2014...a recap

Every New Years, I like to look back at the previous year and reminisce on all the good things that happened. And this year is no exception, so I thought I'd share some of the greatest moments with you:

March

Road trip to Nashville. It was AWESOME! If I wasn't obsessed with Country Music before, I definitely am now! From walking from bar to bar listening to live music on Broadway, to touring the Ryman and Country Music Hall of Fame, to being 8 rows back at the Grand Ole Opry's 40th Anniversary Celebration - it was amazing. Oh, and the 10+ hour concert on the way there might just have been the best part! :)

 On the steps of the Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry

 So much talent and history on one stage, I was freaking out!!

May / June 

Two very big milestones in our family:: a college graduation and a high school graduation. I consider myself extremely lucky to have a part in these events.

My Sissie - we are now the best of friends, this is the relationship I always wanted for us. I am so proud of her for all she has accomplished and is still doing! She's a first year law student this year at William and Mary!

My little Buddy - My first "real" baby sitting job. I was wrapped around his finger from the day he was born. I am so very proud of him for the young man he has become. He's a freshman at NC State. And while I'm not doing the Wolfpack hand signal and wearing red, I did right "Go Pack" in his graduation card. (hey you gotta give me credit for something!)

October

I GOT MARRIED!! On a perfect fall day, I married my best friend. Surrounded by family and our closest friends, we had a small, simple, country wedding in a little white church! It truly was the best day of my life so far! 

Again with the traditions - my mom took this picture with Papa as she was leaving. This picture is so special to me!

Those are just the highlights of my year. There also was buying a HOUSE, the summer of concerts at Walnut Creek, my wonderful bachelorette weekend and party, anticipating the birth of two new members of our family, and lots of fun weekend excursions.

Of course, with every year, it was not without sadness. My grandmother lost her last remaining sibling in April, after 8 months of suffering, and a high school friend (and my parents neighbors) lost her sister 5 days before Christmas. These instances both taught me to cherish each day you have with your loved ones because you never know when God has bigger plans for you and calls you home.

So by now, after you have read this super long 2014 recap, it is probably 2015. I hope that each of you has the happiest of New Year celebrations and that you are spending it with the people who you want to continue spending 2015 with. I know I am!!

PS: Don't forget to eat your black-eyed peas and collards tomorrow, and don't wash any clothes! (sorry, old southern traditions die hard!)

2014 Resolution Check In...and 2015 Resolutions

Well here we are, the last day of 2014!! A time to look back on the year before and to look ahead at what's in store for next year!

Every year, I make resolutions. Usually the same ones: lose weight, be better with money, stop cussing.

Undoubtedly, by February or March they are all broken. The reason for that is there is no measurable progress! So last year (or the beginning of this year) I decided to change the way I did my resolutions. With getting married, there were some real things that I wanted to accomplish in 2014:

1) Read the bible in a year.

This is a goal I have wanted for myself for sometime. I have always been a Christian and have always read the bible. But I could count on just one hand how many full books of the bible I had actually read. So this year I downloaded an app that laid out plans for you, and each day at work, while I was preparing for that day - I would listen to that day's bible verses. I would get behind some days when life would get busy, but as of today, the last day of the year, I am DONE! I am so proud of myself for accomplishing this goal, because this has allowed me to grow in my faith. God has shown me things through his Word that I had never heard or seen before. It has truly been an awesome experience. I don't feel like you should read the bible once and be done with it, so in 2015, I will: Chose another plan and read the bible in a year again.

2) Get out of debt by the time I get married

I wasn't in huge debt, I just had a few credit cards and my car payment. But late in 2013, I had gotten into Dave Ramsey and the "Debt Free Lifestyle". At first, I thought, there is no way. I'd like to pay the debt off, but I have so many other priorities coming up, it will never happen. But then, as I listened to his radio show, I thought - I can really do this!! So I started following Dave's Baby Steps to get this done. I used a large portion of my tax return check from 2013 to get me started, but by May 2014 - I was officially debt free!

Now, throw into this mix a house. James and I wanted a house to move into once we were married. An apartment just didn't feel like "home". James had some money saved up and I was able to use an old 401K account for a down-payment (you can withdraw money out for a first time home without any penalty). So in June, 2014 we bought our first home. We chose a house that was nice, but not outside our means. Because of being debt free except the house, we are able to pay $150 more on our mortgage every month. This will equal two payments a year, and we will have the house paid off in 15 years.

The wedding and Christmas kind of stalled our progress on Baby Step #3: Save 3-6 months income for emergency funds. But starting in 2015, we are going to hit that goal hard!! So the resolution for 2015 is: Complete Baby Step #3. I will be blogging about our progress with this for sure!

3) Visit my Grandparents at least once a month

I feel like I shouldn't get credit for this goal. Between two family graduations and a wedding, I had A LOT of family time in 2014, so it was easy to see them once a month! In 2015, I will have the same goal: Visit my grandparents once a month. I feel like it will be harder this year with our first year of marriage and not having so many events to cause me to visit them.

Of course in 2015, I would like to lose weight. I have been TOTALLY unmotivated since the wedding. I have eaten like a college freshman, and the only exercise I have been doing is shopping for Christmas! So in 2015, I am going to get back into eating heather and exercising. James got me a new Fit Bit for Christmas, so I will be back on tracking my steps, activities, and what I eat. This really isn't a New Years resolution, but putting it here will keep me accountable.

Did you make resolutions in 2014? How did you do? What about 2015? I'd love to hear from other's on this!! <3

The Fifth Candle - The CHRIST Candle

On Christmas Eve, the candle in the middle of the wreath, the CHRIST candle, is lit.

"Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of darkness, to guide our feet into the path of peace" ~ Luke 1: 78-79
"For unto YOU is born this day, in the city of David, a SAVIOR which is Christ the Lord" ~ Luke 2:11

When we light the Christ candle we remember that CHRIST was born as a baby in Bethlehem to save us from our sins.

The wait is over; the tree is decorated, the presents are bought and wrapped, all the fixings are ready to be prepared for Christmas dinner. Christmas is finally here! But in all this excitement, we can't forget why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Christ came as a baby to be the go between from God to us, he died on the cross so that we may have eternal life. This is why we celebrate today!

Jesus came as a light in the darkness, and that is what the Christ candle symbolizes - that we are to be that light today. The candles, the light, should not just remain in the church.

Every year, at the end of our Christmas Eve service, the church I grew up in lights the Christ candle, and from that candle, passes this light to each member of the congregation who has their own candle. Once all the candles are lit, the congregation processes out of the church, singing "Silent Night", letting our lights light the dark streets. This is the truest example of what we are supposed to do - take the light of Christ into the world.

Not just at Christmas but all year round.

I hope that you and your family have a very Merry Christmas. That you enjoy all of the hope, peace, joy, and love that comes from this season. But most importantly, you remember that Christ is the reason for all of this and you take his light into the world.

Merry Christmas! <3

The Forth Candle - Love

The fourth Advent Candle symbolizes LOVE -

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him may not perish, but have everlasting life" ~John 3:16

We light the fourth candle to symbolize the love God has shown us by sending his only son to save us from our sins.

God made the ultimate sacrifice by sending Jesus to Earth to die for us. God knows that we are human, and we are a sinful people. But Jesus paid the price for our sins. He died so that we may live with him in heaven.  Advent is the time where we prepare to welcome this love into our hearts. Christ wants us to share this love with the world, to love the world as God has loved us!

But of course, that is easier said that done. In fact, "I Love You" are three of the five easiest words in the English language (I'm Sorry are the other two...there maybe a post on that later). And its easy to love someone when they are lovable. But the love Christ talks about is unconditional love, loving others when they are the most unlovable. I am sure we all have someone in our lives, a coworker, neighbor, church member, or even family member that we cringe when we see them. They get on our nerves, always talking about themselves, maybe having one too many problems for us to listen to. These are the type of people Christ wants us to love. And not the mushy love either, but the real, true, deep down love of Christ. We can show this love in many ways: a kind word, a note, a helping hand, or even a simple smile.

So I have challenged myself (because there are more than a few people I find hard to love...) to make a conscious effort this Advent season to spread Christ's love to others, especially the unlovable. It will be a work in progress because I am human, but that is why Christ was sent to Earth over 2000 years ago, and the reason we celebrate Christmas today <3

The Third Candle - JOY

The third candle symbolizes JOY

"And Mary said, 'My soul glorifies the LORD and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior'" ~Luke 1:46-47

When this candle is lit, we remember the joy that is in Christ's coming, both 2000 years ago and today.

Joy at Christmas time is easy. The decorations are put just right, kids hearts are filled with laughter, everyone is smiling and full of the Christmas spirit. Or are they?

How many times at Christmas have you said these words: "I am so busy, I am burnt out on this Christmas stuff", "These lights are driving me crazy, I swear next year, no more decorations", "If you ask for that toy one more time, Santa isn't going to bring you anything", "Everyone wants a handout at Christmas time, I just can't give anymore", "I hope they don't show up at the party this year, they get on my last nerves". The main toes I am stepping on here are mine...and these are NOT joyful phrases.

It seems that these days, the things that are supposed to bring us joy, only stress us out. This post is basically me in a nut shell, and when I started writing it I thought, wow, I am doing a good job of taking the joy out of a holiday I love so much. I stress because my house isn't clean enough for guests, that the presents are not wrapped just right, that there is never enough time for me to be everywhere. So I started thinking, how can I take a moment to remember the joy this season is supposed to bring? And then it hit me...Charlie Brown!

I have watched the Charlie Brown Christmas Special about a million times, and this part never gets old:

So when you find yourself forgetting the joy this Christmas season because of all the hustle and bustle. Take a second, watch this video, and remember what Christmas is all about!!

James' Birthday Weekend Recap

James' birthday is a few weeks before Christmas and last year I decided that we would go on a trip each year for his birthday to somewhere "Christmasy". Last year we went to Myrtle Beach and went to the Alabama Theater for the Christmas show and this year we went to Asheville to go to the Biltmore Christmas Candlelit Evenings.

It was amazing! We got up to Asheville around 10:30 Friday night. I had found this hotel, "Residence at Biltmore". I HIGHLY recommend it. Very nice hotel - it even had a fire place!

Saturday morning we woke up early (we are both early risers!) but we just laid around, had mimosa's and chocolate in bed and watched the Game Show Network. This was heaven for us. We finally got up and went to lunch at a local bar called Pack's Tavern. It was EXCELLENT!! James liked it so much he said we should go back for dinner!

 Inside the bar, pretty cool Christmas decoration

Walking around downtown after lunch

After lunch and walking around downtown, we went back to the hotel to rest and get ready for dinner. We had dinner at a restaurant on the Biltmore estate called Deerpark. It was an original barn that was turned into a southern style restaurant.  It was really good, buffet style, and we even got souvenir glasses with Biltmore Estate written in chocolate (I sure hope it doesn't melt off the glasses)

 The outside of the Deerpark restaurant all lit up for Christmas

Then it was on to the house, it was BEAUTIFUL. I was in awe of every room in the house. Unfortunately, we could not take any pictures but after we toured it, I realized that was probably for the best. I think stopping to take pictures in every room would take away from the experience. We did get a picture taken inside the estate and we purchased it after the tour.

We woke up Sunday morning and went to another local restaurant, Early Girl Eatery. It boasts fresh, farm-to-table food and boy was it GOOD! I could have eaten my weight in the grits!

We had such a good time on this trip, I am already starting to think of places to go next year for James' birthday. This has become a tradition that I love and this years trip is a trip we won't forget anytime soon!!  <3

Easy Dinner Idea

I am all about an easy meal. I enjoy cooking, but some nights I just do not want to spend my whole evening in the kitchen cooking and cleaning!!

I have come up with a reallllly easy meal that my husband LOVES (and I do too). Barbecue weenies in the crock pot and I pair it with Mac & Cheese. NOTE: This meal is in no way healthy, at all! 

 I use my 2 qt crock pot (I got 4 as wedding presents, all different sizes!!). I use the crock pot liners which are the greatest invention since sliced bread. Seriously - you just throw the bag away when you are done - no soaking and / or scrubbing the crock pot for hours!!

 I use a whole pack of weenies cut up and a whole 16 oz. bottle of BBQ sauce. I layer the sauce and weenies, putting a little sauce in each time I add a cut up weenie.

 Cook on high for about 1 1/2 hours, until the sauce and weenies are hot. I stir once every 30 min to make sure the sauce is covering all the weenies.

We like the Kraft Deluxe Mac and Cheese, so I make that which takes about 15 min. 

Thats it! A good meal that takes little to no effort...some nights its just what I need!! 

The Second Candle - Peace

The Second Advent Candle symbolizes PEACE -

"The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them" ~Isaiah 11:6

When this candle is lit, we remember the promise of the peace that is to come.

I think we can all agree that this world is less than peaceful today. Most would say that this promise of peace doesn't provide us with much comfort. I can admit sometimes I struggle. I question this promise of peace.  Whether you are struggling with a difficult decision about your future, wondering where your next meal will come from, or dealing with a bleak medical prognosis - we are all filled with some amount of unrest and doubt that any type of peace will ever come. How can we find peace in a time where it seems like violence, hard times, and turmoil grows each day, both around the world and in our own lives? The answer is so simple - yet so hard.

PRAY

I am the first person to tell you, I pray about everything. My day is a constant conversation with God. What I am not good at is finding the peace in my prayers. Sometimes, I even tell God how I think it should be resolved! (I believe I am comic relief for God in this aspect). True peace comes from allowing God to carry the burden for everything going on in your life. I know that is one area in my faith that I am completely weak in and need to work on.

My Papa used to say, when you take something to God - leave it there. There is no sense in both of you worrying about it. You could see this in his actions. Always smiling, humming, and joking - he acted as if he didn't have a care in the world. And it wasn't because he didn't face hard times, it was because he found peace in the fact that God was in control!

This advent season, we should remember that God has promised a time of peace that we as humans can't even begin to comprehend on earth. But until that time comes he also promises us peace within ourselves if we just trust in him and his mighty power. <3

Final's Survival Kits

When I was in college, for Christmas the ladies in my church would send me a care package. It had candy, shower stuff, and maybe a gift card. I always enjoyed getting these, so this year, in keeping with my Random Acts of Christmas Kindness - I decided to send some to my family members in college.

I knew I wanted to send them candy, so I bought each of their favorite candy. Then I decided to buy them some school supplies to get them through finals: pens, pencils, highlighters, and index cards. Threw in some chap stick and a Starbucks gift card and I had a care package!

I bought Christmas tin boxes to put the stuff in. I still had to put them in a box to mail them, but the tin added the "Christmas" touch I was looking for.

 Garrett's kit

 Twix and Kit Kats are his favorite! 

 Katlyn's Kit 

Lindor Truffles and Dove Chocolates are her fave candy - also, her pens were zebra print!! 

I know that the random act of kindness' are not supposed to be done for the "thank you's", but the texts I got once they received their packages filled my heart with joy! 

These care packages aren't just for college kids. I know lots of people who would love a package of little nick-knacks in the mail. Sometimes, just the getting mail itself is the best part! 

Hopefully these kits will inspire you to send someone you love a care package -  I would love to hear about them! :) <3 

The First Candle - Hope

Advent started Sunday, and with Advent I wanted to do a blog series on the 5 candles in the Advent wreath. 

As a child, each family in our church would take turns lighting a candle on the advent wreath. There would be scripture, a poem, and a prayer to recite along with that. I never thought much about what each candle meant, but I remember every year being excited about which candle I would get to light (You would want to be the 4th Sunday so you could light the most candles!).

The first candle symbolizes HOPE - "The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah"  ~ Jeremiah 33:14. On this first week we are to remember that when Jesus came, he was fulfilling a promise from God that a Savior would come, a hope written by the prophets. We have the same hope today. We as Christians live for the promise that Christ will come again one day.

But we shouldn't just sit around with that hope bottled up inside of us. We should be the hope others are looking for in this world. I grew up with a church member who used to say "You may be the only bible a careless world will read". This statement is so true. It seems like the news is filled with bad things happening; a child is abused by the person who is supposed to protect them, a couple dies in a house fire caused by a space heater, people are killing each other over the latest black Friday deal. This advent season, I am going to strive to be the hope that others need. I have made it my mission to do random acts of kindness, one a day from now until Christmas, and be the only bible this careless world will read. I have found this calendar with a months worth of "RACKS" which I will use as a guide but I will create my own too! 

I can't wait to make others smile, it wont change the world but it just might change one person's life and it will most certainly change mine!

December Goals

Happy December!! This post is a day late but with everything that is going on, I forgot to post!

The calendar for December is quickly filling up and I don't want to spend the entire month in a tizzy so my coworker suggested I post my goals for the month. (Here is her blog - I definitely recommend going to check it out!)

Weekly Goals:
* Wrap 5 Christmas Presents
* Write 10 Thank You Notes (these have GOT to get done, I have been slack)
* Meal Plan / make grocery lists
* Organize / Declutter one room in the house

Monthly Goals:
* Send "Final's Survival Kits" to my sister and cousin who are in college
* Send out the invitations to the first annual New Years Eve Party that I am hosting (eeeek)
* Have a wonderful time on James' birthday trip (I am going to strive for this weekend to be social media free)
* Make "Welcome Home Baby" kits for my two cousins who will be having babies VERY soon!
* Finish reading the Bible - I have kept up this this all year. I am really proud of myself and can't wait to finish this goal!!

Whew...now that it is all written out, I just have to stick to it!

Tonight I am heading over the NC State to listen to my cousin in his Christmas Concert and Friday night we will be going to dinner for James' 28th birthday.

So many wonderful and exciting things going on in December, I can't wait to share it all with you! <3