Publix *sigh*

Tonight Brian and I went grocery shopping. I spent yesterday evening watching Miss America and clipping coupons from last week's paper. I also made a shopping list with 8 days worth of meals and compared the list with Publix's sales paper. I knew I would save big.

I bought 35 items.

I spent $87.15

I saved $38.65

I adore Publix and their double coupons any day of the week.

Glorious.

Have a fabulous week my friends!

Missing the joy.

Things have been CRAZY. Between teaching 2nd grade and spending almost all of my spare time doing graduate work, I have not had time to think. In all honesty, though I am enjoying my classes, I am stressed beyond anything I have ever experienced.

If you think of it, please pray for me to have joy. To let my joy of knowing Christ and being saved by grace cover over my stress and tired heart. I know in the end I will be glad I did this, but right now I miss my joy.

Have a good night my friends.

DIY Ponytail Holders

I am a ponytail girl. Don't get me wrong, I wish I could wear my hair down, just plain down, but I can't. I know, I've tried. Therefore, any ideas on making a cuter ponytail is a winner in my book.

As I was browsing old DIY Days on A Soft Place to Land, I found this link at Great Oak Circle. Covered ponytail holders! Simple, very inexpensive, and adorable! You can't beat it!

I started with basic colors and made two, but I know this isn't the end for my ponytail decor. I am thinking orange and blue polka dots for Fall and bright flowers for Spring. I just love them!

Happy Weekend my friends!

Sweet Chloe Belle

Our friends Adam and Maegan, got a precious surprise Sunday morning (or more accurately Saturday night) when their baby came a little earlier than expected. A group of us went to visit them last night at the hospital where Chloe Belle was healthy and sleeping soundly, and Mama Maegan was up and about, being a wonderful hostess to visitors.

I could have held her forever.

This is the second less than 2 week old baby I have visited in the past week and it always surprises me how light they are. God is so good and so specific that He plans birth and life of these precious children. It just makes me even more excited to have one of our own and see His face in all of it. But I guess that includes seeing His timing as well. :)

Here are the girls with Chloe Belle and Maegan,

And the guys with Adam, her proud papa!

*Adorable*

Have a fantastic evening my friends!

3 years ago...

This weekend was the three year anniversary of when Brian asked me to marry him. We had been dating since September of our freshman year at Auburn. I came to school planning to avoid a serious relationship as long as possible, but God had other plans for me. Brian and I were both in the band and attended Lakeview Baptist Church. We officially met at a Fall retreat for college students, where a mutual friend brought us together. We spent the next week getting to know each other, going on long walks around campus discussing what God had done in our life, worshiping together at Encounter, and of course, talking on AIM, and then we were dating. The next 3 1/2 years were filled with truly building a relationship and getting to know each other. Every memory I have at Auburn has him in it and I love it.

The weekend he proposed, I was coming to Auburn to march in Gov. Riley's inaugural parade. We had lunch at Mike and Ed's, an incredible BBQ restaurant in Auburn, then he said he needed to drop something off at his brother's dorm. On our way to the dorm, we walked through Memory Gardens. Memory Gardens was between our dorms our freshman year and was where we spent most of our time getting to know each other. As we were walking, he stopped at our bench, and I saw he had carved Brian heart Ashley. At that point he got down on his knee and asked me to marry him. I, of course, said year and the rest was history! We were married 6 months later.

I adore my husband and love the way he asked me to marry him. It was thoughtful and intentional, with him choosing the place where we most got to know each other. I love going back to Auburn, looking at the bench, and just remembering. It is so strange that it has been three years ago- time has flown by and though I never would have believed it possible then, I love him much more today than I did three years ago.

We have a day planned full of yard work, school work, and cleaning the house!
You have to love those days off! Have a wonderful Monday my friends!

Book Goal #1- The Graveyard Book

One of my goals for 2010 was to read at least 6 Newbery Award Winners. Brian and I drove to Tampa two weeks ago. For the car ride, I checked out several books from the library- a Nancy Drew, a Hardy Boys, two books by Francine Rivers, and A Graveyard Book. We listened to Unshaken by Francine, a great book based on the story of Ruth. Rivers goes in to incredible detail and helps you understand the background of where these men and women from God's Word are coming from. They are great "quick" reads. We also listened to The Hardy Boys #1- The Tower Treasure.

When we got home, I still had the 2 weeks to keep the other books, so I put The Graveyard Book in my CD player and listened every time I got in the car. The Graveyard Book is by Neil Gaiman and is the 2009 Newbery Award winner. It is a fantasy book about a boy who's entire family is murdered, but he escapes by luck. The boy finds himself in an old, abandoned cemetary where he is adopted by it's inhabitants and made at home. The story continues as the boy grows up and finds adventures both in and out of the cemetary.

I enjoyed the book, though it is not something I would normally be interested in. As I progressed through the book I started bringing my CD's in the house with me so I could listen while I was cooking or while Brian was playing Madden. The plot was dark, but kept you on the edge of your seat and was pretty entertaining. If you like older children's/ young adult books, you should read it, but I would probably look through it before suggesting it to a child.

Graduate school has started back and I already feel like I am in over my head, so it is back to the grindstone for me!

Have a wonderful evening my friends!

DIY- Love wreaths!

It has been wreath/ hanging item frenzy at my house recently. I have been very bored with my decor since we put away our Christmas decorations and needed something to hang. I am very pleased with the results!

My first project was a moss monogram. I used fabric moss and a card board letter. I traced the letter onto the moss (front and back), then cut it out. I hot glued the moss fabric onto the letter and added a ribbon! I had trouble finding a home for it, but have now placed it on the mirror in our living room.

I found my next project on last week's DIY Day at a Soft Place to Land. Check out this fabulous tutorial at Where the Heart Is to make an adorable burlap wreath for your front door!

I am linking up to Kimba's DIY Day and Strut Your Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple!

Have a glorious evening my friends!

Friends that move make me sad...

Tonight I had dinner with a wonderful and dear friend who is moving. Melanie was one of my first friends when I started at my church. Brian grew up there, so coming into a church that was so familiar to him and so unfamiliar to me was very difficult. Melanie was friendly and interested in getting to know me from the beginning and not just because I was a Johnson. Her friendship, along with a few others, helped me find a place at Shades that allowed me to be me and was a gigantic blessing.

Next week Melanie is moving to South Africa to work with Living Hope Ministries, which focuses on HIV/AIDs relief through abstinence and sharing the Gospel. She has an awesome opportunity and platform to impact the people of South Africa for Jesus and I'm so excited to see what God does through her.

Go here to learn more about Living Hope.

Once again, I am thrilled and heartbroken. For the 5th time in a year, I watch someone I love and respect leave Birmingham to follow God's plan for them. It is a bittersweet time, but I know God will be glorified through Melanie and her ministry.

Have a great night, my friends.

The Cocomotion

Image from Amazon.com

For Christmas, I received a Cocomotion. For those of you who don't know, a Cocomotion is a hot chocolate maker that stirs the milk/ water/ powder substance to the right consistency and warms it to a nice hot temperature. At first I was very hesitant- We don't drink much hot chocolate, we don't have a place for it in the cabinet, it's not cold enough to have hot chocolate on a regular basis- etc, etc, the excuses kept filling my mind. THEN we turned it on. The Cocomotion is not just a hot chocolate maker, it is a wonderful slice of heaven. It doesn't just mix the liquid and powder, it mixes it to PERFECTION while warming it until it is not too hot, not too cold, it is just right.

This cold winter weekend has been filled with movies and hot chocolate. The rest of today will be busy with a meeting at the church, core groups, and time with a friend who is moving next week, but the loveliness of a quiet weekend at home with Brian has been delightful.

May the Lord bless you today, my friends. Happy Sunday!

Snow Day

Yesterday was supposed to be the massive snow event in Birmingham. Schools closed or at least dismissed early and everyone waited..... and waited..... and waited.

I had a dr.'s appointment in the morning so my half day became a whole day! Love it! My mom and I had fun driving through the streets of Birmingham, looking for fun things to do before the major accumulation that would stop everything. We ate lunch at Silvertron and watched the snow fall through the window. We left there and went to a cute little middle of the city grocery store and just browsed. They had a great selection of cheese and their deli looked amazing. But we had just eaten. :) Finally, we went to Davis Wholesale Florist. It was heaven. I absolutely adore flowers, so it was a blast to stroll through the coolers and look at everything fresh and beautiful. We both walked out with a gorgeous bouquet of daisies and smiles on our faces.

As for the snow, it never really came. I guess that is life in Alabama for you. Maybe next time.

Tomorrow's the weekend guys! Have a FABULOUS Friday!

Canon Rebel XS

Picture from Google Products

Oh, how I love thee? Let me count the ways.

This WONDERFUL camera was a gift from an assortment of people. I was very blessed with several dollars during Christmas and was able to buy this little joy!

I got my camera Dec. 23rd and used it on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I took incredible pictures in Tampa when we went for the Outback Bowl. Then, the tragedy struck- it just stopped working. I have no idea what happened. I was able to get the last couple of pictures off, but I had to send my camera back to Amazon and get a replacement.

I RUSHED home from school today to meet the UPS man and there she sat. Waiting for me to use her.

Just in time for some Birmingham snow.

Oh, how I love thee.

Delicious Vegetable Soup

Take two of my recipe goal was successful! After the Italian disaster (though I figured out the problem and plan to try again), I was very hesitant to try another recipe I hadn't used before. But, I pressed on and had fabulous results! Brian said it was one of the best things I had ever cooked, ate two bowls, then brought some for lunch. Fabulouso!

Vegetable Soup

(From A Taste of SMBC- slightly tweaked)

Ingredients-

1 lb. ground chuck, 1 med. onion chopped, 2 large potatoes chopped, 1 can vegetarian vegetable soup, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can whole kernel corn (drained), 1 can green beans (drained), 1 can tomato sauce, 1 c. ketchup, salt and pepper to taste.

Directions-

Brown ground chuck and drain. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir. Add water to desired consistency (I used about four 8oz. cups.) Cook on stove top for 25 to 30 minutes.

It was the perfect thing for a COLD night!

Seriously?

Picture from ABC 33/40 website.

Wouldn't it be fabulous?

Recipe failure.

Tonight I decided to try a new recipe. I was utterly unsuccessful. It was an Italian-ish meal. The noodles turned out too dry and the cheese was sticky. My sweet husband went back for seconds, though we both knew it wasn't good. Oh well, take two tomorrow- bring on the veggie soup.

Goals for 2010

As the new year begins, I have to think back on how often my goals go unaccomplished and ignored. I always have such great intentions, but life happens and I forget. With this said, as I was trying to make my goals for this year, I set out to make goals that are reasonable and measured, so I can celebrate success.

Goal #1- Consistant time in God's Word daily.

God's Word is "a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path." I struggle with the self discipline of reading every day, especially when my schedule is different or my life is stressful, but what better way to know God more than reading His Word?

Goal #2- Official and planned date night once a month.

Brian and I often eat out or watch a movie together, but the nights that make the most memories are often the ones we have planned together and are looking forward to together. Though we spend much more quality time together than just once a month, I hope that with this goal we can walk away from grad. school and our jobs and simply focus on each other.

Goal #3- Read (at least) 6 Newbery Award winners.

I love children's literature. No, I adore it. Over the summer, I was asked to read Maniac Magee as part of a class assignment. It was one of the best books I have ever read. Though the Newbery Awards take no thought of popularity by children, they focus on great children's literature that teaches life lessons and put children's imagination in unusual and often uncomfortable places. They are great for children AND adults!

Goal #4- Try a new recipe once a week.

I have seen this goal on several other blogs. My first thought was the movie Julie/ Julia, which is kind of the right idea, only much less intense. Brian has been saying he is concerned about what we will eat when we have children. That's never good, so I need an arsonal of great recipes to ease his stress!

Goal #5- Post (at least) 3 times a week.

As the theme of the rest of this post, I am an inconsistant blogger. I hope that through this goal, I will be able to maintain more stable blogging habits.

Well, I head back to school in the morning. The break has been LOVELY, but I am excited to see my 7 year olds again.

Have a blessed week, my friends!

The Outback Bowl 2010

War Eagle!

We spent our day yesterday enjoying the Outback bowl. It rained the entire first half, but was well worth it in the end. But I have to say, it was ridiculously cold in central Florida, especially in wet clothes!

It was the only time in my life I have seen a team win the game 3 times. At least it was Auburn all 3 times. Chizik made a comment during the post game press conference that we went in 7 and 5 and came out 10 and 5, and I'd agree. Woo buddy, it was pins and needles.

Here are some pictures of the day's events!

Brian and I are making the trek back to Bham today. As we are driving I am going to be considering my New Year's Resolutions for 2010, so hopefully I will have those posted soon!

Have a marvelous day my friends!