new camera!

so, the bf got me a new sony camera for christmas and i have to say... it's FABULOUS! :) now you get to enjoy my christmas decorations... which are still up and i have no idea when they'll actually be put away.

I couldn't exactly get the doors to close on this thing.

Each child... I mean dog... got their own ornrament this year.

Tree topper! Thanks to Mom!

I had to have a nativity scene. And I just happened to find one in glitter!

Maybe my favorite ever.

Honest Scrap

THANKS Donora who just sent me this "Honest Scrap" blog award thingy!!! Since I only have ONE follower, Donora is trying to force help me in my blogging efforts. Either way, Donora, if your the only person to ever read this, I hope it entertains you for a few minutes and if nothing else, makes me look busy while I'm procrastinating at work.


Rules for the award:

1. Must thank the person who gave you the award and list their blog and link it.

2. Share "10 Honest things" about yourself.

3. Present this award to 7 others whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged you.

4. Tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving the award.

10 Honest Things:

1. My back hurts really bad right now. Sorry, I know that's not profound by any means, but it's all I can think about right now. It's been hurting for a few days. Last time I went to the chiropractor he told me the bottom of my spine curves to the left and the discs are thinning in between my vertebrae. Fabulous, I said. So I’m going to be crippled by the time I turn 30? Outstanding! At some points it hurts to sit/stand/walk/lay down, so I really do feel helpless. Anyway, since he said there’s not really anything I can do about it, I just learn to deal with it. When I used to do strength training, it helped A LOT. So, I guess there’s my answer.

2. I’m very paranoid about my health as I get older. So, I have several goals for living a healthier lifestyle, including strength training for example, because I’m so afraid (paranoid) of getting cancer/diabetes/heart problems/joint problems/Alzheimer’s/anything else you can think of. I know that sometimes these things just happen, but I’m convinced that you’re lifestyle has a lot to do with your risk factor. I just wish sometimes I wouldn’t think about it ALL.DAY.LONG. (see the word paranoia again)

3. I love, love, love watching the Kardashians! I seriously could probably watch it for hours. I don’t know what it is about that show! Maybe I just love watching other people’s drama. Or maybe it’s because no matter what happens between them, they always love each other at the end of the day. Or maybe because they just seem like they’d be fun to hang out with. Who knows!

4. I don’t know what I’d do without my dogs, Bella & Bo. They’re annoying 95% of the time, but at the same time, they’re so sweet! I treat them like kids, talk to them all the time, tell them I love them before bed & before I leave. Maybe I should be paranoid about being the crazy, old dog lady too! ha

Bo

Bella

5. I need a creative outlet, but I’m afraid I’m not very creative. I’ve always thought it would be fun to be a chef, fabulous cake designer, be a masseuse, makeup artist, etc. To actually DO something with my creativity instead of just think about it. In my job now, people think I’m creative because I design our advertisements, but I secretly hate it. My job is more thinking rather than doing. I need more of the doing part.

6. I LOVE to travel. I have several places I need to visit before I die and now I’m looking for someone to pay for it. Being in one place too long makes me restless and begging for something different. That being said, who’s up for a vacation???

7. I think that if I hadn’t moved back to my home town right after college (lack of a j-o-b), I’d probably never come back. I never pictured myself moving back, but now that I’m here, I’m ok with it. I still get the itch to move off somewhere big and fabulous every once in a while, but I don’t know that I could be too far from all my friends and family. And I need to be within an hour or so drive to the beach. :)

8. I’m going to steal  #8 from Donora because it’s so true!!! I think I could probably gain 10lbs today if I didn't try really hard not to. I'm really trying the motto "Eating to live, not living to eat." I love food. Love it! :)

9. My new year’s resolutions are more like new year’s ‘hopefuls.’ I’m not exactly the best person ever at following through on these kinds of things. In fact, I’m actually really, really bad at it.

10. I used to be really good at remembering everyone’s birthdays. Used to be. I would write out all of our family and friends’ birthdays on my mom’s calendar at the beginning of the year. I would make the reminder calls to everyone so they wouldn’t forget each other’s birthdays. Now, I’m the one forgetting. I think once I hit 25, my mind and my body just starting falling apart. (one more reason for the above paranoia)

Now, here are my 7 awards:

1. I'm giving two back to Donora because she constitently encourages me to write new things.
2. I'll give two to Ivy because she commented on my blog once. I think she might have been the second person ever to even read the thing. :)
3. Here are two for Jana because she's officially my number 2 follower. and because I just found her after years of her disappearance! :)
4. ....ok, so that's 6 awards, right? well, i have a problem... i don't know any more bloggers! i'll have to track some people down and award the rest!

home for the holidays

It's 11:52 and I'm sitting in my old bed at my parents' house. I'm back home (and way before my old curfew for the record) for the night. One night to act like a kid again where my parents just seem to take care of everything. Breakfast magically appears on the table in the morning, the kitchen-cleaning elves sneak in after meals to clean so I don't have to and my dogs think there's some kind of force field around their bed, so they're actually staying in once place instead of exploring every bug and piece of dirt in hopes of a midnight snack. it feels good to be back home for the night. somehow i feel a little more care-free. a little less worried about the realities of the world. as if they've disappeared just for one night.

that's the thing about christmas- somehow, the whole world just seems to slow down for a couple days and we all remember what's important in life. we spend so much time looking for the perfect gift, but now, it's not about the gifts. it's about being with each other and celebrating the one who brought us all together. we're reminded of all we have to be thankful for: family, friends, a home, our health and most of all, the true meaning of christmas. to me, there's more to the meaning of christmas than simply Jesus' birth. that's why we celebrate, but think about it.... why is Jesus' birth so important? Salvation, yes. Heaven, yes. But I'm reminded of the transformation He brings. He was born, so we could be transformed. No matter what we did, who we offended, what we thought, His birth brings transformation. hope. peace in knowing that whatever life throws our way, He's on our side.

Tonight, I'm reminded how blessed and grateful I really am. For my God, my family, my friends, Matthew & his family, a job, a house, my health and all the little things in life that make everyday so wonderful.

merry christmas eve. :)

Merry Christmas!

...written by a friend of a friend... thought it was fabulous! :)


The gifts are ready and the tree is glistening,
Around Grandpa’s lap, the children are listening.

He reminds them of the gifts and the jolly man in red,
“But there’s more to Christmas than that,” he said.

“Our Savior was born and through him we receive,
The real joys of Christmas that bring me to my knees.

He gave me you, your mama—my daughter, and your grandma—my wife.
It’s this family that keeps my chin up, no matter my strife.

Even if the stockings were empty and our glasses were dry,
Nothing could take the sparkle from my eye.

I have you, my family and the dearest friends I could know
To remind me the best gifts of Christmas don’t come with a bow.

Merry Christmas, My Little Angels, may this day for you be bright.
It’s you I’ll give thanks for, when I lay my head down this night.


April H. Henderson

5 Question Friday

Ok, Donora. I did it. Just for you too. :)

Questions for Friday, December 18th: (Thanks to Kyrsten, Liz, Brianne, and Keely for their question suggestions!! Wanna be linked on a future 5QF? Offer up some questions on the thread in my community!)

1. Which boygroup did you like most in your teens?
Hmmm... I don't really remember a favorite boy group from my teens. I liked the usual- N'Sync and Backstreet Boys- but I was pretty much still stuck on George Strait and old 80's music.

2. Do you do Christmas cards, letters, photos, nuthin', all of the above?
This year... NUTHIN'! I LOVE photocards though! I've done the cards with a picture of my two dogs under the Christmas tree before, but this year I ran out of time and felt a little silly for sending a card of my dogs when I'm getting friends' cards with babies! :) ha! Next year, I think I'll send out cards from me and dogs & include, "Merry Christmas from your "always sleeping through the night friends!" haha...

3. If you could meet one celebrity who would it be and why?
GEORGE STRAIT!!! I seriously have the hugest crush on the man! If not him, then maybe Dierks Bentley... oh wait. He's married. nevermind.

4. Favorite thing to cook with (i.e. stainless, non-stick, Dutch oven, microwave, debit card...or, perhaps, a cauldron, etc.)?
My boyfriend! :) He's a much better cook than me, so if I cook with him, he usually takes over and the food turns out MUCH tastier than my experiments.

5. What is the one thing you wear the most, besides your unmentionables?
Flip flops. No matter what I'm wearing -dressy or casual- I'm always secrety wanting to wear flip flops. Even in the dead of winter when I can't feel my feet because of the cold.

holiday sabatoge

I will NOT eat that donut. I just won’t do it. Maybe the éclair upstairs in Administration??? Nope. Willpower, Emily. Willpower. Sugar cookies with fancy little sprinkles in the Lobby… pass. Fudge made by sweet little grandmas in Accounting… pass. Rice Krispy treats with gooey marshmallows in Loans… pass. Chips from Collections to fix your salt cravings after all the sweets… pass.

I was feeling good about “being good” on my non-diet-just-trying-not-to-gain-100-pounds….. until I saw the cookie cake.



Ugh… how did they know my weakness??? How did they know that no matter what, it’s next to impossible for me not to eat the warm, chewy chocolate chip cookie with bright red and green icing? Cookie cakes (along with ice cream cakes and cookie dough ice cream) are among my favorite things ever. And it was just staring at me. Begging me to stop and look at it for just one more second. So, what did I do? Walked by and conquered the temptation, right? Not a chance. I ate a piece—a small piece…… And then went back for a 2nd bigger piece. So much for that willpower. I’ll try again this afternoon to walk by without stopping.

Except now they brought in pizza. Geez…

I read in a magazine that it helps in the weight loss efforts if you wait until the party food is picked over by everyone else. It makes all the goodies look, well, not that good. After everyone’s picked through it, it’s SUPPOSED to look less appetizing. Supposed to. So what do you do when it still looks as good as the first time? Hide in your office until all the food goes away.  Like me.

this one's for the boys

In honor of the beloved duck hunting season (coming this friday to a swamp near you) and also for the 2 most passionate duck hunters I've ever met, I've decided to teach you how to duck hunt here in southern Alabama. You ready for this? You'll be blown away by my extense knowledge I've learned in only a few months.

1. Find a swamp.


But not just any old swamp. You need some trees in the swamp.


2. Learn that ducks fly at sunrise and sunset. But around here, you can't really hunt at sunset b/c of some regulation that I don't know about. So, just trust me. Go in the morning.

3. You need these:


Chest waders. Because you have to walk in the swamp, in freezing cold weather and on top of the alligators (that supposedly "hibernate" at the bottom... that is until they wake up and bite your leg off).

4. Get a duck call. They say there's some sort of technique to doing it well, but I think you just blow in it. And no, just quacking like a duck won't work. :)

5. Grow a beard and paint your face like these guys. Don't know why. Just do it.

p.s. these are apparently the duck hunting gods- the duck commanders. Bless their wives. They have it worse than me and Megan. lol... just kidding boys! :)

6. Walk out in the swamp, be really still & shoot the ducks when they fly over. Then, convince someone to go get them & come home and eat breakfast.

The end. Aren't you impressed? Matthew taught me well, don't you think? :)

Not Me Tuesday

In reference to Donora's post and her nearly constant urging me to blog, here's my Not Me Tuesday.

Today, I DEFINITELY didn't eat 5, that's right, FIVE Hershey's miniature candy bars.



You see, it's just that it's been a long day, I feel like I didn't have a weekend since I worked, I'm stressed... um... what other excuses can I come up with to make this ok? Matthew says I'm the Queen of Excuses (even though he still hasn't bought me a crown), so I should be good at this.

At least it was mostly these:





I like to tell myself that these are fine to eat. You see, they ("they" not including dieticians and trainers, i'm sure) say this is HEALTHY chocolate. Yes, I said it's healthy. And if I'm trying to be healthy, I'd much rather eat this than some measley salad. Wouldn't you?

And isn't there something in it that's supposed to be linked to happy hormones? Did I make that up? Maybe... anyway, since THEY said it's healthy and THEY said it produces happy hormones, I figure that's a good way to stick to my diet and relieve some built up work stress at the same time. And Lord knows I need both.

Don't sit there and judge my calories. I NEED it. Yes, I really NEED it (Matthew!)! Ok, fine, maybe I don't really need it, but I definitely really want it.

hi. my name is emily and i have a problem. I'm addicted to Hershey's Dark Chocolate.

lately

looks like it's been a good 2 months since my last blog. wow... how the time flies when you're having fun! :) i don't know if i've been really busy and haven't had time to write anything, or just really bored and felt like there was nothing good to write. either way, it's the time of year where i can't remember what i did yesterday, much less remember to write a blog. but here's to a slow day at work where my cold meds are making me feel a little loopy...

i had a mild panic attack earlier this week because i realized it was already the second week in november. apparently i wasn't alone though, because of my close friends (who panicked about her 27th birthday) felt the same way. we talked for a while about where our lives have gone and how did we get so old. do you ever feel like everything is just kind of happening so fast and then you wake up and you're a grown-up? yeah. i feel like that. not a fan.

this time of year is super busy for everyone. add tons of PR work for my company and that's when you wake up in january and wonder where the holiday season went. at work, our time if full of volunteer work (mainly by me and 1 or 2 others since no one else wants to volunteer for ANYTHING), promotions, sponsored events, food drives, angel trees, donations, pictures, gift wrapping, press releases, new commercials, planning Christmas parties, etc. i think this may be the last weekend that i don't 'officially' have any plans before the chaos begins. see what i mean?

November 20-21: AACFCU sponsored football game at Troy. Have to be there ALL DAY. Missing a good friend's baby shower. Followed by birthday party that night.

November 25-28: Thanksgiving at the lake. Black Friday (no worries on this one though b/c i have no $$ to shop). AUBURN vs ALABAMA football game. Baby shower (should be fun though.)...... and.... are you ready for this??? the start of duck season!!! dun, dun, dun!!! Matthew will be so excited, he'll probably pop right out of his skin.

December 1-5: Gift wrapping for the House of Ruth. Mary Kay party. Board of Director Christmas Party-- thank goodness it's going to be open bar. i have a feeling I'll need it.

December 10-12: Daleville Chamber Christmas party that we plan, host & clean up after. Organizing all Christmas donations for work and probably begging more people for volunteer work.

... and i can't think about the rest just yet. i know it could be much worse, but today I'm already sleepy and it seems like I'll never sleep again. oh yeah, and i almost forgot that i have to buy Christmas presents too. geez....

I believe in Auburn and love it!

I FINALLY made it back to the lovliest village on the Plains last weekend for the Auburn and Louisianna-Tech game. Even though I've been gone for 3 years, it still feels like home and I still love it just as much as the day I left.

Only problem... I felt so old!!! Looking around at the students there made me feel ancient, but it also made me appreciate my time there. I loved being in Auburn. The school, the town, the people-- it just feels like home. Even more so than my actual hometown. I guess it feels that way because I think that's where I truly grew up. That's where I figured out who I was and what I truly believed in. Don't get me wrong, there were some hard times and a lot of things I shouldn't have done, but I learned A LOT. The process of becoming an adult and finding out what life is all about can sometimes change who you thought you were. I am so blessed to have gone through that in such a wonderful place and surrounded by so many people.

Me and Matthew tailgated with Auburn friends at the Samford Walking Trail. Lots of good conversations and a few sprained ankles took place on that trail. Definitely good to be back.

Jess and Scott: Two of my very best friends from Auburn. I lived with Jessica for the first 3 years I was at Auburn. Then, she decided she should graduate (dumb idea, Jess) and leave me. Funny story about how these two met.... I met Scott at a friend's wedding. We were both in the wedding party and Scott was my escort. Scott asked me out on a date and we went out a couple times in Auburn. He's a super sweet guy, but we just didn't click. He would come over to our apartment to hang out with Jess and I, and he and Jess hit it off almost immediately. They're perfect for each other, and yes, I tell them that I'm responsible for their wonderful life together.

Just a fun Auburn picture. I still get goose bumps and scream at the top of my lungs everytime the eagle flies and the team runs out on the field. It's my happy place. :) haha

Me and Matthew again. I'm so thankful he puts up with my Auburn obsession. He even lets me sing the fight song, the Alma Mater and Glory, Glory to Ole Auburn to him. He even let me tell him the AU creed and only told me I was a moron once. lol

Speaking of the Auburn creed... it's probably my favorite thing ever.

I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I
earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.

I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.

I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.

I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.

I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all. I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.

I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God."

And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in
Auburn and love it.

-George Petrie (1945)

act on the promise

I never blog enough to write 2 posts in one day, but today has been one of those days where God has been all over the place and in everything I do or see. When things like that happen, you can't help but share. I decided to google the song Jennifer had in her status that I mentioned in the last post, and came across the song and the lyrics. It's called "While I Wait" by John Waller. Apparently, it's in the movie Fireproof (which I haven't seen so I don't know the story behind it), and I read where it's about the guy waiting on his wife to forgive him and see the change in him so they can get back together. Anyway... that's beside the point of this blog.

Check out this article I came across during my search. I don't know much about the site, but so far I'm a fan. This guy discusses the question of how can we wait on God and still move ahead. Very much worth reading. He posts a verse where God calls Abraham to leave his home and settle in somewhere new. Here's the God thing coming in... I visited Harvest Church in Dothan this past Sunday for the first time (and loved it) and guess what the message was on? Yep, on the same thing. Same story of Abraham and taking steps of faith and trusting God along the way.

You see, when God called Abraham to move, he basically would be moving somewhere he knew nothing about. Didn't know anyone. Didn't have any land. Just picked up and left. On top of that, God didn't reveal to him the details of what was in store. Just told him the promise of what was to come. So, Abraham channeled his Nike future and Just Did it. He moved and just trusted God along the way, never knowing the ending, but knowing that God would fulfill His promise. The point of the message was that sometimes God calls us to take steps in obedience without knowing the outcome or the ending of the story. He calls us to trust him and have faith- regardless if we know what's going to happen or not. Taking steps of faith and obedience while holding on to the promise. Action first. Details later.

For me, it's so hard to do this. I want to know what's going to happen or if I am going to be able to deal the difficulties of the process. I know that God has good things in store, but what's going to happen in the meantime? Fact is, we should act on God's promise and trust that He'll take care of anything else. New goal for me-- act on faith and promise.

My mom told me something a long time ago and always remember it when situations arise that require you to wait. She said she always wished for writing on the wall, for God to just spell things out so that she could easily see them and make no mistakes. Then, a friend told her,

"Writing on the wall requires no faith."

Hmm...something to think about. Very true I think. It's easy to follow writing on a wall. Acting in obedience never knowing what's ahead, not so much.

Ok, I think I'm done for the day. Two blogs in one day... whew, I don't know if my brain can handle it. :)

Even God Uses Facebook

I don't know why I'm always a little surprised when God answers my prayers. It's not that I think He doesn't hear me, or doesn't care or isn't planning on answering them, but it always catches me a little off guard. I'm working on not being surprised because I know He promises me good things, but I love the sense of encouragement and peace everytime I find those suprises.

The past couple days have been extrememly difficult for me. Just some relationship issues that I want to work out, but trying to figure out how to do that amongst the hurt and anger. So, last night I prayed that God would take control, let me stop worrying about it and work out the situation. I told God that I really wanted this situation to work, but ultimately I knew that He knew what was best for me. I asked for help to WAIT on Him and His direction. After that, I prayed that I would finally be able to sleep and get some rest, and of course, slept wonderfully and woke up completely refreshed.

Now comes the fun part...

This morning before work, I was taking a look at Facebook in an effort to keep my mind busy, and came across a verse that Nicholas Butler had shared.

"Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the
Lord." Psalm 27:14

It was exactly what I needed to hear to start my day. Then, in another slow moment I was peeking at Facebook again and found this status update from my friend Jennifer:

"Jennifer is waiting on the Lord and I am hopeful, though it is painful,
that I will wait. While I'm waiting I'll serve. I will worship. I won't loose
faith. I'll move ahead bold and confident."

Again, I was a little surprised but totally comforted and encouraged that God was using Facebook friends to tell me what I needed to hear. It puts a huge smile on my face and gives me the peace to continue to wait on Him.

So for now, I'm waiting. I'm worshiping. I'm serving. I'm being strong and taking courage. I'm not loosing faith and moving ahead confidently knowing that God has fabulous things in store for me. :)

Billfish Tournament

Matt and I recently went to PCB for the Billfish Tourney held at Baypoint. So much fun! I will definitely have to make a trip back next year. It rained out our fishing trip Saturday, but we still had a fun afternoon at Shell Island and riding on Matt's boat.

This is Matt shoveling water out of his boat after we got caught in the storm.















This is the famous "Lil Mystery," Matt's boat.

something to toot my marketing horn...

“Marketing is greatly misunderstood. It’s the most important discipline in business today. It’s the core essence of what a company is all about. The overriding concern of top management should be what a company stands for in the minds of customers and prospects.

But it’s not. Top management is focused on products and services and especially on expanding the line to increase sales and profits. What consumers care about is what a company or brand stands for. Perception is the key issue for consumers.

Yet to many management types, reality is the key issue. They think all you have to do is change the reality and you change the perception. But to marketing types, changing perception is the most difficult issue in business...

…Above all, the primary mission of top management is to build powerful brands, which is what marketing is all about.”

-Ken Wheaton (AdAge)

God is in the plans...even the ones we don't understand

Yesterday, a good friend was taken from us way too soon. I had grown up with Mark Meredith since my first day of kindergarten in Mrs. Peacock's class at Rehobeth High School. Since then, we've gone through years of school, years of fun and years of friendship. Mark held another special place in my heart because he was the best friend of someone very close to me. I knew how Mark and Ryan were so close and how they leaned on each other and relied on each other in the good times and bad. When you hear news like I heard early yesterday morning, you're in complete disbelief, shocked and are left feeling completely helpless.

After those feelings subside and you're searching for answers and comfort, you finally find your way back to God. In times like these, we have to remind ourselves that God is still present, even when we don't understand His plans or why He allows things to happen. We'll never know the answers this side of Heaven, but we have to cling to the promise that God promises good things to those that believe and trust in Him. I think God understands when we question Him, but I also think we have two choices in times like these-- we can either give the situation to God and see how He works good things through bad situations or we can let satan take control and destroy the good things Mark worked for and all the times he made us smile.

I've listened to the song, "Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns more times than I can count. It seems to be the one song that lets me question, lets me cry and still produces a positive outcome and a small sense of peace and comfort.

Mark will always be remembered as our really tall friend who brought a smile everywhere he went. :) Please keep the Meredith family and all of Mark's friends in your prayers and pray that they experience a magnitude of peace, comfort and strength that only God can provide.

"I'll praise You in this storm, and I will lift my hands. Cause You are who You are, no matter where I am. And every tear I've cried, You hold in Your hand. You never left my side, and though my heart is torn, I'll praise You in this storm." -Casting Crowns

fish aren't even awake this early!

My weekends lately have consisted of fishing and sunny days on the boat. Not a bad way to spend the summer, even if I do have to wake up at 4:00 a.m. to get on the boat. After all the fishing trips, I still don't understand how two boys can be so obsessed with fishing. :) haha... but hey, we love 'em in spite of the weird obsession!



I have to admit, despite the fact that it was 6:00 a.m. and I had been awake since 5:00 a.m., it was beautiful being out on the water that early in the morning.



This might be Matthew's favorite picture ever. :)



Snapper season is finally open! I've heard and read about this forever. Apparently the feds cut the season short b/c they think Snapper is over fished. It's a big deal... to some people anyway.

10 Thoughts on the Role of the Bible in America

... found this on Fox News...


10 Thoughts on the Role of the Bible in America
By Bill Shuler
Pastor, Capital Life Church, Arlington, Virginia

This past week a nation took notice when a San Diego couple was ordered to stop holding Bible studies in their home without a permit. (The order was rescinded after public outrage.) In an unrelated story, a U.S. Court in Pennsylvania ruled that the Bible could not be read during a show and tell time when a kindergartner brought what he described as his, “favorite book” to class. Is it possible that a nation that has such a rich history of going to the Scriptures for guidance now is in the process of turning its back on the same? The following are 10 thoughts on the role of the Bible in America:

1. In a review of nearly 15,000 items written by our founding fathers, the Bible was the most quoted of any source material.

2. George Washington and successive U.S. Presidents have been sworn into office placing their hands on the very book that is now unwelcome in many public schools.

3. “The Bible is worth more than all other books which have ever been printed” — Patrick Henry

4. “The Bible is the best book in the world” – John Adams

5. If the Bible is “just a book,” it should not be uniquely excluded.

6. If the Bible is more than “just a book,” it is to our folly to exclude it.

7. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances” — The Bill of Rights

8. “A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education” — Theodore Roosevelt

9. “We cannot read the history of our rise and development as a nation, without reckoning with the place the Bible has occupied in shaping the advances of the republic.” — Franklin Roosevelt

10. “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has given to man” – Abraham Lincoln

As Ronald Reagan is honored with a statue in the Capitol Rotunda, I think of the Congressional Proclamation he applauded, signed and implemented, declaring 1983 as a national “Year of the Bible.” Here’s the text:

Whereas the Bible, the Word of God, has made a unique contribution in shaping the United States as a distinctive and blessed nation and people;

Whereas deeply held religious convictions springing from the Holy Scriptures led to the early settlement of our Nation;

Whereas Biblical teachings inspired concepts of civil government that are contained in our Declaration of Independence and the constitution of the United States;

Whereas many of our great national leaders—among them Presidents Washington, Jackson, Lincoln, and Wilson—paid tribute to the surpassing influence of the Bible in our country’s development, as the words of President Jackson that the Bible is “the rock on which our Republic rests”;

Whereas the history of our Nation clearly illustrates the value of voluntarily applying the teachings of the Scriptures in the lives of individuals, families, and societies;

Whereas this Nation now faces great challenges that will test this Nation as it has never been tested before; and

Whereas that renewing our knowledge of and faith in God through Holy Scripture can strengthen us as a nation and a people: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is authorized and requested to designate 1983 as a national “Year of the Bible” in recognition of both the formative influence the Bible has been for our Nation, and our national need to study and apply the teachings of the Holy Scriptures.

here's another...

wow. that's all i can say. wow.

"there will be a day"

one of my new favorite songs. get out your tissues. you're gonna need 'em.

CTRL + ALT + DEL... RESTART!!!

I very much need a restart to my day... I woke up an hour late and was about 25 minutes late for work. Since I put in quite a bit of overtime here, being a little late isn't a big deal, but I hate for people to think I'm a slacker. Of course, I didn't have time to eat breakfast or grab something for lunch, which completely ruins my "I'm not spending money this week" plan. On top of me fighting the urge to go to the snack machine, my head feels like it's about to explode! The crazy weather is making me sick, so I'm ready for some sunshine!!!

Good thing we're headed to the beach tomorrow! :) Yay!!! My life/energy needs to be recharged and I can't think of a better way than to spend a few days in the sun! It's very gloomy weather here today, and has been all week actually, so that makes me feel a little gloomy too. You know when you just feel brain dead because you're so tired of the same routine? Yep, that's me right now. But it's nothing some sun, sand, friends and umbrella drinks can't fix! Happy Memorial Day weekend!

she's only happy in the sun

I'm missing a very fun beach trip this weekend with the fabulous BF and some good friends. So, to combat my jealousy/envy of the trip, I'm daydreaming of the beach and all the fun I've had so far this year... I'm thinking it's only going to make me more jealous though.


Here is the fabulous BF I mention. And, if you're wondering, that's a Gag Grouper he caught. I think we ate him the other night and he was pretty delicious. :) Matthew is pretty obsessed with fishing, so I've learned quite a bit about it lately, like...grouper are strong fighters when you catch them. They apparently swim near the bottom and are really hard to get off the bottom of the ocean. Snapper is not yet in season. Catching a Cobia is a big deal... very big deal. They also look like a shark swimming in the water. Salt water fishing is expensive. When you salt water fish a lot you're called a "saltie." Matthew never wins the "big fish" competition the boys have.


This is the boys on their last fishing trip. The water was pretty rough, so they were all kind of beat. Oh, and the big fish in the middle was a King Mackerel. He was pretty yummy too! :)

Now that I've been daydreaming, I'm also becoming more and more jealous that I can't go.
:( So, time for a little positive reinforcement:

Things I'm going to miss this weekend: Fishing with Matthew; a sunny day at the beach; a friend's wedding at the beach

Fun things I get to do this weekend instead: go to a good friend's baby shower; visit with old co-workers and have them gush over my cute new BF; sleep in late!!!; go shopping; spend a quite night with Matthew when he gets home; plan more beach trips :)

... ok, all better now!

life in the fast lane

Since I've started working in Marketing, I've come to realize that there's so such thing as a 40-hour work week in this field. I am the Marketing Specialist for a credit union based in Southeast Alabama. I call myself "head of the creative department" (just don't tell my boss... haha) as well because I create and design about 80% of all advertisements we do. I mainly do print and radio ads and try to help with our website occasionally (thankfully, we have a wonderful web master to do all the things I can't!). We have a total of 18 branches throughout Southeast Alabama, the Mobile Bay area and Northwest Florida... which means, LOTS of community events and PR work! I love that aspect of my job, however, I don't love that all the events happen to fall on weekends. I know a lot of people work a lot more than I do (so kudos to those that do), but I feel like I haven't had a weekend off in forever! Needless to say, I'm very much looking forward to a weekend with no credit union activities! But for fun, here's what I've been up to lately...

AER Golf Tournament: Each year we host a golf tournament to benefit Army Emergency Relief. AER is a wonderful organization that provides financial support for soldiers (active duty, retired & National Guard) and their families. Usually, our golf tourny is one of their biggest fundraisers, so we work really hard to make sure they have a good turn-out.

Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Walk: We were a sponsor at the benefit walks in Dothan and Mobile this year. Kirby the Kangaroo, our mascot for our kids' savings program, went to both walks to play with the kids who were there. In this picture, Kirby got to pose with the antebellum girls in Mobile. Bless the people who had to be "Kirby" because it certainly was hot!

Troy Fest: Kirby has certainly been a busy kangaroo lately. He did the impossible and was two places at once since one of the CF Walks was the same weekend as Troy Fest. Each year in Troy, the city puts on an art festival to showcase local artists and vendors. It's a great event and a lot of fun. This year, our credit union was a presenting sponsor and the sponsor of a 'scrap exchange' program. Kirby and the crew from the scrap exchange not only set up shop at Troy Fest, but also went to area schools the days before Troy Fest to talk about recycling.

Annual Car, Truck and Boat Sale: This year was our 25th Annual Car, Truck and Boat sale in Daleville. My weekend was spent at the car lot making sure dealers & customers were happy, shuffling radio remotes and who interviews when and making sure the employees had the supplies/info they needed. Thankfully, my good friend Ben aka Captain Credit Union was on hand to answer any tough/real banking questions. My excuse is still "I'm new. I don't know the answer to that," anytime someone asks a hard question, so he was there to jump in and put me to shame. :)

She twisted my arm...

In the midst of a creative block, i.e. procrastinating on designing an ad for work, my good friend Donora has finally convinced me to start a blog. The last time I blogged was in college, and I HATED it. So, this blog might be short lived... but then again, I'm sure Donora will stay on my case to keep writing. :)