Give me a "C"!

So - For the longest time I have been trying to think of what to hang above our bed. We do not have a headboard so it really needed something and I was not sure what to do at all. Plus I was on a strict budget, it is called "Basically No Money Budget". I had been keeping my eye open for things at Ross, Big Lots, Salvation Army, etc... But I could not seem to find anything that would look good with our decor.

Well, a few weeks ago I was helping my parents paint their house. While they were doing the painting Dad decided to build new shudders too and I helped him. When we finished the building there was some extra wood left over and my creative juices started to flow. You will see below the result of the "scrap" wood! I am pretty proud of it.

I knew that I needed something to go around the "C" and so I went to the Dollar Tree (Love that place!) and I found some 5x7 frames and these then some white mats to go into them which made the picture size a 4x6. (I think that mats can really make a frame look better).

So - Check out my handy work! I am pretty darn proud of my $6 wall! That's right, you read that correctly, 6 bucks!

I love Fall....

...although sometimes I wished that more people called it Autumn. I think Autumn has a better sound to it. But whether you call it Fall or Autumn I love it! Even though summer is one of my favorite months I always welcome Fall with open arms. Some of the things that I like are:

* The crispness in the air
* Fires inside of fire place
* Coffee
* Walks
* Leafs turning colors
* Cute scarfs and Jackets
* Getting to wear my "Fall" clothes
* Starbucks (it is just better in the Fall/Winter)
* Thanksgiving and knowing that Christmas is near by

I think that when a "Change of Season" takes place people are in better moods. I don't know why but it is true. I always seem to have a certain spunk to my step I know.

Then I start to think... Often, when a change of season takes place in my heart it also puts a spunk in my step. There is just something wonderful with putting away the old and putting on the new.

I often wonder what it would be like to live somewhere like Hawaii or Florida but then I am grateful for where I live. I love the fact that we have different seasons. The fact that we get a taste of it all.

"Real" Life

I feel like I should give an update on "life". Then I feel like saying, "How on earth can I update you on real life on a blog?" :p I will still give it a try.

Britt is still working at Hobby Lobby. We are so grateful for the job and the Lords provision. Some days are more difficult than others simply for that fact that it is not what he wants to be doing. He graduates this December after finishing his LAST CLASS! *woot* It is easy to be excited and feel overwhelmed all in one breath. We are so grateful he will be done and overwhelmed with the job search process. It seriously feels like there is nothing out there. I know that the Lord has something and that He will provide but it is hard to completely trust at times. You know, the times that you hear things like, "It takes the average college graduate 8 months to find a job after graduating due to the economy." Sheesh! 8 months! That is when I have to tell myself over and over that God is faithful and He is our provider.

"¹⁰For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills. ¹¹"I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine." Psalm 50:10-11

Next thing...

For those of you who do not know I am substitute teaching. I am really enjoying it. I am signed up to sub for Moore, Norman and CHA (Christian School). So far I have really only subbed for CHA. I have been getting a lot of work here and it is nice. If you did not know CHA is the school that my dad went to growing up. It is also the school that Britt went to growing up and where Britt's dad still teaches. One of the teachers at CHA is gone for the entire week and I am covering her class for the week. The Lord is really providing for us through that. The main reason that I am working as a substitute is because I would REALLY love to get back on at the capitol this session. I loved working there and I would love to go back. If you could pray with me that the Lord wold provide a job there I would really appreciate it!

So - I know most of that was about our jobs but it seems like that is a lot of life right now. Married life is great and we are really loving it. it is so encouraging and a blessing to go home to someone every day that loves you unconditionally.

We are also really getting involved in our community group and church and we love it. Our group mostly consist of young married couples. It is such an encouragement to be around people walking through the same sstage in life as we are. God has really blessed us with the church that we go to.

That is basically life right now. Not a lot but still a lot...? If that even makes sense. It is good though and God is faithful. I don't think that I can say that enough because I am seeing more and more everyday how true it is!

²²The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
²³They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
²⁴"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"Therefore I have hope in Him."
Lamentations 3:22-24

Worrying about Worry Part 2

This morning first thing the Lord gave me an opportunity to not worry and trust him. I got online a little while later and remembered the post that I wrote YESTERDAY. It is almost like the Lord is saying to me, "Ok, so you said it but do you mean it. Are you willing to give it all to me." *Sigh*

I know that God is in control, I really do! I just have to some to the place of not wanting to be in control. I think that is my problem. I know that God can handle it but some part of me always wants to have my finger in it. Make part of the decision, know what will happen, make a plan, execute that plan, blah blah blah...

So, here I am. I feel as if I am being tested and tried. In all reality, I should be. This is good for me. To stand back and see if what I said yesterday is true.

"Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean NOT on your OWN understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

"Be anxious for NOTHING but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God." Phil 4:6

Worrying about Worry???

That is what I am doing. Ugh! Seriously, I am so sick of worry that I am starting to "Worry" that I am "Worrying" too much! How awful is that!

The worst part is that I will think of verses like:

"Be anxious for nothing..."
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart..."
"Cast your cares on Him..."

I know all of that and I know it to be true but sometimes I still let worry control me. I told the girls in my community group last night that sometimes it feels like sense I don't have a full-time job right now I am making a full-time job out of worrying. *sigh*

I know that God is in control and that He is faithful. I know that His word is truth and it will not return void. I know I need to continue saying those verse over and over again and let them really resonate and sink in. If you think about it though I would appreciate a prayer. I don't want to be this way. I don't want worry to control me. I want to completely trust the Lord and His plans and know that it is best.

Another blog!

So - I created another blog. It is called "A few of my favorite things". Basically if you are reading this and you are a guy you could probably care less. However, if you are reading this and are NOT a guy then it just might interest you. So - check it out! ;)

http://flipflopsandgreentea.blogspot.com/

St. Louis, MO!

We went to the Zoo. It was a lot of fun! It is the worlds best zoo! (Seriously)

Here we are at the base of the arch! It was really cool!

In the top of the arch!

All four of us. We had a great time with Todd's family!

Looking down from the top of the arch.

These are what the car/elevators look like that take you to the top of the arch.

More of the arch!

And more! :)

A view of the old court house with the arch.

We really did have a great time! I always love going somewhere that i have never been before. If you want to see more pictures go check out my facebook.

I remember...

My mom came in to my bedroom and told me that I should come and see what was happening on t.v.

I walked into the living room and saw the utter chaos and confusion. I saw news announcers at a loss for words.

And then, I saw the second plane hit. I saw it on live t.v. I saw hundreds of lives taken before my eyes on live t.v. How can I forget where I was, what I was doing, who I was with?

I saw a great loss, I saw a moment in history that we will not forget. I was younger at the time and not able to totally comprehend the impact but I still felt the sting of the pain. My heart ached for those families.

After it set in, as much as it could, I really saw panic. All the way in Oklahoma people were panicking. We left to get gas because prices begin to sky rocket. We went to the store to buy canned food, bottled water and other basics because no one knew what would happen next. When we arrived at the stores the shelves were basically empty. It was hard to find bread, milk, eggs....

Everything ended up being ok. There were no more attacks. But a there was a deep wound that would take a long time to heal. A wound that would always leave a scar on America.

So, today I remember. I remember the lives of the Innocent and the hero. I remember because lives were taken unjustly. I remember because there are people grieving today. Grieving the deaths of their father, mother, son, daughter, sister, brother, grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle, cousins, best friend....

Do you remember?

Bliss is:

Going to Macaroni grill and having the Chicken Catalonia and Iced Peach Tea.

Going to Lake Hefner with your hubby and walking the trail.

Bringing a quilt along and spreading it out to watch the sunset.

Instead of watching a sunset get to lay back and watch an amazing storm roll over head.

Talking about anything and everything.

Just BEING.

I am so grateful for the man in my life!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

St. Louis pictures coming soon!

HELLLLOOOOO September.

I love it when fall is right around the corner and the weather actually feels like it too. I love the summer months but I love to see fall come (I just wish that winter would take it's time getting here. :p)

Gets me thinking about cute scarfs, warm seasonal Starbucks drinks like the Pumpkin Spice Latte, Bright colored leafs, Baking, crisp air..... The list goes on. I am ready for fall! I am ready to pull my fall clothes down from the attic (My parents attic that is... haha) and have some variety and "new" things to wear. I am ready for an evening that is a bit chilly so that Britt and I can use our fireplace for the first time.

So - I welcome you Fall. You are a happy site to see. Just don't leave too soon. :p haha