Friday Fill-Ins May 29, 2009

1. It's cold and Wet outside today…I am happy to say…its UGG Wearing Weather!
2. Ketchup is made from tomatoes. I love it on almost anything!
3. My favorite health and beauty product is Water. My body and skin look and feel great when I drink enough of it.
4. This weekend I would like to take a nice long ride with my husband and puppies, maybe we could find a place to have a picnic and fly some kites.
5. Well, first of all I want to thank God for his faithfulness in my life. He is so good!
6. My Husband, His best Friend, and my best friend were the cast of characters in a recent dream and it was a very odd…crazy…dream.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m taking my Mother in Laws advice and we are having a date night at home. We are cooking up some yummy Beef and Shells, Turning off the phones, locking the doors, and cuddling up on the couch to watch some movies. Tomorrow my plans include washing the puppies, a bit of cleaning, hoping to add some flowers to my little plot of dirt, and enjoying the company of a dear friend and her family for dinner. And Sunday, I want to go to church in the morning, and then celebrate my Uncle’s birthday in the evening.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - May 25, 2009

FOR TODAY … May 26, 2009

Outside my window...Cloudy about 65 Degrees

I am thinking...about my prayer request list…We have been blessed with friends and family who open up to us in great trials in their lives. We feel honored to walk with them as we try our best to support them. These last weeks have found us helping a friend dealing with the passing of his mother, a friend who is in the advanced stages of Hepatitis C and fell recently breaking her pelvis, and lastly a dear friend who is struggling with Alcoholism. All of these situations break our hearts, and make us feel very appreciative for a God who loves, cares, and can work miracles. We know he is faithful, and in his time all things will be right.

I am thankful for...reconciliation in my family!

From the kitchen…we have been on a Cupcake tirade at our house. First Carrot Cake Cupcakes and then some vanilla ones….I think I might try to finally make some cookies this week.

I am wearing... Teal and Black Top, Black pants, Black Shoes

I am creating...a clean house. After having house guests this weekend, my home is a terrible disaster…I hope to create a haven again this week after a few hours of elbow grease…

I am going...to the market at lunch to get our food for the week.

I am reading...Wives and Daughters, The Scarlet Pimpernel, A Lady of High Regard

I am hoping...that I can find some time to rest. I am feeling extremely exhausted and a bit run down emotionally. These last couple of weeks have been filled with so many highs and lows.

I am hearing...Quiet….my new desk is away from all the hustle and bustle…It’s wonderful.

Around the house... lots of cleaning, and fluffing. I woke up this morning feeling the chaos of the weekend because my home is so messy.

One of my favorite things...my new uggs. My husband hates them, but he got them for me for my birthday. I absolutely Love them!

A few plans for the rest of the week: House Cleaning, Date Night on Friday, Dinner with some friends on Saturday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing....

My Sister in Law took me to get a Manicure and Pedicure this weekend for my birthday. We took our friend Pam with us too!

Here are our cute toes! I love being a girl!

Special Thanks and Blessings to Peggy at The Simple Woman for hosting this post.

Word Filled Wednesday - May 13,2009

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Celebrating our Second Anniversary

The second anniversary is the "Cotton Anniversary", we both got each other sheets...

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

This is one of those verses…I seem to take for granted. Growing up in a home that valued the word of God, I was blessed with lots of opportunities to hear and learn these words.

When my Uncle married us two years ago we spent some time with him planning our service, as he got to know us a bit better. We knew we wanted him to speak about our faith, to teach about Gods grace in our lives, and to help us meet at the altar before our Lord as we committed our lives to one another. And that’s when it happened…he started our service with this verse... I have seen it, read it, and heard it a thousand times…but in that moment…I actually listened to it. What a challenge…to love my husband in the manner that this verse instructs. As I read this verse again today my heart aches a bit, because I have not always lived up to the challenge. In fact there have been times I have totally failed. But faith, forgiveness and promise prevail, and I know that on this new day as we start our third year of marriage, I have the ability to try to get it right again.


I wonder if you would join me with this challenge, to love the precious people that God has given us in the way he describes in this verse.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - May 11, 2009

FOR TODAY May 11, 2009…

Outside my window...63 Degrees and Cloudy

I am thinking...about my husband. He is home sick today with something that has him achy and chilled. I hope he feels better ASAP! Tomorrow is our 2nd Wedding Anniversary and this weekend is my 30th Birthday.

I am thankful for...my new job! Today is my first day as a Project Coordinator with our Project management Office. It is a wonderful promotion and I am looking forward to working with a team of really awesome women. It feels really good to be recognized for hard work, especially in this economy.

From the kitchen... I am finally going to get those cookies for my husband. I think that will make him feel extra special and hopefully better.

I am wearing...Teal and Black Shirt, Black Slacks, Black heals.

I am creating...My packing list for this weekend. Too much to do to be too crafty or creative.

I am going...to the mall at lunch to finish up my husband Anniversary present.

I am reading... Wives and Daughters,and The Scarlet Pimpernel.

I am hoping...that our Great Nephew makes his entrance into our world this week. I am getting impatient…I WANT TO SEE HIM!!

I am hearing...quiet…I think a lot of people are running late this morning.

Around the house... lots of housework to be done. We had a busy weekend and I didn’t get much of anything finished.

One of my favorite things...My Great Niece Bella! I got to see her lots this weekend, She is 4 weeks old and just beautiful!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Finishing up my gift to Ryan, Our Anniversary Dinner tomorrow night, Packing for our weekend trip to San Diego, Our Trip to Sea World and then Dinner with Family and Friends for my Birthday over the weekend.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... Our Sweet Bella

Special Thanks and Blessing to Peggy at Simple Woman's Day Book for hosting this post.

Friday Fill-Ins

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1. Apples are to oranges as Opie is to Diesel (My puppies couldn't be any more different).

2. I am so happy its Friday and that's all I have to say about that.

3. I think I hear a great country song playing with people dancing (oh a girl can wish).

4. I love the American flag.

5. Do what you want to do, but I am going to find cotton candy and bud light to enjoy this weekend.

6. My friend Paul was running and behind him was a Radio Flyer wagon; in the wagon was a bucket filled with water, Super Soakers and Water Balloons (It could happen…this weekend in fact)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Watching Star Trek, tomorrow my plans include to get my hair dyed (finally), go swimming and get some sun, and watch Twilight while eating pizza with friends and Sunday, I want to go to church and celebrate my Moms!

Show & Tell Friday - May 8, 2009

For more posts and information about Show & Tell Friday, please visit Kelli at There’s no place like Home.

This week I am sharing something that makes me smile every day here in the land of cubicles where I work. One of my friends Sarah made this wonderful Terrarium for me.

It has some wonderful succulents that I am hopping not to kill too soon.


And this wonderful little path that reminds me of a trail to the beach or someplace wonderful.

I am desperately looking for miniature pink flamingos to decorate this little treasure of happiness with. Sarah is a really creative spirit. She also has an amazing green thumb.

God is so good at blessing me with people who are such jewels in my life.

Thankful Thursday - May 7, 2009

Please visit Lynn at Spiritually Unequalled Marriage for more information about Thankful Thursdays.

This Sunday is the yearly celebration of the women who created us, fed us, taught us, and loved us with their whole hearts…its Mother’s Day.

These women come in so many shapes and sizes, with thoughts and feelings as diverse as the stars in the sky, yet we take one day to tell them all Thank you. Over the last two years I have had the bliss of loving two Moms.

The first Mom is the woman I have had the pleasure of loving for almost 30 years. I am “of” her. When you look at us…you will see the genetic connection. We have similar smiles, similar faces, in fact most of the world can’t tell us apart when we answer the phone…there is no doubt that I am her daughter. Until I open my mouth and you might hear a bit of my father. Through the years we have had our ups and downs as any relationship does, but there was never an end in sight. There is a great comfort in loving and being loved by a Mother who knows and loves the Lord, because she knows how to Love you despite yourself. She has taught me to be organized, to care about those around me, to love my husband with everything I am, to be proud of my tender heart, and to listen to the call of God in my heart.

The second Mom is the woman my husband has loved for 31 years. She raised an amazing son in the middle of total chaos. Their home life wasn’t always an easy place, but he has never known a day without her praise, hope, or love. He gets his strength, compassion, and flexibility from her. He gets his eloquent speech, attention to detail, and joy of music from her years of encouragement. He would be such a different man, if she wasn’t a part of his life. This wonderful woman graciously stepped aside when I said “I Do” and has given me the most wonderful gift. She has allowed me to take on the role of his wife and the first lady in his life with full trust that I can succeed in the role. She has taught me so much: to be pliable, to understand large family ties and relationships, to meet people where they are at.

How do I thank someone for all that? How do I honor someone for all of that? This year I pledge to love my Mothers like there is no Tomorrow. So show them that they are truly important to us and our family. I will support them when the world crashes around them, and play with them in moments of sheer joy. I pray that these women know their true value, and understand the great blessings they are in our lives.

Happy Mothers Day!

Word Filled Wednesday - May 6, 2009

I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you.I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. Leviticus 26:11-12

These are some of "My People". They are family and friends that I hold with a firm grasp in my heart. They all play such wonderful and important roles in my life. I know that my life is so blessed for having each of them in it.


Can you imagine the Almighty God feeling this way? Can you imagine his laughter and delight as we skip and play our way through life? Can you imagine his sorrow and frustration when we choose decisions that hurt ourselves or others? Can you imagine sitting across from him sipping some tea and playing a game of Apples to Apples? I find myself longing to feel the same closeness with God that I do with my loved ones....and then I hear it in the back of my mind...."Sweet Child...I am only a prayer away"

20 of My Favorite Things

1. Color-Pink – Any Shade

2. Dessert-Coldstone Ice Cream – Cake Batter with rainbow sprinkles and Caramel.

3. Smell-Out board Boat Exhaust

4. Flower-Pink Tulips

5. Animal-Killer Whales

6. Month-May

7. Beverage-Sweet Tea

8. Pair of shoes-the Uggs I am hoping to get for my birthday.

9. Snack-White Bread with Peanut butter

10. Song- Slow Fade by Casting Crowns

11. Book-Phantoms by Dean Koontz

12. Fruit-Strawberries

13. Hairstyle-Twisted up with a Claw Clip

14. Piece of clothing-my new jeans, they fit just perfectly.

15. Store to clothes shop-Kohls

16. Season-Spring

17. Hobby- Sewing

18. Thing to collect-Blue Birds

19. Movie-Gone with the Wind

20. Restaurant-Sonny’s Italian in San Clemente

Special Thanks and Blessing to Peggy at the Simply Woman for hosting this post.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - May 4, 2009

FOR TODAY …May 4, 2009

Outside my window... 65 Degrees…and Cloudy

I am thinking...about the value of me working. We are trying to make some plans for our future and determining what we want that to look like.

I am thankful for...team at Family Life and A Weekend to Remember. We returned yesterday from our marriage conference filled with hope and some lessons learned, but exhausted…it was certainly a weekend we will never forget.

From the kitchen...Cookies for the Hubby

I am wearing...Teal and Black shirt, black Slacks, a black ballet style flats.

I am creating...A photo book for Ryan for our 2 year anniversary.

I am going...shopping with my Mom tonight. My Dad and Ryan are taking part in a men’s bible study tonight, so we get to have a little girl time.

I am reading... The Scarlet Pimpernel, Wives and Daughters, Lady of High Regard

I am hoping...that we can use some of the principals we learned at our marriage to move forward with some of our plans.

I am hearing...lots of complaining. We have had a lot of changes in our company with some restructuring of teams and responsibilities. Change is never easy!

Around the house...time to tend to my little strip of dirt that I affectionately call my garden. Last night my husband surprised me by hanging some butterfly lights that my Mom got us last year on our patio. It now looks like a fairy land; I just need pretty pink flowers to go with them!

One of my favorite things...My new necklace that I got from Kellie at KMWOOH at Estsy.com. It has a cross and a tab with my last name initial “S” stamped on it. It’s a reminder to me of what my priorities should be, my relationship with God, followed by my relationship with my husband, and then everything else.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Shopping with my Mom tonight, Date night at Color Me Mine (A ceramics paint shop) on Thursday, Star Trek Movie on Friday, Rest Day on Saturday, Church and Mothers Day on Sunday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

We complete each others gaps!

Special Thanks and Blessings to Peggy at the Simple Woman

Show & Tell Friday - May 1, 2009

Please visit Kelli at Theres no Place Like Home for more Show and Tell Friday!

This week I am sharing some of the flowers my Mom and I saw last weekend at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad CA. We decided to have a Mom and Daughter day to rekindle our bond, and spend some time enjoying one another’s company. This was a day that we will both treasure for years to come.

The Flower Fields specialty is Ranunculus. These beautiful flowers are just a byproduct of the marketplace. The fields are actually grown for bulb distribution, but for 3 months a year the hillside is practically painted with a spectacular array of colors.




My favorite part of visiting the flower fields was the amazing rose garden they have. I have never seen such variety of color, smells, or names.





They also feature an Artist Garden that reminded me of what you might find out at a French countryside Chateau.



It is truly amazing how all of these flowers can take you to so many places and dreams all over the world!