Photo of the day: I love Valentines Day

I know that Valentines Day is cheesy...but I love this pink and red holiday! It's the perfect t girly holiday, it makes me want to make pink cupcakes, douse everything is heart sprinkles, make heart shaped cookies, watch cute love movies ( which I guess I do all year), and make cute valentines!

What a nice surprise we had today when Hollis and Bonnie sent us a box filled to the brim with Valentines Day treats! I'm so excited to heat up my oven and bake...watch Lady and the Tramp (which I have been itching to buy) and snack on so yummy chocolate wrapped in pink! WHAT A GREAT SURPRISE! I feel loved :)

Hi World

Oh dear, well it has been a while. Oops! :)

Nothing new has happened here - just the passing of time like a bullet train! Where has the time gone? I'm looking back at these pictures of Reagan and Hurley (previous known as Tonks, explanation to follow) and they are just little babies!

So a quick recap of life in picture form.

Halloween - Our Wonderful World of Harry Potter Party

Kylie as Tonks 

Me as Luna 

 Garrett as a unicorn LOL 

 Dad as Voldemort 

Michael as Tom Riddle 

                                               

Mom as Rita

 Reagan as Harry 

Kris as a Snatcher 

Fall Time 

We spent Thanksgiving in Virginia with the Lumpkins. We had a blast relaxing, eating , and more relaxing. Reagan made it nearly all the way there without getting sick! What is with this puppy and the car?! I blame the scary-ness of the vet. 

They love to play in the leaves - it's too cute! 

Christmas Time! 

Christmas was wonderful in our new home! We had an amazing Christmas Eve service - seriously click here to see it! 

We spent Christmas Day with my family - played games, watched Planet of the Apes (I thought it was just plain too sad for a Christmas movie - I do not recommend), Kylie and I built Harry Potter legos and the boys had Star Wars legos! I would say it was all together a supremely wonderful Christmas! 

Things have gone so fast since then - I cannot believe it's the second week of February already! We have a ridiclously busy month already from weddings, a trip to CFAW, visits from Michael's parents and HEATHER ALLEN! YIPPIE! I have the huge letters here because I haven't spent more than 30 minutes quality time with her in almost two years - that is too long! I am super excited to see her in...20 days!

So there it is - you are caught up! There isn't much to be caught up on but anyways - hello again blog world. I will attempt to be a better informant. I'm thinking of doing a picture of the day! Won't that be nice?

New Blog

Look! I started a new blog for all my gluten free recipes :) I promise they will be great recipes even for those who can eat everything - since my husband is in that category.

Gluten Free @ 23

A day at the park

We took Reagan on her 1st park walk on Saturday... she shook like a leaf when we stepped out of the car but got over that as soon as soon as she saw people. She is a super friendly puppy - gold star for Reagan! 

The park near our house has a war memorial where we found some wonderful quotes from Reagan's namesake, the best President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. 

This is a wonderful park - there is a community garden, a museum of old southern homes, stores, and a school, a war memorial, and a great path for walking. Definitely a new favorite place of our new home here! 

Love this! The community garden had a picture frame on a pole - Michael took a great shot of Reagan and her momma :) 

At Long Last

At long last I am the momma of not only one but two babies! :) 

Originally we named what we thought was a her Tonks...which we are in the process of renaming since I found out she is in fact, a he. Michael and I can't keep calling him a her. I think we have decided on Gilderoy in honor of one of our favorite Defense Against the Dark Arts professors! He is a playful little booger, poor Reagan is trying to take a nap right now and he  keeps trying to attack her. I'm not a cat person but this little kitty is  pretty wonderful :) 

Our sweet baby Reagan

We bought Reagan from a shelter; therefore, we have no idea what kind of puppy she is. After taking her home and having her two weeks we think that this little girl is most definitely mixed with a Jack Russell Terrier. She has started to spring around like crazy. She loves to cuddle, eat my mum plant, and play with her kitty. At long last I have a puppy - my heart overflows with joy! :) 

Best friends... for the most part

A bend in the road

This week is a week of lasts… we are moving to Mcdonough, GA next week! So excited to say the least! I get to be an hour from my family, we are moving into a beautiful God given home, and we are getting to be a part of an awesome church family!

So this week is my last:

1. Last time posting my updates for my Mobile Team – YIPPIE!

2. Last time fighting the crazy Lynchburg drivers trying to get to work…no more stopping before jumping on the highway. Seriously WORST DRIVERS EVER!!!

3. Last time going to church with our most loved DRC youth – this is very very very sad. Leaving them is so hard because I love them so much…but we are going to drown our sorrows in a pizza party and fun games tonight! J We at least they are…no pizza for me! I’m just have to survive off of the good pizza vibes from everyone else

4. Last time having our Target date before church…roaming through the isles looking for great deals – which are normally found ever Wednesday. Hey, we will save some money on this “last”

5. Last time having to shut the doors because of our smoking neighbors! Praise the Lord! J

6. Last time washing dishes in our ridiculously shallow sink – I get soaked every time I do the dishes. I should just wear by bathing suit and dive in.

7. Last time talking sitting at Autum's desk having our fun conversations. This girl has made work so much more bearable - I love her and I'm really going to miss her.

8. Last time dealing with anything Liberty work related! (insert the most happy dance ever – something that looks like this… Happy Dance

9. Last time waking up in the first place Michael and I call ‘home’ together – it’s been a good place for us

Last times are very nice… they make you thankful for the good times and honestly the things you learn from the bad. All and all this has been a good time here in Lynchburg – yes I’ll be the first to say I have not been the happiest here – but lately I have been able to see the blessings through it all. God has bless Michael and I with a wonderful group of kids at DRC that we have grown to love dearly, blessings of wonderful friends, and keeping us fed, clothed, warm and quite honestly not in need of anything here. There have been many pearls added to my sting :)

Looking forward to a new adventure in Mcdonough – to the people we will meet, the new friends we will have, the ministry with the youth at Avalon church (I can’t wait to get started with the girls ministry there), our new home and all that comes with keeping an actual house, and our new PUPPY!!!! (Finally this dream will come true! Puppy love)

"When I left Queen's my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don't know what lies around the bend, but I am going to believe that the best does. It has a fascination of its own, that bend, Marilla. I wonder how the road beyond it goes - what there is of green glory and soft, checkered light and shadows - what new landscapes - what new beauties - what curves and hills and valleys farther on."

— L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables)

Here I come new world and new life! My road is curving and I am fascinated to see what lays beyond it – I will have the eyes to see it, the heart to love it, and the hand to gather it!

"There is so much in the world for us all if we only have the eyes to see it, and the heart to love it, and the hand to gather it to ourselves--so much in men and women, so much in art and literature, so much everywhere in which to delight, and for which to be thankful."

— L.M. Montgomery

THE END IS COMING!!

I am a survivor of the Virginia Earthquake of 2011.

HAHAHAHAHA

I cannot help but share with you these funny pictures.

Note: People are not dying, buildings are not crumbling, buildings are not burning down, and nothing is falling from the sky – but some of the pictures make it seem that way.

This was my face :) "Earthquake?! AWESOME!!!!!"