Titletown Memories...

I went to Valdosta tonight to run a few errands and bring my brother a little treat to start off his senior year of college.


He just so happened to have a little prize for me too! I guess we were both thinking about each other lately. :)



Eight years ago, today, Matt and I "officially" started dating. It was after the first Impact of the year at the BCM. We drove by the BCM and saw them setting up the music. Oh the memories...



The campus was alive and busy. We both agree that we'd go back to college and do it again in a heartbeat. We went by everything in town. Our churches, houses where we had Bible Studies, Places we lived, our school buildings, our favorite hang outs, party spots, THE FRONT LAWN, my dorm, great restaurants, our favorite track and tennis courts, etc. SO MUCH FUN. It really made me miss Valdosta...but then I realized that I am so happy in our town...with our church, my school, our friends and community, and of course our house and little family. I just miss all the fun times that went with college/grad school and Valdosta...the ones that I associate with the town. I have such fond memories of time with my different groups of girlfriends and classmates. Hard times too, and lots of firsts. I basically grew up there...and learned so much. Matt just misses the freedom of college! :) Every no and then taking a walk down memory lane is much needed...

And being in Titletown, USA made me really excited about BLAZER football and Fall! :)

I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4 NLT

Just another Monday...

It's been a really good day today...just trying to get back in the swing of things. The Lord gives me the strength I need to do my job and love on my babies and family each day, and He also fills me with JOY. I am so grateful...and have been counting my blessings lately. I've also been very productive tonight, which makes me feel good and organized.

Aside from our normal Monday routine, I'm just thinking about my family tonight and how much I love them. I'm also saying some extra prayers for my sweet Nanny Jane and Poppy Bill tonight. It has been a tough day for them. I just wish I lived closer to help.

Here are some pictures from Nanny Jane's suprise birthday party this summer. It was also a celebration...1 year after her fall.






Trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8 NLT

No Sweeter Name...Our Weekend!

Saturday morning we got up and went downtown. We stopped by my favorite teacher store, and shoe store. Then we headed to Tallahassee to take my Daddy to eat at Five Guys and go to Costco.

Mama and I on the way to Tally.



At Five Guys.


Mama and Matty waiting on Daddy and I to get our pictures made.


That night, I made enchilada's, and we picked up salsa and cheese dip from our favorite restaurant. We had a litle fiesta.



Afterwards we made a Wal-Mart run, rented a movie, and just hung out. Mama made caramel apple cheesecake for Daddy's late birthday celebration. It was so good!


This morning we woke up and Matt made a big breakfast for us. And then my parents and G left. I was so sad! I'm hoping they'll come down for Parent's weekend at VSU to see my brother. And then we'll go over to Valdosta to see them. I am so thakful for my family!

Matt and I didn't go to SS since we were still visiting with the fam. We made it to church though. I was eagerly anticipating the music in church today. As soon as I got my bulletin, I started singing the songs. :) We sang, Soli Deo Gloria, Do It Lord!, All in All, and No Sweeter Name to name a few!!!! AMAZING time of worship.

Getting ready for church, I had my Watermark blasting. Soli Deo Gloria....we were just singing away. :)



On our way!


We rushed home to eat leftovers and then hopped into bed for a nap. Matt and Blakely are still being lazy, but it was thundering so loud that I had to get up. It is very peaceful in the house right now, with the rain pouring down. I am able to catch up on blogging and in just a few minutes, finish my differentiated center lesson plans (I'm finished with the rest)....all before we go back to church tonight. Thank you, Jesus, for giving me the motivation to get it done! :) Gotta love Awesome August Nights! I hear we're going to be treated to more awesome worship songs and a powerful guest speaker from Birmingham. :)

I've had such a blessed weekend! I am so thankful and aware of His blessings. I pray that the Lord will use me to fulfill His purpose and glorify His name this week...everywhere that I go.


Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Psalm 51:12

Summing it up...

Went to work way before it was light out...


Worked hard all day long! :)

Got to watch some football practice during my afternoon walk! GO JACKETS! Come on Fall and Football Season! :)

Ate Chick-fil-a for supper with my sweet hubby. It's the first time we've eaten out (besides the beach) since I've been back to work. Yay us!


Relaxed and spent a whole lot of time with the Lord.

Now, I'm about to finish a few things for school tomorrow.

Then watch Bethenny getting married?


So excited that tomorrow is FRIDAY and t-shirt and jeans day! I get to see my parents, G, and my Blakely too!

Psalm 30:5
Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Job 8:21
He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

Destin 2010 Family Vacation

We had such a great time in Destin last weekend. It felt like a long weekend, even though it was super short. We drove there after work on Friday, ate supper at the condo, and then went to Destin Common's for a bit.


Saturday we got up and played mini-golf, then ate leftovers for lunch, hit the beach for a few hours, then got ready for family pictures on the beach, and then seafood out.
















Then we went and got concretes at Scoops. AMAZING. AND WE LAUGHED SO HARD. I have never laughed that hard for so long. Good cousin bonding time. :)




Sunday all of our family left early (back to NW Arkansas and SW Missouri), and Matt and I went to the pool for awhile, then ate lunch at Pompano Joe's. So fun!



We had to get back early Sunday to get ready for another busy work week.

Sleep, Psalm 62, and Company

I am laying on clean sheets and about to go to bed. I love fresh sheets out of the dryer. :) But I have had Psalm 62 on my mind. So I felt compelled to post quickly.

You know how I just heard that song by Shane and Shane the other day for the first time (Psalm 62) and fell in love with it. Well today, it came on Pandora while I was in my classroom. I always have it on the same station and I hear the same songs over and over. I have never heard it until today.

Well, then tonight I was reading an old Bible Study book that I found while I was cleaning. I will elaborate more later, but it completely related to my heart right now and where I'm at with my relationship with God. And the main verse that it referenced was in Psalm 62.

I think the Lord is trying to show me something. He definitely is my strength and my life. Here it is...in several versions. :)

Psalm 62 (New International Version)
1 My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
3 How long will you assault a man?
Would all of you throw him down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4 They fully intend to topple him
from his lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
Selah
5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God [a] ;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah
9 Lowborn men are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie;
if weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion
or take pride in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
11 One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,
12 and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person
according to what he has done.

Psalm 62 (The Message)
1-2 God, the one and only— I'll wait as long as he says.
Everything I need comes from him,
so why not?
He's solid rock under my feet,
breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
I'm set for life.
3-4 How long will you gang up on me?
How long will you run with the bullies?
There's nothing to you, any of you—
rotten floorboards, worm-eaten rafters,
Anthills plotting to bring down mountains,
far gone in make-believe.
You talk a good line,
but every "blessing" breathes a curse.
5-6 God, the one and only—
I'll wait as long as he says.
Everything I hope for comes from him,
so why not?
He's solid rock under my feet,
breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
I'm set for life.
7-8 My help and glory are in God
—granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—
So trust him absolutely, people;
lay your lives on the line for him.
God is a safe place to be.
9 Man as such is smoke,
woman as such, a mirage.
Put them together, they're nothing;
two times nothing is nothing.
10 And a windfall, if it comes—
don't make too much of it.
11 God said this once and for all;
how many times
Have I heard it repeated?
"Strength comes
Straight from God."
12 Love to you, Lord God!
You pay a fair wage for a good day's work!

In other news, I am so TIRED...I know it is just getting back in the swing of the school year, but goodness....being so fatigued wears me out. :) I am also working extra hard to finish up everything before this weekend, so I can spend all my time with my family. Same story as last weekend and Destin. :)

Have a great Thursday!