Gwinnett,GA...

Have you ever been to Gwinnett, GA? Might I suggest a visit there? Maybe a drive through the scenic parking lot of a Korean Farmer's Market (twice) off Exit 103 of I85 North. Let me warn you, though. If you'd like to stop just for a few minutes to grab food and then hop back on the interstate heading north, you might choose Exit 104 instead.



On our way home from Atlanta, we were going to grab some food right off the interstate and eat in the car. We saw a sign for food that included Chick-fil-A. PERFECT! Take that exit. Once we exited, there were no more signs showing which direction the food was. We drove left...no food. We drove right...no food. We turned down a side street (twice) and turned around in a Korena Farmer's Market (twice)...no food. We turned by Khol's...surely there's food close to Khol's...no food. Finally, we decided to get back on the interstate to find food at another exit. There's the sign for South I85, but we need North I85...turn around...no North I85 entrance to be found ANYWHERE! Let's get on South I85 and then turn around at the next exit. As we FINALLY get back on I85 heading in the correct direction (North), we see the food sign we had seen an hour earlier. It was actually for Exit 104 and not 103. Next to the the Exit 103 sign read words similiar to this "No rentry to I85 North"... SOOOO, after finally getting food off Exit 104 we were back on the road after an hour and a half diversion. :-P ETA: There was a stop at a gas station in this saga that I will let Kelly tell you about...I stayed in the car to "guard" the van.

We had a GREAT time in Atlanta Friday night and Saturday. Our day Saturday began with sleeping late ;-) (5:45 am for some, 6:30 for others and 8:00 for the last of us). After some chatting and showers, we were off for breakfast. We found an IHOP...PERFECT! I LOVE Harvest Grain and Nut pancakes. Our waitress was wonderful and 2 of us were stuffed until we could eat no more. It was finally time for IKEA. We drove into the parking lot at about 10:30am and found literally the closest parking spot possible. It was right across from the entrance. We started upstairs in the showroom (which is AMAZING, if you've never been). We had finished walking through by 1:00pm or so and stopped for a quick drink and snack (no time for a real lunch...we had shopping to do). After our snack, we headed for the warehouse portion to find our treasures. We finished up ready to check out at 5:30. By 6:00 we were loading our van full (literally) of purchases up, ready to head back to Charlotte. If we ate in the car, we could be home by 9:30 or 9:45. Well...that didn't happen (see above). We pulled into Charlotte at about 11:00, were at my house by 11:15 and I think Joy finally made it home at about midnight. I don't know about the other girls, but I think it was worth it! A good time was had by all! (In case you missed it, YES we did shop in the same store for roughly 7 hours!)

My "big" purchases are below:

A pot rack to be hung over my bar....


And Roman shades for my living room window and the back door.
I can't say how much I enjoyed this trip! Thank you again to the Daddy's who stayed home with the kids! Thanks also to Nathan for sharing his Marriot points and for letting us take your only van with keys, leaving you homebound with the kids all day!!

IKEA IKEA IKEA

Say it with me now, IKEA IKEA IKEA!! Today is the day I get to go to Atlanta with my dear friends Kelly and Joy to spend the night and then shop at IKEA all day Saturday! I've been looking forward to this since before Christmas when Kelly mentioned a possible trip. It was just decided earlier this week that we would actually go on Friday and spend the night. It will be my first night away from Emma. I'm not worried. She'll be with her Daddy! (Although, you can be praying...he has a fever and feels horrible...) Thanks to our husbands for the time away and time off of being a full time mommy and wife!

C F O

Here it is...the big news you've been waiting for! Jonathan was offered a CFO (Chief Financial Officer) postion with Mecklenburg Radiology Associates on Thursday of last week. I had to wait until he gave notice at work (yesterday) to post it. I'm very proud of him! He will start on February 26.

And Kelly, Jonathan would LOVE to grow his hair and start a band. That would actually be his profession of choice! And toenail season is right around the corner!!

A new post...

I know...it's been a few days. I just wanted to whet your appetites a little...a new post is coming in the near future...keep checking. I'm hoping to post something new in the next few days (and no, we aren't pregnant...that I know of)

Emma this morning...

This is what Emma looked like this morning when I went in to get her. She wasn't crying or anything, but when I walked in she looked at me and started doing the baby sign for "Please?" LOL! She did this yesterday during her nap and it scared her to death, but I guess this morning she remembered that Mommy rescued her and would do it again!

Entrepreneur...

So, I've decided to try to sell the nursing covers that I make. You can find my first listing here. I'm hesitant to list them on Ebay. I've looked at others listed there and they don't seem to be getting many bids, if any at all. It's expensive to list on Ebay, especially if your item doesn't sell. If you or anyone you know is interested in purchasing one, please let me know!! I have different fabrics and would make one for a lower price if someone wanted to provide their own fabric.

Mondays...

Mondays at our house look pretty much the same as the Monday before. I try to get laundry sorted before Emma gets up and one load started. Then I get her up, feed her breakfast and head out the door to Aldi's to grocery shop. When we get home, I unload the groceries and get them put away while Emma plays and "helps" me. After the groceries are put away, we play together and then I get lunch ready. Emma and I eat luch together and then play for a few more minutes before it's time for her to take a nap. While she is napping, I get as much of the laundry done as I can. Five years ago I never would have guessed I'd be so predicitable! LOL!

What do your Mondays look like?

A New Niece!!

Abigail Grace was born today at 12:08pm (TX time) in Midland, Texas to Reg and Tera McConnell! She was 7 pounds 6 ounces and 20 inches long. I'll post pictures as soon as I get them. They say she has a head full of DARK hair, so much that she is already wearing a bow!! They did a video of going to the hospital and Tera getting prepped, etc. They also asked Trent what he wanted to tell Abby and with no prompting he said, "That I love her"! Is that not the sweetest thing you've ever heard?!?

More Christmas pictures...

Grammie and Emma.

Emma with Grammie and Grampie.

Emma patiently waiting to ride in her new wagon as it is being put together.

Mommy and Emma before church on New Year's Eve.

Emma with GigiPops after church on New Year's Eve. (Pops was distracted because Emma wouldn't look at the camera.)

Grampie opening a gift.

Emma wearing one of Grampie's gifts.

Emma playing on her swing set she got for her birthday several months ago, while Gigi watches.

Pops helping Emma slide.

Mommy showing Emma the Bible GigiPops gave her for Christmas.

Rachael Ray does it again!

On this morning's show she made roasted broccoli with some chicken dish (missed that part). I made it tonight and can I just say "YUMMO"!!

Roasted Broccoli

1 head broccoli cut into spears
3-4 cloves of garlic, diced finely
EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)

Lay the broccoli on a baking sheet, top with the garlic. Drizzle with EVOO. Toss broccoli and garlic. Roast in 400 degree oven for 15 minutes or so (until tips begin to look a little crusty).

Rachel said the broccoli would have a nutty flavor. It did and it was yummy! I served it with chicken that had been rubbed with a Caribbean jerk rub grilled on the George Foreman grill and rosemary bread.

Let me know if you try it and what you think!

The Book Meme...

Kelly just tagged me with this. Since I am lacking in blog posts, I am diligently doing my homework. She took the time to look up what a meme is. If you're curious, check here.

So, the book meme goes something like this:

• Grab the book closest to you open to page 123, and go down to the fourth sentence
• Post the text of the following 3 sentences on your blog
• Name the author and book title
• Tag 3 people to do the same

Here's mine:

"Then take your best guess on how long it will take you to complete each task for each zone. You may need to factor in time to shop for new storage containers. Remember, this is just an estimate to help you plan your bedroom decluttering project." 1,001 Timely Tips for Clutter Control by the Editors of FC&A Publishing.

(Shopping for storage containers??? OK!! Let's go to IKEA!!)

I will say that I cheated a little, not once but twice. The first book I saw was a soft shapes book. 2 guesses who's book that is. The next book I saw laying on the desk was the New Geneva Study Bible. On page 123 you will find the ten commandments. Don't get me wrong...great quote! I just thought the clutter book might be a little more fun and it was also on the desk!

So...now I'm to tag 3 people...

I tag Melanie, Kerrie and Michelle (hope you're able to access Blogger these days!)

I know...I know...

It's been FOREVER since I posted. My time on the computer is somewhat limited these days. Emma has completely given up her morning nap so we play together or run errands in the morning. My afternoons are usually filled with cleaning bathrooms, doing laundry or cooking (ok, well sometimes taking a nap). I usually prefer to spend time with Jonathan in the evenings. So there you have it. Posting on the blogs has taken the backseat and I'm not sure it will move much from there. I will still try to post, but don't be surprised if you go a week or two with no new posts and then all the sudden see a splurge of new ones. I'll be trying to catch you up on the things I haven't had time to blog about. :-) I think I won't spend a lot of time posting about Christmas. Pictures are worth more than a 1000 words, so enjoy! There are lots here and more on Emma's blog.















Emma and Grampie before church on Christmas Eve.















Emma and Uncle Steve on Christmas Eve.





















Emma and Grampie after Emma opened a gift.















Emma and Daddy on Christmas Eve opening a gift.















The Kelly's 3 on Christmas Eve before church.

Sewing...

I was talking to a friend the other day as she was nursing her little one. I mentioned that she needed a nursing cover and that I had a friend who made them, but charged $18 for each one. After that conversation, I thought "I could make those." So I went and bought some materials and these were the results! I think they turned out great! This will be what all my friends (and family) get now as baby gifts (if they plan to nurse, that is)!

More small groupies (and a few others)...

A few months ago, one of the guys in our small group asked the guys if they would be interested in running a 5K with him in December. Three of them agreed to join him and began training. Jonathan was one of those three. So the four of them (the three who agreed to run plus the guy who asked) have been talking and planning for this run for several months. It was this past weekend. The whole event is called the Thunder Road Marathon. There is a full marathon, a marathon relay, a half marathon and a 5K. The 5K was called the Reindeer Romp. The guys' goal was to finish in under 30 minutes. This time of year, the average low temperature is 43 degrees, but not this past Saturday! Oh no! It was 17 degrees outside when I got up at 7:30 am. The race started at 8:15am and I think the temperature had climbed to a whopping 21 degrees!! They were troopers, though! With it being so cold, they all still finished in under 30 minutes. You can see the final results here. The night before the race, the Blacks hosted everyone for a carb loading dinner. Michael cooked all the food! He cooked huge amounts of ziti, whole wheat pasta, lasagna and spaghetti. He also made homemade bread! It was delicous!!!!

I was SO VERY proud of Jonathan! He had such a great time that he is already starting to look forward to running another in March! Maybe I'll join him...or NOT! Seriously though, maybe I will someday...just not this March.

Small groupie birthdays!

We try to celebrate birhtdays in our small group and sometimes we get behind. A few weeks ago we celebrated Michael's birthday (11/19) and tried to celebrate Eric's (10/31) and Kari's (10/29), but they were at home because Kari wasn't feeling well. Hope things are better for you now Kari!! We love our small group and miss those that are in Bolivia! Wish you were here to celebrate with us!

God is Sovereign even in our sorrow...

We are sorrowful, yet rejoice in the sovereignty of our Lord.

On Thursday I took a home pregnancy test and found out I was pregnant. I estimated that I was about 5 - 6 weeks along. We were excited! On Saturday I started spotting and began cramping and bleeding heavily on Sunday at church. I called the doctor and was told that because it was so early in the pregnancy, there was nothing they could do and I would need to wait until today to be seen. We had an ultrasound this afternoon and I will see the doctor tomorrow. The ultrasound showed there was an "illness" in my uterus and no sac could be seen. The doctor called and said it could be too early in the pregnancy to see a sac, but she felt there was no sac because I was miscarrying. Physically, I'm beginning to feel better. This morning was proably the worst. It's been a roller coaster ride of emotions the last few days, but we're beginning to level out.

Jonathan and I said when I was pregnant with Emma and with this baby that these children are not our own. Emma and this child belong to God to do what He will to glorify Himself. We take comfort in knowing that God formed even this child's inward parts; He knitted him together in his mother's womb. (Psalm 139:13) We pray He will use this loss in our lives to glorify Himself and draw us closer to Him. My specific prayer is that Jonathan and I will be able to minister to others through this loss. I pray that our faith in our Sovereign Lord through this will cause questions. And that the answers to those questions may lead to more conversation.

We know God causes sorrow and that we should expect it. Our lives would be empty without the mercy that was given to us on the cross. We are thankful for the hope that Christ alone gives, even during this time.

We covet your prayers during this time and are so thankful for the few people who've known up to this point who have loved us and have been praying for us. To God be the glory forever and ever!

Thanksgiving pictures..

We went to VA for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time. Jonathan's grandmother was there from Texas so we were able to get some great family pictures.

Thanksgiving...

The day we celebrate all the things we we are thankful for is upon us. Tomorrow we will all get up early, put the turkey in the oven and get all the other dishes cooked and ready for our meal. Before all the hustle and bustle of the day begins, I'd like to take a few mintues to say what I'm most thankful for this year:

1. My salvation and the abundant grace and mercy given me to me daily by our Heavenly Father

2. My wonderful and ever so patient husband

3. Our beautiful and healthy daughter, Emma

4. Wonderful friends

5. God's constant provision in our lives

6. A house to live in and care for

7. Our families

8. Friendly neighbors

9. An air conditioner in the summer

10. A heater in the winter

11. A church family who loves us and encourages us

12. A job for Jonathan

13. 2 cars that run and have given us little problems

...and the list goes on. I'll try to add to this list as things come to mind and as I have time. We are on our way to VA to be with Jonathan's parents and grandmother who flew in from TX yesterday.

Happy thanksgiving to all of you. May you also remember the things you are thankful for this year. How gracious and merciful God is to us!

I stand Amazed
by Dennis Jernigan

I see the stars that You have made
I know You call them all by name!
To think Father God
Whom heaven displays
Is thinking of me in intimate ways!

I stand amazed in all of Your glory!
That you would die for me -
I stand amazed!
I stand amazed in all of Your glory
True Love's sweetest story!
I stand amazed

I see the nails piercing Your skin
My wicked heart driving them in
I see the spear piercing Your side
I see the Lamb for me crucified !

I stand amazed at all of Your ways
Me, worthy of death -
You, worthy of praise!
While yet in my sine You died for me!
My God, I will parise you eternally!

For this is what I'm most thankful for this year!

What are you thankful for this year??

60th birthday celebration...

This weekend we traveled to VA to surprise Jonathan's dad for his birthday. Barbara ended up having to tell him that we were coming. :-) But Steve coming was still a total surprise. Barabra had also invited some couples from their Bible study to come over and Pete was VERY surprised. We had a great time. Of course, Emma thought all the people were there to see her and that they were singing to her! :-) Thanks Pete and Barbara for a wonderful weekend and for the gifts you sent home with us! They are much appreciated!


 

Our new bed!

Jonathan and I have never had anything but a metal frame for our mattresses. We are so excited that we were able to buy a bed this past weekend. We want to find a canopy drape for it. We found one we really like, but it's ivory and we need it to be white. We are also going to paint the walls an oatmeal color. :-) I'm so excited about our "new" room!