Christmas Tour - Day 7

At this point, the tour is becoming a blur of family, friends and fudge (my Mamwaw's fudge that is). It's been great so far! Stage two of the trip begins tomorrow morning as we move on to the next town to see more friends and MK's birth mom.

Gone fishing! My first catch.

Christmas Tour - Day 6

Well, can you believe it? Christmas has passed and here lies the aftermath. lol

Today, I was crazy and faced the crowds at the mall. Guess who was there?!

Everybody!!!


I am now reminded of why I hate the mall. Ew. As my brother so eloquently put it, "This is the perfect place to catch swine flu! Can't you smell it?" Okay, that's a little over the top but really, it was packed. I was breaking a sweat, beating back old ladies and frazzled moms for the best buys. Ha!

Best deal of the day? Sunglasses for the cruise for $2...score!!!

I also purchased a boat load of new books, which is appropriate because I need lots of good reads for during my cruise.

Today was the first day that the homesickness kicked in. I wanted to be back home so badly. I'm actually glad about this because after living in GA for almost 4 years now, It IS home. So, I miss you Georgia!

Here are some random old pics I have come across here in my place of birth...

This is a picture of my Mawmaw french braiding my hair. She would pull my hair so tight that I would cry. What women will do for beauty right?

I love this picture of all us kids at the beach. I will be on the beach in 10 days and counting! Looking forward to warmer climates!

Here is a "presh" picture of me holding my newborn baby brother Drew in April 2000. I adored him so much!

Christmas Tour - Day 5

What a beautiful day! I pray that all the love and joy of the Lord will be lavished upon you during this season. Christmas is such a wonderful time of year to thank God for all of his abundant blessings! He is so faithful and good!

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

Christmas Tour - Day 4

Happy birthday Jesus! And happy birthday Landon!


Today, my baby brother turns 15! Yep, the big 1 -5! I think he is my favorite 15 year old too!

He loves the outdoors, he loves to serve others and most of all he loves the Lord!

I appreciate so much the young man that he is becoming! I think its crazy that I live in a world where when I talk highly of my siblings, people are surprised! But hear me now, I am so proud of my brother!

Landon and I have a lot of fun together and we have spent a lot more time together this year because we are actually taking the same high school science course. We have weekly study dates to Einsteins. I really enjoy the time I get to spend with him. This morning we went on a 6-mile bike ride and it was a killer. If it weren't for Landon, I would probably be a couch potato. lol

Ok...time for pictures!! He is going to kill me for this...

Landon was born a fisherman....here he is just a little baby no bigger that that bass!

Gig 'em Aggies! I really hope Landon will get to go to Texas A&M for college!

Aw...those were the good ol' days!

There's Lan with his "blankie!" He carried that thing everywhere!

Happy 15th Landon! I love you!

Christmas Tour - Day 3

Merry Christmas Eve, Eve!

I can't believe Christmas is simply a day away!

Today was lovely as I spent it just hanging around town. I ran some last minute shopping errands with my dad and came back to the house to watch "Little Women" with all the mamas. Seriously, it has to be one of my favorite movies. I forgot how good it is! It is a very unsuspecting Christmas movie if you are looking for a wholesome holiday flick.

Tonight, we went to a local church for their "Crazy Kids Christmas Show!" It was super special because one of our really old friends preformed in it. She is apart of a very cool children's ministry doing performances for the kiddos. Maddie Kate loved it so much! I don't think she blinked for the first 10 mins she was so enamoured!

Here we are with Jamie Lynne. If you look closely, you will see that she has stitches between her nose. She broke it a few days ago while practicing for the performance. She is such a trooper!

So, as if the "crazy Christmas Show" wasn't crazy enough, we went out to eat at Panera Bread after the show and I walked in to see this sweet girl wearing MY CHURCH'S DNOW shirt on!!! I was like, "Wait, what state am I in again?!" I thought I was going insane. I walked right up to the family and introduced myself. Turn out, not only did their daughter go to out church's DNOW, but she was in my sister's DNOW group!! Em ran in and gave her a hug! They know each other!!! Okay, It is a small world when it comes to the Lord!! This Georgia fam is also Native to Texas and are here visiting family! Craziness! The pic is of Em and Stephanie! *I also think its pretty ironic that the DNOW them was CRAZY love. lol

More fun old pics coming tomorrow (it is a special young man's bday. hint. hint.). yay!

Christmas Tour - Day 2

The day was pretty productive, that's for sure. Well, at this point the trip could be more accurately called a "sit around and eat" rather than a "tour" which indicates movement. lol


Sleep late. check.

Watch bits and pieces of random Christmas movies. check.

Stay in pajamas 'til noon. check.

Eat fudge. check.

Eat fresh baked apple cake. check.

Surf ETSY and blogs for hours. check.

Chill in the hammock. check.

Ride on the tractor (yep, that's no joke) check.

Watch Prince Caspian on the new HD flat screen. check.

Own brothers at a dart gun war. check.

Eat some more. check.


I was totally joking about the whole "being productive" thing. But then again, it is why they call it vacation right?

And for your entertainment, here is a very old picture I found at my grandparents'....

Yes, we are, in fact, matching. Wow, this is old.

Wasn't I cute??

Christmas Tour - Day 1

It is finally time for another Christmas Tour! Its been a long day, but its not over yet!

We woke up and started the long drive at around 5:30 am and arrived in "H-Town" at 5:40 pm. I spent the whole day stuck in a car with my parents and 4 younger siblings. Oh joy! I passed the time reading, day dreaming and sleeping. Pretty much killing time. Some random things...

Favorite sight of the day...

My favorite sight of the day has to be a tie between seeing this...

We saw this 18-wheeler from N. Carolina with its top covered in snow. Its probably the most snow I will see this Christmas!

...and this!

Finally crossing into Texas!!!

On my iPOD play list (because, who can survive travel without their iPOD these days!)...

* Casting Crown's newest CD - My favorite song so far is called "If We've Ever Needed You" which talks about how much our world needs Jesus Christ!

*Steven Curtis Chapman's new CD, Beauty Will Rise - He has written these songs over the past year following the death of his baby girl Maria. His steadfast faith in the Lord is evident all over this record! Such an encouragement!

You need to download this song - "Your Love is Better Than Life" by Fee

My good read of the day...

"A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" by Donald Miller - This book is a reminder of how our lives are a small part of God's Story. I highly recommend it; its a very fun read. Miller is an interesting person, which makes for an interesting story!

Best end to the day?

A perfect Texas sunset and my mawmaw's fudge on arrival to her house! yay!

Just a thought...

You know you have been in the car for a long time when you get to observe both the day's sun rise and a sun set! lol

Lift Us Up to Fall

Waiting here
Waiting for you God
With our hopes and fears
We come empty handed
Lord draw us near
Heal these broken hearts
And lift us up to fall before everything you are

Nothing and Everything

None is greater than you God.

None is higher,

None is more powerful.

 

There is NOTHING you cannot do God.

Nothing too big,

Nothing too complicated.

 

Not my family,

Not my friends,

No earthly things compare,

To you God.

 

You are EVERYTHING.