25 Tidbits

So this is spreading like wildfire on Facebook, but I think it better fits a blog actually. So I am going to do it on here instead.

1. I don't know how to whistle. I would probably pay someone a lot of money if they could teach me. No one has been successful.

2. I could literally stare at my husband all day long. Sometimes he catches me staring and I get embarassed. But I CAN'T help it.

3. The clay animation Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer literally gives me the CREEPS and I refuse to watch it with my husband at Christmas.

4. I currently am in a career that I never would have thought I would like and I love it.

5. I am pretty much a girlie girl with most things....but I really think it is fun to get dirty.

6. I will usually try anything once.

7. I usually get super sick anytime I fly or ride in the car for long periods...but I love roller coasters.

8. I am finally at a point where I no longer want the things this world has to offer. And it is a good place to be.

9. I would give anything to have a good enough singing voice to lead worship at a church. It is a passion of mine that I can't fulfill.

10. I really like to figure people out and why they do the things they do.

11. I have this weird love of criminal shows. I think that criminals are fascinating. (that sounds weird....I don't like what they do but I think they are fascinating)

12. I DESPISE the grocery store. Like a lot.

13. I usually leave a trail of shoes throughout our home and it drives my husband nuts.

14. I do not get sick of things. I could watch, do, or read the same thing multiple times and NEVER get tired of it.

15. I love my planner. I don't live by it though. I just like to write things down in it.

16. I tend to be slightly airheaded at times. My friends have dubbed those moments "Mandie moments". I secretly love that about myself.

17. My close friends call me the Dino.

18. I have a very big fear of talking one on one to someone I don't know. Most people would be surprised by this because I usually do talk to alot of people I don't know.

19. I am probably the cheapest person you will ever meet. I LOVE a bargain.

20. I LOVE giving gifts....and usually put a ton of time and energy into selecting them.

21. I am not a very good cook....but I try really hard.

22. I am very bad about putting gas in my car. I have to often pray that God will somehow get my car to a gas station without the gas running out.

23. I love everything to do with real estate. When the housing economy goes back up, I am sure I will, at some point, sell real estate.

24. I do not like to be vulnerable. The thought of people reading this list stresses me out.

25. I am working on number 24. I am trying to be more open and less guarded. This is one of the reasons I started a blog. I think it is helping.

Blog Award!!!

This is my very first blog award!!! I am beyond excited!! Thank you Natalie from 'The Pettijohns'

Here are the steps:1. Say one nice thing to the man in your life:Hubby-you are a beautiful soul. I LOVE being your wife! God blessed me beyond belief when He gave me such a gem to walk through life with. I adore you. Oh yeah and your dimples make me swoon about 100% of the time!

2. List at least 6 ways you measure success in your life:

Being around people and helping them in some way.

Walking through life with my Jesus.

Having a family.

Being a good wife to my husband.

Trying new things and having new experiences.

Always striving to learn something new everyday and be open minded.

3. Assign 5 other blogs this award:

The Rowe Crew

The Martins

The Ratpack

The Skeens

Real Olive Green

Have fun ladies!

Inspiration comes in all ages....

I met a man today who completely took my breath away. And he was 70 years old. Now before you go asking me if my marriage is in trouble let me explain. I serve in the baptistry at my church every Sunday. Now all I do is help people find robes that fit, and then I hand them a towel after they come up out of the water. I use the word 'serve' loosely.. because honestly I feel so blessed by it every Sunday that there is no way that I am giving anything. I am truly getting everything in this process. But anyways today there was a man named Emilio. He could barely speak English. He had to walk completely with a cane. And we had to all but carry him up the stairs to be baptized. He is 70 years old and yesterday he accepted Jesus Christ into his heart as his Lord and Savior. It was incredible to see that it is never too late to begin following Jesus. We had the opportunity to pray over him. See, he has ALOT of trouble with his feet. So we asked if we could pray for healing over his feet. As we were praying, I snuck a peak at him. I knew that he really did not understand what we were saying(his translator wasn't translating), but I looked over and saw him weeping with the biggest smile on his face. I LOST IT LITERALLY!! I started bawling right then and there and pretty much cried through the rest of church. It was so beautiful the trust I saw in this day old Christian that Jesus would be faithful to heal.

If you think of him, please pray for Emilio, that his feet would be healed and his pain would go away. But most importantly, I hope you will remember to have the same steadfast faith that this 70 year old man had, whenever you face trials or struggles of any kind. We serve a MIGHTY and FAITHFUL LORD!!!!!

What I have done lately.....

Had my dear sister Merryl come visit!!! She is definitely my soul sister and I just love hanging out with her!!

Rang in the new year with my husband. Ready for 2009!!

visted a Wilflife refuge in Oklahoma.....so incredible to be among God's beautiful creation!

Watched one of my dear friends Erin get married!!!! She was gorgeous!

Had a reunion with my two best friends!!!! LOVE THEM!

Was introduced to the Wii. And fell in love.

Of course had an incredible Christmas with the inlaws!!!!!

YUCK!!!

So last night my stomach decided to rebel against its normal functions and just cause me pain and dizziness. I spent some time last night hugging the porcelin God and it was not fun. I did take a sick day off today though. And since I don't feel like doing anything at ALL today I decided I have the time to finally update all of my forgotten blogging. I have heard that the stomach things is going around. Has anybody else gotten it?

Sidenote: Do you think I have a workaholic addiction when my husband has to FORCE me to take a sick day?? yeah I may need to work on that.

Stay tuned for a couple more posts.

Song I am loving this week!!

This is gonna be my new theme for Sundays. I will post the lyrics to songs that really inspire me and also give you information on where to get them. I just love music and I really love actually taking meaning from the words of every song I listen to. So enjoy this first installment of "Songs I am loving this week.


Beautiful, Beautiful
by Francesca Battistelli

Don't know how it is You looked at me
And saw the person that I could be
Awakening my heart
Breaking through the dark
Suddenly Your grace

Chorus:
Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so
Beautiful, Beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need
You are so
Beautiful, Beautiful

Now there's a joy inside I can't contain
But even perfect days can end in rain
And though it's pouring down
I see you through the clouds
Shining on my face

Chorus

I have come undone
But I have just begun
Changing by your grace


If you guys have any songs that just make you stop and say "WOW"...please leave me a comment!!!

Update

Well I need about 12 days to catch up on all my blogging........I have been RIDICULOUSLY busy with work. And for those of you that have been reading with me from the beginning...I have changed accounts at work. So for all those who remember my posts of wanting to KILL the people I worked with...well I have new people. So I am much happier....but have been working lotsa hours. So hopefully life will slow down and I can catch my breath. Tonight I am going on a date with the husband(he has been VERY patient with me during all of these long days of work). So I am excited!! I have loads of pictures to post and lots of thoughts in my head. And I promise.....all these posts are coming!!! Love you all and can't WAIT to get back into the groove of things soon! :)

the wedding!

One of my dear friends Theresa got married on the 20th of December. I mentioned her wedding in an earlier post and just wanted to post a few pictures. We had a ball and she was absolutely stunning. Another successful wedding!! :)



Her tree branch centerpieces..not the greatest picture of them but they were gorgeous. She hung crystals from the different branches. Such a modern wat to decorate for a Christmas wedding without being cheezy about the decor.

the bride..isn't she just adorable!!

her cake table....she had different wine glasses that she put floating candles on....loved it...so beautiful and unique.

the bride and groom sweetheart table. I just love the pinecones and branch theme. Oh yeah and did I mention the reception was in a barn..beautiful

the girls right before the ceremony...LOVE THEM!

me and the bride........what a beauty!!!!

her flowers.....gorgeous.

our customized shirts.........cute idea!!

she also did a pinecone theme...and used them to spruce up the placecard table.....but I took this picture after people started taking their placecards.....it looked beautiful and unique.

Loved this wedding..never really thought I would like a winter wedding....but I loved her creative ideas!!!! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Nelson!!!!

I'm BACK!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Holy cow I can't believe it is already 2009. I still remember when we woul talk about the "future" in high school and it would always be 2010 like it was so far away. And now it is 2009!!! Good grief!! Well I don't have much time to chat now but I can't wait to catch you all up on my life over the past week. Fun, Fun, Fun!! I have missed all of you out there in blog world. Can't wait to be friends again and hear how your holidays went!! Until then...............Have a blessed day!! :)