Monday, November 12, 2012

Sweet Home College Station

We had an amazing weekend!  Anytime we go to College Station, it's just amazing and feels so much like home.  Even if it is growing at lightening speed.

Our sweet friends had their 2nd baby, 2 weeks ago and I was itching to go see them.  We also had planned to take our family photos with friends in the College Station area.  So we planned accordingly and made it a weekend of babies, friends, and photos.

Friday morning, we loaded up and headed out.  Making several stops along the way.  Traveling with an almost 11 month old (oh my word, getting wayy to close to a year) makes for an interesting trip. 

We got in town around 2, checked in to our hotel, and then went to spend the day with our friends.  And see/hold the new baby boy!!!
That evening with left all 3 kiddos with the boys and us girls took a little shopping trip and then had girl talk over a sandwich dinner.  It was wonderful to spend time chatting with Brooke! 


Saturday was a big day...game day!  The Aggies were playing Alabama, #1 team in the nation.  We went to eat lunch @ Cheddar's then watch the game.  Us girls ended up taking the kids to the mall since there's only so much time they can spend cooped up in a restaurant.  And since we were doing so well, all the loud cheering and clapping was really scaring my sweet boy.  The mall was a much better atmosphere for us.  Even though I hated to miss watching the game!  Especially since WE WON!!  One of the most exciting wins and games in modern Aggie football.  Unbelievable really!!!  Aggieland was on an all-time high.  Everywhere we went we heard people hullabaloo and whooping.  I am SO proud of our Aggies and most certainly proud to be an Aggie.  We were really tempted to go to campus to welcome the players back home but really not feasible with a baby, especially one who is scared of cheering and yelling. 


The mall was kicking off Santa's arrival so they had "snow" on the hour.  We took the kids to the "snow" area and it was a bit of a disappointment.  Essentially just foam bubbles.  Rylie who is 3 asked, "what is this???" ha!  She couldn't be fooled. Brady didn't seem all that impressed either.



 

Since it was such a long day and Brady didn't get us normal naps in, we ended up calling it an early night.  We went to our hotel around 7 and got him ready for bed then decided what we'd eat.  Our hotel was in the same parking lot as McAllister's so we decided on that.  So I got to eat there 2 nights in a row, ha!  Fine by me because I am addicted to their sweet tea.  And I'm a fan of their cranberry orange turkey club.

I loved getting to see our friends and can't wait to see our kids grow up together, even if we live miles apart.  Rylie loves Brady and vice versa.  Can't wait to see them all go off to A&M together! :)  Oh be still my heart...


 Fathers and sons...love!
 Ry, AB, Jackson, and B.
B. had lots of fun playing.
And sleeping...he was NOT having the pack and play so he got sleep in the "big bed!"

Sunday morning, early that morning we had our family photo session.  I am hoping we got some great pictures out of the deal.  First time AB and I have had our pictures taken professionally since we got married.  Five years ago.  We had lunch with The Lloyd's before heading back home.  Brady was asleep before we left the restuarant.  He was laying his head down at the table so AB took him outside and put him in the car seat and he fell right asleep.  Bless his heart!

I did not want the weekend to end.  Nor did I want to leave College Station...it's my happy place!  It was so nice to get away and just enjoy our little family of 3.  Not to mention the Aggies beating Bama was still on our minds Sunday.  We love us some Aggie football!!!  Gig 'Em Aggies!!!!!!




Thursday, November 8, 2012

Jesus, Friend of Sinners


Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. -Proverbs 12:18

My heart is so heavy.  My heart is simply breaking for the way, humanity (including myself) have acted these past few days.  And I normally would never address controversial topics on my little piece of blog-o-sphere, but if I want my life to bring glory to Him then I feel like I must speak up.  I'd rather hid in a closet, than face controversy but God doesn't call us to be comfortable.  Francis Chan says, "Life is comfortable when you separate yourself from people who are different from you...But God doesn't call us to be comfortable.  He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through."

I have read/heard some really harsh things regarding the results of the election.  Ones that aren't even directed towards me, but still pierce my heart.  Then there are those that aren't directly directed at me, but feel like they are.  Generalizations, if you may.  Which bring me to tears then I'm quick to remember that I'm not of this world.  Praise the Lord.  But while I am here, I have to be obedient in what God ask of me.  Which is showing compassion, loving others, and bringing Glory to Him.

But as I self-examine my own heart, I can't help but think that if we are called to love as Christ loves then that means not trampling over each other for what we think is right, not thrashing each other with words that piece like a sword, and definitely not de-friending people simply because you disagree with them.

Those are the people Jesus has called us to love.  To offer a place in our home or at our dinner table.  To offer our time, services, and yes money if needed.

It's so much easier to love those who will love you back.  It's so much easier to be friends with those who believe like you do.  It's so much easier to hoard up your treasures, than to give.  Truly give as if you have nothing to lose.

We all want to be loved.  We all want our voice to be heard.  But we can't do that when we are looking around, rather than up.

This life isn't about us.  It isn't about who resides in the White House.  It isn't about statistics or media-hype or who is right or wrong.  We are all wrong.  We all fall short.

As a sister in Christ, I am almost embarrassed at the way some of us have acted.  Because let's face it, we have not been all that kind or loving.  And I feel like others (like myself) instead of saying anything, just sit back and say nothing.  Which is not okay either.

If we are called to be like Christ, then we are called to love ALL of his people.  Regardless of social status, political party, race, gender, believers, non-believers, or difference of opinions/beliefs.

Loving like Christ loves is definitely a hard task.  But after seeing what I've seen these last few days, I think we Christians have no choice but to try.  We must rise up and hold each other accountable.  Jesus didn't sacrifice his life for us to live lukewarm.  He did it so we may overcome and draw people to Him.  Not abandon them.  And the only way we can love us fault-filled humans, is through Him and with his help.

We have to learn to speak with love and mercy, not with anger and strife.  We have to learn to love beyond our differences.  We have to learn how to lay down our pride.

But most importantly, we have to love people the way God intended us too.  Without judgement.

Because at the end of the day, at the end of this life...what will REALLY matter?

How we loved will be what matters.  Not who resides in the White House the next 4 years or 20 years for that matter.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:2-3 this:

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love. -1 Corinthians 13:13

What if we could see past each others differences?  What if we could love with our heart instead of our minds?  What if we truly loved the way Jesus did?  What are others supposed to believe when "we" act the way we do?  Because as a believer, I've hardly felt love these last few days.

"Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees
Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did..."

I pray those in which we have offended, will forgive us and allow us to love them even if we disagree.  I also pray that they will see God's love through us, not our bitterness or poor attitude.  And I pray your love would permeate throughout this wonderful country (where we have the privilege of worshiping you freely), and throughout the world.  We need you more than ever.

Jesus, thank you for breaking my heart for what breaks yours.  Help us to see this world through your eyes and not our own.  Help us to love one another as you have loved us.

His love endures forever.  And for that I am forever grateful.





Monday, November 5, 2012

The Weekend

Friday, I had a girls night out.  One of my best friends (since 10th grade) and I went to a holiday shopping/fundraiser event for YMCA, Yuletide Market.  It was "sip and shop" night.  We shopped, had a drink, and ate some amazing hors d'oeuvres.  Afterwards, we went to a well-known Italian place and split our favorite fettuccine Alfredo.  We had a great time chatting and getting out of the house for some adult conversation.  Much needed for these two frumpy moms.

Sadly, this was the only picture I got of the night.  I really wanted this Madagascar hat, but decided I better not.  ha!  And I'm so thankful for a husband who is willing to take the babe for the night, so I can get out and get a break.  Thanks hunny!!

Saturday, I got to sleep in...woo-hoo!  Seems like I can't ever get catch up with sleep.  Is that just a mom thing?  The Aggie game was an early on so we spent the morning watching the game cheering on our Ags to another SEC victory!  Whoop!!  I did skip out for a bit to run a few errands and go to a local bake sale for a kid who has cancer.  That evening, I was stir-crazy and wanted to take a trip to Wal-Mart.  I know...what in the world gotten into me?  I really wanted to go to Target but since we don't have one close, I had to settle for WM.  We all loaded up and made a family trip to Wal-Mart.  So exciting, let me tell you!  We took B. to look at the fish, after we checked out all the Christmas decorations.  Brady loved looking at the fish.  But I was so upset to see most of them were DEAD and the tanks were filled with algae.

Also had a fun mail day...got these in the mail only to find out they are WAYYY to big!!  I am so sad!  I was so happy that I had B's holiday wear mostly bought, only to find out we may be able to wear them next year! 


Sunday, we went to church then headed to town.  We are taking our family photos this weekend and I was hoping to get our outfits figured out.  No such luck!  We ate Freebirds for lunch and Brady got his own quesadilla.  He's a fan! 

 While I am a fan of the nachos...yummy!

But he really isn't a fan of shopping...definitely takes after his father, ha!
 Doesn't he look just thrilled???  He fell alseep before we even got out of the mall parking lot.  Bless his heart.


Today we had Bible study...then hit up the grocery store.  We got stuff for our Operation Christmas Child and then had dinner tonight for my father-in-law's birthday.  Brady's Dandy.  Sadly, I didn't get a picture of them together, just this one of him and his daddy.  Why does he look so big/old???

And just because this one is too cute...B during lunch today.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Black and Yellow

Fall Photo Shoot

Family Photo Shoot

Thursday, November 1, 2012

30

Is it really November???  I am not ready for it to be November.  Normally, I am thrilled when November rolls around...but since I'm turning 30 this year and it means B. is one month closer to turning 1, it has me feeling a little down.  Not to mention, I was really hoping to be 10 pounds lighter by my 30th birthday and for our family photos this month.  Maybe I should just embrace who I am, fluff and all.

I am not so much upset about turning 30.  I just can't believe I will be 30.  Feels like I was just celebrating my 25th birthday.  30 is the new 25, right??

This month and next month are just filled with huge milestones.

I will turn the big 3-0.
Brady will turn 11 months old.
Brady will turn 1 in December.
AB and I will celebrate 5 years of wedded bliss also in December.
And then it will be time for a whole new year.

November is normally a month of thanksgiving.  And I have so much to be thankful for.  But I also want to be thankful for 30 years of this life so this year for November and for my birthday I am going to try something different.

Stay tuned.  Until then...