... publix blackberry yogurt. I ate it and NOTHING!!!

WHAT THE CRACK!!!

I was talking to my girlfriend about it and she told me to start doing some homework. Well I did and it made me mad! Here is the link to the article.... one of many.

http://allergykids.wordpress.com/2008/02/01/got-milk-allergy-what-the-labels-and-docs-dont-tell-us/

It says basically that this company came up with this hormone that makes cows produce milk faster and therefore the farms can make more money. It says that they knew it caused health problems including CANCER AND IBS. Europe's FDA said no way... our's was different. They had people who helped develop the hormone leave the company and go and work for the FDA to help appove rBGH!!!

Are you serious? The statistics are unreal. We have to know what we are eating! Milk allergies topped the charts last year with allergies. It's because the FDA and large farms are so corrupt.

I hope that this stirs something that makes us ferious... I know that I am! I have missed out on pleanty of ice cream!

expectations~

Before I got married, I got tons of advice...

1.  Have thick skin.

2.  Emotionally invest and be there when things are happening.

3.  Compromise.

4.  Have fun.

5.  Communicate.

6.  Don't tell each others secrets.

7.  Praise in public, critic in private.

So over the last month, yes it's been a month already, I have learned a lot.  I have been stretched beyond what I thought was possible.  I shared a room and closet with my sister for a good 2 years in high school... surely sharing a bed and closet would be just as easy... WRONG!!  Married life is a blast, you get a permanent best friend, someone to laugh with and cut up with, someone who will laugh and cry with you, someone to fight with you when you are grouchy, someone to hold you accountable to not buy that fabulous pair of shoes so that you can eat for the next month.  They have your back when you are unsure of what is going on.  Where you lack, they are there to pick up those pieces.... yes, it has only been a month, and we have faced all of this.  

We are exhausted.  The money is tight, we don't know where we are going to live.... and yet, every step that we have taken so far, the Lord has met us where we are... completely broken (and broke) and guided us.  I know that we are going to make mistakes, we will fall on our faces at one point... but life has been good.  

We have more family and friends that have been there for us.  They have helped us though the good and the bad.  They have provided shelter to us, they have fed us, they have wiped our tears and laid hands on us to bless us.  They have made us laugh when we thought the tears would not stop.  My prayer every night is that everyone has family and friends like that.  That in the darkest moments, they have a Lord that will provide hope and a circle of community around them that will hold them up.

#8, 21, &31... DONE!!!

That is right...
#8. Sit on a mountain top with no shoes and let my feet hang over.

Oh our honeymoon, Frank and I set out with a map, water bottle (thanks sandy), some b.p.j's and a backpack. We went on a hike and saw 3 water falls. They were gorgous. On our first stop, we had our p.b.j's and they were yummy. Maybe it was just that Frank was carrying everything and I didn't have to be in charge that made me enjoy it. But mostly we just stared at the water and talked about how we could not believe that we were finally here!

#21... go to a winery.  On the next day of our honeymoon we went to the biltmore... all 270 rooms and 3 green houses plus the winery... it was so fun!! We tried everything! The lady, Helen, was so sweet and so excited for us.  This picture is right outside.. 

#31... Learn how to fish!!

I did it. We went fishing. If fact, we had two Robertson family fishing tournaments and I won both of them. I caught 3 fish, Frank... NONE!! It was awesome. I had no idea what I was doing and would most likely piss off anyone who knew what they were doing. Frank kept busting out these "awesome tournament" bate... no no, still nothing!!

Here is just one of the three that I caught: Here is what Frank caught!!

Done and Done

#5 and #22 ____ DONE!!

We did it! On Sunday with the pouring rain! It was beautiful... the flowers, the ceremony, the bridal party, it was all perfect. The reception went without any hitches. The food was awesome, we danced and drank and were merry. The whole day a testimony to the Lords faithfulness to our relationship with eachother and with him. Our families love each other so much and had such a fun time hanging out. We are so blessed to have eachother and to have friends and family that have gathered around us and cheered us on. We are so thankful to you guys. My one wish is that all girls have sisters and best friends like Emily and Abbi. They rocked it this last week.

~Poppy~

After adding my cousin as a friend on facebook, I found this picture of my grandparents in her pictures... Ashley I'm sorry if you are reading this.. I totally stole this from you!!

This picture brings me to tears when I see it! To some it's two old people kissing- to us, it's the example of love and patients that will forever be ingranted in our minds and hearts. It's about a man who taught all of us about unconditional love and a good time.

When I was an infant my biological grandpa passed away. I had maw-maw all to myself... it was amazing!! We would go and play and do all sorts of fun things... yes, I still remember! When I was 4 1/2 I was told that she was getting married. I remember being super confused and not really understanding what was going on. I knew that I needed to be excited because all of my older cousins were as well as all of the adults.

Let me back up and say that whenever maw-maw would come over, it meant that we were going to go have fun and I would spend the night with her.

After their wedding (p.s., it was amazing... power wheels and swiming at the reception!!), I remember looking up at her as she was saying good bye to my mom and I didn't understand why I wasn't going. I'm going to confess here that I did not like whoever this Charlie guy was(poppy) at this point!!

Time went along and thinks got a lot better, even though they lived to Atlanta, we saw them all the time. He had lots of toys and tricks and chocolate was always in arms lenth! It was amazing! He taught emily and I how to shave (our face!!), how to do magic tricks and he would even juggle for us! It didn't take long for us to let him move in as a grandpa.

I remember after I moved away after high school and was thinking about all of the times that we would hang out and how good he was to me and my cousin, the example that he set for us though his actions, and I realized that he was more than just "Charlie". I called him up and told all of this and let him know that his new name was now "Poppy." I liked it. It was good for him.

So last year we got the devestating news that he had luekemia. He fought the good fight and was discharged with a clean bill of health and most of his hair! We were stoked. We all just prayed so hard and could not believe at the age of 87 that he had done this.

Then at the end of last summer we found out that it was back. It was back and they couldn't fix it. Maw-Maw was in denial and thought it was just a slump that he was in. We all knew better. We rallied around him. The night that he took his last breath was a night that I will never forget.

For the questions of "is there life after death", "do we really have a soul", "do we have soul mates"... the answer to all of these is YES!

The last few days that we had with Poppy were hard, they were hard on Maw Maw and on Henry. Henry was amazing, he stepped up and really took the lead. Poppy's family from Atlanta came and visited him during the last few days. He was in and out of it and would moan when we was out of it. Maw Maw would come in and talk to him and he would stop immediately. He knew what was happening and he wanted her to be by his side.

The night that he passed Maw Maw went in there and laid next to him and she talked to him for about 45 minutes. She told him how much she loved him and how he had made her life so complete and happy. She told him that it was okay to leave her but she would see him soon.

Emily and my aunt Linda were in the room when he took his last breath. Emily said that immediately you could see that his soul was gone. His spirit, his presence was gone. There was something in Maw-Maw that died too... she will never be the same.

In the days to come, all I could think about was how much this man impacted our lives. How he changed almost 25 people, just in our immediate family! I started thinking about how he had influenced me and the choices that I had made. How protective he was of his family. How kind and generous he was. How he was so compassionate and patient. How he was with my mom, and how jelous I was that I was not. That he finally got to bow at the feet of Jesus and sing with the angels. How he treated my grandma would forever be in my mind.

So while this picture may seem so silly from a mac computer and two old people who don't even know what a mac is- to me they are our worlds. They have poured into us, taught us about life and manners, and that love does wait, to follow your dreams, to have a man that loves you so much that he will be there forever!

Poppy, I love you and can't wait to see you!

His Hands

I feel like a dork for making 2 posts in one night... however, I think that it's neccesary.

So tonight, Frank came over, even though he wanted to hang out with the boys, to help me move furniture around. He told me that he would, so he did. He shows up and I can tell that he's ready to go and play so I tell him to get the move on. We started to take the grill around the building so that they are by my door... OUCH!! I totally busted my ankle with the grill. I mean there is flesh hanging out of my wound. It was so nasty... and blood everywhere. All over the apartment, all over frank, all over my flipflop.... I know dad, I should have been wearing shoes- shut it!
Frank was amazing, he went into firefighter mode. He got me to the sink where he started cleaning and cleaning and cleaning. I was a mess, I was crying and hooting and holloring. The whole time he was so patient with minimal eye rolling and hushes. He kept saying "I know sugar, I know". We then moved to the couch(which I refer to as torture time!) where he got me cleaned up and bandaged up.

While I'm sure that it is amusing to this of such torture, I think about what a kind person he is. I think that how amazing he is and how gentle his hands are. While they are strong to protect and rough from providing. They are the same kind and gentle hands that cared for me.
It makes me thing of my mighty Lord that has these hand also... He says "Fear not, for I am your God"... how many times a DAY I ignore that. But how many times do I ignore Frank when he shows me that.. NONE! Oh how i am convicted of not trusting and knowing with all my heart!

* I will post a follow up once the nasty part is gone and doesn't make me want to vomit looking at it~

A dollar short and a minute late!

Last night Frank and I were joking around and made bets as to which of the 5 couples that we run around with are going to accidently get pregnant by this time next year. Seriously, out of the 6 couples that we are friends with, one is still dating, the other is already married and the other 4 are getting married in August... I'm in wedding hell!! But seriously, are we the normals ones that are getting married in our mid 20's?
Are we ready for this, to become one with someone... so give up our right to "our way"? To have to share a bed for the rest of our lives, to have to share groceries, no more "my half of the fridge"! I'm getting ready to have a permanent roommate that is never going to leave, that is always going to be there. What is crazy is that we are going to be legally bound to eachother... what the crack! The best part of this whole thing... I never have to do the break up thing ever again... yahoo!!
Sometimes, I feel like I'm a little late. My girlfriends from high school have been married for years. They are all starting to have babies... seriously? I remember football games and spring breaks! Not bottles and pack and plays. Am I just late on wanting these things?

Lovies, Dovies and babes

For the 4th of July, Frank and I packed up the car for a long weekend in Myrtle Beach with the Family. When we got there, things were already kicking. We all loaded up again and headed for the grocery store, leaving grandmother behind. What a scene. We had more food that i thought possible for 10 people to eat! So the weekend was awesome... we ate, played on the beach and had amazing conversations. After the first night, my dad decided that our condo was not good enough and informed us that we would be moving the next day and to our surprise we GOT BEACH FRONT!! What a great treat! That afternoon; Carson, Brad, Amanda, Emily, Frank and I moved all of us to the our new condo, it look 5 bellman carts and 2 grocery carts, but we did it.

As a thank you for our big move and only one lost pillow, my dad treated us to cracker barrel a few nights later. As we were trying to leave (imagine molasses moving in January... you get the idea), Frank, Carson and I were looking at baby clothes and laughing at all the cuteness. Well one think leads to another and before I know it, Cynthia is buying Frank and I baby clothes!!

That night, I was looking at them and thinking. How is it possible to miss something that is not even here, that is not even made? How can you want something so bad that you know that you can not have right now. How can your heart be so full for something that you know you are not ready for yet?

So yes, is it a little premature to have these? Absolutely. Are we ready to have kids? No way. Do we want them? More than anything! Do we know what is in store for us? No way, but I can't wait to see.

I don't need you anymore!

For the last 8 months Ryder and I have been hanging out. He tells me about his Mimi and Nanna, the next trip that they are going on, what colors he likes, what he wants to eat, that he likes beer, all the different flavors of lollipops that he likes, what construction equipment that he wants to see... did I mention that he is only 2?? Yes, the little man is 2 and will be 3 in October. We have a blast together. He is very independent, except doing up and down the back steps at home. Today was a very sad day... he told me that he didn't need me!

As I watched him go down the stairs like a big boy today, i was so proud of him. Of how much progress that he has made.

I think of myself and how teachable I am. I think that as we drift through life, we think that we only learn the big stuff.... don't drink too much- it makes you really sick, don't be mean to people- they won't like you, don't date jerks- they break your heart, etc. But those are the things that we can learn from other people. Do we notice the little things that we finally master... going to bed on time, daily quit times, faithfully praying for friends and family, talking to someone because you know they really need your ears.... what about those things? Are we growing? Are we moving forward?

New discoveries

I wish that i had blogged about this the day that this picture took place. This is Ben and Henry. They are 2 of the 3 little boys that I watch. We have big fun. We go to the beach, to the park, to get lollipops and sometimes just ride around on the golf cart. I love this. This was one of the first days that I could actually take them to the beach and they could get in. Oh how much fun that is was!! They were confused that I would not let them play with the washed up jellyfish, as they

thought that they were balls. I remember how they thought that the tide was so funny. They just played and played. Their mom and I thought surely they won't need sunscreen, it was only April! No no, Henry (the one on the right, as so burned and he had white marks where the wet sand was stuck. I felt horrible.

What makes me love this this picture and the memories of this day, is the new discoveries. Oh course they played on the beach last summer, but they were too little to remember. I love that everything was new and they could not get enough. They loved the sand, they loved playing together, they loved having their pictures taken. They loved everything.

How often to we take advantage of living here at the beach? Oh it's too hot, it's so windy, it's to .... whatever! What if we didn't have the beach? It is such a reminder that our God is so mighty and faithful. He's as faithful as the tide always comes in and always goes out.

Babies

Yesterday was one of those days that required napping... all day. Frank was working so we took total advantage of the Sunday night service. During worship, I looked over ( I know I should not have been distracted, but I was!), and there was this little boy with his dad. The dad was alone and the little boy was about 1. It was so sweet, the little guy was just clapping and trying to dance the best that he could while being held. He clapped for a while.
After the service, I was thinking about that little guy and his dad. I have no idea who they are, if the dad is single or if the little boy is his. But it made me think... what an example that guy is. That he would get that little guy dress and take him to church at the "witching hour" in little people's world. That church was more important that bath time, t.v. time or whatever you do at night time when you have little ones. It made me happy for the little guy that he has an example like that.
Then there was the little boy and how precious he was! How he was loving Jesus (okay maybe it was just the music), how he was "clapping" and dancing. Isn't that the way that we are suppose to worship... oblivious to the world around us. Is that was Jesus meant when he said, "Let the children come to me"?

A dream

For those of you who are not Emily, you may not know that I have some crazy dreams. No, they are not people coming at my trying to touch my neck.... weirdo!
For the last 2 years, I have had dreams of Franks and my children that we so sweet that they have made me tear up with joy. Last night I dreamt of our wedding day. I (plus my dad and Abbi) have been planning so much that all of this finally came about. I had a vision of what it would all look like.
However, the dream was so vivid as to the scenery, but about the relationships that day. I saw my dad after I was all done up, and we cried. I saw Frank as my dad and I walked down the aisle, and I think that I was smiling in my dream. The day is going to be amazing and I can not wait!!

I can not wait to see where the Lord is leading us and this amazing journey that we are about to embark on together... hang on!! I know that we are going to have the ride of a life time that it is going to be filled with Jesus, laughter and many cigars! 58 days and counting!!

My to do list: 18 months

So this is my first blog... so bear with me.
This was a challange given to me about 2 months ago, and here it is:

1. Run a marathon and not pass out
DONE!!! 2. Donate my hair to locks of love.
3. Hit my goal weight and look fabulous!
4. Throw an amazing party for a fabulous friend.
DONE!!!! 5. Get married without a hitch.
6. See clear ocean water.
7. Go to africa
DONE!!!!8. Sit on a mountain top and let my feet hang over the edge... barefoot!
DONE!!! 9. Buy a 4 door car.
10. Make it through my first year of marriage with no babies, no killing eachother and minimal timeouts
11. Go to an outdoor concert or huge festival.
12. Go back to school and finish this time.
13. Start a company
14. Build a savings account.
15. Start a fruitful small group, pref. all women.
16. Be an amazing wife.
17. Read the entire bible, in order, at least once.
DONE!!! 18. Become a regular tither.
19. Buy a house
20. Make the house livable.
DONE!!!21. Go to a winery.
DONE!!!22. Have a beath taking kiss.
23. Get scuba certified.
24. Go to a braves game to see what the fuss is about.
25. Blog regularly.
26. Go the aquarium in Atlanta
DONE!! 27. Have a meaningful job.
28. Eat a 5 star resturant with fabulous company, fabulous shoes and fabulous conversation.
29. Give blood before going to Africa.
30. Buy new bedroom furniture.

DONE!!!31. Learn to fish.