Christians voting for Obama???

This is my blog, so I currently have the right to put my own opinions on here. If you are a Christian, and in any way thinking about voting for Obama (or 3rd party - because that is basically like voting for Obama) please watch this video.

Tim & Tucker's 1st "Real" Football Game

So, like I mentioned in my previous post, we took Tanner's little brothers to their first "real" football game this weekend. We went to see Tennessee play Mississippi State. Tanner had told the boys ahead of time that we were all going to be TN fans that day (they are Alabama fans). Tucker totally bought into this. He even wanted to wear one of my TN shirts (Woohoo!). Tim cheered for them, but would catch himself and try not to be too excited. It was pretty funny. Anyway, it was pretty cold, so you will see us all bundled up in layers and layers of clothing. Enjoy the pics and the stories that go along with them:

This is how we started our journey

Both of the boys had binoculars, and they loved them! (notice Tuck sporting the Big Orange apparel)

Tanner & Tim went to get us free ice cream sandwiches (yes, even though it was cold outside), and free cokes.

Then, Tucker decided to look like a duck.

There's a cool story for this next picture. TN does a thing called the "Vol Walk." All of the players walk by high-fiving the fans as they walk into the stadium. This player walked by, high-fived us, took another step, and turned back around and draped his towel across Tucker's arm. He talked about that the rest of the day, and he wants to take it with him wherever he goes.

Look: we were there too! (yes, I am wearing an ETSU hoodie. I didn't have a UT hoodie that was warm enough)

My favorite boys

Proof that we were actually inside the stadium

We were a little cold

The final score

We had a great time. The boys loved it, and they are already asking to go to another game.

A fun weekend ahead

I am really looking forward to this weekend. Saturday is going to be a very busy/long day. ETSU is having Homecoming on Saturday, and being the loyal alumni that we are, Tanner and I are going. My dad is also an alumni of ETSU, and he is having some sort of reunion, so I'm sure I will have to meet all of his old friends.

Anyway, we won't be there too long because we are going to the TN/Mississippi State game that night. Not only are Tanner and I going, but we are taking Tim and Tucker with us (Tanner's younger brothers - 10 & 7). We are so excited! This will be both of the boys' first "real" football game. They are super excited, and they have been counting down all week. Keep in mind though - neither of the boys are TN fans (I am the only one). However, we convinced them that they need to pull for TN on Saturday in order to get the full experience of going to a game. To my surprise - they agreed. We plan on taking lots of pictures, so hopefully I will post them on here soon.

Sunday is going to be a typical Sunday, but it's probably going to be my last Sunday with an afternoon nap for awhile since I start a class again on Monday. Oh well, it was a nice 8-week break.

So, what about you? Any fun plans for the weekend?

Fireproof

We went to see the movie Fireproof last night with our community group. For those of you that don't know, this was a very low-budget film. I absolutely loved it. I know the dialogue wasn't always great, and some of the acting wasn't either, but I really tried to just focus on the point the movie was trying to make.

This movie is about improving and saving marriages. As a wife and a child of divorce, this is something that I am always interested in.

So please, if you are married or even thinking about getting married, watch this movie. Don't try to critique it, just watch it for the meaning behind it.

The book that is used in the movie, The Love Dare, is available at Lifeway. I am thinking about buying it. Has anyone tried this yet? Any other thoughts on the movie?

1 year of wedded bliss (warning: this is mushy)

Wow. I can't believe it has been a year already. Today is our 1 year wedding anniversary. I guess time really does fly when you're having fun. So much has happened this year. I am so thankful to God for giving me the best husband in the world. I am so incredibly lucky. I am even more in love with him today than I was a year ago (and I didn't think that was possible). Tanner makes me smile every day; he makes me laugh when I don't feel like laughing; he calms me down when I start worrying about something that I shouldn't be worrying about. He is the complete opposite of me as far as personality style, and I love him for that. I don't think he has a clue how happy he makes me, and I am going to spend the rest of my life trying to make him that happy. My goals for our next year of marriage: grow even closer, love even more, and be the best wife I can possibly be (he deserves it). I love you, Tanner!

Community

Great news! We finally have teachers for our community group! We are so excited. You see, we have been without a real "leader" since the end of May. Currently, we consist of 2 couples (us included) that are regulars, and a few singles that come occasionally. Neither of the couples wanted to take on the responsibility as leaders because we wanted the chance to learn. I have to admit, I was beginning to think we were never going to find teachers. However, I know this was all in God's perfect timing. I love the fact that through this time it has allowed us the chance to become better friends with Tim and Jessica. Our new leaders start September 4th. Now it's time for us to get out there and find people to invite!

The Life You've Always Wanted

So this past week I had to read this book for school:



We actually went through this book at church a few years ago, and I have to admit that it has challenged me just as much the second time as it did the first. I was going through a rough time in my life when I first read this book (Tanner and I had broken up for what I thought was for good), and I really wasn't sure if it would be as helpful to me this time around. However, I was wrong. Now, I must admit I am a little bias to this book. Our Pastor preached a sermon on one of the chapters which is part of what caused us to get back together. However, I think it is something that everyone could benefit from reading. The chapter that has the greatest effect on me is the one about being patient. If you know me at all, you probably know that I am not a patient person. However, this chapter challenges me to try to change this daily.

So, this is my book recommendation. Hmmm, maybe I will start doing this more often.

Counseling

Recently, I went to Liberty University for one of my week-long intensives. It was a great experience, and I learned a lot. Here is an example of how they taught us to counsel:




Ok, just kidding, but isn't that great? We watched that on the very first day of class.

4th of July Carnival - Heritage Baptist Church

Just so you know: Heritage Baptist Church in Johnson City, TN is having a free 4th of July carnival for kids. Typically we have free hot dogs and bottled water as well. I am not sure what all we are having this year but it usually involves lots of blow-up games, face-painting, and music.

Speaking of music, Heritage is starting a new, modern service on September 7, 2008. As a preview to that, the band will be playing on the roof. Come out and hear us. I'm not sure exactly what time we will be playing, but I have heard it will be sometime around 8 or 8:30.

Congrats Daniel & Carla!

Yesterday 2 of our really good friends got married. I have to admit, it was odd being the only married bridesmaid. Once you're married, it seems like you are just in a different world from everyone else. I don't really know how to describe it, and I don't even know if that makes any sense. Maybe I'm just getting older and it has nothing to do with being married. Who knows.

Anyway, they had a beautiful outdoor wedding at a house that our church owns. Everything looked great! Tanner and I had fun making faces at each other during the wedding (we were both in it). Tanner's dad gave him an idea that his friends did to each other when they got married. They attached a bowling ball to a chain, and locked it around the groom's ankle. They waited to give the bride the key until they were ready to leave, so the groom had to either drag or carry his "ball and chain" around with him during the reception. Tanner and a few friends decided to do this to Daniel. Unfortunately, he didn't play along as well as Tanner's dad's friends did. Daniel went and cut it off right after it happened (kind of anticlimactic but it was fun while it lasted).

Anyway, since their wedding was performed by the same pastor that did ours, a lot of it was the same. It was great to stand there and get to remember our wedding. What about you? If you're married, do you remember your wedding day when you go to other weddings?

5 years!

5 years ago today, Tanner and I started dating. Wow. Has it really been that long? We have been through so much during that 5 years. The last year has definitely been the best. I absolutely love being married to my best friend. He makes me smile when no one else can. He loves me even in times when I don't think he should and when I don't love myself. He leads me closer to God even just through conversations that we have. He puts up with my competitiveness, and he even puts up with me when I'm a sore loser. There are so many other things that I want to say, but I really should get some work done. Happy 5 years, Tanner!

Good things vs bad things

Why is it that when good things are happening in your life, bad things have to happen at the same time? Honestly, I realize it is Satan trying to distract me from all of the great things God is doing, and it is really annoying. So much is going on right now...good, bad, and in between.

Tanner starts his new job on Monday which is super exciting and we are very thankful for that. My mom is here to visit for a little while which is nice since I haven't seen her since Christmas. VBS is going really well.

But at the same time... Friends are moving away. We have no community group (which has been a huge part of our lives for the last year and a half). We are in the process of trying to find new teachers, but it will just be us and them. There is no one left from our old group. I just feel abandoned from everyone except my wonderful husband. I am trying my best to lean on God because I know that He is always there. Please pray for us as we try to figure out the Community Group situation and for me that I will get out of this funk that I keep finding myself in.

June

Well, it's June. As a kid this meant excitement, relaxation, and being outside for months. As a teenager, it still meant pretty much the same things. As a college student, it meant most of the same, but with an occasional job to keep me inside. Now, as a college graduate and graduate student, June does not bring nearly as much excitement. I have so much to do this month that I don't even know where to start. I am in one class right now, but I have an intensive (a one-week class at Liberty) coming up the beginning of July. I have to read all of the textbooks and do the homework for my intensive before I get there, so essentially I have 2 classes right now. I know what you're thinking... 2 classes, big deal. Well, Liberty's online classes are only 8 weeks each, so really each class is like having 2 classes at once because you have to finish them in half the amount of time. Not to mention I have a full time job, and I like spending time with my husband every now and then.

We are going to my cousin's wedding in South Carolina this weekend. That will be fun. Plus, my mom is coming in and staying for awhile. I am quite excited about that! She works in a school, so she is out for the summer.

I also have 2 weddings that I am in this month. That means 2 Saturdays, 2 Fridays for rehearsals, plus at least one more shower (that I am throwing). AHHH!!!

Not to mention VBS is next week as well! Wow. I am going to go get busy instead of complaining about how much I have to do.

Great News!!!

Tanner got the job at ETSU! We are so excited! I am so proud of him, and thankful to God. He starts on June 16th. Now the only question is if we can go on our vacation that we have already booked for our anniversary. Guess we will find out soon. Woohoo!

My life lately

I'm sorry I haven't written much lately. I just haven't felt like writing. A lot has been going on, both good and bad (well, at least sad). I finally finished my theories of counseling class. That was a ton of work. I'm not really interested in the class I'm in now, but it's nice just because it's less work and I can actually have a life!

Baby Kael was born! My friends Chris and Talia had their second son on May 14th. He is sooo cute!

My trip to Nashville for work went really well. There were a few kinks along the way, but I took care of them before my boss had time to flip out. Hopefully I will get to talk to my boss about a few things soon, and my work life will be even better!

Tanner had an interview at ETSU while I was in Nashville. He thinks it went well, but we still haven't heard anything. As many of you know, I am not so good at being patient. I also stink at not getting my hopes up. I am trying really hard to do both of these things right now. I know that if he doesn't get it, it's not where God wants him right now, but it would be really nice if he did. I also don't want him to get discouraged if he doesn't get it. Anyway, we'll just keep playing the waiting game and see what happens.

Many of our friends are moving away within the next month. I am happy for them and the steps they are making in their lives, but it is really sad. Because of everyone moving, our community group is going to change. The only couples left will be us and the Trivettes. We have no clue who our teacher will be. Have I mentioned I don't deal well with change? All of the transitions going on around me are really becoming a struggle for me. I'm trying to adapt, and I know that it will take some time for everything to feel normal again. It also helps to know that there is a bigger plan than I could ever understand.


Anyway, I think those are all the thoughts going on in my head right now. Maybe now I can get back to blogging more regularly.

Bear with me

I know I haven't blogged in forever. School is really getting me right now. Please be patient, and I will try to blog regularly again soon.

Self-esteem

This past weekend Tanner and I were given a wonderful opportunity to help at Ridgecrest and hang out with our youth group. It truly was a great weekend. I might talk more about it in a later post. For now I want to talk about one thing that really hit home for me.

Something I really struggle with is self-esteem. I always compare myself to other people. I criticize myself on topics ranging from height, weight, looks, how good of a wife I am, and much much more. I am super hard on myself, and it really bothers my husband.

The speaker this weekend, Stuart Hall, said something that really got my attention. I have no right to criticize myself. God made me in His image (Genesis 1:27). All of the wonderful things about God are inside of me. Stuart told us to imagine looking at a beautiful sunset or sunrise. I have no problem looking at those and seeing all of the beauty within them. However, when I look at myself, I don't see it at all. Yet, God made me in His image. How can I not see that beauty? I am really going to try to stop criticizing myself as much as I have. We'll see how it goes.

Ridgecrest

We are leaving in a few minutes to head to Ridgecrest. We are going down a day earlier than the youth to help get things set up. It should be a fun weekend. Pray that God works in the lives of the youth (and adults), and that everyone has a safe trip.

http://www.hbastudentconference.com

(By the way, my wonderful husband designed their webpage. If it doesn't load correctly give it a sec and try refreshing it.)

It's Official!

We now have our car again!!! All I can say is that I am very thankful that we have been sticking to our budget. If you don't have one, you should. It can help change your life. I used to spend money anytime I felt like it (before I was married). Now I know that I can only spend the money if there is still some left for the month in that particular fund. It really helped us out with the car situation.

Finally!

The word on the street is that I will get my car back today or tomorrow. Yay! No word yet on the final price...that is the part I am really not looking forward to. However, I am just thankful to be getting it back.

St. Patty's Day

Well, it's actually almost the end of St. Patrick's Day. I was so busy today that I didn't even take the time to remember that 6 years ago I was marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland. I loved the British Isles, and I definitely want to go back one day. Tanner really wants to go to Scotland, and I am more than happy to go again...

Maybe one day when our vacation budget is a little bigger.

Good food and a good movie!

Yesterday I found a recipe on Rachael Ray's website for Parmesan Crusted Tilapia. First of all, I am a HUGE fan of tilapia. I am also a HUGE fan of parmesan cheese. Therefore, this recipe definitely caught my attention. I decided to make it for dinner last night. Oh my goodness! This was definitely one of my favorite things I have ever made. Plus it was sooo easy and quick. I had never cooked fish before, so I was a little worried about it. Now, I will definitely be trying more fish recipes. Another plus - it didn't make my house smell like fish!

Here is the recipe:

Marcus Nilsson Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 2 teaspooons paprika 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley 4 tilapia fillets (about 1 pound total) 1 lemon, cut into wedges Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling Salt and freshly ground pepper Preheat the oven to 400º. In a shallow dish, combine the cheese with the paprika and parsley and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the fish with olive oil and dredge in the cheese mixture. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake until the fish is opaque in the thickest part, 10 to 12 minutes. Serve the fish with the lemon wedges.

On another note, we went to see The Spiderwick Chronicles last night night with Tanner's family. I had no clue what this movie was about, and once I found out I really didn't think I would like it. It turned out that both of us really liked it. I'm glad we decided to give it a chance.

Class #3- check

My research class is now complete. Now I get a whole week to sit back and not have to worry about school. Up next, Theories of Counseling. I am going to enjoy this week reading things that I want to read for fun.

Blessed Be Your Name

by Matt Redman

- -

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name


God, please help me to remember this song when I need it - during both good times and bad.

Sleepovers and Marriage

Do you remember being in school and having your best friend spend the night with you, or maybe you went and spent the night at your best friend's house? Do you remember how that seemed to make everything else in life disappear and all that mattered was that you had fun in that moment? Well, I read this quote on someone else's blog, and it is so true. "I love marriage - it's like a neverending sleepover with your best friend."

Yesterday was a pretty stinky day for me. It never fails though, if I have a bad day, my wonderful husband always makes it better. He knows how to make me laugh like no one else in the world. He calms me when I am worried, and makes me see that everything will be ok.

Thank you, Tanner for making everything better. Love you!

Valentine's Day!

Well... it's that time of year again...Valentine's Day.

What are your plans? Do you have any traditions that you do with your special someone?

We have a tradition, but it only occurs every now and then. The first couple of years that we were dating, ETSU had a basketball game on Valentine's Day. The first year we decided to go, I don't really even know why we did, we weren't even huge ETSU fans yet. Anyway, we didn't have much time before the game started so we ate at Zaxby's. I know, I know... not your typical romantic Valentine's date. I think we went somewhere nicer another night.

When the next year rolled around, ETSU had another basketball game scheduled for Valentine's Day. So yes, we did the exact same thing... Zaxby's and a game.

Then a few years went by without a game being scheduled on Valentine's Day. This year however, there is a game. If you know us, you know that we really don't miss many ETSU games. We try to go to all of the home games that we can. So... those are our plans.

Buy this!!!

Sanctus Real's new cd came out today! Go buy it!!!

Better?

Have you ever tried so hard to become better at something, but no matter what it always seems like you either stay the same or get worse at it? Yeah, that's where I am right now. Then when I can see that I'm not getting any better, I get so frustrated with myself that it makes the whole thing worse. Ugh.

A constant struggle

Ephesians 6:5-8 (The Message) - I took this out of The Message, because I really liked the wording of this section.

5 Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ. 6 Don't just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ's servants doing what God wants you to do. 7 And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you're really serving God. 8 Good work will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free.


This is what I am really struggling with right now. When I say really struggling, I mean REALLY struggling. Pretty much going to work depresses me on a regular basis. There are parts of my job that I really like, and there are parts that I really dislike. I won't get into all of them on here. However, I really just need to remember that I am actually working for God. I need to remember those times that I really don't feel like I can smile, to smile because God is the one giving me the orders.

I am blessed to have a job. I am blessed to have a job that helps us pay the bills. I shouldn't complain so much. I should be thankful for what I have. Why is this such a struggle for me? I am trying so hard to have a good attitude, and I am failing miserably. I am going to try to memorize this passage of Scripture. Maybe that will help. Any other suggestions???

Bible Study

In a previous post about what I wanted to do in 2008 I stated that I wanted to read the Bible more. While I was at Lifeway the other day I found this book, and I decided that maybe this would help me with my goal.



I've decided that maybe if I blog about some of the thoughts I have as I read through it, it might help keep me accountable. Otherwise, I will probably do this for a few days and then slip back into my slackishness (is that even a word?). If you notice I haven't blogged about it in a while, please ask me about it.

So... with all of that said. Here is what I read about today.

Genesis 1-3. My first thought comes from my book. It had a really neat quote about temptation. According to Veerman, "Temptation is Satan's invitation to live his kind of life and give up on God's." Have you ever thought about it that way? When you give in to temptation you are giving up on God's way of life. No part of that sounds like a good idea to me.

My other thought was what childbirth would have been like had Adam and Eve not sinned. God told Eve that with pain she would give birth to children. I actually had never thought about this before, so I decided to ask my husband what he thought about it. What he said made perfect sense, but at the same time it blew my mind. He said, "I just don't think there would have been any pain at all." Just think about that for a second. No pain. No papercuts, no bruises, no headaches, no pain in childbirth, the list could go on and on. I can't even imagine that.

Can you imagine what life was like for Adam and Eve as soon as they sinned? Do you think they realized that they had it made and in one second everything had changed? They are the only people on Earth that had experienced a perfect world. We think it's a big deal if we have a bad day in the mix of a bunch of good days. Imagine going from perfect to imperfect. Wow.

In the Hallway

So, with Lee's advice I am going to write about something interesting that happened to me today.

I was sitting at work in my office at ETSU. Our door was open, and there were some students in the hallway waiting for their next class. My boss and I noticed these two girls laughing really loudly and making weird noises. It didn't take long to figure out that one of them was completely wasted. She was lying in the hallway on her side right next to the wall facing it. The other girl was sitting beside her head. I can't even describe some of the sounds she was making. They were also talking about how wasted she was. I don't know how she made it through that class, or how the teacher survived. She was so loud while sitting out in the hallway that all of the teachers started closing their doors. It was quite entertaining.

Now, on a serious note. Why do people do that? What makes someone want to drink so much alcohol that they can't control their body or mind? (Not to mention the other side effects such as a terrible headache and throwing up). No part of that sounds like fun to me.

In a Rut!!!

So, I am officially in a rut. I have nothing to blog about. I have writer's block, or would it be blogger's block? Anyway, someone help me with my problem.

Selfishness???

Selfishness. That's a term we use so easily with children. "Don't be selfish, share your toys." "You are being very selfish right now." The list could probably go on and on. However, as an adult I find it much harder to determine when I am being selfish, and when I am just trying to have a little backbone to keep someone from walking all over me. Many times in my life I simply give in to decisions or don't give my opinion on certain things because I don't want to seem selfish. However, what is the line? Where does it go from giving an opinion and wanting your say to matter to being selfish? The Bible says in Proverbs 18:1, "An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment." It also calls selfish ambition an act of sinful nature (Galations 5:20). Phillipians 2:3 says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." I try to do that to the best of my ability. I try to put everyone else's feelings above my own. However, sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it causes pain that may have been avoidable. Is this what we as Christians are supposed to do? If so, how would anyone ever accomplish anything? If 2 people are both Christians and put each others opinion first, how does a decision get made? I realize I'm rambling, and probably not making any sense. I may come back to this later and try to explain myself more effectively.

Happy New Year!!!

Well, I have to admit it. I am a little sad to see 2007 go. It was definitely the best year of my life. However, I am hoping that 2008 will be just as good. Tanner's take on that is, "You get to be married to me for a full year." I guess he has a point. Maybe it will be as great as 2007.

I normally don't make New Year's Resolutions. I never stick with them. However, there are some things I would like to change about myself this year. I thought I would make a list so that I can look at next year to see if I accomplished any of them. These are in no particular order.

- Be the best wife I can possibly be
- Read the Bible more
- Be happy at work (and if I'm not - don't complain)
- Read more books for fun
- Stress less
- Develop better self-esteem
- Be a great daughter-in-law and sister-in-law
- Complain less
- Keep in touch with friends
- Cook more (and try to cook without recipes)


I probably have more, but this is all I can think of right now. Do you have any resolutions?